In 2006, we bid a teary farewell to many legends. Here are just a few that have touched me personally:

James Brown Penned "The Godfather Of Soul," "The Hardest Working Man In Show Business," "The Amazing Mr. Please Please Himself," James Brown single-handedly changed the face of Soul music, as we knew it. His influence looms large across the map of musical genres, notably Hip-hop. He has also influenced many important artists of our generation, including Prince, Michael Jackson, Public Enemy, among many others. (Listen to: his entire catalog of work.) 

Jay Dee (J-Dilla) One of Hip Hop's most influential producers from the mid 90s to today, James Yancey has blessed many artists, such as De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, Erykah Badu, and others with his ethereal sound structures and bangin' drum programming. He later brought up his own crew Slum Village to ghetto gold. His collaborations with fellow producer Madlib (Jaylib), as well as his final servings Donuts and The Shining displayed his versatility as a producer, until suddenly succumbing to an incurable blood disease in 2006. (Listen to: "Get a Hold" by A Tribe Called Quest, 1997) 

Wilson Pickett A cutting-edge soul singer with a voice a rough as gravel, and a delivery as smooth as silk. His major hit "In The Midnight Hour" was a chart banger in the mid 60s. (Listen to: "Engine No. 9," quite possibly one of the most murderous tracks in Soul music history.)

Don Knotts Jack Tripper (R.I.P.) and his smokin' roomates' fictional lives wouldn't have been as watch worthy, had it not been for their wacky landlord Mr. Furley (although I would've watched Three's Company for Janet and Crissy anyway.)

Steve Irwin Watching The Crocodile Hunter, I always wondered if the dude was immortal, unfathomably brave as all hell, or just plain out of his mind. Turned out he was just a down ass G, ready and willing to show us the wonders and dangers of the wild.

Let us raise our glasses to the legends we have lost this year. Cheers.

Cutso.