Celebrity Death Haiku

B.J. Thomas

1942-2021

Raindrops now fallin’
On his headstone instead of
Fallin’ on his head

—Robert Leroy Parker

Now Liederman’s got
The initials B and J
All to his own self

—Harry Longbaugh

 

 

Rhonda Fleming

1923-2020

Technicolor queen
Hot red hair and cool green eyes
Kept us all spellbound

—Laurel Cannon

Helen Reddy

1941-2020

One hit wonder spawns
B-List celebrity life
All downhill from there

--Rhonda Helpern

 

Mac Davis

1942-2020

Famous as himself
Got rich writing hit songs for
Late-career Elvis

--Tom Morrow

 

Astrid Kirchherr

1936-2020

George Martin was fifth,
Surely. But she was sixth first
Gave us the mop tops

--O'Cyrus

 

Knew them from “before”
Took their pix and cut their hair
Creating “after”

--Russell 1000

 

Met them in Hamburg.
Hooked up with the bass player.
So Paul dropped guitar.

--Joshua Raoul Brody

 

John Prine

1946-2020

Dodged superstardom
And many other bullets
Of fame and fortune

--Abbey Rhodes

Kenny Rogers

1938-2020

Know when to hold on,
You gotta know when to die.
His timing was right.

--James M Maloney

 

Neil Innes

1944-2019

Bonzo Dog Band
Monty Python, the Rutles
Innes did it all

--O'Cyrus

 

Nick Tosches

1949-2019

Cubby Selby's friend,
August I reached out to him,
But he was dying

--James M Maloney

 

 

 

Ric Ocasek

1944-2019

Let the good times roll
Wherever you go, always
Dancing down the street

--James M. Maloney

João Gilberto

1931-2019

A guitar, a girl,
Ipanema on the map.
Bossa was nova

--Michael Dominowski

 

Dr. John (Mac Rebennack)

1942-2019

Dr. John haiku?
Yeah, well, if I don't do it
Somebody else will

--Fnu Lnu

Leon Redbone

1950-2019

Sorry Leon but,
We are gonna talk about
You, now that you're gone

--Abby Rhodes

Tuba voiced crooner
Who brought new life to old tunes
Too good to forget

--O'Cyrus

Doris Day

1922–2019

Forever atop
Golden Age of Hollywood.
Still our secret love

—Michael Dominowski

Swung with Les Brown's band
Before becoming movies'
Favorite virgin

—Abby Rhodes

 

Dick Dale

1937-2019

Wordlessly summed up 
A time, place, sport and spirit
King of surf guitar

--Phil Valens

Road-tested Fenders
For Leo, who wouldn't sell
One Dick hadn't surfed

--O'Cyrus

 

 

Peter Tork

1942-2019

A real musician
Also played one on TV
Monkee-wrenched career

--O'Cyrus

 

Michel Legrand

1932-2019

Hundreds of scores, but
to keep the music playing
Windmills ought to do

--Michael Dominowski

 

Ray Sawyer

1937-2018

Voice of Dr. Hook
Gets his name on the cover
Of his own tombstone

--O'Cyrus

 

Galt MacDermot

1928-2018

Teetotaler goes
From Hair to eternity.
Many hits, no pot.

--Michael Dominowski

 

Charles Aznavour

1925-2018

Of all love’s faces,
Armenia still waits, but
Piaf would be proud.

--Michael Dominowski

 

David Bowie

1947 – 2016

The chameleon
From oddity to hero
Suffers last changes

— Dr. Vitz

 

Rod McKuen

1933–2015

Some called him "Poet'
Some say "songwriter" was right
Most say "He just died?"

—Dr. Vitz

Casey Kasem

1932–2014

Scooby to Shaggy:
This snack is dedicated
From longer distance

— Dr. Vitz

 

Rubin Hurricane Carter

1937–2014

Justice miscarried
We all cared for Carter's cause
Cause Denzel played him

—Dr. Vitz

 

Shirley Temple Black

1928-2014

Maybe tap dance is
Best possible training for
Diplomatic work

—Dr. Vitz

* * *

Chubby-cheeked girl who
Sang about the Lollipop
Sails away on it

—Tracey