It has just been reported that former Velvet Underground front man and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Lou Reed has passed away today at the age of 71. It is not known as of this writing how he died however he had a liver transplant earlier in the year.

The Velvet Underground is considered one of the most influential music acts of all time, combining the New York art scene with Rock and Roll. Lyrically, they were completely different than anything else anyone had heard before. They openly sang about transvestites, prostitutes and drug use. It has been often said that though they did not sell many albums, everyone who did buy one formed a band.

Reed had a successful solo career, having his biggest hit in 1973 with “Walk on the Wild Side”. His discography has received a lot of critical praise and he has been nominated before for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo act. This is a major loss in the world of music, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lou Reed at this time.

Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, Bill Sharman passed away today at the age of 87. Last week, he suffered a stroke, and died at his home in California. Sharman played the bulk of his career with the Boston Celtics, where the Shooting Guard would help the team win four NBA Championships.

Sharman was an eight time All-Star and was named the First Team NBA All-Star team four consecutive seasons. He would also become a successful NBA Coach and would be lead the Lakers to an NBA Championship.

He is in the Basketball Hall of Fame twice. The first time was as a player in 1976. Sharman was inducted a second time as a Coach in 2004. We here at Notinhalloffame.com offer our condolences to the family and friends of Bill Sharman at this time.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced that on March 8, 2014, that the number 11 of former Center, Zydrunas Ilgauskas will be retired.

“Z” played twelve seasons with Cleveland and is the franchise leader in blocks. Twice he was named to the All-Star team (2003 & 2005) and was a consistent leader in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds, leading the league in that category in 2005. Although he was never considered the best at his position, he was in that elite category.

During his time in a Cavaliers uniform, Ilgauskas became one of the most popular players. He becomes the seventh player on Cavs history to have his jersey retired joining Austin Carr, Nate Thurmond, Bobby “Bingo” Smith, Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty and Mark Price

The man they called “snowshoes” for his plodding skating style may have been harmlessly mocked, but across the National Hockey League, Allan Stanley was celebrated as a winner and an excellent defensive specialist.

Stanley passed away at the age of 87 and on four occasions in the 1960’s was a big part of four Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He entered the league in 1948 and though he had played for the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins prior to becoming a Leaf, it was in Toronto while in his 30’s that he became a star.

He was not only paired with another defensive gem in Tim Horton, but he blossomed and was named three times to NHL Second All Star Team. He was inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981. He will be missed amongst the Leaf Nation.