The story behind … “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
There is usually quite an interesting story behind hit songs like Do They Know It’s Christmas?” This particular story starts in early October 1984 in England, where Bob Geldof of Boomtown Rats fame, was watching television, and saw a BBC news report about the horrible famine in Ethiopia. This disaster had resulted from a very …
Sid & Marty Krofft: 70s Fantasy Innovators
Canadian siblings Sid & Marty Krofft are truly master puppeteers. Born in Quebec, Canada, they spent many years honing their craft before their television career began in earnest. In the 1940s, Sid created his one-man puppet show, The Unusual Artistry of Sid Krofft, and performed it all over the world, with his father. Marty stayed …
Charlie Watts: Get Off My Cloud
What can I possibly say about Charlie Watts that hasn’t already been said? The man was and still is, an icon, a legend. One of the greatest drummers to ever grace the stage. Perhaps my favorite thing about him was his loyalty and faithfulness. Always a very private man, Watts even kept his marriage from …
The Byrds: Turn, Turn, Turn
Turn, Turn, The Byrds were a California-based rock band in the 60s. The original (but very short-lived) lineup of the band consisted of Jim (Roger) McGuinn (lead guitar, vocals), Gene Clark (tambourine, vocals), David Crosby (rhythm guitar, vocals), Chris Hillman (bass guitar, vocals), and Michael Clarke (drums). In fact, Jim (Roger) McGuinn was the only …
Casablanca Records: The Label Disco Made
Early years It all started with a man named Neil Bogart and his partners, Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris (Bogart’s cousin) and Buck Reingold. The company had a rough start, but it quickly found the sound of the 70’s and became the label of both disco and excess, churning out hit after hit. Until September 1973, …
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: The Peg Entwistle Story
Hollywood and films are both synonymous and iconic, and truly a collection of tall tales and urban legends as well. Some are myths – purely conjecture, and it’s always astonishing to hear the rumors – Stallone once did porn, footage of Brandon Lee’s fatal shooting can be seen in the final cut of The Crow, …
FRIENDS: The Reunion
Show creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman were good friends and roommates in New York City in their 20s. Their lives, loves and friends are the material they utilized to create the epic television show, FRIENDS, that captured the hearts of millions all over the world. But the story behind it is so much more. …
The Police: “Outlandos d’Amour”
For a band that almost didn’t happen, the Police were truly outlaws, instead of “Outlaws of Love” by the end of their somewhat rocky road. Formed in London in 1977,the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums). Initially considered a “new wave band,” their style …
How Some of the Iconic 80s Sitcom Families Got it Right
Many a Gen Xer grew up on a steady diet of heavily laugh-tracked sitcoms. Flashback to 1987, I am in my room surrounded by pinups torn from sundry teen magazines featuring the likes of Michael J. Fox and Kirk Cameron. How could you not fall for the devilish and still kind-hearted Mike Seaver. The Seavers, …
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 …