We'll be seeing a lot of the actress, Anne Hathaway over the next couple of weeks. First she will be seen on the big screen in "Mother Mary" from writer/director, David Lowery on April 24th. In this psychological-drama musical, Hathaway plays a pop singer called Mother Mary who reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer (played by Michaela Coel) on the eve of her comeback performance. The original songs in the film will be available on a soundtrack album, "Mother Mary: Greatest Hits" set for release on April 17th. Hathaway is performing the songs and a couple of the tracks have been released. "Burial" (written by Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX) delivers a "Lady Gaga" vibe while "My Mouth Is Lonely For You" feels like a "FKA Twigs" track and it should since it was co-written by the artist (who makes a screen appearance in "Mother Mary").
Then on May 1st, the long awaited sequel to the 2006 high-fashion comedy, "The Devil Wears Prada" hits theaters worldwide with Hathaway reprising her role as Andrea Sachs along with Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep as fashion editor, Miranda Priestly. An original song for the movie's soundtrack, "Runway" teams up Lady Gaga and Doechii for a euphoric house music song. Andrew Watt, Bruno Mars, Cirkut and D'Mile all co-wrote and produced this track.
The alternative R&B artist, Kelela makes her highly anticipated return after three years with "idea 1" who co-wrote and produced the track with PinkPantheress; Kehlani, who won two Grammy awards this year for her smash r&b single, "Folded", is back with new music delivering "Back and Forth" that features Missy Elliott; Saint Harison, the Brit singer/songwriter, has released a soulful ballad, "Stuck" from his upcoming EP, "Ghost"; another British act trying to gain some traction in the US is Flo, a classic girl hip-hop/soul group, that has dropped the lead single, "Leak It" from their upcoming second album
And I will close by paying tribute to the passing of two artists: Dash Crofts, one half of the the soft rock duo, Seals & Crofts, passed away on March 26th at the age of eighty-seven. Born Darrell George Crofts in Cisco, Texas, he got his nickname "Dash" when he was a baby. Crofts first started playing the piano as child before switching to the drums as a teenager. In high school, he played in a band where he met the saxophone player, Jim Seals. The two decided to try their luck as professional musicians by moving to Southern California in 1958. They briefly joined a rock band, the Champs before Crofts was drafted and spent two years with the Army. By 1969, they started recording under "Seals & Crofts" and by their second album, "Summer Breeze" with the title track becoming a top-ten pop hit in 1972, the duo had a string of popular songs. Seals (who died in 2022) and Crofts would part ways as an act in 1983 but would reunite for a concert tour in 1991 to 1992 and again in 2004 after the duo recorded their first new album since 1980 and also final recording together, "Traces".
And one of the pioneers that would greatly influence hip-hop culture,Afrika Bambaataa has passed away on April 9th. The Bronx native, who was was an originator of breakbeat DJing, died from complications of from prostate cancer and was sixty-eight. Born Lance Taylor, he was exposed to the ideologies of the Black Liberation Movement through his parents as a teen as well as the sounds of their eclectic record collection. After wining an essay contest that earned him a trip to Africa, Taylor was inspired by the sense of community while he was there and determined create one in his own neighborhood. Adopting the name, "Afrika Bambaataa Aasim", he set about creating the "Bronx River Organization" which was a positive alternative to the street gangs that infiltrated the Bronx and that he had once been affiliated. Bambaataa soon turned his attention to music after hosting several block parties and forming the Universal Zulu Nation which brought together socially and politically aware rappers and graffiti artists. Inspired by the emerging electronic music scene, he released "Planet Rock" in 1982 with the Soul Sonic Force that merged electro beats and hip-hop. The single, produced by Arthur Baker, reached the top five on the US R&B and Dance charts.
Run DMC became the first rap artists to achieve notable fame and commercial success during the 1980's and have remained one of the most influential performers in hip-hop. The New York based trio, made up of Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, became a momentous force by combining heavy rock with rap and experimenting with the use of sampling from records by other artists to innovate hip-hop with a bold, progressive sound. They were also responsible for popularizing the characteristic street style of rap that included Kangol hats, thick gold chains, and unlaced Adidas shoes.
Simmons and McDaniels had grown up together in Hollis, Queens since they were children. Simmons' older brother, Russell was the manager of Kurtis Blow who had made a name for himself by becoming one of the first rappers signed by a major label and to have the first commercially successful rap singles, "The Breaks". The younger Simmons, going by "DJ Run", was able to get some stage time with Blow. He would convince his friend to begin rapping and McDaniels took on the name, "Easy D". They met Mizell, then known as "Jazzy Jase", hanging out at Two-Fifths Park in Hollis. After becoming friends, they went on to pursue music together.
The older Simmons was approached to record them. He eventually relented, helping to produce a single, land the trio a record deal and gave them the name, "Run-D.M.C". The single, "It's Like That" was released in 1983 and reached number fifteen on the r&b chart. A self-titled debut album followed the next year which was well was received and included the groundbreaking hit, "Rock Box" which merged rap and hard rock. The music video for the song would become the first ever hip-hop clip to be broadcast on MTV and received heavy rotation.
Achieving enormous success quickly, Run DMC performed at the Live Aid benefit concert and were featured in the 1985 hip-hop movie, "Krush Groove" which told the fictionalized story of Russell Simmons' rise in hip-hop as a music entrepreneur.
For their third album, "Raising Hell", the group approached Rick Rubin to produce who had just worked on LL Cool J's debut album, "Radio". He came up with the idea to record a version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way". Originally, the thought was for Run DMC to rap over the original 1975 rock record but Rubin wanted to push the idea even further by having Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith perform on the actual cover recording. This single became a global smash in 1986, reaching number four in the US (even charting higher than Aerosmith's original) which helped make Run DMC become internationally known and would revitalize Aerosmith's career.
Run DMC would release "Tougher Than Leather" in 1988 which abandoned rap-rock for more sample-heavy sounds. The album did not sell as well and an ill-advised movie which they starred named after the record and directed by Rubin did not help matters. By 1990, the sounds of hip-hop was evolving once again and their next album, "Back From Hell" felt unfortunately dated, failing to generate much interest. During this time, each of the men had begun to suffer from personal and legal matters. They would all turn to the church for healing and guidance. Three years later, a reinvigorated Run DMC was back with a new album, "Down With the King", a well-received hip-hop collection that offered some subtle religious references.
Over the next years, the members began to have different ideas of how to continue, leading to creative tensions and personal conflicts. One more album was made together, the long delayed, "Crown Royal" in 2001. The following year, Mizell was murdered in his recording studio in Jamaica, Queens. Shortly after this tragic event, Simmons and McDaniels would announce that Run DMC would officially be disbanded and they created a fund to financially assist Mizell's family.
Run DMC helped pavethe wayfor hip-hop to shift from an underground sound to become part of popular culture. Their classic beats still continues to inspireand has been recognizedas an important part of music history. Run DMC has gone on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009; honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and their album, "Raising Hell" was placed into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2018.
While music was the main focus of the 67th annual Grammy Awards, the wildfires that recently devastated the Los Angeles area was a top priority for the ceremony. Throughout the show, fundraising was being done for the California Fire Relief Fund, asking for donations to help. The evening began with the band, Dawes, an LA based, folk rock duo who lost their homes and recording studio in the fires, performing a version of Randy Newman's "I Love LA" with an all-star backing band that included John Legend, St. Vincent, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley and Brittany Howard. Later in the show, Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga paid tribute to Los Angeles with their take on the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreaming". Comedian, Trevor Noah returned for the fifth consecutive time to serve as host and continued to deliver a feel-good mood and light humor to the show.
As it has been stated before on previous Grammys, some of the highlights on the show were moments you would not see anywhere else. Surprisingly for the very first time, all the nominees for Best New Artist performed live on the show with the psychedelic rock trio, Khruangbin, pop vocalists, Benson Boone, Raye and Teddy Swims, hip-hop country artist, Shaboozey and rising rapper, Doechii (who put on an amazing set and won Best Rap Album, for her mixtape, "Alligator Bites Never Heal" earlier), with each displaying exactly why they were nominated. Fellow nominees in this category, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan had their own big production showcases as they were two of the biggest acts from last year. And Charli XCX brought the rave scene to the Grammys with a kinetic performance of "Von Dutch" and "Guess".
A starry tribute to the late Quincy Jones, who passed away last year at ninety-one, with Will Smith providing commentary of the legendary producer who began in jazz and expanded to pop music with Cynthia Erivo along with Herbie Hancock doing a sensational version of "Fly Me To the Moon"; country singer, Lainey Wilson and jazz musician, Jacob Collier teamed up to perform the jump blues number, "Let the Good Times Roll"; Stevie Wonder played harmonica accompanied by Hancock on "Bluesette" and leads a version of "We Are The World" with backing by Los Angeles students who lost their school in the fires and Janelle Monáe throwing down with a thrilling version of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".
The Recording Academy President, Harvey Mason Jr. came out to speak on the changes the Grammys have done to diversify and expand the group after The Weeknd had publicly criticized the awards for the lack of transparency in the award selection process and stated he would boycott the ceremony. And to prove that he accepted the efforts made to improve the Grammys, The Weeknd came out to perform his new song, "Cry For Me", followed by "Timeless" along with rapper Playboi Carti.
Female artists dominated the nominations this year so it's no surprise that they walked away with a majority of awards handed out. And it was these musicians that made some important and memorable statements about the vulnerable and marginalized during their moment in the spotlight. During her acceptance speech for winning Best New Artist, Chappell Roan took the opportunity to call out record labels to support developing artists with livable wages and health care, explaining the struggles she went through having no skills to fall back on after being dropped from her label. Lady Gaga continued her unwavering support of the trans community when she received Best Pop Duo or Group with Bruno Mars. Alicia Keys was the recipient of this year's Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, delivering a moving speech that drove home the point of the importance of female creatives being recognized for their contributions (and name checked several) and to fight back against shutting down the diversity in music, proclaiming rightly that DEI is not a threat but a gift.
The only male artist who received a major award was Kendrick Lamar for his popular diss track targeting his former friend, Canadian rapper Drake, "Not Like Us" who took home Song of the Year and Record of the Year and winning a total of fiveGrammys.
And Beyoncé, presented by members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, finally received Album of the Year for her country music concept album, "Cowboy Carter". After being snubbed by the Country Music Association, she was visibly stunned to receive the Best Country Album award earlier in the evening. So by the time of the final award of the night, Beyoncé, who became only the fourth Black female to receive this prize, appeared to be a bit overwhelmed yet managed to thank the fire fighters, acknowledge one of the first yet slighted African-American country singers, Linda Martell, slyly implying that the prize was long overdue and encouraged artists to keep pushing forward. And while I wouldn't say that "Cowboy Carter" was my favorite out of her eight solo studio albums to date, Beyoncé continues to boldly experiment, not willing to settle for the expected and unafraid to be a little weird. This alone makes "Cowboy Carter" the album of the year.
Here is a partial list of the winners from the 2025 Grammys:
Album of the Year: "Cowboy Carter" – Beyoncé
Record of the Year: "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar
Song of the Year: "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
Best Pop Vocal Album: "Short n' Sweet" — Sabrina Carpenter
Best Pop Solo Performance: "Espresso" — Sabrina Carpenter
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Die with a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "Visions" — Norah Jones
Best Dance/Electronic Album: "Brat" — Charli XCX
Best Dance/Electronic Recording: "Neverender" — Justice & Tame Impala
Best Dance Pop Recording: "Von Dutch" — Charli XCX
Best Rap Album: "Alligator Bites Never Heal" — Doechii
Best Rap Performance: "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar
Best Melodic Rap Performance: "3" — Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu
Best Rap Song: "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)
Best R&B Album: "11:11 (Deluxe)" — Chris Brown
Best Progressive R&B Album: "So Glad to Know You" — Avery*Sunshine and "Why Lawd?" — NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge) (Tie)
Best R&B Performance: "Made For Me (Live On BET)" — Muni Long
Best Traditional R&B Performance: "That's You" — Lucky Daye
Best R&B Song: "Saturn" — Rob Bisel, Cian Ducrot, Carter Lang, Solána Rowe, Jared Solomon & Scott Zhang, songwriters (SZA)
Best Rock Album: "Hackney Diamonds" — The Rolling Stones
Best Rock Performance: "Now and Then" — The Beatles
Best Rock Song: "Broken Man" — Annie Clark, songwriter (St. Vincent)
Best Alternative Music Album: "All Born Screaming" — St. Vincent
Best Alternative Music Performance: "Flea" — St. Vincent
Best Gospel Album: "More Than This" — CeCe Winans
Best Country Album: "Cowboy Carter" — Beyoncé
Best Country Solo Performance: "It Takes A Woman" — Chris Stapleton
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: "II MOST WANTED" — Beyoncé Featuring Miley Cyrus
Best Country Song: "The Architect" — Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)
Best Latin Pop Album: "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" — Shakira
Best Jazz Album: "A Joyful Holiday" — Samara Joy
Best Comedy Album: "The Dreamer" — Dave Chappelle
Best Musical Theater Album: "Hell’s Kitchen (Original Broadway Cast)"
Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording: "Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration" — Jimmy Carter
Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media: "Maestro: Music By Leonard Bernstein"
Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television): "Dune: Part Two" — Hans Zimmer, composer
Best Song Written For Visual Media: "It Never Went Away" [From "American Symphony"] — Jon Batiste & Dan Wilson, songwriters (Jon Batiste)
Best Music Video: "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar
Best Music Film: "American Symphony"
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical): Amy Allen
Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical): Daniel Nigro
This year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will honor the pop music icon, Cher; indie rock fusion outfit, Dave Matthews Band; legendary arena rock group, Foreigner; soul/hip-hop queen, Mary J. Blige; head-banging rocker, Ozzy Osbourne; British guitarist, Peter Frampton and pioneering rap group, A Tribe Called Quest.
The recipients of the Award for Musical Excellence this year will be Jimmy Buffett, the tropical rocker who passed away last year; the classic rock band from Detroit, MC5; Norman Whitfield, an important songwriter and producer for Motown Records and pop music legend, Dionne Warwick. The Musical Influence Award, given to artists that an impact on the evolution of rock and roll, are two blues musicians from England, Alexis Korner and John Mayall and r&b singer and songwriter, "Big Mama" Thornton. And the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which honors a non-performer, will be given to Suzanne de Passe who worked her way up at Motown from being a creative assistant for founder Berry Gordy to helping the label successfully move into television and film as a producer.
To become eligible for entry into the Hall, an artist must have released it's first commercia recording at least twenty-five years prior to the nomination year. The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on October 19th in Cleveland and stream on Disney +.
CHER
When Salvatore Bono, an aspiring musician who went by the name of "Sonny", met a sixteen year old, Cherilyn Sarkisian in 1962, it would change both of their lives significantly. Bono had connected with Phil Spector, who was one of the biggest producers of pop music at the time, and managed to do background vocals on his records, dragging his shy young bride, now going by Cher, along with him. They formed an act, Sonny & Cher and had a number one pop hit, "I Got You Babe" by 1965. More hit songs followed (including several without Sonny) along with a Vegas act and a popular television variety show before their marriage collapsed in 1974.
Newly single, then quickly married to troubled rocker, Greg Allman before separating, Cher continued her music career but struggled to hit the heights she once achieved working with her former husband. She decided to try acting and struggled there too with no one willing to take her seriously. It was director Robert Altman who took a chance by casting her in a play in 1982. More acting work followed and soon Cher would have an Oscar in her hand, winning Best Actress for her performance in the 1987 romantic-comedy, "Moonstruck". At this point, Cher decided to return to music and found great success once again with several hit songs reaching the pop chart. The biggest highlight of her long career in music came in 1998, at the age of fifty-two, with the dance song, "Believe" which was one of the first to utilize Auto-tune to create a vocal effect, topping the pop charts in over twenty-three countries and selling more than eleven million copies. Cher continues to amaze with her unassuming talent and defying the odds, making her easily one of the greatest pop stars of all-time.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
The South African born Dave Mathews traveled around in his youth between Cambridge, New York and Johannesburg before ending up as a bartender in Charlottesville, Virginia as a young man. He was an aspiring musician, playing the guitar, writing songs and performing at clubs, when he met local jazz musicians drummer, Carter Beauford and saxophonist, LeRoi Moore. They began to jam together, connecting musically, and started working on the demos of original songs that Matthews wrote. Needing to fill out their sound, they found bass guitar player, Stefan Lessard and Peter Griesar to play keyboards. With the band complete, they needed a name and they became Dave Matthews Band although it is clear to all members that there is no true leader of the group.
In 1994, the band released a live EP, "Recently" which highlighted their singular jazz-rock sound which had drew a wide audience to their shows. This helped get Dave Matthews Band signed to RCA Records and their debut studio album, "Under the Table and Dreaming" followed shortly later that year. The singles, "What Would You Say", "Satellite" and "Ants Marching" all reached the top twenty on the mainsteam rock chart, bringing the band commercial success and greater popularity. Their follow-up album, "Crash" two years later further expanded the band's success with them earning five Grammy nominations and a win for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for "So Much to Say". Dave Matthews Band have since recorded ten studio albums to date with their latest, "Walk Around the Moon" released last year. But their real claim to fame is that they are a thrilling jam band, changing up the arrangement of each of their songs to create an engaging and unique live show at every stop.
FOREIGNER
Formed in 1976 in New York, British musicians: Mick Jones on guitar, drummer, Dennis Elliott and multi-instrumentalist, Ian McDonald teamed up with Americans, Al Greenwood on keyboards, bass guitarist, Ed Gagliardi and lead vocalist, Lou Gramm to become Foreigner who went on to become one of the world's best selling rock bands with well over eighty million records sold. Their self-titled 1977 debut began their streak of six consecutive, multi-platinum albums throughout the rest of the '70's and 1980's. Some of their popular singles include "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Urgent", "Hot Blooded", "Double Vision" and "I Want To Know What Love Is" with this gospel inspired, rock ballad becoming an international number one smash.
Gagliardi left the band in 1979 and was replaced by Rick Wills. By 1990, several other members would leave (including singer Gramm) and were replaced but Foreigner's following albums failed to generate the same level of success of their previous work. Since 2003, Jones (who served as co-writer and co-producer for much of Foreigner's music) has been the only founding member still with the band with various other musicians filling in over the years on tour. Gagliardi passed away in 2014 and McDonald died in 2022.
KOOL & THE GANG
Seven high school friends from New Jersey: Robert "Kool" Bell on bass, his brother, Ronald played piano, Robert Mickens on trumpet, saxophonist, Dennis Thomas, Rickey West on keyboards and Charles Smith on guitar came together as a professional band in 1964. They first began playing jazz and soul music under the name, The Jazziacs. The band went through several names changes before settling on "Kool & The Gang". After finally getting a record deal, they released their self titled debut in 1970, an all-instrumental album that brought them some attention. As they released a few more albums, the sound of Kool & The Gang was hard to categorize as they had elements of jazz, rock, soul or just instrumentals on their records. Their first commercial breakthrough came when they added disco to their musical repertoire on their fourth studio album, "Wild and Peaceful" in 1973. The funky dance singles, "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging" both became huge hits on the US soul and pop charts. After this triumph, Kool & The Gang went deeper into dance music yet the results didn't payoff for the band as their records were pretty much ignored.
By 1979, Kool & The Gang decided to make some changes: they brought in a dedicated lead singer, James "J.T." Taylor and committed their next four albums for Brazilian musician, Eumir Deodato to produce. This new direction proved to be a wise move with their album, "Ladies Night", a collection of pop and smooth r&b, becoming a best seller thanks to the singles, "Too Hot" and the title track reaching the top-ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The band's next album, "Celebrate!" became an even bigger hit because of their number one international smash, "Celebration". Other hit songs were "Get Down On It", "Joanna", "Fresh" and "Cherish". Taylor left The Gang in 1987 to attempt a solo career but returned nine years later to record one more album with the group, "State of Affairs". Kool & The Gang are still recording music and on the road touring.
MARY J BLIGE
Born and raised in the Bronx, a seventeen year old Mary J. Blige decided to drop out of high school with a strong-willed determination to start a career in music. After covering an Anita Baker song at a recording booth at a White Plans mall, the cassette tape managed to slowly make its way into the hands of Andre Harrell, the president of Uptown Records. He was impressed and signed Blige to the label in 1989 but was at first only used to perform backing vocals for other artists. By 1992, Mary finally began recording her debut album with a young and eager talent director at Uptown who had just started to produce, Sean Combs.
"What's The 411?" was released later in the year and became notable for smoothly merging classic soul over hip-hop beats. The first single, "You Remind Me" went straight to number one on the US r&b chart, then the next, "Real Love" not only topped the r&b chart but it went to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Three more singles became hits, helping the album go on to sell over three million copies in the US alone. Blige's 1994 follow-up album, "My Life" became an even bigger commercial success and widely praised critically. The singer was more involved in the writing of this record where she revealed through songs personal details of her difficult and traumatic life. Blige, who was quickly dubbed the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul", continued to rise to the top with several more popular albums and singles. After over thirty years in the business, Blige has gone on become one of the most successful musical artists in pop music history, selling over one hundred million records globally.
OZZY OSBOURNE
Ozzy Osbourne had already been inducted into the Hall of Fame with the heavy metal band he helped form, Black Sabbath back in 2006 and now the British hard rocker has just been selected for his solo work. Back in 1978, Osbourne had begun putting together a possible solo project when he was called back to record the next Black Sabbath album, "Never Say Die!". The recording sessions proved to be prolonged and arduous due to the band members all heavily using drugs. Following the tour to promote the album, Black Sabbath went back to the studio to record another album. The results were even more disastrous and a decision was made by the rest of the members to fire their lead singer, Osbourne because of his excessive substance abuse although he claimed this was unfair since everyone had been indulging in drugs.
Osborne set out to finish his own album, creating a new band called Blizzard of Ozz that featured former members of other well-known rock bands that included bassist, Bob Daisley of Rainbow and Quiet Riot guitarist, Randy Rhoads who both would co-write and co-produce this record. However, the label only credited Osbourne when his solo debut was released in 1980 with the title appearing to be "Blizzard of Ozz", leaving some members unhappy. The album was a modest success during it's initial release but the single, "Crazy Train" has since become a staple on classic rock radio and "Blizzard of Ozz" has now sold two million copies. This would begin a period of immense popularity for Osbourne throughout the rest of the 1980's, '90's and well into the next century. And while he could have very brief moments of sobriety over his long career, Osbourne would misuse alcohol and other drugs for most of his adult life. The now seventy-five year old singer is currently sober and has had some recent health issues but still has been able to get out to occasionally perform.
PETER FRAMPTON
The British rock musician and songwriter, Peter Frampton took to music early, self teaching himself how to play the guitar and piano as a child. He played with several bands as a pre-teen and in 1966, Frampton began his professional career at the age of sixteen joining The Herd, a psychedelic pop-rock band. The group rose quickly, achieving three top-twenty hits in the UK before Frampton left to form a new band with Steve Marriott, who was a member of Small Faces, in 1968. Along with Greg Ridley, formerly of Spooky Tooth and drummer, Jerry Shirley from the Apostolic Intervention, they became Humble Pie, moving into blues rock. Their debut album, "As Safe As Yesterday Is" was an instant hit with the single, "Natural Born Bugie" reaching number four on the British pop chart. Humble Pie became modestly successful, with four studio albums and a live release, but by 1971, Frampton decided to leave the band, unhappy with the change of musical direction into harder rock and wanted to move on to a solo career.
Frampton released four albums over the next four years, struggling to attract significant attention to his music. It was not until his 1976 release, "Frampton Comes Alive!", a double album that featured live versions of songs from his previous recordings, that he would achieve a major commercial breakthrough. With the hit singles, "Baby, I Love Your Way", "Show Me the Way", and "Do You Feel Like We Do", Frampton's album would become one of the best selling live albums of all-time at over eight million copies. His follow-up studio album, "I'm In You" proved to continue his success with the title track reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. But at the height of his fame, Frampton suffered in a near-fatal car accident in 1978. He fully recovered, returning to making music yet his subsequent recordings, releasing twenty-two studio and live albums over his career, failed to find great commercial success. In 2019, Frampton was diagnosed with IBM, a progressive muscle disorder that would make performing for him difficult. But he has managed to play guitar on occasion for select events and short tours.
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
A Tribe Called Quest, a hip-hop outfit from Queens, NY, helped pioneer the merging of jazz influences and eclectic music samples into rap, opening up the sound of this unique genre and pushing hip-hop forward. Two childhood friends, Kamaal Fareed (who went by Q-Tip) and Malik Taylor (who goes by Phife Dawg) performed in rap battles and began making demos in 1985. After meeting rapper, Jarobi White and DJ and co-producer, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, they would become A Tribe Called Quest three years later. They helped form the Native Tongues Collective, a group of fellow New York based, hip-hop artists dedicated to Afrocentric, positive-minded music with members including the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, Monie Love and Queen Latifah.
After signing with Jive Records, A Tribe Called Quest released their debut album, "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" in 1990. The record featured a more playful approach to hip-hop with unexpected beats and unorthodox lyrics. The group was well received by enthusiastic listeners and earned widespread critical acclaim. They followed this with three successful albums: "The Low End Theory" from 1991, "Midnight Marauders" in 1993 and "Beats, Rhymes and Life" three years later. Shortly after the 1998 release of "The Love Movement", A Tribe Called Quest announced their breakup, citing problems with their label and growing tension between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. Over time, after each released their own solo projects, Q-Tip and Phife managed to settle their differences. They reunited first in 2006 to tour at select music festivals and later began working on new music by 2016. But sadly, Phife Dawg died that year due to complications from diabetes. The surviving members continued to work on the uncompleted project, releasing "We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service" later that year. A Tribe Called Quest would perform at a number of music fests the following year to promote the album before disbanding once again.
After teasing this album's release since 2019, it appears that Nicki Minaj's fifth studio album will finally be out to the world. And while it's understandable to be a little bit skeptical, "Pink Friday 2" has been given an exact release date of November 17th. This record is somewhat a sequel to her 2010 debut and Minaj appears ready to venture back to the more pop sounds of her early days. We had gotten a little sample with the first single, "Super Freaky Girl" (which debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart) and the follow-up release, "Last Time I Saw You" is a rap-ballad that features Minaj prominently using her singing voice. This emotional song (written only by Minaj) explores coping with loss as the rapper had her father sadly pass away shortly after the joyous event of the birth of her son.
How many of you remember Exposé? They were a popular female trio who first found success on the dance floor in the mid-eighties before moving over to the pop charts, ruling the US charts until disbanding in 1993. This band was the mastermind of Lewis Martineé, a Miami DJ and producer, who wanted to form a dance group. He found three female singers, called them "Exposé" and put together a single. "Point of No Return" would reach the top of the Billboard Dance chart in 1984 which helped introduce the sounds of Latin freestyle. Record labels became interested, and they eventually signed with Arista Records.
During the recording of the debut album, the original singers either quit or were fired, depending upon who you ask. A new line-up was created with Gioia Bruno, Ann Curless and Jeanette Jurado and their album, "Exposure", released in 1987, became a hit with the singles, "Come Go with Me", "Let Me Be the One" (my favorite), "Seasons Change" and a re-recorded version of "Point of No Return" all reaching the top-ten on the pop chart. The 1989 follow-up album, "What You Don't Know" produced more top-ten hits for Exposé: "When I Looked at Him", "Tell Me Why" and the title track. By the time of their third, 1992 self-titled album, Bruno had left the group due to health issues and was replaced by Kelly Moneymaker, the band was waging a legal battle over profits with Martineé and the album failed to achieve great commercial success. Exposé would first reunite in 2003 and Bruno would rejoin three years later with Moneymaker remaining as an honorary member. In 2007, the singers sued over the rights to use the name "Exposé" and it would take four years for them to win the trademark.
And I would like to pay tribute to a couple of gifted musicians we have lost this month.
Best known for the eerie atmospheric sounds and mystical lyrics of his 1975 hit, "Dream Weaver", Gary Wright passed away on September 4th at the age of eighty. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in the 1954 Broadway production of the musical, "Fanny". But he had always loved playing music, learning how to play several instruments, but after deciding that a career in this field was too unstable, Wright went on to study medicine in college. But a trip to Europe changed his plans to become a doctor, forming his own band and touring throughout the continent. Wright settled in England in 1967, developing connections with other musicians and joining a blues-rock band, Spooky Tooth. After three albums, Spooky Tooth was over, and Wright decided to pursue a solo career in 1970.
His debut, "Extraction" didn't generate much interest, but it did lead to Wright being invited to play piano on George Harrison's 1970 album, "All Things Must Pass". Wright would go to play on several of the former Beatle's subsequent albums, but he hadn't given up on his own musical aspirations. It would take until his third recording effort, "The Dream Weaver" for Wright to breakthrough with the title track (inspired by "Autobiography of a Yogi" which was given to him by Harrison) peaking at number two on the US pop chart. Another song from the album, "Love is Alive" would also only make it to number two on the chart. This would be the highlight of Wright's career, but he would continue to make music, rejoining Spooky Tooth to tour and making nine more solo albums with his last release was "Connected" in 2010.
Steve Harwell, the lead vocalist of the '90's alt-rock band, Smash Mouth, died on September 4th. He had struggled with several health problems over the last decade and was forced to leave the band in 2021. Harwell was only fifty-six. Born in Santa Clara, CA., he began his start in music as part of a rap act called F.O.S. which stood for "Freedom of Speech". They had released a single before Harwell decided what he really wanted to do was rock.
With Greg Coleman on guitar, Paul De Lisle on bass and drummer, Kevin Coleman, Smash Mouth was born in 1994. They were signed with Interscope Records and their 1997 debut album, "Fush Yu Mang" (a take on Al Pacino's bad Cuban accent in "Scarface") featured their first hit, "Walking on the Sun" which reached number two on the US pop chart. Two years later, Smash Mouth broke through with their follow-up album, "Astro Lounge" that had two big hit singles, "All-Star" and "Then The Morning Comes". Harwell and the band also charted with a cover of the Monkees 1966 number-one hit, "I'm a Believer" for the soundtrack of the 2001 animated movie, "Shrek".
Music has always played an important part in cinema since the very beginning of the industry. The early films were silent but were accompanied by a pianist or even, in some large cities, a small orchestra in theaters. When recorded, synchronized sound began in 1927, it was a game-charger for the movies and the first sound feature film released, "The Jazz Singer" was, not surprisingly, a musical.
Over time, documentaries were made about music and the gifted artists who created these sounds. In recent years, this has exploded with a large number of movies about musicians, well-known, obscure or forgotten, in all genres have been filling cinemas and streaming channels.
Vulturehas put together a list of fifty of what they consider to be the best music documentaries of all time. First putting these selections together in 2015, they have updated this listing to include recent releases. These movies (which include a few concert films) are all important and fascinating documents. There are films which deeply explore what has made many of these popular musicians so vital; highlight professionals who had assisted singers and musicians with their careers and reveal talented artists who never had a real opportunity to shine in their lifetime yet remain highly influential.
The rocker, Pat Benatar; soul balladeer, Lionel Ritchie; '80's new-wave bands, Duran Duran and Eurythmics; rap artist, Eminem; singer/songwriter, Carly Simon; and the country music superstar, Dolly Parton are this year's inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In order for a performer to be considered for this honor, at least twenty-five years must have passed since the musician’s first recordings were released, ensuring that their contribution to music has stood the test of time.
Judas Priest, the British heavy-metal band and the production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis will receive the Musical Excellence Award, decided by a select committee which is given to "musicians whose originality and influence creating music has had a dramatic impact on music".
The induction ceremony will be held this year on November 5th at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. An edited version of the event will air on SiriusXM satellite radio and will be broadcast on HBO and HBO Max on November 19th.
PAT BENATAR
It's really shocking that Pat Benatar is only now being inducted into the Hall after years of delivering chart-topping, hard-driving, great rock & roll. But this long overdue honor is still well deserved. Born Patricia Andrzejewski in New York City, she married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Benatar who was serving in the US army and the couple moved to Richmond, VA. After attending a Liza Minnelli concert, she decided to resume a pursuit of a music career, performing in local clubs. The end of her husband's military service brought them back to New York, offering more potential opportunities for Benatar. Her first big break came when she entered amateur night at Catch-a-Rising-Star, leading to become a regular performer at the comedy club. One night, representatives for Chrysalis Records caught her act, signing Benatar to the label in 1978. Her marriage may have ended not long after but decided to keep his surname as her professional name.
Benatar's debut album, "In The Heat of the Night" began with the single, "Heartbreaker" getting her noticed but "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" becoming her breakout hit, reaching the top-ten on the pop charts, selling over a million copies and winning Benatar the first of four Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. She would go to have fifteen top forty US singles and selling over thirty-five million albums worldwide. And her career would also lead Benatar to meet Neil Giraldo, the lead guitarist for her band who would not only become her creative partner, helping to co-write and produce some of her music, but life partner, marrying him in 1982 and having two children together.
DURAN DURAN
With their band name inspired by a character in the 1968 Jane Fonda sci-fi camp classic, "Barbarella", Duran Duran first emerged during the New Romantic scene in Britain in the late 1970's. This band was formed in Birmingham by keyboardist, Nick Rhodes and bassist, John Taylor. After numerous personnel changes, drummer, Roger Taylor, guitarist, Andy Taylor and lead singer, Simon LeBon were added (none of these "Taylors" are related) and became the final line-up by the time of their self-titled debut released in 1981. "Planet Earth" and "Girls On Film" became huge hits in their home country in part to the sexy music videos, which showcased these five good-looking young men, enhancing their popularity. But it would be their follow-up album, "Rio" that would make them become worldwide sensations thanks to the title track and "Hungry Like the Wolf" and MTV with the newly arrived music video channel playing the cinematic videos for these songs in heavy rotation.
More hits followed; "The Reflex", "Union of the Snake", "A View to a Kill", "The Wild Boys", "Notorious" with Duran Duran going on to become one of the world's best-selling musical artists with well over one hundred million records sold. Over the years, members have left (Roger and Andy Taylor in 1986; John Taylor in 1997) and come back (the original line-up reunited in 2001 with an album and a tour before Andy Taylor left again in 2006) but Duran Duran are still making music together with their fifteenth studio album, "Future Past" released in 2021.
EMINEM
Eminem managed to find incredible worldwide success and fame in the predominantly African-American genre of rap with his complex rhyme technique and humorous yet somewhat violent wordplay, making him one of the greatest rappers of all time. Born Marshall Mathers III, he had an unstable family life with his parents separating and shuttling back and forth between Detroit and various areas in Missouri throughout his childhood.
Inspired by the emerging rap music scene happening in Detroit, he honed his skills by entering open mic contests and despite being White, managed to impress the largely Black audience. First going by "m&m" before the spelling changed to "Eminem", his first break came when he was signed to a local indie label, Web Entertainment and released his debut album, "Infinite" in 1996. The record was a commercial disappointment yet lead to him creating an alter-ego, "Slim Shady", a sadistically perverted character, releasing an EP under that name a year later. His next big break came when he headed to LA to enter the national rap battle competition. Landing in second, a scout from Interscope Records got "The Slim Shady EP" into the hands of the label head, Jimmy Iovine who then gave it to Dr. Dre, the founding member of N.W.A.
Both were very impressed and Dre went to work recording with Eminem, releasing "The Slim Shady LP" in 1999 with the album selling over three million copies. That was followed by "The Marshall Mathers LP" the next year, debuting at number one and selling a global total of twenty-five million copies. In 2002, Eminem went on to acting with "8 Mile". He played a fictionalized version of himself and his early life with, "Lose Yourself" from the soundtrack going on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song. This gifted, best selling artist has released eleven studio albums to date with his last release, "Music To Be Murdered By" in 2020.
EURYTHMICS
After spending a few years working together in the pop-rock band, The Tourists, Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart went on to form their own band, Eurythmics in 1981, changing their sound to new wave. While the British duo's first album, "In The Garden" failed generate much interest, their next project, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" certainly did. The synth-pop title track became a worldwide number one smash hit in 1983 with the striking music video, featuring Lennox in a gender-bending image, certainly bringing them even more attention. The hits continued; "Here Comes The Rain Again", "There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart)", "Would I Lie To You?", "Missionary Man" and teaming with Aretha Franklin on "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" with the band altering their sound and image continuously along the way.
By 1990, after a grinding schedule of recording and touring (and selling seventy-five million records in the process), Lennox and Stewart decided to go their separate ways due to their now strained relationship. Stewart went on to writing film soundtracks and recording several solo albums. Lennox released the first of her six solo album, "Diva" in 1992 which featured five hit singles and selling four million records.
Lennox and Stewart reunited as Eurythmics for their last album to date, "Peace" in 1999. While not officially a band, the duo have continued to occasionally perform together over the years, usually for benefit concerts.
DOLLY PARTON
While she had asked for her name to be withdrawn from consideration, feeling that there were probably other artists more deserving than herself, Dolly Parton, the country music superstar has found herself inducted into the rock hall and she has graciously accepted the honor. Born in the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, Dolly was one of twelve children living in a one room cabin on a tobacco farm. The family didn't have much but music played an important part in their lives. Dolly began writing and singing music as a young child and would perform on local television and radio programs. By thirteen, she recorded her first single, "Puppy Love" in 1959. While this song wasn't much of a hit, it still gave her confidence to try a move to Nashville. After catching the attention of country superstar, Porter Wagoner, Parton would be asked to join his band and eventually be his co-host on his weekly television show. Wagoner and Parton became a popular duo and recorded twelve highly successful albums. They remained a professional team until 1974 when she decided to concentrate on her own solo career.
Parton enjoyed major country music success throughout the 1970's but soon decided she wanted her music to appeal to a mainstream crowd. "Here You Come Again" was released in 1977 and the title track became her first crossover pop hit. She took on acting, starring in the popular feminist workplace comedy, "9 to 5" in 1980 with the theme song she wrote going on to top both the pop and country charts as well as earn her an Academy Award nomination. As probably one of the most recognized country music artists in the world, Parton is also one of the most accomplished and highly honored artists in all genres of music.
LIONEL RITCHIE
Lionel Ritchie began his music career as a member of Commodores in 1968. This funky soul band were signed to Motown and found success almost immediately on the r&b chart with "Machine Gun", "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" and "Brick House" but it was the ballads, written and performed by Ritchie, like "Just to Be Close to You", "Sail On", "Still" and "Three Times a Lady" that took Commodores to the next level, crossing over to the top of the pop charts.
Ritchie went solo and released his self-titled debut solo album in 1982. This began his wildly successful career with the songs, "You Are", "All Night Long (All Night)", "Hello", "Stuck on You", "Say You, Say Me", and co-writing the all-star charity single, "We Are The World" helping him become one of the biggest pop acts throughout the early '80's. After planning to take just a little time off after a grueling touring schedule in 1986, Ritchie was away from the business for ten years. But he came back to music, releasing seven additional studio albums with his last to date being, "Tuskegee", Ritchie's 2012 venture into country music . Ritchie has received many awards and honors and he's currently serving as a judge on the singing competition show, "American Idol".
CARLY SIMON
One of the biggest of the popular singer/songwriters that found success in the 1970's was Carly Simon. She had a long string of poetic, introspective songs that found spots high on the pop charts throughout that decade and the 1980's. One of four children born to Richard L. Simon, the co-founder of the publishing company, Simon & Schuster and Andrea Heinemann, a singer, Simon began her professional music career with her sister, Lucy as a folk music act, the Simon Sisters in 1963. The duo recorded several albums, touring and making appearances performing on television but by 1970, Simon decided to strike out on her own. Signed to Elektra Records, Simon released her self-titled debut in 1971 with the single, "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be", an emotionally complex song Simon co-wrote involving unhappy married lives, becoming her first top-ten single. She would go on to win the Grammy that year for Best New Artist.
"Anticipation", "Legend In Your Own Time", "Nobody Does It Better" (the James Bond theme for "The Spy Who Love Me"), "Jesse", "Why" and "Coming Around Again", her comeback hit song from 1986 are just a few of the memorable tunes made popular by Simon. And of course, "You're So Vain", Simon's most famous song that had some added intrigue due to her refusal all these years to name who the song is actually about (and no, it's not Mick Jagger who only provided background vocals on the track). In 1972, Simon married another rising singer/songwriter at the time, James Taylor with the two becoming the golden couple of rock. Like many relationships, they had their challenges but fame and Taylor's struggles with drug addiction added additional complications. After ten years of marriage and two children (Sally and Ben Taylor who are both now musicians), the musical couple ended their union in 1983.
After the global critical and commercial success of her dazzling, post-disco collection, "What's Your Pleasure?" from 2020 (which certainly helped us get through the pandemic), Jessie Ware is back with some new music. The British artist has just dropped "Free Yourself", another uplifting dance track with Ware teaming up with renowned electro-pop producer and DJ, Stuart Price (Madonna; Kylie Minogue; The Killers; Dua Lipa) for the first time. The music video for "Free Yourself" is set with Ware being a spiritual leader telling her queer congregation to open up and let their freak flag fly wild and proud. This appears to be the first single from Ware's upcoming fifth studio album although no details have been released. She will be in North America this fall on tour, opening up for Harry Styles on some dates and headlining her own concerts. Be sure to check this amazing artist out if you can.
Here are a few new songs with music videos that deliver the perfect summer vibe:
Built around Rick James' 1981 classic, "Super Freak", Nicki Minaj has released another single with "Super Freaky Girl", a slick, playful track that feels reminiscent of her sound from the early days of her career. This is the fourth song that Minaj has dropped this year (following "Do We Have a Problem?", "Bussin" and "We Go Up") yet there is still no word on when her fifth studio album will be released or if any of these songs will actually appear on this record. Two things we do know is that Minaj will be this year's recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards on August 28th which she will appear with a live performance. Minaj will also be a part of a six-part HBO Max docu-series about her life very soon although no exact date has been confirmed.
And finally to honor the memory of Lamont Dozier, one third of the songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, who passed away on August 8th at the age of eighty-one. Dozier, along with brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, was responsible for helping to shape the Motown sound by writing many of the songs for the soul music label that crossed over to become worldwide pop hits. The Detroit born and raised artist had begun his career as a performer yet didn't find much success. By 1962, he teamed up with The Hollands who also hadn't had much luck as singers to write for the local-based recording company. Their first top-ten pop hits were for Martha & The Vandellas with "Come and Get These Memories", "Heatwave", and "Quicksand". But it wasn't until 1964 when the team got their first number one song with "Where Did Our Love Go?" for a struggling girl group on Motown, The Supremes. Holland–Dozier–Holland would go on to write and produce nine more number one songs for the trio as well as for other artists on the label like Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, the Miracles and The Isley Brothers, eventually amassing twenty-five number one songs during their career.
After the songwriting team left Motown in 1968 over a dispute about profit-sharing and royalties, they founded Invictus and Hot Wax Records which produced hits for acts like Freda Payne, Honey Cone, Chairmen of the Board, and 100 Proof Aged in Soul. Dozier left the Holland brothers in 1973 to work on his own projects, releasing several solo albums as a performer with his most popular charting song being "Trying to Hold on to My Woman" in 1974. He continued to work as a songwriter, returning to the pop charts in 1984 by writing "Invisible", the hit song for British singer, Alison Moyet. He also co-wrote several songs with the British soul group, Simply Red. Dozier teamed up with Phil Collins to write "Two Hearts" for the soundtrack for the 1988 movie, "Buster" (which starred Collins) that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. And Holland–Dozier–Holland were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Here is a very small sample of the music co-created by Lamont Dozier:
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