On what would have been Blanton's 100 birthday, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead recounts the ways in which the bassist revolutionized his instrument during his brief time on the music scene.
Juan Romero was the young busboy who comforted Sen. Robert F. Kennedy after he had been shot in 1968. It was a day that haunted him for the rest of his life. He died Monday at 68.
The photo of the moment — light illuminating the fallen senator's face, the young immigrant crouched at his side — locked Romero into the public memory of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's assassination.
The French singer Charles Aznavour has died at the age of 94. His fame spread across borders and generations, and Aznavour sold more than 100 million records in 80 countries.
Guitarist Otis Rush helped shape the Chicago blues sound, and deeply influenced a generation of musicians including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. He died on Saturday at the age of 84.
Rush's unique style of soloing and powerful tenor voice helped shape the Chicago blues sound and deeply influenced famed guitarists like Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
At 18, Jean Annette Watters was recruited for the top secret British military program to decode German messages during World War II. She died Sept. 15 and was buried in Nebraska.
In Vietnam, the largely ceremonial post of president is one of three top leadership positions, along with prime minister and secretary-general of the Communist Party.
Philadelphia architect Robert Venturi died Tuesday at 93. Often credited as a major influence on the postmodern architecture movement, he celebrated oversized, playful elements and Vegas casinos.
Arthur Mitchell was the founding director of the Dance Theater of Harlem, the country's first black ballet company. He died Wednesday at the age of 84.
Actress Marin Mazzie has died of ovarian cancer at age 57. Mazzie had a three-decade career, with her breakout role playing Clara in Stephen Sondheim's Passion in 1994. She was in Ragtime, Kiss Me Kate and The King and I, among other plays.
The memorial in Pennsylvania is an enormous sculpture of wind chimes leading to the sky — each one echoing the voices of those who were killed. Tuesday is the 17th anniversary of the terror attacks.
Reynolds, who died Thursday, appeared in scores of films, including Deliverance and Boogie Nights. He spoke to Terry Gross in 1994 about growing up the son of a sheriff in a small Florida town.
Lux Narayan analyzed 2000 New York Times obituaries, of both famous and not-so-famous people, over a two-year period. One common thread among them? A fierce desire to help others.
Burt Reynolds was one of the biggest stars of the 1970s and '80s. He was a leading man with thick black hair, a mustache, and a swagger. He died at 82 on Thursday, following a heart attack.
Sen. John McCain was eulogized by two former presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who were his political rivals. The speakers at his memorial service symbolized his career of reaching across the aisle.
The late senator, war hero, husband and father was memorialized in Washington, D.C., on Saturday by family, friends and former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
Quinn Cummings was 10 years old when she was nominated for an Oscar in Neil Simon's 1977 film, The Goodbye Girl. NPR's Scott Simon ask Cummings what it was like to work with the late playwright.
Thousands are expected at Friday's funeral for the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Family and invited guests celebrated her life inside the church while the community continued its tribute outside.
Taylor, who died Wednesday, began dancing when he was 22 and worked with some of the world's most renowned choreographers before establishing his own dance troupe. Originally broadcast in 1987.
