Lynn Hauldren

04/26/2011

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Lynn Hauldren, 89, the advertising copywriter who became the inspiration for the Empire Carpet Man in the 1970s and helped launch the company's signature jingle into national recognition, died Tuesday, according to an Empire spokesperson.
Mr. Hauldren rose to became a decades-long advertising icon, as the person who wrote the catchy jingle that accompanies the company's famous phone number, and often delivered it with style: “Five-eight-eight, two-three-hundred ... Empire.”
“Lynn was truly passionate about the Empire brand,” said Steve Silvers, chief executive officer for Empire.
“He has made an indelible mark on advertising history with his creativity and warmth. Lynn will always have a special place in the hearts of many. Our thoughts are with his family during this time.”
The company’s owner during the time requested that Mr. Hauldren serve as the on-air talent for the spots after unsuccessfully auditioning several other people for the role. This decision launched him into pop culture stardom. Mr. Hauldren went on to serve as the inspiration for today’s Empire Today brand. He helped to launch the signature jingle into advertsing history as one of the nation’s most popular jingles.
In a 1997 interview with the Tribune, Mr. Hauldren commented on how the commercials transformed him into a celebrity.
"People are good-natured," he told the Tribune, "but once in a while they'll grab at you and say, 'Here's that carpet dude!' or 'Hey! Aren't you somebody?' I always hope folks understand I'm not a celebrity. I'm just a TV pitchman, a glorified salesman."
Mr. Hauldren was a decorated World War II veteran who continued to lend his voiceover talent to Empire’s commercials until his passing.
In addition, he was known as a key singer in the barbershop quartet arena, recording several albums with the quartet, Chordiac Arrest, and a vocal ensemble called Chicago Natural Gas.
“Lynn was just a joy all the time,” said Tom Felgen, who along with Hauldren sang the popular jingle. ”He was a neat and special guy who was really wrapped up in music and words. He had a very natural way of writing things. When we were singing together, it was total fun all the time.”

10 years ago......

04/15/2001

When people say "time flies" they are not kidding. 10 years ago today the whole world lost, not just the punk world, not just the music world, but the WHOLE world lost one of the greatest people ever. Jeffrey Hyman also know as Joey Ramone. We here at the slab can tell you all about his career but we would rather let the next few videos show you. Joey was a truly amazing talent and there will never be another like him. Gabba Gabba Hey Joey...and say hello to Dee Dee for us.

Geraldine Ferraro

03/26/11

Former vice presidential candidate, congresswoman and US Ambassador to the United Nations Geraldine Ferraro died Saturday at age 75 of complications from blood cancer.

Elizabeth Taylor

03/23/11

We got a big one here. Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, the violet-eyed film goddess whose sultry screen life was often upstaged by her stormy personal life, died Wednesday at age 79.
She died of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized for about six weeks, publicist Sally Morrison said.
"All her children were with her," Morrison said.
Taylor had extraordinary grace, fame and wealth, and won three Oscars, including a special one for her humanitarian work. But she was tortured by ill health, failed romances and personal tragedy.

Say what you will about her but she is a legend in Hollywood. There are not that many left now.

And what's even more surprising? Nobody had her on their list.

Michael Gough

3/17/2011

The veteran British actor, best known for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin has passed away. His third wife and close friend, Anneke Wills, said: "As his body was deteriorating this week, he said that he wanted to hang on for St Patrick’s Day. And he did, just. In the end... there is only love." Michael Gough leaves his current wife Henrietta, his daughter Emma and sons Simon and Jasper. His grandchildren Samuel and Daisy are also actors. He was 94.

Nate Dogg

3/15/11

Nateizzle Doggizzle is Deadizzle.

Nate Dogg -- real name Nathaniel D. Hale -- had survived strokes in 2007 and 2008 ... and was famous for his smooth vocal collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Warren G. and Dr. Dre to name a few.The Press Telegram in Nate's hometown of Long Beach, CA first reported his death late Tuesday night.Nate was 41 years old.

And yet Vanilla Ice and One Vanilli still lives. Dizzam.

Mike Starr

3/8/11

Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr was found dead Tuesday afternoon (March 8).
TMZ reports that police found Starr's body in a Salt Lake City, Utah, house at 1:42 p.m. He was 44 years old.

Someone better call Dr. Drew and tell him it didn't work!

End of February!

And ANOTHER month where nobody had a hit. Dammit people. Sometimes hits don't happen by themselves, get out there and MAKE them happen!!!

Len Lesser

2/16/11

Len Lesser, best known as the scene-stealing Uncle Leo on Seinfeld – "Jerry! Hello!" was his slogan – died from cancer-related pneumonia at a care facility in Burbank, Calif., it was announced Wednesday. He was 88.

"JERRY!!! GOODBYE!!!!"

Peggy Rea

2/5/11

Peggy Rea -- who starred in several shows including "Dukes of Hazzard," "Grace Under Fire," and "Step by Step" -- died last weekend at her home in California.Rea -- who also appeared in "I Love Lucy," "The Odd Couple," and "MacGyver" -- passed away on Saturday from congestive heart failure. She was 89.

No word if Roscoe will be helping with the autopsy.

JANUARY RESULTS!!!

Well we had a few kick it this month and nobody had a hit. Here's to a better February!

Maria Schneider

2/3/11

She shot to stardom in 1972 for her controversial role in Last Tango in Paris, and now French actress Maria Schneider has died at 58.
Schneider, who remained a fixture in French cinema, had been battling cancer, according to reports.

Bruce Gordon

1/20/11

Actor Bruce Gordon, who played a mobster on the television series "The Untouchables" from 1959 to 1963, died at his Santa Fe home. He was 94.
Gordon, who had lived in Santa Fe since the 1970s, died Jan. 20, 12 days before his 95th birthday.

Gladys Horton

1/26/11

Gladys Horton, a co-founder of the Marvelettes who helped put fledgling Motown Records on the musical map with its first No. 1 hit "Please Mr. Postman," has died at age 66.
Horton died Wednesday at a nursing home in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, where she had been recovering from a stroke, her son Vaughn Thornton said.

Ok course we here at Slab Central like this version better!

Jack Lalanne

1/23/01

Jack LaLanne, the fitness guru who inspired television viewers to trim down and pump iron for decades before exercise became a national obsession, died Sunday. He was 96.
LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay on California's central coast, his longtime agent Rick Hersh said.

Man ol'Jack is gonna be pissed when he finds out there is nothing to eat but cheeseburgers and cupcakes in Heaven!

Don Kirshner

1/17/11

He was known as "The Man With the Golden Ear", was an American song publisher and rock producer who is best known for managing songwriting talent as well as successful pop groups, such as The Monkees and The Archies. Also Kirshner was the host of the widly successful "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert". Kirshner would showcase talent that everyone else was afraid to showcase. Just look at these two videos!



and who will ever forget this!





Don was 76.

Susannah York

1/15/11

British actress Susannah York passed away Saturday (Jan. 15) in England after a battle with cancer. She was 72. York is best known for her Oscar-nominated performance in the 1969 movie "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?". Also of course she was Supermans Mom as well as Mrs. Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol".

John Dye

1/13/11

John Dye, best known as the angel of death Andrew on "Touched By an Angel," has died. He was 47. The actor died Monday from a heart attack in San Francisco, his brother, Jerre Dye, said.

Oh irony how thy are cruel! Guess Johnny is being "touched" by a lot of Angels now!!

David Nelson

1/11/11

David Nelson, who starred on his parents' popular television show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," has died, a family spokesman said. He was 74.
Nelson, who was battling complications of colon cancer, died Tuesday at his Los Angeles home, said family spokesman and longtime Hollywood publicist Dale Olson.

I guess 1/1/11 wasn't too lucky for Davey baby!

Peter Yates

1/09/11

British filmmaker Peter Yates, who sent Steve McQueen screeching through the streets of San Francisco in a Ford Mustang in "Bullitt," has died at the age of 81. A statement from Yates' agent, Judy Daish, said he died Sunday in London after an illness.

Gerry Rafferty

1/4/2011

Gerry Rafferty, the Scottish singer-songwriter who had hits in the late '70s with the street life anthem "Baker Street" and mom favorite "Right Down the Line," passed away at the age of 63 following a long illness, the Guardian reports. Rafferty also left his mark with later generations, thanks to Quentin Tarantino: With the band Stealers Wheel, Rafferty co-wrote the song "Stuck in the Middle," a potent hit on its own that took legendary status thanks to its iconic and gruesome placement in "Reservoir Dogs."

gotta love this part of the movie!!

Bill Erwin

12/29/2010

Ok this one doesn't count. Bill died on Dec. 29th. But what the hell. He was funny so I'll add him here. Dead at 96? This just proves I does not matter how old you are. You can still be an actor! Here's the write up:

Character actor Bill Erwin has died at 96. His film, stage, and TV parts spanned half a century. But he gained the most attention for his guest appearance on a "Seinfeld" episode in 1993 titled "Old Man."

Anne Francis

1/2/2011

Actress Anne Francis, who was the love interest in the 1950s science-fiction classic 'Forbidden Planet' and later was sexy private eye in 'Honey West' on TV, has died at age 80.

Damn! Two in four days! Hmmmmm. Who will be number three?

Pete Postlethwaite

1/2/2011

Well 2011 is only three days old and we have our first celebrity down! Actor Oscar nominee Pete Poslethwaite died after a long fight with cancer. Ol' Pete was nominated for his role in "In the Name of the Father". Postlethwaite's films included Brassed Off, The Usual Suspects, The Shipping News, Inception and Romeo & Juliet. He was 64.

2010 RESULTS

Well, that was a pretty shoddy year of celebs kicking, wasn't it?!

Slabber Mike Z ends up the winner with a whopping total of 2 celebs.

There was a four way tie for second place between Slabbers Jenn, Debbie, Adam and Carrie, all with 1 hit apiece.

Everyone else got zilch.

Scott will become the new SlabMaster in 2o11... should this continue.

Teena Marie

Teena Marie - December 26, 2010

And as we come close to winding down 2010, another celeb hits the slab.

Former 80's small "S" star Teena Marie has passed away of natural causes at the age of 54.

Slabbers will most probably remember her ubiquitous "Lovergirl" video.

Steve Landesberg

Steve Landesberg - December 20, 2010

Former Barney Miller actor Steve Landesberg has passed away at the age of 74 due to colon cancer.

Abe Vigoda... remains alive. So take that, you Slabbers!

Blake Edwards

Blake Edwards - December 15, 2010

A bad month for people with the last name Edwards. Director Blake Edwards, best known for his "Pink Panther" films and "Breakfast at Tiffany's," has died at the age of 88, due to complications from pneumonia.

Elizabeth Edwards - HIT!

Elizabeth Edwards - December 7, 2010

Elizabeth Edwards (the woman who was alllllllmmmmoooooosssst First Lady) has lost her battle with breast cancer. She passed away a day after doctors said that there was no further benefit of treatment. She was 61.

Slabber Jenn B. scored her first hit late in the season.

Don Meredith

Don Meredith - December 5, 2010

Former Cowboys quarterback and television pioneer of Monday Night Football Don Meredith has passed away at the age of 72 due to a brain hemorrhage.