Obituary Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Neil Innes, the comic songwriter who co-founded the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band in the 1960s before embarking on a celebrated career of musical satire, died Sunday night (December 29), the BBC reports. He was 75. A spokesperson for the Innes family told the BBC he had not been ill and his death was unexpected.

Vaughan Oliver, the graphic designer whose artwork was synonymous with 4AD and its corner of alternative rock, died peacefully with his family this afternoon (December 29) at the age of 62. Representatives for 4AD and the publisher Unit Editions confirmed the news to Pitchfork.

Sleepy LaBeef, a beloved rockabilly veteran active since the 1950s, died yesterday (December 26) at the age of 84, Rolling Stone reports. “He died at home, in his own bed, surrounded by his family who loved him, and whom he dearly loved,” his family said in a Facebook post.

Dave Riley, former bassist in Big Black with Steve Albini and Santiago Durango, died on Tuesday, Rolling Stone reports. He was 59 years old. Riley had been battling throat cancer, his friend and housemate Rachel Brown said in a Facebook note breaking the news. Find Brown’s full post below.

Popa Wu, an associate and mentor of the Wu-Tang Clan, has died, according to Rolling Stone and The Source. A cause of death has not been revealed. He was 63 years old. Find tributes from Wu-Tang Clan members and affiliates below.