Robert Cabot Sherman Jr. (July 22, 1943 – June 24, 2025)

In March 2025, Sherman’s diagnosis of stage 4 kidney cancer
was made public. He died today, June 24.

Sherman left show business in the 1970s for a career as a
paramedic and a deputy sheriff, but performed occasionally
into the 1990s.

  
CAMILLE BOHANNON

More than 1,000 people taking a pleasure trip on New York City’s
East River were drowned or burned to death when a fire swept
through the riverboat-style steamer General Slocum. This was
one of the United States’ worst maritime disasters.

The General Slocum was built in 1890 and used mostly for taking
large groups on day outings. On June 15, the St. Mark’s German Lutheran Church assembled a group of 1,360 people, mostly
children and teachers, for their annual Sunday School picnic.

The picnic was to take place at Locust Point in the Bronx after
a cruise up the East River on the General Slocum.

At about 9 a.m., the dangerously overcrowded boat left its dock
in Manhattan with Captain William Van Schaik in charge. As the
boat passed 83rd Street, accounts indicate that a child spotted
a fire in a storeroom and reported it to the Captain. The onboard
fire hose, which had never been used, tested or inspected, did
not work.

In all, 630 bodies were recovered and another 401 were missing
and presumed dead.

The boat’s crew, and officers in the Knickerbocker Company,
owner and operator of the General Slocum, were charged with
criminal negligence.

Singer, actress, film producer and author Nancy Sandra
Sinatra the elder daughter of Frank Sinatra and is known
for her 1965 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin’".

Nancy Sinatra began her career as a singer in November 1957
with an appearance on her father’s ABC television variety
series The Frank Sinatra Show. She is 85 years young today.

Frank and Nancy Sinatra.

Sonny and Cher.

Entertainer Cher (Cheryl Sarkisian) rose from teenage pop star
("I Got You Babe") to Oscar-winning actress ("Moonstruck").

1987

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996)

"First Lady of Song" Ella Fitzgerald becomes the first Black
woman to win a Grammy at the Recording Academy’s inaugural
awards show on May 4, 1959.

During the event at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Fitzgerald
took home two of 28 awards for best jazz and female vocal
performances. “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song
Book” bested performances by Doris Day, Eydie Gorme, Peggy
Lee and Keely Smith for best female vocal performance.

In contrast “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book”
won for jazz performance.

That year, Count Basie became the first Black man to win a
Grammy, also taking home two awards, for best jazz group
performance and best performance by a dance band.