Died On This Date (December 25, 2008) Eartha Kitt / Star of Film, TV, & Music
themusicsover Eartha Kitt
January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008
Eartha Kitt was a star of stage and screen but also scored a few pop hits over the course of her lengthy career. Her exotic presence on film made her a pop culture icon who is beloved to this day. She is perhaps best remembered for her campy role as Catwoman on the ’60s television series, Batman. She also appeared in such films as St. Louis Blues and The Mark of the Hawk. Kitt made several recordings throughout her career, but it is her 1953 version of “Santa Baby” that is her most famous. She also had hits with “Where Is My Man” and “Under The Bridges of Paris.” Kitt continued to work on stage and film up until the final years of her life. On December 25, 2008, Eartha Kitt died of colon cancer at the age of 81.
What You Should Own
Grover Washington Jr. was one of the most popular saxophonists in jazz, if not all music. His appeal was in that he played in a more soul or R&B style than straight ahead jazz. In doing so, he was one of the forefathers of the smooth jazz genre. Washington began learning to play the sax when he was just eight years old. After he got out of the Army, he settled in New York City and later, Philadelphia where he began his professional career as a sideman. In 1971, he released his debut album, Big City Blues. Over the next 25 years, he released nearly two dozen albums including 1980’s platinum selling Winelight, which earned him two Grammys. On December 17, 1999, Grover Washington collapsed while waiting to tape a segment of CBS’ The Early Show. He died at a nearby hospital later that night, cause of death, a massive heart attack. He was 56.
