Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020
The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.
Carol Burnett puts variety, and music, back in her show
FILE - Carol Burnett arrives at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif.. Sixty-five episodes of The Carol Burnett Show have been restored and expanded and are streaming for the first time on services including Hulu and Tubi. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)LOS ANGELES – Carol Burnett is so glad we had this time together, as she sang in her signature song. And of course in television the “v” of vaudeville became the “v” of variety show," Burnett told The Associated Press this week. One restored episode from the show’s first season ends with Burnett, Lawrence, comic Phyllis Diller and dancer Gwen Verdon wearing psychedelic “Sgt. “It’s just me and Vicki now,” Burnett said with a sigh.
'I Am Woman' singer Helen Reddy, '70s hitmaker, dies at 78
FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2015, file photo, Australian-born singer Helen Reddy attends the 2015 G'DAY USA GALA at the Hollywood Palladium, in Los Angeles. Reddy, who shot to stardom in the 1970s with her feminist anthem I Am Woman and recorded a string of other hits, has died at age 78. Reddys children Traci and Jordan announced that the actress-singer died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Los Angeles. Reddy’s children Traci and Jordan announced that the actor-singer died Tuesday in Los Angeles. In 2017 she performed “I Am Woman” at a Women's March in Los Angeles, singing alongside actor Jamie Lee Curtis.