This image was lost some time after publication, but you can still view it here.


On Tuesday, the Associated Press ran an obituary for Paul Vance, who co-wrote the 1960s song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." Alas (for the AP, anyhow), Vance is alive and well. The organization had picked up Vance's obit from a New Danbury, Connecticut newspaper which had reported the death of Paul Van Valkenburgh, who had long claimed to be the song's writer, having penned the tune under the name Paul Vance. Van Valkenburgh, of course, had been lying to his wife and family for years; the real Paul Vance is considering legal action, fearing that he'll stop receiving royalties if people think he's dead. Meanwhile, Van Valkenburgh's wife is probably a little confused over whether or not she should be mourning anymore. And as for the Associated Press? They're looking into this "factchecking" thing they keep hearing about.

'Bitsy Bikini' Song Co-Author Is Alive; Impostor's Tales Led to Obituary Mistake [AP]
Withhold the Obit [NYT]