By Jeff Devine
The world lost a number of influential people this past week. From Sam Rivers of the band Limp Bizkit and Ace Frehley from Kiss, to R&B trailblazer D’Angelo, here are the celebrity obituaries from this past week.
Sam Rivers (1977–2025)
Bassist and Founding Member of Limp Bizkit
Sam Rivers, the powerhouse bassist whose deep grooves helped define Limp Bizkit’s unmistakable sound, passed away on October 18, 2025, at the age of 48. His bandmates announced his death on social media, remembering him as “pure magic” and “the soul in the sound.”
“From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced,” the group shared. “His presence was unforgettable, his heart enormous.”
Frontman Fred Durst recalled meeting Rivers decades ago at a Florida club, a moment that sparked a partnership leading to worldwide fame. “He really did have an impact on the world,” Durst said. “His music and his gift will keep on giving.”
Rivers, who had battled liver disease linked to past alcoholism, left the band in 2015 to undergo a liver transplant before rejoining Limp Bizkit in 2018. His musicianship remained central to the band’s energy and global success.
Sam Rivers’ legacy lives on in the thunderous bass lines that shaped a generation of rock fans—and in the hearts of those who played beside him.
Ace Frehley (1951–2025)
The Spaceman Who Took Rock to Another Galaxy
Ace Frehley, the electrifying guitarist, singer, and songwriter who helped launch Kiss into rock superstardom, passed away on October 16, 2025, in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall. He was 74.
Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx on April 27, 1951, he taught himself to play guitar as a teenager and played in several local bands before fate intervened. At 21, he answered a Village Voice ad seeking a guitarist with “flash and ability,” and soon after, Kiss was born. Alongside Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss, Frehley became the group’s lead guitarist — and the embodiment of his interstellar alter ego, “The Spaceman.”
Known for his silver star makeup and dazzling stage presence, Frehley’s smoke-spewing, light-pulsing guitars became icons of the band’s legendary live shows. His explosive solos, vocals, and songwriting helped define Kiss’s signature sound — a powerful blend of glam, hard rock, and early heavy metal that still inspires musicians today.
Kiss paid tribute in a statement following his death, calling him “an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the most formative chapters of the band’s history. He is and will always be part of KISS’s legacy.”
Frehley made his songwriting debut on the band’s 1974 self-titled album with “Cold Gin,” and later co-wrote hits like “Flaming Youth.” His first lead vocal came with “Shock Me” on 1977’s Love Gun, quickly becoming a fan favorite. A year later, his self-titled solo album — released alongside solo projects from the other band members — outsold them all, propelled by the hit single “New York Groove.”
By the early 1980s, Frehley grew frustrated with the band’s creative direction and officially parted ways with Kiss in 1982. He went on to form Frehley’s Comet, releasing a pair of albums before continuing as a solo artist. His most recent album, 10,000 Volts, was released in 2024.
Frehley briefly reunited with Kiss for their MTV Unplugged special in 1995, leading to a highly successful reunion tour the following year. He also contributed to the band’s 1998 album Psycho Circus before returning to solo work once again.
Candid and self-aware, Frehley once joked in a 1994 interview, “A lotta people have told me they picked up a guitar because of me. If I knew that was gonna be the case, I probably would’ve practiced a little more.”
Across decades, countless guitarists have cited him as an inspiration — proof that The Spaceman’s influence will continue to echo through rock history.
Ace Frehley is survived by his wife, Jeanette Trerotola, his daughter Monique, brother Charles, and sister Nancy Salvner.
R&B Legend D’Angelo Dies at 51
D’Angelo, the influential R&B artist whose hits “Brown Sugar,” “Lady,” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” helped define neo-soul, died October 14, 2025, from pancreatic cancer. He was 51.
Born Michael Eugene Archer on February 11, 1974, in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo began playing piano at three, inspired by his minister father. As a teen, he sang in the trio Three of a Kind before forming Michael Archer and Precise with his brother Luther. Their performances at New York’s Apollo Theater fueled his musical ambitions, eventually leading him to sign with EMI while still a teenager.
Before his solo debut, D’Angelo gained attention as a songwriter and producer. He co-wrote “U Will Know” for the 1994 film Jason’s Lyric, performed by the supergroup Black Men United.
His 1995 debut album “Brown Sugar” — written, produced, and largely performed by D’Angelo himself — earned critical acclaim for blending vintage soul with modern grooves. With hits like “Brown Sugar,” “Lady,” and “Cruisin’,” it helped launch the neo-soul movement, though D’Angelo rejected the label. “I make Black music,” he told Questlove in 2014.
After a long creative pause, he released “Voodoo” in 2000, which debuted at No. 1 and became a masterpiece of experimental soul. The album’s standout single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” — and its provocative music video — turned him into an unexpected sex symbol, a role that made him uncomfortable and contributed to his retreat from fame.
Struggling with addiction, D’Angelo faced legal and personal challenges in the mid-2000s before stepping away to recover. His 2014 comeback album “Black Messiah” drew widespread acclaim for its social commentary and rich sound, earning him two Grammys.
Though a planned follow-up never arrived, he continued recording selectively, releasing “Unshaken” for Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2019 and collaborating with Jay-Z in 2024 on “I Want You Forever.”
All three of D’Angelo’s albums — “Brown Sugar,” “Voodoo,” and “Black Messiah” — were nominated for Best R&B Album, with the latter two winning. His singles “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” and “Really Love” also earned Grammys.
D’Angelo shared one son, Michael Jr., with R&B singer Angie Stone, who passed away earlier this year. He is also survived by two other children.
Following news of his death, artists across genres paid tribute. Doja Cat called him “a true voice of soul and an inspiration to generations.”
Susan Stamberg (1938–2025)
A Founding Mother of NPR
Susan Stamberg, a trailblazing journalist and one of the defining voices of National Public Radio, passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 87.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Stamberg graduated from Barnard College in 1959 before moving to Washington, D.C., where she joined NPR in 1971—just as the network was finding its footing. A year later, she made history as the first woman to host a nationally broadcast evening news program, co-anchoring All Things Considered for 14 years.
Her warm, conversational tone helped shape NPR’s signature sound, and her interviews—spanning politics, arts, and everyday life—set a new standard for public radio storytelling. She later hosted Weekend Edition Sunday and became NPR’s beloved cultural correspondent, introducing innovations like the Sunday puzzle with Will Shortz.
Stamberg often called herself and her colleagues Nina Totenberg, Linda Wertheimer, and Cokie Roberts NPR’s “Founding Mothers,” recognizing the women who built the network alongside its early “Founding Fathers.”
Over her five-decade career, she was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Stamberg, and is survived by her son, actor Josh Stamberg, and two granddaughters.
Drew Struzan (1947–2025)
The Artist Who Painted the Magic of the Movies
Drew Struzan, the visionary artist whose iconic movie posters helped define generations of cinematic magic, passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 78.
Born on March 18, 1947, in Oregon City, Oregon, Struzan studied at the ArtCenter College of Design before beginning his career creating album covers for artists such as Alice Cooper, the Beach Boys, and the Bee Gees. His transition to film advertising in the 1970s would forever change how audiences experienced movie art.
Struzan’s breakthrough came with his 1978 poster for the Star Wars re-release, a piece that perfectly captured the film’s energy and heroism. It marked the beginning of a decades-long partnership with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, and a legacy that would become inseparable from modern movie history.
Over a career spanning five decades, Struzan produced more than 150 unforgettable posters, including those for Indiana Jones, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, Back to the Future, The Goonies, The Thing, The Shawshank Redemption, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. His luminous airbrush technique and intricate pencil work turned commercial art into timeless storytelling.
In addition to his film work, Struzan designed the logo for Industrial Light & Magic and continued to collaborate with filmmakers even after his official retirement in 2008 — returning for projects like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and a special edition cover for Stephen King’s The Dark Tower.
Throughout his life, Struzan’s artistry earned him numerous honors, including the Saturn Award (2002), Inkpot Award (2010), Saul Bass Award (2014), and induction into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame (2020).
His wife, author Dylan Struzan, shared earlier this year that he had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years. Following his death, artists, filmmakers, and fans around the world celebrated him as a creative giant whose work continues to define how we see the movies we love.
Drew Struzan is survived by his wife, Dylan; his son, Christian; and his grandchildren.
From galaxies far, far away to adventures close to home, his art made the impossible feel real — and the real feel magical.
Sandy Alomar Sr. (1943–2025)
Baseball’s Beloved Patriarch
Sandy Alomar Sr., the graceful infielder whose speed, skill, and leadership helped shape generations of baseball talent, passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 81.
Born Santos “Sandy” Alomar Sr. on October 19, 1943, in Salinas, Puerto Rico, he made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1964. Over a 15-year playing career that spanned six teams — including the Braves, Mets, White Sox, Angels, Yankees, and Rangers — Alomar became known for his defensive finesse and quickness on the bases.
A standout season with the California Angels in 1970 earned him his only All-Star appearance. Across 1,481 career games, he posted a .245 batting average, 13 home runs, 282 RBIs, and 227 stolen bases. In 1971, he led the American League in both at-bats and plate appearances while swiping a career-best 39 bases.
After hanging up his glove, Alomar dedicated himself to mentoring others, spending decades as a coach for teams including the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, and New York Mets. He also managed winter league teams in his native Puerto Rico, continuing to inspire young players there.
His legacy lives on through his sons — Sandy Alomar Jr., a six-time All-Star, 1990 American League Rookie of the Year, and current coach for the Cleveland Guardians; and Roberto Alomar, a Hall of Fame second baseman and 12-time All-Star. Together, they extended their father’s love for the game into one of baseball’s most respected family traditions.
From the sandlots of Puerto Rico to the stadiums of the major leagues, Sandy Alomar Sr. left behind a legacy defined by grace, perseverance, and family. His impact on baseball will endure for generations.
Tomiichi Murayama (1924–2025)
Japan’s “Voice of Remorse” and Former Prime Minister
Tomiichi Murayama, Japan’s former prime minister remembered for issuing a historic apology for his country’s wartime aggression, passed away on October 17, 2025, at the age of 101. He died at a hospital in his hometown of Oita, southwestern Japan, according to Japan’s Social Democratic Party.
Murayama, who led a coalition government from 1994 to 1996 as head of the Japan Socialist Party, is best known for the “Murayama Statement”—a 1995 declaration marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. In it, he expressed Japan’s “deep remorse and heartfelt apology” for the suffering caused by its past colonial rule and military aggression. The statement became a cornerstone of Japan’s postwar diplomacy and a defining gesture of accountability.
Before his time as prime minister, Murayama worked in labor organizing and local politics before entering parliament in 1972. During his term, he navigated two national crises—the devastating Kobe earthquake and the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack—while guiding Japan through a year of reflection on its wartime past.
Though his tenure was brief, Murayama’s words shaped decades of Japanese policy and moral reckoning. Even after retiring from politics in 2000, he remained an outspoken advocate for peace and historical honesty, often criticizing efforts by nationalist leaders to downplay wartime atrocities or retreat from his apology.
In a 2020 statement, he reaffirmed his stance: “To call Japan’s war an act of justice or liberation is absolutely unacceptable—not only to our Asian neighbors but to the world.”
Tomiichi Murayama’s leadership stood as a reminder that true patriotism includes the courage to face history. His legacy endures in Japan’s ongoing pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and truth.
