Kitt, Ward, Darnell & Prager Pass, New Music From the Nighthawks, more

Eartha Kitt , the singer & actress who made appearances in movies, TV, Broadway and on record, passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 81. In music, Kitt is best known for her holiday classic, Santa Baby , but also had a top ten dance club record in 1983 with Where is My Man . On TV, she was best known for playing Catwoman on the original Batman series.

Dame Shirley Bassey , who was influenced by Kitt, said "Eartha Kitt was one of the guiding influences on cabaret art in the 20th century. She had an influence that will last far beyond her 81 years. My condolences and deep, deep thoughts go to all of her family and friends at this tragic time."

Robert Ward , founder of the Ohio Untouchables (eventually the Ohio Players ), session guitarist and recording artist passed away Thursday from complications of a 2001 stroke at the age of 70.

The Nighthawks will release their first studio album in five years, American Landscape , on February 3 via Powerhouse Records. Along with two original songs, the album will contain covers of music from Lazy Lester, Tom Waits, Sam & Dave, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Ike Turner and others.

Rick Darnell , who wrote the blues classic The Thrill is Gone with Roy Hawkins in 1951, passed away on Christmas Eve. In his later years, Darnell owned radio station WPAK-AM.

Cilla Black (You're My World ) is back on the boards playing the fairy godmother in a Liverpool pantomime of Cinderella . In an interview, she said, "I'm not used to playing the fairy. I'm such a bad girl. I shouldn't be playing a good fairy."

Bud Prager, the executive and manager who helped start the careers of Foreigner, Mountain, Damn Yankees and many others, passed away last Monday of esophogeal cancer at the age of 79.