Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Chris Penn 1/25/06

Actor Chris Penn was found dead in his condo yesterday afternoon. While I'm not a big fan of the Penn brothers I can easily say that Chris was my favorite one. Much better than his "look at me" attention whoring brother.

Chris Penn was one of those actors that appear in all kinds of movies and you'd see him and say hey look its Chris Penn. The last thing I heard him in was the latest Grand Theft Auto where he voiced a crooked cop. I did learn today that singer Michael Penn is actually his brother. Well Rest in Peace Chris.

Goodbye Chris Penn
Character roles knew you pretty well
You played the Reservoir nice guy
Your bio sure would tell
You crawled out of nowhere
With minor roles in your hand
Never being able
To get out of your brother shadow again

And it seemed to me that you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never know when to turn
Down the fat guy role again
And I would have liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your GTA voice work ever did.

EDIT:
Wow how's this for a slap in the face. On the Chicago Tribune site the death is listed as
"ACTOR SEAN PENN'S BROTHER DIES"
He's had a career of his own and couldn’t even get top billing on his own obit.

Friday, January 06, 2006

Lou Rawls 1/6/06

Another R&B legend and Chicago’s very own has passed away. Velvet voiced singer Lou Rawls died today. The last time I saw Lou he sang the National Anthem at the World Series. He’s probably best known for his song, “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”. We were talking at work the great champagne and dim lighting singers from the 70’s and early 80’s are almost all gone. You turn down the lights and throw in a little Barry White, Lou Rawls, Marvin Gaye or Al Green. Sure Al is still around but not doing the same type of music really. Lou Rawls did a lot of charity work for the United Negro College Fund. Lou was a good guy, rest in peace Lou.

Goodbye Lou Rawls
Thought I knew you pretty well
You had the grace to sing a song
You velvety singing sure would tell
You crawled out of Chicago
With gospel music as your game
Became an R&B legend
Sang at a White Sox World Series game

And it seemed to me that you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing when to sing
You’ll never find… again
And I would have liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your charity ever did