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This is a topic from the The Writing on the Walrus forum on inthe00s.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/12/10 at 5:49 am
The person who died on this day...Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an Italian American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with it in 1943. "Mr. C", as he was nicknamed, sold millions of records for RCA and pioneered a weekly musical variety television show, which set the standards for the genre and proved to be one of the most successful in television history. His combined success on television and popular recordings was not matched by any other artist of the time.
A popular television performer and recording artist, Perry Como produced numerous hit records with record sales so high the label literally stopped counting at Como's behest. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world and his popularity seemingly had no geographical or language boundaries. He was equally at ease in live performance and in the confines of a recording studio. His appeal spanned generations and he was widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct in his personal life. In the official RCA Records Billboard Magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: "50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all." One of the many factors in his success was Como's insistence on his principles of good taste; if he considered something to be in bad or poor taste, it wasn't in the broadcast or show. While his performance of "Ave Maria" was a tradition of his holiday television programs, Como refused to sing it at live performances, saying, "It's not the time or place to do it.", even though it was the number one request of his audiences.
Composer Ervin Drake said of him, "... ccasionally someone like Perry comes along and won't 'go with the flow' and still prevails in spite of all the bankrupt others who surround him and importune him to yield to their values. Only occasionally."
In 1945, Como recorded the pop ballad "Till the End of Time" (based on Chopin's "Heroic Polonaise"), which marked the beginning of a highly successful career. He also became the first pop singer to reach the 2 million sales mark with two records in release at the same time - "Till the End of Time" and "If I Loved You", that same year. Como was the first artist to have ten records sell more than one million copies. Similarly, his television show achieved a much higher rating than that of any other vocalist to date. Como's average yearly record sales were 4 million, beginning in 1943; RCA turned out 4 million Perry Como records in one week in 1946, setting a record at the time.
Como had, according to Joel Whitburn's compilations of the U.S. Pop Charts, fourteen songs that reached #1 on at least one of the three Billboard charts (sales, disc-jockeys, jukeboxes): "Till The End Of Time" (1945); "Prisoner of Love" (1946); "Surrender" (1946); "Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba" (1947); "A - You're Adorable" (1949); "Some Enchanted Evening" (1949); "Hoop-De-Doo" (1950); "If" (1951); "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" (1952); "No Other Love" (1953); "Wanted" (1954); "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)" (1956); "Round And Round" (1957); and "Catch a Falling Star" (1957).
On March 14, 1958, the RIAA certified Como's hit single, "Catch a Falling Star" as its first ever Gold Record. "Catch a Falling Star" was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. The pair were also responsible for penning "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." Como won the 1958 Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, male for "Catch a Falling Star". His final Top 40 hit was a cover of Don McLean's "And I Love You So", recorded in 1973.
He recorded many albums of songs for the RCA Victor label between 1952 and 1987, and is credited with numerous gold records. Como had so many recordings achieve gold-record status that he refused to have many of them certified. It was this characteristic which made him so different from his peers, and which endeared him to legions of fans throughout the world. Over the decades, Como is reported to have sold millions of records, but he commonly suppressed these figures.
By the 1980s, the atmosphere of recording had changed dramatically from his early days at RCA Victor. Como's recording sessions had previously been filled with laughter and joy. In his 1959 recording of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", listeners with headphones can hear him burst into laughter during one orchestra passage. But in later years, the sessions deteriorated into much more sombre occasions. For this reason, he walked away from his final studio-produced recordings in the early 1980s. He returned to record a final album for RCA with his trusted friend and associate Nick Perito in 1987. His recording of "The Wind Beneath My Wings" was almost autobiographical, a fitting end to a long and successful recording career. Como recorded only once more, in 1994, privately, for his well-known Christmas Concert in Ireland.
Vocal characteristics
Perry Como credited Bing Crosby for influencing his voice and style. Perry Como's voice is widely known for its good-natured vocal acrobatics as portrayed in his highly popular novelty songs such as "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)". But there was another side to Perry Como described by music critic Gene Lees in his sleeve note to Como's 1968 album "Look To Your Heart":
Despite his immense popularity, Como is rarely given credit for what, once you stop and think of it, he so clearly is: one of the great singers and one of the great artists of our time. Perhaps the reason people rarely talk about his formidable attributes as a singer is that he makes so little fuss about them. That celebrated ease of his has been too little understood. Ease in any art is the result of mastery over the details of the craft. You get them together to the point where you can forget about how you do things and concentrate on what you are doing. Como got them together so completely that the muscles don’t even show. It seems effortless, but a good deal of effort has gone into making it seem so. Como is known to be meticulous about rehearsal of the material for an album. He tries things out in different keys, gives the song thought, makes suggestions, tries it again, and again, until he is satisfied. The hidden work makes him look like Mr. Casual, and too many people are taken in by it — but happily so. I have of necessity given a good deal of thought and study to the art of singing, and Como's work consistently astonishes me. He is a fantastic technician. Listen in this album to the perfection of his intonation, the beauty of the sound he produces, the constant comfortable breath control. And take notice of his high notes. Laymen are often impressed by the high note you can hear for five blocks. Professionals know that it is far more difficult to hit a high note quietly. Como lights on a C or D at the top of a tune as softly as a bird on a branch, not even shaking it. And then there's his phrasing. A number of our best singers phrase well. The usual technique is to rethink the lyrics of a song to see how they would come out if you were saying them, and then approximate in singing the normal speech inflections and rhythms. This often involves altering the melody, but it is a legitimate practice and when done well can be quite striking. But Como is beyond that. He apparently does not find it necessary to change the melodic line in order to infuse a song with emotion. A great jazz trumpeter once told me, "After fifteen years of playing, I’ve come to the conclusion that the hardest thing to do is to play melody, play it straight and get feeling into it." Como has been doing this from the beginning. Stylistically, he comes out of the Bing Crosby-Russ Colombo school. That was all a long time ago. Como has been his own man for many years now. He sounds like nobody else. And nobody sounds like him, either. He is hard to imitate precisely because his work is so free of tricks and gimmicks. There are no mannerisms for another singer to pick up from him. All one can do is try to sing as well and as honestly as Como, and any singer who does that will end up sounding like himself, not Como.
Films
Perry Como as Nicky Ricci performing "Here Comes Heaven Again" in 1946 Doll Face.
Como's Hollywood type good looks earned him a 7 year contract with 20th Century-Fox in 1943. He made 5 films - Something for the Boys (1944), Doll Face (1945), March of Time (1945), If I'm Lucky (1946), and Words and Music (1948), but he never appeared to be truly comfortable with the medium. In 1985, Como related the story of his first film role experience in "Something for the Boys": he sat ready to work in his dressing room for 2 weeks without being called. Como spent the next 2 weeks playing golf, still not missed by the studio. Another problem at the time was there were less musicals being made by the studios; audiences weren't going to the box office for this type of film. He was put into a sort of stock company, where the actors or actresses were used only when the studio needed to fill out a schedule. In 1948, Como asked for and received a release from the remainder of his Fox contract. Quoting Como, "I was wasting their time and they were wasting mine." Como received some movie offers that pleased him while he was doing the weekly television shows, but there was just never enough time to pursue the film work.
Television
Photograph of Perry Como singing, superimposed on an illustration of a microphone and accompanied by advertising copy, including the slogan "Mutual makes music...".
Perry Como for Chesterfield, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays over the coast-to-coast Mutual Radio Network-1954
Perry Como made the move to television when NBC initially televised the Chesterfield Supper Club radio program on December 24, 1948. A very special guest on that first television show was Como's 8 year old son, Ronnie, as part of a boys' choir. During the 1949-50 season, it became a weekly half-hour offering on Sunday nights, directly opposite Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town. In 1950, Perry moved to CBS and the show's title was changed to The Perry Como Show, again sponsored by Liggett & Myers' Chesterfield cigarettes. Como hosted this informal 15 minute musical variety series on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, immediately following the CBS Television News (later known as Douglas Edwards with the News). The Faye Emerson Show was initially broadcast in the same time slot on Tuesday and Thursday.
Como's 15-minute television show, which was also simulcast on radio via the Mutual Broadcasting System for several years, continued through the early 1950s until he moved back to NBC in the fall of 1955 on Saturdays with a weekly hour long variety show featuring additional musical and production numbers, comedy sketches and guest stars.
Como's "Dream Along With Me" became the show's opening theme song, "Mr. C." received the first of many batches of "stacks and stacks of letters" requesting him to sing a specific song, and it was here where he began wearing his trademark cardigan sweaters. The show's closing theme was, "You Are Never Far From Me". Perry's announcer on the broadcasts, Frank Gallop, became a foil for Como's jokes; he was an invisible "voice from the clouds" on the show's first season. There was as much fun at rehearsals as on the show itself. In December 1955, viewers were able to see first-hand what Perry did for a living before he was a professional singer. Actor Kirk Douglas was one of Como's television guests; Douglas had grown a beard for his Vincent Van Gogh role in "Lust For Life", which finished filming that week. Como shaved Douglas' movie beard live on national television. On September 15, 1956, the season premiere of The Perry Como Show was broadcast from NBC's new color television studios at the New York Ziegfeld Theatre, making it one of the first weekly color TV shows. In 1959, Como moved to Wednesday nights, hosting the Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall for the next eight years, the last four seasons (1963–67) as monthly specials alternating with Kraft Suspense Theatre, The Andy Williams Show, and finally The Road West.
Como became the highest-paid performer in the history of television to that date, earning mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. Prior to this, Como competed with Jackie Gleason in what was billed the "Battle of the Giants", and won. This is now rarely mentioned, in part because Como commonly downplayed his own achievements, and also because the two men were friends-with the weekly "winner" phoning the weekly "loser" for some mock gloating. An example of his popularity can be found in the following: in 1956, Life Magazine conducted a poll of young women, asking them which man in public life most fit the concept of their ideal husband: it was Perry Como. At one point, his television show was broadcast in at least 12 other countries. Como also had control of the show which would replace his during the summer television hiatus. While "Mr. C." was having a holiday, viewers would see "Perry Presents", beginning in 1959.
Como had numerous Christmas television specials, beginning on Christmas Eve 1948, and continuing to 1994, when his final Christmas special was recorded in Ireland. They were recorded in many countries, including the Holy Land, Mexico, and Canada, as well as many locations throughout the United States. Between 1963 and 1986, Como's television appearances began tapering off, gradually becoming limited to seasonal and holiday specials with the emphasis being on Christmas. The 1987 Christmas special was cancelled at the behest of Como; ABC was willing to offer him only a Saturday 10 PM time slot for it 3 weeks before the holiday. Perry filled the yearly gap for his fans until 1994 with live Christmas concerts in various locations.
A farewell concert from Ireland
Como's final Christmas special was filmed in Dublin's Point Theater before an audience of 4,500 people, including Irish President Mary Robinson. Perry Como's Irish Christmas was a PBS production. Como appeared to be in less than the best of health; though the finished version of the show is less than 90 minutes long, the taping of it took over 4 hours. The performance is heartbreaking because it was evident he was not well, but at the same time, heart-warming, because despite all that, Como perservered and sang those songs for his fans this one last time. At the show's conclusion, Como apologized to his Dublin audience for a performance he felt was not up to his usual standards.
During his visit to Dublin, Como visited a barber shop called The Como on Thomas Street. The owners, lifelong fans who had named their business in his honor, had sent photographs of the shop and letters to Como inviting him to visit, and he did. Photos of Como with the barbers were framed in the shop. The Como closed in 2002 but it remains a household name in The Liberties.
Hometown honors
Singing statue of Perry Como in downtown Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg has always been very proud to be the birthplace of Perry Como, honoring him three times over the course of his life. The first of these events took place September 14, 1946, when Third Street (where Perry worked in the barber shop of Steve Fragapane) was renamed "Perry Como Avenue". Perry, Roselle, and Como's mother, Lucy, attended the ceremonies and banquet held at the State Armory. A second ceremony marking Perry Como Day took place August 24, 1977. But their most ambitious project began in 1997-a statue of the singer. The planned statue had the blessing of Como's wife, Roselle, who passed away the year before it was unveiled on May 15, 1999; Como wasn't present at the unveiling because of poor health. The inscription on the base, "To This Place God Has Brought Me", was a favorite saying of Como's; the musical feature was added in 2002.
The Como celebration crossed the Atlantic in August 2002. Palena, Italy, (birthplace of Como's parents) had a long-standing weeklong festival in honor of the singer. A smaller verson of the statue was taken to Palena by the mayor of Canonsburg, Anthony Colaizzo. Perry's son, David, and his wife were also in attendance when the town of Palena re-named a street for Como.
In 2007, the local McDonald's was totally rebuilt. The new building decor features memorabilia of Como along with that of fellow singer and Canonsburg native, Bobby Vinton. There is also a children's playground in Canonsburg (on Giffin Avenue) named for Como. In downtown Canonsburg, all of the tree grates are marked with information about the records that sold a million copies and the town clock hourly plays one of the hits of Como, Vinton, or the Four Coins, also from Canonsburg.
Perry Como never forgot about Canonsburg either. One of the things he did to give a helping hand to his home town was to convince his record label, RCA, to open a record-pressing plant there. Those who needed to raise funds for local projects like Boys' and Girls' Clubs found him always ready to do whatever was needed.
Death
Como died in his sleep on May 12, 2001 at his home in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, six days before his eighty-ninth birthday. He was reported to have suffered from symptoms of Alzheimer's disease during the final two years of his life. His Funeral Mass took place at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Palm Beach, Florida; He and Roselle are buried at Riverside Memorial Park, Tequesta (Palm Beach County), Florida.
Trivia
Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (March 2008)
* In downtown Gettysburg, there are two statues in front of the house where Lincoln stayed the night before he gave the Gettysburg Address. One is of Lincoln with his left arm raised, using his stove-pipe hat to point to the window of the room in which he stayed. His right hand is on the arm of a "tourist," as if he's showing the tourist the room. The tourist depicted is Perry Como, in his famous cardigan sweater.
* The comedy show SCTV featured a popular sketch with Eugene Levy as "Perry Como: Still Alive!" in which the singer was portrayed as so laid-back that he sang while lying down on the stage. The sketch became well enough known to have been mentioned in obituaries, which reported that Como had been greatly amused by it.
* Como's 1974 RCA Recording "Christmas Dream", complete with warm lyrics and charming vocal accompaniment from The London Boy Singers, was used in the holocaust / Nazi-pursuit film The Odessa File, forming a memorably ironic, bitter and satirical introduction to the film as Jon Voight drives through a modern brightly lit Hamburg at Christmas.
* Como was referenced in the series finale of Seinfeld, in which Jerry Seinfeld, Kramer, George Costanza, and Elaine Benes's attorney Jackie Chiles tells Costanza: "I want the jury to see Perry Como! No one's gonna convict Perry Como!" Chiles wanted Costanza to look like a friendly man, and not a felon, in his court appearance.
* Como was also referenced on the animated show The Angry Beavers. In the episode "The Mom from U.N.C.L.E.", Norbert and Daggett's mother says they look "strong and handsome, just like Perry Como.".
* His version of Jingle Bells topped Billboard magazine's Hot Ringtones chart in the December 16, 2006 issue, meaning that Como has had chart-topping songs 61 years apart.
* In The Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life", Dan Hollis receives a Perry Como album as a surprise birthday present. His inability to play the album at his leisure becomes the catalyst for his breakdown and tragic rebellion against little Anthony Fremont (Bill Mumy), who dislikes any singers' voices ("No singing while the music's playin'!").
* Como is mentioned in the third sketch of the 48th show of the second season of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show (also featuring Wailing Whale episodes 5 & 6), which was first released on May 13, 1961.
* Como is mentioned in the song "Without Love" from the musical Hairspray, the characters claiming that, "Without love/Life's like making out with Perry Como."
* Perry Como is mentioned, along with other celebrities, in Peggy Lee's "A Doodlin' Song".
* An episode of Animaniacs featured a character named "Perry Coma" -- whose singing is so laid-back it puts others to sleep.
* In 2007, Perry Como was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
* "Temptation," a song popularized by Como, is a staple of the Michigan Marching Band during University of Michigan football games.
* The song "Magic Moments" can be heard during the "lifesaver" trick performed by magician Dan Sperry.
* The song "Papa Loves Mambo" was in the Game Bioshock.
* Both in Italy and Perry Como are named after his grandfather, who was a member of the Italian Parliament in 1914.
* The song Seattle, is used as a chant by fans of the Seattle Sounders FC of the Major League Soccer.
Hit Records
(Songs that reached the US top-100 or the UK top-40)
Between 1944 and 1958, Perry Como had 48 hits on Billboard's charts.
Year Single Chart positions
US US
AC UK US Country
1943 "Goodbye, Sue" 20
"There'll Soon Be a Rainbow" 18
1944 "Have I Stayed Away Too Long?" 14
"Long Ago (and Far Away)" 8
"I Love You" 16
"Lili Marlene" 13
1945 "I Dream of You" 10
"Confessin'" 12
"More and More" 14
"Temptation" 15
"I'm Gonna Love That Gal" (gold record) 4
"If I Loved You" 3
"Till the End of Time"(gold record) 1(9 weeks)
"(Did You Ever Get) That Feeling In the Moonlight" 9
"Dig You Later (A Hubba Hubba Hubba)"(gold record) 3
"Here Comes Heaven Again" 12
1946 "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows"(gold record) 5
"You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" 5
"Prisoner of Love"(gold record) 1(3 weeks)
"All Through the Day" 8
"They Say It's Wonderful" 4
"If You Were the Only Girl In the World" 14
"Surrender" 1 (a week)
"More Than You Know" 19
"A Garden In the Rain" 22
"If I'm Lucky" 19
"Winter Wonderland" 10
1947 "Sonata" 9
"That's the Beginning of the End" 19
"I Want To Thank Your Folks" 21
"That's Where I Came In" 21
"Chi-baba, Chi-baba (My Bambino Go To Sleep)"(gold record) 1 (3 weeks)
"When You Were Sweet Sixteen" 2
"I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" (with Ted Weems) 2
"So Far" 11
"A Fellow Needs a Girl" 25
"Two Loves Have I" 21
"White Christmas" 23
1948 "Pianissimo" 21
"Because"(gold record) 4
"Haunted Heart" 23
"Laroo, Laroo, Lilli Bolero" 20
"Rambling Rose" 18
1949 "Far Away Places" 4
"N'yot N'yow (The Pussy Cat Song)" 20
"Blue Room" 18
"Forever and Ever" 2
"I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore" 11
"A--You're Adorable" 2*
"Some Enchanted Evening"(gold record) 1 (5 weeks)
"Bali Ha'i" 5
"Just One Way To Say I Love You" 23
"Let's Take An Old Fashioned Walk" 15
"Give Me Your Hand" 23
"A Dreamer's Holiday" 3
"I Wanna Go Home" 18
"The Lord's Prayer" 28
"Ave Maria" 22
1950 "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" 14
"Hoop-Dee-Doo" 2*
"On the Outgoing Tide" 16
"I Cross My Fingers" 25
"Patricia" 7
"A Bushel and a Peck"(w/ Betty Hutton) 3
"You're Just In Love" 5
1951 "If"(gold record) 1 (6 weeks)
"Zing Zing Zoom Zoom" 12
"Hello, Young Lovers" 27
"There's No Boat Like a Rowboat" 20
"There's a Big Blue Cloud (Next To Heaven)" 25
"Rollin' Stone" 24
"With All My Heart and Soul" 28
"It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas" 19
1952 "Tulips and Heather" 16
"Please Mr. Sun" 12
"Noodlin' Rag" 23
"One Little Candle" 18
"Maybe"(w/ Eddie Fisher) 3
"Watermelon Weather"(w/ Eddie Fisher) 19
"My Love and Devotion" 22
"To Know You (Is To Love You)" 19
"Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes"(gold record) 1 (5 weeks) 1 (5 weeks)
"Lies" 30
1953 "Wild Horses" 6
"I Confess" 17
"Say You're Mine Again" 3
"My One and Only One" 11
"No Other Love" 2*
"Keep It Gay" 30
"Pa-Paya Mama" 11
"You Alone" 9
1954 "Wanted"(gold record) 1 (8 weeks) 4
"Look Out the Window (And See How I'm Standing In the Rain)" 24
"Idle Gossip" 3
"Hit and Run Affair" 15
"There Never Was a Night So Beautiful" 21
"Papa Loves Mambo"(gold record) 4 16
"The Things I Didn't Do" 22
"Home For the Holidays" 8
1955 "Ko-Ko-Mo (I Love You So)" 2
"Chee Chee o-Chee"(w/ Jaye P. Morgan) 12
"Two Lost Souls"(w/ Jaye P. Morgan) 18
"Tina Marie" 5 24
"Fooled" 20
"All At Once You Love Her" 11
"The Rose Tattoo" 79
1956 "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)" 2* 4
"Juke Box Baby" 10 22
"More" 4 10
"Glendora" 8 18
"Somebody Up There Likes Me" 18
"Dream Along With Me" 85
"Moonlight Love" 42
"Chincherinchee" 59
1957 "Round and Round" 2*
"Mi Casa, Su Casa" 50
"The Girl With the Golden Braids" 13
"My Little Baby" 48
"Dancin'" 76
"Just Born (To Be Your Baby)" 12
"Ivy Rose" 18
"Jingle Bells" 74
1958 "Catch a Falling Star"(gold record) 2* 9
"Magic Moments" 4 1 (8 weeks)
"Kewpie Doll" 6 9
"Dance Only With Me" 19
"I May Never Pass This Way Again" 15
"Moon Talk" 28 17
"Love Makes the World Go 'Round" 33 6
"Mandolins In the Moonlight" 47 13
1959 "Tomboy" 29 10
"I Know" 47 13
1960 "Delaware" 22 3
"I Know What God Is" 81
"Make Someone Happy" 80
1961 "You're Following Me" 92
1962 "Caterina" 23 6 37
1963 "(I Love You) Don't You Forget It" 39 16
1965 "Dream On Little Dreamer" 25 3
"Oowee, Oowee" 88 18
1967 "Stop! And Think It Over" 92 1
1968 "The Father of Girls" 92 10
1969 "Seattle" 38 2
1970 "It's Impossible" 10 1 4
1971 "I Think of You" 53 5 14
1973 "And I Love You So" 29 1 3
"For the Good Times" 7
"Walk Right Back" 33
1974 "I Want To Give" 31
"Christmas Dream" 92
* When the peak position is marked with an asterisk, the song reached #1 in one (or two) of the three specific Billboard charts (sales, disc-jockeys, jukeboxes), but not on the overall Top-100. Regarding the peak positions of the songs between 1940 and 1955, priority was given to the sales chart, since an overall chart does not exist.
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd329/sutrisno2629/WESTERN%20ARTIST/perry-como.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee89/muscovy_2000/GuessWhoImage.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/12/10 at 7:01 am
The word of the day...Raindrops
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to other kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface. On Earth, it is the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops of water heavy enough to fall, often making it to the surface. Two processes, possibly acting together, can lead to air becoming saturated leading to rainfall: cooling the air or adding water vapour to the air. Virga is precipitation that begins falling to the earth but evaporates before reaching the surface; it is one of the ways air can become saturated. Precipitation forms via collision with other rain drops or ice crystals within a cloud. Rain drops range in size from oblate, pancake-like shapes for larger drops, to small spheres for smaller drops.
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz320/Zadakov/P4201204JPG_effected.jpg
http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz163/wildwolf100/Nature/raindrops.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac168/skilletfreako/pictures2009082.jpg
http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp345/misssylviii/raindrops-3.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp34/hollifer89/IMG_2725.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj143/lexinw/k.jpg
Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head...
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/12/10 at 10:43 am
Burt Bacharach. Musical genius. So many fantastic songs.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/12/10 at 1:33 pm
Burt Bacharach. Musical genius. So many fantastic songs.
That's so true.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/12/10 at 1:33 pm
Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head...
Nice
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/12/10 at 2:54 pm
Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head...
One of my favorite songs.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/12/10 at 5:44 pm
I didn't appreciate Burt Bacharach back when I was youger. I now believe he is perhaps the greatest modern day composer...on a par with Lennon and McCartney (but completely different).
Some of his tunes done with Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black were (and still are) iconic songs that will last the test of time. Very much like Irving Berlin or Cole Porters tunes...
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/12/10 at 7:21 pm
Nice
Was that Paul Anka? ???
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/12/10 at 7:27 pm
Was that Paul Anka? ???
B. J. Thomas had a big hit with it..
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/12/10 at 7:29 pm
B. J. Thomas had a big hit with it..
Thanks Gibbo.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/13/10 at 12:55 am
I didn't appreciate Burt Bacharach back when I was youger. I now believe he is perhaps the greatest modern day composer...on a par with Lennon and McCartney (but completely different).
Some of his tunes done with Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black were (and still are) iconic songs that will last the test of time. Very much like Irving Berlin or Cole Porters tunes...
Very well put.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/13/10 at 6:33 am
The word of the day...Fingertip(s)
The extreme end or tip of a finger.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u202/halfemptyfilms/fingertips.jpg
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww33/Guardician/Fingertips.jpg
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/13/10 at 6:41 am
The person born on this day...Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950; name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Blind from birth, Wonder signed with Tamla Records at the age of eleven and continues to perform and record for the label. He has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won twenty-two Grammy Awards, the most ever won by a male solo artist. On December 1, 2009, he was named a UN Messenger of Peace.
By age 13, Wonder had a major hit, "Fingertips (Pt. 2)", a 1963 single taken from a live recording of a Motor Town Revue performance, issued on the album, Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius. The song, featuring Wonder on vocals, bongos, and harmonica, and a young Marvin Gaye on drums, was a #1 hit on the U.S. pop and R&B charts and launched him into the public consciousness.
In 1968 he recorded an album of instrumental soul/jazz tracks, mostly harmonica solos, under the pseudonym (and title) Eivets Rednow, which is "Stevie Wonder" spelled backwards. The album failed to get much attention, and its only single, a cover of "Alfie", only reached number 66 on the U.S. Pop charts and number 11 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts. Nonetheless, he managed to score several hits between 1968 and 1970 such as "I Was Made to Love Her"; "For Once in My Life" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". In September 1970, at the age of 20, Wonder married Syreeta Wright, a former company secretary for Motown and songwriter. For his next album known as Where I'm Coming From, his newly-wed wife Syreeta gave him a helping hand with the writing and producing aspects, with the permission of Gordy. The album flopped in the charts. Reaching his twenty-first birthday on May 21, 1971, he allowed his Motown contract to expire.
In 1970, Wonder co-wrote, and played numerous instruments on, the hit "It's a Shame" for fellow Motown act The Spinners. His contribution was meant to be a showcase of his talent and thus a weapon in his on-going negotiations with Gordy about creative autonomy.
Classic period: 1972–76
Wonder independently recorded two albums, which he used as a bargaining tool while negotiating with Motown. Eventually the label agreed to his demands for full creative control and the rights to his own songs; the 120-page contract shattered precedent at Motown and additionally gave Wonder a much higher royalty rate. Wonder returned to Motown in March 1972 with Music of My Mind. Unlike most previous artist LPs on Motown, which usually consisted of a collection of singles, B-sides and covers, Music of My Mind was an actual LP, a full-length artistic statement with songs flowing together thematically. Wonder's lyrics dealt with social, political, and mystical themes as well as standard romantic ones, while musically Wonder began exploring overdubbing and recording most of the instrumental parts himself. This started the so-called "classic period" of Wonder's career during the 1970s. Music of My Mind marked the beginning of a long collaboration with synthesiser pioneers Tonto's Expanding Head Band (Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil).
"Superstition" (reduced quality)
Play sound
from Talking Book by Stevie Wonder, Motown 1972-10-27. Sample from Stevie Wonder Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection, Motown, 1996-12-10
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Released in the fall of 1972, Talking Book featured the number-one hit "Superstition", which is one of the most distinctive and famous examples of the sound of the Hohner clavinet keyboard. The song, originally intended for rock guitarist Jeff Beck, features a rocking groove that garnered Wonder an additional audience on rock radio stations. Talking Book also featured "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", which also peaked at number-one. During the same time as the album's release, Stevie Wonder began touring with the Rolling Stones to reach a wider audience, and to allieviate the negative effects from pigeon holing as a result of being an R&B artist in America. Wonder's touring with The Rolling Stones on their 1972 American Tour was also a factor behind the success of both "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". Between them, the two songs won three Grammy Awards. On an episode of the children's television show Sesame Street that aired in April 1973, Wonder and his band performed "Superstition", as well as an original song called "Sesame Street Song", which demonstrated his abilities with the "talk box".
Political considerations were brought into greater focus than ever before on his next album, Innervisions, released in 1973. The album featured "Higher Ground" (#4 on the pop charts) as well as the trenchant "Living for the City" (#8). Both songs reached number 1 on the R&B charts. Popular ballads such as "Golden Lady" and "All in Love Is Fair" were also present, in a mixture of moods that nevertheless held together as a unified whole. Innervisions generated three more Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The album is ranked #23 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Wonder had become the most influential and acclaimed black musician of the early 1970s.
On August 6, 1973, Wonder was in a serious automobile accident while on tour in North Carolina, when a car he was riding in rear-ended a flatbed truck, sliding under the back of the truck causing the bed to crash through the windshield, striking Wonder in the head. This left him in a coma for four days and resulted in a partial loss of his sense of smell and a temporary loss of sense of taste.
Despite the setback Wonder eventually recovered all of his musical faculties, and re-appeared in concert at Madison Square Garden in March 1974 in a performance that highlighted both up-tempo material and long, building improvisations on mid-tempo songs such as "Living for the City". The album Fulfillingness' First Finale appeared in July 1974 and set two hits high on the pop charts: the #1 "You Haven't Done Nothin'" (a political protest song aimed at Richard Nixon) and the Top Ten "Boogie On Reggae Woman". The Album of the Year was again one of three Grammys won.
The same year Wonder took part in a Los Angeles jam session which would become known by the bootleg album A Toot and a Snore in '74, likely the only known post-Beatles recording of John Lennon and Paul McCartney playing together. He also co-wrote and produced the Syreeta Wright album Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta.
On October 4, 1975, Wonder performed at the historical "Wonder Dream Concert" in Kingston, Jamaica, a Jamaican Institute for the Blind benefit concert. Along with Wonder, the three original Wailers — Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer — performed together for the last time.
By 1975, in his 25th year, Stevie Wonder had won two consecutive Grammy Awards: in 1974 for Innervisions and in 1975 for Fulfillingness' First Finale. The following year, singer songwriter Paul Simon won the Grammy for Album of the Year for Still Crazy After All These Years. In his acceptance speech, Simon jokingly thanked Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album that year, a quip that proved prophetic.
The double album-with-extra-EP Songs in the Key of Life, was released in September 1976. Sprawling in style, unlimited in ambition, and sometimes lyrically difficult to fathom, the album was hard for some listeners to assimilate, yet is regarded by many as Wonder's crowning achievement and one of the most recognisable and accomplished albums in pop music history. The album became the first of an American artist to debut straight at #1 in the Billboard charts, where it remained for 14 non-consecutive weeks. Two tracks, became #1 Pop/R&B hits "I Wish" and "Sir Duke". The baby-celebratory "Isn't She Lovely" was written about his newborn daughter Aisha, while songs such as "Love's in Need of Love Today" (which years later Wonder would perform at the post-September 11, 2001 America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon) and "Village Ghetto Land" reflected a far more pensive mood. Songs in the Key of Life won Album of the Year and two other Grammies. The album ranks 56th on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
After such a concentrated and sustained level of creativity, Wonder stopped recording for three years, releasing only the 3 LP Looking Back, an anthology of his first Motown period. The albums Wonder released during this period were very influential on the music world: the 1983 Rolling Stone Record Guide said that these albums "pioneered stylistic approaches that helped to determine the shape of pop music for the next decade"; Rolling Stone Magazine's 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time included four of the five, with three in the top 90; while in 2005 Kanye West said of his own work, "I'm not trying to compete with what's out there now. I'm really trying to compete with Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. It sounds musically blasphemous to say something like that, but why not set that as your bar?"
Commercial period: 1979–90
It was in Wonder's next phase that he began to commercially reap the rewards of his legendary classic period. The '80s saw Wonder scoring his biggest hits and reaching an unprecedented level of fame evidenced by increased album sales, charity participation, high-profile collaborations, political impact, and television appearances.
This period had a muted beginning, for when Wonder did return, it was with the soundtrack album Journey through the Secret Life of Plants (1979), featured in the film The Secret Life of Plants. Mostly instrumental, the album was panned at the time of its release but has come to be regarded by some critics as an unusual classic. In this year Wonder also wrote and produced the dance hit "Let's Get Serious", performed by Jermaine Jackson and (ranked by Billboard as the #1 R&B single of 1980).
Hotter than July (1980) became Wonder's first platinum-selling single album, and its single "Happy Birthday" was a successful vehicle for his campaign to establish Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday as a national holiday. The album also included "Master Blaster (Jammin')", his tribute to Bob Marley, "All I Do", and the sentimental ballad, "Lately", which was later covered by Jodeci and S Club 7.
In 1982, Wonder released a retrospective of his '70s work with Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium, which included four new songs: the ten-minute funk classic "Do I Do" (which included legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie), "That Girl" (one of the year's biggest singles to chart on the R&B side), "Front Line", a narrative about a soldier in the Vietnam War that Stevie Wonder wrote and sang in the 1st person, and "Ribbon in the Sky", one of his many classic compositions. Wonder also gained a #1 hit that year in collaboration with Paul McCartney in their paean to racial harmony, "Ebony and Ivory".
In 1983, Wonder performed the song "Stay Gold", the theme to Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders. Often mistakenly attributed solely to Stevie Wonder, the music is by Carmine Coppola, while Wonder wrote the lyric.
In 1983 Wonder scheduled an album to be entitled People Work, Human Play." The album never surfaced and instead 1984 saw the release of Wonder's soundtrack album for The Woman in Red. The lead single, "I Just Called to Say I Love You", was a #1 pop and R&B hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, where it was placed 13th in the list of best-selling singles in the UK published in 2002. It went on to win an Academy Award for "Best Song" in 1985.The album also featured a guest appearance by Dionne Warwick, singing the duet "It's You" with Stevie and a few songs of her own. The following year's In Square Circle featured the #1 pop hit "Part-Time Lover". The album also has a Top 10 Hit with "Go Home." It also featured the ballad "Overjoyed" which was originally written for Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants but didn't make the album. He performed "Overjoyed" on Saturday Night Live when he was the host. He was also featured in Chaka Khan's cover of Prince's "I Feel For You", alongside Melle Mel, playing his signature harmonica, which was a huge hit. In roughly the same period he was also featured on harmonica on Eurythmics' single, "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" and Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", all huge hits.
By 1985, Stevie Wonder was an American icon, the subject of good-humored jokes about blindness and affectionately impersonated by Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live. Wonder sometimes joined in the jokes himself; in The Motown Revue Smokey Robinson presented Wonder with an award plaque, which he pretended to read for the audience– and to notice a spelling mistake. He was in a featured duet with Bruce Springsteen on the all-star charity single for African famine relief, "We Are the World", and he was part of another charity single the following year (1986), the AIDS-inspired "That's What Friends Are For". He also played the harmonica on the album Dreamland Express by John Denver in the song "If Ever", a song Wonder co-wrote with Stephanie Andrews. He also wrote the track "I Do Love You" for The Beach Boys' 1985 self-titled album. Stevie Wonder also played the harmonica on a track called "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" from "Showboat" on the "The Broadway Album" by Barbra Streisand.
In 1986, Stevie Wonder appeared on The Cosby Show, as himself, in the episode "A Touch of Wonder," where Theo and Denise Huxtable get in a car crash with the singer's limousine and he invites them to his studio for a song.
In 1987, Wonder appeared on Michael Jackson's Bad album on the duet "Just Good Friends". The song was performed live on one occasion in Sydney, Australia when Wonder made a surprise appearance at Jackson's show at the Parramatta Stadium. Michael Jackson also sang a duet with him titled "Get It" on Wonder's 1987 album Characters. This was a minor hit single as were "Skeletons" and "You Will Know". In the fall of 1988, Wonder dueted with Julio Iglesias on the hit single "My Love", which appeared on Iglesias' album Non Stop and was a hit single on both sides of the Atlantic.
Wonder has recorded with Jon Gibson, a Christian Soul musician, in a remake of his own song, "Have a Talk With God", covered by Gibson on which Wonder plays harmonica. The two men met in the early 1980s through a shared music agent.
A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won twenty-two Grammy Awards (the most ever won by a solo artist) as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also won an Academy Award for Best Song, and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. He has also been awarded the Polar Music Prize. American music magazine Rolling Stone named him the ninth greatest singer of all time. In June 2009 he became the fourth artist to receive the Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Award.
He has ten U.S. number-one hits on the pop charts as well as 20 R&B number one hits, and album sales totaling more than 100 million units. Wonder has recorded several critically acclaimed albums and hit singles, and writes and produces songs for many of his label mates and outside artists as well. Wonder plays the piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bass guitar, bongos, organ, melodica, and clavinet. In his childhood, he was best known for his harmonica work, but today he is better known for his keyboard skills and vocal ability. Wonder is the first Motown artist and second African American musician to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his 1984 hit single "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the movie The Woman in Red.
Impact
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Wonder's success as a socially conscious musical performer influenced popular music. Some major musicians and other public figures who cite Wonder as an idol or a major influence on them are Stevie Ray Vaughan, India.Arie, Barack Obama, Blackstreet, Gloria Estefan, Musiq Soulchild, George Michael, The Neptunes, Luciano Pavarotti, Tupac Shakur, Will Smith, Coolio, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Babyface, Kelis, Donnell Jones, Jermaine Jackson, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, N'Sync, Glenn Lewis, Dru Hill, Boyz 2 Men, Alicia Keys, Eric Hutchinson, Carrie Underwood, Elton John, John Legend, Prince, Anthony Kiedis (lead vocalist of Red Hot Chili Peppers), Sting, Beyoncé Knowles, Aaliyah, Brandy, Justin Timberlake, Ashanti, Shogo Hamada, Jason Kay (lead vocalist of Jamiroquai), Utada Hikaru, Ken Hirai, Whitney Houston, Wang Leehom, Lenny Kravitz, Glenn Hughes and Erykah Badu.
Wonder has appeared as guest musician/vocalist on numerous recordings by other artists, including Carly Simon, Busta Rhymes, Quincy Jones, Sting, Pointer Sisters, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Jeff Beck, Snoop Dogg, Elton John, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Preston, James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Smokey Robinson, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Queen Latifah, The Supremes, Babyface, The Beach Boys, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Luther Vandross, The Temptations, Gloria Estefan, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, John Denver, BeBe Winans, Julio Iglesias, Don Henley, Take 6, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Rod Stewart, The Gap Band, 'NSYNC, The Manhattan Transfer, Donna Summer, Eurythmics, B.B. King, Sergio Mendes, Jon Gibson ("Have a Talk With God"), Paula Abdul, and Whitney Houston.
Vocalists Minnie Riperton, Deniece Williams, Carl Anderson, and Angela Winbush all began their careers in the 1970s as backup vocalists for Wonder as part of "Wonderlove".
Wonder's songs are renowned for being quite difficult to sing. He has a very developed sense of harmony and uses many extended chords utilizing extensions such as 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, b5s, etc. in his compositions. Many of his melodies make abrupt, unpredictable changes. Many of his vocal melodies are also melismatic, meaning that a syllable is sung over several notes. In the American Idol Hollywood Performances, judge Randy Jackson repeatedly stated the difficulty of Wonder's songs. Some of his best known and most frequently covered songs are played in keys which are more often found in jazz than in pop and rock. For example, "Superstition", "Higher Ground" and "I Wish" are in the key of E flat minor, and feature distinctive riffs in the E flat minor pentatonic scale (i.e. largely on the black notes of the keyboard).
Wonder played a large role in bringing synthesizers to the forefront of popular music. With the help of Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, he developed many new textures and sounds never heard before. In 1981, Wonder became the first owner of an E-mu Emulator. It was Wonder's urging that led Raymond Kurzweil to create the first electronic synthesizers that realistically reproduced the sounds of orchestral instruments; Wonder had become acquainted with the inventor as an early user and evangelist of his reading machine, the technology for which would prove instrumental in the success of the Kurzweil K250.
Songs sampled by other musicians
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble covered "Superstition" and Wonder makes a cameo appearance in the official music video for the song. The elements of "Love's In Need of Love Today" were used by 50 Cent in the song "Ryder Music", and Warren G sampled "Village Ghetto Land" for his song "Ghetto Village." "Pastime Paradise" would become an interpolation for Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" while Will Smith would use "I Wish" as the basis for the theme song to his movie, Wild Wild West. George Michael and Mary J. Blige covered "As" in the late 90's. In 1999, Salome De Bahia made a Brazilian version of "Another Star". Tupac Shakur sampled "That Girl" for his hit song "So Many Tears". Red Hot Chili Peppers covered "Higher Ground" in 1989 on their "Mother's Milk" album. John Legend covered his song "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" for the 2005 film, Hitch. Mary Mary, did a cover of his song, "You Will Know" on their 2002 album, Incredible. Australian soul artist Guy Sebastian recorded a cover of I wish on his Beautiful Life album.
Additional songs by Stevie Wonder have also been sampled or re-made. Wonder is one of the most sampled artists/singers ever.
Personal life
Wonder has been married twice—to Motown singer Syreeta Wright from 1970 until their divorce in 1972; and since 2001, to fashion designer Kai Milla Morris. He has seven children from his two marriages and several relationships.
His daughter, Aisha Morris, was the inspiration for his hit single "Isn't She Lovely." Aisha Morris is a singer who has toured with her father and accompanied him on recordings, including his 2005 album, A Time 2 Love. Wonder has two sons with Kai Milla Morris; the older is named Kailand and he occasionally performs as a drummer on stage with his father. The younger son, Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris, was born May 13, 2005, his father's 55th birthday.
In May 2006, Wonder's mother died in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76. During his September 8, 2008 UK concert in Birmingham he spoke of his decision to begin touring again following his loss. "I want to take all the pain that I feel and celebrate and turn it around".
Wonder is an activist for civil rights and endorsed 2008 United States Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama, who would later be elected 44th President of the United States, the first African American to do so. Apparently, the respect is more than mutual, as Obama responded to a Rolling Stone interview question that asked him who his musical heroes are by saying:
"If I had one, it would have to be Stevie Wonder. When I was just at that point where you start getting involved in music, Stevie Wonder had that run with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we've ever seen."
Children
* Aisha Morris (born April 1975) (by Yolanda Simmons)
* Keita Morris (by Yolanda Simmons)
* Kwame Morris
* Mumtaz Morris (by Melody McCulley)
* Sophia Morris
* Kailand Morris (by Kai Milla Morris)
* Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris (born May 13, 2005) (by Kai Milla Morris)
Wonder's children are by wife Kai Milla Morris, Yolanda Simmons and Melody McCulley. He never married Simmons or McCulley.
Charting discography
Main article: Stevie Wonder discography
Singles
Year Title Chart positions
US
US R&B US Dance US AC UK
1963 "Fingertips - Pt. 2" 1 - - - -
1966 "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" 3 - - - -
1966 "Blowin' in the Wind" 9 - - - -
1966 "A Place in the Sun" 9 - - - -
1967 "I Was Made to Love Her" 2 - - - 5
1968 "For Once in My Life" 2 - - - 3
1968 "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" 7 - - - -
1969 "My Cherie Amour" 4 - - - 4
1969 "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" 7 - - - 2
1970 "Never Had A Dream Come True" - - - - 5
1970 "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" 3 - - - -
1970 "Heaven Help Us All" 8 - - - -
1971 "We Can Work It Out" 13 - - - -
1971 "If You Really Love Me" 8 - - - -
1972 "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" 33 - - - -
1972 "Superstition" 1 - - - -
1973 "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" 1 - - - 3
1973 "Higher Ground" 4 - - - -
1973 "Living for the City" 8 - - - -
1974 "He's Misstra Know It All" - - - - 8
1974 "You Haven't Done Nothin'"
(with The Jackson 5) 1 - - - -
1974 "Boogie On Reggae Woman" 3 - - - -
1977 "I Wish" 1 - - - 4
1977 "Sir Duke" 1 - - - 2
1977 "Another Star" 32 - - - -
1977 "As" 36 - - - -
1979 "Send One Your Love" 4 - - - -
1980 "Master Blaster (Jammin)" 3 - - - 2
1980 "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" - - - - 7
1981 "Lately" - - - - 3
1981 "Happy Birthday" 7 - - - 2
1981 "That Girl" 3 - - - -
1982 "Do I Do" 7 - - - 5
1982 "Ebony and Ivory" (with Paul McCartney) 1 - - - 1
1982 "Ribbon in the Sky" - 9 - - -
1984 "I Just Called to Say I Love You" 1 1 - 1 1
1985 "Part-Time Lover" 1 1 1 1 2
1985 "That's What Friends Are For"
(with Dionne Warwick, Elton John and Gladys Knight) 1 - - - -
1985 "Love Light In Flight" 17 4 6 10 -
1986 "Go Home" 10 2 1 1 -
1986 "Land Of La La" 86 19 - - -
1986 "Overjoyed" 24 8 - 1 -
1987 "Skeletons" 19 1 20 - -
1988 "Get It" (with Michael Jackson) 80 4 - - -
1988 "My Eyes Don t Cry" - 6 12 - -
1988 "You Will Know" 77 1 - - -
1989 "With Each Beat Of My Heart" - 28 - - -
1990 "Keep Our Love Alive" - 24 - - -
1991 "Fun Day (From "Jungle Fever")" - 6 - - -
1991 "Gotta Have You (From "Jungle Fever")" 92 3 - - -
1992 "These Three Words" - 7 - - -
1995 "For Your Love" 53 11 - 30 -
1995 "Tomorrow Robins Will Sing" - 60 - - -
1995 "Treat Myself" - 92 - - -
1999 "Happy Birthday" - 70 - - -
2005 "From The Bottom Of My Heart" - 52 - 25 -
2005 "Shelter In The Rain" - 93 - - -
2005 "So What The Fuss" 96 34 - 40 -
U.S. and UK albums
Year Album Chart positions
US
US R&B UK
1963 Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius 1 - -
1972 Talking Book 3 - 16
1973 Innervisions 4 - 6
1974 Fulfillingness' First Finale 1 - 5
1976 Songs in the Key of Life 1 - 2
1979 Journey through the Secret Life of Plants 4 - 7
1980 Hotter than July 2 - 2
1982 Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium 4 - 8
1984 The Woman in Red 4 1 2
1985 In Square Circle 5 1 5
1987 Characters 17 1 33
1995 Conversation Peace 17 2 8
1996 Natural Wonder - 88 -
1997 Song Review A Greatest Hits Collection - 100 19
2000 At the Close of a Century - 100 -
2002 The Definitive Collection 35 28 -
2004 Best Of Stevie Wonder: 20th Century Masters Christmas Collection - 90 -
2005 A Time To Love 5 2 24
2007 Number 1's 171 40 23
Awards and recognition
Grammy Awards
Wonder has received 25 Grammy Awards: including a Lifetime Achievement Award
Year Award Title
1973 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "Superstition"
1973 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male "Superstition"
1973 Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male "You are the Sunshine of My Life"
1973 Album of the Year Innervisions
1973 Best Producer* Innervisions
1974 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "Living for the City"
1974 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Boogie On Reggae Woman"
1974 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Fulfillingness' First Finale
1974 Album of the Year Fulfillingness' First Finale
1974 Best Producer* Fulfillingness' First Finale
1976 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "I Wish"
1976 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Songs in the Key of Life
1976 Best Producer of the Year* N/A
1976 Album of the Year Songs in the Key of Life
1985 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance In Square Circle
1986 Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(awarded to Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Wonder) "That's What Friends Are For"
1995 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "For Your Love"
1995 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "For Your Love"
1996 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award General
1998 Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
(awarded to Herbie Hancock, Robert Sadin, and Wonder) "St. Louis Blues"
1998 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "St. Louis Blues"
2002 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(awarded to Wonder and Take 6) "Love's in Need of Love Today"
2005 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance "From the Bottom of My Heart"
2005 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(awarded to Beyoncé and Wonder) "So Amazing"
2006 Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals (awarded to Tony Bennett and Wonder) "For Once In My Life"
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c144/sarrrruh_/stevie-wonder.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/atsylvester/stevie_wonder.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/13/10 at 6:44 am
The person who died on this day...Gary Cooper
Frank James “Gary” Cooper (May 7, 1901 – May 13, 1961) was an American film actor. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, individualistic, emotionally restrained, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made. His career spanned from 1925 until shortly before his death, and comprised more than one hundred films.
Cooper received five Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, winning twice for Sergeant York and High Noon. He also received an Honorary Award in 1961 from the Academy.
Decades later, the American Film Institute named Cooper among the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars, ranking 11th among males from the Classical Hollywood cinema period. In 2003, his performances as Will Kane in High Noon, Lou Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees, and Alvin York in Sergeant York made the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains list, all of them as heroes.
Cooper was born Frank James Cooper in Helena, Montana, one of two sons of a Bedfordshire, England, farmer turned American lawyer and judge, Charles Henry Cooper (1865-1946), and Kent, England-born Alice (née Brazier) Cooper (1873-1967). His mother hoped for their two sons to receive a better education than that available in Montana and arranged for the boys to attend Dunstable Grammar School in Bedfordshire, England between 1910 and 1913. Upon the outbreak of World War I, Mrs. Cooper brought her sons home and enrolled them in a Bozeman, Montana, high school.
When Cooper was 13, he injured his hip in a car accident. He returned to his parents' ranch near Helena to recuperate by horseback riding at the recommendation of his doctor. Cooper studied at Iowa's Grinnell College until the spring of 1924, but did not graduate. He had tried out, unsuccessfully, for the college's drama club. He returned to Helena, managing the ranch and contributing cartoons to the local newspaper. In 1924, Cooper's father left the Montana Supreme Court bench and moved with his wife to Los Angeles. Gary, unable to make a living as an editorial cartoonist in Helena, joined them, moving there that same year, reasoning that he "would rather starve where it was warm, than to starve and freeze too."
Hollywood
Failing as a salesman of electric signs and theatrical curtains, as a promoter for a local photographer and as an applicant for newspaper work in Los Angeles, Cooper found work as an actor in 1925. He earned money as an "extra" in the motion picture industry, usually cast as a cowboy. He is known to have had an uncredited role in the 1925 Tom Mix Western, Dick Turpin. The following year, he had screen credit in a two-reeler, Lightnin' Wins, with actress Eileen Sedgwick as his leading lady.
After the release of this short film, Cooper accepted a long-term contract with Paramount Pictures. He changed his name to Gary in 1925, following the advice of casting director Nan Collins, who felt it evoked the "rough, tough" nature of her native Gary, Indiana.
Cooper in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town with Jean Arthur (1936).
"Coop," as he was called by his peers, went on to appear in over 100 films. He became a major star with his first sound picture, The Virginian, in 1929. The lead in the screen adaptation of A Farewell to Arms (1932) and the title role in 1936's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town furthered his box office appeal. Cooper was producer David O. Selznick's first choice for the role of Rhett Butler in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. When Cooper turned down the role, he was passionately against it. He is quoted as saying, "Gone with the Wind is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I’m glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling flat on his nose, not me". Alfred Hitchcock wanted him to star in Foreign Correspondent (1940) and Saboteur (1942). Cooper later admitted he had made a "mistake" in turning down the director. For the former film, Hitchcock cast look-alike Joel McCrea instead.
Gary Cooper and Joan Fontaine holding their Oscars at an Academy Awards after party in 1942.
In 1942, Cooper won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as the title character in Sergeant York. Alvin York refused to authorize a movie about his life unless Gary Cooper portrayed him.
In 1953, Cooper won his second Best Actor Academy Award for his performance as Marshal Will Kane in High Noon, considered his finest role. Ill with an ulcer, he wasn't present to receive his Academy Award in February 1953. He asked John Wayne to accept it on his behalf, a bit of irony in light of Wayne's stated distaste for the film.
Cooper continued to appear in films almost to the end of his life. Among his later box office hits was his portrayal of a Quaker farmer during the American Civil War in William Wyler's Friendly Persuasion in 1956. His final motion picture was a British film, The Naked Edge (1961), directed by Michael Anderson. Among his final projects was narrating an NBC documentary, The Real West, in which he helped clear up myths about famous Western figures.
Cooper appeared in live radio "remakes" of several of his films.
Congressional testimony
In 1944, Cooper joined the anti-communist Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals. While filming Good Sam, he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee on October 23 1947, characterized as a "friendly" witness. Asked if he had observed "communistic influence in Hollywood", Cooper named no one in particular but said he had "turned down quite a few scripts because I thought they were tinged with communistic ideas"; he also said he had heard statements such as "don't you think the Constitution of the United States is about a 150 years out of date?" and "perhaps this would be a more efficient government without a Congress"— statements he characterized as "very un-American." He also told the committee the following:
Several years ago, when communism was more of a social chit-chatter in parties for offices, and so on when communism didn't have the implications that it has now, discussion of communism was more open and I remember hearing statements from some folks to the effect that the communistic system had a great many features that were desirable. It offered the actors and artists — in other words, the creative people — a special place in government where we would be somewhat immune from the ordinary leveling of income. And as I remember, some actor's name was mentioned to me who had a house in Moscow which was very large — he had three cars, and stuff, with his house being quite a bit larger than my house in Beverly Hills at the time — and it looked to me like a pretty phony come-on to us in the picture business. From that time on, I could never take any of this pinko mouthing very seriously, because I didn't feel it was on the level.
Cooper's testimony occurred a month before the Hollywood blacklist was established.
Personal life
Cooper had high-profile relationships with actresses Clara Bow, Lupe Vélez, and the American-born socialite-spy Countess Carla Dentice di Frasso (née Dorothy Caldwell Taylor, formerly wife of British pioneer aviator Claude Grahame-White). He is also believed to have had an affair with actor Anderson Lawler, with whom he lived, and who introduced him to Hollywood society.
On December 15, 1933, Cooper wed Veronica Balfe, (May 27 1913 - February 16 2000), known as "Rocky." Balfe was a New York Roman Catholic socialite who had briefly acted under the name of Sandra Shaw. She appeared in the film No Other Woman, but her most widely seen role was in King Kong, as the woman dropped by Kong. Her third and final film was Blood Money. Her father was governor of the New York Stock Exchange, and her uncle was Cedric Gibbons. During the 1930s she also became the California state women's skeet shooting champion. They had one child, Maria, now Maria Cooper Janis, married to classical pianist Byron Janis.
Eventually, Cooper's wife persuaded Cooper to convert to Catholicism in 1958. After he was married, but prior to his conversion, Cooper had affairs with several famous co-stars, including Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly, and Patricia Neal. He pressured Neal to have an abortion in 1950, since fathering a child out of wedlock could have destroyed his career. Cooper's daughter Maria, when she was a little girl, famously spat at Neal, but many years later, the two became friends. Cooper separated from his wife between 1951 and 1954.
Cooper was friends with Ernest Hemingway and spent many vacations with the writer in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Death
In April 1960, Cooper underwent surgery for prostate cancer after it had spread to his colon. It spread to his lungs and bones shortly thereafter.
Cooper was too ill to attend the Academy Awards ceremony in April 1961, so his close friend James Stewart accepted the honorary Oscar on his behalf. Stewart's emotional speech hinted that something was seriously wrong, and the next day newspapers ran the headline, "Gary Cooper has cancer." One month later, on May 13, 1961, Cooper succumbed to cancer.
Cooper was originally interred in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Culver City, California. Years later, by May 1974 his body was removed from Holy Cross Cemetery, when his wife Veronica remarried and moved to New York, and she had Cooper's body relocated to Long Island's Sacred Heart Cemetery, in Southampton, New York. His widow Veronica "Rocky" Cooper-Converse died in 2000, and was buried near her beloved actor husband at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Legacy
* For his contribution to the film industry, Cooper has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6243 Hollywood Blvd.
* In 1966, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
* Cooper was mentioned in the lyrics to Irving Berlin's song "Puttin' on the Ritz": "Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper, (super duper)".
* Charlton Heston often cited Cooper as a childhood role model, and later worked with him on The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959). Heston praised Cooper for doing his own stunts despite his age and poor health.
* Gary Cooper's photograph from High Noon was used on a famous poster for campaign before first free elections in communist Poland in 1989.
* In the HBO series The Sopranos, Tony Soprano on more than one occasion remarks on his admiration for Gary Cooper, the "strong, silent type".
* In September 2009, Cooper was featured on a commemorative U.S. postage stamp.
Filmography
Further information: Gary Cooper filmography
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/13/10 at 6:56 am
The person born on this day...Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950; name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Blind from birth, Wonder signed with Tamla Records at the age of eleven and continues to perform and record for the label. He has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won twenty-two Grammy Awards, the most ever won by a male solo artist. On December 1, 2009, he was named a UN Messenger of Peace.
By age 13, Wonder had a major hit, "Fingertips (Pt. 2)", a 1963 single taken from a live recording of a Motor Town Revue performance, issued on the album, Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius. The song, featuring Wonder on vocals, bongos, and harmonica, and a young Marvin Gaye on drums, was a #1 hit on the U.S. pop and R&B charts and launched him into the public consciousness.
In 1968 he recorded an album of instrumental soul/jazz tracks, mostly harmonica solos, under the pseudonym (and title) Eivets Rednow, which is "Stevie Wonder" spelled backwards. The album failed to get much attention, and its only single, a cover of "Alfie", only reached number 66 on the U.S. Pop charts and number 11 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts. Nonetheless, he managed to score several hits between 1968 and 1970 such as "I Was Made to Love Her"; "For Once in My Life" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". In September 1970, at the age of 20, Wonder married Syreeta Wright, a former company secretary for Motown and songwriter. For his next album known as Where I'm Coming From, his newly-wed wife Syreeta gave him a helping hand with the writing and producing aspects, with the permission of Gordy. The album flopped in the charts. Reaching his twenty-first birthday on May 21, 1971, he allowed his Motown contract to expire.
In 1970, Wonder co-wrote, and played numerous instruments on, the hit "It's a Shame" for fellow Motown act The Spinners. His contribution was meant to be a showcase of his talent and thus a weapon in his on-going negotiations with Gordy about creative autonomy.
Classic period: 1972–76
Wonder independently recorded two albums, which he used as a bargaining tool while negotiating with Motown. Eventually the label agreed to his demands for full creative control and the rights to his own songs; the 120-page contract shattered precedent at Motown and additionally gave Wonder a much higher royalty rate. Wonder returned to Motown in March 1972 with Music of My Mind. Unlike most previous artist LPs on Motown, which usually consisted of a collection of singles, B-sides and covers, Music of My Mind was an actual LP, a full-length artistic statement with songs flowing together thematically. Wonder's lyrics dealt with social, political, and mystical themes as well as standard romantic ones, while musically Wonder began exploring overdubbing and recording most of the instrumental parts himself. This started the so-called "classic period" of Wonder's career during the 1970s. Music of My Mind marked the beginning of a long collaboration with synthesiser pioneers Tonto's Expanding Head Band (Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil).
"Superstition" (reduced quality)
Play sound
from Talking Book by Stevie Wonder, Motown 1972-10-27. Sample from Stevie Wonder Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection, Motown, 1996-12-10
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Released in the fall of 1972, Talking Book featured the number-one hit "Superstition", which is one of the most distinctive and famous examples of the sound of the Hohner clavinet keyboard. The song, originally intended for rock guitarist Jeff Beck, features a rocking groove that garnered Wonder an additional audience on rock radio stations. Talking Book also featured "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", which also peaked at number-one. During the same time as the album's release, Stevie Wonder began touring with the Rolling Stones to reach a wider audience, and to allieviate the negative effects from pigeon holing as a result of being an R&B artist in America. Wonder's touring with The Rolling Stones on their 1972 American Tour was also a factor behind the success of both "Superstition" and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life". Between them, the two songs won three Grammy Awards. On an episode of the children's television show Sesame Street that aired in April 1973, Wonder and his band performed "Superstition", as well as an original song called "Sesame Street Song", which demonstrated his abilities with the "talk box".
Political considerations were brought into greater focus than ever before on his next album, Innervisions, released in 1973. The album featured "Higher Ground" (#4 on the pop charts) as well as the trenchant "Living for the City" (#8). Both songs reached number 1 on the R&B charts. Popular ballads such as "Golden Lady" and "All in Love Is Fair" were also present, in a mixture of moods that nevertheless held together as a unified whole. Innervisions generated three more Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The album is ranked #23 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Wonder had become the most influential and acclaimed black musician of the early 1970s.
On August 6, 1973, Wonder was in a serious automobile accident while on tour in North Carolina, when a car he was riding in rear-ended a flatbed truck, sliding under the back of the truck causing the bed to crash through the windshield, striking Wonder in the head. This left him in a coma for four days and resulted in a partial loss of his sense of smell and a temporary loss of sense of taste.
Despite the setback Wonder eventually recovered all of his musical faculties, and re-appeared in concert at Madison Square Garden in March 1974 in a performance that highlighted both up-tempo material and long, building improvisations on mid-tempo songs such as "Living for the City". The album Fulfillingness' First Finale appeared in July 1974 and set two hits high on the pop charts: the #1 "You Haven't Done Nothin'" (a political protest song aimed at Richard Nixon) and the Top Ten "Boogie On Reggae Woman". The Album of the Year was again one of three Grammys won.
The same year Wonder took part in a Los Angeles jam session which would become known by the bootleg album A Toot and a Snore in '74, likely the only known post-Beatles recording of John Lennon and Paul McCartney playing together. He also co-wrote and produced the Syreeta Wright album Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta.
On October 4, 1975, Wonder performed at the historical "Wonder Dream Concert" in Kingston, Jamaica, a Jamaican Institute for the Blind benefit concert. Along with Wonder, the three original Wailers — Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer — performed together for the last time.
By 1975, in his 25th year, Stevie Wonder had won two consecutive Grammy Awards: in 1974 for Innervisions and in 1975 for Fulfillingness' First Finale. The following year, singer songwriter Paul Simon won the Grammy for Album of the Year for Still Crazy After All These Years. In his acceptance speech, Simon jokingly thanked Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album that year, a quip that proved prophetic.
The double album-with-extra-EP Songs in the Key of Life, was released in September 1976. Sprawling in style, unlimited in ambition, and sometimes lyrically difficult to fathom, the album was hard for some listeners to assimilate, yet is regarded by many as Wonder's crowning achievement and one of the most recognisable and accomplished albums in pop music history. The album became the first of an American artist to debut straight at #1 in the Billboard charts, where it remained for 14 non-consecutive weeks. Two tracks, became #1 Pop/R&B hits "I Wish" and "Sir Duke". The baby-celebratory "Isn't She Lovely" was written about his newborn daughter Aisha, while songs such as "Love's in Need of Love Today" (which years later Wonder would perform at the post-September 11, 2001 America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon) and "Village Ghetto Land" reflected a far more pensive mood. Songs in the Key of Life won Album of the Year and two other Grammies. The album ranks 56th on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
After such a concentrated and sustained level of creativity, Wonder stopped recording for three years, releasing only the 3 LP Looking Back, an anthology of his first Motown period. The albums Wonder released during this period were very influential on the music world: the 1983 Rolling Stone Record Guide said that these albums "pioneered stylistic approaches that helped to determine the shape of pop music for the next decade"; Rolling Stone Magazine's 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time included four of the five, with three in the top 90; while in 2005 Kanye West said of his own work, "I'm not trying to compete with what's out there now. I'm really trying to compete with Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. It sounds musically blasphemous to say something like that, but why not set that as your bar?"
Commercial period: 1979–90
It was in Wonder's next phase that he began to commercially reap the rewards of his legendary classic period. The '80s saw Wonder scoring his biggest hits and reaching an unprecedented level of fame evidenced by increased album sales, charity participation, high-profile collaborations, political impact, and television appearances.
This period had a muted beginning, for when Wonder did return, it was with the soundtrack album Journey through the Secret Life of Plants (1979), featured in the film The Secret Life of Plants. Mostly instrumental, the album was panned at the time of its release but has come to be regarded by some critics as an unusual classic. In this year Wonder also wrote and produced the dance hit "Let's Get Serious", performed by Jermaine Jackson and (ranked by Billboard as the #1 R&B single of 1980).
Hotter than July (1980) became Wonder's first platinum-selling single album, and its single "Happy Birthday" was a successful vehicle for his campaign to establish Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday as a national holiday. The album also included "Master Blaster (Jammin')", his tribute to Bob Marley, "All I Do", and the sentimental ballad, "Lately", which was later covered by Jodeci and S Club 7.
In 1982, Wonder released a retrospective of his '70s work with Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium, which included four new songs: the ten-minute funk classic "Do I Do" (which included legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie), "That Girl" (one of the year's biggest singles to chart on the R&B side), "Front Line", a narrative about a soldier in the Vietnam War that Stevie Wonder wrote and sang in the 1st person, and "Ribbon in the Sky", one of his many classic compositions. Wonder also gained a #1 hit that year in collaboration with Paul McCartney in their paean to racial harmony, "Ebony and Ivory".
In 1983, Wonder performed the song "Stay Gold", the theme to Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders. Often mistakenly attributed solely to Stevie Wonder, the music is by Carmine Coppola, while Wonder wrote the lyric.
In 1983 Wonder scheduled an album to be entitled People Work, Human Play." The album never surfaced and instead 1984 saw the release of Wonder's soundtrack album for The Woman in Red. The lead single, "I Just Called to Say I Love You", was a #1 pop and R&B hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, where it was placed 13th in the list of best-selling singles in the UK published in 2002. It went on to win an Academy Award for "Best Song" in 1985.The album also featured a guest appearance by Dionne Warwick, singing the duet "It's You" with Stevie and a few songs of her own. The following year's In Square Circle featured the #1 pop hit "Part-Time Lover". The album also has a Top 10 Hit with "Go Home." It also featured the ballad "Overjoyed" which was originally written for Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants but didn't make the album. He performed "Overjoyed" on Saturday Night Live when he was the host. He was also featured in Chaka Khan's cover of Prince's "I Feel For You", alongside Melle Mel, playing his signature harmonica, which was a huge hit. In roughly the same period he was also featured on harmonica on Eurythmics' single, "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" and Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", all huge hits.
By 1985, Stevie Wonder was an American icon, the subject of good-humored jokes about blindness and affectionately impersonated by Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live. Wonder sometimes joined in the jokes himself; in The Motown Revue Smokey Robinson presented Wonder with an award plaque, which he pretended to read for the audience– and to notice a spelling mistake. He was in a featured duet with Bruce Springsteen on the all-star charity single for African famine relief, "We Are the World", and he was part of another charity single the following year (1986), the AIDS-inspired "That's What Friends Are For". He also played the harmonica on the album Dreamland Express by John Denver in the song "If Ever", a song Wonder co-wrote with Stephanie Andrews. He also wrote the track "I Do Love You" for The Beach Boys' 1985 self-titled album. Stevie Wonder also played the harmonica on a track called "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" from "Showboat" on the "The Broadway Album" by Barbra Streisand.
In 1986, Stevie Wonder appeared on The Cosby Show, as himself, in the episode "A Touch of Wonder," where Theo and Denise Huxtable get in a car crash with the singer's limousine and he invites them to his studio for a song.
In 1987, Wonder appeared on Michael Jackson's Bad album on the duet "Just Good Friends". The song was performed live on one occasion in Sydney, Australia when Wonder made a surprise appearance at Jackson's show at the Parramatta Stadium. Michael Jackson also sang a duet with him titled "Get It" on Wonder's 1987 album Characters. This was a minor hit single as were "Skeletons" and "You Will Know". In the fall of 1988, Wonder dueted with Julio Iglesias on the hit single "My Love", which appeared on Iglesias' album Non Stop and was a hit single on both sides of the Atlantic.
Wonder has recorded with Jon Gibson, a Christian Soul musician, in a remake of his own song, "Have a Talk With God", covered by Gibson on which Wonder plays harmonica. The two men met in the early 1980s through a shared music agent.
A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won twenty-two Grammy Awards (the most ever won by a solo artist) as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also won an Academy Award for Best Song, and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. He has also been awarded the Polar Music Prize. American music magazine Rolling Stone named him the ninth greatest singer of all time. In June 2009 he became the fourth artist to receive the Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Award.
He has ten U.S. number-one hits on the pop charts as well as 20 R&B number one hits, and album sales totaling more than 100 million units. Wonder has recorded several critically acclaimed albums and hit singles, and writes and produces songs for many of his label mates and outside artists as well. Wonder plays the piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bass guitar, bongos, organ, melodica, and clavinet. In his childhood, he was best known for his harmonica work, but today he is better known for his keyboard skills and vocal ability. Wonder is the first Motown artist and second African American musician to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his 1984 hit single "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the movie The Woman in Red.
Impact
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Wonder's success as a socially conscious musical performer influenced popular music. Some major musicians and other public figures who cite Wonder as an idol or a major influence on them are Stevie Ray Vaughan, India.Arie, Barack Obama, Blackstreet, Gloria Estefan, Musiq Soulchild, George Michael, The Neptunes, Luciano Pavarotti, Tupac Shakur, Will Smith, Coolio, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Babyface, Kelis, Donnell Jones, Jermaine Jackson, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, N'Sync, Glenn Lewis, Dru Hill, Boyz 2 Men, Alicia Keys, Eric Hutchinson, Carrie Underwood, Elton John, John Legend, Prince, Anthony Kiedis (lead vocalist of Red Hot Chili Peppers), Sting, Beyoncé Knowles, Aaliyah, Brandy, Justin Timberlake, Ashanti, Shogo Hamada, Jason Kay (lead vocalist of Jamiroquai), Utada Hikaru, Ken Hirai, Whitney Houston, Wang Leehom, Lenny Kravitz, Glenn Hughes and Erykah Badu.
Wonder has appeared as guest musician/vocalist on numerous recordings by other artists, including Carly Simon, Busta Rhymes, Quincy Jones, Sting, Pointer Sisters, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Jeff Beck, Snoop Dogg, Elton John, Lenny Kravitz, Billy Preston, James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Smokey Robinson, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Queen Latifah, The Supremes, Babyface, The Beach Boys, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Luther Vandross, The Temptations, Gloria Estefan, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, John Denver, BeBe Winans, Julio Iglesias, Don Henley, Take 6, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Rod Stewart, The Gap Band, 'NSYNC, The Manhattan Transfer, Donna Summer, Eurythmics, B.B. King, Sergio Mendes, Jon Gibson ("Have a Talk With God"), Paula Abdul, and Whitney Houston.
Vocalists Minnie Riperton, Deniece Williams, Carl Anderson, and Angela Winbush all began their careers in the 1970s as backup vocalists for Wonder as part of "Wonderlove".
Wonder's songs are renowned for being quite difficult to sing. He has a very developed sense of harmony and uses many extended chords utilizing extensions such as 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, b5s, etc. in his compositions. Many of his melodies make abrupt, unpredictable changes. Many of his vocal melodies are also melismatic, meaning that a syllable is sung over several notes. In the American Idol Hollywood Performances, judge Randy Jackson repeatedly stated the difficulty of Wonder's songs. Some of his best known and most frequently covered songs are played in keys which are more often found in jazz than in pop and rock. For example, "Superstition", "Higher Ground" and "I Wish" are in the key of E flat minor, and feature distinctive riffs in the E flat minor pentatonic scale (i.e. largely on the black notes of the keyboard).
Wonder played a large role in bringing synthesizers to the forefront of popular music. With the help of Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, he developed many new textures and sounds never heard before. In 1981, Wonder became the first owner of an E-mu Emulator. It was Wonder's urging that led Raymond Kurzweil to create the first electronic synthesizers that realistically reproduced the sounds of orchestral instruments; Wonder had become acquainted with the inventor as an early user and evangelist of his reading machine, the technology for which would prove instrumental in the success of the Kurzweil K250.
Songs sampled by other musicians
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble covered "Superstition" and Wonder makes a cameo appearance in the official music video for the song. The elements of "Love's In Need of Love Today" were used by 50 Cent in the song "Ryder Music", and Warren G sampled "Village Ghetto Land" for his song "Ghetto Village." "Pastime Paradise" would become an interpolation for Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise" while Will Smith would use "I Wish" as the basis for the theme song to his movie, Wild Wild West. George Michael and Mary J. Blige covered "As" in the late 90's. In 1999, Salome De Bahia made a Brazilian version of "Another Star". Tupac Shakur sampled "That Girl" for his hit song "So Many Tears". Red Hot Chili Peppers covered "Higher Ground" in 1989 on their "Mother's Milk" album. John Legend covered his song "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" for the 2005 film, Hitch. Mary Mary, did a cover of his song, "You Will Know" on their 2002 album, Incredible. Australian soul artist Guy Sebastian recorded a cover of I wish on his Beautiful Life album.
Additional songs by Stevie Wonder have also been sampled or re-made. Wonder is one of the most sampled artists/singers ever.
Personal life
Wonder has been married twice—to Motown singer Syreeta Wright from 1970 until their divorce in 1972; and since 2001, to fashion designer Kai Milla Morris. He has seven children from his two marriages and several relationships.
His daughter, Aisha Morris, was the inspiration for his hit single "Isn't She Lovely." Aisha Morris is a singer who has toured with her father and accompanied him on recordings, including his 2005 album, A Time 2 Love. Wonder has two sons with Kai Milla Morris; the older is named Kailand and he occasionally performs as a drummer on stage with his father. The younger son, Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris, was born May 13, 2005, his father's 55th birthday.
In May 2006, Wonder's mother died in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76. During his September 8, 2008 UK concert in Birmingham he spoke of his decision to begin touring again following his loss. "I want to take all the pain that I feel and celebrate and turn it around".
Wonder is an activist for civil rights and endorsed 2008 United States Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama, who would later be elected 44th President of the United States, the first African American to do so. Apparently, the respect is more than mutual, as Obama responded to a Rolling Stone interview question that asked him who his musical heroes are by saying:
"If I had one, it would have to be Stevie Wonder. When I was just at that point where you start getting involved in music, Stevie Wonder had that run with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we've ever seen."
Children
* Aisha Morris (born April 1975) (by Yolanda Simmons)
* Keita Morris (by Yolanda Simmons)
* Kwame Morris
* Mumtaz Morris (by Melody McCulley)
* Sophia Morris
* Kailand Morris (by Kai Milla Morris)
* Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris (born May 13, 2005) (by Kai Milla Morris)
Wonder's children are by wife Kai Milla Morris, Yolanda Simmons and Melody McCulley. He never married Simmons or McCulley.
Charting discography
Main article: Stevie Wonder discography
Singles
Year Title Chart positions
US
US R&B US Dance US AC UK
1963 "Fingertips - Pt. 2" 1 - - - -
1966 "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" 3 - - - -
1966 "Blowin' in the Wind" 9 - - - -
1966 "A Place in the Sun" 9 - - - -
1967 "I Was Made to Love Her" 2 - - - 5
1968 "For Once in My Life" 2 - - - 3
1968 "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" 7 - - - -
1969 "My Cherie Amour" 4 - - - 4
1969 "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" 7 - - - 2
1970 "Never Had A Dream Come True" - - - - 5
1970 "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" 3 - - - -
1970 "Heaven Help Us All" 8 - - - -
1971 "We Can Work It Out" 13 - - - -
1971 "If You Really Love Me" 8 - - - -
1972 "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" 33 - - - -
1972 "Superstition" 1 - - - -
1973 "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" 1 - - - 3
1973 "Higher Ground" 4 - - - -
1973 "Living for the City" 8 - - - -
1974 "He's Misstra Know It All" - - - - 8
1974 "You Haven't Done Nothin'"
(with The Jackson 5) 1 - - - -
1974 "Boogie On Reggae Woman" 3 - - - -
1977 "I Wish" 1 - - - 4
1977 "Sir Duke" 1 - - - 2
1977 "Another Star" 32 - - - -
1977 "As" 36 - - - -
1979 "Send One Your Love" 4 - - - -
1980 "Master Blaster (Jammin)" 3 - - - 2
1980 "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" - - - - 7
1981 "Lately" - - - - 3
1981 "Happy Birthday" 7 - - - 2
1981 "That Girl" 3 - - - -
1982 "Do I Do" 7 - - - 5
1982 "Ebony and Ivory" (with Paul McCartney) 1 - - - 1
1982 "Ribbon in the Sky" - 9 - - -
1984 "I Just Called to Say I Love You" 1 1 - 1 1
1985 "Part-Time Lover" 1 1 1 1 2
1985 "That's What Friends Are For"
(with Dionne Warwick, Elton John and Gladys Knight) 1 - - - -
1985 "Love Light In Flight" 17 4 6 10 -
1986 "Go Home" 10 2 1 1 -
1986 "Land Of La La" 86 19 - - -
1986 "Overjoyed" 24 8 - 1 -
1987 "Skeletons" 19 1 20 - -
1988 "Get It" (with Michael Jackson) 80 4 - - -
1988 "My Eyes Don t Cry" - 6 12 - -
1988 "You Will Know" 77 1 - - -
1989 "With Each Beat Of My Heart" - 28 - - -
1990 "Keep Our Love Alive" - 24 - - -
1991 "Fun Day (From "Jungle Fever")" - 6 - - -
1991 "Gotta Have You (From "Jungle Fever")" 92 3 - - -
1992 "These Three Words" - 7 - - -
1995 "For Your Love" 53 11 - 30 -
1995 "Tomorrow Robins Will Sing" - 60 - - -
1995 "Treat Myself" - 92 - - -
1999 "Happy Birthday" - 70 - - -
2005 "From The Bottom Of My Heart" - 52 - 25 -
2005 "Shelter In The Rain" - 93 - - -
2005 "So What The Fuss" 96 34 - 40 -
U.S. and UK albums
Year Album Chart positions
US
US R&B UK
1963 Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius 1 - -
1972 Talking Book 3 - 16
1973 Innervisions 4 - 6
1974 Fulfillingness' First Finale 1 - 5
1976 Songs in the Key of Life 1 - 2
1979 Journey through the Secret Life of Plants 4 - 7
1980 Hotter than July 2 - 2
1982 Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium 4 - 8
1984 The Woman in Red 4 1 2
1985 In Square Circle 5 1 5
1987 Characters 17 1 33
1995 Conversation Peace 17 2 8
1996 Natural Wonder - 88 -
1997 Song Review A Greatest Hits Collection - 100 19
2000 At the Close of a Century - 100 -
2002 The Definitive Collection 35 28 -
2004 Best Of Stevie Wonder: 20th Century Masters Christmas Collection - 90 -
2005 A Time To Love 5 2 24
2007 Number 1's 171 40 23
Awards and recognition
Grammy Awards
Wonder has received 25 Grammy Awards: including a Lifetime Achievement Award
Year Award Title
1973 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "Superstition"
1973 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male "Superstition"
1973 Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male "You are the Sunshine of My Life"
1973 Album of the Year Innervisions
1973 Best Producer* Innervisions
1974 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "Living for the City"
1974 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Boogie On Reggae Woman"
1974 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Fulfillingness' First Finale
1974 Album of the Year Fulfillingness' First Finale
1974 Best Producer* Fulfillingness' First Finale
1976 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "I Wish"
1976 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Songs in the Key of Life
1976 Best Producer of the Year* N/A
1976 Album of the Year Songs in the Key of Life
1985 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance In Square Circle
1986 Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(awarded to Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Wonder) "That's What Friends Are For"
1995 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "For Your Love"
1995 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "For Your Love"
1996 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award General
1998 Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
(awarded to Herbie Hancock, Robert Sadin, and Wonder) "St. Louis Blues"
1998 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "St. Louis Blues"
2002 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(awarded to Wonder and Take 6) "Love's in Need of Love Today"
2005 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance "From the Bottom of My Heart"
2005 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(awarded to Beyoncé and Wonder) "So Amazing"
2006 Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals (awarded to Tony Bennett and Wonder) "For Once In My Life"
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c144/sarrrruh_/stevie-wonder.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/atsylvester/stevie_wonder.jpg
Always loved Stevie Wonder,he is one of the best.He worked together with Gary Byrd to produce the song "The Crown" in 1983.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0U92sN-Eo
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/13/10 at 11:10 am
B. J. Thomas had a big hit with it..
I saw B.J. Thomas in concert-TWICE! Not saying that I am a big B.J. Thomas fan but the first time was back in 1978 (?). He was touring with Debbie Boone. A friend of mine wanted to go and didn't want to go alone so I said, "What the hell." The second time was a few years ago when he was touring with Billy Joe Royal. The firefighters put on concerts and I buy tickets to help them out.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/13/10 at 1:52 pm
I saw B.J. Thomas in concert-TWICE! Not saying that I am a big B.J. Thomas fan but the first time was back in 1978 (?). He was touring with Debbie Boone. A friend of mine wanted to go and didn't want to go alone so I said, "What the hell." The second time was a few years ago when he was touring with Billy Joe Royal. The firefighters put on concerts and I buy tickets to help them out.
Cat
I liked his version of Hooked On A Feeling.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/13/10 at 2:30 pm
I liked his version of Hooked On A Feeling.
I love that song and even though BJ did it ok and I like it, but I like Blue Swede's version much better.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/13/10 at 6:36 pm
I liked his version of Hooked On A Feeling.
Yes...I liked that version too. I think I had it on the "24 Happening Hits" album.... :) Along with.... Build Me Up Buttercup and one of those 1910 Fruitgum Co. songs (might have been Indian Giver :-\\).
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/13/10 at 6:50 pm
I love that song and even though BJ did it ok and I like it, but I like Blue Swede's version much better.
Cat
Yeah the Ouga Chaka's are pretty cool. ;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/13/10 at 7:12 pm
Yeah the Ouga Chaka's are pretty cool. ;D
yeah the beginning is funny. ;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/14/10 at 4:56 am
The word of the day...Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, the term refers to a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean. It is also used sometimes to describe a large saline lake that lacks a natural outlet, such as the Caspian Sea. Seas are smaller than oceans.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af150/Kittykatkat_123_2009/DSC02517.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Sigrid0405/078.jpg
http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae267/hongjohn/DSC06554.jpg
http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/ninagoestorussia/Sochi/DSCF2576.jpg
http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af344/brigitte77_photos/Morje2008014.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa237/suevarra/CANCUN/87f1.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll298/cerian23/Alaska/overcastsea.jpg
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq256/tts_posters_2008/Movies/3770front.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/14/10 at 4:59 am
The person who was born on this day...Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto, May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was a two-time grammy award winning American singer, Oscar nominated actor and accomplished musician.
Darin performed widely in a range of music genres, including pop, jazz, folk and country. Although unknown to his public, his health was dangerously fragile and strongly motivated him to succeed within the limited lifetime he feared he would, and ultimately did, have.
He was also an actor, singer/songwriter and music business entrepreneur. His wish for a legacy was "to be remembered as a human being and as a great performer." Among his many other contributions, he became a goodwill ambassador for the American Heart Association.
Bobby Darin was born to a poor, working-class family of mostly Italian descent in The Bronx. The person thought to be his father (who was actually his grandfather) died in jail a few months before he was born. It was the height of the Great Depression, and he once remarked that his crib was a cardboard box, then later a dresser drawer. He was initially raised by his mother Polly and his sister Nina, subsisting on Home Relief until Nina later married and started a family with her new husband Charlie Maffia. It was not until Darin was an adult that he learned Nina, who was 17 years his senior, was in fact his birth mother, and that Polly, the woman he thought was his mother, was really his grandmother. He was never told the identity of his real father, other than being told that his birth father had no idea Nina was pregnant, and thus never knew that Bobby was even born. Polly mothered him well, despite her own medical history resulting in her addiction to morphine. It was Polly who took the young Bobby to what was left of the old vaudeville circuit in New York, places like the Bronx Opera House, and the RKO Jefferson in Manhattan, where he received his first showbiz inspiration, and where he saw performers like Sophie Tucker, whom he loved.
Darin was frail and sickly as an infant and, beginning at the age of 8, was stricken with multiple recurring bouts of rheumatic fever. The illness left him with a seriously weakened heart. Overhearing a doctor tell his mother he would be lucky to reach the age of 16, Darin lived with the constant knowledge that his life would be short, which further motivated him to use his talents. He was driven by his poverty and illness to make something of his life and, with his innate talent for music, by the time he was a teenager he could play several instruments, including piano, drums and guitar. He later added harmonica and xylophone.
An outstanding student, Darin graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science and went on to attend Hunter College on a scholarship. Wanting a career in the New York theater, he dropped out of college to play small nightclubs around the city with a musical combo. In the resort area of the Catskill Mountains, he was both a busboy and an entertainer. For the most part teenage Bobby was a comedy drummer and an ambitious but unpolished vocalist.
As was common with first-generation Americans at the time, he changed his Italian surname to one that sounded less ethnic. He chose the name "Bobby" because he had been called that as a child. He allegedly chose Darin because he had seen a malfunctioning electrical sign at a Chinese restaurant reading "DARIN DUCK" rather than "MANDARIN DUCK", and he thought "Darin" looked good. Later, he said that the name was randomly picked out of the telephone book, either by himself or by his publicist. It has also been suggested that he amended the word "daring" to suit his ambitions. None of these stories has been verified.
Music career
What really moved things along for Darin was his songwriting partnership, formed in 1955, with fellow Bronx Science student Don Kirshner. In 1956 his agent negotiated a contract for him with Decca Records, where Bill Haley & His Comets had risen to fame. However, this was a time when rock and roll was still in its infancy and the number of capable record producers and arrangers in the field was extremely limited.
A member of the now famous Brill Building gang of once-struggling songwriters who later found success, Darin was introduced to then up-and-coming singer Connie Francis. Bobby's manager arranged for Darin to help write several songs for Connie in order to help jump-start her singing career. Initially the two artists couldn't see eye to eye on potential material, but after several weeks Bobby and Connie developed a romantic interest in one another. Purportedly, Connie had a very strict Italian father who would separate the couple whenever possible. When Connie's father learned that Bobby had suggested the two lovers elope after one of Connie's shows, he ran Darin out of the building while waving a gun telling Bobby to never see his daughter again.
Bobby saw Connie only twice more after this happened, once when the two were scheduled to sing together for a television show and again later when Connie was spotlighted on the TV series This Is Your Life. Connie has said that not marrying Bobby was the biggest mistake of her life. She used the title words of the song "My First Real Love," (a Darin-Kirshner song she'd recorded and on which Darin had played drums), when she said, "Well, he was my first real love and I never stopped loving him all my life." Connie Francis said too that she and Darin would sometimes go to the Apollo Theater to see artists like James Brown and Ray Charles, 'we were the only white people in the audience', and when Darin did record first for Decca early in 1956 it was a piece of black music, pioneered by the Louisiana songster Leadbelly, Rock Island Line - though the immediate inspiration was Lonnie Donegan's skiffle version. He sang it on the Dorsey Brothers T.V Show, a big deal at the time, with the lyrics written on the palms of his hands in case he forgot them, which he did. But the songs recorded at Decca did very little business.
Darin left Decca to sign with Atlantic Records (ATCO), where he wrote and arranged music for himself and others. There, after three mediocre recordings, his career took off in 1958 when he wrote and recorded "Splish Splash." The song was an instant hit, selling more than a million copies. "Splish Splash" was written with radio DJ Murray "Murray the K" Kaufman, who bet Darin that he could not write a song that started out with the words "Splish Splash, I was takin' a bath", as suggested by Murray's mother. On a snow-bound night in early 1958, Darin went in the studio alone and recorded a demo of "Splish Splash." They eventually shared writing credits with her. This was followed by more hits recorded in the same style.
In 1959, Bobby Darin recorded "Dream Lover," a ballad that became a multi-million seller. Along came financial success and with it came the ability to demand more so-called creative control. Some at the label wanted a Fats Domino-ish album, but Darin's devoted publicist and advisor Harriet 'Hesh' Wasser wanted a 'great, swinging, standard album,' and, as she later told it, they were walking down 57th street when Darin told her "Hesh, don't worry, you'll get your album." His next record, "Mack the Knife", was the classic standard from Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera: Darin gave the tune a vamping jazz-pop interpretation, which he consciously modeled on the style of Frankie Laine. The song went to No. 1 on the charts for nine weeks, sold over a million copies, and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1960. Darin was also voted the Grammy Award for Best New Artist that year. "Mack The Knife" has since been honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. He followed "Mack" with "Beyond the Sea", a jazzy English-language version of Charles Trenet's French hit song "La Mer."
The tracks were produced by Atlantic founders, Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün with staff producer Jerry Wexler and featured brilliant arrangements by Richard Wess. Propelled by the success of "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea", Darin became a hot commodity. He set all-time attendance records at the famed Copacabana nightclub in New York City, where it was not unusual for fans to line up all the way around the block to get tickets when Darin performed there. The Copacabana sold so many seats for Darin's shows that they had to fill the dance floor, normally part of the performance area, with extra seating. Darin also headlined at the major casinos in Las Vegas.
Sammy Davis Jr., an exceptionally multi-talented and dynamic performer himself, was quoted as saying that Bobby Darin was "the only person I never wanted to follow" after seeing him perform in Las Vegas. However, Davis was among those who appeared on the 1959 telecast of This Is Your Life, along with George Burns and relatives and friends, that surprised and honored Darin at NBC's Burbank, California studios.
Darin had a significant role in fostering new talent. Richard Pryor, Flip Wilson and Wayne Newton opened his nightclub performances when they were virtually unknown. Early on, at the Copacabana, he insisted that black comic George Kirby be his opening act. His request was grudgingly granted by Jules Podell, the manager of the Copacabana.
In the 1960s, Darin also owned and operated a highly successful music publishing and production company (TM Music/Trio) and signed Wayne Newton to TM, giving him a song that was originally sent to Darin to record. That record went on to become Newton's breakout hit, "Danke Schoen". He also was a mentor to Roger McGuinn, who worked for Darin at TM Music and played the 12 string guitar in Darin's nightclub band before going off to form The Byrds. Darin also produced football great Rosey Grier's 1964 LP, "Soul City," and "Made in the Shade" for Jimmy Boyd.
In 1962, Darin also began to write and sing country music, with hit songs including "Things" (U.S. #3) (1962), "You're the Reason I'm Living" (U.S. #3), and "18 Yellow Roses" (U.S. #10). The latter two were on Capitol Records, which he joined in 1962, before returning to Atlantic four years later. The song "Things" was sung by Dean Martin in the 1967 TV special Movin' With Nancy, starring Nancy Sinatra, which was released to home video in 2000.
Acting career
In addition to music, Darin became a motion picture actor. In 1960, he appeared twice as himself in NBC's short-lived crime drama Dan Raven, starring Skip Homeier and set on the Sunset Strip of West Hollywood. In 1960, he was the only actor ever to have been signed contractually to five major Hollywood film studios. He wrote music for several films and acted in them as well. In his first major film, Come September, a romantic comedy designed to capitalize on his popularity with the teenage and young adult audience, he met and co-starred with 18-year-old actress Sandra Dee. They fell in love and were married in 1960. The couple had one son, Dodd Mitchell Darin (born 1961) and later divorced in 1967.
Wanting his acting to be taken seriously, he took on more meaningful movie roles, and in 1962, he won the Golden Globe Award for "Most Promising Male Newcomer" for his role in Pressure Point.
In 1963, Darin was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a shell-shocked soldier in Captain Newman, M.D.. At the Cannes Film Festival, where his records—in particular "Beyond the Sea"—brought him a wide following, he won the French Film Critics Award for best actor.
Later years
Darin's musical output became more "folky" as the 1960s progressed and he became more politically aware and active. In 1966, he had another big hit record, but this time it was with folksinger Tim Hardin's "If I Were a Carpenter," adding another style to his vast repertoire. The song secured Darin's return to the Top 10 after a two-year absence. Jim (Roger) McGuinn, the future leader of the Byrds, was part of his performing band. Darin traveled with Robert Kennedy and worked on the politician's 1968 presidential campaign. He was with Kennedy the day he traveled to Los Angeles on June 4, 1968 for the California Primary, and was at the Ambassador Hotel later that night when Kennedy was assassinated. Darin was devastated by this news.
Afterwards, Darin sold his house and most of his possessions and lived in seclusion in a trailer near Big Sur for nearly a year. Coming back to Los Angeles in 1969, Darin started another record company, Direction Records, putting out folk and protest music. He wrote the very popular "Simple Song of Freedom" in 1969. He said of his first Direction Records album, "The purpose of Direction Records is to seek out statement-makers. The album is solely of compositions designed to reflect my thoughts on the turbulent aspects of modern society." During this time, he was billed under the name "Bob Darin," grew a mustache, and stopped wearing a hairpiece. Within two years, however, all of these changes were discontinued.
At the beginning of the 1970s, he continued to act and to record, including several albums with Motown Records and a couple of films. In January 1971, he underwent his first heart surgery in an attempt to correct some of the heart damage he had lived with since childhood. He spent most of the year recovering from the surgery.
In 1972, he starred in his own TV variety show on NBC, The Bobby Darin Amusement Company, which ran until his death in 1973. Darin married Andrea Yeager in June 1973. He made TV guest appearances and also remained a top draw at Las Vegas, where, owing to his poor health, he was often administered oxygen after his performances.
Death
In 1973, Darin's ill health took a turn for the worse. After failing to take medication (prescribed to protect his heart) before a dental visit, he developed blood poisoning. This weakened his body and badly affected one of his heart valves. On December 11 of that year, Darin entered Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for surgery to repair the two artificial heart valves he received in the previous 1971 operation. On December 19, the surgery began. A five-man surgical team worked for over six hours to repair his damaged heart. However, although the surgery was initially successful, Darin died minutes afterward in the recovery room without regaining consciousness on December 20, 1973, at age 37.
Legacy
In 1990, singer Paul Anka made the speech for Darin's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Righteous Brothers refer to Darin in their song Rock and Roll Heaven, a tribute to late musicians, which was released months after Darin's death. The duo also make a reference to hill road. In 2000, actor Kevin Spacey, a lifelong fan of Darin, acquired the film rights to his story. Spacey directed and produced the film, and played Bobby Darin; as well as co-writing the script. The film is named after one of Darin's top hits, Beyond the Sea. With the consent of the Darin estate, Steve Blauner, and archivist Jimmy Scalia, the movie's opening was at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival. Despite strong studio promotion, critical reaction was poor , and box office results were disappointing. However, the movie spurred a renewed interest in Darin, which has resulted in the release of "never heard before" material. His pianist, Roger Kellaway, has recorded two albums of Darin's music as well. Spacey was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor for the movie. He also occasionally did concert tours, performing many of Darin's hits as a tribute to the singer.
In a 2003 episode of the NBC television series American Dreams, Duncan Sheik portrays Darin and performs Beyond the Sea on American Bandstand. Brittany Snow's character, Meg Pryor, is assigned as Darin's liaison during the show.
On Monday, May 14, 2007, Darin was awarded a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. This tribute honors Darin for his contribution to making Las Vegas the "Entertainment Capital of the World" and acknowledges his reputation as one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. The sponsorship fee for this star was raised entirely by fan donations.
In December 2007, Darin was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Darin had a custom car built called the "Dream Car," designed by Andy DiDia; it is on display at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation.
On December 13, 2009, the Recording Academy announced that Darin would receive a Lifetime Achievement Award (post-mortem) at the 2010 Grammy Awards ceremony.
Biopic
Main article: Beyond the Sea (film)
Beyond the Sea is a 2004 biographical film based on the life of Darin, which takes its title from the Darin song of the same name. Kevin Spacey, who stars in the lead role and used his own singing voice for the musical numbers, co-wrote, directed, and co-produced the film which depicts Darin's rise to teen idol success in both the music and film industry during the 1950s and 60s, as well as his marriage to Sandra Dee, portrayed by Kate Bosworth.
As early as 1986, Barry Levinson intended to direct a film based on the life of Darin, and he began pre-production on the project in early 1997. When he eventually vacated the director's position, Spacey, along with Darin's son Dodd, acquired the film rights. Beyond the Sea was released in December 2004 to mixed reviews from critics and bombed at the box office. However, Dodd Darin, Sandra Dee and former Darin manager Steve Blauner responded with enthusiastic feedback to Spacey's work on the film. Despite the mixed reviews, some critics praised Spacey's performance, largely due to his decision to use his own singing voice. He also received a Golden Globe nomination.
Discography
Singles
Release date Title Flip side Record label Chart Positions
US Charts Cashbox UK R&B
1956 Rock Island Line / Timber Decca 29883
Silly Willy / Blue Eyed Mermaid Decca 29922
The Greatest Builder Of Them All / Hear Them Bells Decca 30031
1957 Dealer In Dreams / Help Me Decca 30225
Million Dollar Baby / Talk To Me Atco 6092
Don't Call My Name / Pretty Betty Atco 6103
1958 Silly Willy / Dealer In Dreams Decca 30737
Just In Case You Change Your Mind / So Mean Atco 6109
Splish Splash/ Judy Don't Be Moody US Atco 6117/ UK London 8666 3 2 18 1
Early in the Morning / Now We're One Brunswick 55073 (See below)
Early in the Morning / Now We're One Atco 6121 24 25 8
Queen of the Hop Lost Love US Atco 6127/UK London 8737 9 12 24 6
Mighty Mighty Man / You're Gone Atco 6128
1959 Plain Jane While I'm Gone Atco 6133 38 30
Dream Lover Bullmoose US Atco 6140/UK London 8867 2 3 1 4
Mack the Knife Was There A Call For Me US Atco 6147/UK London 8939 1 1 1 6
1960 Beyond the Sea (the French hit song "La Mer") That's The Way Love Is US Atco 6158/UK London 9034 6 7 8 15
Clementine Tall Story US Atco 6161/UK London 9086 21 13 8
Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey?/ US Atco 6167/UK London 9142 19 16 34
I'll Be There 79
Beachcomber Autumn Blues Atco 6173 100 50
Artificial Flowers/ Atco 6179 20 19
::above Shown as "Bobby Darin at the Piano"
Somebody To Love 45 58
Christmas Auld Lang Syne/ Atco 6183 51 50
Child Of God 95 95
She's Tanfastic! Moments Of Love Atco/Ferrion Inc. -- --
::above Special premium record
1961 Lazy River Oo-Ee Train US Atco 6188/UK London 9303 14 18 2
Nature Boy Look For My True Love US Atco 6196/UK London 9375 40 31 24
Theme From "Come September" Walk Back To Me US Atco 6200/UK London 9407 113 55 50
::Shown as "Bobby Darin & His Orchestra"
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby Sorrow Tomorrow US Atco 6206/UK London 9429 5 7 10
Irresistible You/ US Atco 6214/UK London 9474 15 16
Multiplication 30 26 5
1962 What'd I Say (Part 1)/ What'd I Say (Part 2) Atco 6221 24 6
Things Jailer Bring Me Water US Atco 6229/UK London 9575 3 10 2
If A Man Answers/All By Myself US Capitol 4837/UK Capitol 15272 32 28 24
True, True Love 105
Baby Face You Know How US Atco 6236/UK London 9624 42 38 40
I Found a New Baby Keep-A-Walkin' Atco 6244 90
1963 You're the Reason I'm Living Now You're Gone Capitol 4897 3 5
18 Yellow Roses Not For Me US Capitol 4970/UK Capitol 15306 10 12 37 28
Treat My Baby Good Down So Long Capitol 5019 43 38
Be Mad Little Girl Since You've Been Gone Capitol 5079 64 74
1964 I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now As Long As I'm Singing Capitol 5126 93 83
Milord Golden Earrings Atco 6297 45 39
Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Similau Atco 6316 -- --
The Things In This House Wait By The Water Capitol 5257 86 89
1965 Minnie The Moocher / Hard Headed Hannah Atco 6334 -- --
Hello, Dolly! Golden Earrings Capitol 5359 79 --
Venice Blue (Que C'est Triste Venise) A World Without You Capitol 5399 133 94
When I Get Home / Lonely Road Capitol 5443 -- --
Gyp The Cat / That Funny Feeling Capitol 5481 -- --
1966 We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here Funny What Love Can Do Atlantic 2305 117 --
Silver Dollar / The Breaking Point Atlantic 2317 -- --
Mame Walking In The Shadow Of Love Atlantic 2329 53 63
Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? / Merci, Cheri Atlantic 2341 -- --
If I Were a Carpenter Rainin' US Atlantic 2350/UK Atlantic 584051 8 9 9
The Girl That Stood Beside Me Reason To Believe Atlantic 2367 66 65
Lovin' You / Amy Atlantic 2376 32 43
The Lady Came From Baltimore / I Am 62 73
1967 Darling Be Home Soon/ Hello, Sunshine Atlantic 2420 93 --
Talk To The Animals / After Today Atlantic 2433 -- --
Talk To The Animals / She Knows Atlantic 2433 105 --
1968 Long Line Rider/ Change Direction 350 79 66
1969 Me & Mr. Hohner / Song for A Dollar Direction 351 123 --
Distractions (Part 1) / Jive Direction 352 111 --
::Shown as "Bob Darin"
1970 Sugar Man (9 To 5) / Jive's Alive Direction 4000 -- --
Baby May / Sweet Reason Direction 4001 -- --
Maybe We Can Get It Together / Rx Pyro (Prescription: Fire) Direction 4002 -- --
1971 Melody / Someday We'll Be Together Motown 1183 -- --
Simple Song Of Freedom / I'll Be Your Baby Tonight Motown 1193 -- --
1972 Sail Away / Something In Her Love Motown 1203 -- --
1973 Average People / Something In Her Love Motown 1217 -- --
Happy Something In Her Love Motown 1217 67 59
1979 Dream Lover/ UK Lightning 9017 -- -- 64
Mack The Knife -- -- 64
1987 Beyond The Sea Mack The Knife Atlantic 89166 -- --
Early In The Morning
Darin approached Brunswick Records with "Early In the Morning." Brunswick was impressed, but as Darin was still under contract to Atlantic Records' subsidiary, Atco, the song was released by "The Ding Dongs". New York deejays liked the record and Atco soon discovered the deception. Brunswick was forced to turn over the masters to Atco which released the record under the name, "The Rinky Dinks". In the UK where it had to compete with a version by Buddy Holly, rush released by Brunswick, the single was released under Darin's own name.http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g277/Sharkey2_2006/bobby.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g14/barth14/darin.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/14/10 at 5:05 am
The person who died on this day...Robert Stack
Robert Langford Modini Stack (January 13, 1919 – May 14, 2003) was an American actor. In addition to acting in over 40 films, he also appeared on the television series The Untouchables and later served as the host of Unsolved Mysteries.
Stack was born in Los Angeles, California, but spent his early childhood growing up in Europe. He became fluent in French and Italian at an early age, but he did not learn English until returning to Los Angeles. Raised by his mother, Mary Elizabeth (née Wood), Stack's parents divorced when Stack was a year old, and his father, James Langford Stack, a wealthy advertising agency owner, died when Stack was nine. Stack always spoke of his mother with the greatest respect and love. When he wrote his autobiography, Straight Shooting, he included a picture of him and his mother. He captioned it, "Me and my best girl." Stack's grandfather was an opera singer from Illinois named Charles Wood, who went by the name "Modini."
By the time he was twenty, Stack had achieved minor fame as a sportsman. He was an avid polo player and shooter. He and his brother won the International Outboard Motor Championships, in Venice, Italy; and, at age 16, he became a member of the All-American Skeet Team. He set two world records in skeet shooting and became National Champion. In 1971, he was inducted into the National Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame.
Stack was a regular columnist for Gun World magazine.
Career
Stack took drama courses at the Bridgewater State College. His deep voice and good looks attracted producers in Hollywood. When Stack visited the lot of Universal Studios at age 20, producer Joe Pasternak offered him an opportunity to enter the business. Recalled Stack, "He said, 'How'd you like to be in pictures? We'll make a test with Helen Parrish, a little love scene.' Helen Parrish was a beautiful girl. 'Gee, that sounds keen,' I told him. I got the part." Stack's first film, which teamed him with Deanna Durbin, was First Love, in 1939; this film was considered controversial at the time. He was the first actor to give Durbin an on-screen kiss.
Stack won acclaim for his next role, The Mortal Storm (1940). He played a young man who joins the Nazi party. This film was among the first to speak out against Adolf Hitler. As a youth, Stack admitted that he had a crush on Carole Lombard and in 1942 he appeared with her in To Be or Not To Be. He admitted he was terrified going into this role. He credits Lombard with giving him many tips on acting and with being his mentor. Lombard was killed in a plane crash shortly before the film was released.
During World War II, Stack served as gunnery instructor in the United States Navy. He continued his movie career and appeared in such films as Fighter Squadron (1948), A Date with Judy (1948) and Bwana Devil (1952). In 1954, Stack was given his most important movie role. He appeared opposite John Wayne in The High and the Mighty. Stack played the pilot of an airliner who comes apart under stress after the airliner encounters engine trouble.
In 1957, Stack was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Written on the Wind.
Stack depicted the crimefighting Eliot Ness in the television drama The Untouchables (1959–63). The show portrayed the ongoing battle between gangsters and federal agents in a Prohibition-era Chicago. The show brought Stack a best actor Emmy Award in 1960.
Stack also starred in three other drama series, rotating the lead with Tony Franciosa and Gene Barry in the lavish The Name of the Game (1968–1971), Most Wanted, (1976) and Strike Force (1981). Interestingly, in The Name of the Game, he played a former federal agent turned true-crime journalist, evoking memories of his role as Ness. In both Most Wanted and Strike Force he played a tough, incorruptible police captain commanding an elite squad of special investigators, also evoking the Ness role. Eventually, he would reprise the role in a 1991 TV movie, The Return of Eliot Ness.
Known for his steadfast, humorless demeanor, he made fun of his own persona in comedies such as 1941 (1979), Airplane! (1980), Caddyshack II (1988), Beavis and Butthead Do America (1996) and BASEketball (1998). He also provided the voice for the character Ultra Magnus in Transformers: The Movie (1986).
Stack appeared in the television mini-series Hollywood Wives in 1985, and appeared in several episodes of the popular primetime soap opera Falcon Crest in 1986. Ironically, Stack's series "Strike Force" was scheduled opposite "Falcon Crest", where it quickly folded. He began hosting Unsolved Mysteries in 1987. He thought very highly of the interactive nature of the show, saying that it created a "symbiotic" relationship between viewer and program, and that the hotline was a great crime-solving tool. Unsolved Mysteries aired from 1987 to 2002, first as specials in 1987 (Stack did not host all the specials), then as a regular series on NBC (1988–1997), then on CBS (1997–1999) and finally on Lifetime (2001–2002). Stack served as the show's host during its entire original series run. Unsolved Mysteries is now hosted by Dennis Farina.
For a brief period between 2001–2002, Stack played the voice of Stoat Muldoon, a character featured on the computer-animated television series, Butt-Ugly Martians on Nickelodeon. The show was cancelled due to poor ratings.
Personal life
Stack at the 60th Academy Awards
Stack was married to actress Rosemarie Bowe from 1956 until his death.
Stack underwent radiation therapy for prostate cancer in October 2002. He died of a heart attack on May 14, 2003.
Stack is interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California.
Filmography
Films
* First Love (1939)
* The Mortal Storm (1940)
* A Little Bit of Heaven (1940)
* Nice Girl? (1941)
* Badlands of Dakota (1941)
* To Be or Not to Be (1942)
* Eagle Squadron (1942)
* Men of Texas (1942)
* Keeping Fit (1942)
* Screen Snapshots: Hollywood in Uniform (1943)
* A Date with Judy (1948)
* Miss Tatlock's Millions (1948)
* Fighter Squadron (1948)
* Mr. Music (1950)
* The Bullfighter and the Lady (1951)
* My Outlaw Brother (1951)
* Bwana Devil (1952)
* War Paint (1953)
* Sabre Jet (1953)
* Conquest of Cochise (1953)
* The Iron Glove (1954)
* The High and the Mighty (1954)
* House of Bamboo (1955)
* Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Shower of Stars (1955)
* Good Morning Miss Dove (1955)
* Written on the Wind (1956) ‡
* The Tarnished Angels (1958)
* The Gift of Love (1958)
* John Paul Jones (1959)
* The Last Voyage (1960)
* The Caretakers (1963)
* Is Paris Burning? (1966)
* Sail to Glory (1967)
* The Corrupt Ones (1967)
* Action Man (1967)
* Alone, Unarmed, and Unafraid (1968)
* Story of a Woman (1970)
* Second Wind (1978)
* 1941 (1979)
* Airplane! (1980)
* Uncommon Valor (1983)
* Born American (1986)
* Big Trouble (1986)
* The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
* Dangerous Curves (1988)
* Plain Clothes (1988)
* Caddyshack II (1988)
* Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
* Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick (1996)
* Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)
* BASEketball (1998)
* Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999)
* Mumford (1999)
* Recess: School's Out (2001)
* Killer Bud (2001)
* From Russia to Hollywood: The 100-Year Odyssey of Chekhov and Shdanoff (2002)
‡ Denotes he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Television
* King of the Hill (2001)
* Unsolved Mysteries (1987)
Books
* Straight Shooting (with Mark Evans) (1980) ISBN 0-02-613320-2
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/rouillardranch/Robert_Stack.jpg
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/14/10 at 10:55 am
Some of my photos from Puerto Rico.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4047321270_ddf488c6d6.jpg
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Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/14/10 at 11:22 am
Some of my photos from Puerto Rico.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4047321270_ddf488c6d6.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4460507224_9a62d003e3.jpg
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Cat
That's beautiful Cat. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/14/10 at 11:23 am
The word of the day...Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, the term refers to a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean. It is also used sometimes to describe a large saline lake that lacks a natural outlet, such as the Caspian Sea. Seas are smaller than oceans.
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Sea of Love.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/14/10 at 11:23 am
That's beautiful Cat. :)
Thanks, Howard. (And karma to ya.)
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/14/10 at 11:24 am
Thanks, Howard. (And karma to ya.)
Cat
Were those the pictures from your trip? ???
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/14/10 at 11:42 am
Were those the pictures from your trip? ???
Each one was from a different trip-but yeah, I took them all.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/14/10 at 11:43 am
Each one was from a different trip-but yeah, I took them all.
Cat
weather was good?
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/14/10 at 7:38 pm
Some of my photos from Puerto Rico.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4047321270_ddf488c6d6.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4460507224_9a62d003e3.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2541889453_e6363495fe.jpg
Cat
Very nice pics, Cat :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 2:00 am
Some of my photos from Puerto Rico.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4047321270_ddf488c6d6.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4460507224_9a62d003e3.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2541889453_e6363495fe.jpg
Cat
Wonderful pictures!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/15/10 at 2:25 am
Some of my photos from Puerto Rico.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4047321270_ddf488c6d6.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4460507224_9a62d003e3.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2541889453_e6363495fe.jpg
Cat
It sure looks pretty over there Cat.
Bobby Darrin's Beyond The Sea is a favourite of mine... and Robert Stack brings back old memories of watching the Untouchables on TV. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/15/10 at 5:11 am
The word or phrase of the day...Poolhall
A billiard/billiards, pool or snooker hall (or parlour/parlor, room or club) (sometimes written poolhall, snookerhall, poolroom, etc.) is a place where people get together for playing cue sports such as pool, snooker or carom billiards. Such establishments often serve alcohol and may have gaming machines, darts, foosball and other games on the side.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/jabfmn/poolhall.jpg
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz45/Damanni/poolhall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/lfcutie908/e896c716.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o68/jjsalatajr/poolhall.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd111/killtherock8/Poolhall_junkies.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/mrsmrtile/poolhall-1.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/15/10 at 5:14 am
The person born on this day...Chazz Palminteri
Calogero Lorenzo "Chazz" Palminteri (born May 15, 1952) is an American actor and writer, best known for his performances in The Usual Suspects, A Bronx Tale, Mulholland Falls and his Academy Award nominated role for Best Supporting Actor in Bullets Over Broadway.
Palminteri, an Italian American, was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Rose, a homemaker, and Lorenzo Palminteri, a bus driver. The Bronx has had considerable influence on his work, particularly in A Bronx Tale, a play which he wrote and adapted into a 1993 film which starred him and Robert De Niro. The film was acclaimed and opened doors to Palminteri as an actor, and supporting roles in Hollywood films such as The Usual Suspects and Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway followed. Palminteri was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the latter, but he lost to Martin Landau for Ed Wood.
Palminteri has had acclaimed dramatic performances in films such as The Perez Family, Jade and Diabolique, as well as comedic roles in films such as Analyze This and Down to Earth. During its run, Palminteri did many advertisements for Vanilla Coke, in which he portrayed a mob boss who would threaten celebrities if they didn't praise the taste of the product in question, and then let them walk away with the Vanilla Coke to "reward their curiosity", touching on its slogan at the time. Palminteri has voiced characters in various animated films, the most notable being 2006's Hoodwinked.
He made his directorial debut with the 2002 television film, "Women vs. Men". He has also directed the 2004 film Noel which starred Alan Arkin and Susan Sarandon. Palminteri's recent efforts include A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Running Scared and Arthur and the Minimoys.
Chazz Palminteri starred on Broadway in A Bronx Tale the semi-autobiographical one-man show he first performed off-Broadway in 1989. The production, directed by Jerry Zaks and with music by John Gromada, began previews October 4, 2008 at the Walter Kerr Theatre and opened on October 25, running for 18 weeks. Palminteri plays 18 roles in "A Bronx Tale," which depicts a rough childhood on the streets of the Bronx. The play ran for two months at Playhouse 91 in 1989. Robert De Niro saw this show there and made his directorial debut with the big-screen version, co-starring with Palminteri.
On October 26, 2009, it was announced that Palminteri will guest-star on Modern Family later this season.
Personal life
Palminteri lives in Bedford, New York. He describes himself as a 'very spritual,' devout Roman Catholic. He is married to actress Gianna Ranaudo, with whom he has two children: Dante Lorenzo (born October 11, 1995) and Gabriella Rose (born December 25, 2001). He is a self-avowed New York Yankees fan, and is often heard as caller "Chazz from Bedford" on WFAN-AM, a sports radio station.
Filmography
* Home Free All (1984), Truck Highjacker
* The Last Dragon (1985), Hood #2
* Hill Street Blues (1986), Sonny Cappelito -television
* Glory Years (1987), Drummond -television
* Matlock (1987), Army Officer -television
* Dallas (1989), Frank -television
* Valerie (1989), Leslie -television
* Peter Gunn (1989), Soldier -television
* Wiseguy (1989), Peter Alatorre -television
* Oscar (1991), Connie
* Innocent Blood (1992), Tony
* There Goes the Neighborhood (1992), Lyle Corrente
* A Bronx Tale (1993), Sonny LoSpecchio -also screenwriter
* Bullets Over Broadway (1994), Cheech
* The Usual Suspects (1995), Dave Kujan, US Customs
* The Perez Family (1995), Lt. John Pirelli
* The Last Word (1995), Ricky
* Jade (1995), Matt Gavin
* In The Mix (1995), Frank
* Diabolique (1996), Guy Baran
* Faithful (1996), Tony -also writer
* Dante and the Debutante (1996) -writer and producer
* Mulholland Falls (1996), Elleroy Coolidge
* Scar City (1998), Lieutenant Laine Devon
* Hurlyburly (1998), Phil
* A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Benny Zadir -uncredited
* Analyze This (1999), Primo Sidone
* Excellent Cadavers (1999), Giovanni Falcone
* Oz (1999) -HBO directed episode, "Unnatural Disasters"
* Dilbert (1999), Leonardo da Vinci -TV Episode (voice)
* Stuart Little (1999), Smokey, the Chief Alley-Cat -voice
* Down to Earth (2001), King
* Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001), Buster -Video (voice)
* Boss of Bosses (2001), Paul Castellano -television
* One Eyed King (2001), Eddie Dugan
* Poolhall Junkies (2002), Joe
* One Last Ride (2003), Tweat
* Just Like Mona (2003)
* Noel (2004), Arizona -also directed
* Hoodwinked! (2005), Woolworth -voice
* Kojak (2005), Captain Frank McNeil -television
* Animal (2005), Kassada -video
* In the Mix (2005), Frank
* Running Scared (2006), Detective Rydell
* Push (2006), Vince
* A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006), Monty
* Little Man (2006), Mafia Kingpin Mr. Walken
* Arthur and the Minimoys (2006), The Travel Agent -voice
* Body Armour (2007), Maxwell
* The Dukes (2007), George -also co-produced
* Yonkers Joe (2008), Yonkers Joe
* Jolene (2008), Sal
* Once More with Feeling (2009), Frank Gregorio
* Hollywood & Wine (2009), Geno Scarpaci
* Modern Family (ABC) (2010), Shorty
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/15/10 at 5:21 am
The person who died on this day...June Carter Cash
Valerie June Carter Cash (June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was a singer, songwriter, actress, comedian and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash. She played the guitar, banjo, harmonica, and autoharp and acted in several films and television shows June Carter Cash was born Valerie June Carter in Maces Spring, Virginia to Maybelle Carter and Ezra Carter. She was born into country music and performed with the Carter Family from the young age of ten, beginning in 1939. In March 1943, when the Carter Family trio stopped recording together after the WBT contract, Maybelle Carter, with encouragement from her husband Ezra, formed "Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters" with her daughters, Helen, Anita, and June. The new group first aired on radio station WRTD in Richmond, Virginia, on June 1. Doc (Addington) and Carl (McConnell)—Maybelle's brother and cousin, respectively—joined them in late 1945. June, then 16, was a co-announcer with Ken Allyn and did the commercials on the radio shows for "Red Star Flour", "Martha White," and "Thalhimers Department Store," just to name a few. For the next year, the Carters and Doc and Carl did show dates within driving range of Richmond, through Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. June later said she had to work harder at her music than her sisters, but she had her own special talent—comedy. A highlight of the road shows was her "Aunt Polly" comedy routine. Carl McConnell wrote in his memoirs that June was "a natural born clown, if there ever was one." She attended John Marshall High School during this period.
In the late 1940s, Maybelle & The Carter Sisters, along with their lead guitarist, a young Chet Atkins, were living in Springfield, Missouri, and performing regularly at KWTO. Ezra "Eck" Carter, Maybelle's husband and manager of group, steadfastly declined numerous offers from the Grand Ole Opry to move the act to Nashville, Tennessee, because the Opry would not permit Atkins to accompany the group onstage. Atkins's reputation as a guitar player had begun to spread, and studio musicians were fearful that he would displace them as a 'first-call' player if he came to Nashville. Finally, in 1950, Opry management relented and the group, along with Atkins, became part of the Opry company. Here the family befriended Hank Williams and Elvis Presley (to whom they were distantly related), and June met Johnny Cash.
With her thin and lanky frame, June Carter often played a comedic foil during the group's performances alongside other Opry stars Faron Young and Webb Pierce.
Career highlights
June Carter Cash is best known for singing and songwriting, but she was also an author, actress, comedian, philanthropist, and humanitarian. Director Elia Kazan saw her perform at the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and encouraged her to study acting. She studied with Lee Strasberg and Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Her acting roles included Mrs. "Momma" Dewey in Robert Duvall's 1998 movie The Apostle, Sister Ruth, wife to Johnny Cash's character Kid Cole, on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993-1997), and Clarise on Gunsmoke in 1957. June was also "Momma James" in The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James.
As a singer, she had both a solo career and a career singing with first her family and later her husband. As a solo artist, she became somewhat successful with upbeat country tunes of the 1950s like "Jukebox Blues" and, with her exaggerated breaths, the comedic hit "No Swallerin' Place" by Frank Loesser. June also recorded "The Heel" in the 1960s along with many other songs. She won a Grammy award in 1999 for her solo album, Press On. Her last album, Wildwood Flower, was released posthumously in 2003 and won two additional Grammys. It contains bonus video enhancements showing extracts from the film of the recording sessions, which took place at the Carter Family estate in Hiltons, Virginia, on September 18-20, 2002. The songs on the album include "Big Yellow Peaches," "Sinking in the Lonesome Sea," "Temptation," and the trademark staple "Wildwood Flower."
Her autobiography was published in 1979, and she wrote a memoir, From the Heart, almost 10 years later.
Personal life
Carter was married three times and had one child with each husband. All three of her children would go on to have successful careers in country music.
She was married first to honky-tonk singer Carl Smith from July 9, 1952, until their divorce in 1956. Together they wrote "Time's A-Wastin'". They had a daughter, Rebecca Carlene Smith, aka Carlene Carter, a country musician.
June's second marriage was to Edwin "Rip" Nix, a former football player, police officer, and race car driver, on November 11, 1957. They had a daughter, Rozanna Lea aka Rosie, on July 13, 1958. The couple divorced in 1966. Rosie Nix Adams was a country/rock singer. On October 24, 2003, Rosie died on a bus from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
In 1968, Johnny Cash proposed to Carter during a live performance at London Arena in London, Ontario, marrying on March 1, 1968. At Carter's funeral, her stepdaughter, Rosanne Cash, stated that "if being a wife were a corporation, June would have been a CEO. It was her most treasured role."
In 1967, the couple won a Grammy award in the Best Country & Western Performance, Duet, Trio Or Group (vocal or instrumental) category for the song "Jackson". In 1970, they won again in the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category for the song "If I Were a Carpenter".
John Carter Cash, born March 3, 1970, is the only child of Johnny and June Carter Cash. He is a songwriter and producer.
Carter was a longtime supporter of SOS Children's Villages. In 1974 the Cashes donated money to help build a village near their home in Barrett Town, Jamaica, which they visited frequently, playing the guitar and singing songs to the children in the village.
Death
June Carter Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 15, 2003, of complications following heart valve replacement surgery, surrounded by her family and her husband of 35 years, Johnny Cash (who himself would die less than 4 months later on September 12, 2003). Both are buried in Hendersonville Memory Gardens near their home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Awards
In 1999, she won a Grammy Award for her album Press On. Her last album, Wildwood Flower, was released posthumously in 2003 and won two additional Grammys. She ranked #31 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women in Country Music in 2002. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
Film portrayal
June Carter was played by Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line, a 2005 biopic of Johnny Cash (played by Joaquin Phoenix). The film largely focuses on the development of their relationship over the course of 13 years, from their first meeting to her finally accepting his proposal for marriage. Witherspoon's portrayal led her to receive many awards for her role, including an Academy Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Witherspoon also performed all vocals for the role, singing many of June's famous songs, including "Juke Box Blues" and "Jackson" with Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash.
Discography
Albums
Year Album Chart Positions
US Bluegrass US Country
1975 Appalachian Pride — —
1999 Press On — —
It's All in the Family — —
2003 Wildwood Flower 2 33
Louisiana Hayride — —
2005 Keep on the Sunny Side: June Carter Cash - Her Life in Music — —
Church in the Wildwood: A Treasury of Appalachian Gospel — —
Ring of Fire: The Best of June Carter Cash — —
2006 Early June — —
Albums with Johnny Cash
Year Album Chart Positions
US Country US
1967 Carryin' On with Johnny Cash and June Carter 5 —
1973 Johnny Cash and His Woman 32 —
1978 Johnny & June — —
2006 16 Biggest Hits: Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash 26 126
June Carter and Johnny Cash: Duets — —
Singles
Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1949 "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (w/ Homer and Jethro) 9 — Singles only
1956 "Juke Box Blues" — —
1971 "A Good Man" 27 12
2003 "Keep On the Sunny Side" — — Wildwood Flower
Singles with Johnny Cash
Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country US CAN Country CAN CAN AC
1965 "It Ain't Me Babe" 4 58 — — — Orange Blossom Special
1967 "Jackson" 2 — — — — Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
"Long Legged Guitar Pickin' Man" 6 — — — — Carryin' On with Johnny Cash and June Carter
1970 "If I Were a Carpenter" 2 36 1 13 11 Hello, I'm Johnny Cash
1971 "No Need to Worry" 15 — 7 — — International Superstar
1972 "If I Had a Hammer" 29 — — — — Any Old Wind That Blows
1973 "The Loving Gift" 27 — 22 — —
"Allegheny" 69 — 35 — — Johnny Cash and His Woman
1976 "Old Time Feeling" 26 — 24 — — Greatest Hits, Vol. 3
See also
* Walk the Line
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/15/10 at 6:59 am
The word or phrase of the day...Poolhall
A billiard/billiards, pool or snooker hall (or parlour/parlor, room or club) (sometimes written poolhall, snookerhall, poolroom, etc.) is a place where people get together for playing cue sports such as pool, snooker or carom billiards. Such establishments often serve alcohol and may have gaming machines, darts, foosball and other games on the side.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/jabfmn/poolhall.jpg
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz45/Damanni/poolhall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/lfcutie908/e896c716.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o68/jjsalatajr/poolhall.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd111/killtherock8/Poolhall_junkies.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/mrsmrtile/poolhall-1.jpg
I remember when I used to play pool,I was ok wasn't great.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/15/10 at 11:07 am
Very nice pics, Cat :)
Wonderful pictures!
It sure looks pretty over there Cat.
Thanks everyone (and karma to you all).
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/15/10 at 11:11 am
I remember when I used to play pool,I was ok wasn't great.
I only tried once, and I was not to good. :-[
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 11:21 am
The word or phrase of the day...Poolhall
A billiard/billiards, pool or snooker hall (or parlour/parlor, room or club) (sometimes written poolhall, snookerhall, poolroom, etc.) is a place where people get together for playing cue sports such as pool, snooker or carom billiards. Such establishments often serve alcohol and may have gaming machines, darts, foosball and other games on the side.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/jabfmn/poolhall.jpg
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz45/Damanni/poolhall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/lfcutie908/e896c716.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o68/jjsalatajr/poolhall.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd111/killtherock8/Poolhall_junkies.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc220/mrsmrtile/poolhall-1.jpg
Pool Hall Richard ~ Rod Stewart
Not on YouTube!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/15/10 at 11:24 am
I only tried once, and I was not to good. :-[
I played pool yesterday evening. Won one game, lost one game.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 11:25 am
I played pool yesterday evening. Won one game, lost one game.
I used to play and always lose!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/15/10 at 11:28 am
I used to play and always lose!
I win some, lose some, just like table tennis ( which I also played yesterday against a good opponent.)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/15/10 at 11:52 am
Never got into pool-but I love to get into a pool. ;)
http://www.aquaticdesignconstruction.com/sitebuilder/images/POOL_AND_WATERFALL.1-402x287.jpg
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: DJ Blaze on 05/15/10 at 12:24 pm
Here's my runner-up for a word of the day...
ELASTICITY! Meaning: the property of elastic.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 12:27 pm
Never got into pool-but I love to get into a pool. ;)
http://www.aquaticdesignconstruction.com/sitebuilder/images/POOL_AND_WATERFALL.1-402x287.jpg
Cat
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gTJMEP-c2fo/SEUw1OZLIVI/AAAAAAAAARA/aYRkF6BvyOQ/s400/guitarSwimmingPool.jpg
How about this for a pool?
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/15/10 at 12:29 pm
Here's my runner-up for a word of the day...
ELASTICITY! Meaning: the property of elastic.
Here I thought it was a city where they make rubber bands. :D ;D ;D ;D
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gTJMEP-c2fo/SEUw1OZLIVI/AAAAAAAAARA/aYRkF6BvyOQ/s400/guitarSwimmingPool.jpg
How about this for a pool?
WAY COOL!!!! I SOOOOO want that!
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/15/10 at 12:33 pm
Here I thought it was a city where they make rubber bands. :D ;D ;D ;D
WAY COOL!!!! I SOOOOO want that!
Cat
If it were an electric guitar, the swimming result could be quite shocking.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 12:48 pm
Here I thought it was a city where they make rubber bands. :D ;D ;D ;D
WAY COOL!!!! I SOOOOO want that!
Cat
There is another great swimming pool, I must find the picture of ASAP!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 12:49 pm
There is another great swimming pool, I must find the picture of ASAP!
Found it!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/15/10 at 12:50 pm
Here I thought it was a city where they make rubber bands. :D ;D ;D ;D
WAY COOL!!!! I SOOOOO want that!
Cat
http://cf2.vgtstatic.com/thumbll/2/8/28610-v1.jpg
Once owned by Liberace
How about this one?
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/15/10 at 1:05 pm
http://cf2.vgtstatic.com/thumbll/2/8/28610-v1.jpg
Once owned by Liberace
How about this one?
I thought it was cool until I found out it was owned by Liberace. 8-P :D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/15/10 at 2:26 pm
I used to play and always lose!
I always scratched.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/15/10 at 4:15 pm
Hey...we've got trouble! Right here in River City! With a capital T...that rhymes with P ...and that stands for POOL!!!
I used to play quite a bit of pool, snooker and billiards. I had some good games .... but mostly when I had a few drinks. I worked out that the alcohol corrected the natural imbalance in my brain. :D I also played better darts when under the influence as well.... :-\\
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/10 at 4:07 am
I always scratched.
You always used to scratch the table? ;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/16/10 at 4:56 am
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gTJMEP-c2fo/SEUw1OZLIVI/AAAAAAAAARA/aYRkF6BvyOQ/s400/guitarSwimmingPool.jpg
How about this for a pool?
That's cool
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/16/10 at 4:58 am
You always used to scratch the table? ;D
I did the first time I played, my friend's dad was pissed. :( :-\\
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/16/10 at 5:01 am
The word of the day...Matador
1. A bullfighter who performs the final passes and kills the bull.
2. Games One of the highest trumps in certain card games.
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x113/danynbanflnblwasa/matador.jpg
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy247/tolstoyvox/Matador.jpg
http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/pogi_25_igop/matador.jpg
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo120/eberlyh/Sevilla/DSC01593.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/Teresa2008a/matador.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/bennifer77/matador.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m134/quee80/Matador_Vol_07-08_Danish-cdcovers_c.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/10 at 5:05 am
The word of the day...Matador
1. A bullfighter who performs the final passes and kills the bull.
2. Games One of the highest trumps in certain card games.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/bennifer77/matador.jpg
Ouch!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/10 at 5:07 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsNkVduTKO8
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/16/10 at 5:07 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsNkVduTKO8
Toredor, Matador same thing?
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/16/10 at 5:08 am
The person born on this day...Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE (born 16 May 1953) is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist who holds Irish and American citizenship. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years. Following a stage acting career he rose to popularity in the television series Remington Steele (1982-87).
After Remington Steele, Brosnan took the lead in many films such as Dante's Peak and The Thomas Crowne Affair. He took over from Timothy Dalton as secret agent James Bond, starring in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day (1995- 2002). He also provided his voice and likeness to Bond in the video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing and James Bond 007: Nightfire. Since playing Bond he has starred in such successes as The Matador (nominated for a Golden Globe, 2005) and Mamma Mia! (National Movie Award, 2008).
In 1996, along with Beau St. Clair, Brosnan formed Irish DreamTime, a Los Angeles-based production company. In later years, he has become known for his charitable work and environmental activism.
He was married to Australian actress Cassandra Harris from 1977 until her early death in 1991. He married American journalist and author Keely Shaye Smith in 2001, becoming an American citizen in 2004.
After graduating from the Drama Centre in 1975, Brosnan began working as an acting assistant stage manager at the York Theatre Royal, making his acting debut in Wait Until Dark. Within six months, he was selected by playwright Tennessee Williams to play the role of McCabe in the British première of The Red Devil Battery Sign. His performance caused a stir in London and Brosnan still has the telegram sent by Williams, stating only "Thank God for you, my dear boy". He continued his career making brief appearances in films such as The Long Good Friday (1980) and The Mirror Crack'd (1980), as well as early television performances in The Professionals, Murphy's Stroke, and Play for Today. He became a television star in the United States with his leading role in the popular miniseries Manions of America. He followed this with his 1982 Masterpiece Theatre documentary that chronicled the life of Lady Nancy Astor– the first woman to sit in British Parliament. His portrayal of the love-deprived Robert Gould Shaw II garnered him a 1985 Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1982, Brosnan moved to southern California and rose to popularity in the United States playing the title role in the NBC romantic detective series Remington Steele. The Washington Post noted that same year that Brosnan "could make it as a young James Bond." After Remington Steele ended in 1987, Brosnan went on to appear in several films, including The Fourth Protocol (1987), a Cold War thriller in which he starred alongside Michael Caine, The Deceivers and James Clavell's Noble House both in (1988), and The Lawnmower Man (1992). In 1992, he shot a pilot for NBC called Running Wilde, playing a reporter for Auto World magazine. Jennifer Love Hewitt played his daughter, but the pilot never aired. In 1993 he played a supporting role in the comedy film Mrs Doubtfire. He also appeared in several television films, including Death Train (1993) and Night Watch (1995), a spy thriller set in Hong Kong.
James Bond (1995–2004)
Brosnan first met James Bond films producer Albert R. Broccoli on the sets of For Your Eyes Only because his first wife was in the film. Broccoli said, "if he can act… he's my guy" to inherit the role of Bond from Roger Moore. It was reported by both Entertainment Tonight and the National Enquirer, that Brosnan was going to inherit another role of Moore's, that of The Saint, Simon Templar. Brosnan denied the rumours in July 1993 but added, "it's still languishing there on someone's desk in Hollywood."
In 1986, Timothy Dalton was approached for the Bond role; his involvement with the 1986 film adaptation of Brenda Starr kept Dalton from being able to accept it. A number of actors were then screen-tested for the role– notably Sam Neill– but were ultimately passed over by Broccoli. Remington Steele was about to end, so Brosnan was offered the role, but the publicity revived Remington Steele and Brosnan had to decline the role of James Bond, owing to his contract.
By then, Dalton had become available again, and he accepted the role for The Living Daylights (1987), and Licence to Kill (1989). Legal squabbles about ownership of the film franchise resulted in the cancellation of a proposed third Dalton film in 1991 (rumoured title: The Property of a Lady) and put the series on a hiatus, which lasted six years. GoldenEye was originally written with Dalton as Bond, but he turned it down. On 7 June 1994, Brosnan was announced as the fifth actor to play Bond.
Brosnan was signed for a three-film deal with the option of a fourth. He first appeared as Bond in 1995's GoldenEye to much critical praise. Critic James Berardinelli described him as "a decided improvement over his immediate predecessor" with a "flair for wit to go along with his natural charm." GoldenEye grossed US $350 million worldwide. It had the fourth highest worldwide gross of any film in 1995. It was the most successful Bond film at that time without inflation.
A well-dressed man and a glamorous woman toast each other holding champagne glasses.
Brosnan (right) as James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies.
Generously open to fresh ideas, he accepted the role of Grey Owl, in the Canadian series of short historical movies known as "The Heritage Minutes."
In 1996, Brosnan formed a film production company entitled "Irish DreamTime" along with producing partner Beau St. Clair. Three years later the company's first studio project, The Thomas Crown Affair, was released and met both critical and box-office success. Brosnan returned in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies and 1999's The World Is Not Enough, which were also successful. In 2002, Brosnan appeared for his fourth time as Bond in Die Another Day. The film received very mixed reviews but was still a success at the box office. Brosnan himself subsequently criticised many aspects of his fourth Bond movie. During the promotion, he mentioned that he would like to continue his role as James Bond: "I'd like to do another, sure. Connery did six. Six would be a number, then never come back."
Brosnan asked EON Productions when accepting the role, to be allowed to work on other projects between Bond films. The request was granted, and for every Bond film, Brosnan appeared in at least two other mainstream films, including several he produced. Brosnan played a wide range of roles in between his Bond film appearances, ranging from a scientist in Tim Burton's Mars Attacks!, to a volcanologist in Dante's Peak and the title role in Grey Owl, a biopic about Englishman Archibald Stansfeld Belaney who adopted the Ojibwa name Grey Owl and become one of Canada's first conservationists.
Shortly after the release of Die Another Day, the media began questioning whether or not Brosnan would reprise the role for a fifth time. Brosnan kept in mind that both aficionados and critics were unhappy with Roger Moore playing the role until he was 58, but he was receiving popular support from both critics and the franchise fanbase for a fifth instalment. For this reason, he remained enthusiastic about reprising his role. Throughout 2004, it was rumored that negotiations had broken down between Brosnan and the producers to make way for a new and younger actor. This was denied by MGM and EON Productions. In July 2004, Brosnan announced that he was quitting the role, stating "Bond is another lifetime, behind me"; this is thought by some to be a failed negotiating ploy. In October 2004, Brosnan said he considered himself dismissed from the role. Although Brosnan had been rumoured frequently as still in the running to play 007, he had denied it several times, and in February 2005 he posted on his website that he was finished with the role. Daniel Craig took over the role on 14 October 2005. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Brosnan was asked what he thought of Craig as the new James Bond. He replied, "I'm looking forward to it like we're all looking forward to it. Daniel Craig is a great actor and he's going to do a fantastic job". He reaffirmed this support in an interview to the International Herald Tribune, stating that " on his way to becoming a memorable Bond."
During his tenure on the James Bond films, Brosnan also took part in James Bond video games. In 2002, Brosnan's likeness was used as the face of Bond in the James Bond video game Nightfire (voiced by Maxwell Caulfield). In 2004, Brosnan starred in the Bond game Everything or Nothing, contracting for his likeness to be used as well as doing the voice-work for the character. He also starred along with Jamie Lee Curtis and Geoffrey Rush in "The Tailor of Panama" in 2001.
Post-James Bond (2004–present)
Since 2004, Brosnan has talked of backing a film about Caitlin Macnamara, wife of poet Dylan Thomas, the title role to be played by Miranda Richardson. Brosnan's first post-Bond role was that of Daniel Rafferty in 2004's Laws of Attraction. Garreth Murphy, of entertainment.ie, described Brosnan's performance as "surprisingly effective, gently riffing off his James Bond persona and supplementing it with a raffish energy". In the same year, Brosnan starred in After the Sunset alongside Salma Hayek and Woody Harrelson. The film elicited generally negative reviews and a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Brosnan's next film was 2005's The Matador. He starred as Julian Noble, a jaded, boozy assassin who meets a travelling salesman (Greg Kinnear) in a Mexican bar. The film was better received than After the Sunset and garnered more positive reviews. Roger Ebert for the Chicago Sun-Times called Brosnan's performance the best of his career. Brosnan was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy but lost to Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line. In December 2005, Brosnan was reported to be attached to star in The November Man, an adaptation of Bill Grainger's novel, There Are No Spies, but the project was cancelled in 2007.
In 2007, Brosnan appeared in the film Seraphim Falls alongside fellow Irishman Liam Neeson. The film was released for limited screenings on 26 January 2007 to average reviews. Kevin Crust of the Los Angeles Times noted that Brosnan and Neeson made "fine adversaries;" Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter thought that they were "hard-pressed to inject some much-needed vitality into their sparse lines." During the same year, Brosnan spoke of making a western with fellow Irishmen Gabriel Byrne and Colm Meaney and making an adaptation of the 1990 novel The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. It was suggested that Brosnan would play the ship's captain, Jaggery, joining Saoirse Ronan and Morgan Freeman.
Smiling cast members standing in a row for a group photo.
Brosnan (2nd from the left) with the cast of Mamma Mia! and ABBA (1st, 5th, and 6th from left and 2nd from right)
In 2008, Brosnan joined Meryl Streep in the film adaption of the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!. He played Sam Carmichael, one of three men rumoured to be the father of lead Amanda Seyfried, while Streep played her mother. Judy Craymer, producer to the film, said "Pierce brings a certain smooch factor, and we think he'll have great chemistry with Meryl in a romantic comedy." Brosnan's preparation in singing for the role included walking up and down the coast and singing karaoke to his own voice for about six weeks, followed by rehearsals in New York which he noted he "sounded dreadful." Brosnan's singing in the film was generally disparaged by critics, with his singing compared in separate reviews to the sound of a water buffalo, a donkey, and a wounded raccoon. In September 2008, Brosnan provided the narration for Thomas the Tank Engine in Thomas and Friends and The Great Discovery.
In 2009, Brosnan starred in The Big Biazarro, (alternative title The Ace), an adaptation of the Leonard Wise novel, directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall. Brosnan takes the role of a card player who mentors a headstrong protégé. Also In 2009, Brosnan finished the well-received The Ghost Writer, playing a British Prime Minister during the Iraq war years, directed and produced by Roman Polanski. The film won a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. He starred as Charles Hawkins in the film Remember Me and as Chiron in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, both released in 2010.
Personal life
Brosnan met Australian actress Cassandra Harris through David Harris, one of Richard Harris' nephews, in 1974, shortly after he left drama school. On meeting her he has described his feelings saying "What a beautiful looking woman. I never for an instant thought she was someone I'd spend 17 years of my life with. I didn't think of wooing her, or attempting to woo her; I just wanted to enjoy her beauty and who she was." They began dating, and eventually bought a house in Wimbledon in 1979. They lived with her children, Charlotte (born 27 November 1971) and Christopher (born 6 October 1972), and after their natural father Dermot Harris died in 1986, he adopted them and they took the surname Brosnan. They married on 27 December 1980 and had one son together, Sean, who was born on 13 September 1983.
Financially, Brosnan was concerned about earning enough money to get by at this time, and supplemented their income by working in West End productions, and a television film about Irish horse racing. Soon after Harris appeared in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only in 1981, with a bank loan, they moved to southern California where Brosnan had his first interview in Hollywood for Remington Steele, and subsequently no longer had financial worries.
When Remington Steele was sent to Ireland to film an episode there, generating significant publicity in doing so, Brosnan was briefly reunited with his father who visited his hotel. Brosnan had expected to see a very tall man, but describes his father as, "a man of medium stature, pushed-back silver hair, flinty eyes and a twizzled jaw. He had a very strong Kerry accent." However, Brosnan expresses regret that they met under such circumstances in a public environment rather than on his own terms which would have given him the opportunity to speak privately with him.
While filming The Deceivers in Rajasthan, India in 1987, his wife Cassandra Harris became seriously ill. She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she died as a result of the illness in December 1991, aged 39. Brosnan struggled to cope with her cancer and death and has said; "A young woman making her way through life, as a mother, as an actress. When your partner gets cancer, then life changes. Your timetable and reference for your normal routines and the way you view life, all this changes. Because you're dealing with death. You're dealing with the possibility of death and dying. And it was that way through the chemotherapy, through the first-look operation, the second look, the third look, the fourth look, the fifth look. Cassie was very positive about life. I mean, she had the most amazing energy and outlook on life. It was and is a terrible loss, and I see it reflected, from time to time, in my children."
Harris had always wanted Brosnan to play the role of James Bond, and in 1995, some four years after her death, Brosnan achieved this when he appeared in GoldenEye.
In 2001, Brosnan married American journalist Keely Shaye Smith in Co.Mayo, Ireland, and they have two sons together, Dylan Thomas Brosnan (birth 13 January 1997) and Paris Beckett Brosnan (birth 27 February 2001).
In July 2003, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Brosnan an honorary OBE for his "outstanding contribution to the British film industry". As an Irish citizen, he is ineligible to receive the full OBE honour, which is awarded only to a citizen of the Commonwealth realms. In 2002, Brosnan was also awarded an Honorary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology and, one year later, the University College Cork.
Pierce Brosnan is a fan of the football team Rangers F.C.
On 23 September 2004, Brosnan became a citizen of the United States, but has retained his Irish citizenship. Brosnan said that "my Irishness is in everything I do. It's the spirit of who I am, as a man, an actor, a father. It's where I come from." Brosnan was asked by a fan if it annoyed him when people get his nationality confused. He said: "It amuses me in some respects that they should confuse me with an Englishman when I'm dyed-in-the-wool, born and bred Irishman...I don't necessarily fly under any flag. But no, it doesn't bother me."
Environmental and charitable work
Brosnan supported John Kerry in the 2004 Presidential election and is a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage. An outspoken environmentalist, In 2004, he was named 'Best-dressed Environmentalist' by the Sustainable Style Foundation.
Brosnan first became aware of nuclear disarmament at the age of nine when worldwide condemnation of the 1962 U.S. nuclear tests in Nevada headlined international news. During the 1990s, he participated in news conferences in Washington, D.C. to help Greenpeace draw attention to the issue. Brosnan boycotted the French GoldenEye premiere to support Greenpeace's protest against the French nuclear testing program. From 1997 to 2000, Brosnan and wife Smith worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to stop a proposed salt factory from being built at Laguna San Ignacio. The couple with Halle Berry, Cindy Crawford and Daryl Hannah successfully fought the Cabrillo Port Liquefied Natural Gas facility that was proposed off the coast of Malibu and would cause damage to the marine life there; the State Lands Commission eventually denied the lease to build the terminal. In May 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the facility. Brosnan is also listed as a member of the Sea Shepherd's Board of Advisors.
Brosnan also raises money for charitable causes through sales of his paintings. He trained early on as an artist, but later shifted to theatre; during his first wife's terminal illness, he withdrew from acting to be with her and took up painting again for therapeutic reasons, producing colourful landscapes and family portraits. He has continued painting since then, using spare time on set and at home. Profits from sales of giclée prints of his works are given to a trust to benefit "environmental, children's and women's health charities." Since Harris's death, Brosnan has been an advocate for cancer awareness and, in 2006, he served as spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a breast cancer fundraiser which raises millions of dollars and raises more money in a single day than any other breast cancer fundraiser.
In May 2007, Brosnan and Smith donated $100,000 to help replace a playground on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where they own a home. On 7 July 2007, Brosnan presented a film at Live Earth in London. He also recorded a television advertisement for the cause. Brosnan lives with his family in Malibu, California.
Pierce Brosnan has been an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland since 2001. Pierce recorded a special announcement to mark the launch of UNICEF's "Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS" Campaign with Liam Neeson.
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes
1979 Murphy's Stroke Edward O'Grady TV-Movie
1980 The Long Good Friday 1st Irishman
The Mirror Crack'd Actor playing 'Jamie' Uncredited role
1981 Manions of America Rory O'Manion TV miniseries
1986 Nomads Jean Charles Pommier
Remington Steele: The Steele That Wouldn't Die Remington Steele
1987 Taffin Mark Taffin
The Fourth Protocol Valeri Petrofsky/James Edward Ross
1988 The Deceivers William Savage
Noble House Ian Dunross TV miniseries
1989 Around the World in 80 Days Phileas Fogg TV miniseries
The Heist Neil Skinner TV-Movie
1990 Mister Johnson Harry Rudbeck
1991 Murder 101 Charles Lattimore TV-Movie
Victim of Love Paul Tomlinson TV-Movie
1992 The Lawnmower Man Dr. Lawrence Angelo
Live Wire Danny O'Neill
1993 Mrs. Doubtfire Stuart Dunmeyer
Death Train Michael 'Mike' Graham TV-Movie
Entangled Garavan
The Broken Chain Sir William Johnson TV-Movie
1994 Love Affair Ken Allen
Don't Talk to Strangers Douglas Patrick Brody TV-Movie
1995 Night Watch Michael 'Mike' Graham TV-Movie
GoldenEye James Bond Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actor, First Role alongside Sean Bean
1996 Mars Attacks! Professor Donald Kessler
The Mirror Has Two Faces Alex
1997 Robinson Crusoe Robinson Crusoe
Tomorrow Never Dies James Bond Saturn Award for Best Actor
Nominated — European Film Award for Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema
Dante's Peak Harry Dalton
1998 Quest for Camelot King Arthur
The Nephew Joe Brady also producer
1999 Grey Owl Archibald "Grey Owl" Belaney
The World Is Not Enough James Bond Empire Award for Best Actor
The Match John MacGhee also producer
The Thomas Crown Affair Thomas Crown also producer
2001 The Tailor of Panama Andrew Osnard
2002 Die Another Day James Bond Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actor
Evelyn Desmond Doyle also producer
2004 After the Sunset Max Burdett
Laws of Attraction Daniel Rafferty also executive producer
2005 The Matador Julian Noble Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated — Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role - Film
2006 Seraphim Falls Gideon
2007 Butterfly on a Wheel Tom Ryan also producer
Married Life Richard Langley
2008 Mamma Mia! Sam Carmichael Nominated — National Movie Award for Best Performance - Male
Won — Razzie for Worst Supporting Actor
Thomas and Friends: The Great Discovery Narrator Guest role
2009 The Greatest Allen Brewer
2010 The Ghost Writer Adam Lang
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Chiron
Remember Me Charles Hawkins
Oceans Narrator
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/Bea2/Pierce.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss20/Nym_photo/brosnan.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/16/10 at 5:10 am
The person who died on this day...Sammy Davis Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was an American entertainer.
Primarily a dancer and singer, Davis was a childhood vaudevillian, and became internationally famous for his performances on Broadway and in Las Vegas, as a recording artist, television and film star, and the only black member of Frank Sinatra's "Rat Pack".
At the age of three Davis began his career in vaudeville with his father and "uncle" as the Will Mastin Trio, toured nationally, and after military service, returned to the trio. Davis became an overnight sensation following a well received nightclub performance at Ciro's after the 1951 Academy Awards, with the trio, became a recording artist, and made his first film performances as an adult later that decade. Losing his left eye in a car accident in 1954, he converted to Judaism and appeared in the first Rat Pack movie, Ocean's Eleven, in 1960. After a starring role on Broadway in 1956's Mr Wonderful, Davis returned to the stage in 1964's Golden Boy, and in 1966 had his own TV variety show, The Sammy Davis Jr. Show. Davis's career slowed in the late sixties, but he scored a hit record with "The Candy Man", in 1972, and became a star attraction in Las Vegas.
As an African-American, Davis was the victim of racism throughout his life, and was a large financial supporter of various civil rights causes. Davis had a complex relationship with the black community, and attracted criticism after physically embracing Richard Nixon in 1970. One day on a golf course with Jack Benny, he was asked what his handicap was. "Handicap?" he asked. "Talk about handicap — I'm a one-eyed Negro Jew." This was to become a signature comment, recounted in his autobiography, and in countless articles.
After reuniting with Sinatra and Dean Martin in 1987, Davis toured with them and Liza Minnelli internationally, before dying of throat cancer in 1990. He died heavily in debt to the Internal Revenue Service, and his estate was the subject of complicated legal battles.
Davis was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP, and was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his television performances. He was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1987, and in 2001, he was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
While in the service, however, he joined an integrated entertainment Special Services unit, and found that the spotlight removed some of the prejudice. "My talent was the weapon, the power, the way for me to fight. It was the one way I might hope to affect a man's thinking." he said.
Sammy Davis, Jr. (left) with Walter Reuther (center) and Roy Wilkins (right) at the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.
After he was discharged, Davis rejoined the dance act which played at a wide variety of spots around Portland, Oregon, and began to achieve success on his own as he was singled out for praise by critics. The next year, he released his second album. The next move in his growing career was to appear in the Broadway show Mr. Wonderful in 1956.
In 1959, he became a member of the "Rat Pack", which was led by his old friend Frank Sinatra, and included such fellow performers as Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Shirley MacLaine. Initially, Sinatra called the gathering of fast-living friends "the Clan", but Sammy voiced his opposition, saying that it invoked thoughts about the Ku Klux Klan. Sinatra renamed the group "the Summit"; undeterred, the media continued to refer to them as the Rat Pack.
Davis was a headliner at The Frontier Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for many years yet was required (as were all black performers in the 1950s) to accept accommodations in a rooming house on the west side of the city, rather than allowed to sleep in the hotels as his white fellow entertainers were. And no stage dressing rooms were provided for black performers, so they were required to wait outside by the swimming pool between acts.
During his early years in Las Vegas, he and such other African-American artists as Nat King Cole and Count Basie could entertain on the stage but often could not sleep at the hotels at which they performed, could not gamble in the casinoes, and could not dine or drink in the hotel restaurants and bars. After he achieved superstar success, Davis refused to work at businesses which practiced racial segregation. His demands eventually led to the integration of Miami Beach nightclubs and Las Vegas casinos. Davis was particularly proud of this accomplishment.
In 1964, Davis was starring in Golden Boy at night and shooting his own New York-based afternoon talk show during the day. When he could get a day off from the theater, he would either be in the studio recording new songs, or else performing live, often at charity benefits as far away as Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas, or doing television variety specials in Los Angeles. Even at the time, Sam knew he was cheating his family of his company, but he couldn't help himself; as he later said, he was incapable of standing still.
Although he was still a huge draw in Las Vegas, Davis's musical career had sputtered out by the latter years of the 1960s, although he had a #11 hit (#1 on the Easy Listening singles chart) with "I've Gotta Be Me" in 1969. An attempt to update his sound and reconnect with younger people resulted in some embarrassing "hip" musical efforts with the Motown record label. But then, even as his career seemed at its nadir, Sammy had an unexpected worldwide smash hit with "Candy Man". Although he didn't particularly care for the song and was chagrined that he was now best known for it, Davis made the most of his new opportunity and revitalized his career. Although he enjoyed no more Top 40 hits, he did enjoy some extra popularity with his performance of the theme song from the T.V. series Baretta (1975–1978) which was not released as a single but was given extensive radio play and he remained a successful live act beyond Vegas for the remainder of his career. He would still occasionally land television and film parts, including high-profile cameo visits to the All in the Family (during which he kisses Archie Bunker (Carrol O'Connor) on the cheek), and with wife Altovise Davis on Charlie's Angels. In the 1970s, he also appeared in a series of memorable commercials in Japan for Suntory whiskey.
On December 11, 1967, NBC broadcast a musical-variety special entitled Movin' With Nancy. In addition to the Emmy Award-winning musical performances, the show is famous for Nancy Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. greeting each other with a kiss, one of the first black-white kisses in U.S. television history.
In Japan, Davis appeared in television commercials for coffee, and in the U.S. he joined Sinatra and Martin in a radio commercial for a Chicago car dealership.
Davis was one of the first male celebrities to admit to watching television soap operas, particularly the shows produced by the American Broadcasting Company. This admission led to his making a cameo appearance on General Hospital and playing the recurring character Chip Warren on One Life to Live for which he received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1980. He was also a game show fan, making a cameo on the ABC version of Family Feud in 1979, and hosting a question with Richard Dawson watching from the sidelines. He appeared on Tattletales with third wife Altovise Davis in the 1970s. He also made a cameo during an episode of the NBC version of Card Sharks in 1981.
Davis was an avid photographer who enjoyed shooting family and acquaintances. His body of work was detailed in a 2007 book by Burt Boyar. "Jerry gave me my first important camera, my first 35 millimeter, during the Ciro's period, early '50s", Boyar quotes Davis. "And he hooked me." Davis used a medium format camera later on to capture images. Again quoting Davis, "Nobody interrupts a man taking a picture to ask... 'What's that ****** doin' here?' ". His catalogue of photos include rare shots of his father dancing onstage as part of the Will Mastin Trio and intimate snapshots of close friends Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Nat "King" Cole, and Marilyn Monroe. His political affiliations also were represented, in his images of Robert Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. His most revealing work comes in photographs of wife May Britt and their three children, Tracey, Jeff and Mark.
Davis was an enthusiastic shooter and gun owner. He participated in fast-draw competition and was said to be capable of drawing and firing a Colt Single Action revolver in less than a quarter of a second. Davis was extremely skilled at fast and fancy gun spinning, and several times appeared on T.V. variety shows showing off this skill. He appeared in several western films and as a guest star on several "Golden Age" T.V. westerns too.
Car accident and conversion
Davis nearly died in an automobile accident on November 19, 1954 in San Bernardino, California, as he was making a return trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. The accident occurred at a fork in U.S. Highway 66 at Cajon Blvd and Kendall Drive. Davis lost his left eye as a result, and wore an eye patch for at least six months following the accident. He appeared on What's My Line wearing the patch. Later, he was fitted for a glass eye, which he wore for the rest of his life. While in the hospital, his friend Eddie Cantor told him about the similarities between the Jewish and black cultures. Prompted by this conversation, Davis — who was born to a Catholic mother and Protestant father — began studying the history of Jews and converted to Judaism several years later. One passage from his readings, describing the endurance of the Jewish people, intrigued him in particular: "The Jews would not die. Three millennia of prophetic teaching had given them an unwavering spirit of resignation and had created in them a will to live which no disaster could crush". In many ways, the accident marked a turning point in Davis's career, taking him from a well-known entertainer to a national celebrity and icon.
Marriages
In the mid-1950s, Sammy was involved with Kim Novak, who was a valuable star under contract to Columbia Studios. The head of the studio, Harry Cohn, was worried about the negative effect this would have on the studio because of the prevailing taboo against miscegenation. He called his old friend, the mobster Johnny Roselli, who was asked to tell Sammy that he had to stop the affair with Novak. Roselli arranged for Davis to be kidnapped for a few hours to throw a scare into him. His hastily-arranged and soon-dissolved marriage to black dancer Loray White in 1958 was an attempt to quiet the controversy.
In 1960, Davis caused controversy again when he married white Swedish-born actress May Britt. Davis received hate mail while starring in the Broadway musical adaptation of Golden Boy from 1964-1966 (for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor). At the time Davis appeared in the play, interracial marriages were forbidden by law in 31 US states, and only in 1967 were those laws ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. The couple had one daughter and adopted two sons. Davis performed almost continuously and spent little time with his wife. They divorced in 1968, after Davis admitted to having had an affair with singer Lola Falana. That year, Davis started dating Altovise Gore, a dancer in Golden Boy. They were married on May 11, 1970 by the Reverend Jesse Jackson. They adopted a child, and remained married until Davis's death in 1990.
Political beliefs
Sammy Davis, Jr. in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House with President Richard Nixon, 4 March 1973
Although Davis had been a voting Democratic, he had felt a distinct lack of respect from the John F. Kennedy White House. He had been removed from the bill of the inaugural party hosted by Sinatra for the new President because of Davis's recent interracial marriage to May Britt on November 13, 1960.
In the early 1970s, Davis famously supported Republican President Richard M. Nixon (and gave the startled President a hug on live TV). The incident was very controversial, and Davis was given a hostile reception by his peers, despite the intervention of Jesse Jackson. Previously he had won over their respect with his performance as Joe Wellington Jr. in Golden Boy and his participation in the Civil Rights Movement. Nixon invited Davis to sleep in the White House in 1973, which is believed to be the first time an African-American was invited to do so. Davis spent the night in the Queen's Bedroom. Unlike Frank Sinatra, Davis voted Democratic for president again after the Nixon administration, supporting the campaigns of Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988.
Death
Davis died in Beverly Hills, California on May 16, 1990, of complications from throat cancer. Earlier, when he was told he could be saved by surgery, Davis replied he would rather keep his voice than have a part of his throat removed; the result of that decision seemed to cost him his life. However, a few weeks prior to his death his entire larynx was removed during surgery. He was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California next to his father and Will Mastin.
Portrayals
Davis was portrayed by Don Cheadle in the HBO movie The Rat Pack, a made-for-TV movie about the pack of entertainers. Cheadle won a Golden Globe award for his performance.
Davis was frequently portrayed by Billy Crystal on Saturday Night Live.
Davis was portrayed on the popular sketch comedy show In Living Color by Tommy Davidson, most notably a parody of the movie Ghost, in which the ghost of Davis enlists the help of Whoopi Goldberg to communicate with his wife.
David Raynr also portrayed Davis in the miniseries Sinatra, a TV movie about the life of Frank Sinatra.
Davis was also portrayed by Keith Powell in an episode of 30 Rock entitled "Subway Hero".
In the 1993 film Waynes World 2, Tim Meadows portrays Davis in the dream sequence with Michael A. Nickles as Jim Morrison.
In September 2009, the musical Sammy: Once in a Lifetime premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and additional songs by Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The title role was played by Broadway veteran and Tony Award nominee Obba Babatundé.
Honors and awards
Grammy Awards
Year Category Song Result Notes
2002 Grammy Hall of Fame Award "What Kind of Fool Am I?" Inducted Recorded in 1962
2001 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
1972 Pop Male Vocalist "Candy Man" Nominee
1962 Record of the Year "What Kind of Fool Am I" Nominee
1962 Male Solo Vocal Performance "What Kind of Fool Am I" Nominee
Emmy Awards
Category Program Result
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Sammy Davis Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration Winner
1989 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series The Cosby Show Nominee
1980 Outstanding Cameo Appearance in a Daytime Drama Series One Life to Live Nominee
1966 Outstanding Variety Special The Swinging World of Sammy Davis Jr. Nominee
1956 Best Specialty Act — Single or Group Sammy Davis Jr. Nominee
Other honors
Year Category Organization Program Result
2008 International Civil Rights
Walk of Fame Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Inducted
2006 Las Vegas Walk of Stars front of Riviera Hotel Inducted
? Hollywood Walk of Fame Star at 6254 Hollywood Blvd.
1989 NAACP Image Award NAACP Winner
1987 Kennedy Center Honors John F. Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts Honoree
1977 Best TV Actor — Musical/Comedy Golden Globe Sammy and Company (1975) Nominee
1974 Special Citation Award National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Winner
1968 NAACP Spingarn Medal Award NAACP Winner
1965 Best Actor — Musical Tony Award Golden Boy Nominee
Discography
Hit Records
Year Single Chart positions
U.S. U.S.
AC Country UK
1954 "Hey There" 16 19
"The Red Grapes" 28
1955 "Something's Gotta Give" 9 11
"Love Me Or Leave Me" 12 8
"That Old Black Magic" 13 16
"I'll Know" 87
1956 "Five" 71
"Earthbound" 46
"New York's My Home" 59
"In a Persian Market" 28
"All of You" 28
1960 "Happy To Make Your Acquaintance"(with Carmen McRae) 46
1962 "What Kind of Fool Am I" 17 6 26
"Gonna Build a Mountain" flip
"Me and My Shadow"(with Frank Sinatra) 64 18 20
"Sam's Song"(with Dean Martin) 94
1963 "As Long As She Needs Me" 59 19
"The Shelter of Your Arms" 17 6
1964 "Choose" 112
"Be Bom" 135
"Don't Shut Me Out" 106
1965 "If I Ruled the World" 135
"No One Can Live Forever" 117 33
1967 "Don't Blame the Children" 37
1968 "Lonely Is the Name" 93 12
"Break My Mind" 106
"I've Gotta Be Me" 11 1
1969 "Rhythm of Life" 124
"I Have But One Life To Live" 119
1972 "The Candy Man" 1 1
"The People Tree" 92 16
1973 "I'd Be a Legend In My Time" 116 29
1974 "Singin' In the Rain" 16
"That's Entertainment" 41
1975 "Chico and the Man" 24
"Song and Dance Man" 32
1976 "Baretta's Theme" 101 42
1982 "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke" 89
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Reprise Records
* 1961 The Wham of Sam!
* 1962 Sammy Davis, Jr. Belts the Best of Broadway
* 1962 The Sammy Davis, Jr. All-Star Spectacular
* 1962 What Kind of Fool Am I - and Other Show-Stoppers
* 1963 As Long as She Needs Me
* 1963 Sammy Davis, Jr. at the Cocoanut Grove
* 1964 Sammy Davis, Jr. Salutes the Stars of the London Palladium
* 1964 The Shelter of Your Arms
* 1964 California Suite
* 1964 Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers
* 1965 When the Feeling Hits You! (With Sam Butera and the Witnesses)
* 1965 If I Ruled the World
* 1965 The Nat King Cole Songbook
* 1965 Sammy's Back on Broadway
* 1966 The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
* 1966 A Man Called Adam
* 1966 The Sounds of '66
* 1966 Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings and Laurindo Almeida Plays
* 1966 That's All!
* 1967 Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Complete 'Dr. Dolittle'
* 1968 Lonely Is The Name
* 1968 I've Gotta Be Me
* 1968 Sammy Davis Jr.'s Greatest Hits - The Top Twelve
* 1969 The Goin's Great
Decca Records
* 1955 Starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
* 1955 Just for Lovers
* 1956 Mr Wonderful
* 1956 Here's Looking at You
* 1957 Sammy Swings
* 1957 It's All Over but the Swingin'
* 1957 Boy Meets Girl (with Carmen McRae)
* 1957 Sammy Swings
* 1958 Mood to Be Wooed
* 1958 Mr. Entertainment
* 1958 All The Way...and Then Some!
* 1959 Sammy Davis, Jr. at Town Hall
* 1959 Porgy And Bess (With Carmen McRae)
* 1960 Sammy Awards
* 1960 I Gotta Right To Swing
* 1963 Forget-Me-Nots For First Nighters
* 1965 Try a Little Tenderness
Verve Records
* 1965 Our Shining Hour (with The Count Basie Orchestra)
Motown Records
* 1970 Something for Everyone
* 1984 Hello Detroit (12 inch single)
MGM Records
* 1972 Sammy Davis Jr. Now
* 1974 That's Entertainment!
* 1977 In Person '77
* 1979 Hearin' Is Believin'
Filmography
* Rufus Jones for President (1933)
* Seasoned Greetings (1933)
* Sweet and Low (1947)
* Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)
* Anna Lucasta (1959)
* Porgy and Bess (1959)
* Ocean's Eleven (1960)
* Pepe (1960)
* Sergeants 3 (1962)
* The Threepenny Opera (1962)
* Convicts 4 (1962)
* Johnny Cool (1963)
* Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)
* Nightmare in the Sun (1965)
* The Second Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World (1965)(title song)
* A Man Called Adam (1966)
* Alice in Wonderland (or What’s a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?) (1966)
* Salt and Pepper (1968)
* The Fall (1969)
* Sweet Charity (1969)
* One More Time (1970)
* Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)
* Diamonds Are Forever (1971; deleted scene)
* Save the Children (1973)
* Gone with the West (1975)
* Sammy Stops the World (1978)
* The Cannonball Run (1981)
* Heidi's Song (1982)
* Cracking Up (1983)
* Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
* Cannonball Run II (1984)
* Alice in Wonderland (1985)
* That's Dancing! (1985)
* Knights of the City (1986)
* The Perils of P.K. (1986)
* Moon Over Parador (1988)
* Tap (1989)
* The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990, last role)
Stage
* Mr. Wonderful (1957), musical
* Golden Boy (1964), musical - Tony Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical
* Sammy (1974), special performance featuring Davis with the Nicholas Brothers
* Stop the World - I Want to Get Off (1978) musical revival
TV
* The Patty Duke Show - 1965 - Sammy Davis plays himself. Patty needs to arrange for a Hollywood Star to perform at her high school prom. Sammy notices Patty wearing a sandwich sign asking for help from any Hollywood star. Sammy wants to help Patty out but Sammy's agent does not like the idea and does not contact Patty. Sammy contacts Patty by phone but she does not believe it is him. He then shows up at the prom and puts on a show.
* I Dream of Jeannie - 1967 - on the episode "The Greatest Entertainer in the World". Tony needs Sammy Davis Jr. to entertain for General Peterson's 10th anniversary at NASA, but he is previously booked. Jeannie comes to the rescue by creating a duplicate of Sammy.
* All in the Family - 1972 - Sammy Davis plays himself. In the episode, he leaves his briefcase in Archie Bunker's cab and goes to Archie's house to retrieve it. He meets Archie, Edith, Mike, Gloria, and Lionel Jefferson. When Sammy Davis Jr. and Archie talk, Sammy quickly discovers that Archie is prejudiced, even though Archie believes that he is not. During a family conversation Archie has before Sammy arrives, Archie tells the others to avoid mentioning Sammy's glass eye. Archie then asks Sammy, "Would you like cream and sugar in your eye?" meaning to say coffee. At the end of the show, Munson, the owner of the cab who brings back the briefcase, takes a photo of Archie and Sammy. Right before the flash goes off, Sammy kisses Archie on the cheek, to Archie's surprise.
* The Jeffersons - 1984 Sammy Davis plays himself, where he is staying at an apartment directly next door to The Jeffersons'. Only Louise knows he is there, and Sammy asks her to hide his presence until he leaves.
* The Cosby Show - 1989 Sammy Davis plays Ray Palomino.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n293/whtchocolate5/sammy_davis_jr.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/NastyNate34/SammyDavisJr.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/16/10 at 6:53 am
You always used to scratch the table? ;D
When you shoot for the white ball,It's called scratching.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/16/10 at 6:56 am
The person who died on this day...Sammy Davis Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was an American entertainer.
Primarily a dancer and singer, Davis was a childhood vaudevillian, and became internationally famous for his performances on Broadway and in Las Vegas, as a recording artist, television and film star, and the only black member of Frank Sinatra's "Rat Pack".
At the age of three Davis began his career in vaudeville with his father and "uncle" as the Will Mastin Trio, toured nationally, and after military service, returned to the trio. Davis became an overnight sensation following a well received nightclub performance at Ciro's after the 1951 Academy Awards, with the trio, became a recording artist, and made his first film performances as an adult later that decade. Losing his left eye in a car accident in 1954, he converted to Judaism and appeared in the first Rat Pack movie, Ocean's Eleven, in 1960. After a starring role on Broadway in 1956's Mr Wonderful, Davis returned to the stage in 1964's Golden Boy, and in 1966 had his own TV variety show, The Sammy Davis Jr. Show. Davis's career slowed in the late sixties, but he scored a hit record with "The Candy Man", in 1972, and became a star attraction in Las Vegas.
As an African-American, Davis was the victim of racism throughout his life, and was a large financial supporter of various civil rights causes. Davis had a complex relationship with the black community, and attracted criticism after physically embracing Richard Nixon in 1970. One day on a golf course with Jack Benny, he was asked what his handicap was. "Handicap?" he asked. "Talk about handicap — I'm a one-eyed Negro Jew." This was to become a signature comment, recounted in his autobiography, and in countless articles.
After reuniting with Sinatra and Dean Martin in 1987, Davis toured with them and Liza Minnelli internationally, before dying of throat cancer in 1990. He died heavily in debt to the Internal Revenue Service, and his estate was the subject of complicated legal battles.
Davis was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP, and was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his television performances. He was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1987, and in 2001, he was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
While in the service, however, he joined an integrated entertainment Special Services unit, and found that the spotlight removed some of the prejudice. "My talent was the weapon, the power, the way for me to fight. It was the one way I might hope to affect a man's thinking." he said.
Sammy Davis, Jr. (left) with Walter Reuther (center) and Roy Wilkins (right) at the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.
After he was discharged, Davis rejoined the dance act which played at a wide variety of spots around Portland, Oregon, and began to achieve success on his own as he was singled out for praise by critics. The next year, he released his second album. The next move in his growing career was to appear in the Broadway show Mr. Wonderful in 1956.
In 1959, he became a member of the "Rat Pack", which was led by his old friend Frank Sinatra, and included such fellow performers as Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Shirley MacLaine. Initially, Sinatra called the gathering of fast-living friends "the Clan", but Sammy voiced his opposition, saying that it invoked thoughts about the Ku Klux Klan. Sinatra renamed the group "the Summit"; undeterred, the media continued to refer to them as the Rat Pack.
Davis was a headliner at The Frontier Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for many years yet was required (as were all black performers in the 1950s) to accept accommodations in a rooming house on the west side of the city, rather than allowed to sleep in the hotels as his white fellow entertainers were. And no stage dressing rooms were provided for black performers, so they were required to wait outside by the swimming pool between acts.
During his early years in Las Vegas, he and such other African-American artists as Nat King Cole and Count Basie could entertain on the stage but often could not sleep at the hotels at which they performed, could not gamble in the casinoes, and could not dine or drink in the hotel restaurants and bars. After he achieved superstar success, Davis refused to work at businesses which practiced racial segregation. His demands eventually led to the integration of Miami Beach nightclubs and Las Vegas casinos. Davis was particularly proud of this accomplishment.
In 1964, Davis was starring in Golden Boy at night and shooting his own New York-based afternoon talk show during the day. When he could get a day off from the theater, he would either be in the studio recording new songs, or else performing live, often at charity benefits as far away as Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas, or doing television variety specials in Los Angeles. Even at the time, Sam knew he was cheating his family of his company, but he couldn't help himself; as he later said, he was incapable of standing still.
Although he was still a huge draw in Las Vegas, Davis's musical career had sputtered out by the latter years of the 1960s, although he had a #11 hit (#1 on the Easy Listening singles chart) with "I've Gotta Be Me" in 1969. An attempt to update his sound and reconnect with younger people resulted in some embarrassing "hip" musical efforts with the Motown record label. But then, even as his career seemed at its nadir, Sammy had an unexpected worldwide smash hit with "Candy Man". Although he didn't particularly care for the song and was chagrined that he was now best known for it, Davis made the most of his new opportunity and revitalized his career. Although he enjoyed no more Top 40 hits, he did enjoy some extra popularity with his performance of the theme song from the T.V. series Baretta (1975–1978) which was not released as a single but was given extensive radio play and he remained a successful live act beyond Vegas for the remainder of his career. He would still occasionally land television and film parts, including high-profile cameo visits to the All in the Family (during which he kisses Archie Bunker (Carrol O'Connor) on the cheek), and with wife Altovise Davis on Charlie's Angels. In the 1970s, he also appeared in a series of memorable commercials in Japan for Suntory whiskey.
On December 11, 1967, NBC broadcast a musical-variety special entitled Movin' With Nancy. In addition to the Emmy Award-winning musical performances, the show is famous for Nancy Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. greeting each other with a kiss, one of the first black-white kisses in U.S. television history.
In Japan, Davis appeared in television commercials for coffee, and in the U.S. he joined Sinatra and Martin in a radio commercial for a Chicago car dealership.
Davis was one of the first male celebrities to admit to watching television soap operas, particularly the shows produced by the American Broadcasting Company. This admission led to his making a cameo appearance on General Hospital and playing the recurring character Chip Warren on One Life to Live for which he received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1980. He was also a game show fan, making a cameo on the ABC version of Family Feud in 1979, and hosting a question with Richard Dawson watching from the sidelines. He appeared on Tattletales with third wife Altovise Davis in the 1970s. He also made a cameo during an episode of the NBC version of Card Sharks in 1981.
Davis was an avid photographer who enjoyed shooting family and acquaintances. His body of work was detailed in a 2007 book by Burt Boyar. "Jerry gave me my first important camera, my first 35 millimeter, during the Ciro's period, early '50s", Boyar quotes Davis. "And he hooked me." Davis used a medium format camera later on to capture images. Again quoting Davis, "Nobody interrupts a man taking a picture to ask... 'What's that ****** doin' here?' ". His catalogue of photos include rare shots of his father dancing onstage as part of the Will Mastin Trio and intimate snapshots of close friends Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Nat "King" Cole, and Marilyn Monroe. His political affiliations also were represented, in his images of Robert Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. His most revealing work comes in photographs of wife May Britt and their three children, Tracey, Jeff and Mark.
Davis was an enthusiastic shooter and gun owner. He participated in fast-draw competition and was said to be capable of drawing and firing a Colt Single Action revolver in less than a quarter of a second. Davis was extremely skilled at fast and fancy gun spinning, and several times appeared on T.V. variety shows showing off this skill. He appeared in several western films and as a guest star on several "Golden Age" T.V. westerns too.
Car accident and conversion
Davis nearly died in an automobile accident on November 19, 1954 in San Bernardino, California, as he was making a return trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. The accident occurred at a fork in U.S. Highway 66 at Cajon Blvd and Kendall Drive. Davis lost his left eye as a result, and wore an eye patch for at least six months following the accident. He appeared on What's My Line wearing the patch. Later, he was fitted for a glass eye, which he wore for the rest of his life. While in the hospital, his friend Eddie Cantor told him about the similarities between the Jewish and black cultures. Prompted by this conversation, Davis — who was born to a Catholic mother and Protestant father — began studying the history of Jews and converted to Judaism several years later. One passage from his readings, describing the endurance of the Jewish people, intrigued him in particular: "The Jews would not die. Three millennia of prophetic teaching had given them an unwavering spirit of resignation and had created in them a will to live which no disaster could crush". In many ways, the accident marked a turning point in Davis's career, taking him from a well-known entertainer to a national celebrity and icon.
Marriages
In the mid-1950s, Sammy was involved with Kim Novak, who was a valuable star under contract to Columbia Studios. The head of the studio, Harry Cohn, was worried about the negative effect this would have on the studio because of the prevailing taboo against miscegenation. He called his old friend, the mobster Johnny Roselli, who was asked to tell Sammy that he had to stop the affair with Novak. Roselli arranged for Davis to be kidnapped for a few hours to throw a scare into him. His hastily-arranged and soon-dissolved marriage to black dancer Loray White in 1958 was an attempt to quiet the controversy.
In 1960, Davis caused controversy again when he married white Swedish-born actress May Britt. Davis received hate mail while starring in the Broadway musical adaptation of Golden Boy from 1964-1966 (for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor). At the time Davis appeared in the play, interracial marriages were forbidden by law in 31 US states, and only in 1967 were those laws ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. The couple had one daughter and adopted two sons. Davis performed almost continuously and spent little time with his wife. They divorced in 1968, after Davis admitted to having had an affair with singer Lola Falana. That year, Davis started dating Altovise Gore, a dancer in Golden Boy. They were married on May 11, 1970 by the Reverend Jesse Jackson. They adopted a child, and remained married until Davis's death in 1990.
Political beliefs
Sammy Davis, Jr. in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House with President Richard Nixon, 4 March 1973
Although Davis had been a voting Democratic, he had felt a distinct lack of respect from the John F. Kennedy White House. He had been removed from the bill of the inaugural party hosted by Sinatra for the new President because of Davis's recent interracial marriage to May Britt on November 13, 1960.
In the early 1970s, Davis famously supported Republican President Richard M. Nixon (and gave the startled President a hug on live TV). The incident was very controversial, and Davis was given a hostile reception by his peers, despite the intervention of Jesse Jackson. Previously he had won over their respect with his performance as Joe Wellington Jr. in Golden Boy and his participation in the Civil Rights Movement. Nixon invited Davis to sleep in the White House in 1973, which is believed to be the first time an African-American was invited to do so. Davis spent the night in the Queen's Bedroom. Unlike Frank Sinatra, Davis voted Democratic for president again after the Nixon administration, supporting the campaigns of Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988.
Death
Davis died in Beverly Hills, California on May 16, 1990, of complications from throat cancer. Earlier, when he was told he could be saved by surgery, Davis replied he would rather keep his voice than have a part of his throat removed; the result of that decision seemed to cost him his life. However, a few weeks prior to his death his entire larynx was removed during surgery. He was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California next to his father and Will Mastin.
Portrayals
Davis was portrayed by Don Cheadle in the HBO movie The Rat Pack, a made-for-TV movie about the pack of entertainers. Cheadle won a Golden Globe award for his performance.
Davis was frequently portrayed by Billy Crystal on Saturday Night Live.
Davis was portrayed on the popular sketch comedy show In Living Color by Tommy Davidson, most notably a parody of the movie Ghost, in which the ghost of Davis enlists the help of Whoopi Goldberg to communicate with his wife.
David Raynr also portrayed Davis in the miniseries Sinatra, a TV movie about the life of Frank Sinatra.
Davis was also portrayed by Keith Powell in an episode of 30 Rock entitled "Subway Hero".
In the 1993 film Waynes World 2, Tim Meadows portrays Davis in the dream sequence with Michael A. Nickles as Jim Morrison.
In September 2009, the musical Sammy: Once in a Lifetime premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and additional songs by Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The title role was played by Broadway veteran and Tony Award nominee Obba Babatundé.
Honors and awards
Grammy Awards
Year Category Song Result Notes
2002 Grammy Hall of Fame Award "What Kind of Fool Am I?" Inducted Recorded in 1962
2001 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
1972 Pop Male Vocalist "Candy Man" Nominee
1962 Record of the Year "What Kind of Fool Am I" Nominee
1962 Male Solo Vocal Performance "What Kind of Fool Am I" Nominee
Emmy Awards
Category Program Result
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Sammy Davis Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Celebration Winner
1989 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series The Cosby Show Nominee
1980 Outstanding Cameo Appearance in a Daytime Drama Series One Life to Live Nominee
1966 Outstanding Variety Special The Swinging World of Sammy Davis Jr. Nominee
1956 Best Specialty Act — Single or Group Sammy Davis Jr. Nominee
Other honors
Year Category Organization Program Result
2008 International Civil Rights
Walk of Fame Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Inducted
2006 Las Vegas Walk of Stars front of Riviera Hotel Inducted
? Hollywood Walk of Fame Star at 6254 Hollywood Blvd.
1989 NAACP Image Award NAACP Winner
1987 Kennedy Center Honors John F. Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts Honoree
1977 Best TV Actor — Musical/Comedy Golden Globe Sammy and Company (1975) Nominee
1974 Special Citation Award National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Winner
1968 NAACP Spingarn Medal Award NAACP Winner
1965 Best Actor — Musical Tony Award Golden Boy Nominee
Discography
Hit Records
Year Single Chart positions
U.S. U.S.
AC Country UK
1954 "Hey There" 16 19
"The Red Grapes" 28
1955 "Something's Gotta Give" 9 11
"Love Me Or Leave Me" 12 8
"That Old Black Magic" 13 16
"I'll Know" 87
1956 "Five" 71
"Earthbound" 46
"New York's My Home" 59
"In a Persian Market" 28
"All of You" 28
1960 "Happy To Make Your Acquaintance"(with Carmen McRae) 46
1962 "What Kind of Fool Am I" 17 6 26
"Gonna Build a Mountain" flip
"Me and My Shadow"(with Frank Sinatra) 64 18 20
"Sam's Song"(with Dean Martin) 94
1963 "As Long As She Needs Me" 59 19
"The Shelter of Your Arms" 17 6
1964 "Choose" 112
"Be Bom" 135
"Don't Shut Me Out" 106
1965 "If I Ruled the World" 135
"No One Can Live Forever" 117 33
1967 "Don't Blame the Children" 37
1968 "Lonely Is the Name" 93 12
"Break My Mind" 106
"I've Gotta Be Me" 11 1
1969 "Rhythm of Life" 124
"I Have But One Life To Live" 119
1972 "The Candy Man" 1 1
"The People Tree" 92 16
1973 "I'd Be a Legend In My Time" 116 29
1974 "Singin' In the Rain" 16
"That's Entertainment" 41
1975 "Chico and the Man" 24
"Song and Dance Man" 32
1976 "Baretta's Theme" 101 42
1982 "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke" 89
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Reprise Records
* 1961 The Wham of Sam!
* 1962 Sammy Davis, Jr. Belts the Best of Broadway
* 1962 The Sammy Davis, Jr. All-Star Spectacular
* 1962 What Kind of Fool Am I - and Other Show-Stoppers
* 1963 As Long as She Needs Me
* 1963 Sammy Davis, Jr. at the Cocoanut Grove
* 1964 Sammy Davis, Jr. Salutes the Stars of the London Palladium
* 1964 The Shelter of Your Arms
* 1964 California Suite
* 1964 Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers
* 1965 When the Feeling Hits You! (With Sam Butera and the Witnesses)
* 1965 If I Ruled the World
* 1965 The Nat King Cole Songbook
* 1965 Sammy's Back on Broadway
* 1966 The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show
* 1966 A Man Called Adam
* 1966 The Sounds of '66
* 1966 Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings and Laurindo Almeida Plays
* 1966 That's All!
* 1967 Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Complete 'Dr. Dolittle'
* 1968 Lonely Is The Name
* 1968 I've Gotta Be Me
* 1968 Sammy Davis Jr.'s Greatest Hits - The Top Twelve
* 1969 The Goin's Great
Decca Records
* 1955 Starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
* 1955 Just for Lovers
* 1956 Mr Wonderful
* 1956 Here's Looking at You
* 1957 Sammy Swings
* 1957 It's All Over but the Swingin'
* 1957 Boy Meets Girl (with Carmen McRae)
* 1957 Sammy Swings
* 1958 Mood to Be Wooed
* 1958 Mr. Entertainment
* 1958 All The Way...and Then Some!
* 1959 Sammy Davis, Jr. at Town Hall
* 1959 Porgy And Bess (With Carmen McRae)
* 1960 Sammy Awards
* 1960 I Gotta Right To Swing
* 1963 Forget-Me-Nots For First Nighters
* 1965 Try a Little Tenderness
Verve Records
* 1965 Our Shining Hour (with The Count Basie Orchestra)
Motown Records
* 1970 Something for Everyone
* 1984 Hello Detroit (12 inch single)
MGM Records
* 1972 Sammy Davis Jr. Now
* 1974 That's Entertainment!
* 1977 In Person '77
* 1979 Hearin' Is Believin'
Filmography
* Rufus Jones for President (1933)
* Seasoned Greetings (1933)
* Sweet and Low (1947)
* Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)
* Anna Lucasta (1959)
* Porgy and Bess (1959)
* Ocean's Eleven (1960)
* Pepe (1960)
* Sergeants 3 (1962)
* The Threepenny Opera (1962)
* Convicts 4 (1962)
* Johnny Cool (1963)
* Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)
* Nightmare in the Sun (1965)
* The Second Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World (1965)(title song)
* A Man Called Adam (1966)
* Alice in Wonderland (or What’s a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This?) (1966)
* Salt and Pepper (1968)
* The Fall (1969)
* Sweet Charity (1969)
* One More Time (1970)
* Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)
* Diamonds Are Forever (1971; deleted scene)
* Save the Children (1973)
* Gone with the West (1975)
* Sammy Stops the World (1978)
* The Cannonball Run (1981)
* Heidi's Song (1982)
* Cracking Up (1983)
* Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
* Cannonball Run II (1984)
* Alice in Wonderland (1985)
* That's Dancing! (1985)
* Knights of the City (1986)
* The Perils of P.K. (1986)
* Moon Over Parador (1988)
* Tap (1989)
* The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990, last role)
Stage
* Mr. Wonderful (1957), musical
* Golden Boy (1964), musical - Tony Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical
* Sammy (1974), special performance featuring Davis with the Nicholas Brothers
* Stop the World - I Want to Get Off (1978) musical revival
TV
* The Patty Duke Show - 1965 - Sammy Davis plays himself. Patty needs to arrange for a Hollywood Star to perform at her high school prom. Sammy notices Patty wearing a sandwich sign asking for help from any Hollywood star. Sammy wants to help Patty out but Sammy's agent does not like the idea and does not contact Patty. Sammy contacts Patty by phone but she does not believe it is him. He then shows up at the prom and puts on a show.
* I Dream of Jeannie - 1967 - on the episode "The Greatest Entertainer in the World". Tony needs Sammy Davis Jr. to entertain for General Peterson's 10th anniversary at NASA, but he is previously booked. Jeannie comes to the rescue by creating a duplicate of Sammy.
* All in the Family - 1972 - Sammy Davis plays himself. In the episode, he leaves his briefcase in Archie Bunker's cab and goes to Archie's house to retrieve it. He meets Archie, Edith, Mike, Gloria, and Lionel Jefferson. When Sammy Davis Jr. and Archie talk, Sammy quickly discovers that Archie is prejudiced, even though Archie believes that he is not. During a family conversation Archie has before Sammy arrives, Archie tells the others to avoid mentioning Sammy's glass eye. Archie then asks Sammy, "Would you like cream and sugar in your eye?" meaning to say coffee. At the end of the show, Munson, the owner of the cab who brings back the briefcase, takes a photo of Archie and Sammy. Right before the flash goes off, Sammy kisses Archie on the cheek, to Archie's surprise.
* The Jeffersons - 1984 Sammy Davis plays himself, where he is staying at an apartment directly next door to The Jeffersons'. Only Louise knows he is there, and Sammy asks her to hide his presence until he leaves.
* The Cosby Show - 1989 Sammy Davis plays Ray Palomino.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n293/whtchocolate5/sammy_davis_jr.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/NastyNate34/SammyDavisJr.jpg
always will be The Candy Man. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/16/10 at 8:13 am
always will be The Candy Man. :)
Same for me.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/16/10 at 12:17 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsNkVduTKO8
One of my favorites operas.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: nally on 05/16/10 at 1:15 pm
She grew up to be very pretty. (Melissa Gilbert)
Yes, she did. Especially in the last picture there.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: nally on 05/16/10 at 1:19 pm
I have an uncle named Gilbert.
Cat
I had a friend named Gilbert who lived in my old neighborhood. He was a year and a half older than me, and we mainly knew each other during the early-to-mid 1990's, when we would ride our bikes around the neighborhood. He had plans to join me for one of my birthday celebrations, but he backed out that morning because he was feeling under the weather.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: nally on 05/16/10 at 1:20 pm
The word of the day...Woman
A woman (irregular plural: women) is a female human. The term woman is usually reserved for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent. However, the term woman is also sometimes used to identify a female human, regardless of age, as in phrases such as "Women's rights".
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv71/mycircleoflife/Thewomen-movie.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Dr_Dozzy/Gamer%20Army/women.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii310/MCART1131/women-jazz-web2.jpg
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz315/lulusback/Laura/KarensPictures034.jpg
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af92/H-DAtlanta/womenriders2.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/markrossiter/Varanasi%201989/Varanasicrouchingwomen.jpg
Perfect for Mother's Day. :) And very nice too.
(I'm just catching up on posts here.)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/16/10 at 7:05 pm
http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/pictures/t/titosantana/04.jpg
El Matador Tito Santana
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/17/10 at 7:31 am
Perfect for Mother's Day. :) And very nice too.
(I'm just catching up on posts here.)
Thanks :) Take your time and enjoy.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/17/10 at 7:36 am
The word of the day...Velvet
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinct feel.
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss46/Dragorloth/velvet.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee303/greg-janiceallen/Acc%20-%20Settee%20and%20Chair%20Sets/IMG_2935.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/cokelino/Movies/velvet.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/rednurse35-2007/redbg.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o18/photocarscas/MVC-926B.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk144/Dracco2/DSCN3395.jpg
http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a443/CrystalLee_yona/69877375-02.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/17/10 at 7:39 am
The person who was born on this day...Dennis Hopper
Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1955, and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Over the next ten years, Hopper appeared frequently on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films. He directed and starred in Easy Rider (1969), winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer of the film's script.
He was unable to build on his success for several years, until a featured role in Apocalypse Now (1979) brought him attention. He subsequently appeared in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Osterman Weekend (1983), and received critical recognition for his work in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, with the latter film garnering him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He directed Colors (1988), and portrayed King Koopa in the film version of Super Mario Bros. (1993) and the villain in Speed (1994). Hopper's more recent work includes a leading role in the television series Crash.
Hopper is a prolific photographer, painter, and sculptor whose works are exhibited worldwide.
Hopper was reported to have an uncredited role in Johnny Guitar in 1954 but he has stated that he was not even in Hollywood when this film was made. Hopper made his debut on film cast in two seminal roles with James Dean (whom he admired immensely) in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Dean's death in a 1955 car accident affected the young Hopper deeply and it was shortly afterwards that he got into a confrontation with veteran director Henry Hathaway on the film From Hell To Texas. Hopper refused directions for eighty takes over several days.
In his book Last Train to Memphis, American popular music historian Peter Guralnick says that in 1956, when Elvis Presley was making his first film in Hollywood, Hopper was roommates with fellow actor Nick Adams and the three became friends and socialized together. Hopper moved to New York and studied at Lee Strasberg's acting school.
Hopper had a supporting role as "Babalugats," the bet-taker in Cool Hand Luke (1967). Hopper acted in mainstream films including The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) and True Grit (1969). Both of these films starred John Wayne, and in both Hopper's character is killed. During the production of True Grit, he became well acquainted with Wayne.
In 1969, Hopper teamed with Peter Fonda, Terry Southern, and Jack Nicholson to make Easy Rider. Hopper won wide acclaim as the director for his improvisational methods and innovative editing. The production was plagued by creative differences and personal acrimony between Fonda and Hopper, the dissolution of Hopper's marriage to Hayward, his unwillingness to leave the editor's desk, and his accelerating abuse of drugs and alcohol.
In 1971, Hopper released The Last Movie. Expecting an accessible follow-up to Easy Rider, audiences were treated to artistic flourishes (the inclusion of "scene missing" cards) and a hazily existentialist plot that dabbled in non-linearity and the absurd. After finishing first at the Venice Film Festival, the film was dismissed by audiences and critics alike during its first domestic engagement in New York City. During the tumultuous editing process, Hopper ensconced himself in Taos, New Mexico for almost an entire year. In between contesting Fonda's rights to the majority of the residual profits from Easy Rider, he married Michelle Phillips in October 1970. Citing spousal abuse and his various addictions, she filed for divorce a week after their wedding.
Hopper was able to sustain his lifestyle and a measure of celebrity by acting in numerous low budget and European films throughout the 1970s as the archetypical "tormented maniac", including Mad Dog Morgan (1976), Tracks (1976), and The American Friend (1977). With Francis Ford Coppola's blockbuster Apocalypse Now (1979), Hopper returned to prominence as a hypomanic Vietnam-era photojournalist. Stepping in for an overwhelmed director, Hopper won praise in 1980 for his directing and acting in Out of the Blue. Immediately thereafter, Hopper starred as an addled short-order cook "Cracker" in the Neil Young/Dean Stockwell low-budget collaboration Human Highway. Production was reportedly often delayed by his unreliable behavior. Peter Biskind states in the New Hollywood history Easy Riders, Raging Bulls that Hopper's cocaine intake had reached three grams a day by this time period, complemented by an additional thirty beers, marijuana, and Cuba libres.
Hopper with Jack Nicholson at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990.
After staging a "suicide attempt" (really more of a daredevil act) in a coffin using 17 sticks of dynamite during an "art happening" at the Rice University Media Center (reportedly filmed by film professor Brian Huberman) and later disappearing into the Mexican desert during a particularly extravagant bender, Hopper entered a drug rehabilitation program in 1983. During this period, he gave critically-acclaimed performances in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Osterman Weekend (1983).
It was not until he portrayed the gas-huffing, obscenity-screaming iconic villain Frank Booth in David Lynch's Blue Velvet (1986) that his career revived. After reading the script, Hopper called Lynch and told him "You have to let me play Frank Booth. Because I am Frank Booth!" Hopper won critical acclaim and several awards for this role and the same year received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Hoosiers.
In 1988, Hopper directed the critically-acclaimed Colors. He was nominated for an Emmy award for the 1991 HBO films Paris Trout and Doublecrossed (in which he played real life drug smuggler and DEA informant Barry Seal). He starred in Super Mario Bros. a 1993 critical and commercial failure loosely based on the video game of the same name as King Koopa. Despite the failure of the film, it led to several villainous roles in the following years. He co-starred in the 1994 blockbuster Speed with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
In 1995, Hopper played a greedy TV self help guru, Dr. Luther Waxling in Search and Destroy. The same year, he starred as Deacon, the one-eyed nemesis of Kevin Costner in Waterworld. In 2003, Hopper was in the running for the dual lead in the indie horror drama Firecracker, but was ousted at the last minute in favor of Mike Patton. His last major feature film appearance was in the 2008 film Elegy with Sir Ben Kingsley, Penelope Cruz and Debbie Harry.
Television work
Hopper debuted in an episode of the Richard Boone television series Medic in 1955, portraying a young epileptic.
He appeared as an arrogant young gunfighter, the Utah Kid, in the 1956 episode "Quicksand" of the first hour-long television western television series, ABC's Cheyenne, starring Clint Walker. In the story line, the Kid gave Cheyenne Bodie no choice but to kill him in a gunfight.
He subsequently appeared in over 140 episodes of television shows such as Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, The Defenders, The Investigators, The Legend of Jesse James, The Big Valley, The Time Tunnel, The Rifleman and Combat!.
Hopper teamed with Nike in the early 1990s to make a series of television commercials. He appeared as a "crazed referee" in those ads. He portrayed villain Victor Drazen in the first season of the popular drama 24 on the Fox television network.
Hopper starred in the NBC 2005 television series E-Ring, a drama set at The Pentagon, but the series was cancelled after fourteen episodes aired in the USA. Hopper appeared in all 22 episodes that were filmed. He also played the part of record producer Ben Cendars in the Starz television series Crash.
Photography and art
Hopper is a prolific photographer, painter, and sculptor. His photography is known for portraits from the 1960s. His painting style ranges from abstract impressionism to photorealism and often includes references to his cinematic work and to other artists.
Ostracized by the Hollywood film studios due to his reputation for being a "difficult" actor, Hopper eventually turned to photography in the 1960s with a camera bought for him by his first wife, Brooke Hayward. During this period he created the cover art for the Ike & Tina Turner album River Deep - Mountain High (released in 1966).
Hopper became a prolific photographer, and noted writer Terry Southern profiled Hopper in Better Homes and Gardens magazine as an up and coming photographer "to watch" in the mid 1960s.
He began working as a painter and a poet as well as a collector of art in the 1960s as well, particularly Pop Art. One of the first art works Hopper owned was an early print of Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans bought for $75.
On March 30, 2010, it was announced that Hopper was on the "short list" for Jeffrey Deitch's inaugural show at MOCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
On April 15, 2010, Deitch confirmed that Hopper's work, curated by Julian Schnabel, will indeed be the focus of his debut at MOCA.
Personal life
Hopper in 2008
Hopper has been married five times and has four children:
* Brooke Hayward (born 1937), daughter of Leland Hayward and Margaret Sullavan); married 1961 – divorced 1969, 1 child, daughter Marin Hopper (born on June 26, 1962)
* Michelle Phillips (born 1944); married 31 October 1970 - divorced 8 November 1970
* Daria Halprin (born 1948); married 1972 - divorced 1976, 1 child, daughter Ruthanna Hopper (born circa 1974)
* Katherine LaNasa (born 1966); married June 17, 1989 – divorced April 1992, 1 child, son Henry Lee Hopper (born on September 11, 1990)
* Victoria Duffy (born 1968); married April 13, 1996 – separated January 12, 2010, 1 child, daughter Galen Grier Hopper (born on March 26, 2003)
Hopper has two granddaughters, Violet Goldstone and Ella Brill.
In 1999, actor Rip Torn filed a defamation lawsuit against Hopper over a story Hopper told on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Hopper claimed that Torn pulled a knife on him during pre-production of the film Easy Rider. According to Hopper, Torn was originally cast in the film but was replaced with Jack Nicholson after the incident. According to Torn's suit, it was actually Hopper who pulled the knife on him. A judge ruled in Torn's favor and Hopper was ordered to pay US$475,000 in damages. Hopper then appealed but the judge again ruled in Torn's favor and Hopper was required to pay another US$475,000 in punitive damages.
According to Newsmeat, Hopper donated US$2,000 to the Republican National Committee in 2004 and an equal amount in 2005. In Al Franken's book Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, the author recounts a warm, cordial encounter between Hopper and then-Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
In 2008, Hopper starred in An American Carol, a right-leaning comedy, with Jon Voight, Kelsey Grammer, and James Woods.
Hopper lives in Venice, California and owns property in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Hopper has been honored with the rank of commander of France's National Order of Arts and Letters, at a ceremony in Paris.
Hopper supported Barack Obama in the 2008 US Presidential election. Hopper confirmed this in an election day appearance on the ABC daytime show The View. He said his reason for not voting Republican was the selection of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate.
Divorce from Victoria Duffy
On January 14, 2010, he filed for divorce from his fifth wife, Victoria Duffy. After citing her "outrageous conduct", and stating Duffy was "insane", "inhuman", and "volatile", Hopper was granted a restraining order against her on February 11, 2010, and as a result, she has been forbidden to come within ten feet of him or contact him in any way. On March 9, 2010, Duffy refused to move out of the Hopper home, despite the court's order that she do so by March 15.
On March 23, 2010, Hopper filed papers in court alleging Duffy had absconded with $1.5 million of his art, refused his requests to return it, and then had "left town." In March 2010, a judge ruled that Duffy must stay at least 10 feet away from Hopper.
On April 5, 2010, a court ruled that Duffy can continue living on Hopper's property, and that he must pay $12,000 per month spousal and child support for their daughter Galen. Hopper did not attend the hearing. On May 12, 2010, a hearing was held in front of Judge Amy Pellman in downtown Los Angeles Superior Court to decide who to designate on Hopper's life insurance policy which currently lists his wife as beneficiary. A very ill Hopper did not appear in court though his estranged wife did - case BD518046. The judge ruled that the policy should not be changed at present.
Illness
On September 30, 2009, news media reported that Hopper had been rushed to a New York hospital for an unspecified condition. Hopper, 73, was reportedly brought into an unidentified Manhattan hospital by an ambulance on Monday wearing an oxygen mask and “with numerous tubes visible.” On October 2, he was discharged, after receiving treatment for dehydration.
On October 29, Hopper's manager reported that Hopper has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. In January 2010, it was reported that Hopper's cancer had metastasized to his bones.
As of March 23, 2010, Hopper reportedly weighed only 100 pounds and is unable to carry on long conversations. According to papers filed in his divorce court case, Hopper is terminally ill and is unable to undergo chemotherapy to treat his prostate cancer. According to his lawyer, as reported on March 25, he is dying from cancer.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hopper at a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2010
On March 18, 2010, it was announced that Hopper would be honored with the 2,403rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in front of the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Surrounded by friends including Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch, Michael Madsen, family, and fans, he attended its addition to the sidewalk on March 26, 2010. The star was sponsored by Starz Entertainment.
Collaborations
On the Gorillaz album Demon Days, Hopper is the narrator of the song "Fire Coming out of the Monkey's Head."
Filmography
Features
* Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
* I Died a Thousand Times (1955)
* Giant (1956)
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
* The Story of Mankind (1957)
* Sayonara (1957) (voice only)
* From Hell to Texas (1958)
* The Young Land (1959)
* Key Witness (1960)
* Night Tide (1961)
* Tarzan and Jane Regained... Sort of (1964)
* The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
* Queen of Blood (1966)
* The Trip (1967)
* Cool Hand Luke (1967)
* The Glory Stompers (1968)
* Hang 'Em High (1968)
* Panic in the City (1968)
* Easy Rider (1969) (Director)
* True Grit (1969)
* The Festival Game (1970) (documentary)
* The American Dreamer (1971) (documentary)
* The Last Movie (1971) (Director)
* The Other Side of the Wind (1972) (unfinished)
* Crush Proof (1972)
* Kid Blue (1973)
* Tracks (1976)
* Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
* The American Friend (1977)
* The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1977)
* Flesh Color (1978)
* Last In, First Out (1978)
* Apocalypse Now (1979)
* Bloodbath (1979)
* Out of the Blue (1980) (Director)
* Reborn (1981)
* King of the Mountain (1981)
* Neil Young: Human Highway (1982)
* Rumble Fish (1983)
* The Osterman Weekend (1983)
* White Star (1983)
* The Dynamite Coffin Stunt (1983)
* Jungle Warriors (1984)
* The Inside Man (1984)
* My Science Project (1985)
* Riders of the Storm (1986)
* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
* River's Edge (1986)
* Blue Velvet (1986)
* Hoosiers (1986)
* Running Out of Luck (1987)
* Black Widow (1987)
* Straight to Hell (1987)
* O.C. and Stiggs (1987)
* The Pick-up Artist (1987)
* Blood Red (1989)
* Chattahoochee (1989)
* Flashing on the Sixties, A Tribal Docment directed by Lisa Law (1989)
* Flashback (1990)
* Hollywood Mavericks (1990) (documentary)
* Catchfire (1990) (Director)
* Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990) (documentary)
* Motion & Emotion (1990) (documentary)
* Sunset Heat (1991)
* Paris Trout (1991)
* Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) (documentary)
* Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991) (documentary)
* The Indian Runner (1991)
* Eye of the Storm (1991)
* SnowwhiteRosered (1991) (documentary)
* Nails (1992) (1992)
* Red Rock West (1992)
* The Revenge of the Dead Indians (1993)
* Boiling Point (1993)
* Super Mario Bros. (1993)
* True Romance (1993)
* Chasers (1994)
* Speed (1994)
* Search and Destroy (1995)
* Waterworld (1995)
* Cannes Man (1996)
* Carried Away (1996)
* Space Truckers (1996)
* Basquiat (1996)
* The Last Days of Frankie the Fly (1996)
* Top of the World (1997)
* The Good Life (1997)
* The Blackout (1997)
* Who Is Henry Jaglom? (1997) (documentary)
* Road Ends (1997)
* Black Dahlia (1998) (video game)
* Michael Angel (1998)
* Meet the Deedles (1998)
* Tycus (1998)
* Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive Genius (1999) (documentary) (narrator)
* The Prophet's Game (1999)
* Lured Innocence (1999)
* The Source (1999) (documentary)
* EDtv (1999)
* Straight Shooter (1999)
* Jesus' Son (1999)
* The Venice Project (1999)
* Bad City Blues (1999)
* The Spreading Ground (2000)
* Jason and the Argonauts (2000)
* Luck of the Draw (2000)
* Welcome to Hollywood (2000)
* Held for Ransom (2000)
* Ticker (2001)
* Choke (2001)
* Knockaround Guys (2001)
* Jazz Seen: The Life and Times of William Claxton (2001) (documentary)
* L.A.P.D.: To Protect and to Serve (2001)
* 1 Giant Leap (2002) (documentary)
* I Don't Know Jack (2002) (documentary)
* Unspeakable (2002)
* Leo (2002)
* Venice: Lost and Found (2002) (documentary)
* The Piano Player (2002)
* Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003) (documentary)
* A Decade Under the Influence (2003) (documentary)
* Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) (2003) (documentary)
* The Night We Called It a Day (2003)
* Legacy (2004)
* The Keeper (2004)
* The Last Ride (2004)
* Out of Season (2004)
* Tell Them Who You Are (2004) (documentary)
* Inside Deep Throat (2005) (documentary) (narrator)
* House of 9 (2005)
* Hoboken Hollow (2005)
* Americano (2005)
* Land of the Dead (2005)
* Going Through Splat: The Life and Work of Stewart Stern (2005) (documentary)
* Champion (2005) (documentary)
* The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005)
* Land of the Dead (2005)
* Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005) (documentary)
* Tainted Love (2006)
* The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose (2006) (documentary)
* Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi (2006) (documentary) (narrator)
* 10th & Wolf (2006)
* Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (2006) (documentary)
* 3055 Jean Leon (2006) (documentary)
* Memory (2006)
* By the Ways: A Journey with William Eggleston (2007) (documentary)
* Hell Ride (2008)
* Sleepwalking (2008)
* Bananaz (2008) (documentary)
* Elegy (2008)
* Générations 68 (2008) (documentary)
* Swing Vote (2008)
* Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) (documentary)
* Palermo Shooting (2008)
* Ferlinghetti: A City Light (2008) (documentary)
* An American Carol (2008)
* Shooting Palermo (2008) (documentary)
* The Brothers Warner (2008) (documentary)
* No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2008) (documentary)
* Dead On: The Life and Cinema of George A. Romero (2008) (documentary)
* The Last Film Festival (2009)
* Forever (2009)
* Deadly Creatures (2009) (video game)
Upcoming
* Alpha and Omega (2010)
Short subjects
* The Thirteen Most Beautiful Boys (1964)
* Screen Test#1 (1965)
* Screen Test#2 (1965)
* Screen Test#3 (1966)
* Screen Test#4 (1966)
* Luke (1967)
* A Hero of Our Time (1985)
* New Scenes from America (2003)
Awards
Academy Awards
* (1970) Nominated - Best Original Screenplay / Easy Rider (shared with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern)
* (1987) Nominated - Best Supporting Actor / Hoosiers
Golden Globe Awards
* (1987) Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture / Hoosiers
* (1987) Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture / Blue Velvet
Primetime Emmy Awards
* (1991) Nominated - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Miniseries or a Movie / Paris Trout
Cannes Film Festival Awards
* (1969) Won - Best First Work Award / Easy Rider
* (1969) Nominated - Palme d'Or / Easy Rider
* (1980) Nominated - Palme d'Or / Out of the Blue
Directors Guild of America Award
* (1970) Nominated - Outstanding Directing - Feature Film / Easy Rider
Independent Spirit Awards
* (1987) Nominated - Best Male Lead / Blue Velvet
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
* (1987) Won - Best Supporting Actor / Blue Velvet
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
* (1987) Won - Best Supporting Actor / Blue Velvet & Hoosiers
MTV Movie Awards
* (1995) Won - Best Villain / Speed
National Society of Film Critics Awards
* (1970) Won - Special Award ("For the director, co-writer and co-star") / Easy Rider
* (1987) Won - Best Supporting Actor / Blue Velvet
Writers Guild of America Award
* (1970) Nominated - Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen / Easy Rider (shared with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/17/10 at 7:44 am
The person who died on this day...Bruce Fairbairn
Bruce Earl Fairbairn (December 30, 1949 - May 17, 1999) was a Canadian musician and international record producer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was active as a producer from 1976 to 1999 and is considered one of the best of his era. His most successful productions are Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi and 'Pump' by Aerosmith. He was originally a trumpet player and then started a career as a record producer for Canadian rock band Prism. He won the Canadian music industry Producer of the Year Juno Award 3 times. He produced albums for many famous international artists such as Loverboy, Blue Öyster Cult, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Scorpions, Van Halen, Chicago, The Cranberries, INXS, KISS and Yes. His style was notable for introducing dynamic horn arrangements into rock music productions. Fairbairn died suddenly on May 17, 1999 due to unknown causes.
This particular Bruce Fairbairn is not to be confused with a U.S.-born actor of the same name who played Officer Chris Owens on the ABC television series The Rookies during the mid-1970s and, later, the character of Sheldon Ganz on the NBC television series L.A. Law. Loverboy
Fairbairn first reached international success with Canadian rock band Loverboy. It was the first band he produced other than Prism. Despite producing 4 Prism albums that all reached platinum or double platinum status in Canada, none of them broke into the lucrative US market. The self-titled Loverboy album did and began his career of hits with "Turn Me Loose" and "The Kid Is Hot Tonite." His work for Blue Öyster Cult (1983's The Revölution by Night) and Krokus' (1984 The Blitz) made him a well-known hard-rock producer as well as 1985's The Big Prize by Canadian AOR group Honeymoon Suite. With protegé Bob Rock, Fairbairn established Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound Studios.
Slippery When Wet
Fairbairn's biggest commercial success is Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet and made him a top rate international record producer. The album sold over twenty-two million copies.
Permanent Vacation
His next major production, Aerosmith's 1987 album Permanent Vacation, generated a series of hits including "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)", "Angel" and "Rag Doll".
Continued international success
In 1988 Fairbairn produced another Bon Jovi album, New Jersey, which holds the record for the hard rock album to spawn the most Top 10 singles, with five singles charting on the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and which sold over seven million copies. Fairbain also produced Aerosmith's follow-up, 1989's Pump, which had sales in excess of seven million and was widely acclaimed by critics, and won him another "Producer of the Year" Juno Award.
The 1990s saw Fairbairn working with a string of internationally influential hard rock acts. 1990 brought AC/DC's The Razor's Edge, as well as Poison's Flesh and Blood. In 1993, he produced another Aerosmith commercial smash, Get a Grip, which racked up sales of seven million and solidified the band's growing representation as international media stars. Next Fairbairn produced the Scorpions' Face the Heat; and in 1995 Van Halen's Balance. In late 1996 and through early 1997 he produced INXS' "comeback" album Elegantly Wasted which while garnering mixed reviews, obtained sales that were higher than INXS' previous albums. A year later, Fairbairn produced The Cranberries (To the Faithful Departed), and Psycho Circus a 1998-reunion of KISS. His last fully-completed project was The Atomic Fireballs Torch This Place for Atlantic Records.
Sudden death
After completing recording sessions for a forthcoming release from Yes (The Ladder), on May 17, 1999 Fairbairn was found dead by Jon Anderson in his Vancouver home. He was survived by his wife Julie, with whom he had three sons: Scott, Kevin and Brent. A memorial, "A Celebration of the Life of Bruce Earl Fairbairn", held at the Vancouver Chan Centre was attended by more than 300 people. Highlighted by reminiscences from close friends, the event included musical performances from Jon Anderson and Steve Howe performing the song "Nine Voices" from Yes' The Ladder sessions, as well as Tom Keenleyside, David Sinclair and finally, "Taps" played on Bruce's trumpet by son Brent.
In March 2000, Fairbairn was posthumously awarded the "Canadian Music Hall of Fame" Juno Award for his work.
Production style
Production discography
* 1977: Prism - Prism
* 1978: Prism - See Forever Eyes
* 1979: Prism - Armageddon
* 1980: Prism - Young and Restless
* 1980: Loverboy - Loverboy (2x Platinum)
* 1980: The Skids - Days in Europa (Second Version)
* 1981: Loverboy - Get Lucky (4x Platinum)
* 1982: Strange Advance - Worlds Away
* 1983: Blue Öyster Cult - The Revölution by Night
* 1983: Loverboy - Keep It Up (2x Platinum)
* 1984: Krokus - The Blitz (Gold)
* 1984: Fast Forward - Living in Fiction
* 1985: Black n' Blue - Without Love
* 1985: Honeymoon Suite - The Big Prize
* 1986: Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (12x Platinum)
* 1987: Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation (5x Platinum)
* 1987: Rock and Hyde - Under the Volcano
* 1987: Loverboy - Wildside (Gold)
* 1988: Dan Reed Network - Dan Reed Network
* 1988: Bon Jovi - New Jersey (7x Platinum)
* 1989: Aerosmith - Pump (7x Platinum)
* 1989: Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell
* 1990: AC/DC - The Razors Edge (5x Platinum)
* 1990: Paul Laine - Stick it in Your Ear
* 1990: Poison - Flesh and Blood (3x Platinum)
* 1991: Dan Reed Network - The Heat
* 1991: AC/DC - Live (3x Platinum)
* 1993: Aerosmith - Get a Grip (7x Platinum)
* 1993: Scorpions - Face the Heat
* 1994: Jackyl - Push Comes to Shove (Gold)
* 1995: Van Halen - Balance (3x Platinum)
* 1995: Chicago - Night and Day: Big Band
* 1996: The Cranberries - To the Faithful Departed (2x Platinum)
* 1997: INXS - Elegantly Wasted
* 1998: KISS - Psycho Circus (Gold)
* 1998: Atomic Fireballs - Torch This Place
* 1999: Yes - The Ladder
See also
Music of Canada portal
* Music of Canada
* Canadian Music Hall of Fame
** I can't find a pic on Photobucket*
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/17/10 at 11:26 am
Bill Paxton is 55 today.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/17/10 at 12:46 pm
Bill Paxton is 55 today.
Happy birthday Bill
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/17/10 at 1:57 pm
The word of the day...Velvet
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinct feel.
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Black Velvet-Alaynnah Myles
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/17/10 at 1:59 pm
The person who was born on this day...Dennis Hopper
Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1955, and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Over the next ten years, Hopper appeared frequently on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films. He directed and starred in Easy Rider (1969), winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer of the film's script.
He was unable to build on his success for several years, until a featured role in Apocalypse Now (1979) brought him attention. He subsequently appeared in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Osterman Weekend (1983), and received critical recognition for his work in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, with the latter film garnering him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He directed Colors (1988), and portrayed King Koopa in the film version of Super Mario Bros. (1993) and the villain in Speed (1994). Hopper's more recent work includes a leading role in the television series Crash.
Hopper is a prolific photographer, painter, and sculptor whose works are exhibited worldwide.
Hopper was reported to have an uncredited role in Johnny Guitar in 1954 but he has stated that he was not even in Hollywood when this film was made. Hopper made his debut on film cast in two seminal roles with James Dean (whom he admired immensely) in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Dean's death in a 1955 car accident affected the young Hopper deeply and it was shortly afterwards that he got into a confrontation with veteran director Henry Hathaway on the film From Hell To Texas. Hopper refused directions for eighty takes over several days.
In his book Last Train to Memphis, American popular music historian Peter Guralnick says that in 1956, when Elvis Presley was making his first film in Hollywood, Hopper was roommates with fellow actor Nick Adams and the three became friends and socialized together. Hopper moved to New York and studied at Lee Strasberg's acting school.
Hopper had a supporting role as "Babalugats," the bet-taker in Cool Hand Luke (1967). Hopper acted in mainstream films including The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) and True Grit (1969). Both of these films starred John Wayne, and in both Hopper's character is killed. During the production of True Grit, he became well acquainted with Wayne.
In 1969, Hopper teamed with Peter Fonda, Terry Southern, and Jack Nicholson to make Easy Rider. Hopper won wide acclaim as the director for his improvisational methods and innovative editing. The production was plagued by creative differences and personal acrimony between Fonda and Hopper, the dissolution of Hopper's marriage to Hayward, his unwillingness to leave the editor's desk, and his accelerating abuse of drugs and alcohol.
In 1971, Hopper released The Last Movie. Expecting an accessible follow-up to Easy Rider, audiences were treated to artistic flourishes (the inclusion of "scene missing" cards) and a hazily existentialist plot that dabbled in non-linearity and the absurd. After finishing first at the Venice Film Festival, the film was dismissed by audiences and critics alike during its first domestic engagement in New York City. During the tumultuous editing process, Hopper ensconced himself in Taos, New Mexico for almost an entire year. In between contesting Fonda's rights to the majority of the residual profits from Easy Rider, he married Michelle Phillips in October 1970. Citing spousal abuse and his various addictions, she filed for divorce a week after their wedding.
Hopper was able to sustain his lifestyle and a measure of celebrity by acting in numerous low budget and European films throughout the 1970s as the archetypical "tormented maniac", including Mad Dog Morgan (1976), Tracks (1976), and The American Friend (1977). With Francis Ford Coppola's blockbuster Apocalypse Now (1979), Hopper returned to prominence as a hypomanic Vietnam-era photojournalist. Stepping in for an overwhelmed director, Hopper won praise in 1980 for his directing and acting in Out of the Blue. Immediately thereafter, Hopper starred as an addled short-order cook "Cracker" in the Neil Young/Dean Stockwell low-budget collaboration Human Highway. Production was reportedly often delayed by his unreliable behavior. Peter Biskind states in the New Hollywood history Easy Riders, Raging Bulls that Hopper's cocaine intake had reached three grams a day by this time period, complemented by an additional thirty beers, marijuana, and Cuba libres.
Hopper with Jack Nicholson at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990.
After staging a "suicide attempt" (really more of a daredevil act) in a coffin using 17 sticks of dynamite during an "art happening" at the Rice University Media Center (reportedly filmed by film professor Brian Huberman) and later disappearing into the Mexican desert during a particularly extravagant bender, Hopper entered a drug rehabilitation program in 1983. During this period, he gave critically-acclaimed performances in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Osterman Weekend (1983).
It was not until he portrayed the gas-huffing, obscenity-screaming iconic villain Frank Booth in David Lynch's Blue Velvet (1986) that his career revived. After reading the script, Hopper called Lynch and told him "You have to let me play Frank Booth. Because I am Frank Booth!" Hopper won critical acclaim and several awards for this role and the same year received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Hoosiers.
In 1988, Hopper directed the critically-acclaimed Colors. He was nominated for an Emmy award for the 1991 HBO films Paris Trout and Doublecrossed (in which he played real life drug smuggler and DEA informant Barry Seal). He starred in Super Mario Bros. a 1993 critical and commercial failure loosely based on the video game of the same name as King Koopa. Despite the failure of the film, it led to several villainous roles in the following years. He co-starred in the 1994 blockbuster Speed with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
In 1995, Hopper played a greedy TV self help guru, Dr. Luther Waxling in Search and Destroy. The same year, he starred as Deacon, the one-eyed nemesis of Kevin Costner in Waterworld. In 2003, Hopper was in the running for the dual lead in the indie horror drama Firecracker, but was ousted at the last minute in favor of Mike Patton. His last major feature film appearance was in the 2008 film Elegy with Sir Ben Kingsley, Penelope Cruz and Debbie Harry.
Television work
Hopper debuted in an episode of the Richard Boone television series Medic in 1955, portraying a young epileptic.
He appeared as an arrogant young gunfighter, the Utah Kid, in the 1956 episode "Quicksand" of the first hour-long television western television series, ABC's Cheyenne, starring Clint Walker. In the story line, the Kid gave Cheyenne Bodie no choice but to kill him in a gunfight.
He subsequently appeared in over 140 episodes of television shows such as Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, The Defenders, The Investigators, The Legend of Jesse James, The Big Valley, The Time Tunnel, The Rifleman and Combat!.
Hopper teamed with Nike in the early 1990s to make a series of television commercials. He appeared as a "crazed referee" in those ads. He portrayed villain Victor Drazen in the first season of the popular drama 24 on the Fox television network.
Hopper starred in the NBC 2005 television series E-Ring, a drama set at The Pentagon, but the series was cancelled after fourteen episodes aired in the USA. Hopper appeared in all 22 episodes that were filmed. He also played the part of record producer Ben Cendars in the Starz television series Crash.
Photography and art
Hopper is a prolific photographer, painter, and sculptor. His photography is known for portraits from the 1960s. His painting style ranges from abstract impressionism to photorealism and often includes references to his cinematic work and to other artists.
Ostracized by the Hollywood film studios due to his reputation for being a "difficult" actor, Hopper eventually turned to photography in the 1960s with a camera bought for him by his first wife, Brooke Hayward. During this period he created the cover art for the Ike & Tina Turner album River Deep - Mountain High (released in 1966).
Hopper became a prolific photographer, and noted writer Terry Southern profiled Hopper in Better Homes and Gardens magazine as an up and coming photographer "to watch" in the mid 1960s.
He began working as a painter and a poet as well as a collector of art in the 1960s as well, particularly Pop Art. One of the first art works Hopper owned was an early print of Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans bought for $75.
On March 30, 2010, it was announced that Hopper was on the "short list" for Jeffrey Deitch's inaugural show at MOCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
On April 15, 2010, Deitch confirmed that Hopper's work, curated by Julian Schnabel, will indeed be the focus of his debut at MOCA.
Personal life
Hopper in 2008
Hopper has been married five times and has four children:
* Brooke Hayward (born 1937), daughter of Leland Hayward and Margaret Sullavan); married 1961 – divorced 1969, 1 child, daughter Marin Hopper (born on June 26, 1962)
* Michelle Phillips (born 1944); married 31 October 1970 - divorced 8 November 1970
* Daria Halprin (born 1948); married 1972 - divorced 1976, 1 child, daughter Ruthanna Hopper (born circa 1974)
* Katherine LaNasa (born 1966); married June 17, 1989 – divorced April 1992, 1 child, son Henry Lee Hopper (born on September 11, 1990)
* Victoria Duffy (born 1968); married April 13, 1996 – separated January 12, 2010, 1 child, daughter Galen Grier Hopper (born on March 26, 2003)
Hopper has two granddaughters, Violet Goldstone and Ella Brill.
In 1999, actor Rip Torn filed a defamation lawsuit against Hopper over a story Hopper told on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Hopper claimed that Torn pulled a knife on him during pre-production of the film Easy Rider. According to Hopper, Torn was originally cast in the film but was replaced with Jack Nicholson after the incident. According to Torn's suit, it was actually Hopper who pulled the knife on him. A judge ruled in Torn's favor and Hopper was ordered to pay US$475,000 in damages. Hopper then appealed but the judge again ruled in Torn's favor and Hopper was required to pay another US$475,000 in punitive damages.
According to Newsmeat, Hopper donated US$2,000 to the Republican National Committee in 2004 and an equal amount in 2005. In Al Franken's book Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, the author recounts a warm, cordial encounter between Hopper and then-Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
In 2008, Hopper starred in An American Carol, a right-leaning comedy, with Jon Voight, Kelsey Grammer, and James Woods.
Hopper lives in Venice, California and owns property in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Hopper has been honored with the rank of commander of France's National Order of Arts and Letters, at a ceremony in Paris.
Hopper supported Barack Obama in the 2008 US Presidential election. Hopper confirmed this in an election day appearance on the ABC daytime show The View. He said his reason for not voting Republican was the selection of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate.
Divorce from Victoria Duffy
On January 14, 2010, he filed for divorce from his fifth wife, Victoria Duffy. After citing her "outrageous conduct", and stating Duffy was "insane", "inhuman", and "volatile", Hopper was granted a restraining order against her on February 11, 2010, and as a result, she has been forbidden to come within ten feet of him or contact him in any way. On March 9, 2010, Duffy refused to move out of the Hopper home, despite the court's order that she do so by March 15.
On March 23, 2010, Hopper filed papers in court alleging Duffy had absconded with $1.5 million of his art, refused his requests to return it, and then had "left town." In March 2010, a judge ruled that Duffy must stay at least 10 feet away from Hopper.
On April 5, 2010, a court ruled that Duffy can continue living on Hopper's property, and that he must pay $12,000 per month spousal and child support for their daughter Galen. Hopper did not attend the hearing. On May 12, 2010, a hearing was held in front of Judge Amy Pellman in downtown Los Angeles Superior Court to decide who to designate on Hopper's life insurance policy which currently lists his wife as beneficiary. A very ill Hopper did not appear in court though his estranged wife did - case BD518046. The judge ruled that the policy should not be changed at present.
Illness
On September 30, 2009, news media reported that Hopper had been rushed to a New York hospital for an unspecified condition. Hopper, 73, was reportedly brought into an unidentified Manhattan hospital by an ambulance on Monday wearing an oxygen mask and “with numerous tubes visible.” On October 2, he was discharged, after receiving treatment for dehydration.
On October 29, Hopper's manager reported that Hopper has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. In January 2010, it was reported that Hopper's cancer had metastasized to his bones.
As of March 23, 2010, Hopper reportedly weighed only 100 pounds and is unable to carry on long conversations. According to papers filed in his divorce court case, Hopper is terminally ill and is unable to undergo chemotherapy to treat his prostate cancer. According to his lawyer, as reported on March 25, he is dying from cancer.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hopper at a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2010
On March 18, 2010, it was announced that Hopper would be honored with the 2,403rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in front of the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Surrounded by friends including Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch, Michael Madsen, family, and fans, he attended its addition to the sidewalk on March 26, 2010. The star was sponsored by Starz Entertainment.
Collaborations
On the Gorillaz album Demon Days, Hopper is the narrator of the song "Fire Coming out of the Monkey's Head."
Filmography
Features
* Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
* I Died a Thousand Times (1955)
* Giant (1956)
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
* The Story of Mankind (1957)
* Sayonara (1957) (voice only)
* From Hell to Texas (1958)
* The Young Land (1959)
* Key Witness (1960)
* Night Tide (1961)
* Tarzan and Jane Regained... Sort of (1964)
* The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
* Queen of Blood (1966)
* The Trip (1967)
* Cool Hand Luke (1967)
* The Glory Stompers (1968)
* Hang 'Em High (1968)
* Panic in the City (1968)
* Easy Rider (1969) (Director)
* True Grit (1969)
* The Festival Game (1970) (documentary)
* The American Dreamer (1971) (documentary)
* The Last Movie (1971) (Director)
* The Other Side of the Wind (1972) (unfinished)
* Crush Proof (1972)
* Kid Blue (1973)
* Tracks (1976)
* Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
* The American Friend (1977)
* The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1977)
* Flesh Color (1978)
* Last In, First Out (1978)
* Apocalypse Now (1979)
* Bloodbath (1979)
* Out of the Blue (1980) (Director)
* Reborn (1981)
* King of the Mountain (1981)
* Neil Young: Human Highway (1982)
* Rumble Fish (1983)
* The Osterman Weekend (1983)
* White Star (1983)
* The Dynamite Coffin Stunt (1983)
* Jungle Warriors (1984)
* The Inside Man (1984)
* My Science Project (1985)
* Riders of the Storm (1986)
* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
* River's Edge (1986)
* Blue Velvet (1986)
* Hoosiers (1986)
* Running Out of Luck (1987)
* Black Widow (1987)
* Straight to Hell (1987)
* O.C. and Stiggs (1987)
* The Pick-up Artist (1987)
* Blood Red (1989)
* Chattahoochee (1989)
* Flashing on the Sixties, A Tribal Docment directed by Lisa Law (1989)
* Flashback (1990)
* Hollywood Mavericks (1990) (documentary)
* Catchfire (1990) (Director)
* Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990) (documentary)
* Motion & Emotion (1990) (documentary)
* Sunset Heat (1991)
* Paris Trout (1991)
* Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) (documentary)
* Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991) (documentary)
* The Indian Runner (1991)
* Eye of the Storm (1991)
* SnowwhiteRosered (1991) (documentary)
* Nails (1992) (1992)
* Red Rock West (1992)
* The Revenge of the Dead Indians (1993)
* Boiling Point (1993)
* Super Mario Bros. (1993)
* True Romance (1993)
* Chasers (1994)
* Speed (1994)
* Search and Destroy (1995)
* Waterworld (1995)
* Cannes Man (1996)
* Carried Away (1996)
* Space Truckers (1996)
* Basquiat (1996)
* The Last Days of Frankie the Fly (1996)
* Top of the World (1997)
* The Good Life (1997)
* The Blackout (1997)
* Who Is Henry Jaglom? (1997) (documentary)
* Road Ends (1997)
* Black Dahlia (1998) (video game)
* Michael Angel (1998)
* Meet the Deedles (1998)
* Tycus (1998)
* Robert Rauschenberg: Inventive Genius (1999) (documentary) (narrator)
* The Prophet's Game (1999)
* Lured Innocence (1999)
* The Source (1999) (documentary)
* EDtv (1999)
* Straight Shooter (1999)
* Jesus' Son (1999)
* The Venice Project (1999)
* Bad City Blues (1999)
* The Spreading Ground (2000)
* Jason and the Argonauts (2000)
* Luck of the Draw (2000)
* Welcome to Hollywood (2000)
* Held for Ransom (2000)
* Ticker (2001)
* Choke (2001)
* Knockaround Guys (2001)
* Jazz Seen: The Life and Times of William Claxton (2001) (documentary)
* L.A.P.D.: To Protect and to Serve (2001)
* 1 Giant Leap (2002) (documentary)
* I Don't Know Jack (2002) (documentary)
* Unspeakable (2002)
* Leo (2002)
* Venice: Lost and Found (2002) (documentary)
* The Piano Player (2002)
* Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003) (documentary)
* A Decade Under the Influence (2003) (documentary)
* Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) (2003) (documentary)
* The Night We Called It a Day (2003)
* Legacy (2004)
* The Keeper (2004)
* The Last Ride (2004)
* Out of Season (2004)
* Tell Them Who You Are (2004) (documentary)
* Inside Deep Throat (2005) (documentary) (narrator)
* House of 9 (2005)
* Hoboken Hollow (2005)
* Americano (2005)
* Land of the Dead (2005)
* Going Through Splat: The Life and Work of Stewart Stern (2005) (documentary)
* Champion (2005) (documentary)
* The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005)
* Land of the Dead (2005)
* Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005) (documentary)
* Tainted Love (2006)
* The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose (2006) (documentary)
* Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi (2006) (documentary) (narrator)
* 10th & Wolf (2006)
* Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (2006) (documentary)
* 3055 Jean Leon (2006) (documentary)
* Memory (2006)
* By the Ways: A Journey with William Eggleston (2007) (documentary)
* Hell Ride (2008)
* Sleepwalking (2008)
* Bananaz (2008) (documentary)
* Elegy (2008)
* Générations 68 (2008) (documentary)
* Swing Vote (2008)
* Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) (documentary)
* Palermo Shooting (2008)
* Ferlinghetti: A City Light (2008) (documentary)
* An American Carol (2008)
* Shooting Palermo (2008) (documentary)
* The Brothers Warner (2008) (documentary)
* No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2008) (documentary)
* Dead On: The Life and Cinema of George A. Romero (2008) (documentary)
* The Last Film Festival (2009)
* Forever (2009)
* Deadly Creatures (2009) (video game)
Upcoming
* Alpha and Omega (2010)
Short subjects
* The Thirteen Most Beautiful Boys (1964)
* Screen Test#1 (1965)
* Screen Test#2 (1965)
* Screen Test#3 (1966)
* Screen Test#4 (1966)
* Luke (1967)
* A Hero of Our Time (1985)
* New Scenes from America (2003)
Awards
Academy Awards
* (1970) Nominated - Best Original Screenplay / Easy Rider (shared with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern)
* (1987) Nominated - Best Supporting Actor / Hoosiers
Golden Globe Awards
* (1987) Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture / Hoosiers
* (1987) Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture / Blue Velvet
Primetime Emmy Awards
* (1991) Nominated - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Miniseries or a Movie / Paris Trout
Cannes Film Festival Awards
* (1969) Won - Best First Work Award / Easy Rider
* (1969) Nominated - Palme d'Or / Easy Rider
* (1980) Nominated - Palme d'Or / Out of the Blue
Directors Guild of America Award
* (1970) Nominated - Outstanding Directing - Feature Film / Easy Rider
Independent Spirit Awards
* (1987) Nominated - Best Male Lead / Blue Velvet
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
* (1987) Won - Best Supporting Actor / Blue Velvet
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
* (1987) Won - Best Supporting Actor / Blue Velvet & Hoosiers
MTV Movie Awards
* (1995) Won - Best Villain / Speed
National Society of Film Critics Awards
* (1970) Won - Special Award ("For the director, co-writer and co-star") / Easy Rider
* (1987) Won - Best Supporting Actor / Blue Velvet
Writers Guild of America Award
* (1970) Nominated - Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen / Easy Rider (shared with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern)
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http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa174/denverbiblio/DennisHopper.jpg
and still hanging in there. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/18/10 at 5:26 am
The word of the day...Night
Night or nighttime is the period of time when the sun is below the horizon. The opposite of night is day (or "daytime" to distinguish it from "day" as used for a 24-hour period). The start and end times of night vary based on factors such as season, latitude, longitude and timezone.
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http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a455/chezboots/Stadiums/nrl_night.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss250/LONERANGERZOMBIE/NIGHT.jpg
http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad87/bball_legend7/vancouver_night_cityscape.jpg
http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz169/Kry-241/cities-72.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/18/10 at 5:39 am
Good Night.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/18/10 at 5:45 am
The person born on this day...Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey (pronounced /ˈfeɪ/; born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedienne, writer, and producer. She has received seven Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Writers Guild of America Awards. She was singled out as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008 by the Associated Press, who gave her their AP Entertainer of the Year award.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1992, Fey moved to Chicago to take classes at the improvisational comedy group The Second City, where she became a featured player in 1994. Three years later, Fey became a writer for the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). She was promoted to the position of head writer in 1999. The following year, Fey was added to the cast of SNL. During her time there, she was co-anchor of the show's Weekend Update segment. After leaving SNL in 2006, she created her own television series called 30 Rock, a situation comedy loosely based on her experiences at SNL. In the series, Fey portrays the head writer of a fictional sketch comedy series.
In 2004, Fey made her film debut as writer and co-star of the teen comedy Mean Girls. In 2008, she starred in the comedy film Baby Mama, alongside Amy Poehler. In 2009, Fey won an Emmy Award for her satirical portrayal of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a guest appearance on SNL.
Fey was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, a township just outside of Philadelphia. She is the daughter of Zenovia "Jeanne" (née Xenakes), a brokerage employee of Greek ancestry, and Donald Fey, a university grant proposal-writer of German and Scottish ancestry. She has a brother, who is eight years older, named Peter.
Fey was exposed to comedy early. She recalls:
I remember my parents sneaking me in to see Young Frankenstein. We would also watch Saturday Night Live, or Monty Python, or old Marx Brothers movies. My dad would let us stay up late to watch The Honeymooners. We were not allowed to watch The Flintstones though: my dad hated it because it ripped off The Honeymooners. I actually have a very low level of Flintstones knowledge for someone my age.
She also grew up watching Second City Television (SCTV) and cites Catherine O'Hara as a role model.
Fey attended Cardington Elementary School and Beverly Hills Middle School in Upper Darby. By middle school, she knew she was interested in comedy, even doing an independent-study project on the subject in eighth grade. Fey attended Upper Darby High School, where she was an honor student, a member of the choir, drama club, and tennis team, and co-editor of the school's newspaper. Following her graduation in 1988, Fey enrolled at the University of Virginia, where she studied playwriting and acting. She graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.
Career
Early career
After graduating, Fey originally had plans to do graduate work in drama at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, but "I just got this feeling like it wasn't going to work out ... they were going to take my money and then cut me from the program." She moved to Chicago anyway, knowing about the improvisational comedy troupe, The Second City. She took night classes at Second City, and had a day job working at the front desk of a YMCA facility in Evanston to pay for her classes. Once her Second City training began, she immersed herself in the "cult of improvisation", becoming, as she described it later, "like one of those athletes trying to get into the Olympics. It was all about blind focus. I was so sure that I was doing exactly what I'd been put on this earth to do, and I would have done anything to make it onto that stage. Not because of SNL, but because I wanted to devote my life to improv. I would have been perfectly happy to stay at Second City forever."
In 1994, she joined the cast of The Second City, where she performed eight shows a week, for two years. She was also in the revues Citizen Gates (1996) and Paradigm Lost (1997), where she performed alongside Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, Rachel Dratch, Jenna Jolovitz, and Jim Zulevic. Improvisation became an important influence on her initial understanding of what it means to be an actress, as she noted in an interview for The Believer in November 2003:
When I started, improv had the biggest impact on my acting. I studied the usual acting methods at college – Stanislavsky and whatnot. But none of it really clicked for me. My problem with the traditional acting method was that I never understood what you were supposed to be thinking about when you're onstage. But at Second City, I learned that your focus should be entirely on your partner. You take what they're giving you and use it to build a scene. That opened it up for me. Suddenly it all made sense. It's about your partner. Not what you're going to say, not finding the perfect mannerisms or tics for your character, not what you're going to eat later. Improv helped to distract me from my usual stage bullsheesh and put my focus somewhere else so that I could stop acting. I guess that's what method acting is supposed to accomplish anyway. It distracts you so that your body and emotions can work freely. Improv is just a version of method acting that works for me.
While in Chicago, Fey also made what she later described as an "amateurish" attempt at stand-up comedy. She also performed at the ImprovOlympic theater.
Saturday Night Live (1997–2006)
While performing shows with the Second City in 1997, Fey submitted several scripts to NBC's variety show Saturday Night Live (SNL), at the request of their head writer Adam McKay, a former performer at Second City. She was hired as a writer for SNL following a meeting with SNL creator Lorne Michaels, and moved to New York. Fey told The New Yorker, "I’d had my eye on the show forever, the way other kids have their eye on Derek Jeter." Originally, Fey "struggled" at SNL. Her first sketch to air starred Chris Farley in a Sally Jessy Raphael satire. Fey went on to write a series of parodies, including one of ABC's morning talk show The View. She co-wrote the "Sully and Denise" sketches with Rachel Dratch, who plays one of the teens.
Fey played an extra in one of the episodes in 1998, and after watching herself, decided to diet, by which she lost 30 pounds. She told The New York Times, "I was a completely normal weight. But I was here in New York City, I had money and I couldn't buy any clothes. After I lost weight, there was interest in putting me on camera." In 1999, McKay stepped down as head writer, which led Michaels to approach Fey for the position. She became SNL's first female head writer, a milestone she downplays in light of the fact that there have not been very many head writers.
In 2000, Fey began performing in sketches, and she and Jimmy Fallon became co-anchors of SNL's Weekend Update segment. Fey admitted she did not ask to audition, but that Michaels approached her. Michaels explained that there was "chemistry" between Fey and Fallon. Michaels, however, revealed that choosing Fey was "kind of risky" at the time. Her role in Weekend Update was well received by critics. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "...Fey delivers such blow darts – poison filled jokes written in long, precisely parsed sentences unprecedented in Update history – with such a bright, sunny countenance makes her all the more devilishly delightful." Dennis Miller, a former cast member of SNL and anchor of Weekend Update, was pleased with Fey as one of the anchors for the segment: "...Fey might be the best Weekend Update anchor who ever did it. She writes the funniest jokes". Robert Bianco of USA Today, however, commented that he was "not enamored" with the pairing.
In 2001, Fey and the writing staff won a Writers Guild of America Award for SNL's 25th anniversary special. The following year at the 2002 Emmy Awards ceremony, she and the writing team won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
The pairing of Fey and Fallon ended in May 2004 when Fallon last appeared as a cast member. He was replaced by Amy Poehler. It was the first time that two women co-anchored Weekend Update. Fey revealed that she "hired" Poehler as her co-host for the segment. The reception to the teaming of Fey and Poehler was positive, with Rachel Sklar of the Chicago Tribune noting that the pairing "has been a hilarious, pitch-perfect success as they play off each other with quick one-liners and deadpan delivery".
The 2005-2006 season was her last, as she thereafter departed to develop 30 Rock.
30 Rock (2006–present)
Main article: 30 Rock
Fey filming an episode of 30 Rock at Rockefeller Center in October 2007.
In 2002, Fey suggested a pilot episode for a situation comedy about a cable news network to NBC, who rejected it. The pilot was reworked to revolve around an SNL style series, and was accepted by NBC. She signed a contract with NBC in May 2003, which allowed her to remain in her SNL head writer position at least through the 2004–2005 television season. As part of the contract, Fey was to develop a primetime project to be produced by Broadway Video and NBC Universal. She began developing the pilot project under the working title Untitled Tina Fey Project. The pilot, directed by Adam Bernstein, centered on the head writer of a variety show and how she managed her relationships with the show's volatile star and its executive producer. In October 2006, the pilot aired on NBC as 30 Rock. Although the episode received generally favorable reviews, it finished third in its timeslot.
The network renewed the series for a second season, which began in October 2007. The show's third season premiered on October 30, 2008. The premiere episode set records for the highest ratings of the series. In January 2009, NBC renewed 30 Rock for the 2009–2010 season.
In 2007, Fey received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. The show itself won the 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. In 2008, she won the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Emmy awards all in the category for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The following year, Fey again won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award in the same categories, and was nominated for an Emmy Award. In early 2010, Fey received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Lead Actress.
Sarah Palin
See also: Saturday Night Live parodies of Sarah Palin
Web promo for 2008 web video of Palin (Fey) and Clinton (Poehler) from NBC.com.
In September and October 2008 Fey guested on SNL to perform a series of parodies of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. On the 34th season premiere episode, aired September 13, 2008, Fey imitated Palin in a sketch, alongside Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton. Their repartee included Clinton needling Palin about her "Tina Fey glasses". The sketch quickly became NBC.com's most-watched viral video ever, with 5.7 million views by the following Wednesday. Fey reprised this role on the October 4 show, and on the October 18 show where she was joined by the real Sarah Palin. The October 18 show had the best ratings of any SNL show since 1994. The following year Fey won an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her impersonation of Palin. Fey returned to SNL in April 2010, and reprised her impression of Palin in one sketch titled "Sarah Palin Network".
In December 2009, Entertainment Weekly put her impersonation on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, writing, "Fey's freakishly spot-on SNL impersonation of the wannabe VP (and her ability to strike a balance between comedy and cruelty) made for truly transcendent television."
Other work
In 2000, Fey partnered with fellow SNL cast member Rachel Dratch in the Off Broadway two-woman show Dratch & Fey at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City. The production was well received by critics. Tim Townsend of The Wall Street Journal in review of Dratch & Fey, wrote that the fun part of watching them perform was "seeing how comfortable they are with each other". He concluded that the production "isn't about two women being funny. Dratch and Fey are just funny. Period." One of the SNL sketches, "Sully and Denise", originated at Second City in Chicago.
On August 13, 2007, Fey made a guest appearance on the children's television series Sesame Street, in the episode, "The Bookaneers". She appeared as a guest judge on the November 25, 2007 episode of the Food Network program Iron Chef America. Fey has appeared in Disney's campaign "Year of a Million Dreams" as Tinker Bell, along with Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan and Gisele Bündchen as Wendy Darling. She has also done commercials for American Express credit card.
On February 23, 2008, Fey hosted the first episode of SNL after the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. For this appearance, she was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. Fey also returned to the Weekend Update desk for a special Mother's Day episode on May 8, 2010.
Feature films
In 2002, Fey appeared in the surreal comedy Martin & Orloff. She made her debut as writer and co-star of the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls. Characters and behaviors in the movie are based on Fey's high school life at Upper Darby High School and on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. The cast includes other past cast members of SNL including Tim Meadows, Ana Gasteyer, and Amy Poehler. The film received favorable reviews, and was a box office success, grossing $129 million worldwide.
Fey with Amy Poehler at the premiere of Baby Mama in New York.
In a 2004 interview, Fey expressed that she would like to write and direct movies in which she has small parts. As of April 2006, Fey has been working on a movie script for Paramount Pictures, which will feature Sacha Baron Cohen, by the name of Curly Oxide and Vic Thrill that is based loosely on the true story of a Hasidic rock musician. In 2007, she was cast in the animated comedy film Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters as the teens' mother, a giant burrito.
Fey and former SNL castmate Amy Poehler starred in the 2008 comedy Baby Mama. The movie was written and directed by Michael McCullers. The plot concerns Kate (Fey), a business woman, who wants a child but, discovering she has only a million-to-one chance of getting pregnant, decides to find a surrogate: Angie (Poehler), a white-trash schemer. Baby Mama received mixed reviews, but many critics enjoyed Fey's performance. Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote: "Fey is a delight to watch throughout. Able to convey Kate's intentions and feelings through the simple looks and inflections, she never melodramatizes her situation; nor does her efficient, perfectionist side become overbearing." The movie grossed over $64 million at the box office.
Fey's projects after 2008 include her lending her voice to the character Lisa in the English language version of the Japanese animated film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (titled Ponyo for its U.S. release). In 2009, she appeared in The Invention of Lying, alongside Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, and Christopher Guest. Her next film role was in Shawn Levy's comedy Date Night, a feature that focuses on a married couple, played by Fey and Steve Carell, who go on a date; however, the night goes awry for the two. In addition, she has agreed to do voice work for the DreamWorks animated film MegaMind.
In the media
Fey was ranked in the Hot 100 List at number 80 on Maxim magazine in 2002. She was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2003, and one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2007, she was included in People's 100 Most Beautiful issue. Also in 2007, Fey placed seventh on the Hot 100 List on AfterEllen.com. She repeated the appearance the following year, however, being voted as number one on the list.
In 2001, Entertainment Weekly named Fey as one of their Entertainers of the Year for her work on Weekend Update. She again was named one of the magazine's Entertainers of the Year in 2007, and placed number two in 2008. In 2009, Fey was named as Entertainment Weekly's fifth individual in their 15 Entertainers of the 2000s list. The newspaper editors and broadcast producers of the Associated Press voted Fey the AP Entertainer of the Year as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008, citing her impression of Sarah Palin on SNL. She has appeared on the annual Celebrity 100 list by Forbes in 2008 and 2009 at No. 99 and No. 86.
In 2007, the New York Post included Fey in New York's 50 Most Powerful Women, ranking her at number 33. Fey was among the Time 100, a list of the 100 most influential people in the world, in 2007 and 2009, as selected annually by Time magazine. Fey's featured article for the 2009 list was written by 30 Rock co-star, Alec Baldwin. She was selected by Barbara Walters as one of America's 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008.
Personal life
Fey and Jeff Richmond in April 2010
Fey is married to Jeff Richmond, composer on 30 Rock. They met at Chicago's Second City and dated for seven years before marrying in a Greek Orthodox ceremony on June 3, 2001. They have a daughter—Alice Zenobia Richmond—who was born on September 10, 2005, during Fey's tenure at SNL. Fey returned to the show on October 22, saying "I had to get back to work. NBC has me under contract; the baby and I have only a verbal agreement." In April 2009, Fey and Richmond purchased a $3.4 million apartment in the Upper West Side in New York City.
Fey has a scar a few inches long on the left side of her chin and cheek. Responding to questions about its origin, Fey was quoted in the November 25, 2001, New York Times article as saying: "It's a childhood injury that was kind of grim. And it kind of bums my parents out for me to talk about it". But in an interview with Fey and Richmond in the January 2009 issue of Vanity Fair, Richmond revealed the scar resulted from a slashing incident, which happened when she was five. Richmond said: "It was in, like, the front yard of her house, and somebody just came up, and she just thought somebody marked her with a pen." She has said she was reluctant to discuss the incident in part because "It's impossible to talk about it without somehow seemingly exploiting it." Fey favors the right (non-scar) side of her face when acting as her character Liz Lemon.
Her charity work includes support of Autism Speaks, an organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. At the 64th Golden Globe Awards, Fey wore a blue puzzle piece to raise awareness for the organization. In April 2008, she participated in Night of Too Many Stars, a comedy show benefit for autism education.
Fey is also a supporter of Mercy Corps, a global relief and development organization, in their campaign to end world hunger. Fey narrated a video for Mercy Corps's Action Center in New York City, describing hunger as a symptom of many wider world problems. She also supports the Love Our Children USA organization, which fights violence against children, who named her among their Mothers Who Make a Difference in 2009. She is the 2009 national spokesperson for the Light The Night Walk, which benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Detailed works
As a writer
Year/s Title Medium Notes
1997–2006 Saturday Night Live TV Head writer 1999–2006
2004 Mean Girls Film Screenplay adapted from Queen Bees and Wannabes
2006–present 30 Rock TV Episodes written:
Season 1: (8/21) "Pilot", "The Aftermath", "Tracy Does Conan", "The Head and the Hair"*, "Black Tie"*, "Up All Night", "The C Word", "Hiatus"
Season 2: (4/15) "SeinfeldVision", "Somebody to Love"*, "MILF Island"*, "Cooter"
Season 3: (4) "Do-Over", "Christmas Special"*, "St. Valentine's Day"*, "The Bubble", "The Natural Order"*
*denotes episode co-written.
(Source: IMDb.com)
As an actress
Year/s Title Medium Role/s Notes
1998–2006, 2008, 2010 Saturday Night Live TV Multiple Includes being a cast member from 1998 to 2006, host of Weekend Update (2000–2006), guest in 2008 and 2010, and made five appearances impersonating Sarah Palin.
1999 Upright Citizens Brigade TV Kerri Downey One Episode
2002 Martin & Orloff Film Southern Women
2004 Mean Girls Film Ms. Norbury
2006 Artie Lange's Beer League Film Gym Secretary
2006–present 30 Rock TV Liz Lemon
2008 Baby Mama Film Kate Holbrook
2009 Ponyo Film Lisa Voice (English version)
The Invention of Lying Film Shelley
2010 Date Night Film Claire Foster
MegaMind Film Roxanne Ritchi Voice
(Source: IMDb.com)
Awards and nominations
The following awards are categorized under the year they were announced (and not necessarily the year covered by the award ceremony).
Year Award Category Work Result
2001 Emmy Award Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
WGA Award Comedy/Variety series Saturday Night Live Nominated
Comedy/Variety special Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special Won
2002 Emmy Award Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live Won
WGA Award Comedy/Variety series Nominated
2003 Emmy Award Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
WGA Award Comedy/Variety Series Nominated
Comedy/Variety Special Saturday Night Live: NBC 75th Anniversary Special Nominated
2004 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress: Comedy Nominated
2005 People's Choice Awards Favorite Funny Female Star Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Comedian Nominated
WGA Award Best Adapted Screenplay Mean Girls Nominated
2007 Emmy Award Comedy Series 30 Rock Won
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Writing for a Comedy Series "Tracy Does Conan" for 30 Rock Nominated
WGA Award Comedy Series 30 Rock Nominated
New Series Nominated
Comedy/Variety Special Saturday Night Live Won
2008 Emmy Award Comedy Series 30 Rock Won
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Writing for a Comedy Series "Cooter" for 30 Rock Won
Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
Golden Globe Award Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy 30 Rock Won
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Female Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
WGA Award Comedy Series Won
2009 Golden Globe Award Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy Won
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Female Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
WGA Award Comedy Series Won
Episodic Comedy "Cooter" for 30 Rock Nominated
Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Portrayal of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live Won
Comedy Series 30 Rock Won
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2010 Golden Globe Award Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy Nominated
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Female Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Ensemble in a Comedy Series
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http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr252/foamysfry57/tina_fey.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/18/10 at 5:47 am
The person born on this day...Tina Fey
Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey (pronounced /ˈfeɪ/; born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedienne, writer, and producer. She has received seven Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Writers Guild of America Awards. She was singled out as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008 by the Associated Press, who gave her their AP Entertainer of the Year award.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1992, Fey moved to Chicago to take classes at the improvisational comedy group The Second City, where she became a featured player in 1994. Three years later, Fey became a writer for the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). She was promoted to the position of head writer in 1999. The following year, Fey was added to the cast of SNL. During her time there, she was co-anchor of the show's Weekend Update segment. After leaving SNL in 2006, she created her own television series called 30 Rock, a situation comedy loosely based on her experiences at SNL. In the series, Fey portrays the head writer of a fictional sketch comedy series.
In 2004, Fey made her film debut as writer and co-star of the teen comedy Mean Girls. In 2008, she starred in the comedy film Baby Mama, alongside Amy Poehler. In 2009, Fey won an Emmy Award for her satirical portrayal of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a guest appearance on SNL.
Fey was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, a township just outside of Philadelphia. She is the daughter of Zenovia "Jeanne" (née Xenakes), a brokerage employee of Greek ancestry, and Donald Fey, a university grant proposal-writer of German and Scottish ancestry. She has a brother, who is eight years older, named Peter.
Fey was exposed to comedy early. She recalls:
I remember my parents sneaking me in to see Young Frankenstein. We would also watch Saturday Night Live, or Monty Python, or old Marx Brothers movies. My dad would let us stay up late to watch The Honeymooners. We were not allowed to watch The Flintstones though: my dad hated it because it ripped off The Honeymooners. I actually have a very low level of Flintstones knowledge for someone my age.
She also grew up watching Second City Television (SCTV) and cites Catherine O'Hara as a role model.
Fey attended Cardington Elementary School and Beverly Hills Middle School in Upper Darby. By middle school, she knew she was interested in comedy, even doing an independent-study project on the subject in eighth grade. Fey attended Upper Darby High School, where she was an honor student, a member of the choir, drama club, and tennis team, and co-editor of the school's newspaper. Following her graduation in 1988, Fey enrolled at the University of Virginia, where she studied playwriting and acting. She graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.
Career
Early career
After graduating, Fey originally had plans to do graduate work in drama at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, but "I just got this feeling like it wasn't going to work out ... they were going to take my money and then cut me from the program." She moved to Chicago anyway, knowing about the improvisational comedy troupe, The Second City. She took night classes at Second City, and had a day job working at the front desk of a YMCA facility in Evanston to pay for her classes. Once her Second City training began, she immersed herself in the "cult of improvisation", becoming, as she described it later, "like one of those athletes trying to get into the Olympics. It was all about blind focus. I was so sure that I was doing exactly what I'd been put on this earth to do, and I would have done anything to make it onto that stage. Not because of SNL, but because I wanted to devote my life to improv. I would have been perfectly happy to stay at Second City forever."
In 1994, she joined the cast of The Second City, where she performed eight shows a week, for two years. She was also in the revues Citizen Gates (1996) and Paradigm Lost (1997), where she performed alongside Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, Rachel Dratch, Jenna Jolovitz, and Jim Zulevic. Improvisation became an important influence on her initial understanding of what it means to be an actress, as she noted in an interview for The Believer in November 2003:
When I started, improv had the biggest impact on my acting. I studied the usual acting methods at college – Stanislavsky and whatnot. But none of it really clicked for me. My problem with the traditional acting method was that I never understood what you were supposed to be thinking about when you're onstage. But at Second City, I learned that your focus should be entirely on your partner. You take what they're giving you and use it to build a scene. That opened it up for me. Suddenly it all made sense. It's about your partner. Not what you're going to say, not finding the perfect mannerisms or tics for your character, not what you're going to eat later. Improv helped to distract me from my usual stage bullsheesh and put my focus somewhere else so that I could stop acting. I guess that's what method acting is supposed to accomplish anyway. It distracts you so that your body and emotions can work freely. Improv is just a version of method acting that works for me.
While in Chicago, Fey also made what she later described as an "amateurish" attempt at stand-up comedy. She also performed at the ImprovOlympic theater.
Saturday Night Live (1997–2006)
While performing shows with the Second City in 1997, Fey submitted several scripts to NBC's variety show Saturday Night Live (SNL), at the request of their head writer Adam McKay, a former performer at Second City. She was hired as a writer for SNL following a meeting with SNL creator Lorne Michaels, and moved to New York. Fey told The New Yorker, "I’d had my eye on the show forever, the way other kids have their eye on Derek Jeter." Originally, Fey "struggled" at SNL. Her first sketch to air starred Chris Farley in a Sally Jessy Raphael satire. Fey went on to write a series of parodies, including one of ABC's morning talk show The View. She co-wrote the "Sully and Denise" sketches with Rachel Dratch, who plays one of the teens.
Fey played an extra in one of the episodes in 1998, and after watching herself, decided to diet, by which she lost 30 pounds. She told The New York Times, "I was a completely normal weight. But I was here in New York City, I had money and I couldn't buy any clothes. After I lost weight, there was interest in putting me on camera." In 1999, McKay stepped down as head writer, which led Michaels to approach Fey for the position. She became SNL's first female head writer, a milestone she downplays in light of the fact that there have not been very many head writers.
In 2000, Fey began performing in sketches, and she and Jimmy Fallon became co-anchors of SNL's Weekend Update segment. Fey admitted she did not ask to audition, but that Michaels approached her. Michaels explained that there was "chemistry" between Fey and Fallon. Michaels, however, revealed that choosing Fey was "kind of risky" at the time. Her role in Weekend Update was well received by critics. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "...Fey delivers such blow darts – poison filled jokes written in long, precisely parsed sentences unprecedented in Update history – with such a bright, sunny countenance makes her all the more devilishly delightful." Dennis Miller, a former cast member of SNL and anchor of Weekend Update, was pleased with Fey as one of the anchors for the segment: "...Fey might be the best Weekend Update anchor who ever did it. She writes the funniest jokes". Robert Bianco of USA Today, however, commented that he was "not enamored" with the pairing.
In 2001, Fey and the writing staff won a Writers Guild of America Award for SNL's 25th anniversary special. The following year at the 2002 Emmy Awards ceremony, she and the writing team won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
The pairing of Fey and Fallon ended in May 2004 when Fallon last appeared as a cast member. He was replaced by Amy Poehler. It was the first time that two women co-anchored Weekend Update. Fey revealed that she "hired" Poehler as her co-host for the segment. The reception to the teaming of Fey and Poehler was positive, with Rachel Sklar of the Chicago Tribune noting that the pairing "has been a hilarious, pitch-perfect success as they play off each other with quick one-liners and deadpan delivery".
The 2005-2006 season was her last, as she thereafter departed to develop 30 Rock.
30 Rock (2006–present)
Main article: 30 Rock
Fey filming an episode of 30 Rock at Rockefeller Center in October 2007.
In 2002, Fey suggested a pilot episode for a situation comedy about a cable news network to NBC, who rejected it. The pilot was reworked to revolve around an SNL style series, and was accepted by NBC. She signed a contract with NBC in May 2003, which allowed her to remain in her SNL head writer position at least through the 2004–2005 television season. As part of the contract, Fey was to develop a primetime project to be produced by Broadway Video and NBC Universal. She began developing the pilot project under the working title Untitled Tina Fey Project. The pilot, directed by Adam Bernstein, centered on the head writer of a variety show and how she managed her relationships with the show's volatile star and its executive producer. In October 2006, the pilot aired on NBC as 30 Rock. Although the episode received generally favorable reviews, it finished third in its timeslot.
The network renewed the series for a second season, which began in October 2007. The show's third season premiered on October 30, 2008. The premiere episode set records for the highest ratings of the series. In January 2009, NBC renewed 30 Rock for the 2009–2010 season.
In 2007, Fey received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. The show itself won the 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. In 2008, she won the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Emmy awards all in the category for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. The following year, Fey again won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award in the same categories, and was nominated for an Emmy Award. In early 2010, Fey received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Lead Actress.
Sarah Palin
See also: Saturday Night Live parodies of Sarah Palin
Web promo for 2008 web video of Palin (Fey) and Clinton (Poehler) from NBC.com.
In September and October 2008 Fey guested on SNL to perform a series of parodies of Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. On the 34th season premiere episode, aired September 13, 2008, Fey imitated Palin in a sketch, alongside Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton. Their repartee included Clinton needling Palin about her "Tina Fey glasses". The sketch quickly became NBC.com's most-watched viral video ever, with 5.7 million views by the following Wednesday. Fey reprised this role on the October 4 show, and on the October 18 show where she was joined by the real Sarah Palin. The October 18 show had the best ratings of any SNL show since 1994. The following year Fey won an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her impersonation of Palin. Fey returned to SNL in April 2010, and reprised her impression of Palin in one sketch titled "Sarah Palin Network".
In December 2009, Entertainment Weekly put her impersonation on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, writing, "Fey's freakishly spot-on SNL impersonation of the wannabe VP (and her ability to strike a balance between comedy and cruelty) made for truly transcendent television."
Other work
In 2000, Fey partnered with fellow SNL cast member Rachel Dratch in the Off Broadway two-woman show Dratch & Fey at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City. The production was well received by critics. Tim Townsend of The Wall Street Journal in review of Dratch & Fey, wrote that the fun part of watching them perform was "seeing how comfortable they are with each other". He concluded that the production "isn't about two women being funny. Dratch and Fey are just funny. Period." One of the SNL sketches, "Sully and Denise", originated at Second City in Chicago.
On August 13, 2007, Fey made a guest appearance on the children's television series Sesame Street, in the episode, "The Bookaneers". She appeared as a guest judge on the November 25, 2007 episode of the Food Network program Iron Chef America. Fey has appeared in Disney's campaign "Year of a Million Dreams" as Tinker Bell, along with Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan and Gisele Bündchen as Wendy Darling. She has also done commercials for American Express credit card.
On February 23, 2008, Fey hosted the first episode of SNL after the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. For this appearance, she was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. Fey also returned to the Weekend Update desk for a special Mother's Day episode on May 8, 2010.
Feature films
In 2002, Fey appeared in the surreal comedy Martin & Orloff. She made her debut as writer and co-star of the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls. Characters and behaviors in the movie are based on Fey's high school life at Upper Darby High School and on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. The cast includes other past cast members of SNL including Tim Meadows, Ana Gasteyer, and Amy Poehler. The film received favorable reviews, and was a box office success, grossing $129 million worldwide.
Fey with Amy Poehler at the premiere of Baby Mama in New York.
In a 2004 interview, Fey expressed that she would like to write and direct movies in which she has small parts. As of April 2006, Fey has been working on a movie script for Paramount Pictures, which will feature Sacha Baron Cohen, by the name of Curly Oxide and Vic Thrill that is based loosely on the true story of a Hasidic rock musician. In 2007, she was cast in the animated comedy film Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters as the teens' mother, a giant burrito.
Fey and former SNL castmate Amy Poehler starred in the 2008 comedy Baby Mama. The movie was written and directed by Michael McCullers. The plot concerns Kate (Fey), a business woman, who wants a child but, discovering she has only a million-to-one chance of getting pregnant, decides to find a surrogate: Angie (Poehler), a white-trash schemer. Baby Mama received mixed reviews, but many critics enjoyed Fey's performance. Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote: "Fey is a delight to watch throughout. Able to convey Kate's intentions and feelings through the simple looks and inflections, she never melodramatizes her situation; nor does her efficient, perfectionist side become overbearing." The movie grossed over $64 million at the box office.
Fey's projects after 2008 include her lending her voice to the character Lisa in the English language version of the Japanese animated film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (titled Ponyo for its U.S. release). In 2009, she appeared in The Invention of Lying, alongside Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, and Christopher Guest. Her next film role was in Shawn Levy's comedy Date Night, a feature that focuses on a married couple, played by Fey and Steve Carell, who go on a date; however, the night goes awry for the two. In addition, she has agreed to do voice work for the DreamWorks animated film MegaMind.
In the media
Fey was ranked in the Hot 100 List at number 80 on Maxim magazine in 2002. She was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2003, and one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2007, she was included in People's 100 Most Beautiful issue. Also in 2007, Fey placed seventh on the Hot 100 List on AfterEllen.com. She repeated the appearance the following year, however, being voted as number one on the list.
In 2001, Entertainment Weekly named Fey as one of their Entertainers of the Year for her work on Weekend Update. She again was named one of the magazine's Entertainers of the Year in 2007, and placed number two in 2008. In 2009, Fey was named as Entertainment Weekly's fifth individual in their 15 Entertainers of the 2000s list. The newspaper editors and broadcast producers of the Associated Press voted Fey the AP Entertainer of the Year as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008, citing her impression of Sarah Palin on SNL. She has appeared on the annual Celebrity 100 list by Forbes in 2008 and 2009 at No. 99 and No. 86.
In 2007, the New York Post included Fey in New York's 50 Most Powerful Women, ranking her at number 33. Fey was among the Time 100, a list of the 100 most influential people in the world, in 2007 and 2009, as selected annually by Time magazine. Fey's featured article for the 2009 list was written by 30 Rock co-star, Alec Baldwin. She was selected by Barbara Walters as one of America's 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008.
Personal life
Fey and Jeff Richmond in April 2010
Fey is married to Jeff Richmond, composer on 30 Rock. They met at Chicago's Second City and dated for seven years before marrying in a Greek Orthodox ceremony on June 3, 2001. They have a daughter—Alice Zenobia Richmond—who was born on September 10, 2005, during Fey's tenure at SNL. Fey returned to the show on October 22, saying "I had to get back to work. NBC has me under contract; the baby and I have only a verbal agreement." In April 2009, Fey and Richmond purchased a $3.4 million apartment in the Upper West Side in New York City.
Fey has a scar a few inches long on the left side of her chin and cheek. Responding to questions about its origin, Fey was quoted in the November 25, 2001, New York Times article as saying: "It's a childhood injury that was kind of grim. And it kind of bums my parents out for me to talk about it". But in an interview with Fey and Richmond in the January 2009 issue of Vanity Fair, Richmond revealed the scar resulted from a slashing incident, which happened when she was five. Richmond said: "It was in, like, the front yard of her house, and somebody just came up, and she just thought somebody marked her with a pen." She has said she was reluctant to discuss the incident in part because "It's impossible to talk about it without somehow seemingly exploiting it." Fey favors the right (non-scar) side of her face when acting as her character Liz Lemon.
Her charity work includes support of Autism Speaks, an organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. At the 64th Golden Globe Awards, Fey wore a blue puzzle piece to raise awareness for the organization. In April 2008, she participated in Night of Too Many Stars, a comedy show benefit for autism education.
Fey is also a supporter of Mercy Corps, a global relief and development organization, in their campaign to end world hunger. Fey narrated a video for Mercy Corps's Action Center in New York City, describing hunger as a symptom of many wider world problems. She also supports the Love Our Children USA organization, which fights violence against children, who named her among their Mothers Who Make a Difference in 2009. She is the 2009 national spokesperson for the Light The Night Walk, which benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Detailed works
As a writer
Year/s Title Medium Notes
1997–2006 Saturday Night Live TV Head writer 1999–2006
2004 Mean Girls Film Screenplay adapted from Queen Bees and Wannabes
2006–present 30 Rock TV Episodes written:
Season 1: (8/21) "Pilot", "The Aftermath", "Tracy Does Conan", "The Head and the Hair"*, "Black Tie"*, "Up All Night", "The C Word", "Hiatus"
Season 2: (4/15) "SeinfeldVision", "Somebody to Love"*, "MILF Island"*, "Cooter"
Season 3: (4) "Do-Over", "Christmas Special"*, "St. Valentine's Day"*, "The Bubble", "The Natural Order"*
*denotes episode co-written.
(Source: IMDb.com)
As an actress
Year/s Title Medium Role/s Notes
1998–2006, 2008, 2010 Saturday Night Live TV Multiple Includes being a cast member from 1998 to 2006, host of Weekend Update (2000–2006), guest in 2008 and 2010, and made five appearances impersonating Sarah Palin.
1999 Upright Citizens Brigade TV Kerri Downey One Episode
2002 Martin & Orloff Film Southern Women
2004 Mean Girls Film Ms. Norbury
2006 Artie Lange's Beer League Film Gym Secretary
2006–present 30 Rock TV Liz Lemon
2008 Baby Mama Film Kate Holbrook
2009 Ponyo Film Lisa Voice (English version)
The Invention of Lying Film Shelley
2010 Date Night Film Claire Foster
MegaMind Film Roxanne Ritchi Voice
(Source: IMDb.com)
Awards and nominations
The following awards are categorized under the year they were announced (and not necessarily the year covered by the award ceremony).
Year Award Category Work Result
2001 Emmy Award Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
WGA Award Comedy/Variety series Saturday Night Live Nominated
Comedy/Variety special Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special Won
2002 Emmy Award Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live Won
WGA Award Comedy/Variety series Nominated
2003 Emmy Award Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
WGA Award Comedy/Variety Series Nominated
Comedy/Variety Special Saturday Night Live: NBC 75th Anniversary Special Nominated
2004 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress: Comedy Nominated
2005 People's Choice Awards Favorite Funny Female Star Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Comedian Nominated
WGA Award Best Adapted Screenplay Mean Girls Nominated
2007 Emmy Award Comedy Series 30 Rock Won
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Writing for a Comedy Series "Tracy Does Conan" for 30 Rock Nominated
WGA Award Comedy Series 30 Rock Nominated
New Series Nominated
Comedy/Variety Special Saturday Night Live Won
2008 Emmy Award Comedy Series 30 Rock Won
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Writing for a Comedy Series "Cooter" for 30 Rock Won
Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
Golden Globe Award Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy 30 Rock Won
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Female Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
WGA Award Comedy Series Won
2009 Golden Globe Award Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy Won
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards Female Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
WGA Award Comedy Series Won
Episodic Comedy "Cooter" for 30 Rock Nominated
Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Portrayal of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live Won
Comedy Series 30 Rock Won
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2010 Golden Globe Award Actress in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy Nominated
Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Female Actor in a Comedy Series Won
Ensemble in a Comedy Series
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http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr252/foamysfry57/tina_fey.jpg
She's cool.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/18/10 at 5:51 am
The person who died on this day...Elizabeth Montgomery
Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery (April 15, 1933 – May 18, 1995) was an American film and television actress whose career spanned five decades. She is best remembered for her roles as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched, as Ellen Harrod in A Case of Rape and as Lizzie Borden in The Legend of Lizzie Borden. Born in Los Angeles, California, Elizabeth Montgomery was the child of actor Robert Montgomery and his wife, Broadway actress Elizabeth Bryan Allen. She had an older sister, Martha Bryan Montgomery, who died as an infant, and a brother, Robert Montgomery, Jr., who was born in 1936. After graduating from The Spence School, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for three years.
Career
Early years
Montgomery made her television debut in her father's series Robert Montgomery Presents (later appearing on occasion as a member of his "summer stock" company of performers), and her film debut in 1955 in The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell.
Her early career consisted of starring vehicles and appearances in live television dramas and series, such as Studio One, Kraft Television Theater, Johnny Staccato, The Twilight Zone, The Eleventh Hour, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In 1954 she lost out on co-starring with Marlon Brando in the film On the Waterfront directed by Elia Kazan.
She was featured in a role as a socialite with Henry Silva and Sammy Davis, Jr. in the offbeat 1963 gangster film Johnny Cool and, the same year, with Dean Martin and Carol Burnett in the motion picture comedy Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?, directed by Daniel Mann. Nevertheless, Alfred Hitchcock had her in mind to play the sister-in-law of Sean Connery, who sees herself as a rival to the troubled heroine in the movie Marnie, but Montgomery was unavailable owing to her commitment to a new television show: Bewitched.
Bewitched
Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York as Samantha and Darrin Stephens in Bewitched in 1967.
Montgomery played the central role of lovable witch Samantha Stephens with Dick York (and later Dick Sargent) as her husband in the ABC situation comedy Bewitched. She also played the role of Samantha's cousin, Serena. The show became a rating success (it was, at the time, the highest rated series ever for the network). It enjoyed an eight-year run from 1964 to 1972 and remains popular through syndication and DVD releases. The show had even been given the 'green light' for a ninth season by the network, but Montgomery, wishing to do other things, backed out. She also provided the voice of Samantha for an episode of The Flintstones.
Montgomery received five Emmy Award and four Golden Globe nominations for her role. At its creative peak, Bewitched was considered one of the most sophisticated sitcoms on the air and it cleverly explored contemporary themes and social issues within a fantasy context.
After Bewitched
Montgomery returned to Samantha-like twitching of her nose and on-screen magic in a series of Japanese television commercials (1980-83) for "Mother" chocolate biscuits and cookies by confectionery conglomerate Lotte Corp. These Japanese commercials provided a lucrative salary for Montgomery while remaining out of sight from non-Japanese fans and Hollywood industry.
In the United States, Montgomery spent much of her later career pursuing dramatic roles that took her as far away from the good-natured Samantha as possible. Among her later roles, including performances that brought her Emmy Award nominations for playing a rape victim in A Case of Rape (1974), for her portrayal of Lizzie Borden in William Bast's The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975), and for her role as a strong woman facing hardship in 1820s Ohio in the mini-series The Awakening Land (1978).
In 1977, Montgomery played a police detective having an interracial affair with her partner, played by O.J. Simpson in A Killing Affair. She made a chilling villain in the 1985 picture Amos, playing a nurse in a state home who terrorized residents portrayed by Kirk Douglas and Dorothy McGuire.
One of her last roles was in an episode for Batman: The Animated Series entitled "Showdown," in which she played a barmaid; this was also her final work to be screened, as the episode aired posthumously. Her last television movies were the highly-rated Edna Buchanan detective series - the second and final film of the series received its first airing on May 9, 1995, only days before she passed away.
Personal life
Montgomery was first married to New York socialite Frederick Gallatin Cammann in 1954; the marriage lasted barely a year. She was married to actor Gig Young from 1956 to 1963, and then to director-producer William Asher from 1963 until their 1973 divorce. They had three children: William Asher, Jr. (July 24, 1964), Robert Asher (October 5, 1965) and Rebecca Asher (June 17, 1969). The latter two pregnancies were incorporated into Bewitched as Samantha's pregnancies with Tabitha (primarily Erin Murphy, with twin Diane) and Adam Stephens. In 1971, while filming the eighth season of Bewitched, she fell in love with director Richard Michaels and moved in with him after the season ended. This was another major factor in canceling plans for a ninth season. The relationship lasted two and a half years.
She entered her fourth and final marriage to actor Robert Foxworth, on January 28, 1993, after living with him for nearly twenty years. She remained married to Foxworth until her death.
Political activism
In June 1992, Montgomery and her former Bewitched co-star Dick Sargent, who had remained good friends, were Grand Marshals at the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade. Montgomery had liberal political views, being an outspoken champion of women's rights and gay rights throughout her life, sharply contrasting with her conservative father, who was once a media advisor to President Dwight Eisenhower.
During Bewitched's run, she was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. In the late 1980s and early 1990s she narrated a series of political documentaries, including Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair (1988) and the Academy Award winning The Panama Deception (1992).
Charity work
Throughout the last year of her life, Montgomery was a volunteer for the Los Angeles Unit of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), a non-profit organization which records educational books on specially formatted CDs and in downloadable formats for disabled people. In 1994, Montgomery produced several radio and television public service announcements for the organization's Los Angeles Unit. In January 1995, she recorded the 1952 edition of When We Were Very Young for RFB&D.
Montgomery's enthusiastic support for RFB&D sparked nationwide interest in the organization's work. Her strong support for RFB&D ultimately led her to enthusiastically agree to be the honorary chairman for its Los Angeles Unit's third annual Record-A-Thon, slated for June 3, 1995. She lent her name to all letters of appeal for the event and was planning to be one of its celebrity readers for the day.
After her death, the Los Angeles Unit of RFB&D dedicated the 1995 Record-A-Thon to Montgomery and secured 21 celebrities to assist in the reading of the book Chicken Soup for the Soul, which was also dedicated to her memory.
Illness and death
Montgomery was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the spring of 1995. She had ignored the flu-like symptoms during the filming of Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan and acted too late. Unwilling to die in a hospital, and with no hope of recovery, she elected to return to her Beverly Hills home that she shared with Foxworth. She died there, in the company of her children and husband, on May 18, 1995, eight weeks after her diagnosis. Montgomery was 62 years old.
A memorial service was held on June 18, 1995, at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills. Herbie Hancock provided the music, and Dominick Dunne spoke about their early days as friends in New York. Other speakers included her husband, Robert Foxworth, who read out sympathy cards from fans; her nurse; her brother, daughter and stepson. She was cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
Posthumous
On April 19, 1998, an event auction/sale of her clothing was held by her family to benefit the AIDS Healthcare Foundation of Los Angeles. Erin Murphy, who played Tabitha on the series, modeled the clothing that was auctioned.
In June 2005, a statue of Montgomery as Samantha Stephens was erected in Salem, Massachusetts.
A star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame was presented in honor of Montgomery's work in television on January 4, 2008. The location of the star is 6533 Hollywood Blvd.
William Clift is developing a biopic film of Montgomery starring Christina Applegate.
Selected filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1955 The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell Margaret Lansdowne
1963 Johnny Cool Darien "Dare" Guinness
Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? Mellisa Morris
1965 How to Stuff a Wild Bikini Bwana's Daughter, The Witches Witch Uncredited
1988 Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair Narrator Documentary film
1992 The Panama Deception Narrator Documentary film
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1951-1956 Robert Montgomery Presents Various roles 27 episodes
1953-1954 Armstrong Circle Theatre Ellen Craig 2 episodes
1954-1957 Kraft Television Theatre Various roles 7 episodes
1955-1958 Studio One Various roles 3 episodes
1956 Warner Bros. Presents Laura Woodruff 1 episode
Climax! Betsy 1 episode
1958 Playhouse 90 Mary Brecker 1 episode
DuPont Show of the Month Miss Kelly 1 episode
Cimmarron City Ellen Wilson 1 episode
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Karen 1 episode
1960 The Untouchables Rusty Heller 1 episode
One Step Beyond Lillie Clarke 1 episode
1961 The Twilight Zone The Woman 1 episode
1963-1964 Burke's Law Stacy Evans
Smitty 2 episodes
1964-1972 Bewitched Samantha Stephens 254 episodes
1965 The Flintstones Samantha Stephens (Voice) 1 episode
1972 The Victim Kate Wainwright Television movie
1973 Mrs. Sundance Etta Place Television movie
1974 A Case of Rape Ellen Harrod Television movie
1975 The Legend of Lizzie Borden Lizzie Borden Television movie
1976 Dark Victory Katherine Merrill Television movie
1977 A Killing Affair Vikki Eaton Television movie
1978 The Awakening Land Sayward Luckett Wheeler Miniseries
1979 Jennifer: A Woman's Story Jennifer Prince Television movie
Act of Violence Catherine McSweeney Television movie
1980 Belle Starr Belle Starr Television movie
1981 When the Circus Came to Town Mary Flynn Television movie
1982 The Rules of Marriage Joan Hagen Television movie
1983 Missing Pieces Sara Scott Television movie
1984 Second Sight: A Love Story Alaxandra McKay Television movie
1985 Amos Daisy Daws Television movie
Between the Darkness and the Dawn Abigail Foster Television movie
1990 Face to Face Dr. Diana Firestone Television movie
1991 Sins of the Mother Ruth Coe Television movie
1992 With Murder in Mind Gayle Wolfer Television movie
1993 The Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story Blanche Taylor Moore Television movie
1994 The Corpse Had a Familiar Face Edna Buchanan Television movie
1995 Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan Edna Buchanan Television movie
Batman: The Animated Series Barmaid (Voice) 1 episode
Award nominations
Year Award Result Category Film or series
1961 Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role The Untouchables
1966 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1967 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1968 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1969 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1970 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1974 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series A Case of Rape
1975 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy The Legend of Lizzie Borden
1978 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series The Awakening Land
1965 Golden Globe Award Nominated Best TV Star (Female) Bewitched
1967 Nominated Best TV Star (Female) Bewitched
1969 Nominated Best TV Star (Female) Bewitched
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/huckababy49/Elizabeth%20Montgomery/ElizabethMontgomery-5.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/huckababy49/Elizabeth%20Montgomery/Elizabeth-elizabeth-montgomery-7903.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/18/10 at 5:59 am
She's cool.
yep
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: danootaandme on 05/18/10 at 7:21 am
Statue of "Samantha Stevens" Salem Massachusetts.("The Witch City")
http://www.lobeliaslair.com/images/bewitchedstatue.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/18/10 at 7:51 am
Statue of "Samantha Stevens" Salem Massachusetts.("The Witch City")
http://www.lobeliaslair.com/images/bewitchedstatue.jpg
Very nice :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/18/10 at 10:26 am
I can see Russia from my house.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/18/10 at 11:10 am
I used to watch Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched just to see her. Very beautiful woman.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/18/10 at 3:25 pm
The person who died on this day...Elizabeth Montgomery
Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery (April 15, 1933 – May 18, 1995) was an American film and television actress whose career spanned five decades. She is best remembered for her roles as Samantha Stephens in Bewitched, as Ellen Harrod in A Case of Rape and as Lizzie Borden in The Legend of Lizzie Borden. Born in Los Angeles, California, Elizabeth Montgomery was the child of actor Robert Montgomery and his wife, Broadway actress Elizabeth Bryan Allen. She had an older sister, Martha Bryan Montgomery, who died as an infant, and a brother, Robert Montgomery, Jr., who was born in 1936. After graduating from The Spence School, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for three years.
Career
Early years
Montgomery made her television debut in her father's series Robert Montgomery Presents (later appearing on occasion as a member of his "summer stock" company of performers), and her film debut in 1955 in The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell.
Her early career consisted of starring vehicles and appearances in live television dramas and series, such as Studio One, Kraft Television Theater, Johnny Staccato, The Twilight Zone, The Eleventh Hour, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In 1954 she lost out on co-starring with Marlon Brando in the film On the Waterfront directed by Elia Kazan.
She was featured in a role as a socialite with Henry Silva and Sammy Davis, Jr. in the offbeat 1963 gangster film Johnny Cool and, the same year, with Dean Martin and Carol Burnett in the motion picture comedy Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?, directed by Daniel Mann. Nevertheless, Alfred Hitchcock had her in mind to play the sister-in-law of Sean Connery, who sees herself as a rival to the troubled heroine in the movie Marnie, but Montgomery was unavailable owing to her commitment to a new television show: Bewitched.
Bewitched
Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York as Samantha and Darrin Stephens in Bewitched in 1967.
Montgomery played the central role of lovable witch Samantha Stephens with Dick York (and later Dick Sargent) as her husband in the ABC situation comedy Bewitched. She also played the role of Samantha's cousin, Serena. The show became a rating success (it was, at the time, the highest rated series ever for the network). It enjoyed an eight-year run from 1964 to 1972 and remains popular through syndication and DVD releases. The show had even been given the 'green light' for a ninth season by the network, but Montgomery, wishing to do other things, backed out. She also provided the voice of Samantha for an episode of The Flintstones.
Montgomery received five Emmy Award and four Golden Globe nominations for her role. At its creative peak, Bewitched was considered one of the most sophisticated sitcoms on the air and it cleverly explored contemporary themes and social issues within a fantasy context.
After Bewitched
Montgomery returned to Samantha-like twitching of her nose and on-screen magic in a series of Japanese television commercials (1980-83) for "Mother" chocolate biscuits and cookies by confectionery conglomerate Lotte Corp. These Japanese commercials provided a lucrative salary for Montgomery while remaining out of sight from non-Japanese fans and Hollywood industry.
In the United States, Montgomery spent much of her later career pursuing dramatic roles that took her as far away from the good-natured Samantha as possible. Among her later roles, including performances that brought her Emmy Award nominations for playing a rape victim in A Case of Rape (1974), for her portrayal of Lizzie Borden in William Bast's The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975), and for her role as a strong woman facing hardship in 1820s Ohio in the mini-series The Awakening Land (1978).
In 1977, Montgomery played a police detective having an interracial affair with her partner, played by O.J. Simpson in A Killing Affair. She made a chilling villain in the 1985 picture Amos, playing a nurse in a state home who terrorized residents portrayed by Kirk Douglas and Dorothy McGuire.
One of her last roles was in an episode for Batman: The Animated Series entitled "Showdown," in which she played a barmaid; this was also her final work to be screened, as the episode aired posthumously. Her last television movies were the highly-rated Edna Buchanan detective series - the second and final film of the series received its first airing on May 9, 1995, only days before she passed away.
Personal life
Montgomery was first married to New York socialite Frederick Gallatin Cammann in 1954; the marriage lasted barely a year. She was married to actor Gig Young from 1956 to 1963, and then to director-producer William Asher from 1963 until their 1973 divorce. They had three children: William Asher, Jr. (July 24, 1964), Robert Asher (October 5, 1965) and Rebecca Asher (June 17, 1969). The latter two pregnancies were incorporated into Bewitched as Samantha's pregnancies with Tabitha (primarily Erin Murphy, with twin Diane) and Adam Stephens. In 1971, while filming the eighth season of Bewitched, she fell in love with director Richard Michaels and moved in with him after the season ended. This was another major factor in canceling plans for a ninth season. The relationship lasted two and a half years.
She entered her fourth and final marriage to actor Robert Foxworth, on January 28, 1993, after living with him for nearly twenty years. She remained married to Foxworth until her death.
Political activism
In June 1992, Montgomery and her former Bewitched co-star Dick Sargent, who had remained good friends, were Grand Marshals at the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade. Montgomery had liberal political views, being an outspoken champion of women's rights and gay rights throughout her life, sharply contrasting with her conservative father, who was once a media advisor to President Dwight Eisenhower.
During Bewitched's run, she was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. In the late 1980s and early 1990s she narrated a series of political documentaries, including Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair (1988) and the Academy Award winning The Panama Deception (1992).
Charity work
Throughout the last year of her life, Montgomery was a volunteer for the Los Angeles Unit of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), a non-profit organization which records educational books on specially formatted CDs and in downloadable formats for disabled people. In 1994, Montgomery produced several radio and television public service announcements for the organization's Los Angeles Unit. In January 1995, she recorded the 1952 edition of When We Were Very Young for RFB&D.
Montgomery's enthusiastic support for RFB&D sparked nationwide interest in the organization's work. Her strong support for RFB&D ultimately led her to enthusiastically agree to be the honorary chairman for its Los Angeles Unit's third annual Record-A-Thon, slated for June 3, 1995. She lent her name to all letters of appeal for the event and was planning to be one of its celebrity readers for the day.
After her death, the Los Angeles Unit of RFB&D dedicated the 1995 Record-A-Thon to Montgomery and secured 21 celebrities to assist in the reading of the book Chicken Soup for the Soul, which was also dedicated to her memory.
Illness and death
Montgomery was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the spring of 1995. She had ignored the flu-like symptoms during the filming of Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan and acted too late. Unwilling to die in a hospital, and with no hope of recovery, she elected to return to her Beverly Hills home that she shared with Foxworth. She died there, in the company of her children and husband, on May 18, 1995, eight weeks after her diagnosis. Montgomery was 62 years old.
A memorial service was held on June 18, 1995, at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills. Herbie Hancock provided the music, and Dominick Dunne spoke about their early days as friends in New York. Other speakers included her husband, Robert Foxworth, who read out sympathy cards from fans; her nurse; her brother, daughter and stepson. She was cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
Posthumous
On April 19, 1998, an event auction/sale of her clothing was held by her family to benefit the AIDS Healthcare Foundation of Los Angeles. Erin Murphy, who played Tabitha on the series, modeled the clothing that was auctioned.
In June 2005, a statue of Montgomery as Samantha Stephens was erected in Salem, Massachusetts.
A star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame was presented in honor of Montgomery's work in television on January 4, 2008. The location of the star is 6533 Hollywood Blvd.
William Clift is developing a biopic film of Montgomery starring Christina Applegate.
Selected filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1955 The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell Margaret Lansdowne
1963 Johnny Cool Darien "Dare" Guinness
Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? Mellisa Morris
1965 How to Stuff a Wild Bikini Bwana's Daughter, The Witches Witch Uncredited
1988 Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair Narrator Documentary film
1992 The Panama Deception Narrator Documentary film
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1951-1956 Robert Montgomery Presents Various roles 27 episodes
1953-1954 Armstrong Circle Theatre Ellen Craig 2 episodes
1954-1957 Kraft Television Theatre Various roles 7 episodes
1955-1958 Studio One Various roles 3 episodes
1956 Warner Bros. Presents Laura Woodruff 1 episode
Climax! Betsy 1 episode
1958 Playhouse 90 Mary Brecker 1 episode
DuPont Show of the Month Miss Kelly 1 episode
Cimmarron City Ellen Wilson 1 episode
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Karen 1 episode
1960 The Untouchables Rusty Heller 1 episode
One Step Beyond Lillie Clarke 1 episode
1961 The Twilight Zone The Woman 1 episode
1963-1964 Burke's Law Stacy Evans
Smitty 2 episodes
1964-1972 Bewitched Samantha Stephens 254 episodes
1965 The Flintstones Samantha Stephens (Voice) 1 episode
1972 The Victim Kate Wainwright Television movie
1973 Mrs. Sundance Etta Place Television movie
1974 A Case of Rape Ellen Harrod Television movie
1975 The Legend of Lizzie Borden Lizzie Borden Television movie
1976 Dark Victory Katherine Merrill Television movie
1977 A Killing Affair Vikki Eaton Television movie
1978 The Awakening Land Sayward Luckett Wheeler Miniseries
1979 Jennifer: A Woman's Story Jennifer Prince Television movie
Act of Violence Catherine McSweeney Television movie
1980 Belle Starr Belle Starr Television movie
1981 When the Circus Came to Town Mary Flynn Television movie
1982 The Rules of Marriage Joan Hagen Television movie
1983 Missing Pieces Sara Scott Television movie
1984 Second Sight: A Love Story Alaxandra McKay Television movie
1985 Amos Daisy Daws Television movie
Between the Darkness and the Dawn Abigail Foster Television movie
1990 Face to Face Dr. Diana Firestone Television movie
1991 Sins of the Mother Ruth Coe Television movie
1992 With Murder in Mind Gayle Wolfer Television movie
1993 The Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story Blanche Taylor Moore Television movie
1994 The Corpse Had a Familiar Face Edna Buchanan Television movie
1995 Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan Edna Buchanan Television movie
Batman: The Animated Series Barmaid (Voice) 1 episode
Award nominations
Year Award Result Category Film or series
1961 Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role The Untouchables
1966 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1967 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1968 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1969 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1970 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series Bewitched
1974 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series A Case of Rape
1975 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy The Legend of Lizzie Borden
1978 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series The Awakening Land
1965 Golden Globe Award Nominated Best TV Star (Female) Bewitched
1967 Nominated Best TV Star (Female) Bewitched
1969 Nominated Best TV Star (Female) Bewitched
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/huckababy49/Elizabeth%20Montgomery/ElizabethMontgomery-5.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/huckababy49/Elizabeth%20Montgomery/Elizabeth-elizabeth-montgomery-7903.jpg
and they did a Bewitched remake as a film.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/18/10 at 4:12 pm
I used to watch Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched just to see her. Very beautiful woman.
She was a particular favourite of mine too. ::) I used to dream of her coming to me in the middle of the night. Oh no ..... she's Lizzie Borden!!! :o
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 6:07 am
I can see Russia from my house.
Cat
;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 6:08 am
She was a particular favourite of mine too. ::) I used to dream of her coming to me in the middle of the night. Oh no ..... she's Lizzie Borden!!! :o
Now that's an interesting dream.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 6:12 am
The word of the day...Glass
This article is about the material. For other uses, see Glass (disambiguation).
Moldavite, a natural glass formed by meteorite impact, from Besednice, Bohemia
A modern greenhouse in Wisley Garden, England, made from float glass
Clear glass light bulb
A glass is an amorphous (non-crystalline) solid material. Glasses are typically brittle, and often optically transparent. Glass is commonly used for windows, bottles, modern hard drives and eyewear; examples of glassy materials include soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, acrylic glass, sugar glass, Muscovy-glass, and aluminium oxynitride. The term glass developed in the late Roman Empire. It was in the Roman glassmaking center at Trier, now in modern Germany, that the late-Latin term glesum originated, probably from a Germanic word for a transparent, lustrous substance.
Strictly speaking, a glass is defined as an inorganic product of fusion which has been cooled through its glass transition to the solid state without crystallising. Many glasses contain silica as their main component and glass former. The term "glass" is, however, often extended to all amorphous solids (and melts that easily form amorphous solids), including plastics, resins, or other silica-free amorphous solids. In addition, besides traditional melting techniques, any other means of preparation are considered, such as ion implantation, and the sol-gel method. Commonly, glass science and physics deal only with inorganic amorphous solids, while plastics and similar organics are covered by polymer science, biology and further scientific disciplines.
Glass plays an essential role in science and industry. The optical and physical properties of glass make it suitable for applications such as flat glass, container glass, optics and optoelectronics material, laboratory equipment, thermal insulator (glass wool), reinforcement fiber (glass-reinforced plastic, glass fiber reinforced concrete), and art.
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm64/GuidingEmber/Glass/frosted_glass.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/M-hael/2ndHDR-Glass.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/glasscottage/OpalescentGlass.jpg
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http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/torichase/glass/waxd.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo189/torichase/glass/barup.jpg
http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b418/plasterite/Table.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 6:18 am
The person who was born on this day...Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend (pronounced /ˈtaʊnzənd/; born 19 May 1945) is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for The Who, as well as for his own solo career. His career with The Who spans more than forty years, during which time the band grew to be considered one of the most influential bands of the rock era, and, according to Eddie Vedder, "possibly the greatest live band ever."
Townshend is the primary songwriter for the Who, having written well over one hundred songs for the band's eleven studio albums, including concept albums, and the rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia and popular rock and roll radio staples including Who's Next, plus dozens more that appeared as non-album singles, bonus tracks on reissues, and tracks on rare compilations such as Odds and Sods. He has also written over one hundred songs that have appeared on his solo albums and various compilations by other performers, as well as radio jingles, and television theme songs. Although known primarily as a guitarist, he is also an accomplished singer, keyboardist, and also plays other instruments, such as banjo, accordion, synthesizer, piano, bass guitar and drums, on his own solo albums, several Who albums, and as a guest contributor to a wide array of other artist's recordings. Peter Townshend has never had formal lessons in any of the instruments he plays.
Townshend has also been a contributor and author of newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts, as well as collaborating as a lyricist (and composer) for many other musical acts. Townshend was ranked #3 in Dave Marsh's list of Best Guitarists in The New Book of Rock Lists and #50 in Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list: 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
After The High Numbers once again became The Who, Townshend wrote several successful singles for the band, including "I Can't Explain", "Pictures of Lily", "Substitute", and "My Generation". Townshend became known for his eccentric stage style during the band's early days, often interrupting concerts with lengthy introductions of songs, swinging his right arm against the guitar strings in his signature move; a windmill style, often smashing guitars on stage, and often repeatedly throwing his guitars into his amplifiers and speaker cabinets. The first incident of guitar-smashing was brought about because Townshend accidentally broke the neck of his guitar on the low roof of an early concert venue at the Railway Tavern in Harrow. The stage whilst only being about a foot high brought the roof to within less than 7 feet. It was an accident waiting to happen. After smashing the instrument to pieces, he carried on by grabbing another guitar and acting as if the broken guitar had been part of the act. Drummer Keith Moon was delighted; he loved attention and destruction on any level, and smashed his drum kit as well. The press sensationalized the incidents. The on-stage destruction of instruments soon became a regular part of The Who's performances that was further dramatized with pyrotechnics, (an idea which came from Moon). At a concert in Germany, a police officer walked up to him, pointed his gun at him, and ordered Townshend to stop smashing the guitar. Townshend, always a voluble interview subject, would later relate these antics to German/British artist Gustav Metzger's theories on Auto-destructive art, to which he had been exposed at art school. However, on several occasions, he admitted that the destruction was a gimmick that set the band out apart from the others, and gave them the publicity edge that they needed to be noticed.
Townshend with Roger Daltrey, 1976
The Who thrived, and continue to thrive, despite the deaths of two of the original members. They are regarded by many rock critics as one of the best live bands from a period of time that stretched from the mid-1960s to the 2000s, the result of a unique combination of high volume, showmanship, a wide variety of rock beats, and a high-energy sound that alternated between tight and free-form. The Who continue to perform critically acclaimed sets in the 21st century, including highly regarded performances at The Concert For New York City in 2001, the 2004 Isle of Wight Festival, Live 8 in 2005 and the 2007 Glastonbury Festival.
Townshend remained the primary songwriter and leader of the group, writing over one hundred songs which appeared on the band's eleven studio albums. Among his most well-known accomplishments are the creation of Tommy, for which the term "rock opera" was coined, and a second pioneering rock opera, Quadrophenia; his dramatic stage persona; his use of guitar feedback as sonic technique; and the introduction of the synthesizer as a rock instrument. Townshend revisited album-length storytelling throughout his career and remains the musician most associated with the rock opera form. Many studio recordings also feature Townshend on piano or keyboards, though keyboard-heavy tracks increasingly featured guest artists in the studio, such as Nicky Hopkins, John Bundrick or Chris Stainton.
Townshend is one of the key figures in the development of feedback in rock guitar. When asked who first used feedback, Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore said, "Pete Townshend was definitely the first. But not being that good a guitarist, he used to just sort of crash chords and let the guitar feedback. He didn't get into twiddling with the dials on the amplifier until much later. He's overrated in England, but at the same time you find a lot of people like Jeff Beck and Hendrix getting credit for things he started. Townshend was the first to break his guitar, and he was the first to do a lot of things. He's very good at his chord scene, too." Similarly, when Jimmy Page was asked about the development of guitar feedback, he said, "I don't know who really did feedback first; it just sort of happened. I don't think anybody consciously nicked it from anybody else. It was just going on. But Pete Townshend obviously was the one, through the music of his group, who made the use of feedback more his style, and so it's related to him. Whereas the other players like Jeff Beck and myself were playing more single note things than chords."
Many rock guitarists have cited Townshend as an influence, such as Slash, Alex Lifeson, Steve Jones, Joey Ramone and Ace Frehley.
Solo career
In addition to his work with The Who, Townshend has been sporadically active as a solo recording artist. Between 1969 and 1971 Townshend, along with other devotees to Meher Baba, recorded a trio of albums devoted to his teachings: Happy Birthday, I Am, and With Love. In response to bootlegging of these, he compiled his personal highlights (and "Evolution", a collaboration with Ronnie Lane), and released his first major-label solo title, 1972's Who Came First. It was a moderate success and featured demos of Who songs as well as a showcase of his acoustic guitar talents. He collaborated with The Faces' bassist and fellow Meher Baba devotee Ronnie Lane on a duet album (1977's Rough Mix). Townshend's solo breakthrough, following the death of Who drummer Keith Moon, was the 1980 release Empty Glass, which included a top-10 single, "Let My Love Open the Door", with long-time friend and guitarist, David Gilmour. This release was followed in 1982 by All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, which included the popular radio track "Slit Skirts". While not a huge commercial success, noted music critic Timothy Duggan listed it as "Townshend's most honest and introspective work since Quadrophenia." Through the rest of the 1980s and early 1990s Townshend would again experiment with the rock opera and related formats, releasing several story-based albums including White City: A Novel (1985), The Iron Man: A Musical (1989), and Psychoderelict (1993). Townshend also got the chance to play with his hero Hank Marvin for Paul McCartney's "Rockestra" sessions, along with other respected rock musicians such as David Gilmour, John Bonham and Ronnie Lane.
Townshend has also recorded several concert albums, including one featuring a supergroup he assembled called Deep End, who performed just two concerts and a television show session for The Tube, to raise money for a charity supporting drug addicts. In 1984 Townshend published a collection of short stories entitled Horse's Neck. He has also reported that he is writing an autobiography. In 1993 he and Des McAnuff wrote and directed the Broadway adaptation of the Who album Tommy, as well as a less successful stage musical based on his solo album The Iron Man, based upon the book by Ted Hughes. McAnuff and Townshend later co-produced the animated film The Iron Giant, also based on the Hughes story.
A production described as a Townshend rock-opera and titled The Boy Who Heard Music debuted as part of Vassar College's Powerhouse Summer Theater program in July, 2007.
Recent Who work
From the mid-1990s through the present, Townshend has participated in a series of tours with the surviving members of The Who, including a 2002 tour that continued despite Entwistle's death.
In February 2006, a major world tour by The Who was announced to promote their first new album since 1982. Townshend published a semi-autobiographical story The Boy Who Heard Music as a serial on a blog beginning in September 2005. The blog closed in October 2006, as noted on Townshend's website. It is now owned by a different user and does not relate to Townshend's work in any way. On 25 February 2006, he announced the issue of a mini-opera inspired by the novella for June 2006. In October 2006 The Who released their first album in 26 years, Endless Wire.
The Who performed at the Super Bowl XLIV half-time show on 7 February 2010, playing a medley of songs that included "Pinball Wizard", "Who Are You", "Baba O'Riley", "See Me Feel Me" and "Won't Get Fooled Again".
Hearing loss
Townshend suffers from partial deafness and tinnitus believed to be the result of Noise-induced hearing loss; in other words, his extensive exposure to loud music. Some such incidents include a Who concert at the Charlton Athletic Football Club, London, on 31 May 1976 that was listed as the "Loudest Concert Ever" by the Guinness Book of Records, where the volume level was measured at 126 decibels 32 metres from the stage. Townshend has also attributed the start of his hearing loss to Keith Moon's famous exploding drum set during The Who's 1967 appearance on the The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. In 1989, Townshend gave the initial funding to allow the formation of the non-profit hearing advocacy group H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers).
After the Who performed at half-time at the Super Bowl XLIV, Townshend stated that he is concerned that his tinnitus has grown to such a point that he might be forced to discontinue performing with the band altogether. He told Rolling Stone, "If my hearing is going to be a problem, we’re not delaying shows. We're finished. I can’t really see any way around the issue." Neil Young introduced him to an audiologist who gave him the possible option of a hearing device to use, and although The Who have cancelled their spring touring schedule, Townshend planned a test run with the aid at their one remaining London concert on 30 March 2010, to ascertain the feasibility of continuing to perform with The Who.
Interviews
Townshend leaping into air in concert
From The Who's emergence on the British musical landscape, Pete Townshend could always be counted upon for a good interview. By early 1966 he had become the band's spokesman, interviewed separately from the band for the BBC television series A Whole Scene Going admitting that the band used drugs and that he considered The Beatles' backing tracks "flippin' lousy". In a 1967 interview, however, Townshend complimented one of The Beatles' songs: "I think "Eleanor Rigby" was a very important musical move forward. It certainly inspired me to write and listen to things in that vein." Throughout the 1960s Townshend made regular appearances in the pages of British music magazines, but it was a very long interview he gave to Rolling Stone in 1968 that sealed his reputation as one of rock's leading intellectuals and theorists.
Townshend gave interview after interview to the newly risen underground press, not only providing them with a star for their covers, but firmly establishing his reputation as a commentator on the rock 'n' roll scene. In addition, he wrote his own articles, starting a regular monthly column in Melody Maker, and contributing to Rolling Stone with an article on his guru Meher Baba and a review of The Who's album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy.
Townshend has withdrawn from the press on occasion. On his 30th birthday, Townshend discussed his feelings that The Who were failing to journalist Roy Carr, making unflattering comments on fellow Who member Roger Daltrey and other leading members of the British rock community. Carr printed his remarks in the NME causing strong friction within The Who and embarrassing Townshend. Feeling betrayed, he stopped interviews with the press for over two years.
Nevertheless, Townshend has maintained close relationships with journalists, and sought them out in 1982 to describe his two-year battle with cocaine and heroin. Some of those press members turned on him in the 1980s as the punk rock revolution led to widespread dismissal of the old guard of rock, Townshend attacked two of them, Julie Burchill and Tony Parsons, in the song "Jools And Jim" on his album Empty Glass after they made some derogatory remarks about Who drummer Keith Moon. Meanwhile several journalists denounced Townshend for what they saw as a betrayal of the idealism about rock music he had espoused in his earlier interviews when The Who participated in a tour sponsored by Schlitz in 1982 and by Miller Brewing in 1989. Townshend's 1993 concept album Psychoderelict offers a scathing commentary on journalists in the character of Ruth Streeting, who attempts to scandalize the main character, Ray High.
On 25 October 2006, Townshend declined at the last minute to do a scheduled interview with Sirius Satellite Radio star Howard Stern after Stern's co-host Robin Quivers and sidekick Artie Lange made joking references to his 2003 arrest. Stern conducted an interview instead with Roger Daltrey and repeatedly expressed regret about the utterances of his on-air colleagues, stating that they did not reflect his own feelings of respect for Townshend.
Later in 2006, Townshend appeared on the Living Legends radio show in an exclusive interview with Opal Bonfante. The interview, broadcasted worldwide on Radio London, was his first live interview in 15 years. Townshend spoke about his forthcoming UK tour, his online novella and his memories of the old pirate radio stations.
Also in late 2006, Townshend granted an interview with author Mark Wilkerson, which led to Wilkerson's 2008 biography Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend.
In a BBC Radio 4 interview, first broadcast on 27 October 2009, Townshend informed the audience that from the time he was involved in writing the music for the Who's first album, he has been influenced by the works of the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell.
Pete Townshend has woven a long history of involvement with various charities and other philanthropic efforts throughout his career, both as a solo artist and with The Who. His first solo concert, for example, was a 1974 benefit show which was organized to raise funds for the Camden Square Community Play Center.
The earliest public example of Townshend’s involvement with charitable causes was in 1968, when Townshend donated the use of his former Wardour Street apartment to the Meher Baba Association. The following year, the association was moved to another Townshend-owned apartment, the Eccleston Square former residence of wife Karen. Townshend sat on a committee which oversaw the operation and finances of the centre. "The committee sees to it that it is open a couple of days a week, and keeps the bills paid and the library full," he wrote in a 1970 Rolling Stone article.
In 1969 and 1972 Townshend produced two limited-release albums, Happy Birthday and I Am, for the London-based Baba association. This led to 1972’s Who Came First, a more widespread release, 15 percent of the revenue of which went to the Baba association. A further limited release, With Love, was released in 1976. A limited-edition boxed set of all three limited releases on CD, Avatar, was released in 2000, with all profits going to the Avatar Meher Baba Trust in India, which provided funds to a dispensary, school, hospital and pilgrimage centre.
In July 1976, Townshend opened Meher Baba Oceanic, a London activity centre for Baba followers which featured film dubbing and editing facilities, a cinema and a recording studio. In addition, the centre served as a regular meeting place for Baba followers. Townshend offered very economical (reportedly £1 per night) lodging for American followers who needed an overnight stay on their pilgrimages to India. "For a few years, I had toyed with the idea of opening a London house dedicated to Meher Baba," he wrote in a 1977 Rolling Stone article. "In the eight years I had followed him, I had donated only coppers to foundations set up around the world to carry out the Master’s wishes and decided it was about time I put myself on the line. The Who had set up a strong charitable trust of its own which appeased, to an extent, the feeling I had that Meher Baba would rather have seen me give to the poor than to the establishment of yet another so-called 'spiritual center'." Townshend also embarked on a project dedicated to the collection, restoration and maintenance of Meher Baba-related films. The project was known as MEFA, or Meher Baba European Film Archive.
Children's charities
Townshend has been an active champion of children’s charities. The debut of Pete Townshend’s stage version of Tommy took place at San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse in July 1992. The show was earmarked as a benefit for the London-based Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation, an organization which helps children with autism and mental retardation.
Townshend performed at a 1995 benefit organized by Paul Simon at Madison Square Garden's Paramount Theatre, for The Children’s Health Fund. The following year, Townshend performed at a benefit for the annual Bridge School Benefit, a California facility for children with severe speech and physical impairments with concerts organized by Neil and Pegi Young. In 1997, Townshend established a relationship with Maryville Academy, a Chicago area children’s charity. Between 1997 and 2002, Townshend played five benefit shows for Maryville Academy, raising at least $1,600,000. His 1998 album A Benefit for Maryville Academy was made to support their activities and proceeds from the sales of his release were donated to them.
As a member of The Who, Pete Townshend has also performed a series of concerts, beginning in 2000, benefitting the Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, raising several million pounds. In 2005, Townshend performed at New York’s Gotham Hall for Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, an annual children's charity fundraiser, and donated a smashed guitar to the Pediatric Epilepsy Project.
Drug rehabilitation
Townshend has also advocated for drug rehabilitation. In a 1985 radio interview, he said:
“ What I’m most active in doing is raising money to provide beds in clinics to help people that have become victims of drug abuse. In Britain, the facilities are very, very, very lean indeed ... although we have a national health service, a free medical system, it does nothing particularly for class A drug addicts – cocaine abusers, heroin abusers ... we’re making a lot of progress ... the British government embarked on an anti-heroin campaign with advertising, and I was co-opted by them as a kind of figurehead, and then the various other people co-opted me into their own campaigns, but my main work is raising money to try and open a large clinic. ”
The "large clinic" Townshend was referring to was a plan he and drug rehabilitation experimenter Meg Patterson had devised to open a drug treatment facility in London; however, the plan failed to come to fruition. Two early 1979 concerts by The Who raised £20,000 for Patterson’s Pharmakon Clinic in Sussex.
Further examples of Townshend’s drug rehabilitation activism took place in the form of a 1984 benefit concert, an article he wrote a few days later for Britain’s Mail On Sunday urging better care for the nation’s growing number of drug addicts, and the formation of a charitable organization, Double-O Charities, to raise funds for the causes he’d recently championed. Townshend also personally sold fund-raising anti-heroin T-shirts at a series of UK Bruce Springsteen concerts, and reportedly financed a trip for former Clash drummer Topper Headon to undergo drug rehabilitation treatment. Townshend's 1985–86 band, Deep End, played two benefits at Brixton Academy in 1985 for Double-O Charities.
Amnesty International
In 1979, Townshend became the first major rock musician to donate his services to the human rights organization Amnesty International when he performed three songs for its benefit show The Secret Policeman's Ball - performances that were released on record and seen in the film of the show. Townshend's acoustic performances of three of his songs ("Pinball Wizard", "Drowned", and "Won't Get Fooled Again") were subsequently cited as having been the forerunner and inspiration for the "unplugged" phenomenon in the 1990s. Townshend had been invited to perform for Amnesty by Martin Lewis, the producer of The Secret Policeman's Ball who stated later that Townshend's participation had been the key to his securing the subsequent participation for Amnesty (in the 1981 sequel show) of Sting, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Phil Collins and Bob Geldof. Other performers inspired to support Amnesty International in future Secret Policeman's Ball shows and other benefits because of Townshend's early commitment to the organization include Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, David Gilmour and U2 singer Bono who in 1986 told Rolling Stone magazine: "I saw The Secret Policeman's Ball and it became a part of me. It sowed a seed...."
Miscellaneous efforts
Highlights of Pete Townshend’s other public charitable efforts include the following:
* A 1972 Tommy performance which raised nearly £10,000 for the Stars Organization for Spastics charity.
* A 1979 Rock Against Racism benefit concert, organized to raise money to pay the legal costs of those arrested in a London area anti-racism demonstration. Townshend helped organize the show, topped the bill, and supplied the event lighting and equipment.
* A 1981 Rock Against Unemployment benefit concert, part of the People’s March For Jobs campaign.
* A 1982 Prince’s Trust Gala Benefit performance.
* Performing with The Who at the 1985 Live Aid concert.
* Involvement in fundraising supportive of Nelson Mandela's African National Congress.
* Performing in a 1986 Royal Albert Hall benefit show for the victims of a Colombian Volcano disaster which killed over 25,000 people.
* A 2001 benefit show for San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse which raised approximately $100,000.
* Performing in Rock the Dock, a 1998 benefit for striking Liverpool dock workers.
* Organizing an online auction in 2000 to raise funds for Oxfam's emergency services to help those affected by floods in Mozambique and a combination of drought and food shortages in Ethiopia. Among the auctioned items were a selection of gold and platinum awards, letters from celebrities such as Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney, and musical instruments (including a smashed Rickenbacker guitar and the guitar on which Townshend composed the Who classic "Behind Blue Eyes"). The centerpiece of the auction, however, was a 1957 Fender Stratocaster which was given to Townshend as a gift by Eric Clapton after Townshend had helped arrange Clapton’s 1973 recovery from his own heroin addiction, and comeback show at the Rainbow. The guitar was ultimately purchased by Pete Townshend, Mick Jagger and David Bowie, and presented to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
* Performing with The Who at the 2001 all-star The Concert for New York City at Madison Square Garden, honouring policemen and emergency personnel killed in the 11 September attacks.
* Performing at the Royal Albert Hall in a 2004 Ronnie Lane tribute show which served as a fundraiser for both Lane’s family and multiple sclerosis research.
* Performing with The Who at the 2005 Live 8 concert.
* In 1998, Townshend was named in a list of the biggest private financial donors to the UK Labour Party. He refused to let Michael Moore use "Won't Get Fooled Again" in Fahrenheit 9/11, saying that he watched Bowling for Columbine and wasn't convinced.
* Performing with The Who in Detroit in 2008, donating all profits to Focus: HOPE and Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Operation Ore investigation and police caution
Townshend was cautioned by the British police in 2003 as part of Operation Ore. Following a news leak that Townshend was among the subjects of the investigation, he publicly stated that on one occasion he had used a credit card to access a website advertising child pornography. Townshend, who had posted essays on his personal website in 2002 as part of his campaign against the widespread availability of child pornography on the internet, said that he had entered the site for research purposes and had not downloaded any images. A four-month police investigation, including forensic examination of all of his computers, established that Townshend was not in possession of any illegal downloaded images. Instead of pressing charges, the police elected to caution him, stating, "It is not a defence to access these images for research or out of curiosity." In a statement issued by his lawyer, Townshend said, "I accept that I was wrong to access this site, and that by doing so, I broke the law, and I have accepted the caution that the police have given me."
Discography
Main article: Pete Townshend discography
Guest appearances
* "Because You're Young" with David Bowie on Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
* "Ball and Chain" with Elton John on Jump Up! (1982)
* "Lonely at the Top" and "Hard Women" with Mick Jagger on She's the Boss (1985)
* "Substitute" with The Ramones on Acid Eaters (1993)
* "Joy" and "Gun" with Mick Jagger on Goddess in the Doorway (2001)
* "Slow Burn" with David Bowie on Heathen (2002)
In 1968 Townshend helped assemble a band called Thunderclap Newman consisting of three musicians he knew. Pianist Andy Newman (an old art school friend), drummer John "Speedy" Keen (who had written "Armenia City in the Sky" for The Who to record for their 1967 album The Who Sell Out) and teenage guitarist Jimmy McCulloch (later to join Wings). Townshend produced the band and played bass on their recordings under the tongue-in-cheek pseudonym "Bijou Drains". Their first recording was the single "Something in the Air", which became a number one hit in the UK and a substantial hit elsewhere in the world. Following this success, Townshend produced their sole album, Hollywood Dream.
In 1971, Townshend, along with Keith Moon and Ronnie Lane, backed Mike Heron (of the Incredible String Band) on one song "Warm Heart Pastry" from Heron's first solo LP, Smiling Men with Bad Reputations. On the album notes, they're listed as "Tommy and the Bijoux". Also present on the track was John Cale on viola.
In 1984, Townshend contributed lyrics to two songs ("Love on The Air" and "All Lovers are Deranged") on David Gilmour's solo album About Face.
For albums Townshend composed as a member of The Who, see their entry. Not included are albums by other artists on which Townshend played as a session musician. Through much of 2005, Pete Townshend recorded and performed alongside his partner Rachel Fuller, a classically trained pianist and singer-songwriter.
In 2006, Townshend opened a website for implementation of The Lifehouse Method based on his 1971 Lifehouse concept. This website is in collaboration with composer Lawrence Ball and software developer David Snowden. Applicants at the website can input data to compose a musical "portrait" which the musical team may then develop into larger compositions for a planned concert or series of concerts to be announced.
Awards
* BRIT Awards 1983 - Life Achievement Award
* Tony Award 1993 - Best Original Score (music & lyrics) - The Who's Tommy (tie)
* Grammy Awards 1993 - Best Musical Show Album (as composer and lyricist of The Who's Tommy)
* Kennedy Center Honors 2008
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 6:24 am
The person who died on this day...Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (née Bouvier) (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and served as First Lady during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. She was later married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis from 1968 until his death in 1975. In later years she had a successful career as a book editor. She is remembered for her contributions to the arts and historic preservation, her style and elegance, and her public stoicism in the wake of President Kennedy's assassination.Jacqueline and then-Senator John Kennedy belonged to the same social circle and often attended the same functions. In May 1952, at a dinner party organized by mutual friends, they were formally introduced for the first time The two began dating soon afterward, and their engagement was officially announced on June 25, 1953.
Bouvier married Kennedy on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island in a Mass celebrated by Boston's Archbishop Richard Cushing. An estimated 700 guests attended the ceremony and 1,200 attended the reception that followed at Hammersmith Farm.
The wedding cake was created by Plourde's Bakery in Fall River, Massachusetts. The wedding dress, now housed in the Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts, and the dresses of her attendants were created by designer Ann Lowe of New York City.
The two honeymooned in Acapulco, Mexico, and settled in McLean, Virginia.
Jacqueline suffered a miscarriage in 1955 and gave birth to a stillborn baby girl in 1956. That same year, the couple sold their estate, Hickory Hill to Robert and Ethel Kennedy and moved to a townhouse on N Street in Georgetown. Kennedy subsequently gave birth to a second daughter, Caroline, in 1957, and a son, John, in 1960, both via Caesarian section.
Name Birth Death Notes
Arabella Kennedy August 23, 1956 August 23, 1956 Stillborn daughter.
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy November 27, 1957 Married to Edwin Schlossberg; has two daughters and a son. She is the last surviving child of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. November 25, 1960 July 16, 1999 Magazine publisher and lawyer. Married to Carolyn Bessette. Both Kennedy and his wife died in a plane crash, as did Lauren Bessette, Carolyn's sister, on July 16, 1999, off Martha's Vineyard in a Piper Saratoga II HP piloted by Kennedy.
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy August 7, 1963 August 9, 1963 Died from Hyaline Membrane Disease, today more commonly called Infant respiratory distress syndrome, at the age of two days.
First Lady of the United States
Campaign for Presidency
Jacqueline Kennedy campaigning alongside her husband in Appleton, Wisconsin, in March 1960
On January 2, 1960, John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Presidency and launched his nationwide campaign. Though she had initially intended to take an active role in the campaign, Kennedy learned that she was pregnant shortly after the campaign commenced. Due to her previous difficult pregnancies, Kennedy's doctor instructed her to stay at home. From Georgetown, Kennedy participated in her husband's campaign by answering letters, taping television commercials, giving televised and printed interviews, and writing a weekly syndicated newspaper column, "Campaign Wife." She made rare personal appearances.
As First Lady
Mrs. Kennedy, the president, André Malraux, Marie-Madeleine Lioux Malraux, Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson having just descended White House Grand Staircase on their way to a dinner with the French cultural minister, April 1962. Mrs. Kennedy wears a gown designed by Oleg Cassini.
In the general election on November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy narrowly beat Republican Richard Nixon in the U.S. presidential election. A little over two weeks later, Mrs. Kennedy gave birth to the couple's first son, John, Jr. When her husband was sworn in as president on January 20, 1961, Kennedy became, at age 31, one of the youngest First Ladies in history, behind Frances Folsom Cleveland and Julia Tyler. Former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was reportedly unhappy with the idea of John F. Kennedy coming into office following her husband's term. Despite new First Lady Jackie having given birth to her son John Jr. via caesarean section two weeks prior, Mamie refused to inform Jackie that there was a wheelchair available for her to use while showing Mrs. Kennedy the various sections of the White House. Seeing Mamie's displeasure during the tour, Jackie kept her composure while in Mrs. Eisenhower's presence, finally collapsing in private once the new First Lady returned home. When Mamie Eisenhower was later questioned as to why she would do such a thing, the former First Lady simply stated, "Because she never asked."
Like any First Lady, Kennedy was thrust into the spotlight and while she did not mind giving interviews or being photographed, she preferred to maintain as much privacy as possible for herself and her children.
Kennedy is remembered for reorganizing entertainment for White House Social events, seeking to restore several White House interiors, her taste in clothing worn during Kennedy's Presidency, her popularity among foreign dignitaries, and leading the country in mourning after her husband's assassination in 1963.
Kennedy ranks among the most popular of First Ladies.
Social success
As First Lady, Kennedy devoted much of her time to planning social events at the White House and other state properties. She often invited artists, writers, scientists, poets, and musicians to mingle with politicians, diplomats, and statesmen.
Perhaps due to her skill at entertaining, Kennedy proved quite popular among international dignitaries. When Soviet Premier Khrushchev was asked to shake President Kennedy's hand for a photo, Krushchev said, "I'd like to shake her hand first." Jacqueline was well received in Paris, France, when she visited with Kennedy, and when she traveled with Lee to India in 1962.
The President and Mrs. Kennedy at La Morita, Venezuela, on December 16, 1961
White House restoration
The White House Blue Room as redecorated by Stéphane Boudin in 1962. Boudin chose the period of the Madison administration, returning much of the original French Empire style furniture.
The restoration of the White House was Jacqueline Kennedy's first major project. She was dismayed during her pre-inauguration tour of the White House to find little of historic significance in the house. The rooms were furnished with undistinguished pieces that she felt lacked a sense of history. Her first efforts, begun her first day in residence (with the help of society decorator Sister Parish), were to make the family quarters attractive and suitable for family life and included the addition of a kitchen on the family floor and rooms for her children. Upon almost immediately exhausting the funds appropriated for this effort, she established a fine arts committee to oversee and fund the restoration process; she also asked early American furniture expert Henry du Pont to consult.
Her skillful management of this project was hardly noted at the time, except in terms of gossipy shock at repeated repainting of a room, or the high cost of the antique Zuber wallpaper panels installed in the family dining room ($12,000 in donated funds), but later accounts have noted that she managed the conflicting agendas of Parish, du Pont, and Boudin with seamless success; she initiated publication of the first White House guidebook, whose sales further funded the restoration; she initiated a Congressional bill establishing that White House furnishings would be the property of the Smithsonian Institution, rather than available to departing ex-presidents to claim as their own; and she wrote personal requests to those who owned pieces of historical interest that might be, and later were, donated to the White House.
On February 14, 1962, Mrs. Kennedy took American television viewers on a tour of the White House with Charles Collingwood of CBS. In the tour she said, "I just feel that everything in the White House should be the best—the entertainment that's given here. If it's an American company you can help, I like to do that. If not—just as long as it's the best." Working with Rachel Lambert Mellon, Mrs. Kennedy oversaw redesign and replanting of the White House Rose Garden and the East Garden, which was renamed the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden after her husband's assassination. Her efforts on behalf of restoration and preservation at the White House left a lasting legacy in the form of the White House Historical Association, the Committee for the Preservation of the White House which was based upon her White House Furnishings Committee, a permanent Curator of the White House, the White House Endowment Trust, and the White House Acquisition Trust.
Broadcasting of the White House restoration greatly helped the Kennedy administration. The United States sought international support during the Cold War, which it achieved by affecting public opinion. Mrs. Kennedy’s celebrity and high profile status made viewing the tour of the White house very desirable. The tour was taped and distributed to 106 countries since there was a great demand from the elite as well as people in power to see the film. In 1962 at the 14th Annual Emmy Awards (NBC, May 22), Bob Newhart emceed from the Hollywood Palladium; Johnny Carson from the New York Astor Hotel; and NBC newsman David Brinkley hosted at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington D.C. and took the spotlight as a special Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Trustees Award was given to Jacqueline Kennedy for her CBS-TV tour of the White House. Lady Bird Johnson accepted for the camera-shy First Lady. The actual Emmy statuette is on display in the Kennedy Library located in Boston, Massachusetts. Focus and admiration for Jacqueline Kennedy took negative attention away from her husband. By attracting worldwide public attention, the First Lady gained allies for the White House and international support for the Kennedy administration and its Cold War policies.
Foreign trips
Before the Kennedys visited France, a television special was shot in French with Mrs. Kennedy on the White House lawn. When the Kennedys visited France, she'd already won the hearts of the French people, impressing the French public with her ability to speak French. At the conclusion of the visit, Time magazine seemed delighted with the First Lady and noted, "There was also that fellow who came with her." Even President Kennedy joked, "I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris — and I have enjoyed it!"
Pakistani President Ayub Khan and Jacqueline Kennedy with Sardar.
At the urging of John Kenneth Galbraith, President Kennedy's ambassador to India, Mrs. Kennedy undertook a tour of India and Pakistan, taking her sister Lee Radziwill along with her, which was amply documented in photojournalism of the time as well as in Galbraith's journals and memoirs. At the time, Ambassador Galbraith noted a considerable disjunction between Mrs Kennedy's widely-noted concern with clothes and other frivolity and, on personal acquaintance, her considerable intellect.
While in Karachi she found some time to take a ride on a camel with her sister. In Lahore, Pakistani President Ayub Khan presented Mrs. Kennedy with a much-photographed horse, Sardar (the Urdu term meaning ‘leader’). Jackie chose Sardar to serve as the ceremonial riderless horse during her husband's funeral. Subsequently this gift was widely misattributed to the king of Saudi Arabia, including in the various recollections of the Kennedy White House years by President Kennedy's friend, journalist and editor Benjamin Bradlee. It has never become clear whether this general misattribution of the gift was carelessness or a deliberate effort to deflect attention from the USA's preference for Pakistan over India. While at a reception for herself at Shalimar Gardens, Mrs. Kennedy told guests "all my life I've dreamed of coming to the Shalimar Gardens. It's even lovelier than I'd dreamed. I only wish my husband could be with me." While in Lahore, she had a friendly chat with Iranian Empress Farah Pahlavi, whom many compared to Mrs. Kennedy.
Death of youngest son
Main article: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
Early in 1963, Kennedy became pregnant again and curtailed her official duties. She spent most of the summer at the Kennedys' rented home on Squaw Island, near the Kennedy family's Cape Cod compound at Hyannis Port, where she went into premature labor on August 7, 1963. She gave birth to a boy, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, via emergency Caesarian section at Otis Air Force Base, five and a half weeks prematurely. His lungs were not fully developed, and he died at Boston Children's Hospital of hyaline membrane disease (now known as respiratory distress syndrome) on August 9, 1963. The couple was devastated by the loss of their infant son, and that tragedy brought them closer together than ever before.
Assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy
John & Jacqueline Kennedy at Love Field in Dallas on the day of the assassination
The Presidential limousine before the assassination. Jacqueline is in the back seat to the President's left.
Jackie wearing her blood-stained pink Chanel suit while Johnson took oath of office as president.
Jacqueline Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, John Jr., Caroline, and Peter Lawford depart the U.S. Capitol after a lying-in-state ceremony for John Fitzgerald Kennedy, November 24, 1963
Main article: John F. Kennedy assassination
On November 21, 1963, the First Couple left the White House for a political trip to Texas, stopping in San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth that day. After a breakfast on November 22, the Kennedys flew from Carswell Air Force Base to Dallas's Love Field on Air Force One, accompanied by Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie. A 9.5-mile (15.3 km) motorcade was to take them to the Trade Mart where the President was scheduled to speak at a lunch. Mrs. Kennedy was seated next to her husband in the limousine, with the Governor and his wife seated in front of them. Vice President Johnson and his wife followed in another car in the motorcade.
After the motorcade turned the corner onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza, Mrs. Kennedy heard what she thought to be a motorcycle backfiring, and did not realize that it was a gunshot until she heard Governor Connally scream. Within 8.4 seconds, two more shots had rung out, and she leaned toward her husband. The final shot struck the President in the head. Mrs. Kennedy, shocked, climbed out of the back seat and half crawled over the trunk of the car (she later had no recollection of having done this). Her Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, later told the Warren Commission that he thought she had been reaching across the trunk for a piece of the President's skull that had been blown off. Hill ran to the car and leapt onto it, directing Mrs. Kennedy back to her seat. The car rushed to Dallas's Parkland Hospital, and on arrival there, the president's body was rushed into a trauma room. Mrs. Kennedy, for the moment, remained in a room for relatives and friends of patients just outside.
A few minutes into her husband's treatment, Mrs. Kennedy, accompanied by the President's doctor, Admiral George Burkley, left her folding chair outside Trauma Room One and attempted to enter the operating room. Nurse Doris Nelson stopped her and attempted to bar the door to prevent Mrs. Kennedy from entering. She persisted, and the President's doctor suggested that she take a sedative, which she refused. "I want to be there when he dies," she told Burkley. He eventually persuaded Nelson to grant her access to Trauma Room One, saying "It's her right, it's her prerogative".
Later, when the casket arrived, the widow removed her wedding ring and slipped it onto the President's finger. She told aide Ken O'Donnell, "Now I have nothing left."
After the president's death, Mrs. Kennedy refused to remove her blood-stained clothing, and regretted having washed the blood off her face and hands. She continued to wear the blood-stained pink suit as she went on board Air Force One and stood next to Johnson when he took the oath of office as President. She told Lady Bird Johnson, "I want them to see what they have done to Jack."
Mrs. Kennedy took an active role in planning the details of the state funeral for her husband, which was based on Abraham Lincoln's. The funeral service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral, Washington D.C., and the burial at Arlington National Cemetery; the widow led the procession there on foot and would light the eternal flame at the grave site, a flame that had been created at her request. Lady Jean Campbell reported back to The London Evening Standard: "Jacqueline Kennedy has given the American people… one thing they have always lacked: Majesty."
Following the assassination and the media coverage which had focused intensely on her during and after the burial, Mrs. Kennedy stepped back from official public view. She did, however, make a brief appearance in Washington to honor the Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, who had climbed aboard the limousine in Dallas to try to shield her and the President.
During her widowhood, Jacqueline was romantically linked by the press to a few men, notably David Ormsby-Gore and Roswell Gilpatric. But in June 1968 when her brother-in-law Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated, she came to fear for her life and that of her children, saying "If they're killing Kennedys, then my children are targets...I want to get out of this country." On October 20, 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis, a wealthy, Greek shipping magnate, who was able to provide her family with the privacy and security she needed for herself and her children.
The wedding took place on Skorpios, Onassis's private island in the Ionian Sea, Greece. After her marriage to Onassis, Jacqueline lost her Secret Service protection and her Franking Privilege, both of which are entitlements to a widow of the President of the United States. As a result of the marriage, the media gave her the nickname "Jackie O." which has remained a popular shorthand reference to her. She became the target of paparazzi who were following her.
Then tragedy struck again, as Aristotle Onassis's only son Alexander died in a plane crash in January 1973. Onassis's health began deteriorating rapidly and he died in Paris, on March 15, 1975. Jacqueline's financial legacy was severely limited under Greek law, which dictated how much a non-Greek surviving spouse could inherit. After two years of legal battle, she eventually accepted from Christina Onassis, Onassis's daughter and sole heir, a settlement of $26,000,000, waiving all other claims to the Onassis estate.
Later years
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Onassis's death in 1975 made Mrs. Onassis, then 46, a widow for the second time. Now that her children were older, she decided to find work that would be fulfilling to her. Since she had always enjoyed writing and literature, in 1975 Jacqueline accepted a job offer as an editor at Viking Press. But, in 1978, the President of Viking Press, Thomas H. Guinzburg, authorized the purchase of the Jeffrey Archer novel Shall We Tell the President?, which was set in a fictional future presidency of Edward M. Kennedy and described an assassination plot against him. Although Guinzburg cleared the book purchase and publication with Mrs. Onassis, upon the publication of a negative Sunday New York Times review which asserted that Mrs. Onassis held some blame for its publication, she abruptly resigned from Viking Press the next day. She then moved to Doubleday as an associate editor under an old friend, John Sargent, living in New York City, Martha's Vineyard and the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. From the mid 1970s until her death, her companion was Maurice Tempelsman, a Belgian-born industrialist and diamond merchant who was long separated from his wife.
She also continued to be the subject of much press attention, most notoriously involving the photographer Ron Galella. He followed her around and photographed her as she went about her day-to-day activities, obtaining candid, iconic photos of her. She ultimately obtained a restraining order against him and the situation brought attention to paparazzi-style photography. In 1995, John F. Kennedy Jr. allowed Galella to photograph him at public events.
Among the many books she edited was Larry Gonick's The Cartoon History of the Universe. He expressed his gratitude in the acknowledgments in Volume 2. Mrs. Onassis's continuing charisma is indicated by the delight the Canadian author Robertson Davies took in discovering that at a commencement exercise at an American university at which he was being honored, Jacqueline Kennedy was on hand, circulating among the honorees.
Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1986 during a visit from the President and First Lady, Ronald and Nancy Reagan
Jacqueline Onassis also appreciated the contributions of African-American writers to the American literary canon. She encouraged Dorothy West, her neighbor on Martha's Vineyard and the last surviving member of the Harlem Renaissance, to complete The Wedding, a multi-generational story about race, class, wealth, and power in the United States. The novel received great literary acclaim when it was published by Doubleday in 1995; in 1998 Oprah Winfrey introduced the story via a television film of the same name starring Halle Berry. Dorothy West acknowledged Jacqueline Onassis's kind encouragement in the foreword.
She also worked to preserve and protect America’s cultural heritage. The notable results of her hard work include Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C, and Grand Central Terminal, New York's beloved historic railroad stations. While she was First Lady, she helped to stop the destruction of historic homes in Lafayette Square, because she felt that these buildings were an important part of the nation’s capital and played an essential role in its history. Later, in New York City, she led a historic preservation campaign to save and renovate Grand Central Terminal from demolition. A plaque inside the terminal acknowledges her prominent role in its preservation. In the 1980s, she was a major figure in protests against a planned skyscraper at Columbus Circle which would have cast large shadows on Central Park; the project was cancelled, but a large twin towered skyscraper would later fill in that spot in 2003, the Time Warner Center.
From her apartment windows in New York City she had a splendid view of a glass enclosed wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art which displays the Temple of Dendur. This was a gift from Egypt to the United States in gratitude for the generosity of the Kennedy administration, who had been instrumental in saving several temples and objects of Egyptian antiquity that would otherwise have been flooded after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
Death
In 1993, Mrs. Onassis was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. Her diagnosis was announced to the public in February. The family and doctors were initially optimistic, and she stopped smoking at the insistence of her daughter. Onassis continued her work with Doubleday, but curtailed her schedule. By April, the cancer had spread, and she made her last trip home from New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center on May 18, 1994. A large crowd of well-wishers, tourists, and reporters gathered on the street outside her apartment. Onassis died in her sleep at 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, two and a half months before her 65th birthday. In announcing her death, Jacqueline's son, John Kennedy Jr. stated, "My mother died surrounded by her friends and her family and her books, and the people and the things that she loved. She did it in her own way, and on her own terms, and we all feel lucky for that."
Onassis' funeral was held on May 23 at Saint Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan - the church where she was baptized in 1929. At her funeral, her son John described three of her attributes as the love of words, the bonds of home and family, and the spirit of adventure. She was buried alongside President Kennedy, their son Patrick, and their stillborn daughter Arabella at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
In her will, Onassis left her children Caroline and John an estate valued at $200 million by its executor
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/19/10 at 6:51 am
The person who died on this day...Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (née Bouvier) (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and served as First Lady during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. She was later married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis from 1968 until his death in 1975. In later years she had a successful career as a book editor. She is remembered for her contributions to the arts and historic preservation, her style and elegance, and her public stoicism in the wake of President Kennedy's assassination.Jacqueline and then-Senator John Kennedy belonged to the same social circle and often attended the same functions. In May 1952, at a dinner party organized by mutual friends, they were formally introduced for the first time The two began dating soon afterward, and their engagement was officially announced on June 25, 1953.
Bouvier married Kennedy on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island in a Mass celebrated by Boston's Archbishop Richard Cushing. An estimated 700 guests attended the ceremony and 1,200 attended the reception that followed at Hammersmith Farm.
The wedding cake was created by Plourde's Bakery in Fall River, Massachusetts. The wedding dress, now housed in the Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts, and the dresses of her attendants were created by designer Ann Lowe of New York City.
The two honeymooned in Acapulco, Mexico, and settled in McLean, Virginia.
Jacqueline suffered a miscarriage in 1955 and gave birth to a stillborn baby girl in 1956. That same year, the couple sold their estate, Hickory Hill to Robert and Ethel Kennedy and moved to a townhouse on N Street in Georgetown. Kennedy subsequently gave birth to a second daughter, Caroline, in 1957, and a son, John, in 1960, both via Caesarian section.
Name Birth Death Notes
Arabella Kennedy August 23, 1956 August 23, 1956 Stillborn daughter.
Caroline Bouvier Kennedy November 27, 1957 Married to Edwin Schlossberg; has two daughters and a son. She is the last surviving child of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. November 25, 1960 July 16, 1999 Magazine publisher and lawyer. Married to Carolyn Bessette. Both Kennedy and his wife died in a plane crash, as did Lauren Bessette, Carolyn's sister, on July 16, 1999, off Martha's Vineyard in a Piper Saratoga II HP piloted by Kennedy.
Patrick Bouvier Kennedy August 7, 1963 August 9, 1963 Died from Hyaline Membrane Disease, today more commonly called Infant respiratory distress syndrome, at the age of two days.
First Lady of the United States
Campaign for Presidency
Jacqueline Kennedy campaigning alongside her husband in Appleton, Wisconsin, in March 1960
On January 2, 1960, John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Presidency and launched his nationwide campaign. Though she had initially intended to take an active role in the campaign, Kennedy learned that she was pregnant shortly after the campaign commenced. Due to her previous difficult pregnancies, Kennedy's doctor instructed her to stay at home. From Georgetown, Kennedy participated in her husband's campaign by answering letters, taping television commercials, giving televised and printed interviews, and writing a weekly syndicated newspaper column, "Campaign Wife." She made rare personal appearances.
As First Lady
Mrs. Kennedy, the president, André Malraux, Marie-Madeleine Lioux Malraux, Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson having just descended White House Grand Staircase on their way to a dinner with the French cultural minister, April 1962. Mrs. Kennedy wears a gown designed by Oleg Cassini.
In the general election on November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy narrowly beat Republican Richard Nixon in the U.S. presidential election. A little over two weeks later, Mrs. Kennedy gave birth to the couple's first son, John, Jr. When her husband was sworn in as president on January 20, 1961, Kennedy became, at age 31, one of the youngest First Ladies in history, behind Frances Folsom Cleveland and Julia Tyler. Former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was reportedly unhappy with the idea of John F. Kennedy coming into office following her husband's term. Despite new First Lady Jackie having given birth to her son John Jr. via caesarean section two weeks prior, Mamie refused to inform Jackie that there was a wheelchair available for her to use while showing Mrs. Kennedy the various sections of the White House. Seeing Mamie's displeasure during the tour, Jackie kept her composure while in Mrs. Eisenhower's presence, finally collapsing in private once the new First Lady returned home. When Mamie Eisenhower was later questioned as to why she would do such a thing, the former First Lady simply stated, "Because she never asked."
Like any First Lady, Kennedy was thrust into the spotlight and while she did not mind giving interviews or being photographed, she preferred to maintain as much privacy as possible for herself and her children.
Kennedy is remembered for reorganizing entertainment for White House Social events, seeking to restore several White House interiors, her taste in clothing worn during Kennedy's Presidency, her popularity among foreign dignitaries, and leading the country in mourning after her husband's assassination in 1963.
Kennedy ranks among the most popular of First Ladies.
Social success
As First Lady, Kennedy devoted much of her time to planning social events at the White House and other state properties. She often invited artists, writers, scientists, poets, and musicians to mingle with politicians, diplomats, and statesmen.
Perhaps due to her skill at entertaining, Kennedy proved quite popular among international dignitaries. When Soviet Premier Khrushchev was asked to shake President Kennedy's hand for a photo, Krushchev said, "I'd like to shake her hand first." Jacqueline was well received in Paris, France, when she visited with Kennedy, and when she traveled with Lee to India in 1962.
The President and Mrs. Kennedy at La Morita, Venezuela, on December 16, 1961
White House restoration
The White House Blue Room as redecorated by Stéphane Boudin in 1962. Boudin chose the period of the Madison administration, returning much of the original French Empire style furniture.
The restoration of the White House was Jacqueline Kennedy's first major project. She was dismayed during her pre-inauguration tour of the White House to find little of historic significance in the house. The rooms were furnished with undistinguished pieces that she felt lacked a sense of history. Her first efforts, begun her first day in residence (with the help of society decorator Sister Parish), were to make the family quarters attractive and suitable for family life and included the addition of a kitchen on the family floor and rooms for her children. Upon almost immediately exhausting the funds appropriated for this effort, she established a fine arts committee to oversee and fund the restoration process; she also asked early American furniture expert Henry du Pont to consult.
Her skillful management of this project was hardly noted at the time, except in terms of gossipy shock at repeated repainting of a room, or the high cost of the antique Zuber wallpaper panels installed in the family dining room ($12,000 in donated funds), but later accounts have noted that she managed the conflicting agendas of Parish, du Pont, and Boudin with seamless success; she initiated publication of the first White House guidebook, whose sales further funded the restoration; she initiated a Congressional bill establishing that White House furnishings would be the property of the Smithsonian Institution, rather than available to departing ex-presidents to claim as their own; and she wrote personal requests to those who owned pieces of historical interest that might be, and later were, donated to the White House.
On February 14, 1962, Mrs. Kennedy took American television viewers on a tour of the White House with Charles Collingwood of CBS. In the tour she said, "I just feel that everything in the White House should be the best—the entertainment that's given here. If it's an American company you can help, I like to do that. If not—just as long as it's the best." Working with Rachel Lambert Mellon, Mrs. Kennedy oversaw redesign and replanting of the White House Rose Garden and the East Garden, which was renamed the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden after her husband's assassination. Her efforts on behalf of restoration and preservation at the White House left a lasting legacy in the form of the White House Historical Association, the Committee for the Preservation of the White House which was based upon her White House Furnishings Committee, a permanent Curator of the White House, the White House Endowment Trust, and the White House Acquisition Trust.
Broadcasting of the White House restoration greatly helped the Kennedy administration. The United States sought international support during the Cold War, which it achieved by affecting public opinion. Mrs. Kennedy’s celebrity and high profile status made viewing the tour of the White house very desirable. The tour was taped and distributed to 106 countries since there was a great demand from the elite as well as people in power to see the film. In 1962 at the 14th Annual Emmy Awards (NBC, May 22), Bob Newhart emceed from the Hollywood Palladium; Johnny Carson from the New York Astor Hotel; and NBC newsman David Brinkley hosted at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington D.C. and took the spotlight as a special Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Trustees Award was given to Jacqueline Kennedy for her CBS-TV tour of the White House. Lady Bird Johnson accepted for the camera-shy First Lady. The actual Emmy statuette is on display in the Kennedy Library located in Boston, Massachusetts. Focus and admiration for Jacqueline Kennedy took negative attention away from her husband. By attracting worldwide public attention, the First Lady gained allies for the White House and international support for the Kennedy administration and its Cold War policies.
Foreign trips
Before the Kennedys visited France, a television special was shot in French with Mrs. Kennedy on the White House lawn. When the Kennedys visited France, she'd already won the hearts of the French people, impressing the French public with her ability to speak French. At the conclusion of the visit, Time magazine seemed delighted with the First Lady and noted, "There was also that fellow who came with her." Even President Kennedy joked, "I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris — and I have enjoyed it!"
Pakistani President Ayub Khan and Jacqueline Kennedy with Sardar.
At the urging of John Kenneth Galbraith, President Kennedy's ambassador to India, Mrs. Kennedy undertook a tour of India and Pakistan, taking her sister Lee Radziwill along with her, which was amply documented in photojournalism of the time as well as in Galbraith's journals and memoirs. At the time, Ambassador Galbraith noted a considerable disjunction between Mrs Kennedy's widely-noted concern with clothes and other frivolity and, on personal acquaintance, her considerable intellect.
While in Karachi she found some time to take a ride on a camel with her sister. In Lahore, Pakistani President Ayub Khan presented Mrs. Kennedy with a much-photographed horse, Sardar (the Urdu term meaning ‘leader’). Jackie chose Sardar to serve as the ceremonial riderless horse during her husband's funeral. Subsequently this gift was widely misattributed to the king of Saudi Arabia, including in the various recollections of the Kennedy White House years by President Kennedy's friend, journalist and editor Benjamin Bradlee. It has never become clear whether this general misattribution of the gift was carelessness or a deliberate effort to deflect attention from the USA's preference for Pakistan over India. While at a reception for herself at Shalimar Gardens, Mrs. Kennedy told guests "all my life I've dreamed of coming to the Shalimar Gardens. It's even lovelier than I'd dreamed. I only wish my husband could be with me." While in Lahore, she had a friendly chat with Iranian Empress Farah Pahlavi, whom many compared to Mrs. Kennedy.
Death of youngest son
Main article: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
Early in 1963, Kennedy became pregnant again and curtailed her official duties. She spent most of the summer at the Kennedys' rented home on Squaw Island, near the Kennedy family's Cape Cod compound at Hyannis Port, where she went into premature labor on August 7, 1963. She gave birth to a boy, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, via emergency Caesarian section at Otis Air Force Base, five and a half weeks prematurely. His lungs were not fully developed, and he died at Boston Children's Hospital of hyaline membrane disease (now known as respiratory distress syndrome) on August 9, 1963. The couple was devastated by the loss of their infant son, and that tragedy brought them closer together than ever before.
Assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy
John & Jacqueline Kennedy at Love Field in Dallas on the day of the assassination
The Presidential limousine before the assassination. Jacqueline is in the back seat to the President's left.
Jackie wearing her blood-stained pink Chanel suit while Johnson took oath of office as president.
Jacqueline Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, John Jr., Caroline, and Peter Lawford depart the U.S. Capitol after a lying-in-state ceremony for John Fitzgerald Kennedy, November 24, 1963
Main article: John F. Kennedy assassination
On November 21, 1963, the First Couple left the White House for a political trip to Texas, stopping in San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth that day. After a breakfast on November 22, the Kennedys flew from Carswell Air Force Base to Dallas's Love Field on Air Force One, accompanied by Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie. A 9.5-mile (15.3 km) motorcade was to take them to the Trade Mart where the President was scheduled to speak at a lunch. Mrs. Kennedy was seated next to her husband in the limousine, with the Governor and his wife seated in front of them. Vice President Johnson and his wife followed in another car in the motorcade.
After the motorcade turned the corner onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza, Mrs. Kennedy heard what she thought to be a motorcycle backfiring, and did not realize that it was a gunshot until she heard Governor Connally scream. Within 8.4 seconds, two more shots had rung out, and she leaned toward her husband. The final shot struck the President in the head. Mrs. Kennedy, shocked, climbed out of the back seat and half crawled over the trunk of the car (she later had no recollection of having done this). Her Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, later told the Warren Commission that he thought she had been reaching across the trunk for a piece of the President's skull that had been blown off. Hill ran to the car and leapt onto it, directing Mrs. Kennedy back to her seat. The car rushed to Dallas's Parkland Hospital, and on arrival there, the president's body was rushed into a trauma room. Mrs. Kennedy, for the moment, remained in a room for relatives and friends of patients just outside.
A few minutes into her husband's treatment, Mrs. Kennedy, accompanied by the President's doctor, Admiral George Burkley, left her folding chair outside Trauma Room One and attempted to enter the operating room. Nurse Doris Nelson stopped her and attempted to bar the door to prevent Mrs. Kennedy from entering. She persisted, and the President's doctor suggested that she take a sedative, which she refused. "I want to be there when he dies," she told Burkley. He eventually persuaded Nelson to grant her access to Trauma Room One, saying "It's her right, it's her prerogative".
Later, when the casket arrived, the widow removed her wedding ring and slipped it onto the President's finger. She told aide Ken O'Donnell, "Now I have nothing left."
After the president's death, Mrs. Kennedy refused to remove her blood-stained clothing, and regretted having washed the blood off her face and hands. She continued to wear the blood-stained pink suit as she went on board Air Force One and stood next to Johnson when he took the oath of office as President. She told Lady Bird Johnson, "I want them to see what they have done to Jack."
Mrs. Kennedy took an active role in planning the details of the state funeral for her husband, which was based on Abraham Lincoln's. The funeral service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral, Washington D.C., and the burial at Arlington National Cemetery; the widow led the procession there on foot and would light the eternal flame at the grave site, a flame that had been created at her request. Lady Jean Campbell reported back to The London Evening Standard: "Jacqueline Kennedy has given the American people… one thing they have always lacked: Majesty."
Following the assassination and the media coverage which had focused intensely on her during and after the burial, Mrs. Kennedy stepped back from official public view. She did, however, make a brief appearance in Washington to honor the Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, who had climbed aboard the limousine in Dallas to try to shield her and the President.
During her widowhood, Jacqueline was romantically linked by the press to a few men, notably David Ormsby-Gore and Roswell Gilpatric. But in June 1968 when her brother-in-law Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated, she came to fear for her life and that of her children, saying "If they're killing Kennedys, then my children are targets...I want to get out of this country." On October 20, 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis, a wealthy, Greek shipping magnate, who was able to provide her family with the privacy and security she needed for herself and her children.
The wedding took place on Skorpios, Onassis's private island in the Ionian Sea, Greece. After her marriage to Onassis, Jacqueline lost her Secret Service protection and her Franking Privilege, both of which are entitlements to a widow of the President of the United States. As a result of the marriage, the media gave her the nickname "Jackie O." which has remained a popular shorthand reference to her. She became the target of paparazzi who were following her.
Then tragedy struck again, as Aristotle Onassis's only son Alexander died in a plane crash in January 1973. Onassis's health began deteriorating rapidly and he died in Paris, on March 15, 1975. Jacqueline's financial legacy was severely limited under Greek law, which dictated how much a non-Greek surviving spouse could inherit. After two years of legal battle, she eventually accepted from Christina Onassis, Onassis's daughter and sole heir, a settlement of $26,000,000, waiving all other claims to the Onassis estate.
Later years
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Onassis's death in 1975 made Mrs. Onassis, then 46, a widow for the second time. Now that her children were older, she decided to find work that would be fulfilling to her. Since she had always enjoyed writing and literature, in 1975 Jacqueline accepted a job offer as an editor at Viking Press. But, in 1978, the President of Viking Press, Thomas H. Guinzburg, authorized the purchase of the Jeffrey Archer novel Shall We Tell the President?, which was set in a fictional future presidency of Edward M. Kennedy and described an assassination plot against him. Although Guinzburg cleared the book purchase and publication with Mrs. Onassis, upon the publication of a negative Sunday New York Times review which asserted that Mrs. Onassis held some blame for its publication, she abruptly resigned from Viking Press the next day. She then moved to Doubleday as an associate editor under an old friend, John Sargent, living in New York City, Martha's Vineyard and the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis, Massachusetts. From the mid 1970s until her death, her companion was Maurice Tempelsman, a Belgian-born industrialist and diamond merchant who was long separated from his wife.
She also continued to be the subject of much press attention, most notoriously involving the photographer Ron Galella. He followed her around and photographed her as she went about her day-to-day activities, obtaining candid, iconic photos of her. She ultimately obtained a restraining order against him and the situation brought attention to paparazzi-style photography. In 1995, John F. Kennedy Jr. allowed Galella to photograph him at public events.
Among the many books she edited was Larry Gonick's The Cartoon History of the Universe. He expressed his gratitude in the acknowledgments in Volume 2. Mrs. Onassis's continuing charisma is indicated by the delight the Canadian author Robertson Davies took in discovering that at a commencement exercise at an American university at which he was being honored, Jacqueline Kennedy was on hand, circulating among the honorees.
Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1986 during a visit from the President and First Lady, Ronald and Nancy Reagan
Jacqueline Onassis also appreciated the contributions of African-American writers to the American literary canon. She encouraged Dorothy West, her neighbor on Martha's Vineyard and the last surviving member of the Harlem Renaissance, to complete The Wedding, a multi-generational story about race, class, wealth, and power in the United States. The novel received great literary acclaim when it was published by Doubleday in 1995; in 1998 Oprah Winfrey introduced the story via a television film of the same name starring Halle Berry. Dorothy West acknowledged Jacqueline Onassis's kind encouragement in the foreword.
She also worked to preserve and protect America’s cultural heritage. The notable results of her hard work include Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C, and Grand Central Terminal, New York's beloved historic railroad stations. While she was First Lady, she helped to stop the destruction of historic homes in Lafayette Square, because she felt that these buildings were an important part of the nation’s capital and played an essential role in its history. Later, in New York City, she led a historic preservation campaign to save and renovate Grand Central Terminal from demolition. A plaque inside the terminal acknowledges her prominent role in its preservation. In the 1980s, she was a major figure in protests against a planned skyscraper at Columbus Circle which would have cast large shadows on Central Park; the project was cancelled, but a large twin towered skyscraper would later fill in that spot in 2003, the Time Warner Center.
From her apartment windows in New York City she had a splendid view of a glass enclosed wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art which displays the Temple of Dendur. This was a gift from Egypt to the United States in gratitude for the generosity of the Kennedy administration, who had been instrumental in saving several temples and objects of Egyptian antiquity that would otherwise have been flooded after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
Death
In 1993, Mrs. Onassis was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. Her diagnosis was announced to the public in February. The family and doctors were initially optimistic, and she stopped smoking at the insistence of her daughter. Onassis continued her work with Doubleday, but curtailed her schedule. By April, the cancer had spread, and she made her last trip home from New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center on May 18, 1994. A large crowd of well-wishers, tourists, and reporters gathered on the street outside her apartment. Onassis died in her sleep at 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, two and a half months before her 65th birthday. In announcing her death, Jacqueline's son, John Kennedy Jr. stated, "My mother died surrounded by her friends and her family and her books, and the people and the things that she loved. She did it in her own way, and on her own terms, and we all feel lucky for that."
Onassis' funeral was held on May 23 at Saint Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan - the church where she was baptized in 1929. At her funeral, her son John described three of her attributes as the love of words, the bonds of home and family, and the spirit of adventure. She was buried alongside President Kennedy, their son Patrick, and their stillborn daughter Arabella at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
In her will, Onassis left her children Caroline and John an estate valued at $200 million by its executor
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She was such a beautiful woman. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 8:51 am
She was such a beautiful woman. :)
yes a vision of loveliness.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/19/10 at 10:42 am
yes a vision of loveliness.
I never thought she was a beautiful as others thought she was. Am I the only one? :-\\
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/19/10 at 1:25 pm
I never thought she was a beautiful as others thought she was. Am I the only one? :-\\
No everyone sees things differently. Some think Paris Hilton is good looking, I don't.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/19/10 at 3:59 pm
No everyone sees things differently. Some think Paris Hilton is good looking, I don't.
Neither do I .But I do agree she (Jackie Kennedy) had style.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/19/10 at 4:21 pm
I never thought she was a beautiful as others thought she was. Am I the only one? :-\\
I don't think it was so much of beauty as it was class. I find it interesting how Jack was part of the "upper crust" so to speak, but I thought Jackie out-classed him by FAR.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/19/10 at 5:48 pm
I never thought she was a beautiful as others thought she was. Am I the only one? :-\\
She had some spark..but I never considered her beautiful. But then...I never considered Princess Diana beautiful either! :-\\
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/19/10 at 5:49 pm
I don't think it was so much of beauty as it was class. I find it interesting how Jack was part of the "upper crust" so to speak, but I thought Jackie out-classed him by FAR.
Cat
Cat...you hit the nail on the head here....
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/19/10 at 6:50 pm
Cat...you hit the nail on the head here....
Cat's a nail hitter. Well put Cat.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/19/10 at 7:00 pm
No everyone sees things differently. Some think Paris Hilton is good looking, I don't.
Paris Hilton is a slut.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/19/10 at 7:05 pm
Paris Hilton is a slut.
No use sitting on the fence Howard, tell us how you really feel about her :D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/19/10 at 7:07 pm
No use sitting on the fence Howard, tell us how you really feel about her :D
I have nothing good to say. :P
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/20/10 at 1:50 am
Paris Hilton is a slut.
She cannot sing either!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/20/10 at 2:43 am
She cannot sing either!
...or act .... (even in a real life porn video).
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 6:39 am
Paris Hilton is a slut.
;D WTG Howie
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/20/10 at 6:43 am
;D WTG Howie
Thanks Ninny,She's not my type.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 6:49 am
The word of the day...Friend(s)
a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2.
a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter:
a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?
4.
a member of the same nation, party, etc.
5.
(initial capital letter) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/20/10 at 6:50 am
I don't have as many friends as I used to.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 6:52 am
The person born on this day...Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE (born on 20 May 1944 in Sheffield, England) is an English rock/blues musician, composer and actor who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of the Beatles. He is the recipient of several awards, including a 1983 Grammy Award for his song "Up Where We Belong", a duet which he performed with Jennifer Warnes. He was ranked #97 on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers list In 1966, after a year-long hiatus from music, Cocker teamed up with Chris Stainton, who he had met several years before, to form the Grease Band. The Grease Band was named after Cocker read an interview with jazz musician Jimmy Smith, where Smith described another musician as "having a lot of grease". Like the Avengers, Cocker's group mostly played in pubs in and around Sheffield. The Grease Band came to the attention of Denny Cordell, the producer of Procol Harum, the Moody Blues and Georgie Fame. Minus the Grease Band, Cocker recorded a single for Cordell in a London studio, "Marjorine". He then moved to London with Chris Stainton and the Grease Band was dissolved. Cordell set Cocker up with a residency at the Marquee Club in London and a "new" Grease Band was formed with keyboardist Tommy Eyre and Chris Stainton.
After minor success in the U.S. with the single "Marjorine", he entered the big time with a groundbreaking rearrangement of "With a Little Help from My Friends", another Beatles cover, which was later used as the opening theme for The Wonder Years. The recording features lead guitar from Jimmy Page, drumming by BJ Wilson, backing vocals from Sue and Sunny and Tommy Eyre on organ. The single made the Top Ten on the British charts, remained there for thirteen weeks and eventually reached number one on 9 November, 1968. It also reached number 68 on the US charts.
The new touring lineup of Cocker's Grease Band featured Henry McCullough on lead guitar; he would go on to briefly play with McCartney's Wings. After touring the UK with the Who in autumn 1968 and Gene Pitney and Marmalade in early Winter 1969, the Grease Band embarked on their first tour of the US in spring 1969. His album With A Little Help from my Friends was released soon after his arrival and made number 35 on the American charts, eventually going Gold.
Joe Cocker at Woodstock (1969)
During his US tour, Cocker played at several large festivals, including the Newport Rock Festival and the Denver Pop Festival. In August, Denny Cordell heard about the planned concert in Woodstock, New York and convinced organiser Artie Kornfeld to book Cocker and the Grease Band for the Woodstock Festival. The group had to be flown into the festival by helicopter due to the large crowds. They performed several songs, including "Delta Lady", "Something's Comin' On", "Let's Go Get Stoned", "I Shall Be Released", and "With a Little Help from My Friends". Cocker would later say that the experience was "like an eclipse... it was a very special day."
Directly after Woodstock, Cocker released his second album, Joe Cocker!. Impressed by his cover of "With A Little Help From my Friends", Paul McCartney and George Harrison allowed Cocker to use their songs "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" and "Something" for the album. Recorded during a break in touring in the spring and summer, the album reached number 11 on the US charts and garnered a second UK hit with the Leon Russell song, "Delta Lady".
Throughout 1969 he was featured on variety TV shows like the The Ed Sullivan Show and This Is Tom Jones. Onstage, he exhibited an idiosyncratic physical intensity, flailing his arms and playing air guitar, occasionally giving superfluous cues to his band. At the end of the year Cocker was unwilling to embark on another US tour, so he dissolved the Grease Band.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1969–1970)
Despite Cocker's reluctance to venture out on the road again, an American tour had already been booked so he had to quickly form a new group in order to fulfill his contractual obligations. It proved to be a large group of more than 30 players (including three drummers, backing vocalists Rita Coolidge and Claudia Lennear, and pianist/bandleader Leon Russell). The new group was christened "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" by Denny Cordell after the Noël Coward song of the same name. His music at this time evolved into a more bluesy type of rock, often compared to that of The Rolling Stones and Matt Gilson. During the ensuing Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, (later described by drummer Jim Keltner as "a big, wild party") Cocker toured 48 cities, recorded a live album, and received very positive reviews from Time and Life for his performances. However, the pace of the tour was exhausting. Russell and Cocker had personal problems and Cocker became depressed and began drinking excessively as the tour wound down in May 1970. Meanwhile, he enjoyed several chart entries in the U.S. with "Cry Me a River" and "Feelin' Alright" by Dave Mason. His cover of the Box Tops' hit "The Letter", which appeared on the live album and film, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, became his first U.S. Top Ten hit. After spending several months in Los Angeles, Cocker returned home to Sheffield where his family became increasingly concerned with his deteriorating physical and mental health.
On the road (1972–1982)
In early 1972, after nearly two years away from music, Cocker went on tour with a group that Chris Stainton had formed. He opened with a performance in Madison Square Garden which was attended by about 20,000 people. After touring the US, he embarked on a European tour where he played to large audiences in Milan and Germany. He then returned to the US for another tour in autumn 1972. During these tours the group cut the songs that would be part of his newest album, Joe Cocker. A mixture of live songs and studio recordings, the album peaked at number 30 on the US charts.
In October 1972, when Cocker toured Australia, he and six members of his entourage were arrested in Adelaide by police for possession of marijuana. The next day in Melbourne, assault charges were laid after a brawl at the Commodore Chateau Hotel, and Cocker was given 48 hours to leave the country by the Australian Federal Police. This caused huge public outcry in Australia, as Cocker was a high-profile overseas artist and had a strong support base, especially amongst the baby boomers who were coming of age and able to vote for the first time. It sparked hefty debate about the use and legalisation of marijuana in Australia and gained Cocker the nickname of "the Mad Dog". Shortly after the Australian tour, Stainton retired from his music career to establish his own recording studio. After his friend's departure and estrangement from longtime producer Denny Cordell, Cocker sank into depression and began using heroin. In June 1973 he kicked the habit, but continued to drink heavily.
At the end of 1973, Cocker returned to the studio to record a new album, I Can Stand A Little Rain. The album, released in August 1974, was number 11 on the US charts and one single, a cover of Billy Preston's You Are So Beautiful, reached the number 5 slot. Despite positive reviews for the album, Cocker struggled with live performances, largely due to his problems with alcohol. In January 1975, he released a second album that had been recorded at the same time as I Can Stand a Little Rain, Jamaica Say You Will. To promote his new album, Cocker embarked on another tour of Australia, made possible by the country's new Labour government. In late 1975, he contributed vocals on a number of the tracks on Bo Diddley's The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll all-star album. He also recorded a new album in a Kingston, Jamaica studio, Stingray. However, record sales were disappointing; the album reached only number 70 on the US charts.
In 1976, Cocker performed "Feelin' Alright" on Saturday Night Live. John Belushi joined him on stage doing his famous impersonation of Cocker's stage movements. At the time, Cocker was $800,000 in debt to A&M Records and struggling with alcoholism. Several months later, he met producer Michael Lang, who agreed to manage him on the condition that he stay sober. With a new band, Cocker embarked on a tour of New Zealand, Australia, and South America. He then recorded a new album with session work by Steve Gadd and Chuck Rainey, Luxury You Can Afford. Despite an autumn 1978 US tour to promote the album, it received mixed reviews and only sold around 300,000 copies.
In 1979, Cocker joined the "Woodstock in Europe" tour, which featured musicians like Arlo Guthrie and Richie Havens who had played at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. He also performed in New York's Central Park to an audience of 20,000 people. The concert was recorded and released as the live album, Live in New York. He also toured Europe and appeared on the German television recording ampitheathre, Rockpalast, the first of many performances on the show. In 1982, Cocker recorded a song with jazz group the Crusaders on their album Standing Tall. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award and Cocker performed it with the Crusaders at the awards ceremony. Cocker then released a new reggae-influenced album, Sheffield Steel recorded with the Compass Point All Stars, produced by Chris Blackwell and Alex Sadkin.
Later career (1982–present)
In 1982, at the behest of producer Stewart Levine, Cocker recorded the duet "Up Where We Belong" with Jennifer Warnes for the soundtrack of the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman. The song was an international hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and winning a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo. The duet also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song while Cocker and Warnes performed the song at the awards ceremony. Several days later, he was invited to perform "You Are So Beautiful" with Ray Charles in a television tribute to the musician. He then joined singer Ronnie Lane's 1983 tour to raise money for the London-based organisation Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis. Musicians such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Chris Stainton also participated in the tour which included a performance at Madison Square Garden. While on another tour that year, Cocker was arrested by Austrian police after refusing to perform because of inadequate sound equipment. The charges were eventually dropped and Cocker was released. Shortly after the incident, he released his ninth studio album, Civilized Man. His next album Cocker was dedicated to his mother, Madge, who died when he was recording in the studio. A track from the album, "You Can Leave Your Hat On" was featured in the 1986 film 9½ Weeks. The album eventually went Platinum on the European charts. His 1987 album Unchain My Heart was nominated for a Grammy Award, although it did not win. One Night of Sin was also a commercial success, surpassing Unchain My Heart in sales.
Throughout the 1980s, Cocker continued to tour around the world, playing to large audiences in Europe, Australia and the United States. In 1988, he performed at London's Royal Albert Hall and appeared on The Tonight Show. He also performed for President George H. W. Bush at an inauguration concert in February 1989. In 1992, his version of Bryan Adams' "Feels Like Forever" made the UK Top 40.
Cocker performing in Hallandale, Florida in 2003
Cocker performed the opening set at Woodstock '94 as one of the few alumni who played at the original Woodstock Festival in 1969. Cocker was awarded an OBE in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours list for services to music. To celebrate receiving his award in mid December 2007, Cocker played two concerts in London and in his home town of Sheffield.
In 2007, Cocker appeared playing minor characters in the film Across the Universe, as the lead singer on another Beatles hit, "Come Together".
In April and May 2009, Cocker conducted a mammoth North American tour in support of his latest album Hymn for My Soul. He is also planning a new studio release for 2010 that will feature a modern look at classic rhythm and blues.
Personal life
In 1963, Cocker began dating Eileen Webster, also a resident of Sheffield. The couple dated intermittently for the next thirteen years, separating permanently in 1976. In 1978, Cocker moved onto a ranch owned by Jane Fonda in Santa Barbara, California. Pam Baker, a local summer camp director and fan of Cocker's music convinced the actress to rent the house to Cocker. Baker began dating Cocker and they eventually married on 11 October 1987. The couple currently reside on the Mad Dog Ranch in Crawford, Colorado.
Cocker is not related to fellow Sheffield-born musician Jarvis Cocker, despite this being a rumour (particularly in Australia, where Jarvis' father Mack Cocker was a radio DJ who allowed listeners to believe he was Cocker's brother).
Discography
For a comprehensive list of recordings see Joe Cocker discography.
Studio albums
* With a Little Help from My Friends (1969)
* Joe Cocker! (1969)
* Joe Cocker (aka Something to Say) (1972/1973)
* I Can Stand a Little Rain (1974)
* Jamaica Say You Will (1975)
* Stingray (1976)
* Luxury You Can Afford (1978)
* Sheffield Steel (1982)
* Civilized Man (1984)
* Cocker (1986)
* Unchain My Heart (1987)
* One Night of Sin (1989)
* Night Calls (1991/US: 1992)
* Have a Little Faith (1994)
* Organic (1996)
* Across from Midnight (1997)
* No Ordinary World (1999/US: 2000)
* Respect Yourself (2002)
* Heart & Soul (2004/US: 2005)
* Hymn for My Soul (2007/US: 2008)
* Upcoming album (2010)
Further reading
* Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
* The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits - ISBN 0-85112-250-7
* Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7
* Guinness Rockopedia - ISBN 0-85112-072-5
* The Great Rock Discography - 5th Edition - ISBN 1-84195-017-3
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http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh181/WillHughes2010/joe_cocker.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 6:53 am
I don't have as many friends as I used to.
Either do I. :( :-\\
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/20/10 at 6:55 am
He also did a good version of The Boxtops The Letter.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/20/10 at 6:56 am
Either do I. :( :-\\
My friend Robert who lives Upstate works so I haven't seen him in 3 years
Randy works on the docks of The South Street Seaport so I rarely see him.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 7:01 am
The person who died on this day...Gilda Radner
Gilda Susan Radner (June 28, 1946 – May 20, 1989) was an American comedienne and actress, best known for her five years as part of the original cast of the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, for which she won an Emmy Award. Radner's death at age 42 from ovarian cancer helped increase public awareness of the disease and the need for earlier detection and treatment.
Radner was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Jewish parents Henrietta (née Dworkin), a legal secretary, and Herman Radner, a businessman. She grew up in Detroit with a nanny, Elizabeth Clementine Gillies, whom she called "Dibby" (and on whom she based her famous character Emily Litella), and an older brother named Michael. She attended the University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe.
Radner was close to her father, who operated Detroit's Seville Hotel, where many nightclub performers and actors stayed while performing in the city. Her father, who died when she was fourteen, took her on trips to New York to see Broadway shows.
College
Radner enrolled at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she made a lifelong platonic friend of fellow student, David Saltman, who wrote a biography of her after her death. Radner joined Saltman and his girlfriend on a trip to Paris in the summer of 1966. Saltman wrote that he was so affectionate with his girlfriend that they left Radner to fend for herself during much of their sightseeing. Later, when details of Radner's eating disorder surfaced, Saltman wrote that he realized she had been in a quandary over the French food, but had no one with whom she could discuss her situation.
Career
In Ann Arbor, Radner began her broadcasting career as the weather girl for college radio station WCBN, but dropped out in her senior year to follow her then-boyfriend, a Canadian sculptor named Jeff Rubinoff, to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In Toronto, she made her professional acting debut in the 1972 production of Godspell with future stars Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber and Martin Short. Afterward, Radner joined the Toronto Second City comedy troupe.
1970s
Radner was a featured player on the National Lampoon Radio Hour, a comedy program syndicated to some 600 U.S. radio stations from 1973 to 1975. Fellow cast members included John Belushi, Richard Belzer, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Brian Doyle-Murray.
Saturday Night Live
Radner gained name recognition as one of the original "Not Ready For Prime Time Players", a member of the freshman group on the first season of Saturday Night Live. She was the first actor cast for the show. Between 1975 and 1980, she created such characters as Roseanne Roseannadanna, an obnoxious woman with wild black hair who would tell stories about the gross habits of celebrities on the show's "Weekend Update" news segment, inspired in name and appearance by Rose Ann Scamardella, a news anchor at WABC-TV in New York City. Other SNL characters included "Baba Wawa," a spoof of Barbara Walters (see also Barbara Walters' reaction to it), and Emily Litella, an elderly hearing-impaired woman who gave angry and misinformed editorial replies on "Weekend Update" on topics such as "violins on television," the "Eagle Rights Amendment," "presidential erections," "busting school children", and "protecting endangered feces." Once corrected on her misunderstanding, Litella would end her segment with a polite "Never mind." Later on, she would answer Jane Curtin's frustration with a simple "Bitch!" Radner parodied such celebrities as Lucille Ball, Patti Smith, and Olga Korbut in SNL sketches. Radner won an Emmy Award in 1978 for her work on SNL.
Radner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Radner battled bulimia during her time on the show. She once told a reporter that she had thrown up in every toilet in Rockefeller Center. She had a relationship with SNL castmate Bill Murray that ended badly. Although few details were made public at the time, Radner wrote about it in her autobiography.
In 1979, incoming NBC President Fred Silverman offered Radner her own prime time variety show, which she ultimately turned down. That year, she was one of the hosts of the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly.
Alan Zweibel, who co-created the Roseanne Roseannadanna character and co-wrote all of Roseanne's dialogue, recalled that Radner, one of three original SNL cast members who stayed away from cocaine, chastised him for using it.
Radner had mixed emotions about the fans and strangers who recognized her in public. She sometimes became "angry when she was approached, but upset when she wasn't."
Broadway
In 1979, Radner appeared on Broadway in a successful one-woman show entitled Gilda Radner - Live From New York. The show featured racier material, such as the song Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals. In 1981, the show was filmed as Gilda Live!, co-starring Paul Shaffer and Don Novello, and was released as a film and an album recording. During the production, she met her first husband, G. E. Smith, a musician who also worked on the show. They were married in a civil ceremony in 1980.
In 1980, Radner starred opposite Sam Waterston in the Jean Kerr show, Lunch Hour, as a pair whose spouses are having an affair, and in response invent one of their own, consisting of trysts on their lunch hour. The show ran for over seven months.
Gene Wilder
Radner met actor Gene Wilder on the set of the Sidney Poitier film Hanky Panky, when the two appeared together. She described their first meeting as "love at first sight." She was unable to resist her attraction to Wilder as her marriage with guitarist G.E. Smith deteriorated. Radner went on to make a second film, The Woman in Red, in 1984 with Wilder and their relationship grew. The two were married on September 18, 1984 in the south of France. The pair made a third film together, Haunted Honeymoon, in 1986.
Illness
After experiencing severe fatigue and suffering from pain in her upper legs on the set of Haunted Honeymoon, Radner sought medical treatment. After 10 months of false diagnoses, she learned that she had ovarian cancer in October 1986. Even with Wilder's support, she suffered extreme physical and emotional pain during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Remission
After Radner was told she had gone into remission, she wrote a memoir about her life and struggle with the illness, called It's Always Something (a catchphrase of her character Roseanne Roseannadanna). Life magazine did a March 1988 cover story on her illness, entitled Gilda Radner's Answer to Cancer: Healing the Body with Mind and Heart.
In 1988, Radner guest-starred on It's Garry Shandling's Show on Showtime, to great critical acclaim. When Shandling asked her why she had not been seen for a while, she replied "Oh, I had cancer. What did you have?" Shandling's reply: "A very bad series of career moves." She planned to host an episode of SNL that year, but a writers' strike caused the cancellation of the rest of the season.
Death
In the fall of 1988, when biopsies and a saline wash of her abdomen showed no signs of cancer, Radner was put on a maintenance chemotherapy treatment to prolong her remission. But later that same year, she learned that her cancer had returned after a routine blood test showed her levels of the tumor marker CA-125 had increased. She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on May 17, 1989 for a CAT scan. Anxious with fear that she would never wake up, she was given a sedative but passed into a coma. She did not regain consciousness and died three days later at 6:20 am on May 20, 1989; Wilder was at her side.
Gene Wilder had this to say about her death:
She went in for the scan – but the people there could not keep her on the gurney. She was raving like a crazed woman – she knew they would give her morphine and was afraid she’d never regain consciousness. She kept getting off the cart as they were wheeling her out. Finally three people were holding her gently and saying, "Come on Gilda. We’re just going to go down and come back up." She kept saying, "Get me out, get me out!" She’d look at me and beg me, "Help me out of here. I’ve got to get out of here." And I’d tell her, "You’re okay honey. I know. I know." They sedated her, and when she came back, she remained unconscious for three days. I stayed at her side late into the night, sometimes sleeping over. Finally a doctor told me to go home and get some sleep. At 4 am on Saturday, I heard a pounding on my door. It was an old friend, a surgeon, who told me, "Come on. It’s time to go." When I got there, a night nurse, whom I still want to thank, had washed Gilda and taken out all the tubes. She put a pretty yellow barrette in her hair. She looked like an angel. So peaceful. She was still alive, and as she lay there, I kissed her. But then her breathing became irregular, and there were long gaps and little gasps. Two hours after I arrived, Gilda was gone. While she was conscious, I never said goodbye.
Her funeral was held in Connecticut on May 24, 1989. In lieu of flowers, her family requested that donations be sent to The Wellness Community. Her gravestone reads: Gilda Radner Wilder - Comedienne - Ballerina 1946-1989. She was interred at Long Ridge Union Cemetery in Stamford.
By coincidence, the news of her death broke on early Saturday afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), while Steve Martin was rehearsing as the guest host for that night's season finale of Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live personnel, including Lorne Michaels, Mike Myers and Phil Hartman, had not known she was so close to death. They scrapped one of their planned sketches and instead, Martin introduced a video clip of a 1978 sketch in which he and Radner parodied an old Hollywood romantic couple's dance. He cried during his introduction.
Legacy
Wilder established the Gilda Radner Ovarian Detection Center at Cedars-Sinai to screen high-risk candidates (such as women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent) and run basic diagnostic tests. He testified before a Congressional committee that Radner's condition had been misdiagnosed and that if doctors had inquired more deeply into her family background they would have learned that her grandmother, aunt and cousin had all died of ovarian cancer and might have attacked the disease earlier.
Radner's death from ovarian cancer did help to raise awareness of early detection and the connection to familial epidemiology. The media attention in the two years after Radner's death led to registry of 450 families with familial ovarian cancer at the Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry, a research database registry at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. The registry was later renamed the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry (GRFOCR). In 1996, Gene Wilder and Registry founder Steven Piver, one of Radner's medical consultants, published Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer. Through Wilder's efforts and those of others, awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms has continued to grow.
In 1991, Gilda's Club, a network of affiliate clubhouses where people living with cancer, their friends and families, can meet to learn how to live with cancer, was founded. The center was named for a quip from Radner, who said, "Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club I'd rather not belong to." Many Gilda's Clubs have opened across the United States and in Canada.
In 2002, the ABC television network aired a television movie about her life: Gilda Radner: It's Always Something, starring Jami Gertz as Radner.
Awards and honors
Radner won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music" for her performance on Saturday Night Live in 1977. She posthumously won a Grammy for "Best Spoken Word Or Non-Musical Recording" in 1990.
In 1992, Radner was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame for her achievements in arts and entertainment. On June 27, 2003, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Parts of W. Houston Street in New York City and Lombard Street in Toronto have both been re-named "Gilda Radner Way." Chester Street in White Plains, NY was also renamed Gilda Radner Way.
Filmography
Television
Year Film Role Notes
1974 Jack: A Flash Fantasy Jill of Hearts
The Gift of Winter Nicely, Malicious, Narrator voice
1974-1975 Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins voice
1975-1980 Saturday Night Live cast member Emmy Award
1978 All You Need Is Cash Mrs. Emily Pules
The Muppet Show Herself Guest Star
Witch's Night Out Witch voice
1979 Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda Herself
1980 Animalympics Barbara Warbler, Brenda Springer, Coralee
Perrier, Tatiana Tushenko, Doree Turnell voice
Films
Year Film Role Other notes
1973 The Last Detail Nichiren Shoshu Member
1979 Mr. Mike's Mondo Video Herself
1980 Gilda Live Herself, various characters
First Family Gloria Link
1982 Hanky Panky Kate Hellman
It Came from Hollywood Herself documentary
1984 The Woman in Red Ms. Millner
1985 Movers & Shakers Livia Machado
1986 Haunted Honeymoon Vickie Pearle
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/20/10 at 7:05 am
She was a legend.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/20/10 at 10:27 am
The person who died on this day...Gilda Radner
Gilda Susan Radner (June 28, 1946 – May 20, 1989) was an American comedienne and actress, best known for her five years as part of the original cast of the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, for which she won an Emmy Award. Radner's death at age 42 from ovarian cancer helped increase public awareness of the disease and the need for earlier detection and treatment.
Radner was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Jewish parents Henrietta (née Dworkin), a legal secretary, and Herman Radner, a businessman. She grew up in Detroit with a nanny, Elizabeth Clementine Gillies, whom she called "Dibby" (and on whom she based her famous character Emily Litella), and an older brother named Michael. She attended the University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe.
Radner was close to her father, who operated Detroit's Seville Hotel, where many nightclub performers and actors stayed while performing in the city. Her father, who died when she was fourteen, took her on trips to New York to see Broadway shows.
College
Radner enrolled at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she made a lifelong platonic friend of fellow student, David Saltman, who wrote a biography of her after her death. Radner joined Saltman and his girlfriend on a trip to Paris in the summer of 1966. Saltman wrote that he was so affectionate with his girlfriend that they left Radner to fend for herself during much of their sightseeing. Later, when details of Radner's eating disorder surfaced, Saltman wrote that he realized she had been in a quandary over the French food, but had no one with whom she could discuss her situation.
Career
In Ann Arbor, Radner began her broadcasting career as the weather girl for college radio station WCBN, but dropped out in her senior year to follow her then-boyfriend, a Canadian sculptor named Jeff Rubinoff, to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In Toronto, she made her professional acting debut in the 1972 production of Godspell with future stars Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber and Martin Short. Afterward, Radner joined the Toronto Second City comedy troupe.
1970s
Radner was a featured player on the National Lampoon Radio Hour, a comedy program syndicated to some 600 U.S. radio stations from 1973 to 1975. Fellow cast members included John Belushi, Richard Belzer, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Brian Doyle-Murray.
Saturday Night Live
Radner gained name recognition as one of the original "Not Ready For Prime Time Players", a member of the freshman group on the first season of Saturday Night Live. She was the first actor cast for the show. Between 1975 and 1980, she created such characters as Roseanne Roseannadanna, an obnoxious woman with wild black hair who would tell stories about the gross habits of celebrities on the show's "Weekend Update" news segment, inspired in name and appearance by Rose Ann Scamardella, a news anchor at WABC-TV in New York City. Other SNL characters included "Baba Wawa," a spoof of Barbara Walters (see also Barbara Walters' reaction to it), and Emily Litella, an elderly hearing-impaired woman who gave angry and misinformed editorial replies on "Weekend Update" on topics such as "violins on television," the "Eagle Rights Amendment," "presidential erections," "busting school children", and "protecting endangered feces." Once corrected on her misunderstanding, Litella would end her segment with a polite "Never mind." Later on, she would answer Jane Curtin's frustration with a simple "Bitch!" Radner parodied such celebrities as Lucille Ball, Patti Smith, and Olga Korbut in SNL sketches. Radner won an Emmy Award in 1978 for her work on SNL.
Radner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Radner battled bulimia during her time on the show. She once told a reporter that she had thrown up in every toilet in Rockefeller Center. She had a relationship with SNL castmate Bill Murray that ended badly. Although few details were made public at the time, Radner wrote about it in her autobiography.
In 1979, incoming NBC President Fred Silverman offered Radner her own prime time variety show, which she ultimately turned down. That year, she was one of the hosts of the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly.
Alan Zweibel, who co-created the Roseanne Roseannadanna character and co-wrote all of Roseanne's dialogue, recalled that Radner, one of three original SNL cast members who stayed away from cocaine, chastised him for using it.
Radner had mixed emotions about the fans and strangers who recognized her in public. She sometimes became "angry when she was approached, but upset when she wasn't."
Broadway
In 1979, Radner appeared on Broadway in a successful one-woman show entitled Gilda Radner - Live From New York. The show featured racier material, such as the song Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals. In 1981, the show was filmed as Gilda Live!, co-starring Paul Shaffer and Don Novello, and was released as a film and an album recording. During the production, she met her first husband, G. E. Smith, a musician who also worked on the show. They were married in a civil ceremony in 1980.
In 1980, Radner starred opposite Sam Waterston in the Jean Kerr show, Lunch Hour, as a pair whose spouses are having an affair, and in response invent one of their own, consisting of trysts on their lunch hour. The show ran for over seven months.
Gene Wilder
Radner met actor Gene Wilder on the set of the Sidney Poitier film Hanky Panky, when the two appeared together. She described their first meeting as "love at first sight." She was unable to resist her attraction to Wilder as her marriage with guitarist G.E. Smith deteriorated. Radner went on to make a second film, The Woman in Red, in 1984 with Wilder and their relationship grew. The two were married on September 18, 1984 in the south of France. The pair made a third film together, Haunted Honeymoon, in 1986.
Illness
After experiencing severe fatigue and suffering from pain in her upper legs on the set of Haunted Honeymoon, Radner sought medical treatment. After 10 months of false diagnoses, she learned that she had ovarian cancer in October 1986. Even with Wilder's support, she suffered extreme physical and emotional pain during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Remission
After Radner was told she had gone into remission, she wrote a memoir about her life and struggle with the illness, called It's Always Something (a catchphrase of her character Roseanne Roseannadanna). Life magazine did a March 1988 cover story on her illness, entitled Gilda Radner's Answer to Cancer: Healing the Body with Mind and Heart.
In 1988, Radner guest-starred on It's Garry Shandling's Show on Showtime, to great critical acclaim. When Shandling asked her why she had not been seen for a while, she replied "Oh, I had cancer. What did you have?" Shandling's reply: "A very bad series of career moves." She planned to host an episode of SNL that year, but a writers' strike caused the cancellation of the rest of the season.
Death
In the fall of 1988, when biopsies and a saline wash of her abdomen showed no signs of cancer, Radner was put on a maintenance chemotherapy treatment to prolong her remission. But later that same year, she learned that her cancer had returned after a routine blood test showed her levels of the tumor marker CA-125 had increased. She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on May 17, 1989 for a CAT scan. Anxious with fear that she would never wake up, she was given a sedative but passed into a coma. She did not regain consciousness and died three days later at 6:20 am on May 20, 1989; Wilder was at her side.
Gene Wilder had this to say about her death:
She went in for the scan – but the people there could not keep her on the gurney. She was raving like a crazed woman – she knew they would give her morphine and was afraid she’d never regain consciousness. She kept getting off the cart as they were wheeling her out. Finally three people were holding her gently and saying, "Come on Gilda. We’re just going to go down and come back up." She kept saying, "Get me out, get me out!" She’d look at me and beg me, "Help me out of here. I’ve got to get out of here." And I’d tell her, "You’re okay honey. I know. I know." They sedated her, and when she came back, she remained unconscious for three days. I stayed at her side late into the night, sometimes sleeping over. Finally a doctor told me to go home and get some sleep. At 4 am on Saturday, I heard a pounding on my door. It was an old friend, a surgeon, who told me, "Come on. It’s time to go." When I got there, a night nurse, whom I still want to thank, had washed Gilda and taken out all the tubes. She put a pretty yellow barrette in her hair. She looked like an angel. So peaceful. She was still alive, and as she lay there, I kissed her. But then her breathing became irregular, and there were long gaps and little gasps. Two hours after I arrived, Gilda was gone. While she was conscious, I never said goodbye.
Her funeral was held in Connecticut on May 24, 1989. In lieu of flowers, her family requested that donations be sent to The Wellness Community. Her gravestone reads: Gilda Radner Wilder - Comedienne - Ballerina 1946-1989. She was interred at Long Ridge Union Cemetery in Stamford.
By coincidence, the news of her death broke on early Saturday afternoon (Eastern Standard Time), while Steve Martin was rehearsing as the guest host for that night's season finale of Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live personnel, including Lorne Michaels, Mike Myers and Phil Hartman, had not known she was so close to death. They scrapped one of their planned sketches and instead, Martin introduced a video clip of a 1978 sketch in which he and Radner parodied an old Hollywood romantic couple's dance. He cried during his introduction.
Legacy
Wilder established the Gilda Radner Ovarian Detection Center at Cedars-Sinai to screen high-risk candidates (such as women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent) and run basic diagnostic tests. He testified before a Congressional committee that Radner's condition had been misdiagnosed and that if doctors had inquired more deeply into her family background they would have learned that her grandmother, aunt and cousin had all died of ovarian cancer and might have attacked the disease earlier.
Radner's death from ovarian cancer did help to raise awareness of early detection and the connection to familial epidemiology. The media attention in the two years after Radner's death led to registry of 450 families with familial ovarian cancer at the Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry, a research database registry at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. The registry was later renamed the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry (GRFOCR). In 1996, Gene Wilder and Registry founder Steven Piver, one of Radner's medical consultants, published Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer. Through Wilder's efforts and those of others, awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms has continued to grow.
In 1991, Gilda's Club, a network of affiliate clubhouses where people living with cancer, their friends and families, can meet to learn how to live with cancer, was founded. The center was named for a quip from Radner, who said, "Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club I'd rather not belong to." Many Gilda's Clubs have opened across the United States and in Canada.
In 2002, the ABC television network aired a television movie about her life: Gilda Radner: It's Always Something, starring Jami Gertz as Radner.
Awards and honors
Radner won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music" for her performance on Saturday Night Live in 1977. She posthumously won a Grammy for "Best Spoken Word Or Non-Musical Recording" in 1990.
In 1992, Radner was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame for her achievements in arts and entertainment. On June 27, 2003, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Parts of W. Houston Street in New York City and Lombard Street in Toronto have both been re-named "Gilda Radner Way." Chester Street in White Plains, NY was also renamed Gilda Radner Way.
Filmography
Television
Year Film Role Notes
1974 Jack: A Flash Fantasy Jill of Hearts
The Gift of Winter Nicely, Malicious, Narrator voice
1974-1975 Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins voice
1975-1980 Saturday Night Live cast member Emmy Award
1978 All You Need Is Cash Mrs. Emily Pules
The Muppet Show Herself Guest Star
Witch's Night Out Witch voice
1979 Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda Herself
1980 Animalympics Barbara Warbler, Brenda Springer, Coralee
Perrier, Tatiana Tushenko, Doree Turnell voice
Films
Year Film Role Other notes
1973 The Last Detail Nichiren Shoshu Member
1979 Mr. Mike's Mondo Video Herself
1980 Gilda Live Herself, various characters
First Family Gloria Link
1982 Hanky Panky Kate Hellman
It Came from Hollywood Herself documentary
1984 The Woman in Red Ms. Millner
1985 Movers & Shakers Livia Machado
1986 Haunted Honeymoon Vickie Pearle
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I loved her as Emily Litella and Roseanne Roseanna Danna
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/20/10 at 10:46 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKIi3xuU4mc
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/20/10 at 10:55 am
Well Jane, it just goes to show ya it's always somethin'.
I read Gilda's autobiography. It was really heart wrenching because it ended on such a high note saying that she was going to beat the cancer only to succumb to it shortly after she finished writing the book.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 1:29 pm
Well Jane, it just goes to show ya it's always somethin'.
I read Gilda's autobiography. It was really heart wrenching because it ended on such a high note saying that she was going to beat the cancer only to succumb to it shortly after she finished writing the book.
Cat
I never read her book. I wish she had beaten it, it's the same cancer that took my mom :\'(
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/20/10 at 1:55 pm
I never read her book. I wish she had beaten it, it's the same cancer that took my mom :\'(
I am so sorry. Cancer (no matter what kind) is a very nasty thing.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/20/10 at 7:30 pm
I am so sorry. Cancer (no matter what kind) is a very nasty thing.
Cat
and it's hardly cured. :(
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/20/10 at 8:22 pm
and it's hardly cured. :(
They have made improvements. People are living longer.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/20/10 at 10:38 pm
Well Jane, it just goes to show ya it's always somethin'.
I read Gilda's autobiography. It was really heart wrenching because it ended on such a high note saying that she was going to beat the cancer only to succumb to it shortly after she finished writing the book.
Cat
I remember that. Extremely sad.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/21/10 at 5:33 am
The word of the day...Stripe(s)
A long narrow band distinguished, as by color or texture, from the surrounding material or surface.
b. A textile pattern of parallel bands or lines on a contrasting background.
c. A fabric having such a pattern.
2. A strip of cloth or braid worn on a uniform to indicate rank, awards received, or length of service; a chevron.
3. Sort; kind: "All Fascists are not of one mind, one stripe" (Lillian Hellman).
http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/kjaafrica/Stripes-1.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/ebrenna3/stripes.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/iloverichdorks/Green-Stripes.jpg
http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/SimplyTrendy/DSCN2124.jpg
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab260/BabyLegs_Photo_Contest/BabyLegs%20Photo%20Contest/SkyeWheeler_2_JessicaWheeler.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/gonsolvis1/2795349833a3814049408b339997986l.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/Mujitsu/stripes.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/21/10 at 5:36 am
The person born on this day...Judge Reinhold
Edward Ernest "Judge" Reinhold, Jr. (born May 21, 1957) is an American actor, perhaps best known for co-starring in movies such as Beverly Hills Cop, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause.
Reinhold was born Edward Ernest Reinhold, Jr., in Wilmington, Delaware, the son of a trial lawyer. His nickname, "Judge", was given to him by his father when he was young. He was raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, until his family moved to Martin County, Florida, prior to his junior year in high school.
After his education at the North Carolina School of the Arts, he performed at various regional theatres, including Burt Reynolds' Dinner Theater in Jupiter, Florida.
Career
Reinhold has appeared in more than 75 films. His first appearance on screen was in a music video for the Pat Benatar song "Shadows of the Night," in which he played an unnamed co-pilot. Reinhold's first major film role was as high school senior Brad Hamilton in Fast Times at Ridgemont High along with then-unknown actors Sean Penn, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nicolas Cage. He later played Detective Billy Rosewood, the junior police detective sent to trail Eddie Murphy, in Beverly Hills Cop. He has reprised this role in the two sequels and in 1986, he starred in Ruthless People.
Reinhold appeared in two widely released films, Beverly Hills Cop III and The Santa Clause, in 1994. He has reprised the role of Dr. Neil Miller for the Santa Clause sequels as well. Reinhold appeared as himself on two episodes of the third season of Arrested Development, headlining a fictional court TV show called Mock Trial with J. Reinhold.
Reinhold was nominated for an Emmy for a role on Seinfeld in which he played the infamous "close talker" who developed an obsession with Jerry's parents. He has also been seen in Steven Spielberg's epic miniseries, Into the West.
Reinhold was recently featured in the political satire Swing Vote which opened August 1, 2008.
Reinhold's first name has been the subject of comedy in both Clerks: The Animated Series and Arrested Development, both times with him playing himself appointed as a judge in a court of law. Also in Fanboys, Billy Dee Williams plays a judge called Reinhold.
Reinhold is credited as the whistler on the Martini Ranch song "Reach".
Personal life
Reinhold has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Smart Moves program in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was reported in December 2009 that Reinhold had moved to Arkansas and was involved in suicide prevention efforts for veterans.
Filmography
Year Title Role
1981 Stripes Elmo
1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High Brad Hamilton
Pandemonium Glen Dandy
1983 The Lords of Discipline Macabbee
1984 Beverly Hills Cop Det. William "Billy" Rosewood
Gremlins Gerald
Roadhouse 66 Beckman Hallsgood Jr.
1986 Ruthless People Ken Kessler
Off Beat Joe Gower
Head Office Jack Issel
1987 Beverly Hills Cop II Det. William Rosewood
1988 Vice Versa Marshall Seymour
1989 Rosalie Goes Shopping Priest
1990 Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will? Harmony
1991 Zandalee Thierry Martin
1992 Black Magic Alex Gage
1993 Bank Robber Officer Gross
1994 Seinfeld Aaron (the "close talker")
The Santa Clause Dr. Neil Miller
Beverly Hills Cop III Sgt. William Rosewood
1999 My Brother the Pig Richard Caldwell
NetForce Will Stiles
2000 Beethoven's 3rd Richard Newton
Clerks: The Animated Series Himself (voice)
2001 Beethoven's 4th Richard Newton
2002 The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause Dr. Neil Miller
Dead in a Heartbeat Lt. Tom Royko
2003 The King of Queens Dr. Roy Crawford
Thanksgiving Family Reunion Dr. Mitch Snyder
2004 The Hollow Carl Cranston
2005 Into the West Douglas Hillman
Teen Titans Negative Man (Voice)
The Boondocks Mr. Uberwitz (voice)
2006 The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Dr. Neil Miller
Arrested Development Himself
2008 Swing Vote Walt
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/21/10 at 5:52 am
The person who died on this day...John Gielgud
Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH (pronounced /ˈɡiːlɡʊd/; 14 April 1904 – 21 May 2000) was an English actor, director, and producer. A descendant of the renowned Terry acting family, he achieved early international acclaim for his youthful, emotionally expressive Hamlet which broke box office records on Broadway in 1937. He was known for his beautiful speaking of verse and particularly for his warm and expressive voice, which his colleague Sir Alec Guinness likened to "a silver trumpet muffled in silk". Gielgud is one of the few entertainers who have won an Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award.
Although he began to appear in British films as early as 1924, making his debut in the silent movie Who Is the Man?, he would not make an impact in the medium until the last decades of his life. His early film roles were sporadic and included the lead in Alfred Hitchcock's Secret Agent (1936), Benjamin Disraeli in The Prime Minister (1940), Cassius in Julius Caesar (1953) (BAFTA Award for Best British Actor), George, Duke of Clarence to Olivier's Richard III (1955), and Henry IV to Orson Welles' Falstaff in Chimes at Midnight (1966). A brief glimpse of his Hamlet from the gravediggers scene appears in the Humphrey Jennings short A Diary for Timothy (1945). But he lost his aversion to filming in the late 1960s, and by the 1980s and 1990s he had thrown himself into the medium with a vengeance, so much so that it was jokingly said that he was prepared to do almost anything for his art. He won an Academy Award for his supporting role as a sardonic butler in the 1981 comedy Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli, a New York Film Critics Circle Award for Providence (1977), and a BAFTA Award for Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and his performances in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968), The Elephant Man (1981), and Shine (1996) were critically acclaimed. In 1991, Gielgud was able to satisfy his life's ambition by immortalizing his Prospero on screen in Peter Greenaway's extremely offbeat version of The Tempest, a film called Prospero's Books in which Gielgud voiced every single character in the play.
Television also developed as one of the focal points of his career, with Gielgud giving a particularly notable performance in Brideshead Revisited (1981). He won an Emmy Award for Summer's Lease (1989) and televised his stage performances of A Day by the Sea (1957), Home (1970), No Man's Land (1976) and his final theatre role in The Best of Friends as Sydney Cockerell in the 1991 Masterpiece Theatre Production, along with Patrick McGoohan and Dame Wendy Hiller. In 1983, he made his second onscreen appearance with fellow theatrical knights Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson (following Olivier's own Richard III) in a television miniseries about composer Richard Wagner. In 1996 he played a wizard in the TV adaptation of Gulliver's Travels. Gielgud and Ralph Richardson were the first guest stars on Second City Television. Playing themselves, they were in Toronto during their tour of Harold Pinter's No Man's Land. According to Dave Thomas, in his book, SCTV: Behind the Scenes, their sketch stank and the actors gave a bad performance. Gielgud's final television performance was on film in Merlin in 1998, his final television studio appearance having been in A Summer Day's Dream recorded in 1994 for the BBC 2 Performance series.
Gielgud was one of the few people who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award.
Gielgud's final onscreen appearance in a major release motion picture was as Pope Paul IV in Elizabeth which was released in 1998. His final acting performance was in a film adaptation of Samuel Beckett's short play Catastrophe, opposite longtime collaborator Harold Pinter and directed by American playwright David Mamet; Gielgud died mere weeks after production was completed at the age of 96 of natural causes.
Personal life
Gielgud lived and thrived in an era when there was a conspiracy of silence around homosexuality outside of theatrical circles. And so, not too long after he was knighted, Gielgud endured a horrific humiliation. In 1953, Gielgud was convicted of "persistently importuning for immoral purposes" (cottaging) in a Chelsea mews, i.e., he was arrested for trying to pick up a man in a public lavatory. There was much discussion behind closed doors about whether his career could endure the ignominy, but he continued to rehearse the play in which he was scheduled to direct and act. Instead of being rejected by the public, he received a standing ovation at the play's initial opening in Liverpool, in part because of his co-star Sybil Thorndike, who seized him as he stood in the wings unable to bring himself to make his first entrance and brought him onstage, whispering "Come on, John darling, they won't boo me." Biographer Sheridan Morley writes that while Gielgud never denied being homosexual, he always tried to be discreet about it and felt humiliated by the ordeal. Some speculate that it helped to bring to public attention a crusade to decriminalise homosexuality in England and Wales.
The 'Gielgud case' of 1953, above, was dramatised by critic turned playwright Nicholas de Jongh in the play Plague Over England and performed at the Finborough, a small London theatre, in 2008, with Jasper Britton as Gielgud. In 2009 the play was presented for a limited run at the Duchess Theatre, in London's West End, with Michael Feast (who had worked with Gielgud) in the main role.
Gielgud's long-standing professional relationship with producer Hugh "Binkie" Beaumont had its personal side as well. It included that Gielgud's first significant lover, playwright John Perry, left Gielgud for Beaumont. Later, Perry went on to partner Beaumont in the H.M. Tennent organization under which Gielgud continued to work. Beaumont, himself closeted outside the theatrical community, was a very powerful, classy producer. He stood behind Gielgud during the 1953 scandal, and, with Perry, took the risk of backing Gielgud's Queens' Theatre season. However, Morley's biography states: "Binkie...was..to keep him.....on such an extremely tight salary that it wasn't until Gielgud first escaped to Hollywood in 1953 that he began to earn the kind of money that Olivier and Richardson and Redgrave had earned for decades."
In the same biography, Keith Baxter remarks on Gielgud's private life: "...the theatre was always much more important to John G. than any private relationship..."
Longtime partner Martin Hensler died just a few months before Gielgud's own death in 2000 (Morley 2002, p. 23). He publicly acknowledged Hensler as his partner only in 1988, in the programme notes for The Best of Friends, which was his final stage performance. Gielgud would avoid Hollywood for over a decade for fear of being denied entry because of the arrest.
Laurence Olivier's friendship with Gielgud was peppered with barely acknowledged competitive tension, for, while Olivier's fame as a film actor eventually eclipsed Gielgud's, Gielgud had been the great Shakespearean actor when Olivier was just coming up and that was hard for Olivier to forget. Gielgud maintained a very close relationship with Olivier's second wife, Vivien Leigh, throughout their marriage, divorce, and her long struggle with manic depression. In Curtain (1991), Michael Korda's novel based on the marriage of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, Gielgud becomes Philip Chagrin.
Another fictionalised Gielgud – this time given the family name John Terry – appeared around the same time as de Jongh's play in Nicola Upson's detective novel An Expert in Murder, a crime story woven around the original production of Richard of Bordeaux.
John Gielgud was cremated at Oxford Crematorium.
Awards and honours
* He was knighted in the 1953 coronation honours, became a Companion of Honour in 1977, and was admitted to the Order of Merit in 1996.
* The National Portrait Gallery, London commissioned artist David Remfry to paint a portrait of Sir John for the collection in 1980.
* The Globe Theatre in London was renamed the Gielgud Theatre in 1994 in his honour.
Laurence Olivier Awards
* 1985: Special Award
Academy Awards
* 1964: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, for Becket
* 1981: Winner for Best Supporting Actor, for Arthur
Emmy Awards
* 1982: Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special, for Brideshead Revisited
* 1984: Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special, for The Master of Ballantrae
* 1985: Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special, for Romance on the Orient Express
* 1989: Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a miniseries or Special, for War and Remembrance
* 1991: Winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, for Summer's Lease
Tony Awards
* 1948: Winner for Outstanding Foreign Company, The Importance of Being Earnest
* 1959: Winner, Special Award, for contribution to theatre for his extraordinary insight into the writings of Shakespeare as demonstrated in his one-man show, Ages of Man
* 1961: Winner for Best Director (Dramatic), for Big Fish, Little Fish, a play by Hugh Wheeler
* 1963: Nominated for Best Director (Dramatic), for The School for Scandal
* 1965: Nominated for Best Actor (Dramatic), for Tiny Alice
* 1971: Nominated for Best Actor (Dramatic), for Home
Evening Standard Awards
* 1970 Co-winner for Best Actor for Home (with Ralph Richardson)
* 1975 Winner for Best Actor for No Man's Land
* 1982 Winner, Special Award for Lifetime Achievement
Grammy Awards
* 1959: Nominated for Best Documentary or Spoken Word Recording, for Ages of Man
* 1964: Nominated for Best Documentary or Spoken Word Recording, for Hamlet with Richard Burton, Hume Cronyn, Alfred Drake, George Voskovec, Eileen Herlie, William Redfield and George Rose
* 1964: Nominated for Best Documentary or Spoken Word Recording, for Ages of Man, Volume 2 (One Man in His Time) Part Two - Shakespeare
* 1979: Winner for Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama Recording, for Ages of Man - Recordings from Shakespeare
* 1982: Nominated for Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama Recording, for No Man's Land with Ralph Richardson
* 1983: Nominated for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording, for Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats with Irene Worth
* 1986: Nominated for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording, for Gulliver
* 1988: Nominated for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording, for A Christmas Carol
* 1989: Nominated for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording, for Sir John Gielgud Reads Alice in Wonderland
* 1991: Nominated for Best Album for Children, for The Emperor's New Clothes with Mark Isham
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
* 1977: Best Actor, for Providence
* 1981: Best Supporting Actor, for Arthur
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
* 1981: Best Supporting Actor, for Arthur
* 1985: Best Supporting Actor, for Plenty
There is also the Sir John Gielgud Award for "Excellence in the Dramatic Arts" presented by the US-based Shakespeare Guild. Past winners include Ian McKellen, Kenneth Branagh, Glen Joseph, Kevin Kline and Judi Dench
Other interests
Sir John Gielgud believed that animals should not be exploited. He was particularly fond of birds and joined PETA's campaign against the foie gras industry in the early 1990s, narrating PETA's video exposé of the force-feeding of geese and ducks. Many chefs and restaurateurs who saw that video dropped foie gras from their menus. Sir John received PETA’s Humanitarian of the Year Award twice, in 1994 and 1999.
Following his death it was revealed that late in his life he had made financial contributions to the lobby group Stonewall, but had insisted that his support not be made public.
He also authored several books, including his memoirs in An Actor and His Time, Early Stages and Distinguished Company. He also co-wrote, with John Miller, Acting Shakespeare.
Selected filmography
* The Good Companions (1933)
* Secret Agent (1936)
* Julius Caesar (1953)
* Richard III (1955)
* Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)
* Saint Joan (1957)
* The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
* Becket (1964)
* Hamlet (1964)
* Chimes at Midnight (1965)
* The Loved One (1965)
* Sebastian (1968)
* The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
* Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)
* Julius Caesar (1970)
* Eagle in a Cage (1972)
* Lost Horizon (1973)
* Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)
* 11 Harrowhouse (1974)
* Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
* Gold (1974)
* Providence (1977)
* Caligula (1979)
* The Human Factor (1979)
* The Elephant Man (1980)
* The Formula (1980)
* Lion of the Desert (1981)
* Arthur (1981)
* Chariots of Fire (1981)
* Gandhi (1982)
* Wagner (1983)
* The Wicked Lady (1983)
* The Master of Ballantrae (1984)
* The Far Pavilions (1984)
* Plenty (1985)
* The Canterville Ghost (1986)
* Time After Time (1986)
* The Whistle Blower (1986)
* Appointment with Death (1988)
* Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988)
* Getting it Right (1989)
* Prospero's Books (1991)
* Shining Through (1992)
* The Power of One (1992)
* Scarlett (1994)
* First Knight (1995)
* Haunted (1995)
* Hamlet (1996)
* Shine (1996)
* Merlin (1998)
* Elizabeth (1998)
* Catastrophe (2000)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/21/10 at 6:56 am
The person born on this day...Judge Reinhold
Edward Ernest "Judge" Reinhold, Jr. (born May 21, 1957) is an American actor, perhaps best known for co-starring in movies such as Beverly Hills Cop, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause.
Reinhold was born Edward Ernest Reinhold, Jr., in Wilmington, Delaware, the son of a trial lawyer. His nickname, "Judge", was given to him by his father when he was young. He was raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, until his family moved to Martin County, Florida, prior to his junior year in high school.
After his education at the North Carolina School of the Arts, he performed at various regional theatres, including Burt Reynolds' Dinner Theater in Jupiter, Florida.
Career
Reinhold has appeared in more than 75 films. His first appearance on screen was in a music video for the Pat Benatar song "Shadows of the Night," in which he played an unnamed co-pilot. Reinhold's first major film role was as high school senior Brad Hamilton in Fast Times at Ridgemont High along with then-unknown actors Sean Penn, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nicolas Cage. He later played Detective Billy Rosewood, the junior police detective sent to trail Eddie Murphy, in Beverly Hills Cop. He has reprised this role in the two sequels and in 1986, he starred in Ruthless People.
Reinhold appeared in two widely released films, Beverly Hills Cop III and The Santa Clause, in 1994. He has reprised the role of Dr. Neil Miller for the Santa Clause sequels as well. Reinhold appeared as himself on two episodes of the third season of Arrested Development, headlining a fictional court TV show called Mock Trial with J. Reinhold.
Reinhold was nominated for an Emmy for a role on Seinfeld in which he played the infamous "close talker" who developed an obsession with Jerry's parents. He has also been seen in Steven Spielberg's epic miniseries, Into the West.
Reinhold was recently featured in the political satire Swing Vote which opened August 1, 2008.
Reinhold's first name has been the subject of comedy in both Clerks: The Animated Series and Arrested Development, both times with him playing himself appointed as a judge in a court of law. Also in Fanboys, Billy Dee Williams plays a judge called Reinhold.
Reinhold is credited as the whistler on the Martini Ranch song "Reach".
Personal life
Reinhold has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Smart Moves program in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was reported in December 2009 that Reinhold had moved to Arkansas and was involved in suicide prevention efforts for veterans.
Filmography
Year Title Role
1981 Stripes Elmo
1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High Brad Hamilton
Pandemonium Glen Dandy
1983 The Lords of Discipline Macabbee
1984 Beverly Hills Cop Det. William "Billy" Rosewood
Gremlins Gerald
Roadhouse 66 Beckman Hallsgood Jr.
1986 Ruthless People Ken Kessler
Off Beat Joe Gower
Head Office Jack Issel
1987 Beverly Hills Cop II Det. William Rosewood
1988 Vice Versa Marshall Seymour
1989 Rosalie Goes Shopping Priest
1990 Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will? Harmony
1991 Zandalee Thierry Martin
1992 Black Magic Alex Gage
1993 Bank Robber Officer Gross
1994 Seinfeld Aaron (the "close talker")
The Santa Clause Dr. Neil Miller
Beverly Hills Cop III Sgt. William Rosewood
1999 My Brother the Pig Richard Caldwell
NetForce Will Stiles
2000 Beethoven's 3rd Richard Newton
Clerks: The Animated Series Himself (voice)
2001 Beethoven's 4th Richard Newton
2002 The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause Dr. Neil Miller
Dead in a Heartbeat Lt. Tom Royko
2003 The King of Queens Dr. Roy Crawford
Thanksgiving Family Reunion Dr. Mitch Snyder
2004 The Hollow Carl Cranston
2005 Into the West Douglas Hillman
Teen Titans Negative Man (Voice)
The Boondocks Mr. Uberwitz (voice)
2006 The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Dr. Neil Miller
Arrested Development Himself
2008 Swing Vote Walt
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd126/furiousgeorge55/JudgeReinhold.jpg
http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo59/1957Girl/fast-times-reinhold.png
He's ok,not really that funny.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/21/10 at 7:58 am
He's ok,not really that funny.
Yeah he's more of a side-kick supporting act.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/21/10 at 10:46 am
Ruthless People is one of the funniest movies EVER but unfortunately, it was not very mainstream which I don't understand. It had a FANTASTIC cast: Bette Midler, Danny DeVito, Helen Slater, and of course Judge Reinhold.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/21/10 at 11:17 am
Ruthless People is one of the funniest movies EVER but unfortunately, it was not very mainstream which I don't understand. It had a FANTASTIC cast: Bette Midler, Danny DeVito, Helen Slater, and of course Judge Reinhold.
Cat
It was a very funny movie. One of the best comedies from the 80s for sure.
I have always liked Judge Reinhold.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/21/10 at 2:23 pm
It was a very funny movie. One of the best comedies from the 80s for sure.
I have always liked Judge Reinhold.
How about that film where he traded bodies? ???
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/22/10 at 5:55 am
The word of the day...Sunshine
The light or the direct rays from the sun.
b. The warmth given by the sun's rays.
c. A location or surface on which the sun's rays fall.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p274/sylviatjan/SUNSHINE/SunnyDay180510001.jpg
http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/elmoz333/sunshot1.jpg
http://i923.photobucket.com/albums/ad74/franko10_photo/IM002472.jpg
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx108/AlyTownsend/IMG_9636.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz211/uuhshawntay/Randomness/DSCN9113.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/ShelbyMakeout/30.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/stahlblausport/DSC02675.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/22/10 at 5:58 am
The person born on this day...Richard Benjamin
Richard Benjamin (born May 22, 1938) is an American actor and film director. He has starred in a number of productions, including the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus, based on the novella of the same name by Philip Roth, and with Yul Brynner in Westworld in 1973.
Benjamin was born in New York City, New York, the son of a garment industry worker. He attended the High School of Performing Arts and graduated from Northwestern University where he was involved in many plays and studied in the Northwestern theater school.
He married actress Paula Prentiss on October 26, 1961 and they have two children. He and Prentiss appeared together in the short-lived television series He & She (1967-68), as well as the film Catch-22 (1970). In 1978, he starred in the ambitious, but short-lived, television series Quark.
Benjamin starred in 1969's Goodbye, Columbus, based on the novel by Philip Roth. After appearing with a star-studded cast in the 1970 Mike Nichols film version of another best-seller, Catch-22, he starred in Diary of a Mad Housewife, The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker and yet another film based on a famous Roth novel, 1972's Portnoy's Complaint, in the title role.
He played a sexually ambiguous murder suspect in The Last of Sheila (1973), a mystery conceived and co-scripted by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim. And in an imaginative Michael Crichton story that year, Westworld, Benjamin played a man vacationing as a make-believe cowboy in a theme park where he ends up being stalked by a robot gunslinger played by Yul Brynner, a variation of Brynner's iconic role in The Magnificent Seven.
Then he returned to comedy, with a supporting role as a harried theatrical agent in the Neil Simon hit The Sunshine Boys opposite Walter Matthau and George Burns and as Matthau's colleague at an ineptly run hospital in 1978's House Calls. Benjamin also played a frustrated fiance of a woman who falls for the vampire Count Dracula in the surprise box-office smash Love at First Bite (1979) starring George Hamilton and Susan Saint James.
Turning to directing, Benjamin's first project was the 1982 hit comedy My Favorite Year, which brought an Oscar nomination to its star, Peter O'Toole. Benjamin went on to direct a number of Hollywood films, mainly comedies, including City Heat (1984) with Clint Eastwood and The Money Pit (1986) with Tom Hanks. He directed Cher in the 1990 film Mermaids.
The most recent film Benjamin has directed was 2006's A Little Thing Called Murder, based on a true story, which featured Judy Davis as a con artist and killer in cahoots with her son.
Benjamin's acting appearances have become less frequent. They include a small role in the Woody Allen 1997 comedy Deconstructing Harry. He directed and appeared in Marci X, a 2003 comedy starring Lisa Kudrow.
His most recent roles came in 2008's Henry Poole Is Here and the television series Pushing Daisies.
Acting filmography
* Goodbye, Columbus (1969)
* Catch-22 (1970)
* Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970)
* The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker (1971)
* The Steagle (1971)
* Portnoy's Complaint (1972)
* The Last of Sheila (1973)
* Westworld (1973)
* The Sunshine Boys (1975)
* Quark (1977–78)
* House Calls (1978)
* Love At First Bite (1979)
* Scavenger Hunt (1979)
* Witches' Brew (1980)
* The Last Married Couple in America (1980)
* How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980)
* First Family (1980)
* Saturday the 14th (1981)
* Lift (1992)
* Deconstructing Harry (1997)
* The Pentagon Wars (1998)
* The Shrink Is In (2001)
* Marci X (2003)
* Keeping Up with the Steins (2006)
* Henry Poole Is Here (2008)
Directing filmography
* My Favorite Year (1982)
* Racing with the Moon (1984)
* City Heat (1984)
* The Money Pit (1986)
* Little Nikita (1988)
* My Stepmother is an Alien (1988)
* Downtown (1990)
* Mermaids (1990)
* Made in America (1993)
* Milk Money (1994)
* Mrs. Winterbourne (1996)
* The Pentagon Wars (1998)
* Marci X (2003)
* A Little Thing Called Murder (2006)
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/rlspear/Entertainment%20Collection/653.jpg
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/carose59/dw%20and%20lj/HeShe.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/22/10 at 6:04 am
The person who died on this day...Margaret Rutherford
Dame Margaret Rutherford, DBE (May 11, 1892 – May 22, 1972) was an English character actress, who first came to prominence following World War II in the film adaptations of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. She is best-known for her 1960s performances as Miss Marple in several films based loosely on Agatha Christie's novels.
Born in the Surrey town of Balham, Margaret Taylor Rutherford was the only child of William Rutherford Benn and his wife, the former Florence Nicholson. Her father's brother Sir John Benn, 1st Baronet was a British politician, and her first cousin once removed is British politician Tony Benn.
Rutherford's father suffered from mental illness, having suffered a nervous breakdown on his honeymoon, and was confined to an asylum. He was eventually released on holiday and on 4 March 1883, he murdered his father, Reverend Julius Benn, a Congregational church minister, by bludgeoning him to death with a chamberpot; shortly afterward, William tried to kill himself as well, by slashing his throat with a pocketknife. After the murder, William Benn was confined to the Broadmoor aslyum for the criminally insane. Several years later he was released, reportedly cured of his mental affliction, changed his surname to Rutherford, and returned to his wife.
As an infant Rutherford and her parents moved to India but she was returned to Britain when she was three to live with an aunt, professional governess Bessie Nicholson, in Wimbledon, England, after her mother committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree. Her father returned to England as well. His continued mental illness resulted in his being confined once more to Broadmoor in 1904; he died in 1921.
Rutherford was educated at the independent Wimbledon High School and at RADA.
Career
Having worked as a teacher of elocution, she went into acting later in life - making her stage debut at the Old Vic in 1925 at the age of thirty-three. Her physical appearance was such that romantic heroines were out of the question, and she soon established her name in comedy, appearing in many of the most successful British films of the mid-twentieth century. "I never intended to play for laughs. I am always surprised that the audience thinks me funny at all", Rutherford wrote in her autobiography. In most of these films, she had originally played the role on stage. She married the actor Stringer Davis in 1945. They often appeared together in films.
In the 1950s, Rutherford and Davis adopted the writer Gordon Langley Hall, then in his twenties. Hall later had gender reassignment surgery and became Dawn Langley Simmons, under which name she wrote a biography of Rutherford in 1983.
In 1957, Rutherford appeared as Cynthia Gordon in the episode "The Kissing Bandit" of the American sitcom filmed in England, Dick and the Duchess, starring Patrick O'Neal and Hazel Court. In 1961, Rutherford first played the film role with which she was most often associated in later life, that of Miss Marple in a series of four films loosely based on the novels of Agatha Christie. Rutherford, then age seventy, insisted on wearing her own clothes for the part and having her husband appear alongside her.
In 1964, George Harrison, when asked who his favourite girl film star was by Cathy McGowan on Ready Steady Go!, replied "Margaret Rutherford".
Rutherford won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe for The VIPs (1963), as the absent-minded Duchess of Brighton, opposite Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. She also played Mistress Quickly in Orson Welles' Chimes at Midnight in 1966.
She was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961, and raised to Dame Commander (DBE) in 1967.
Later life and death
She suffered from Alzheimer's disease at the end of her life. Sir John Gielgud wrote: "Her last appearance at the Haymarket Theatre with Sir Ralph Richardson in The Rivals, an engagement which she was finally obliged to give up after a few weeks, was a most poignant struggle against her obviously failing powers."
Dame Margaret Rutherford is buried along with her husband, Stringer Davis, who died in August 1973, in the graveyard of St. James Church, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England.
Selected stage performances
* Blithe Spirit
* The Way of the World
* The Importance of Being Earnest, as Miss Prism and in New York (1947) as Lady Bracknell, directed by John Gielgud
* The School for Scandal
* The Solid Gold Cadillac (1965)
* The Rivals
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes
1936 Talk of the Devil Housekeeper
Dusty Ermine Evelyn Summers aka Miss Butterby, old gang moll
Troubled Waters Bit role uncredited
1937 Missing, Believed Married Lady Parke
Catch As Catch Can Maggie Carberry
Big Fella Nanny uncredited
Beauty and the Barge Mrs. Baldwin
1941 Spring Meeting Aunt Bijou
Quiet Wedding Magistrate
1943 Yellow Canary Mrs. Towcester
The Demi-Paradise Rowena Ventnor
1944 English Without Tears Lady Christabel Beauclerk
1945 Blithe Spirit Madame Arcati
1947 While the Sun Shines Dr. Winifred Frye
Meet Me at Dawn Madame Vernore
1948 Miranda Nurse Carey
1949 Passport to Pimlico Professor Hatton-Jones
1950 The Happiest Days of Your Life Muriel Whitchurch
Quel bandito sono io
(UK title: Her Favorite Husband) Mrs. Dotherington
1951 The Magic Box Lady Pond
1952 Curtain Up Catherine Beckwith/Jeremy St. Claire
Miss Robin Hood Miss Honey
The Importance of Being Earnest Miss Letitia Prism
Castle in the Air Miss Nicholson
1953 Innocents in Paris Gwladys Inglott
Trouble in Store Miss Bacon
1954 The Runaway Bus Miss Cynthia Beeston
Mad About Men Nurse Carey
Aunt Clara Clara Hilton
1955 An Alligator Named Daisy Prudence Croquet
1957 The Smallest Show on Earth Mrs. Fazackalee
Just My Luck Mrs. Dooley
1959 I'm All Right Jack Aunt Dolly
1961 On the Double Lady Vivian
Murder, She Said Miss Jane Marple
1963 Murder at the Gallop Miss Jane Marple
The Mouse on the Moon Grand Duchess Gloriana XIII
The V.I.P.s The Duchess of Brighton Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Golden Globe
1964 Murder Most Foul Miss Jane Marple
Murder Ahoy! Miss Jane Marple
1965 Chimes at Midnight Mistress Quickly
The Alphabet Murders Miss Jane Marple uncredited cameo
1967 A Countess from Hong Kong Miss Gaulswallow
Arabella Princess Ilaria
The Wacky World of Mother Goose Mother Goose voice
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/PatriotOne/MargaretRutherford011.jpg
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/buster1_05/MargaretRutherford.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/22/10 at 6:47 am
The person born on this day...Richard Benjamin
Richard Benjamin (born May 22, 1938) is an American actor and film director. He has starred in a number of productions, including the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus, based on the novella of the same name by Philip Roth, and with Yul Brynner in Westworld in 1973.
Benjamin was born in New York City, New York, the son of a garment industry worker. He attended the High School of Performing Arts and graduated from Northwestern University where he was involved in many plays and studied in the Northwestern theater school.
He married actress Paula Prentiss on October 26, 1961 and they have two children. He and Prentiss appeared together in the short-lived television series He & She (1967-68), as well as the film Catch-22 (1970). In 1978, he starred in the ambitious, but short-lived, television series Quark.
Benjamin starred in 1969's Goodbye, Columbus, based on the novel by Philip Roth. After appearing with a star-studded cast in the 1970 Mike Nichols film version of another best-seller, Catch-22, he starred in Diary of a Mad Housewife, The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker and yet another film based on a famous Roth novel, 1972's Portnoy's Complaint, in the title role.
He played a sexually ambiguous murder suspect in The Last of Sheila (1973), a mystery conceived and co-scripted by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim. And in an imaginative Michael Crichton story that year, Westworld, Benjamin played a man vacationing as a make-believe cowboy in a theme park where he ends up being stalked by a robot gunslinger played by Yul Brynner, a variation of Brynner's iconic role in The Magnificent Seven.
Then he returned to comedy, with a supporting role as a harried theatrical agent in the Neil Simon hit The Sunshine Boys opposite Walter Matthau and George Burns and as Matthau's colleague at an ineptly run hospital in 1978's House Calls. Benjamin also played a frustrated fiance of a woman who falls for the vampire Count Dracula in the surprise box-office smash Love at First Bite (1979) starring George Hamilton and Susan Saint James.
Turning to directing, Benjamin's first project was the 1982 hit comedy My Favorite Year, which brought an Oscar nomination to its star, Peter O'Toole. Benjamin went on to direct a number of Hollywood films, mainly comedies, including City Heat (1984) with Clint Eastwood and The Money Pit (1986) with Tom Hanks. He directed Cher in the 1990 film Mermaids.
The most recent film Benjamin has directed was 2006's A Little Thing Called Murder, based on a true story, which featured Judy Davis as a con artist and killer in cahoots with her son.
Benjamin's acting appearances have become less frequent. They include a small role in the Woody Allen 1997 comedy Deconstructing Harry. He directed and appeared in Marci X, a 2003 comedy starring Lisa Kudrow.
His most recent roles came in 2008's Henry Poole Is Here and the television series Pushing Daisies.
Acting filmography
* Goodbye, Columbus (1969)
* Catch-22 (1970)
* Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970)
* The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker (1971)
* The Steagle (1971)
* Portnoy's Complaint (1972)
* The Last of Sheila (1973)
* Westworld (1973)
* The Sunshine Boys (1975)
* Quark (1977–78)
* House Calls (1978)
* Love At First Bite (1979)
* Scavenger Hunt (1979)
* Witches' Brew (1980)
* The Last Married Couple in America (1980)
* How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980)
* First Family (1980)
* Saturday the 14th (1981)
* Lift (1992)
* Deconstructing Harry (1997)
* The Pentagon Wars (1998)
* The Shrink Is In (2001)
* Marci X (2003)
* Keeping Up with the Steins (2006)
* Henry Poole Is Here (2008)
Directing filmography
* My Favorite Year (1982)
* Racing with the Moon (1984)
* City Heat (1984)
* The Money Pit (1986)
* Little Nikita (1988)
* My Stepmother is an Alien (1988)
* Downtown (1990)
* Mermaids (1990)
* Made in America (1993)
* Milk Money (1994)
* Mrs. Winterbourne (1996)
* The Pentagon Wars (1998)
* Marci X (2003)
* A Little Thing Called Murder (2006)
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/rlspear/Entertainment%20Collection/653.jpg
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/carose59/dw%20and%20lj/HeShe.jpg
I like this guy,haven't seen many of his films in quite a while.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/22/10 at 6:48 am
The word of the day...Sunshine
The light or the direct rays from the sun.
b. The warmth given by the sun's rays.
c. A location or surface on which the sun's rays fall.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p274/sylviatjan/SUNSHINE/SunnyDay180510001.jpg
http://i1035.photobucket.com/albums/a438/elmoz333/sunshot1.jpg
http://i923.photobucket.com/albums/ad74/franko10_photo/IM002472.jpg
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx108/AlyTownsend/IMG_9636.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz211/uuhshawntay/Randomness/DSCN9113.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/ShelbyMakeout/30.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/stahlblausport/DSC02675.jpg
Good Day Sunshine The Beatles.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/22/10 at 7:55 am
I like this guy,haven't seen many of his films in quite a while.
I know, I think he mostly directs movies now.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/22/10 at 7:57 am
Good Day Sunshine The Beatles.
Sunshine On My Shoulders -John Denver
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/22/10 at 2:28 pm
And there was a film called Sunshine.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/22/10 at 2:42 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/22/10 at 4:33 pm
....and don't forget John Denver had a big hit with Sunshine too.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/22/10 at 5:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_4DsNFQS98
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/22/10 at 5:30 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U
Cat
A great summer type song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_4DsNFQS98
Cat
One of his best songs.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/23/10 at 6:01 am
Lots of great Sunshine songs :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/23/10 at 6:07 am
The word of the day...Game(s)
A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more concerned with the expression of ideas. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports/games) or art (such as jigsaw puzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mahjong solitaire, or some Video Games).
Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational or psychological role. According to Chris Crawford, the requirement for player interaction puts activities such as jigsaw puzzles and solitaire "games" into the category of puzzles rather than games.
Attested as early as 2600 BC, games are a universal part of human experience and present in all cultures. The Royal Game of Ur, Senet, and Mancala are some of the oldest known games.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/jew-lee-uhh/photography/games.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/DONNA55122/COMMODORE/games.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/cgoetze/games/princeofpersiatheforgottensands.png
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/cgoetze/games/sbkxsuperbikeworldchampionship.png
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae347/standrewsepiscopal/100_2165.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i208/CloneTrooperX/Game%20Boxes/DSCF2862.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/23/10 at 6:11 am
The person born on this day...Jewel
Jewel Kilcher (born May 23, 1974), professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress, and poet. She has received three Grammy Award nominations and has sold twenty-seven million albums worldwide, and almost twenty million in the United States alone.
Kilcher debuted on February 28, 1995, with the album, Pieces of You, which became one of the best selling debut albums of all time, going platinum twelve times. One single from the album, "Who Will Save Your Soul", peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot 100; two others, "You Were Meant for Me" and "Foolish Games", each reached #2 and were included in Billboard's 1997 year-end singles chart. During her career, she has released several albums, frequently switching genres between working on her albums. Perfectly Clear, her first country record, was released on The Valory Music Co. in 2008. It debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured three singles, "Stronger Woman", "I Do", and "Til It Feels Like Cheating". Jewel released her first independent album Lullaby in May 2009. Her latest single, Stay Here Forever, is available on the 2010 movie soundtrack Valentine's Day and will appear on her upcoming album Sweet and Wild out June 2010.
n 1993, Michael Balzary (better known as Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) met Jewel after he saw her perform at a local cafe. They went back to her van, in which she was living, and she gave a few songs to him. He described her voice as being "beautiful" and "breathtaking."
Jewel was discovered in August 1993, when John Hogan, the lead singer from a local San Diego band, Rust, whom Inga Vainshtein was managing at the time, called to tell her about a girl surfer who sang at a local coffee shop on Thursdays. Vainshtein drove to Innerchange coffee shop with a rep from Atlantic Records, and after the show they called Danny Goldberg, the head of Atlantic Record's west coast operations. At the time, Jewel did not even have a demo. Mr. Goldberg offered to pay for Jewel to record some of her songs. Ms. Vainshtein, a former film studio executive, became Jewel's manager and was instrumental in creating a major bidding war, which led to Jewel's deal with Atlantic Records and her subsequent appearance on the cover of Time Magazine, the first ever by an Atlantic artist. Her first studio recording session was with Bruce Robb (producer) who produced, engineered, and mixed her demos. She cut her debut album, Pieces of You, when she was nineteen and it was released in 1995. Jewel recorded Pieces of You in a studio on Neil Young's ranch, and was backed by his band, The Stray Gators, who played on Neil Young's "Harvest" and "Harvest Moon" albums. The album Pieces of You was produced by Ben Keith, who played steel guitar in The Stray Gators. Part of the album was cut live at the Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego where she had risen to local fame. The album stayed on the Billboard 200 for an impressive two years, reaching number four at its peak. The album spawned the popular hits "You Were Meant for Me", "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "Foolish Games". The album was a huge success and eventually sold more than 12 million copies in the United States alone.
Peak
Due to her successes, Jewel was chosen to sing the American national anthem at the opening of the Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998 in San Diego. She was introduced as "San Diego's own Jewel!" However, she was criticized for lip-syncing the anthem to a digitally recorded track of her own voice. This was especially noticeable due to her missing her cue and not mouthing the first words. Super Bowl producers have since admitted that they attempt to have all performers prerecord their vocal.
Jewel parted ways with Inga Vainshtein, her original manager in February 1998. At the time she was in talks with Daniel Lanois about producing what would have become her 2nd album. However, upon letting Vainshtein go, and handing her career management to her mother, she abruptly changed creative direction, and instead of Lanois ended up going with Patrick Leonard, who created a much more pop album. It was released in November 1998 Spirit. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 4 million copies in the United States. At the time, Jewel was criticized for alienating her core fan base and the album sales were viewed as somewhat disappointing. The song "Hands" hit #6 on the Hot 100. Other singles followed, a new version of "Jupiter (Swallow the Moon)", "What's Simple Is True", the theme song to her upcoming movie, and the charity single "Life Uncommon".
A year later, in November 1999, Jewel released Joy: A Holiday Collection. The album sold over a million copies and peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200. She released a cover of "Joy to the World" from the album.
In November 2001, the album This Way was released. The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 1 million copies in the U.S., standing as her most critically acclaimed album to date. Jewel hit the Top 30 with the song "Standing Still". Other singles released were "Break Me", "This Way" and "Serve the Ego", the latter giving Jewel her first number-one club hit.
0304 Era
In 2003, Jewel released the album 0304. She writes in the liner notes,
"I wanted to make a record that was a modern interpretation of big band music. A record that was lyric driven, like Cole Porter, that also had a lot of swing. And a lot of it is thanks to Lester, because when I told him I wanted to make a record that combined dance, urban, and folk music, he didn't look at me like I was crazy."
Following the limited success of "Serve the Ego", Jewel moved to a more pop-oriented sound with the release of the single "Intuition". The song, which strays from her usual folk style with simple guitar instrumentation, starts off with a French accordion and experiments with dance-pop beats using synthesizers. The song was successful, reaching #5 on the Billboard Adult Top 40. Despite the different sound style, the song is lyrically similar to her previous work. It has a number of references to culture, including mentioning celebrities such as pop star Jennifer Lopez, model Kate Moss, magazines, film culture, and commercialism.
Goodbye Alice in Wonderland Era
On May 2, 2006, Jewel released her sixth album, Goodbye Alice In Wonderland. The album received mixed reviews, but still managed to debut at #8 on the Billboard Albums Chart. The album sold 82,000 copies in its first week out. The lead single "Again and Again" had moderate success on Adult Top 40 Radio, peaking at #16. The second single, "Good Day", was released to radio in late June but failed to gain any traction on the radio airplay charts. A video for "Stephenville, TX", her next single, was seen on Yahoo! Launch. After a photo shoot at her Texas ranch, Jewel spontaneously decided to have photographer Kurt Markus shoot the music video for the song Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. According a single review appearing in the Market Wire business journal, widely duplicated in publicity material by her PR team "The homegrown clip beautifully reflects both the song's organic, intimate sound and its powerfully autobiographical story."
As of December 2006, the album had sold barely 270,000 copies, making it the first Jewel album not to achieve Gold certification quickly. Despite this, CMT music critic Timothy Duggan praised the album: "This album showcases Jewel's unique talent as a lyricist, alongside a definite growth in her musicianship. It is what 'Pieces of You' might have been had Jewel had the musical knowledge then that she has now. A very satisfying work, all in all." Rolling Stone however, called the album "overdone and undercooked" with a rating of 2 stars out of 5.
Jewel released a video for the new song "Quest for Love" as the lead single from the movie Arthur and the Invisibles. The song is only available on the soundtrack for Arthur and the Invisibles, which was released January 2007.
Perfectly Clear Era
In early February 2007, Jewel recorded a duet with Jason Michael Carroll, "No Good in Goodbye", that was featured on Carroll's debut CD, Waitin' in the Country. She also made a promotional appearance on the T in Boston for the Verizon Yellow Pages, playing songs on a moving subway car and then doing an hour-long acoustic concert in South Station for a large crowd of adoring fans. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Jewel confirmed that she is no longer affiliated with a record label, confirming rumors that Atlantic Records failed to renew her contract after the lackluster sales of her then-latest album. She also hinted that she would like to do a country album next. She is working with John Rich of Big & Rich fame. He says that she is "probably one of the greatest American singer-songwriters we have had." He also said that "every label in Nashville" was talking to her at the time.
In November 2007, Jewel was signed to Valory Records, a newly formed division of the independent Big Machine Records label. Her first country album, Perfectly Clear, was released on June 3, 2008, selling 48,000 units in its first week. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart and #8 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart (the same position as her previous album, Goodbye Alice In Wonderland, but sold 35,000 fewer units in its first week). In its second week on the charts, the album dropped to #25 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on the Country Albums chart, with estimated second week sales of 15,000 units.
Its lead single, "Stronger Woman", was released to country radio on January 17, 2008, and entered the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. On the April 26, 2008 country charts it peaked at #13. The next single, "I Do", released to radio on June 23, 2008. The video for the single featured her cowboy husband, Ty Murray. This song peaked at #38. Following it was "Till It Feels Like Cheating" which peaked at #57.
Perfectly Clear was released in Australia in late May 2009. It was then released across Europe by Humphead Records in June 2009. The European release of the album also includes the music video for "Stronger Woman".
Lullaby Era
In early 2009, it was announced that Jewel would release a new studio album titled Lullaby, a collection of lullabies, which she described as 'not just for children, but also adults'. Its lead single 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was issued to iTunes on March 17. The album was released on May 5. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was #1 on The Top Children's Songs the week of release. She also has recorded a duet with R&B singer Tyrese in conjunction with the release of his comic, Mayhem. The song is titled "Make It Last". It was intended to be used for the soundtrack to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but did not appear on the final tracklisting.
Sweet and Wild Era
In January 2010, Jewel released a new single, "Stay Here Forever", from the soundtrack to the film Valentine's Day. It is also the lead-off single to Jewel's upcoming ninth studio album Sweet and Wild and is slated for release on June 8, 2010. The single debuted at #58 on the Hot Country Songs chart and reached #34 in May 2010. "Satisfied" was released as the albums' second single on May 17, 2010.
Film and theatre
Jewel starred in the 1999 Ang Lee film Ride with the Devil. Jewel also starred as Dorothy in the 1995 "Dreams Come True" production of "The Wizard of Oz" (available on VHS). She had a cameo as herself in Walk Hard.
Television
Date Title Role Note
1995 VH1's VH1 Duets
Herself
In an episode led by Melissa Etheridge, Jewel and Melissa sang together on the songs "Baby You Can Sleep While I Drive," and "Foolish Games." She also sang with Melissa Etheridge, Paula Cole, Joan Osborne, and Sophie B. Hawkins in a performance of Joan Armatrading's "Love and Affection."
1996 MTV's "MTV 120 Minutes" Performed Acoustic version of "Absence of Fear"
1998 Saturday Night Live Host with Joan Allen
2002 VH1's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Performer, sang duet of Here Comes the Sun with Rob Thomas. Read introduction to Brenda Lee, one of the inductees.
2003 VH1's 2003 Diva Duets Performer, sang duet of Proud Mary with Beyoncé.
The Lyon's Den
Rob Lowe's ex
2006 The Young and the Restless
Herself
Performed at a fund raiser hosted by characters Nick and Sharon Newman to mark the first anniversary of their teenage daughter's death in a drunk-driving accident.
CMT Country Music Awards
Presenter
Presented with Ty Murray
7th Heaven
Herself
Neighbor to characters Kevin Kinkirk and Lucy Camden, sang her song "Good Day".
Las Vegas Sang three songs from Goodbye Alice in Wonderland.
Men In Trees Sang the song Good Day with a character of Men in Trees.
2007 American Idol
Herself, Guest-Judge
American Idol, Season 6 Guest-Judge for the season six premiere / auditions in Minneapolis.
Nashville Star
Host
Co-host with Cowboy Troy.
Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race
Herself
ABC reality television series featuring a dozen celebrities (including Ty Murray) in a stock car racing competition. In the first round of competition, Jewel matched up against former NBA player John Salley and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler John Cena.
Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge American celebrity reality television show on CMT in which nine celebrities from across the board spend 10 days learning how to ride bulls with retired rodeo star Ty Murray for the PBR Jack Daniels Invitational in Nashville.
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Season 8
Herself
Episode Bull - Sang the U.S. National Anthem in a rodeo
Nashville Star, Season 6
Judge
The show has moved to NBC this season. Jewel is a judge, along with John Rich and Jeffrey Steele, and hosted by Country music singer, Billy Ray Cyrus.
2010 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Herself
WWE Monday Night RAW
Herself
Guest host on the February 22nd edition along with her husband Ty Murray.
Minor
* Lifetime T.V network, has released a commercial starring Jewel to help promote breast cancer awareness.
* In 2006, Jewel appeared with Ty Murray in a Miller Lite Men of the Square Table commercial.
* Jewel has also done many late night talk shows, including Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson, and many more taped from 1996 to 2006.
* Jewel was a featured singer in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra television special and 2001 DVD The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, performing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".
* Jewel has also appeared on The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour where she performed a duet of "Who Will Save Your Soul" with Jessica Simpson.
* Jewel was featured on the MTV show Punk'd in 2007.
* Jewel has also been a celebrity judge on Iron Chef America in 2007.
* Two of Jewel's songs were played on Dawson's Creek: "Hands" in #2-05 "Full Moon Rising" and #6-24 "...Must Come to an End" (the latter being the second part of the series finale), and "This Way" in #5-17 "Highway to Hell". Her song "Standing Still" was also featured in the WB's promos for #5-09 "Hotel New Hampshire".
* In 2010 Jewel appeared on the Food Network show Ace of Cakes as she kicked off her tour in Baltimore
Dancing With the Stars
On February 8, 2009, it was announced that she would appear on the eighth season of Dancing With the Stars alongside new pro Dmitry Chaplin, which she did primarily as a bet against husband Ty Murray; However, five days before the season premiere, she suffered stress fractures in the tibia of both legs, and was forced to withdraw. Her replacement was ex-Hugh Hefner girlfriend Holly Madison.
Writing
Jewel published a book of poetry titled A Night Without Armor in 1998. Although it sold over 1 million copies and was a New York Times Bestseller, it received mixed reviews. During an MTV interview in 1998, Kurt Loder pointed out the incorrect usage in her book of poetry of the word "casualty" (intended as something to the effect of "of a casual nature") to which Jewel responded negatively. Jewel went on to write an autobiography titled Chasing Down the Dawn in 2000. Chasing Down The Dawn was a collection of diary entries and musings detailing her life growing up in Alaska, her struggle to learn her craft and life on the road. Jewel was scheduled to release a third book called Love Poems which was supposed to be an extremely intimate portrayal of her relationship with her boyfriend Ty Murray. It was canceled several months before release because Jewel was worried about Ty's mother's reaction to her intimate confessions.
Philanthropy
In 1995 Jewel performed in The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True a musical performance of the popular story at Lincoln Center to benefit the Children's Defense Fund. The performance was originally broadcast on Turner Network Television (TNT), and issued on CD and video in 1996.
She formed a non-profit organization called Higher Ground For Humanity with her mother Lenedra J. Carroll and her older brother Shane Kilcher. The organization's focus is education, sustainable improvements, and building alliances with like-minded organizations.
Jewel donates a portion of her income to the organization and often holds events to benefit the organization. The organization tends to parallel the career of Jewel since she provides the majority of the organization's funding. As of 2005, the activities of the organization were reduced.
In September, 2006, as part of Lifetime Television's Stop Breast Cancer for Life campaign, Jewel delivered more than 12 million petition signatures to Capitol Hill, urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005 (S 910/HR1849). The bill would ban the practice of "drive-through" mastectomies, when women are discharged from the hospital just hours after their surgeries.
Jewel served as the honorary chairperson of the 2006 Help the Homeless Walk in Washington, DC
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http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/wfrazerjr/Celebrity%20AU%208x10s/img044.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/23/10 at 6:36 am
The person who died on this day...Owen Hart
Owen James Hart (May 7, 1965 – May 23, 1999) was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). A member of the Hart wrestling family, Hart was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada the youngest of 12 children to Stampede Wrestling promoter and WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart and Helen Hart. Among other accolades, he was a one-time USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time WWF European Champion, one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and four-time WWF World Tag Team Champion. He was also the winner of the 1994 WWF King of the Ring.
Cited by a number of peers as one of the WWF's most talented professional wrestlers, Hart died on May 23, 1999 when an equipment malfunction occurred during his entrance from the rafters of the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., at the WWF's Over the Edge pay-per-view event.
Hart first gained wrestling experience in the amateur wrestling division at high school, through which he met his wife, Martha. Wrestling was not Hart's first choice for a career; as Martha explained in her book Broken Harts, Owen tried numerous times to find a profitable living outside of wrestling. As those attempts were unsuccessful, Hart was trained in his father's Hart Dungeon and made his professional debut in 1986 for his father’s federation, Stampede Wrestling. He remained with Stampede for the next couple of years while honing his skills. During 1986, Hart teamed with Ben Bassarab and won the Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship. The success of the team and Hart's in ring skills earned him Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year Award in 1987. After he and Bassarab lost the tag team title, he feuded with Johnny Smith and Dynamite Kid.
In 1987, Hart branched out to Japan where he wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) on several tours. In NJPW, he wrestled Keiichi Yamada both unmasked and later under the Jushin Liger gimmick. On May 27, Hart defeated Hiroshi Hase for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Hart's success in Japan and Stampede’s working relationship with the World Wrestling Federation led to Hart signing with the company in the fall of 1988. He debuted at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in August 1988 under a mask called the Blue Angel. Instead of promoting Owen as Bret Hart’s younger brother, the WWF decided to create a masked “superhero" type gimmick for him known as The Blue Blazer. The Blazer was eliminated at Survivor Series, lost to Ted DiBiase on the March 11, 1989 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, and was defeated by Mr. Perfect at WrestleMania V.
Shortly after WrestleMania, Hart left the WWF to tour the world both with and without the Blue Blazer gimmick. He also returned to Stampede, until it shut down in December 1989. In 1991, Hart lost the Blue Blazer mask in a mascara contra mascara match against Mexican wrestler El Canek, thus bidding farewell to the Blue Blazer gimmick. In 1991, Hart appeared on World Championship Wrestling shows, teaming with Ricky Morton.
World Wrestling Federation
The New Foundation (1991–1992)
Hart had been engaged in contract discussions with WCW but the deal was never struck, as Owen was not willing to move himself and his family to the company's headquarters in Atlanta. Instead, he signed with the WWF for a second time. In the WWF the popular Hart Foundation, composed of his brother Bret and real-life brother-in-law Jim Neidhart, had split up; Bret set out on a singles career while Neidhart was used sparingly. When Neidhart returned from a storyline injury, he joined Owen to form a team known as The New Foundation.
Owen and Neidhart first feuded with the Beverly Brothers. They then had their only pay-per-view match at the Royal Rumble in January 1992 where they beat The Orient Express. Neidhart left the WWF shortly afterward, and Hart set out on a very short run as a singles wrestler, including a match at WrestleMania VIII against Skinner. Shortly after WrestleMania, Hart was teamed up with Koko B. Ware to form the duo known as High Energy. They had only one pay-per-view match as a team, at the Survivor Series where they lost to The Headshrinkers. The team was quietly dropped at the start of 1993 with Hart starting a singles career.
Feuding brothers (1993–1995)
See also: Owen Hart and Yokozuna
In the middle of 1993, when Bret Hart’s feud with Jerry Lawler ignited, Owen stood by his brother’s side and fought against Lawler in the United States Wrestling Association where most of the WWF talent were considered the heels. Owen won the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship from Papa Shango, but it was never acknowledged on WWF television. Owen’s participation in the WWF vs. USWA feud was cut short when he suffered a knee injury in the summer of 1993 and was forced to take some time away from the ring.
Hart returned to the WWF ring in the fall of 1993, at a time when Bret’s feud with Lawler was temporarily sidetracked. Bret, along with Owen and their brothers Bruce and Keith, were scheduled to face Lawler and his team at Survivor Series. However, Lawler was unable to make it to the show, and as a result could not appear on WWF television. Lawler was replaced with Shawn Michaels. During the match Owen and Bret inadvertently crashed into each other, causing Owen to be eliminated from the team. Owen showed up after the match and had a heated confrontation with Bret, while Keith, Bruce and Stu tried to calm things down. This confrontation resulted in Owen leaving the ring to boos while his brothers and father watched in dismay and mother Helen cried at ringside. The following night Owen adopted the pink and black, sunglasses and sharpshooter finisher to send a message to his brother. Owen angry with being in Bret's shadow challenged his brother which Bret declined. Instead the brothers seemed to reunite by the holidays.
Owen Hart at a WWF event in 1995
Bret tried to make amends with Owen, teaming with him on a regular basis. Bret even secured the two a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship. They faced the Quebecers for the title at the Royal Rumble in January 1994. Initially everything was fine between the brothers, but when Bret hurt his knee (kayfabe) and was unable to tag Owen in for a long period of time, the younger Hart got frustrated. When the referee stopped the match due to Bret's damaged knee, Owen snapped; he kicked his brother in the knee and then walked off, berating Bret on the Titantron shortly after as Bret was being helped backstage. This started his run as a heel. After the act an infuriated Owen accused his brother of being selfish and holding him down. Owen admitted that it felt good to take out his brother. The two brothers faced off for the first time at WrestleMania X, where Owen cleanly pinned his older brother. Later in the evening, Bret won the WWF Title while Owen stood by and watched in jealousy as Bret celebrated in the ring. Owen won the King of the Ring Tournament with Jim Neidhart’s help. After the victory, Owen took the nickname “The King of Harts."
Owen and Bret feuded throughout the summer of 1994, clashing many times both in singles and later in tag team matches (with Bret joined by the returning British Bulldog). Two matches stand out in this feud: first, their Steel Cage match at SummerSlam which Bret won. This match later recevied a 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer. The second was a lumberjack match on August 17 that Owen initially won and was announced as World champion; Bret won the match after it was ordered to continue due to interference. At the Survivor Series, Owen struck the most damaging blow against his brother as he conned his own mother Helen to throw in the towel for Bret. The ploy cost Bret the world title to Bob Backlund. Owen also prevented Bret from regaining the title at the Royal Rumble in 1995 when he interfered in the match between Bret and new champion Diesel. In the weeks after the Rumble, Bret and Owen clashed again with Bret soundly defeating his brother, thus putting an end to their feud for the time being.
Owen rebounded from the loss to Bret by winning the WWF Tag Team title from The Smoking Gunns at WrestleMania XI. Owen, who was joined by a "Mystery Partner," had challenged the Gunns to a title match; the partner turned out to be former world champion Yokozuna. After the victory Owen took Jim Cornette as his manager, who already managed Yokozuna. The team defended the title for 5 months until they lost them to Shawn Michaels and Diesel at In Your House 3. They would briefly hold the title a second time when the belts were handed back to them before the Smoking Gunns regained the title. Owen and Yokozuna would continue to team off and on until the end of the year.
Team with The British Bulldog (1996–1997)
Main article: Owen Hart and The British Bulldog
In 1995, Owen's brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith turned heel and joined the Camp Cornette stable. During the summer of 1996 the two brothers in law started to team up more and more, sometimes alongside Vader who was also a member of Camp Cornette. Owen was also a color commentator for the 1996 King of the Ring (exhibiting clear partisan support for Vader and Smith) and during this time wore a cast on his right forearm for several months, feigning a nagging injury to subsequently use his cast as a weapon during his matches.
In September 1996, Bulldog and Hart earned a pay-per-view shot at the tag team title at In Your House 10. Owen and Bulldog left with the gold after defeating the Smoking Gunns. They also left with a new manager as Clarence Mason had conned Jim Cornette into signing over the contracts of the new champions. Signs of dissension, however, slowly started to show. One occasion where this was evident was at the Royal Rumble when Hart accidentally eliminated Bulldog. After the Rumble, Bulldog fired Mason, something which did not sit well with Hart. Another bone of contention between the two was the newly created WWF European Championship; both men had fought their way to the finals to crown the first champion with Bulldog coming out as the victor.
After retaining the tag team title against the Headbangers by disqualification on the March 24, 1997 edition of Monday Night Raw, the tension between the two bubbled over. An incensed Hart demanded a shot at Bulldog’s European title the next week. The match was booked for March 31; on the night, the two went at it with such intensity that many thought the tag team champions had finally gone their separate ways. Then in a shocking moment, the recently turned heel Bret Hart appeared at ringside and stopped the match. Bret appealed to both Owen and Bulldog, talking about the importance of family. They agreed to put their differences aside and join with Bret to form the new Hart Foundation, an anti-American stable that also included Hart in-law Jim Neidhart and Hart family friend Brian Pillman.
The Hart Foundation (1997–1998)
Main article: The Hart Foundation
After forming the Hart Foundation, Owen quickly gained singles gold of his own as he pinned Rocky Maivia to win his first WWF Intercontinental title. This meant that the Hart Foundation held every WWF title except the World title, cementing their dominance over the federation. It was not all success for Owen, though, as he and the British Bulldog lost their tag team title to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. The team also failed to regain them when Michaels got injured and was replaced by Dude Love. At SummerSlam the Owen/Austin feud took a nasty turn as a botched piledriver ended up injuring Austin’s neck. Owen lost his Intercontinental title to Austin that night. Because of the neck injury, Austin was not allowed to compete and was stripped of the title. Although it was an accident, the WWF decided to make it part of the storyline as Owen began wearing a t-shirt patterned after Austin's that read "Owen 3:16/I Just Broke Your Neck".
Hart fought his way to the finals of the tournament to crown the next Intercontinental champion and was set to face Faarooq at In Your House: Bad Blood. Owen beat Faarooq with Austin’s help. Afterward, Austin explained that he wanted to beat Hart for the title when he returned and would not allow Faarooq or anyone else to beat him. His wish came true when Austin returned to action at Survivor Series in Montreal. At the event, Owen lost his title to Austin once again. Later that night, the Montreal Screwjob took place. Bret left the Federation after the event and both the British Bulldog and Jim Neidhart were granted quick releases from their contracts to jump to WCW. This left Owen as the only Hart family member remaining in the WWF, due to his contractual obligations. Unlike Smith and Neidhart, Vince McMahon did not grant Owen a release from his contract and Owen remained with the company.
The Nation of Domination (1998)
Main article: Nation of Domination
Hart was not seen or mentioned on WWF programming until he made a surprise appearance after Shawn Michaels retained his title following a disqualification loss to Ken Shamrock at In Your House: D-Generation X where he attacked Michaels. Now a fan favorite, but with a new edgy, antisocial attitude, Hart became known as "The Lone Hart" and also "The Black Hart". Owen had a feud with DX and won the European title from Triple H, although not directly. Goldust dressed up as Triple H in an attempt to swerve Hart, but Commissioner Slaughter considered him to be a legitimate replacement. Hart later suffered a kayfabe ankle injury during a match involving Triple H. When Hart joined the commentary at ringside, Triple H managed to draw Owen into an impromptu title match and regained the title in a controversial fashion.
Four weeks after WrestleMania, during a tag team match with Ken Shamrock against D'Lo Brown and Rocky Maivia (later known as The Rock), Hart turned on Shamrock, "snapping" his ankle and "biting his ear" in the process. After the attack on Shamrock, Hart joined the Nation of Domination, claiming that “Enough is enough and it’s time for a change". The Nation’s first big feud after Hart joined was against DX. It was during this feud that D-Generation X parodied the Nation of Domination. The imitation was complete with Jason Sensation dressing up as Hart and coining the phrase “I am not a nugget"; this was in response to Shawn Michaels referring to Owen as a nugget of feces sticking to the side of a toilet bowl, and no matter how many times Shawn Michaels flushed, it kept sticking around and he was unable to get rid of it. "Nugget" became a derisive term that followed Hart for the rest of his career. Hart’s participation in the DX feud was sidetracked when Shamrock returned from injuries dead set on getting revenge on Hart. The two split a pair of specialty matches on pay-per-view, but nothing was ever conclusively settled between them.
Hart and Jeff Jarrett (1998–1999)
Hart remained with the Nation throughout the year until the stable slowly dissolved. After SummerSlam, he teamed with Jeff Jarrett. Hart and Jarrett had Jarrett's manager Debra in their corner. During this time a storyline was proposed that Hart was supposed to have an on-screen affair with Debra, something which Owen turned down.
After a match in which Hart “accidentally injured" Dan Severn, he seemingly quit the WWF. Playing off the legitimate injury Hart had inflicted on Austin the year before, the angle blurred the lines between reality and “storyline". Yet as soon as Hart “quit", the Blue Blazer appeared in the WWF claiming to in no way be Hart despite it being very obvious who was under the mask. Unlike the first run of the character, the Blazer was now an overbearing, self-righteous heel who treated the edgy Attitude Era WWF with disdain. Hart and Jarrett ended up making the storyline comical. To prove that Hart was not the Blazer, he showed up beside the Blue Blazer, who was a masked Jarrett. In a later attempt to prove that neither Hart or Jarrett was the Blazer, they both appeared next to a man in the Blue Blazer mask; however, it was obvious that a black man was under the mask (Hart's former tag team partner Koko B. Ware). On January 25, 1999, in the midst of the Blue Blazer angle Hart and Jarrett defeated Ken Shamrock and The Big Boss Man for the tag team title. They continued to team together until Hart's death in May during the Over the Edge pay-per-view event. Owen was referenced on a 2010 edition of RAW where Bret Hart wore a T-Shirt depicting Owen's face.
Personal life
He met Martha Joan Patterson in 1982. They married on July 1, 1989, and they had two children. Oje Edward Hart was born on March 5, 1992 and Athena Christie Hart was born on September 23, 1995.
Death
On May 23, 1999, Hart fell to his death in Kansas City, Missouri during the Over the Edge pay-per-view event. Hart was in the process of being lowered via harness and grapple line into the ring from the rafters of Kemper Arena for a booked Intercontinental Championship match against The Godfather. In keeping with the Blazer's new "buffoonish superhero" character, he was to begin a dramatic entrance, being lowered to just above ring level, at which time he would act "entangled", then release himself from the safety harness and fall flat on his face for comedic effect—this necessitated the use of a quick release mechanism. It was an elaboration on a Blue Blazer stunt done previously on the Sunday Night Heat before Survivor Series in 1998.
This time, however, something went wrong with the stunt harness, apparently triggering the release mechanism early as he was being lowered. Hart fell 78 feet (24 m) into the ring, landing chest-first on the top rope, approximately a foot from the nearest turnbuckle, throwing him into the ring. Following the fall, a dazed Hart managed to sit up in the ring, before losing consciousness. According to Bret Hart's autobiography, Hitman, at Over the Edge, Owen had initially planned to descend from the rafters with a midget wrestler scissored between his legs. Had this been the case, both men would likely have been killed. The idea was nixed only hours before the event.
Hart had performed the stunt only a few times before and was worried about performing the stunt at the Kemper Arena due to the height involved. Hart's wife Martha has suggested that, by moving around to get comfortable with both the harness and his cape on, Hart unintentionally triggered an early release. TV viewers at home did not see the incident or its aftermath—at the moment of the fall, a pre-taped vignette was being shown on the pay-per-view broadcast as well as on the monitors in the darkened arena. After, while Hart was being worked on by medical personnel inside the ring, the live event's broadcast showed only the audience. Meanwhile, WWF television announcer Jim Ross repeatedly told those watching live on pay-per-view that what had just transpired was not a wrestling angle or storyline and that Hart was hurt badly, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Hart was transported to Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, where he was pronounced dead on arrival; some believe he died in the ring. The cause was later revealed to be internal bleeding from a severed aorta.
Controversy and lawsuit
The WWF management controversially chose to continue the event, though they were unaware of the severity of Hart's injury at that time. Later, Jim Ross announced the death of Hart to the home viewers during the pay-per-view, but not to the crowd in the arena. While the show did go on, it has never been released commercially by WWF Home Video, and to this date no footage of Hart's fall has ever been officially released. In the weeks that followed, much attention was focused on the harness Hart used that night, especially on the "quick release" trigger and safety latches. When someone is lowered from the rafters in a harness, there are backup latches that must be latched for safety purposes. These backups may take some time to unlatch, which would have made Hart's stunt difficult to perform smoothly. Therefore, it was apparently decided that it was more important not to have the safety backups, because it would be easier for Hart to unlatch himself.
Three weeks after the event, the Hart family sued the WWF over how dangerous and poorly planned the stunt was, and that the harness system was defective. After over a year and a half into the case, a settlement was reached on November 2, 2000, which saw the WWF give the Hart family $18 million that was distributed among the Hart family. The manufacturer of the harness system was also a defendant against the Hart family, but they were dismissed from the case after the settlement was reached. Martha used the funds to establish the Owen Hart Foundation. Martha wrote a book about Hart's life in 2002 called Broken Harts: The Life and Death of Owen Hart.
In his DVD set Bret "Hit Man" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be, Bret said that he wishes he had been with the WWF the night Owen's accident happened.
Another controversy is the 2010 WWE Over The Limit PPV where it is being held on the date May 23rd (the date of Owen's death) and Edge is on the poster, resulting in Over The Edge(poster picture).
Raw is Owen
Raw is Owen is the name given to a special live episode of WWF Raw is War that aired on May 24, 1999, the night after Hart's death. It was broadcast live from the Kiel Center in St. Louis. It featured shoot interviews from his fellow wrestlers. According to Raw Exposed (a special that aired before the first Raw airing on its return to USA Network on October 3, 2005), WWF management gave all wrestlers on the roster the option of working or not. Nevertheless, ten matches were booked with no angles.
The show began with all the wrestlers of the WWF (except the Undertaker) standing on the entrance ramp; Vince, Linda, and Stephanie McMahon were at the front of the ramp. Howard Finkel called for a ten-bell salute. Hart's former Nation of Domination comrades were emotional, most notably Mark Henry, who read a poem that he wrote in memory of Hart. A tribute video narrated by Vince then played on the Titan Tron. Throughout the broadcast, personal thoughts on Hart in the form of shoot interviews with various WWF Superstars were played. Before the first commercial break, such thoughts were aired from Mick Foley and Bradshaw. Foley noted that Hart was his son's favorite wrestler and had proudly gotten a haircut like Owen's, although he also said his son did not quite understand that "nugget" was not a term of endearment. Bradshaw talked about how Hart spent less money on the road than most wrestlers because he wanted to retire early and spend time with his family. Owen's friend and Nation of Domination partner The Rock also made a short speech. The broadcast ended with Steve Austin coming out for a special salute to Hart by climbing the turnbuckle and performing his famous beer guzzling routine, and leaving one beer in the ring 'for Owen'.
The tribute show scored a Nielsen ratings score of 7.2, making it one of the highest rated shows in Raw history. Shawn Michaels, in his Heartbreak and Triumph autobiography, notes that "Owen is the only guy you could have a 2-hour show for, and no-one would say a bad word about him." The next day, WWF taped the episode of Raw for May 31, 1999. During that show, Jeff Jarrett defeated The Godfather to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship, the title Hart was booked to win at Over the Edge for the third time. Jarrett screamed Hart's name as the belt was handed to him.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/23/10 at 7:06 am
Thanks Ninny and tonight's Over the Limit PPV and it was 11 years ago today that Owen Hart passed away,I wonder if something tragic is going to happen tonight? ???
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/23/10 at 7:08 am
The word of the day...Game(s)
A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more concerned with the expression of ideas. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports/games) or art (such as jigsaw puzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mahjong solitaire, or some Video Games).
Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational or psychological role. According to Chris Crawford, the requirement for player interaction puts activities such as jigsaw puzzles and solitaire "games" into the category of puzzles rather than games.
Attested as early as 2600 BC, games are a universal part of human experience and present in all cultures. The Royal Game of Ur, Senet, and Mancala are some of the oldest known games.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/jew-lee-uhh/photography/games.jpg
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http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/cgoetze/games/princeofpersiatheforgottensands.png
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss70/cgoetze/games/sbkxsuperbikeworldchampionship.png
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I love games. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/23/10 at 7:24 am
Thanks Ninny and tonight's Over the Limit PPV and it was 11 years ago today that Owen Hart passed away,I wonder if something tragic is going to happen tonight? ???
Your welcome and lets hope nothing tragic like that never happens again.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/23/10 at 7:25 am
Your welcome and lets hope nothing tragic like that never happens again.
I hope not.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/23/10 at 11:17 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BR6NJlk1_A
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/23/10 at 3:45 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BR6NJlk1_A
Cat
Good song :)
Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/23/10 at 4:06 pm
Good song :)
Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
Love that song, too.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/23/10 at 7:26 pm
Good song :)
Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
What an interesting video.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/23/10 at 11:33 pm
Good song :)
Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
Jeux sans Frontieres (which is what the girls sing in the background. It means "Games without frontiers" in French)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/24/10 at 7:04 am
Jeux sans Frontieres (which is what the girls sing in the background. It means "Games without frontiers" in French)
I thought the video was kind of creepy.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/24/10 at 9:34 am
I thought the video was kind of creepy.
It was original as was a lot of Peter Gabriel videos.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/24/10 at 9:40 am
The word of the day...Marmalade
For other uses, see Marmalade (disambiguation).
Seville orange marmalade
Marmalade is a fruit preserve, made from the peel of citrus fruits, sugar, and water. The traditional citrus fruit for marmalade production is the "Seville orange" from Spain, Citrus aurantium var. aurantium, thus called because it was originally only made in Seville in Spain; it is higher in pectin than sweet oranges, and therefore gives a good set. The peel has a distinctive bitter taste which it imparts to the marmalade. Marmalade can be made from lemons, limes, grapefruits, sweet oranges or any combination thereof. For example, California-style marmalade is made from the peel of sweet oranges and consequently lacks the bitter taste of Spanish style marmalade.
In languages other than English, marmalade can mean preserves made with fruit other than citrus. For example, in Spanish all preserves are known generically as mermelada (There is no distinction made between jam, jelly, preserves or marmalade).
The recipe for marmalade includes sliced or chopped fruit peel simmered in sugar, fruit juice and water until soft; indeed marmalade is sometimes described as jam with fruit peel (although manufacturers also produce peel-free marmalade). Marmalade is often eaten on toast for breakfast.
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http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/AnnaMollyMadison/Marmalade/Marmaladecalamari.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/24/10 at 9:44 am
The person born on this day...Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), best known by her stage name of Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress. She fronted two groups, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which received minor success on the pop charts in the 1960s, and Labelle, which received acclaim and a mainstream breakthrough in 1974 with their song "Lady Marmalade". She went on to have a solo recording career, earning another U.S. #1 single in 1986 with "On My Own," a duet with Michael McDonald.
She is renowned for her passionate stage performances, wide vocal range and distinctive high-octave belting. Her biography, Don't Block the Blessings, remained at the top of the The New York Times best-seller list for several weeks. She has reportedly sold over 50 million records worldwide.
LaBelle was born Patricia Louise Holt in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Henry Holt, a railroad worker, and Bertha Robinson Holt, a housewife. The third of four sisters (and the fourth of five, the Holts also had one son), Holt began singing at church at an earlier age. During an audition for a school play, a teacher advised Holt to form a singing group.
Holt, who was nicknamed "Patsy" by friends and family, formed a four-member girl group called the Ordettes in 1959. In 1960, when two of the original Ordettes left, Holte and fellow Ordette Sandra Tucker brought in singers Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, from a recently defunct rival group. When Tucker's family made Sandra leave the group, she was replaced by hometown friend Cindy Birdsong. With her mother's blessings, Patti left high school to tour with the Ordettes. The group was managed by Bernard Montague and toured from local nightclubs to honky tonks and truck stops.
During an audition with Newtown Records, the Ordettes almost didn't get a recording contract because Holt, who was the lead singer was considered "too plain, too dark and unattractive" until she sang for him. Afterwards, he suggested a name change for Holt. Add to the irony after his initial disappointment of Holt, the surname LaBelle was French for "the beautiful". Signing them in 1961, the boss also changed the name of the group to The Bluebelles, named initially after a Newtown subsidiary (Bluebelle Records), which later led to threats of a lawsuit over another girl group's manager. The name was altered to Patti LaBelle and Her Bluebelles in 1963 and changed slightly to Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles two years later.
Group career: 1962 - 1977
Main article: Labelle
The Bluebelles' first single, "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", was actually recorded by The Starlets and was released as a Bluebelles single due to contract obligations the Starlets had with their own label, Pam Records. Credited to Patti's group, the song peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. Going out on the road, the group became a successful draw on the chitlin' circuit, mainly earning national fame at The Apollo Theater where they became "Apollo Sweethearts". The group enjoyed a modestly successful recording career, which included top 40 recordings such as their gospel-styled doo-wop renditions of traditional songs such as "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Danny Boy". In 1963, their ballad "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)" became a top 40 hit. In 1965, after recording for Newtown and Cameo-Parkway, the group landed a stint at Atlantic Records gaining some modest success recording Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", a song LaBelle would record as a soloist over a decade later and which later became a concert staple in LaBelle's shows since. The group also recorded the modest pop hit, "All or Nothing". The group also sung background for Wilson Pickett's hit "634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.)" while with Atlantic. In 1967, Cindy Birdsong shocked the group when she left to replace Florence Ballard of The Supremes. The abrupt exit caused friction between the group members and LaBelle wouldn't speak to Birdsong again in nearly 20 years.
During the late 1960s, the Bluebelles toured England where they had a local following. Elton John met LaBelle in the mid-1960s when he and his group Bluesology played background for the Bluebelles during their UK gigs. In 1970, the Bluebelles were dropped from Atlantic and also lost their manager Montague,who had signed Philadelphia's "Delfonics". The group almost signed with DJ promoters Frankie Crocker and Herb Hamlett, but Hamlett left the industry for a law career, leaving the group to eventually hire Dusty Springfield's manager Vicki Wickham, she advised the group to revive their image and sound. Though LaBelle admitted having difficulty with the change, she eventually agreed after her two band mates, including Nona Hendryx, convinced her the move would bring popularity to the group. Returning to America the following year, they changed their name to Labelle and released their self-titled debut on Warner Bros. Records. The same year, they gained a cult following after opening for The Who and appeared as backup for Laura Nyro's accomplished album, Gonna Take a Miracle. After releasing two more transitional albums, including 1972's Moon Shadow and 1973's Pressure Cookin', which had the group recording more political affair including a famed remake of Gil Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". In 1973, the group was asked to change their look again, after discovering the success of glam rockers David Bowie and T-Rex, to glammed-up wardrobe. In time, the group's trademark wear included pieces of silver (LaBelle herself began wearing silver-haired wigs and knee-high silver boots).
In September 1974, after two weeks in New Orleans, Labelle released their landmark album, Nightbirds, which successfully mixed glam rock and soul with funk elements. Their biggest hit, "Lady Marmalade", became their very first number-one hit, and the group went on a successful national tour that started with a rave performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, where they became the first contemporary pop group to open there and the first African American group to perform there. The group advised fans to "wear something silver" during the famed event. In 1975, Labelle became the first black vocal group to land a cover on Rolling Stone. The group founded some commercial and critical success with the releases of rockier efforts such as Phoenix and Chameleon, famed for the feminist funk classic, "Get You Somebody New" and Patti's magnum opus, a cover of Randy Edelman's rock ballad, "Isn't It a Shame" though it didn't match up with the success of Nightbirds. After failing to come to terms with musical direction, the group agreed to split up in early 1977 for solo careers.
Solo career
Early solo career: 1977 - 1982
LaBelle released her self-titled debut in 1977 on Epic Records, which featured the top twenty R&B dance single, "Joy to Have Your Love" and the modestly-charted gospel ballad, "You Are My Friend", which she co-wrote and dedicated to her son. The album received critical acclaim but didn't give LaBelle any commercial success. Other albums such as 1978's Tasty 1979's It's Alright with Me, 1980's Released and 1981's The Spirit's in It, which included her now classic solo cover of her old Bluebelles single, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", also failed to chart successfully. On July 21, 1979, she appeared at the Amandla Festival along with Bob Marley, Dick Gregory and Eddie Palmieri, among others. That same year, she cut a performance for Richard Pryor's Wanted concert film though her scenes were cut. In 1980, she scored a Dutch top twenty hit and a modest U.S. dance hit with "Release (The Tension)". Three years later, in 1982, LaBelle and singer Al Green participated in the revival of the successful Broadway play, "Your Arm's Too Short to Box with God". That same year she also appeared in a televised play that aired on PBS. That same year, she recorded the hit ballad, "The Best is Yet to Come", which she was featured on by Grover Washington, Jr. The song reached number fourteen on the R&B chart and garnered LaBelle her first solo Grammy Award nomination.
Successful period: 1983 - 2000
LaBelle didn't start to experience commercial solo success until 1983 when she released her first charted hit album, I'm in Love Again, which featured LaBelle's first #1 R&B and top fifty pop hit with "If Only You Knew" and two subsequent top 10 R&B hits including "I'm in Love Again" and "Love, Need and Want You." The album became her first solo release to be certified gold. In 1984, LaBelle recorded the songs "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up" for the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. Both songs became mainstays on pop radio with "New Attitude" reaching the pop top 20. During this period, LaBelle began dressing as flamboyantly as she did during the Labelle days in an effort to carve out an original persona. LaBelle's appearances on Motown Returns to the Apollo and the Live Aid concerts of 1985 introduced her to a new audience. That same year, LaBelle was granted her first television special, which became highly rated, featuring Cyndi Lauper, Bill Cosby and Luther Vandross. LaBelle's popularity increased further in 1986 with the release of her best-selling album to date, Winner in You. The album yielded her first solo #1, "On My Own" with pop balladeer Michael McDonald, the Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit, "Oh, People," the moderate R&B chart hit, "Kiss Away The Pain" and the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart hit, "Something Special Is Gonna Happen Tonight."
LaBelle scored a moderate R&B and pop chart hit with the Diane Warren ballad, "If You Asked Me To," in 1989. The song peaked at #10 on the Adult Contemporary and R&B charts. It was later covered by Céline Dion in 1992, with striking similarity in arrangement, key and vocal styling. Dion's version peaked at #1 on both the Pop & A/C charts. In an interview with the online magazine Monaco Revue Patti claimed racism in the music industry was responsible for the difference in record sales, and revealed that accepting this was the most difficult obstacle she had to face in her career. Featured off LaBelle's album, Be Yourself, the album spawned a top ten single with the Prince-produced "Yo Mister".
In 1991, LaBelle released the gold-selling Burnin' album, which helped her win her first Grammy Award -- tying with vocalist Lisa Fischer for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance. Burnin' featured the top five R&B hits "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)", "When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)" and "Feels Like Another One." This album is also notable because it includes the first Labelle reunion recording with Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx, singing on "Release Yourself". The trio reunited again as Labelle in 1995 for the recording of the dance song, "Turn It Out", which hit number-one on the dance singles chart. Success continued with subsequent albums like 1994's Gems (featuring the hit "The Right Kinda Lover"), 1997's Flame (featuring the hit "When You Talk About Love"), and 1998's Live One Night Only winning LaBelle her a second Grammy (this time, without tying).
During this period, LaBelle had a recurring role as Adele Wayne (mother of Dwayne Wayne) in the NBC sitcom A Different World and also starred in her own sitcom, Out All Night playing a club owner and former R&B star named Chelsea Paige, which debuted in 1992 and canceled in 1993 after 19 episodes. In January 1995, La Belle performed at the Super Bowl XXIX halftime show, with Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval and the Miami Sound Machine, in a program entitled "Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye", to promote the upcoming Disney theme park attraction.
Later career and current work: 2000 - present
In 2000, LaBelle released her final album for the MCA label. When a Woman Loves features a collection of ballads written entirely by songwriter Diane Warren. LaBelle also announced her divorce from her only husband, Armstead, who had been her manager for 30 years. Four years would pass before LaBelle released a new album under Island Def Jam with the album, Timeless Journey, which saw LaBelle adding a modern hip-hop flavor to her brand of classic R&B. The album featured the modest hit "A New Day", which became a dance hit and also became her highest-charted album in nearly twenty years reaching number-sixteen on the Billboard 200. LaBelle's 2005 follow-up, a covers album, Classic Moments, was released. Despite the modest success, LaBelle battled against Def Jam president Antonio "L.A." Reid over the album's promotion and abruptly left the label.
In 2006, LaBelle issued her oft-promised gospel album on an independent label titled The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle was released. As a promotion, all copies sold at the retailer, Wal-Mart, contained a bonus track, "The Lord's Prayer". The album debuted at #86 on the Billboard 200, #17 on the R&B chart and peaked at #1 on the Gospel chart. A year later, LaBelle re-signed with Def Jam Records after Reid began re-negotiated terms with LaBelle. The new Def Jam release was her second holiday album called, Miss Patti's Christmas, released in 2007.
The year 2008 saw Patti LaBelle reunite with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash to release their first full album in thirty-two years with the Verve Records release, Back to Now. The collection blended newly recorded tracks with songs recorded before the initial break-up of Labelle. "Superlover", a single from the album, peaked at number sixty-seven on the R&B chart in early 2009. Musician Wyclef Jean also lent his songwriting and producing talents to the ultra-contemporary track, "Roll Out". Other producers involved in the album included superstar black rocker Lenny Kravitz, plus legendary classic Philadelphia soul producer/writers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.
In June 2009 LaBelle was honored at New York's Harlem Apollo Theater after she was inducted to the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame by admirers such as pop stars Mariah Carey and Prince. After she was inducted, LaBelle said, "The Apollo is a national treasure, I'm overwhelmed and honored to be recognized on this stage." In 2010, LaBelle contributed to the soundtrack of the movie, Cop Out, with the song "Soul Brother", featuring a reunion with her "Stir It Up" producer Harold Faltermeyer. LaBelle is currently at work on a brand new album with Island Def Jam that will be scheduled for release this year.
Discography
Main article: Patti LaBelle discography
See also
* List of number-one dance hits (United States)
* List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
Selective awards and recognition
Grammy history
Patti LaBelle Grammy Award History
Year Category Title Genre Result
2004 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance "New Day" R&B Nominee
2003 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance "Way Up There" R&B Nominee
2003 Grammy Hall of Fame "Lady Marmalade" R&B Inducted
1998 Traditional R&B Vocal Performance Live! One Night Only R&B Winner
1997 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "When You Talk About Love" R&B Nominee
Best R&B Album Flame R&B Nominee
1993 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "All Right Now (live)" R&B Nominee
1991 Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group "Superwoman" (with Gladys Knight & Dionne Warwick) R&B Nominee
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Burnin' R&B Winner
1990 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "I Can't Complain" R&B Nominee
1986 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Winner in You R&B Nominee
Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group "On My Own" (with Michael McDonald) Pop Nominee
1985 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "New Attitude" R&B Nominee
1983 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "The Best Is Yet to Come" R&B Nominee
Other Awards
Patti LaBelle Awards
Year Category Title Result Notes
2006 Best Actress - Television, Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special NAACP Image Awards Nominee Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy
2006 Best Gospel Artist NAACP Image Awards Nominee
2004 Best Female Artist NAACP Image Awards Nominee
2003 Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award Songwriter's Hall of Fame *Winner*
2001 Lena Horne Lifetime Achievement Award Lady of Soul Awards *Winner*
1998 Best Performance - Variety Series/Special NAACP Image Awards *Winner* Live! One Night Only
1996 Best Performance - Variety Series/Special NAACP Image Awards *Winner* The Essence Awards
1995 Heritage Award - Career Achievement Soul Train Music Awards *Winner*
1992 Favorite Rhythm and Blues/Soul Artist, Female American Music Awards *Winner*
1986 Favorite Rhythm and Blues/Soul Artist, Female American Music Awards Nominee
1986 Outstanding Individual Performance, Variety or Music Program Emmy Awards Nominee Sylvia Fine Kaye's Musical Comedy Tonight III
Tours
* 1985: Look To The Rainbow Tour
* 1986-1987: Winner In You Tour
* 1991: Burnin' Tour
* 1995: Gems Tour
* 1997-1998: Flame Tour
* 2000: When a Woman Loves Tour
* 2005: Timeless Journey Tour
* 2006: Classic Moments Tour
* 2008: Divas with Heart Tour (w/Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Diana Ross)
* 2008/2009: Back to Now Tour (w/Labelle)
Filmography
* 1979: Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (documentary) (scenes deleted)
* 1984: A Soldier's Story
* 1986: Unnatural Causes
* 1989: Sing
* 1990: A Different World
* 1994: The Nanny
* 2002: Sylvester: Mighty Real (short subject)
* 2005: Preaching to the Choir
* 2006: Idlewild
* 2007: Cover
* 2008: Semi-Pro
* 2010: Mama, I Want to Sing!
Music video
* Going Home to Gospel with Patti Labelle (1991) with Albertina Walker ("Queen of Gospel"), Barrett Sisters, Ricky Dillard and many more.
TV talkshow music appearances
* An Evening With The Stars: A Tribute to Patti Labelle
* Oprah show (Oprah's 40 Birthday) with Aretha Franklin & Gladys Knight, singing their rendition of Chaka Khan's I'm Every Woman
* Dolly Parton show
* The View talk show
* The Arsenio Hall Show
* The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
* The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
* The 1998 ALMA Awards
* The Tyra Banks Show talk show
* The Wendy Williams Show talk show
* The Puzzle Place Jim Hinson puppet show
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/24/10 at 9:52 am
Always lifts my spirits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWfZ5SZZ4xE
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/24/10 at 9:52 am
The person who died on this day...Gene Clark
Gene Clark, born Harold Eugene Clark (born Tipton, Missouri, November 17, 1944 - May 24, 1991) was an American singer-songwriter, and one of the founding members of the folk-rock group The Byrds.
Gene Clark is best remembered for being The Byrds' main songwriter between 1964 and 1966. He created a large catalogue of music in several genres but failed to achieve solo commercial success. Clark was one of the earliest exponents of psychedelic rock, baroque pop, newgrass, country rock and alternative country.
Born in Tipton, Missouri, the third of thirteen children, Clark began learning the guitar from his father at age nine and was soon picking out Hank Williams tunes as well as material by early rockers such as Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers. Before long he was writing his own songs and, at 13, joined a local Rock and roll combo, Joe Meyers and the Sharks. Like many of his generation, Clark developed an interest in folk music because of the popularity of the Kingston Trio. Clark graduated from Bonner Springs High School in Bonner Springs, Kansas in 1962.
Formation of The Byrds
He began performing with several folk groups working out of Kansas City at the Castaways Lounge, owned by Hal Harbaum, where he was discovered by the New Christy Minstrels, in August 1963, who hired him for their ensemble and with whom he remained for six months. After hearing the Beatles, Clark quit the Christys and moved to Los Angeles where he met fellow folkie/Beatles convert Jim (later Roger) McGuinn at the Troubadour Club and in early 1964 they began to assemble a band that would become The Byrds.
Gene Clark wrote or co-wrote many of The Byrds' best-known originals, including: "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better", "Set You Free This Time", "Here Without You", "If You're Gone", "The World Turns All Around Her", "She Don't Care About Time" and "Eight Miles High". He played harmonica for the band, too (notably on "Set You Free This Time"). Bassist Chris Hillman noted years later in various interviews remembering Gene: "People don't give enough credit to Gene Clark. He came up with the most incredible lyrics. I don't think I appreciated Gene Clark as a songwriter until the last two years. He was awesome! He was heads above us! Roger wrote some great songs then, but Gene was coming up with lyrics that were way beyond what he was. He wasn't a well-read man in that sense, but he would come up with these beautiful phrases. A very poetic man--very, very productive. He would write two or three great songs a week". "He was the songwriter. He had the "gift" that none of the rest of us had developed yet.... What deep inner part of his soul conjured up songs like "Set You Free This Time," "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better," "I'm Feelin' Higher," "Eight Miles High"? So many great songs! We learned a lot of songwriting from him and in the process learned a little bit about ourselves. At one time, he was the power in the Byrds, not McGuinn, not Crosby—it was Gene who would burst through the stage curtain banging on a tambourine, coming on like a young Prince Valiant. A hero, our savior. Few in the audience could take their eyes off this presence."
A management decision delivered the lead vocal duties to McGuinn for their major singles and Dylan covers. This disappointment, combined with Clark's dislike of traveling (including a chronic fear of flying) and resentment by other band members about the extra income he derived from his songwriting, led to internal squabbling and he left the group in early 1966. He briefly returned to Kansas City before moving back to Los Angeles to form Gene Clark & the Group with Chip Douglas, Joel Larson, and Bill Rhinehart.
Solo career and rejoining The Byrds
Columbia Records, (the Byrds' record label), signed Clark as a solo artist and, in 1967, he released his first solo LP, Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers, a mixture of pop, country rock and baroque-psychedelic tracks—Chris Hillman had worked with the Gosdin brothers in the mid 1960s when he and they were members of the Southern California bluegrass band called The Hillmen. The record received favorable reviews but unfortunately for Clark, it was released almost simultaneously with the Byrds' Younger Than Yesterday, also on Columbia, and (partly due to his 18 month-long public absence) was a commercial failure. With the future of his solo career in doubt, Clark briefly rejoined the Byrds in 1967 as a replacement for the recently-departed David Crosby but left after only 3 weeks following a panic attack in Minneapolis.
In 1968, Clark signed with the artist-friendly A&M Records and began a collaboration with Laramy Smith, forming Phoenix. Group members included Aron Vanderwhort on bass and Wayne Bruns on drums. They recorded a number of songs, including "Los Angeles", composed by Al Purdy, Laramy Smith and Gene Clark, and produced by Laramy Smith, which later featured on the Flying High double CD released on A&M in 1998. In 1969 Phoenix disbanded when Smith and Clark could not agree on a common style. Smith went on to form Arizona with Sneaky Pete of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Following the breakup, Clark formed Dillard & Clark with banjo player Doug Dillard. With guitarist Bernie Leadon (formerly of Scottsville Squirrel Barkers with Chris Hillman and later with The Flying Burrito Brothers and the Eagles), they produced two country rock and bluegrass-flavored albums: The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark and Through the Morning Through the Night, both of which fared poorly on the charts but were praised by critics. In 1969 a single was released, "Lyin Down The Middle", a Smith and Clark composition, which reached number 3 in California. Through the Morning, Through the Night was more bluegrass in character than its predecessor, used electric instrumentation and included Donna Washburn (Dillard's girlfriend) as a backing vocalist, all of which contributed to the departure of Bernie Leadon. The loss of Leadon as a co-writer meant that the album featured more covers than originals, and the change of musical direction caused Clark to lose faith in the group, which disbanded in late 1969. Dillard & Clark, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Buffalo Springfield, Poco, The Byrds and Laramy Smith can be credited as prime influences on later country rock performers such as The Eagles, Pure Prairie League and Firefall.
In 1970, Clark began work on a new single, recording two tracks with the original members of the Byrds (each recording his part separately). The resulting songs, "She's the Kind of Girl" and "One in a Hundred", were not released at the time due to legal problems and were included later on Roadmaster. Frustrated with the music industry, Clark bought a home at Albion near Mendocino, married, and fathered two children while living off his still substantial Byrds royalties.
In 1970 and 1971, Clark contributed vocals and two compositions ("Tried So Hard" and "Here Tonight") to albums by the Flying Burrito Brothers.
White Light
It wasn't until 1971 that a further Gene Clark solo set finally emerged. The album was titled White Light on the actual record, although the fact that the name was not included on the cover sleeve led some later reviewers to assume mistakenly that it was titled 'Gene Clark'. The record was produced by the much sought after Native American guitarist Jesse Ed Davis with whom Clark developed great rapport, partly due to their common Indian ancestry. A largely-acoustic work supplemented by slide guitar work by Davis, the album contained many introspective tracks such as "With Tomorrow", "Because of You", " Where My Love Lies Asleep" and "For a Spanish Guitar" (supposedly hailed by Bob Dylan as a song he would have been proud to compose). All of the material was written by Clark, with the exception of the Dylan number "Tears of Rage". Launched to considerable critical acclaim, the LP failed to gain commercial success, except in the Netherlands where it was also voted album of the year by rock music critics. Once more, Clark's refusal to undertake promotional touring adversely affected sales.
In the spring of 1971, Clark was commissioned by Dennis Hopper to contribute the tracks "American Dreamer" and "Outlaw Song" to Hopper's film project, American Dreamer.
A re-recorded, longer version of the song "American Dreamer" was later used in the 1977 film The Farmer, along with an instrumental version of the same song plus "Outside the Law (The Outlaw)" (a re-recording of "Outlaw Song").
In 1972, Clark assembled a backing group consisting of highly accomplished country rock musicians to accompany him on a further album with A&M. Progress was slow and expensive and the project was terminated before completion by A&M. The resulting eight tracks, together with those recorded with The Byrds in 1970/71 and another with The Flying Burrito Brothers ("Here Tonight"), were belatedly released as Roadmaster in the Netherlands only.
In 1972, the Dillard & Clark song "Through The Morning Through The Night" was used in Quincy Jones's soundtrack of the Sam Peckinpah movie The Getaway.
Byrds
Clark then left A&M to join the reunion of the original five Byrds and cut the album Byrds (released in 1973) which charted well (US # 20). Clark's compositions "Full Circle" and "Changing Heart" plus the Neil Young covers on which he did the lead vocal work ("See the Sky About to Rain" and "Cowgirl in the Sand") were widely regarded as the standout tracks on a record which received some negative critical response. Disheartened by the bad reviews and unhappy with David Crosby's performance as the record's producer, the group members chose to dissolve The Byrds. Clark briefly joined McGuinn's solo group, with which he premiered "Silver Raven", arguably his most celebrated post-Byrds song.
No Other
On the basis of the quality of Clark's Byrds contributions, David Geffen signed him to Asylum Records in early 1974. Asylum was the home of the most prominent exponents of the singer-songwriter movement of the era and carried the kind of hip cachet that Clark hadn't experienced since his days with The Byrds. He retired to Mendocino and spent long periods at the picture window of his friend (and future co-writer and drummer) Andy Kandanes' cliff-top home with a notebook and acoustic guitar in hand, staring at the Pacific Ocean. Deeply affected by his visions, he composed numerous songs which would serve as the basis for his only Asylum LP, the aptly titled No Other. Produced by Thomas Jefferson Kaye with a vast array of session musicians and backing singers, the album was an amalgam of country rock, folk, gospel, soul and choral music with poetic, mystical lyrics. The fact that No Other wasn't a conventional pop/rock opus meant that its chances of success were greatly minimised by Clark's relative obscurity. Furthermore, its production costs of $100,000 which yielded only eight tracks prompted Geffen to berate Clark and Kaye. The album then stalled in the charts at #144. On a more personal note, the singer's return to Los Angeles and his reversion to a hedonistic lifestyle resulted in the disintegration of his marriage. In spite of these setbacks, he mounted his first solo tour (by road), playing colleges and clubs with backing group, the Silverados.
Two Sides to Every Story
Throughout 1975 and 1976, Clark hinted to the press that he was assembling a set of "cosmic Motown" songs fusing country-rock with R&B and funk, elaborating on the soundscapes of No Other. A set of ten demos were submitted to RSO Records, who promptly bought out Clark's contract.
In 1977, Clark released his RSO Records debut entitled Two Sides to Every Story. Once again produced by Thomas Jefferson Kaye but with a much more understated hand, the record was another characteristic offering of his style of sensitive country-rock balladry but failed to achieve US chart success. In a belated attempt to find an appreciative public, he temporarily overcame his fear of flying and launched an international promotional tour.
McGuinn, Clark and Hillman
For his British tour dates, Clark found himself on the same bill as ex-Byrds Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman. The three signed with Capitol Records which released their self-titled debut in 1979. McGuinn, Clark and Hillman was a rebirth in both performing and songwriting for Clark. McGuinn's "Don't You Write Her Off" reached #33 in April 1979. Many felt that the album's slick production and disco rhythms didn't flatter the group, and the album had mixed success both critically and commercially, but it sold enough to generate a follow up. McGuinn, Clark and Hillman's second release was to have been a full group effort entitled City, but a combination of Clark's unreliability and his dissatisfaction with their musical direction (mostly regarding Ron and Howard Albert's production) resulted in the billing change on City to "Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, featuring Gene Clark". Despite the turmoil, Clark penned a classic love song, "Won't Let You Down", rumoured to have been offered as an olive branch to the other former Byrds. By 1981, Clark had left, and the group recorded one more album as "McGuinn/Hillman".
Rehabilitation, Firebyrd, and So Rebellious a Lover
Clark moved to Hawaii with Jesse Ed Davis to try to overcome his drug dependency, remaining there until the end of 1981. Upon his return to L.A., he assembled a new band and proceeded to record what would eventually become the album Firebyrd (the title acknowledges the Byrds and Firefall origins of some members). While waiting for Firebyrd to be released, Clark joined up with Chris Hillman and others in an abortive venture called Flyte which failed to secure a recording contract and was quickly dissolved. Firebyrd's eventual release in 1984 coincided with the emergence of jangle rockers like R.E.M. and Tom Petty who had sparked a new interest in the Byrds. Clark began developing new fans among L.A.'s roots-conscious paisley underground scene. Later in the decade, he embraced his new status by appearing as a guest with The Long Ryders and by cutting a duo album with Carla Olson of the Textones titled So Rebellious a Lover in 1986.
Later career, illness and death
So Rebellious a Lover became a modest commercial success, but Clark began to develop serious health problems; he had ulcers, aggravated by years of heavy drinking (often used to alleviate his chronic travel anxiety), and in 1988 he underwent surgery, during which much of his stomach and intestines had to be removed. A period of abstinence and recovery followed until Tom Petty's cover of "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better," on his 1989 album Full Moon Fever, yielded a huge amount of royalty money to Clark who quickly reverted to drug and alcohol abuse. The Byrds set aside their differences long enough to appear together at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in January 1991, where the original lineup played a few songs together, including Clark's "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better." However, Clark's health continued to decline as his drinking accelerated and on May 24, 1991, he died at the age of 46 of a heart attack. He was buried in Tipton under a simple headstone inscribed "Harold Eugene Clark - No Other."
Discography
Studio Albums
* Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers (1967)
* The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark (1968) – with Doug Dillard
* Through the Morning, Through the Night (1969) – with Doug Dillard
* White Light a.k.a. Gene Clark (1971)
* Roadmaster (1972)
* No Other (1974)
* Two Sides to Every Story (1977)
* McGuinn, Clark & Hillman (1978) – with Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman
* City (1980) – with Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman
* Firebyrd (1984)
* So Rebellious a Lover (1987) – with Carla Olson
Live albums
* Silhouetted in Light (1992) – with Carla Olson
* In Concert (2007) – with Carla Olson
* Silverado '75: Live & Unreleased (2008)
Compilations
* Echoes (1991) – collection of early material recorded with The Byrds and the Gosdin Brothers
* American Dreamer 1964–1974 (1993) – best of
* Flying High (1998) – anthology
* Gypsy Angel (2001) – collection of previously unreleased material
* Under the Silvery Moon (2003) – collection of previously unreleased material
* Set You Free: Gene Clark in The Byrds 1964–1973 (2004) – collection of material recorded with The Byrds
Covered songs
During his career and subsequent to his death, Gene Clark's songs have been covered by a number of artists. Ian Matthews was an early promoter of Clark's songs, covering "Polly" on Matthews' 1972 Journeys from Gospel Oak album, and "Tried So Hard" on his 1974 Some Days You Eat The Bear album. Death In Vegas and Paul Weller covered his song "So You Say You Lost Your Baby" on their 2003 album Scorpio Rising. In 2007, two of his songs were recorded by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant on the T-Bone Burnett produced Raising Sand: "Polly Come Home" and "Through the Morning, Through the Night." Also in 2007, Chris and Rich Robinson released a live version of "Polly" on their Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy album. This Mortal Coil covered "Strength of Strings" from his LP No Other and "With Tomorrow" from LP White light. Soulsavers with Mark Lanegan recorded a version of "Some Misunderstanding" from No Otheron their 2009 release Broken.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/24/10 at 9:55 am
Always lifts my spirits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWfZ5SZZ4xE
Cat
Nice :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/24/10 at 3:11 pm
The person born on this day...Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), best known by her stage name of Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress. She fronted two groups, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which received minor success on the pop charts in the 1960s, and Labelle, which received acclaim and a mainstream breakthrough in 1974 with their song "Lady Marmalade". She went on to have a solo recording career, earning another U.S. #1 single in 1986 with "On My Own," a duet with Michael McDonald.
She is renowned for her passionate stage performances, wide vocal range and distinctive high-octave belting. Her biography, Don't Block the Blessings, remained at the top of the The New York Times best-seller list for several weeks. She has reportedly sold over 50 million records worldwide.
LaBelle was born Patricia Louise Holt in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Henry Holt, a railroad worker, and Bertha Robinson Holt, a housewife. The third of four sisters (and the fourth of five, the Holts also had one son), Holt began singing at church at an earlier age. During an audition for a school play, a teacher advised Holt to form a singing group.
Holt, who was nicknamed "Patsy" by friends and family, formed a four-member girl group called the Ordettes in 1959. In 1960, when two of the original Ordettes left, Holte and fellow Ordette Sandra Tucker brought in singers Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, from a recently defunct rival group. When Tucker's family made Sandra leave the group, she was replaced by hometown friend Cindy Birdsong. With her mother's blessings, Patti left high school to tour with the Ordettes. The group was managed by Bernard Montague and toured from local nightclubs to honky tonks and truck stops.
During an audition with Newtown Records, the Ordettes almost didn't get a recording contract because Holt, who was the lead singer was considered "too plain, too dark and unattractive" until she sang for him. Afterwards, he suggested a name change for Holt. Add to the irony after his initial disappointment of Holt, the surname LaBelle was French for "the beautiful". Signing them in 1961, the boss also changed the name of the group to The Bluebelles, named initially after a Newtown subsidiary (Bluebelle Records), which later led to threats of a lawsuit over another girl group's manager. The name was altered to Patti LaBelle and Her Bluebelles in 1963 and changed slightly to Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles two years later.
Group career: 1962 - 1977
Main article: Labelle
The Bluebelles' first single, "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", was actually recorded by The Starlets and was released as a Bluebelles single due to contract obligations the Starlets had with their own label, Pam Records. Credited to Patti's group, the song peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. Going out on the road, the group became a successful draw on the chitlin' circuit, mainly earning national fame at The Apollo Theater where they became "Apollo Sweethearts". The group enjoyed a modestly successful recording career, which included top 40 recordings such as their gospel-styled doo-wop renditions of traditional songs such as "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Danny Boy". In 1963, their ballad "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)" became a top 40 hit. In 1965, after recording for Newtown and Cameo-Parkway, the group landed a stint at Atlantic Records gaining some modest success recording Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", a song LaBelle would record as a soloist over a decade later and which later became a concert staple in LaBelle's shows since. The group also recorded the modest pop hit, "All or Nothing". The group also sung background for Wilson Pickett's hit "634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.)" while with Atlantic. In 1967, Cindy Birdsong shocked the group when she left to replace Florence Ballard of The Supremes. The abrupt exit caused friction between the group members and LaBelle wouldn't speak to Birdsong again in nearly 20 years.
During the late 1960s, the Bluebelles toured England where they had a local following. Elton John met LaBelle in the mid-1960s when he and his group Bluesology played background for the Bluebelles during their UK gigs. In 1970, the Bluebelles were dropped from Atlantic and also lost their manager Montague,who had signed Philadelphia's "Delfonics". The group almost signed with DJ promoters Frankie Crocker and Herb Hamlett, but Hamlett left the industry for a law career, leaving the group to eventually hire Dusty Springfield's manager Vicki Wickham, she advised the group to revive their image and sound. Though LaBelle admitted having difficulty with the change, she eventually agreed after her two band mates, including Nona Hendryx, convinced her the move would bring popularity to the group. Returning to America the following year, they changed their name to Labelle and released their self-titled debut on Warner Bros. Records. The same year, they gained a cult following after opening for The Who and appeared as backup for Laura Nyro's accomplished album, Gonna Take a Miracle. After releasing two more transitional albums, including 1972's Moon Shadow and 1973's Pressure Cookin', which had the group recording more political affair including a famed remake of Gil Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". In 1973, the group was asked to change their look again, after discovering the success of glam rockers David Bowie and T-Rex, to glammed-up wardrobe. In time, the group's trademark wear included pieces of silver (LaBelle herself began wearing silver-haired wigs and knee-high silver boots).
In September 1974, after two weeks in New Orleans, Labelle released their landmark album, Nightbirds, which successfully mixed glam rock and soul with funk elements. Their biggest hit, "Lady Marmalade", became their very first number-one hit, and the group went on a successful national tour that started with a rave performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, where they became the first contemporary pop group to open there and the first African American group to perform there. The group advised fans to "wear something silver" during the famed event. In 1975, Labelle became the first black vocal group to land a cover on Rolling Stone. The group founded some commercial and critical success with the releases of rockier efforts such as Phoenix and Chameleon, famed for the feminist funk classic, "Get You Somebody New" and Patti's magnum opus, a cover of Randy Edelman's rock ballad, "Isn't It a Shame" though it didn't match up with the success of Nightbirds. After failing to come to terms with musical direction, the group agreed to split up in early 1977 for solo careers.
Solo career
Early solo career: 1977 - 1982
LaBelle released her self-titled debut in 1977 on Epic Records, which featured the top twenty R&B dance single, "Joy to Have Your Love" and the modestly-charted gospel ballad, "You Are My Friend", which she co-wrote and dedicated to her son. The album received critical acclaim but didn't give LaBelle any commercial success. Other albums such as 1978's Tasty 1979's It's Alright with Me, 1980's Released and 1981's The Spirit's in It, which included her now classic solo cover of her old Bluebelles single, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", also failed to chart successfully. On July 21, 1979, she appeared at the Amandla Festival along with Bob Marley, Dick Gregory and Eddie Palmieri, among others. That same year, she cut a performance for Richard Pryor's Wanted concert film though her scenes were cut. In 1980, she scored a Dutch top twenty hit and a modest U.S. dance hit with "Release (The Tension)". Three years later, in 1982, LaBelle and singer Al Green participated in the revival of the successful Broadway play, "Your Arm's Too Short to Box with God". That same year she also appeared in a televised play that aired on PBS. That same year, she recorded the hit ballad, "The Best is Yet to Come", which she was featured on by Grover Washington, Jr. The song reached number fourteen on the R&B chart and garnered LaBelle her first solo Grammy Award nomination.
Successful period: 1983 - 2000
LaBelle didn't start to experience commercial solo success until 1983 when she released her first charted hit album, I'm in Love Again, which featured LaBelle's first #1 R&B and top fifty pop hit with "If Only You Knew" and two subsequent top 10 R&B hits including "I'm in Love Again" and "Love, Need and Want You." The album became her first solo release to be certified gold. In 1984, LaBelle recorded the songs "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up" for the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. Both songs became mainstays on pop radio with "New Attitude" reaching the pop top 20. During this period, LaBelle began dressing as flamboyantly as she did during the Labelle days in an effort to carve out an original persona. LaBelle's appearances on Motown Returns to the Apollo and the Live Aid concerts of 1985 introduced her to a new audience. That same year, LaBelle was granted her first television special, which became highly rated, featuring Cyndi Lauper, Bill Cosby and Luther Vandross. LaBelle's popularity increased further in 1986 with the release of her best-selling album to date, Winner in You. The album yielded her first solo #1, "On My Own" with pop balladeer Michael McDonald, the Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 hit, "Oh, People," the moderate R&B chart hit, "Kiss Away The Pain" and the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart hit, "Something Special Is Gonna Happen Tonight."
LaBelle scored a moderate R&B and pop chart hit with the Diane Warren ballad, "If You Asked Me To," in 1989. The song peaked at #10 on the Adult Contemporary and R&B charts. It was later covered by Céline Dion in 1992, with striking similarity in arrangement, key and vocal styling. Dion's version peaked at #1 on both the Pop & A/C charts. In an interview with the online magazine Monaco Revue Patti claimed racism in the music industry was responsible for the difference in record sales, and revealed that accepting this was the most difficult obstacle she had to face in her career. Featured off LaBelle's album, Be Yourself, the album spawned a top ten single with the Prince-produced "Yo Mister".
In 1991, LaBelle released the gold-selling Burnin' album, which helped her win her first Grammy Award -- tying with vocalist Lisa Fischer for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance. Burnin' featured the top five R&B hits "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)", "When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)" and "Feels Like Another One." This album is also notable because it includes the first Labelle reunion recording with Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx, singing on "Release Yourself". The trio reunited again as Labelle in 1995 for the recording of the dance song, "Turn It Out", which hit number-one on the dance singles chart. Success continued with subsequent albums like 1994's Gems (featuring the hit "The Right Kinda Lover"), 1997's Flame (featuring the hit "When You Talk About Love"), and 1998's Live One Night Only winning LaBelle her a second Grammy (this time, without tying).
During this period, LaBelle had a recurring role as Adele Wayne (mother of Dwayne Wayne) in the NBC sitcom A Different World and also starred in her own sitcom, Out All Night playing a club owner and former R&B star named Chelsea Paige, which debuted in 1992 and canceled in 1993 after 19 episodes. In January 1995, La Belle performed at the Super Bowl XXIX halftime show, with Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval and the Miami Sound Machine, in a program entitled "Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye", to promote the upcoming Disney theme park attraction.
Later career and current work: 2000 - present
In 2000, LaBelle released her final album for the MCA label. When a Woman Loves features a collection of ballads written entirely by songwriter Diane Warren. LaBelle also announced her divorce from her only husband, Armstead, who had been her manager for 30 years. Four years would pass before LaBelle released a new album under Island Def Jam with the album, Timeless Journey, which saw LaBelle adding a modern hip-hop flavor to her brand of classic R&B. The album featured the modest hit "A New Day", which became a dance hit and also became her highest-charted album in nearly twenty years reaching number-sixteen on the Billboard 200. LaBelle's 2005 follow-up, a covers album, Classic Moments, was released. Despite the modest success, LaBelle battled against Def Jam president Antonio "L.A." Reid over the album's promotion and abruptly left the label.
In 2006, LaBelle issued her oft-promised gospel album on an independent label titled The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle was released. As a promotion, all copies sold at the retailer, Wal-Mart, contained a bonus track, "The Lord's Prayer". The album debuted at #86 on the Billboard 200, #17 on the R&B chart and peaked at #1 on the Gospel chart. A year later, LaBelle re-signed with Def Jam Records after Reid began re-negotiated terms with LaBelle. The new Def Jam release was her second holiday album called, Miss Patti's Christmas, released in 2007.
The year 2008 saw Patti LaBelle reunite with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash to release their first full album in thirty-two years with the Verve Records release, Back to Now. The collection blended newly recorded tracks with songs recorded before the initial break-up of Labelle. "Superlover", a single from the album, peaked at number sixty-seven on the R&B chart in early 2009. Musician Wyclef Jean also lent his songwriting and producing talents to the ultra-contemporary track, "Roll Out". Other producers involved in the album included superstar black rocker Lenny Kravitz, plus legendary classic Philadelphia soul producer/writers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.
In June 2009 LaBelle was honored at New York's Harlem Apollo Theater after she was inducted to the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame by admirers such as pop stars Mariah Carey and Prince. After she was inducted, LaBelle said, "The Apollo is a national treasure, I'm overwhelmed and honored to be recognized on this stage." In 2010, LaBelle contributed to the soundtrack of the movie, Cop Out, with the song "Soul Brother", featuring a reunion with her "Stir It Up" producer Harold Faltermeyer. LaBelle is currently at work on a brand new album with Island Def Jam that will be scheduled for release this year.
Discography
Main article: Patti LaBelle discography
See also
* List of number-one dance hits (United States)
* List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
Selective awards and recognition
Grammy history
Patti LaBelle Grammy Award History
Year Category Title Genre Result
2004 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance "New Day" R&B Nominee
2003 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance "Way Up There" R&B Nominee
2003 Grammy Hall of Fame "Lady Marmalade" R&B Inducted
1998 Traditional R&B Vocal Performance Live! One Night Only R&B Winner
1997 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "When You Talk About Love" R&B Nominee
Best R&B Album Flame R&B Nominee
1993 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "All Right Now (live)" R&B Nominee
1991 Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group "Superwoman" (with Gladys Knight & Dionne Warwick) R&B Nominee
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Burnin' R&B Winner
1990 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "I Can't Complain" R&B Nominee
1986 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Winner in You R&B Nominee
Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group "On My Own" (with Michael McDonald) Pop Nominee
1985 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "New Attitude" R&B Nominee
1983 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "The Best Is Yet to Come" R&B Nominee
Other Awards
Patti LaBelle Awards
Year Category Title Result Notes
2006 Best Actress - Television, Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special NAACP Image Awards Nominee Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy
2006 Best Gospel Artist NAACP Image Awards Nominee
2004 Best Female Artist NAACP Image Awards Nominee
2003 Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award Songwriter's Hall of Fame *Winner*
2001 Lena Horne Lifetime Achievement Award Lady of Soul Awards *Winner*
1998 Best Performance - Variety Series/Special NAACP Image Awards *Winner* Live! One Night Only
1996 Best Performance - Variety Series/Special NAACP Image Awards *Winner* The Essence Awards
1995 Heritage Award - Career Achievement Soul Train Music Awards *Winner*
1992 Favorite Rhythm and Blues/Soul Artist, Female American Music Awards *Winner*
1986 Favorite Rhythm and Blues/Soul Artist, Female American Music Awards Nominee
1986 Outstanding Individual Performance, Variety or Music Program Emmy Awards Nominee Sylvia Fine Kaye's Musical Comedy Tonight III
Tours
* 1985: Look To The Rainbow Tour
* 1986-1987: Winner In You Tour
* 1991: Burnin' Tour
* 1995: Gems Tour
* 1997-1998: Flame Tour
* 2000: When a Woman Loves Tour
* 2005: Timeless Journey Tour
* 2006: Classic Moments Tour
* 2008: Divas with Heart Tour (w/Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Diana Ross)
* 2008/2009: Back to Now Tour (w/Labelle)
Filmography
* 1979: Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (documentary) (scenes deleted)
* 1984: A Soldier's Story
* 1986: Unnatural Causes
* 1989: Sing
* 1990: A Different World
* 1994: The Nanny
* 2002: Sylvester: Mighty Real (short subject)
* 2005: Preaching to the Choir
* 2006: Idlewild
* 2007: Cover
* 2008: Semi-Pro
* 2010: Mama, I Want to Sing!
Music video
* Going Home to Gospel with Patti Labelle (1991) with Albertina Walker ("Queen of Gospel"), Barrett Sisters, Ricky Dillard and many more.
TV talkshow music appearances
* An Evening With The Stars: A Tribute to Patti Labelle
* Oprah show (Oprah's 40 Birthday) with Aretha Franklin & Gladys Knight, singing their rendition of Chaka Khan's I'm Every Woman
* Dolly Parton show
* The View talk show
* The Arsenio Hall Show
* The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
* The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
* The 1998 ALMA Awards
* The Tyra Banks Show talk show
* The Wendy Williams Show talk show
* The Puzzle Place Jim Hinson puppet show
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Happy 66th Patti. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/25/10 at 5:59 am
The word of the day...Design(ing)
Design is the planning that lays the basis for the making of every object or system. It can be used both as a noun and as a verb and, in a broader way, it means applied arts and engineering (See design disciplines below). As a verb, "to design" refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a product, structure, system, or component with intention. As a noun, "a design" is used for either the final (solution) plan (e.g. proposal, drawing, model, description) or the result of implementing that plan in the form of the final product of a design process. This classification aside, in its broadest sense no other limitations exist and the final product can be anything from clothing to graphical user interfaces to skyscrapers. Even virtual concepts such as corporate identity and cultural traditions such as celebration of certain holidays are sometimes designed. More recently, processes (in general) have also been treated as products of design, giving new meaning to the term process design.
The person designing is called a designer, which is also a term used for people who work professionally in one of the various design areas, usually also specifying which area is being dealt with (such as a fashion designer, concept designer or web designer). Designing often requires a designer to consider the aesthetic, functional, and many other aspects of an object or a process, which usually requires considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design. With such a broad definition, there is no universal language or unifying institution for designers of all disciplines. This allows for many differing philosophies and approaches toward the subject. However, serious study of design demands increased focus on the design process.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/25/10 at 6:02 am
The person who was born on this day...Dixie Carter
Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010) was an American film, television and stage actress, best-known for her role in the sitcom Designing Women (1986–1993). She was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives in 2007 Carter was born in McLemoresville, Tennessee, and spent many of her early years in Memphis. She attended college at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College). She was a graduate of Memphis State (now University of Memphis) with a degree in English.
At school, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. In 1959, Carter competed in the Miss Tennessee pageant, where she placed first runner-up to Mickie Weyland.
Career
In 1960, Carter made her professional stage debut in a Memphis production of Carousel. She moved to New York City in 1963 and got a part in a production of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.
After an eight-year hiatus from acting, she returned to the craft in 1974, when she filled in for actress Nancy Pinkerton as Dorian Cramer on One Life to Live, while Pinkerton was on maternity leave. She subsequently was cast in the role of Assistant D.A. Olivia Brandeis "Brandy" Henderson on the soap opera The Edge of Night, on which she appeared from 1974 to 1976. (She went along with the show when it switched from CBS to ABC.) Carter took the role even though some advised her that doing a daytime soap might negatively affect her career. However, it was with this role that Carter was first noticed, and after leaving Edge of Night in 1976, she relocated from New York to Los Angeles and pursued prime-time television roles.
She appeared in series such as Out of the Blue, On Our Own, Diff'rent Strokes and Filthy Rich (1982). Carter's appearance in Filthy Rich paved the way for her best-known role, that of interior decorator Julia Sugarbaker in the 1980s/1990s television program Designing Women, set in Atlanta, Georgia. Filthy Rich had been created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who went on to create Designing Women. (Filthy Rich also featured future Designing Women cast member Delta Burke in its cast.) Hal Holbrook, her real-life husband, had a recurring role as Reese Watson, and Carter's daughters, Ginna and Mary Dixie, also had guest-star roles as Julia Sugarbaker's nieces, Jennifer and Camilla.
Famous for portraying strong-minded Southern women, Carter provided the voice of Necile in Mike Young Productions' direct-to-video 2000 cartoon feature The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. She was also in the voice cast of My Neighbors the Yamadas, the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli's 1999 anime movie Hôhokekyo Tonari No Yamadâkun.
From 1999 to 2002, she portrayed Randi King on the legal drama Family Law, portraying a lawyer for the first time since she was Brandy Henderson on The Edge of Night. In 2004, she made a guest appearance on Law and Order: SVU, playing a defense attorney named Denise Brockmorton in the episode called Home, in which she defended the paranoid mother of two children (Diane Venora) who had manipulated her older son to kill the younger son, after breaking her home rules.
Carter starred in several Broadway musicals and plays. She appeared on and off-Broadway as well, playing the role of Melba Snyder in the 1976 Circle in the Square revival of Pal Joey and most recently portraying diva Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's Master Class, a role created by Zoe Caldwell.
Later projects
In 2006–07 Carter found renewed fame with a new generation of fans as the very disturbed and disturbing Gloria Hodge on Desperate Housewives, earning an Emmy nomination for her work on the series. Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry started out in Hollywood as Carter's assistant on the set of Designing Women.
Carter gave an interview in 2006 for the feature length documentary, That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor, which received support from Taylor's family and many of Dub's previous co-workers, including Bill Cosby, Peter Fonda, Don Collier, Cheryl Rogers-Barnett and many others. The project was scheduled to have its World Premiere at Taylor's childhood hometown of Augusta, Georgia on April 14, 2007.
Her final film was That Evening Sun, which she filmed on location with her husband Hal Holbrook in East Tennessee in the summer of 2008. The film was produced by Dogwood Entertainment (a subsidiary of DoubleJay Creative) and is based on a short story by William Gay. That Evening Sun premiered at South By Southwest, where it competed for the narrative feature grand jury prize.
Personal life
In 1967, Carter married businessman Arthur Carter (no prior relation). They had two daughters (who would later appear in an episode of Designing Women), Mary Dixie and Ginna. Following the birth of her daughters, Carter left acting for eight years to focus on raising her children.
She divorced Arthur Carter in 1977, and married Broadway and TV actor George Hearn the same year. Two years later, in 1979, she divorced Hearn. She married for the third time on May 27, 1984, to Hal Holbrook (14 years her senior), who is most noted for his appearances as Mark Twain. Carter renovated her old family home in McLemoresville. She and Holbrook divided their time between their homes in Beverly Hills, California, and McLemoresville, Tennessee, where Carter's elderly father, Halbert, resided until his death in early 2007, at age 96.
In 1996, Carter published a memoir titled Trying to Get to Heaven, in which she talked frankly about her life with Hal Holbrook, Designing Women, and her plastic surgery during the show's run. She acknowledged, along with other celebrities, having used HGH (Human Growth Hormone) for its anti-aging properties.
Political views
Carter was also a registered Republican who described her political views as libertarian. She was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly along with Pat Boone at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Although her Designing Women character, Julia Sugarbaker, was known for her liberal political views and subsequent monologues, Carter disagreed with many of her character's left-of-center commentaries, and made a deal with the producers that for every speech she had to make, with which she disagreed, Julia would get to sing a song in a future episode. Carter once jokingly described herself as "the only Republican in show business". She was also a strong supporter of the gay community.
Death and legacy
Carter died on April 10, 2010, in Houston, Texas. Her death was announced by her husband, actor Hal Holbrook, who stated the cause as complications from endometrial cancer which was diagnosed earlier in 2010. In addition to Holbrook, she is survived by her daughters from her first marriage: Ginna Carter (of Los Angeles) and Mary Dixie Carter (of Brooklyn) as well as a sister, Melba Helen Heath (of San Anselmo, California) and several nephews and nieces.
Legacy
The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center (informally called "The Dixie") in Huntingdon, Tennessee is named in honor of Carter.
In addition to family, her funeral, held on April 15, 2010, was attended by Designing Women co-stars Delta Burke, Annie Potts and Jean Smart. Dixie Carter was interred in her hometown, McLemoresville, Tennessee.
Actress
* 2009: That Evening Sun — Ellen Meecham
* 2008: Our First Christmas (TV) — Evie Baer
* 2006: Desperate Housewives — Gloria Hodge (7 episodes, 2006–2007)
* 2005: Hope & Faith — Joyce Shanowski (1 episode, 2005)
* 2004: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — Denise Brockmorton (1 episode, 2004)
* 2004: Sudbury (TV)
* 2003: Comfort and Joy (TV) — Frederica
* 1999: Family Law — Randi King (68 episodes, 1999–2002)
* 2001: The Big Day — Carol
* 2000: The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (V) (voice) — Necile
* 1999: Ladies Man — Peaches (9 episodes, 1999–2000)
* 1999: Hôhokekyo tonari no Yamada-kun (voice: English version)
* 1997: Fired Up — Rita (2 episodes, 1997)
* 1996: Gone in the Night (TV) — Ann Dowaliby
* 1995: Diagnosis: Murder — D.A. Patricia Purcell (1 episode, 1995)
* 1995: Dazzle (TV) — Lydie Kilkullen
* 1994: Christy — Julia Huddleston (1 episode, 1994)
* 1994: Gambler V: Playing for Keeps (TV) — Lillie Langtry
* 1994: A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (TV) — Louise Archer
* 1986: Designing Women — Julia Sugarbaker (163 episodes, 1986–1993)
* 1986: Crazy Like a Fox (1 episode, 1986)
* 1984: Diff'rent Strokes — Maggie McKinney (28 episodes, 1984–1985)
* 1983: Going Berserk — Angela
* 1982: Filthy Rich — Carlotta Beck (15 episodes, 1982–1983)
* 1982: Lou Grant — Jessica Lindner (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: The Greatest American Hero — Samantha O'Neill (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Quincy, M.E. — Dr. Alicia Ranier (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Best of the West — Mae Markham (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Bret Maverick — Hallie McCulloch (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Cassie & Co. — Evelyn Weller (1 episode, 1982)
* 1981: The Killing of Randy Webster (TV) — Billie Webster
* 1980: O.H.M.S. (TV) — Nora Wing
* 1979: Out of the Blue — Marion Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
* 1977: On Our Own — April Baxter (22 episodes, 1977–1978)
* 1977: The Andros Targets — Rita (1 episode, 1977)
* 1974: The Edge of Night TV series — Assistant District Attorney Olivia Brandeis Henderson (unknown episodes, 1974–1976)
* 1963: The Doctors TV series — Unknown (late 1970s) (unknown episodes)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/25/10 at 6:09 am
The person who died on this day...Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker (July 16, 1941 – May 25, 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967) and "It Miek" (1969). Before the ascent of Bob Marley, Dekker was one of the most popular musicians within Jamaica, and one of the best-known musicians outside it
He was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in St. Andrew, Jamaica and grew up in Kingston, where he attended the Alpha Boys' School. After his mother took ill and died, his father moved him to St. Mary, and then to St. Thomas, where he apprenticed as a tailor before returning to Kingston and taking a job as a welder, singing around his workplace while his co-workers encouraged him. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither was impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong's Beverley's record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label's biggest star.
Career
With Morgan's support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963 because Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song, which "Honour Your Mother and Father" was felt to be. "Honour Your Mother and Father" was a hit and was followed by "Sinners Come Home" and "Labour for Learning", and at this time Desmond Dacres became Desmond Dekker. His fourth hit made him into one of the island's biggest stars. It was "King of Ska", a rowdy and jubilant song on which Dekker was backed by The Cherrypies (also known as The Maytals). Dekker then recruited four brothers, Carl, Patrick, Clive and Barry who became his backing band, The Four Aces.
Dekker and the Howards recorded a number of hits including "Parents", "Get Up Edina", "This Woman" and "Mount Zion". Until 1967 Dekker's songs were polite and conveyed respectable, mainstream messages. In that year, however, he appeared on Derrick Morgan's "Tougher Than Tough", which helped begin a trend of popular songs glamorizing the violent rude boy culture. Dekker's own songs did not go to the extremes of many other popular tunes, though he did introduce lyrics that resonated with the rude boys starting with one of his best-known songs, "007 (Shanty Town)". The song established Dekker as a rude boy icon and he also became an established hero in the United Kingdom's mod scene. "007 (Shanty Town)" was a Top 15 hit in the UK, and Dekker toured that country with a posse of mods following him.
Dekker continued with songs in the same vein such as "Rude Boy Train" and "Rudie Got Soul", as well as continuing with his previous themes of religion and morality in songs like "It's a Shame", "Wise Man", "Hey Grandma", "Unity", "If It Pays", "Mother's Young Girl" and "Sabotage". His "Pretty Africa" is a long-standing favourite among his fans and may be the earliest popular song promoting repatriation. Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town).
In 1968 Dekker's "Israelites" was released, eventually topping the UK Singles Chart (the first reggae hit to do so) and peaking in the Top Ten of the US Billboard Hot 100. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with a form and style that was purely Jamaican, though he never repeated the feat. That same year saw the release of "Beautiful and Dangerous", "Writing on the Wall", "Music Like Dirt" (which won the Festival Song Contest), "Bongo Girl" and "Shing a Ling". Also in 1968, he was referenced by The Beatles in the ska-influenced, Paul McCartney penned song, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" (from The White Album) starting with the lyric: - "Desmond has a barrow in the market-place".
1969 saw the release of "It Mek", which first had only lukewarm success but was re-recorded and then became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. Dekker also released "Problems" and "Pickney Gal", both of which were popular in Jamaica but had only limited success elsewhere.
1970s
In the 1970s Dekker spent most of his time touring and moved to the UK, where he continued to record. Among his best known releases of this period was "You Can Get It If You Really Want", written by Jimmy Cliff. Dekker had not wanted to record it but was persuaded by Leslie Kong. Dekker's version uses the same instrumental backing track as Cliff's original. Kong, whose production had been a crucial part of both Dekker's and Cliff's careers, died in 1971, and so both of his protegés lost direction for a period before returning to music.
Dekker continued recording, but with only limited success until he began working with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. His first hit with the pair was 1975's UK top 20 hit "Sing a Little Song". After the UK top ten re-charting of "Israelites" in 1975, Dekker did not chart in the UK again for some time. Dekker also found only a limited audience in Jamaica.
At the end of the 1970s, Dekker signed with Stiff Records, a punk label linked with the 2 Tone movement, a fusion of punk and ska. He recorded an album called Black & Dekker which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band and the Akrylykz (featuring Roland Gift, later of the Fine Young Cannibals). "Israelites" became the first hit and a Top Ten Belgian hit and was followed by "Please Don't Bend", Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross" and "Book of Rules". His next album was Compass Point, produced by Robert Palmer. Though it did not sell well, Dekker was still a popular live performer and toured with The Rumour.
1980s and later
In the early 1980s, as the 2 Tone movement died out, he saw his fortunes dwindle and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. Only a single live album was released in the late 80s, but a new version of "Israelites" reawakened public interest in 1990, following its use in a Maxell advertisement. He re-recorded some old singles, and worked with The Specials for 1992's King of Kings', which used hits from Dekker's musical heroes, including Derrick Morgan. He also collaborated on a remix version of "Israelites" with reggae artist Apache Indian.
Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, England, aged 64. He was preparing to headline a world music festival in Prague. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and a daughter.
Backing band
The Aces - The current line up for Dekker's backing band, who are still performing tribute concerts includes:
* Delroy Williams - Backing Vocals / M.C.
* Gordon Mulrain - Bass guitarist and session musician. Mulrain is also known as music producer 'Innerheart' and co-founder of British record label Ambiel Music.
* Aubrey Mulrain - Keyboard player and session musician.
* Steve Roberts - Guitarist and session musician, also a member of the British band Dubzone.
* Leroy Green - Drums and session musician.
* Stan Samuel - Guitarist and session musician
* Charles Nelson - Keyboard player and session musician.
This particular line-up also recorded with Dekker on some of his later studio sessions in the 1990s.
Discography
Albums
* 007 Shanty Town (1967) Doctor Bird (Desmond Dekker & the Aces)
* Action! (1968) (Desmond Dekker & the Aces)
* This Is Desmond Dekkar (1969) - Trojan Records (UK #27)
* Israelites (1969) Doctor Bird
* Intensified (1970) - Lagoon
* You Can Get It If You Really Want (1970) - Trojan
* Black And Dekker (1980) Stiff
* Compass Point (1981) Stiff
* King of Kings with The Specials (1993) - Trojan Records
Compilation albums
* Double Dekker (1973) Trojan
* Dekker's Sweet 16 Hits (1979) Trojan
* The Original Reggae Hitsound (1985) Trojan
* 20 Golden Pieces of Desmond Dekker (1987) Bulldog
* The Official Live and Rare (1987) Trojan
* Greatest Hits (1988) Streetlife
* The Best of & The Rest of (1990) Action Replay
* Music Like Dirt (1992) Trojan
* Rockin' Steady - The Best of Desmond Dekker (1992) Rhino
* Crucial Cuts (1993) Music Club
* Israelites (1994) Laserlight
* Action (1995) Lagoon
* Voice of Ska (1995) Emporio
* Moving On (1996) Trojan
* The Israelites (1996) Marble Arch
* First Time for a Long Time (1997) Trojan
* Desmond Dekker Archive (1997) Rialto
* The Writing on the Wall (1998) Trojan
* Israelites (1999) Castle Pie
* Israelites: The Best Of Desmond Dekker (1963-1971) - Trojan (1999)
* Desmond Dekker (2000) Snapper
* The Very Best Of (2000) Jet Set
* This Is Desmond Dekker (Bonus Tracks) - Trojan (2006)
Singles
Early solo singles
* "Honour Your Mother and Father" (1963) Island (as Desmond Dekker & Beverley's Allstars)
* "Parents" (1964) Island
* "King of Ska" (1964) Island (as Desmond Dekkar and his Cherry Pies)
* "Dracula" (1964) Black Swan (as Desmond Dekkar)
Desmond Dekker & the Four Aces
* "Generosity" (1965) Island
* "Get Up Adina" (1965) Island
* "This Woman" (1965) Island
* "Mount Zion" (1965) Island
Desmond Dekker & the Aces
* "007 (Shanty Town)" (1967) - Doctor Bird
* "Oh Holy Night" (1967) Doctor Bird
* "Wise Man" (1967) Pyramid
* "007 Shanty Town" (1967) Pyramid
* "It's a Shame" (1967) Pyramid
* "Rudy Got Soul" (1967) Pyramid
* "Rude Boy Train" (1967) Pyramid
* "Mother's Young Gal" (1967) Pyramid
* "Unity" (1967) Pyramid
* "Sabotage" (1967) Pyramid
* "It Pays" (1967) Pyramid
* "Beautiful and Dangerous" (1967) Pyramid
* "Bongo Gal" (1967) Pyramid
* "To Sir, With Love" (1967) Pyramid
* "Mother Pepper" (1967) Pyramid
* "Hey Grandma" (1967) Pyramid
* "Music Like Dirt (Intensified)" (1967) Pyramid
* "It Miek" (1968) Pyramid
* "Israelites" (1968) - Pyramid (UK #1, U.S. #9)
* "Christmas Day" (1968) Pyramid
* "It Miek" (1969) - Pyramid (UK #7)
* "Pickney Gal" (1969) - Pyramid (UK #42)
Later solo singles
* "You Can Get It If You Really Want" (1970) - Trojan
* "The Song We Used to Sing" (1970) Trojan
* "Licking Stick" (1971) Trojan
* "It Gotta Be So" (1972) Trojan
* "Beware" (1972) Rhino
* "Sing a Little Song" (1973) Rhino
* "Everybody Join Hands" (1973) Rhino
* "Busted Lad" (1974) Rhino
* "Israelites (re-recording)" (1975) - Cactus (UK #10)
* "Sing A Little Song" (1975) - Cactus (UK #16)
* "Roots Rock" (1977) Feelgood
* "Israelites (new mix)" (1980) Stiff
* "Please Don't Bend" (1980) Stiff
* "Many Rivers to Cross" (1980) Stiff
* "We Can and Shall" (1981) Stiff
* "Book of Rules" (1982) Stiff
* "Hot City" (1983) Stiff
* "Jamaica Ska" (1993) Trojan
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/25/10 at 3:07 pm
The person who was born on this day...Dixie Carter
Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010) was an American film, television and stage actress, best-known for her role in the sitcom Designing Women (1986–1993). She was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives in 2007 Carter was born in McLemoresville, Tennessee, and spent many of her early years in Memphis. She attended college at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College). She was a graduate of Memphis State (now University of Memphis) with a degree in English.
At school, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. In 1959, Carter competed in the Miss Tennessee pageant, where she placed first runner-up to Mickie Weyland.
Career
In 1960, Carter made her professional stage debut in a Memphis production of Carousel. She moved to New York City in 1963 and got a part in a production of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.
After an eight-year hiatus from acting, she returned to the craft in 1974, when she filled in for actress Nancy Pinkerton as Dorian Cramer on One Life to Live, while Pinkerton was on maternity leave. She subsequently was cast in the role of Assistant D.A. Olivia Brandeis "Brandy" Henderson on the soap opera The Edge of Night, on which she appeared from 1974 to 1976. (She went along with the show when it switched from CBS to ABC.) Carter took the role even though some advised her that doing a daytime soap might negatively affect her career. However, it was with this role that Carter was first noticed, and after leaving Edge of Night in 1976, she relocated from New York to Los Angeles and pursued prime-time television roles.
She appeared in series such as Out of the Blue, On Our Own, Diff'rent Strokes and Filthy Rich (1982). Carter's appearance in Filthy Rich paved the way for her best-known role, that of interior decorator Julia Sugarbaker in the 1980s/1990s television program Designing Women, set in Atlanta, Georgia. Filthy Rich had been created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who went on to create Designing Women. (Filthy Rich also featured future Designing Women cast member Delta Burke in its cast.) Hal Holbrook, her real-life husband, had a recurring role as Reese Watson, and Carter's daughters, Ginna and Mary Dixie, also had guest-star roles as Julia Sugarbaker's nieces, Jennifer and Camilla.
Famous for portraying strong-minded Southern women, Carter provided the voice of Necile in Mike Young Productions' direct-to-video 2000 cartoon feature The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. She was also in the voice cast of My Neighbors the Yamadas, the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli's 1999 anime movie Hôhokekyo Tonari No Yamadâkun.
From 1999 to 2002, she portrayed Randi King on the legal drama Family Law, portraying a lawyer for the first time since she was Brandy Henderson on The Edge of Night. In 2004, she made a guest appearance on Law and Order: SVU, playing a defense attorney named Denise Brockmorton in the episode called Home, in which she defended the paranoid mother of two children (Diane Venora) who had manipulated her older son to kill the younger son, after breaking her home rules.
Carter starred in several Broadway musicals and plays. She appeared on and off-Broadway as well, playing the role of Melba Snyder in the 1976 Circle in the Square revival of Pal Joey and most recently portraying diva Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's Master Class, a role created by Zoe Caldwell.
Later projects
In 2006–07 Carter found renewed fame with a new generation of fans as the very disturbed and disturbing Gloria Hodge on Desperate Housewives, earning an Emmy nomination for her work on the series. Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry started out in Hollywood as Carter's assistant on the set of Designing Women.
Carter gave an interview in 2006 for the feature length documentary, That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor, which received support from Taylor's family and many of Dub's previous co-workers, including Bill Cosby, Peter Fonda, Don Collier, Cheryl Rogers-Barnett and many others. The project was scheduled to have its World Premiere at Taylor's childhood hometown of Augusta, Georgia on April 14, 2007.
Her final film was That Evening Sun, which she filmed on location with her husband Hal Holbrook in East Tennessee in the summer of 2008. The film was produced by Dogwood Entertainment (a subsidiary of DoubleJay Creative) and is based on a short story by William Gay. That Evening Sun premiered at South By Southwest, where it competed for the narrative feature grand jury prize.
Personal life
In 1967, Carter married businessman Arthur Carter (no prior relation). They had two daughters (who would later appear in an episode of Designing Women), Mary Dixie and Ginna. Following the birth of her daughters, Carter left acting for eight years to focus on raising her children.
She divorced Arthur Carter in 1977, and married Broadway and TV actor George Hearn the same year. Two years later, in 1979, she divorced Hearn. She married for the third time on May 27, 1984, to Hal Holbrook (14 years her senior), who is most noted for his appearances as Mark Twain. Carter renovated her old family home in McLemoresville. She and Holbrook divided their time between their homes in Beverly Hills, California, and McLemoresville, Tennessee, where Carter's elderly father, Halbert, resided until his death in early 2007, at age 96.
In 1996, Carter published a memoir titled Trying to Get to Heaven, in which she talked frankly about her life with Hal Holbrook, Designing Women, and her plastic surgery during the show's run. She acknowledged, along with other celebrities, having used HGH (Human Growth Hormone) for its anti-aging properties.
Political views
Carter was also a registered Republican who described her political views as libertarian. She was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly along with Pat Boone at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Although her Designing Women character, Julia Sugarbaker, was known for her liberal political views and subsequent monologues, Carter disagreed with many of her character's left-of-center commentaries, and made a deal with the producers that for every speech she had to make, with which she disagreed, Julia would get to sing a song in a future episode. Carter once jokingly described herself as "the only Republican in show business". She was also a strong supporter of the gay community.
Death and legacy
Carter died on April 10, 2010, in Houston, Texas. Her death was announced by her husband, actor Hal Holbrook, who stated the cause as complications from endometrial cancer which was diagnosed earlier in 2010. In addition to Holbrook, she is survived by her daughters from her first marriage: Ginna Carter (of Los Angeles) and Mary Dixie Carter (of Brooklyn) as well as a sister, Melba Helen Heath (of San Anselmo, California) and several nephews and nieces.
Legacy
The Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center (informally called "The Dixie") in Huntingdon, Tennessee is named in honor of Carter.
In addition to family, her funeral, held on April 15, 2010, was attended by Designing Women co-stars Delta Burke, Annie Potts and Jean Smart. Dixie Carter was interred in her hometown, McLemoresville, Tennessee.
Actress
* 2009: That Evening Sun — Ellen Meecham
* 2008: Our First Christmas (TV) — Evie Baer
* 2006: Desperate Housewives — Gloria Hodge (7 episodes, 2006–2007)
* 2005: Hope & Faith — Joyce Shanowski (1 episode, 2005)
* 2004: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — Denise Brockmorton (1 episode, 2004)
* 2004: Sudbury (TV)
* 2003: Comfort and Joy (TV) — Frederica
* 1999: Family Law — Randi King (68 episodes, 1999–2002)
* 2001: The Big Day — Carol
* 2000: The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (V) (voice) — Necile
* 1999: Ladies Man — Peaches (9 episodes, 1999–2000)
* 1999: Hôhokekyo tonari no Yamada-kun (voice: English version)
* 1997: Fired Up — Rita (2 episodes, 1997)
* 1996: Gone in the Night (TV) — Ann Dowaliby
* 1995: Diagnosis: Murder — D.A. Patricia Purcell (1 episode, 1995)
* 1995: Dazzle (TV) — Lydie Kilkullen
* 1994: Christy — Julia Huddleston (1 episode, 1994)
* 1994: Gambler V: Playing for Keeps (TV) — Lillie Langtry
* 1994: A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (TV) — Louise Archer
* 1986: Designing Women — Julia Sugarbaker (163 episodes, 1986–1993)
* 1986: Crazy Like a Fox (1 episode, 1986)
* 1984: Diff'rent Strokes — Maggie McKinney (28 episodes, 1984–1985)
* 1983: Going Berserk — Angela
* 1982: Filthy Rich — Carlotta Beck (15 episodes, 1982–1983)
* 1982: Lou Grant — Jessica Lindner (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: The Greatest American Hero — Samantha O'Neill (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Quincy, M.E. — Dr. Alicia Ranier (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Best of the West — Mae Markham (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Bret Maverick — Hallie McCulloch (1 episode, 1982)
* 1982: Cassie & Co. — Evelyn Weller (1 episode, 1982)
* 1981: The Killing of Randy Webster (TV) — Billie Webster
* 1980: O.H.M.S. (TV) — Nora Wing
* 1979: Out of the Blue — Marion Richards (8 episodes, 1979)
* 1977: On Our Own — April Baxter (22 episodes, 1977–1978)
* 1977: The Andros Targets — Rita (1 episode, 1977)
* 1974: The Edge of Night TV series — Assistant District Attorney Olivia Brandeis Henderson (unknown episodes, 1974–1976)
* 1963: The Doctors TV series — Unknown (late 1970s) (unknown episodes)
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I still miss her. :(
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 6:06 am
The word of the day...Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments. Although the action of gravity is the primary driving force for a landslide to occur, there are other contributing factors affecting the original slope stability. Typically, pre-conditional factors build up specific sub-surface conditions that make the area/slope prone to failure, whereas the actual landslide often requires a trigger before being released.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 6:12 am
The person born on this day...Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 120 million albums. She has been noted for her ethereal visual style and symbolic lyrics.
Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. Fleetwood Mac's second album after the incorporation of Nicks and Buckingham, 1977's Rumours, produced four U.S. Top 10 singles (including Nicks' song "Dreams", which was the band's first and only U.S. number one) and remained at #1 on the American albums chart for over 30 weeks, as well as reaching the top spot in various countries around the world. To date the album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
Nicks began her solo career in 1981 with the 5 million selling album Bella Donna, and she has produced five more solo studio albums to date. After the release of her first solo album, Rolling Stone deemed her "The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll". Overcoming cocaine addiction, dependency on tranquilizers, and chronic fatigue syndrome, Nicks remains a popular solo performer. She has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards and, with Fleetwood Mac, won the 1977/1978 Grammy for Album of the Year for Rumours. As a member of Fleetwood Mac, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Nicks has a contralto vocal range
Nicks and Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac on December 31, 1974, after Keith Olsen played their track "Frozen Love" for drummer Mick Fleetwood, who had come to Studio City, California to find a new studio to record Fleetwood Mac's next studio album. Fleetwood remembered Buckingham's guitar work after guitar player Bob Welch's departure to pursue a solo career. Initially extending the offer only to Buckingham, Fleetwood later included Nicks in the offer when Buckingham insisted that they were "a package deal".
In 1975, the band released the album Fleetwood Mac, which hit number one, sold 5 million in the US alone, and had three Top 20 songs in 1976. Nicks' "Rhiannon" reached #11, and the album also included Nicks' "Landslide", and "Crystal", though the latter featured lead vocals by Buckingham. That same year, Nicks worked with clothing designer Margi Kent to develop Nicks' unique onstage look, with costumes that featured flowing skirts, shawls and platform boots.
Following the success of Fleetwood Mac, increasing tension between Nicks and Buckingham began to take its toll on their creativity, and Nicks ended the relationship. Fleetwood Mac began recording their follow-up album, Rumours, in early 1976 and continued until late in the year. Sessions were marked by heavy drug use, faulty drum tracks, and tension between the band members, which influenced the songwriting. Also, Nicks and Buckingham sang back-up on Warren Zevon's debut album.
Nicks' contributions to Rumours were "I Don't Want to Know", "Gold Dust Woman", and "Dreams" (which became the band's only Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit single to date), as well as co-writer on "The Chain". Nicks had also written and recorded the song "Silver Springs", but it was ultimately not included on the album because of space limitations for studio albums on vinyl records (24 minutes per side). Instead, it was relegated to the B-side of the "Go Your Own Way" single release, and would remain in some obscurity for many years until its triumphant re-release as part of the 4-disc Fleetwood Mac retrospective 25 Years - The Chain in 1992. The song was, and has always been, very special to Nicks - song rights are owned by her mother, Barbara Nicks - and she was not told about the omission from "Rumours" until after the decision had been made. Nicks was devastated.
Rumours was released to widespread acclaim and Grammy award for album of the year in February 1977. By 2008, Rumours had sold over 20 million copies in the U.S. alone (certified as a diamond album by the RIAA) and today is officially accredited with worldwide sales of over 40 million, maintaining its status as one of the biggest-selling albums of all time. In November 1977, after a New Zealand concert for the Rumours tour, Nicks and Fleetwood, who was married to Jenny Boyd, secretly began an affair. The affair ended the next year, in October 1978, when Mick Fleetwood left his wife for Nicks' best friend Sara Recor. After the success of the Rumours album and tour in 1977–78, Fleetwood Mac began recording their third album with Buckingham and Nicks, Tusk, in the spring of 1978. That year, Nicks sang back-up on Walter Egan's "Magnet & Steel" from Egan's 1978 album Not Shy, which was produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut.
Tusk, Bella Donna and Mirage: 1978–1982
By 1978, Nicks had amassed a large backlog of songs dating back to her Buckingham Nicks days that she was unable to record and release with Fleetwood Mac because of the constraint of having to accommodate three songwriters on each album. During Tusk sessions in 1979, Nicks began laying down demos for a solo album, continuing to write and record for the solo project during the world tour for Tusk in 1979–80. With Danny Goldberg and Paul Fishkin, Nicks founded Modern Records, a vehicle to record and release her own material. Between Tusk sessions, Nicks recorded two duets that became hits: with Kenny Loggins on "Whenever I Call You Friend" (1978), and with John Stewart on "Gold" (1979).
After thirteen months of recording and editing, Tusk was released as a 20-track double album in October 19, 1979. Nicks' wistful ballads "Storms" and "Beautiful Child" were speculated to be about her doomed affair with Mick Fleetwood, while the Billboard Hot 100 #7 hit "Sara" alluded to the love-triangle between herself, Fleetwood and Sara Pesnell (later Sara Fleetwood). Other Nicks tracks included "Angel" and "Sisters of the Moon". One notable Nicks omission from Tusk was Planets of the Universe, originally written in 1976 as part of the "Rumours" sessions. Buckingham is said to have had unresolvable problems with production on the song, and it would not be until 2001 that a release would be forthcoming via a Nicks' solo album Trouble in Shangri-La.
During the huge 18 month sellout Tusk Tour of 1979 and 1980, Nicks began writing and recording demos for what would become her first and most successful solo effort. Band sessions for Nicks' solo debut album began in April 1980, with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Tom Moncrieff. Sessions continued through the end of the Tusk tour in late 1980, ending in the spring of 1981, helmed by Jimmy Iovine and featuring various contributions from Petty and his band. During 1981 Nicks toured with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and New Zealand band Split Enz as a guest.
Nicks released Bella Donna on July 27, 1981. The album reached #1 on the Billboard album chart in September. As of 1990 it was certified 'quadruple platinum' for sales of over 4 million copies in the US alone. All four of its singles (Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Leather and Lace, Edge of Seventeen, and After the Glitter Fades) charted in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's ten tracks included five songs written in previous years, and five new songs. Several unreleased songs from the Bella Donna sessions were included on soundtracks, in concert sets, and later Fleetwood Mac albums. Other tracks remain unreleased.
Bella Donna was the first album to feature Nicks' back-up singers, Sharon Celani and Lori Perry. Nicks met Perry in the mid-1970s while working with her then-husband, producer Gordon Perry. Nicks befriended Perry after inviting her to contribute back-up vocals for the tracks she was working on. During a trip to Hawaii, Nicks visited a club where Celani was performing and joined her on stage during a rendition of "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me". Celani later accepted Nicks' invitation to join her forthcoming solo project. Sharon Celani and Lori Perry-Nicks, who is married to Nicks' brother Christopher, have contributed vocals to all of Nicks' solo albums since then.
The day that Bella Donna reached #1 on the Billboard 200, Nicks' best friend since the age of 15, Robin Anderson, was diagnosed with leukemia. Robin managed to give birth to a son, appointing Nicks as the child's godmother. Robin died six months before medical research discovered a treatment. Following Robin's death in 1982, Nicks married Robin's widower Kim Anderson. They divorced eight months later.
In October 1981 Nicks embarked on the hugely successful White Winged Dove tour, which she had to cut short to record the Mirage album with Fleetwood Mac.
For Mirage, Nicks contributed the track "Gypsy", a song originally tested for Bella Donna, which became one of the album's hit singles. "Gypsy" reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 in Canada. Nicks' other tracks included "That's Alright", written during the Buckingham Nicks era, and a new track entitled "Straight Back". The short Mirage tour took place between September and October 1982, and included Nicks' performance of "Sisters of the Moon", her 1979 Tusk album track and concert encore. After the tour, Nicks prepared to record her second solo album.
Solo Tours
* Bella Donna Tour: 1981
* The Wild Heart Tour: 1983
* Rock A Little Tour: 1985-1986
* The Other Side of the Mirror Tour: 1989
* Timespace Tour/Whole Lotta Trouble Tour: 1991
* Street Angel Tour: 1994
* Enchanted Tour: 1998
* Trouble In Shangri-La Tour: 2001
* Dreams: Live In Las Vegas (covering for Celine Dion): 2005
* Two Voices Tour: 2005 (with Don Henley)
* Gold Dust Tour: 2005 - 2006
* Crystal Visions Tour: 2007 - 2008
* Summer Tour: 2010
Touring band (2008)
* Sharon Celani – Backing vocals (1981–present)
* Waddy Wachtel – Lead guitarist, Musical director(1981–1986, 2001–present)
* Lori Perry – Backing vocals (1981–1989, 1996, 2005–present)
* Carlos Rios – Rhythm guitar (1988–present)
* Lenny Castro – Percussionist (1994– 2001; 2007– present)
* Brett Tuggle – Keyboardist (1998–2006)
* Al Ortiz – Bass guitar (2001–present)
* Scott Plunket – Pianist (2001–2002, 2008)
* Taku Hirano – Percussionist ( 2001; 2005–2006)
* Jimmy Paxson – Drums (2005–present)
* Darrell Smith – Keyboardist (2005–present)
* Jana Anderson – Backing vocals (2005–present)
* Ricky Peterson – Keyboardist (2007–present)
Stevie Nicks' Band of Soldiers
In late 2004, Nicks began visiting Army and Navy medical centers in Washington, D.C. While visiting wounded service men and women, Nicks became determined to find an object she could leave with each soldier that would raise their spirits, motivate, and give them something to look forward to each day. She eventually decided to purchase hundreds of iPod Nanos, load them with music, artists, and play-lists which she would hand select, and autograph them. She now regularly delivers these tokens of her appreciation, bringing her closest friends to share the experience.
In 2006, Nicks held a get-together to raise money for her charity work. Many of her peers made contributions. Nicks continues to develop this philanthropic endeavor.
“ I call it a soldiers' iPod. It has all the crazy stuff that I listen to, and my collections I've been making since the '70s for going on the road, when I'm sick...Or the couple of times in my life that I have really been down, music is what always dances me out of bed. „
—Stevie Nicks, The Arizona Republic
“ So, as Mick and I went from room to room delivering their tiny iPod, they told us their stories. Mick became his tall, loving, father figure, English self, taking in every word they said, remaining calm (at least on the outside) inspiring them. We floated from room to room down thru the halls of the 2 hospitals over a three-day period. We gave out all our iPods. Right before I left for D.C., Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry dug into their pockets and came up with $10,000 for me. In my eyes they went from the coolest rock stars to generous great men; as my press agent Liz Rosenberg said, every returning wounded soldier should be given an iPod. It will be an integral part of their recovery. „
—Stevie Nicks, Journal Entry
Influence
One of the reasons for Nicks' continued career is the devotion she inspires in her fans. Stacy Dupree, Courtney Love, Michelle Branch, Belinda Carlisle, the Dixie Chicks, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Laura Branigan, Sarah McLachlan, Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Carlton, Georgi Cussick, Tori Amos, Michelle Hotaling, Jennifer Hanson, and Delta Goodrem have all cited her work as an inspiration. She has participated in duets or provided guest vocals for several of their albums and some have returned the favour, notably Crow and the Dixie Chicks. The Dixie Chicks covered her 1975 classic "Landslide", which became a Top 10 hit (#1 on the Adult Contemporary chart) and a #1 Hit on the Country Chart. Alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins made an acoustic cover of the song that was featured on their 1994 B-side collection Pisces Iscariot. The cover was a hit and made it to the top three on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. that year. She recorded a duet of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with Chris Isaak on his 2004 Christmas album Chris Isaak Christmas and sang with Isaak on his PBS Christmas television special. Other successful covers have included The Corrs' "Dreams", and Courtney Love's former band Hole with "Gold Dust Woman". "Edge Of Seventeen" was sampled on Destiny's Child's 2001 #1 single "Bootylicious". Nicks appeared in the video for "Bootylicious" and in an episode of MTV's Making The Video that featured it, in which she expressed her admiration for both the song and the group. Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys has expressed extreme interest in working with Nicks. Lindsay Lohan covered "Edge of Seventeen" on her 2005 album, A Little More Personal. Deep Dish fulfilled their "Dreams" of working with Nicks in 2005 when Nicks offered to re-record vocals on a remix of her #1 penned song, "Dreams". The Deep Dish version went on to reach #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart, as well as providing Nicks with her third UK top 40 hit. She helped with additional vocals and writing on Vanessa Carlton's 2007 album Heroes and Thieves. Carlton was on tour with Stevie in 2005 and 2006.
The Dixie Chicks' cover of Stevie Nicks' Fleetwood Mac classic "Landslide" also earned Stevie Nicks a BMI Songwriters Award in 2003. The award is given to the songwriter of the track, regardless of the performer, and Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" won the prestigious "Song Of The Year" award.
According to BMI, "Landslide" earned songwriter Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac the 35th Robert J. Burton Award as Most Performed Country Song of the Year. This distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature US broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Nicks is also publisher of the song, through her company Welsh Witch Music. Included on the Dixie Chicks' platinum Monument album Home, "Landslide" was a Country, Adult Top 40, Hot 100 and AC Billboard charts smash. Nicks previously collected a Pop Award in 1998 for Fleetwood Mac's recording of the song, which has achieved Million-Air status with over three million airplays.
On January 31, 2010, Stevie performed with Taylor Swift at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Swift, who describes Nicks as one of her childhood heroes, introduced her to the audience by saying "It's a fairy tale and an honor to share the stage with Stevie Nicks
A rumor that has trailed Nicks through the years is that she is a witch and is heavily involved in Wicca. While she admits to having a high regard for the mythic and gothic, she denies any solitary dedication to any one religion, including Wicca. She speaks about this erroneous image in a 2006 interview. Nicks' music is copyrighted under the name Welsh Witch Music, a reference to her song Rhiannon, which she introduced as "a song about a Welsh witch" in concerts between 1975 and 1978. In a Yahoo! interview on April 28, 1998, Nicks said of the rumor: "I have no idea what precipitated those rumors...I am not a witch. Get a life!" Nicks also stated in a 1983 Entertainment Tonight interview: "I spent thousands of dollars on beautiful black clothes and had to stop wearing them for a long time because a lot of people scared me. And that's really unfair to me, I think, for people – other people – to conjure up their ideas of what I am or what I believe in." In a 1998 Redbook magazine article, Nicks spoke of her faith, stating that she believes in angels and knows that she is alive today because "there was a God looking out" for her during her years of addiction.
Discography
Further information: Stevie Nicks discography
Solo
Studio Albums
* Bella Donna (1981)
* The Wild Heart (1983)
* Rock a Little (1985)
* The Other Side of the Mirror (1989)
* Street Angel (1994)
* Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)
* The Soundstage Sessions (2009)
Compilations
* Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991)
* Enchanted (3 CD box set) (1998)
* Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (2007)
Solo videos and DVDs
* Stevie Nicks: Live in Concert (Video) (1982)
* Live at Red Rocks (Video) (1995)
* Crystal Visions - The Very Best of Stevie Nicks: Disc Two (DVD) (2007)
* Soundstage: Stevie Nicks Live (Sears-exclusive Blu-Ray) (2008)
* Live in Chicago (Stevie Nicks DVD) (2009)
as Buckingham Nicks
* Buckingham Nicks (1973)
with Fleetwood Mac
* Fleetwood Mac (1975)
* Rumours (1977)
* Tusk (1979)
* Live (1980)
* Mirage (1982)
* Tango in the Night (1987)
* Greatest Hits (1988)
* Behind the Mask (1990)
* 25 Years – The Chain (2 CD & 4 CD Boxset) (1992)
* The Dance (1997)
* The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac (2002)
* Say You Will (2003)
* Live in Boston (2004)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 6:16 am
The person who died on this day...Sydney Pollack
Sydney Irwin Pollack (July 1, 1934 — May 26, 2008) was an American film director, producer and actor. Born in Lafayette, Indiana to Russian Jewish immigrants, Pollack studied with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, where he later taught acting. He began directing television shows in the 1960s before moving to films.
Pollack directed more than 21 films and 10 television shows, acted in over 30 films or shows, and produced over 44 films. Some of his best known works include Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Way We Were (1973), Three Days of the Condor (1975) and Absence of Malice (1981). His 1985 film Out of Africa won him Academy Awards for directing and producing; he was also nominated for Best Director Oscars for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and Tootsie, in the last of which he also appeared. His later films included Havana (1990), The Firm (1993), Sabrina (1995), and The Interpreter (2005).
Sydney Pollack was born in Lafayette, Indiana, to a family of Jewish immigrants from Russia, the son of Rebecca (née Miller) and David Pollack, a semi-professional boxer and pharmacist. The family relocated to South Bend and his parents divorced when he was young. His mother, an alcoholic with emotional problems, died at the age of 37 while Pollack was a student.
Despite earlier plans to attend college and then medical school, Pollack left Indiana for New York City soon after finishing high school at age 17. Pollack studied acting with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse from 1952 to 1954, working on a lumber truck between terms. After two years' army service until 1958, he returned to the Playhouse at Meisner’s invitation to become his assistant. In 1960, John Frankenheimer, a friend of Pollack's, asked him to come to Los Angeles in order to work as a dialogue coach for the child actors on Frankenheimer's first big picture, The Young Savages. It was during this time that Pollack met Burt Lancaster who encouraged the young actor to try directing.
Career
Pollack found initial success in television in the 1960s by directing episodes of series such as The Fugitive and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. His film directing debut was 1965's The Slender Thread, starring Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft. Over time, Pollack's films received a total of 48 Academy Award nominations, winning 11 Oscars. His first Oscar nomination was for his 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don't They?. He was nominated a second time in 1982 for Tootsie. For his 1985 film Out of Africa starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, Pollack won Academy Awards for directing and producing.
During his career, he directed 12 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Jane Fonda, Gig Young, Susannah York, Barbra Streisand, Paul Newman, Melinda Dillon, Jessica Lange, Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr , Meryl Streep, Klaus Maria Brandauer and Holly Hunter. Only Young and Lange won Oscars for their performances in one of Pollack's films.
His rows with star Dustin Hoffman during the filming of Tootsie became well known. Eventually Hoffman began pushing the idea that Pollack play the role of his agent, and Pollack reluctantly agreed despite not having had any film roles in 20 years. Their off-screen relationship added authenticity to their scenes in the movie, most of which feature them arguing. Pollack subsequently took on more acting roles in addition to producing and directing. He appeared as himself in the Documentary One Six Right, describing his joy of owning and piloting his Citation X jet aircraft.
He resumed his acting career with appearances in such films as The Player (1992) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999), often playing corrupt or morally conflicted power figures. As a character actor, Pollack appeared in films such as A Civil Action, and Changing Lanes, as well as his own, including Random Hearts and The Interpreter. He also appeared in Woody Allen's Husbands and Wives as a New York lawyer undergoing a midlife crisis, and in Robert Zemeckis' Death Becomes Her as an emergency room doctor. His last role was as Patrick Dempsey's father in the 2008 romantic comedy Made of Honor, which was playing in theaters at the time of his death. He had a recurring guest star role on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, playing Will Truman's (Eric McCormack) unfaithful but loving father, George Truman. In 2007, Pollack made guest appearances on the HBO TV series The Sopranos and Entourage in addition to earlier appearances on NBC's Just Shoot Me and Mad About You.
Pollack received the first annual Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking award from the Austin Film Festival on October 21, 2006. As a producer he helped to guide many films that were successful with both critics and movie audiences, such as The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Michael Clayton, a film in which he also starred opposite George Clooney, and for which he received his sixth Academy Award nomination, in the Best Picture category. He formed a production company called Mirage Enterprises with the English director Anthony Minghella. The last film they produced together, The Reader, earned them both posthumous Oscar nominations for Best Picture.
Influences
In the 2002 Sight and Sound Directors' Poll, Pollack revealed his top-ten films: Casablanca, Citizen Kane, The Conformist, The Godfather Part II, Grand Illusion, The Leopard, Once Upon a Time in America, Raging Bull, The Seventh Seal, and Sunset Boulevard.
Personal life and death
Search Wikinews Wikinews has related news: Film director Sydney Pollack dies at age 73
Pollack was married to Claire Griswold, a former student of his, from 1958 until his death. They had three children: Rachel, Rebecca, and Steven Pollack. Steven Pollack died in a plane crash in 1993. Sydney's brother Bernie Pollack is a costume designer, producer, and actor.
Concerns about Pollack's health had surfaced in 2007 when suddenly he stepped out of directing HBO's television film Recount. The film aired on May 25, 2008. Pollack died the next day of stomach cancer at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, surrounded by family. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered along the runway at the Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, California.
Filmography
Directing and producing
Year Film Role(s) Academy Award Wins Academy Award Nominations
1965 The Slender Thread Director 2
1966 This Property Is Condemned Director
1968 The Scalphunters Director
The Swimmer Director
1969 Castle Keep Director
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Director 1 9
1972 Jeremiah Johnson Director
1973 The Way We Were Director 2 6
1975 Three Days of the Condor Director 1
The Yakuza Director, Producer
1977 Bobby Deerfield Director, Producer
1979 The Electric Horseman Director 1
1981 Absence of Malice Director 3
1982 Tootsie Director, Producer 1 10
1985 Out of Africa Director, Producer 7 11
Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret Executive Producer
1988 Bright Lights, Big City Producer
1989 The Fabulous Baker Boys Executive Producer 4
1990 Havana Director 1
Presumed Innocent Producer
1993 The Firm Director, Producer 2
Searching for Bobby Fischer Executive Producer 1
1995 Sabrina Director, Producer 2
Sense and Sensibility Executive Producer 1 7
1998 Sliding Doors Producer
1999 Random Hearts Director
The Talented Mr. Ripley Executive Producer 5
2001 Iris Executive Producer 1 3
2002 The Quiet American Executive Producer 1
2003 Cold Mountain Producer 1 7
2005 Sketches of Frank Gehry Director, Executive Producer
The Interpreter Director
2006 Breaking and Entering Producer
2007 Michael Clayton Producer, Actor 1 7
2008 Recount Executive Producer NA NA
Leatherheads Executive Producer
The Reader Producer 1 5
2009 Margaret Producer - -
TBA The Amulet of Samarkand Producer
Film and television
Year Film Role Notes
1956 The Kaiser Aluminum Hour Shuber Episode: "The Army Game"
1959 Playhouse 90 Andres Episodes: "For Whom the Bell Tolls: Part 1" and " For Whom the Bell Tolls: Part 2"
The United States Steel Hour Benson Episode: "The Case of Julia Walton"
Armstrong Circle Theatre Albert Rousseau Episode: "35 Rue Du Marche"
Startime Harry Episode: "Something Special"
1959–1964 Brenner Detective Al Dunn Episodes:
"Family Man"
"Good Friend"
"Point of Law"
1960 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Bernie Samuelson Episode: "The Contest for Aaron Gold"
Twilight Zone Arthur Willis Episode: "The Trouble With Templeton"
1961 Have Gun - Will Travel Joe Gulp Episodes: "Quiet Night in Town: Part 1" and "Quiet Night in Town: Part 2"
The Deputy Chuck Johnson Episode: "Spoken in Silence"
The Asphalt Jungle Louie Episode: "The Professor"
1961, 1962 The New Breed Austin Rogers/Bert Masters Episodes: "The Compulsion to Confess" and "Walk This Street Lightly"
1962 Ben Casey Episode: "Monument to an Aged Hunter"
War Hunt Sgt. Owen Van Horn
1979 The Electric Horseman Man who makes pass at Alice uncredited
1982 Tootsie George Fields
1992 The Player Dick Mellon
Death Becomes Her ER Doctor uncredited
Husbands and Wives Jack
1994 Frasier Holden Thorpe Episode: "The Candidate"
1998 Mad About You Dr. Sydney Warren Episode: "Cheating on Sheila"
A Civil Action Al Eustis
1999 Eyes Wide Shut Victor Ziegler
Random Hearts Carl Broman
2000 Just Shoot Me! Sydney Pollack Episode: "A&E Biography: Nina Van Horn"
King of the Hill Grant Trimble Voice
Episode: "Transnational Amusements Presents: Peggy's Magic Sex Feet"
2000–2006 Will & Grace George Truman Episodes:
"Oh Dad, Poor Dad, He's Kept Me in the Closet and I'm So Sad"
"Cheaters"
"Cheatin' Trouble Blues"
"Blanket Apology"
2001 The Majestic Studio Executive Voice
2002 Changing Lanes Stephen Delano
2005 The Interpreter Earl Leemus
2006 Fauteuils d'orchestre Brian Sobinski
American Masters Narrator Episode: "John Ford/John Wayne: The Filmmaker and the Legend"
2007 The Sopranos Warren Feldman Episode: "Stage 5"
Michael Clayton Marty Bach
2008 Made of Honor Thomas Bailey Sr.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/26/10 at 7:36 am
The person born on this day...Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 120 million albums. She has been noted for her ethereal visual style and symbolic lyrics.
Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. Fleetwood Mac's second album after the incorporation of Nicks and Buckingham, 1977's Rumours, produced four U.S. Top 10 singles (including Nicks' song "Dreams", which was the band's first and only U.S. number one) and remained at #1 on the American albums chart for over 30 weeks, as well as reaching the top spot in various countries around the world. To date the album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
Nicks began her solo career in 1981 with the 5 million selling album Bella Donna, and she has produced five more solo studio albums to date. After the release of her first solo album, Rolling Stone deemed her "The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll". Overcoming cocaine addiction, dependency on tranquilizers, and chronic fatigue syndrome, Nicks remains a popular solo performer. She has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards and, with Fleetwood Mac, won the 1977/1978 Grammy for Album of the Year for Rumours. As a member of Fleetwood Mac, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Nicks has a contralto vocal range
Nicks and Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac on December 31, 1974, after Keith Olsen played their track "Frozen Love" for drummer Mick Fleetwood, who had come to Studio City, California to find a new studio to record Fleetwood Mac's next studio album. Fleetwood remembered Buckingham's guitar work after guitar player Bob Welch's departure to pursue a solo career. Initially extending the offer only to Buckingham, Fleetwood later included Nicks in the offer when Buckingham insisted that they were "a package deal".
In 1975, the band released the album Fleetwood Mac, which hit number one, sold 5 million in the US alone, and had three Top 20 songs in 1976. Nicks' "Rhiannon" reached #11, and the album also included Nicks' "Landslide", and "Crystal", though the latter featured lead vocals by Buckingham. That same year, Nicks worked with clothing designer Margi Kent to develop Nicks' unique onstage look, with costumes that featured flowing skirts, shawls and platform boots.
Following the success of Fleetwood Mac, increasing tension between Nicks and Buckingham began to take its toll on their creativity, and Nicks ended the relationship. Fleetwood Mac began recording their follow-up album, Rumours, in early 1976 and continued until late in the year. Sessions were marked by heavy drug use, faulty drum tracks, and tension between the band members, which influenced the songwriting. Also, Nicks and Buckingham sang back-up on Warren Zevon's debut album.
Nicks' contributions to Rumours were "I Don't Want to Know", "Gold Dust Woman", and "Dreams" (which became the band's only Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit single to date), as well as co-writer on "The Chain". Nicks had also written and recorded the song "Silver Springs", but it was ultimately not included on the album because of space limitations for studio albums on vinyl records (24 minutes per side). Instead, it was relegated to the B-side of the "Go Your Own Way" single release, and would remain in some obscurity for many years until its triumphant re-release as part of the 4-disc Fleetwood Mac retrospective 25 Years - The Chain in 1992. The song was, and has always been, very special to Nicks - song rights are owned by her mother, Barbara Nicks - and she was not told about the omission from "Rumours" until after the decision had been made. Nicks was devastated.
Rumours was released to widespread acclaim and Grammy award for album of the year in February 1977. By 2008, Rumours had sold over 20 million copies in the U.S. alone (certified as a diamond album by the RIAA) and today is officially accredited with worldwide sales of over 40 million, maintaining its status as one of the biggest-selling albums of all time. In November 1977, after a New Zealand concert for the Rumours tour, Nicks and Fleetwood, who was married to Jenny Boyd, secretly began an affair. The affair ended the next year, in October 1978, when Mick Fleetwood left his wife for Nicks' best friend Sara Recor. After the success of the Rumours album and tour in 1977–78, Fleetwood Mac began recording their third album with Buckingham and Nicks, Tusk, in the spring of 1978. That year, Nicks sang back-up on Walter Egan's "Magnet & Steel" from Egan's 1978 album Not Shy, which was produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut.
Tusk, Bella Donna and Mirage: 1978–1982
By 1978, Nicks had amassed a large backlog of songs dating back to her Buckingham Nicks days that she was unable to record and release with Fleetwood Mac because of the constraint of having to accommodate three songwriters on each album. During Tusk sessions in 1979, Nicks began laying down demos for a solo album, continuing to write and record for the solo project during the world tour for Tusk in 1979–80. With Danny Goldberg and Paul Fishkin, Nicks founded Modern Records, a vehicle to record and release her own material. Between Tusk sessions, Nicks recorded two duets that became hits: with Kenny Loggins on "Whenever I Call You Friend" (1978), and with John Stewart on "Gold" (1979).
After thirteen months of recording and editing, Tusk was released as a 20-track double album in October 19, 1979. Nicks' wistful ballads "Storms" and "Beautiful Child" were speculated to be about her doomed affair with Mick Fleetwood, while the Billboard Hot 100 #7 hit "Sara" alluded to the love-triangle between herself, Fleetwood and Sara Pesnell (later Sara Fleetwood). Other Nicks tracks included "Angel" and "Sisters of the Moon". One notable Nicks omission from Tusk was Planets of the Universe, originally written in 1976 as part of the "Rumours" sessions. Buckingham is said to have had unresolvable problems with production on the song, and it would not be until 2001 that a release would be forthcoming via a Nicks' solo album Trouble in Shangri-La.
During the huge 18 month sellout Tusk Tour of 1979 and 1980, Nicks began writing and recording demos for what would become her first and most successful solo effort. Band sessions for Nicks' solo debut album began in April 1980, with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Tom Moncrieff. Sessions continued through the end of the Tusk tour in late 1980, ending in the spring of 1981, helmed by Jimmy Iovine and featuring various contributions from Petty and his band. During 1981 Nicks toured with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and New Zealand band Split Enz as a guest.
Nicks released Bella Donna on July 27, 1981. The album reached #1 on the Billboard album chart in September. As of 1990 it was certified 'quadruple platinum' for sales of over 4 million copies in the US alone. All four of its singles (Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Leather and Lace, Edge of Seventeen, and After the Glitter Fades) charted in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's ten tracks included five songs written in previous years, and five new songs. Several unreleased songs from the Bella Donna sessions were included on soundtracks, in concert sets, and later Fleetwood Mac albums. Other tracks remain unreleased.
Bella Donna was the first album to feature Nicks' back-up singers, Sharon Celani and Lori Perry. Nicks met Perry in the mid-1970s while working with her then-husband, producer Gordon Perry. Nicks befriended Perry after inviting her to contribute back-up vocals for the tracks she was working on. During a trip to Hawaii, Nicks visited a club where Celani was performing and joined her on stage during a rendition of "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me". Celani later accepted Nicks' invitation to join her forthcoming solo project. Sharon Celani and Lori Perry-Nicks, who is married to Nicks' brother Christopher, have contributed vocals to all of Nicks' solo albums since then.
The day that Bella Donna reached #1 on the Billboard 200, Nicks' best friend since the age of 15, Robin Anderson, was diagnosed with leukemia. Robin managed to give birth to a son, appointing Nicks as the child's godmother. Robin died six months before medical research discovered a treatment. Following Robin's death in 1982, Nicks married Robin's widower Kim Anderson. They divorced eight months later.
In October 1981 Nicks embarked on the hugely successful White Winged Dove tour, which she had to cut short to record the Mirage album with Fleetwood Mac.
For Mirage, Nicks contributed the track "Gypsy", a song originally tested for Bella Donna, which became one of the album's hit singles. "Gypsy" reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 in Canada. Nicks' other tracks included "That's Alright", written during the Buckingham Nicks era, and a new track entitled "Straight Back". The short Mirage tour took place between September and October 1982, and included Nicks' performance of "Sisters of the Moon", her 1979 Tusk album track and concert encore. After the tour, Nicks prepared to record her second solo album.
Solo Tours
* Bella Donna Tour: 1981
* The Wild Heart Tour: 1983
* Rock A Little Tour: 1985-1986
* The Other Side of the Mirror Tour: 1989
* Timespace Tour/Whole Lotta Trouble Tour: 1991
* Street Angel Tour: 1994
* Enchanted Tour: 1998
* Trouble In Shangri-La Tour: 2001
* Dreams: Live In Las Vegas (covering for Celine Dion): 2005
* Two Voices Tour: 2005 (with Don Henley)
* Gold Dust Tour: 2005 - 2006
* Crystal Visions Tour: 2007 - 2008
* Summer Tour: 2010
Touring band (2008)
* Sharon Celani – Backing vocals (1981–present)
* Waddy Wachtel – Lead guitarist, Musical director(1981–1986, 2001–present)
* Lori Perry – Backing vocals (1981–1989, 1996, 2005–present)
* Carlos Rios – Rhythm guitar (1988–present)
* Lenny Castro – Percussionist (1994– 2001; 2007– present)
* Brett Tuggle – Keyboardist (1998–2006)
* Al Ortiz – Bass guitar (2001–present)
* Scott Plunket – Pianist (2001–2002, 2008)
* Taku Hirano – Percussionist ( 2001; 2005–2006)
* Jimmy Paxson – Drums (2005–present)
* Darrell Smith – Keyboardist (2005–present)
* Jana Anderson – Backing vocals (2005–present)
* Ricky Peterson – Keyboardist (2007–present)
Stevie Nicks' Band of Soldiers
In late 2004, Nicks began visiting Army and Navy medical centers in Washington, D.C. While visiting wounded service men and women, Nicks became determined to find an object she could leave with each soldier that would raise their spirits, motivate, and give them something to look forward to each day. She eventually decided to purchase hundreds of iPod Nanos, load them with music, artists, and play-lists which she would hand select, and autograph them. She now regularly delivers these tokens of her appreciation, bringing her closest friends to share the experience.
In 2006, Nicks held a get-together to raise money for her charity work. Many of her peers made contributions. Nicks continues to develop this philanthropic endeavor.
“ I call it a soldiers' iPod. It has all the crazy stuff that I listen to, and my collections I've been making since the '70s for going on the road, when I'm sick...Or the couple of times in my life that I have really been down, music is what always dances me out of bed. „
—Stevie Nicks, The Arizona Republic
“ So, as Mick and I went from room to room delivering their tiny iPod, they told us their stories. Mick became his tall, loving, father figure, English self, taking in every word they said, remaining calm (at least on the outside) inspiring them. We floated from room to room down thru the halls of the 2 hospitals over a three-day period. We gave out all our iPods. Right before I left for D.C., Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry dug into their pockets and came up with $10,000 for me. In my eyes they went from the coolest rock stars to generous great men; as my press agent Liz Rosenberg said, every returning wounded soldier should be given an iPod. It will be an integral part of their recovery. „
—Stevie Nicks, Journal Entry
Influence
One of the reasons for Nicks' continued career is the devotion she inspires in her fans. Stacy Dupree, Courtney Love, Michelle Branch, Belinda Carlisle, the Dixie Chicks, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Laura Branigan, Sarah McLachlan, Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Carlton, Georgi Cussick, Tori Amos, Michelle Hotaling, Jennifer Hanson, and Delta Goodrem have all cited her work as an inspiration. She has participated in duets or provided guest vocals for several of their albums and some have returned the favour, notably Crow and the Dixie Chicks. The Dixie Chicks covered her 1975 classic "Landslide", which became a Top 10 hit (#1 on the Adult Contemporary chart) and a #1 Hit on the Country Chart. Alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins made an acoustic cover of the song that was featured on their 1994 B-side collection Pisces Iscariot. The cover was a hit and made it to the top three on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. that year. She recorded a duet of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with Chris Isaak on his 2004 Christmas album Chris Isaak Christmas and sang with Isaak on his PBS Christmas television special. Other successful covers have included The Corrs' "Dreams", and Courtney Love's former band Hole with "Gold Dust Woman". "Edge Of Seventeen" was sampled on Destiny's Child's 2001 #1 single "Bootylicious". Nicks appeared in the video for "Bootylicious" and in an episode of MTV's Making The Video that featured it, in which she expressed her admiration for both the song and the group. Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys has expressed extreme interest in working with Nicks. Lindsay Lohan covered "Edge of Seventeen" on her 2005 album, A Little More Personal. Deep Dish fulfilled their "Dreams" of working with Nicks in 2005 when Nicks offered to re-record vocals on a remix of her #1 penned song, "Dreams". The Deep Dish version went on to reach #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart, as well as providing Nicks with her third UK top 40 hit. She helped with additional vocals and writing on Vanessa Carlton's 2007 album Heroes and Thieves. Carlton was on tour with Stevie in 2005 and 2006.
The Dixie Chicks' cover of Stevie Nicks' Fleetwood Mac classic "Landslide" also earned Stevie Nicks a BMI Songwriters Award in 2003. The award is given to the songwriter of the track, regardless of the performer, and Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" won the prestigious "Song Of The Year" award.
According to BMI, "Landslide" earned songwriter Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac the 35th Robert J. Burton Award as Most Performed Country Song of the Year. This distinction is given to the song tallying the most feature US broadcast performances during the eligibility period. Nicks is also publisher of the song, through her company Welsh Witch Music. Included on the Dixie Chicks' platinum Monument album Home, "Landslide" was a Country, Adult Top 40, Hot 100 and AC Billboard charts smash. Nicks previously collected a Pop Award in 1998 for Fleetwood Mac's recording of the song, which has achieved Million-Air status with over three million airplays.
On January 31, 2010, Stevie performed with Taylor Swift at the 52nd Grammy Awards. Swift, who describes Nicks as one of her childhood heroes, introduced her to the audience by saying "It's a fairy tale and an honor to share the stage with Stevie Nicks
A rumor that has trailed Nicks through the years is that she is a witch and is heavily involved in Wicca. While she admits to having a high regard for the mythic and gothic, she denies any solitary dedication to any one religion, including Wicca. She speaks about this erroneous image in a 2006 interview. Nicks' music is copyrighted under the name Welsh Witch Music, a reference to her song Rhiannon, which she introduced as "a song about a Welsh witch" in concerts between 1975 and 1978. In a Yahoo! interview on April 28, 1998, Nicks said of the rumor: "I have no idea what precipitated those rumors...I am not a witch. Get a life!" Nicks also stated in a 1983 Entertainment Tonight interview: "I spent thousands of dollars on beautiful black clothes and had to stop wearing them for a long time because a lot of people scared me. And that's really unfair to me, I think, for people – other people – to conjure up their ideas of what I am or what I believe in." In a 1998 Redbook magazine article, Nicks spoke of her faith, stating that she believes in angels and knows that she is alive today because "there was a God looking out" for her during her years of addiction.
Discography
Further information: Stevie Nicks discography
Solo
Studio Albums
* Bella Donna (1981)
* The Wild Heart (1983)
* Rock a Little (1985)
* The Other Side of the Mirror (1989)
* Street Angel (1994)
* Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)
* The Soundstage Sessions (2009)
Compilations
* Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991)
* Enchanted (3 CD box set) (1998)
* Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (2007)
Solo videos and DVDs
* Stevie Nicks: Live in Concert (Video) (1982)
* Live at Red Rocks (Video) (1995)
* Crystal Visions - The Very Best of Stevie Nicks: Disc Two (DVD) (2007)
* Soundstage: Stevie Nicks Live (Sears-exclusive Blu-Ray) (2008)
* Live in Chicago (Stevie Nicks DVD) (2009)
as Buckingham Nicks
* Buckingham Nicks (1973)
with Fleetwood Mac
* Fleetwood Mac (1975)
* Rumours (1977)
* Tusk (1979)
* Live (1980)
* Mirage (1982)
* Tango in the Night (1987)
* Greatest Hits (1988)
* Behind the Mask (1990)
* 25 Years – The Chain (2 CD & 4 CD Boxset) (1992)
* The Dance (1997)
* The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac (2002)
* Say You Will (2003)
* Live in Boston (2004)
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She had some good music. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 9:10 am
She had some good music. :)
Yes she has. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/26/10 at 10:03 am
I LOVE Stevie Nicks.
She's a fellow witch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcxMHhkzH_0
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/26/10 at 11:37 am
I LOVE Stevie Nicks.
She's a fellow witch.
Cat
I have had a crush on Stevie Nicks ever since Rumours in 1977. She's cool, fashionable and...a witch. Rhiannon is one if the coolest songs ever for me.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 12:37 pm
I have had a crush on Stevie Nicks ever since Rumours in 1977. She's cool, fashionable and...a witch. Rhiannon is one if the coolest songs ever for me.
For a brief time, I was going to name my kid Rhiannon, but that was the 70's and I never had a daughter till the 90's.a friend named her daughter Sara(h) after the song.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/26/10 at 12:59 pm
When I was in the service, I worked with this girl who was teaching me how to use one of those floor buffers (you didn't want to be anywhere near it with my first couple of attempts. :D ;D ;D ;D ). After she gave me the instruction and she handed the "reins" over to me. I looked at her and said, "In the words of Stevie Nicks, 'Stand Back, Stand Back." She looked at me and said, "In the words of Boy George, "Do you really want to hurt me?" :D ;D ;D ;D
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 05/26/10 at 3:44 pm
For a brief time, I was going to name my kid Rhiannon, but that was the 70's and I never had a daughter till the 90's.a friend named her daughter Sara(h) after the song.
Rhiannon is a beautiful name. I like Stevie in this Pic.
http://givemeheadwear.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/stevie_nicks_3.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 5:50 pm
When I was in the service, I worked with this girl who was teaching me how to use one of those floor buffers (you didn't want to be anywhere near it with my first couple of attempts. :D ;D ;D ;D ). After she gave me the instruction and she handed the "reins" over to me. I looked at her and said, "In the words of Stevie Nicks, 'Stand Back, Stand Back." She looked at me and said, "In the words of Boy George, "Do you really want to hurt me?" :D ;D ;D ;D
Cat
;D ;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/26/10 at 5:52 pm
Rhiannon is a beautiful name. I like Stevie in this Pic.
http://givemeheadwear.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/stevie_nicks_3.jpg
Yes that is a nice pic of her. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/26/10 at 7:02 pm
She also had the hit Stand Back in 1983.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 6:01 am
The word of the day...Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track (permanent way) to transport freight or passengers from one place to another. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.
Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate locomotive, or from individual motors in self-propelled multiple units. Most modern trains are powered by diesel locomotives or by electricity supplied by overhead wires or additional rails, although historically (from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century) the steam locomotive was the dominant form of locomotive power. Other sources of power (such as horses, rope or wire, gravity, pneumatics, and gas turbines) are possible.
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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z243/jrohland/Dads%20Train%20051910/TrainShed.jpg
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 6:04 am
The person who was born on this day...Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, the most famous incarnation of which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Elizabeth (née Woods) and Merald Knight, Sr., a postal worker. She first achieved minor fame by winning Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour TV show contest at the age of 7 in 1952. The following year, she, her brother Merald, sister Brenda, and cousins William and Elenor Guest formed a musical group called The Pips (named after another cousin, James "Pip" Woods). By the end of the decade, the act had begun to tour, and had replaced Brenda Knight and Eleanor Guest with Gladys Knight's cousin Edward Patten and friend Langston George.
Knight discovered she was pregnant in 1960, and married her high school sweetheart James Newman. After a miscarriage, Knight returned to performing with the Pips. In 1961, Bobby Robinson produced the single "Every Beat of My Heart" for the group, which became a #1 R&B and #6 pop hit when released on Vee-Jay Records. In 1962, Langston George left the group, which at that time renamed itself Gladys Knight & the Pips and continued as a quartet.
In 1962, after scoring a second hit, "Letter Full of Tears", Knight became pregnant again and gave birth to a son, Jimmy III, that year. She retired from the road to raise her child while The Pips toured on their own. After giving birth in 1963 to a daughter, Kenya, Knight returned to recording with the Pips in order to support her family.
Success with The Pips
Main article: Gladys Knight & the Pips
Knight and the Pips perform aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger on November 1, 1981.
Gladys Knight & the Pips joined the Motown roster in 1966, and, although regarded as a second-string act, scored several hit singles, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," (recorded later by Marvin Gaye), "Friendship Train" (1969), "If I Were Your Woman" (1970), "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" (1971), the Grammy Award winning "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" (1972), and "Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)" (1973). In their early Motown career Gladys Knight and the Pips toured as the opening act for Diana Ross and The Supremes. Gladys Knight stated in her memoirs that Miss Ross kicked her off the tour because the audience's reception to Knight's soulful performance overshadowed her. Berry Gordy later told Gladys that she was giving his act a hard time.
The act left Motown for a better deal with Buddah Records in 1973, and achieved full-fledged success that year with hits such as the Grammy-winning "Midnight Train to Georgia" (#1 on the pop and R&B chart), "I've Got to Use My Imagination," and "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me." In the summer of 1974, Knight and the Pips recorded the soundtrack to the successful film Claudine with producer Curtis Mayfield. The act was particularly successful in Europe, and especially the United Kingdom. However, the Buddah hits all followed a number of years after their success in the U.S.. For example "Midnight Train to Georgia" hit the UK pop charts Top 5 in the summer of 1976, a full three years after its success in the U.S..
During this period of greater recognition, Knight made her motion picture acting debut in the film Pipe Dreams, a romantic drama set in Alaska. The film failed at the box-office, but Knight did receive a Golden Globe Best New Actress nomination.
Knight and the Pips continued to have hits until the late 1970s, when they were forced to record separately due to legal issues, resulting in Knight's first solo LP recordings--Miss Gladys Knight (1978) on Buddah and Gladys Knight (1979) on Columbia Records. Having divorced James Newman II in 1973, Knight married Barry Hankerson (future uncle of R&B singer Aaliyah), then Detroit mayor Coleman Young's executive aide. Knight and Hankerson remained married for four years, during which time they had a son, Shanga Ali. Upon their divorce, Hankerson and Knight were embroiled in a heated custody battle over Shanga Ali.
In the early 1980s, Johnny Mathis invited Gladys to record two duets – "When A Child Is Born" (previously a hit for Mathis) and "The Lord's Prayer".
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Play sound
Gladys Knight & the Pips' version of the song, from their 1967 album Everybody Needs Love.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Signing with Columbia Records in 1980 and restored to its familiar quartet form, Gladys Knight & the Pips began releasing new material. The act enlisted former Motown producers Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson for their first two LPs--About Love (1980) and Touch (1981). During this period, Knight kicked a gambling addiction to the game baccarat.
In 1987, Knight decided to pursue a solo career, and she and the Pips recorded their final LP together, All Our Love (1987), for MCA Records. Its lead single, "Love Overboard", was a successful hit and won a third Grammy for the act as well. After a successful 1988 tour, the Pips retired and Knight began her solo career. Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Solo music career
Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken & Waffles in Atlanta.
While still with The Pips, Knight joined with Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John on the 1986 AIDS benefit single, "That's What Friends Are For" which won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. In 1989, Gladys Knight recorded the title track for the James Bond movie Licence to Kill, a top 10 hit both in the UK, reaching #6, and Germany.
Knight's third solo LP, Good Woman, was released by MCA in 1991. It rose to #1 on the R&B album chart and featured the #2 R&B hit "Men". The album also featured "Superwoman", written by Babyface and featuring Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle. Knight and LaBelle would collaborate the same year on "I Don't Do Duets", a duet with Patti LaBelle from LaBelle's album Burnin'.
Her fourth solo LP, Just for You, went gold and was nominated for the 1995 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. During this period, Knight was briefly married to motivational speaker Les Brown. It was also during this period that her eldest son, Jimmy III, died in his sleep at the age of 36.
In 1992 Vernon Ray Blue II, choir master of the year asked Gladys to record his first single "He Lifted Me"
Now married to William McDowell, Knight joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997. She had occasionally teased LDS Church president, the late Gordon B. Hinckley, that his flock needs to inject some "pep" into their music. Knight created and now directs the Mormon-themed choir Saints Unified Voices. SUV has released a Grammy Award-winning CD titled One Voice, and occasionally performs at LDS church firesides.
In 2008, a duet between Knight and Johnny Mathis was released on Mathis' album A Night to Remember. Knight is ranked number eighteen on VH1 network's list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock.
In the spring of 2008, Knight appeared alongside Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle and Diana Ross at the 'Divas with Heart' concert in aid of cardiac research, at New York's Radio City Hall.
In 2008 Gladys, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller performed on American Idol to raise money for charity. In March 2010, Randy Jackson mentioned on a new episode of the same show that he is back in the studio with Gladys Knight working on a new album.
Michael Jackson Funeral
In 2009 Knight sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "The Lord's Prayer" at the funeral service for Michael Jackson.
UK Farewell Tour
In October 2009, Gladys started her UK Farewell tour which featured Tito Jackson as her supporting act and special appearances by Dionne Warwick.
Speaking ahead of the Manchester show, Jackson said: "The UK was a very special place to my brother Michael and I'm so excited to be able to pay my respect to his fans here. To be able to do this whilst supporting our dear friend Gladys is a complete blessing." On the October 9 concert, his mother Katherine Jackson and his brother Randy were acknowledged in the audience.
The UK Farewell Tour featured higher production value than previous "Gladys Knight, a mic and a light" appearances by Gladys in the UK. A glossy program was available and the show featured pre-produced animation on large on-stage screens. The tour was promoted by an appearance on the TV program Later... with Jools Holland where Gladys performed If I Were Your Woman and Help Me Make It Through the Night.
At select performances on the UK Farewell Tour recordings of the concerts were made available for sale on USB flash drives.
Acting and other work
Knight guest-starred on several television series throughout the 1980s and 1990s ,with roles on Benson, The Jeffersons, A Different World, Living Single, The Jamie Foxx Show and New York Undercover. In 1985, she co-starred on the CBS sitcom Charlie & Co. with comedian Flip Wilson. It lasted for one season. In April 2009, she made a special guest appearance and performed a song on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Knight has also made a number of television cameo appearances, including Las Vegas, and 30 Rock.
Knight's son Shanga owns a chain of chicken and waffles restaurants based in Atlanta, bearing her name.Gladys Knight & Ron Winans' Chicken & Waffles currently have three locations in the Atlanta area. In 2009, Gladys was featured in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself and performed her song The Need To Be from the 1974 album I Feel a Song.'
Awards, Honors and Achievements
For awards won by Knight with the Pips, see Gladys Knight & the Pips.
* Grammy Awards
o 1986 Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - "That's What Friends Are For" - Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder.
o 2001 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album - "At Last"
o 2004 Best Gospel Performance - "Heaven Help Us All" - Ray Charles & Gladys Knight.
o 2005 Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album - One Voice - Gladys Knight & The Saints Unified Voices.
* Other awards
o 1992 Gladys Knight was awarded an Essence Award for Career Achievement.
o 1995 Gladys Knight was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.
o 1997: Gladys Knight received the Pinnacle Award during 5th Annual Trumpet Awards presentation in Atlanta, Georgia.
o 2005: Gladys Knight received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BET cable network.
o 2006: Gladys Knight received a Legendary Award from the Las Vegas Music Awards.
o 2007: Gladys Knight received Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist during The 38th NAACP Image Awards.
o 2007: Gladys Knight was declared the "Empress of Soul" and presented with the 16th Annual Ella Award by the Society of Singers
o 2008: Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder were presented with the Best Living Legend Award at the 1st Annual The BET Honors.
o 2008: Gladys Knight received the Lifetime Diva Award at the Stardust Music Awards in March.
o 2008: Gladys Knight was honored by The National Black Arts Festival and The Coca Cola Company at the 2008 Legends Celebration.
Solo discography
See also: Gladys Knight & the Pips discography
Singles
* 1978: "I'm Coming Home Again" (#54 U.S. R&B)
* 1979: "Am I Too Late" (#45 U.S. R&B)
* 1981: "When a Child Is Born" (with Johnny Mathis) (#74 UK)
* 1985: "That's What Friends Are For" (with Dionne Warwick, Elton John & Stevie Wonder) (#1 U.S. Pop, #1 U.S. R&B, #1 U.S. AC, UK #16)
* 1986: "Loving On Borrowed Time" (w/Bill Medley) (#16 US AC)
* 1989: "License to Kill" (#69 U.S. R&B, #18 U.S. AC, #6 UK) Wind Beneath My Wings (12# U.S. U.K. R&B #12 UK)
* 1990: "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" (with Kenny Rogers) (#10 U.S. AC)
* 1991: "Men" (#2 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: "Meet Me in the Middle" (#78 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: "Where Would I Be" (#66 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: "Superwoman" (with Dionne Warwick & Patti LaBelle) (airplay-only)
* 1994: "I Don't Want to Know" (#32 U.S. R&B)(#113 US POP)
* 1994: "End of the Road" Medley: "If You Don't Know Me by Now"/"Love Don't Love Nobody" (#76 U.S. R&B)
* 1995: "Next Time" (#30 U.S. R&B)
* 1996: "Missing You" (with Brandy, Tamia & Chaka Khan) (#25 U.S. Pop, #10, U.S. R&B, #30 U.S. AC)
Albums
* 1978: Miss Gladys Knight (#57 U.S. R&B)
* 1979: Gladys Knight (#79 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: Good Woman (#45 U.S. Pop, #1 U.S. R&B)
* 1994: Just for You (#53 U.S. Pop, #6 U.S. R&B)
* 1998: Many Different Roads (#21 U.S. Gospel)
* 2001: At Last (#98 U.S. Pop, #30 U.S. R&B)
* 2005: One Voice (with Saints Unified Voices) (#95 U.S. R&B, #21 U.S. Gospel)
* 2006: A Christmas Celebration (with Saints Unified Voices) (#155 U.S. Pop, #59 U.S. R&B, #1 U.S. Gospel)
* 2006: Before Me (#93 U.S. Pop, #18 U.S. R&B, #4 U.S. Jazz)
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll41/EcenaMexicana/Gladys-Knight-gw10.jpg
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/ashahope_09/soulful/gladysknight.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 6:08 am
The person who died on this day...Phil Hartman
Phil Hartman (September 24, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a Canadian-born American actor, comedian, screenwriter and graphic artist. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Hartman and his family immigrated to the United States when he was ten. After graduating from California State University, Northridge with a degree in graphic arts, he designed album covers for bands like Poco and America. Feeling the need for a more creative outlet, Hartman joined the comedy group The Groundlings in 1975 and there helped comedian Paul Reubens develop his character Pee-wee Herman. Hartman co-wrote the screenplay for the film Pee-wee's Big Adventure and made recurring appearances on Reubens' show Pee-wee's Playhouse.
Hartman became well-known in the late 1980s when he joined the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. He won fame for his impressions, particularly of President Bill Clinton, and stayed on the show for eight seasons. Called "the Glue" for his ability to hold the show together and help other cast members, Hartman won a Primetime Emmy Award for his SNL work in 1989. In 1995, after scrapping plans for his own variety show, he starred as Bill McNeal in the NBC sitcom NewsRadio. He also had frequent roles on The Simpsons, and appeared in the films Houseguest, Sgt. Bilko, Jingle All the Way, and Small Soldiers.
Hartman had been divorced twice before he married Brynn (née Omdahl) in 1987; the couple had two children together. However, their marriage was fractured, due in part to Brynn's drug use. On May 28, 1998, Brynn shot and killed her husband while he slept in their Encino, Los Angeles home, then committed suicide several hours later. In the weeks following his death, Hartman was celebrated in a wave of tributes. Dan Snierson of Entertainment Weekly opined that Hartman was "the last person you'd expect to read about in lurid headlines in your morning paper, and a decidedly regular guy, beloved by everyone he worked with".
After appearing in the 1986 films Jumpin' Jack Flash and ¡Three Amigos!, Hartman joined the cast and writing staff of NBC's variety show Saturday Night Live (SNL). He told the Los Angeles Times, "I wanted to do because I wanted to get the exposure that would give me box-office credibility so I can write movies for myself." In his eight seasons with the show Hartman became known for his impressions, and performed as over 70 different characters. These included Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Ed McMahon, Barbara Bush, Charlton Heston, Phil Donahue and Bill Clinton; the last was often considered his most well-known impression.
"As an actor, I felt I couldn't compete. I wasn't as cute as the leading man; I wasn't as brilliant as Robin Williams. The one thing I could do was voices and impersonations and weird characters, an there was really no call for that. Except on Saturday Night Live."
—Hartman on his acting skills.
Hartman's original Saturday Night Live characters included Eugene, the Anal Retentive Chef and Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. Hartman first performed his Clinton impression on an episode of The Tonight Show. When he met Clinton in 1993 Hartman remarked, "I guess I owe you a few apologies", adding later that he "sometimes a twinge of guilt about ". Clinton showed good humor and sent Hartman a signed photo with the text: "You're not the president, but you play one on TV. And you're OK, mostly." One of Hartman's more famous sketches as Clinton saw the president visit a McDonald's restaurant and explain his policies by eating other customers' food. The writers told him that he was not eating enough during rehearsals for the sketch – by the end of the live performance, Hartman had eaten so much he could barely speak.
Backstage at SNL, Hartman was called "the Glue", a name coined by Adam Sandler, according to Jay Mohr's book Gasping for Airtime. SNL creator Lorne Michaels explained the reason for the name: "He kind of held the show together. He gave to everybody and demanded very little. He was very low-maintenance." Michaels added that Hartman was "the least appreciated" cast member by commentators outside the show, and praised his ability "to do five or six parts in a show where you're playing support or you're doing remarkable character work". Hartman was nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work on SNL, winning in 1989 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
A man stands on the right dressed in a baseball cap and sweatshirt to resemble President Clinton. He is holding a burger which he has picked up from the women to his left's tray; several other products remain. A man in dark glasses stands behind them.
Hartman appears as Bill Clinton on an episode of Saturday Night Live. In this episode, Clinton visits a McDonald's restaurant, in what is considered one of Hartman's most famous sketches.
After his co-stars Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Jan Hooks and Dana Carvey had left, Hartman said he felt "like an athlete who's watched all his World Series teammates get traded off into other directions ... It was hard to watch them leave because I sort of felt we were all part of the team that saved the show." This cast turnover contributed to his leaving the show in 1994. Hartman had originally planned to leave the show in 1991, but Michaels convinced him to stay to raise his profile; his portrayal of Clinton contributed to this goal. Jay Leno offered him the role of his sidekick on The Tonight Show but Hartman opted to stay on SNL. NBC persuaded him to stay on SNL by promising him his own comedy–variety show entitled The Phil Show. He planned to "reinvent the variety form" with "a hybrid, very fast-paced, high energy with sketches, impersonations, pet acts, and performers showcasing their talents". Hartman was to be the show's executive producer and head writer. Before production began, however, the network decided that variety shows were too unpopular and scrapped the series. In a 1996 interview, Hartman noted he was glad the show had been scrapped, as he "would've been sweatin' blood each week trying to make it work". In 1998, he admitted he missed working on SNL, but had enjoyed the move from New York City to Southern California.
NewsRadio (1995–1998)
Hartman became one of the stars of the NBC sitcom NewsRadio in 1995, portraying radio news anchor Bill McNeal. He signed up after being attracted by the show's ensemble cast, and joked that he based McNeal on himself with "any ethics and character" removed. Hartman made roughly $50,000 per episode of NewsRadio. Although the show was critically acclaimed, it was never a ratings hit and cancellation was a regular threat. After the completion of the fourth season, Hartman commented, "We seem to have limited appeal. We're on the edge here, not sure we're going to be picked up or not", but added he was "99 percent sure" the series would be renewed for a fifth season. Hartman had publicly lambasted NBC's decision to repeatedly move NewsRadio into different timeslots, but later regretted his comments, saying, "this is a sitcom, for crying out loud, not brain surgery". He also stated that if the sitcom were cancelled "it just will open up other opportunities for me". Although the show was renewed for a fifth season, Hartman died before production began. Ken Tucker praised Hartman's performance as McNeal: "A lesser performer ... would have played him as a variation on The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Ted Baxter, because that's what Bill was, on paper. But Hartman gave infinite variety to Bill's self-centeredness, turning him devious, cowardly, squeamish, and foolishly bold from week to week." Hartman was posthumously nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy Series in 1998 for his work on NewsRadio, but lost to David Hyde Pierce.
Other work
Hartman provided the voices for numerous characters on the Fox animated series The Simpsons, appearing in over 50 episodes. He made his first appearance in the second season episode "Bart Gets Hit by a Car". Although he was originally brought in for a one-time appearance, Hartman enjoyed working on The Simpsons and the staff wrote additional parts for him. He voiced the recurring characters Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, as well as several one-time and background characters. He often used his McClure voice to entertain the audience between takes while taping episodes of NewsRadio. He remarked, "My favorite fans are Troy McClure fans."
Hartman was popular among the staff of The Simpsons. Showrunners Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein stated that they enjoyed his work, and used Hartman as much as possible when working on the show. To give Hartman a larger role, they developed the episode "A Fish Called Selma", which focuses on Troy McClure and expands the character's backstory. The Simpsons creator Matt Groening said that he "took for granted because he nailed the joke every time", and that his voice acting could produce "the maximum amount of humor" with any line he was given. Before his death, Hartman had expressed an interest in making a live action film about Troy McClure. Many of The Simpsons production staff expressed enthusiasm for the project and offered to help. Hartman said he was "looking forward to live-action movie, publicizing his Betty Ford appearances".
Hartman's first starring film role came in 1995's Houseguest. Other films included Greedy, Coneheads, Sgt. Bilko, So I Married an Axe Murderer, CB4, Jingle All the Way and Small Soldiers, the last of which was his final theatrically released film. Hartman noted, "It's fun coming in as the second or third lead. If the movie or TV show bombs, you aren't to blame." At the same time, he preferred working on television. His other television roles included appearances on episodes of Seinfeld, The John Larroquette Show, The Dana Carvey Show and the HBO TV film The Second Civil War as the President of the United States. He appeared as the kidnapper Randy in the third season cliffhanger finale of 3rd Rock from the Sun—a role written especially for him. He died before filming of the concluding episode could take place. Executive producer Terry Turner decided to recast the part, noting: "I have far too much respect for to try to find some clever way of getting around this real tragedy." Hartman made a considerable amount of money from television advertising, earning $300,000 for a series of four commercials for the soft drink Slice; he also appeared in adverts for McDonalds (as Hugh McAttack) and 1-800-Collect (as Max Jerome).
Hartman wrote a number of screenplays that were never produced. In 1986, Hartman began writing a screenplay for a film entitled Mr. Fix-It, and completed the final draft in 1991. Robert Zemeckis was signed to produce the film, with Gil Bettman hired to direct. Hartman called it "a sort of a merger of horror and comedy, like Beetlejuice and Throw Momma From the Train", adding, "It's an American nightmare about a family torn asunder. They live next to a toxic dump site, their water supply is poisoned, the mother and son go insane and try to murder each other, the father's face is torn off in a terrible disfiguring accident in the first act. It's heavy stuff, but it's got a good message and a positive, upbeat ending." Zemeckis could not secure studio backing, however, and the project collapsed. Another movie idea involving Hartman's Groundlings character Chick Hazard, Private Eye also fell through.
Hartman noted that his standard character is a "jerky guy", and described his usual roles as "the weasel parade", adding, "Throughout my career, I've never been a huge star, but I've made steady progress and that's the way I like it." Ken Tucker summarised Hartman's comedic style: "he could momentarily fool audiences into thinking he was the straight man, but then he'd cock an eyebrow and give his voice an ironic lilt that delivered a punchline like a fast slider—you barely saw it coming until you started laughing."
Personal life
Hartman married Gretchen Lewis in 1970 and they divorced sometime before 1982. He married real estate agent Lisa Strain in 1982 and their marriage lasted three years. Strain told People that Hartman was reclusive off screen and "would disappear emotionally ... he'd be in his own world. That passivity made you crazy." Hartman married former model and aspiring actress Brynn Omdahl (born Vicki Jo Omdahl) in November 1987, having met her on a blind date the previous year. Together they had two children, Sean and Birgen Hartman. The marriage had difficulties—Brynn reportedly felt intimidated by her husband's success and was frustrated that she could not find any on her own, although neither party wanted a divorce. Hartman considered retiring to save the marriage. He tried to get Brynn acting roles but she became progressively more reliant on narcotics and alcohol, entering rehab several times. Because of his close friendship with SNL associate Jan Hooks, Brynn joked on occasion that Hooks and Hartman were married "on some other level".
Death
On the evening of May 27, 1998, Brynn Hartman visited the Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo in Los Angeles County, California, with producer and writer Christine Zander, who said she was "in a good frame of mind". After returning to the couple's Encino home, Brynn started a "heated" argument with Hartman, who threatened to leave her if she started using drugs again, and went to bed. While he slept, Brynn entered his bedroom shortly before 3 a.m. with a .38 caliber handgun and fatally shot him twice in the head and once in his side. She was intoxicated, and had recently taken cocaine.
Brynn drove to the home of her friend Ron Douglas and confessed to the murder but initially he did not believe her. The pair drove back to the house in separate cars after which Brynn called another friend and confessed a second time. Upon seeing Hartman's body, Douglas called 911 at 6:20 a.m. Police subsequently arrived and escorted Douglas and the Hartmans' two children from the premises. Brynn had locked herself in the bedroom, and committed suicide by shooting herself once in the head.
Los Angeles police stated Hartman's death was due to "domestic discord" between the couple. A friend recalled that Brynn allegedly "had trouble controlling her anger ... She got attention by losing her temper." A neighbor of the Hartmans told a CNN reporter that the couple had been experiencing marital problems: "It's been building, but I didn't think it would lead to this." Steve Guttenberg commented that the pair were "a very happy couple, and they always had the appearance of being well-balanced".
Other causes for the incident were later suggested. Before committing the act, Brynn was taking the antidepressant drug Zoloft. A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in 1999 by Brynn's brother, Gregory Omdahl against the drug's manufacturer, Pfizer, and her child's psychiatrist Arthur Sorosky, who provided samples of Zoloft to Brynn. Hartman's friend and ex-SNL colleague Jon Lovitz has said that his former NewsRadio co-star Andy Dick gave cocaine to Brynn, causing her to relapse and suffer a mental breakdown. Dick claims to have known nothing of her condition. In 2006, Lovitz claimed that Dick had approached him at a restaurant and said, "I put the Phil Hartman hex on you; you're the next one to die." The following year at the Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles, he and Dick had a further altercation over the issue. Dick does not believe he is at fault in relation to Hartman's death.
Brynn's sister Katharine Omdahl and brother-in-law Mike Wright are raising the two Hartman children in Edina, Minnesota. Hartman's will stipulated that each child will receive their inheritance over several years after they turn 25. The total value of Hartman's estate was estimated at $1.23 million. As per Hartman's will, his body was cremated by Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in Glendale, California, and his ashes were scattered over Santa Catalina Island's Emerald Bay.
Response and legacy
"Clean and unassuming, he had such a casual, no-nonsense way about him. It was that quality that we all find so hilarious, his delightful ability to poke fun at himself and at life with a tongue-in-cheek attitude comparable to, say, Tim Conway or Mel Brooks or Carol Burnett."
— Nancy Cartwright.
Hartman was deeply mourned in Hollywood. NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer said that Hartman "was blessed with a tremendous gift for creating characters that made people laugh. Everyone who had the pleasure of working with Phil knows that he was a man of tremendous warmth, a true professional and a loyal friend." Steve Guttenberg expressed his shock at Hartman's death, and Steve Martin said he was "a deeply funny and very happy person". Matt Groening called him "a master". Dan Snierson of Entertainment Weekly concluded that Hartman was "the last person you'd expect to read about in lurid headlines in your morning paper," and "a decidedly regular guy, beloved by everyone he worked with".
Rehearsals for The Simpsons were canceled on the day of his death, as was that night's performance by The Groundlings. The season five premiere of NewsRadio, "Bill Moves On", finds Hartman's character, Bill McNeal, has died of a heart attack, while the other characters reminisced about his life. Jon Lovitz joined the show in his place from the following episode. A special episode of Saturday Night Live commemorating Hartman's work on the show aired on June 13, 1998. Rather than substituting another voice actor, the writers of The Simpsons retired Hartman's characters, and the season 10 episode "Bart the Mother" (his final appearance on the show) was dedicated to him.
At the time of his death, Hartman was preparing to voice Zapp Brannigan, a character written specifically for him on Groening's second animated series Futurama. After the murder, Futurama's lead character Philip J. Fry was named in Hartman's honor and Billy West took over the role of Brannigan. West later said that he purposefully tweaked Zapp's voice to better match Hartman's intended portrayal. Hartman was also planning to appear with Jon Lovitz in the indie film The Day of Swine and Roses scheduled to begin production in August 1998.
Laugh.com and Hartman's brother John Hartmann published the album Flat TV in 2002. The album is a selection of comedy sketches recorded by Hartman in the 1970s which had been kept in storage until their release. Hartmann commented: "I'm putting this out there because I'm dedicating my life to fulfilling his dreams. This is my brother doing what he loved." In 2007 Entertainment Weekly ranked Hartman the eighty-seventh greatest television icon of all time, and Maxim named Hartman the top Saturday Night Live performer of all time.
Filmography
Films
Year Film Role Notes
1980 The Gong Show Movie Man at airport with gun Credited as "Phil Hartmann"
Cheech & Chong's Next Movie Actor being filmed in the background
1982 Pandemonium Reporter Credited as "Phil Hartmann"
1984 Weekend Pass Joe Chicago
1985 Pee-wee's Big Adventure Reporter
Rodeo Announcer Also co-wrote screenplay
1986 Last Resort Jean-Michel
Jumpin' Jack Flash Fred Credited as "Phil E. Hartmann"
¡Three Amigos! Sam Credited as "Philip E. Hartmann"
1987 Blind Date Ted Davis
The Brave Little Toaster Air Conditioner
Hanging Lamp
Amazon Women on the Moon Baseball announcer
1989 Fletch Lives Bly Manager
How I Got Into College Bennedict
1990 Quick Change Hal Edison
1993 Loaded Weapon 1 Officer Davis
CB4 Virgil Robinson
Coneheads Marlax
So I Married an Axe Murderer John "Vicky" Johnson
Alcatraz guide
1994 Greedy Frank
The Pagemaster Tom Morgan
1995 The Crazysitter The Salesman
Houseguest Gary Young
Stuart Saves His Family Announcer Uncredited
1996 Sgt. Bilko Major Colin Thorn
Jingle All the Way Ted Maltin
1998 Kiki's Delivery Service Jiji English dub of Japanese film 'Majo no takkyûbin';
posthumously released
Small Soldiers Phil Fimple Posthumously released
Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night Additional voices Posthumously released
Television
Year Series Role Notes
1979 Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Additional voices
1980 The Six O'Clock Follies Unnamed role
1981 The Pee-wee Herman Show Captain Carl Also writer
The Smurfs Additional voices
1983 The Pop 'N Rocker Game Announcer
1984 Challenge of the GoBots Additional voices
Magnum, P.I. Newsreader Episode 5.4: "The Legacy of Garwood Huddle"
1985 The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo Additional voice Episode 1.9: "It's a Wonderful Scoob"
1986 Dennis the Menace Henry Mitchell
George Wilson
Various characters Replaced by Maurice LaMarche after the first season.
1986–1987 Pee-wee's Playhouse Captain Carl Series regular; left after season one.
1986–1994 Saturday Night Live Various characters Also writer
Main cast member; appeared in 155 episodes.
1987 DuckTales Sea Captain Episode 1.56: "Scrooge's Pet"
1988 Fantastic Max Additional voices
1990 Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures Additional voices Episode 1.1: "One Sweet and Sour Chinese Adventure to Go"
On the Television Various characters Episode 1.13: "M. Superior"
TaleSpin Ace London Episode 1.56: "Mach One for the Gipper"
Gravedale High Additional voices
Tiny Toon Adventures Octavius Episode 1.45: "Whale's Tales"
1991 Captain Planet and the Planeteers Russian Ambassador Episode 2.1: "Mind Pollution"; uncredited
Empty Nest Tim Cornell Episode 3.18: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"
Darkwing Duck Paddywhack Episode 1.56: "The Haunting of Mr. Banana Brain"
One Special Victory Mike Rutten TV film
1991–1998 The Simpsons Troy McClure
Lionel Hutz
Various characters Recurring guest star; appeared in 54 episodes.
"Bart the Mother" aired posthumously
1992 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Phil Diamond Episode 3.9: "Lewis and Son"
1993 Daybreak Man in abstinence commercial TV film; uncredited
Animaniacs Dan Anchorman Episode 1.41: "Broadcast Nusiance"
The Twelve Days of Christmas Additional voice TV film
The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode 2.4: "The Stalker"
1994 The Critic Adolph Hitmaker
Bernie Wasserman
Professor Blowhard Episode 1.6: "Eyes on the Prize"
1995 The Show Formerly Known as the Martin Short Show Various characters
The John Larroquette Show Otto Friedling Episode 3.4: "A Moveable Feast"
Night Stand Gunther Johann Episode 1.23: "Illegal Alien Star Search"
1995–1998 NewsRadio Bill McNeal Main cast member; appeared in 75 episodes.
Hartman died between the fourth and fifth seasons.
1996 The Dana Carvey Show Larry King Episode 1.3: "The Mountain Dew Dana Carvey Show"
Caroline in the City Host Episode 2.2: "Caroline and the Letter"; uncredited
The Ren & Stimpy Show Additional voices Episodes 5.2: "Space Dogged/Feud for Sale" and 5.4: "Stimpy's Pet/Ren's Brain"
Seinfeld Man on phone Episode 8.5: "The Package"; uncredited
1996, 1998 3rd Rock from the Sun Phillip
Randy Episodes 1.7: "Lonely Dick" and 3.27: "Eat, Drink, Dick, Mary"
1997 The Second Civil War President of the United States TV film
1999 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Game show host Episode 6.4: "The Empress's Nightingale"
Final recorded performance; posthumously aired.
Video games
Year Game Role
1997 Virtual Springfield Troy McClure
Lionel Hutz
1998 Blasto Captain Blasto
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http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/katsalyer/philhartman.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 6:31 am
****I just happened to notice that I'm one day a head of schedule***
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 6:42 am
* OK here is the person born on this day...Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux (born Susan Janet Ballion on 27 May 1957 in London), is an English singer-songwriter, better known for her work as the lead singer of Siouxsie and the Banshees and of its splinter group The Creatures. She has also sung with artists such as Morrissey and John Cale. In 2004, she began a solo career.
Siouxsie is considered to be "one of the most influential British singers of the rock era". Her music has influenced a variety of artists including LCD Soundsystem, Tricky, Jeff Buckley Massive Attack, and TV on the Radio.
Sioux was born at Guy's Hospital in Southwark, Southeast London, England, the youngest of three children. She attended Mottingham Secondary Modern School for Girls in Kent. Her mother was a bilingual secretary, her father a laboratory technician who milked serum from venomous snakes in the Belgian Congo. Her father died of complications from alcoholism when Sioux was 14; shortly afterward, she survived a life-threatening bout of ulcerative colitis, which she later said "completely demystified the body for me."
During her teens, she was a self-confessed loner, was into the music of David Bowie, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, T.Rex, The Velvet Underground and The Stooges, and started visiting the local gay discos. She became well known in the London punk scene for her glam, fetish and bondage attire, which became staples of punk fashion.
In the mid-1970s, journalist Caroline Coon coined the term "Bromley Contingent" to talk about a group of eccentric teenagers devoted to the Sex Pistols. Siouxsie was a member of the Contingent, along with fellow Banshees founder Steven Severin.
Sioux's first gig was with her group Suzie and the Banshees, as an unrehearsed fill-in at the 100 Club Punk Festival organised by Malcolm McLaren in September 1976. The group did not know or play any songs; they improvised as Sioux recited poems and prayers she had memorized.
The same month, the Bromley Contingent followed the Sex Pistols to France, where Sioux was beaten up by someone for wearing a black armband with a swastika on it. She claimed her intent was to shock the bourgeoisie, not to make a political statement. To stop controversy, she later wrote the songs "Metal Postcard (Mittageisen)" (to the memory of the anti-Nazi artist John Heartfield) and the single "Israel".
One of Sioux's first public appearances was with the Sex Pistols on Bill Grundy's television show in December 1976. In the course of Grundy's interview with the members of the Sex Pistols, the presenter tried to flirt with her. In reaction, Pistols guitarist Steve Jones called him a "dirty bastard", which created a media furore that had a major impact on the Pistols' subsequent career.
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Main article: Siouxsie and the Banshees
In 1976, Siouxsie formed the band Siouxsie and the Banshees with her friend Steven Severin on bass guitar. Two years later, their first single, "Hong Kong Garden" with its glockenspiel motif, instantaneously reached the top 10 in the UK. It was pictured by critics as "a bright, vivid narrative, something like snapshots from the window of a speeding Japanese train, power charged by the most original, intoxicating guitar playing heard in a long, long time."
Their first album, 1978's The Scream, was described by Nick Kent in the NME in the following terms : "The band sounds like some unique hybrid of the Velvet Underground mated with much of the ingenuity of Tago Mago-era Can, if any parallel can be drawn." At the end of the article, he added this remark: "Certainly, the traditional three-piece sound has never been used in a more unorthodox fashion with such stunning results." The Scream was later hailed by the NME as one of the best debut album of all time with Patti Smith's Horses. Join Hands followed in 1979.
The 1980 album Kaleidoscope marked a change of musical direction with the arrival of John McGeoch, considered as "one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of the past thirty years". The hit-single Happy House was qualified as "great pop" with "liquid guitar" and other songs like "Red Light" were layered with electronic sounds. Kaleidoscope widened her audience, reaching the top 5 in the UK charts. Juju followed the same way in 1981, reaching the number 7. During the recording sessions, the singer decided to form a second act The Creatures with Banshees drummer Budgie, to record music more based on percussion. The first record of the duo was the ep Wild Things. In 1982, the British press greeted the Siouxsie and the Banshees's album A Kiss in the Dreamhouse enthusiastically. Richard Cook in the NME finished his review with "I promise. This music will take your breath away."
In 1983, Siouxsie went to Hawaii to record The Creatures's first album Feast, which included the hit-single "Miss The Girl". Then with the Banshees and guitarist Robert Smith of The Cure, she revisited The Beatles' "Dear Prudence", reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. Two other records followed: Nocturne, recorded live in London and Hyæna in 1984. 1986's Tinderbox and the 1987 cover album Through the Looking Glass both reached the top 15 in the UK.
In 1988, the single "Peek-a-Boo" marked a musical departure from her previous work: it anticipated hip hop-inspired rock with the use of samples. The song was praised by the NME as "oriental marching band hip hop with farting horns and catchy accordion" and hailed by the Melody Maker as "a brightly unexpected mixture of black steel and pop disturbance." The Peepshow album, which also moved on other directions, was considered by critics as her most successful album in years.
Sioux then reformed the Creatures with Budgie and went in Spain to record Boomerang. In his review, Simon Reynolds said that it was her "most inventive and invigorated music since A Kiss In The Dreamhouse.".
In 1991, the singer scored a hit in the Billboard Hot 100 singles, with "Kiss Them for Me" peaking at number 23. After the release of Superstition that encountered enthusiatic reviews, she co-headlined the first Lollapalooza tour further increasing her American following. In 1992, Sioux recorded the single "Face to Face" and marked a pause of a few years. She then released the last Banshees studio album The Rapture. After the accompanying tour, the Banshees announced their split during a press conference called "20 minutes into 20 years".
1994-2003
Main article: The Creatures
In the middle of the nineties, Sioux started to make one-off collaborations with other artists.
Morrissey recorded a duet with her in 1994. They both sang on the single "Interlude", a track that was initially performed by Timi Yuro, a female torch singer of the 1960s.
In 1995, she released the song "The Lighthouse" on the French producer Hector Zazou's album Chansons des mers froides which mean Songs from the Cold Seas. Sioux and Zazou adapted the poem "Flannan Isle" by English poet Wilfred Wilson Gibson.
At the same time, The Creatures, the band she ran for years with Budgie as a side-project, became the main attraction.
In February 1998, John Cale was the organizer of the "With a Little Help From My Friends" festival that took place at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. The concert was shown on Dutch national television and featured an unreleased composition of Siouxsie, "Murdering Mouth" sung in duet with John Cale. The colloration between the two artists worked so well that they later both decided to tour the USA during the summer, singing each night together certain songs of their repertoire like Sioux's "Murdering Mouth" and Cale's "Gun".
The following year, Siouxsie & Budgie released the first Creatures album since the split of the Banshees. Anima Animus was described by The Times as "hypnotic and inventive". The singer later made another collaboration, making this time a duet with Marc Almond on the track "Threat Of Love".
In 2003, Sioux was asked to compose and sing the title track to Basement Jaxx's album Kish Kash : the record then received a prize at the Grammy Awards Shortly after, Siouxsie published the last Creatures album, Hai! which was in part recorded in Japan. Peter Wratts wrote in Time Out : "her voice is the dominant instrument here, snaking and curling around the bouncing drumming backdrop, elegiac and inhuman as she chants, purrs and whispers her way around the album" and it's a "spine-tingling achievement".
Solo career
Siouxsie at the Saturday Night Fiber, Madrid 2008
One year later, she toured for the first time as a solo act combining Banshees and Creatures songs : a live DVD called Dreamshow captured the last London concert of September 2004 performed with the Millennia Ensemble. Released in August 2005, this DVD reached the number one position in the UK music DVD charts.
Her first solo album MantaRay was released on September 2007 to critical acclaim. Pitchfork Media wrote "She really is pop" before finishing the review by declaring "It's a success." Mojo magazine stated "a thirst for sonic adventure radiates from each track".
In 2008, Siouxsie took part in The Edge of Love soundtrack by composer Angelo Badalamenti, frequent collaborator with director David Lynch. She sang on the title "Careless Love". She later performed another Badalamenti number "Who Will Take My Dreams Away" at the annual edition of the World Soundtrack Awards.
After a year of touring, the singer played the last show of her tour in London in September. A live DVD of this performance called Finale: The Last Mantaray And More Show was released in 2009.
Influence on other artists
Siouxsie's influence on modern music has been considerable. Her work has been covered and hailed by many major bands.
Siouxsie had a strong impact on two main trip-hop acts. Tricky covered "Tattoo" to open his second album Nearly God and Massive Attack sampled "Metal Postcard" on their song "Superpredators (Metal Postcard)" for the soundtrack to the film The Jackal. Siouxsie's songs have also been revisited by other acts. LCD Soundsystem covered "Slowdive" for the B-side of "Disco Infiltrator": their version was also released on a iTunes Remix Album in 2006. Santigold based one of her tracks on the music of "Red Light". "'My Superman' is an interpolation of a Siouxsie Sioux song, 'Red Light,'" she explained. Jeff Buckley, who took inspiration in various female singers, covered live a Sioux song called "Killing Time", originally composed in 1989 for the Creatures album Boomerang: Buckley first performed it in 1992 for radio WFMU. In 2003, The Beta Band sampled "Painted Bird" and changed the title in "Liquid Bird" on their Heroes to Zeros album. Red Hot Chili Peppers performed "Christine" at the V2001 festival and introduced it to their British audience as "your national anthem". DeVotchka covered "The Last Beat of My Heart" on the suggestion of Arcade Fire singer Win Butler: the musicians later considered it as the "centre-piece" of their Curse Your Little Heart EP. Jeremy Jay also covered "Lunar Camel" on his Airwalker EP in 2007 and cited her amongst his main influences.
Sioux has also been hailed by other critically acclaimed groups. Morrissey said that "Siouxsie and the Banshees were excellent. They were one of the great groups of the late 70s, early 80s". He also stated of modern groups in 1994: "None of them are as good as Siouxsie and the Banshees at full pelt. That's not dusty nostalgia, that's fact." Another ex-member of The Smiths, Johnny Marr mentionned on the BBC Radio 2 in February 2008 that he rated very high McGeoch for his work on Siouxsie's single "Spellbound". Marr qualified it as "clever" with "really good picky thing going on which is very un-rock'n'roll." PJ Harvey put on her website the Anima Animus album by Siouxsie's second band The Creatures in her top ten favourite records of year 1999. The Cure's Robert Smith declared in 2003 : "Siouxsie and The Banshees and Wire were the two bands I really admired. They meant something." He also pinpointed what the Join Hands tour brought him musically. "On stage that first night with the Banshees, I was blown away by how powerful I felt playing that kind of music. It was so different to what we were doing with The Cure. Before that, I'd wanted us to be like The Buzzcocks or Elvis Costello, the punk Beatles. Being a Banshee really changed my attitude to what I was doing." For his record The Head on the Door in 1985, he stated : "It reminds me of the Kaleidoscope album, the idea of having lots of different sounding things, different colors". Radiohead cited John McGeoch'era Siouxsie records when mentioning the recording of the song "There There". U2 cited Siouxsie as a major influence and selected "Christine" for the track listing of a compilation made for Mojo's readers. The Edge also presented Siouxsie with an award at a Mojo ceremony in 2005. Garbage's singer, Shirley Manson has cited Sioux as a main influence on her and wrote the foreword of the 2003's Siouxsie biography by Mojo magazine journalist Mark Paytress. In a text of several pages, Manson wrote : "I learned how to sing listening to The Scream and Kaleidoscope." The singer of Garbage also told the Melody Maker that Siouxsie embodied everything she wanted to be as a young woman. Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction has made a parallel between his band and the Banshees: "there are so many similar threads: melody, use of sound, attitude, sex-appeal. I always saw Jane's Addiction as the masculine Siouxsie & the Banshees." Gossip also named Siouxsie as one of their influences for their 2009's Music For Men.
Musical genre
Garbage's singer Shirley Manson said:
(In 1981), the press began to describe them as a goth band. I never thought of them as goth. Goth has never been particularly angry, just a little dismayed. It had a weak, submissive side to it. Siouxsie & The Banshees always had a real edge to what they did. There was so much articulated spite, humour, politics with a small 'p' there that I never felt they went down that simple, gloomy path. People try to pass them off as a goth band because they find them dangerous and don't understand them. Today, I can see and hear the Banshees' influence all over the place.
Personal life
Sioux married Budgie in 1991. The following year, she and Budgie moved to the south west of France.
In June 2005, she won the Icon Award at the Mojo Honours in London.
In an interview with The Sunday Times in August 2007, she clarified that she and Budgie had divorced. In an interview with The Independent, she said, "I've never particularly said I'm hetero or I'm a lesbian. I know there are people who are definitely one way, but not really me. I suppose if I am attracted to men then they usually have more feminine qualities."
Discography
For her works with Siouxsie and the Banshees, see Siouxsie and the Banshees discography.
For her works with The Creatures, see The Creatures discography.
Solo album
* MantaRay (2007) #39 UK
Solo singles
* 2007 "Into a Swan" #59 UK
* 2007 "Here Comes That Day" #103 UK
* 2008 "About to Happen" UK #154 UK
DVD
* 2005 Dreamshow #1 UK
* 2009 Finale: The Last Mantaray And More Show #4 UK
Collaborations with other artists
* Morrissey:"Interlude" (single recorded in duet) (1994)
* Hector Zazou: "The Lighthouse" (song recorded as guest on the Chansons des mers froides Songs from the Cold Seas album) (1995)
* Marc Almond: "Threat of Love" (song recorded in duet for the Open All Night album) (1999)
* Basement Jaxx: "Cish Cash" (song recorded as guest on the Kish Kash album) (2003)
* Angelo Badalamenti: "Careless Love" (song recorded as guest for The Edge of Love film soundtrack) (2008)
Film appearances of songs include The Punk Rock Movie (Don Letts, 1977); Jubilee (Derek Jarman, 1977); Out of Bounds (Richard Tuggle, 1986); Batman Returns (Tim Burton,1992); Showgirls (Paul Verhoeven, 1995); The Craft (Andrew Fleming, 1996); Grosse Pointe Blank (George Armitage, 1997); The Filth and the Fury (Julien Temple, 2000); 24 Hour Party People (Michael Winterbottom, 2002); Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola, 2006); Monster House (Gil Kenan, 2006); Notes on a Scandal (Richard Eyre, 2006); Doomsday (Neil Marshall, 2008)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 6:46 am
* The person who died on this day...Jeffrey Hunter
Jeffrey Hunter (November 25, 1926 – May 27, 1969) was an American film and television actor.
Hunter was born Henry Herman McKinnies, Jr., in New Orleans, Louisiana, but raised after 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Whitefish Bay High School. He began acting in local theater and radio in his early teens. He served stateside in the United States Navy, in World War II, then studied theatre at Northwestern University, 1946–1949.
Acting career
Jeffrey Hunter as Martin Pawley in The Searchers.
In 1950, while a graduate student in radio at the University of California, Los Angeles and appearing in a college play, he was spotted by talent scouts and offered a two-year motion picture contract by 20th Century-Fox that was eventually extended to 1959. He made his Hollywood debut in Fourteen Hours, had star billing by Red Skies of Montana (1952), and first billing in Sailor of the King (1953).
A loan-out to co-star with John Wayne in the title roles of the now-classic western The Searchers began the first of three pictures he made with director John Ford; the other two being The Last Hurrah (1958) and Sergeant Rutledge (1960).
Ford also recommended Hunter to director Nicholas Ray for the role of Jesus in the Biblical film King of Kings (1961), a difficult part met by critical reaction that ranged from praise to ridicule. Among an all-star cast in the World War II battle epic The Longest Day, he provided a climactic heroic act of leading an ultimately successful attempt to breach the defense wall atop Normandy's Omaha Beach but dying in the process.
Having guest-starred on television dramas since the mid-1950s, Hunter was now offered a two-year contract by Warner Brothers that included starring as circuit-riding Texas lawyer Temple Lea Houston, the youngest son of Sam Houston, in the NBC series Temple Houston (1963–64), which Hunter's production company co-produced.
Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus in King of Kings.
Although Temple Houston did not survive its first season, Hunter accepted the lead role of Captain Christopher Pike in "The Cage", the first pilot episode of Star Trek. Hunter declined to film a second Star Trek pilot requested by NBC in 1965, and decided to concentrate on motion pictures such as Brainstorm. Later that year, Hunter filmed the pilot for another NBC series, the espionage thriller Journey Into Fear, which the network did not pick up.
With the demise of the studio contract system in the early 1960s and the outsourcing of much feature production, Hunter, like many other leading men of the 1950s, had to find work in B movies produced in Europe, Hong Kong, and Mexico, with the occasional television guest part in Hollywood.
Personal life
Hunter's first marriage was to actress Barbara Rush (1950–1955) with whom he had a son, Christopher, in 1952. From 1957 to 1967, he was married to model Dusty Bartlett. He adopted her son, Steele, and the couple had two other children, Todd and Scott. In February 1969, he married actress Emily McLaughlin.
Death
Hunter suffered a stroke while flying back to the U.S. from Spain after filming Viva America!. While recovering at his home, Hunter suffered another stroke, causing him to fall down a flight of stairs, and sustain a skull fracture. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage on May 27, 1969.
Hunter was interred in Sylmar, California's Glen Haven Memorial Park.
Selective filmography
* Julius Caesar (1950)
* Fourteen Hours (1951)
* Take Care of My Little Girl (1951)
* The Frogmen (1951)
* Red Skies of Montana (1952)
* Lure of the Wilderness (1952)
* Belles on Their Toes (1952)
* Sailor of the King (1953)
* Three Young Texans (1954)
* Princess of the Nile (1954)
* White Feather (1955)
* Seven Angry Men (1955)
* Seven Cities of Gold (1955)
* The Searchers (1956)
* A Kiss Before Dying (1956)
* The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)
* The Proud Ones (1956)
* Gun for a Coward (1957)
* No Down Payment (1957)
* The True Story of Jesse James (1957)
* In Love and War (1958)
* The Last Hurrah (1958)
* Count Five and Die (1958)
* Key Witness (1960)
* Sergeant Rutledge (1960)
* Hell to Eternity (1960)
* King of Kings (1961)
* No Man Is an Island (1962)
* The Longest Day (1962)
* Brainstorm (1965)
* Star Trek Original Series Episodes: The Cage (first pilot episode, 1965), The Menagerie (1966)
* Custer of the West (1967)
* The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968)
* Find a Place to Die (1968)
* Super Colt 38 (1969)
* Viva America! (1969)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/27/10 at 7:05 am
The person who was born on this day...Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, the most famous incarnation of which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the daughter of Elizabeth (née Woods) and Merald Knight, Sr., a postal worker. She first achieved minor fame by winning Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour TV show contest at the age of 7 in 1952. The following year, she, her brother Merald, sister Brenda, and cousins William and Elenor Guest formed a musical group called The Pips (named after another cousin, James "Pip" Woods). By the end of the decade, the act had begun to tour, and had replaced Brenda Knight and Eleanor Guest with Gladys Knight's cousin Edward Patten and friend Langston George.
Knight discovered she was pregnant in 1960, and married her high school sweetheart James Newman. After a miscarriage, Knight returned to performing with the Pips. In 1961, Bobby Robinson produced the single "Every Beat of My Heart" for the group, which became a #1 R&B and #6 pop hit when released on Vee-Jay Records. In 1962, Langston George left the group, which at that time renamed itself Gladys Knight & the Pips and continued as a quartet.
In 1962, after scoring a second hit, "Letter Full of Tears", Knight became pregnant again and gave birth to a son, Jimmy III, that year. She retired from the road to raise her child while The Pips toured on their own. After giving birth in 1963 to a daughter, Kenya, Knight returned to recording with the Pips in order to support her family.
Success with The Pips
Main article: Gladys Knight & the Pips
Knight and the Pips perform aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger on November 1, 1981.
Gladys Knight & the Pips joined the Motown roster in 1966, and, although regarded as a second-string act, scored several hit singles, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," (recorded later by Marvin Gaye), "Friendship Train" (1969), "If I Were Your Woman" (1970), "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" (1971), the Grammy Award winning "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" (1972), and "Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)" (1973). In their early Motown career Gladys Knight and the Pips toured as the opening act for Diana Ross and The Supremes. Gladys Knight stated in her memoirs that Miss Ross kicked her off the tour because the audience's reception to Knight's soulful performance overshadowed her. Berry Gordy later told Gladys that she was giving his act a hard time.
The act left Motown for a better deal with Buddah Records in 1973, and achieved full-fledged success that year with hits such as the Grammy-winning "Midnight Train to Georgia" (#1 on the pop and R&B chart), "I've Got to Use My Imagination," and "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me." In the summer of 1974, Knight and the Pips recorded the soundtrack to the successful film Claudine with producer Curtis Mayfield. The act was particularly successful in Europe, and especially the United Kingdom. However, the Buddah hits all followed a number of years after their success in the U.S.. For example "Midnight Train to Georgia" hit the UK pop charts Top 5 in the summer of 1976, a full three years after its success in the U.S..
During this period of greater recognition, Knight made her motion picture acting debut in the film Pipe Dreams, a romantic drama set in Alaska. The film failed at the box-office, but Knight did receive a Golden Globe Best New Actress nomination.
Knight and the Pips continued to have hits until the late 1970s, when they were forced to record separately due to legal issues, resulting in Knight's first solo LP recordings--Miss Gladys Knight (1978) on Buddah and Gladys Knight (1979) on Columbia Records. Having divorced James Newman II in 1973, Knight married Barry Hankerson (future uncle of R&B singer Aaliyah), then Detroit mayor Coleman Young's executive aide. Knight and Hankerson remained married for four years, during which time they had a son, Shanga Ali. Upon their divorce, Hankerson and Knight were embroiled in a heated custody battle over Shanga Ali.
In the early 1980s, Johnny Mathis invited Gladys to record two duets – "When A Child Is Born" (previously a hit for Mathis) and "The Lord's Prayer".
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Play sound
Gladys Knight & the Pips' version of the song, from their 1967 album Everybody Needs Love.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Signing with Columbia Records in 1980 and restored to its familiar quartet form, Gladys Knight & the Pips began releasing new material. The act enlisted former Motown producers Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson for their first two LPs--About Love (1980) and Touch (1981). During this period, Knight kicked a gambling addiction to the game baccarat.
In 1987, Knight decided to pursue a solo career, and she and the Pips recorded their final LP together, All Our Love (1987), for MCA Records. Its lead single, "Love Overboard", was a successful hit and won a third Grammy for the act as well. After a successful 1988 tour, the Pips retired and Knight began her solo career. Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Solo music career
Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken & Waffles in Atlanta.
While still with The Pips, Knight joined with Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John on the 1986 AIDS benefit single, "That's What Friends Are For" which won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. In 1989, Gladys Knight recorded the title track for the James Bond movie Licence to Kill, a top 10 hit both in the UK, reaching #6, and Germany.
Knight's third solo LP, Good Woman, was released by MCA in 1991. It rose to #1 on the R&B album chart and featured the #2 R&B hit "Men". The album also featured "Superwoman", written by Babyface and featuring Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle. Knight and LaBelle would collaborate the same year on "I Don't Do Duets", a duet with Patti LaBelle from LaBelle's album Burnin'.
Her fourth solo LP, Just for You, went gold and was nominated for the 1995 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. During this period, Knight was briefly married to motivational speaker Les Brown. It was also during this period that her eldest son, Jimmy III, died in his sleep at the age of 36.
In 1992 Vernon Ray Blue II, choir master of the year asked Gladys to record his first single "He Lifted Me"
Now married to William McDowell, Knight joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997. She had occasionally teased LDS Church president, the late Gordon B. Hinckley, that his flock needs to inject some "pep" into their music. Knight created and now directs the Mormon-themed choir Saints Unified Voices. SUV has released a Grammy Award-winning CD titled One Voice, and occasionally performs at LDS church firesides.
In 2008, a duet between Knight and Johnny Mathis was released on Mathis' album A Night to Remember. Knight is ranked number eighteen on VH1 network's list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock.
In the spring of 2008, Knight appeared alongside Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle and Diana Ross at the 'Divas with Heart' concert in aid of cardiac research, at New York's Radio City Hall.
In 2008 Gladys, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Stiller performed on American Idol to raise money for charity. In March 2010, Randy Jackson mentioned on a new episode of the same show that he is back in the studio with Gladys Knight working on a new album.
Michael Jackson Funeral
In 2009 Knight sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "The Lord's Prayer" at the funeral service for Michael Jackson.
UK Farewell Tour
In October 2009, Gladys started her UK Farewell tour which featured Tito Jackson as her supporting act and special appearances by Dionne Warwick.
Speaking ahead of the Manchester show, Jackson said: "The UK was a very special place to my brother Michael and I'm so excited to be able to pay my respect to his fans here. To be able to do this whilst supporting our dear friend Gladys is a complete blessing." On the October 9 concert, his mother Katherine Jackson and his brother Randy were acknowledged in the audience.
The UK Farewell Tour featured higher production value than previous "Gladys Knight, a mic and a light" appearances by Gladys in the UK. A glossy program was available and the show featured pre-produced animation on large on-stage screens. The tour was promoted by an appearance on the TV program Later... with Jools Holland where Gladys performed If I Were Your Woman and Help Me Make It Through the Night.
At select performances on the UK Farewell Tour recordings of the concerts were made available for sale on USB flash drives.
Acting and other work
Knight guest-starred on several television series throughout the 1980s and 1990s ,with roles on Benson, The Jeffersons, A Different World, Living Single, The Jamie Foxx Show and New York Undercover. In 1985, she co-starred on the CBS sitcom Charlie & Co. with comedian Flip Wilson. It lasted for one season. In April 2009, she made a special guest appearance and performed a song on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Knight has also made a number of television cameo appearances, including Las Vegas, and 30 Rock.
Knight's son Shanga owns a chain of chicken and waffles restaurants based in Atlanta, bearing her name.Gladys Knight & Ron Winans' Chicken & Waffles currently have three locations in the Atlanta area. In 2009, Gladys was featured in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself and performed her song The Need To Be from the 1974 album I Feel a Song.'
Awards, Honors and Achievements
For awards won by Knight with the Pips, see Gladys Knight & the Pips.
* Grammy Awards
o 1986 Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - "That's What Friends Are For" - Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder.
o 2001 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album - "At Last"
o 2004 Best Gospel Performance - "Heaven Help Us All" - Ray Charles & Gladys Knight.
o 2005 Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album - One Voice - Gladys Knight & The Saints Unified Voices.
* Other awards
o 1992 Gladys Knight was awarded an Essence Award for Career Achievement.
o 1995 Gladys Knight was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.
o 1997: Gladys Knight received the Pinnacle Award during 5th Annual Trumpet Awards presentation in Atlanta, Georgia.
o 2005: Gladys Knight received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BET cable network.
o 2006: Gladys Knight received a Legendary Award from the Las Vegas Music Awards.
o 2007: Gladys Knight received Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist during The 38th NAACP Image Awards.
o 2007: Gladys Knight was declared the "Empress of Soul" and presented with the 16th Annual Ella Award by the Society of Singers
o 2008: Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder were presented with the Best Living Legend Award at the 1st Annual The BET Honors.
o 2008: Gladys Knight received the Lifetime Diva Award at the Stardust Music Awards in March.
o 2008: Gladys Knight was honored by The National Black Arts Festival and The Coca Cola Company at the 2008 Legends Celebration.
Solo discography
See also: Gladys Knight & the Pips discography
Singles
* 1978: "I'm Coming Home Again" (#54 U.S. R&B)
* 1979: "Am I Too Late" (#45 U.S. R&B)
* 1981: "When a Child Is Born" (with Johnny Mathis) (#74 UK)
* 1985: "That's What Friends Are For" (with Dionne Warwick, Elton John & Stevie Wonder) (#1 U.S. Pop, #1 U.S. R&B, #1 U.S. AC, UK #16)
* 1986: "Loving On Borrowed Time" (w/Bill Medley) (#16 US AC)
* 1989: "License to Kill" (#69 U.S. R&B, #18 U.S. AC, #6 UK) Wind Beneath My Wings (12# U.S. U.K. R&B #12 UK)
* 1990: "If I Knew Then What I Know Now" (with Kenny Rogers) (#10 U.S. AC)
* 1991: "Men" (#2 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: "Meet Me in the Middle" (#78 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: "Where Would I Be" (#66 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: "Superwoman" (with Dionne Warwick & Patti LaBelle) (airplay-only)
* 1994: "I Don't Want to Know" (#32 U.S. R&B)(#113 US POP)
* 1994: "End of the Road" Medley: "If You Don't Know Me by Now"/"Love Don't Love Nobody" (#76 U.S. R&B)
* 1995: "Next Time" (#30 U.S. R&B)
* 1996: "Missing You" (with Brandy, Tamia & Chaka Khan) (#25 U.S. Pop, #10, U.S. R&B, #30 U.S. AC)
Albums
* 1978: Miss Gladys Knight (#57 U.S. R&B)
* 1979: Gladys Knight (#79 U.S. R&B)
* 1991: Good Woman (#45 U.S. Pop, #1 U.S. R&B)
* 1994: Just for You (#53 U.S. Pop, #6 U.S. R&B)
* 1998: Many Different Roads (#21 U.S. Gospel)
* 2001: At Last (#98 U.S. Pop, #30 U.S. R&B)
* 2005: One Voice (with Saints Unified Voices) (#95 U.S. R&B, #21 U.S. Gospel)
* 2006: A Christmas Celebration (with Saints Unified Voices) (#155 U.S. Pop, #59 U.S. R&B, #1 U.S. Gospel)
* 2006: Before Me (#93 U.S. Pop, #18 U.S. R&B, #4 U.S. Jazz)
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Gladys Knight is great. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/27/10 at 7:05 am
There's also a soul singer named D-Train.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 9:06 am
Gladys Knight is great. :)
She is a very talented lady.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/27/10 at 12:07 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pHhItkhc7o
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/27/10 at 1:06 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pHhItkhc7o
Cat
I've always loved that song. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/27/10 at 2:41 pm
I've always loved that song. :)
Me, too.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/27/10 at 4:15 pm
When I was in the service, I worked with this girl who was teaching me how to use one of those floor buffers (you didn't want to be anywhere near it with my first couple of attempts. :D ;D ;D ;D ). After she gave me the instruction and she handed the "reins" over to me. I looked at her and said, "In the words of Stevie Nicks, 'Stand Back, Stand Back." She looked at me and said, "In the words of Boy George, "Do you really want to hurt me?" :D ;D ;D ;D
Cat
Nice one... ;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/27/10 at 4:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pHhItkhc7o
Cat
She is smoooth...and a true professional. Like her singing a lot!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 05/27/10 at 4:22 pm
I liked Jeffrey Hunter too. Especially in the Searchers and King of Kings...
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/27/10 at 7:23 pm
She is smoooth...and a true professional. Like her singing a lot!
has been in the business 45 years.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/28/10 at 12:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pHhItkhc7o
Cat
Love the song!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/28/10 at 2:35 pm
Love the song!
It was the first song I heard this morning when I turned the radio on. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/28/10 at 3:11 pm
How about the song "Save Some Overtime For Me".
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/29/10 at 5:11 am
The word of the day...Housewife(ves)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/29/10 at 5:14 am
The person born on this day...Danny Elfman
Daniel Robert "Danny" Elfman (born May 29, 1953) is an American musician, best known for composing music for television and movies and leading the rock band Oingo Boingo as singer/songwriter from 1976 until its breakup in 1995. He is a frequent collaborator with long-time friend Tim Burton and has scored all of his films (with the exception of Cabin Boy, James and the Giant Peach, Ed Wood and Sweeney Todd). He has been nominated for four Academy Awards and won a Grammy Award for Tim Burton's Batman and an Emmy Award for his Desperate Housewives theme. Elfman is famous for creating The Simpsons main title theme, and his role as Jack Skellington's singing voice in The Nightmare Before Christmas. He also sang for the character Bone Jangles in the movie Corpse Bride. He is the uncle in-law to actress Jenna Elfman. Elfman was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Blossom Elfman (née Bernstein), a writer and teacher, and Milton Elfman, a teacher who was in the Air Force. Elfman grew up in a racially mixed community in the Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles. He spent much of his time in the local movie theatre, adoring the music of such film composers as Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman.
Stating that he hung out with the "band nerds" in high school, he started a ska band. After dropping out of high school, he followed his brother Richard to France, where he performed with Le Grand Magic Circus, an avant-garde musical theater group. Violin in tow, Elfman next journeyed to Africa where he traveled through Ghana, Mali, and Upper Volta, absorbing new musical styles, including the Ghanaian highlife genre which would eventually influence his own music. Elfman contracted malaria during his one-year stay and was often sick. Eventually he returned home to the United States, where he began to take Balinese music lessons at the CalArts. He was never officially a student at the institute, nonetheless, the instructor encouraged him to continue learning. Elfman stated, "He just laughed, and said, 'Sit. Play.' I continued to sit and play for a couple years." At this time, his brother was forming a new musical theater group, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo]]. The group performed the music for Richard's debut feature film, Forbidden Zone. Danny Elfman composed his first score for the film and played the role of Satan. By the time the movie was completed, they had taken the name Oingo Boingo and begun recording and touring as a rock group.
Elfman and Tim Burton
In 1985, Tim Burton and Paul Reubens invited Elfman to write the score for their first feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure. Elfman was apprehensive at first because of his lack of formal training, but with orchestration assistance from Oingo Boingo guitarist and arranger Steve Bartek, he achieved his goal of emulating the mood of such composers as Nino Rota and Bernard Herrmann. In the booklet for the first volume of Music for a Darkened Theatre, Elfman described the first time he heard his music played by a full orchestra as one of the most thrilling experiences of his life. Elfman immediately developed a rapport with Burton and has gone on to score all but two of Burton's major studio releases: Ed Wood, scored by Howard Shore, which was under production while Elfman and Burton were having a fight, and Sweeney Todd, an adaptation of the 1979 Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical. He also, more recently, accompanied Tim Burton in the composition of music for "Almost Alice", the soundtrack for "Alice in Wonderland."
Burton has said of his relationship with Elfman: "We don't even have to talk about the music. We don't even have to intellectualize – which is good for both of us, we're both similar that way. We're very lucky to connect" (Breskin, 1997).
Musical influences
He recalls that the first time he became aware of film music was in his youth during a screening of The Day the Earth Stood Still (Robert Wise, 1951). The music was by Bernard Herrmann, and that, he has said, was where his love of film music began (Russell and Young, 2000). Elfman purposefully nodded towards Herrmann's The Day the Earth Stood Still score in Tim Burton's sci-fi spoof Mars Attacks!
Other film composers have also proven to be influential, such as Nino Rota and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, the former in Elfman's playful music for Pee-wee's Big Adventure, the latter in his much grander work, Batman. Sometimes his music has a distinctly Russian feel, inspired by the likes of Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky’s ballet music, while his frequent use of choirs reflects his love of choral music by the likes of Mozart and Carl Orff. Jazz and rock influences from his earlier career are evident in such films as Chicago and To Die For. Elfman also cited Philip Glass as a major influence in his score for Alice in Wonderland.
Hearing damage
When asked during a 2007 phone-in interview on XETRA-FM if he ever had any notions of performing in an Oingo Boingo reunion, Elfman immediately rejected the idea and stated that in the last few years with the band he had begun to develop significant and irreversible hearing damage as a result of his continuous exposure to the high noise levels involved in performing in a rock band. He went on to say that he believes his hearing damage is partially due to a genetic predisposition to hearing loss, and that he will never return to the stage for fear of worsening not only his condition but also his band mates'.
Recent works
Elfman has recently started working in the classical world, beginning with Serenada Schizophrana for the American Composers Orchestra. It was conducted by John Mauceri on its recording and by Steven Sloane at its premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York City on February 23, 2005. After its premiere, it was recorded in studio and released onto SACD on October 3, 2006. The meeting with Mauceri proved fruitful as the composer was encouraged then to write a new concert piece for Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Elfman composed an "overture to a nonexistent musical" and called the piece "The Overeager Overture." Also, and most recently, he composed the film score to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
Personal life
Elfman has three children, Lola, born in 1979, Mali, born in 1984, and Oliver, born in 2005. On November 29, 2003, Elfman married film actress Bridget Fonda. In 1997 he scored A Simple Plan - his only score for one of her films to date (although he did compose a cue for the film Army of Darkness, in which Fonda has a cameo). He is the uncle of actor Bodhi Elfman who is married to actress Jenna Elfman, known most notably in her role as Dharma in the TV series "Dharma and Greg."
Filmography
Appearances by Elfman as an actor, or as a member of Oingo Boingo:
Year Film Role Notes
1977 I Never Promised You a Rose Garden Yri drummer Also featured Richard Elfman
1980 Forbidden Zone Satan Directed by Richard Elfman
1981 Urgh! A Music War Himself Part of Oingo Boingo
1984 Good Morning, Mr. Orwell Himself Part of Oingo Boingo
1984 Bachelor Party Himself Part of Oingo Boingo
1986 Back to School Himself Part of Oingo Boingo
1993 The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington (singing), Barrel Voice only
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Oompa-Loompas (singing) Voice only
Corpse Bride Bonejangles Voice only
2006 Finding Kraftland Himself Documentary directed by Elfman's agent, Richard Kraft
This is a list of films with scores composed by Elfman:
Year Film Director Film Score/Soundtrack
1980 Forbidden Zone Richard Elfman Soundtrack (soundtrack with The Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo)
1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High Amy Heckerling Soundtrack (soundtrack released by Elektra)
1985 Pee-wee's Big Adventure Tim Burton Soundtrack (film score, rerecording paired with Back to School)
1986 Back to School Alan Metter Soundtrack (film score, rerecording paired with Pee-wee's Big Adventure)
1987 Summer School Carl Reiner Soundtrack (includes one Elfman song; no score)
Wisdom Emilio Estevez, Robert Wise Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
1988 Beetlejuice Tim Burton Soundtrack
Midnight Run Martin Brest Soundtrack released by MCA
Big Top Pee-wee Randal Kleiser Soundtrack (including dialogue) released by Arista, reissued by PEG
Hot to Trot Michael Dinner Suite included on Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 1
Scrooged Richard Donner Suite included on Music for a Darkened Theatre, Vol. 1
1989 Batman Tim Burton Soundtrack
1990 Nightbreed Clive Barker Soundtrack released by MCA
Dick Tracy Warren Beatty Soundtrack
Darkman Sam Raimi Soundtrack
Edward Scissorhands Tim Burton Soundtrack
1992 Article 99 Howard Deutch Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
Batman Returns Tim Burton Soundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records
1993 Sommersby Jon Amiel Soundtrack released by Elektra
The Nightmare Before Christmas Henry Selick Soundtrack
1994 Black Beauty Caroline Thompson Soundtrack
1995 Dolores Claiborne Taylor Hackford Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
Dead Presidents Alberl Hughes Soundtrack (one Elfman track; suite also included on Music for a Darkened Theatre Vol. 2)
To Die For Gus Van Sant Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande (score + songs)
1996 Mission: Impossible Brian De Palma Soundtrack (songs + three brief Elfman suites); Score album
The Frighteners Peter Jackson Soundtrack
Freeway Matthew Bright Suite included on Music for a Darkened Theatre Vol. 2
Extreme Measures Michael Apted Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
Mars Attacks! Tim Burton Soundtrack released by Atlantic; expanded edition released by La-La Land Records
1997 Men in Black Barry Sonnenfeld Soundtrack (two Elfman cues); Score album
Flubber Les Mayfield Soundtrack released by Walt Disney Records
Good Will Hunting Gus Van Sant Soundtrack (two Elfman cues)
1998 A Simple Plan Sam Raimi Soundtrack released by Compass III
1999 Instinct Jon Turteltaub Soundtrack
Anywhere But Here Wayne Wang Soundtrack released by Atlantic (includes one score suite)
Sleepy Hollow Tim Burton Soundtrack
2000 Proof of Life Taylor Hackford Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
The Family Man Brett Ratner Soundtrack released by Sire Records (two Elfman cues)
2001 Planet of the Apes Tim Burton Soundtrack released by Sony Classical
2002 Spider-Man Sam Raimi Score album; Song album
Men in Black II Barry Sonnenfeld Soundtrack released by Columbia Records
Red Dragon Brett Ratner Soundtrack released by Decca Records
Chicago Rob Marshall Soundtrack (two Elfman tracks)
2003 Hulk Ang Lee Soundtrack released by Columbia Records
Big Fish Tim Burton Soundtrack
2004 Spider-Man 2 Sam Raimi Soundtrack; Score album
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tim Burton Soundtrack
Corpse Bride Tim Burton Soundtrack
2006 Deep Sea 3D Howard Hall Serenada Schizophrana
Nacho Libre Jared Hess Soundtrack (score suite)
Charlotte's Web Gary Winick Soundtrack
2007 Meet the Robinsons Stephen Anderson Soundtrack
Spider-Man 3 Sam Raimi Themes
The Kingdom Peter Berg Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
2008 Standard Operating Procedure Errol Morris Soundtrack
Wanted Timur Bekmambetov Soundtrack
Hellboy II: The Golden Army Guillermo del Toro Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
Milk Gus Van Sant Soundtrack released by Decca Records
2009 Notorious George Tillman, Jr. Soundtrack (one Elfman track)
Terminator Salvation McG Soundtrack released by Warner Bros. Records
Taking Woodstock Ang Lee Song soundtrack on Rhino Records with four Elfman cues; score album on La-La Land Records
2010 The Wolfman Joe Johnston Soundtrack released by Varese Sarabande
Alice in Wonderland Tim Burton Soundtrack released by Walt Disney Records
2011 Restless Gus Van Sant
The Green Hornet Michel Gondry
In addition, he has supplied the main themes - except where noted - for movies scored by others (names in brackets):
* 1985: Weird Science (Various)
* 1991: Pure Luck (Jonathan Sheffer)
* 1992: Army Of Darkness: "March Of The Dead" (Joseph LoDuca)
* 1994: Shrunken Heads (Richard Band)
* 1997: Scream 2: "Cassandra Aria" and "Cassandra Aria Reprise" (Marco Beltrami)
* 1998: Modern Vampires (Michael Wandmacher)
* 1999: My Favorite Martian: "Uncle Martin's Theme" (John Debney)
* 2001: Heartbreakers (John Debney)
* 2001: Spy Kids (Chris Boardman, John Debney, Gavin Greenaway, Harry Gregson-Williams, Heitor Pereira, Marcel Rodriguez and Robert Rodriguez)
* 2001: Novocaine (Steve Bartek)
* 2009: 9 (Deborah Lurie)
* 2010: Kick-Ass: "Walk to Rasul's" (John Murphy, Henry Jackman, Marius de Vries, and Ilan Eshkeri)
Elfman also composed the music for the Hollywood Pictures logo (an excerpt from his main title for Sommersby was subsequently used as the logo music for Regency, the company that made it).
He has also written the theme music for several television series, including:
* 1986: Pee-wee's Playhouse (some episodes)
* 1986: Sledge Hammer!
* 1989: Tales from the Crypt
* 1989: Beetlejuice
* 1989: The Simpsons
* 1990: The Flash
* 1992: Batman: The Animated Series
* 1997: Perversions of Science
* 1997: The New Batman/Superman Adventures
* 1999: Dilbert
* 2004: Desperate Housewives
* 2005: Point Pleasant
His other work includes:
* 2004: The opening title theme of the 2004 video game Fable.
* 2008: Soundtrack to the 2008 video game Lego Batman: The Video Game (various tracks from the soundtrack of the movie: Batman).
* 2008: The opening title theme as well as major themes of the 2008 video game Fable II.
* 2009: The opening title theme as well as major themes and soundtrack of the 2009 video game Wanted: Weapons of Fate.
Awards and nominations
Award Wins Nominations
Academy Awards 0 4
Annie Awards 0 1
BMI Film & Television Awards 24 24
British Academy Film Awards 0 1
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 0 2
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 0 4
Emmy Awards 1 2
Golden Globe Awards 0 2
Grammy Awards 1 10
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards 0 1
Satellite Awards 1 6
Saturn Awards 5 12
Sierra Awards 1 2
World Soundtrack Awards 0 2
Total 33 73
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Danny Elfman
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/29/10 at 5:22 am
The person who died on this day...Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979) was a Canadian-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Known as "America's Sweetheart," "Little Mary" and "The girl with the curls," she was one of the Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood and a significant figure in the development of film acting.
Because her international fame was triggered by moving images, she is a watershed figure in the history of modern celebrity. And as one of silent film's most important performers and producers, her contract demands were central to shaping the Hollywood industry. In consideration of her contributions to American cinema, the American Film Institute named Pickford 24th among the greatest female stars of all time.
Mary Pickford was born Gladys Louise Smith in Toronto, Ontario. Her father, John Charles Smith, was the son of English Methodist immigrants, and worked a variety of odd jobs. Her mother, Charlotte Hennessy, was Irish Catholic. She had two younger siblings, Jack and Lottie Pickford, who would also become actors. To please the relatives, Pickford's mother baptized her in both the Methodist and Catholic churches (and used the opportunity to change her middle name to "Mary"). She was raised Roman Catholic after her father, an alcoholic, left his family in 1895, and died three years later of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Hennessy, who had worked as a seamstress throughout the separation, began taking in boarders. Through one of these lodgers, the seven-year-old Pickford won a bit part at Toronto's Princess Theatre in a stock company production of The Silver King. She subsequently acted in many melodramas with the Valentine Company in Toronto, capped by the starring role of Little Eva in their production of Uncle Tom's Cabin, the most popular play of the 19th century.
Early career
By the early 1900s, acting had become a family enterprise. Pickford, her mother and two younger siblings toured the United States by rail in third-rate companies and plays. After six impoverished years, Pickford allowed one more summer to land a leading role on Broadway, planning to quit acting if she failed. She landed a supporting role in a 1907 Broadway play, The Warrens of Virginia. The play was written by William C. deMille, whose brother, the then-unknown Cecil B. DeMille, also appeared in the cast. David Belasco, the producer of the play, insisted that Gladys Smith assume the stage name Mary Pickford. After completing the Broadway run and touring the play, however, Pickford was once again out of work.
Pickford with camera circa 1916
On April 19, 1909, the Biograph Company director D. W. Griffith screen-tested her at the company's New York studio for a role in the nickelodeon film Pippa Passes. The role went to someone else, but Griffith was immediately taken with Pickford. She quickly grasped that movie acting was simpler than the stylized stage acting of the day.
Most Biograph actors earned $5 a day, but after Pickford's single day in the studio, Griffith agreed to pay her $10 a day against a guarantee of $40 a week. Like all actors at Biograph, Pickford played both bit parts and leading roles, playing mothers, ingenues, spurned women, spitfires, slaves, native Americans, and a prostitute. As Pickford said of her success at Biograph: "I played scrubwomen and secretaries and women of all nationalities... I decided that if I could get into as many pictures as possible, I'd become known, and there would be a demand for my work." In 1909, Pickford appeared in 51 films — almost one a week. She also introduced her friend Florence La Badie to D. W. Griffith, which launched La Badie's successful film acting career.
In January 1910 Pickford traveled with a Biograph crew to Los Angeles. Many other companies wintered on the West Coast, escaping the weak light and short days that hampered winter shooting in the East. Pickford added to her 1909 Biographs (Sweet and Twenty, They Would Elope, and To Save Her Soul, to name a few) with films from California. In Griffith's company, actors were not listed in the credits. Nonetheless, audiences noticed and identified Pickford within weeks of her first film appearance. In turn, exhibitors capitalized on her popularity by advertising on sandwich boards that a film featuring "The Girl with the Golden Curls," "Blondilocks" or "The Biograph Girl" was inside. Pickford left Biograph in December 1910, and spent 1911 starring in films at Carl Laemmle's Independent Moving Pictures Company (IMP). It was absorbed into Universal Pictures in 1912, and Majestic. Unhappy with their creative standards, she returned to work with Griffith in 1912. Some of her best performances were in films such as Friends, The Mender of Nets, Just Like a Woman, and The Female of the Species. That year, Pickford also introduced Dorothy and Lillian Gish (both friends from her days touring melodrama) to Griffith. :115 Both became major silent stars, in comedy and tragedy respectively.
In late 1912, Pickford made her last Biograph, The New York Hat, to return to Broadway in the David Belasco production of A Good Little Devil. The experience was the major turning point in her career. Pickford, who had always hoped to conquer the Broadway stage, discovered how deeply she missed film acting.
In 1913 she decided to work exclusively in film. That year, Adolph Zukor formed Famous Players in Famous Plays (later Paramount), one of the first American feature film companies. Pickford left the stage to join his roster of stars. Zukor believed film's potential lay in recording theatrical players in replicas of their most famous stage roles and productions. Zukor first filmed Pickford in a silent version of A Good Little Devil. The film, produced in 1913, showed the play's Broadway actors reciting every line of dialogue, resulting in a stiff film that Pickford later called "one of the worst I ever made...it was deadly.". Zukor agreed; he held the film back from distribution for a year.
Pickford's work in material written for the camera by that time had attracted a strong following. Comedy-dramas like In the Bishop's Carriage (1913), Caprice (1913), and especially Hearts Adrift (1914) made her irresistible to moviegoers. In fact, Hearts Adrift was so popular that Pickford asked for the first of her many publicized pay raises based on the profits and reviews. The film also marked the first time Pickford’s name was put above the title on movie marquees. Tess of the Storm Country was released five weeks later. Brownlow observes that the movie “sent her career into orbit and made her the most popular actress in America, if not the world.”
Her appeal was summed up two years later by the February 1916 issue of Photoplay as "luminous tenderness in a steel band of gutter ferocity".:126 Only Charlie Chaplin—who reportedly slightly surpassed Pickford's popularity in 1916—had a similarly spellbinding pull with critics and the audience. Each enjoyed a level of fame that far outstripped that of other actors.
Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Pickford was believed to be the most famous woman in the world, or, as a silent-film journalist described her, "the best known woman who has ever lived, the woman who was known to more people and loved by more people than any other woman that has been in all history." Pickford's closest female rival at this time at the box office and with the public was 31-year-old Marguerite Clark. She also came from stage acting and had a girlish/whimsical charm which audiences responded to.
Stardom
A lobby card of the 1921 Mary Pickford film, Little Lord Fauntleroy in which she played both the title character and his mother.
Throughout her career, Pickford starred in 52 features. In 1916, Pickford signed a new contract with Zukor that granted her full authority over production of the films which she starred in, and a record-breaking salary of $10,000 a week. Occasionally, she played a child, in films like The Poor Little Rich Girl (1917), Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917), and Daddy-Long-Legs (1919). Pickford's fans were devoted to these "Little Girl" roles, but they were not typical of her career.
In 1918, Pickford broke with Paramount and became an independent producer at First National. In 1919, Pickford — along with D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks — formed the independent film production company United Artists. Through United Artists, Pickford continued to produce and perform in her own movies; she could also distribute them the way she chose.
In 1920, Pickford's film Pollyanna grossed around $1,100,000. The following year, Pickford's film Little Lord Fauntleroy would also be a success, and in 1923, Rosita grossed over $1,000,000 as well. In this period, Pickford also made two of the greatest silent films ever made in Hollywood: Sparrows (1926), which blended the Dickensian with newly minted German expressionist style, and the romantic comedy My Best Girl (1927). These films are not just technical triumphs, but are icons of the silents' great, poetic final period.
The arrival of sound was her undoing. She appears to have underestimated the value of adding sound to movies. She said, "Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo". She played a reckless socialite in Coquette (1929), a role where she no longer had her famous curls, but rather a 1920s bob; Pickford had cut her hair in the wake of her mother's death in 1928. Fans were shocked at the transformation. Pickford's hair had become a symbol of female virtue, and cutting it was front-page news in The New York Times and other papers. Coquette was a success and won her an Academy Award for Best Actress, but the public failed to respond to her in the more sophisticated roles.
Like most movie stars of the silent era, Pickford found her career fading as talkies became more popular among audiences. Her next film, The Taming of The Shrew was a disaster at the box office. In her late thirties, Pickford was unable to play the children, teenage spitfires and feisty young women so adored by her fans, nor could she play the soignée heroines of early sound.
In 1933, Pickford did do a Technicolor screen test for a animated/live action film version of Alice in Wonderland, but Walt Disney discarded the project when Paramount released its own version of the book. Only one Technicolor still of her screen test still exists.
Pickford retired from acting in 1933. She continued to produce films for others, including Sleep, My Love (1948), an update of Gaslight with Claudette Colbert.
Relationships
Pickford was married three times. She first married Owen Moore (1886–1939), an Irish-born silent film actor, on January 7, 1911. It is believed she became pregnant by Moore in the early 1910s, but had a miscarriage or an abortion. Some accounts suggest this led to her inability to have children.:125 The couple had numerous marital problems, notably Moore's alcoholism, insecurity about living in the shadow of Pickford's fame, and bouts of domestic violence. The failure of her pregnancy may have exacerbated Moore's drinking problem. The couple lived apart for several years.
Pickford became secretly involved in a relationship with Douglas Fairbanks. They toured the US together in 1918 to promote Liberty Bond sales for the World War I effort.
Portrait circa 1921
Pickford divorced Moore on March 2, 1920, and married Fairbanks on March 28 of the same year. They went to Europe for their honeymoon, but fans in London caused a riot trying to get to her. A similar incident occurred in Paris. The couple's triumphant return to Hollywood was witnessed by vast crowds who turned out to hail them at railway stations across the United States.
The Mark of Zorro (1920) and a series of other swashbucklers gave the popular Fairbanks a more romantic, heroic image. Pickford continued to epitomize the virtuous but fiery girl next door. Even at private parties, people instinctively stood up when Pickford entered a room; she and her husband were often referred to as "Hollywood royalty." Their international reputations were broad. Foreign heads of state and dignitaries who visited the White House often asked if they could also visit Pickfair, the couple's mansion in Beverly Hills.
Dinners at Pickfair included a number of notable guests. Charlie Chaplin, Fairbanks' best friend, was often present. Other guests included George Bernard Shaw, Albert Einstein, Elinor Glyn, Helen Keller, H. G. Wells, Lord Mountbatten, Fritz Kreisler, Amelia Earhart, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Noel Coward, Max Reinhardt, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Austen Chamberlain, and Sir Harry Lauder. The public nature of Pickford's second marriage strained it to the breaking point. Both she and Fairbanks had little time off from producing and acting in their films. They were also constantly on display as America's unofficial ambassadors to the world—leading parades, cutting ribbons, making speeches.
When their film careers both began to founder at the end of the silent era, Fairbanks' restless nature prompted him to overseas travel (something which Pickford did not enjoy). When Fairbanks' romance with Sylvia, Lady Ashley became public in the early 1930s, he and Pickford separated. They divorced January 10, 1936. Fairbanks' son by his first wife, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., claimed that his father and Pickford long regretted their inability to reconcile.
On June 24, 1937, Pickford married her third and last husband, actor and band leader Charles 'Buddy' Rogers. They adopted two children: Roxanne (born 1944, adopted 1944) and Ronald Charles (born 1937, adopted 1943, a.k.a. Ron Pickford Rogers). As a PBS American Experience documentary noted, Pickford's relationship with her children was tense. She criticized their physical imperfections, including Ronnie's small stature and Roxanne's crooked teeth. Both children later said that their mother was too self-absorbed to provide real maternal love. In 2003, Ronnie recalled that "Things didn't work out that much, you know. But I'll never forget her. I think that she was a good woman."
In March 1928, Pickford's mother Charlotte died of breast cancer, followed by her brother Jack in 1933 and sister Lottie in 1936. Owen Moore, an incurable alcoholic, died in 1939. Fairbanks also died in 1939, of a heart attack.
Ronald and Roxanne each left Pickfair at a young age. Pickford and Rogers stayed together for over four decades until Pickford's death from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 87.
The film industry
Pickford used her stature in the movie industry to promote a variety of causes. During World War I, she promoted the sale of Liberty Bonds, through an exhausting series of fund-raising speeches that kicked off in Washington, D.C., where she sold bonds alongside Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Marie Dressler. Five days later she spoke on Wall Street to an estimated 50,000 people. Though Canadian-born, she was a powerful symbol of Americana, kissing the American flag for cameras and auctioning one of her world-famous curls for $15,000. In a single speech in Chicago she sold an estimated five million dollars' worth of bonds. She was christened the U.S. Navy's official "Little Sister"; the Army named two cannons after her and made her an honorary colonel.
Pickford gives President Herbert Hoover a ticket for a film industry benefit for the unemployed, November 12, 1931.
At the end of World War I, Pickford conceived of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, an organization to help financially needy actors. Leftover funds from her work selling Liberty Bonds were put toward its creation, and in 1921, the Motion Picture Relief Fund (MPRF) was officially incorporated, with Joseph Schenck voted its first president and Mary Pickford as its vice president. In 1932, Pickford spearheaded the "Payroll Pledge Program," a payroll-deduction plan for studio workers who gave one half of one percent of their earnings to the MPRF. As a result, in 1940 the Fund was able to purchase the land and build the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital.
But Pickford's most profound influence (beyond her acting) was to help reshape the film industry itself. When she entered features, Hollywood believed that the movies' future lay in reproducing Broadway plays for a mass audience. Pickford, who entered feature film with two Broadway credits but a far greater following among fans of nickelodeon flickers, became the world's most popular actress in a matter of months. In response to her popularity, Hollywood rethought its vision of features as "canned theatre," and focused instead on actors and material that were uniquely suited to film, not the footlights.
An astute businesswoman, Pickford became her own producer within three years of her start in features. According to her Foundation, "she oversaw every aspect of the making of her films, from hiring talent and crew to overseeing the script, the shooting, the editing, to the final release and promotion of each project." Pickford first demanded (and received) these powers in 1916, when she was under contract to Adolph Zukor's Famous Players In Famous Plays (later Paramount). He also acquiesced to her refusal to participate in block-booking, the widespread practice of forcing an exhibitor to show a bad film of the studio's choosing in order to also show a Pickford film. In 1916, Pickford's films were distributed, singly, through a special distribution unit called Artcraft.
In 1919, she increased her power by co-founding United Artists (UA) with Charlie Chaplin, D. W. Griffith, and her soon-to-be husband, Douglas Fairbanks. Before UA's creation, Hollywood studios were vertically integrated, not only producing films but forming chains of theaters. Distributors (also part of the studios) then arranged for company productions to be shown in the company's movie venues. Filmmakers relied on the studios for bookings; in return they put up with what many considered creative interference. United Artists broke from this tradition. It was solely a distribution company, offering independent film producers access to its own screens as well as the rental of temporarily unbooked cinemas owned by other companies. Pickford and Fairbanks produced and shot their films after 1920 at the jointly owned Pickford-Fairbanks studio on Santa Monica Boulevard. The producers who signed with UA were true independents, producing, creating and controlling their work to an unprecedented degree. As a co-founder, as well as the producer and star of her own films, Pickford became the most powerful woman who has ever worked in Hollywood. By 1930, Pickford's career as an actress had greatly faded.
When she retired from acting in 1933, Pickford continued to produce films for United Artists, and she and Chaplin remained partners in the company for decades. Chaplin left the company in 1955, and Pickford followed suit in 1956, selling her remaining shares for three million dollars.
* 909: discovered by D.W. Griffith at Biograph, worked for $5 a day, which he quickly increased to $10 a day.
* 1911: I.M.P., $175 a week, with the employment of her mother and siblings guaranteed. Unhappy with the quality of I.M.P. films, Pickford sued to be released from her contract and won on the grounds that being under 21, she had been too young to contract with I.M.P.
* 1911: Majestic Film Corp., $225 a week, with the employment of her husband, Owen Moore, as an actor and director, guaranteed.
* 1912: back to Biograph, $175 a week, a pay cut she justified with the belief that the key to a great career was to "get yourself with the right associates." This period featured some of Pickford's most mature and varied work. Owen Moore signed with Victor Films and an unpublicized marital separation began.
* 1913: appeared as the star (with Lillian Gish in a small role) in Belasco's Broadway production A Good Little Devil for $175 a week, raised to $200 a week.
* 1913: Pickford moved to feature film by signing with Adolph Zukor's Famous Players in Famous Plays, for $500/week (D.W. Griffith had balked at paying more than $300).
* 1914: Pickford became an international phenomenon through her roles as barefoot adolescents and urchins in the features Hearts Adrift and Tess of the Storm Country. Within the U.S., she was called "America's Sweetheart." In the country of her birth, she was "Canada's Sweetheart" and she became "The World's Sweetheart" overseas. Pickford asked Zukor for double her previous salary, and received it ($1,000/wk.).
* 1915: At her request, her salary at Famous Players was again doubled, to $2000 a week, plus half the profits of her films. The movie Rags contained one of Pickford's ground-breaking roles as a self-described "hellcat."
* 1916: Pickford formed her own producing unit, the Pickford Film Corporation, within Famous Players, and installed her mother as treasurer. She had a voice in the selection of her roles and the film's final cut. She chose her own directors and approved the supporting cast and the advertising. She was required to make only six films a year, a saner quota that earlier years, in which she made nine or more. She was paid annually $10,000 a week plus half the profits in her films, or half a million dollars, whichever was greater. As the contract's duration was two years, Pickford was guaranteed at least a million dollars. Famous Players also created a special unit called Artcraft to distribute Pickford's features, rather than blockbooking them, a practice Pickford vehemently opposed.
* 1917: Pickford toured the United States with Fairbanks and Chaplin, supporting U.S. involvement in World War I and promoting Liberty Bonds. She played three of her roles as children in The Poor Little Rich Girl, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and A Little Princess. On the other hand, she was thoroughly adult in an anti-German propaganda picture The Little American, and the western A Romance of the Redwoods, both directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
* 1918: She signed a contract with First National to make three films for $675,000 (about $10 million in 2005-terms). Pickford also received 50 percent of all profits, and complete creative control from script to the final cut. Meanwhile, Famous Players released one of her greatest films, the tragedy Stella Maris, in which she played a double role, as well as M'liss (another ragged spitfire) and the war comedy Johanna Enlists.
* 1919: Pickford co-founded United Artists with Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith. During U.A.'s start-up, Pickford's films for First National were released, including Daddy Long-Legs (from the book by Jean Webster) and the violent melodrama The Heart o' the Hills.
* 1923: Hoping to expand her image, Pickford convinced Ernst Lubitsch to direct her next film. After considering Faust, they settled on Rosita, the story of a Spanish street-singer who attracts the attention of the lecherous king. Though the role catered to Pickford's gift for playing sweet-but-fiery women in rags, it introduced a note of sexual sophistication which many of her fans loathed. Plans for future films with Lubitsch were abandoned. For the next few years she appeared in a series of superlative productions, culminating in Sparrows (1926), which blended German expressionism to Hollywood production values.
* 1925: Pickford purchased 132 reels of camera negatives and prints from her Biograph period, 1909–1912, nearly 70 percent of her short films for that studio.
* 1927: United Artists, under Pickford's direction, opened their flagship Spanish Gothic movie theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Pickford became deeply involved in the design of the theatre, and two Anthony Heinsbergen murals in the auditorium feature her. Theatre architect Howard Crane opened two other UA theatres in the same year, in Chicago and Detroit. The Los Angeles theatre has become known as the University Cathedral of Dr. Eugene Scott. The romantic comedy My Best Girl was released with her future husband, Charles Rogers, playing the male interest.
* 1927 Mary travels to Russia and is filmed going about her business. The shots were made into a film that Pickford knew nothing about.
* 1929: Pickford starred in a sound film, Coquette, a production that did well at the box office, earning $1.4 million. Pickford used the break from silent film to establish a more flirtatious and sophisticated adult character. Her performance earned her an Oscar. In the same year, Pickford appeared with her husband Douglas Fairbanks in a sound version of The Taming of the Shrew.
* 1933: Pickford starred with Leslie Howard in Secrets, a money-losing film which proved her last.
* 1937: Pickford founded Mary Pickford Cosmetics, a beauty company.
* 1941: Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Orson Welles, Samuel Goldwyn, David O. Selznick, Alexander Korda, and Walter Wanger founded the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers.
* 1949: Pickford and her husband Buddy Rogers formed Pickford-Rogers-Boyd, a radio and television-production company.
* 1951: Columbia Pictures and producer Stanley Kramer announced that Pickford would star in The Library, her first picture since 1933. She withdrew a month before filming was to begin in 1952. The anti-censorship screenplay was eventually filmed as Storm Center (1956), with Bette Davis in the lead.
* 1955 Sunshine and Shadow, her autobiography, is published.
* 1956: Pickford sold her stock interest in United Artists, one-third of the company's shares, a year after Charles Chaplin had sold his quarter interest.
* 1976: Pickford received an Academy Honorary Award for a lifetime of achievements.
* Mary Pickford has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6280 Hollywood Boulevard. Her handprints and footprints can be seen in the courtyard of Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
Filmography
see: Mary Pickford filmography
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/29/10 at 7:02 am
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-04/38147552.jpg
Mary Pickford (1977)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/29/10 at 1:03 pm
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-04/38147552.jpg
Mary Pickford (1977)
Thanks Howie :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/29/10 at 6:19 pm
Thanks Howie :)
Oh you're very welcome. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 4:24 am
French Person of the Day: Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc, also Jeanne d'Arc (1412 to 30 May 1431) is a national heroine of France and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. She believed she had visions from God that told her to recover her homeland from English domination late in the Hundred Years' War. The uncrowned King Charles VII sent her to the siege at Orleans as part of a relief mission. He did this because of all of Joan's honesty. Initially treated as a figurehead by veteran commanders, she gained prominence when she lifted the siege in only nine days. Several more swift victories led to Charles VII's coronation at Rheims, which settled the disputed succession to the throne.
The renewed French confidence outlasted her own brief career. Court intrigues slowed further offensive action. She was wounded during an unsuccessful attempt to recover Paris and fell prisoner at a battle outside Compeigne the following spring. A politically motivated trial convicted her of heresy. The English regent John, duke of Bedford had her burnt at the stake in Rouen. The ENGLISH saw her as an agent of the devil and that is why she was burnt. She had been the heroine of her country at the age of seventeen. She died at just nineteen. Some twenty-four years later, Pope Callixtus III reopened the case and a new finding overturned the original conviction. Her piety to the end impressed the retrial court. Pope Benedict XV canonized her on 16 May 1920.
Joan of Arc has remained an important figure in the collective imagination of Western culture. From Napoleon to the present, French politicians of all leanings have invoked her memory. Major writers and composers who created works about her include Shakespeare, Voltaire, Schiller, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Twain, Shaw, and Brecht. Depictions of her continue in film, television, and song.
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-4/joan-of-arc.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 4:26 am
The word of the day...Housewife(ves)
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Hopefully housewives to different husbands?
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 4:28 am
French Person of the Day: Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc, also Jeanne d'Arc (1412 to 30 May 1431) is a national heroine of France and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. She believed she had visions from God that told her to recover her homeland from English domination late in the Hundred Years' War. The uncrowned King Charles VII sent her to the siege at Orleans as part of a relief mission. He did this because of all of Joan's honesty. Initially treated as a figurehead by veteran commanders, she gained prominence when she lifted the siege in only nine days. Several more swift victories led to Charles VII's coronation at Rheims, which settled the disputed succession to the throne.
The renewed French confidence outlasted her own brief career. Court intrigues slowed further offensive action. She was wounded during an unsuccessful attempt to recover Paris and fell prisoner at a battle outside Compeigne the following spring. A politically motivated trial convicted her of heresy. The English regent John, duke of Bedford had her burnt at the stake in Rouen. The ENGLISH saw her as an agent of the devil and that is why she was burnt. She had been the heroine of her country at the age of seventeen. She died at just nineteen. Some twenty-four years later, Pope Callixtus III reopened the case and a new finding overturned the original conviction. Her piety to the end impressed the retrial court. Pope Benedict XV canonized her on 16 May 1920.
Joan of Arc has remained an important figure in the collective imagination of Western culture. From Napoleon to the present, French politicians of all leanings have invoked her memory. Major writers and composers who created works about her include Shakespeare, Voltaire, Schiller, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Twain, Shaw, and Brecht. Depictions of her continue in film, television, and song.
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-4/joan-of-arc.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig2Q4Ub4TnM
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 4:30 am
The word of the day...Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments. Although the action of gravity is the primary driving force for a landslide to occur, there are other contributing factors affecting the original slope stability. Typically, pre-conditional factors build up specific sub-surface conditions that make the area/slope prone to failure, whereas the actual landslide often requires a trigger before being released.
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Oh dear!
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 4:32 am
The word of the day...Game(s)
A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more concerned with the expression of ideas. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports/games) or art (such as jigsaw puzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mahjong solitaire, or some Video Games).
Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational or psychological role. According to Chris Crawford, the requirement for player interaction puts activities such as jigsaw puzzles and solitaire "games" into the category of puzzles rather than games.
Attested as early as 2600 BC, games are a universal part of human experience and present in all cultures. The Royal Game of Ur, Senet, and Mancala are some of the oldest known games.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh_2cTp-Ixs
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 5:37 am
Hopefully housewives to different husbands?
Lol lets hope.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 5:37 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh_2cTp-Ixs
Love that song.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 5:42 am
The word or phrase of the day...Deep Space
The regions beyond the gravitational influence of Earth encompassing interplanetary, interstellar, and intergalactic space.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 5:52 am
The person who was born on this day...Colm Meaney
Colm J. Meaney (first name pronounced /ˈkɒləm/; born 30 May 1953) is an Irish actor widely known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is second only to Michael Dorn in most appearances in Star Trek episodes. He has guest-starred on many TV shows from Law & Order to The Simpsons. He has also had a significant career in motion pictures, recently appearing in the British sports film The Damned United.
Meaney was born in Dublin. He started studying acting when he was fourteen years of age, and entered the Abbey Theatre School of Acting after secondary school. He became a member of the Irish National Theatre and spent the next eight years in England, touring with several theatre companies.
Career
Meaney's first television appearance was in Z-Cars on BBC1 in 1978. He guest-starred on shows such as Remington Steele and Moonlighting before embarking on a successful film career; he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role in The Snapper.
Meaney first appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 in its pilot episode, "Encounter At Farpoint". His character was eventually given the name of Miles O'Brien. In 1993, Meaney left The Next Generation for its spin-off Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and remained on Deep Space Nine until its final episode in 1999. With 225 total appearances on Star Trek (173 on Deep Space Nine and 52 on The Next Generation), he has made more appearances on the franchise than any other actor except Michael Dorn (280). Meaney appeared in two Star Trek pilot episodes (The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine), a distinction shared with Patrick Stewart and Armin Shimerman. Meaney is also one of six actors to appear in the finales of two different Star Trek series.
He had played as Colum O'Hara in 1994 Scarlett sequel to Gone With the Wind.
He has also played a minor recurring role as Cowen, leader of the Genii on the Sci-fi Channel series Stargate Atlantis, guest-starred on Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and appeared as Bob O'Donnell on the ABC show Men In Trees.
He was the only actor to appear in all three film adaptations of Roddy Doyle's The Barrytown Trilogy wherein he played the father of the Rabbitte family; however due to rights issues the family name changed from film to film.
His stage appearances include the Old Vic production of Eugene O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten.
Meaney starred in British comedy film Three and Out released in the UK on 25 April 2008. On July of the same year An Post (Irish mail agency) issued a postage stamp showing Colm Meaney as Joe Mullen in the film Kings.
In 2009 Meaney co-starred with Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in Law Abiding Citizen wherein he played Detective Dunnigan.
In March 2009 Meaney guest-starred as an Irish bartender on the St. Patrick's Day episode of The Simpsons, "In the Name of the Grandfather". In the same month the British film The Damned United was released, chronicling the 44-day period in which Brian Clough was manager of Leeds United. Meaney played the former Leeds manager Don Revie.
Personal life
Meaney was married to Irish actress Bairbre Dowling, but they are now divorced. He remarried in March 2007 to Ines Glorian. He currently lives in the Majorcan town of Sóller. He is unrelated to the science fiction writer John Meaney, though the latter's brother is also named Colm Meaney.
Meaney is an outspoken supporter of the Irish Republican political party Sinn Féin and, while not currently a member, admitted that he had joined the party when he was 14.
He is a fan of Dublin's Gaelic football team and Shamrock Rovers.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1981 Nailed Younger Protestant
Les Roses de Dublin Michael Kavanaugh TV miniseries
1983 Playboy of the Western World Shawn TV film
1984 The Hidden Curriculum David Dunn TV film
1987 Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues Tinkerer TV film
Omega Syndrome Sean
The Dead Mr. Bergin
1989 Perfect Witness Meagher TV film
1990 Die Hard 2 Pilot
Dick Tracy Cop at Tess's
Come See the Paradise Gerry McGurn
1991 The Commitments Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.
1992 Under Siege Doumer
The Last of the Mohicans Maj. Ambrose
Far and Away Kelly
Into the West Barreller
1993 The Snapper Dessie Curley Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1994 War of the Buttons Geronimos' Father
The Road to Wellville Dr. Lionel Badger
Scarlett Father Colum O'Hara TV miniseries
1995 The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain Morgan the Goat
1996 The Van Larry
The Last of the High Kings Jim Davern
1997 Con Air DEA Agent Duncan Malloy
Owd Bob Keith Moore
1998 This Is My Father Seamus, Owner of the Bed-and-Breakfast
Monument Ave. Jackie O'Hara a.k.a. Snitch
October 22 Steve
Claire Dolan Roland Cain
Money Kings Al Sheehan TV film; a.k.a. Vig
1999 Mystery, Alaska Mayor Scott Pitcher
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Seamus Muldoon
Chapter Zero Frank Lazarus
Four Days Fury
Most Important Dan O'Neill
2001 Backflash Gin O'Malley
How Harry Became a Tree Harry Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor
2002 Random Passage Thomas Hutchings TV miniseries
Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
King of Texas Mr. Tumlinson TV film
2003 The Boys From County Clare Jimmy
Intermission Jerry Lynch
2004 Blueberry Jimmy McClure
Bad Apple Gibbons TV film
Layer Cake Gene
Nouvelle-France Benjamin Franklin
2005 Turning Green Tom
2006 Five Fingers Gavin
Caved In: Prehistoric Terror Vincent TV film
Covert One: The Hades Factor Peter Howell TV film
A Lobster Tale Cody
2007 Kings Joe Mullan Nominated - Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor
The Metrosexual The Mayor Great Lakes Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor
2008 Clean Break Trevor Jones
Three and Out Tommy
2009 ZOS: Zone of Separation George Titac TV miniseries
The Damned United Don Revie
The Race TBA
Law Abiding Citizen Detective Dunnigan
Alice King of Hearts TV miniseries
2010 Get Him to the Greek Jonathan Snow Completed
Alleged H.L. Mencken Post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Z Cars McGlin One episode
1982 Play for Tomorrow Kevin Murphy One episode
Strangers Smollett One episode
1986 Moonlighting Katharina Suitor One episode
1987 Remington Steele Man in Tavern One episode
Tales from the Darkside Constable One episode
1987-1988 One Life to Live Patrick London
1987-1994 Star Trek: The Next Generation Chief Miles O'Brien Recurring Character
1990 Equal Justice Nucchi One episode
Father Dowling Mysteries Ernie One episode
1991 The New Adam-12 Father One episode
MacGyver Dr. Irwin Malcolm One episode
1993 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Jake Slicker Pilot episode
Brooklyn Bridge Mr. Kramer One episode
1993-1999 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Chief O'Brien Series regular
1996 Gargoyles Mr. Dugan Voice only; one episode
2004 The Murdoch Mysteries Inspector Brackenreid Two episodes
2004, 2006 Stargate Atlantis Chief Cowen (leader of the Genii until killed in episode Coup D'État) Three episodes
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Judge Harold Garrett Episode: In the Wee Small Hours
2006 The Unit Charge D'Affaires One episode
2007 Men in Trees Bob O'Donnell Two episodes
2008 Law & Order Wyatt Landon One episode
2009 The Simpsons Tom O'Flanagan Voice only; episode: In the Name of the Grandfather
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 5:59 am
The person who died on this day...Mickie Most
Mickie Most (20 June 1938 — 30 May 2003) was an English record producer, with a string of hit singles with his own RAK Records, and with acts such as The Animals, The Arrows, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Suzi Quatro and the Jeff Beck Group.
Most was born as born Michael Peter Hayes in Aldershot, Hampshire. The son of a regimental sergeant-major, he moved with his parents to the north London suburb of Harrow in 1951. Most was influenced by skiffle and early rock and roll in his youth. Leaving school at 15, he worked as a singing waiter at London's The 2i's Coffee Bar where he made friends with future business partner Peter Grant, and formed a singing duo with Alex Wharton (aka Alex Murray) who billed themselves as The Most Brothers. They recorded with Decca Records a single "Takes A Whole Lotta Loving to Keep My Baby Happy" before disbanding. Wharton went on to produce the Moody Blues single "Go Now". After changing his name to Mickie Most in 1959, he travelled to South Africa with his wife Christina, and formed a pop group, Mickie Most and the Playboys. The band scored 11 consecutive #1 singles there, mostly with cover versions of Ray Peterson, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran songs. Returning to London in 1962, Most appeared on package tours as well as recording "Mister Porter", a #45 hit in the UK Singles Chart in July 1963.
Producer
Becoming tired of touring clubs, Most decided to concentrate on other aspects of the music industry. His first job was selling records in stores and displaying them on racks (later inspiration for his record label, RAK) before finding a niche with production for Columbia Records. After spotting The Animals at Newcastle's Club A-Go-Go, he offered to produce their first single, "Baby Let Me Take You Home", which reached #21 in the UK Singles Chart. Their follow-up 1964 single, "The House of the Rising Sun", became a worldwide hit. Most then won the "Producer of the Year" award at the 1964 Grammy Awards.
He had success with Herman's Hermits after being approached by their manager Harvey Lisberg. Their first Most production, "I'm Into Something Good", went to #1 in 1964, beginning a run of single and album sales (ten million over 12 months), the group for a time challenging The Beatles in popularity in the United States. His down-to-earth handling of the band, his business acumen and knack for selecting hit singles established Most as one of the most successful producers in Britain and kept him in demand throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
In September 1964, with Most at the control board, Brenda Lee recorded "Is It True," and "What'd I Say," "Is It True," was released in England, and later in the US and became a hit, with gold record. "What'd I Say," became another hit throughout Europe, but was never released to the US. Most had equal success with other artists for whom he produced chart-topping albums and singles between 1965 and 1969, notably Donovan with "Mellow Yellow", "Jennifer Juniper", "The Hurdy Gurdy Man", and "Atlantis" and Lulu "To Sir, with Love", "The Boat That I Row", "Boom Bang-a-Bang" (which finished equal first in the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest), "Me the Peaceful Heart", and "I'm a Tiger". Most also produced The Seekers singles "Days of My Life" and "Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine", in 1968, and Nancy Sinatra's "The Highway Song" in 1969. Most signed new artists such as singer-guitarist Terry Reid.
Most's productions were backed by London based session musicians including Big Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass guitar and arrangements, and Nicky Hopkins on piano. He produced Jeff Beck's hits "Love is Blue" and "Hi Ho Silver Lining" and the Jeff Beck Group albums Truth and Beck-Ola. He teamed the Beck group with Donovan for the single "Barabajagal". Notably, Most produced the 1968 Donovan hit "Hurdy Gurdy Man", utilizing future Led Zeppelin members Jones, Page, and John Bonham.
By 1967, after commercial and critical failure of The Yardbirds album Little Games, he decided to steer clear of rock groups. The Yardbirds objected to his insistence that every song be cut to three minutes and that albums were an "afterthought" following the singles. His focussed approach also led to a split with Donovan in late 1969. Although not every one of Donovan's better songs was produced by Most, Donovan never had a significant hit again after their split.
RAK Records
Despite these setbacks, Most set up his own production office at 155 Oxford Street, sharing it with his business partner Peter Grant. It was through Most's association that Grant was asked to manage The Yardbirds. In 1968, Most and Grant set up RAK Management, but Grant's involvement with The Yardbirds, which soon evolved into Led Zeppelin, meant Most had control in late 1969. RAK Records and RAK Music Publishing were launched in 1969. RAK music publishing has the copyright of such classic popular songs as "You Sexy Thing" composed by Hot Chocolate singer Errol Brown and a half interest in the song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker of the band The Arrows. Both acts were produced by Most.
With RAK Records, Most's success continued with folk singer Julie Felix's hit "El Condor Pasa". Felix was the first artist signed to the label. Most then produced Mary Hopkin’s 1970 Eurovision Song Contest entry, "Knock Knock, Who's There?," followed by the single "Temma Harbour". In 1970, Most approached Suzi Quatro for a recording contract after seeing her on stage at a Detroit dance hall with the band Cradle (which also had Quatro’s sisters Arlene, Patti, and Nancy as members), while on a production assignment in Chicago. Quatro was among a growing roster of artists signed to RAK Records which included Alexis Korner's CCS, The Arrows, Smokie (with Chris Norman)(Originally spelt Smokey), Hot Chocolate, Angie Miller, and Chris Spedding. Hiring the songwriting production team of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, RAK scored several British #1 singles with Suzi Quatro ("Can the Can", "Devil Gate Drive") and Mud.
In 1976, Most produced Chris Spedding's self-titled album, which was Spedding's first solo record. In 1980, Most discovered Kim Wilde, who was doing backing vocals for her father Marty Wilde at a Luton recording session. After hearing her, Most signed Wilde and produced the single "Kids in America" which reached #2 in the UK, and #25 on the US Billboard chart.
Later career
Most was a panelist on television talent shows such as ITV's New Faces where his tough assessments of contestants foreshadowed the style of Simon Cowell. He was producer of Revolver, a program devoted to punk rock which was at odds with his "studio factory" approach to music. Most asked Kate Bush to appear as guest on the pilot episode. In the 1980s, the band Johnny Hates Jazz, which featured Most's son Calvin Hayes, was also signed to RAK Records. RAK sold out to EMI in 1983 but revived in 1988. Most was one of the first producers to own the rights to his own records and RAK Studios, opened in 1976 in St John's Wood, remains active.
In 1995, Most's fortune was estimated at £50 million and he appeared in the Sunday Times annual Rich List among the Top 500 in England. His house in Totteridge Lane, London was claimed to be the largest private home in UK worth an estimated £4 million. His production work diminished after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2000.
Death
On 30 May 2003, Most died at home aged 64 from mesothelioma. He was cremated at Golders Green crematorium. He is survived by his wife Christina and their three children Calvin, Nathalie, and Cristalle.
Discography
Compilation albums
* Best of Mickie Most and His Playboys (1994)
* To Sir With Love: The Complete Mickie Most Recordings (2005) EMI
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 7:21 am
The person who died on this day...Mickie Most
Mickie Most (20 June 1938 — 30 May 2003) was an English record producer, with a string of hit singles with his own RAK Records, and with acts such as The Animals, The Arrows, Herman's Hermits, Donovan, Suzi Quatro and the Jeff Beck Group.
Most was born as born Michael Peter Hayes in Aldershot, Hampshire. The son of a regimental sergeant-major, he moved with his parents to the north London suburb of Harrow in 1951. Most was influenced by skiffle and early rock and roll in his youth. Leaving school at 15, he worked as a singing waiter at London's The 2i's Coffee Bar where he made friends with future business partner Peter Grant, and formed a singing duo with Alex Wharton (aka Alex Murray) who billed themselves as The Most Brothers. They recorded with Decca Records a single "Takes A Whole Lotta Loving to Keep My Baby Happy" before disbanding. Wharton went on to produce the Moody Blues single "Go Now". After changing his name to Mickie Most in 1959, he travelled to South Africa with his wife Christina, and formed a pop group, Mickie Most and the Playboys. The band scored 11 consecutive #1 singles there, mostly with cover versions of Ray Peterson, Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran songs. Returning to London in 1962, Most appeared on package tours as well as recording "Mister Porter", a #45 hit in the UK Singles Chart in July 1963.
Producer
Becoming tired of touring clubs, Most decided to concentrate on other aspects of the music industry. His first job was selling records in stores and displaying them on racks (later inspiration for his record label, RAK) before finding a niche with production for Columbia Records. After spotting The Animals at Newcastle's Club A-Go-Go, he offered to produce their first single, "Baby Let Me Take You Home", which reached #21 in the UK Singles Chart. Their follow-up 1964 single, "The House of the Rising Sun", became a worldwide hit. Most then won the "Producer of the Year" award at the 1964 Grammy Awards.
He had success with Herman's Hermits after being approached by their manager Harvey Lisberg. Their first Most production, "I'm Into Something Good", went to #1 in 1964, beginning a run of single and album sales (ten million over 12 months), the group for a time challenging The Beatles in popularity in the United States. His down-to-earth handling of the band, his business acumen and knack for selecting hit singles established Most as one of the most successful producers in Britain and kept him in demand throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
In September 1964, with Most at the control board, Brenda Lee recorded "Is It True," and "What'd I Say," "Is It True," was released in England, and later in the US and became a hit, with gold record. "What'd I Say," became another hit throughout Europe, but was never released to the US. Most had equal success with other artists for whom he produced chart-topping albums and singles between 1965 and 1969, notably Donovan with "Mellow Yellow", "Jennifer Juniper", "The Hurdy Gurdy Man", and "Atlantis" and Lulu "To Sir, with Love", "The Boat That I Row", "Boom Bang-a-Bang" (which finished equal first in the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest), "Me the Peaceful Heart", and "I'm a Tiger". Most also produced The Seekers singles "Days of My Life" and "Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine", in 1968, and Nancy Sinatra's "The Highway Song" in 1969. Most signed new artists such as singer-guitarist Terry Reid.
Most's productions were backed by London based session musicians including Big Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass guitar and arrangements, and Nicky Hopkins on piano. He produced Jeff Beck's hits "Love is Blue" and "Hi Ho Silver Lining" and the Jeff Beck Group albums Truth and Beck-Ola. He teamed the Beck group with Donovan for the single "Barabajagal". Notably, Most produced the 1968 Donovan hit "Hurdy Gurdy Man", utilizing future Led Zeppelin members Jones, Page, and John Bonham.
By 1967, after commercial and critical failure of The Yardbirds album Little Games, he decided to steer clear of rock groups. The Yardbirds objected to his insistence that every song be cut to three minutes and that albums were an "afterthought" following the singles. His focussed approach also led to a split with Donovan in late 1969. Although not every one of Donovan's better songs was produced by Most, Donovan never had a significant hit again after their split.
RAK Records
Despite these setbacks, Most set up his own production office at 155 Oxford Street, sharing it with his business partner Peter Grant. It was through Most's association that Grant was asked to manage The Yardbirds. In 1968, Most and Grant set up RAK Management, but Grant's involvement with The Yardbirds, which soon evolved into Led Zeppelin, meant Most had control in late 1969. RAK Records and RAK Music Publishing were launched in 1969. RAK music publishing has the copyright of such classic popular songs as "You Sexy Thing" composed by Hot Chocolate singer Errol Brown and a half interest in the song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker of the band The Arrows. Both acts were produced by Most.
With RAK Records, Most's success continued with folk singer Julie Felix's hit "El Condor Pasa". Felix was the first artist signed to the label. Most then produced Mary Hopkin’s 1970 Eurovision Song Contest entry, "Knock Knock, Who's There?," followed by the single "Temma Harbour". In 1970, Most approached Suzi Quatro for a recording contract after seeing her on stage at a Detroit dance hall with the band Cradle (which also had Quatro’s sisters Arlene, Patti, and Nancy as members), while on a production assignment in Chicago. Quatro was among a growing roster of artists signed to RAK Records which included Alexis Korner's CCS, The Arrows, Smokie (with Chris Norman)(Originally spelt Smokey), Hot Chocolate, Angie Miller, and Chris Spedding. Hiring the songwriting production team of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, RAK scored several British #1 singles with Suzi Quatro ("Can the Can", "Devil Gate Drive") and Mud.
In 1976, Most produced Chris Spedding's self-titled album, which was Spedding's first solo record. In 1980, Most discovered Kim Wilde, who was doing backing vocals for her father Marty Wilde at a Luton recording session. After hearing her, Most signed Wilde and produced the single "Kids in America" which reached #2 in the UK, and #25 on the US Billboard chart.
Later career
Most was a panelist on television talent shows such as ITV's New Faces where his tough assessments of contestants foreshadowed the style of Simon Cowell. He was producer of Revolver, a program devoted to punk rock which was at odds with his "studio factory" approach to music. Most asked Kate Bush to appear as guest on the pilot episode. In the 1980s, the band Johnny Hates Jazz, which featured Most's son Calvin Hayes, was also signed to RAK Records. RAK sold out to EMI in 1983 but revived in 1988. Most was one of the first producers to own the rights to his own records and RAK Studios, opened in 1976 in St John's Wood, remains active.
In 1995, Most's fortune was estimated at £50 million and he appeared in the Sunday Times annual Rich List among the Top 500 in England. His house in Totteridge Lane, London was claimed to be the largest private home in UK worth an estimated £4 million. His production work diminished after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2000.
Death
On 30 May 2003, Most died at home aged 64 from mesothelioma. He was cremated at Golders Green crematorium. He is survived by his wife Christina and their three children Calvin, Nathalie, and Cristalle.
Discography
Compilation albums
* Best of Mickie Most and His Playboys (1994)
* To Sir With Love: The Complete Mickie Most Recordings (2005) EMI
http://www.rakpublishing.com/files/images/554418/blueplaque_600x437.jpg
The Blue Plaque for Mickie Most on the wall of the legendary RAK Recording Studios in St Johns Wood, London.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/30/10 at 7:21 am
The word or phrase of the day...Deep Space
The regions beyond the gravitational influence of Earth encompassing interplanetary, interstellar, and intergalactic space.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc223/IAmAFishFlopFlopFlop/HubbleUltraDeepSpaceField.png
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z43/brandon6735/deep-space.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w135/depresseded/deep_space.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/rjhayes_photos/Deep_Space.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t209/Dhanima_photo/planetstars.jpg
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv326/Dux83/B3.jpg
nice pics,makes for good wallpaper. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 7:40 am
http://www.rakpublishing.com/files/images/554418/blueplaque_600x437.jpg
The Blue Plaque for Mickie Most on the wall of the legendary RAK Recording Studios in St Johns Wood, London.
Thanks Phil :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/30/10 at 7:40 am
nice pics,makes for good wallpaper. :)
Thanks Howie :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 7:41 am
Thanks Phil :)
I have seen that plaque a-many a-time.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/30/10 at 7:41 am
Thanks Howie :)
You're Welcome.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Philip Eno on 05/30/10 at 7:46 am
Thanks Phil :)
It is located close to Lord's Cricket ground.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 05/30/10 at 11:36 am
Love that song.
I was going to say that. I have no idea what it means but I do love it. Unfortunately, Carlos doesn't so I try not to listen to it if he is around. :-\\
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/31/10 at 5:44 am
I was going to say that. I have no idea what it means but I do love it. Unfortunately, Carlos doesn't so I try not to listen to it if he is around. :-\\
Cat
As long as you still get to listen to it. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/31/10 at 5:48 am
The word of the day...Levee
A levee, levée, dike (or dyke), embankment, floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial slope or wall to regulate water levels. It is usually earthen and often parallel to the course of a river or the coast.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/greebs/levee.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/team8nola/9th%20ward/Picture308.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff278/lauraj_0001/laura-n-ashlie179.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg76/slldweb/DSC00004.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u63/jpcook22/DSCN1005.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q310/sher_kong/DSC00543.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m267/LuLuColumbia/LeveeTShirt.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/31/10 at 5:53 am
The person born on this day...John Bonham
John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English drummer and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin.
Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove. He is considered to be one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music by other musicians and commentators in the industry.
Bonham was born on 31 May 1948, in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, to Joan and Jack Bonham. He first learned to play drums at the age of five, making a drum kit out of containers and coffee tins, imitating his idols Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. His mother gave him a snare drum at the age of ten. He received his first proper drum kit from his father at fifteen, a Trixon kit. Bonham never took any formal drum lessons, though as a teen he would get advice from other Redditch drummers. Between 1962-63, while still at school, Bonham joined the Blue Star Trio, and Gerry Levene & the Avengers.
Bonham attended Lodge Farm Secondary Modern School, where his headmaster once wrote in his school report card that "He will either end up a dustman or a millionaire". After leaving school in 1964, he worked for his father as an apprentice carpenter in between drumming for different local bands. In 1964, Bonham joined his first semi-professional band, Terry Webb and the Spiders, and met his future wife Pat Phillips around the same time. He also played in other Birmingham bands such as The Nicky James Movement, and The Senators, who released a moderately successful single "She's a Mod," in 1964. Bonham then took up drumming full-time. Two years later, he joined A Way of Life, but the band soon became inactive. In desperation for a regular income, he joined a blues group called Crawling King Snakes whose lead singer was a young Robert Plant.
In 1967, A Way of Life asked Bonham to return to the group, and he agreed—though throughout this period, Plant kept in constant contact with Bonham. When Plant decided to form Band of Joy, Bonham was first choice as drummer. The band recorded a number of demos but no album. In 1968 American singer Tim Rose toured Britain and invited Band of Joy to open his concerts. When Rose returned for another tour months later, Bonham was formally invited by the singer to drum for his band, which gave him a regular income.
Led Zeppelin
Main article: Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin in 1969. From left to right: John Bonham, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones
After the break-up of The Yardbirds, guitarist Jimmy Page met Robert Plant, who in turn suggested Bonham. Bonham already knew Plant, and knew Page from session work, as well as John Paul Jones. Page's choices for drummer included Procol Harum's B.J. Wilson, and session drummers Clem Cattini and Aynsley Dunbar. Ginger Baker was also rumoured to be on Page's list. However, upon seeing Bonham drum for Tim Rose at a club in Hampstead, north London, in July 1968, Page and manager Peter Grant were instantly convinced that he was the perfect fit for the new project.
Despite an intensive campaign to snare the drummer, Bonham was initially reluctant to join the band. Plant sent eight telegrams to Bonham's pub, the "Three Men in a Boat", in Walsall, which were followed by forty telegrams from Grant. However, at the same time he was also receiving lucrative offers from established artists Joe Cocker and Chris Farlowe. In the end, though, Bonham accepted Grant's offer. He later recalled, "I decided I liked their music better than Cocker's or Farlowe's."
During Led Zeppelin's first tour of the United States in December 1968, Bonham became friends with Vanilla Fudge's drummer Carmine Appice. Appice introduced him to Ludwig Drums, which he then used for the rest of his career. Bonham used the longest and heaviest sticks available (size 2B) (most likely the size was 5B or sometimes 5A, Made in England by Promoco), which he referred to as "trees." His hard hitting style was displayed to great effect on many Led Zeppelin songs, including "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin III), "When the Levee Breaks" (Led Zeppelin IV / Zoso.svg), "Kashmir" (Physical Graffiti), "The Ocean" (Houses of the Holy), and "Achilles Last Stand" (Presence). The studio recording of "Misty Mountain Hop" perfectly captures his keen sense of dynamics, and this is similarly exhibited by his precise drumming on "No Quarter." On several cuts from later albums, Bonham rather adeptly handled funk and Latin-influenced drumming. Songs like "Royal Orleans" and "Fool in the Rain" are good examples, the latter displaying great skill with a New Orleans shuffle and a samba rhythm.
His famous drum solo, first entitled "Pat's Delight," later renamed "Moby Dick," would often last for half an hour and regularly featured his use of bare hands to achieve different sound effects. In Led Zeppelin concert tours after 1969, Bonham would expand his basic kit to include congas, orchestral timpani, and a symphonic gong. Bonham is also credited (by the Dallas Times Herald) with the first in-concert use of electronic timpani drum synthesizers (most likely made by Syndrum) during a performance of the song "Kashmir" in Dallas, Texas in 1977. Many modern rappers would later heavily sample his drumming and incorporate it into their compositions, such as Beastie Boys, who sampled "Moby Dick," "The Ocean," and "When the Levee Breaks."
In 1974, Bonham appeared in the film Son of Dracula, playing drums in Count Downe's (Harry Nilsson) backing band. This was an Apple film directed by Freddie Francis. Bonham appeared in an overcrowded drum line-up including Keith Moon and Starr on the soundtrack album. Bonham's action sequence for the film The Song Remains the Same featured him in a drag race at Santa Pod Raceway to the sound of his signature drum solo, "Moby Dick".
During his time with Led Zeppelin, Bonham was also an avid collector of antique sports cars and motorcycles, which he kept on his family's farm called The Old Hyde. He even bought The Plough pub in the nearby village of Shenstone, which shows signs of conversion work to allow him to drive his bikes or cars right behind the bar. This was not, however, the pub featured in the film The Song Remains the Same. It was in fact the New Inn which is currently boarded up, the only clue to its famous past being a picture hanging close to the bar.
As well as recording with Led Zeppelin, Bonham also found time to play on sessions for other artists. In 1969 Bonham appeared on The Family Dogg's A Way of Life, with Page and Jones. Bonham also sessioned for Screaming Lord Sutch on his album Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends in 1970. He also played drums on Lulu's 1971 song "Everybody Clap," originally written by Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie. Later in his career, Bonham drummed for his Birmingham friend, Roy Wood, on his 1979 album, On the Road Again, and for Wings on Paul McCartney's Back to the Egg Rockestra project. Bonham was the best man of Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi at his wedding ceremony.
Death
On 24 September 1980, Bonham was picked up by Led Zeppelin assistant Rex King to attend rehearsals at Bray Studios for an upcoming tour of the U.S.; the band's first since 1977. During the journey Bonham had asked to stop for breakfast, where he drank four quadruple vodkas (sixteen shots, amounting to about half of an imperial quart or 565 ml, approximately 2/3 of a "fifth" (of a U.S. gallon) of vodka). He then continued to drink heavily when he arrived at the rehearsals. A halt was called to the rehearsals late in the evening and the band retired to Page's house, the Old Mill House in Clewer, Windsor. After midnight on the 25th, Bonham had fallen asleep and was taken to bed and placed on his side. Benji LeFevre (who had replaced Richard Cole as Led Zeppelin's tour manager) and John Paul Jones found him dead the next afternoon. Bonham was 32 years old.
Weeks later at the coroner's inquest, it emerged that in the 24 hours before he died, John Bonham had consumed forty shots of vodka which resulted in him vomiting and subsequent aspiration (inhaling) of his vomit, causing asphyxiation. A verdict of accidental death was returned at an inquest held on 27 October. An autopsy had found no other drugs in Bonham's body. John Bonham was cremated and, on 12 October 1980, interred at Rushock Parish Church, Worcestershire. His headstone reads:
“
CHERISHED MEMORIES OF A LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER JOHN HENRY BONHAM WHO DIED SEPT. 25th 1980 AGED 32 YEARS He will always be Remembered in our hearts. Goodnight my Love, God Bless.
”
John Bonham's gravestone at Rushock Parish churchyard, Worcestershire
Despite media rumors that drummers including Cozy Powell, Phil Collins, Carmine Appice, Barriemore Barlow, Roger Taylor, Simon Kirke or Bev Bevan, among others, would join the group as his replacement, the remaining members decided to disband Led Zeppelin after Bonham's death. They issued a press statement on 4 December 1980, confirming that the band would not continue without its drummer. "We wish it to be known that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, together with the sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were." It was simply signed "Led Zeppelin".
Family
John Bonham had two siblings; his younger brother, Mick Bonham (1951–2000), was a disc jockey, author and photographer and his younger sister, Deborah Bonham (born in 1962), who is a singer-songwriter.
Bonham was married to Pat Phillips, and the couple had two children; his daughter Zoë Bonham (born 1975), who is a singer-songwriter and also appears regularly at Led Zeppelin conventions and awards, and his son Jason Bonham (born 1966), a rock drummer who has gained success with various bands including Foreigner and Bonham. On 10 December 2007, he played with Led Zeppelin on the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert, as well as their previous reunion at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary show on 15 May 1988. A 1970 film clip of a four-year-old Jason playing drums appears in the Led Zeppelin film The Song Remains the Same. Zoë and Jason appeared at the induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 along with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin. John's mother, Joan Bonham, is one of the lead vocalists for the Zimmers, a 40-member band set up as a result of a BBC documentary on the treatment of the elderly.
Bonham's cousin Billy Bonham (born 1950), also played keyboards for Terry Reid and Ace Kefford.
Tributes and accolades
Bonham is widely considered to be one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music by other musicians and commentators in the industry. In 2007 Stylus magazine rated Bonham number 1 on its list of the 50 greatest rock drummers, as did the online music magazine Gigwise.com in 2008. Bonham was ranked at no. 1 on Classic Rock's 2005 list of "50 Greatest Drummers in Rock". Similarly, Modern Drummer magazine describes him as "the greatest rock 'n' roll drummer in history." In 2003, John Bonham was also named by Rolling Stone magazine as the second greatest drummer of all time, behind Neil Peart of Rush,who was himself heavily influenced by Bonham.
John Bonham has been described by Allmusic as one of the most important, well-known and influential drummers in rock. Many rock drummers were influenced by John Bonham's work with Led Zeppelin, including Tony Thompson, Dave Grohl, Tommy Lee, Peter Criss, Stewart Copeland, and Chad Smith. Several of these drummers have testified to Bonham's influence, such as Roger Taylor of Queen, who stated:
The greatest Rock`n`Roll drummer of all time was John Bonham who did things that nobody had ever even thought possible before with the drum kit. And also the greatest sound out of his drums - they sounded enormous, and just one bass drum. So fast on it that he did more with one bass drum than most people could do with three, if they could manage them. And he had technique to burn and fantastic power and tremendous feel for rock`n`roll.
Similarly, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters has said:
John Bonham played the drums like someone who didn't know what was going to happen next- like he was teetering on the edge of a cliff. No one has come close to that since, and I don't think anybody ever will. I think he will forever be the greatest drummer of all time.
Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones told Guitar Player's Jas Obrecht:
John Bonham is the best at being John Bonham and doing what he does. Or did - unfortunately, he's dead. He was the best. There wasn't anyone better than John Bonham at doing that, and thank goodness we've got some records so that you can hear it.
Musicians other than drummers have also paid tribute to Bonham. John Paul Jones, who formed a very tight musical partnership with him as Led Zeppelin's power rhythm section, stated that Bonham was a "bass player's dream". Jimmy Page has also commented:
One of the marvellous things about John Bonham which made things very easy was the fact that he really knew how to tune his drums, and I tell you what, that was pretty rare in drummers in those days. He really knew how to make the instrument sing, and because of that, he could just get so much volume out of it by just playing with his wrists. It was just an astonishing technique that was sort of pretty holistic if you know what I mean.
In 2005, Ludwig began issuing Bonham reissue kits in green sparkle maple and amber Vistalite. Ludwig currently offers "Zep Kits" in their Vistalite and Classic lines, with a 26" bass drum, a 14" tom mounted on a snare stand, and 16" and 18" floor toms. In 2007 they issued a limited edition stainless steel kit similar to the ones Bonham used on the last Led Zeppelin tours in the 1970s. The stainless steel shells were manufactured by Ronn Dunnett of Dunnett Classic Drums.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo38/jonesette/Bonzo/omgbonzo.jpg
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/31/10 at 5:59 am
The person who died on this day...Johnnie Taylor
Johnnie Taylor (May 5, 1937 – May 31, 2000) was an American vocalist in a wide variety of genres, from gospel, blues and soul to pop, doo-wop and disco. Johnnie Harrison Taylor was born in Crawfordsville, Arkansas. As an adult, he had one release, "Somewhere to Lay My Head", on Chicago's Chance Records label in the 1950s, as part of the gospel group Highway QCs, which had been founded by a young Sam Cooke. His singing was strikingly close to that of Sam Cooke, and he was hired to take Cooke's place in Cooke's gospel group, the Soul Stirrers, in 1957.
A few years later, after Cooke had established his independent SAR Records, Taylor signed on and recorded "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day" in 1962. However, SAR Records quickly became defunct after Cooke's death in 1964.
In 1966, Taylor moved to Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed "The Philosopher of Soul". Whilst there he recorded with the label's house band, Booker T. & the MGs. His hits included "I Had a Dream", "I've Got to Love Somebody's Baby" (both written by the team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter) and most notably "Who's Making Love", which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the R&B chart in 1968. "Who's Making Love" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
Taylor once toured in California with blues singer Blues Boy Willie of Memphis, Texas.
During his tenure at Stax, he became an R&B star, with over a dozen chart successes, such as "Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone", which reached No. 23 on the Hot 100 chart, "Cheaper to Keep Her" (Mack Rice) and record producer Don Davis's penned "I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)", which reached No. 11 on the Hot 100 chart. "I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)" also sold in excess of one million units, and was awarded gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. in October 1973. Taylor, along with Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers was one of the label's flagship artists. He appeared in the documentary film, Wattstax, which was released in 1973.
Columbia Records
After Stax folded in the mid 1970s, Taylor switched to Columbia Records, where he made his best known hit, "Disco Lady", in 1976. "Disco Lady" was the first certified platinum single (two million copies sold) by the RIAA.
Malaco Records
After a brief stint at Beverly Glen Records, Taylor signed with Malaco Records after the label's founder Tommy Couch and producing partner Wolf Stephenson heard him sing at blues singer, Z. Z. Hill's funeral in the spring of 1984.
Backed by members of The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section as well as in-house veterans like former Stax keyboardist Carson Whitsett and guitarist/bandleader Bernard Jenkins, Malaco gave Taylor the type of recording freedom that Stax had given him in the late 1960s and early 1970s, enabling him to record ten albums for the Malaco label in his sixteen year stint.
In 1996, Taylor's eighth album for Malaco, Good Love!, made it to Number One on Billboard's Blues chart (#15 R&B), and was the biggest record in Malaco's history. With this success, Malaco recorded a live video of Taylor at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas in the summer of 1997. The club portion of the "Good Love" video was recorded at 1001 Nightclub in Jackson, Mississippi.
Taylor's final song was "Soul Heaven", in which he dreamed of being at a concert featuring deceased soul music icons Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and MGs drummer Al Jackson, among others. In one verse, Taylor sang, "I didn't want to wake up/I was havin' such a good time".
Radio
In the 1980s Johnnie Taylor was a DJ on KKDA, a Dallas/Fort Worth radio station. The station's format is mostly R&B and Soul oldies and their on-the-air personalities are often local R&B, Soul, blues, and jazz musicians. Mr. Taylor was billed as "The Wailer, Johnnie Taylor."
Death
Taylor died of a heart attack at Charlton Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas on May 31, 2000, aged 62. Stax billed Johnnie Taylor as The Philosopher of Soul. He was also known as the Blues Wailer. He was buried beside his mother, Ida Mae Taylor, in Arkansas.
Awards
Taylor was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
Musical influence
In 2004, the UK's Shapeshifters sampled Taylor's 1982 "What About My Love?", for their #1 hit single, "Lola's Theme".
Personal life
Taylor has four children who have been recording artists. Johnnie Taylor Jr., Floyd Taylor, Latasha "Tasha" Taylor & T.J. Hooker-Taylor. The best known as Floyd Taylor, who has recorded three albums for Malaco Records. Other children include Fonda Bryant, Schiffon Taylor-Brown, Sabrina Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, and Anthony Arnold.
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/ashahope_09/soulful/JohnnieTaylor.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t258/taylorvoices/jtlimoresized.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 05/31/10 at 7:13 am
The person who died on this day...Johnnie Taylor
Johnnie Taylor (May 5, 1937 – May 31, 2000) was an American vocalist in a wide variety of genres, from gospel, blues and soul to pop, doo-wop and disco. Johnnie Harrison Taylor was born in Crawfordsville, Arkansas. As an adult, he had one release, "Somewhere to Lay My Head", on Chicago's Chance Records label in the 1950s, as part of the gospel group Highway QCs, which had been founded by a young Sam Cooke. His singing was strikingly close to that of Sam Cooke, and he was hired to take Cooke's place in Cooke's gospel group, the Soul Stirrers, in 1957.
A few years later, after Cooke had established his independent SAR Records, Taylor signed on and recorded "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day" in 1962. However, SAR Records quickly became defunct after Cooke's death in 1964.
In 1966, Taylor moved to Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed "The Philosopher of Soul". Whilst there he recorded with the label's house band, Booker T. & the MGs. His hits included "I Had a Dream", "I've Got to Love Somebody's Baby" (both written by the team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter) and most notably "Who's Making Love", which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the R&B chart in 1968. "Who's Making Love" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
Taylor once toured in California with blues singer Blues Boy Willie of Memphis, Texas.
During his tenure at Stax, he became an R&B star, with over a dozen chart successes, such as "Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone", which reached No. 23 on the Hot 100 chart, "Cheaper to Keep Her" (Mack Rice) and record producer Don Davis's penned "I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)", which reached No. 11 on the Hot 100 chart. "I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)" also sold in excess of one million units, and was awarded gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. in October 1973. Taylor, along with Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers was one of the label's flagship artists. He appeared in the documentary film, Wattstax, which was released in 1973.
Columbia Records
After Stax folded in the mid 1970s, Taylor switched to Columbia Records, where he made his best known hit, "Disco Lady", in 1976. "Disco Lady" was the first certified platinum single (two million copies sold) by the RIAA.
Malaco Records
After a brief stint at Beverly Glen Records, Taylor signed with Malaco Records after the label's founder Tommy Couch and producing partner Wolf Stephenson heard him sing at blues singer, Z. Z. Hill's funeral in the spring of 1984.
Backed by members of The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section as well as in-house veterans like former Stax keyboardist Carson Whitsett and guitarist/bandleader Bernard Jenkins, Malaco gave Taylor the type of recording freedom that Stax had given him in the late 1960s and early 1970s, enabling him to record ten albums for the Malaco label in his sixteen year stint.
In 1996, Taylor's eighth album for Malaco, Good Love!, made it to Number One on Billboard's Blues chart (#15 R&B), and was the biggest record in Malaco's history. With this success, Malaco recorded a live video of Taylor at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas in the summer of 1997. The club portion of the "Good Love" video was recorded at 1001 Nightclub in Jackson, Mississippi.
Taylor's final song was "Soul Heaven", in which he dreamed of being at a concert featuring deceased soul music icons Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and MGs drummer Al Jackson, among others. In one verse, Taylor sang, "I didn't want to wake up/I was havin' such a good time".
Radio
In the 1980s Johnnie Taylor was a DJ on KKDA, a Dallas/Fort Worth radio station. The station's format is mostly R&B and Soul oldies and their on-the-air personalities are often local R&B, Soul, blues, and jazz musicians. Mr. Taylor was billed as "The Wailer, Johnnie Taylor."
Death
Taylor died of a heart attack at Charlton Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas on May 31, 2000, aged 62. Stax billed Johnnie Taylor as The Philosopher of Soul. He was also known as the Blues Wailer. He was buried beside his mother, Ida Mae Taylor, in Arkansas.
Awards
Taylor was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
Musical influence
In 2004, the UK's Shapeshifters sampled Taylor's 1982 "What About My Love?", for their #1 hit single, "Lola's Theme".
Personal life
Taylor has four children who have been recording artists. Johnnie Taylor Jr., Floyd Taylor, Latasha "Tasha" Taylor & T.J. Hooker-Taylor. The best known as Floyd Taylor, who has recorded three albums for Malaco Records. Other children include Fonda Bryant, Schiffon Taylor-Brown, Sabrina Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, and Anthony Arnold.
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/ashahope_09/soulful/JohnnieTaylor.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t258/taylorvoices/jtlimoresized.jpg
Disco Lady was my favorite hit,loved that song. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 05/31/10 at 10:19 am
Disco Lady was my favorite hit,loved that song. :)
It was a great song :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/01/10 at 5:35 am
The word of the day...Bucket
A bucket, also called a pail, is a watertight, vertical cylinder or truncated cone, with an open top and a flat bottom, usually attached to a semicircular carrying handle called the bail. A bucket is distinguished from other containers by being unlidded. Their main purpose is the carrying of water, but they may also have other purposes. Elaborate ceremonial or ritual buckets in bronze, ivory or other materials are found in several ancient or medieval cultures and are known by the Latin for bucket, situla. Other buckets include those attached to Loader (equipment) and Telehandler for agricultural and earthmoving purposes. They can also be used to transport items other than water such as sand, rocks, gumbo, and fish.
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http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/Quismaster_85/360gradenFXMR.jpg
http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/zz232/frankandbrenda1/Choofer/choofer2.jpg
http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx133/stephijosince84/spring028.jpg
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/LeaAlbers/Cards%20Published/P5175552.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/01/10 at 5:39 am
The person born on this day...Morgan Freeman
Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Jr. (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, film director, and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice.
Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby. He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Freeman has appeared in many other box office hits, including Unforgiven, Glory, Seven, Deep Impact, The Sum of All Fears, Bruce Almighty, Batman Begins, The Bucket List, Evan Almighty, Wanted, and The Dark Knight Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Mayme Edna (née Revere) and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Sr., a barber who died in 1961 from liver cirrhosis. Freeman was sent as an infant to his paternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. He has three older siblings. Freeman's family moved frequently during his childhood, living in Greenwood, Mississippi; Gary, Indiana; and finally Chicago, Illinois. Freeman made his acting debut at age 9, playing the lead role in a school play. He then attended Broad Street High School, currently Threadgill Elementary School, in Mississippi. At age 12, he won a statewide drama competition, and while still at Broad Street High School, he performed in a radio show based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1955, he graduated from Broad Street High School, but turned down a partial drama scholarship from Jackson State University, opting instead to work as a mechanic in the United States Air Force.
Freeman moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s and worked as a transcript clerk at Los Angeles Community College. During this period, he also lived in New York City, working as a dancer at the 1964 World's Fair, and in San Francisco, where he was a member of the Opera Ring music group. Freeman acted in a touring company version of The Royal Hunt of the Sun, and also appeared as an extra in the 1965 film The Pawnbroker. He made his off-Broadway debut in 1967, opposite Viveca Lindfors in The ****** Lovers (about the civil rights era "Freedom Riders"), before debuting on Broadway in 1968's all-black version of Hello, Dolly!, which also starred Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway.
Career
Freeman at the 10 Items or Less premiere in Madrid with co-star Paz Vega.
Although his first credited film appearance was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow?, Freeman first became known in the American media through roles on the soap opera Another World and the PBS kids' show The Electric Company, (notably as Easy Reader and Vincent the Vegetable Vampire) which he later said he should have left earlier than he did.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Freeman began playing prominent supporting roles in many feature films, earning him a reputation for depicting wise, fatherly characters. As he gained fame, he went on to bigger roles in films such as the chauffeur Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, and Sergeant Major Rawlins in Glory (both in 1989). In 1994 he portrayed Red, the redeemed convict in the acclaimed The Shawshank Redemption. He also starred in films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Unforgiven, Seven, and Deep Impact. In 1997, Freeman, together with Lori McCreary, founded the movie production company Revelations Entertainment, and the two co-head its sister online movie distribution company ClickStar. Freeman also hosts the channel Our Space on ClickStar, with specially crafted film clips in which he shares his love for the sciences, especially space exploration and aeronautics.
After three previous nominations—a supporting actor nomination for Street Smart, and leading actor nominations for Driving Miss Daisy, and The Shawshank Redemption—he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Academy Awards. Freeman is recognized for his distinctive voice, making him a frequent choice for narration. In 2005 alone, he provided narration for two films, War of the Worlds and the Academy Award-winning documentary film March of the Penguins.
In 1991, Freeman was offered a lead role in Jurassic Park. Unsure that dinosaurs could make for interesting co-stars, Freeman traveled to the American Museum of Natural History to see the "damn beasts". In a 2007 interview with Atlanta Radio Correspondent Veronica Waters, Freeman revealed that he was stunned when he learned that birds are descended from dinosaurs. While he turned down the role, Freeman spent the next summer reading books on ornithology. This would later lead to his desire to narrate the documentary March of the Penguins.
Freeman appeared as God in the hit movie Bruce Almighty and its sequel, Evan Almighty, as well as Lucius Fox in the critical and commercial success Batman Begins and its 2008 sequel, The Dark Knight. He starred in Rob Reiner's 2007 film The Bucket List, opposite Jack Nicholson. He teamed with Christopher Walken and William H. Macy for the comedy The Maiden Heist, which was released direct to video due to financial problems of the distribution company. In 2008, Freeman returned to Broadway to co-star with Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher for a limited engagement of Clifford Odets's play, The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.
He has wanted to do a film based on Nelson Mandela for some time. At first he tried to get Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, adapted into a finished script, but it could never be finalized. In 2007 he purchased the film rights to a pre-published 2008 book by John Carlin, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation. Clint Eastwood directed the Nelson Mandela bio-pic titled Invictus, starring Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as rugby team captain Francois Pienaar. It was reported in July 2009 that Freeman is in talks to co-star alongside Bruce Willis in Red.
Effective January 4, 2010, Freeman replaced Walter Cronkite as the voiceover introduction to the CBS Evening News featuring Katie Couric as news anchor. CBS cited the need for consistency in introductions for regular news broadcasts and special reports as the basis for the change.
Personal life
Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from October 22, 1967, until 1979. He married Myrna Colley-Lee on June 16, 1984. The couple separated in December 2007. Freeman's attorney and business partner, Bill Luckett, announced in August 2008 that Freeman and his wife are in the process of divorce. He has two sons from previous relationships. He adopted his first wife's daughter and the couple also had a fourth child. Freeman lives in Charleston, Mississippi, and New York City. He has a private pilot's license, which he earned at age 65, and co-owns and operates Madidi, a fine dining restaurant, and Ground Zero, a blues club, both located in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He officially opened his second Ground Zero in Memphis, Tennessee on April 24, 2008.
Freeman has publicly criticized the celebration of Black History Month and does not participate in any related events, saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." He says the only way to end racism is to stop talking about it, and he notes that there is no "white history month". Freeman once said on an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace: "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man." Freeman supported the defeated proposal to change the Mississippi state flag, which contains the Confederate battle flag.
On October 28, 2006, Freeman was honored at the first Mississippi's Best Awards in Jackson, Mississippi, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his works on and off the big screen. He received an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts and Letters from Delta State University during the school's commencement exercises on May 13, 2006.
In 2008 Freeman's family history was profiled on the PBS series African American Lives 2. A DNA test showed that he is descended from the Songhai and Tuareg peoples of Niger.
In 2004 Freeman and others formed the Grenada Relief Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada. The Grenada Relief Fund has since become PLANIT NOW, an organization that seeks to provide preparedness resources for people living in hurricane and severe-storm afflicted areas.
Freeman has worked on narrating small clips for global organizations, such as One Earth, whose goals include raising awareness of environmental issues. He has narrated the clip "Why Are We Here", which can be viewed on One Earth's website.
Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's candidacy for the United States presidential election, 2008, although he stated that he would not join Obama's campaign. He narrates for The Hall of Presidents with Barack Obama, who has been added to the exhibit. The Hall of Presidents re-opened on July 4, 2009 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Freeman has donated money to the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville, Mississippi. The Horse park is part of Mississippi State University. Freeman has several horses that he takes there.
Search Wikinews Wikinews has related news: American actor Morgan Freeman in serious condition after car accident
Freeman was injured in an automobile accident near Ruleville, Mississippi, on the night of August 3, 2008. The vehicle in which he was traveling, a 1997 Nissan Maxima, left the highway and flipped over several times. He and a female passenger, Demaris Meyer, were rescued from the vehicle using the "Jaws of Life". Freeman was taken via medical helicopter to The Regional Medical Center (The Med) hospital in Memphis. Police ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash. Freeman was coherent following the crash, as he joked to a photographer about taking his picture at the scene. He broke his shoulder, arm and elbow in the crash and had surgery on August 5, 2008. Doctors operated for four hours to repair nerve damage in his shoulder and arm. His publicist announced he was expected to make a full recovery. Meyer, his passenger, has sued him for negligence, claiming that he was drinking the night of the accident. She has denied reports that they were romantically involved.
In July 2009 Freeman was one of the presenters at the 46664 concert (celebrating Nelson Mandela's birthday) at Radio City Music Hall, NYC.
Freeman was the first American to record a par on Legend Golf & Safari Resort's Extreme 19th hole.
Filmography
Films
Year Film Role Notes
1980 Brubaker Walter
1981 Eyewitness Lieutenant Black
1984 Teachers Al Lewis
Harry & Son Siemanowski
1985 Marie Charles Traughber
That Was Then... This Is Now Charlie Woods
1987 Street Smart Fast Black Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
1988 Clean and Sober Craig
1989 Glory Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins
Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor
Lean on Me Principal Joe Clark
Johnny Handsome Lt. A.Z. Drones
1990 The Bonfire of the Vanities Judge Leonard White
The Civil War Voice of Frederick Douglass
1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Azeem Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Kevin Costner
1992 Unforgiven Ned Logan
The Power of One Geel Piet
1993 Bopha! director only
1994 The Shawshank Redemption Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, Narrator Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture
1995 Outbreak Brig. Gen. Billy Ford
Se7en Detective Lt. William Somerset Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Brad Pitt
Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actor
1996 Chain Reaction Paul Shannon
Moll Flanders Hibble
Cosmic Voyage Narrator
1997 Amistad Theodore Joadson
Kiss The Girls Dr. Alex Cross
1998 Deep Impact President Tom Beck
Hard Rain Jim
2000 Nurse Betty Charlie Quinn
Under Suspicion Victor Benezet
2001 Along Came a Spider Dr. Alex Cross
2002 The Sum of All Fears DCI William Cabot
High Crimes Charlie Grimes
2003 Bruce Almighty God
Dreamcatcher Col. Abraham Curtis
Levity Pastor Miles Evans
Drug War Lt. Redding
2004 Million Dollar Baby Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Hunting of the President Narrator limited release
The Big Bounce Walter Crewes
2005 An Unfinished Life Mitch Bradley
War of the Worlds Narrator
March of the Penguins Narrator
Batman Begins Lucius Fox
Unleashed Sam
2006 Edison Force Ashford
The Contract Frank Carden
Lucky Number Slevin The Boss
10 Items or Less Himself
2007 Evan Almighty God
Feast of Love Harry Stephenson
Gone, Baby, Gone Jack Doyle
The Bucket List Carter Chambers Also Narrator
2008 Wanted Sloan
The Love Guru Narrator Voice
The Dark Knight Lucius Fox
2009 Prom Night in Mississippi Himself limited release
Thick as Thieves Keith Ripley
The Maiden Heist Charlie
The Code
Invictus Nelson Mandela NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor tied with George Clooney for Up in the Air
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated — Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association for Best Actor
2010 Red Joe filming
Television appearances
Year Title Role Notes
1971-1977 The Electric Company Easy Reader, DJ Mel Mounds, Dracula, Vincent the Vegetable Vampire television series
1978 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Uncle Hammer made-for-television
1981 The Marva Collins Story Clarence Collins made-for-television
1985 The Twilight Zone Tony Television series (episode "Dealer's Choice")
1986 Resting Place Luther Johnson made-for-television
1987 Fight For Life Dr. Sherard made-for-television
2008 Smithsonian Channel's Sound Revolution Himself television series, series host
Stephen Fry in America Himself television series, appears in episode 3
2010 The Colbert Report Himself interview
Other awards and honoraries
* 1978 Nominated for Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play in The Mighty Gents.
* 1997 Received an honorary degree from Rhodes College, becoming an honorary alumnus
* 2003 Received the Crystal Globe award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
* 2006 Guest of honor at the Cairo International Film Festival.
* 2007 He and his wife received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.
* 2007 Outstanding Contribution To Film And TV gong at the Screen Nation Film and TV Awards.
* 2008 Kennedy Center Honors
* 2010 Will receive an honorary degree from Brown University
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http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/brp1112/morgan_freeman.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/01/10 at 5:44 am
The person who died on this day...Hank Ketcham
Henry King "Hank" Ketcham (March 14, 1920 – June 1, 2001) was an American cartoonist who created the Dennis the Menace comic strip, writing and drawing it from 1951 to 1994, when he retired from drawing the daily page and took up painting full time in his studio at his home. He received the Reuben Award for the strip in 1953. The strip continues today in the hands of other artists.
Hank Ketcham was born in Seattle, Washington. He was the son of Weaver Vinson Ketcham and Virginia King. His great-grandfather was James Weaver, who ran for President two times on third party tickets in the late 19th century. When he was 6 years old, his father had a guest over for dinner who was an illustrator. After dinner, he showed Hank his "magic pencil" and drew some illustrations. Hank was immediately hooked and soon his father set up a small desk in the closet of his bedroom at which he could draw. After graduating from Queen Anne High School in 1937, Hank attended the University of Washington but dropped out after his first year and hitchhiked to Los Angeles hoping to work for Walt Disney.
Career
'Hank Ketcham in 1953
Hank Ketcham started in the business as an animator for Walter Lantz and eventually Walt Disney, where he worked on films such as Fantasia, Bambi, and Pinocchio. During World War II, Ketcham worked as a photographic specialist with the US Navy Reserve. Also while in the Navy he drew a cartoon called "Half Hitch". After World War II, he settled in Carmel, California, and began work as a freelance cartoonist.
In 1951 he started Dennis The Menace, based on his own 4-year-old son Dennis Ketcham. Ketcham was in his studio in October 1950, when his first wife, Alice Mahar, burst in studio and complained that their 4-year- old, Dennis, had wrecked his bedroom instead of napping. "Your son is a menace," she shouted. Within five months 16 newspapers began carrying the adventures of the impish but innocent "Dennis the Menace." By May 1953, 193 newspapers in the United States and 52 abroad were carrying the strip to 30 million readers.
He made his first journey abroad, for an exchange of cartoons, to the Soviet Union in 1959. Learning of this trip, the Central Intelligence Agency enlisted him to draw anything that could be of use to the United States during those cold war days. If he saw something he would draw it in his sketch book, and if the flight attendant would happen to walk by, he would draw a big nose and eyes to disguise the sketch into a funny face. According to his recollection this resulted in a sketch book full of funny faces and undecipherable sketches.
Family
Ketcham's first wife Alice Louise Mahar died in 1959 of a drug overdose. Hank and Alice were separated at the time of her death. Ketcham married for a second time to Jo Anne Stevens and moved with her and Dennis to Geneva, Switzerland, where he lived from 1960 to 1977, while still producing Dennis the Menace. This marriage ended in divorce. In 1977, he moved back to the United States and settled in Monterey, California with his third wife the former Rolande Praepost, whom he had married in 1969, and had two children, Scott and Dania. Ketcham and his son Dennis drifted apart, and were estranged for much of Dennis's adult life.
Later Life and Retirement
When his Dennis The Menace comic became more than a daily page, Ketcham hired some artists to draw the color Sunday strips and also the many Dennis The Menace comic books that were published. There were always writers who contributed to Dennis the Menace, these were captions sent to him in the mail by people from around the country, and he would go through them and find one that he liked and draw a comic to match it.
When he retired from drawing the daily page, Ketcham's former assistants, Marcus Hamilton and Ron Ferdinand, took over drawing the strip. At the time of Ketcham's death it was distributed to more than 1,000 newspapers in 48 countries and 19 languages, by King Features Syndicate.
Ketcham spent his last years in peaceful retirement in his home in Carmel, California, painting many originals in oil and watercolor. Many of his fine paintings can be seen in a hospital in nearby Monterey, California. In this period he also wrote a memoir The Merchant of Dennis the Menace. Also, Fantagraphics Books published the complete Dennis by Ketcham from the start of the strip, in thick volumes collecting two years per book.
Ketcham died of prostate cancer on June 1, 2001. He was survived by his oldest son Dennis, his third wife, Rolande, and their two children Dania and Scott.
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: danootaandme on 06/01/10 at 6:22 am
The word of the day...Bucket
Pronounced bouquet!
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 06/01/10 at 7:07 am
The person born on this day...Morgan Freeman
Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Jr. (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, film director, and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice.
Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby. He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Freeman has appeared in many other box office hits, including Unforgiven, Glory, Seven, Deep Impact, The Sum of All Fears, Bruce Almighty, Batman Begins, The Bucket List, Evan Almighty, Wanted, and The Dark Knight Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Mayme Edna (née Revere) and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Sr., a barber who died in 1961 from liver cirrhosis. Freeman was sent as an infant to his paternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. He has three older siblings. Freeman's family moved frequently during his childhood, living in Greenwood, Mississippi; Gary, Indiana; and finally Chicago, Illinois. Freeman made his acting debut at age 9, playing the lead role in a school play. He then attended Broad Street High School, currently Threadgill Elementary School, in Mississippi. At age 12, he won a statewide drama competition, and while still at Broad Street High School, he performed in a radio show based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1955, he graduated from Broad Street High School, but turned down a partial drama scholarship from Jackson State University, opting instead to work as a mechanic in the United States Air Force.
Freeman moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s and worked as a transcript clerk at Los Angeles Community College. During this period, he also lived in New York City, working as a dancer at the 1964 World's Fair, and in San Francisco, where he was a member of the Opera Ring music group. Freeman acted in a touring company version of The Royal Hunt of the Sun, and also appeared as an extra in the 1965 film The Pawnbroker. He made his off-Broadway debut in 1967, opposite Viveca Lindfors in The ****** Lovers (about the civil rights era "Freedom Riders"), before debuting on Broadway in 1968's all-black version of Hello, Dolly!, which also starred Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway.
Career
Freeman at the 10 Items or Less premiere in Madrid with co-star Paz Vega.
Although his first credited film appearance was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow?, Freeman first became known in the American media through roles on the soap opera Another World and the PBS kids' show The Electric Company, (notably as Easy Reader and Vincent the Vegetable Vampire) which he later said he should have left earlier than he did.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Freeman began playing prominent supporting roles in many feature films, earning him a reputation for depicting wise, fatherly characters. As he gained fame, he went on to bigger roles in films such as the chauffeur Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, and Sergeant Major Rawlins in Glory (both in 1989). In 1994 he portrayed Red, the redeemed convict in the acclaimed The Shawshank Redemption. He also starred in films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Unforgiven, Seven, and Deep Impact. In 1997, Freeman, together with Lori McCreary, founded the movie production company Revelations Entertainment, and the two co-head its sister online movie distribution company ClickStar. Freeman also hosts the channel Our Space on ClickStar, with specially crafted film clips in which he shares his love for the sciences, especially space exploration and aeronautics.
After three previous nominations—a supporting actor nomination for Street Smart, and leading actor nominations for Driving Miss Daisy, and The Shawshank Redemption—he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Academy Awards. Freeman is recognized for his distinctive voice, making him a frequent choice for narration. In 2005 alone, he provided narration for two films, War of the Worlds and the Academy Award-winning documentary film March of the Penguins.
In 1991, Freeman was offered a lead role in Jurassic Park. Unsure that dinosaurs could make for interesting co-stars, Freeman traveled to the American Museum of Natural History to see the "damn beasts". In a 2007 interview with Atlanta Radio Correspondent Veronica Waters, Freeman revealed that he was stunned when he learned that birds are descended from dinosaurs. While he turned down the role, Freeman spent the next summer reading books on ornithology. This would later lead to his desire to narrate the documentary March of the Penguins.
Freeman appeared as God in the hit movie Bruce Almighty and its sequel, Evan Almighty, as well as Lucius Fox in the critical and commercial success Batman Begins and its 2008 sequel, The Dark Knight. He starred in Rob Reiner's 2007 film The Bucket List, opposite Jack Nicholson. He teamed with Christopher Walken and William H. Macy for the comedy The Maiden Heist, which was released direct to video due to financial problems of the distribution company. In 2008, Freeman returned to Broadway to co-star with Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher for a limited engagement of Clifford Odets's play, The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.
He has wanted to do a film based on Nelson Mandela for some time. At first he tried to get Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, adapted into a finished script, but it could never be finalized. In 2007 he purchased the film rights to a pre-published 2008 book by John Carlin, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation. Clint Eastwood directed the Nelson Mandela bio-pic titled Invictus, starring Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as rugby team captain Francois Pienaar. It was reported in July 2009 that Freeman is in talks to co-star alongside Bruce Willis in Red.
Effective January 4, 2010, Freeman replaced Walter Cronkite as the voiceover introduction to the CBS Evening News featuring Katie Couric as news anchor. CBS cited the need for consistency in introductions for regular news broadcasts and special reports as the basis for the change.
Personal life
Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from October 22, 1967, until 1979. He married Myrna Colley-Lee on June 16, 1984. The couple separated in December 2007. Freeman's attorney and business partner, Bill Luckett, announced in August 2008 that Freeman and his wife are in the process of divorce. He has two sons from previous relationships. He adopted his first wife's daughter and the couple also had a fourth child. Freeman lives in Charleston, Mississippi, and New York City. He has a private pilot's license, which he earned at age 65, and co-owns and operates Madidi, a fine dining restaurant, and Ground Zero, a blues club, both located in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He officially opened his second Ground Zero in Memphis, Tennessee on April 24, 2008.
Freeman has publicly criticized the celebration of Black History Month and does not participate in any related events, saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." He says the only way to end racism is to stop talking about it, and he notes that there is no "white history month". Freeman once said on an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace: "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man." Freeman supported the defeated proposal to change the Mississippi state flag, which contains the Confederate battle flag.
On October 28, 2006, Freeman was honored at the first Mississippi's Best Awards in Jackson, Mississippi, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his works on and off the big screen. He received an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts and Letters from Delta State University during the school's commencement exercises on May 13, 2006.
In 2008 Freeman's family history was profiled on the PBS series African American Lives 2. A DNA test showed that he is descended from the Songhai and Tuareg peoples of Niger.
In 2004 Freeman and others formed the Grenada Relief Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada. The Grenada Relief Fund has since become PLANIT NOW, an organization that seeks to provide preparedness resources for people living in hurricane and severe-storm afflicted areas.
Freeman has worked on narrating small clips for global organizations, such as One Earth, whose goals include raising awareness of environmental issues. He has narrated the clip "Why Are We Here", which can be viewed on One Earth's website.
Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's candidacy for the United States presidential election, 2008, although he stated that he would not join Obama's campaign. He narrates for The Hall of Presidents with Barack Obama, who has been added to the exhibit. The Hall of Presidents re-opened on July 4, 2009 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Freeman has donated money to the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville, Mississippi. The Horse park is part of Mississippi State University. Freeman has several horses that he takes there.
Search Wikinews Wikinews has related news: American actor Morgan Freeman in serious condition after car accident
Freeman was injured in an automobile accident near Ruleville, Mississippi, on the night of August 3, 2008. The vehicle in which he was traveling, a 1997 Nissan Maxima, left the highway and flipped over several times. He and a female passenger, Demaris Meyer, were rescued from the vehicle using the "Jaws of Life". Freeman was taken via medical helicopter to The Regional Medical Center (The Med) hospital in Memphis. Police ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash. Freeman was coherent following the crash, as he joked to a photographer about taking his picture at the scene. He broke his shoulder, arm and elbow in the crash and had surgery on August 5, 2008. Doctors operated for four hours to repair nerve damage in his shoulder and arm. His publicist announced he was expected to make a full recovery. Meyer, his passenger, has sued him for negligence, claiming that he was drinking the night of the accident. She has denied reports that they were romantically involved.
In July 2009 Freeman was one of the presenters at the 46664 concert (celebrating Nelson Mandela's birthday) at Radio City Music Hall, NYC.
Freeman was the first American to record a par on Legend Golf & Safari Resort's Extreme 19th hole.
Filmography
Films
Year Film Role Notes
1980 Brubaker Walter
1981 Eyewitness Lieutenant Black
1984 Teachers Al Lewis
Harry & Son Siemanowski
1985 Marie Charles Traughber
That Was Then... This Is Now Charlie Woods
1987 Street Smart Fast Black Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
1988 Clean and Sober Craig
1989 Glory Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins
Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor
Lean on Me Principal Joe Clark
Johnny Handsome Lt. A.Z. Drones
1990 The Bonfire of the Vanities Judge Leonard White
The Civil War Voice of Frederick Douglass
1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Azeem Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Kevin Costner
1992 Unforgiven Ned Logan
The Power of One Geel Piet
1993 Bopha! director only
1994 The Shawshank Redemption Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, Narrator Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role - Motion Picture
1995 Outbreak Brig. Gen. Billy Ford
Se7en Detective Lt. William Somerset Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo shared with Brad Pitt
Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actor
1996 Chain Reaction Paul Shannon
Moll Flanders Hibble
Cosmic Voyage Narrator
1997 Amistad Theodore Joadson
Kiss The Girls Dr. Alex Cross
1998 Deep Impact President Tom Beck
Hard Rain Jim
2000 Nurse Betty Charlie Quinn
Under Suspicion Victor Benezet
2001 Along Came a Spider Dr. Alex Cross
2002 The Sum of All Fears DCI William Cabot
High Crimes Charlie Grimes
2003 Bruce Almighty God
Dreamcatcher Col. Abraham Curtis
Levity Pastor Miles Evans
Drug War Lt. Redding
2004 Million Dollar Baby Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Hunting of the President Narrator limited release
The Big Bounce Walter Crewes
2005 An Unfinished Life Mitch Bradley
War of the Worlds Narrator
March of the Penguins Narrator
Batman Begins Lucius Fox
Unleashed Sam
2006 Edison Force Ashford
The Contract Frank Carden
Lucky Number Slevin The Boss
10 Items or Less Himself
2007 Evan Almighty God
Feast of Love Harry Stephenson
Gone, Baby, Gone Jack Doyle
The Bucket List Carter Chambers Also Narrator
2008 Wanted Sloan
The Love Guru Narrator Voice
The Dark Knight Lucius Fox
2009 Prom Night in Mississippi Himself limited release
Thick as Thieves Keith Ripley
The Maiden Heist Charlie
The Code
Invictus Nelson Mandela NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor tied with George Clooney for Up in the Air
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated — Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association for Best Actor
2010 Red Joe filming
Television appearances
Year Title Role Notes
1971-1977 The Electric Company Easy Reader, DJ Mel Mounds, Dracula, Vincent the Vegetable Vampire television series
1978 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Uncle Hammer made-for-television
1981 The Marva Collins Story Clarence Collins made-for-television
1985 The Twilight Zone Tony Television series (episode "Dealer's Choice")
1986 Resting Place Luther Johnson made-for-television
1987 Fight For Life Dr. Sherard made-for-television
2008 Smithsonian Channel's Sound Revolution Himself television series, series host
Stephen Fry in America Himself television series, appears in episode 3
2010 The Colbert Report Himself interview
Other awards and honoraries
* 1978 Nominated for Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play in The Mighty Gents.
* 1997 Received an honorary degree from Rhodes College, becoming an honorary alumnus
* 2003 Received the Crystal Globe award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
* 2006 Guest of honor at the Cairo International Film Festival.
* 2007 He and his wife received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.
* 2007 Outstanding Contribution To Film And TV gong at the Screen Nation Film and TV Awards.
* 2008 Kennedy Center Honors
* 2010 Will receive an honorary degree from Brown University
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 06/01/10 at 10:27 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp0-yDJAtWQ
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Frank on 06/01/10 at 10:37 am
Morgan Freeman is one of the best actors in the last 25 years.
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: CatwomanofV on 06/01/10 at 11:32 am
Morgan Freeman is one of the best actors in the last 25 years.
Agreed.
Cat
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/01/10 at 2:03 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp0-yDJAtWQ
Cat
WOW that's a blast from the past. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: Howard on 06/01/10 at 7:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp0-yDJAtWQ
Cat
Thanks Cat,I love Morgan Freeman,one of the best actors that I enjoyed growing up with. :)
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/02/10 at 5:43 am
The word of the day...Beaver
The beaver (genus Castor) is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, Castor canadensis (native to North America) and Castor fiber (Eurasia). Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges (homes). They are the second-largest rodent in the world (after the capybara). Their colonies create one or more dams to provide still, deep water to protect against predators, and to float food and building material. The North American beaver population was once more than 60 million, but as of 1988 was 6–12 million. This population decline is due to extensive hunting for fur, for glands used as medicine and perfume, and because their harvesting of trees and flooding of waterways may interfere with other land uses
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/02/10 at 5:45 am
The person born on this day...Jerry Mathers
Gerald Patrick "Jerry" Mathers (born June 2, 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa) is an American television, film, and stage actor. Mathers is best known for his role in the television sitcom series Leave It to Beaver (1957 –1963), in which he played Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver, the younger son of archetypal suburban couple June and Ward Cleaver (played by Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont), and the brother of Wally Cleaver (played by Tony Dow). The son of a high school principal, Mathers's acting career began early. In a commercial, at age 2, he walked into a barroom wearing diapers, six guns, cowboy boots and a big cowboy hat. Vaudeville comedian Ed Wynn was behind the bar and several cowboy actors began portraying a bar fight. At this point, Mathers walks through the fighting cowboys and one of them picks him up and they all say, "Why are you here?" Mathers responds, "I’m the toughest hombre in these parts. You better have my brand," while he pounds on the bar. It was a commercial for PET Milk.
His early movies included This is My Love (1954), Men of the Fighting Lady (1954), The Seven Little Foys (1955) and The Trouble with Harry (1955).
As he moved into his teenage years, Mathers retired from acting to concentrate on high school.
In 1978, he reentered the entertainment industry. He has since starred in Playing Patti (1998) and Better Luck Tomorrow (2002). He has also been in It's Howdy Doody Time (1987), Down the Drain (1990) and Sexual Malice (1994).
Leave It to Beaver
Mathers reportedly got the role of Beaver Cleaver when he told the show's producers he'd rather be at his Cub Scout meeting than auditioning for the part. The producers found his candidness appealing and perfect for the role. During its show's six seasons, Mathers also had a remarkable, professional relationship with both Billingsley and Dow, who were both his second mother and brother and close friends, both on- and off-camera.
Mathers played the Beaver for six years. When the show ended in 1963, Beaver was looking forward to entering Mayfield High School. Mathers appeared in all 234 episodes of the series.
Mathers was the first child actor ever to make a deal to get a percentage of the merchandising revenue from a television show. The Leave It to Beaver show still generates merchandise revenue today, 46 years after its original production run ended.
The original sitcom has been shown in over 80 countries in 40 languages. Mathers has noted that the Leave It to Beaver phenomenon is worldwide. "I can go anywhere in the world, and people know me," Mathers has said. "In Japan the show’s called 'The Happy Boy and His Family.' So I’ll be walking through the airport in Japan, and people will come up and say, 'Hi, Happy Boy!'"
His role as the Beaver was reprised in 1983, when Mathers, along with original cast members Barbara Billingsley (as "June Cleaver"), Tony Dow (as "Wally Cleaver"), Ken Osmond (as "Eddie Haskell"), and Frank Bank (as "Clarence 'Lumpy' Rutherford"), appeared in a CBS T.V. movie, "Still The Beaver". These same original cast members were then featured in a new television sitcom version of this movie in 1985, which in its first season was a Disney Channel feature, then went on to be picked up by TBS, where it ran until 1989.
Recordings
In 1962, near the end of the run of the original show, Mathers recorded two songs for a single 45rpm: Don't 'Cha Cry, a retread of Spanish Harlem; and for the flip side, the twist ditty, Wind-Up Toy ("Wind-up Toy! Wind-up Toy! Say, when you gonna treat me like a real live boy.") During his high school years, following the production of the original show, Mathers had a band called "Beaver and the Trappers." They made some records for Atlantic Records, including one called Happiness is Havin', which was the number one single in Hawaii and Alaska for a while. The song was co-written by Mathers and Richard Correll, who played Richard Rickover in the original sitcom. Mathers's band recorded for about three-and-a-half years and played sock-hops and parties in southern California.
Stage
Mathers has appeared in numerous stage productions. In 2007, Mathers made his Broadway debut with a starring role as Wilbur Turnblad in the Tony winning best musical, “Hairspray” at the Neil Simon Theater. In Mathers' first week he boosted the attendance to 90% and for the rest of his run he played to standing room only houses with attendance at 110%.
Personal life
* Mathers is currently the national spokesperson for PhRMA and their Partnership for Prescription Assistance program. This organization helps uninsured and financially-struggling patients obtain prescription medicines for free or nearly free.
* Jerry Mathers is the older brother of Jimmy Mathers who was also a television actor who had spots on Bewitched, The Munsters, My Three Sons and Adam-12.
* Mathers graduated from Notre Dame High School, in Sherman Oaks, California, in 1967. He went to college at the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a BA degree in philosophy in 1973.
* Mathers was a member of the Air National Guard (1966-69).
* With Rhonda (second wife), married fourteen years, he had three children; his son Noah Mathers (1978) works in film and video production. Two daughters; Mercedes (1982) and Gretchen (1985)
Diabetes
Mathers was diagnosed with diabetes in 1996. He took preventative action, lost 55 pounds and is currently one of the leading lecturers on living with and dealing with diabetes. Mathers has partnered with diverse organizations to bring awareness of this epidemic that the United States is currently facing among both children and adults. He has been invited to share his experience with diabetes on "Larry King Live" numerous times and has spoken to the Congressional Caucus on diabetes at the Capitol in Washington, DC. Mathers also speaks with the media to alert individuals about the importance of early diagnosis, diet and exercise, and the proper treatment of diabetes.
Other careers
* Using well-invested savings from his acting career, which began at $500 a week, he started a successful career in real-estate development and banking.
* Mathers has owned and operated a catering business and also has done commercial work for national and regional spots for advertisers such as PET Condensed Milk, Kellogg’s (he and Tony Dow were the first non-athletes on a box of corn flakes), General Electric, Purina, Kern International, Chevrolet, Toyota, General Mills, AOL, Coca Cola, Jim Beam and Biogen.
Current
* Frank Bank, who played Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the Beaver show, is now Mathers’s investment adviser.
* Mathers, who is a Federal Communications Commission-licensed broadcaster, often guest hosts on national talk-radio programs and is trained in radio satellite broadcasting.
* Mathers had recurring spots on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
* He is currently a speaker at business conventions, where he addresses the emotional state of the American family and the effects of television on society today, using the fabled Cleavers from his early TV career.
Selected filmography
* This Is My Love (1954)
* The Trouble with Harry (1955)
* The Seven Little Foys (1955)
* Leave It to Beaver (TV) (1957-1963)
* That Certain Feeling
* The Deep Six
* Men of the Fighting Lady
* Back to the Beach (1987)
* Bigger Than Life
* This is My Love
* The Shadow on the Window
* It's Howdy Doody Time (1987)
* Down the Drain (1990)
* Married With Children (1991)
* Sexual Malice (1994)
* Playing Patti (1998)
* The Amanda Show (1999)
* Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)
* Angels with Angles (2005)
* Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2006)
* Will to Power (2006)
* The Von Trapp Family Christmas (release date December 2007)
Bibliography
* And Jerry Mathers as The Beaver; Mathers, Jerry and Fagen, Herb; Berkley Trade (1998)
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Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/02/10 at 5:58 am
The person who died on this day...Imogene Coca
Imogene Fernandez de Coca (November 18, 1908 – June 2, 2001) was an American comic actress best known for her role opposite Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows. Starting out in vaudeville as a child acrobat, she studied ballet and wished to have a serious career in music and dance, graduating to decades of stage musical revues, cabaret and summer stock. Finally in her 40s she began a celebrated career as a comedienne in television, starring in six series and guesting on successful television programs from the 1940s to the 1990s.
She was nominated for five Emmy awards for Your Show of Shows, winning Best Actress in 1951 and singled out for a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting in 1953. Coca was also nominated for a Tony Award in 1978 for On the Twentieth Century and received a sixth Emmy nomination at the age of 80 for an episode of Moonlighting.
Though possessing a rubbery face capable of the broadest expressions—Life magazine compared her to Beatrice Lillie and Charlie Chaplin, and described her characterizations as taking "people or situations suspended in their own precarious balance between dignity and absurdity, and push(ing) them over the cliff with one single, pointed gesture"—the magazine noted a "particularly high-brow critic" as observing, "The trouble with most comedians who try to do satire is that they are essentially brash, noisy and indelicate people who have to use a sledge hammer to smash a butterfly. Miss Coca, on the other hand, is the timid woman who, when aroused, can beat a tiger to death with a feather."
In addition to vaudeville, cabaret, theater and television, she appeared in film, voiced children's cartoons and was even featured in an MTV video by a New Wave band. Though her fame began late, she worked well into her 80s. Twice a widow, Coca died in 2001.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Coca's parents were veterans of the entertainment industry; her father, José Fernandez de Coca, was a well-known violinist and Vaudeville orchestra conductor, and her mother, Sadie Brady, was a dancer and magician's assistant.
Coca took lessons in piano, dance, and voice as a child and while still a teenager moved from Philadelphia to New York City to become a dancer. She got her first job in the chorus of the Broadway musical When You Smile, and became a headliner in Manhattan nightclubs with music arranged by her first husband, Robert Burton. She gained prominence when she began to combine music with comedy; her first critical success was in New Faces of 1934.
Career
The handprints of Coca in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
In the early days of live television, she played opposite Sid Caesar on The Admiral Broadway Revue (January to June 1949), and then in the sketch comedy program Your Show of Shows, which was immensely popular from 1950 to 1954, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series in 1952 and 1953. The 90-minute show was aired live on NBC every Saturday night in prime time. She won the second-ever Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy Series in 1951 and was nominated for four other Emmys for her work in the show. She was also singled out to win a 1953 Peabody award for excellence in broadcasting. Writers for the show included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Woody Allen. Her success in that program earned her her own series, The Imogene Coca Show, which ran from 1954 to 1955.
Prior to working with Caesar she had starred in an early ABC series, Buzzy Wuzzy, which lasted 4 episodes in 1948. She went on to star in two more series. In the 1963–64 TV season, Coca portrayed a comic temporary helper in the NBC sitcom Grindl. It was scheduled to compete with The Ed Sullivan Show and lasted a season. Coca starred as a cave woman with Joe E. Ross in the 1966–67 time-travel satire sitcom It's About Time.
She continued to appear on comedy and variety series throughout the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s including several appearances each on The Carol Burnett Show, The George Gobel Show, The Hollywood Palace and Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town, and Bob Hope specials. She appeared on other shows and specials by Dean Martin, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Lewis, Dick Clark, Danny Kaye, and Andy Williams. Coca's own special with her Show of Shows co-stars, The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris Special won a 1967 Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special.
She made memorable guest appearances on sitcoms including two appearances on Bewitched as Mary the Tooth Fairy, on The Brady Bunch as Aunt Jenny, and on Mama's Family as Gert in the episode "Gert Rides Again". Coca appeared with Milton Berle and Your Show of Shows co-star Howard Morris in "Curtain Call", a 1983 episode of Fantasy Island.
Coca appeared in a number of literary adaptations for children. In 1960 she appeared as Miss Clavel in Sol Saks' adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline for Shirley Temple's Storybook. In 1972 she voiced the character of Princess Jane Klockenlocher in a Rankin/Bass version of Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes. In 1978 she appeared in A Special Sesame Street Christmas alongside Muppets Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch and humans Henry Fonda, Michael Jackson and Ethel Merman. In 1985 she appeared as The Cook in Alice in Wonderland, an all-star TV miniseries adaptation of the book by Lewis Carroll. Among her final roles was voicing characters in Garfield and Friends, based on the Jim Davis cartoon series (1994).
In 1988 Coca appeared as the mother of Allyce Beasley's Agnes in the Moonlighting episode "Los Dos Dipestos", written by David Steinberg. Coca received her sixth Emmy nomination, as Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series, for the role. The same year she was the female recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy at the second annual American Comedy Awards, alongside male recipient George Burns.
Despite her television success, Coca appeared only sporadically in films, usually in smaller comic character parts, including 1963's Under the Yum Yum Tree, Joan Rivers' Rabbit Test (1978) and 1980s films Nothing Lasts Forever, Papa Was a Preacher and Buy & Cell. A particularly memorable film role came in 1983 as Aunt Edna in National Lampoon's Vacation.
After having appeared in several Broadway musical-comedy revues and plays between the 1930s and the 1950s, Coca returned to Broadway at the age of 70 with a Tony Award-nominated performance as religious zealot Letitia Primrose in On the Twentieth Century, a 1978 stage musical adapted from the 1934 film Twentieth Century. Coca's role — a religious fanatic who plasters decals onto every available surface — was a male in both the film and the original stage production and was rewritten specifically as a vehicle for Coca. She appeared in the Broadway run with Kevin Kline and Madeline Kahn, continued with the national tour starring Rock Hudson and Judy Kaye and returned for a later tour revival in the mid '80s with Kaye and Frank Gorshin. She also did touring productions including musicals Once Upon a Mattress and Bells Are Ringing and plays including Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue and Murray Schisgal's Luv. Coca rejoined Sid Caesar in 1961-'62, 1977 and 1990-'91 for a traveling stage revue, and made an appearance with Caesar and Howard Morris at Comic Relief VI in 1994.
One of Coca's early stock characters on the Caesar series blended comedy with socially conscious pathos as a bag lady, and she was frequently asked to reprise the role, including by Carol Burnett for her 1960s series and by Red Skelton as love interest to one of his own familiar characters in the 1981 TV special Freddie the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner. New Wave group Ēbn-Ōzn featured Coca as the title character in the music video to their song "Bag Lady (I Wonder)", which was a top-40 dance hit in 1984.
In 1995 she was honored with the second annual Women in Film Lucy Award, honoring women's achievement in television and named after Lucille Ball.
Life and legacy
Coca had no children, but had been married twice; for twenty-one years to Bob Burton, from 1934 until his death in 1955, and later for 27 years to King Donovan, from 1960 until his death in 1987. On a foggy night in 1973, while driving to their dinner theater performance in Florida, she and Donovan collided with another car. Donovan sustained a slight leg injury, but the rear-view mirror entered Coca's left eye, smashing her cheekbone. Plastic surgery and a cosmetic lens covered her now-blind eye for the rest of her career, which resumed with her long stint in Broadway's On the Twentieth Century beginning in 1978.
On June 2, 2001, Coca died at her home in Westport, Connecticut, of natural causes incidental to Alzheimer's Disease.
Performers citing Coca as an influence include Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg and Tracey Ullman. Your Show of Shows is considered a television classic, and was the basis for a well-received 1982 film, My Favorite Year, with the character Alice Miller loosely based on Coca. A 1992 musical version of the film—with the Miller character cut in previews due to a perceived similarity with the K. C. Downing character (loosely representing Mel Brooks' then-future wife Anne Bancroft)—was unsuccessful.
Filmography
Television
* Buzzy Wuzzy (1948) (canceled after 4 weeks)
* The Admiral Broadway Revue (1949-1950)
* Your Show of Shows (139 episodes 1950-1954)
* The Imogene Coca Show (1954-1955)
* Playhouse 90 ("Made in Heaven" 1956)
* General Electric Theater ("Cab Driver" 1957)
* Sid Caesar Invites You (1958, U.S.)
* Sid Caesar Invites You (1958, UK )
* The George Gobel Show (4 episodes 1959-1960)
* Shirley Temple's Storybook: Madeline" (1960)
* Grindl (32 episodes 1963-1964)
* It's About Time (18 episodes 1966-1967)
* The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special (1967)
* The Carol Burnett Show (4 episodes 1967-1969)
* Love, American Style (2 episodes 1970, 1972)
* Bewitched (2 episodes 1971)
* The Emperor's New Clothes (1972)
* The Brady Bunch (1972)
* Trapper John, M.D. ("Quarantine" 1980)
* Freddy the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner (1981)
* The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981)
* Fantasy Island ("Curtain Call" 1983)
* Mama's Family ("Aunt Gert Rides Again" 1983)
* One Life to Live (cast member from 1983-1984)
* As the World Turns (cast member in 1983)
* Alice in Wonderland (1985)
* Moonlighting ("Los Dos Dipestos" 1988)
* Monsters ("The Face" 1989)
* Garfield and Friends (Voice, 14 episodes 1994)
* Comic Relief VI (1994)
Film
* Bashful Ballerina (1937)
* Dime a Dance (1937)
* They Meet Again (1941)
* Promises! Promises! (1963)
* Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963)
* 10 from Your Show of Shows (1973)
* Rabbit Test (1978)
* National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
* Nothing Lasts Forever (1984)
* Papa Was a Preacher (1985)
* Buy & Cell (1987)
* Hollywood: The Movie (1996)
Broadway
* When You Smile (1925) Imogene
* Garrick Gaieties (1930)
* Shoot the Works (1931)
* Flying Colors (1932-'33) Jo-Jo, Miss Maris
* New Faces of 1934 (1934, with Henry Fonda)
* Fools Rush In (1934-'35)
* New Faces of 1936 (1936)
* Who's Who (1938)
* The Straw Hat Revue (1939, with Danny Kaye, Jerome Robbins)
* All In Fun (1940) Dancer, Esther, Mrs. Burton, Nymph, The Derelict
* Concert Varieties (1945)
* Janus (1955-'56) Jessica
* The Girls in 509 (1958-'59) Mimsy
* On The Twentieth Century (1978-'79) Letitia Primrose
Selected regional theater, national tours
* Bubbling Over (1926)
* Queen High (1928)
* Up to the Stars (1935)
* Calling All Men (1937)
* A Night at the Folies Bergere (1940)
* Happy Birthday (1948)
* Wonderful Town (1954) Ruth
* The Great Sebastians (1957)
* Once Upon a Mattress (1960-'61)
* A Thurber Carnival (1961-'62)
* Caesar-Coca Revue (1961-'62)
* Bells Are Ringing (1962)
* Luv (1967)
* You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running (1968-'69)
* Why I Went Crazy (1969)
* A Girl Could Get Lucky (1970)
* The Rivals (1972) Mrs. Malaprop
* The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1973-'74, with husband King Donovan)
* Makin' Whoopee (1981, with Mamie Van Doren)
* The Gin Game (1984)
* My Old Friends (1985)
* On The Twentieth Century (1986-'87) Letitia Primrose
http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/megdays/Animals/ImogeneCocaAndCat.jpg
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: gibbo on 06/02/10 at 6:10 am
Don't forget about Justin Beaver!!! ;D
Subject: Re: ninny's New Person & Word of the Day
Written By: ninny on 06/02/10 at 7:25 am
Don't forget about Justin Beaver!!! ;D
lol I almost put this up.
http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu256/Timhortans/JustinBeaver.png