Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The death of Catherine O’Hara last month at age 71 brought an end to a five decade career for one of the funniest & most versatile actors in the world. Born Catherine Anne O’Hara on March 4, 1954 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, she started her career as a member of The Second City (SC) improv group in 1974. Two years later, they launched the sketch comedy show, “Second City Television” (SCTV). That exposure & her incredible talent led to dozens of movie roles including “Beetlejuice” in 1988, “Home Alone” in 1990, its 1992 sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York”, “Best In Show” in 2000 and “For Your Consideration” in 2006, amongst many others.

Catherine O’Hara in two of her most notable roles: As Delia in “Beetlejuice” (1988, top) and as Kevin’s mom, Kate, in “Home Alone” (1990, below). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

She also made several notable TV appearances in series like “Dream On”, “Six Feet Under, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “30 Rock”, “Modern Family” and many others. Her most succesful TV role was opposite longtime friend & frequent collaborator, Eugene Levy, as the spoiled pampered riches-to-rags couple in “Schitt’s Creek” which ran from 2015-2020. Their movie partnerships included 1996’s “Waiting For Guffman”, 2000’s “Best In Show” and the singing duo “Mitch & Mickey”in 2003’s “A Mighty Wind”. Farewell to one of the funniest women we were privledged to know.

Catherine O’Hara: March 4, 1954 – January 30, 2026.

Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara as “Mitch & Mickey” in 2003’s “A Mighty Wind”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Rose Family (L-R): Levy, O’Hara, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy as John, Moira, David & Alexis. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

O’Hara as a Jazzagal in a 2017 episode of “Schitt’s Creek”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Richard Paul Astley-known famililarily as Rick Astley-turned 60 this month. Born February 6, 1966 in the U.K., his career started with his 1987 debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody. The first two singles were #1 hits: “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever”. Here is my post from Music Monday: November 18, 2024:

“An 80’s era singer that flew under my radar was Rick Astley. While I always thought he was quite adorable & swooned over the blue eyed soul sound he had going on, dance music was never my thing so I usually did not listen to him or watch his videos. But then his 1991 album, Free, came out and included a ballad I absolutely adore to this day. I was not alone in that feeling as it became a Top Ten hit for him, peaking at #7 in April 1991. It featured The Andraé Crouch Choir on backing vocals who were prominently featured in the performance video that was in heavy rotation back in those wonderful & magical days when music video stations actually showed them.”

Rick Astley in a video from 1991. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Top: Rick Astley (Recent image from Rick Astley’s website. Original source unknown.)

Carly Simon released her self titled is the debut studio album 55 years ago on February 9, 1971. The first single peaked at #10 five months later. The singer/songwriter/pianist released her second album nine months later, Anticipation. The title track was a hit in 1972, reaching #13 in Feb 1972. Not long after that, the song became an ubiquitous sound of the decade when it was featured in a Heines Ketchup commercial.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Eugene Levy & Catherine O’Hara as “Mitch & Mickey”: “A Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow” (2003, written by Michael McKean and Annette O’Toole).

Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose with The Jazzagals: “Baby I’m Yours” (From “Schitt’s Creek” S3 E13, “Grad Night”. Original airdate April 2017. Written by Van McCoy).

Rick Astley: “Cry For Help” (1991, written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher).

Carly Simon: “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” (1971, written by Jacob Brackman and Carly Simon).

Stay safe & well.