In 2013 she told Vanity Fair, "those two [last] records I made with almost no vocal ability at all. But I just acted like I was working with a limited palette, like a painter would do -- you know, it's only browns and ivory and black."
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While Merle Haggard had an illustrious career as a country musician, he led a rocky, tumultuous life. This is the tragic real-life story of Merle Haggard.
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When Wells was 16, she met an assistant to Berry Gordy Jr. of Motown Records, who brought her in to present a song she'd written for Jackie Wilson. Motown signed her and she recorded the song, "Bye Bye Baby," herself. She paired up with Smokey Robinson, and the result was a string of hits.
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Actress and humorist Carrie Fisher had an incredibly unusual life story. As the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher earned an iconic role in the original Star Wars trilogy. But behind Princess Leia was the tragic story of drug addiction, bipolar disorder, and sour marriages.
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According to the L.A. Times, Mayfield was performing a concert in Brooklyn when a freak accident occurred -- a lighting rig collapsed, striking Mayfield and fracturing three vertebrae in his neck. Mayfield was left permanently paralyzed from the neck down. He continued to compose and record.
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As the most prominent of the Marx Brothers, Julius Henry Marx –- known to the world as "Groucho" –- became one of the best-known comedians of his age, known both for his dazzling visual comedy and his acerbic, quick-witted one-liners.
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According to a piece by Hello! magazine, Michael found Christmas to be a particularly difficult time. He'd lost his mom and partner, Anselmo Feleppa around Christmas. They died five years apart.
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Up-and-coming 22-year-old pop singer Christina Grimmie was on the fast track to stardom in 2016 -- until a crazed fan brought everything to a halt.
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Scott had taken a break for three years before he got back to racing simply because he missed it so much. Scott was driving during the qualifying rounds for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) SuperNationals, moving at about 300 miles an hour when his Funny Car's engine exploded into flames.
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As reported by The New York Times, Hughes lost consciousness during the game. Medics rushed to his aid and tried to revive him, but he never woke up.
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The singer didn't know what it's like to be taken care of as a kid and didn't experience love and affection at home. His parents were too caught up in trying to provide for him and his siblings. "I was never praised, never held," he said. "So it wasn't exactly the Little House On The Prairie."
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Tragically, feuds and shifting careers have led Simon & Garfunkel to reunite and break up many times over.
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According to initial reports by the Orlando Sentinel, he died of the brain injury, but those reports turned out to be incorrect. According to U.S. Motorsport, Dr. Barry Myers, a professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, reviewed Earnhardt's autopsy images.
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According to Leto, his father went out to get a carton of milk, only to metaphorically end up on a milk carton himself, back in the early 1970s when Leto was only a baby. The story gets a bit darker. Leto's dad remarried, and Leto never heard from the guy again.
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The Vietnamese-born actress Thuy Trang was on her way to a very successful Hollywood career when her life was tragically cut short in 2001.
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According to the Formula One website, Senna was aware of his limitations and didn't take his mortality for granted. He viewed racing as a way to learn more about himself. "For me, this research is fascinating," he said. "Every time I push, I find something more, again and again."
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Known for his big red fez, the bumbling prop comedian Tommy Cooper elicited belly laughs from countless fans throughout his 37-year career. But while the 6'5" actor brought joy to audiences, the on-screen death of the 69-year-old proved to be more shocking than any of his gags ever would be.
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Beich was drawn to the band's potential. He'd already proved his mettle with Mercyful Fate and other bands. As the the sound and style of Guns N' Roses evolved, however, the bassist found himself struggling to be happy. He didn't want to stick to hard rock.
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The fanfare and fantasies surrounding rock stars often produce rumors that aren't remotely true. But The Who's late drummer and Dionysian spirit animal, Keith Moon, might have been the rare exception where the man outdid the myth.
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When news came that George Michael had died at home at the age of 53, our collective sadness was highlighted by a cruel irony. As part of '80s power duo Wham! (with Andrew Ridgeley), Michael brought us one of the all-time beloved Christmas pop songs, "Last Christmas" -- and he died on Christmas Day.
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Before Black Sabbath, metal was barely a thing. After Sabbath, metal was a lifestyle. But all those sinister lyrics and all that heavy riffing came from a dark place. This is the tragic real-life story of Black Sabbath.
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Cline recorded her first album in 1955 and gained a huge following by the time the 1960s rolled around. Her songs started to appear on the radio. Her face was showing up on the television variety program Town and Country Jamboree. She was on her way to the top.
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Combs was highly experienced and knew what she was doing but couldn't prevent a mechanical failure when she was chasing a world record in Oregon.
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"Rowdy" Roddy Piper was one of the biggest WWE personalities of the 1980s. Why? Because everyone loved to hate this hot-headed, fearless star. He battled the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T in the ring, and had quite the prolific career on the other side of the ropes as well.
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New Hampshire-born Connie Converse is considered to be the first modern singer-songwriter. She settled among the beatniks and bohemians in New York City's Greenwich Village in the 1950s, writing hauntingly raw lyrics over guitar melodies.
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Desi Arnaz Jr. might not ring a bell at all to the younger generations, but being the child of a famous couple keeps you in the spotlight -- and being in the spotlight often means trouble.
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And though Axl Rose's childhood isn't an excuse for any unpalatable behavior he may have exhibited, it certainly gives us a little insight into the trouble he's had in his past.
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