Exit Stage Right; Passed Away in '16 Quiz

Answer: David Bowie

Very few musicians have had the impact on the world's popular music scene like David Bowie born David Robert Jones (8 January 1947-10 January 2016). A master of re-invention, Bowie's music was not only an auditory experience but a visual medium as well with Bowie taking on "roles" such as Ziggy Stardust and "The Thin White Duke". Bowie was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 but kept this news private. The world was shocked when his death was announced in New York City where Mr Bowie lived.
Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman born 21 February 1946, was an acclaimed British character actor who died on 14 January.
Glenn Frey, co-founder and guitarist of the Eagles died, aged 67 on 18 January.
Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane co-founder and guitarist, died at 74 on January 28, the same day as Signe Anderson, 74, the original Jefferson Airplane singer.

Answer: Prince Rogers Nelson

Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958-April 21, 2016) has sold over 100 million records and won seven Grammy Awards. His album "Purple Rain" (1984), sold over 20 million units worldwide alone and spent spending 24 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
A native of Minneapolis, he maintained strong ties with the city and passed away there from an overdose of Fentanyl, a pain medication. He was 57.

Answer: Gene Wilder

Jerome Silberman (June 11, 1933-August 29, 2016) known better as Gene Wilder was a much loved comic actor who, after completing his final movie role in 2005, turned to writing. He made his film debut in 1967 in "Bonnie and Clyde" but his first major role was "The Producers" (1968) in which he won an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Besides being known as Willy Wonka, Mr Wilder is probably best known for his four movies with long term friend, Richard Pryor: "Silver Streak" (1976); "Stir Crazy" (1980); "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" (1989). and "Another You "(1991). Mr Wilder passed away at his home in Stamford, Connecticut, from Alzheimer's disease complications.

Answer: Arnold Palmer

Arnold Daniel Palmer (September 10, 1929-September 25, 2016) turned professional in 1955 and retired in 2006. He had 95 tour wins including 62 PGA titles and seven majors. He was appointed to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and earned a Congressional Gold Medal in 2009. With Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, they were intense rivals in the 60s and became known as the Big Three, and were clearly the best players of the 60s. Together they were credited with popularising the sport for the masses Up to then this sport was seen as "just the elite". Mr Palmer died peacefully in Pittsburgh aged 87.

Answer: Montreal, Canada

Leonard Norman Cohen, born September 21, 1934, was a poet, songwriter, and musician. Often controversial, Mr Cohen's themes included religion, politics, isolation, relationships and sexuality. He was a poet until he became a professional musician relatively late in life at 33, his folk songs influenced many a young adult.

He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was awarded Canada's highest award, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

He recorded music to his very end, with "You Want It Darker" (2016), which was released three weeks before his death.

Answer: Florence Henderson

Florence Agnes Henderson, born February 14, 1934, was the youngest of ten children and had a musical background. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she started her career in musicals, debuting on Broadway in 1952.

She appeared in many stage and television shows in the 50s and 60s, but was best remembered as Carol Brady in "The Brady Bunch" (1969-1974). (Ms Henderson's best friend, Shirley Jones, was offered the role of Carol, but Ms Jones declined. She accepted the similar role of a mother with five children in "The Partridge Family" (1970-1974)). Due to her role on "The Brady Bunch", Ms Henderson was ranked by "TV Land" and "Entertainment Weekly" as Number 54 on the list of the 100 Greatest TV Icons.

She continued to work in television until just before her sudden death in Los Angeles, aged 82.

Answer: Fidel Castro

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, born August 13, 1926, in southern Cuba was a Marxist-Leninist revolutionary who ruled Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959-1976 and as the President 1976-2008. Cuba, under his watch, became a one party socialist state with industries and businesses both nationalised.

His supporters say he advanced economic and social justice but his opponents said he presided over "many human-rights abuses, the mass emigration of Cubans, and the impoverishment of the country's economy".

His health deteriorated and in 2008, he handed the reins to his brother Raul. His health deteriorated further and he died after a protracted illness. His funeral procession travelled the 900 kilometres of the country's major highway, during nine days of public mourning.

Answer: John Glenn

John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921-December 8, 2016) was a Marines Corps' pilot, astronaut and senator.
He began as a fighter pilot in WWII and Korea earning six Distinguished Flying Crosses. In 1957 he was one of seven candidates chosen by NASA to become astronauts. In 1959 he flew "Friendship 7" and by orbiting the earth became the fifth man in space. After his space career, he became a US Senator from Ohio 1974-1999. In 1998, Mr Glenn became the oldest person to fly in space as a Discovery space shuttle crew member.

He died in a Columbus hospital aged 95. Flags were flown nationally, at half mast until he was buried.

Answer: George Michael

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, born 25 June 1963 in north London was better known as George Michael. He formed a duo with Andrew Ridgeley call Wham! in 1981 and together they had a string of hits and successful albums. Mr Michael sang on the original Band Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1985. He embarked on a solo career in 1987.
Mr Michael struggled somewhat in his personal life over his sexuality plus troubles with the police and drugs. He was a generous philanthropist.
In 2011 he developed health problems with infections and chest pains.
He was found dead in his bed on Christmas Day. A post-mortem was inconclusive.

The same day, the Red Army Choir, from Russia all perished in a plane crash in their country.

Answer: Debbie Reynolds

Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds born April 1, 1932 in El Paso Texas was an actress and singer. Other starring roles included "How the West Was Won" (1963), and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown"(1964), where she earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She had her own TV show, "The Debbie Reynolds Show" for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. In 1973 Reynolds she starred on Broadway with the musical "Irene" and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical.

She had two children from her first marriage to Eddie Fisher, Carrie and Todd. Carrie went onto be an accomplished actress in her own right but she died the day before her mother died of a stroke. A tragic end to two much loved actresses.