performer

Actress-singer Elaine Stritch, who died on July 17 at age 89 in Birmingham, Mich., wasn't the sort who would go gentle into that good night - or any night, for that matter. The gravel-voiced Broadway diva, who made her career playing what the New York Times once called "brash and bawdy characters," preferred staying out late, and having a cigarette and a drink or three.

Even if you didn't know Bobby Womack by name, you probably dug some of his songs that helped make other performers into stars.