Krist Novoselic is likely the only person in human history to have started his own PAC and be brained by his own bass on national television. Also, he turns 47 today. Happy birthday, Krist.
When Cliff Burton died in a bus rollover in 1986, Metallica died with him. Burton was just 24 then, a throwback already with his center-parted long hair and bellbottom jeans. He wasn’t Metallica’s original bassist — Ron McGovney was — and was only part of Metallica for three years, but his unique style was as integral to Metallica’s sound as anyone else’s. He would have been 50 years old today. Cliff ‘Em All.
Whoever said “there are no second acts in American lives” clearly never met Wayman Tisdale. (Er, obviously, since F. Scott Fitzgerald was the one who said it, and he died in 1940.) One of the greatest college players of his generation, Tisdale was the No. 2 overall pick in 1985 but never quite fulfilled his promise in the NBA — never making an All-Star team during his 12-year career, only once averaging 20-plus points per game. After he retired, however, he found his groove. Tisdale became even better known as a jazz bassist than he ever was as an athlete, recording several successful albums and touring the world. Diagnosed with cancer in 2007, he faced all the complications — including the amputation of a leg — with his usual broad smile and positive outlook. He passed away suddenly in May of 2009. Happy birthday, Wayman. RIP.
