If true, I had a chance to see him with Son Seals once .... just wow. He had been in poor health for some time - and just last month he wrote, “I just hope I’m remembered as a good blues musician.”

Blues legend Johnny Winter has died at the age of 70. The news was first reported by American Blues Scene and Jenda Derringer, wife of Winter's former bandmate Rick Derringer. Jenda wrote on Facebook: "[Johnny] passed early this morning in Zurich, Switzerland." She added: "He was not in good health and was very frail and weak."

Links
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http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/blues-legend-johnny-winter-dead-at-70/#k5o2lvtC68K4LfWP.99

https://www.facebook.com/jenda.derringer/posts/806861402657902

http://www.americanbluesscene.com/2014/07/johnny-winter-dead/

http://journalstar.com/entertainment/music/johnny-winter-i-hope-i-m-remembered-as-a-good/article_66c90ed5-6c48-5f31-8ecd-8214642e869d.html


http://tinyurl.com/leanl89

Dick Smith, who transformed the art of creating special makeup effects, has died aged 92.

The pioneer worked on dozens of films including The Godfather, The Exorcist, Taxi Driver and Amadeus.

His protege Rick Baker revealed the death on Twitter and said: "The master is gone. My friend and mentor Dick Smith is no longer with us. The world will not be the same."

Smith started his career in television and became head of makeup at NBC in 1945 where he remained until 1959.

Working with Marlon Brando on The Godfather, Smith spent an hour and half before each scene adding jowls, age spots and grey hair to create the character Vito Corleone.

Brando won a best actor Oscar for the role but refused to accept it.

In 1973's horror The Exorcist Smith created the demonic makeup for possessed child Regan, played by Linda Blair, and fitted the vomit device for one of the film's most famous scenes.

His use of latex and other techniques meant he was able to artfully age F Murray Abraham from his forties to his eighties in Amadeus in 1984.

Smith discovered his talent while studying at Yale University. He happened to pick up a textbook detailing makeup tricks used in Hollywood.

He began doing makeup for the university's theatre group and reportedly roamed the campus at night in comic monster makeup.

In 2009 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honoured Smith with a special tribute to mark his huge contribution to the makeup profession and entertainment industry.

Smith is the only makeup artist in history to receive a Governors Award, the very highest and most prestigious type of Oscar.

Speaking at the ceremony in 2011 he said: "I have loved being a makeup artist so much, but this kind of puts a crown on all of that ... I am so grateful."

Smith mentored and trained dozens of makeup artists who are now huge successes in the industry themselves.

http://www.tmz.com/2014/08/05/texas-chainsaw-massacre-marilyn-burns-dead-dies-houston/