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With the Friday passing of Muhammad Ali, 2016 claimed yet another revered and influential figure, leading numerous individuals and news outlets, including CNN, which wondered if this is “the year of celebrity death,” to fear for the future. When Robin Williams died in ’14, I recall having mixed feelings when hearing people say he felt like a member of their families, agreeing with the esteem in which they held him but also chiding their maudlin mentality. Recalling my split decision on reactions to the actor’s demise and pondering Ali’s legacy, I started to think of direct connections that 2016’s increasing list of losses has to South Philly and crafted this account as a result.
10) Kevin Turner: This product of Prattville, Alabama played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 to ’99, claiming the franchise’s Ed Block Courage Award in his second season. Having received an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis in 2010, he died in his native state on March 24.
9) Tony Burton: Michigan-born Tony Burton portrayed Tony “Duke” Evers in the first six installments of the “Rocky” film franchise, which included shoots in the 9th Street Italian Market. Pneumonia claimed him in Menifee, California on Feb. 25.
8) Robert Stigwood: Music lovers will most likely recognize this Australian as the manager of Cream and the Bee Gees. During his distinguished career, he also added producing to his achievements, helping theatergoers to enjoy “Evita,” which won the 1980 Tony Award for Best Musical, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and “Sweeney Todd.” He served as the producer for many films, too, including “Grease,” which enlisted South Philly’s Frankie Avalon to play Teen Angel and belt out “Beauty School Dropout.” Stigwood died in London on Jan. 4
7) Billy Paul: Raised in North Philly, Billy Paul, born Paul Williams, began releasing songs in 1952 but needed to wait 20 years for his big break. Thanks to “Me and Mrs. Jones,” for which South Philly native Kenny Gamble served as one of the three composers, Paul scored a chart-topper and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance. He lost his battle against pancreatic cancer on April 24.
6) Rick MacLeish: Cannington, Ontario’s pride and joy, MacLeish will forever hold a place in the hearts of Flyers fans, as his goal in Game Six of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals gave the club the first of its two championships. In a bit of poetic justice, he tallied the score against the Boston Bruins, the team that had drafted him fourth overall four years earlier. Meningitis, as well as kidney and liver failure, took him to the great hockey rink in the sky on May 30.
5) David Bowie: The Thin White Duke first came to my attention through 1986’s “Labyrinth,” playing Jareth the Goblin King. When I became more aware of his other music, I obviously found it irresistibly provocative and learned that he played 14 shows at The Spectrum from ’74 through ’90. His Jan. 10 passing in New York, two days after his 69th birthday, commenced, in the estimation of many, a cursed year for celebrities.
4) George Martin: I am a huge fan of The Beatles and certainly value the production efforts of Sir George Martin, who guided the Liverpool lads through their awe-inspiring and near decade-long dominance of the charts. The foursome stopped touring in 1966, with their final sprint to the United States including an Aug. 16 show at South Philly’s own John F. Kennedy Stadium. The “Fifth Beatle” died March 8 in Wiltshire, England.
3) Prince: No matter else whom we lose this year (and here’s hoping we do not part with many more people whom we admire no matter their status), the death of Prince will probably resonate the most. Dying of an accidental fentanyl overdose on April 21, the Minnesota-bred icon left behind a terrific catalogue and incredible memories for those who saw him live, including those who caught him at the Wachovia Center Aug. 22-24, 2004 in what amounted to his last full-length tour of the United States.
2) Muhammad Ali: I grew up when Mike Tyson was bludgeoning foes with impunity and since Iron Mike’s era was not that far removed from that of Muhammad Ali, I often heard the latter’s name and became a semi-student of his life in and out of the ring. When preparing for foes, the Kentucky product relied on the expertise of trainer Angelo Dundee, a South Philly native who worked with 16 world champions.
1) Ed Snider: Perhaps my bias as a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers led to this selection. Minus this man, one wonders if this town would have ever welcomed hockey, the lack of which certainly would have hindered our reputation as a great sports city. Bleeding orange and black, he helped to oversee a feared and ferocious franchise, with Stanley Cup titles coming to Broad Street in 1974 and ’75. He died of bladder cancer in California April 11. ■
Contact Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
