I just read some bad news about singer Linda Ronstadt.
Parkinson's disease has left her unable to sing, USA Today reported.
The 67- year old Grammy winner first revealed her condition in an interview with AARP.
Linda has been a favorite of mine since the late 1970s.
I was a junior in high school when I was introduced to singers like Barry Manilow and Boston and The Stones and Linda,
I remember such songs as "Hurts So Bad", and "It's So Easy", and "Blue Bayou."
It is so sad to hear that she will be unable to sing again.
Let's all include her in our prayers...
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
George Duke Dead At Age 67...
(Courtesy Of CNN)-Jazz musician George Duke died last Monday in Los Angeles at age 67.
A pioneer in the funk and R&;B genres, he had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia, according to his label Concord Music Group, which confirmed his death.
"The outpouring of love and support that we have received from my father's friends, fans and the entire music community has been overwhelming," said his son, Rashid Duke, in a statement. "Thank you all for your concern, prayers and support."
Born in San Rafael, Calif., Duke aspired to a music career from an early age, after his mother took him to a Duke Ellington concert.
"I remember seeing this guy in a white suit, playing this big thing, which I later found out was a piano," Duke told USA TODAY in 1997. "He had all these guys around him, and he was waving his hands conducting, and he spoke very intelligently and seemed to be having a good time. And his name was Duke, and my last name was Duke. I told my mom, 'I want to be him.' That moment in time set the stage for me."
Over the course of his four-decade-plus career, the Grammy Award-winning keyboardist put out more than 40 albums and collaborated with artists such as Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Jill Scott and Michael Jackson. His music was also sampled by Kanye West, Daft Punk and Common.
"It's a wonderful thing that has happened under the banner of jazz," Duke told USA TODAY of his career longevity. "In R&B and rock, when you are over a certain age, they say goodbye to you. But in jazz, you just kind of level off and continue to gain respect, so long as you keep your integrity."
Duke's final album, DreamWeaver, was released July 16 and made its debut at No. 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. It was his first new music since the death of his wife, Corine, last year.
( I remember Mr. Dukes tune in around 1977 called "Dukey Stick." That was the Jam!)
A pioneer in the funk and R&;B genres, he had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia, according to his label Concord Music Group, which confirmed his death.
"The outpouring of love and support that we have received from my father's friends, fans and the entire music community has been overwhelming," said his son, Rashid Duke, in a statement. "Thank you all for your concern, prayers and support."
Born in San Rafael, Calif., Duke aspired to a music career from an early age, after his mother took him to a Duke Ellington concert.
"I remember seeing this guy in a white suit, playing this big thing, which I later found out was a piano," Duke told USA TODAY in 1997. "He had all these guys around him, and he was waving his hands conducting, and he spoke very intelligently and seemed to be having a good time. And his name was Duke, and my last name was Duke. I told my mom, 'I want to be him.' That moment in time set the stage for me."
Over the course of his four-decade-plus career, the Grammy Award-winning keyboardist put out more than 40 albums and collaborated with artists such as Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Jill Scott and Michael Jackson. His music was also sampled by Kanye West, Daft Punk and Common.
"It's a wonderful thing that has happened under the banner of jazz," Duke told USA TODAY of his career longevity. "In R&B and rock, when you are over a certain age, they say goodbye to you. But in jazz, you just kind of level off and continue to gain respect, so long as you keep your integrity."
Duke's final album, DreamWeaver, was released July 16 and made its debut at No. 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. It was his first new music since the death of his wife, Corine, last year.
( I remember Mr. Dukes tune in around 1977 called "Dukey Stick." That was the Jam!)
Monday, August 12, 2013
Meatloaf...
I remember back in my early college years I heard a song called, "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad."
I was mesmerized.
I had never heard anything like that before. It was tender, yet raw. I did some research at the local record store and bought the LP, "Bat Out Of Hell", by Meatloaf.
When I first put the disc on my turntable, I didn't know what to think...it was definitely rock, but there was what sounded like operatic melodies, r and b, and pop all coming out of this big guy's mouth.
I was hooked.
Then came, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light", "Heaven Can Wait", and on later albums, tunes like "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), and "Home By Now/ No Matter What."
The best way to experience Mr. Loaf is by purchasing the CD "The Very Best Of Meatloaf."
Released in 1998, it features all the hits on a 2-CD format. It's on amazon.com...
Buy it and you won't be disappointed.
(Reran from 08/18/2008)
I was mesmerized.
I had never heard anything like that before. It was tender, yet raw. I did some research at the local record store and bought the LP, "Bat Out Of Hell", by Meatloaf.
When I first put the disc on my turntable, I didn't know what to think...it was definitely rock, but there was what sounded like operatic melodies, r and b, and pop all coming out of this big guy's mouth.
I was hooked.
Then came, "Paradise By The Dashboard Light", "Heaven Can Wait", and on later albums, tunes like "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), and "Home By Now/ No Matter What."
The best way to experience Mr. Loaf is by purchasing the CD "The Very Best Of Meatloaf."
Released in 1998, it features all the hits on a 2-CD format. It's on amazon.com...
Buy it and you won't be disappointed.
(Reran from 08/18/2008)
Monday, August 5, 2013
Shalamar...
I used to be a huge fan of the trio Shalamar.
Actually, I still am.
Remember them?...Howard Hewlett, Jeffery Daniels and the lovely Jody Watley?
Remember the songs?..."Take That To The Bank", 'This Is For The Lover In You?...""The Second Time Around"..."Dead Giveaway"..."A Night To Remember?"
I had a crush on Jody for awhile and when she became a big star, that crush got bigger. I loved her dreamy eyes...
Wait a minnit...I'm digressing.
I saw the band back in the day when I was writing for "The Louisville Defender" newspaper. I was standing right back stage.
Cool, huh?
Actually, I still am.
Remember them?...Howard Hewlett, Jeffery Daniels and the lovely Jody Watley?
Remember the songs?..."Take That To The Bank", 'This Is For The Lover In You?...""The Second Time Around"..."Dead Giveaway"..."A Night To Remember?"
I had a crush on Jody for awhile and when she became a big star, that crush got bigger. I loved her dreamy eyes...
Wait a minnit...I'm digressing.
I saw the band back in the day when I was writing for "The Louisville Defender" newspaper. I was standing right back stage.
Cool, huh?
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