Clarence Avant, the judicious manager, entrepreneur, facilitator and adviser who helped launch or guide the careers of Quincy Jones, Bill Withers and many others and came to be known as the “Black Godfather” of music and beyond, has died. He was 92.
Avant, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles, according to a family statement released Monday.
Avant’s achievements were both public and behind the scenes, as a name in the credits, or a name behind the names. Born in a segregated hospital in North Carolina, he became a man of lasting and wide-ranging influence, in part by minding two pieces of advice from an early mentor, the music manager Joe Glaser: Never let on how much you know, and ask for as much money as possible, “without stuttering.”
“He exemplified a certain level of cool and street smarts...
Avant, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles, according to a family statement released Monday.
Avant’s achievements were both public and behind the scenes, as a name in the credits, or a name behind the names. Born in a segregated hospital in North Carolina, he became a man of lasting and wide-ranging influence, in part by minding two pieces of advice from an early mentor, the music manager Joe Glaser: Never let on how much you know, and ask for as much money as possible, “without stuttering.”
“He exemplified a certain level of cool and street smarts...
- 8/15/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Clarence Avant, the veteran music and entertainment executive known as the “Black Godfather” who was hailed for his influence and guidance by Quincy Jones, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, Whitney Houston, and others, died at home in Los Angeles on Sunday. He was 92.
Avant’s death was announced Monday through a statement shared by his family. “It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the statement read. “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music,...
Avant’s death was announced Monday through a statement shared by his family. “It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the statement read. “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Larisha Paul and Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Jeff Beck, one of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century, died Wednesday at the age of 78. The cause was bacterial meningitis. Beck had been in good health recently, touring with Johnny Depp following the recording of their (mostly) covers album, “18.”
While Beck himself never achieved the household name status of his peers like Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, those in the know would cite him as just as foundational. He also spanned genres, from British Invasion pop to hard rock to jazz fusion to whatever kind of jammy six-string concrète was laid down on the 1989 “Guitar Shop” album or 1999’s “Who Else?!”
In 1965, at the age of 21, Beck joined The Yardbirds, a blues-y pop-rock outfit, replacing the exiting Eric Clapton. There could be no bigger shoes to fill at the time, as British fans of the period idolized Clapton to the point of public nuisance—the phrase “Clapton...
While Beck himself never achieved the household name status of his peers like Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, those in the know would cite him as just as foundational. He also spanned genres, from British Invasion pop to hard rock to jazz fusion to whatever kind of jammy six-string concrète was laid down on the 1989 “Guitar Shop” album or 1999’s “Who Else?!”
In 1965, at the age of 21, Beck joined The Yardbirds, a blues-y pop-rock outfit, replacing the exiting Eric Clapton. There could be no bigger shoes to fill at the time, as British fans of the period idolized Clapton to the point of public nuisance—the phrase “Clapton...
- 1/12/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
It’s been 11 years since Journey released their last studio record, and for a while it was looking like they’d never get around to making one. “Nobody was really interested in making new music,” Journey founder and guitarist and Neal Schon tells Rolling Stone via Zoom from his California home. “It’s very difficult to get new material played and to get people familiar with it before you go out and play live. Everybody in the band was like, ‘I don’t want to do it.'”
The band...
The band...
- 7/6/2022
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Journey’s new LP Freedom is arriving on July 8, and they’ve just shared their new single “You Got The Best of Me.”
“I wanted kind of a punky rendition of ‘Any Way You Want It’”, guitarist and Journey founder Neal Schon said in a statement. “I usually don’t go in saying I’m going to look for something like that, but then it just came to me, like “Wheel in the Sky” did years ago. It just kind of flew out of my mouth.”
Freedom is their first...
“I wanted kind of a punky rendition of ‘Any Way You Want It’”, guitarist and Journey founder Neal Schon said in a statement. “I usually don’t go in saying I’m going to look for something like that, but then it just came to me, like “Wheel in the Sky” did years ago. It just kind of flew out of my mouth.”
Freedom is their first...
- 4/26/2022
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Whitney Houston may have passed away more than nine and a half years ago, but a new documentary on the multi-octave singer is hoping to keep her memory alive, while promising to reveal new “intimate details” about one of the most iconic performers of all time.
Superstar: Whitney Houston is a new ABC special from the producers behind 20/20, and arrives on the heels of what would have been the late singer’s 58th birthday on August 9th. The one-hour special kicks off ABC’s new Superstar series, which the...
Superstar: Whitney Houston is a new ABC special from the producers behind 20/20, and arrives on the heels of what would have been the late singer’s 58th birthday on August 9th. The one-hour special kicks off ABC’s new Superstar series, which the...
- 8/11/2021
- by Tim Chan
- Rollingstone.com
A new chapter of the Journey saga began Thursday night when they played Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. It marked the return of drummer Deen Castronovo after a six year absence, the debut of new drummer Narada Michael Walden, and new keyboardist/backup singer Jason Derlatka. Bassist Randy Jackson had to miss the show due to back surgery, so Marco Mendoza filled in for him. Journey were also joined by classic-era members Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain along with longtime vocalist Arnel Pineda.
The set was significantly longer than their typical shows in recent years,...
The set was significantly longer than their typical shows in recent years,...
- 7/30/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Journey have shared a music video for “The Way We Used To Be,” which is their first new music since their 2011 LP Eclipse. It’s also the debut of Journey’s new lineup, which now features Narada Michael Walden on drums, Randy Jackson on bass, and Jason Derlatka on keyboards and backing vocals in addition to returning members Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, and Arnel Pineda.
“[This song] came out of one of the many loops I’d written while the long downtime continued with the pandemic we all had to deal with,...
“[This song] came out of one of the many loops I’d written while the long downtime continued with the pandemic we all had to deal with,...
- 6/24/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Journey has reached an “amicable settlement” with a pair of former members that were previously accused of plotting an “ill-conceived” attempt to take over the band’s name.
In March 2020, Journey’s Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain fired longtime bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith after the latter two allegedly tried to fund their retirement by wresting control of the band’s name.
Both Schon and Cain and Valory exchanged lawsuits in the legal battle; Skip Miller, a lawyer for Schon and Cain, said at the time of Valory’s countersuit,...
In March 2020, Journey’s Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain fired longtime bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith after the latter two allegedly tried to fund their retirement by wresting control of the band’s name.
Both Schon and Cain and Valory exchanged lawsuits in the legal battle; Skip Miller, a lawyer for Schon and Cain, said at the time of Valory’s countersuit,...
- 4/1/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
At age 12, Tevin Campbell — freshly signed to Warner on the strength of a voice that was already drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson — hopped on a call with Prince. “I remember riding in the limo and talking to him over the phone,” Campbell says. “I knew who Prince was, of course, but at the time, I had a really, really, really high voice, so I didn’t pay attention to a lot of male artists — I couldn’t sing male artists’ songs. To me, meeting Whitney would’ve been, ‘Aaaah!'...
- 2/12/2021
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
In early 2020, Journey frontman Arnel Pineda flew back to his native Manila after playing a corporate gig in Texas. He was gearing up for a big year in which Journey would cut their first new record since 2011’s Eclipse and play amphitheaters all over North America with the Pretenders.
The pandemic changed all that and he’s been in Manila ever since, but Journey still found a way to work remotely on the record. It’s their first full-length since parting ways with drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory.
The pandemic changed all that and he’s been in Manila ever since, but Journey still found a way to work remotely on the record. It’s their first full-length since parting ways with drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory.
- 1/26/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Three years ago, Journey guitarist Neal Schon finished a solo album of instrumental tracks that mixed classic-rock covers like “Hey Jude” and “Voodoo Child” with originals he created with producer-drummer Narada Michael Walden. Since that time, Journey fired drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory after a bitter business dispute, brought in Walden and Raised on Radio–era bassist Randy Jackson to take their places, and canceled a 2020 summer tour with the Pretenders due to the pandemic.
During his forced downtime, Schon decided it was finally time to share his instrumental album,...
During his forced downtime, Schon decided it was finally time to share his instrumental album,...
- 1/7/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Journey frontman Arnel Pineda has teamed up with Taka of the Japanese band One Ok Rock to record a lockdown version of the 1981 Journey classic “Open Arms.”
“Good day folks,” Pineda wrote on YouTube, “to honor the legacy of Journey’s Escape album, specifically Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, Ross Valory and Steve Smith. Me and my one of a kind & extra exceptional buddy rocker of the amazing band One Ok Rock Taka decided to jam this song.”
Earlier this year, Journey fired bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve...
“Good day folks,” Pineda wrote on YouTube, “to honor the legacy of Journey’s Escape album, specifically Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, Ross Valory and Steve Smith. Me and my one of a kind & extra exceptional buddy rocker of the amazing band One Ok Rock Taka decided to jam this song.”
Earlier this year, Journey fired bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve...
- 9/16/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
After weeks of uncertainty following a bitter separation with drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory, Journey re-emerged over the weekend as part of Unicef’s Won’t Stop streaming concert with a lockdown rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’.” They used the occasion to announce the addition of bassist Randy Jackson and drummer Narada Michael Walden to their official lineup.
“Journey is an ever-changing unstoppable force,” guitarist Neal Schon tweeted. “This is a completely new chapter for us and can’t wait to get to it!”
For old-school Journey fans,...
“Journey is an ever-changing unstoppable force,” guitarist Neal Schon tweeted. “This is a completely new chapter for us and can’t wait to get to it!”
For old-school Journey fans,...
- 5/26/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Journey’s Neal Schon announced a pair of lineup changes — including the return of bassist and American Idol judge Randy Jackson — Saturday following an alleged coup attempt by the band’s now-former bassist and drummer.
“Ok Friends word is out! @randyjackson Rj the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again,” Schon wrote on social media, adding that Grammy-winning drummer Narada Michael Walden had also joined the latest Journey incarnation.
Jackson previously served as Journey’s bassist in the mid-Eighties, appearing on the band’s 1986 LP Raised on Radio. The...
“Ok Friends word is out! @randyjackson Rj the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again,” Schon wrote on social media, adding that Grammy-winning drummer Narada Michael Walden had also joined the latest Journey incarnation.
Jackson previously served as Journey’s bassist in the mid-Eighties, appearing on the band’s 1986 LP Raised on Radio. The...
- 5/24/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Over the decades, a diverse array of musicians sat in with the Grateful Dead — everyone from Bob Dylan and Neil Young to Ornette Coleman and Daryl Hall and John Oates found themselves on the same stage with the band, attempting to fit in as best they could. But even in light of that list, Clarence Clemons remains one of their more surprising jam pals.
When the E Street Band went on hiatus at the end of the Eighties, Clemons, who by then had moved to the Bay Area, went in...
When the E Street Band went on hiatus at the end of the Eighties, Clemons, who by then had moved to the Bay Area, went in...
- 3/10/2020
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s long-time manager and sister-in-law, has shared an excerpt of an essay she wrote in tribute to the singer as part of a new vinyl release of her self-titled debut album.
Whitney Houston celebrates its 35th anniversary this Valentine’s Day. To commemorate the anniversary, as well as Houston’s upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on May 2nd, Legacy Recordings has announced a commemorative vinyl edition of the album in partnership with Vinyl Me Please.
The release will include 2 LP color...
Whitney Houston celebrates its 35th anniversary this Valentine’s Day. To commemorate the anniversary, as well as Houston’s upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on May 2nd, Legacy Recordings has announced a commemorative vinyl edition of the album in partnership with Vinyl Me Please.
The release will include 2 LP color...
- 2/14/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Bob Geldof has organized some of the most incredible all-star shows in rock history, including the original Live Aid in 1985 and its follow-up, Live 8, in 2005. But even the man that reunited Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Who seemed stunned by what he was seeing near the end of the 30th-anniversary celebration of Sting and Trudie Styler’s Rainforest Fund benefit at New York’s Beacon Theater on Monday evening. The Eurthymics had just wrapped up an extremely rare reunion set when Bruce Springsteen came onto the stage and called...
- 12/10/2019
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Eurythmics, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and James Taylor will be among the performers at Sting's 30th anniversary Rainforest Fund benefit, taking place at the Beacon Theatre in New York, Dec. 9.
The headliner is officially “Sting & Friends,” with the friends including Springsteen, Mellencamp, Taylor, Eurythmics, Bob Geldof, Ricky Martin, Mj Rodriguez, Shaggy and H.E.R. Robert Downey Jr will host, and Narada Michael Walden will be the musical director.
The title of the show is “We’ll Be Together” (the name of a 1987 Sting single). It will feature songs and videos from the ’80s and the ’90s.
Since 1991, Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, have presented 17 Rainforest Fund benefits at Carnegie Hall (this will be the first one at the Beacon Theatre). The last one was in 2016. Together, the shows have raised millions of dollars for the cause.
Find out more here.
From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/19468-big-names-to-perform-at-stings-rainforest-fund-benefit
Related...
The headliner is officially “Sting & Friends,” with the friends including Springsteen, Mellencamp, Taylor, Eurythmics, Bob Geldof, Ricky Martin, Mj Rodriguez, Shaggy and H.E.R. Robert Downey Jr will host, and Narada Michael Walden will be the musical director.
The title of the show is “We’ll Be Together” (the name of a 1987 Sting single). It will feature songs and videos from the ’80s and the ’90s.
Since 1991, Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, have presented 17 Rainforest Fund benefits at Carnegie Hall (this will be the first one at the Beacon Theatre). The last one was in 2016. Together, the shows have raised millions of dollars for the cause.
Find out more here.
From: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/19468-big-names-to-perform-at-stings-rainforest-fund-benefit
Related...
- 12/6/2019
- Look to the Stars
This past June, Clive Davis was preparing to embark on his annual lengthy European vacation, but he first had to break some startling news: “We’re coming out with a new record of Whitney on Friday,” he said. During the sessions for her 1990 album I’m Your Baby Tonight, Houston had cut a remake of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” with producer Narada Michael Walden, but the track had been relegated to a Japanese edition of the album. Now, Davis was happy to announce that the long-buried remake had been revived by electronic DJ Kygo,...
- 9/10/2019
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
When Whitney Houston recorded her cover of Steve Winwood’s 1986 hit “Higher Love” in 1990, it was meant for her third album I’m Your Baby Tonight. By that time, Houston was already a multi-platinum pop star, and the plan for next LP was for the superstar to pivot further into a more R&b sound. <“When [producer] Narada Michael Walden sent me ‘Higher Love’ with the Whitney vocal, we didn’t want her being a cover artist at that time,” Clive Davis, the veteran record label impresario who helped discover Houston,...
- 6/28/2019
- by Brittany Spanos
- Rollingstone.com
Although Carlos Santana has been playing concerts in Paris since the early Seventies, he never set foot inside the Louvre until 2016. In fact, when his family asked if he wanted to go there, he asked, “What’s there?” “They said, ‘Oh, my God, man. You can spend a whole year in there,'” he recalls. “‘There’s Egyptian stuff and The Mona Lisa.’ I go, like, ‘Oh, Ok.'” He was blown away just by the line to get in. “It was like a line you’d see for Beyoncé,...
- 1/15/2019
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Aretha Franklin, who died on August 16th at age 76, recorded more than 40 full-length albums in her six-decade career. It’s a deep catalog, crowded with indisputable classics and hidden gems. Rolling Stone’s music staff is paying its R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the Queen with tributes to our favorite Aretha LPs. Next up: Christopher R. Weingarten on a mid-1980s peak.
The tectonic shift to MTV’s 24-hour videodrone was kinder to some legends than others.
Of the first 35 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees,...
The tectonic shift to MTV’s 24-hour videodrone was kinder to some legends than others.
Of the first 35 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees,...
- 8/21/2018
- by Christopher R. Weingarten
- Rollingstone.com
In the mid-1980s, Aretha Franklin’s career was at a low ebb. Not only had her long hot string of hits largely cooled off, her beloved father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin, had died after spending years in a coma.
During this time, she joined forces with producer and songwriter Narada Michael Walden, a young jazz drummer who over the years worked with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, and many others. The resulting album, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who,” updated Aretha’s sound and reignited her career, producing the hits “Freeway of Love” and the title track. Walden would go on to oversee four albums and many songs for Franklin — including the No. 1 duet with George Michael, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” — and contribute to even more, notably an unfinished album she was working on up to the time of her death.
During this time, she joined forces with producer and songwriter Narada Michael Walden, a young jazz drummer who over the years worked with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, and many others. The resulting album, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who,” updated Aretha’s sound and reignited her career, producing the hits “Freeway of Love” and the title track. Walden would go on to oversee four albums and many songs for Franklin — including the No. 1 duet with George Michael, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” — and contribute to even more, notably an unfinished album she was working on up to the time of her death.
- 8/17/2018
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Aretha Franklin, who died on August 16th at age 76, recorded more than 40 full-length albums in her six-decade career. It’s a deep catalog, crowded with indisputable classics and hidden gems. Rolling Stone’s music staff is paying its R.E.S.P.E.C.T.s to the Queen with tributes to our favorite Aretha LPs. Next up: Elias Leight on an underrated turning point in Aretha’s career.
By commercial standards, Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) was a precipitous failure in 1973: Not only was...
By commercial standards, Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) was a precipitous failure in 1973: Not only was...
- 8/17/2018
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Aretha Franklin will be mourned as the “Queen of Soul,” which is as it should be. It was her rocket ride up the charts under Atlantic’s Jerry Wexler in 1967 and 1968 that established “soul” as a cultural given and transformed Franklin into the mythic presence she’d remain for half a century. Mining a beloved voice that’s defied description for just as long, those two years generated four classic albums good for ten hits, eight top 10 although only the definitive “Respect” a Number One. Soon “soul” became such a...
- 8/16/2018
- by Robert Christgau
- Rollingstone.com
“Now are you ready to go back?” a tuxedoed band leader asked the crowd at Staten Island’s St. George Theatre on a rainy night in May. “I’m talking about all the way back … allow me to introduce the one and only vocal group voted number one of all time!”
The next hour was a brisk and blasting tour through the back catalog of the Temptations, one of Motown’s most famous ensembles. The group performed sharply choreographed dances near the front of the stage, spinning and twirling with military precision; behind them,...
The next hour was a brisk and blasting tour through the back catalog of the Temptations, one of Motown’s most famous ensembles. The group performed sharply choreographed dances near the front of the stage, spinning and twirling with military precision; behind them,...
- 8/13/2018
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
The captain of the Enterprise has landed behind home plate at Boston's venerable Fenway Park. William Shatner, 81, is no stranger to kooky parody, from his recent Oscar cameo to his Priceline.com ads. Now, he'll portray a home plate umpire for the Boston Red Sox in a baseball–inspired video for crooner Brian Evans. See the trailer below. "It's my fantasy, my field of dreams," Evans, 42, said in a press release of the campy video for the song, "At Fenway," produced by Narada Michael Walden. "Shatner as the home plate umpire is as iconic as the ballpark itself." Evans' mother,...
- 3/1/2013
- by Andrea Billups
- PEOPLE.com
Goldfinger. GoldenEye. The Man with the Golden Gun. The world's most famous Martini drinker (shaken not stirred, naturally) has long been synonymous with that most precious and coveted of metals, but given his illustrious half century on the cinema screen there's one area in which gold has eluded him time and again – the Oscars.
Prior to last year's Skyfall (2012) the fifty year old, 24 movie series had garnered just nine nominations, two of which bagged 007 a statue at the 1965 Academy Awards for different films. The Best Effects, Sound Effects award was given to Norman Wanstall for Goldfinger (1964) and John Stears walked off with the Best Effects, Special Visual Effects Oscar for Thunderball (1965).
Though U2 were second choice for the job after the Rolling Stones had turned down a request to come up with a song, Bono was particularly pleased to land the gig as he'd spent his honeymoon at Ian Fleming's house in Jamaica.
Prior to last year's Skyfall (2012) the fifty year old, 24 movie series had garnered just nine nominations, two of which bagged 007 a statue at the 1965 Academy Awards for different films. The Best Effects, Sound Effects award was given to Norman Wanstall for Goldfinger (1964) and John Stears walked off with the Best Effects, Special Visual Effects Oscar for Thunderball (1965).
Though U2 were second choice for the job after the Rolling Stones had turned down a request to come up with a song, Bono was particularly pleased to land the gig as he'd spent his honeymoon at Ian Fleming's house in Jamaica.
- 2/9/2013
- Shadowlocked
The new issue of Rolling Stone takes a look at Whitney Houston's life, including some of the demons that plagued the pop singer throughout her life.
Although Whitney could be incredibly warm and charismatic, many of those who worked with her had a hard time understanding her dark side. "A lot of us talked about that, and no one could come up with an answer," Gerry Griffith, the A&R man who brought Houston...
Although Whitney could be incredibly warm and charismatic, many of those who worked with her had a hard time understanding her dark side. "A lot of us talked about that, and no one could come up with an answer," Gerry Griffith, the A&R man who brought Houston...
- 2/29/2012
- Extra
Some of Whitney Houston's industry collaborators are speaking out about the superstar's persistent demons, which eventually contributed to a declining career that peaked in the early '90s.
One of the individuals to speak to Rolling Stone in a new cover story is Gerry Griffith, the man responsible for bringing Houston to the attention of longtime mentor Clive Davis in 1982. Of the Grammy Award winner's dark side, Griffith tells the magazine: "A lot of us talked about that, and no one could come up with an answer. Where is that rebellion coming from? It didn't come out for a while."
Industry insiders who worked with and befriended Houston also explain how her powerful voice and stunning good looks were the perfect formula for appealing to a broad audience in both music and film.
"Because of her cousin Dionne [Warwick], she understood all those pretty-ass melodies from Burt Bacharach," said Narada Michael Walden, one of Houston's...
One of the individuals to speak to Rolling Stone in a new cover story is Gerry Griffith, the man responsible for bringing Houston to the attention of longtime mentor Clive Davis in 1982. Of the Grammy Award winner's dark side, Griffith tells the magazine: "A lot of us talked about that, and no one could come up with an answer. Where is that rebellion coming from? It didn't come out for a while."
Industry insiders who worked with and befriended Houston also explain how her powerful voice and stunning good looks were the perfect formula for appealing to a broad audience in both music and film.
"Because of her cousin Dionne [Warwick], she understood all those pretty-ass melodies from Burt Bacharach," said Narada Michael Walden, one of Houston's...
- 2/29/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
New York — Saxophonist Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band has suffered a stroke.
A person who has worked with Clemons in the past confirmed Sunday night that Clemons had the stroke. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter. The person had no additional information on Clemons' condition.
Clemons, 69, is known as the Big Man in the E Street Band and his sax has been one of the most defining elements of the band's sound. He has suffered from numerous ailments over the last few years. He had double knee surgery and even had to perform from a wheelchair at one point.
But his health seemed to be improving. Just last month, he performed with Lady Gaga on the season finale of "American Idol."
Lady Gaga tweeted Monday morning that "my very close friend + musician on The Edge of Glory,...
A person who has worked with Clemons in the past confirmed Sunday night that Clemons had the stroke. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter. The person had no additional information on Clemons' condition.
Clemons, 69, is known as the Big Man in the E Street Band and his sax has been one of the most defining elements of the band's sound. He has suffered from numerous ailments over the last few years. He had double knee surgery and even had to perform from a wheelchair at one point.
But his health seemed to be improving. Just last month, he performed with Lady Gaga on the season finale of "American Idol."
Lady Gaga tweeted Monday morning that "my very close friend + musician on The Edge of Glory,...
- 6/13/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Quick Stop Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…
(Please support Quick Stop by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
I admit, I went into Jj Abrams’ reboot of Star Trek (Paramount, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$39.99 Srp) not wanting to like it, based on my less than enthusiastic view of Abrams’ previous work and a healthy level of fondness for Trek (when it was done right - not in the crap Berman/Braga/Voyager/Enterprise/latter-day films era). So yes, I had to be won...
(Please support Quick Stop by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
I admit, I went into Jj Abrams’ reboot of Star Trek (Paramount, Rated PG-13, Blu-Ray-$39.99 Srp) not wanting to like it, based on my less than enthusiastic view of Abrams’ previous work and a healthy level of fondness for Trek (when it was done right - not in the crap Berman/Braga/Voyager/Enterprise/latter-day films era). So yes, I had to be won...
- 11/20/2009
- by UncaScroogeMcD
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