Spike Lee’s father, Bill Lee, a jazz bassist who previously composed musical scores for the director’s films, has died.
His death was confirmed by his son, who has also made a name for himself as an actor, writer, producer, and director. Bill, who died Wednesday morning in Brooklyn at age 94, served as composer on more than a handful of Spike films, including the 1986 film, “She’s Gotta Have It.”
Spike Lee Honors His Father’s Memory With Multiple Social Media Posts Highlighting His Achievements
Although Bill and Spike’s working relationship ended in the 1990s following their falling out, the latter never doubted his father’s talent for composing music. The proof came when Spike confirmed the elder Lee’s death on Instagram, with a grayscale image of Bill sitting next to a double bass.
Instagram | Spike Lee
Taking to the caption, he wrote, “Bill Lee, Bass Player And Film Composer Son Of Spike Lee, Dies At 94,” and asked his fans to click on his Instastory to see the details of his death.
Almost 24 hours after he made the announcement, his fans started showing their support in the comments. This netizen credited Bill as the reason they connected with his son in the “first place,” and a second commented, “His father’s amazing score accompanies some of the most memorable scenes in Spike’s movies. Thanks for the memories.”
“Sending you and your family so much love now as you enter this new space of life,” a third wrote, as a fourth called Bill “a genius.” A fifth Instagram user added, “He’s a great musician, and the neighborhood is lucky to have him as part of the community.”
Amid a tribute dedicated to his dad, Spike unveiled the vinyl album cover for the musical score the late musician composed for the 1989 film, “Do the Right Thing.”
As the post gained traction, she uploaded a third update, highlighting Bill, the late Bob Dylan, and Tina Turner, whose death was also confirmed on Wednesday, May 24. Through the caption, the two-time Peabody award-winning actor expressed:
“This morning, May 24, my father made his transition. Today is also BOB DYLAN’s Birthday. Today Is Also The Birthday Of Jackson Lewis Lee Who Is The Son Of Tonya Lewis Lee And Me, My Brother Satchel Lee, And My Grandson. Also Must Give Love To Our Sista Tina Turner Who Left Us Today On May 24, 2023. WHEW LAW. What a day. Da Lee Family Appreciation [sic] All Da ??? Greetings and condolences.”
While no one is focused on the drama that ended Bill and Spike’s professional relationship, I Love Old School Music reported in 2015 that their bad blood began after the former partnered with another woman after his first wife and mother of his son, Jacquelyn, died of cancer in the 1970s.
It also didn’t help that the woman, who Bill quickly walked down the aisle with, was white. Things took a turn for the worse in 1991 when Bill was arrested for possession of heroin, and then in 1992, Spike refused to help the LAFCA Award recipient settle some of his bills.
Instagram | Spike Lee
The last incident was the last, and the two cut off all contact with each other for more than two years. They will reunite in June 2009 during the 20th anniversary screening of “Do the Right Thing” at the Guild Theater of America in New York City.
Black Reel Award Winner Says Oscars Are Racially Biased
Before her father’s death rocked her world, Spike had been vocal about this year’s Oscar nominations, particularly the Best Actress category which saw Andrea Riseborough beat Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis.
As the two have mesmerized the audience with their portrayal in the movie “The Woman King” [Davis] and “Until” [Deadwyler]the writers believe they should have earned a nomination over Riseborough’s “To Leslie.”
Responding to the controversial nomination during an interview, the “Summer of Sam” producer stated, “It gets complicated when you get this award. And the Academy has a history with….The Academy has a history; let it be.”
He also claimed that “the whole #OscarsSoWhite hashtag” had an impact and caused the Academy to work towards making a difference by bringing diversity to the voting body. Spike has been at the forefront of the campaign against the Oscars, favoring white stars over their black peers for years, even leading a boycott against them in 2016.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
