Over the past year and beyond, the fields of music, media, and sports management have lost several outstanding figures. While each of these individuals left a unique mark on their respective fields, the circumstances and causes of their deaths serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
Among the notable figures who have recently passed away is Juliette Powell, former host of MuchMusic and writer. Powell, who was 54 years old, passed away on June 3 after a brief illness. Her obituary noted that she died “unexpectedly” from acute bacterial meningitis.
Prior to her passing, Powell was renowned for her significant contributions to Canadian television in the 1990s, having hosted programs such as “Electric Circus” and “French Kiss.” In 1989, she made history as the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Canada. She began her VJ career at MusiquePlus in 1992 and moved to MuchMusic in 1996. She later transitioned from the music media industry to become a business journalist at CablePulse24. After her television career, she authored several books, including “The AI Dilemma: Seven Principles for Responsible Technology” in 2023.
Juliette Powell’s death from bacterial meningitis has drawn attention to this serious illness. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. According to the Canadian Meningitis Foundation, bacterial meningitis is a “medical emergency” when left untreated and can be fatal within hours.
Individuals who recover from bacterial meningitis may face permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities. The disease is typically spread through close contact with bacteria or viruses, including those responsible for the common cold or flu. Activities such as sneezing, coughing, kissing, and close physical contact can all contribute to the spread of pathogens.
Diagnosing bacterial meningitis requires medical professionals to analyze a sample of the patient’s spinal fluid. It is important to note that this disease is sometimes mistaken for sepsis, another life-threatening condition. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to infection, triggering a chain reaction throughout the body. If left untreated, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Symptoms of bacterial meningitis may appear within hours or manifest within 1 to 3 days. Early symptoms may appear within six hours of onset, including fever, headache, irritability, nausea, and vomiting. Later symptoms may appear within six to twelve hours, including fever, muscle aches, leg pain, and pale skin. After twelve hours, typical symptoms include cold hands and feet, neck stiffness or neck pain, rash, confusion or delirium, and sluggish response. If any of these symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately.
Certain factors increase a person’s risk of developing bacterial meningitis. Age is a risk factor, as infants and young children are more susceptible to infection due to their underdeveloped immune systems, although people of any age can contract the disease. Collective environments, such as university dormitories or crowded venues like music festivals, also pose a higher risk.
Preventive measures can help reduce the risk of bacterial meningitis. Vaccination is the primary method, with different vaccines providing protection against specific pathogenic bacteria. Currently, there are vaccines available for four bacteria associated with bacterial meningitis. Maintaining overall health, practicing good hand hygiene, resting at home when sick, and having a strong immune system are general preventive measures against various pathogens, including those that cause meningitis, which are often transmitted by asymptomatic carriers.
For individuals with compromised immune systems due to cancer treatment, HIV, organ transplantation, or other serious health issues, it is recommended to consult a doctor about preventive measures for meningitis. Finally, seeking medical attention promptly upon the onset of symptoms is crucial. Additionally, given the contagious nature of the disease, individuals who have had close contact with a bacterial meningitis patient should contact a healthcare provider to discuss preventive measures.
The music industry recently mourned the passing of guitar legend Jeff Beck, who died on January 10 at the age of 78. His family announced his “sudden passing” in a statement and revealed that he died after battling bacterial meningitis.
Jeff Beck is widely regarded as “the guitarist’s guitarist,” and his influence on countless musicians is undeniable. His innovative playing style has earned him numerous awards, including six Grammy Awards for Best Rock Instrumental Performance and one for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
In the months leading up to his death, Beck toured with Johnny Depp of the Hollywood Vampires. A source close to Depp revealed the depth of their friendship, stating that Depp was among the close friends who visited Beck in his final days, and that Depp was “deeply saddened” by the news. In May 2023, a memorial concert was held at London’s Royal Albert Hall to honor Beck, organized by his wife Sandra Beck and close friend Eric Clapton. Musicians who performed included Johnny Depp, Eric Clapton,
In another recent obituary, Jeff Sperbeck, who served as a business partner and former agent for NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, passed away at the age of 62. An updated report from May 2025 stated that he died on Wednesday following injuries sustained over the previous weekend. The Riverside County Coroner’s Office reported that Sperbeck fell from a golf cart at The Madison Club in La Quinta on Saturday, sustaining injuries that led to his transfer to a trauma center. While the official cause of death has not yet been disclosed, law enforcement described the incident as a “horrible accident.”
River County Sheriff Chad Bianco commented on the incident, calling it a “horrific accident,” and noted that some of the individuals involved, such as Elway, were well-known figures, making the incident even more notable. Elway issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of his close friend and business partner, describing Sperbeck as his “musical partner, friend, soulmate, and sister,” who brought “loyalty, wisdom, friendship, and love” to his life and the lives of many others.
Sperbeck’s professional relationship with Elway began in 1990 when he served as Elway’s agent during his time as quarterback for the Broncos. Over the course of his 30-year career, Sperbeck represented over 100 NFL players as an agent and business advisor. Sperbeck oversaw Elway’s marketing and business ventures and co-founded “7Cellars by John Elway” with winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. in 2015. Sperbeck also co-founded the sports marketing firm Sullivan & Sperbeck, which was acquired by Octagon in 2001, where he served as head of the football division until 2009. In 2009, he founded the sports management company The NOVO Agency, serving as CEO and representing numerous active and retired NFL players and coaches.
Don Nix, a member of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, also recently passed away. He died in his sleep at his home in Germantown on New Year’s Eve at the age of 83. His family has confirmed the news, but the cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Nix had been blind due to macular degeneration in recent years.
Don Nix became a prolific composer, producer, and arranger. His 1969 song “Going Down” became a well-known blues classic. The song was also used as the theme song for the HBO series Eastbound & Down. Nix released several critically acclaimed solo albums in the early 1970s for Shelter, Elektra, and Stax’s Enterprise Records.
In addition to music, Nix is an accomplished photographer, a hobby he began in his youth. He has amassed an archive he refers to as “travel memories,” capturing candid moments of renowned musicians. Nix has exhibited his photographs on multiple occasions, most recently at the Stax Museum in 2019.
Despite maintaining a low profile in the final decade of his career due to health issues, he was honored with the “Brass Note” award on Beale Street in 2022.
The music world has also recently lost guitarist and singer Bobby Tench, who passed away at the age of 79, according to those close to him. No specific date or cause of death has been disclosed in the information currently available. Tench was born in London in 1944 and rose to prominence during the city’s club circuit in the 1960s.
Bobby Tench was a versatile musician skilled in guitar, vocals, and bass. His adaptability enabled him to collaborate with numerous prominent figures throughout his career.
Commemorating these individuals means acknowledging the irreversibility of their passing while celebrating the vitality of their careers and the important contributions they made. The fact of their passing, as presented by the available information, adds a solemn backdrop to their vibrant life stories.
