Joseph Brooks, "You Light Up My Life" songwriter, 73

[Wayback]

He finally heard that song one too many times??  Perhaps, but was awaiting trial on rape charges.
"You Light Up My Life" songwriter Joseph Brooks commits suicide at age 73
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110523/ap_en_ot/us_songwriter_dead

[Gazoo]

I notice you hedged on whether this is an RIP or RIH.  I'll sit that out too.

But here's the most unexpected version of YLUML you'll ever hear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agl4IvNnQPo

[Tinka Cat]

I notice you hedged on whether this is an RIP or RIH.  I'll sit that out too.

But here's the most unexpected version of YLUML you'll ever hear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agl4IvNnQPo

that was awesome.  she seems so genuine at all times. 

Wow, Joe Brooks, he sure seems guilty at this point. 

[RGMike]

I notice you hedged on whether this is an RIP or RIH.  I'll sit that out too.

But here's the most unexpected version of YLUML you'll ever hear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agl4IvNnQPo

that was awesome.  she seems so genuine at all times. 

and a perfect illustration of the "Songwriters think about music differently than we do" theorem. (see: David Byrne's cover of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody").  People who are deeply into music don't categorize or ghetto-ize genres. But I've met tons of boneheaded (and Fogheaded) rock fans who hate country, disco, pop, etc just... because.

It makes perfect sense that someone like Patti would be drawn to the simplicity of "YLUML". Just because Debbie Boone thought it was about Jeebus doesn't make it so. 

[Wayback]

I notice you hedged on whether this is an RIP or RIH.  I'll sit that out too.
But here's the most unexpected version of YLUML you'll ever hear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agl4IvNnQPo

Yep, that was intentional.  Thanks for the Patti Smith clip, interesting!