On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley – the groundbreaking performer whose voice, swagger, and style changed the face of American music – died at the age of 42. Presley’s career was defined by explosive success, from his early rockabilly hits like Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, to sweeping ballads like Can’t Help Falling in Love and It’s Now or Never. With 18 No. 1 singles and over a billion records sold worldwide, he became not just the King of Rock and Roll, but a symbol of cultural transformation in postwar America. Yet his later years were marked by personal isolation and a growing dependence on prescription drugs, culminating in his untimely death at Graceland, his Memphis home. Still, his influence endures—through music, fashion, and film—and his legacy as one of the most electrifying and iconic figures of the 20th century remains unshakable.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Special Episode: George Wendt
On May 20, 2025, George Wendt—the beloved actor best known for playing Norm on Cheers—died at the age of 76. His passing marked the end of an era for fans of the iconic sitcom and the golden age of network television. But beyond the barstool banter and sitcom stardom, Wendt's legacy lives on as a symbol of blue-collar charm, comedic timing, and the kind of everyman warmth that made Norm a household name across generations.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 116 - Bruce Lee
On July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee—the martial arts icon who nearly singlehandedly transformed action cinema in the 60s and 70s—died suddenly in Hong Kong at the age of 32. His untimely death shocked the world and left behind a whirlwind of rumors, controversy, and unanswered questions. But even as speculation swirled, Lee’s legend only grew as a revolutionary figure who shattered stereotypes, redefined fight choreography, and brought Eastern philosophy into Western pop culture.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 115 - Jean-Michel Basquiat
On August 12, 1988, Jean-Michel Basquiat—the visionary painter whose explosive talent redefined the possibilities of contemporary art—died of a heroin overdose in his New York City studio at the age of 27. Basquiat’s meteoric rise from a graffiti tagger in the Lower East Side to a global art-world phenomenon was nothing short of revolutionary. Widely hailed as the greatest contemporary artist of his generation, Basquiat's canvases pulsed with urgency, intellect, and emotion—breaking down barriers of race, class, and tradition in the art establishment. His untimely death cemented his legend, leaving behind a body of work that continues to challenge, inspire, and command reverence, a lasting reminder of genius gone far too soon.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Ep. 114 - Mama Cass
On July 29, 1974, Cass Elliot—better known to the world as Mama Cass, the powerhouse vocalist from The Mamas and the Papas—died in her London flat at just 32 years old. Her sudden passing marked the end of a career that had helped define the sound of the 1960s, with her warm, soaring vocals and magnetic presence shaping an era of folk-pop harmony and counterculture cool. From her breakout success with hits like “California Dreamin’” to her groundbreaking solo career and status as a trailblazing woman in rock, Cass Elliot’s life was filled with triumph, turmoil, and transformation.
Hosts: Jason Beckerman & Derek Kaufman
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Last Days explores the final days of some of the biggest icons in sports and entertainment, breaking down precisely what led to the passing of figures who were larger than life but somehow even bigger in death. Derek Kaufman and Jason Beckerman debunk the myths, unpack the tragedies, and tell the real stories behind the most fascinating celebrity deaths.
South Africa