Peter MacLaren

California Baby. Lurking on the edge of the Twittering Traffic Congestion.

[Peter MacLaren @psmaclaren]

There’s just enough good accounts here that I will still check in on this platform, but I have already started dwelling in the land where the lure of all points azimuth are to shine azure.

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

Dave Marsh, a pioneering rock critic for Creem and Rolling Stone who wrote essential biographies on the Who and Bruce Springsteen, has died at age 76. More:
https://t.co/Q5Ar7RWnMN
https://t.co/Q5Ar7RWnMN

[Don Coscarelli @DonCoscarelli]

REGGIE BANNISTER
(1945-2026)

I lost my hero yesterday.
I am very sorry to report that my dear friend and collaborator, Reggie Bannister, died yesterday at age 80.

I first met Reggie when I was 18 years old. I was deep into production on my first feature film Jim The World's Greatest. He had invited producer Paul Pepperman and I down to the Wooden Keg, a dive bar in Long Beach, CA to meet about it. Reg was performing a spirited set that night on guitar and vocals and the audience loved his songs and infectious personality. After his set, we introduced ourselves, intent on convincing him to co-star in the project. "A feature film, huh?" he asked. "Far out, man." Reggie then ordered us all a round of beers. It was the first alcoholic drink I'd ever been served (illegally) at a bar. With four words, Reg toasted with a clink of his glass, "Count me in, boys!"

Little did I know that night would lead to literally a lifetime of working together with him on many films. In the Phantasm series, only Reggie could turn a simple role as an ice cream vendor sidekick into an unlikely action hero for the ages.

He channeled himself into that role. All the fans who met him at the horror conventions could attest that in-person, Reg was cool, funny, loyal, and steadfast. Reggie the character was Reggie the friend. In real life, he embodied all the qualities of his character in Phantasm and no one questioned that Reg was that guy, the one willing to lay his body down on the fires of hell for his friends.

Reggie was born in Long Beach and was naturally attracted to the arts from an early age. He was a founding member of The Greenwood County singers with music legend Van Dyke Parks. Still in his teens, his popular folk band toured the country until Reg received his draft notice and was called to serve a tour of duty in the Vietnam War.

He came back from the war determined to pursue a life of peace and creativity. He threw himself into musical projects and then acting. In addition to co-starring in my first three films, Reg starred in all the Phantasm sequels, and made significant appearances in both Survival Quest and Bubba Ho-tep. His improvised scene with Bruce Campbell in Bubba in which the two men argue about a scarab beetle infestation in Elvis's rest home is a classic. He went on to star in dozens of independent films, always enthusiastic about supporting first-time directors.

Along the way, Reggie kept up his music, releasing many well-received albums. He also partnered with his wife Gigi Bannister in a successful entertainment production company, Production Magic Inc., producing live event, musical and film projects.

Reggie is predeceased by his father Horace, his mother Evelyn and brother Ronald. He is survived by his lovely daughter, Ellen and his devoted wife, Gigi. Reggie Bannister was a gifted creative collaborator, a dear friend and he will be sincerely missed. Yes, Reg, to me and your legion of fans, you'll always be "Hot as Love."

[Teal Piper @arielteal]

11 years today since we lost Dad. Whoever said it’ll get easier with time… no the f**k it does not.

#riproddypiper

[Guillermo del Toro @RealGDT]

Manolo ha sido uno de los mejores actores que he tenido el privilegio de conocer. Y un hombre estupendo.

[George Wallace @MrGeorgeWallace]

Brown recluse is a bullshit name. Why you gotta judge a spider for not liking crowds? YOU DON'T KNOW THAT SPIDER'S LIFE!

[Mick Fleetwood @MickFleetwood]

Remembering the brilliant Peter Green today…..GRATEFUL for the music🎼🎸🎼 we made and the incredible legacy he left behind…❤️ never forgotten. We miss you Peter.. thank you for EVERYTHING you gave to this world!!!

[Vernon Reid @vurnt22]

Representation matters.
Hal Williams represented
Decency
Dignity
Professionalism
Bravery
Honesty
Solidity
Heart
Survival
Tenacity
What it means to show up no matter what.
🇺🇸
🌹

[Michael McKean @MJMcKean]

Very sad to hear about Sam Neill, a remarkable, reliable actor and a very nice man.

[⚖️Powerful Mel Ankoly #ForThePeople @Mel_Ankoly]

Yvette Nicole Brown had a great comment on this video about Oprah. The video also has an excellent explanation of why Oprah hasn't felt the need to use her "overflow" to help others as much as she easily could.

[Staff Sergeant Gonell, Aquilino @SergeantAqGo]

As with many elected officials I protected for nearly two decades as a police officer, my interactions with him were limited, I do remember when he and I were alone in a elevator and he pretended he didn’t know who I was after my congregational testimony. I will never forget his betrayal to me and my colleagues.

[Vernon Reid @vurnt22]

I had the honor of meeting Ms. Morrello before Tom turned Rock upside down & inside out. Her pride in & love for her son was powerfully present at that time . She believed in him before his guitar blew everything up. Condolences to Tom and his family in this time of bereavement.

[Paul Rudnick @PaulRudnickNY]

Lindsey Graham has died after a hollow life spent relentlessly pursuing access to power. His pivot from hating Trump to slobbering over him is especially ugly. A closeted gay man who voted against every LGBTQ civil rights measure. An aspiring Roy Cohn with rare flashes of decency

[Michael McKean @MJMcKean]

A great actress. Did two days on Petulia, practically stole it from George C Scott, Julie Christie, Joseph Cotten & Richard Chamberlain.

[Richard Roeper @RichardERoeper]

In the 1960s and 1970s, airport best-sellers were turned into great movies: “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Deliverance,” The Exorcist,” “Marathon Man,” “The Godfather”—and “Jaws.”

[Jack Eason @realJackEason]

Very sad news. A true champion of cinema, as an actor of course, but also as a producer, helping to get work by Martel, Weerasethakul, RaMell Ross and others made. I can only send best wishes to him and his family and thank him for everything he's so generously given.

[Michael McKean @MJMcKean]

So sorry to hear this news. She was wonderful.

[Larry Karaszewski @Karaszewski]

Happy 100th birthday to Mel Brooks - the funniest, kindest, smartest man in the history of the world. He’s been my hero ever since I snuck into Blazing Saddles at an inappropriately young age and had my mind blown. One of the great joys of my life has been becoming Mel’s friend. And here’s where that all started. I’ve never posted this clip before. It’s from 2010, when the American Cinematheque asked me to host a conversation with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. We sorta met on stage. As things were winding down, Mel suddenly brought up Ed Wood. It was a completely surreal moment for me. What a mensch. We are all so lucky to have lived in the Mel Brooks century. Here’s to his next one thousand nine hundred years!

[Richard Roeper @RichardERoeper]

RIP to Blood, Sweat & Tears lead singer David Clayton-Thomas, whose soulful voice fueled hits such as “Spinning Wheel” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.” In 1976, BS&T gave an iconic performance on “Soundstage” on WTTW in Chicago.

[Vernon Reid @vurnt22]

Mr. Tony Brown was/is the gold standard of journalistic integrity. He did what had to be done to tell the truth, in America.