A tsunami has many similarities to what it was like when Michael Jackson left our world on June 25, 2009. First the ocean is calm and the waves recede, much like information about his concert tour came in small waves as reported on this blog. Similarly, a tsunami offers very few warning signs to the untrained eye. A few fish flop around on the shore as the tide recedes and many become curious and explore the waterless shore. Then suddenly a huge wall of water a few miles a way approaches... Read Full Story
There will never be another Michael Jackson ever again, he was one of the greatest entertainers ever! I appreciated Michael Jackson’s enormous talent as a kid and had a unique encounter with the Jackson 5 when I was 11. In Baldwin Hills, California in 1971 the Jackson 5 were sounding great while walking rank and file into my local grocery store as I was at the stand reading the latest Tiger Beat Magazine . I first saw Michael Jackson approach as they were singing their recent hit “ ABC... Read Full Story
The concert promotion company, AEG Live, that signed Michael Jackson to a 50 show contract has disclosed they filmed 100 hours of his rehearsals, including his final one at the Staples Center the night before he died. According to several interviewed by the Los Angeles Times who were working with Jackson for his concert, he was in top form and exceeded even the younger dancers performances. Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live was also among those at Staples Center on Wednesday. He... Read Full Story
As millions of fans around the world continue to grieve over the loss of Michael Jackson, the greatest superstar entertainer to have ever lived, information he was preparing to release his own classical and jazz compositions has come to light. Michael Jackson was on the verge of a real comeback in his career even I had disputed as genuine. The fact of the matter is that Michael Jackson was growing as an artist to a degree few anticipated, that of being a classical composer. Only two months... Read Full Story
The 90’s new age sensation Yanni’s tour’s making its rounds across the country headed for Las Vegas and Los Angeles in late June, 2009.
Coming off the first leg of his new YANNI VOICES tour, including a sell-out show at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York, multi-platinum recording artist Yanni has announced that he is setting aside a limited amount of seats in each market on the second leg of his tour to be sold for $10 per ticket.
“Traveling from city to city, I have become... Read Full Story
Thirty years ago today a little known DJ hobbyist named Steve Dahl from Chicago showed the true meaning of a revolution that today many believe helped change the direction of pop music. Back in July 12, 1979, Dahl organized a Disco Demolition Night during a White Sox’s game break. The White Sox had figured they might draw an extra 5,000 or so fans with the event. To their utter horror, they later discovered to have clearly underestimated the rage that over popularized disco music had... Read Full Story
I’ve been doing a little research on a few of those I played viola with in youth symphonies and music camps in the 1970’s. Back then a common statement you’d hear was that only 2% of all symphonic based musicians from their youth would ever go on to have a career in that medium. Another rumor I’d hear later was that violists were going to go extinct due to their being phased out of new symphonic music. I clearly remember playing at the Merimblum Youth Symphony Pathfinder with Darius Campo... Read Full Story
When I recently revisited Eva Cassidy’s videos I had no idea how huge she had become on YouTube having millions of views. One of my former sites promoted Eva’s music prior to her receiving such worldwide acclaim. I’m happy to learn Eva Cassidy’s masterful singing performances, such as of Songbird and Autumn Leaves , has touched millions of people around the world.
Eva Cassidy died at the age of 33 from melanoma in 1996. Eva was one of the greatest singers who has ever lived in my opinion... Read Full Story
During my recent trip to Las Vegas I noted a remix of one of Sade’s tunes as I walked the around the Wynne hotel’s grounds. I thought, her music from the 90’s would seem a little outdated so it made sense they added some spice to bring it closer to today’s sounds. Then today as I did a search, I learned the great news that Sade’s returning with a new album! I was shocked because Sade’s been on hiatus the past 9 years! Recognized widely for her brand of soul, sometimes called “quiet storm... Read Full Story
Back in the early 1980’s when high quality men were more plentiful, I met latin jazz guitarist Jeff Linsky at an ASCAP party gathering in Beverly Hills. I was living in Rancho Palos Verdes at the time, in the same condo complex with tennis star Tracy Austin who sometimes played tennis with Navratilova there. Back in the 80’s Jeff Linsky was obviously going to be a renown guitarist. He came over for dinner and serenaded me. We met up just one other time back then in Manhattan Beach, because... Read Full Story
