#RIP #OTD in 1976 writer (novels revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple) Agatha Christie died at her home at Winterbrook House in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, aged 85. St. Mary’s church, Cholsey, Oxfordshire
On this day in 2001, thoroughbred racehorse, Champion Two-Year-Old Colt (1977), Champion Three-Year-Old Male (1978), Two-X Horse of the Year (1978, 1979) and 11th Triple Crown Winner (1978), Affirmed, died at Jonabell Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, age 25. Affirmed was euthanized after falling seriously ill with laminitis, a circulatory hoof disease. The same disease led to the death of fellow Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Foaled on 21 February 1975 at Harbor View Farm near Fellowship, Florida. Affirmed was the great-great-grandson of Triple Crown winner War Admiral through damsire Crafty Admiral, and thereby the great-great-great grandson of Man o’ War who won two of the three Triple Crown races himself. Affirmed was also known for his famous rivalry with Alydar, whom he met ten times, including in all three Triple Crown races and where Alydar became the first racehorse to finish second in all three Triple Crown races. I remember watching all three of those races that year. I fell in love with both of these beautiful chestnut horses. Affirmed was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera. Barrera once said: “Affirmed is greater than Secretariat, or any Triple Crown winner, because only Affirmed had to face Alydar.” During the Triple Crown races, Affirmed was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Steve Cauthen. 
The Final Footprint – Affirmed was buried whole, the ultimate honor for a race horse, at Jonabell Farm, wearing the flamingo pink colors of his original owners, Harbor View Farm. His grave is marked by a half-life size bronze statue on a granite base.
On this day in 2003, musician, singer, songwriter Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly due to complications of a twisted intestine, with his wife, children, and brothers at his side at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida at the age of 53. Born Maurice Ernest Gibb on 22 December 1949 in Douglas, Isle of Man. He achieved fame as a member of the pop group Bee Gees. Although his brothers Barry and Robin Gibb were the group’s main lead singers, most of their albums included at least one or two compositions by Maurice, including “Lay It on Me”, “Country Woman”, and “On Time”. Gibb’s role in the group focused on melody and arrangements, providing backing vocal harmony and playing a variety of instruments.
Gibb started his music career in 1955 in Manchester, England, joining the skiffle-rock and roll group the Rattlesnakes, which later evolved into the Bee Gees in 1958 when they moved to Australia. They returned to England, where they achieved worldwide fame.
By 1964 he began his career as an instrumentalist, playing guitar on “Claustrophobia”. After the group’s break-up in 1969, Gibb released his first solo single, “Railroad”, but his first solo album, The Loner, has never been released.
Gibb and Scottish pop singer Lulu married on 18 February 1969 and divorced in 1975. Their careers and his heavy drinking forced them apart.
He married his second wife, Yvonne Spenceley Gibb, on 17 October 1975. Their marriage lasted until his death.
The Final Footprint
His funeral service was attended by Michael Jackson. After his funeral service, his body was cremated.
On this day in 2007, jazz musician and composer, and swamini, Alice Coltrane died of respiratory failure at West Hills Hospital and Medical Center in suburban Los Angeles, aged 69. Born Alice McLeod on August 27, 1937 in Detroit. Also known by her adopted Sanskrit name Turiyasangitananda or Turiya. One of the few harpists in the history of jazz, she recorded many albums as a bandleader, beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s for Impulse! and other major record labels. She was the second wife and the widow of jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane.
The Final Footprint
She is buried alongside John Coltrane in Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.
#RIP #OTD in 2013 blues, gospel, folk singer, Piedmont fingerstyle guitarist, one of Georgia’s great blueswomen, Precious Bryant died in Columbus, Georgia, of complications from diabetes & congestive heart failure, aged 71. Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Olive Branch GA
#RIP #OTD in 2022 singer, co-founder of The Ronettes (“Be My Baby”, “Baby, I Love You”, “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up”, “Do I Love You?”, “Walking in the Rain”) Ronnie Spector died at her home in Danbury CT from cancer aged 78. Cremation
#RIP #OTD 2023 singer, songwriter, daughter of Elvis and Priscilla, Lisa Marie Presley died of small bowel obstruction caused by a bariatric surgery at West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles, aged 54. Graceland Meditation Garden, next to her son
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