TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP'S EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH SUPERSTAR DEBORAH GIBSON
Deborah GibsonTIMES SQUARE GOSSIP spent a few minutes on the phone with the LA-based singer/songwriter Deborah Gibson, who was just in N.Y. last week, with FRANKIE AVALON, tub-thumping a new authorized DVD/CD package of DICK CLARK'S AMERICAN BANDSTAND.
Gibson, who was born in Brooklyn ... turns 37 Friday, August 31. Happy Birthday!
Gibson, who was born in Brooklyn ... turns 37 Friday, August 31. Happy Birthday!
TSG: You were just in N. Y. for the American Bandstand project ... how did that go? You were also at the opening of GREASE with Jonathan Knight ... what did you think?
DG: The N. Y. trip was great! What could be better than hanging out with Frankie Avalon talking about Dick Clark? GREASE was great. That show will never die. It was great that 14 of the 16 cast members were making their Broadway debut. I said to Laura Sandy, 'Welcome to Broadway' and she looked like she was going to cry from excitement!
TSG: You appeared on Bandstand ... what are your memories of that? Dick Clark must have been terrific, right?
DG: Yes... when Dick Clark is about to say your name and announce a song you wrote - there's nothing quite like it and there never will be. He's the nicest guy.
TSG: You still hold the record for the youngest performer ever to have had a #1 pop record ... right? That must still feel special after all this time.
DG: It does! I keep waiting for some little whipper snapper to take it away from me, but, I'm glad no one has! I fought for creative control and nothing says 'I told you so' better than a #1 hit.
TSG: You're coming back here for a date at BB King's in October and a stint at Foxwoods in November .. what will the shows be like?
DG: The upcoming shows will be a combo of Broadway, pop, and covers. I'm an all around entertainer so I keep it very interesting!
TSG:You were also sighted at the Palm West in NY ... fun time?
DG: I've always loved The Palm. I had an early birthday dinner there. Only problem is, the appetizers are so good by the time the main course comes out, it's hard to finish!
TSG: With so many of the younger-personalities having what seems like so much trouble ... do you have any advice for them ... as someone who navigated her way through those teen-years so successfully?
DG: First and foremost, you have to be in this biz for the right reasons. I'm in it for the music, not for the fringe benefits. If you have a center point that is your love of your craft and your desire to grow in that craft, not much can throw you off course. That and you need family and friends and people in your business life who care about you more than a paycheck! My advice? Go somewhere secluded and re group.
TSG: You wrote 'The Flunky' musical with Jimmy Van Patten ... what's that all about?
DG: It's a timeless and timely story about a guy who gives up on his own dreams to be 'famous by association'. Think ENTOURAGE, but the musical is a bit more twisted.
TSG: Also, the movie COFFEE DATE with Jonathan Silverman and Sally Kirkland is just out as a DVD ... what was that experience like?
DG: Stewart Wade who wrote and directed had so much passion - it was really fun. I've always had a love affair with the gay community and this movie is for them first and foremost ,but also reaches far beyond especially to people who don't understand the gay community. Sally's character is hysterical - she goes overboard to try to accept her son who she thinks is gay. I play the office vixen who's only into a guy if he's a challenge.
TSG: What's up music-wise?
DEB: I'm working on a new stuff. I'm so excited about it. It's melodic but the production packs a punch. Call is 'theatrical rock' if you will. Like ROBBIE WILLIAMS and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, GWEN STEFANIE ... think of me as the older sister of AVRIL LAVIGNE ... in a lot of ways, I am!
Deborah appears at BB King's in NYC October 7.
DG: The N. Y. trip was great! What could be better than hanging out with Frankie Avalon talking about Dick Clark? GREASE was great. That show will never die. It was great that 14 of the 16 cast members were making their Broadway debut. I said to Laura Sandy, 'Welcome to Broadway' and she looked like she was going to cry from excitement!
TSG: You appeared on Bandstand ... what are your memories of that? Dick Clark must have been terrific, right?
DG: Yes... when Dick Clark is about to say your name and announce a song you wrote - there's nothing quite like it and there never will be. He's the nicest guy.
TSG: You still hold the record for the youngest performer ever to have had a #1 pop record ... right? That must still feel special after all this time.
DG: It does! I keep waiting for some little whipper snapper to take it away from me, but, I'm glad no one has! I fought for creative control and nothing says 'I told you so' better than a #1 hit.
TSG: You're coming back here for a date at BB King's in October and a stint at Foxwoods in November .. what will the shows be like?
DG: The upcoming shows will be a combo of Broadway, pop, and covers. I'm an all around entertainer so I keep it very interesting!
TSG:You were also sighted at the Palm West in NY ... fun time?
DG: I've always loved The Palm. I had an early birthday dinner there. Only problem is, the appetizers are so good by the time the main course comes out, it's hard to finish!
TSG: With so many of the younger-personalities having what seems like so much trouble ... do you have any advice for them ... as someone who navigated her way through those teen-years so successfully?
DG: First and foremost, you have to be in this biz for the right reasons. I'm in it for the music, not for the fringe benefits. If you have a center point that is your love of your craft and your desire to grow in that craft, not much can throw you off course. That and you need family and friends and people in your business life who care about you more than a paycheck! My advice? Go somewhere secluded and re group.
TSG: You wrote 'The Flunky' musical with Jimmy Van Patten ... what's that all about?
DG: It's a timeless and timely story about a guy who gives up on his own dreams to be 'famous by association'. Think ENTOURAGE, but the musical is a bit more twisted.
TSG: Also, the movie COFFEE DATE with Jonathan Silverman and Sally Kirkland is just out as a DVD ... what was that experience like?
DG: Stewart Wade who wrote and directed had so much passion - it was really fun. I've always had a love affair with the gay community and this movie is for them first and foremost ,but also reaches far beyond especially to people who don't understand the gay community. Sally's character is hysterical - she goes overboard to try to accept her son who she thinks is gay. I play the office vixen who's only into a guy if he's a challenge.
TSG: What's up music-wise?
DEB: I'm working on a new stuff. I'm so excited about it. It's melodic but the production packs a punch. Call is 'theatrical rock' if you will. Like ROBBIE WILLIAMS and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, GWEN STEFANIE ... think of me as the older sister of AVRIL LAVIGNE ... in a lot of ways, I am!
Deborah appears at BB King's in NYC October 7.
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