Lopez Blogs

I don't really have much to add to what everyone's already been saying in blog-land today. This morning I switched on the radio and heard the news that the Boyzone singer and musical theatre star died suddenly in his sleep yesterday whilst on holiday in Majorca. I'm sad and shocked and still can't quite take it in. Only 33 years old...far too young to leave us.

Stephen of course found fame in the 90s as a member of Boyzone, the Irish boy band, and his distinctive soft vocals provided a contrast to those of Ronan Keating. Stephen will always be remembered for "coming out" at a time when this still seemed to be frowned upon within the pop community - he was the first boyband member to ever publicly express his lifestyle.

Happily he received lots of support following this announcement and when Boyzone took a break he went on to have a brief solo career and he starred in various musical theatre productions and also got his skates on to appear on "Dancing On Ice".

When Boyzone reunited, Stephen was part of the line-up which made a comeback tour and album. In recent years he married his partner Andrew in a civil partnership ceremony and his latest venture was writing a children's fantasy novel.

By all accounts Stephen was happy and healthy, and his final message on his Twitter page (http://twitter.com/stephenofficial) posted on 06.10.2009 read "still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here".

Rest in peace Stephen.

I woke up this morning to the news that Michael Jackson died yesterday, aged 50. He lived his life in a big, bold, bizarre and controversial way and the more I think about it, it's not so surprising that he died so young. He was probably the first worldwide megastar of 'our' generation, and the first to leave us.

Predictable things followed....notably those phoney showbiz obituaries, and his songs were, unsurprisingly, all over the radio.

Everyone's talking and writing about him today. I don't have anything new, or original, to add. All I will say is that MJ made two fantastic albums which still sound so fresh today - "Off The Wall" and "Thriller", and nothing recorded after them came anywhere near their greatness. As a performer, his influence lives on in many of today's artists.

Just like Elvis and John Lennon before him, Jackson's records will sell again in their millions -so you can expect every top 40 singles and album chart in the world to be dominated by him this week.

Just found out that Eartha Kitt has died - now there was a legend.

Decided to pay my own little tribute here with the mighty "Cha Cha Heels" which was a big favourite here at EuropeCrazy HQ back in the day :)

The Swedish jazz musician Esbjörn Svensson died last Saturday, following a scuba diving accident in Sweden. He was 44 years old.

His band, the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (or E.S.T.), were responsible for bringing jazz to a new audience with their own particular blend of jazz with classical influences and a unique Scandinavian flavour. Esbjörn Svensson came to my attention in 2004 when he featured on Tomas Ledin’s jazz-flavoured album "Med Vidoppna Fonster", marked by his distinctive piano playing style.

Svensson was an innovative performer who will be sadly missed.