One of the greats has passed. A rainbow in the dark.

Didn't you interview him once?

I did. Nice guy.

Every account I've ever read about him over the years say the exact same thing. He was accomadating(sp?) to a fault for fans which I think is part of the reason he always remained a fan favorite.

VH1 Classic has been playing his videos for the last several hours. Most I haven't seen in 20+ years. Admittedly they were the epitome of cheesy 80's metal videos but the songs more than made up for it.

Truly one of the greats.

RIP

And I've never before heard of the fellow, just to demonstrate how out of touch I am with popular culture.

He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath when Ozzy was fired in 1980 for being overly-enthusiastic.

He also had a long solo career, and before Sabbath sang with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (Blackmore was the original guitarist in Deep Purple, the guy who wrote "Smoke On The Water" among others).

Thanks, Beav, for the info; but I'm afraid I'm a hopeless case.

I recognize Deep Purple and "Smoke on the Water"; but as for Osborne, though I recognize the name, and Black Sabbath I'm ignorant.

However, relative to Polo Montanez, Compay Segundo, Elides Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer, or the members of the Buena Vista Social Club I am conversant.

¡Oh, mi! Usted realmente están fuera de contacto, mi amigo. Usted y Lawrence Welk hará bien juntos.

Oh, now we're talking my language: The Lennon Sisters, Myron Floren, Norma Zimmer, that cute dancer named Bobby who used to be a Musketeer....ah, yes, I remember them well.

But I was more partial to Sing Along with Mitch because my parents would let me sing along with Mitch and, if you've ever heard me sing, you'd know how much my parents really must love me.

I'm really not 80. Really.