celebrity deaths

Jan Kuehnemund, guitarist and founding member of glam-metal pioneers Vixen, has died after what was deemed a "fierce battle" with cancer. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Kuehnemund started Vixen while still in high school, eventually relocating to Los Angeles in 1981. She was 51.

Guitarist Phil Chevron has died after a long battle with cancer. Even though he got his start as a founding member of the Radiators From Space, one of the many bands to emerge from the late-'70s punk scene in England, Chevron was best known as the guitarist for the Irish punk band the Pogues. He was 56.

Doug Grassel, a guitarist for the Ohio Express, died on Sept. 21, 2013, from fibrosis of the lungs. He was 64.

Tom Clancy, the hugely successful and prolific author behind the Jack Ryan series of books and multiple video game franchises, died at a hospital last night in Baltimore at the age of 66. His publisher confirmed the news to the New York Times but no cause of death has been announced.

Lorne Black, a former bassist with Great White, has died. Brave Words is reporting that he passed away on Sept. 27.

Roger Pope was one of Elton John's early bandmates, playing drums on the piano man's early demos and later going on to tour and recording six albums with him. The Whitestable, U.K., native died on Sept. 17 at the age of 66.

Pete Gentil, bassist for the veteran U.K. metal band Dealer, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 14.

Russell "Skip" Gildersleeve, a longtime fixture on the concert scene who lent his skills as a road crew member and sound engineer to a long list of acts that included Bob Seger, Steely Dan, and Rush, has died at the age of 57.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Jackie Lomax, whose 50-year career included sessions with Eric Clapton and members of the Beatles, has passed away at the age of 69.

Tommy Morrison, best known for his work in 1990's 'Rocky V' alongside Sylvester Stallone has died at the age of 44 due to complications with AIDs yesterday (September 1) in Nebraska. He was also a former heavyweight boxing champion nicknamed "The Duke," defeating George Foreman in 1993.

Very sad news to report, especially for fans of crime fiction and wonderful writers in general: Elmore Leonard, the author best known for books such as 'Get Shorty,' 'Out of Sight' and 'Jackie Brown' (all of which were adapted into fantastic films, of course), has died at the age of 87.

Sad news for Hollywood and fans of former FOX sitcom 'That '70s Show' today, as we've learned that actress Lisa Robin Kelly has passed away at the age of 43. Kelly had been best known as the actress behind Eric Forman's (Topher Grace) sister, Laurie Forman, eventually being replaced in the role due to her notable off-screen personal difficulties.