Obituaries

Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla virtuoso who defied genres, dies at 73

Hussain's career spanned over five decades, during which he was revered as both a national treasure in India and admired worldwide.

Remembering Dominique Brown, co-founder of Black Girl Disney

Disney influencer Dominique Brown, co-founder of Black Girl Disney, died last week after experiencing a medical emergency at an event in Los Angeles hosted by BoxLunch.

Chuck Woolery, game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83

The affable, smooth-talking game show host of "Wheel of Fortune," "Love Connection" and "Scrabble" later became a right-wing podcaster.

Arthur Frommer, who changed travel with his guidebooks, has died at 95

Arthur Frommer, who revolutionized travel with his 1957 guidebook Europe on 5 Dollars a Day, has died at 95, his daughter confirmed Monday.

Remembering Ted Olson, a titan of the law

Ted Olson, the Bush-era solicitor general, has died at age 84. He was a towering figure in the legal profession who argued 65 cases at the Supreme Court as solicitor general and as a private lawyer.

Roy Haynes, pioneering modern jazz drummer, has died at 99

Haynes influenced generations of drummers and helped change the direction of jazz improvisation.

John Robinson, successful football coach at USC and with the LA Rams, has died at 89

John Robinson, the veteran football coach who enjoyed many years of success at the University of Southern California and with the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 89.

Ella Jenkins, the first lady of children’s music, has died at 100

Jenkins, whose signature tune was "You'll Sing A Song," received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was known worldwide for her call-and-response songs.

Birmingham Public Library Honors Civil Rights Leader Shelly Millender Jr.

The Board of Trustees at the Birmingham Public Library honored Shelly Millender Jr. who helped integrate the city’s libraries in 1963.

Bernard Lockhart’s Work Ethic Fueled His Passion For Jazz And Community-Building

Bernard Lockhart, founder of Avondale's Jazz in the Park, died last month from complications related to COVID-19.

Longtime Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver Would Have Done Just About Anything For His Little City

The longtime mayor for the city of Clanton died in July from COVID-19.

Remembering A Life Lost To COVID-19 Behind Bars

Hershell Moon came from a big family and served in the Vietnam War. He was incarcerated at St. Clair prison when he died from COVID-19 in June.

‘Be Like Pearl’: A Woman So Admired She Inspired New Year’s Resolutions Was Felled By COVID-19

Pearl Slay is one of more than 2,300 Alabamians who have died from COVID-19.

Albert Trousdale’s Son Points COVID-19 Skeptics To A Tombstone

“I said ‘I love you. That was the last time I saw him alive," said Matt Trousdale, whose father died from COVID-19.

Remembering the Alabamians Who Have Fallen To COVID-19. Who Were They?

We know very little about the Alabamians who have lost their lives due to the coronavirus and related illness during the pandemic.

Bluesman Henry “Gip” Gipson Dies at 99

Alabama native and blues musician Henry “Gip” Gipson has died. He was 99.

Former Jefferson County Commissioner Chris McNair Dies

For most of her life, WBHM reporter Sherrell Stewart has had a close up view of McNair's triumphs and heartbreaks. She shares this remembrance, including what they discussed just days before his death.

Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, 72, Dies

One of Birmingham’s most colorful and memorable mayors died Tuesday. Larry Langford, 72, died Tuesday evening at a Birmingham hospital.