R.I.P. BOB

The genial Bob Hope lived to be 100 - and then fell victim to a mere pneumonia two months later.
I'd rather celebrate his passage
(or "tour of duty on this planet"
or "test a.k.a. life"
if you will!)
today - which is the date of his arrival
(i.o.w. his birthday) rather than on
July 27th - the date of his departure
back in 2003...

We narrowingly
missed out
on honoring him
as it occurred
- since this blog's
inception
would be a mere
few months later,
really...

Bob Hope has gone on
four years ago today
already.

He is missed.

We can be selfish one second
and forget that he is much better off
- while we wish
he could have remained
with us forever
- always the same
wisecracking Bob Hope -
dim-witted and yet so witty
as only he could pull it off...!

We still have his movies
to remember him by -
so many memories
so many laughs
that will never
wither.

We had Bob,
for a time -
at least
we had that.

Rest In Peace,
Leslie Townes Hope

You are forever
our Bob -
and Heaven
has someone
to make
everyone laugh
up there;
one more
that is...!

One of an
exceptional
(and, perhaps, questionable?)
quality
that is...


+++

Memorial Day 2007

EVERY SINGLE DAY
IS
MEMORIAL DAY
ON
THE
LUGUBRIOUS BLOG
AND
IN
LUMINOUS COUNTRY
IN FACT...


AND THAT'S THE WAY
IT OUGHT TO BE TOO!

REMEMBER THAT.

AND
REMEMBER
PERIOD.

ALWAYS.

NEVER DARE
to FORGET.

+++

Two Lugubrious Anniversaries In Double Digits

20 YEARS AGO, SONGSTRESS AND CONSUMMATE DIVA DALIDA TOOK HER LIFE.
25 YEARS AGO, RACE CAR DRIVER AND CONSUMMATE COMPETITOR
GILLES VILLENEUVE KILLED HIMSELF DOING WHAT HE LOVED BEST...




Dalida was born January the 17th, 1933 in Cairo, Egypt, as Yolanda Christina Gigliotti. She was to die, hence, a May 3rd, in 1987 - far away from home, in Paris, disillusioned with life itself. She had tried to commit suicide 20 years earlier. What she didn't succeed in doing in 1967 at age 34, she finally accomplished at age 54. Twice before her attempts, a lover's suicide had crushed her; in 1967 and in 1983 as well. The suicide of her ex-husband and mentor Lucien Morisse had also affected her deeply - for she knew that she had driven him to that by leaving him for the painter Jean Sobieski (yes, actress Leelee Sobieski's father). Her family had dissolved with time as well... Losing so many loved ones, in so many ways, brought her to the edge.

Dalida died as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills leaving a suicide note that said: "Life has become unbearable ... forgive me."

Dalida is buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre, Paris, and a life-size statue of the singer stands outside her tomb.

In 1997, the corner of the rues Girardon and Abreuvoir in the Butte Montmartre in Paris was inaugurated as "Place Dalida" and a life-size bust to her memory was erected at that location. In 2001, the French government honored her memory with a postage stamp.

Of note, also, her first career -as an actress- never really took off... Perhaps because her first film was with countryman Omar Sharif...? Her music career was confined to Europe, the Middle-East and even Japan. The USA always frowned upon her obvious talent. Also, the 1983 lover was apparently an immortal; so take it a grain of salt when it is reputed that he "killed himself"... She was living with the flamboyant and less than reputable Richard Chanfray (referred to as the Comte de St Germain) when he committed suicide in July 1983.




Décès de Gilles Villeneuve

Joanne Villeneuve se confie

Il y a 25 ans, Gilles Villeneuve faisait son tour de piste fatal à Zolder en Belgique. Depuis, il est resté gravé dans la mémoire des gens.

La femme de Gilles Villeneuve, qui vit maintenant à Montréal, s'est confiée à notre collègue Paul Larocque. (The interview is no longer available though on the site of origin)

Joanne Villeneuve décrit la peine d'avoir perdu un mari. Une tragédie qui a changé sa vie.

If I Closed My Eyes Forever... Would It All Remain The Same?

 
 Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne

 

"Buffy" Sarah-Michelle Gellar & "Spike" James Marsters