The Life of a Musical Genius - RIP Quincy Jones

This just in.

Legendary music producer and composer, Quincy Jones has died on November 3rd, 2024. He was 91 years old. 

Q, as some of his close personal friends call him, was the man responsible some of the talents we got today in the world of music, such as Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin and collaborated with Michael Jackson with the soundtracks Off the Wall and especially Thriller. In 1985, his greatest Magnum Opus was the song, We are The World, which had a who's who of famed music stars like Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Huey Lewis, Paul Simon, Ray Charles and the aforementioned Michael Jackson to name a few, and  was used to raise money for the victims of famine in Ethiopia. The song itself has since become a rallying cry to those who suffering from a natural disaster and willing to help. The perfect song to show our humanity, and that's saying something.

And it was not just with music alone, he also got involved in other media. At the same time he helped MJ with Off The Wall, he did the soundtrack for the movie adaptation of the musical, The Wiz (which is the 70s version of The Wizard of Oz) Later in 1990, through his company, Quincy Jones Entertainment (thanks in part of his deal with both Warner Bros. and NBC), he gave us The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which helped Will Smith jumpstart his movie career thereafter. He also made a cameo appearance in the movie Austin Powers in Goldmember.

With 80 Grammy nominations and 28 Grammys, and so many honors, including those for charity and so forth, Quincy Jones truly lived up to being a musical genius. There wouldn't be Thriller, Fresh Prince and We are The World, if it wasn't for him. Godspeed, Q. Thanks for all the musical memories and then some. Be at peace.

(TAPS plays)

Quincy Delight Jones, Jr.
(March 14th, 1933 - November 3rd, 2024)

This has been a Retro Rebellion Special Report

Quincy Jones' Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Jones

The Big List Of Songs I Enjoy!! (Part 2)

This Is Part 2 of MY Big List of Favorite Music.

These Lists (like all of my lists) are for Archive Purposes. Anyway. Here We Go.

Baltimora - Tarzan Boy

No Doubt - Don't Speak

Men At Work - Land Down Under

Blues Traveler - Run Around

Hootie and The Blowfish - I Only Wanna Be With You

Hootie and The Blowfish - Let Her Cry

Prince - When Doves Cry

The Time - Jungle Love

Ready For The World - Oh Sheila

Mike and The Mechanics - Silent Running

Johnny Hates Jazz - Shattered Dreams

Diana Ross - Reflections

Mike and the Mechanics - All I Need Is A Miracle

Mike and the Mechanics - The Living Years

Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

Steve Winwood - Higher Love

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer

Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Genesis - The Brazilian

Cutting Crew - I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight

Styx - Come Sail Away

Hall and Oats - I Can't Go For That

Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield

Toto - Rosanna

Hall and Oats - Private Eyes

The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On

Evelyn King - Love Come Down

Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody

Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Eric Carmen - Hungry Eyes

Alannah Myles - Black Velvet

Kool and the Gang - Get Down On It

Kool and the Gang - Ladies Night

The Escape Club - Wild, Wild West 

Martin Page - Keeper of The Flame

Rod Stewart - Infatuation

The Police - Message in a Bottle

The Police - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic

Will Smith - The Men In Black

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - Summertime  

Dazz Band - Let It Whip

Huey Lewis and the News - Workin' For A Livin'

Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright

Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science

Peter Gabriel - Big Time

Genesis - No Son of Mine

Wang Chung - Everybody Have Fun Tonight

John Parr - St. Elmo's Fire

Blue Oyster Cult - Burnin' For You

Real Life - Send Me an Angel

Cameo - Word Up

Nu Shooz - The Point of No Return

Expose - Point of No Return

Expose - Come Go With Me

Sweet Sensation - Hooked On You

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - Head to Toe

Lakeside - Fantastic Voyage

Heatwave - The Groove Line

Derek and the Dominos - Layla

Seals and Crofts - Summer Breeze

Heatwave - Boogie Nights

Junior - Mamma Used To Say

The Police - Message in a Bottle

Mr. Mister - Broken Wings

Heart - These Dreams

Level 42 - Something About You

Go West - King of Wishful Thinking

Thomson Twins - Hold Me Now

Huey Lewis and The News - Heart and Soul

Starship - We Built This City

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams

Milli Vanilli - Blame it On The Rain

Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True 

Janet Jackson/Michael Jackson - Scream

Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart

Sting - Fields of Gold

Duran Duran - Come Undone

Duran Duran - Save a Prayer

Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again

Lipps Inc. - Funky Town

Styx - Babe

Don Henley - Boys of Summer

Glenn Frey - You Belong In The City

Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind

Genesis - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight

Genesis - I Wish It Would Rain Down On Me

George Benson - Give Me The Night

Genesis - That's All

U2 - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me

Genesis - I Can't Dance

Duran Duran - The Reflex

Fleetwood Mack - Little Lies

Sheila E. - Glamorous Life

Expose - Let Me Be The One

Blondie - Rapture

U2 - One

Counting Crows - Mr. Jones

Johnny Rivers - Secret Agent Man

Buckner and Garcia - Pac-Man Fever

Bobby Brown - We're Back

Glenn Frey - Flip City

The Fixx - Saved By Zero

Joe Esposito - You're The Best

Styx - Mr. Roboto

Flock of Seagulls - I Ran (So Far Away)

Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone

Europe - The Final Countdown 

Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive

Starship - Sara

Spunk Adelic - 9.95

Moses Tyson - My Body Keeps Changin' My Mind

Debbie Lytton - Body Slam

Lisa Lougheed - Run With Us

Lisa Lougheed - Stop The Clock

Joey Scarbury and Desiree Goyette - Flash Beagle

The Jetzons - Hard Times 

To Be Continued.....Eventually!! 

The Big List Of Songs I Enjoy!! (Part 1)

I love music. Mainly from the 70s though the 90s. So today, I am gonna list off my Favorite Songs from those Eras. 

Now, before I start, I want you guys to know, I also love Japanese Music, but for this, I'm only gonna be listing the American stuff. .I've also just recently got into Vaperwave/Synthwave

Don't worry, I plan on making a dedicated list for the Japanese tunes in the future. And maybe even the Synthwave/Vaperwave stuff too.

Also, All Michael Jackson and "Weird Al" Yancovic songs will Not be listed, as I already made dedicated lists for their music.

Now..Lets do this!

Warning!!! This Is Gonna Be a HUGE List, And Because of this, I will be Splitting it Into Multiple Parts. Just a Heads-Up.

Earth, Wind, and Fire - September.

Earth, Wind, and Fire - Let's Groove.

The Spinners - Rubber Band Man. 

King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight.

Looking Glass - Brandy

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams

Phil Collins - I Don't Care Anymore

Phil Collins- In The Air Tonight

Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise

Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Phil Bailey/Phil Collins- Easy Lover

Sade - Smooth Operator

The Spinners - Games People Play

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Jacky Blue

The Commodores - The Nightshift

Bobby Brown - On Our Own

The Village People - Y.M.C.A 

The Spinners - SpaceBalls

Styx - Come Sail Away

Genesis - Invisible Touch

The Village People - Macho Man

The Village People - In The Navy

Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

America - Horse with No Name

Player - Baby Come Back

Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle

Eagles - One of these Nights

Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4.

Karyn White - The Way I feel About You

Bill Withers - Lovely Day

Stevie Wonder - Superstition

Run D.M.C - Ghostbusters

Huey Lewis and the News - Back in Time

Stevie Wonder - You are the Sunshine of My Life

Kool and the Gang - Get Down On It

Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen

The Whispers - Rock Steady

Starpoint - Object of My Desire

Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody

Anita Baker -Sweet Love

DeBarge - Rhythm of the Night

El DeBarge - Who's Johnny?

Bobby Brown - Every Little Step

Boyz II Men - Motownphilly

Janet Jackson - Escapade

Mariah Carey - Emotions  

Mariah Carey - Fantasy

Seal - Kiss From a Rose

Seal - Crazy

Seal - Fly Like an Eagle

Soul II Soul - Back to Life

Bananarama - Cruel Summer

Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon

Fleetwood Mac- Gypsy

Fleetwood Mac- Landslide

Stevie Nicks - Stand Back

Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen

Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty - Stop Draggin' My Heart Around

Carly Simon - You're So Vain

Carole King - It's Too Late

Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move

Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now 

Roxette - The Look

Stan Bush - The Touch

Stan Bush - Dare

Scandal - The Warrior

Pat Benatar - Invincible

Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker

Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot

The Knack - My Sharona

Swing Out Sister - Break Out

Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind

Level 42 - Something About You

Bruce Hornsby - The Way it Is

Rupert Holmes - Escape

Bananarama - Venus

Spandau Ballet - True

Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hanging On

Paula Abdul - Cold Hearted

Paula Abdul - Straight Up

Banannarama - I Heard a Rumor

Taylor Dayne - Tell it To My Heart

The Real McCoy - Run Away

Corona - The Rhythm of the Night

Snap! - Rhythm is a Dancer

The Real McCoy - Another Night

Ace of Base - All That She Wants

Ace of Base - Don't Turn Around

Ace Of Base - The Sign

Paula Cole - Where Have All The Cowboys Gon

Paula Cole - I Don't Want to Wait

Ace of Base - Beautiful Life

M.C. Hammer - U Can't Touch This

Queen - Another One Bites The Dust

Various Artists - We Are The World

Toto - Africa

McFadden and Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now

Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing 

Lionel Richie _ Running With The Night

Lionel Richie - Dancin' On The Ceiling

Lionel Richie - All Night Long

Bonnie Tyler - Holding Out For a Hero.

Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf

Duran Duran - Rio

Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy 

The B-52s - Love Shack

The B-52s - Roam

Janet Jackson - Alright

Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation

Janet Jackson - Miss You Much

John Cafferty - Hearts on Fire

Ray Parker - Ghostbusters

Howard Huntsberry - Higher and Higher

Youngstown - I'll Be Your Everything

Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract 

Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting. 

Bobby Brown - My Prerogative 

Janet Jackson - What Have You Done For Me Lately

Janet Jackson - Control

Janet Jackson - Nasty

Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls

Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (are made of these)

Hall and Oats - Maneater

Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone

Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to rule The World

Quad City DJs - Space Jam

Billy Ocean - When The Goin' Gets Tough

Shaka Khan - I Feel For You

Roxette - Listen To Your Heart

Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now

George Michael - Careless Whisper.

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy

Rockwell/Michael Jackson - Sombody's Watching Me 

Huey Lewis and The News - Hip To Be Square

Huey Lewis and The News - The Power of Love

Huey Lewis and The News - Stuck With You

Robert Tepper - No Easy Way Out

Survivor - Burning Heart

Tears For Fears - Shout

Rod Stewart - Young Turks

Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy

Blondie - Call Me

Heart - Barracuda

Blondie - Heart of Glass

Blondie - One Way or Another

Joan Jett - I Hate Myself for Loving You

Eddie Money/Ronnie Specter - Take Me Home Tonight

Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels 

Hall and Oats - Out of Touch

Tears For Fears - Shout

Blue Oyster Cult - {Don't Fear} The Reaper

Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son

Boston - More Than a Feeling.

Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now

Shanice - I Love Your Smile 

Taco - Puttin' On The Ritz

To Be Continued!!!

The Reaper Hits A Grand Slam and Has A Good Time!!!

Yet 1 More Legend has passed this previous week. Legendary Baseball Icon, Pete Rose. I'm not a Baseball buff, so I don't have too much to say about him. However, he Did make some WrestleMania appearances, starting with WrestleMania 14, where he got Tombstoned by Kane.  

He was 83.

Another passing that flew under my radar was the death of Actor John Amos, who is best known as James Evans Sr. on the 70's Hit Show, Good Times. Amos died months ago and I'm ashamed that it went under my radar for so long. He was 84.

Both men will be missed.

Learn more about Rose and his HOF worthy career Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Rose

And for Amos' career, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amos

 

R.I.P.
Peter Edward Rose Sr.
4/14/1941 – 9/30/2024  

R.I.P.
John Allen Amos Jr.
12/27/1939 – 8/21/2024 

Jason's Gallery: Sprite Edition - Altered Beast: Hulk Style!

Hey Gamers!

With all the sadness and passings we had to deal with, I figure I bring a smile to your faces again. So, as you know, I've been busy a whole lot, not just with planning more blogs (some of the them game reviews), but as doing some artwork, especially perfecting custom made sprite art. Speaking of which, remember that custom sprite sheet of the centurion from Altered Beast turning into the Hulk? Well, I have made a huge leap forward, so to speak. I turned it into a sprite story. And I hope you'll like this one. This story takes place after Altered Beast ended. So, enjoy the story, as we talk about the story of Altered Beast: Hulk Style!

A long time ago, where mythology was real. The demon god, Neff, usurped his former master, Hades, and took over the Underworld. To achieve his goal of total dominance in the mortal world, Neff declared war on both humanity and the gods of Mount Olympus. Zeus, the King of the Gods, sense what evil Neff possesses, assembles an army, led by his daughter, the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, and headed to the Underworld to stop Neff's army of monsters. Despite the greater numbers, Neff's monsters overpowered the warriors, and in turn, captured Athena. Neff threatens to harm the goddess unless Zeus backs away, which he did. With no other option, Zeus uses his power to revive a fallen Grecian Spartan warrior named Gerrick to save his daughter. Zeus not only revived the brave Spartan, but fused him with the powers of the Altered Beast to combat Neff and his legions of the Underworld.

Using the powers of the beasts, Gerrick traveled from the Acropolis, all the way to the Underworld itself, battling Neff's four guardian monsters along the way.

In Dis, the City of the Dead, by combining the power of the other beasts, Gerrick changes into the all-powerful Golden Werewolf and fights Neff, who reveals his ultimate form, the armored rhinoceros known as Van Vader and saves Athena, who Neff turned into a dove, as insurance to secure his place as Olympus' new ruler. Neff was strong, but he is no match for the full power of the Altered Beast!

Free from Neff's spell, Athena was saved and returned to mortal world, thanks to Gerrick. Although a goddess, Athena has fallen from the brave and noble beast warrior. As Zeus watches on, he knows that the mortal world and Olympus is well protected, knowing that Neff will never return...or does he?

Although defeated, Neff wasn't destroyed, for he returned to his palace in the Underworld. Enraged by the beast warrior Gerrick, Neff conducts a plan to use the Spartan's own beast powers to his advantage.

Sending his fiercest creatures from the Underworld, Neff captures the near-helpless Gerrick, as he watches on as his minions torture him before sending him to the Underworld as his prisoner.

Using his black magic, Neff ensnares Gerrick and through the gasses of the Underworld, puts his plans in motion, as he turns the Spartan into his own creature. A creature of pure destruction and rage, guaranteeing the conquering of Mount Olympus.

Feeling helpless and losing all control due to Neff's sorcery, Gerrick's blue eyes changed into whitish green eyes, as the metamorphosis begins. 

Loosing control and given to his primitive instincts, as his adrenaline and anger levels go up, Gerrick's muscle mass starts growing, almost in the same manner when he absorbs the Spirit Balls, except for his size and muscles grows almost like that of a giant, his facial details change into something subhuman and his skin color changes green, almost the same color as the gasses in the Underworld. As he changed, his voice pitched changed lower as his roared in pain. Afterwards, Gerrick has been transformed into a giant, green subhuman monster, capable of mass destruction. Neff has created something so inhuman. Thus, the Centurion Hulk is born!

Neff has created his creature, thinking that it will help him gain control of Mount Olympus and rule all life, human and god alike. However, even though he is a Hulk now, Gerrick, despite his subhuman primitive nature, remembers everything, and rebels against the demon god, as he grabs him and threatens him. Knowing he is outnumbered, the Centurion Hulk  escapes the Underworld, to evade Neff's minions.

Busting a hole through the ground, the Centurion Hulk bursts through and back to the surface of the place where Gerrick's adventure began, the Acropolis.

Feeling exhausted after what Neff put him through, the Centurion Hulk breathes heavily and collapses to the ground. 

As the Centurion Hulk was motionless when unconscious, his anger and rage subside and reverts back into his human form. As he comes to, Gerrick, wearing nothing but his briefs and has no memory of what happened, goes into hiding (and finding a new set of clothes). Little that he doesn't know, a familiar looking dove has seen what has transpired, and watches the confused centurion closely. 

Enraged by his rogue creature rebelling against him, Neff sends his top subordinates to go after the Centurion Hulk.

As Gerrick struggles to find the answers he seeks (and after consulting to Zeus about what happened), he was confronted by Neff's elite warriors. Under the demon god's orders, they want to bring him back to the Underworld, no matter what it takes.

With no hesitation, Grave Master orders Rad Boar to bring Gerrick back to the Underworld, by force. For being the strongest warriors, Neff's minions are not to bright either, for they forgot one thing, Gerrick is not who is now, thanks to their master.

All that attack did was trigger Gerrick's transformation. Through severe pain, anger and adrenaline, Gerrick's size and muscle mass grows. As he changes, his clothes burst out of their seams and his boots imploded, revealing the green skinned muscle mass that is worthy of a god, for the Centurion Hulk has come out from the other side.

With a huge, hard clap from his hands, the Centurion Hulk delivered a powerful shockwave, sending Neff's loyal minions flying.

Fearing for his life and knowing that Neff will endanger everyone if he stays in the surface, the Centurion Hulk smashes the ground, opening it up and heads back to the Underworld for safety.

With so much brute strength, the Centurion Hulk busts through ground as he continues to go down pass the deep caverns until he is within the Underworld, where no one could find him, not even Neff himself. What kind of person wants to be around a giant, green-skinned creature in this world, or any world for that matter?

Deep in the dark swamp in the Underworld, the very dove that was watching over Gerrick has followed suit. And when the dove landed on the ground, it transformed, in an instant, into a beautiful maiden, who turned out to be the daughter of Zeus and the Goddess of Wisdom herself, Athena. Even though she is no longer cursed by Neff, being the goddess that she is, Athena gained the ability to change into a dove at will. Zeus sent her to find Gerrick and to see what has happened to the wandering centurion.

As Athena slowly approaches through the trees, the Centurion Hulk emerges from the trees. Frightened at the creature at first, she sense the very human from within and realized that subhuman creature is Gerrick. As Athena questions him about it, with so much limit speech due to his primitive nature, the Centurion Hulk tries to explain to the goddess about what has happened.

Feeling bad for the subhuman creature, Athena attempt to comfort the Centurion Hulk, who is really Gerrick.

Just as they were starting to have an intimate moment together, their romance was interrupted by more of Neff's monsters, including Neff's pet Cerberus, which he grew giant sized by his black magic. The Centurion Hulk put Athena behind a nearby rock for safety. And his calm nature was replaced with a rage of a subhuman creature, as he went after Neff's monsters. Although they outnumbered him, they are no match for this Hulk's strength and durability.

As the Centurion Hulk continues fighting the other monsters, Neff used this opportunity to capture Athena and uses her as bait to lure his creation back to his Underworld kingdom.

Although victorious, the Centurion Hulk looked around for Athena. Though subhuman in nature, the creature realized that this attack was a distraction by Neff to capture the goddess. The Centurion Hulk roars to the heavens, knowing that his beloved was captured once more.

Fueled by rage and his strong love for Athena, the Centurion Hulk decided to take it to Neff and his evil forces, as he breaks through the Underworld Palace with such force.

Not even zombies like Slow Feet are no match for this rage-filled creature. Nothing but cannon-fodder to this determined Hulk, as the Grave Master watches on.

Grave Master defiantly stands his ground for his master. But the Centurion Hulk has other ideas, as he, with great strength that matches the likes of Hercules, lifts up the pillar of Neff's palace, as he prepares to smash the Grave Master into the ground until relents and tells him where Neff and Athena are.

Arriving at the city of Dis, also known as the City of the Dead, the Centurion Hulk roars at the heavens, as he is surrounded by more of Neff's minions, knowing that they are protecting their master.

The other subordinates to Neff stand their ground. And yet, judging from Gory Goat's expression, they are doomed. Not even the powerful Rad Boar, tonfas and all, didn't stand a chance, none of Neff's monsters do. This Hulk will not stop until Neff is destroyed and Athena is saved.

And just like that, Neff's forces were easily destroyed. Now nothing will come between the Centurion Hulk and freeing Athena from Neff's wrath.

With no army left, the Centurion Hulk comes face to face with the demon god himself. As the green-skinned creature grunts and growls as he prepares to smash him, Neff taunts him by revealing to him the captured Athena, all tattered and trapped in his energy barrier, ensuring that she will be harmed if he gets harmed.

Neff, feeling confident, decides to use the creature's own strength against him.

As Neff absorbed the Centurion Hulk's power, the smoke engulfs the demon god as he transforms. And as the some cleared out, Neff re-emerges as his ultimate form, the armored rhinoceros, Van Vader. But unlike last time, since he siphons Hulk's strength, he has become more bigger and even more stronger than before.

Despite being weakened, and dealing with an overpowered Van Vader Neff, the Centurion Hulk, with all the strength from his heart and for his love for Athena, rises up and stands toe-to-toe against the demon god.

As the two giant titans clashed, the corresponding blow from both their punches sets the scantily-clad Athena free from her imprisonment.  Although the goddess was free, she stands helpless to watch as the enraged Neff absorbs whatever energy left from the Centurion Hulk, further empowering him.

With so much energy absorbed, Neff's ultimate form has become more powerful, for his Van Vader form has become part-Hulk. Gerrick, who is no longer a Hulk, feels weak and can't do anything. Athena, with all of her magic, summons spirit balls to help the weaken centurion.

As the Spirit Balls slowly descend towards Gerrick, his muscle mass grows, as the balls, containing the essences of the 4 beasts that aided him long ago, begin to fuse him.

As the Spirit Balls merged within Gerrick, combined with the spirit of the 4 beasts, he emerges as the all-powerful Golden Werewolf, as he howls with such ferocity.

As Athena prays to the gods to protect him, Gerrick, who is all Golden Werewolf now, fights off the fully-powered Van Vader Hulk Neff. As strong as Neff is, he is no match for a fast, crafty and resourceful werewolf, with all the powers of the 4 beasts combined.

Combining all the powers of all the beasts, Gerrick delivers the final blow against Neff. The explosions reign around Neff, as the demon god meets his ultimate defeat.

With Neff weakened, on the verge of death, the feral Gerrick confronts the demon god, as he weeps on his knees.

With Neff no longer among the living, Athena is free once more, as she embraces her savior.

Later, at Mount Olympus, Gerrick and Athena are spending some time together, while embracing the new statue that was forged alongside the other beasts.

As Zeus watches on, he knows that both worlds, human and god alike, are in good hands. No telling what happens next. Until that day comes, the entire mortal world can breathe a sight of relief...for now.

Ballad of the Guardian of Courage and the Rat Sensei! - RIP Emi Shinohara and Peter Renaday

This just in (and I don't like it, either).

No sooner after the passing of Sid Eudy, Rachael Lillis, and especially James Earl Jones, we get a one-two gut punch, especially around September 11th of all days. Emi Shinohara and Peter Renaday have passed away on September 8th, 2024. They were 61 and 89 years old respectively. 

Emi Shinohara, was a Japanese seiyu or Japanese voice actress, who did such characters as Kaho Mizuki from Cardcaptor Sakura, Kagero from Ninja Scroll, Kushina Uzumaki from Naruto and our most importantly, the original Japanese of Makoto Kino aka Sailor Jupiter from the original Sailor Moon anime, who inspired the likes of Susan Roman and Amanda Miller to voice the character in their respective English dubs. She was also married to actor Hiroshi Watari, who starred in the Metal Heroes shows, Space Sheriff Sharivan and Jikuu Senshi Spielban. Shinohara died a month after her birthday, due to an unspecified illness (God forbid it's cancer). And you think that's heartbreaking enough? Let me talk about the guy in question next.

Peter Renaday, was an voice actor, best known for such characters as Abraham Lincoln in multiple episodes from shows like Animaniacs, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and Evil Con Carne, Mandrake the Magician from Defenders of the Earth, Master Blaster from Kidd Video, and most of all, did two characters in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, not only Vernon Fenwick, one of April O'Neil's co-workers at Channel 6 News, but most importantly, Hamato Yoshi aka Splinter, the Turtles rat sensei. My favorite Splinter moment was, and always will be, doing the "Cur-Lee" Maneuver on Shredder in the episode, Blast from the Past. Wise and funny to the last. Renaday died, two days after his birthday, of natural causes and the remaining TMNT voice cast, including Townsend Coleman (Michelangelo) gave their heart-filled tribute to the man who brought the rat sensei to life, even though he is one of many versions of Splinter, but that's another story.

On a personal note, it saddens me that we lose a part of our childhood and always remember the good they have done for us, knowing that they will never truly be gone. However, what makes me mad is the fact that the news media and Screen Actors Guild continues to treat voice actors like second class citizens, thinking that they are not as famous as all the actors and other famous people combined, especially sports athletes. Look, voice actors may not look the part, and may not look glamorous like the other actors, but they are more talented than you look. No matter how they sound, whether it's high-pitched, low baritone, squeaky, dark and brood, or even normal, but with more emotions, voice actors as a whole deserves a lot more than emotion alone. This is why I slap on the hashtag, #RespectVoiceActors, it is not just a hashtag, it is a rallying cry. A rallying cry to show the media and SAG that voice actors deserve to be acknowledged and have the respect they so rightfully deserve. This crime of ignorance will not go unpunished. For the sake of those who passed away, we will fight on, and voice actors will one day finally be acknowledged.

Until next time, and Godspeed to our Sailor Guardian of Thundering Courage and rat sensei of the Turtles. Thank you for all the memories. Be at peace.

(TAPS play)

Emi Shinohara-Watanabe
(August 8th, 1963 - September 8th, 2024)

 Peter Renaday
(September 6th, 1935 - September 8th, 2024)

This has been a Retro Rebellion Special Report (Please, no more!)

One with The Force and a part of the Circle of Life - RIP James Earl Jones

This just in.

James Earl Jones, one of the most recognizable names in acting, and one of the most deepest voices in all media, has died on September 9th, 2024. He was 93 years old.

Other than Thulsa Doom in Conan The Barbarian, Terrance Mann in Field of Dreams, and King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America, Jones was best known for the three best known voices. The original voice over announcer for CNN, the voice of Mufasa from The Lion King and most of all, the voice of Darth Vader from the original Star Wars Trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, Rogue One, Star Wars Rebels and so forth. 

No word on how he died, but more information will come in a few days. Until then, to quote the man himself...

This is indeed a disturbing universe.

He will be missed, for he is one with the Force and a part of the Circle of Life now. Godspeed good sir, and May the Force be with you.

(TAPS play)

James Earl Jones

(January 17, 1931 - September 9, 2024)

This has been a Retro Rebellion Special Report

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Earl_Jones