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D&D creator Gary Gygax dead at 69
The Associated Press is reporting that Gary Gygax, one of the co-creators of Dungeons & Dragons, is dead today at age 69. He had been suffering ill health for several years, according to his wife.Dungeons and Dragons birthed the idea of the modern RPG as we know it -- conventions such as hit points, character classes, leveling and countless others were shaped by the pen and paper game, if not outright stolen from it. The seminal game was an explicit influence for countless video game developers, from Ultima's Richard Garriott to Deus Ex's Harvey Smith.We'll be sure to keep you updated with funeral details and other ways to pay your respects as soon as we hear about them.
RIP James Joseph Brown, Jr.
As has been widely reported, the Godfather of Soul departed an Atlanta hospital for his final concert tour in the wee morning hours of Christmas Day. James J. Brown, Jr. was 73 years old and suffering from pneumonia when he died.While JB's Apple connection may not be obvious, those of us who were fortunate enough to attend the Mac OS 8 launch party at Macworld Boston in 1997 will not soon forget the appearance of the "surprise musical act" onstage. Brown tore the roof off the joint with his classic numbers and even threw in an enthusiastic "Mac-World! Ap-ple!" chant. Even for a corporate gig and a roomful of skinny geeks, he was not about to phone it in. It was an incredible show.Farewell, Soul Brother #1.
