Co-creator of MTV’s ‘Unplugged’ dies after being struck by taxi

Co-creator of MTV’s ‘Unplugged’ dies after being struck by taxi

NEW YORK

The co-creator of MTV’s “Unplugged” was struck by a taxi while crossing Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and later died.

Jim Burns was struck Saturday. The taxi turned onto the avenue and accidentally struck the 65-year-old who had been walking with his seeing-eye dog near his Upper East Side home, police said. He had some type of vision problem, and the dog was a seeing companion, police said.

Burns suffered a serious head injury and died from his injuries Tuesday. The taxi driver remained at the scene; police still were investigating but said it did not appear to be criminal.

An MTV spokeswoman said the network was deeply saddened to learn of the death. Burns co-created “MTV Unplugged” with Robert Small. The wildly popular show debuted in 1989 at the height of MTV’s musical and cultural influence in America. It features artists such as Nirvana, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z and Bob Dylan in an intimate venue performing stripped-down versions of their songs.

“As co-creator of the beloved ‘Unplugged’ franchise, his groundbreaking work continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones,” says a statement from MTV.

Rihanna mourns cousin’s death, seeks end to gun violence

NEW YORK

Rihanna is mourning the death of her cousin and calling for an end to gun violence.

The singer posted photos of herself with 21-year-old Tavon Kaiseen Alleyne on Instagram on Tuesday, writing that she “can’t believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms!”

Alleyne died Tuesday after being shot in Barbados, where Rihanna was born and raised. She also wrote, “Never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man! #endgunviolence.”

On Instagram on Wednesday, Rihanna posted a clip of her cousin smiling and filming himself. In the video he says, “It’s nice to wake up and see all of your brothers and sisters.”

Rihanna captioned the video with: “Be grateful for life man.”

Letters describe slugger Ted Williams’ service in Korean War

BIDDEFORD, Maine

Thirty-eight letters penned by Hall of Fame baseball player Ted Williams, including one in which he described crash-landing a fighter jet with “holes all over” it, are going up for auction.

The letters written to his mistress show another side to Williams, who played for the Boston Red Sox, describing his second hiatus from baseball for military service, his bombing missions in Korea and his feelings on war and his father’s death.

“They’re his innermost thoughts during the Korean conflict,” said Troy Thibodeau of Saco River Auction, which is putting the letters up for auction.

The letters were written to Evelyn Turner, a flight attendant, from 1952 to 1954, a period in which Williams trained in the U.S. and served in Korea as a Marine combat pilot. During the time, Williams served as wing man for future NASA astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn.

He wrote to Turner the day after he crash-landed his burning F9F Panther after a mission. He only sprained an ankle, but it could’ve been far worse.

“I had holes all over the plane and I was riding on all the prayers people say for me ’cause I was awfully lucky. My plane was burning like hell when I crash landed. Everybody around here now is calling me lucky. Anyway, I’m missing you,” he wrote .

Another letter written after his father’s death described Williams’ anguish and regret over having not spent more time with him.

Yet another alluded to a military radioman sabotaging his plane to keep it grounded for repairs in Florida so he could spend extra time with Turner.

The letters and other items from Turner’s estate will be auctioned Jan. 3 along with other baseball and celebrity memorabilia.

Associated Press