Some Recent Deaths: In Case You Hadn't Heard

Kim Fowley: Music Producer known for collaborations with KISS, Alice Cooper, The Runaways and Beyonce, died at age 75 on Saturday. His alleged funeral plans prior to his death included having his corpse mutilated and abused by models for the fetish magazine "Girls and Corpses", and placed on the cover. The magazine prominently features pictures of scantily clad women posing with real dead bodies.

The magazine has reportedly agreed to photograph his corpse with women surrounding it, for its front cover.

King Abdullah: Saudi state run TV announced on Friday January 23rd, 2015 that King Abdullah, the Ruler of the oil rich nation, had passed away at the age of 90. During his reign he maintained close relations with United Statesand Britain and bought billions of dollars worth of defense equipment from both states. He gave women the right to vote (not that voting matter overly much - man or woman - in that monarchy) and to compete in the Olympics. According to reports, Abdullah had 30 wives and 35 children.

The king had a personal fortune estimated at US$18 billion, making him the third wealthiest head of state in the world.

Abdullah's half-brother, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, will become successor to the throne at 79 years old.

Melvin Gordon: CEO of Tootsie Roll Industries died on January 20th, 2015 at the age of 95. He was Chief Executive Officer of the company for over five decades and navigated the company to become a confectionary empire. Junior Mints, Charleston Chews, and Tootsie Pops were amongst the other candies made by the company. His wife of 65 years, Ellen Gordon, 82, was voted as the new CEO by the Board of Directors. Tootsie Rol Industries was founded in 1895.

Darrell Winfield: An American rancher and model was known as the "real" Marlboro man. He died on January 12th, 2015. He was 85. Darrell modeled for the part of the famed cowboy from 1968 to 1989. Many considered him the "real" Marlboro Man because he was actually a cowboy instead of an actor. His cause of death was not disclosed but it is known that he remained loyal to the Marlboro brand until his final days.

 

Dallas Woodrow Taylor Jr: Drummer for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, died at the age of 66 on January 18th, 2015. He wrote a book in 1994 called, "Prisoner of Woodstock", where he chronicles his struggle with addiction and fame. After becoming sober in 1985, Dallas became a board certified interventionist/counselor in Beverly Hills, California for over 28 years. Taylor died on January 18, 2015 of complications from viral pneumonia and kidney disease.

 

George Plitt Jr.:Passed away on January 17th, 2015 from a freak train accident. The model/ actor was filming a promotional video for energy drinks near train tracks in Burbank, California when an action scene went wrong and George tripped, falling onto the tracks. The film crew stated to police that George was trying to film himself being like a "super hero". He was said to have been trying to outrun the train while hopped up on the energy drinks. He was 37.

 

Donna Douglas (born Doris Smith; September 1932 – January 1, 2015) was an American actress and singer, known for her role as Elly May Clampett in CBS's The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Following her acting career, Douglas became a real estate agent, a Gospel singer and inspirational speaker, and authored books for children and adults. She was 82,

Rodney Sturt "Rod" Taylor (11 January 1930 – 7 January 2015) was an Australian actor of film and television. He appeared in over 50 films, including leading roles in The Time Machine, Seven Seas to Calais, The Birds, Sunday in New York, Young Cassidy, Dark of the Sun, The Liquidator, and The Train Robbers. He was 84.