The Voices in Frank's Head

Adam Yauch photo by Fabio Venni Adam Yauch , co-founder of the Beastie Boys , past away today at the age of 47 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Back in the late 1980s and 90s, I used to hate the Beastie Boys. When one of their songs came on the radio, I always changed the station. It was only really in the past decade or so that I've realized the pure beauty in the rebellious, if at times obnoxious, nature of their music. Adam Yauch, you will be missed.

She Wears an Yellow Bikini in Honor of Lee Pockriss Lee Pockriss , who wrote such catchy songs as "Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", passed away at his home last week at the age of 87. He went on to write music for The Muppets  as well as movies like Sister Act 2  and Revenge of the Nerds 2 . Lee Pockriss will be missed by all who love music.

I'm a PC, but I will still miss Steve Jobs . Rest in peace, sir. Your contributions to the world of computing, and the difference that you made in how we use computers, will be remembered for generations to come.

Frank Buckles - Enlistment Photo Frank Buckles  of West Virginia passed away earlier today as a result of natural causes. He was 110 years old. Mr. Buckles held the distinction of being the last American veteran of World War I. We, as a nation, have officially lost an important generation. His legacy, and the legacy of those who served with him, will live on for generations. The full obituary for Mr. Buckles is available here from the Associated Press.

Maj. Dick Winters of Easy Company Major Richard "Dick" Winters , who commanded the 101st Airborne, Easy Company and was the inspiration for Band of Brothers , passed away last week at the age of 92. He was, until the very end, an inspirational leader to his men. The obituary for Major Winters is available here . As a writer, I'm glad that there are people like Major Winters to provide me with endless inspiration. As an American, I'm simply glad that there are soldiers like him to stand on guard for us.

Leslie Nielsen , famous for his roles in Airplane and Naked Gun , passed away today at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida . He was 84 years of age. I think the best way to pay tribute to Leslie Nielsen and his talents is to sit back, watch some of his movies, and laugh until it hurts. I think he would enjoy that. Good bye, Leslie Nielsen. You will be missed by movie lovers everywhere.

Command Chief Master Sargent Brooke McLean  of the U.S. Air Force put out a video on YouTube this afternoon on the subject of suicide. He spoke primarily to the airmen who serve with him. However, I feel that much of it applies to anyone who finds themselves in difficult times.

Sparky Anderson Hall of Fame baseball manager Sparky Anderson  passed away this morning at the age of 76. After a successful career with the Cincinnati Reds, he led the Detroit Tigers to a world series championship in 1984. Sparky Anderson will be missed by all Detroiters and baseball fans everywhere. Rest in peace, George "Sparky" Anderson.

The legendary comedian and one of the finest human beings to ever work in television in Detroit, Soupy Sales , passed away yesterday.  He was 83 years old. Soupy Sales not only personified an era of television in Detroit, he consistently demonstrated the true power of television as a medium.  His show made everyone who watched it feel not only entertained, but a part of something much larger than themselves. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of many Detroiters, even those who - like myself - weren't even born until long after Soupy Sales left the airwaves.  His jokes were funny enough that people were still retelling them and laughing at them decades later. Luckily, thanks to the miracle of YouTube, Soupy Sales is still available to children young and old "in Living Black and White." Soupy Sales will be missed. If you'll excuse me, I'm off to have a slice of pie in his honor.

Writer/director John Hughes died today in New York at the age of 59. He was born in Lansing, Michigan and had 39 writing credits to his name as well as several directing and producing credits. John Hughes was behind some of my favorite movies from the 1980s. Mr. Mom (1983); 16 Candles (1984); The Breakfast Club (1985); Weird Science (1985); Pretty in Pink (1986); Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986); Uncle Buck (1989). John Hughes reportedly suffered a heart attack while taking a morning walk in Manhattan. He will be deeply missed by film lovers everywhere.

Hall of Fame basketball coach Chuck Daly passed away this morning at the age of 78 after battling pancreatic cancer. Mr. Daly coached the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back NBA Championships and also coached the original Dream Team to an Olympic gold medal in 1992. Coach Daly will be missed by Pistons fans everywhere.