'THE WRECKING BALL' IS BEST FALL PHOTO BOOK
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. Harding
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LL Cool J
CHICAGO ARRIVES AT GRAMMYS --- The Grammy Awards always are look for a way to be a mix of today's music along with appearances from a number of classic artists of the past; just yesterday Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were announced as performers. Macca will have his band, and I predict Starr will come on with them.
Also announced were collaborations between Metallica and Lang Lang, Nile Rodgers and Stevie Wonder joining Pharrell and Daft Punk, and Chicago playing with Robin Thicke.
Amazingly, this will be the first time that Chicago has ever performed on the Grammy stage. Their album, Chicago Transit Authority, is being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame this year. In addition, it is the first time Metallica has appeared on the Grammy's in 23 years.
Others who will perform include Katy Perry, Lorde, Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons, Pink and Nate Ruess of fun, and a special performance by Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton. LL Cool J will once again host.
It’s amazing to me to witness these so-called brilliant collaborations. With the state of the music business at an all-time low, the producers (and NARAS’ whiz-bang Neil Portnow) figure that if there was ever a time to front-load everything … this is it. But, in reality, these are many of the same old faces. I'd love to see something really creative, like The Monkees playing with Carole King and James Taylor, or Crosby, Stills and Nash, re-uniting with Neil Young.
The Grammy's are Sunday, January 26 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast by CBS.
THE STRAITS RETURN --- Dire Straits' Alan Clark and Chris White, with five hand-picked, world class musicians - Terence Reis, Steve Ferrone (from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Mickey Féat, Adam Phillips and Jamie Squire – are set to perform at venues in the United States starting in late February as The Straits.
Dire Straits’ legacy is alive and well thanks to the musicians who made history with the band. Keyboard player and former Dire Straits member and producer Clark began the process two years ago in Rome. “Dire Straits' sax player Chris and I were having breakfast beside a pool one beautiful, sunny morning when I declared we were going to form The Straits,” says Clark.
Having been a part the hugely successful, multi-million selling Dire Straits, Clark was acutely aware of the huge responsibility they were undertaking, and the need to get it right. “So, next we needed a band. There was only ever going to be one drummer: Steve Ferrone, probably the best rock drummer in the world. We'd played together for some years when we were in Eric Clapton's band and he is godfather to my son and daughter. As for a front man, I'd always thought it would be impossible to replace the huge talent that is Mark Knopfler until I discovered the brilliant Terence Reis.
Next we needed a bass player, so Mickey Feat was recruited on bass,” adds Clark. “As for the additional keyboard player role, I watched Jamie Squire grow up - his family were neighbors of mine in a village in Northumberland - and develop into the amazing multi-instrumental singer/songwriter he is today. Suddenly we had a band, and what a band!"
Knopfler led the amazingly successful band Dire Straits which he co-founded with his brother, David in 1977.
After Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler went on to record and produce seven solo albums; including the wondrous Sailing To Philadelphia, where he harmonized with James Taylor on the title track as well as dueting with Van Morrison. He has also composed and produced film scores for eight films, including Local Hero (1983), Cal (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), and Wag the Dog (1997).
CLOSING NOTES: Broadway’s Donnie Kehr and Tony-award winning actor Christian Hoff (Jersey Boys) visited the Stephen Sondheim Theatre last night to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Kehr is in director Clint Eastwood’s big-screen-version of Jersey Boys due in June …
The Backlist’s return to NBC Monday night (“The Good Samaritan”) was a bit offbeat for sure, but, boy does James Spader chew the scenery. He is, without a doubt, the best actor on TV right now,. Brilliant episode … and, the inclusion of Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around” didn't hurt either …
Just finished Robert Evans’ The Fat Lady Sang memoir; his follow-up to The Kid Stays In The Picture. What a book about Hollywood! If that scene fascinates you at all … give this a read. From Rosemary’s Baby to stories about Jack Nicholson and Roman Polanski, it’s a page-turner…
Great shot of Micky Dolenz and Charlene Tilton (Dallas) on the Internet from Monday's ALS benefit in L. A. ...
M. A. Cassata's Essential Cher Vol. was such a success on the e-book route, that she is preparing Volume 2. Find out more HERE....
Tonight at Gallery 151 in NYC, the new photo-book Bruce Springsteen In Focus 1980-2012, is properly launched with an unparalleled gallery collection of memorable and iconic Springsteen photography from a perspective only Deborah “Jersey Girl” Rothenberg could offer.
Selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of its “best photo books for Fall,” called “amazing” by the New York Daily News, this book is a must have all fans, chronicling The Boss from “The River” tour to “The Wrecking Ball” tour and many Jersey Shore haunts in-between. Through more than three decades of concert tours in national and international arenas and stadiums, as well as impromptu Jersey Shore club appearances, Rothenberg has created what the Hollywood Reporter calls “the ultimate look at a man who … is ‘always grinning’ whenever he is captured in his happy place - the stage.”
The book also has received major coverage from RollingStone.com, L. A. Weekly, and Sirius XM, among others. Expected tonight, recording artists Marcus Goldhaber and Dayme; PR-pashas David Salidor and Randy Alexander; among others. More on Friday …
Marvel's Ant-Man was always a favorite. Sure, a scientist who develops a serum to make him shrink to the size of an ant ... and, control them, may seem far fetched (and, it does!) ... but, the movie version, with Paul Rudd as the main character, has now locked in both Michael Douglas and Michael Pena. Visionary-director Edgar Wright will be directing and actresses Rashida Jones and Bryce Dallas Howard are also in the mix. Wow is an understatement.
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