Eddie Money Catches Pneumonia Post-Heart Surgery Cancels 2019 Shows
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Eddie Money won't be back onstage anytime soon -- TMZ has learned the legendary rocker took a turn for the worse after surgery ... which has put him out of commission for the rest of 2019.
The heart procedure Eddie underwent toward the end of May went off without a hitch -- but his rep tells us he became ill during recovery. We're told Eddie has developed pneumonia, and as a result ... he's canceling the rest of his national tour.
We broke the story ... Eddie was powering through his Memorial Day concerts, despite dealing with shortness of breath, and eventually got the doctor's orders ... he was told to hit pause on the shows, and undergo a heart valve procedure.
At first, we were told he was set to hit the road again around mid-June ... but now, Eddie's taking the rest of the year off to fully recover. Can't blame him ... back-to-back ailments aren't easy on the body.
Not to worry ... we're told Eddie is on the mend and looking forward to getting back to work in 2020 to promote his new album, "Brand New Day," and the second half of his reality show, "Real Money," which airs on AXS TV.
Can't hold this guy back for too long -- but DO hold on, folks. He'll return soon enough.
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NFL's Kam Chancellor I'm in the Fashion Game Now!!! Launching Shoe Collection
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From Super Bowls to comfy soles ... NFL star Kam Chancellor is launching his own shoe collection ... and his goal is to make stylish shoes that don't destroy your feet!
The 4-time Pro Bowler just retired from the league due to injuries ... so now he's taking his talents to the fashion game with the launch of his line, The Chancellor Collection, with his wife, Tiffany.
TMZ Sports spoke with Chancellor about his decision to come out with his own shoe ... and he says it's all because he was sick of his feet hurting all the time.
"I had a closet full of designer shoes and they weren't comfortable, so my feet suffered," Chancellor says. "That pushed me to start my own shoe line to create some cool looking shoes, but also comfortable shoes and also affordable shoes. That's what pushed me down that road."
Chancellor says he's making shoes for both men and women and he's targeting the $115 price range.
The 31-year-old says he was very hands-on with the design of the shoes ... and was part of the process the entire way.
Chancellor says he's already got the shoes selling in stores in Chicago and Seattle ... and the goal is to get all of his NFL friends to wear them for their pregame outfits.
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Jared Lorenzen Ex-NFL QB Dead at 38
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2:39 PM PT -- Eli Manning released a statement on Lorenzen's passing, saying ... “Jared was a great teammate and friend. We competed against each other in college and came to the Giants together."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will always remember his competitive spirit and his good nature. Jared has left us all way too soon.”
Ex-NFL quarterback Jared Lorenzen -- aka The Hefty Lefty -- has died at 38 after battling heart and kidney issues, his family confirmed.
Lorenzen was admitted to the hospital over the weekend and underwent dialysis after falling ill with an infection that affected his kidney and heart.
But, after doctors tried to save his life, Lorenzen succumbed to to his ailments and passed away Wednesday.
"It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jared Lorenzen, would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for all of your support and prayers over the past 6 days," the family said in a statement.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jared today, July 3, 2019."
"Again, we appreciate all of the warm wishes and prayers but as a family we would request your respect and privacy."
Jared became a national sensation as the QB at Kentucky back in the early 2000s because -- well, he wasn't built like a traditional QB ... weighing in around 300 pounds.
After college, Lorenzen joined the NY Giants as an undrafted free agent -- where he became Eli Manning's backup ... and he won a Super Bowl ring as a part of the 2007 team, when they beat the undefeated Patriots.
He went on to play indoor football for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters in 2013 -- and played well until suffering a broken leg, which ultimately ended his career.
Before college, Lorenzen was a high school stud -- he was awarded the prestigious Kentucky Mr. Football award for the best player in the state.
In college, he was the All-SEC 2nd team QB.
We've had Jared as a guest on "TMZ Sports" over the years -- and he couldn't have been nicer. Always super friendly and loved talking about football.
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Jon Stewart Attends Funeral of 9/11 Hero Luis Alvarez
Jon Stewart paid his final respects to Ground Zero first responder Luis Alvarez, who just days before his death, sitting side-by-side with Stewart, pled with Congress to extend compensation funds for 9/11 victims.
Detective Alvarez's funeral was held Wednesday in NYC. He died Saturday from complications resulting from the cancer linked to months he spent combing through the rubble at Ground Zero.
Alvarez, a retired NYPD bomb squad detective, delivered a heart-wrenching testimony on Capitol Hill last month about his 9/11-related health issues and called for Congress to replenish the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund ... which is set to expire next year.
Alvarez said it was his goal and legacy to make sure lawmakers do the right thing for all 9/11 responders.
Stewart also spoke in front of the committee and made a passionate plea for Congress to approve the extension of the fund, while also chastising members for not making it a priority.
The former 'Daily Show' host attended Alvarez's funeral along with Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney and countless members of law enforcement.
Alvarez was 53.
RIP
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Tyler Skaggs 'No Warning Signs' Day Before Death ... Colleagues Say
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Multiple people who were hanging out with Tyler Skaggs on the day before he died tell TMZ Sports there were no obvious signs anything was wrong -- "He seemed completely normal."
One source tells us, "I was with him on Sunday. He seemed like himself."
Another source added, "There was no indication anything was wrong" ... saying the 27-year-old's death was "shocking," especially since Tyler had pitched just 2 days before he died.
Skaggs and the rest of the L.A. Angels flew from Anaheim to Dallas on Sunday ... and Skaggs was in such a good mood, he suggested the team take a funny Cowboy-themed team photo at the airport. He posted the photo Sunday evening saying, "Howdy ya'll."
The very next day, Skaggs was found unconscious in his hotel room -- and was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived.
Officials say there were no obvious signs of suicide or foul play -- and the medical examiner is currently investigating. An autopsy and toxicology tests have been performed but the results have not been made public. It could take between 4 and 6 weeks for the toxicology results to come back.
The Angels organization has said they have no information on the cause of death.
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Beth Chapman Ashes Spread in Waikiki Waters During Private Paddle-Out
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There was a private and secret send-off for Beth Chapman in Hawaii that only Dog the Bounty Hunter and his family knew was happening ... TMZ has learned.
Sources directly connected to the family tell us ... this past weekend, Dog and his children spread some of Beth's ashes and flowers in Hawaii's Waikiki waters and bid her aloha in the state she loved and called home for many years.
As we reported ... the family paid respects to Beth Saturday with a public memorial service at Fort DeRussy Beach Park, attended by Dog and his family. During that event, a group also boarded an outrigger vessel and paddled out without Dog on board, and we've now learned why.
Our sources say during the paddle-out -- when everyone was distracted by the final ride -- Dog and his kids quietly walked away, boarded a private boat and headed out to sea to spread the ashes. This was one of Beth's final wishes.
We're told the family didn't spread all the ashes -- they saved some ashes, possibly for another service Dog is planning for Beth's native home state of Colorado.
TMZ broke the story ... Beth died last week at a Honolulu hospital, days after she had been placed in a medically-induced coma. She had been battling cancer for a long time.
She was 51.
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Rick Springfield Moves D.R. Festival to Mexico ... As Death Count Grows
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Rick Springfield is not taking any chances -- he's calling off his music festival in the Dominican Republic as the number of American tourists getting sick and dying in the country continues to grow.
The "Jessie's Girl" singer just made the announcement, saying ... "In an abundance of caution and for the peace of mind and well-being of my fans, band and crew, the ‘Rick Springfield & Friends’ event in Punta Cana is being rescheduled to take place at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun in 2020."
Rick says the new dates will be determined asap, but attempts to reschedule in 2019 were unsuccessful.
The musician has held these "Rick Springfield & Friends" fests for close to a decade, which started as concert cruises before moving them to land and resorts. This was going to be the first in the D.R.
Along with Springfield, the festival lineup was set to include Patty Smyth, host Mark Goodman, actor Doug Davidson and musical guest Guns & Mullets.
Springfield adds that the decision to postpone was not easy, but the "safety and well-being of our amazing fans, band and crew will always be the most important consideration in any situation."
As we've reported ... at least 10 Americans have died while either visiting Dominican Rep. resorts or shortly after returning to the U.S. -- many from heart attacks, and some from respiratory complications.
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Scottie Pippen I Wasn't In Original 'Space Jam' ... Here's Why
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When Michael Jordan took on the original batch of MonStars back in "Space Jam," he did it WITHOUT his running mate, Scottie Pippen ... and now Pip is telling us why he wasn't in the flick.
Remember, MJ and Bill Murray starred in the movie back in 1996 ... with a core group of NBA stars that included Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson and more.
When production on the movie began in 1995, Michael Jordan had just come back from retirement ... so he and Pippen were teammates in the Chicago Bulls again -- which had people wondering why didn't #33 have a significant role???
So, when we saw Pip at LAX on Thursday, we needed that explanation!!!
I think I was injured or recovering from offseason injuries," Pippen said ... "I wasn't able to participate."
If he WAS healthy though, Pippen says he would have agreed to a role in a heartbeat.
Meanwhile, LeBron James is already shooting the sequel -- and some people are wondering why he didn't sign Zion Williamson to take on the MonStars.
Pippen has an explanation for that, too -- "They haven't reached that pinnacle yet!"
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Slim 400 Shot In Compton ... Rushed to Hospital
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9:07 AM PT -- Sources connected to Slim 400 tell us he was shot 8 times and underwent surgery. His good friend and fellow rapper, YG, was at Slim's bedside for the majority of the night. Slim was conscious.
3:40 AM PT -- We're told Slim 400 is in critical but stable condition.
Rapper Slim 400 was just rushed to a Los Angeles Hospital after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Law enforcement sources tell us they got a call around 8:30 PM Friday night for a male who had been shot in Compton. We’re told Slim was the victim, though it’s unclear exactly where he suffered the gunshot wounds.
Our sources say what led up to the shooting is currently unclear ... though a black vehicle suspected to be involved in the incident was seen leaving the scene.
We’re told at the time of this post, Slim is still alive ... the 31-year-old is a Compton native and best known for his work on “Bruisin” with YG and Sad Boy Loko.
The shooting comes nearly 3 months to the day of Nipsey Hussle’s murder. The rapper was gunned down outside his Marathon Clothing Store ... an incident that sent shock waves through Los Angeles.
Originally published -- 6/28 11:04 PM PT
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Honey Boo Boo Uncle Involved in Fatal Car Crash ... Photos of Fiery Scene
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Another member of Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson's family is in bad shape -- her Uncle Billy got in a nasty car wreck and suffered major injuries ... and the other driver died.
Sources close to Alana tell TMZ ... Billy -- the younger brother of her father, Sugar Bear -- was involved in a 2-car accident outside Atlanta on Father's Day. We're told he was struck head-on by a driver traveling on the wrong side of the road, and that person was killed.
Billy broke his leg, both arms, several ribs and his jaw in the crash ... and suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns because his vehicle caught fire after the crash.
We've obtained photos of the grisly scene, showing the car ablaze along a guardrail and the aftermath.
Our sources say Billy's been in the hospital since the accident, and he's already undergone 5 surgeries to repair his injuries and has 2 more to go.
Sadly, we're told the tragedy has stoked animosity among Honey Boo Boo's family members ... especially toward Sugar Bear. Our sources say they feel like he's abandoning his brother, because he's been practically invisible at the hospital other than visiting Billy once the first week he was there.
Meanwhile, we're told Alana's other uncle, Poodle, has been by Uncle Billy's side almost 24/7.
As we've reported ... Honey Boo Boo's also dealing with turmoil in her immediate family, stemming from her mother Mama June's troubling relationship with Geno Doak and her apparent substance abuse.
Alana refuses to move back in with her mom until Geno's gone and, after the incident where he was wasted and crashed into June's house ... that's probably a good idea.
Honey Boo Boo has been staying with her older sister, Pumpkin, in the meantime.
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Ben Affleck My Recovery Guru Saved My Life
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3:44 PM PT -- Ben tells us, "I recently testified in a trademark suit regarding Refuge Recovery House. As part of my testimony, I was asked to speak to my relationship with Noah Levine as it pertained to my own stay as a patient and to the suit at hand. I will forever remain grateful for the treatment I received at Refuge Recovery House as it had such a positive impact on me and my sobriety."
Ben continues, "I had a strictly professional relationship with Mr. Levine and do not know him outside of his capacity as a therapist. I was not and am not aware of what allegations have been made against him.
Ben Affleck has jumped into a lawsuit over the recovery center where he stayed for 40 days .... saying the guy who treated him for alcoholism literally saved his life.
Ben is supporting Noah Levine, who founded Refuge Recovery House, an alternative program to AA. A woman whom Levine dated accused him of sexual misconduct and other issues a year ago ... the LAPD investigated and prosecutors rejected the case. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors is trying to force Levine out, saying the allegations support getting rid of him.
Affleck just filed a declaration, explaining he was a patient last August at the Refuge Recovery treatment center after losing his sobriety. He has also regularly attended meetings and even got one-on-one therapy with Levine.
Ben says, "Working with Noah and his Refuge Recovery program has, quite literally, turned my life around. Today I am sober, happy, healthy and have custody of my three children. All of those things are a result of having Noah in my life. I don't know what I would have done without him."
Ben goes on ... "Noah's patient instruction in sobriety, Buddhism, patience, kindness, compassion and forgiveness form the bedrock of the foundation of my life today. I owe him for my professional life today, the life I have with my children, and the inner sense of equanimity I am actually able to reach from time to time."
In supporting Levine, Ben throws shade at lots of Hollywood hangers-on, saying, "I have been around many people in the recovery field, the self-help world, and the world of those who hang around celebrities for profit and attention ... Noah is without a doubt the person with the most integrity, the most honor, the most genuine compassion and the least motivated by self-interest I have ever known."
And, Lindsay Shookus, who calls Ben her "then live-in boyfriend," says, "I cannot begin to express the tremendous value that Noah's teaching and treatment counseling has had up both me and Ben, and upon my relationship with Ben."
Originally published -- 11:00 AM PT
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Steven Adler Hospitalized After Stabbing Himself ... NOT a Suicide Attempt, Rep Says
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10:15 AM PT -- Adler's rep tells TMZ ... the stabbing was not a suicide attempt, and simply an accident.
The rep would not specify what caused the accident, except to describe it as a "very minor, superficial wound." So much so, we're told Adler still plans to perform a July 12 gig in Las Vegas. The show must go on, as they say.
As for Steven's past substance abuse -- his rep assured us he's been sober for several years.
Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler was rushed to the hospital after stabbing himself at his home ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ someone at Adler's L.A. home called 911 shortly after 6:30 PM Thursday night to report someone had stabbed themselves. We're told when cops and paramedics arrived, they discovered it was Adler who had suffered a stab wound to his stomach.
Our sources say Adler was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. We're told no one else is suspected to have been involved in the incident.
Adler has openly struggled with substance abuse for decades. He was kicked out of Guns N' Roses over his drug addiction in 1990 ... but was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 2012.
Adler has appeared on several TV shows about addiction ... he was a member of seasons 2 and 5 of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" and its spin-off 'Sober House.'
Originally published -- 6/27 8:33 PM PT
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Kevin Durant Emerges In NYC With Wrapped Leg and Medical Scooter
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JUNE 2019
Here he is!!! Kevin Durant is back out in public just 2 weeks after suffering a devastating injury in the NBA Finals ... but it's clear he's got a long road to recovery.
The 30-year-old superstar was out in New York City on Wednesday -- with a team of people helping him out of a building and into a waiting sprinter van.
You can see KD's right leg is bandaged up from his toe to his knee. An assistant was also holding a walking boot for Kev while another person followed close behind with a medical knee scooter.
The clip is pretty short but you can see Durant is trying to be independent. It's obvious he wants to be able to move around without help.
Durant underwent surgery on June 12 to repair a ruptured Achilles -- which he injured in the 2nd quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
Durant had missed significant playing time before Game 5 due to a calf strain -- and some people questioned whether he came back before his body was ready.
After the surgery, Durant posted on social media saying he wasn't pressured into returning -- and said, "I wanted to be out there that night because that's what I do."
There are reports Durant could miss the entire 2019-20 regular season due to the Achilles injury -- with some speculating he might be ready to go for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, KD just declined his player option with the Warriors which means he'll officially be a free agent and can sign wherever he wants. He'll obviously get a max contract offer, which would kick off with a $38.2 mil starting salary.
Get well soon!!!
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Beth Chapman A&E Plans Tribute
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Beth Chapman is getting a special sendoff from the TV network where she and her husband became icons.
Honchos at A&E tell TMZ ... the network's regular 4-hour block of "Dog the Bounty Hunter" episodes next Monday morning will conclude with onscreen "In memoriam" tributes to Beth.
As you know ... Beth and Duane "Dog" Chapman started their rise to fame back in 2004, when A&E first started airing their first reality show. The series had a long run for eight seasons, became nationally syndicated and even spawned a few spin-offs on other networks.
A&E reps also add, "We are very saddened by the loss of Beth Chapman and our thoughts are with Dog and the entire Chapman family during this difficult time." We're told the network's also planning to schedule a marathon of 'Dog' episodes in coming weeks.
As we've reported ... Beth suffered a choking emergency at her and Dog's home in Hawaii last weekend, and she was placed in a medically-induced coma. Doctors felt placing Beth in a coma gave her the best shot at pulling through, but she was unable to recover and died Wednesday morning.
Beth's fan's have already set up a huge memorial in Hawaii ... and now she's getting another farewell on air.
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Beth Chapman Dead at 51
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Beth Chapman, who along with her husband, Duane "Dog" Chapman, appeared for years on the iconic show, "Dog the Bounty Hunter," is dead.
Beth died Wednesday at a Honolulu hospital, days after being placed in a medically-induced coma. She had battled long and hard against cancer, which ultimately took her life.
The 51-year-old announced in 2017 that she'd been diagnosed with stage II throat cancer, but was cancer free by December of that year. The cancer returned last November -- after which she underwent aggressive chemo and fought valiantly to maintain normalcy in her life ... sometimes going out for the evening with her husband. She said last month on Mother's Day she had stopped chemo.
Dog just tweeted a goodbye to Beth, saying "Today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side."
Beth endured at least one health scare over the past few months, having been rushed to the hospital in April for breathing trouble related to her cancer treatments.
Beth became a licensed bail bondsman at age 29 -- the youngest in Colorado history. Her record was broken by her stepdaughter, Lyssa Chapman, who became licensed at age 19.
She met Dog when she was 19 and he was 35 ... when she got in trouble with the law. She was in a grocery store and got distracted by a call from her boss, and she walked out with a lemon and got stopped for shoplifting. Turns out she had an unregistered, unlicensed gun in her pocket -- she had taken it from her then-boyfriend who was drunk at the time -- and Beth's dad called Dog to bail her out.
They married in 2006, one day after Dog's daughter, Barbara Katy, was killed in a car crash in Alaska.
Dog and Beth became international stars after "Dog the Bounty Hunter" debuted in 2003. The show ended its run in 2012. They did another show -- "Dog and Beth: On the Hunt" which ran through 2015. The couple took a break from TV for a bit, and during that time ... Beth ran for president of the Professional Bail Agents of the United States and won. They were in the process of filming a new show, "Dog's Most Wanted," which was set to air next year.
It's unclear for now if their new program will make it to broadcast in light of Beth's death. We do know that Beth's health struggles were supposed to be a key storyline and that she was going to be front and center alongside Dog ... just like the old days.
Production started in February -- but no word if the network they were working with, WGN America, completed a full season's worth of episodes or not. Beth herself said the series wouldn't hit the airwaves this year, but a trailer has already been released.
Beth had 11 kids -- the latter 2 she had with Dog. Beth also has 14 grandchildren ... one of whom she had custody of after Dog's daughter died in the crash -- and the boy's father was found to be abusive.
She was 51.
RIP
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Eminem's Father Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. Dead at 67
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Eminem's biological father -- who the rapper frequently rapped about abandoning him -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. died this week near Fort Wayne, Indiana ... according to family members and neighbors. A family source tells us he apparently suffered a heart attack while at home.
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, has made no secret of his lifelong grudge against his father and rapped about never meeting him in person. His hit songs like "My Name Is" and "Cleanin' Out My Closet" reflect those feelings.
According to Eminem's mother, Debbie ... Mathers Jr., who went by Bruce, married her when he was 22 and she was 15, and they had their son 2 years later. They split up shortly after, and Eminem and his mom settled in Detroit with her family while Bruce moved to California ... where he had 2 other kids.
Eminem has said in interviews that he wrote letters to his dad as a child but they always came back "return to sender." The rapper said Bruce would sometimes call while family members were babysitting, but he would never actually talk to him on the phone.
In 2001, Bruce published a letter addressed to his son in a newspaper explaining his side of the story -- that Eminem's mom kept him away. Still, Eminem apparently never got in contact with his father to reconcile.
In "Cleanin' Out My Closet" ... Em rapped, "My fa***t father must've had his panties up in a bunch ‘Cause he split, I wonder if he even kissed me goodbye. No, I don't, on second thought, I just f**kin' wished he would die. I look at Hailie, and I couldn't picture leavin' her side."
Bruce Mathers was 67.