Two icons from very different worlds have sadly passed away. One was a beloved AFL figure, the other a soul music trailblazer. Both left legacies that touched countless lives.
The Victorian town of Drouin is mourning one of its most beloved football sons. Kevin Ablett, a member of the iconic Ablett sporting dynasty, has died aged 67. His passing marks the end of an era for a family whose name became synonymous with Australian football greatness.
Drouin Football Club confirmed the ‘recent passing’ of their former player and coach on 14 October, paying tribute to a man remembered as both a local legend and a devoted family man.
Kevin made his VFL debut for Hawthorn in 1977, lining up alongside his older brother Geoff and future brother-in-law Michael Tuck. Though he played just 31 games before departing in 1980, Kevin’s football journey didn’t end there—he returned to the league in 1984 with Hawthorn before joining Geelong in 1985, where he briefly shared the field with his younger brother Gary Sr. The sporting legacy continued through Kevin’s son, Luke, who followed in his father’s footsteps to reach the AFL and famously won the 2006 premiership with Sydney.
In a heartfelt statement, Drouin Football Club honoured Kevin’s contribution to both sport and community.
Kevin, a past Drouin footballer and coach, was a great family man and was well-regarded in the local community.
Tributes have poured in from the wider football community, with Lang Lang Football Club also paying their respects. ‘Kevin came to Lang Lang in 1986 and playing-coached the club during the 1987–88 season,’ the club shared. ‘We extend our condolences to his family and friends.’ Lang Lang’s post included a nostalgic newspaper clipping featuring brothers Len, Graham, captain-coach Kevin and Geoff together in the rooms after a game—a fitting snapshot of a family bound by football.
Kevin was part of a remarkable sporting lineage that stretched across generations. His uncle Len played for Richmond during World War II, claiming a premiership in 1943. Kevin, Geoff and Gary Sr all reached the VFL, while the next generation carried the torch—Kevin’s son Luke lifting the 2006 premiership cup for Sydney, and Gary Sr’s sons Gary Jr and Nathan sharing Geelong’s 2007 triumph. Gary Jr would go on to become one of the game’s modern greats, later playing alongside his brother Nathan at Gold Coast. Adding to the family’s footballing ties, Kevin’s sister Fay married Hawthorn icon Michael Tuck, whose sons Shane and Travis also made their mark in the AFL. Kevin Ablett’s passing leaves behind a proud legacy—one built on passion, community spirit and a love for the game that defined generations.
The world of soul and R&B has lost one of its most powerful voices. Grammy-winning artist D’Angelo, known for redefining modern soul music, has died aged 51. His family described his final days as a ‘prolonged and courageous battle with cancer’.
Born Michael D’Angelo Archer, the acclaimed singer passed away on Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy that transformed the sound of an entire generation. ‘The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,’ his family said in a statement. ‘After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today.’
The family expressed their gratitude for his enduring influence on music, saying: ‘We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.’ They also asked for privacy, while encouraging fans to celebrate the artist’s life and music. D’Angelo rose to fame in the 1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar, which brought a fresh, soulful edge to contemporary R&B. His breakout single ‘Lady’ became an instant classic, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1996 and staying on the chart for 20 weeks. But it was his 2000 release, Voodoo, that cemented his place in music history. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and went on to win Best R&B Album at the Grammys, while its lead single ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ earned him another Grammy for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance.
The song’s striking video—featuring a shirtless D’Angelo filmed in one continuous take—became a defining pop culture moment of the early 2000s.
RCA Records, his label, released a heartfelt tribute following his death. ‘He was a peerless visionary who effortlessly blended the classic sounds of soul, funk, gospel, R&B, and jazz with a hip hop sensibility,’ the company said in a statement. ‘D’Angelo’s songwriting, musicianship, and unmistakable vocal styling has endured and will continue to inspire generations of artists to come,’ the label added. ‘Our hearts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.’ Among those remembering him was Grammy winner Nile Rodgers, who recalled being deeply moved when he first heard D’Angelo’s music in his New York apartment. ‘He was trying to figure out what to do with the music he’d brought with him. I listened to every cut ... not just out of respect but because it was smoking,’ Rodgers said. ‘At the end of the encounter he asked me, “What should I do with it?” I remember this as if it were yesterday. I said, “Put it out. It’s perfect!”’
D’Angelo’s personal life was closely intertwined with his art. During the 1990s, he was in a relationship with soul singer Angie Stone, who served as a muse for #Brown Sugar. The pair had a son, Michael Archer Jr—professionally known as Swayvo Twain—born in 1998. Stone tragically died in a car crash earlier this year at the age of 63. D’Angelo is also survived by two other children: a daughter, Imani Archer, born in 1999, and another son, born in 2010. The world will remember D’Angelo not only for his velvet voice and timeless music but for the emotion and truth he brought to every note.
What This Means For You
Two legends from vastly different worlds have passed away, leaving behind legacies that defined generations. Former AFL player and coach Kevin Ablett, part of the iconic Ablett football family, has died aged 67, remembered for his skill, humility, and deep roots in the Drouin community. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning soul artist D’Angelo has died aged 51 after a long battle with cancer, his groundbreaking music reshaping R&B and inspiring countless artists. Both men, in their own ways, shaped the soundtrack and spirit of their times—one through footy, the other through soul. Their stories remind us how sport and music can move us, connect us, and live on long after the final siren or last note fades.
Their passing is a poignant reminder to cherish the moments, melodies, and memories that shape our lives. Rest in peace, Kevin and D’Angelo.
Loss has a way of reminding us just how much certain people have shaped our lives—whether through sport, music, or the memories they leave behind.
As we reflect on the recent passing of two remarkable figures, it’s hard not to think of others whose stories touched us just as deeply.
One such story comes from Hollywood, where the entertainment world is mourning another beloved figure who faced her own private battle in silence.
Read more: Hollywood stunned as beloved star dies at 79—here’s what she kept hidden for months
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Condolences to his loved ones