"You Light Up My Life" Songwriter Joseph Brooks Dead at 73 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-22-2011, 03:47 PM

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Grammy-winning songwriter Joseph Brooks, facing rape and other sex charges, killed himself today in his Manhattan apartment, police said.

The 73-year-old Brooks was awaiting trial for rape and other sex charges. He was found found today with a plastic dry-cleaning bag around his head and a towel wrapped around his neck. There also was a helium tank with a hose attached.

Books won a Grammy and Academy Award for best original song for the 1977 ballad "You Light Up My Life." He wrote and directed the movie of the same name.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death. Police say a suicide note was found but they didn't reveal its contents.

'You Light Up My Life' composer and alleged rapist Joe Brooks was found dead in an apparent suicide.
Brooks pleaded not guilty in 2009 to rape, sexual abuse and other charges in the attacks on 13 women. His trial date had not been set.

Prosecutors say he lured most of the women to his apartment through an online ad offering auditions for a movie role, then sexually assaulted them after making them drink apparently drugged wine as part of an "acting exercise."

Brooks' son, Nicholas, has also been charged in a high-profile criminal case in New York.

Nicholas Brooks is charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, Peruvian-American swimsuit designer Sylvie Cachay, who was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the swank Soho House club and hotel in December. He has pleaded not guilty

ABlairican Pie · 05-22-2011, 04:50 PM

I wonder if Debby Boone will have second thoughts about singing this in concert ever again.

Vahan · 05-22-2011, 05:07 PM

My heart really (and I mean REALLY) goes out to all of his victims.

catlover79 · 05-22-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

I wonder if Debby Boone will have second thoughts about singing this in concert ever again.

Well, she sang the song on Oprah this past October, and that was after the charges were made public. It's her signature song...no matter what, she'll never get out of a concert without singing it.

dakert · 05-22-2011, 10:33 PM

WOW

but I still like the song

catlover79 · 05-23-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

WOW

but I still like the song

He really was a gifted songwriter. Debby Boone and Roberta Flack were but two of the vocalists who brought his songs to life. It's just a sad, sad story no matter how you cut it.

05-22-2011, 03:47 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	"You Light Up My Life" Songwriter Joseph Brooks Dead at 73 Link Grammy-winning songwriter Joseph Brooks, facing rape and other sex charges, killed himself today in his Manhattan apartment, police said. The 73-year-old Brooks was awaiting trial for rape and other sex charges. He was found found today with a plastic dry-cleaning bag around his head and a towel wrapped around his neck. There also was a helium tank with a hose attached. Books won a Grammy and Academy Award for best original song for the 1977 ballad "You Light Up My Life." He wrote and directed the movie of the same name. An autopsy will determine the cause of death. Police say a suicide note was found but they didn't reveal its contents. 'You Light Up My Life' composer and alleged rapist Joe Brooks was found dead in an apparent suicide. Brooks pleaded not guilty in 2009 to rape, sexual abuse and other charges in the attacks on 13 women. His trial date had not been set. Prosecutors say he lured most of the women to his apartment through an online ad offering auditions for a movie role, then sexually assaulted them after making them drink apparently drugged wine as part of an "acting exercise." Brooks' son, Nicholas, has also been charged in a high-profile criminal case in New York. Nicholas Brooks is charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, Peruvian-American swimsuit designer Sylvie Cachay, who was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the swank Soho House club and hotel in December. He has pleaded not guilty
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

05-22-2011, 04:50 PM	#2
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I wonder if Debby Boone will have second thoughts about singing this in concert ever again.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

05-22-2011, 05:07 PM	#3
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	My heart really (and I mean REALLY) goes out to all of his victims.
	Last edited by Vahan; 05-22-2011 at 06:12 PM.

05-22-2011, 10:33 PM	#5
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	WOW but I still like the song