obituaries

National

Coronavirus Victims: Annapolis, Md., Activist Robert Eades

4:14pm August 27, 2020

Wherever he saw injustice in Annapolis, Md., Robert Eades was there to protest it. The staunch advocate for the city's Black community and public housing residents died of COVID-19 in August.

Riley Gale, performing with Power Trip on Nov. 8, 2015 in Austin, Texas.

Music & Culture

Riley Gale, Fiery Singer Of Power Trip, Dead At 34

12:09pm August 26, 2020

by Lars Gotrich

The politically active Gale was beloved among his peers for his generosity, and by his fans for the sheer power of his performances.

Singer-Songwriter Justin Townes Earle Dies At 38

4:00pm August 24, 2020

by Neda Ulaby

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle has died at age 38. His Facebook page announced his death Sunday, with no other details provided.

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Justin Townes Earle, seen here performing at the 8th annual Americana Honors and Awards in 2009, has died.

Music & Culture

Justin Townes Earle, 2nd-Generation Americana Star, Dies At 38

10:16pm August 23, 2020

by Otis Hart

The son of singer Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle recorded eight albums, including 2019's The Saint of Lost Causes. His death was announced on his Facebook page Sunday night.

Coronavirus Victims: Fluent Cherokee Speaker Edna Raper

3:47pm August 21, 2020

The pandemic has hit Native American communities hard. Among those affected are speakers of the endangered Cherokee language. Edna Raper was a fluent Cherokee speaker. She died of COVID-19 at age 67.

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fan Favorite Chi Chi DeVayne Dies At 34

3:47pm August 21, 2020

American drag performer Chi Chi DeVayne, known offstage as Zavion Davenport, died Thursday at 34. DeVayne was one of the most popular contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race TV show.

Steve Grossman, photographed while performing on July 1, 1991 in Nice, France.

Music & Culture

Steve Grossman, Saxophonist And Post-Coltrane Leading Light, Dead At 69

7:33pm August 17, 2020

by Nate Chinen

One of Grossman's earliest recording credits comes from his time in Miles Davis' band, a high-water mark he maintained through the decades. "He was the best of all of us."

English guitarist and lutenist Julian Bream.

Julian Bream, The Classical Guitar Giant With The Soul Of A Jazz Player

1:17pm August 17, 2020

by Tom Cole

Guitarist Julian Bream, who died Friday at the age of 87, was as important to the history of classical guitar as Andres Segovia.

Health & Safety

Remembering Bernard Fils-Aimé, Haitian Activist And Entrepreneur Who Died Of COVID-19

12:17pm August 16, 2020

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to Karl Fils-Aimé, son of Bernard Fils-Aimé, about his father, who recently died after becoming infected with the coronavirus.

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Fresh Air language commentator Geoff Nunberg became a regular contributor to Fresh Air in 1987.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg, Who Explored Our Ever-Changing Language, Dies At 75

9:58pm August 13, 2020

by Terry Gross

Nunberg became a contributor to Fresh Air in 1987. He wasn't interested in scolding people for not following the rules; he wanted to explore how language changes over time. He died Tuesday at 75.

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