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Reply #30 posted 12/21/15 1:51pm

JoeBala

Kurt Masur, Conductor Who Transformed New York Philharmonic, Dies at 88

Kurt Masur

by The Associated Press

12/19/2015 5:24pm PST

He defied critics by taming the Philharmonic, an orchestra seen as an unmanageable ensemble of egos when he took over from Zubin Mehta in 1991.

BERLIN (AP) — Kurt Masur was a conductor who knew how to use his authority.

He used it to tame orchestras — notably the unruly New York Philharmonic, which he led for 11 years — and to historic effect in his native land, when his call for calm helped prevent violence during tense 1989 pro-democracy protests in East Germany.

Masur died on Saturday at the age of 88 in a hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut from complications from Parkinson's disease, the New York Philharmonic said, issuing a statement praising his "profound belief in music."

His move to ward off violence in East Germany was, Masur later acknowledged, a belated move in a country that many artists had long turned their backs on but in which he held a position of rare international renown as the director of Leipzig's storied Gewandhaus Orchestra, where his predecessors included Felix Mendelssohn.

"I was busy with music for too long," Masur recalled in an interview last year with the German weekly Der Spiegel. "But when I learned that all of a sudden street musicians were being arrested for wanting to protest peacefully, I realized that change was overdue."

By 1989, Leipzig had become the focal point for the demonstrations that would culminate in the opening of the Berlin Wall and the end of communist rule. As tensions rose on Oct. 9 — and with the bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown in China still fresh on people's minds — Masur and five others — a satirist, a cleric and three party officials — issued a public statement calling for calm and promising dialogue.

With security forces in the streets and young people saying goodbye to their families as if heading to war, a recording — read by Masur — was broadcast on speakers throughout the city. Without it, he later said "blood would have flowed."

A month later, the embattled East German authorities gave in to popular pressure and opened the country's border with the West. When Germany was reunited on Oct. 3, 1990, Masur directed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the official celebrations.

Germany's minister of culture, Monika Gruetters, paid tribute on Saturday to Masur's musical legacy and his role in the peaceful revolution "when he used his high authority to compel the power of the state to react without violence to the mass demonstrations in Leipzig and begin a dialogue with the citizens."

After German reunification, Masur took charge of the London Philharmonic and the Orchestre National de France, among a slew of engagements that spanned three continents, but spurned the political role that some suggested for him. When his name surfaced during the search for a new German president in the early 1990s, Masur said he wasn't interested.

Born on July 18, 1927, in what was then the German town of Brieg — now Brzeg, Poland — Masur studied piano, composition and conducting at the Music College of Leipzig. He was appointed in 1955 as conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic in East Germany.

Masur subsequently spent 26 years in charge of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, where he successfully petitioned East Germany's Communist leader Erich Honecker for a new concert hall.

"The orchestra had been playing in a congress hall at the zoo since the end of the war," he recalled. "During quiet sections you could hear the lions roar."

He inaugurated the orchestra's new home in 1981 with the Latin words: "res severa verum gaudium (true joy is a serious thing)."

Masur made his U.S. debut in 1974 with the Cleveland Orchestra and took the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig on its first American tour that year. After being chosen as music director of the New York Philharmonic, some critics worried that his intense work ethic and conservative German musical style weren't suited to the U.S. orchestra.

He defied them by taming the Philharmonic, an orchestra seen as an unmanageable ensemble of egos when he took over from Zubin Mehta in 1991.

Masur "managed to get everybody to focus on the product of what we are doing," concertmaster Glenn Dicterow said before the conductor's departure in 2002. He said the orchestra was "not the bad boy of music anymore."

"What we remember most vividly is Masur's profound belief in music as an expression of humanism," said Philharmonic president Matthew VanBesien in a statement Saturday announcing the conductor's death. "We felt this powerfully in the wake of 9/11, when he led the Philharmonic in a moving performance of Brahms' 'Ein Deutsches Requiem,' and musicians from the Orchestra gave free chamber concerts around Ground Zero."

"Today, New Yorkers still experience this humanist mark through the popular Annual Free Memorial Day Concert, which he introduced," he added.

The Philharmonic's current music director, Alan Gilbert, said Masur's tenure "represents one of its golden eras, in which music-making was infused with commitment and devotion — with the belief in the power of music to bring humanity closer together."

The conductor was named the Philharmonic's music director emeritus, an honorary title previously held only by Leonard Bernstein.

"The world of music has lost a very high witness to German symphonic tradition as well as a high-level interpreter of composers like Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Bruckner and Richard Strauss," said Milan's La Scala in a statement. Masur made his La Scala debut in the theater's 1986 symphony season.

He is survived by his third wife, Tomoko, a soprano from Japan; and five children, including Ken-David Masur, the San Diego Symphony's associate conductor.

A private funeral will be held and a public memorial is also planned, the New York Philharmonic said.

WILLIAM BELL RINGS UP A STAX HIT

DECEMBER 21, 2015

in Category: uBYTES

Memphis soul man William Bell was making his home town label Stax proud in 1968, especially across the Atlantic. After reaching the UK top 40 with ‘A Tribute To A King,’ his acknowledgement of the great Otis Redding (who had died a few months earlier), he and Judy Clay went to No. 8 on the British chart with the soul anthem ‘Private Number.’

That duet was a bigger hit in the UK than it was on either the R&B or pop chart in the States. But on 21 December, 1968, Bell entered the soul listings with the track that would become his first top ten hit on that chart, ‘I Forgot To Be Your Lover.’

william-bell-i-forgot-to-be-your-lover-stax

The slow, deep soul cut was written by Bell with the great keyboard player and artist-producer Booker T Jones, who also produced it. The track debuted at No. 33 on Bestselling Rhythm & Blues Singles as Marvin Gaye continued his reign with ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine,’ and in the week that ‘Private Number’ climbed into the UK top 20.

‘I Forgot To Be Your Lover’ went on to reach No. 10 on the soul chart and, although it only reached No. 45 on the pop side, it was a song that would have a surprising rebirth all of 18 years later. Billy Idol remade it in his rock ‘n’ roll-flavoured pop style of the time as ‘To Be A Lover,’ and saw it climb to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, taking Bell & Jones’ composition to a bigger pop audience than it ever had the first time around.

That was by no means the only new version of the song. Al Kooper recorded it on his 1976 album Act Like Nothing’s Wrong, while Robert Cray covered it on his 2005 record Twenty, among several others. Meanwhile, within three weeks of charting with the original, Bell and Clay were back in duet mode on the R&B survey with ‘My Baby Specialises.’

‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’: Lead Cast Revealed

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child':

COURTESY OF SIMON ANNAND

DECEMBER 20, 2015 | 11:15PM PT

Paul Thornley (Ron), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione) and Jamie Parker (Harry) at London's Palace Theatre

Leo Barraclough

International Correspondent@LeoBarraclough

LONDON — The producers of stage play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” have revealed thatJamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley will lead the cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron.

Jack Thorne wrote the play, which is based on a new original story by J.K. Rowling, Thorne and John Tiffany, who is also the play’s director. The play catches up with Harry as an adult, working for the Ministry of Magic, and a husband and father of three school-age children. “While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted,” according to the production notes. “As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.”

Rowling said: “I’m so excited with the choice of casting for ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.’ I can’t wait to see Jamie, Noma and Paul bring the adult Harry, Hermione and Ron to life on stage next summer.”

The play, which is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender’s Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions, will receive its world premiere at London’s Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016. Further casting for the company of more than 30 will be announced at a later date.

Parker is currently playing Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls” at the Savoy Theatre, a role he previously performed at Chichester Festival Theatre, where he has also been seen in “Drama,” “Holes in the Skin,” “Seagulls,” “The Coffee House,” “The Commuter” and “The Gondoliers.”

His other theatre credits include “High Society” at the Old Vic, “Assassins” and “Proof” for the Menier Chocolate Factory, “Candida” for the Theatre Royal Bath, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, “Henry V,” “Henry IV” parts one and two, “A New World” and “As You Like It” for Shakespeare’s Globe, “King James’ Bible,” “The Revenger’s Tragedy” and “The History Boys,” all for the National Theatre, the latter also on Broadway, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” for the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Chichester Festival Theatre, and “Between the Crosses” for the Jermyn Street Theatre.

His film credits include “The Lady in the Van,” “Le Weekend,” “Valkyrie,” “The History Boys” and “Lawless.” His television credits include “Count Arthur Strong,” “Parade’s End,” “Silk,” “The Hour,” “Burn Up,” “Horne and Corden,” “Imagine Van Gogh,” “Silent Witness,” “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,” “Maxwell,” “As If,” “Wire in the Blood” and “Foyle’s War.”

Dumezweni is currently playing the title role in “Linda” at the Royal Court Theatre. Her other theatre credits include “A Raisin in the Sun” for the Young Vic at the Lyric Hammersmith, for which she was the recipient of the Olivier Award for best performance in a supporting role, “Feast and Belong” also for the Royal Court, “A Human Being Died That Night” at the Hampstead Theatre and Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York, “Carmen Disruption” for the Almeida Theatre, “‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore” for Shakespeare’s Globe, “Henry V” at the Noël Coward Theatre, “President of an Empty Room” and “The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other” for the National Theatre, “Macbeth,” “Breakfast With Mugabe,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “Romeo and Juliet” for the Royal Shakespeare Company and “The Bogus Woman” for The Red Room, Traverse and Bush theatres.

Her film credits include “The Incident,” “Dirty Pretty Things” and “Macbeth.” Her many television credits include “Casualty,” “Capital,” “Frankie,” “Doctor Who,” “Summerhill,” “EastEnders” and “Fallout.” Dumezweni will make her directing debut at the Royal Court Theatre in February with “I See You” by Mongiwekhaya.

Thornley played the role of Dodge in “London Road” at the National Theatre before going on to play the same character in the film version, both directed by Rufus Norris.

His other theatre credits include “A Chorus of Disapproval” at the Harold Pinter Theatre, “The Three Musketeers” for Kingston Theatre, “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, “The Miracle” for the National Theatre, “Private Fears in Public Places” at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, the Orange Tree in London and the 59E59 Theaters in New York, “Noises Off” at the National Theatre, Piccadilly and Comedy theatres, “Spend, Spend, Spend” for West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Piccadilly Theatre, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “All’s Well That Ends Well,” “The Tempest” and “Kiss Me Kate,” all for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

On television his credits include three seasons of “Life Begins” for Granada, where he played opposite Caroline Quentin, “Father Brown,” “Doc Martin,” “Just William,” “Mutual Friends,” “Trollied,” “Big Bad World” and “Above Suspicion.” As well as “London Road,” Thornley’s film credits include “Man Up,” “Metamorphosis,” “The Somnambulists,” “Les Miserables,” “Camera Trap” and, most recently, “Grimsby,” the new Sacha Baron Cohen film. Thornley is currently filming “The Crown” for Netflix and will also appear in the as yet untitled forthcoming James Marsh film.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is one play presented in two parts. Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening), or on two consecutive evenings. Previews begin June 7 with the opening performances of Part One and Part Two on July 30.

Louisa Johnson's 'Forever Young' single debuts at No. 9 in the U.K.

Carla Hay

The X Factor Examiner

December 20, 201510:15 PM MST

Play

Check out this audio recording of Louisa Johnson's "Forever Young," a cover version of the Bob Dylan classic.

Syco Music

Louisa Johnson, the winner of "The X Factor" U.K. in 2015, has debuted at No. 9 in the U.K. with her first single, a cover version of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young." Johnson's "Forever Young" sold just 39,000 copies in its first week on sale, according to the Official Charts Company. It's the lowest U.K. debut for a first single from an "X Factor" U.K. winner. All previous winners have had their first post-victory singles debut at No. 1 in the U.K.

Syco Music

Ben Haenow, the winner of "The X Factor" U.K. in 2014, has also had disappointing sales for his singles and self-titled album that were released in 2015. The decline in sales for recent "X Factor" winners no doubt has a lot to do with the fact that the show's ratings have been on a downward spiral since 2011. "The X Factor" U.K.'s ratings reached an all-time low in 2015, when it was once again surpassed in the ratings by BBC rival "Strictly Come Dancing."

As I predicted, "The X Factor" U.K. in 2015 failed miserably in its attempt to attract more viewers when the show got rid of longtime host Dermot O'Leary and replaced him with the younger and less experienced Olly Murs and Caroline Flack. "The X Factor" U.K. also foolishly replaced half of the judging panel with inexperienced, younger judges Rita Ora (who has released only one album) and Nick Grimshaw (a radio DJ with no experience in making hit records or producing music or managing artists). It was a huge mistake to revamp the show this drastically with younger celebrities who aren't really respected by many longtime "X Factor" viewers. The dismal ratings are proof. And "The X Factor" has not found a single global superstar act since One Direction was on the show in 2010, when ratings for "The X Factor" U.K. were at their peak.

It's time for "X Factor" creator Simon Cowell to try something new in TV besides talent shows or contests. Obviously, millions of viewers are getting tired of these shows that often blatantly exploit contestants, stage ridiculous and stupid drama, and appear to more and more artificial and boring with each passing year. There's a reason why "The X Factor" has the unflattering nickname "The Fix Factor." It's one of many reasons why millions of viewers are getting turned off and are tuning out.

"American Idol" went through the same, slow painful death until Fox finally put the show out of its misery. ("American Idol's" last season is in 2016.) It's only a matter of time before the same thing will happen to "The X Factor." But because of Cowell's ego and greed, "The X Factor" will still be around for the next few years. Expect this past-its-prime talent show to limp along until the whole mess becomes too embarrassing for Cowell and ITV to bear, and the show gets cancelled.

Oscar Isaac 'GQ' Cover: Guatemalan Actor Talks 'Star Wars', Role Insecurities And Religious Upbringing

By Juliana Barrera | Dec 15 2015, 04:55PM EST

Oscar Isaac graces the cover of "GQ," where he talks about his role in the new "Star Wars" movie, all the insecurities portraying this character, how he grew up in a very religious household and more!

Oscar Isaac, the Guatemalan actor that is on everyone's radar, has revealed all of the details about being insecure during the filming in his latest role, his religious upbringing and if he’s anxious about doing more "Star Wars" movies. “I actually felt the most green and insecure than I had in a long time. I was like, What am I doing here? There was a lot of room to shade in the character. Every time I tried to do that, it would slow things down too much. J.J. would be like, ‘Get on with it, man!’ Just, Louder! Faster!" Isaac said, " I would feel like I was doing that all the time. It felt weird and like I was not being creative. I would get nervous I wasn’t finding enough or I was missing an opportunity.”

The 36-year-old artist shared with America's GQ magazine how his father made him reflect on individualism at a very young age "he instilled that in me, It was way more important to recognize myself as an individual than as part of a group. I wasn't part of the Latino community, I was just a kid in high school with friends, who was into playing music."

When he was asked about if he’s nervous about filming the upcoming movies, he said, “No! Because what’s so fun about it is…it’s all made-up! It’s all f*cking made-up, but in a great way. We get to create it as we go.” The actor also opened up about his religious upbringing telling the magazine that his "dad was a man of extremes." adding, "and the way my mom was raised, she followed her husband. So if God spoke to my father one day and said we were not supposed to have a TV in the house, it was suddenly gone. The Hernandez home became the site of a kind of ongoing tent revival…. I was never frightened by it. I was more curious why I wasn’t feeling the real thing myself.”

Beatle John Lennon's digital company signs new pact with music streamer Pandora

Steve Marinucci

Beatles Examiner

December 21, 20151:25 PM MST

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Lennon Archive

Downtown Music Publishing, which handles the digital song rights for the music of John Lennon and Yoko Ono and also a few songs by the Beatles, today announced that a multi-year licensing money agreement has been agreed upon with music streaming giant Pandora. Besides Lennon and Ono's work together and separately, Downtown also administers Lennon's share of five Beatles songs -- the early songs "Please Please Me", "Ask Me Why", "Love Me Do", and "P.S. I Love You" and also "Free as a Bird” first released with "The Beatles Anthology."

Music by Lennon and the Beatles is already on Pandora. There have been reports that the Beatles' music will also be opened up to Spotify and other streaming services soon. In November, a new "Beatles +1" DVD and CD that included the first official release of their music videos was released by the band.

Specific terms of the multi-year pact were not disclosed in today's joint announcement, but the deal, the two companies said, gives Downtown improved performance royalties for its songwriters. Pandora also said it will benefit from greater rate certainty and the ability to add new flexibility to its product offerings over time. However, the public performance royalties Pandora pays to the rights holders of master recordings were not affected by the new agreement, the announcement said.

In addition to the Lennon-Ono and Beatles songs, Downtown's wide-ranging catalog also includes music by Cy Coleman, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Ray Davies and The Kinks, John Sebastian, Randy Newman, Hans Zimmer, Mötley Crüe, Jewel, Neon Trees and One Direction. Its full artist roster spans over seven decades of popular music, it says.

“This agreement with Pandora is a milestone in our ongoing mission to deliver equitable, accurate and timely payments for our songwriters,” said Justin Kalifowitz, founder and chief executive officer of Downtown Music Publishing in a statement issued with the announcement. "It also serves as a reminder that songwriter royalties are best negotiated in a free market. We’re looking forward to working more closely with Pandora in optimizing this agreement and know that, in the words of Cy Coleman, ‘the best is yet to come.’” Downtown Music Publishing has offices in Los Angeles, California and Nashville, Tennessee in the U.S. and also in London and Amsterdam in Europe.

'Daddy's Home' Linda Cardellini Discusses Blended Families, Holiday Plans And Mark Walhberg, Vs. Will Ferrell [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

By Juliana Barrera | Dec 18 2015, 01:01PM EST

Cast of Daddy's Home arrive for Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures Presents the NY Premiere of "DADDY'S HOME" Sponsored by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. The film stars Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and Linda Cardellini. It is directed and written by Sean Anders, and co-written by Brian Burns. It releases in theaters nationwide on December 25th, 2016. PHOTO by: Dave Allocca/Starpix

For Linda Cardellini keeping a straight face during the filming of "Daddy's Home" was tough job, yet; the actress managed how to show the audience what unity and blended families are all about, "I think is great because there's sort of this message of even though my relationship with that person may not be the same, he still their father and for my character to put that together is challenging but definitely worth the challenge," Cardellini said to Latin Times.

Daddy's home ain cast left to right: Mark Wahlberg plays Dusty, Linda Cardellini plays Sara and Will Ferrell plays Brad in Daddy’s Home from Paramount Pictures Photo credit: Hilary Bronwyn Gayleand Red Granite Pictures. . © 2015 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The movie follows a mild-mannered radio executive (Ferrell) who strives to become the best stepdad to his wife’s two children, but complications ensue when their rebel and real father (Wahlberg) arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids. Cardellini had to work with the comical duo ofMark Walhberg and Will Ferell in this special for project, describing her experience with one word: "A dream," the artist added, "It was so much fun, Will and I have the majority of the scenes and we improv so much together," however; unlike her character Sarah, Linda couldn't pick a favorite, "The two of them are so funny together and incredible gracious and fun."

The actress discussed with us how she has high hopes for the holidays sharing what her daughter's Christmas wish list consists of, "I hope they are going to be amazing, I have a daughter and Santa is going to come so that’s always exciting and for planning all of those things, although she wants a real reindeer that is purple and actually flies, so I don't know how Santa is going to manage that but will see."

Don't forget to check out "Daddy's Home" in theaters on Dec. 25, 2015.

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Patricia Elliott, Tony Winner and Soap Opera Star, Dies at 77

By SAM ROBERTSDEC. 22, 2015

Embracing diverse roles: Patricia Elliott with Bruce Davison in the Broadway production of “The Elephant Man” in 1980. via Photofest

Patricia Elliott, who auditioned for the role of Maggie in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on a whim when she was 20 and went on to become a Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and a soap opera star, died on Sunday at her home in Manhattan. She was 77.

The cause was leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, said her niece, Sally Fay.

Ms. Elliott won a Tony for best featured actress in a musical (and a Drama Desk Award) in 1973 for playing a Swedish countess in the original production of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” her Broadway debut.

Four years later, she was nominated for a Tony for her performance as the catty estranged wife of a terminal cancer patient in Michael Cristofer’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Shadow Box.”

Ms. Elliott won another Drama Desk Award in 1978 for playing the common-sensical maid in the Circle in the Square’s production of Molière’s “Tartuffe.” She also played opposite Philip Anglim and then David Bowie on Broadway in “The Elephant Man” in the early 1980s.

As a daytime television star, from 1988 to 2011, Ms. Elliott portrayed Renee Divine, the former madam who ran the Palace Hotel, on the ABC series “One Life to Live.”

Ms. Elliott was born in Gunnison, Colo., south of Aspen, on July 21, 1938, to Clyde Elliott and the former Lavon Gibson. She proudly described herself as a direct descendant of President Ulysses S. Grant; John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts; and Mary Lyon, the founder of what became Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

She graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in English and was working in the Harvard University press office when she learned about open auditions for a local production of Tennessee Williams’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Her experience with the play inspired her to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She returned to work at the Cleveland Play House, the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and the Arena Stage in Washington before moving to New York. There she was cast in a 1968 Lincoln Center production of “King Lear” at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, playing Regan, one of Lear’s three daughters, to Lee J. Cobb’s Lear.

She appeared off Broadway with Claire Bloom in two Ibsen plays, “A Doll’s House” and “Hedda Gabler.” After seeing her perform, the producer Harold Prince invited her to audition for “A Little Night Music” although she had not sung on the stage since high school.

She joined a cast that included Len Cariou, Hermione Gingold and Glynis Johns.

From 1974 through 1982, Ms. Elliott also starred on “CBS Radio Mystery Theater.”

Her ambition was to demonstrate a broad range, and she achieved that goal in her roles on television and on and off Broadway — but perhaps at a price.

“Variety can also be frustrating because you don’t develop a very clear image in the public mind,” Ms. Elliott said in an interview with The New York Times in 1977. “I’m very seldom recognized offstage.”

The Lost Boys star Brooke McCarter has died age 52

20:58, 22 DEC 2015
UPDATED 21:01, 22 DEC 2015
BY REBECCA MERRIMAN

His family revealed the 1980s actor died of a genetic liver condition

Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage Actor Brooke McCarter

Actor Brooke McCarter has died

Brooke McCarter, who played the vampire Paul in The Lost Boys died on Tuesday age 52.

The news was confirmed by his family who revealed he'd died of a liver condition in an announcement made on Facebook.

“The McCarter family is heartbroken to share the news that Brooke McCarter passed away December 22, 2015 from the genetic liver condition alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AAT)," the statement read.

"He was 52. Brooke was our loving son, brother, father, cousin, nephew and friend.

“Funeral arrangements are still being finalized. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Jane O'neal/Warner Bros./Getty Images Brooke McCarter as Paul in the Lost Boys

Brooke McCarter as Paul in the Lost Boys

McCarter began his career as a model with the prestigious Ford modeling agency in New York City after winning a national talent search.

But he was best known for his role as Paul in the 1987 movie which co-starred several huge stars of the time including Corey Haim, Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patrick.

Prior to that role he had appeared in skateboarding film Thrashin alongside a teenage Tony Hawk, Josh Brolin and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

In 1998 he took a decade long hiatus from Hollywood and did not act again until taking on the lead role in horror icon Herschell Gordon Lewis's Uh-Oh Show

His last feature film was Wired, about the life of John Belushi starring Michael Chiklis.

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‘Nebraska’ Actress Angela McEwan Dies at 81

Angela McEwan dead

JIM SMEAL/BEI/REX SHUTTERSTOCK

DECEMBER 22, 2015 | 10:57AM PT

Jacob Bryant

Angela McEwan, the actress who drew critical acclaim for her role in Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska,” has died. She was 81.

McEwan’s publicist confirmed Tuesday that the actress died Sunday due to complications with lung cancer.

Though she didn’t become a professional actress until she was in her 70s, McEwan had set her sights on acting early in life. She gave it up to raise a family and work as a criminal-court Spanish interpreter.

She took up acting lessons again after her husband, gastroenterologist Guillermo McEwan, retired. These led to roles in TV shows like “Parks and Recreation,” “New Girl” and “Getting On.”

McEwan plays a small town newspaper editor in Payne’s 2013 Oscar contender. She appeared in scenes, which Variety‘s former Chief Film Critic Scott Foundas described as “lovely, understated” inhis review, opposite Will Forte.

McEwan is survived by two sons and three grandchildren.

Beatles Tracks to Be Streamed on Nine Sites

DECEMBER 23, 2015 | 05:33AM PT

Leo Barraclough

International Correspondent@LeoBarraclough

LONDON — Music from the Beatles will be available to stream on nine sites from Dec. 24, it has been confirmed.

A note on thebeatles.com stated that tracks would be streamed on Apple Music, Deezer, Google Play, Microsoft Groove, Amazon Prime, Rhapsody, Spotify, Slacker and Tidal. The Beatles playlist will include 224 songs from 13 remastered studio albums and four compilations.

The move was first hinted at in Billboard last week, as reported in Variety. However the date was uncertain, and the names of the streaming sites unknown.

The Beatles’ back catalog has been available on iTunes as downloads since 2010.

Disney Looks to Sell Fusion Stake to Univision

COURTESY OF FUSION

DECEMBER 22, 2015 | 03:17PM PT

Andrew Wallenstein

Co-Editor-in-Chief@awallenstein

Walt Disney Co. is looking to sell its stake in new media brand Fusion to co-owner Univision, according to published reports Tuesday.

The two-year-old venture, which is focused on serving news and lifestyle content to millennials, is a mix of digital properties and a cable network. Disney and Univision declined comment.

Univision, the largest owner of Latino-centric content in the U.S., was a natural partner for Fusion when it first launched in 2013 with more of an emphasis on attracting Latinos stateside. But Fusion eventually pivoted to chase a broader audience, one it hasn’t so clearly connected with as the venture has been criticized for not resonating in the marketplace.

Fusion is one of many upstart digital brands including Vice Media, Buzzfeed and Vox that have attracted considerable buzz and conglomerate investment dollars for their ability to reach younger consumers who are slipping away from more establishment media options. Fusion had the advantage of a channel business that even without some major distribution partners like Comcast was capable of throwing off enough cash to smooth the rough road of subsisting on digital dollars.

In the past year, Fusion’s rivals have made strides to diversify their revenue streams. Vice, which just last week saw increased investment from Disney, announced its first cable channel earlier this year. Buzzfeed and Vox drew investment from Comcast, which is expected to integrate those brands in some way to its own linear-networks holdings.

Univision sees Fusion as the cornerstone of its strategy to court English-speaking Latino millennials with digital content. Isaac Lee, the exec who has steered the launch of Fusion, was promoted last month to the post of chief digital and news officer of Univision with a mandate to grow the company’s digital footprint with brands such as Fusion and its offshoot the Root.

When contacted last week, Univision declined to comment on the status of its partnership with Disney on Fusion. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Tuesday.

Unclear at this juncture is how much Disney’s stake in Fusion is worth. The Journal reported that Univision buying Disney’s portion is just one scenario that could play out.

USA’s ‘Colony,’ Fox’s ‘Second Chance’ Receive Early Premieres Online

Colony

COURTESY OF USA

DECEMBER 21, 2015 | 04:11PM PT

Whitney Friedlander

TV News Editor@loislane79

With most programming off on holiday vacations, several networks are turning online to offer early releases of what’s in store for winter television.

Among the new and returning series that fans can soon watch online ahead of their premieres are:

“American Crime” Season 2
Channel: ABC
Original airdate: 10 p.m., Jan. 6
Availability: Currently free on iTunes

“Colony”
Channel: USA
Original airdate: 10 p.m., Jan. 14
Availability: Online now to anyone who follows the show’s instructions via social media.

“Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life”
Channel: Fox
Original airdate: 8:30 p.m., Jan. 3
Availability: Through Dec. 27 on Fox Now, Fox On Demand, Hulu and YouTube

“Second Chance”
Channel: Fox
Original airdate: 9 p.m., Jan. 13
Availability: From Dec. 25 to Jan. 6 on Fox Now, Fox On Demand, Hulu and YouTube

The story behind Nat 'King' Cole's 'The Christmas Song'

Joe Szczechowski

Wilmington Music Examiner

December 22, 201511:52 PM MST

Nat King Cole performs 'The Christmas Song' on his television variety show in 1956.

YouTube

Nat “King” Cole’s version of “The Christmas Song” is consistently ranked as one of the most popular Christmas songs ever recorded. Written by vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1945, it is often called “Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire” after the first line of the song.

Cover of Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song'

Courtesy of Capitol Records

In his 1988 autobiography, “It Wasn’t All Velvet” Tormé recalled the unlikely circumstances regarding the song’s creation during a July heatwave in Southern California:

“One excessively hot afternoon, I drove out to Bob's house for a work session. I opened the front door and walked in.... I walked over to the piano. A writing pad rested on the music board. Written in pencil on the open page were four lines of verse:

‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire /
Jack frost nipping at your nose /
Yuletide carols being sun by a choir /
And folks dressed up like Eskimos’

“When Bob finally appeared, I asked him about the little poem. ‘It was so hot today,’ he said, ‘I thought I'd write something to cool myself off. All I could think of was Christmas and cold weather.’ I took another look at his handiwork. ‘You know,’ I said, ‘this just might make a song.’ We sat down together at the piano, and, improbable though it may sound, ‘The Christmas Song’ was completed about forty-five minutes later.” Tormé was 19-years-old at the time, Wells was 22.

The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded the song early in 1946. Cole loved the song, but wasn’t happy with the arrangement. At Cole’s request – and over the objections of his label, Capitol Records – a second recording was made the same year utilizing a small string section. This version became a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts, but it’s not the one with which most listeners are familiar. Cole re-recorded the song in 1953, using the same arrangement, but with a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

Finally, in 1961, Cole recorded a stereophonic version with an orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael. This last recording is the one generally regarded as definitive and continues to receive considerable radio airplay each holiday season. Ironically, it was Cole’s original 1946 recording that was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974. Mel Tormé eventually recorded his own versions of “The Christmas Song” in 1954 and again in 1965 and 1992.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ Will End After Season 7, Says Creator

Pretty Little Liars ending season 8

COURTESY OF ABC FAMILY

DECEMBER 22, 2015 | 02:48PM PT

Elizabeth Wagmeister

@EWagmeister

“Pretty Little Liars” returns with the second half of its sixth season after the new year, but how much longer will the hit ABC Family show go on?

Landing a double renewal for Season 6 and Season 7 back in summer 2014, a seventh season is a sure thing. But series creator Marlene King and cast members have long teased that the seventh round could be the final installment — however, the showrunner has also teased a longer future for “PLL,” telling many outlets including Variety that there is room for discussion, regarding an eighth season and beyond.

This summer, King spoke to Variety at the Television Critics Assn. press tour, speaking of more seasons and even the long-running rumors of a follow-up movie being very possible: “I think we’ll let the fans tell us what they want. We’re open to that…I’m all for it. Yes, we’re in.”

Now, with a revamped storyline on the horizon — the new episodes kick off the a five-year time jump, resulting in a more mature “Pretty Little Liars” world — King says she would like for Season 7 to be the last.

“I think that this story when we’re back will end next year at the at end of Season 7,” King told Varietythis week when asked if the time jump gives the series more legs to continue. Then asked, “So you definitely want it to end at the end of Season 7, and don’t want it to go beyond that?” King replied: “Correct.”

Despite King’s statement, ABC Family has not announced any formal plans for Season 7 to be the last, and has not made any decisions beyond that.

However, whenever the final day of “Pretty Little Liars” does come, it appears King will still be in business with ABC Family. The hitmaker just wrapped production on a pilot for the young-skewing cabler, titled “Famous in Love,” which stars Bella Thorne. Insiders tell Variety the project is looking toward a series pickup, and King says the pilot is in good shape.

“We just wrapped shooting. It’s amazing. We had such a good time,” she said. “95% of our crew was the ‘Pretty Little Liars’ crew so it felt like a big family. I love the whole cast. They’re all just so sweet and charming and nice and talented. We just had a lot of fun, and I think you’ll see on the screen that it was so much fun. Bella is so lovely and such a hard worker and she’s very talented. It’s exciting.”

“Pretty Little Liars” Season 6B returns Jan. 12, the day ABC Family becomes Freeform.

Watch 'Walking Dead' Actress Emily Kinney Serve Coffee, Talk Songwriting

Kinney returns to Brooklyn shop where she used to work in exclusive "Off the Clock" video

BY ROLLING STONE December 22, 2015

Actress-musician Emily Kinney returns to the Brooklyn coffee shop where she used to work in our "Off the Clock" video.

In the latest installment of our original video series "Off the Clock," actress and singer-songwriter Emily Kinney returns to the Brooklyn coffee shop where she used to work to make some beverages, meet fans and promote her recent debut album, This Is War. Best known for her roles on The Walking Dead, Masters of Sex and the recently concluded second season ofThe Knick, Kinney is also an accomplished musician who released her first EP in 2011. In the video, she talks about how her dual passions complement one another.

"I do think it happened to be some lucky in-the-stars thing that they decided to make Beth [Greene, Kinney's Walking Dead character] be someone who sang, because audiences are a little more like, 'Oh, the singing one,'" Kinney says. "They're able to accept this other side of my personality that's making music."

Kinney has no intention of choosing between the two pursuits. "Acting and music are both my career," she says. "They're all part of who I am, and it makes me happy to have both in my life."

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DECEMBER 22, 2015 10:10am PT by Lesley Goldberg

David Fincher, Charlize Theron Team for 'Mindhunter' Netflix Series

Giving 'House of Cards' creator Fincher two series at Netflix. Monica Schipper/FilmMagic; Vera Anderson/WireImage

Giving 'House of Cards' creator Fincher two series at Netflix.

Netflix is looking for its version of The Jinx.

The streaming service has picked up Mindhunter, a second drama series from House of Cards creator David Fincher, The Hollywood Reporterhas learned.

Originally developed at HBO via Fox 21, the project hails from Fincher and Charlize Theron's Denver and Delilah banner. Joe Penhall (The Road) will pen the script for Netflix, with Fincher and Theron on board to executive produce.

The drama is based on the 1996 book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John Douglas and Mark Olshanker.

Sources tell THR that Theron had the rights to the book and WME, which reps the actress-producer, set her up with Fincher (Seven, Zodiac). The drama has been four years in the making. Fincher is set to direct.

Douglas spent decades developing criminal-profiling techniques for the FBI and teamed with writer Olshanker for the story of his 25-year career tracking down serial killers.

Netflix declined comment.

Mindhunter comes as the streaming service continues to be aggressive in pursuing original scripted programming toward its goal of launching a new series every week.

The project arrives as true-crime tales have become all the rage following the success of HBO's The Jinx.

Theron, Penhall and Fincher are repped by WME.

Janelle Monae, Jidenna and More Celebrate a Successful Year in Wondaland

by Ariana Gordon Dec 13, 2015 12:48 PM EST

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 01: Janelle Monae performs live at Madison Square Garden on October 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo : Matthew Eisman/Getty Images)

Happy anniversary to Janelle Monae and her crew! The "Yoga" singer's indie record label turned 1 earlier this week, and Monae and her Wondaland artists—including Deep Cotton, Roman GianArthur and Mr. "Classic Man" himself,Jidenna—got together to toast to an amazingly successful first year.

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Several Wondaland artists performed at the party, which was hosted by Google Play, including Jidenna, whose success this year went beyond the flourishing label: The "Long Live the Chief" artist was nominated for his first Grammy, along with labelmate GianArthur, for "Classic Man." After learning of the nom, the oh-so-stylish Nigerian-American performer hopped on Twitter to express his excitement:

Jidenna also won best new artist at the 2015 Soul Train Awards and recently dropped the video for his latest single, "Long Live the Chief." In addition to applauding the excitement moments Jidenna and her label have experienced this year, Monae has been gearing up for her big-screen debut. Moonlight is being put together by Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment company—the same company that introduced the critically acclaimed 12 Years a Slave. The "Tightrope" singer was cast alongside Naomi Harris, and the film, an adaptation of the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, is slated to drop fall 2016. Busy year. And all the more reason to celebrate milestones and accomplishments. Monae took to Instagram to acknowledge the grind of her team and their supporters, saying:

"Last night we celebrated @Wondaland Records 1 year anniversary. Thank you to @Epic Records and @LaReid for believing in our indie label enough to help us bring wings and legs to our ideas! Thank you to the entire Wondaland staff (management and records) who work so hard to make this ship sail night and day. Beyond thankful for @googleplay sponsoring this special moment and helping bring together all our creative ideas. Thank you to our visionary artists' @stbeautyband @jidenna and @romangianarthur @deepcotton blessing us with your gifts last night! And a huge thank you to our fam and friends (YOU) who buy and support our product time and time again. We are just getting started. Here's to the future. -JM"

DECEMBER 21, 2015 1:44pm PT by Bryn Elise Sandberg

'Sharknado 4,' 'Crazy Ex Girlfriend' Nab CA Tax Credits, 'Mistresses' Relocating

The California Film Commission announced its list of 11 TV projects — including upcoming FX drama 'Snowfall' and Netflix's '13 Reasons Why' — that were approved for the program. Rachel Bloom in 'Crazy Ex Girlfriend' The CW

The California Film Commission announced its list of 11 TV projects — including upcoming FX drama 'Snowfall' and Netflix's '13 Reasons Why' — that were approved for the program.

Good news for freshman seriesCrazy Ex Girlfriend, Code Blackand Rosewood.

The three broadcast shows are among the 11 television projects selected by the California Film Commission to receive tax credits under the state’s newly expanded program.

Other projects on the list: Netflix’s Selena Gomez starrer 13 Reasons Why, TNT's John Wells drama Animal Kingdom, MTV’s dark comedy Little Darlings, Syfy’sSharknado 4, FX's John Singleton drama Snowfall and two Dan Fogelman projects (a birthday dramedy pilot for NBC and a baseball drama, which has a put-pilot commitment at Fox.)

In addition, ABC’s Mistresses will be relocating production from Vancouver to California for its fourth season. It joins the three already relocated series participating in the program: Veep (from Maryland), Secrets and Lies (from North Carolina) and American Horror Story (from Louisiana).

In total, this second round of TV-specific allocation under the new program saw five existing shows (includling three ongoing series — Crazy Ex Girlfriend, CodeBlack and Rosewood — and two pilots — Animal Kingdom and Snowfall — that were previously selected as part of the program in the first allocation in June), two new series, one TV movie, two pilots and one relocating series nab the tax credits.

The application period, which ran Nov. 30-Dec. 6, drew 32 applications vying for $42 million in tax credits. The approved projects will generate an estimated $254 million in direct in-state spending, including $103 million in wages for below-the-line crew members.

“The expanded tax credit program is working exactly as intended,” said the California Film Commission’s executive director Amy Lemisch. “It’s making California more competitive for high-impact TV projects that provide long-term jobs for cast and crew members, while boosting spending at support vendors and service providers.”

Added Disney’s senior vp production Gary French: “We can’t wait to bring theMistresses series back to California, where we have access to the best crews, the best talent and the best of everything we need. Our goal is to get superior production and financial value for our investment, and we can get both here at home.”

The next application period for the tax credits program is scheduled for Jan. 11-24 of the coming year and will target feature films and independent projects.

See the chart below for allocation amounts:

11 DECEMBER 2015

Meet your new favourite popstar Dua Lipa - just don't call her the new Lana Del Rey

2016's new port of call for 'f**k you' anthems.

When you share a manager with Lana del Rey, the comparisons come thick and fast. But seconds into hearing Dua Lipa's unique brand of dream-pop, it becomes clear that a) the two singers are markedly different and b) she's rightly one of 2016's most hotly tipped stars.

"It's a great time to not be ashamed of being a popstar," says the 20-year-old Brit, whose Kosovan parents took her back to the once-troubled state the year it declared independence in 2008. Two years later Dua returned to London to throw herself into music.

Here's what you need to know about your new favourite popstar…

1. The Lana Del Rey comparisons confuse the hell out of her.

"We're so different. It isn't a bad thing - I think she's great. I think the only reason we get compared is because we have the same manager. And when I dropped my first song it was produced by [Lana Del Rey producer] Emile Haynie so it was like, 'Oop! New Lana!'

"Once I dropped 'Be The One', I feel like people actually understood that it's very, very different. All the songs that are to come are very different to Lana. I'm not mad at the comparison. It's good people will get to see different things that are to come and hopefully form a different opinion."

2. Nelly Furtado and Pink were real influences.

"I like the realness. I like everything they sang about, it wasn't sugar-coated. Everything was real and what was actually going on in their lives and how they felt. My first album was Woah Nelly - I'm obsessed."

3. Her upcoming song 'Hotter Than Hell' is basically a big f**k you.

"I was in a relationship that really f**ked me over. In the song, I twisted it so that I was in the better position and I was the one going f**k you. That really helped me get over it. It was very therapeutic for me."

4. Her parents shaved off all her hair when she was six.

"I had really weird, super-fine hair. They were like, 'If we shave her hair off, better hair's gonna come out'. It worked! I was rocking a bald head for a while. People were like, 'Oh! What's this?', and my mum told me to say I look like Demi Moore. She was doing that role in a film [G.I. Jane]."

5. Theatre school is as clichéd as you imagine.

"I went to academic school during the week, then at weekends I went to theatre school. It was very cliché - kids singing around in halls practising their lines and people just tap dancing in the f**king corridors. But it was great. I made some of my closest friends there. It was really good confidence-wise, especially after the whole choir thing [see 7 below]."

6. Dealing with the word 'no' has helped shape her career.

"It's heartbreaking. Especially when you're younger and there's nothing going on and you get told no. It's like 'What the f**k is wrong with me!' But it's character building. That's the best way to put it."

7. But being rejected by the school choir was a particular low.

"Oh mate, it was the worst. It was because I couldn't sing the high notes and the teacher was like, 'Yeah you can't sing…' I was absolutely heartbroken. I remember going home and telling my parents. It's so mean when you tell a child they can't sing. What the f**k!"

8. Her dad helped tune her musical ear.

"My dad was a musician and I've always grown up listening to him sing his own songs and other people's. [He] was rock but it wasn't heavy metal - it was easy-going. His kind of thing was a lot of Sting and The Police and Stereophonics and loads of Bob Dylan and Radiohead."

9. She wants her album to make people feel less alone.

"I want people to see a piece of me. I want people to have an insight into everything that's happened over the last few years while I was writing the album and actually really get to know me. It's been good because when I released 'New Love' and 'Be The One', I had people say, 'That really relates to me'. I want people to have that feeling and I want people to know that they're not alone in all this and that we all go through the same f**king shit. That's the main goal. For this album I want to be as truthful as possible, then all the club shit can come later. "

Dua Lipa will release her debut album in 2016. Her first UK tour kicks off on January 16.

The New Zoolander 2 Poster is a Real Handful

BY MAX EVRY ON

DECEMBER 22, 2015

Ben Stiller holds tight to Penelope Cruz in Zoolander 2 poster

Paramount Pictures has revealed a new poster with Zoolander 2 cast members Ben Stiller and Penelope Cruz getting a real feel for each other. Check out the Zoolander 2 poster below!

Zoolander 2

“It’s ten years later and most of it is set in Europe,” Ben Stiller previously said of the script. “It’s basically Derek and Hansel ten years later – though the last movie ended on a happy note a lot of things have happened in the meantime. Their lives have changed and they’re not really relevant anymore. It’s a new world for them.”

The Zoolander 2 cast includes Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penelope Cruz, Christine Taylor, Kristen Wiig, Cyrus Arnold and Will Ferrell as Jacobim Mugatu, with special appearances expected by Billy Zane, Fred Armisen, Justin Bieber, Kyle Mooney, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, and more.

Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2 was filmed for 12 weeks in Rome in and around the famed Cinecittà Studios. The firstZoolander was released on September 28, 2001 by Paramount Pictures and earned $60.8 million worldwide on a $28 million budget. It went on to become a massive hit on DVD and fans have, for years, been wondering when Stiller would return for another Derek Zoolander adventure. It seems that we now have the answer as Zoolander 2 is set for a February 12, 2016 release.

Zoolander 2

In addition to headlining, Ben Stiller is directing the much anticipated comedy sequel. He also co-wrote the script with Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) and is producing Zoolander 2 alongside Stuart Cornfeld.

Zoolander 2

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ABC Celebrate Captain America's 75th Anniversary
December 2015

The ABC Network will celebrate Captain America’s 75th Anniversary with an original special which will air on Tuesday January 19 at 8 PM EST.

The Marvel’s Captain America: 75 Heroic Years special will follow the history of Captain America from 1941 to the present, and explore the how the character has evolved as the country and world have changed.

There will be commentary from Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Jeph Loeb, Louis D’Esposito, Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell among others.

The hour-long program will also unveil an exclusive announcement from Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics will be celebrating the Cap’s anniversary with a free commemorative magazine in March as well as a special extra-large Captain America: Sam Wilson #7.

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Richard Marx marries Daisy Fuentes, announces in Christmas wedding post

BY ETHAN SACKS

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Friday, December 25, 2015, 3:46 PM

ISRAELSON, NELS/CAPITOL RECORDS/ABC

‘80s icon Richard Marx married ‘90s MTV personality Daisy Fuentes.

He was right there waiting — at the end of the aisle.

Richard Marx took to Twitter Christmas Day to announce that he married his girlfriend, former MTV personality Daisy Fuentes, two days earlier.

The couple tied the knot in Aspen, Colo., and Marx shared a wedding portrait with picturesque, snowy mountain peaks in the background.

Fuentes, 49, clearly means a lot to the 52-year-old "Don't Mean Nothing" singer. The two had been dating for at least a year, with the Cuban-born model steaming up the video for the crooner's 2014 ballad, "Beautiful Goodbye."

Daisy Fuentes y Richard Marx se casaron

"It made perfect sense to me to ask my co-writer on the song, Daisy Fuentes, to be my co-star in the video," Marx told People in September 2014.

"In addition to writing the song with me, Daisy is the epitome of sexy, elegance and class."

Marx had divorced his wife of 25 years, Cynthia Rhodes, earlier that year.

Fuentes had been married to actor Timothy Adams for four years in the early '90s and previously engaged to former Bros singer Matt Goss.

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Sadhana, Bollywood Actress, Dies at 74

Sadhana

PHOTO BY ERNEST ALLEN/ANL/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

DECEMBER 25, 2015 | 11:55AM PT

Shalini Dore

Features News Editor@shaldore

Bollywood actress Sadhana died Dec. 25 after a brief illness in Mumbai, India. She was 74.

The star of such 1960s and ’70s hits as “Hum Dono,” “Parakh,” “Waqt” and “Arzoo” retired from film after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which caused a disorder in her eyes.

http://youtu.be/zSEV7-CqhwI

Born in Karachi, in what is now Pakistan, Sadhana Shivdasani was named for another actress, Sadhona Bose. Home-schooled until age 8, Sadhana, who went by only her first name professionally, entered films after the family fled for India after Partition and settled in Bombay.

At age 15, she was approached by producers who had seen her in a school play. Her first film was 1958’s “Abaana,” a Sindhi-language movie. She was noticed by producer Shashdhar Mukherjee, who enrolled her in his acting school.

Her big break came in his 1960 Filmalaya production “Love in Simla,” in which she, and her hairstyle — which included bangs — were a big hit.

She went on to act in several blockbusters for the big directors of the day such as Bimal Roy (“Parakh”), H.S. Rawail (“Mere Mereboob”) and Raj Khosla (“Ek Musafir Ek Hasina”).

Sadhana was dubbed Mystery Girl for a while because of the many thrillers she starred in, including “Woh Kaun Thi” and “Anita.”

Not only were her films big hits, but so also were songs from “O Sajana” in “Parakh” to “Mere Mehboob’s” title number.

But after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, she retired from films. Her last credit was in 1994’s “Ulfat ki Nayee Manzilen.”

Sadhana married her “Love in Simla” director Ram Krishna Nayyar, who preceded her in death in 1995. They had no children.

Tributes poured in from her peers. Singer Lata Mangeshkar, who voiced Sadhana’s big hits, tweeted, “She was a great artist.”

Stevie Wright, Easybeats Singer and Australian Pop Star, Dead at 68

Popular "Friday on My Mind" singer widely considered Australia's first international rock star

BY RYAN REED December 28, 2015

Former Easybeats singer Stevie Wright, widely considered Australia's first international rock star, has died at age 68 Newspix/REX/Shutterstock

Stephen "Stevie" Wright, singer of Australian rock outfit the Easybeats and widely considered the country's first international pop star, has died at age 68. Wright became ill on Boxing Day, December 26th, and died Sunday night, The Guardian reports. No cause of death has been given, though rock historian Glenn A. Baker confirmed the news to radio station 6PR.

Wright was born in Leeds, England in 1947 and moved to Australia at age nine. In Sydney, he met musicians Harry Vanda, George Young, Dick Diamonde and Gordon Fleet, forming the Easybeats in 1964.

Best known for their 1966 classic "Friday on My Mind," which reached Number One in Australia and Number Six in the UK, the group cracked the U.S. Top 20 and became one of the first Australian pop-rock bands to break through internationally in the 1960s.

The track, originally recorded at London's famed IBC studios, was voted Best Australian Song of all time by a music industry panel for the Australasian Performing Right Association in 2001. "Friday on My Mind" was later reworked by David Bowie on his 1973 covers LP, Pin Ups, and Bruce Springsteen covered the tune last year during an Australian tour.

After the Easybeats' 1969 break-up, Wright, also billed as Little Stevie, ventured on as a solo artist, earning a hit with his 11-minute 1974 single,"Evie." Wright continued to perform, including a stint in an Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar, but battled drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.

"The Easybeats were one of the most remarkable pop bands of their time, and I think probably recorded the definitive pop song of the era in 'Friday on My Mind,'" Australian pop singer Normie Rowe told ABC Radio. "When the drugs raised their ugly head, I think it was the beginning of the end for him. Not too many people come back from that. I really think that if you don't have a strong family foundation, probably show business isn't the place for you."

In 2005, Wright was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame based on his success with the Easybeats. He most recently performed in 2009 at the Legends of Rock festival at Byron Bay, Australia.

William Guest, Longtime Member of Gladys Knight and the Pips, Dies at 74

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDEC. 27, 2015

William Guest, a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips from 1953 to 1989, died on Thursday in Detroit. He was 74.

Mr. Guest’s sister-in-law, Dhyana Ziegler, said the cause was congestive heart failure.

Mr. Guest, who was Ms. Knight’s cousin, began singing with her when they were both children.

His background vocals were heard on records like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” a Top 10 hit for the group in 1967, and “Midnight Train to Georgia,” which reached No. 1 shortly after the group left Motown Records and began recording for Buddah in 1973.

Gladys Knight and the Pips won three Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Apollo Hall of Fame in 2006.

After the group broke up in 1989, Mr. Guest and another former member, Edward Patten, formed a production company. Mr. Patten died in 2005.

Mr. Guest was later the chief executive of Crew Records. He published his autobiography, “Midnight Train From Georgia: A Pip’s Journey,” written with Ms. Ziegler, in 2013.

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Harlem Globetrotters Star Meadowlark Lemon Dies at 83

Meadowlark Lemon dead

COURTESY OF HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

DECEMBER 28, 2015 | 07:39AM PT

Maane Khatchatourian

News Editor, Variety.com@MaaneKhat

Meadowlark Lemon, a longtime member of the Harlem Globetrotters who became a ubiquitous pop culture presence in the 1970s and ’80s, died Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz. of undisclosed causes. He was 83.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Meadowlark Lemon. He was 83. #RIPMeadowlark,” the team tweeted.

Dubbed the “Clown Prince of Basketball,” Lemon joined the Globetrotters in 1954 at age 22, appearing in more than 16,000 games in 97 countries until leaving the team in 1978 over a contract dispute. He then formed his own comedy basketball teams — the Meadowlark Lemon’s Bucketeers, the Shooting Stars and Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All-Stars — and continued to play into his 70s.

Lemon co-starred with McLean Stevenson in the NBC comedy series “Hello, Larry” in 1979-1980, and he logged guest shots on shows ranging from “Alice,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Here’s Boomer” and “Scooby Doo,” to numerous talk shows and Globetrotters TV specials.

He was also in demand for commercials, appearing in blurbs for such blue-chip brands as Ford Motor Co., Burger King, Pepsi, Sears, Dr. Pepper, Tropicana and the U.S. Postal Service, among many others.

On the big screen he costarred in the 1979 comedy “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh,” about a hapless basketball team, and appeared in 1981’s “Modern Romance.”

In his later years Lemon became an ordained minister and had a regular series on Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Lemon was known for his outreach to youth through schools and other organizations, always promoting a message of clean living and hard work as the keys to success.

He also worked regularly as a motivational speaker and was the author of the 2012 book “Trust Your Next Shot: A Guide to a Life of Joy.”

Lemon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and was one of only five Globetrotters to have their numbers retired.

According Lemon’s official website, he was born Meadow Lemon III in Wilmington, N.C., and in the 1950s legally changed his name to Meadowlark.

ESPN and other sources cite his name at birth as George Meadow Lemon.

At the age of 11, he saw a newsreel of the Harlem Globetrotters and set his sights on joining the team. He spent two years in the military before becoming a Globetrotter.

On the court, Lemon was known for his long hook shots, no-look behind-the-back passes and clownish antics, which included surprising fans with buckets of confetti.

“For a generation of fans, the name Meadowlark Lemon was synonymous with the Harlem Globetrotters,” said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “He was an incredible entertainer and brought happiness and lifelong memories to millions around the world. We have lost a great ambassador of the game.”

Lemon is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and 10 children.

Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler dies at 93

AP8:49 a.m. EST December 28, 2015

AP OBIT-HASKELL WEXLER A ENT FILE OBIT USA CA

(Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Haskell Wexler, one of Hollywood's most famous and honored cinematographers and one whose innovative approach helped him win Oscars for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and the Woody Guthrie biopic Bound for Glory, died Sunday. He was 93.

Wexler died peacefully in his sleep, his son, Oscar-nominated sound man Jeff Wexler, told The Associated Press.

A liberal activist, Wexler photographed some of the most socially relevant and influential films of the 1960s and 1970s, including the Jane Fonda-Jon Voight anti-war classic, Coming Home, the Sidney Poitier-Rod Steiger racial drama In the Heat of the Night and the Oscar-winning adaptation of Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

He was also the rare cinematographer known enough to the general public to receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

This 1988 file photo shows director Dennis Hopper, second from right, with cinematographer Haskel Wexler, third from right, during the making of the movie 'Colors.' (Photo: AP)

"He was a wonderful father. I owe most of who I am to his wisdom and guidance," said his son, nominated for Oscars himself for Independence Day and The Last Samurai.

"Even in an industry where, when you're working on a movie, there is not much else you can do, he was always there for me," Jeff Wexler said.

Throughout his career, Wexler was noted for his versatile and intuitive approach.

For Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, the last film to receive an Oscar for best black and white cinematography, he used hand-held cameras to capture the tension of the tirades between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. For In the Heat of the Night, he put silks over the tops of sets and aimed lights at their centers. His aim was to contribute to the tension between Poitier's big-city black detective and Steiger's Southern white lawman.

As visual consultant on George Lucas' American Graffiti, he hosed down the streets to achieve a moody, reflective style. He helped give Terence Malick's Days of Heaven a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.

When the elder Wexler wasn't working on big-budget studio fare, he traveled the world directing and photographing documentaries for favorite causes.

His 1969 Medium Cool mixed documentary and dramatic elements, telling the story of a fictional television photographer (Robert Forster) who covers the violence between Chicago police and protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The real-life unrest was filmed on the spot for the movie, and its "cinema verite" approach was closely studied by aspiring filmmakers.

"I was under surveillance for the entire seven weeks I was in Chicago, by the police, the Army and the Secret Service," Wexler once told a reporter.

In addition to his sons, Wexler is survived by a daughter, Kathy Wexler, and his wife, Rita Taggart.

‘Luther’ Returns, With Idris Elba Reprising His Role as Tortured Detective

By MIKE HALEDEC. 15, 2015

Idris Elba returns as the title character in “Luther.” BBC

After a recent screening of the very compact new “season” of “Luther” (two hourlong episodes, being shown back to back on Thursday on BBC America), a fan’s question knocked Idris Elba off his stride for a moment: “Why are you such a badass?” She wasn’t talking about John Luther, rogue detective, or Stringer Bell, the drug dealer Mr. Elba played on “The Wire,” or James Bond, the secret agent much of the world wants him to play. She was going to the source. Badassery follows Mr. Elba around, and in the age of the incredible shrinking movie star, he’s the rare performer who sells a production based on his own considerable charisma.

That’s the good news and the bad news about“Luther.” Across four seasons and 16 episodes, the series has been devoted to the proposition that having Mr. Elba front and center as a dangerously unstable but superfly cop — John Shaft with issues — makes up for any amount of murky, mundane plotting and over-the-top violence and psychodrama. And it works, to a point. “Luther” has never been a good show, exactly, but it’s pretty much the definition of a guilty pleasure.

The new installment finds Luther on leave after the events of Season 3 — internal affairs investigation, murdered partner, nearly murdered girlfriend — and living in a picturesque cabin near what looks like the cliffs of Dover. Before you can say “cannibal serial killer,” he’s drawn back to London by a new case, and also by a mystery surrounding Alice Morgan, his psychopathic stalker and best friend.

Fans know that Ruth Wilson, now engaged in “The Affair,” has not returned to play Alice, and the character’s absence is a problem — it helps to have someone on screen who’s as smart as Luther but even crazier, against whom he can define his outer limits. Without her, he’s less exciting. A potential new nemesis (Laura Haddock of “DaVinci’s Demons”) and a fledgling partner (Rose Leslie of “Game of Thrones”) are introduced, but they don’t begin to compensate for the lack of Ms. Wilson’s brainy, sexy presence.

Neil Cross, who created “Luther” and writes every episode, is good at orchestrating spectacle and, working primarily with the director Sam Miller, at using visual cues to stir our emotions. The most inspiring moment in the new episodes is probably the simple sight of Luther donning the cinched-waist tweed coat and narrow tie that define his badness as succinctly as Shaft’s wide-lapeled leather coats did his.

Overall, though, nothing lives up to Mr. Cross’s previous standard of breathless improbability. The murderer, the mystery and the gruesome tableaus all feel tepid and familiar. Indeed, the grisliness and psychosis are a little behind the curve, with “Hannibal” gone and the focus of crime drama, like every other television genre, shifting toward character study.

Mr. Elba, as Luther, is still gratifyingly larger than life, knitting his brow to stare down lesser humans and meeting every challenge with a weary shrug of his endless shoulders. But there’s a sense of going through the motions. It’s hard to be a badass forever.

Jennifer Jason Leigh Appears on Two Screens With Few Similarities

By LORNE MANLYDEC. 27, 2015

Jennifer Jason Leigh plays two vastly different roles in two new films, “The Hateful Eight” and “Anomalisa.”Jesse Dittmar for The New York Times

LOS ANGELES — It’s hard to imagine two more different roles than the ones Jennifer Jason Leigh takes on in movies closing out 2015.

In “The Hateful Eight,”Quentin Tarantino’s post-bellum western, Ms. Leigh’s Daisy Domergue spends nearly all her time handcuffed to a bounty hunter on the way to a promised date with a hangman’s noose. And in “Anomalisa,” Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson’s stop-motion animated journey into the dark soul of a midlife crisis, her Lisa is a timid, lovelorn customer-service agent who meets her idol, a motivational speaker.

For Ms. Leigh, best known for searing portrayals of characters on life’s margins — like the hard-worn prostitute in “Last Exit to Brooklyn” and the undercover cop who spirals into heroin addiction in“Rush” — the films have brought her a new round of critical acclaim after several years of little screen time.

Over coffee and cheese quesadillas last week at Lucy’s El Adobe Cafe here, a favorite of hers since childhood, Ms. Leigh discussed complaints about misogyny in “The Hateful Eight,” the challenge of voicing a puppet sex scene and how she had made peace with the possibility that her acting career had come to an end. Following are excerpts from the conversation.

Q. Can you give quick descriptions of Daisy and Lisa?

A. Daisy is feral and dangerous, and crazy like a fox. She has nothing to lose; she’ll do anything to survive. Lisa — she’s so ordinary and so gentle and kind and self-effacing. She’s a good girl, she really is. She’s as good-hearted as Daisy is blackhearted.

Q. Is it a fluke that “The Hateful Eight,” a Christmas Day release, and “Anomalisa,” out on Wednesday, just happen to be coming out so close to each other?

A. Certainly, with these two movies it wasn’t intended. We voiced “Anomalisa” two years ago. I went through a long period of time where it was hard for me to get work.

Q. Do you have a theory why?

A. Well, I had a baby and then stopped working for a while. [Her son, Rohmer, is now 5.] And if you actually drop out of all the work, it’s hard to get back in.

I kind of made my peace with it, in a way. Because I do think, for an actor, I’ve had a nice run and a long one. I thought maybe I’ll focus more on writing now.

But I remember my brother-in-law saying all it takes is just one phone call from Quentin Tarantino. He really did say that a few years ago. And here we are today. It’s crazy, right?

Q. Did it give you pause when you read the script and saw how much Daisy is brutalized throughout the movie?

Jennifer Jason Leigh as a feral prisoner in “The Hateful Eight.”Andrew Cooper/The Weinstein Company

A. No, because everything you need to know about Daisy’s childhood you get the first time she takes a hit. Any woman, or any man, that takes it and says, “That’s the best you got?” And that is a great thing for an actor to be able to play without dialogue. To be able to show so much of Daisy’s grit and character — and she gets so much self-esteem from her ability to take a punch. A lot of her ego is derived out of that.

Q. How do you create sympathy for a character like Daisy?

A. I just try to be true to the material. I think there is sympathy for her; there’s sympathy for every bastard in the movie [chuckles]. It’s funny — a lot of women really like her, they get a real kick out of her. I’ve had a lot of women come up to me, emboldened by Daisy in some weird way, and that makes me feel good.

Q. But there have also been a lot of complaints, accusing the movie of misogyny because of the physical and verbal abuse heaped on Daisy.

A. I think they’re misguided because it would be more sexist if Daisy were treated differently because she was a woman, if she were sexualized. And she’s not. She’s just a killer. There are all these people saying to [Kurt Russell’s character], “Don’t you have qualms doing this to a woman?” And he doesn’t. It’s his job. He doesn’t care if she’s a woman or a boy. And it’s a great role. I don’t find it misogynistic at all.

Q. “Anomalisa” was first done as a staged reading in 2005. Did much change between then and what’s in the film?

A. The song changed. And changed for the better. It was the song from “Titanic” originally. They couldn’t get the rights to that. And so there were a couple of songs we were playing around with, and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” just was perfect. The other one was fun, but this was moving.

Q. Why is that song so perfect for her?

Jennifer Jason Leigh voices a timid, lovelorn soul in “Anomalisa.”Paramount Pictures

A. She wants to be the girl who walks out in the sun. She’s so self-conscious about her scar. To just have fun and be free and be in the world and unafraid, and not self-censoring and just enjoy life, resonates for her.

Lisa has such a beautiful arc. When she starts, she’s meeting someone that she never thought she’d meet in a million years and her voice is an octave higher because she’s so excited and nerdy. No one has ever taken an interest in her, wanting to hear her talk and to hear about her day, and made her feel desirable and special and beautiful. You can hear it in her voice. She actually centers and calms down.

Q. How is doing a role that’s just voice acting different?

A . What’s cool is that, even though it’s a puppet on the screen, it’s a much more naked sort of performance in a weird way. You can’t hide behind any sort of physicality. In fact, voicing that sex scene is the most intimate sex scene I’ve ever done, even though it’s not my body and the puppet isn’t based on me physically. There’s nothing beautified and sexy about it. It’s just the mundane awkwardness of lovemaking with a stranger.

Q. Did you make a choice to take on more damaged types of characters or were they just the roles that came your way?

A. They’re usually the most interesting roles to act, so I think I was more challenged by them and excited by them.

Q. Is it tougher to play the good girl like Lisa than some of those other roles?

A. No, because it’s more close to home. I’ve always been the good girl. My life is very safe and it’s very quiet, and I like it. I don’t like a lot of drama. I’m sure there’s a part of me that craves it, but I want it in a very safe way I can tolerate. I can play a drug addict without having to actually go down that dark road and hopefully have some sort of understanding of what that is.

Q. Coming back from this little break, is there a different focus on the types of movies you want to do?

A. I want to work with directors I admire. [She name-checks Paul Thomas Anderson, David O. Russell and Darren Aronofsky.] I just want to be part of their vision, to go through that creative process with them. And I’d also love to do a movie that my son could see. I don’t think I’ve ever made a movie he can see.

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Latino Romeo & Juliet Drama Set At Fox

by Nellie Andreeva • tipDecember 16, 2015 11:00am

Fox is showing commitment to getting a Latino drama series going. The latest contender is an untitled project written/executive produced by Eduardo Cisneros(Instructions Not Included) and Jason Shuman (Role Models, Lone Survivor). From 20th Century Fox TV, it is described as a modern Romeo and Juliet tale set against the backdrop of Los Angeles’ new Latino wealth in the music and radio industry.

Fox recently took a stab at a the Latino-flavoredUrban Cowboy remake, which did not go beyond the pilot stage. Romeo and Juliet has been a popular classic concept for the networks to exploit. This development season, ABC has Still Star-Crossed, aRomeo And Juliet sequel drama based on a book from Scandal co-executive producer Heather Mitchell.

Shuman is repped by CAA, Hertzberg Media and attorney Scott Whitehead. Cisneros is repped by WME, Valor Entertainment and attorney Pam Black.

THE ENGLISHMAN, BLUES AND COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

DECEMBER 28, 2015

in Category: uBYTES

The Englishman, Blues and Country Music History

The rediscovery of pre World War 2 blues in the early 1960s by young men and women in the US and the UK has been well documented The role of young Englishmen, like The Rolling Stones, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and a whole host of others, was pivotal in helping to reintroduce young American bands to the power of the blues. But did you know it was another Englishman who in the 1930s played a pivotal role in recording one of the most celebrated of all bluesmen… Robert Johnson? Not only that, but he also helped create the Nashville-Sound and establish country music as a creative force?

Donald Firth Law (on the right in the above photo with Owen Bradley) was born in Leytonstone, in north-east London in February 1902 and sometime after the end of World War 1 he joined the London Choral Society. In 1924 the 22 year old Don Law emigrated to the United States and eventually found his way to Dallas Texas where he became a bookkeeper for Brunswick Records. In 1931 the American Record Company (ARC) bought out Brunswick and Law started working for the latter company under another Englishman, Art Satherley who had been born in Bristol and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1913.

Sometime in 1936 the 25 year old Robert Johnson went to H.C. Speir’s store in Jackson Mississippi; the general store sold records and Speir acted as an unofficial scout for Arc, Paramount and other record labels. Johnson was well used to travelling the South plying his trade as what has been described as a “human jukebox” playing in juke joints and anywhere that people would pay him a few cents to sing popular songs, including Bing Crosby tunes.

Robert Johnson

Johnson turned up in Dallas and met Don Law and the two men travelled to San Antonio where a recording session had been arranged for Monday 23 November 1936 at the Gunther Hotel. With Law acting as producer, Johnson cut ‘Kind Hearted Woman Blues’, the first of thirteen takes of eight different songs. Three days later he was back and cut ‘32-20 Blues’ and then the following day he cut nine more takes on seven different songs. He then took a train back to Mississippi and his life as an itinerant musician, although he was temporarily richer having pocketed money from his recording session; it is doubtful whether it was more than $100.

Law was impressed by the recordings and Johnson’s first release was ‘Terraplane Blues’ coupled with ‘Kind Hearted Woman Blues’; it would be the only one that sold in any great number at the time. His next release, ‘32-20 Blues’ coupled with ‘Last Fair Deal Gone Down’ was followed by ‘I’ll Believe I’ll Dust My Broom’ and ‘Dead Shrimp Blues’. Sales were not fantastic, but clearly good enough for Johnson to be summoned back for more recording. This time he went to Dallas and recorded three more sides on 19 June 1937, the following day he cut thirteen more takes of ten more songs.

Robert Johnson 782

In Dallas it’s likely that he recorded at 508 Park Avenue a three storey art deco building built in 1929 as the Warner Brothers Film Exchange, and by 1937, the building was where Don Law was based for Brunswick/Vocalion Records.

Fourteen months after recording in Dallas, Johnson was dead, in circumstances that have baffled and mystified researchers and blues fans ever since.

Don Law on the other hand went on to have a stellar career, working mainly for Columbia Records with Satherley after it merged with ARC. In 1942 Law relocated to Columbia’s New York office to oversee the children’s music division, however by 1945 Columbia divided its country division in two, making Law the head of the vision to the east of east of El Paso and Satherley head of everything to the west. Law recorded Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price, Billy Walker, and Marty Robbins, transferring to Nashville where he became head of Columbia’s Country Music division after Satherley retired in 1952.

Along with Chet Atkins at RCA, Owen Bradley at Decca, and Ken Nelson at Capitol, Law helped establish, the Nashville Sound. Among Law’s hits were Marty Robbins’s ‘El Paso’, Johnny Horton’s ‘The Battle of New Orleans’ and Jimmy Dean’s ‘Big Bad John.’ By 1967 Law had retired from Columbia setting up Don Law Productions and acting as an independent producer. Don Law died in 1982 in Galveston, Texas.

Alessia Cara Talks Huge 'Here' Year, Def Jam Signing

"I knew at some point that I had to stop being shy, because I wanted to do this as a career," says 19-year-old singer

BY SIMON VOZICK-LEVINSON December 14, 2015 Alessia Cara; Def Jam; 2015

"It's been crazy, but it's fun, too," says Alessia Cara of her breakout success.Jen Senn

"I still feel like I'm floating above myself," Alessia Cara says. It's less than 24 hours since Taylor Swift invited Cara onstage on Halloween to sing Cara's smash single"Here" in front of 55,000 screaming Swifties in Tampa, and the 19-year-old Canadian singer has barely caught her breath. "I was so high on adrenaline last night, I practically started crying," she adds. "Everything that's happened in the past year just hit me all at once."

"Here" is one of the year's most unexpected pop hits — a sullen, midtempo yet undeniably catchy song about feeling like an "antisocial pessimist" at a party. "One of my friends had a house party about two years ago, and I hated it so much," she explains. "I'm not completely antisocial, but those big crazy parties where everyone's drunk are not for me." Clearly, she's not alone: The song racked up more than 33 million views on YouTube, hit Number Eight on the Hot 100, and set high expectations for her November debut, Know-It-All.

A self-described shy kid from "a very, very traditional Italian family" in suburban Brampton, Ontario, Cara began quietly uploading acoustic covers of songs by Adele, Amy Winehouse and more to YouTube around age 13. "I would sing when no one was home — in my closet or my bathtub, places where I wouldn't bother anyone," she says. "But [my parents] would catch me singing. Eventually my mom just flat-out asked me to sing for her. It was scary, but I did it."

Even then, and even after her home videos started getting her into meetings with music industry movers and shakers, she didn't tell her friends about her pop-star dreams. "I would randomly disappear [to work on music]," she says. "I knew at some point that I had to stop being shy, because I wanted to do this as a career."

Last year, after she signed with Def Jam, she finally came clean. "I posted something on Instagram to tell everyone why I'd been disappearing from school all that time," she says. "I got so many texts like, 'How come you didn't tell us?!' They thought I was just skipping school."

The day she calls RS, Cara is at a New York airport hotel on her way to London for more promo work. "The past six months have been constant traveling, constant airplanes," she says. "I'm still getting used to it. I was someone who never left the house. Now I'm traveling everywhere! That part's kind of weird. It's been crazy, but it's fun, too."

AMERICA LIKES IKE

DECEMBER 26, 2015

in Category: uBYTES

ENDS 14th December 2015

When he first made his name in the second half of the 1960s, Isaac Hayes was known as one half of the mighty songwriting partnership with David Porter that created Stax classics such as Sam & Dave’s ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Hold On, I’m Comin.'' But by 1969, Hayes had started down a solo career path that made him one of the biggest R&B superstars of the era, and that sequence was still in full effect around Christmas 1970 with the album …To Be Continued.

Isaac had failed to make the desired impact with his 1968 solo debut Presenting Isaac Hayes, but returned a year later with an awesome new sound on the Hot Buttered Soulalbum. The jazzy flavours of the first LP were superseded by an ultra-romantic, dead-slow soulfulness, spread over just four songs, including expansive covers of ‘Walk On By’ (12 minutes) and ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ (an extraordinary 18).

The album was a turning point in late 1960s soul and a crossover smash, topping the R&B chart for ten weeks and reaching No. 8 pop. It was followed in the spring of 1970 by The Isaac Hayes Movement, which hit the same pop peak and ruled the R&B bestsellers for seven weeks. Then, towards the end the year, the man from Covington, Tennessee delivered another dose of the deepest soul in the world with …To Be Continued, and it lived up to its name.

Even without the aid of big singles this time, the album took precisely two weeks to top the R&B survey, moving to No. 1 on the chart for 26 December, 1970. It spent an aggregate of 11 weeks there, contesting the top spot from February onwards with Curtis, by the other champion of the sophisticated new soul for the decade just dawned, Curtis Mayfield. This time, Isaac reached No. 11 in the pop market.

…To Be Continued had Hayes returning to the Bacharach-David songbook for an 11-minute take on ‘The Look Of Love.’ He opened with his own ‘Ike’s Rap’ to the recipe, on a record that also included his take on ‘Our Day Will Come’ and a 15-minute medley blending his own ‘ike’s Mood’ with ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.’

Two more consecutive R&B No. 1s would follow in 1971, and another two by 1975. America’s loving feeling for Isaac Hayes was abundant.

Blackstar

Blackstar
David Bowie
ISO/Columbia

BY DAVID FRICKE December 23, 2015

Jimmy King

The arty, unsettling 'Blackstar' is Bowie's best anti-pop masterpiece since the Seventies

Three years ago, with little warning, David Bowie ended a decade-long break from studio releases with The Next Day.The second album he's released since that unexpected return to the limelight is an even greater surprise: one of the most aggressively experimental records the singer has ever made. Produced with longtime collaborator Tony Visconti and cut with a small combo of New York-based jazz musicians whose sound is wreathed in arctic electronics,Blackstar is a ricochet of textural eccentricity and pictorial-shrapnel writing. It's confounding on first impact: the firm swing and giddy vulgarity of " 'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore"; Bowie's croons and groans, like a doo-wop Kraftwerk, in the sexual dystopia of "Girl Loves Me"; the spare beaten-spirit soul of "Dollar Days." But the mounting effect is wickedly compelling. This album represents Bowie's most fulfilling spin away from glam-legend pop charm since 1977's Low. Blackstar is that strange, and that good.

The longest reach is up front, in the episodic, ceremonial noir of the title track. Bowie's gauzy vocal prayer and wordless spectral harmonies hover over drum seizures; saxophonist Donny McCaslin laces the stutter and chill like Andy Mackay in early-Seventies Roxy Music. The song drops to a blues-ballad stroll, but it is an eerie calm with unsettling allusions to violent sacrifice, especially given recent events. (No who or why is specified, but McCaslin has said the song is "about ISIS.") "Something happened on the day he died/Spirit rose a meter, then stepped aside," Bowie sings with what sounds like numbed grace. "Somebody else took his place and bravely cried: I'm a blackstar." His use of an ideogram for the album's title makes sense here – there is no light at the end of this tale.

The album includes a dynamic honing of Bowie's 2014 single "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)" with less brass and more malevolent programming; the title song from his current off-Broadway musical production, Lazarus (that's Bowie firing those grunting blasts of guitar); and a blunt honesty at the finish. Bowie turns 69 on January 8th, the day Blackstar comes out. In "I Can't Give Everything Away," he states his case for the dignity of distance – his refusal to tour (so far) and engage with the media circus – against guitarist Ben Monder's lacerating soprano-fuzz guitar, a sly evocation of Robert Fripp's iconic soloing in 1977's "Heroes." "This is all I ever meant/That's the message that I sent," Bowie sings in a voice largely free of effects – clear, elegant and emphatic. This is a rock star who gives when he's ready – and still gives to extremes.

WHEN BOBBY DARIN SAID HELLO & GOODBYE

DECEMBER 26, 2015

in Category: uBYTES

Bobby Darin was marking a festive chart entry on this date in 1964 with an album that may not have had a Christmas theme, but stands as a lesser-known collection of typically distinguished vocal performances. From Hello Dolly To Goodbye Charlie took its snappy title from the versions of those songs that bookended the album, also embracing many other well-known numbers of the day, interpreted as only he could — as well as a hidden gem of his own composition.

dollycover

Jerry Herman's 'Hello, Dolly!', from the hit Broadway musical of that name starring Carol Channing, had been a US pop No. 1 in May 1964 for the one and only Louis Armstrong. Darin's version became a single release from his album, and a minor chart entry, early in 1965. 'Goodbye, Charlie' was a number written by conductor and composer André Previn and Dory Langdon, better known as his wife of the time, Dory Previn.

In between, Darin offered interpretations of Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer's title song from the hit 1962 movie The Days of Wine and Roses; the same writing duo's 'Charade,' from that 1963 film; and another new film theme of the time, Peter Nero and Carroll Coates' 'Sunday In New York.'

Darin The album also featured 'Look At Me,' written by Darin and Randy Newman when the latter was still a teenager, and two Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn copyrights, 'Call Me Irresponsible' and 'Where Has Love Gone.' The lesser-known treasure was the stirring, beautifully-orchestrated ballad 'The End Of Never,' written by Darin with Francine Forest.

From Hello Dolly To Goodbye Charlie entered the Billboard chart of 26 December, 1964 at No. 118 (in a 150-position survey) but peaked in the new year at No. 107, Bobby's first chart album not to reach the top 100.

How August Alsina Is Bringing Hope Back to Mainstream R&B

"I'm the black sheep around this motherfucker," singer says of frank, socially conscious new album

BY ELIAS LEIGHT December 23, 2015

August Alsina moves away from hedonism and toward social commentary on his new album, 'This Thing Called Life.' Diwang Valdez

The singer August Alsina has a term for his music. "I like to call it hope for the hopeless," he explains over the phone. He has just released his second album, This Thing Called Life, and he is aware that his point of view makes him a dissident within mainstream R&B: Hope is out of fashion — look at the Weeknd, whose dark themes helped make him one of the year's biggest success stories. "I feel like I don't fit in," Alsina notes. "There's not a lot of outlets for urban music, for black artists who don't have that crossover thing going early on. I'm the black sheep around this motherfucker. I don't say the things that somebody would expect me to say."

But it wasn't always this way: Alsina's first single, "I Luv This Shit," was a Number One hit on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hip chart in 2013. The beat was brassy and imperious; the singer was in party mode: "Two o'clock and I'm faded/This kush feeling amazing/Got a voicemail on my phone from a little breezy feeling X-rated." It was effective but also indistinct, a track that could have been made by any of Alsina's peers.

This Thing Called Life is distinguished by a marked turn away from the sound of that single — and of radio R&B more generally. Seven songs on the record are produced by Knucklehead (Samuel Irving), the man behind "I Luv This Shit," but the beat-maker suggests that he had little interest in reprising that formula. "The turn-up music could have been done so easily," Knucklehead affirms confidently in a separate conversation. "But I just felt like the world needed food that sticks to their ribs. My goal was to go as far to the left of 'I Luv This Shit' as possible."

The first sign of this was "Hip-Hop," which appeared in April and evoked Nineties boom bap cooked down to its ragged essence. Large portions of the song feature the singer loping along with only a rifle-shot breakbeat, and the track is strangely bass-less until the hook. "When I first made [the beat], I had August or Nas in mind," Knucklehead remembers. "[Alsina] spilled his heart on that record — the Mike Brown situation, the police stuff that was going on. The world needs records like that to feed on."

In sound and theme, this is far from the work of competitors like Jeremih or Chris Brown, and This Thing Called Life largely follows in the footsteps of "Hip Hop," ignoring the trap-derived or dancefloor-aiming production that rules contemporary R&B and incorporating more guitars than is common. But there's a cost to denying current trends: None of the singles have replicated the path of Alsina's previous hits. "The radio is so dumbed-down," Knucklehead laments. "When a record like ['Hip Hop'] hits the radio, they don't know how to react to it. They sleep on good music."

Alsina leaves behind the thematic template of his previous hits as well, focusing almost entirely on the struggles of America's poor black community. He covered this ground on his 2014 debut, Testimony, but now it is the dominant concern, especially after the first few tracks, which feel like weak attempts at commercial collaborations with big-name guests (Lil Wayne) but don't fit with the rest of the album. Alsina anticipates listeners' potential cynicism at the end of a song called "Change," intoning softly, "I'm guilty of daydreaming I can change the world." As soon as he expresses his lofty ambition, the track dissolves into a recording of laughter — an easy way to dodge his sincerity.

But on the phone, the singer consistently returns to his message of uplift. "Hope — I wanted to give to that to the people," he says. "When you do that, you have to be willing to be unpopular. It's not the formula for radio songs."

Case in point: the album's third single, "Song Cry," an outpouring of anguish that includes thoughts of suicide and crippling levels of loneliness. (Alsina also discussed suicide in a recent interview with the New York radio station Power 105.1.) There are barbs beneath the tears: "I tried to buy my mama's love/No, she don't appreciate it," he sings. "So I stay inebriated/I figured J. Cole or Drizzy Drake would drop a verse and tell the world how we hurtin'/Guess I was mistaken." Alsina insists that this line is not an insult aimed at two of rap's biggest stars. "That just comes from respect," he says. "They're people I look up to. They put me in a place to grow."

"I'm trying to save myself from this fucked-up-ass world we live in."

Because he's an outlier, the singer frequently ends up defending his choice of topics. "It's not a complaint," he avers. "It's not, 'I want your pity.' I'm trying to save me from me. I'm trying to save myself from this fucked-up-ass world we live in.

"A lot of people just hide that part of their life," he continues. "I'm not the only one out this motherfucker who feels that way."

This is undoubtedly true, but he's one of just a handful of singers acting on these feelings. For now, Alsina is resigned to this. "I'm gonna keep going. They got me as a sex symbol," he exclaims incredulously. "You haven't heard August Alsina make a sex song!" Then he backpedals slightly: "Maybe one sex song." But the previous success of "I Luv This Shit" proved to him that he had to branch out. "God showed me, 'You know how to do this. What else can you do?'"

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Identity	Here's a first look at Benedict Cumberbatch as Marvel's Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts.
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JoeBala

R.I.P. Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead frontman dead at 70

Rock icon had been battling an extremely aggressive cancer

BY ALEX YOUNG

ON DECEMBER 28, 2015, 7:37PM

197 COMMENTS

Lemmy Kilmister, founding member and frontman of Motörhead. has died. He was 70 years old.

News of his death was first reported by radio and TV host Eddie Trunk, who was a longtime friend of Lemmy. Several others have since confirmed the news, including Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who wrote on Twitter, “Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today.

He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side.”

In a statement posted to Facebook, Motörhead wrote, “There is no easy way to say this… our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer.

He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from the Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family.

We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words. We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please… play Motörhead loud.”

Update – Tuesday, December 19th at 8:20 a.m. CT: In an interview with Sweden’sExpressen, drummer Mickey Dee confirmed Lemmy’s death marked the end of Motörhead. “Motörhead is over, of course.

Lemmy was Motörhead. We won’t be doing any more tours or anything. And there won’t be any more records. But the brand survives, and Lemmy lives on in the hearts of everyone.”

In addition to cancer, Lemmy had been suffering from a number of other well-publicized health issues, including hematoma. In 2013, he was fitted with an implantable defibrillator to correct an irregular heartbeat.

His health issues had caused the cancelation of multiple Motörhead performances in recent years, though Lemmy remained an active force up until the time of his death.

Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1945. Inspired to become a musician after seeing The Beatles perform in concert, Lemmy spent his 20s playing in a variety of bands and also served as a roadie for the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

In 1972, he was hired to play bass in the UK space rock group Hawkwind, despite having no previous experience on the instrument.

He quickly honed his skills, helping shape the band’s sound on critically acclaimed albums such Space Ritual, while also singing lead vocals on the song “Silver Machine”, which peaked at No. 3 on the UK charts.

Lemmy was the founder, lead vocalist, bassist, principal songwriter, and only constant member of Motörhead since the band’s formation in 1975.

To date, Motörhead have released over 20 studio albums and achieved 30 million in sales worldwide. Their last record, Bad Magic, was released in August 2015.

Motörhead saw far more commercial success in the UK, though they achieved a cult status in the US. Their ferocious hard-rock style rejuvenated the metal genre in the late 1970s and inspired everyone from Metallica and Guns N’ Roses to Dave Grohl.

Albums such as Ace of Spades, Orgasmatron, and Rock N’ Roll were critically lauded, though ironically the band’s only Grammy Award came via a cover of Metallica’s “Whiplash”, which they recorded for a tribute CD.

Lemmy’s outlandish behavior further fueled his iconic status. He was fired from Hawkwind after being arrested at the Canadian border for drug possession, yet his appetite for drugs and alcohol remained a constant throughout most of his career.

He famously claimed he had drunk a bottle of Jack Daniel’s every day since turning 30, and he was also a proponent of amphetamines. Recently, he joked that he had switched from drinking whiskey to vodka for “health reasons.”

“Apparently I am still indestructible,” he insisted in a 2014 interview with The Guardian, noting that the only thing that will keep him from playing music was death itself.

“As long as I can walk the few yards from the back to the front of the stage without a stick,” he said, adding with a laugh, “or even if I do have to use a stick.”

Lemmy also dabbled in acting with cameos in films such as Airheads, Hardware, and even Foo Fighters’ video for “White Limo”.

Consequence of Sound had the honor of speaking with Lemmy during the Motörhead Cruise this past September. In the audio interview, he reflected on his career, why he continued to perform despite his age and health issues, and why heavy metal is the greatest genre in music.

In typical Lemmy fashion, he also took a swipe at fellow UK natives Radiohead.

Specials drummer John Bradbury dies

Image copyrightMichael BucknerImage captionThe band played at various festivals over the years including Coachella

John "Brad" Bradbury, drummer with The Specials, has died at the age of 62.

The ska group tweeted the news: "It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to our great friend, the world's greatest drummer, our beloved Brad. RIP."

Bradbury joined The Specials in 1979, and continued with the reversioned band The Special AKA, who had a top 10 hit with Free Nelson Mandela.

Bradbury took part in The Specials reunion tour in 2009. He also headed up a band called JB Allstars.

The band's representatives said the drummer died in England but no cause of death was given.

In a statement, his family said: "It is with deepest regret that we have to announce the very sad news that our much loved husband and father John 'Brad' Bradbury passed away on Monday the 28 of December.

'Ground-breaking'

"Brad's drumming was the powerhouse behind The Specials and it was seen as a key part to the Two Tone sound. He was much respected in the world of drumming and his style of reggae and ska was seen as genuinely ground-breaking when The Specials first hit the charts in 1979.

"He was an integral part of The Specials reforming in 2008 and toured with them extensively up to the present day. His contribution to the world of music can not be understated and he will much missed by family, friends and fans alike.

"It is the family's sincerest wish that they are allowed the time to remember him privately."

The news comes three months after the band's trombonist, Rico Rodriguez, died.

The band, famed for their 1960s mod-style outfits, had seven UK top 10 singles including Too Much Too Young and Ghost Town.

Founder and songwriter Jerry Dammers dissolved the band in 1981 but they re-grouped and continue to perform and record without their former leading man.

Billy Bragg was one of the first musicans to pay tribute to Bradbury.: "A bad day for good music. First we lose Lemmy, now news that Brad from the Specials has passed away. RIP."

Bradbury was born and brought up in Coventry where the band was formed in 1977.

Music producer Pete Waterman, also from Coventry, expressed his shock at the news of the Bradbury's death.

Speaking to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, Waterman said: "I always had a good laugh with Brad. He was always proud of being in the band and what we'd and he'd achieved.

"He never left Coventry because he always wanted to be part of the scene... he was tremendous."

The Specials drummer John Bradbury dies

The Specials drummer John Bradbury dies aged 62 Rex Features

By DANIEL SPERLING, Showbiz Reporter

10:36, 29 Dec 2015

THE Specials drummer John Bradbury has died aged 62.

The musician's passing yesterday was confirmed on the British ska group's official website this afternoon.

A statement read: "It is with deepest regret that we have to announce the very sad news that our much loved husband and father John 'Brad' Bradbury passed away on Monday the 28th of December.

"Brad's drumming was the powerhouse behind The Specials...he was much respected in the world of drumming and his style of reggae and ska was seen as genuinely ground breaking when The Specials first hit the charts in 1979.

"He was an integral part of The Specials reforming in 2008 and toured with them extensively up to the present day.

"His contribution to the world of music can not be understated and he will much missed by family, friends and fans alike. It is the families sincerest wish that they are allowed the time to remember him privately."

John in The Specials' heyday John Bradbury - The Specials

The Specials scored two iconic No1s with Too Much Too Young and Ghost Town Getty

A message on The Specials' official Twitter profile read: "It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to our great friend, the world's greatest drummer, our beloved Brad. RIP."

As part of The Specials, John cemented his place in music history with two iconic No1 singles - Too Much Too Young in 1980 and Ghost Town the following year.

John joined The Special AKA in 1981 after the departure of several band members and went on to record the track Free Nelson Mandela in support of the late South African leader.

The Specials released seven studio albums between 1979 and 2001.

John was still performing with them as recently as November last year, when the band performed an 11 date UK tour.

John's death comes just three months after the passing of Specials trombonist Rico Rodriguez at the age of 80.

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JoeBala

Guns N’ Roses (Well, Axl Rose and Slash, Anyway) Reportedly to Reunite for 25 Dates Including Coachella

By Nick DeRiso December 29, 2015 5:21 PM

Kevin Mazur, Getty Images

The latest anonymously sourced Guns N’ Roses reunion rumor involves a possible 25-concert tour featuring a stop at Coachella in 2016 – but may be just as interesting for what it doesn’t say.

Billboard, in a new report discussing the possibility of this Guns N’ Roses tour, references it only as a new collaboration between co-founders Axl Rose and Slash. Most of the conjecture involving the band over the last few months has centered on a homecoming that also included Duff McKagan from the classic-era lineup.

Coachella is set for the weekends of April 15-17 and 22-24 in Indio, Calif. Billboard quotes multiple sources as saying Guns N’ Roses will appear, perhaps as one of the initial groups to play the new Las Vegas Arena. That venue opens earlier in April. The tour would reportedly focus on North American football stadiums next summer, with tickets in the $250-$275 range.

Guns N’ Roses have been hinting at a big announcement in the last days, updating their web site with older editions of the band logo and running cryptic teaser ads before major motion pictures like Star Wars. Still, reps from the band, Coachella and AEG – the company that operates the Las Vegas Arena – either could not be reached or did not immediately comment.

These would mark the first concerts featuring both Axl Rose and Slash since July 17, 1993, when Guns N’ Roses played River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires. The band, which now only features Rose from its best-known albums, most recently mounted a major tour in 2014. That included dates in South America and at the Joint in Vegas.

Appetite for Destruction, their 1987 blockbuster debut, sold more than 18 million copies in the U.S. alone on the strength of the Billboard No. 1 hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler were also featured.

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JoeBala

2015 Kennedy Center Honors: 5 Moments Not to Miss

Mandi Bierly

Deputy Editor, Yahoo TV

December 28, 2015

If you’ve ever wanted to see Aretha Franklin on stage with R2-D2, this is your chance.

The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors air Tuesday, paying tribute toStar Wars director and visual effects maverick George Lucas,singer/songwriter Carole King, trailblazing actresses Rita Moreno and Cicely Tyson, and conductor Seiji Ozawa. Hosted by Stephen Colbert, the evening features, as usual, a star-studded list of presenters and performers. Here are five moments you won’t want to miss.

1. Gina Rodriguez’s “love letter” to Rita Moreno. As you see in our exclusive sneak peek above, the Jane the Virgin star finally gets to tell the EGOT winner everything she wished she could have said to her when she thought about sending her idol a letter at age 15.

It’s a perfect, moving beginning to the evening’s tributes, and, as Rodriguez recalls asking her mother “Mom, when did Puerto Ricans come about?” because she’d never seen one on screen, also a powerful reminder of how much representation matters.

Moreno’s tribute also includes Rosie Perez performing “Fever” with Animal, in honor of Moreno’s Emmy-winning appearance on The Muppet Show and Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda sharing the story of Moreno storming the stage like “an altruistic Kanye West” at a charity event

when the audience was ignoring the entertainment before he introduces a performance of “America” from West Side Story (which, Colbert notes, “opened a generation’s eyes to the dangers of ballet gang violence”).

2. Aretha Franklin steals the show. The Carole King tribute closes the two-hour telecast, and rather than do the traditional video biography, Chilina Kennedy, currently starring as Carole in the Broadway musicalBeautiful, narrates King’s life story on stage.

Other performers include Janelle Monáe (“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “One Fine Day”), James Taylor (“Up on the Roof”), and Sara Bareilles (“You’ve Got a Friend”), but it’s the Queen of Soul who brings the crowd to their feet.

King can barely contain herself when Aretha takes the stage wearing a fur coat and clutching her purse, then sits down at a piano to sing “Natural Woman.” It brought a tear to President Obama’s eye.

But once Aretha stands and drops her coat, everyone is feeling good.

The evening closes with people who took part in the various tributes returning for “I Feel the Earth Move” — that’s where you get the wonderfully random shots of Franklin and R2-D2, and Taylor and C-3PO, sharing the same stage.

3. Cue the Stormtroopers. The most timely of the tributes, Lucas’s section of the program needs two James Earl Jones-narrated biopics to paint a full portrait of him as a storyteller and technological innovator. Steven Spielberg is on hand to explain how Star Wars changed movies (and joke that at 71, Lucas still has all his hair, like Chewbacca), while Martin Scorsese describes Lucas’s passions — cars, movies, movies about cars, and music.

It’s that last one, which Scorsese says becomes another character in Lucas’s films, that leads to the Kennedy Center Honors Orchestra performing the legendary themes from Indiana Jonesand Star Wars (with appearances by a few special guests, as seen in the photo above). With the accompanying light show and confetti drop, it makes you wish you were in that theater.

4. CeCe Winans performs “Blessed Assurance.” Tyler Perry, Viola Davis, and Kerry Washington give poignant speeches about 91-year-old powerhouse Cicely Tyson.

But it’s gospel great Winans singing “Blessed Assurance,” a hymn that Tony winner Tyson sang during every performance of the play The Trip to Bountiful, that makes everyone — from Tyson herself to seated guest Usher — tear up. She’s joined by the Cicely Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts choir and trumpeter Terence Blanchard, who also performs “My Funny Valentine” in honor of Tyson’s tradition of honoring her late husband Miles Davis by visiting a jazz club every year on his birthday.

5. Yo-Yo Ma makes Seiji Ozawa cry. It’s the conductor’s turn to wipe his eyes when Yo-Yo Ma performs Tchaikovsky’s “Andante Cantabile.” At first it seems an odd choice to have a cellist honor the man who conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 29 years, but like Ozawa, who’s been described as “calligraphy in motion,” Yo-Yo Ma brings a composer’s work to life so fully that when the music he’s making stops, the silence feels empty.

Conductor and violinist Itzhak Perlman and opera singer Renée Fleming speak to Ozawa’s greatness, but it’s the John Williams-narrated biopic video that will introduce many viewers to this man — who owes his career choice to breaking two fingers while playing rugby when he was a 14-year-old aspiring piano virtuoso.

The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors airs Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

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JoeBala

A DOUBLE NO. 1 IN THE LENNON LEGACY

DECEMBER 27, 2015

in Category: uBYTES

For a man who tirelessly wrote, sang and campaigned for peace and harmony among his fellow humans, something fitting grew out of the cruel tragedy of John Lennon’s death. On the final sales charts of 1980, some three weeks after his murder, John’s music united the world, in both grief and celebration of his work. On both of Billboard’s main surveys for 27 December, 1980, Lennon climbed to No. 1.

JustLikeStartingOver

‘(Just Like) Starting Over,’ his first new chart record in five years, had made its debut on the Hot 100 for 1 November, wasting no time with an unusually high debut straight into the top 40, at No. 38. The magazine’s review of the single described it as “a tune that is reminiscent of rock ‘n’ roll from the late 1950s. [Lennon’s] voice has never sounded better as he glides along steadily and gracefully with a solid melody line and pop-sounding material.” Yoko Ono’s b-side ‘Kiss Kiss Kiss’ was described as a “peppery and cute selection.”

The single was comfortably inside the top ten before the end of November, climbing to No. 32 and then racing to No. 10. But there’s no doubt that the collective sense of horror and outrage at Lennon’s senseless death propelled both the single and its parent album to greater heights. In the final chart of the year, ‘Starting Over’ replaced Kenny Rogers’ ‘Lady’ at No. 1, to start a five-week run at the top.

Double Fantasy, credited to both John and Yoko and featuring seven new songs by each, was similarly welcomed by most reviewers. The media picked up on and enjoyed the sense of renewal and survival in the pair’s long relationship. By late November, Billboard was listing the album as a “top national add-on” at album radio, alongside Steely Dan’sGaucho, Rod Stewart’s Foolish Behaviour and Heart’s Greatest Hits Live.

The John and Yoko album duly made its chart debut at No. 25, climbing to No. 12 and then 11. The sickening events of 8 December outside the Dakota Building made their full impact on the final charts of the year, and Double Fantasy raced to No. 1. Kenny Rogers was again the artist to give way, as John & Yoko’s final new work together started an eight-week reign, and the album became a triple platinum memorial.

Taraji P. Henson named 'Entertainer of the Year' by USA Today

Margaret Minnicks

America Now News Examiner

December 28, 201510:21 PM MST

Taraji P. Henson named 'Entertainer of the Year'

Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for GQ Magazine

It has been a very good year for Taraji P. Henson. According to USA Today on Dec. 27, the 45-year-old actress has been named "Entertainer of the Year." Everyone agrees that Henson deserves the honor.

Hello Beautiful reported that the actresses is undoubtedly at the height of her career, and there is not a sign in the sky that she is coming down any time soon. Her character, Cookie on "Empire" was named Time’s most influential fictional character. Now Taraji is been honored like her character.

Taraji said a year ago her life was "kind of normal still." She has had a long, respected career where she appeared on shows like "Person of Interest" and "Boston Legal" and films including "Hustle & Flow" and her Oscar-nominated role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." However, this year Taraji starred in the hip-hop drama "Empire" that premiered on Fox in last January. Her role of Cookie Lyon has taken her straight to the top.

Before "Empire" she said, "Like, I could still go to Target and the grocery store without being harassed. It's different now. I can't really go anywhere." Henson has put her Hollywood Hills house up for sale because she says it is too exposed where people are able to just walk up to her door.

Life has changed for her since she has been playing Cookie. She says she doesn't have to wait in line for anything anymore. She doesn't understand it that now that she is rich people send her things for free. She is not complaining because she loves getting free things.

Henson is one of the most memorable, quotable characters on television in years. "Empire" has earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. A lot of Cookie merchandise and memes are on the market for sale. There are fans who dress boldly like Cookie and blog about it. Needless to say, Cookie Lyon is loved and so is Taraji P. Henson.

The Chico Movie Examiner’s top 10 films of 2015

David Wangberg

Chico Movie Examiner

December 29, 20153:03 PM MST

'Sicario' is the best film of 2015

Lionsgate Films

It has come to that time of the year when I tell you what movies I appreciated the most this year. And as we close out 2015, I understand there are some films I missed. It’s not by decision; it’s due to lack of time and availability of certain films.

Since relocating to a bigger city (Sacramento), I have found opportunities to see a lot more movies in theaters than I would have if I still lived in Chico. And the majority of the films I’ve seen in the last two months came as a result of free promotional screenings. I don’t mind paying for films; I just can’t pay to see every single movie that’s playing at the moment. I have other responsibilities. These promotional screenings helped quite a bit, because I would see movies before they came out, and then I could bust out a quick review before a film’s release date.

But an unfortunate thing about some films is that they have such limited releases, and I don’t hear of them coming to the area until it’s too late. Or, in the case of December, there are just too many buzzworthy titles being released, and I can’t make every single one.

Before you ask, I haven’t seen “The Revenant,” because it’s not being screened here until January. “Carol” is currently playing, but I already put a cap on the movies I’ve seen this year, so I can create my best of list. I’ll get to it eventually. The same goes for “Steve Jobs” and “The Martian,” both of which I missed during their theatrical runs. I also have no clue when “Anomalisa” is playing here. But I’m at that point where I’m satisfied with the amount of films I’ve seen in 2015 (60+), and I feel confident with the list I have now.

The list actually hasn’t changed since early December. Some of the rankings have, but the titles have been the same. This is after seeing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Hateful Eight,” both of which I liked quite a bit, but they didn’t leave me with that feeling of “Oh, that NEEDS to be on my list.” They’re good films, but not exactly top 10 worthy.

There were a bunch of other films I caught up with via promo screenings, Netflix, and Redbox before finalizing this list. And while they’re all great, I just couldn’t bring myself to cut out any of the titles I already had, and I didn’t want to be that guy that extends his list to 15 or 20. But I will give honorable mentions to certain films. Here they are.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

“The Hunting Ground”
“Best of Enemies”
“Tangerine”
“Spotlight”
“Kingsman: The Secret Service”
“Beasts of No Nation”
“What We Do in the Shadows”

Now, here is my official top 10 of 2015.

10: “Bridge of Spies”

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have made some great films in the past. With their fourth collaboration, the two turn in a solid film that has the feel of an old school thriller. The opening sequence is masterfully shot by Spielberg. Hanks and especially Mark Rylance are fantastic in their roles, and the Coen brothers bring great dialogue to a script that heavily relies on it.

9: “The Gift”

Joel Edgerton’s directorial debut is a haunting, nerve-racking thriller. One may not expect this when you see Jason Bateman cast in the lead role. Bateman is best known for his comedic work with “Arrested Development,” “Bad Words,” and other projects. But “The Gift” shows how much dramatic range he has as an actor as well. It came and went in theaters, but it certainly deserves more than one look.

8: “Creed”

I’m not the biggest “Rocky” fan. Before seeing “Creed,” I had only seen the first film one time. I ended up revisiting the first film, and then marathoned the rest. To me, the first two are great, and then the others just turn the franchise into pure cheese. But “Creed” is something that not even the biggest “Rocky” fan, such as myself, can truly enjoy. It’s got heart; it’s got some moving scenes; and it has one of the best boxing sequences I’ve seen in years. I never would have thought that Sylvester Stallone would deliver such a fantastic performance in his seventh turn as Rocky Balboa. But he’s incredible to watch, as are Michael B. Jordan and the rest of the cast.

7: “Ex Machina”

“Ex Machina” is one of the smartest and most well-acted science fiction films to come out in years. Alex Garland, the great screenwriter of “28 Days Later,” makes his directorial debut here with a compelling film that focuses on how man can be when he wants to create the perfect human being, and how he can get a little too ahead of himself. It’s reliant more on characters and story than it is special effects, but the effects are mesmerizing. And the last 20 minutes of the film are mind-blowing.

6: “Inside Out”

This is the first Pixar film I’ve seen since “Toy Story 3” that made me cry, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I saw it twice, and cried both times. It’s wonderfully animated; the voice actors are all stellar in their roles; and it’s an incredible look inside the mind of a young girl, and how the emotions handle things when a sudden change comes.

5: “Brooklyn”

“Brooklyn” is a love triangle story, but it does away with all the sappiness that tends to come with those films. It has some of the best cinematography I’ve seen in years, and it also has the best romantic couple I’ve seen in a film in some time in Saoirse Ronan and Emory Cohen. They’re perfect, as is Domnhall Gleeson and everyone else involved, in a film that’s both humorous and heart-breaking.

4: “Room”

Like I said in my review, I can’t really say much about “Room” without giving away some major plot points. And I hate spoilers just as much as the next person. But you need to do yourself a favor and see it. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay are both magnificent, and it’s a film that I haven’t been able to shake since seeing it.

3: “The End of the Tour”

Jason Segel gives the best performance of his career in “The End of the Tour,” and it’s not one that you might expect from the man who’s worked with Judd Apatow on numerous occasions and was also on “How I Met Your Mother.” Segel’s portrayal of David Foster Wallace is one that needs more attention. The film itself is ultimately about a conversation between two people, but it’s a great one.

2: “Mad Max: Fury Road”

In a time when each summer film released is a tentpole consisting of an overabundance of special effects, “Mad Max: Fury Road” arrived, showing that practical effects are still accessible and they can be used in a big budget summer blockbuster. George Miller, who hadn’t made a “Mad Max” film in 30 years, basically defined what a modern summer blockbuster should be like. All of the other summer films paled in comparison. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is the best action film in decades, and it’s one I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since May.

1: “Sicario”

I had trouble between choosing this and “Mad Max: Fury Road” as the number one film of the year. Both are remarkable in their own way. But from the moment “Sicario” began, I felt my nerves get tighter, and it never let up. Can someone please tell the Academy that Roger Deakins needs to be recognized for his work? His cinematography in “Sicario” is top-notch, giving the film a nice, gritty feel to it. Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin are both great, but it’s Benicio del Toro that steals the show. The final minutes involving his character are breathtaking.

I’m surprised that 2015 went by this quickly. I look forward to what 2016 has in store. I’ve already got one movie queued up for review in the first week of January, and there will be plenty more as the year rolls on. See you guys then.

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Reply #47 posted 12/29/15 5:51pm

JoeBala

The villains Paul Feig has lined up for the Ghostbusters are going to scare the life out of you

Find out exactly how Neil Casey will terrorise the spectral hunters.

Paul Feig promised that his Ghostbusters villains...ally scary - and it looks like he's very much delivered on that promise.

While we've known for some time that prominent improv comedian Neil Casey would be the '...n as Rowan, details about the overall storyline have been kept quiet… until now.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones will be squaring off with undead criminals from New York City's past.

The ghostly army is described by the magazine as comprising "pilgrims, oldtimey sailors, Revolutionary War spirits, and even a couple of zoot-suited gangsters". Sounds creepy, right?

Thankfully, the Ghostbusters won't have to battle the forces of evil all alone. They'll be joined by their trusty assistant Kevin - played by Marvel hero Chris Hemsworth.

Also lined up for the reboot are cameos from the original comedy's stars - including Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver.

Ghostbusters screams into cinemas on both sides of the Atlantic on July 15, 2016.

Élodie Yung is dangerously seductive in your first peek at Elektra in Marvel's Daredevil season 2

The Punisher isn't Matt Murdock's only problem this season.

Élodie Yung as Elektra in Daredevil season 2

Élodie Yung is sadistically seductive in the first look at Marvel Comics anti-hero Elektra in Daredevil season 2.

The love of Matt Murdock's life comes roaring back into his chaotic world in a brand new picture from the Netflix series, published by Entertainment Weekly.

New showrunner Doug Petrie also offered the magazine a hint on just how happy (or unhappy) Elektra and Matt's reunion will be in the episodes to come.

"Matt's a deeply moral, complicated guy and she's just the best bad girlfriend you can possibly have," Petrie explained.

"She does everything wrong and attractive, she's his id, the wild side. Matt is always taming his wild side. Elektra just lets it out. He's both repulsed and deeply drawn to that."

Of course, Elektra will be far from Matt Murdock's only problem when Daredevil returns for his second season.

The Man Without Fear might just re-think that moniker when he squares off with fello... Bernthal), who deals out vengeance to crooks in a much more brutal way than Daredevil.

The masked hero will also come face-to-face once ag...ntor Stick, who ropes Murdock into another dangerous mission.

Daredevil storms back onto screens on Netflix worldwide in 2016.

The top 10 female country artists of 2015

Kara Johnson

Detroit Music Examiner

December 29, 201511:40 AM MST

Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini

Photo used with permission by Robin Merchant // Getty Images

Country music has been changing the game when it comes to females. The genre as a whole has paid closer attention to what females have to offer, and they have to offer a lot. Country music has a whole has some of the most talented female artists right now. They're raw, empowering, and excellent at their craft. These 10 country girls proved it the most this year. Check out our list of the top 10 females in country below.

10. Cam

It was Cam’s breakout year after she released her debut single ‘Burning House’ to Country radio. She’s a California native, but that never stopped her from dipping her toes in country music, and she does it well. So well that ‘Burning House’ is now a Grammy nominated song. The California girl released her debut album Untamed early December, and peaked at the #4 position on the iTunes Charts during the first week of sales. It’s an album filled with smoldering, intriguing narratives of loss, love, and heartache. 2015 is just the start of her chart topping career.

9. Cassadee Pope

Although she started out in an alternative band Hey Monday is 2008, Cassadee Pope has made a name for herself in the country genre. Since starting her country music solo career in 2011, Pope has soared to new heights. The Florida native won season 3 of NBC’s The Voice in December 2012. Her debut album Frame By Frame debuted at No.9 on the top Billboard 200 chart in 2013, and peaked at No.1 on the Top Country Album chart. She has a new single out called ‘I Am Invincible.’

8.Katie Armiger

Katie Armiger is the epitome of beauty. Her stellar looks, and her soul piercing voice are just some of the many attributes that Armiger has that have contributed to who she is today. She’s a Texas native with three albums under her belt with five singles charting on Billboards Hot Country Songs chart. She’s got everything a girl needs to survive in the industry. She’s not only of the best in 2015, but she’s also one to look out for in 2016.

7. Kelleigh Bannen

Kelleigh Bannen is an artist with a kind of raw honesty we all wish we had. Her acclaimed debut single ‘Sorry On The Rocks’ has charted Hot Country Songs Billboard chart, and has received many endorsements from legends such as Billy Duke. Bannen is currently signed with EMI Nashville, and has enthralled many with current singles like ‘Smoke When I Drink,’ being one of the most downloaded songs of 2015. She also keeps fans up to date about her life in Nashville on her blog entitled This Nashville Life. We can’t wait for an album, which is sure to top more charts.

6. Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves is best known for her hit single, ‘Follow Your Arrow,’ and this year she came back with an exquisite sophomore album Pageant Material. She’s witty with her lyrics, and powerful with her voice. Musgraves is country through and through. The singer took the world by storm as she toured across the nation on her Country and Western Rhinestone Revue tour. Her hit song ‘Biscuits’ from her sophomore release was tied on the tenth most added song on American Country radio, and has been ranked No.1 on Billboard’s ’10 Best Country Songs of 2015’ list.

You can listen to Pageant Material now on Apple Music.

5. Lindsay Ell

Lindsay Ell, a Bobby Bones favorite has been taking the country world by storm with her new hit song ‘By The Way.’ The song has peaked at No.45 on the U.S. Country AirPlay chart. She’s opened up for artists like Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, Gretchen Wilson, and Big & Rich.
Ell is well on her way to the top, and we can’t wait to see more in 2016.

You can listen to her new single ‘By The Way’ now on Apple Music

4. Maren Morris

She has cuts on several A-list albums like Tim McGraw’s ‘Last Turn Home, and Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Second Wind.’ Maren Morris is a true marksman with her craft, and it shows flawlessly on her self-titled debut EP. The EP features her latest single ‘My Church,’ and has an electric blanket of country, pop, and soul throughout. Her voice too is powerful, raw, and expansive. We can expect a full length album sometime in 2016.

3. Maddie & Tae

Maddie & Tae broke out in the country music scene when they wrote a hit calling out those in Bro-Country. It didn’t take long for the industry to fall in love with them, and now they are well on their way to the top with their debut album Start Here. ‘Girl In a Country Song’ became the first debut single by a duo to reach No.1 since The Wreckers did in 2006 with ‘Leave the Pieces,’ and only the second in history. The duo also won the CMA award for Vocal Duo of the Year. Start Here was released in August of 2015, and took the No.2 spot on the U.S Country Charts.

You can buy their new single ‘Shut Up and Fish’ now on Apple Music.

2. Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood has been one the top females in country music since winning the fourth season of American Idol. She’s the epitome of beauty. Underwood has won 7 Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 8 American Music Awards, and a nomination for a Golden Globe. The girl from Oklahoma also released her 5th studio album Storytellerearlier this year. The album debuted at No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart. It made Underwood the only country artist in history to have all five albums debut at No.1, and with a No. 1 debut on the Top Country Albums chart.

You can listen to Storyteller on Apple Music now.

1. Kelsea Ballerini

There is no competition when it comes to Kelsea Ballerini and her breakout year. At 19 she signed a deal with Black River Entertainment, and in late 2014 she released her chart topping hit ‘Love Me Like You Mean It.’ The song reached No.1 on the Country AirPlay chart, making Ballerini the first solo country female artist to score a No.1 hit with her debut single since Carrie Underwoods ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ in 2006, and only the 11th in history to receive the feat. The Tennessee girl released her debut album in May of 2015, which debuted at No.4. She’s won several awards such as CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, AMA’s Favorite Female Country Artist, and Billboard’s Rising Star.

You can listen to the chart topping album The First Time on Apple Music now.

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War & Peace screenwriter admitted he added sex scenes to keep viewers interested

The drama features an 'incestuous' sexual relationship.

War & Peace BBC adaptation Lily James, Paul Dano and James Morton

The screenwriter behind the BBC's upcoming adaptation of War & Peace has revealed he 'sexed up' the series to keep viewers interested.

Andrew Davies, who also wrote the 1995 series Pride & Prejudice,revealed he included incestuous sex scenes between brother and sister Anatole and Helene Kuragin in an interview withThe Daily Mail.

"The brother and sister relationship is something that I made clearer, clearer than [author Leo] Tolstoy…it's subtlely referenced in the book absolutely," he added.

"Another thing is that at some point in the book it said that Boris, who you saw in episode one looks very nice and sweet in his uniform, had become the acknowledged lover of Countess Bezukhov," he said.

"That's all Tolstoy said but I thought that would make several little scenes, how it started, how it was in the middle and how she gets rid of him at the end. So that's something to look forward to."

When asked if he'd added more sex into the story, he said: "Yes, it was all there, he just hadn't written the scenes and I couldn't see why so I did."

Lily James, Paul Dano and James Morton lead the all-star cast in the TV version of Leo Tolstoy's novel, which will arrive next year.

Jim Broadbent, Gillian Anderson, Rebecca Front, Aneurin Barnard and Brian Cox are also among the huge ensemble cast.

Tolstoy's epic original 1869 work chronicles events surrounding the French invasion of Russia, as seen through the eyes of five aristocratic Russian families.

The six-part series is directed by Tom Harper, who previously directed The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death.

War & Peace will premiere on BBC One in January 2016, with US networks Lifetime, A+E and History simulcasting it in the US.

X Factor winner Louisa Johnson to rush-release her debut album for February 2016

She follows in the footsteps of Sam Bailey with an early album launch.

Louisa Johnson seen leaving the BBC Radio 1 Studios

It seems that we'll be hearing new music from Louisa Johnson much sooner than expected.

Having won The X Factor less than a fortnight ago, she'll be rush-releasing her debut album on February 26, 2016 if a new iTunes listing is to be trusted.

The usual procedure is for the reality show's winner to wait about a year before launching an album, although 2013 victor Sam Bailey went for a similarly nippy release in March 2014.

Discussing her plans with Digital Spy recently, Louisa said: "I will not release anything unless it's how I want it to be. I wouldn't just release an album because I want to get it out there.

"I'd take my time with it. I'd have to make sure I like it 100% and if I don't like it, no way is it going out. People are going to know me through that album - so it needs to be perfect."

The performance of her debut single has been disappointing by X Factor standards, entering the charts at number 9 and remaining well out of the Christmas No.1 race.

2016 Winter Movies: A complete preview of January and February's film releases

Donald Shanahan

Chicago Film Examiner

December 29, 201512:01 PM MST

Deadpool Trailer - 'Deadpool' tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool.

on.aol.com

With the buzz of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" still fresh and the Oscar race making headlines, the turn of the calendar to a new year means the return of the slowest season of the year. More often than not, the movies that land in the months of January and February were either not good enough for qualifying for Oscars by the December 31st deadline or not chipper enough for the spring season. Sometimes, there are those two things and worse. See what you can circle and look forward to in this preview of the 2016 Winter Movie season.

JANUARY 8

"The Forest"-- Here comes the first of many horror entries in this preview. The genre has always found an open market in the winter season each year. Natalie Dormer and "Chicago Fire" heartthrob Taylor Kinney encounter Japan's Aokigahara Forest where people have gone for centuries to end their lives and become shocked at what they find. (trailer)

"Anesthesia"-- A mugging that turned violent on a college campus causes a collision of strangers and events in this film from actor/director Tim Blake Nelson. Kristen Stewart, Sam Waterson, Glenn Close, and Corey Stoll build the ensemble. (trailer)

JANUARY 15

"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi"-- Bombastic director Michael Bay returns to polish his political ego because he thinks he can make "Zero Dark Thirty 2" with the supposedly untold story from the 2012 Libyan embassy attack. Expect extremely over-pumped heroics and questionable messages while John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, and Toby Stephens take aim at the enemy. (trailer)

"Ride Along 2"-- When you give a comedian and an audience a hit, there going to beat a dead horse and pay to see if they can do it again. The oil-and-water team of Kevin Hart and Ice Cube are back for more pretend cop shenanigans. Ken Jeong, Olivia Munn, and Benjamin Bratt join this spree. (trailer)

"The 5th Wave"-- Far more smaller budgeted than the big "Independence Day" sequel later in 2016, "Kick Ass" lead Chloe Grace Moretz and Nick Robinson of "Jurassic World" try to save their family and themselves from another wave of alien attacks. Based on a popular YA novel, this one has big ambition and a ballsy premise. (trailer)

"Norm of the North"-- Lionsgate enters the animation arena to cling to "Frozen"'s coattails with a comedy led by Rob Schneider's polar bear mascot. Lowly marketed, it does premiere long enough after November's "The Good Dinosaur" to maybe be a fresh face that steals your money. (trailer)

JANUARY 22

"Dirty Grandpa"-- If you thought "The Intern" and other comedies were slumming, this is likely the new low water mark for Academy Award winner Robert De Niro. Here he is teaming with Zac Efron for a raunchy Spring Break comedy with endless senior gags. Whatever happened to the tough De Niro? (red band trailer)

JANUARY 29

"Kung Fu Panda 3"-- For a popular animation sequel with brand recognition and a cast like this, we should be surprised to see it limping into January and not occupying a summer tentpole position or high-profile holiday release. After a tepid sequel and a long wait, could this warrior be dead on arrival, even with returning big names like Seth Rogen, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, and Dustin Hoffman being joined by newcomers Bryan Cranston, J.K. Simmons, and Kate Hudson. (trailer)

"The Finest Hours"-- Similar to the annual dump of horror films in these months, Disney has also started to put an annual live-action family entry in the winter months. Channeling "The Perfect Storm" for a different era, Chris Pine and Casey Affleck take on rough waters and odds in this retelling of a famous 1952 Coast Guard rescue mission of a tanker in trouble off the Atlantic coast. (trailer)

"Fifty Shades of Black"-- Leave it to the Wayans Brothers, particularly Marlon, to find fresh meat for parody. This time their humor targets "Fifty Shades of Grey." Two hours of one-note jokes? You make the call. (trailer)

"Jane Got a Gun"-- This western collaboration between Academy Award winner Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, "Warrior" director Gavin O'Connor, and his previous lead Joel Edgerton has been delayed nearly two years, which is never a good sign. Dumping it here does shows it's cutting its losses. (trailer)

FEBRUARY 5

"Hail, Caesar!"-- For the cinephiles out there, the Oscar-winning Coen Brothers deliver their latest ensemble comedy with an A-list cast of thousands. This one is a caper comedy surrounding a fictional and wild behind-the-scenes ransom story of 1950's-era Hollywood film production and a kidnapped star. George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand (of course). (trailer)

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"-- From the same genre-smashing author that gave us "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter comes this bloody blender of Jane Austen and the undead. "Cinderella" starlet Lily James is Elizabeth Bennet and Sam Riley is Mr. Darcy in a far different landscape of romance, tea, and crumpets. (trailer)

"Dad's Army"-- Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a meddling and attractively distracting journalist disrupting an aged World War II British squad trying to sniff out a German spy at the end of the war. Bill Nighy, Tom Courtenay, Toby Jones, and Michael Gambon are some of the men in uniform from the director of "An Ideal Husband" and "Johnny English Reborn." (trailer)

"The Choice"-- It wouldn't be a February movie month with an annual Nicholas Sparks film adaptation, love triangle, tissue advertisement, and tourism boost for North Carolina. "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" star Benjamin Walker falls in love-at-first-sight with Teresa Palmer's newcomer to town only to have her already taken by Tom Welling. (trailer)

"Regression"-- Famed Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar ("The Others," "The Sea Inside") leads this psychological thriller on parental sexual abuse starring Ethan Hawke as an investigating detective and Emma Watson as the troubled victim. This film has slowly gained some attention in the fall 2015 film festival scene before debuting in limited release here. (trailer)

FEBRUARY 12

"Deadpool"-- Ah yes. Here we go. This is the one to look forward to and circle on the calendar. Fox has finally answered the dare and every fanboy's dream to make a legitimate hard-R film of comic's favorite "Merc with a Mouth." Ryan Reynolds looks to satirize and make us forget about "Green Lantern" in a role he was born to play. The marketing for this blockbuster has been pitch perfect at being different and exciting compared to the usual "X-Men"-level global doldrums. This film will be on this website's short list of the most anticipated films of the entire year. (red band trailer)

"Zoolander 2"-- I don't know why Hollywood has to pick President's Day/Valentine's Day weekend as the one weekend in the whole season to oversaturate. As if "Deadpool" wasn't enough, you'll have to find time for the returning male model legends of Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and company, including newcomers Benedict Cumberbatch, Penelope Cruz, and Kristen Wiig. This film too has played its previews and clips to adoring audiences. (trailer)

"How to Be Single"-- Hoping to move her "Pitch Perfect" fandom into a solo act, Rebel Wilson gives you your prerequisite romantic comedy for the holiday weekend. She plays the free-spirited best buddy to her square friend (Dakota Johnson of "Fifty Shades of Grey") looking to navigate the NYC dating scene. (trailer)

FEBRUARY 19

"Race"-- Following the recent "42" and in his first film in eight years, director Stephen Hopkins ("The Ghost and the Darkness," "The Reaping") brings the biography of Jesse Owens to the big screen, starring virtual unknown Stephan James as the Olympic legend. Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, and William Hurt stand at his side. (trailer)

"Risen"-- In another long return to the director's chair (ten years), Kevin Reynolds ("Waterworld," "187") tells the story of the Messiah's resurrection from the point of view of an investigating Roman Centurion, played by Joseph Fiennes. Tom Felton, Peter Firth, and Cliff Curtis provide more support. Go ahead and punch the epic and religious cards for a possible audience. (trailer)

"Shut-In"-- Though listed as a psychological thriller, this still gets the third horror tally for the seasonal preview. Naomi Watts, Oliver Platt, and "Room" discovery Jacob Tremblay and this weakly-endorsed thriller about a child psychologist caught in a deadly winter storm. (trailer)

"Viral"-- The third horror selection goes to this post-virus landscape where half of the population was lost and the other half struggles to stay healthy. Analeigh Tipton ("Crazy, Stupid, Love.") and TV star Sofia Black D'Elia play survival-challenged sisters. (no trailer)

FEBRUARY 26

"Gods of Egypt"-- In the gaudiest thing this side of a golden calf of two, the gods and demigods of Egyptian mythology set the screen on fire among the fighting mortals led by Gerard Butler, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Chadwick Boseman, Brendan Thwaites, Elodie Yung, Geoffrey Rush, and Rufus Sewell. Alex Proyas of "I, Robot," "Knowing," "Dark City," and "The Crow" is responsible for this sure-to-be over-the-top spectacle. (trailer)

"Triple 9"-- Here is a film I'm going to deem a possible "hidden gem" in this sad season. Director John Hillcoat has dropped our jaws in wonder before with the likes of "The Road" and "Lawless." In this heist film, criminals and cops alike are blackmailed into performing a dangerous job by the Russian Mafia. Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, Anthony Mackie, Norman Reedus, Aaron Paul, and Woody Harrelson make up this volatile mix. Keep an eye on this one. (red band trailer)

"The Witch"-- We're on four horror films so far and we may have found the one to grab the most attention. Starring a no-name cast, "The Witch" won the Directing Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, which is no small achievement. Early reviews have been through the roof for this film surrounding a 17th century Puritan family pushed to the brink in the New England wilderness. Horror fans, out of all of this season's mess, "The Witch" might be the real deal. (trailer)

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UPDATED: Axl Rose to Discuss Guns N’ Roses Reunion on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Next Week

By Jeff Giles December 30, 2015 3:45 PM

heaven

UPDATED: Rolling Stone confirms from several unnamed sources that Axl Rose will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! next week to discuss the possibility of a Guns N’ Roses reunion. However, the sources “declined to reveal the specific nature of his announcement or taping date.”

Either Guns N’ Roses fans are about to get (most of) the live reunion they’ve wanted for decades, or we’re all watching one of the most elaborate pranks in rock ‘n’ roll history unfold.

The latest update in the ongoing flurry of reunion rumors posits that key members of the group’s classic lineup are poised to play together even sooner than their recently rumored Coachella date — in fact, they could be sharing rock’s worst-kept secret as early as next week, with a performance on the late-night ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

This scoop comes courtesy of journalist and podcaster Mitch Lafon, who’s dropped a series of heavy hints via his social media feeds. On Facebook, he wrote that he’d “highly recommend setting your DVRs” for Kimmel’s show next week, later adding that you’d have to be “crazy” not to mark Jan. 6 — one day after the Coachella lineup is expected to be announced — on your calendar. On Twitter, Lafon teased, “For those of you that missed 1986 the first time around — have no fear it’ll be back in 2016 on so many fronts.”

None of this counts as an official confirmation, of course, and by now, GNR fans have seen so many reunion rumors come and go that we hardly need to advise you to take all of it with a heavy grain of salt until we see a real announcement out of the band. On the other hand, you know the old saying about there being fire where there’s smoke, and we’ve definitely seen a ton of smoke lately.

Lafon, for his part, is taking full advantage of the reunion chatter to show off his sense of humor. While we wait for official word about Guns N’ Roses’ next move, perhaps you’d like to listen to this episode of Lafon’s podcast?

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Amazon’s Christmas best sellers in 2015 revealed

The most wanted gifts varied between Britain’s region, according to Amazon data

Zlata Rodionova
Tuesday 29 December 2015

Adele’s new album 25 was the best-selling item on Amazon this Christmas.

The singer topped Amazon’s list of seasonal sales. Her album was followed by Amazon’s own Kindle Fire tablet, according to unit sales from November 1st until December 13th 2015.

Amazon’s top ten presents list also featured the new album by British pop band Coldplay and the more traditional Elvis Presley recording accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Video games were also amongst the most wanted gifts with Call of Duty: Black Ops, Fallout 4 and Star Wars: Battlefront, focused on the original trilogy to avoid spoilers in the lead-up to the new movie release, all making the top ten.

Paco Rabane Lady Million Eau de Parfum spray was one of the nation’s favourite gifts to get for women this year.

The popularity of Disney’s Frozen continued through this year’s festive season with character dolls, LEGO Elsa’s Sparkling Ice Castle and colouring books in many children’s stockings. The retailer’s bestselling toys included family games such as TOMY Pop-up Pirate, Monopoly, Twister and Trivial Pursuit.

The most wanted gifts varied between Britain’s region, according to Amazon data. Footballer Steven Gerrard, who spent the majority of his career playing for Premier League club Liverpool, biography My Story was a hit in the North. Readers from Wales preferred reading Over the Top and Back: The Autobiography and Long Lost Suitcase, by home-grown hero singer Tom Jones

Black Friday, which fell on November 27th this year, was Amazon.co.uk biggest sales day ever. Customer demand led to more than 7.4 million items ordered in 24 hours at a rate of around 86 items per second.

Top 10 best sellers at Christmas 2015:

10 – A Head Full Of Dreams by Coldplay (CD)

9 – Star Wars: Battlefront (videogame)

8 – Minions

7 – Inside Out

6 – If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

5 – Call of Duty: Black Ops III

4 – Fallout 4

3 – Amazon Fire TV stick

2 –Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet 8GB

1 – 25 by Adele

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BREAKING: Natalie Cole dies aged 65 as a result of congestive heart failure

Natalie Cole has passed away at the age of 65 as a result of congestive heart failure
The singer is best known for her hits This Will Be and the Grammy-winning duet Unforgettable which she sang with her father Nat King Cole
She had been forced to cancel a number of recent appearances due to health problems
'Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived..with dignity, strength and honor,' her rep said in a statement

By CHRIS SPARGO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 11:56 EST, 1 January 2016 | UPDATED: 12:31 EST, 1

Natalie Cole has passed away at the age of 65.

The singing legend, known for such hits as This Will Be and the Grammy-winning duet Unforgettable with her father Nat King Cole, died from congestive heart failure according to TMZ.

She had been forced to cancel a number of recent concert appearances due to health problems, including one scheduled for New Year's Eve at Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

Tragedy: Natalie Cole (above in December 1999) has passed away at the age of 65 as a result of congestive heart failure

Legend: Cole (above in January 2015) had been forced to cancel a number of recent appearances due to health problems

Dad: Cole with her father, jazz legend Nat King Cole, in a 1955 photo session (above)

Cole leaves behind a son, Robert Yancy, from her first marriage to producer Marvin Yancy.

She suffered from a number of health problems over the past decade, including liver disease and Hepatitis C, for which she received chemotherapy in 2008.

Cole wrote about learning she had Hepatitis C in her 2000 memoir Angel on My Shoulder, the result, she said, of a drug addiction in the 80s and sharing dirty needles.

It is being reported that complications from that disease also played a role in her death.

'It is with heavy hearts that we bring to you all the news of our Mother and sister's passing. Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived..with dignity, strength and honor,' Cole's rep said in a statement.

'Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever.'

Cole's father was one of the most famous jazz singers and pianists in the world when she was born in 1950 in Los Angeles.

Her mother, Maria Hawkins Ellington, was also a noted singer, having performed with Duke Ellington.

Cole always had a love for music, but did not begin performing until after she graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1972 with a degree in child psychology.

She began to sing at clubs performing mostly R&B numbers, and one day caught the eye of Yancy, who approached her about recording an album.

She was quickly signed to Capitol Records, the same label as her father, and released her first album in .

The album's lead single, This Will Be, quickly became a hit and earned Cole a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

That same year she also won the Best New Artist Grammy while her voice led many to compare her to another iconic singer - Aretha Franklin.

Cole would go on to win nine Grammy Awards over the course of her illustrious career.

Natalie Cole dead at 65: R&B singer was daughter of Nat King Cole

BY LARRY MCSHANE

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Updated: Friday, January 1, 2016, 12:21 PM

Chart-topping R&B singer Natalie Cole, who followed her legendary father into the music business with hits like “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and “Unforgettable,” died at age 65.

“Natalie Cole, sister beloved & of substance and sound. May her soul rest in peace,” tweeted the Rev. Jesse Jackson on New Year’s Day.

JOHN SCIULLI/WIREIMAGE

Natalie Cole has died at age 65.

Cole, who had struggled with a variety of health issues in recent years, died Thursday night, according to publicist Maureen O’Connor. The cause of death was reportedly congestive heart failure.

A physically weakened Cole, winner of nine Grammy Awards, was forced to cancel a string of concert performances over the last three months after a recurrence of hepatitis C linked to her earlier drug abuse.

The daughter of music icon Nat (King) Cole scored a huge 1991 hit with “Unforgettable” — a virtual duet with her late father. Natalie was just 15 when her father died in 1965, a decade before his daughter launched her own solo recording career.

The album “Unforgettable ... With Love” spent five weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts, sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and won six Grammy Awards.

But her career exploded with her 1975 debut album that included the massive hit single “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and a pair of Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Performance.

Cole initially struggled with success, battling a devastating cocaine addiction until her manager sent her “kicking and screaming” to drug rehab in 1983, the singer recalled.

She had previously experimented with drugs like LSD and heroin, but it was cocaine that sent her into a spiral as her career and marriage faltered. A first trip to rehab failed, but the second one took — and she remained sober for the remainder of her life.

The singer was the daughter of legend Nat King Cole.

ROSE PROUSER/REUTERS

Natalie Cole (r.) with singer Patti LaBelle in 2000.

Her career was soon back on track with her hit cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac,” along with the singles “Jump Start My Heart” and “I Live for Your Love.”

Cole, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, wrote a pair of memoirs and starred in a 2001 made-for-TV movie “Livin’ For Love: The Natalie Cole Story.”

In 2009, she received a kidney from an anonymous donor after hepatitis C forced her into dialysis. Cole became a spokesperson for the University Kidney Research Organization, a group dedicated to eradicating kidney disease.

She appeared in June 2014 at the Apollo Theater’s 80th birthday celebration.

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JoeBala

Axl Rose to make Guns N' Roses announcement on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

Robert Rheubottom

Canada Music Examiner

December 31, 20151:00 PM MST

Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses performs at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino during the opening night of the band's second residency, 'Guns N' Roses - An Evening of Destruction. No Trickery!' on May 21, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Guns N' Rose fans may finally get firm details on the band's highly anticipated classic-era reunion next week. GNR frontman Axl Rose will make a rare TV appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Tues., Jan 5, 2016.

According to an article posted on Dec. 30 at Rolling Stone, the notoriously reclusive rocker will make be making his first appearance on the popular late night talk show in over three years. When Rose last guested on the show back in October 2012, it was the notoriously mercurial-natured rocker's first live interview in 20 years.

Rolling Stone sources declined to provide specific details about the nature of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's announcement or the taping date. Months of GNR teasers and reunion buzz exploded into a frenzy when Billboardreported on Dec. 29 that multiple sources had confirmed the classic-era lineup, including Rose and estranged bandmate Slash, would reunite for a 2016 tour which would include a headline appearance at Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California, slated for April 15-17 and April 22-24.

Other participating GNR bandmembers were not named in the article and the band has yet to release an official statement. Ex-bassist Duff McKagan is heavily rumored to be involved.

The news was proceeded by a number of weekend teasers, including film trailers featuring GNR's 1987 single "Welcome to the Jungle" shown in movie theaters nationwide over the weekend during screenings of "Star Wars: The Force Awake." Guns N' Roses also redesigned their official website, updating it with the band's 80s era "bullet" logo, as well as introducing a new line of band merchandise, featuring the faces of the original line-up.

Rumors about a possible Guns N' Roses reunion began back in August when former GNR guitarist Slash revealed that he and sole remaining member Rose had put aside their longtime differences and become friends once again. The news followed in the wake of the abrupt exit of GNR's then-current guitarists, DJ Ashba and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thai.

Fans can catch Rose's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live' on Jan. 5 at 10:35 p.m. CT via ABC. For the latest information on Guns N' Rose and Axl Rose, click here.

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JoeBala

Robert Stigwood dies aged 81: Former manager of the Bee Gees and famed film producer passes away

20:03, 4 JAN 2016
UPDATED 20:05, 4 JAN 2016
BY REBECCA POCKLINGTON

A stream of tributes have been made from stars across the globe after the famed manager and producer passed away

Tributes have poured in

The former manager of the Bee Gees, Robert Stigwood , has died aged 81.

The legendary music mogul was agent and manger for the band as well as Cream, and went on to produce musicals including Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as movies including Saturday Night Fever and Grease, after setting up RSO (Robert Stigwood Organisation).

Stars have already begun sharing tributes online following the news, and Andrew Lloyd Webber shared snaps of him throughout his huge career.

He wrote: "Farewell beloved Robert, the great showman who taught me so much. With love, ALW."

He later added: "Robert Stigwood with ALW & Hal Prince at @OfficialEvita's opening night at @AdelaideFesCentre in 1980. #TeamALW."

Robin Gibb's son shared the sad news on Facebook to thank him for giving the Bee Gees their break, as he revealed he was his godfather.

REX

The Bee Gees with Robert

He wrote: "I would like to share the sad news with you all, that my godfather, and the longtime manager of my family, Robert Stigwood, has passed away.

Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb with their manager, Robert Stigwood

"A creative genius with a very quick and dry wit, Robert was the driving force behind The Bee Gees career, as well as having discovered Cream, and subsequently managing Eric Clapton."

Listing more of his accomplishments, Spencer Gibb added: "I would like to thank Robert for his kindness to me over the years as well as his mentorship to my family. “Stiggy", you will be missed."

Robert Stigwood, Former Manager of Cream and the Bee Gees, Dies

By Nick DeRiso January 4, 2016 1:24 PM

Ron Galella, Getty Images

Robert Stigwood, a manager who shepherded the careers of Cream and the Bee Gees before producing a string of smash musicals and films, has died at 81.

Stigwood began working with Cream in 1966, the same year he briefly lured the Who away from Brunswick Records long enough to record “Substitute” for his label Reaction Records. Stigwood produced Cream’s self-titled debut, also releasing it on Reaction, before signing a new distribution deal with Polydor that brought producer Felix Pappalardi on board in time for 1967’s celebrated Disreali Gears.

That same year, Stigwood merged his first company with NEMS, which was founded by Beatles‘ manager Brian Epstein. But Epstein’s sudden death led Stigwood to form another venture, the Robert Stigwood Organisation. By then, he was already managing the Bee Gees. Later, he’d oversee Eric Clapton‘s post-Cream career (including the all-star band Blind Faith) as his company began producing theatrical hits such as Hair, Oh! Calcutta!, Pippin and Evita.

Stigwood added movie successes with the release of Saturday Night Fever (which featured principal musical contributions from the Bee Gees), Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy and Grease. He also launched the RSO Records label to handle recordings by artists like Clapton, including the initially slow-selling, but now widely hailed Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominoes and the soundtracks for Fame and The Empire Strikes Back.

His notable stumbles include the 1978 film version of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, another vehicle for the Bee Gees, as well as the sequels to Saturday Night Fever and Grease. Stigwood bounced back in the late ’90s, however, with the 1996 big-screen adaptation of Evita starring Madonna that won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture.

Robert Stigwood: Greatest pop empresario of all time

Robert Stigwood was born in 1934 in Adelaide, South Australia and was educated at Sacred Heart College. He began his career as a copywriter for a local advertising agency but in 1955, aged 21 he moved to England. At first he took odd jobs including working as an assistant in institution for "teenage boys" in East Anglia. There he became friends with Stephen Komlosy and they decided to start a small theatrical agency. One of their first clients was a handsome young actor called John Leyton. Stigwood spotted his potential as a pop singer but after Leyton had been turned down by a number of recording companies, Stigwood took him to meet Joe Meek. Meek was an independent record producer who had his own small recording and company, RGM Sound Ltd. He used a small roster of artists and wrote, produced and recorded their works before offering the completed tape to established record companies to manufacture and distribute. Leyton’s first couple of singles, a cover of ‘Tell Laura I love her’; and ‘Girl on the Floor Above’ were released in 1960 but met with no interest.

As John Leyton’s agent, Stigwood managed to get him cast in the role of a pop star, Johnny St. Cyr ("sincere") in a new TV soap called, Harper's West One. The role called for Leyton’s character to perform a song on the show. The single, ‘Johnny Remember me’ became an instant Number One hit in the UK.

Encouraged by initial success Stigwood became more involved in record production. Other artists like Mike Sarne, and Mike Berry soon joined the Stigwood stables.

The Stigwood/Meek success set a new pattern for the industry and within a couple of years over half the hits in the UK were independent productions. Despite this success Robert Stigwood became increasingly dissatisfied with Joe Meek's erratic behaviour. Eventually they parted company and Stigwood took on the role of record producer and made a deal with Sir Joseph Lockwood, (managing director of EMI) in 1961. Now agent, manager and independent producer, he continued to thrive as a music publisher and pop concert promoter. Keen to encourage greater success for his UK acts, the entrepreneur reversed the normal process for UK acts by regularly visiting America to acquire potential songs to rush release UK covers before the originals hit the American charts. His business rapidly expanded and Stigwood bathed in excess with success. His management style was abrupt and was not always popular. By the mid-60s his business was in serious financial trouble although Stigwood managed to avoid complete disaster he went bankrupt but kept his creditors at bay as he re-established himself. Within two years, he was back on top. The music business is aggressive and highly competitive and a common practice for agents then, was to try and ‘pouch’ acts from other agencies. This often met with violent repercussions and it is alleged, Don Arden reacted menacingly to Stigwood when he made advances to The Small Faces to switch to his agency.

Stigwood took on a new business partner, David Shaw, to strengthen his financial position. The Robert Stigwood Agency (RSA) remained intact as he worked to rebuild his career as a manager and independent producer. In 1966, Robert Stigwood became, The Who's booking agent and eventually lured the band to join his Reaction Records and record, "Substitute".

Cream, consisting of Eric Clapton (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers), bassist Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker (The Graham Bond Organisation) were also an aspiring act in the UK but the trio had never appeared in the US. Stigwood arranged for them to debut at a 9-day gig in New York for the Who in 1967.

To finance this venture he released capital by moving his recording activities to Polydor Records in a lucrative deal. The band went on to record at Atlantic Records with producer-engineer Tom Dowd. In the same year the Australian entrepreneur signed a career-making deal with his friend and colleague Brian Epstein to merge their two companies. Brian Epstein remained manager of The Beatles but Stigwood was now in control of most of NEMS other acts and soon the friends found themselves at odds. The move effectively placed Stigwood at the pinnacle of the British pop industry. Why Epstein decided to merge with Stigwood remains uncertain and it was generally considered an un popular decision as Stigwood had a reputation of being a ruthless and a cavalier style that upset many people. Epstein would soon regret the partnership. The next big break came only weeks after the merger with the arrival of The Bee Gees. Straight from Australia with hopes of making it in the UK, Stigwood signed them to a five-year deal while still at NEMS. Later when he left the company he took their contract with him and signed them to Polydor. Their first single flopped despite heavy hype, but undeterred, and with NEMS' resources behind him, he embarked on a concerted campaign to break the Bee Gees in the UK. Their second single, New York Mining Disaster 1941, was a major UK hit and was followed by Massachusetts, which went Top 5 in both England and the USA.
After the death of Brian Epstein. Robert Stigwood left NEMS to form his own company, The Robert Stigwood Organisation. By the end of the sixties, Stigwood was enjoying huge success with his music ventures. Cream and The Bee Gees were the biggest attractions in the world and Stigwood took production credits on their early works. He moved into theatre production in 1968 after he saw the Broadway production of Hair. He decided to stage it in London and it was a huge success and followed this with a series of other successful productions: Oh! Calcutta!, The Dirtiest Show in Town, Pippin, Sweeney Todd, Sing a Rude Song, John, Paul, Ringo and Bert, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar.

By the beginning of the 70s Stigwood's companies had expanded into almost every field of entertainment, including both film and TV production. Stigwood had purchased a controlling interest in Associated London Scripts, an independent writers' agency co-founded in the 1950s by Spike Milligan and Eric Sykes, which subsequently developed the hit series All in the Family and Sanford and Son in the USA, which were adapted from the popular British TV shows Til Death Us Do Part and Steptoe and Son.

In 1973 Stigwood moved into film and produced Jesus Christ Superstar as a motion picture in association with its director, Norman Jewison.

He followed this with the acclaimed film version of The Who's Tommy, directed by Ken Russell.

RSO Films then produced Saturday Night Fever with a sound track by the Bee Gees. This became the largest-selling soundtrack album ever released, and one of the biggest-selling albums in recording history.

Stigwood followed this with another huge success, Grease, which became one of the most successful film musicals ever released.

His company produced the cult 'gangster' movie for kids, Bugsy Malone, as well as Peter Weir's Gallipoli and Evita, starring Madonna.

Not all the musical movies were a great success and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, starring Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees, bombed at the box office.

He has continued with mixed fortunes in the film industry. By the mid-80s, RSO had shuttered and its catalogue was sold off. RSO teamed up with Bob Banner Associates in 1975 to produce a stunt game show, Almost Anything Goes (ABC) which lasted four seasons.

He became more active in the second half of the 1990s, producing the long-awaited film version of another Lloyd Webber/Rice concept album-turned-stage musical, Evita (1996), and being involved with the stage version of Saturday Night Fever (1999).

Worth a listen
John Leyton
Johnny Remember me (1961 )

The Who
Substitute (1966)
I’m a boy (1966)
Happy Jack (1966)
Pictures of Lily (1966)
I can see for miles (1967)
Magic Bus (1968)
Pinball Wizzard (1969)

The Cream
Strange Brew (1967)
Spoonful (1967)
Sunshine of your love (1968)
White Room (1968)
Crossroads (1969)
Badge (1969)

The Bee Gees
New York Mining Disaster 1941 (1967)
Jive talkin’ (1975)
Styin’ Alive (1977)
Night Fever (1978)

[Edited 1/4/16 17:19pm]

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Reply #56 posted 01/04/16 3:43pm

JoeBala

Wayne Rogers dies at 82; actor played Army surgeon Trapper John on TV's 'MASH'

Wayne Rogers, center, with fellow "MASH" stars Alan Alda and Loretta Swit in 1972.

(CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images)

Associated Press

Wayne Rogers, whose Trapper John McIntyre on “MASH” was among the most beloved characters on one of the most popular TV shows of all time, died Thursday. He was 82.

The actor was surrounded by family when he died in Los Angeles of complications from pneumonia, said his publicist and longtime friend, Rona Menashe.

Rogers' Army surgeon Trapper John teamed with Alan Alda's Hawkeye Pierce to form one of the most beloved duos in TV history, despite Rogers' appearing in only the first three of the show's 11 seasons on CBS.

The two skilled doctors blew off steam between surgeries by pulling pranks, romancing nurses and tormenting their tent mate, Frank Burns, always with an endless supply of booze and one-liners at the ready.

Wayne Rogers on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In one classic moment, Trapper reaches out as though he's checking for rain and says, “Hmm, feels like it's going to martini,” as Hawkeye promptly passes him a drink.

And in another line that typified the show's ethos, Trapper answers a question with: “How should I know? I dropped out of school to become a doctor.”

Rogers was on “MASH” from 1972 to 1975, becoming one of many original cast members to leave the wildly popular show, which lasted until 1983. He was initially considered for Alda's character, but he preferred Trapper's sunnier disposition to Hawkeye's darkly acerbic personality.

The characters were essentially equals when the show began, but the series increasingly focused on Alda. When Rogers left the show, his manager said it was not about money, but rather the shrinking size of his character's role — even though the Trapper John character had been a major focus of the original motion picture.

From left, the cast of "MASH": Larry Linville, Loretta Swit, Wayne Rogers, Alan Alda, Gary Burghoff and McLean Stevenson.

(Gabi Rona-Hollywood)

"The trouble stems from the fact that Wayne was supposed to have an equal costarring role in the series, and that just hasn't happened," said Arthur Gregory.

Two other actors played Trapper in other incarnations. Elliot Gould was the same character in the “MASH” feature film that preceded the TV show, and Pernell Roberts played the title character in the 1980s spinoff drama “Trapper John, M.D.”

An Alabama native and Princeton graduate, Rogers auditioned his way into the estimable Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and emerged as a well-trained actor, further polished by the daily discipline of a soap opera ("The Edge of Night").

Rogers had parts on many short-lived shows before “MASH,” specializing in westerns such as “Law of the Plainsman” and “Stagecoach West.” He had a bit part in the 1967 film “Cool Hand Luke” with Paul Newman.

In the years after “MASH” he returned to TV regularly, with a recurring role in the early 1990s on “Murder, She Wrote.”

Photos of leaders, stars and other notable figures who died in 2015.

He moved beyond acting to see success later in life as a money manager and investor. When a business manager separated his friend Peter Falk from some of his money, Rogers helped him get a good chunk of it back via a lawsuit. In time he began helping other friends.

"It started little by little," he said, "as our lives got more complicated. Then one day I woke up and discovered I had several people I was responsible for, and I was doing it with my left hand as it were."

In 1988 and 1990 he appeared as an expert witness before the House Judiciary Committee to speak in favor of maintaining the Glass-Steagall banking laws of the 1930s.

In recent years he was a regular panelist on the Fox News stock investment show “Cashin’ In.”

Rogers is survived by his wife, Amy; two children, Bill and Laura; and four grandchildren.

Natalie Cole enjoyed her shift into television acting

Singer Natalie Cole, shown in 2013, turned to acting later in her career.

(Victoria Will / Invision)

Susan King Contact Reporter

When singer Natalie Cole, who died New Year's Eve at the age of 65, burst on the scene 40 years ago, she made the rounds of talk shows, including "The Merv Griffin Show," "Dinah!" and "The Mike Douglas Show" as well as such musical/variety series as "The Carol Burnett Show." She also popped up on the small screen in "The Midnight Special," which she also hosted, and specials such as "Sinatra and Friends" and "Paul Anka... Music My Way."

Though her father, the legendary Nat "King" Cole acted and sang in feature films at the height of his career, Cole didn't start acting in earnest until the 1990s when she was in her 40s.

In 1994, on the L.A. set of her first TV movie, "Lily in Winter," which aired on USA and was directed by Oscar-winner Delbert Mann ("Marty"), Cole spoke to the Times about her desire to act.

Acting, she said, was something she had contemplated for a long time. "I just wanted to make an impact. I didn't want to start up and do little sitcoms or cameo things. I wanted to play a character.

And definitely one that didn't sing. Her father, who appeared in such films as 1965's "Cat Ballou," 1957's "Istanbul" and "China Gate," didn't get the opportunity often to appear in non-singing roles.

"That was my biggest beef," Natalie Cole said. "I got offers: 'Do you want to act? We have got a role for a singer.' I didn't want to do that. It wasn't much of a stretch for me."

And when the producers of the acclaimed NBC series "I'll Fly Away" approached her about doing an episode of the series, Cole told them she wanted a part where she didn't have to sing.

"It took about a year and they found a story," said Cole, who appeared in the final episode of the series in 1993. That appearance led to her starring role in "Lily in Winter."

Natalie Cole, daughter of jazz great Nat King Cole who carried on his legacy, has died.

Post "Lily," Cole appeared in several TV movies, including 1996's "Abducted: A Father's Love"; 1998's "Always Outnumbered," and in the acclaimed 2000 bio-pic "Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story," based on her book. In addition to Cole, the movie starred Diahann Carroll as her mother, James McDaniel as her father and Theresa Randle as the young Natalie.

She acted in 2006 as a guest star on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and appeared as herself in specials and series, including a stint as guest judge in 2012 on "RuPaul's Drag Race" and performing on "Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale" in 2013.

On that "Lily in Winter" set 21 year ago, Cole had been eager to act again. "I would like to do something with a little action," she said. "I would like to play a cop or a tough lawyer and just totally move away from this. I don't want to be typecast."

How could she ever be typecast? There was no one like Cole.

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JoeBala

NEWS

Bruce Springsteen wrote ‘Hungry Heart’ for The Ramones

Bruce Springsteen says he wrote ‘Hungry Heart’ for The Ramones.

Springsteen appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show and told Fallon how he wrote the classic song in as much time it took to sing it.

“I saw the Ramones in Asbury Park,” Bruce said, “and we were talking for a while and I was like, ‘Man I’ve got to write the Ramones a song.’ So I went home and I sat at my table and I wrote it in about the time it took me to sing it. I brought it in and we went to make a demo for it or I played it for [Johnny Ramone], and he said, ‘Nah, you better keep that one.’ He was right about that. It did pretty well.”

‘Hungry Heart’ appeared in Springsteen’s 1980 double album ‘The River’. The song was his first top 5 hit.

4 JANUARY 2016

Rachel McAdams Claims ‘Doctor Strange’ is Unlike ‘Other Films’

Zack Mandell

LA Film Industry Examiner

December 2, 20157:38 AM MST

The cast for Doctor Strange is currently being finalized and fans have now gotten confirmation that Rachel McAdams, who has been officially in talks for the Doctor Strange female lead role since late July – is set to appear in director Scott D...

on.aol.com

Very little is known of Rachel McAdam’s character in the upcoming Marvel production ‘Doctor Strange,’ but in a new interview the 37-year-old dared to say the film will be incomparable to any other movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During a red carpet event this weekend McAdams explained, “It’s definitely not going to be like any of the other films.”

While attending the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York City, McAdams opened up to MTV about why she decided to join the film. “I mean, I just love the director,” she explained. “I met with Scott [Derrickson] and loved his vision, he was so passionate.” McAdam’s also gushed over her co-star Benedict Cumberbatch, who will play Doctor Strange. “The opportunity to work with Benedict was kind of a no-brainer,” she said. “And Marvel makes amazing films, so it was a complete package.”

While no set photos of McAdams have leaked, the actress confirmed she has begun filming her scenes. The adventure-fantasy, also starring Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen and Chiwetel Ejiofor, is described as: “After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.” ‘Doctor Strange’ is set for a November 4, 2016 release.

Brace yourselves: Emeli Sandé is about to return with her second album

She's just applying the final touches.

Emeli Sande attends The Ivor Novello Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel, 2014

It's been four years since Emeli Sandé broke through with her massive debut album Our Version of Events, and now its long-awaited follow-up is nearly upon us.

The 28-year-old singer-songwriter has been working on her second album over the past few years, and has started to finish up the project.

Sandé confirmed her plans to unleash her second album on the world with a series of Instagram posts this afternoon (January 4).

The British star has headed to Angelic Studios in Oxfordshire to complete the final touches of the record before its release in 2016.

She has been recording with production duo Matt Holmes and Phil Leigh.

Sandé's debut album Our Version of Events topped the UK chart back in 2012 and went on to sell over 2.2 million copies.

It spawned the hits 'Heaven', 'Next to Me', 'Read All About It, Pt. II', and 'Clown'.

According to long-time collaborator Naughty Boy, Emeli Sandé was originally supposed to release her new album before Christmas.

However, when they realised that Adele's 25 was going to be released, they decided to push back the music until the New Year.

"They can't go against each other. Nobody wants to," Naughty Boy said last summer.

"Adele's album is coming and labels have cleared their schedules because they know it's going to wipe the floor.

"Emeli's album is coming out next year now. It sounds amazing."

Emeli Sandé hasn't been completely out of the spotlight over the past few years, though.

She featured in the Band Aid 30 line-up in 2014, as well as on David Guetta's single 'What I Did for Love'.

More recently, she recorded the duet 'Saddest Vanilla' with Jess Glynne for her debut album I Cry When I Laugh.

Shakira is back with brand new single 'Try Everything' for Disney's animated film Zootopia

And she'll perform it as a gazelle...

Singer Shakira greets the press after a press conference following the Meeting Of The Minds: Investing In Early Childhood Development As The Foundation For Sustainable Development Meeting at United Nations on September 22, 2015 in New York City.

Shakira is not only starting 2016 with the news she'll be voicing a character in Disney's upcoming animated film Zootopia, but she's also recorded the accompanying single.

The Colombian star will release 'Try Everything' on January 8 as the movie's lead theme, as well as taking on the role of Gazelle, who, if you hadn't already sussed it, is a talking gazelle.

"I am thrilled to announce that I will be playing Gazelle in Walt Disney Animation Studios' ‪#‎Zootopia‬, and I'll be singing a brand new song for the movie called 'Try Everything'!" Shakira tweeted to her fans over Christmas.

A preview of the track has since surfaced online ahead of its full release this Friday.

The track was co-written by Sia, along with Mikkel Storleer Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen.

Disney's new animation Zootopia will follow in cinemas on March 4.

The film includes Idris Elba, Ginnifer Goodwin, Alan Tudyk, Jason Bateman, JK Simmons and Octavia Spencer amongst its cast.

Meanwhile, Shakira has been busy writing and recording her 11th studio album, which is expected to be released later this year.

'Best Christmas ever!' Julia Stiles flashes diamond engagement ring after boyfriend Preston proposes in Colombia

By DAILYMAIL.COM REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 14:25 EST, 4 January 2016 | UPDATED: 16:50 EST, 4

Her first film role was in I Love You, I Love You Not with Claire Danes and Jude Law.

And it seems it's a case of I Love You for Julia Stiles as she flashed her brand new engagement ring from her boyfriend Preston J.Cook on Monday.

The 34-year-old actress shared the image of her gold and solitaire diamond bling with Instagram followers.

Getting married! Julia Stiles flashed her brand new engagement ring from her boyfriend Preston J Cook on Monday

Her hand is seen clasped in her camera assistant fiance's - against a calm ocean and idyllic sunset.

The 10 Things I Hate About You star captioned the picture: 'Best Christmas Ever!'.

They've been enjoying a romantic vacation in Ilha Grande off Colombia.

The star has returned to the South American country after filming indie supernatural thriller Out of the Dark in capital Bogota in 2012.

Stepping out: Julia revealed in July that she was dating a camera assistant called Preston (pictured in September in NYC)

Julia revealed she was dating the camera assistant to the Guardian in July, after previously splitting with actor David Harbour, 41 - who stars as Elliot in The Newsroom.

She is next due on the big screen alongside Al Pacino in Misconduct, which is released in February.

Julia is also reprising her role as Nicky Parsons for the fifth Bourne movie, which is currently untitled and set to be released on July 29 this year.

The beauty also recently played a guest role as Dr. Jessica Lieberstein, a love interest of Morgan Tookers (Ike Barintoltz) on The Mindy Project - which was just picked up by Hulu for two seasons after being dropped by Fox.

The busy actress has also been starring on WIGS' web series Blue - which is now seen on the Lifetime channel.

She plays the title role in the drama about a mother with a secret life who will do anything to keep it from her son but has a past which makes that problematic. It has been airing since 2012.

Julia is reprising her role as Nicky Parsons for the fifth Bourne movie, which is currently untitled and set to be released on July 29 this year

'It's her biggest undoing': Braless Natalie Dormer shows off in new photoshoot as she talks about her Game Of Thrones character's downfall

By REBECCA DAVISON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 14:18 EST, 4 January 2016 | UPDATED: 16:43 EST, 4

Natalie Dormer looks incredible in a new photoshoot in which she talks about her Game Of Thrones character, Margaery Tyrell’s downfall.

The 33-year-old posed in a series of stunning outfits for Canada'sFashion magazine, in which she showed off a serious amount of sideboob wearing nothing but a khaki trench coat.

The braless star looked incredible in the number as she posed up a storm, wearing her locks in a slicked back fashion.

Working the look: Braless Natalie Dormer looks incredible as she shows off her sideboob in a new photoshoot in which she talks about her Game Of Thrones character, Margaery Tyrell’s downfall

Another look, saw her looking red carpet ready in a white bodycon dress which had a halter neck design.

The cover star posed confidently in the number as she stood with one hand on her hip, before behind the scenes images saw her having her hair and make-up done by a team of stylists.

In an accompanying interview, she said of her her Game Of Thrones alter-ego: '[Her] strength is that she is so beautifully and cleverly ambitious.

Stunning look: The 33-year-old posed in a series of stunning outfits for Canada's Fashion magazine, in which she looked incredible in a white bodycon dress

Honest account: In an accompanying interview, she said of her her Game Of Thrones alter-ego: '[Her] strength is that she is so beautifully and cleverly ambitious'

Adding: 'But ultimately, because she can’t walk away from the game or her ambition, it becomes her biggest undoing'

And action... The cover star posed confidently in the number as she stood with one hand on her hip, before behind the scenes images saw her having her hair and make-up done by a team of stylists

'But ultimately, because she can’t walk away from the game or her ambition, it becomes her biggest undoing.'

The beautiful lady also touched upon the issue of gender disparity in Hollywood.

She said: 'Women are approximately 50 per cent of the population. We need art in this medium of cinema and TV that reflects that—full stop.

'When we aren’t talking about gender anymore, we’ve achieved equality. But we still have to talk about inequality until that happens.'

Natalie also took a rather mindful stance in the piece in which she talked about true confidence.

Adding: 'If you’re not happy with the internal you, you’ll never be happy with the external you.

'Visual judgment is a part of life, but we have to struggle daily with the fact that it’s what’s inside that should be prioritized.'

And she urged her fans to recognise that actors are only human and said there must be a realistic perception of them.

'Actors are not models,' she said. 'We have to be real people and look quirky and imperfect. Telling stories is a celebration of human nature, which means you’re not perfect inside or outside.'

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Many prominent people involved with oldies pop music died during 2015

Bill Herald

Oldies Pop Music Examiner

January 4, 201612:05 PM MST

Lengendary blues singer-guitarist B.B. King was one of many significant musicians who died in 2015.

geepr.com

During the year 2015, there were a number of noteworthy deaths of prominent and influential people in connection with American oldies pop music.

Included among the departed solo singers were Percy Sledge, Lesley Gore, B.B. King, Ben E. King and Natalie Cole, and this article attempts to remember those who died in 2015 and left their legacies for fans of oldies music to enjoy forever.

In addition, the 2015 deaths included members of prominent singing groups, including Jim Ed Brown of The Browns, Jack Ely of The Kingsmen, William Guest of The Pips and Stevie Wright of The Easybeats.

Following are capsule summaries about the departed stars, and each report on a solo artist includes a video link to one of their major hit recordings, which can be heard by clicking on the song title. The chart numbers are taken fromBillboard magazine.

PERCY SLEDGE (74, April 14): The soul singer and 2005 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was best known for his chart-topping "When A Man Loves A Woman." His classic hit was revived in the '80s and '90s when it was included in films such as Platoon, The Big Chill and The Crying Game. Cause of death: liver cancer. SONG SAMPLE: "When A Man Loves A Woman" (No. 1 pop and R&B, 1966).
LESLEY GORE (68, February 16): The first of her 11 Billboard Top 40 hits ("It's My Party") went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. She was discovered as a teen by Quincy Jones, and she also played the sidekick to Catwoman in the Batman TV show in the '60s. Cause of death: lung cancer. SONG SAMPLE: "It's My Party" (No. 1 pop and R&B, 1963).
LYNN ANDERSON (67, July 31): The country songstress became a huge crossover success in 1970 with "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden." In addition to a long string of C&W hits, she was also a regular cast member on The Lawrence Welk Show. Cause of death: pneumonia. SONG SAMPLE: "Rose Garden" (No. 3 pop, No. 1 C&W, 1970).
BEN E. KING (76, April 30): The legendary vocalist got his start with The Drifters in the '50s, and he sang lead on such hits as "Save the Last Dance for Me and "This Magic Moment." He went solo in 1961, and he charted 19 Billboard Hot 100 singles in the '60s. His top charter ("Stand By Me") was revived in 1986 when featured in the movie of the same name. Cause of death: coronary problems. SONG SAMPLE: "Stand By Me" (No. 4 pop and No. 1 R&B in 1961 and No. 9 pop in 1986).
NATALIE COLE (65, December 31): Born in Los Angeles, she was the daughter of legendary vocalist Nat King Cole, and she made her professional debut at age 11. SONG SAMPLE: "I've Got Love On My Mind" (No. 5 pop, No. 1 R&B, 1977).
ERNIE MARESCA (76, July 8): Born in the Bronx, he had one significant single as a singer, but he was more prominent as a songwriter whose credits include "Donna The Prima Donna" and "The Wanderer" for Dion. He was also a member of The Regents, who sang "Barbara Ann" in 1961. Cause of death: brief undisclosed illness. SONG SAMPLE: "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" (No. 6 pop and No. 25 R&B, 1962).
BILLY JOE ROYAL (73, October 6): The singer, born in Valdosta, Ga., was also a versatile instrumentalist (drums, guitar, piano). He formed his own band, The Corvettes, in high school, and he relocated to Cincinnati in 1963. Cause of death: died in his sleep. SONG SAMPLE: "Down In The Boondocks" (No. 9, 1965).
FRANKIE FORD (76, September 28): "The New Orleans Dynamo" was born Vincent Francis Guzzo Jr. in Gretna, La., and his big claim to fame was his recording of "Sea Cruise." He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. Cause of death: lengthy undisclosed illness. SONG SAMPLE: "Sea Cruise" (No. 14 pop and No. 11 R&B, 1959).
B.B. KING (89, May 14): The legendary blues singer and guitarist, born Riley B. King in Berclair, Miss., got his start after hitchhiking to Memphis in 1947. He got a job as a DJ at radio station WDIA, where he became known as "Beale Street Blues Boy." (eventually shortened to B.B.). He garnered 30 Grammy nominations, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Cause of death: Alzheimer's and congestive heart failure. SONG SAMPLE: "The Thrill is Gone" (No. 15, 1969).
LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS (94, January 2): James Cecil Dickens, born in Bolt, W.Va., was a prominent C&W singer-guitarist. He was a Country Music Hall Of Fame inductee and a longtime Grand Ole Opry performer. Cause of death: cardiac arrest. SONG SAMPLE: "May The Bird Of Paradise...Your Nose" (No. 15 pop, No. 1 C&W, 1965).
CILLA BLACK (72, August 1): The British songstress got her start in the '60s after being discovered by the Beatles in Liverpool's Cavern Club. She was later signed by Beatles manager Brian Epstein, and she was a huge success as a vocalist and TV performer. Cause of death: natural causes. SONG SAMPLE:"You're My World" (No. 26, 1964).

Prominent members of well-known pop music groups

DAVE SOMERVILLE (81, July 14): Also known as Diamond Dave, he was lead singer of the Canadian doo-wop group THE DIAMONDS, who charted 15 Billboard Top 40 hits from 1956 to 1961. He was an inductee into both the Doo Wop Hall Of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame. Cause of death: prostate cancer. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Little Darlin'" (No. 2, 1957).
JIM ED BROWN (81, June 11): The male member of the family trio THE BROWNS, he was also a longtime mainstay of the Grand Ole Opry. He also was a radio and television host, and he had longtime success as a C&W solo artist. Cause of death: lung cancer. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "The Three Bells" (No. 1, 1959).
JACK ELY (71, April 28): The lead singer of THE KINGSMEN -- famous for their rendition of "Louie Louie" -- left the group soon after the song was recorded, and he spent much of the remainder of his life training horses in Oregon. Cause of death: longtime unknown illness. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Louie, Louie" (No. 2, 1963).
ERROL BROWN (71, May 6): He was lead singer for HOT CHOCOLATE, a London interracial group that had major success with such songs as "You Sexy Thing" and "Every 1's a Winner." He also co-wrote the song "Brother Louie" and he was made a Member of the British Empire in 2003. Cause of death: liver cancer. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "You Sexy Thing" (No. 3, 1975).
CHRIS SQUIRE (67, June 28): The bassist was co-founder of the band YES, and he was the only member of the group to perform on all of their recordings. He also co-wrote many of the band's biggest hits, including "I've Seen All Good People" and "Starship Trooper." Cause of death: leukemia. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Owner of a Lonely Heart." (No. 1, 1983)
WILLIAM GUEST (74, December 24): A cousin of Gladys Knight, he was co-founder of her backup group THE PIPS, and the group wound up charting 26 Billboard Top 40s, including two No. 1 songs. Cause of death: congestive heart failure. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Midnight Train To Georgia" (No. 1, 1973).
STEVIE WRIGHT (68, December 27): Born in England before moving to Australia at age 9, he became one of Australia's early rock stars, and he was the lead singer of the quintet THE EASYBEATS. Cause of death: pneumonia. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Friday On My Mind" (No. 16, 1967).
GARY RICHRATH (65, September 13): The lead guitarist and songwriter for REO SPEEDWAGON joined the band in 1970, three years after it was formed. Cause of death: no details provided. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Can't Fight This Feeling" (No. 1, 1985)
JIMMY GREENSPOON (67, March 11): He was the keyboardist for THREE DOG NIGHT, which charted 21 Billboard Top 40 hits, including three No. 1s. Cause of death: cancer. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Joy To The World" (No. 1, 1971).
WALLY ROKER (78, December 2): The bass singer of THE HEARTBEATS, who were a big inspirations to many other later doo-wop groups. Cause of death: failing health after brain surgery. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "A Thousand Miles Away" (No. 53 pop, No. 5 R&B, 1956).
DON COVAY (76. January 31): The Orangeburg, S.C., native formed DON COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS in 1960. He also wrote songs for Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Chubby Checker, Solomon Burke and The Rolling Stones. Cause of death: stroke. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Mercy, Mercy" (No. 35, 1964).
MICHAEL BROWN (65, March 19): Born Michael David Lookofsky in New York City, he was the keyboardist for THE LEFT BANKE. Cause of death: heart failure. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Walk Away Renee" (No. 5, 1966).
PRESTON RITTER (65, March 30): The drummer for the Seattle rock band ELECTRIC PRUNES, he also worked with Linda Ronstadt, The Beach Boys and Dobie Gray. Cause of death: kidney problems. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night" (No. 11, 1967).
BOB BURNS (64, April 3): The drummer was an original member of the Jacksonville (Fla.) rock band LYNYRD SKYNYRD. Cause of death: car crash. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Sweet Home Alabama" (No. 8, 1974).
WILLIE C. JACKSON (79, February 18): He was a member of The Hudsonaires, a group that later became known as THE SPANIELSs. Cause of death: lung disease. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" (No. 5 R&B, 1954).
RONNIE GILBERT (88, June 6): Born Ruth Alice Gilbert in New York City, she was a member of the folk group THE WEAVERS, which also included Pete Seeger. Cause of death: natural causes. GROUP'S TOP HIT: "On Top Of Old Smoky" (No. 2 pop, No. 8 C&W, 1951).

Other deaths of notable musicians

KIM FOWLEY (75, January 15): The L.A. singer-songwriter-producer managed The Sleepwalkers and The Runaways, and produced The Germs and Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids. He performed on The Hollywood Argyles' "Alley Oop" and co-wrote songs for KISS, Helen Reddy, Alice Cooper, Leon Russell and Kris Kristofferson. Cause of death: bladder cancer.
P.F. SLOAN: (70, November 15): Born Philip Gary Schlein in New York City, he was a singer, guitarist and songwriter. He was a member of The Wildcats and The Lifeguards, and he worked with Jan & Dean, Bruce & Terry, The Rip Chords, The Mamas & The Papas, The Grass Roots and The Fifth Dimension. Writing credits include "Eve Of Destruction" for Barry McGuire, "You Baby" for The Turtles and "Secret Agent Man" for Johnny Rivers. Cause of death: pancreatic cancer.
ORTHEIA BARNES-KENNERLY (70, May 15): The soul-jazz vocalist often opened for some of Motown's biggest acts, such as Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. Cause of death: heart failure.
DALLAS TAYLOR (76, January 15): The Denver native was a session drummer who played with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Cause of death: viral pneumonia and kidney disease.
MARLENE BARROW-TATE (73, February 23): She was an original member of The Andantes, who sang backup vocals with The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye. The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Jackie Wilson, Mary Wells and The Four Tops. Cause of death: undisclosed causes.
BOBBY EMMONS (72, February 23): A longtime keyboardist and songwriter, he worked with Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, The Bill Black Combo, Roy Orbison and Wilson Pickett. Cause of death: undisclosed illness.
SPIDER WILSON (79, February 26): Born James Edward Wilson, the guitarist worked with Little Jimmy Dickens, Ray Price, Dolly Parton, Faron Young and Marty Robbins, and he was a member of The Grand Ole Opry's house band. Cause of death: cancer.

Louis C.K., Albert Brooks Prep Animated FX Pilot

Comedians will lend voices to half-hour comedy

BY KORY GROW January 4, 2016

Louis C.K. and Albert Brooks will co-create, co-producer and co-star in an as-yet-untitled animated comedy pilot for FX Frederick M. Brown/Getty, Paul Drinkwater/NBC/Getty

Two of comedy's most cynical commentators, Louis C.K. and Albert Brooks, are teaming up to create a new animated pilot. The duo will co-write and executive produce the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and they will voice two of the as-yet-untitled show's lead roles. The show, a pilot order that will be prepared for FX, will run 30 minutes.

Louis C.K. is developing the show under his Pig Newton production company banner, as he enjoys a hiatus from his hit series Louie. His company has already worked on several other shows, includingBaskets, which stars Zach Galifianakis and premieres on FX later this month, Better Things, a vehicle for his Louie costar Pamela Adlon that will run on FX at a later date, and One Mississippi, a show starring comedian Tig Notaro that is in development for Amazon. (The pilot for the latter recently premiered on the service.)

The pilot will mark the first time Brooks has served as creator of a television series. He's previously lent his voice to The Simpsons and portrayed a character on Weeds. Prior to those shows, the last television show he worked on was Saturday Night Live in its first season.

Both Brooks and C.K. recently provided their voices to characters in the upcoming animated movie The Secret Life of Pets. The film will also feature the voices of Kevin Hart, Lake Bell, Ellie Kemper, Hannibal Buress, Dana Carvey and Laraine Newman ands is slated to open in July.

Angela Burns' 'So That You Can Feel Better' mixtape review

Kyle Jarmon

Rap Music Examiner

January 3, 20168:54 PM MST

Angela Burns

Photo used by permission of Angela Burns

Angela Burns

Welcome to the incandescent world of Angela Burns. The emotive singer offers up a mixtape entitled, So That You Can Feel Better, which is hauntingly sweet and dark. Growing up listening to pop punk and grunge bands, there is a noticeable brevity of those styles woven within the mixtape.

On the opener, "All Together," Burns enchants with lyrics that lend themselves to the music presented. The cut is remisicent of Garbage meets Lucious Jackson, being very 90's. With "Haunting," a piano underlies Burns' vocal chops and the listening experience stirs an engaging vibe. There is a yearning feeling from Burns as she singer of a lost love, who still remains in her heart.

"Shame Game," follows in a similar vein but offers up a kind of Regina Spektor R&B vibe with the singing swirling within a cup of piano. Burns seems content on these types of songs that are hankeringly sultry. "Give It Back" serves a lounge vibe. There is a vision of Burns singing a midst a smoky atmosphere and the audience nodding to her craft. The finale, "Roots" finds Angela returning to the Regina Spektor like sound. On this cut, however, she strays away from the swelter of "Shame Game," and moves toward a more alternative groove as she bellows "something's not right."

A resident and native of Austin, Texas, Burns cites 90's punk as a huge influence in her work. The sound on So That You Can Feel Better is clear: to blaze a new kind of rhythm & blues trail that is uniquely fashioned toward lovers of both underground rock and the soulful genre.

Final Grade: A

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Top pick 2015 redemptive movies still available into 2016

Diane Howard, Ph.D.

Austin Movie Examiner

January 4, 20166:46 AM MST

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In 1973, a spiritual awakening captures the hearts of the Woodlawn High School Football team. Lead by their coach, Tandy Geralds, and fueled by the team’s dedication to love and unity in a school filled with racism and hate, the team makes an a...

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2015 has seen many wonderful redemptive movies on the big screen. These have had good cinematography, outstanding acting by notable actors, and redemptive content. These movies have often been based on true stories about the power of faith, hope, and love to overcome great adversity and to move toward new beginnings. Fortunately, in 2016 some of these remain in theaters and are due for DVD release in 2016. Other top pick redemptive movies of 2015 are now already on DVDs. On January 4, On DVD Releases.com reports that the top pick redemptive movie of 2015, "Woodlawn," is due for DVD release January 19. On January 4, On DVD Releases.com also provides updated statistics for "Woodlawn" and reports that it continues as the top-selling DVD, even in pre-order, in the sports category and is one of the top-selling DVDs in the drama category, as well as a top-seller in the African American category. "Woodlawn" is based on true events when Frank Erwin led a high school football team in the mist of racial conflict in Birmingham, Alabama to faith, redemption, and reconciliation and how they led their rival team to the same.

The second top pick redemptive movie in theaters in 2015 is "Captive." Thankfully, it is available on DVD from Christian Cinema and more. This movie is based on true events when Ashley Smith, was taken hostage on March 11, 2005, by Brian Nichols, who is played by David Oyelowo. Nichols broke out of a courthouse jail. He shot the judge assigned to his case as well as a court reporter, sheriff’s deputy and FBI officer. While escaping a statewide manhunt, Nichols took Ashley Smith (Kate Mara) captive. Ashley was a a single mother struggling with meth addiction; but over the course of her abduction, Smith read from Rick Warren‘s The Purpose Driven Life, with life-changing results for Nichols and herself.

The third top pick redemptive movie from the big screen in 2015 is "90 Minutes in Heaven." It is also available on DVDon Christian Cinema and more. Like the top two redemptive movies of 2015, "90 Minutes in Heaven" is also based on true events. On Jan. 18, 1989, Don Piper died, when a semi-tractor truck smashed his car. Piper was declared dead by the first rescue workers to arrive on the scene and he lay under a tarp for the next 90 minutes. Don experienced Heaven in those 90 minutes with a great joy he’d never felt before. Another pastor’s prayers at the scene of the accident brought Don back to life as a living miracle. However, the bliss of Heaven’s was replaced by greatest excruciating pain and emotional turmoil Don had ever experienced. With the support and prayers of his beloved wife, Eva, as well as that of their family kids and friends, Don clung to faith in God and fought to heal. The Piper family’s true story is one of perseverance and overcoming, which brings encouragement and hope to those who learn their story.

The fourth top pick family movie is "The Letters" about the true story of Mother Theresa's work with children and those in the severest conditions in India. It is still in theaters. On January 4, on DVD Releases.com reports the latest statisics and information for this movie, including that the DVD release date for this movie is estimated for March/April 2016. Like the other top pick redemptive movies for 2015, it is a true story.

Also based on a true story the "The Drop Box" is the fifth redemptive top pick DVD from 2015 that continues in availability into 2016 on DVD from Christian Cinema and more. This amazing story is about Pastor Lee Jong-rak's baby drop box in Korea. This is a profoundly moving documentary of this real Korean pastor who has been saving children from being abandoned on the street. Pastor Lee, his family and associates tend an unwanted flock of children with various disabilities, some of which are severe. To Pastor Lee and his team, these disabled children are perfect. These children have found compassionate care, love, and a home with Pastor Lee Jong-rak, his wife, and small staff.

"Noble" is the sixth redemptive top pick movie from 2015 that continues in availability into 2016 on Christian Cinema and more. Like the other top picks, it is also based on an amazing true story. This film is based on the incredible true life story of a fearless Irish heroine, who escapes the slums of Ireland to serve on the streets of Vietnam. Christina Noble has been responsible for rescuing a million children from war-torn Vietnamese streets.

The seventh top pick redemptive movie from 2015 is "Little Boy" is also available on DVD in 2016 on Christian Cinema and more. This exquisite movie has been produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downy with renowned actors. It is a memory movie that follows the development of a little boy's understanding of faith to bring home his military father after his service in WWII.

The eighth top redemptive movie pick from the big screen in 2015 is "The 33." Like the first seven top picks, is also based on a true story. With its tagline "Hope Runs Deep," it is a powerful story of survival, faith, and hope during the 69 days 33 miners were trapped in an old San José mine in the middle of the formidable Atacama Desert in northern Chile in 2010. This movie is also available on DVD in 2016 on Christian Cinema and more.

The ninth top pick movie from the big screen is "War Room" that has been a top box office seller and top-selling DVD ever since the movie came out. It is about the power of prayer to bring redemption and reconciliation into a family with ramifications of the power of prayer for all areas of life. "War Room" also available on DVD in 2016 on Christian Cinema and more.

The ten top redemptive movie of 2015 is "The Peanuts Movie." On January 4, Mojo Box Office reveals that it is still in theaters since its October 2015 release. "The Peanuts Movie" is a rare G-rated movie in cinemas for all ages. It celebrates the 65 years of classic Peanuts comic strips and animated films that present classic Christian principles and virtues. Charlie Brown, as the struggling underdog, teaches all valuable lessons of good character and virtues such as: compassion, perseverance, determination, honesty and much more. It is produced by the Disney Corp. without compromise to the original stories, characters, and themes. Charlie Brown DVD's are available on Christian Cinema and more. On January 3, On DVD Release.com reveals that "The Peanuts Movie" continues as a top-selling DVD in pre-order with its DVD release March 8, 2016.

These top ten redemptive movies of 2015 on DVD would make wonderful acquisitions for home, church, educational libraries and more. See this list on IMDB.

Many redemptive movies due in theaters in the New Year include: "The Masked Saint," January 8; "Risen," January 22; " January 29; “Race,” February 19; "Providence," February 12; “Young Messiah,” March 11; "Miracles from Heaven," March 23; "God’s not Dead 2," April 1; April 15; "Same Kind of Different as Me," and April 29; and "Ben-Hur."

Many other promising redemptive movies are in development for theaters: "Left Behind 2," "Full of Grace," "Do You Believe 2," "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew," "Ten Commandments," "King David," "Apostle Paul'"(with Hugh Jackman), "Pontius Pilate," "Butterfly Circus," "Touchdown on the Tundra," "Wanted," "I'm Not Ashamed" and a slate of HD Texas movies.

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Jason Wingreen, Voice of 'Star Wars' Villain Boba Fett, Dead at 95

Longtime television actor also had roles on 'All in the Family,' 'Star Trek' and 'The Twilight Zone'

BY DANIEL KREPS January 2, 2016

Jason Wingreen, who provided the voice of 'Star Wars' bounty hunter Boba Fett in 'The Empire Strikes Back' passed away at 95 Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images Entertainment

While Star Wars: The Force Awakens continues to break box office records, an actor whose minor part turned into a major contribution in the Star Wars franchise's original series has passed away: Jason Wingreen, who provided the voice for bounty hunter Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back, died Christmas Day at his Los Angeles home, the actor's sonconfirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 95.

Wingreen, who also auditioned for the voice role of Yoda, recorded only four lines of dialogue for theEmpire Strikes Back part, but the masked, mysterious Boba Fett became a favorite of Star Wars fans over the ensuing decades; much of George Lucas' prequels are devoted to the character's backstory and genealogy.

"I think the actual work, aside from the hellos and goodbyes and all that, could have been no more than 10 minutes," Wingreen once said of the role. Wingreen did not garner an onscreen credit for the role– it wasn't until around 2000 that he was even acknowledged with providing Fett's voice – and THR writes that Wingreen received no residuals from the part, even though some of the early Boba Fett action figures used his voice. A rare Boba Fett figurine recently sold for nearly $7,000 at auction.

Boba Fett also landed at Number Three on Rolling Stone's list of the 50 BestStar Wars Characters, ahead of franchise cornerstones like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2 and Yoda, the role Wingreen lost out on.

When Lucas rereleased the original Star Wars films with added footage –like the controversial "G..." sequence – he replaced Wingreen's dialogue with newly recorded lines by actor Temuera Morrison, who played Boba's father Jango Fett in the prequels.

In addition to his small but notable work on Star Wars, Wingreen's career also featured a long guest turn as bartender Harry Snowden on All in the Family, plus one-off roles on shows like Seinfeld, Star Trek and The Twilight Zone.

Vilmos Zsigmond, Oscar-Winning Cinematographer, Dead at 85

Hungarian-born director of photography worked on 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' 'The Deer Hunter,' and 'McCabe & Mrs. Miller'

BY DANIEL KREPS January 3, 2016

Vilmos Zsigmond, the Academy Award-winning cinematographer of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' passed away at 85 George Rose/Hulton Archive

Vilmos Zsigmond, the Academy Award-winning cinematographer of Close Encounters of the Third Kind as well as films like The Deer Hunter,Deliverance and Heaven's Gate, passed away Friday, his business partner Yuri Neyman confirmed to Variety. Zsigmond was 85.

The Hungarian-born Zsigmond – who filmed the Hungarian Revolution alongside his friend and fellow cinematographer László Kovács before they both relocated to Los Angeles – began his Hollywood career as a director of photography on low-budget exploitation and horror films and TV movies before he was hired by director Robert Altman – another veteran of made-for-TV features – to serve as cinematographer on 1971'sMcCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Together, Altman and Zsigmond implemented that Western's unique use of zoom shots – a technique that wasn't frequently employed in big screen filmmaking – as well as "flashing" the filmed footage to give McCabe & Mrs. Miller its old-time look. (At the 2014 Toronto Inter...m Festival, Zsigmond admitted that the studio wanted to fire him but Altman protected the cinematographer, blaming the underexposed footage on the processing lab.)

Soon after McCabe & Mrs. Miller – which earned a BAFTA nomination for its cinematography – Zsigmond established himself as one of Hollywood's preeminent cinematographers, working with directors like Altman (The Long Goodbye, Images), Steven Spielberg (Sugarland Express, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter, Heaven's Gate), Brian De Palma (Blow Out, Obsession), Martin Scorsese (camera operator on The Last Waltz) and Woody Allen (Melinda & Melinda, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger).

"A cinematographer can only be as good as the director," Zsigmond toldRolling Stone in a 1980 interview on the set of Heaven's Gate. "The story is the main thing, and the director knows the story and the characters better than anyone. I like to be on a picture at least four weeks before it starts, talking to the director, watching rehearsals, thinking. Then I can come up with ideas — how to light it, what kind of a mood I want to build. The most important thing for a cameraman to know is the kind of story the director wants to tell.

In that 1980 interview, Cimino said of his frequent collaborator, "What distinguishes Vilmos Zsigmond from other cinematographers is of course talent but, more, physical stamina. You just can't be great without it. On a movie, you often work fourteen-, sixteen-hour days, six days a week, for six months. It is so easy to let up because of fatigue. Vilmos will always say, 'We know it's good; is there a way to make it better?'"

A four-time Academy Award nominee, Zsigmond won the Best Cinematography Oscar in 1978 for Close Encounters of the Third Kind; he was also nominated for 1978's The Deer Hunter, 1984's The River and 2006'sThe Black Dahlia. In 2014, the Cannes Film Festival gave Zsigmond a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Lighting is where the cameraman can become an artist," Zsigmond sums up. "The uses of lenses, the composition, many times come from the director. But with the lighting I can come in and create the mood.

That's my job," Zsigmond told Rolling Stone in 1980. "I want the audience to look at my film and say, 'Hey, that guy didn't use any lights at all.'"

Zsigmond's death comes just a week after Haskell Wexler, another Oscar-winning cinematographer, passed away at 93.

With his wife.

Backroad Anthem Singer Craig Strickland Dead at 29

A week after disappearing while hunting in a winter storm in Oklahoma, the vocalist's body was discovered Monday morning

BY JON FREEMAN January 4, 2016

Craig Strickland, lead singer for Backroad Anthem, died while on a December hunting trip in Oklahoma.Brian Armas

The body of Backroad Anthem lead singer Craig Strickland was found today, a week after the vocalist disappeared in a winter storm while duck hunting in Oklahoma. A native of Alma, Arkansas, Strickland was 29.

According to a post on the Ponca City News' Facebook, the Kay County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Strickland's body was located this morning.

Backroad Anthem, a popular Fayetteville, Arkansas-based touring band, posted on Facebook on December 28th that Strickland's father had notified them that he'd had no contact with his son in more than 24 hours. Strickland and friend Chase Morland had left in the early hours of December 27th to go hunting and apparently ran afoul of Winter Storm Goliath, which brought snow, ice and damaging wind to Texas, Oklahoma and the Midwest. Morland's body was found December 28th.

Just before he and Strickland left for their hunting destination, Morland sent out an eerily prescient tweet regarding the foreboding weather. "In case we don't come back," he wrote, "[we] are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma.

#IntoTheStorm." The boat Strickland and Morland had been using was found capsized; Strickland's hunting dog was later found alive.

Craig Strickland & Wife Helen Strickland

Backroad Anthem originally formed in 2012 when Strickland joined forces with church acquaintances Toby Freeman, Eric Dysart, Josh Bryant, Brandon Robold and Isaac Sentry. They quickly established themselves in the south and opened shows for artists like Dustin Lynch and Eli Young Band, among others. The group recently released the EP Torn and was set to perform on New Year's Eve in Little Rock.

Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!

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