The Making of “We Are the World”
Almost every hit song has a really great tale behind it, and this one definitely has one worth telling. This is the story of the making of “We Are the World”. The USA for Africa project began with an idea that actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte had for a benefit concert, after hearing of …
CBGB: Birthplace of the American Punk Movement
In 1973, when the punk rock movement was just barely beginning to coalesce from the garage rock movement into something much more extreme, a man named Hilly Kristal took possession of a restaurant and bar that had been a 19th century saloon, a biker bar and finally a dive bar. He had opened an earlier …
Laurel Canyon: A Bird’s Eye View of the Epix Documentary
Every so often, a film or documentary arrives at just the right time to soothe the feelings that the daily stress of life can create. That’s the case with Alison Ellwood’s “Laurel Canyon,” a feature-length documentary about the Los Angeles folk/rock scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s that’s currently airing in two-parts on Epix. I’ll be honest …
Breaking the Law: Police Procedurals in the 80s
When we think about the 80s, one of our entertainment favorites are the police procedural shows of that era. Today we fondly remember things like European styling, “teenage” cops, male and female detective pairs, and a crime-solving mystery writer. These were the shows that bring the 80s back to life for us. Remington Steele Remington …
Gerry Rafferty: The Songsmith of Alienation
Baker Street and Me When you ask me who my favorite artist is, I normally respond with which of a thousand ones? However, we all those artists who not only are favorites but who we also feel speak to us. Then, there are those few, those very few, who speak for us. It was early …
Behind The Lens: Director Jim Yukich
It’s safe to say that with 250-300+ (more like 500) music videos to his credit, saying Jim Yukich is a great director is wildly understated. He’s accomplished a lot more as well, directing 1500+ episodes of “Chelsea Lately” over 7.5 years, over 60 episodes of ET over 6 months, plus 2 feature films. Add in …
How Madonna Became “the Queen of Pop.”
Madonna, the artist often referred to as the “Queen of Pop,” was born Madonna Louise Ciccone (see she came by her stage name legitimately!) on August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan. From relatively humble beginnings, Madonna approached the music industry on her own terms and ended up, well… “The Queen of Pop!” To a …
Keith Moon: The Man Beyond the Madness
Born Keith John Moon, he was the explosive, eclectic, and highly entertaining drummer for the band The Who. He was often noted for his unique style and even more so for his eccentric, and often self-destructive behavior. He was also described by friends as “the man who took sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll to raging new …
Van Halen: Can’t Stop Lovin’ You
Van Halen was a rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972, and largely credited with “restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene.” But while the band is well known for their energetic rock shows, it’s best known for the legendary, masterful guitar work of founder and lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen …
The Go-Gos: Lips Unsealed
Once again, director Alison Ellwood has hit it out of the park with her newest documentary The Go-Gos on Showtime. Told in their own voices, the girls are raw and candid, with no holds barred on every subject. The Go-Gos are a Los Angeles based punk/new wave band formed in the late 70s, around 1978. …