What You Know And What You Don’t Know About Bruce Lee
The myth, and the legend. A man eternally shrouded in mystery. A man, whose astonishing feats of strength, speed, and mind boggling coordination made him an international symbol for martial arts.
A banner carrier for Hong Kong cinema, and the most popular Asian movie star of all time, Bruce was an inspiration and a role model for kids around the world. Everyone wanted to copy his spinning kicks, ridiculous two finger push ups, and punches which were too fast for the human eye to see. Bruce was truly one of a kind.
As his birthday approaches, one can only wonder what else he could’ve accomplished had his life not been taken away by mysterious circumstances.
Instead, i believe it would be more appropriate for the legend to celebrate his life and accomplishments, and admire his legacy.
So here are some known, and some unknown facts about the martial arts icon. Rest assured, all of them are simply amazing.
His rough beginnings
When Lee Hoi Chuen, a famous Hong Kong opera singer moved to San Francisco together with his wife and three children, he was getting ready to make a living for his family, when a fourth child was announced.
While Lee was out touring around San Francisco, he received news that his wife gave birth to a Dragon. Born both in the year, and the hour of this Chinese mythology beast, Bruce even had it all written in the stars. His legacy was set, even before he was aware of the world.
Then known as, Lee Jun Fan, which was the name his parents gave him, the name Bruce came afterwards. It was initially given to him by a nurse in the hospital he was born in, and it wasn’t used for the most part of his childhood.
Believe it or not, Bruce’s movie career started when he was just 3 months old, when he acted as a stand-in for an American baby in Golden Gate Girl (1941).
His “career” was cut short by his family’s decision to move back to Hong Kong, but it seems that there was no stopping Bruce from becoming a child star, as he soon continued to appear on the screen in Hong Kong.
He appeared in around twenty movies as a child, with the first one being in 1946. In his childhood, he was also an avid dancer, going as far as to win Hong Kong’s cha-cha competition. Bruce didn’t stop there when it came to arts, as he was also a poetry enthusiast, which played a great influence on his life. Let’s remember one of his most famous quotes: “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water” The influence of poetry is clearly noticeable here as it truly resonates with poetic energy.
Martial arts hero
Still, as we all know, all of this was secondary for Bruce, as his biggest passion came in the shape of a different art form, martial arts. This is what he was born to do, this is what he was destined for. This was the Dragon in him, emerging onto the surface. When he was still a teenager, Bruce was teased for his Chinese background, in the Japanese occupied Hong Kong, even going as far as joining a street gang.
However, his rage and passion were tamed. Bruce managed to maintain discipline, leaving the gang life to begin studying Kung Fu, under the great Master Yip Man. By the end of the 1950s Bruce moved back to the U.S. where he worked as a dance instructor before starting his martial arts school. This is where it all began as one of his students was a screenwriter for the 1969 movie – Marlowe. He decided to give a role to Bruce, as he already had acting experience from various TV shows. And just like that, a legend was born.
Surprisingly, Bruce’s career in Hollywood didn’t last long, as he decided to move back to Hong Kong due to many racial stereotypes in Los Angeles. This turned out to be a great move, as his Hong Kong movies Big Boss (1971) and The Chinese Connection (1972) shattered every single Hong Kong box office record.
Bruce used the success to start his own movie company, directing Return of the Dragon, and getting ready to break out on the Hollywood scene with Enter the Dragon. As he was preparing to reach stardom, tragedy happened. On July 20, 1973, just one month before the premiere of Enter the Dragon, Bruce Lee died, at the young age of 32.
The cause of death was cited as an edema in his brain caused by a painkiller he had taken after complaining of a headache. This sparked several controversies surrounding his death, as people claimed he was killed by gangsters, or even cursed. The movie went on to gross more than $200 million, and paved the way for modern action heroes we see today.
Since his mysterious death, there has been a huge number of myths and facts circulating about Bruce Lee. From the fact that his son, Brandon, also had a tragic ending, to the number of his amazing feats of strength, everything about Bruce was simply astonishing. Here are some of the lesser known facts about the Dragon.
- Bruce’s grandfather was a full-blooded German, restricting him access to many strict Kung Fu schools.
- Bruce gave voice to various characters in his movies.
- He had poor eyesight, making him a bad driver, which lead him to be one of the first people to try contact lenses, as glasses were simply not appropriate for his line of work.
- He admired Muhammad Ali, and even once hoped to step into the ring with him.
- Bruce could puncture cans with his fingers. Back in the day, cans were not made of soft aluminium either.
- He failed a basic military physical. Yeah, you heard it right, one of the most incredible physical specimens in human history failed a physical. Of course, this was due to his already mentioned poor eyesight.
- Bruce used to carry a gun. Fists can only protect you to some extent.
- Bruce couldn’t swim and actually hated the water.
- He used to charge $275 per hour of martial arts lessons, or close to $2000 dollars in today’s money.
- Lastly, in one of his final quotes, almost poetic, and incredibly fitting Bruce said this: “If I should die tomorrow, I will have no regrets. I did what I wanted to do. You can’t expect more from life.” By saying this, he basically foretold his tragic death, leaving a final mark on his amazing career.


The writer and critic Christopher Hitchens passed away yesterday (December 15th) at the age of 62. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2010. He's been a columnist for Vanity Fair since 1992 and written "God is not great: How religion poisons everything." and his own memoir "Hitch-22".
I found Hitchens to be an inspiring person that had a lot of interesting ideas and thoughts and I'm really sad that he passed away. Haven't read his memoir but think that I'm going to buy it and read it when I got the time. Let me know what you think of his death in the comments.


Don't know how to explain all these feelings I have right now. Just 2 days ago, on Friday August 1, 2014, I went to see Enrique Iglesias on Good Morning America and took a picture with him. OMG!
Like I knew he was loved by many girls and that he was a good looking but oh my I never knew he was absolutely gorgeous. All those pictures out there of him don't do justice to his beauty in person. I think i fell in love a bit. He was so amazing. His voice was perfect.
Also we built this mini Enrique for a contest they were having and everyone loved it. Our mini Enrique was the second star on the show that day, after the real Enrique Iglesias of course! I took all the performance pictures of enrique on stage myself with my Nikon p510. Was really glad how they came out.
Watch my little adventure video at the Enrique Iglesias concert:


My in-laws are huge Carly Simon fans. I’m sure it was at their house that I first heard Carly Simon’s, “You’re So Vain”. My dearest sister-in-law probably played it for me while Ceci and I were still dating. A completely erroneous judge of my character as far as I’m concerned. But please don’t look too closely at the last four short sentences. Actually, please do, because it’s riddled with a disease called me-itis (I just made that up).


Top Preferred Soccer Spouses & Girlfriends during the 2022
Do you know the most well known basketball WAGs? Individuals are one or two essential parts of a lifetime automobile. With a lovely and you may sexy companion is the dream about most of the child and you will girl. A great wife makes the excursion from existence great and you will joyful. As well-known child, superstars also are conscious of attraction and beauty. A sportsperson need ethical help you to definitely mainly arises from a man who’s most near to the lady. Here in the latest lower than post, we’ll speak about 10 of most widely used sports spouses & girlfriends.
We constantly watch such wonderful wives and girlfriends support its heroes throughout the stadium. These all is actually gorgeous Eugene, MO bride, gorgeous, glamorous, and epic. Consider the most wonderful footballer spouses regarding globe.
10. Dillish Mathews – Emmanuel Adebayor
Our selection of top recreations spouses begins with Dillish Mathews. The woman is a lovely, hot and you will beautiful girls from Namibia. Mathews is a breeding ground, actress, and you may businesswoman of the career. She has experienced a romance having Togolese elite group footballer Emmanuel Adebayor. Considering certain news, they are no longer along with her.
Dillish Mathews is probably one of the most want girls celebs during the Africa. She got a number of fame just after winning Big brother Africa 2013. She is now infamous while the a profitable businesswoman.
09. Melissa Satta – Kevin Prince Boateng
Melissa Satta are an enthusiastic Italian Tv speaker who is also famous for being the girlfriend out-of a well-known footballer Kevin Prince Boateng. The happy couple was ed Maddox Prince Boateng.
Satta is one of the most popular sporting events wives on record of all of the breathtaking and top basketball wives. She life and you will work when you look at the Italy. Predicated on the lady husband, Santa are a highly enjoying and supportive female.
08. Ludivine Kadri – Bacary Sagna
Ludivine Kadri is actually an excellent French elite group model who’s partnered to help you a popular French top-notch footballer Bacary Sagna. The happy couple is ed Elias Sagna.
Bacary Sagna performs within the best football leagues globally, the English Prominent Group and you will French national recreations cluster.
07. Bruna Marquezine – Neymar
Bruna Marquezine the most prominent football girlfriends one of admirers. The woman is good Brazilian professional actress which can be one among the greatest Brazilian stars.
Marquezine is much more well-known due to the woman connection with Neymar jr that is one of the most well-known and best footballers of the brand new day and age. They are together with her previously for some time. The couple is not any a lot more along with her.
06. Edurne Garcia – David de Gea
Edurne Garcia are a well-known top-notch Spanish musician that is partnered to just one of the best sports goalkeepers around the globe David de- Gea.
They ed Yanay. Edurne Garcia is one of the top sports wives from the industry. Their identification is actually unbelievable and attractive.
05. Oriana Sabatini – Dybala
Oriana Sabatini is an enthusiastic Argentine elite model. The woman is one of the most stunning and most popular Argentine habits. Another reason on her behalf popularity are her experience of among probably the most good-looking football users around the world, Paulo Dybala.
Besides modeling, she’s along with a musician and you may actress. Sabatini is in a romance that have Juventus forward Paulo Dybala getting lengthy. She is among the many hottest sports WAGs internationally at this time.
04. Sara Carbonero – Iker Casillas
Sara Carbonero is actually good Language sports blogger who is thought one to of the most extremely gorgeous and you will most well known journalists in the nation. Carbanero has been doing a love that have perhaps one of the most well-known baseball goalkeepers, Iker Casillas.
Recently they separated shortly after a long time from dating. He’s affirmed the separated in the place of describing area of the causes. The happy couple has actually several youngsters Lucas Casillas Carbonero, Martin Casillas Carbonero.
03. Annekee Molenaar – De- Ligt
Annekee Molenaar is a famous Dutch design who’s among the hottest Instagram activities in the nation. The stunning design is during a relationship with Dutch professional footballer De Ligt which takes on with the Italian common football club Juventus FC. The couple is actually have a tendency to seen together during the functions, parties, and on coastlines. It haven’t found one thing on people child yet.
02. Shakira – Gerard Pique
Shakira is one of the most prominent singers worldwide. She actually is a great Colombian common singer whom got popular shortly after singing FIFA 2010 term tune. Shakira partnered probably one of the most good looking footballers globally, Gerard Pique last year.
He’s got a couple youngsters who had been seen together with their parents on the job several times. Shakira is one of the most widely used baseball wives globally now. Regardless of if the woman is 44 now however her beauty and you will charm try new and you can attractive.
01. Georgina Rodriguez – Cristiano Ronaldo
Georgina Rodriguez is one of the top Argentine type the brand new point in time. She got glory immediately following entering a love toward world’s most popular footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rodriguez passes the list of best soccer WAGs in the world at this time. This woman is adorable, breathtaking, and you can pretty that have a stylish physical stature. The happy couple have a twin with her.
- Georgina Rodriguez – Cristiano Ronaldo
- Shakira – Gerard Pique
- Annekee Molenaar – De- Ligt
- Sara Carbonero – Iker Casillas
- Oriana Sabatini – Dybala
- Edurne Garcia – David de Gea
- Bruna Marquezine – Neymar
- Ludivine Kadri – Bacary Sagna
- Melissa Sata – Kevin Prince Boateng
- Dillish Mathews – Emmanuel Adebayor


Here’s a big beat remix for Kylie Minogue’s smash hit of 2005(?) “Slow.” Created it using Acid Pro 5, and a whole buncha loops and VSTi’s. Always had an affection for her music. Possibly it’s the beats in her tracks, but also it’s the perky personality of the singer. Gotta love someone with the panache to move her career from “Locomotion” all the way to “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.” Enjoy this remix. I might do more![audio:Kylie_minogue–SLOW_(Acid42_BigBeatMix).mp3]
Kylie photo by Law Keven.


It was his love for the classic tunes from the golden era of song and for the masters who made them famous that led Nikolas “Nik at Nite” Mastrangelo to discover and develop his performing talent.
With the special touch of singing a few select tunes in Italian, Nik also performs the best known classics from greats like Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Bobby Darin. No other artist has had more of an impact on Nik, however than the chairman himself, Frank Sinatra. During the twilight of his performing career Mr. Sinatra befriended Nik and gave him an open invitation to see his shows from backstage on The Las Vegas Strip.
Taking that inspiration, Nik has since honed his skills as a performer being backed by the very best of the Vegas musical community including Gus Mancuso (multi-talented musician who worked for many years with the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine and the Mary Kaye Trio), and Vinnie Falcone (pianist and former accompanist and conductor for Frank Sinatra, and recently with Tony Bennett and Steve and Eydie), and a host of other band and studio musicians. With a repertoire of over 400 songs, Nik is great at taking requests and working any size venue. He is available with single piano accompaniment or any size group or orchestra.
He’s currently a cast member of the Shades of Sinatra Show on the Las Vegas strip, he’s performed at Mandalay Bay, The Mandarin, the Railhead at Boulder Station, the Chrome Room at the Santa Fe Station, the Bootleggers and he was a regular featured performer in the Plaza Hotel Showroom.
Nik at Nite and his band bring a touch of class, romance and excitement to any event with a heartfelt passion that is evident in every measure.
See Nik at Nite at special events and at live music venues in Las Vegas.


Things evolve into other things. Emotions do the same. Forever. Your best ally in all of these shifting seas is your faith in the fact that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
–Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) In Song, Sara Bareilles
In which I have checked off another book from my insanely long TBR list. It’s slowly but surely getting smaller…
AUTHOR: Sara Bareilles
GENRE: Memoir, Nonfiction
WHERE DID I GET THIS BOOK / WHAT FORMAT: local library / audiobook
RATING: 4/5 stars
BACKGROUND: Sara Bareilles, the songstress/mastermind behind pop classics like “Brave” and “Love Song”, has poured her heart out on the page in eight beautiful and poignant essays. These essays mostly touch on certain periods or instances that occurred in her life, but they are really about different lessons she has learned growing up, stepping into the music industry, and having several new experiences. Bareilles gives readers and fans a exclusive look into her private life in a way that most celebrity memoirs tend not to.
THOUGHTS: Okay first of all, I must recommend the audiobook of this book over the physical copy simply because each of Sara’s essays is based off one of the songs she has written, and she sings each song a capella at the beginning of each chapter AND ITS REALLY BEAUTIFUL OKAY.
I have only read two other memoirs by famous people, (those two people being Tina Fey and Amy Poehler) and I was ready for Sara’s memoir to be spunky, funny, and a look into the unseen glamour of the scenes of pop-star life. I was ready to learn some more interesting factoids about a woman who I consider to be one of the cooler alumni from my own alma mater. I was not prepared for a frankly honest look at several events in her life, in which she dealt with fright, trauma, heartbreak and the like. However, if anything, that just makes the book that much more endearing to me.
Sara talks about a lot of things that have nothing to do with her life as a pop star, as well as several things that has to do with her life as a pop star. She discusses mental health issues, crying in front of strangers, how fake and twisted the music industry can be, how the right band members can make all the difference, how writing a musical was easier for her to do than writing a book (any other fellow Waitress the Musical fans out there?), how a first heartbreak can really be a metaphor for all heartbreaks, how she navigated her parents’ divorce, and so much more. There was no unifying theme of the book, just the feeling that Sara felt that readers could actually take something a little more real and more substantial than entertainment from the stories that she chose to tell.
Sara had something she wanted to say with her book and she made that clear from the start. However, it wasn’t forced or fake; it was genuine. Sara talks a lot about struggling with her self-image, with her weight, with her appearance, and with her overall image as an artist and a celebrity. But more importantly, she talks about how she navigated through some of those tough areas and has progressed in building up her confidence and convincing herself that she is beautiful no matter what the world might say. Additionally, she desperately wants her fans to know that they are beautiful too, and so loved. And I could honestly hear how much she meant it as she read the words aloud, it was so honest and real.
Sara is not a “writer” so I am not going to comment on the prose or most of the mechanics of her writing. But I will comment on the voice of her novel (the actual voice of her words, not the one I heard on the audiobook). It is unique, and it is all her. It was refreshing to hear a celebrity ready to be so vulnerable and down-to-earth with her audience, with the knowledge that it will not benefit her professionally but rather she is writing with the purpose of gracing her fans with her love and her personality. And that, to me, was the best thing about Sara’s memoir: that it was all her, and that she gave it all.


|Michael Jackson performing|
A hero is someone who is caring and makes a difference in the world. My hero is Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is my hero because he cares a lot about kids and others.
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958 and passed away in 2009. He donated over 1,000,000 dollars to children who have problems. He also takes sick kids to Neverland, his home, to stay for the day. Michael is also an excellent dancer and singer. Michael has used his talents to raise money to help children and the environment. He is known as the “King of Pop.”
|Michael Jackson (http://reemsaied.files.wordpress.com/|
Michael Jackson is my hero because he makes me want to dance and groove to his music. He made a difference in the world and was caring and loving to people. He is also my hero because he wanted to make the world a better place. One of Michael's most famous songs is "Man In The Mirror." It is about changing yourself and doing your best to make a difference in the world.
Most of all, Michael is my hero because he was a great performer and still managed to be a kind person and give back to others. He did this even though he did not have a good childhood. People often judged him, but he did not let this affect his life.
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"And my goal in life is to give to the world what I was lucky to receive: the ecstasy of divine union through my music and my dance." ~ Michael Jackson
|In Younger Years Rehearsing with the Jackson 5. (EOnline(Unknown.))|
What is a hero? A hero can be anyone. They can be either famous or not famous. They can be personal (meaning a family or relative member), historical, or a public figure. They can either be people with jobs and duties that help to protect and save our lives such as doctors and military personnel. A hero can be anyone from the past or present. How someone decides who their personal hero is varies because nobody is everybody. We're all unique with different preferences, views, and thoughts. Someone can decide that their personal hero is a superhero, or a firefighter/police, or a cartoon character, or an artist because it all boils down to who or what they consider to be their role model. To me, a hero is someone who impacts my life in a positive way that inspires and helps me mature in character. A hero is a role model-someone who sets examples that I look up to. Who is my hero? Michael Jackson.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to Joseph Jackson, a heavy equipment operator at a steel mill, and Katherine Jackson, a sales clerk. He was born the seventh child among his eight other siblings: Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Latoya, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, and Janet. His family lived in a small, but humble home about the size of two garages as his parents struggled to take care of all their children. As the children grew up, Michael's father, Joseph Jackson began to realize that his sons had natural musical talents and were great performers whenever they would sing and dance to songs by Motown greats such as the Temptations, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, and etc. Tito could play the guitar, Jermaine could sing, and Michael was an enthusiastic dancer. Joseph decided to organize his sons into a musical group called the Jackson 5, and at the tender age of just five years old, Michael was appointed the lead singer of the group due to his infectious exuberance, energetic dancing, and incredible singing voice for a kid his age. The group played wherever they could in places such as the mall and even bars. Their big break finally came when Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, heard reviews about them from his creative assistant, Suzanne de Passe, and decided to bring them into his studio to audition. The group decided to perform their take on James Brown's (one of Michael Jackson's music idols) "I Got the Feelin'". Right away, Michael, the group's front man, blew Berry Gordy and his staff away with not only his incredible voice, but also with the way he was able to imitate James Brown's moves with flowing ease and precise execution. The group also gave a moving rendition of Smokey Robinson's "Who's Loving You". After Michael's passing, Berry Gordy would recollect to TIME magazine that "when Michael sang that song - it's a very passionate love song - he sang it like he had been living that song for 50 years. I remember the other members had the instruments and the guitars and stuff, and they would sing a song and it'd be great and have great precision. And once the song was over, everybody would relax, and I remember Michael staring at me to see what I was going to say, whether I liked it, whether I didn't. He was very serious. He was never out of focus with what I or other people around me were thinking and doing." I think that it's amazing how even at such a small age, Michael Jackson was capable of interpreting music and dance his own unique way. More admirably is how he was able to do justification to songs that were sung by other legendary artists far older than him at this time in his age. Soon after their auditions, the Jackson 5 was signed on to Motown Records from 1963 to 1976. In 1970, they generated most notably four consecutive number one hits: "I Want You Back", "The Love You Save", "ABC", and "I'll Be There". They became very popular, especially among black teens for the black community now had stars that they could easily identify with. It seemed like the Jackson 5's fame came over night, and soon they were on tours around the world performing for thousands of fans. Whenever I think about the origins of Michael Jackson's rise to fame, it always inspires me how he basically came from nothing to many things for he was born into a poor family struggling to make ends meet, but because he was blessed with god-giving talents, he was able to use those talents to give hope and encourage other young African-American kids with dreams, too.
|Michael Jackson during the Early 1980s. (Brooklyn Vegan (Unknown.))|
As Michael grew into adolescence and then adulthood, he sought for a career as a solo artist. Therefore, he signed a contract with Epic Records. He also went into film and starred alongside his Motown mentor, Diana Ross, in the 1978 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz called The Wiz. It was on the set that he fatefully met Quincy Jones and they formed a partnership. Quincy would help jumpstart Michael's new career as a solo artist by helping him transition his image from the child star to a mature adult by effectively showcasing Michael's quiet, yet dramatic vocals. Together they collaborated and produced their first album, Off the Wall in 1979. This album quickly became successful for it displayed his creativity and discipline as an artist. Songs such as "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You" burned the charts and were heavily played hits in clubs and skating rinks. His videos for those songs also created buzz for they showed his versatility and skills as a dancer. Quincy and Michael teamed up again to produce what would become his most legendary and chart-topping album, Thriller, on November 30, 1982. Thriller, generated ground-breaking sales that broke and set many records, and most notably earned a record of eight Grammys in 1984- the most Grammys won on a single night by an album at that time. It also climbed atop Billboard magazine's sales charts for an astounding 37 weeks! His music videos showcased enthralling dance choreographies, and his most famous dance move- the magically magnificent moonwalk, became a dance craze. The moonwalk is still popular to this day after he first danced it during his Billie Jean performance on the Motown 25 television special in 1983. As a result, the Thriller album's popularity and record-breaking sales catapulted him into global superstardom and emerged him as a personality who could appeal to diverse audiences like no other artist in American music had been able to do for years. An example of this is how at the Jacksons' Victory Tour of 1984- the most anticipated tour during the early '80s, brought people of old, young, black, and white together into melting pots where everybody enjoyed themselves and each other. Michael Jackson even remarked about that atmosphere of closeness by commenting about how, "there was a part of the show on the Victory tour where I was doing this scatting theme and the audience was repeating what I said. I'd say 'Da, de, da, de' and they'd say, 'Da, de, da, de.' There've been times when I've done that and they would start stomping. And when the whole audience is doing that, it sounds like an earthquake. Oh! It's a great feeling to be able to do that with all those people - whole stadiums - and they're all doing the same thing you're doing. It's the greatest feeling in the world! You look out in the audience and see toddlers and teens and grandparents and people in their twenties and thirties. Everybody is swaying, their hands are up, and they're all singing. You ask that the house lights come on and you see their faces and you say, 'Hold hands' and they hold hands and you say, 'Stand up' or 'Clap' and they do. They're enjoying themselves and they'll do whatever you tell them. They love it and it's so beautiful - all the races of people are together doing this. At times like that I say, 'Look around you. Look at yourselves. Look. Look around you. Look at what you have done.' Oh, it's so beautiful. Very powerful. Those are great moments."
Michael Jackson's videos for the Thriller album such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and of course "Thriller" helped put the Music Television Channel (MTV) on the map. It also broke racial barriers because he was one of the first African-American artists to have their music videos played heavily on a music channel dominated by white artists. This meant that Michael Jackson was popular to all races and not just to the black community. White kids were now looking up to an African-American man in a time when there were still some racism and that to me makes Michael Jackson such an awe-inspiring person. As an artist who was faced with many disadvantages for being an African-American, he still broke through barriers and was able to make it to the top. He was a revolutionary; his Thriller album, began a new era of music videos, has become the biggest-selling album of all time, and has forever changed the face of pop music. I remember watching the Thriller video on television in Africa in my hometown of Ghana with some family members. I was a little girl but I still remember the reaction Michael Jackson's Thriller evoked from me. I saw this fascinating guy with very curly, glistening black hair wearing a blaring red outfit the color of blood, with white, obvious socks and demonic, yellow cat eyes dancing with a catchy rhythm while belting with a clear unmistakable voice that grabbed my attention and made me start to dance and repeat "'Cause this is thriller...thriller night..." repetitively while getting my groove on. It was the most exciting video I had ever seen as a kid at that time because his voice and dancing (especially the part where he stood on his tippy-toes) blew my little mind away for he was like magic and right away I wanted to be just like him. I found out that his name was Michael Jackson and that he was widely known in Africa for we are a people of dance and music. He inspired me at a young age, in another part of the world, through his videos that actually felt like mini-movies. When I came to America, I took ballet and piano lessons for I was still interested in dancing and music even though I had grown up.
In 1987, Michael Jackson along with Quincy Jones again released another album, Bad. It sold around 22 million copies internationally and is the second biggest-selling album of all time. It generated five number one singles: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror", and "Dirty Diana". In 1988, he also produced and starred in his own film called Moonwalker. I remember watching Moonwalker in Ghana. I did not know what the movie was called but I do know that I really loved it. I still remember some memorable scenes in the film that I thought were unbelievable as a kid such as: when he transformed into both a hi-tech car and robot in order to save his friends, the ending of the film which was a concert performance by him that was filled with lots of energy and made me dance, and most importantly, the "Smooth Criminal" scene which was my favorite part of the film. "Smooth Criminal" became my favorite song from the Bad album because of the music video. Everything about the video seemed perfect to me: from the tension and anticipation at the start, to him dancing in a sort of secret code to the people in the bar, and then him hitting the center stage of the bar and doing the moonwalk in place, to the stupefying 45 degree angle lean which would always make gasp with delight. It was always a fun video to dance to and pretend that I was Michael Jackson, and so I would feel cheerful. It's a no-brainer that Michael Jackson ruled the pop and rhythm-and-blues music charts during the 1980s. Therefore, he became the legendary King of Pop.
One of the most important aspects of Michael Jackson's legacy that is often under-reported is his humanitarianism, especially his care for my homeland- Africa. I had not really known that he was a humanitarian and philanthropist until after his untimely death on June 25, 2009. Nevertheless, in the early '90s, he traveled to Gabon, Ivory Coast and other African countries, and during those trips, he prioritized visiting African children in schools and the sick in hospitals. These actions were apparently usual for him to do because I discovered that whichever countries he traveled to around the world, he would always make time between his concerts and tours to visit sick, mentally-challenged disadvantaged, and orphaned children, and he would often help critically ill patients at hospitals by paying for new medical equipment and covering the cost of their hospital bills. When I found out about these things, it really touched my heart and made me cry because I never thought that an artist of his fame and stature would care so much for the wellbeing of others in different parts of the world, when he really had no obligation to. He also made me in awe of him when I also found out that he did these things secretly so that the paparazzi and press wouldn't hound him and disrupt his time of giving encouragement and hope to people. This re-discovery of who Michael Jackson was after his death made him my ultimate hero. I was so thankful that he came to Africa because I know that he gave a lot people who met him, the experience of their lifetime. Also, back when Haiti was hit with the destructive earthquake that left it ravaged with disaster, the top artists of today decided to record a new version of "We are the World"- a 1985 single. I remember wondering who had come up with the idea of such a hopeful and powerful song that contained such a heartfelt message when Jamie Foxx announced on television that it was a song written by both Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Right away, I listened to the original and wanted to know why Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie had come up with the song in the first place. I found out that they had organized an all-star group of the most popular '80s artists to sing the song in order to help raise money for famine-relief, advocacy, and educational activity in Africa. The single had helped raise $50 million dollars for the cause. I bawled with a mixture of heartfelt gratitude for what Michael Jackson along with Lionel Richie had done for my country and grief for what the people of Haiti were experiencing. I was struck with how the song was being used again today for the cause to give aid and relief to Haiti and how people seemed to respond by graciously donating money. From then on, I was hooked on finding who Michael Jackson was and came upon more of his humanitarian efforts. In 1984, at a ceremony in the White House, President Ronald Reagan had presented him with an award for his participation in a national ad campaign against drunk driving, and in the same year, he donated all the money he received from Pepsi, about 1.5 million, to the hospital where he had been treated after being badly burned during the production of a Pepsi commercial. In return, the hospital, originally named Brotman Memorial Hospital, was renamed the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children. On July 16, 1988, before a concert at Wembley Stadium, he met the Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Diana and handed a check of 150,000 pounds for the Prince's Trust, and a check of 100,000 pounds for the children's hospital at Great Ormond Street in England. Once, his office, MJJ Productions, treated needy families in Los Angeles with more than 200 turkey dinners. In 1999, he also traveled to South Africa and presented Nelson Mandela a check of 1,000,000 South African rand for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Also, on October 12, 2002, he invited more than 200 Team Vandenberg members, who had recently returned from overseas deployment and their families to his Neverland Ranch to show his appreciation for the sacrifices the military make. I think that it's amazing that he wanted to personally meet those who defend this nation's freedom and thank them in their presence for all the sacrifices they make for this country for it was a very humble and noble thing to do considering that he was Michael Jackson- the legend. There are even more exhaustive lists about Michael Jackson's humanitarian and philanthropic actions and that is why he is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "Pop Star who has given the most money to charity/supports the most charities".
|(Michael Jackson’s Childhood Home on 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. (The Michael Jackson Fan Club)|
Michael Jackson is my hero because of so many reasons. He impacted my life as a kid and after his death on June 25, 2009, he became my role model and I look up to his examples. First of all, his success in attaining the "American Dream" is an incredible and encouraging story because he came from a small humble home but through his mesmerizing talents was able to overcome his past and soar into a bright future. So the saying is true. It doesn't matter where you start- what matters is where you're going. His music and dancing brought much laughter, joy, and fun into my childhood. Michael inspired me to take interest in singing and dancing because of how passionately he performed on stage in concerts that I saw on TV. It amazes me that as an African American artist during a time period when segregation among blacks and whites were still existent, he was still able to break down barriers such as MTV and boost up the African-community as well during the '80s. In addition, I think it's beautiful how his concerts became melting pots where different kinds of people came together to just enjoy themselves. Another reason why Michael Jackson is also my hero is because of how unlike today's popular artists who make music that just have to do with sex, drugs, money, and profanity in order to sell their music, he was able to sell even more records by recording songs about world peace and helping the Earth such as: "We are the World", "Man in the Mirror", "Earth Song", and "Heal the World". He was a true humanitarian and gave huge sums of his money to help the disadvantaged, impoverished, orphaned, and critically sick and did not make his visitations to hospitals and orphanages publicized, but humbly did these things from his heart. In fact, he helped lengthen and even save many kids' lives through either personally visiting them to console and give them hope, or by providing money to organizations around the world to those in need. I also deeply admire Michael Jackson for being one of the first famous artists to take interest in helping Africans, and more so for coming to Africa himself. Lastly, his "We are the World" song with Lionel Richie to help raise awareness for Africans who desperately needed basic provisions and who were dying without them was a very heroic thing to do because he saved countless lives by using his fame for the benefit of other people all the way on a different continent. So to me, these are personal reasons why Michael Jackson is my hero.
Michael Jackson worked hard to achieve his dreams and pave the way for future artists, he had a heart big enough for the whole world, and last but not least, by sharing his God-given talents with the world, Michael Jackson is a hero- an inspiration. Like they say, heroes are always remembered and legends never die. Michael Jackson was not only a hero to me but to millions of people all over the globe as well, for his music and dance made an impact and because he is the legendary King of Pop, his incredible legacy will live on forever. R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson (1958-2009).
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Singer, actress, author, and keynote speaker, Sandra Joseph holds the distinction of being the longest-running leading lady in Broadway’s longest-running show. For ten years and more than 1,300 performances, Sandra starred in The Phantom of the Opera
as Christine Daaé.
Along with The New York Times
bestselling author Caroline Myss, Sandra is the co-author/creator of the audio teaching program Your Creative Soul: Expressing Your Authentic Voice
. She has been seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show
, CNN, Today
, The Early Show
, The View
, Law and Order
, Law and Order: Criminal Intent
, Late Night with Conan O’Brien
, One Life to Live
, and As the World Turns
Sandra has performed in theatres throughout the United States and Europe, and currently—to her great delight—her mission to empower other people’s voices is bringing her to an entirely new set of stages. Sandra has been a keynote speaker at eBay; workshop facilitator at Omega Institute, and inspirational singer at Sounds True’s Wake Up Festival. Sandra is married to her co-star from The Phantom of the Opera
, actor Ron Bohmer. They share a home in a quiet neighborhood just outside of New York City with their adopted chow mix, Murphy.
Please check back for more information as it becomes available.


Youssou Ndour and Le Super Etoile are back in Brussels for an amazing new concert.
14th September 2019 at Forest National
World known artist, Yousou Ndour is one of the most beautiful voices of Africa; he has earned international recognition for his work and his humanitarian commitments. He will play several songs from his most inspiring songs, accompanied by his group ‘Le Super Étoile de Dakar’ in a two-hour music festival!
This unique event will bring together all fans of “World Music” and African rhythms.
Organised by Phrenos & Dakar Company.
Listen to his new album: History
“Aside from his sublime voice and onstage charisma, Senegal’s premier star has always been a musical innovator, fusing tradition and modernity. His early records mixed Cuban pop with Senegal’s mbalax heritage, while his rise to global superstar saw him weave together Africa and western pop – 1994’s hit Seven Seconds, with Neneh Cherry, remains an enduring cross-cultural gem.
History, his first album in four years, showcases N’Dour’s mastery of multiple styles and languages. The history celebrated is his own. He has recast some old favourites, used material from the late Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji, and offered a tribute to another fallen comrade, Habib Faye, which opens the set with a supple inviting groove.”
See the facebook event
First part: Afrikän Protoköl + Guest
Afrikän Protoköl is the Afro Groove Sextet of Belgian saxophonist Guillaume Van Parys. Following his meeting with the Burkinabè drummer Moïse Ouattara, he has composed a music based on traditional rhythms from Burkina Faso and West Africa. Jazzy riffs, groove and improvisations merge together into a warm and festive transcontinental fusion. Established in Burkina Faso in 2013, the band was on tour in Europe and Africa in 2014 and 2015 to release its first album called Freedom From The Known. The public, the media and professionals alike have warmly received the project. It has been rewarded with the SIMA 2014 Jury Award at the Salon International de la Musique Africaine in Dakar in November 2014 and was nominated for the Octaves de la Musique 2015 in Belgium. The band released its second album Beyond The Grid in 2017, which was again warmly received. In 2018 the band released its first video clip based on the song Kélé Magni. It was nominated again for the Octaves de la Musique 2018 and won the first price of the Sabam Awards 2018 in the World Music category.


Accusation of rape is not the only thing. Dani Alves in serious trouble, shock –
Dani Alves is in serious trouble, shock
The interrogation of Dani Alves has begun, as he is accused of sexual assault. The former Barcelona star and Brazil international could be further incriminated by the testimony of his former partner, and that’s not all. As reported by “El Confidencial,” the 40-year-old is drowning in debt, and a significant portion of his companies have declared bankruptcy. Additionally, he is accused of physical assault and rape.
The former footballer denies the charges, but his case is not helped by the fact that he has changed his testimony several times. On Monday, Alves appeared in court, and during the questioning, the effects of his year-long incarceration could be seen. Further details are available in the video below. Ultimately, his ex-wife Joana Sanz could be the one to further incriminate the 40-year-old.
According to reports from Spanish media, the model has no intention of siding with Alves. The Spaniards reveal shocking news. The newspaper “El Confidencial” presented an extensive article dedicated to the Brazilian, from which it is clear that his situation is dire. The 40-year-old is struggling with massive debts.
When the whole situation came to light, sponsors quickly turned away from him, and his last club, UNAM Pumas, terminated his contract while simultaneously demanding 5 million euros in compensation for breach of the provisions in the agreement. The former footballer also owes the state 2.25 million euros. His assets have already been seized. His apartment in Barcelona was confiscated, as well as 50 percent of the assets that were divided after his divorce from Joana Sanz.
The balances on his bank accounts are negative. Previously, from 2019 to 2021, four companies founded by the Brazilian player also declared bankruptcy. *Thank you for reading our article to the end. * *Stay up to date!
* *Follow* *us on Google News. *


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California-born Lisa Michelle Bonet is a popular American actor, tv personality and activist. While Lisa was a baby, her parents got divorced and she was raised by her mother as a single parent in Los Angeles. Our Gallery of Lisa Bonet tits images are out of this world, and you will lisa bonet nipples seeing them below.
The Cosby Show star Lisa Bonet showing nipple through her flimsy wet tank top after washing her hair under a faucet outside. Lisa Bonet dancing around outside, her dress falling open to reveal her left breast after a ritual sacrifice. A Different World star Lisa Bonet having a guy suck on her hard nipples before they have hard sex on a bed as the ceiling begins to drip with water and then blood. Lisa Bonet reclining in a bathtub, her bare breasts visible lisa bonet nipples she lisa bonet nipples with her hair while talking to a guy. Lisa Bonet topless as she lies on her back in bed, acting dead with her breasts visible above the sheet.
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While country music recording star Greg Hanna won't be performing until the final day of the 2015 IPM, he plans to be there on opening day to lend a helping hand and give back to his home community of Finch.
Hanna began singing in the church choir at St. Luke's Presbyterian in Finch mentioning that he sang at a number of weddings and funerals locally. He described how he "cut his teeth" on country music as a performer of the Old Time Fiddlers who met at the Chesterville Legion every second Saturday of each month. Throughout his teen years when he attended Tagwi Secondary School, he was an active member of Stormont Junior Farmers and performed in local bands, before moving to London, Ont., to study in the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College.
Hanna mentioned that he returns a few times each year to lecture in his field of music at Fanshawe College and has guest lectured at the Music Program at Algonquin College in Ottawa in recent years as well. Ten years ago, he moved to Nashville, after "a string of Top #10 radio singles" here in Canada and he continues to meet success in the music industry there in the United States at the highest of levels.
When he heard that the International Plowing Match was coming to his home area, it became his mission to be involved because as he says it is "all about hometown heritage" and giving back to the community. He continued by saying that "there is nothing more rewarding than coming back home and sharing that success with my home town, where it all started."
When asked about his greatest accomplishment, he responded that his proudest accomplishment was making "Mom and Dad" proud, saying that they were his biggest supporters and advised him to follow his dreams.
Hanna's performance on Sat., Sept. 26, just prior to the closing ceremonies of the 2015 IPM will include It's a Man's Job, What Kind Of Love, Makin' Love Real, It Rained, Gimme More Money, I'm Searchin Too, and most recently, I'm In. He will be donating two brand new autographed Epiphone guitars that will be auctioned off during his show.
More info on the artist as well as music videos and downloads can be found at www.greghanna.com, www.itunes.com/greghanna, www.facebook.com/officialgreghanna, and on twitter @Hannamania .


+13 Harry Styles E Olivia Wilde Terminaram A Relação 2022. Harry styles and olivia wilde have split after two years, according to a new report. Fonte próxima de ambos afirmou ao website “page.
Harry didn’t dump olivia, or vice versa,” their source mused. Nov 18, 2022 6:47 pm by shelby stivale say it ain’t so. Fontes próximas aos artistas afirmaram que eles estão separados, mas isso não quer dizer que eles estão brigados, pois.
“This Is The Longest Relationship Harry’s Ever Had, So Clearly They Have A Special Bond.
Harry styles, 28, and olivia wilde, 38, had been romantically linked since january 2021. Web olivia wilde sí engañó a jason sudeikis con harry styles revela niñera. Harry styles and olivia wilde have split after two years, according to a new report.
From Collaborating On A Highly Anticipated New Film To Attending Important Events, Harry Styles And Olivia Wilde Have Done A Lot Together So Far.
Nov 18, 2022 6:47 pm by shelby stivale say it ain’t so. They occasionally commented on their relationship and costarred in wilde's film don't. Each year offers a handful of surprising celebrity couples to analyze, 2021’s first arrived early with the new romance of olivia wilde, 36, and harry styles, 26.
O Músico Harry Styles E A Atriz E Realizadora De Cinema Olivia Wilde Terminaram A Sua Relação.
Harry styles and olivia wilde have called it quits after nearly two years together, according to multiple reports. Olivia wilde and harry styles ' recent break was the result of a tricky situation. people reported friday that the don't worry darling director, 38, and the as it was singer,. Harry styles and olivia wilde's italy vacation harry and olivia started dating in late 2020 after working together on the film don't worry darling.
Desde Então, Muito Tem Se Falado Sobre O.
Fontes próximas aos artistas afirmaram que eles estão separados, mas isso não quer dizer que eles estão brigados, pois. He joined the cast in fall 2020 and by january 2021 the duo were spotted. Harry styles e olivia wilde chocaram a web na última semana após colocarem ponto final no namoro.
Harry Didn’t Dump Olivia, Or Vice Versa,” Their Source Mused.
Harry styles e olivia wilde não são mais um casal. Fonte próxima de ambos afirmou ao website “page. People magazine claims the singer, 28, and actress, 38, are 'taking a break' from their.


Louise Bartle is a drummer who graduated from our BMus Popular Music Performance degree course in 2014. She has already performed as a session drummer with a range of prestigious artists such as Selena Gomez and Eliza Doolittle, as well as appearing on tv shows such as 'Skins' on E4 in 2012, and 'Toast of London' on Channel 4 in 2015.
In 2015, Louise joined award-winning and internationally renowned indie band Bloc Party as their new drummer. Playing alongside original members Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack, she made her live debut with the band at two intimate shows in Los Angeles, followed by a performance at BBC 6 Music's Live at Maida Vale session.
Louise also recorded drum tracks for Bloc Party's first album since 2012, entitled 'Hymns' and set to be released in early 2016. Radio 1's Annie Mac named a track from the record, 'The Love Within', as her 'Hottest Record in the World' hours after the Maida Vale show.
Louise has also appeared as a panelist at one of our Careers Day, talking to current ICMP students about her experiences in the music industry.


Lady Nubechi aka Ximena Jazmín is known for the spice she adds to life. She's an entrepreneur, designer, motivational blogger, artist, and actress among other things. Her love for developing fashion started with her mother, who showed her style and glamour from a young age.
Even after the rejections that life throws at you, that did now sway Lady. Instead of laying down and accepting defeat she turned a game plan into reality and took her life into her own hands. She knew she has been blessed with the power of positivity and a mouth that speaks things into existence. This boutique is the culmination of glamour that has always been a huge part of Lady Nubechi's life. It is bringing to life the love for putting pieces together and being an influence in tomorrows world. In addition to this blessed soon to be empire she is developing her YouTube channel to connect with others and give them the tools to take action in their lives.
"I always knew my life was meant to be much bigger than what I was born into and no one but me had the dedication to get there."


You don’t get to work with Martin Scorsese, Nicolas Roeg, Christopher Nolan, Tony Scott, John Landis, David Lynch and Jim Henson just because you’re a rock star. David Bowie’s film work may seem at first glance to be an afterthought in comparison to his career as…well, is the term “rock god” too much or an understatement? Actually, Bowie’s extraordinary, evolving work as a musician and performer created a direct pathway from concert halls to the silver screen.
Bowie’s conceptual albums, performance art as Ziggy Stardust and “role” (or is it reputation) as a rock star from Mars laid the foundation for his abilities as an embodiment of our fantasies. His dreamy pop music was delivered in a hip, ahead-of-its-time manner that suggests Bowie was orchestrating the expansion of music art, but also self aware of how performance and fictional pop personas could be synergistic. Call it rock kabuki or thespian pop but whatever it was, Bowie’s Stardust made him both a groundbreaking icon and something of a mystery. If Bowie wasn’t really a rock star from Mars, then who the heck was he?
Cinema provided Bowie with many masks, all of them different and equally tantalizing. Among the many faces he would adapt as his own was of Thomas Jerome Newton, the title character of Roeg’s “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” Newton’s suave and strange demeanor, attired in Bowie’s ahead-of-his-time blend of androgyny and unceasing cool, made Roeg’s extraterrestrial a fascinating figure. The film, both overwrought and utterly fascinating, marked Bowie’s film debut. He also played the title role of his subsequent film, “Just a Gigolo,” which co-starred with no less than Kim Novak and (in her final performance) Marlene Dietrich (the film itself remains impossible to come by).
The year 1983 marked two essential works in his filmography: “The Hunger,” Tony Scott’s ultra-slick, trendsetting vampire thriller and Nagisa Oshima’s unforgettable “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.” In the former, Bowie’s outward stylishness is matched by a tragic character whose penultimate scene is a tour de force blend of performance and make-up effects. In the latter, Bowie portrays a British soldier in a Japanese POW camp and, as in “The Hunger,” gives a moving performance and makes a stunning exit.
In his delightful “Into the Night,” director John Landis cast Bowie as a Peter Lorre-like villain, complete with memorable lip smacking and hissing. Julian Temple’s “Absolute Beginners” is best remembered for its astonishing opening tracking shot but Bowie’s appearance and title song are the real highlights.
Aside from Bowie’s acclaimed and surprising 1980-81 detour to Broadway, where he portrayed John Merrick in “The Elephant Man,” his most surprising work as an actor came between 1986-1996. The teaming of Bowie with Jim Henson and George Lucas for the puppet musical/fantasy “Labyrinth,” in which Bowie’s Goblin King terrorized and tantalized a teenage Jennifer Connelly, engraved the cult of Bowie even deeper. As the fantasyland equivalent of Ziggy Stardust, Bowie’s Jareth is alluring and eerie, which is just right, as Connelly seems both frightened and aroused by him. Its arguably Bowie’s most well known film role and he’s wonderful in it; he’s a dark presence among a menagerie of creatures and somehow the odd pairing with the cuddly Henson and mythmaker Lucas makes sense.
Most don’t recall that Bowie is in Martin Scorsese’s massively controversial “The Last Temptation of Christ” and that he plays, of all people, Pontius Pilate. What should come across like stunt casting instead reveals Bowie to be a sharp character actor; his one scene with Willem Dafoe’s Jesus is understated and fascinating.
It seemed only a matter of time before Bowie teamed up with artist-turned-filmmaker David Lynch, as both were button pushers both challenged and expanded surrealism in pop culture. Bowie’s brief, not entirely coherent appearance in Lynch’s “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” is deeply unsettling and seems to pay homage to Bowie’s music origins as a “space man.”
Bowie’s finest performance is in artist-turned-director Julian Schnabel’s “Basquiet,” in which Bowie portrayed Andy Warhol. Wearing Warhol’s actual glasses, gently conveying his speaking voice and summoning his inscrutable allure and superstar glamour, Bowie taps into his own mysterious, seductive nature and gives us a portrait of an artist that feels intimate.
Many subsequent film roles had Bowie playing a (just barely) exaggerated, uber-cool version of “himself,” in everything from “Zoolander” to “Bandslam” and (hilariously) the TV series “Extras.” His last great film performance, as Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige.” Once again, Bowie was perfectly fused (pun intended) with a real man. Bowie’s performance suggests a complex figure, buried in his own mythmaking. Bowie’s literally electric introduction is as perfect an entrance as he’s ever given, whether on the big screen or on stage.
Rock stars don’t typically make great actors, because they’re too self aware, too precious, too protective of their stage personas to truly become someone else. Bowie found screen roles that pushed his Ziggy Strdust concept further, then delved into characters both painfully vulnerable and disturbingly untouchable. Transformation was a constant quality of Bowie’s art and his film work is a testament to an actor who took fine chances to make great art. There will never be another David Bowie.
–originally published in Hollywood in Toto


Schneiderman Insurance Agency, Inc. Blog
By now, the American public has become accustomed to stories of Hollywood actors’ deaths and their various financial missteps.
There was James Gandolfini, who left his wife with only 20 percent of his estate, meaning the other 80 percent didn’t qualify for the unlimited tax-free transfer of money to a spouse. The cost of that was nearly $30 million to taxes.
There was Philip Seymour Hoffman, who left his three children nothing in his will. And because he wasn’t married to his long-time partner and the mother of his three kids, more than $30 million of his estimated $35 million wealth was fully taxable.
So for financial experts, it’s refreshing to see the example of planning Robin Williams left behind when he died August 11.
Doing it right
In his career, Williams won an Oscar, two Emmys and five Golden Globe awards, and the movies in which he was a leading actor grossed more than $6 billion worldwide. Two years ago he was worth an estimated $130 million, according to Forbes. Between two previous divorces and the single-season run of his recent television comedy The Crazy Ones, Williams’ wealth was near $50 million at his death, Forbes says, adding that the estimate may be high. http://tinyurl.com/kb66tjf
According to published reports, says DailyFinance , Williams created at least two trusts, one for his real estate and one for his children. http://tinyurl.com/o27rjj8
The first obvious benefit of setting up a trust is that it is not subject to the probate process, meaning Williams’ affairs will not be part of the court record. Meaning that, unlike Gandolfini and Hoffman, it will remain private.
In his real estate trust – called Domus Dulcis Domus Holding Trust, which is Latin for “Home Sweet Home” – Williams reportedly placed his Napa Valley mansion that rests on 643 acres; it has been listed for sale since April for $29.9 million, according to InvestmentNews. He also owned a 6,500-square-foot house in Tiburon, California, worth an estimated $6 million. Although both are subject to mortgages, the equity left behind is around $25 million. http://tinyurl.com/k6vkatm
The other trust, which TMZ obtained and leaked, was created in 2009 when Williams was in the midst of divorce to his second wife, Forbes says. The trust names his three children as beneficiaries, with benefits to be paid out when they reach ages 21, 25 and 30. This trust passes the money to his children whether he was dead or alive, so it likely was executed as part of his divorce, Forbes says, adding that it is not known how much money was in the trust.
Forbes says that regardless of Williams’ motivations for setting up his real estate trust, it shows he used sophisticated estate planning to protect his family. It appears that the holding trust was executed, in part, to minimize estate taxes. Irrevocable real estate holding trusts, when established and used correctly, often can place valuable real estate holdings outside a person’s taxable estate, Forbes says. And with an estimated $25 million in real estate holdings, it could mean generous savings for Williams’ family.
Forbes says that the children’s trust funds, the real estate and any life insurance will not technically be part of Williams’ estate. However, ongoing royalties from his movie and television work, earnings from new deals that use his image and likeness, and future releases of new material would be managed through his estate unless he had assigned those rights to another trust or corporate entity. These, Forbes says, should be worth a significant amount.
And that’s one more way Williams did things right when setting up his affairs before his death. We hope this information was useful to you and helps your clients and their families. If you have a specific case or a question, don’t hesitate to call our office.
From: Steven M. Greenwood (805) 277-5020


Man in the Mirror
Michael Jackson proves he’s even weirder than we imagined
Riverfront Times, February 19, 2003
Michael Jackson is a fucking freak.
He’s not just weird or eccentric. Not merely odd, a little off, whacked, or a few bricks shy of a load. Not simply out in left field or, to use one of his own album titles, off the wall. Not cracked, not mental, not mad as a hatter or off his chump.
Michael Jackson is a full-on, bull-goose loony. Lord God King Bull-Goose Loony.
But why exactly is this news?
It’s news because, for the most part, we’ve never been able to see the evidence with our own eyes or hear it with our own ears. We’ve read the tabloid headlines and gotten glimpses into his tattered psyche in dribs and drabs on Entertainment Tonight and in daily gossip items in newspapers. Our appetite for infotainment knows no bounds, it seems, and it was easy enough for Jackson to amuse himself by planting a lot of that stuff in the press himself. He wants to buy the Elephant Man’s bones, we were told; he sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber to stave off the aging process. In Jackson’s head, these blurbs were image-enhancers. If he could be seen by the world as benignly eccentric, his name would stay in the news, his fame would increase and he wouldn’t need to reveal anything about his true self. The press always wants red meat. Let ‘em eat cake, he figured, and his approach generally worked.
On TV, we saw Oprah kiss Jackson’s ass during a live broadcast in 1993, just before the shitstorm broke over his alleged sex abuse of a teenage boy. In 1995, ABC’s Diane Sawyer lobbed one softball after another at him in an interview that was so hilariously bungled it should have ended her career right then and there. No such luck.
Earlier this month, when British journalist Martin Bashir’s interview with Jackson was set to air, veteran followers of this never-ending circus had every right to be skeptical. How would Bashir succeed where so many others have failed in bringing to light anything that resembled an honest portrait of this twisted man-child? Perhaps the wisest move made by Bashir was to interview Jackson repeatedly over the course of eight months. Oprah and Sawyer got only one shot apiece. If Jackson was less than forthcoming on a particular issue, there was little or no recourse. Bashir spoke with Jackson at Neverland, the singer’s 3,000-acre ranch in California, and also in Las Vegas, Berlin and Miami.
Fifteen million people watched the show in Great Britain, prompting the priceless Variety headline “Wacko Jacko Boffo in Blighty.” Approximately 27 million more people watched when ABC broadcasted the interview in America two nights later. Jackson’s music career may well be over – his last album, Invincible, stiffed, and he can’t buy a radio hit these days. But given the setup, Living With Michael Jackson was absolutely must-see TV.
Jackson has railed against the interview in the days since its airing, claiming that Bashir distorted the truth and that he felt “more betrayed than ever before.” Some have even referred to the interview as a lynching. But if it was anything of the sort, the only thing Bashir may be guilty of is handing Jackson plenty of rope to do that job himself. “I am Peter Pan,” the 44-year-old Jackson said with complete seriousness. He also said that climbing trees and having water-balloon fights were his favorite activities, that Tatum O’Neal tried to seduce him when he was twelve and that he’s had only two plastic surgeries, both of them on his nose, as far as he “can remember.”
And let’s be honest here – who among us hasn’t forgotten at least one or two of the plastic surgeries we’ve had?
None of that is actionable, however – just the stuff and nonsense of day-to-day megacelebrity life. Far more damning were the conversations about his own family. Two of his children, Prince Michael and Paris, were the result of his short marriage to nurse Debbie Rowe, who Jackson says bore him the children as “a present” and who has no contact with them now. Regarding the mother of this third child, Prince Michael II (known affectionately as Blanket – yes, Blanket), Jackson contradicts himself. During one portion of the interview, he claims that the mother is someone he had a relationship with. Later, he says she was unknown to him but was impregnated with “my sperm cells.”
Blanket was the baby Jackson famously covered with a veil and dangled from a hotel balcony in Berlin. When Bashir interviews him soon after the incident, Jackson seems a changed man from the person seen happily climbing trees at Neverland. He’s wild-eyed and jittery, jamming a bottle into Blanket’s mouth and bouncing him frantically on his knees. All the while, the crowd outside is calling to him. It’s hard to say whether Jackson is simply jazzed by the level of fame he’s achieved or whether it scares the hell out of him.
Equally disturbing was Jackson’s description of Paris’ birth: “I was so anxious to get her home after cutting the cord – I hate to say this – I snatched her and just went home with all the placenta all over her ... I just got her in a towel and ran.”
The portion of the interview that has everyone buzzing, though, shows Jackson holding hands with Gavin, a twelve-year-old cancer survivor who’s slept in Jackson’s bed. Gavin says, “and I was, like, ‘Michael, you can sleep in the bed,’ and he was, like, ‘No, no, you sleep in the bed,’ and I was, like, ‘No, no, no, you sleep on the bed,’ and then he said, ‘Look, if you love me, you’ll sleep in the bed.’ I was, like, ‘Oh, mannnn.’ So I finally slept on the bed.”
It’s hard to imagine that anyone who’s thought about the charges brought against Jackson in 1993 (which were dropped after Jackson paid the plaintiff a reported $25 million) didn’t shudder with disgust at that moment. Jackson claims that he slept on the floor but did admit that he’s “slept in a bed with many children,” including Macaulay and Kieran Culkin.
In a later interview, he defends his earlier remarks by telling Bashir, “When you say ‘bed,’ you’re thinking sexual. They make that sexual; it’s not sexual. We’re going to sleep, I tuck them in and I put a little like, er, music on, and when it’s storytime, I read a book. We go to sleep with the fireplace on. I give them hot milk, you know, we have cookies. It’s very charming, it’s very sweet; it’s what the whole world should do.”
It’s hard to know what exactly Jackson hoped to achieve with this interview. If all he wanted was a spike in record sales, he may have gotten it. In London, at least, it was reported that sales of Jackson’s old albums increased by as much as 1,000 percent.
But in the long run, Jackson may be forced to face the truth: He was betrayed not by Bashir but by his own willingness to show himself in full freak mode. It’s his life and opinions that are out of step with the rest of the world – even a world such as ours that accords celebrities so many privileges. Jackson may ultimately wish that he had stayed as silent as the Sphinx, another famous figure whose secrets may be better left untold – and whose nose, not incidentally, slowly but surely disappeared.


The world of Bollywood will make Madhya Pradesh is home as the state is all set to host IIFA Awards Madhya Pradesh next month.
The official announcement of film industry’s biggest award show – The International Indian Film Academy Award was made on Monday at the state capital’s Minto Hall, in presence of actors Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Chief Minister Kamal Nath and other officials of IIFA, Wizcraft and MP government.
According to the official announcement, IIFA Storm Festival will be held in Bhopal on March 21 at Minto Hall, a week ahead of the final event. The IIFA Storm will witness a myriad of celebrities along with performances of singers and DJs.
On March 27 and March 29, the state’s financial capital – Indore will play host to IIFA’s award ceremony. Musical performances by Arijit Singh, Sachin – Jigar, Jubin Nautiyal, Tanishk Bagchi and many others will be held on March 27 along with a fashion event and technical awards.
However, the main awards ceremony will be held on March 29 wherein A-listers including Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez would rock the stage with their performances.
Though, there has been no official announcement of the venue in Indore at the press conference, Daly College body confirmed as the venue for the two big events.
IIFA officials also said that more details of performances will be revealed over the period of time through various press conferences.
Salman to host IIFA for the first time, that too at home:
IIFA officially announced Salman Khan as its main host for all the events. Its is for the first time that the actor will be hosting IIFA, and that too at his home town in Indore. His Co-host for the evening will be actor Ritesh Deshmukh.
CM says IIFA will shape MP’s national – international identity:
Addressing the gathering at the larger-than-life press conference of IIFA, CM Nath said that the star-studded award ceremony will make MP have its own identity on both national and international front. “More investments will come when MP will have a stronger portfolio and IIFA will make MP have its own identity. I dedicate this event to the youth of the state, especially the tribal youth,” said the CM.
Calking out to his “friends Salman and Jacqueline”, the CM further said, “When the idea of hosting IIFA in MP was pitched to them (IIFA), they first took it as a joke. But when they realised we were serious about it, they decided upon hosting it here. We successfully hosted the ITA awards. With IIFA, MP will be compared with world’s biggest cities.” he also added saying that the film industry will understand the state’s potential with this event.
The funny banter:
CM Nath and Bollywood’s most favourite celebrity and MP’s homeboy Salman Khan were seen having a funny banter at the stage. Nath, addressing to Salman said, “Ye Mumbaikar nahi, ye MP wale hai.” the actor agreeing to it just immediately, replied with a “100%”. Similarly, Salman, admiring the CM said, “I can’t call him my older brother but a younger brother. You cannot get a younger CM than him.” Salman was also seen hugging CM’s son and Chhindwara MP Nakul Nath on stage.
Recalling his childhood:
It his impossible for Salman to be in MP and now reminisce his childhood. Born in Indore, the actor had a number of memories to share during the press conference. “My forefathers had taken a wise decision of moving to MP. Six generations of my family before mine, were all settled here until my father moved to Mumbai for work. However, we siblings, other than Sohail, were conceived in Mumbai and delivered in Indore,” said the Dabangg 3 actor, jokingly, adding that they always chose to spend their holidays in Indore over trips to London, Paris, etc. He sooner recalled how they drove from Mumbai to Indore in his father Willy’s 52 jeep for the birth of his sister Alvira Khan. Speaking at length about MP’s closeness to his heart, he said, “Half my education is of MP when I was studying in the Scindia School, Gwalior. Hence, whatever I am today, is because of MP.” He also recalled his grandfather who was posted as “the DIG of police in MP”. The actor was then gifted a collage of his childhood pictures comprising of his days in MP.
CM hints no free passes for anyone:
CM Nath became the first buyer of IIFAvs ticket, announcing that no free tickets will be given to anyone. Upon this, Salman joked: “Yaha par mera khandaan bohot bada hai, mai toh kangal ho jaunga. Jo paise IIFA se yaha kamaunga, woh yahi MP mai chodh ka jana padega. (My family here is so huge that I’ll become bankrupt. Whatever I will earn from IIFA here, I’ll have to leave back in MP itself.”
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Chandigarh, July 26: Noted Punjabi singer Surhinder Shinda died at a hospital in Ludhiana after ailing for some time. He was 70 years old and belonged to Chhoti Ayali village in Ludhiana. His death leaves behind a huge void as well as a rich legacy.
Known for the distinctive Kali singing style, he collaborated with Punjabi singer Kuldeep Manak and others as well as imparted training to several artists of the Punjabi music industry.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of the noted Punjabi singer Surinder Shinda, who passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in Ludhiana, after a prolonged illness.
In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described Surinder Shinda as a ‘legendary Punjabi singer, who regaled the millions of Punjabi music lovers with his melodious voice.
He said that Surinder Shinda’s death has created a void in the arena of Punjabi music industry, which will be difficult to be filled in the near future. Bhagwant Mann said that the renowned Punjabi singer will be ever remembered through his enchanting songs amongst his fans adding that he was a versatile singer who was instrumental in giving a new dimension to Punjabi music industry.
Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give them courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.


I just found out an actor named Joe Knezevich is doing the reading for the forthcoming audio version of my book, Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax.
Here’s a link to Joe’s website, which includes trailers showing him in movies and commercials as well as snippets from audio books he’s done: http://www.joeknezevich.com/demo.html.
Among his many credits is a recurring role on the long-running TV series The Vampire Diaries. Joe has a great voice. I’m excited he’s doing the book.
I’ve just learned that an audio version of my book, Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax, is in the works–five and a half years after the book was published. This rarely happens this late in a book’s life, so I’m very pleased. It should bring the book to a whole new audience.
I’ll pass on more information when I have it. 🙂


True Stories: Celebrity Small Penises
This story contains adult sexual content and should not be read by those under 18, or considered minors in their country or locale. If you are under 18: CLICK HERE
These stories are the artistic expression of the authors who wrote them. The Small Dick Club strongly believes in freedom of speech, and the right of artists to be heard, especially if what they say pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable in society. If you think you won’t like the content of this post, then don’t read it. It’s that simple. The Small Dick Club wishes to advise readers that any similarities in these stories to actual or real people or events is purely coincidental and unintended. That any story marked as a ‘true story’ shouldn’t be taken literally, as we have no way to verify if stories submitted to us are true. The Small Dick Club takes no responsibility for the imaginations and literary creations of authors who post their stories here.
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Ashton Kutcher: In 2008, Kutcher’s late ex-girlfriend Brittany Murphy joked about the relationship between him and his then-wife Demi Moore on David Letterman: “To him age doesn’t matter and to her size doesn’t matter.” Followed by multiple “Kidding!” assurances, obviously.
Brad Pitt: Pitt’s ex Juliette Lewis was out at a bar when she claimed, “He was no… BIG deal, if ya know what I mean!” When a crowd member asked her to clarify his situation, she reportedly laughed so hard she banged into a table. Later, his Ocean’s co-star George Clooney jokingly (?) put a “Small Penis on Board” sticker on his car. Haters gonna hate.
Enrique Iglesias: Iglesias isn’t packing and he’s not ashamed. He always references his small manhood, one time saying, “The next product I’m gonna put my name on is extra-small condoms. I can never find extra-small condoms, and I know it’s really embarrassing for people, you know, from experience. Hopefully people won’t be ashamed when I step forward.” You can run, you can hide, and his penis still won’t be there.
Jude Law: After we learned Law was having an affair with his nanny, things got even worse when pics of his penis were revealed. Publications like Page Six were not impressed, comparing his “meagre manhood” to George Costanza’s “shrinkage” in Seinfield. Woof.
Shia LaBeouf: In a 2009 interview, the former Disney star told Playboy about losing his virginity: “It put her at a weird angle, where I couldn’t get in correctly. I’m not extremely well-endowed… and clearly this wasn’t the move.”
Nick Cannon: Before he was set to be Mr. Mariah Carey, Cannon’s ex Selita Ebanks said “no comment” when asked about his penis size in this amazing 2011 throwback interview. We’re guessing she’s sparing him the embarrassment.
Eminem: In 2007, Eminem’s estranged ex-wife Kim Mathers told a Detroit radio station that he was “not very well-endowed” and that sex with him was downright “bad.” Her advice: “If you’re going to have sex with Marshall, make sure you have a little blue pill, because otherwise it does not work.” That’s low.
Daniel Radcliffe: The Harry Potter star went full-frontal in Equus. He blamed on-stage shrinkage on stage fright, saying his member “tighten[ed] up like a hamster.” Hey, at least he had the balls to be nude on stage.
Nick Lachey: Following her split from Nick Lachey in 2006, Jessica Simpson gave an interview in which she reportedly confessed: “Nick’s small package was a problem sometimes, like the first time we had sex, to tell you the truth, I didn’t really feel much. I faked the whole thing. I really felt sorry for him; I still loved him though.” Lachey, who married Vanessa Minnillo in July, took the high road after those below-the-belt remarks and didn’t respond. Here’s hoping Simpson’s new fiancé, Eric Johnson, will measure up.
Tom Arnold: After divorcing Tom Arnold in 1994, Roseanne Barr went on Saturday Night Live and revealed that her ex had a three-inch penis. Fortunately, Arnold had a good sense of humour about it and delivered the perfect comebac. “What’s small?” he asked. “Hell, even a 747 looks small if it lands in the Grand Canyon.” Several years later, he made peace with the incident in his memoir, How I Lost Five Pounds in Six Years: “My penis is fine,” Arnold wrote. “Maybe because I undersell it. If someone expects petite and gets medium, they’re impressed.”
Jon Gosselin: “When I love someone, I would never want to hurt them,” Hailey Glassman said about her troubled relationship with Jon Gosselin in October 2009. A few months later, after their breakup, Glassman had plenty of unkind words about the former reality-TV star for Steppin’ Out magazine: “He was so small, I didn’t think he would cheat on me,” she said. “He’s hung like a nine-year-old boy. I’m serious. This is true.” Then Glassman added, just for good measure: “Anybody who sleeps with him will notice. It’s very noticeable. It’s so tiny, tiny, tiny.” Still, Gosselin did manage to father eight children with it.
Sir Mick Jagger: It’s not only exes that can deliver low blows. In his highly acclaimed memoir, Life, Keith Richards wrote about Mick Jagger: “Marianne Faithful had no fun with his tiny todger.I know he’s got an enormous pair of balls – but it doesn’t quite fill the gap.” Sir Mick’s former wife Jerri Hall stepped up to defend her ex-husband on BBC 2 radio, saying, “Mick is very well endowed. I should know – I was with him for 23 years. Keith is just jealous.”
Russell Brand: Notwithstanding the infamous image of Brand being arrested at Trafalgar Square naked where his penis looks absolutely tiny. It was later claimed Brand was high on drugs and that’s why his dick was so small in that image. But when rumours spread all over the internet that his split with Katy Perry after two years of marriage was due to his small penis size not doing it for Katy in the bedroom. We can only assume that the drugs would have worn off by then, so there may be truth to the rumour that allegedly he has a tiny dick. The image doesn’t lie though.
Oliver Hudson: An American actor, best known for his role as Adam Rhodes in the CBS comedy series Rules Of Engagement (2007-13). He is the son of Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson and brother of Kate Hudson. At his step-father’s recent 64th birthday, the actor Kurt Russell, Oliver shared a snap of his step-father in character as his Escape From New York alter-ego Snake Plissken, complete with eye patch, on his social networking page and joked he was grateful for Kurt comforting him when he confessed he had a “small penis”.
He wrote: “Happy birthday to the greatest dad in Santa Monica. I love you more than you realize. Before you came into my life, I was only potential and you made me, forced me, to find my confidence, my independence and strive for the elusive fearlessness that you so matter of factly possess. I look up to you and always will. And when I told you I had a small penis, your answer was moving, “It’s okay son, there’s a snake in all of us.”
Rudolf Valentino: Dating back to the de Saulles trial in New York, during which his masculinity had been questioned in print, Valentino had been very sensitive about his public perception. Women loved him and thought him the epitome of romance. However, American men were less impressed, walking out of his movies in disgust. However, rumours floated around him endlessly that he was “hung like a cricket”. Who knew, the biggest heart-throb of his era had tiny dick.
Danny Bonaduce: The Partridge Family star turned radio host Danny Bonaduce grossed everyone out when he got completely naked and showed off his manhood, or lack thereof, along with his puff of orange pubic hair at the Erotic Ball in San Francisco in 2007. Click here to see the uncensored pics.
Fred Durst: The Limp Bizkit’s horrific home sex tape proved Durst is neither a shower or a grower, and he was NOT happy about it! The 44-year-old sued Gawker Media after they posted the leaked video of him having sex with his tiny cock.
Howard Stern: He jokes about everyone else’s sexuality, but didn’t sound like he was messing around when he told Rolling Stone: “No guy will ever admit to having a small penis. I just went on the record. I might be one of the smallest guys in the world.”
Usher: Author Karrine Steffans described her intimate encounter with Usher: “This man is not packing, his dick is way too small and he was having a hard time trying to find my hole. I’d fuck Lil Jon before I’d have sex with Usher again.”


Born December 14, 1934, in Colt, Arkansas; son of a cotton farmer; married, wife’s name Margaret Ann; three children. Education: Attended University of Arkansas, majored in music. Addresses: Home– 8229 Rockcreek Parkway, Cordova, TN 38018.
No singer’s career illustrates the vicissitudes of country-music stardom better than that of Charlie Rich, the “Silver Fox.” Rich achieved superstardom as a “crossover” artist in 1973 with two hit singles, “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl,” but for two decades before that he had struggled to find the right sound and style. The years since 1973 have been almost as daunting, because Rich, a blues and rock aficionado, has never been comfortable with the label “country star.” All categories aside, Rich appeals to a broad audience with his soul-wrenching vocals. “I don’t really like happy music,” he told Newsweek. “I don’t think it says anything.”
Like many of his contemporaries in country music, Rich grew up in poverty on a cotton farm, miles from the glittering promise of Nashville. He was born and raised in Colt, Arkansas, population 312. Before he finished high school he was earning wages as a cotton picker for his father and other local farmers. Music was a sideline–one that was strictly monitored by his Baptist missionary parents. Rich was allowed to play the tenor saxophone in the high school band, but playing at dances and playing for money were forbidden.
Rich was a serious music student who developed a taste for jazz, especially the works of Stan Kenton and Oscar Peterson. For some time he attended the University of Arkansas, where, as a music major, he perfected his blues and jazz techniques on horn and piano. In 1952 he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Enid, Oklahoma. There he joined a jazz group and began moonlighting in the local honky-tonks and clubs. During this period he met and married his wife, Margaret Ann, also a jazz buff and singer. Upon his discharge he returned to his father’s cotton farm, but Margaret Ann had other ideas. She took a demo tape to the Sun Records studios, where producer Sam Phillips was working with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Roy Orbison. Phillips’s associate Bill Justis listened to the tape and hired Rich as a session musician.
Justis and Phillips were candid with Rich: his sound was too jazzy and too elegant for success as a solo performer. He would have to loosen up and start composing and singing in the Jerry Lee Lewis vein. Rich obliged, even to the extent of writing a hit for Lewis, “I’ll Make It All Up to You.” Although Phillips predicted at one point that Rich’s future in music looked as promising as Presley’s, Rich had only one charted single on the Sun label, “Lonely Weekends.” Rich wrote and sang the tune, which has since been recorded by a wide variety of country and rock artists. The singer told Newsweek that he had become quite disenchanted with Sun Records by the early 1960s. “Sam Phillips had gotten wealthy,” he said, “and was more interested in Holiday Inn stock than the record business.” Rich switched to Groove, a subsidiary of RCA, in 1963 and earned his second charted hit, “Big Boss Man.”
The 1960s found Rich groping for a marketable style as he returned to the honky-tonk circuit. He had a brief period of success with Smash Records, where he recorded the rhythm-and-blues hit “Mohair Sam,” but again subsequent albums failed to sell. In 1968 he signed with Epic Records and worked with up-and-coming producer Billy Sherrill.
Gradually Rich began to integrate his blues, rock, and country influences into a cohesive sound. Sherrill directed him more toward country music, feeling that country fans would respond to his mature years better than the youth-oriented rock audience. The 1972 Best of Charlie Rich and the 1973 Behind Closed Doorsbrought Rich the elusive stardom he had sought so long–and, ironically, Behind Closed Doors sold to pop fans as well as to the country market. Overnight the silver-haired Rich became a sought-after headliner, with million-selling singles such as “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl.”
Sherrill was right in one respect: country fans are more loyal than pop-rock fans. Rich has been the recipient of that loyalty for almost twenty years, remaining a favorite in Nashville despite his penchant for jazz and the blues. Drawing from eclectic sources as it does, Rich’s work has been dubbed “countrypolitan,” and the singer has been likened to Frank Sinatra for his middle-of-the-road sexiness. Country Music Encyclopedia author Melvin Shestack quotes Peter Guralnik on the enduring appeal of the “Silver Fox”: “The music that [Rich] does, his approach to the music, his ability to make each song a unique and personal vehicle for individual expression is something which in a way is lost to the star who is as much concerned with panoply as performance, who is forced by his image to be something he is not…. Charlie Rich is free to be whatever he likes. He feels none of the terrible restraints of stardom.” Even so, he has remained famously independent (he once walked out on an imminent appearance on the Ed Sullivan television show), and he has kept himself at arm’s length from musical Nashville’s sociopolitical vortex. He currently lives near Redding, in northern California, well away from music industry power centers.
There is no such thing as a typical Merle Haggard concert. He prides himself on riding the winds of whim and cussedness and, on any given night, might divert from chart and fan favorites and give himself over to a long set of songs by Jimmie Rodgers, Lefty Frizzell, or Bob Wills. The three men constitute Haggard’s most lasting musical influences. Additionally, he takes great pride in the Strangers’ musicianship, and their importance transcends that of mere sidemen. The band has ranged in number from three to ten over the years, incorporates such atypical country instruments as trombones, trumpets, and saxophones, and has included long-respected players such as Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet, Biff Adam, and Clint Strong. The Strangers themselves have garnered eight ACM Touring Band of the Year awards.
Ironically, Haggard is inextricably linked with a casual ditty that shifted attention from his soaring musicianship to his politics. “Okie from Muskogee” (Capitol, 1969), a #1 song for four weeks and the 1970 Single of the Year for both the ACM and CMA, is a seemingly belligerent and defensive screen of traditional American-heartland values that appeared at the height of the fractious decade of the Vietnam War. Haggard’s retellings of the song’s intent are manifold and contradictory. In 1974 he told a Michigan newspaper reporter, “Son, the only place I don’t smoke is Muskogee.” A dozen years later, however, he told the Birmingham Post-Herald that “Okie” was “a patriotic song that went to the top of the charts at a time when patriotism wasn’t really that popular.” Although he has frequently bemoaned the public’s perception of him as a political animal, he followed “Okie” with the truly angry “The Fightin’ Side of Me” (Capitol, 1970) and, in 1988, a sentimental reaction to flag burning, “Me and Crippled Soldiers.”
Nor has Haggard’s personal life been without drama. His business acumen is notoriously erratic, and he has been married five times. At the time that this was written, he had five children, four by his first wife, Leona Hobbs, and one by his present wife, Theresa Lane. From 1965 to 1978 Haggard was married to singer Bonnie Owens, with whom he recorded a duet album, Just Between the Two of Us (Capitol, 1966) and who is a regular member of Haggard’s musical company. He was also married for a time to singer Leona Williams, who wrote his #1 hits “You Take Me for Granted” and “Someday When Things are Good” (co-written with Haggard).
In 2000 Haggard aligned himself with Los Angeles-based punk label Epitaph Records to release If I Could Only Fly on its Anti imprint. Just as Johnny Cash had done by moving to rock- and rap-oriented American Records, Haggard inspired a flurry of media attention with his choice for a label home. On his second release for Anti, Roots Volume 1 (2001), Haggard worked with guitarist Norm Stephens, who played on Frizzell’s early recordings. On Hag Records, his own label, Haggard issued two gospel albums in 2001 and was slated to release Haggard Like Never Before in 2003. A single, “That’s the News,” criticized the media’s coverage of the war in Iraq. – Bryan Di Salvatore
- Adapted from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music, published by Oxford University Press.


Born in Perpignan (France) during the eighties, singer-songwriter Edith Crash found herself in Spain during her late teenage years where she continued to hone her music sound into the symphonic blend of passionate music we hear today. She produced and released her first record in 2010. At that point her activity becomes frenetic, while her project gets solid with the same power the people perceive in her live shows where the artist performs as a one woman band. Now based in Los Angeles, she recorded her last album with the producer Alain Johannes (Eleven, Queens Of The Stone Age, Mark Lanegan) in 11AD studio.
“Intense French blues exile Edith Crash” The Guardian


Gorillaz have spent the past year dishing out jaw-dropping live performances across the U.S. and Europe, but during his spare time, Damon Albarn reveals that he’s been working on the group’s next record.
In an interview with NME, Albarn discloses that he hopes to release the new record before Christmas. “It’s a studio album made in hotel rooms across America,” says Albarn. “I guess it’s my love letter to America,” he told the UK Guardian. “I used to be baffled by this place, and I guess I still am in some ways; America confused me enormously. But right now, with all that’s going on, this is a good place to be and this has been a great tour.” To NME, he describes the “American-sounding” album: “It sounds like an English voice that has been put through a vocoder of America.”
Albarn recorded the upcoming release in a remarkably unconventional way. “I’ve made it on an iPad — I hope I’ll be making the first record on an iPad,” he tells NME. “I fell in love with my iPad as soon as I got it, so I’ve made a completely different kind of record.”
On top of that, Albarn just formed a new supergroup featuring Flea on bass and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen. Albarn has stated that he’s three-quarters finished with the unnamed group’s debut.
Here’s a remix of “Superfast Jellyfish” by Don Diablo. The original is on Gorillaz’s 2010 release, Plastic Beach.Damon Albarn, Gorillaz