As we celebrate the artistic contributions of David Bowie following his passing on January 10, 2016, let's not forget that he was as talented and original an actor as he was a musical genius. Between 1967 and 2009 he appeared in 24 feature films and numerous television series, specials and documentaries. Critics praised his acting chops in such films as…
"I slept with three of them and then decided the lead singer was the best bet." That was burgeoning pop singer Marianne Faithfull in 1964, telling "New Musical Express" magazine that the quickest route to success would be to snag a Rolling Stone -- most strategically, Mick Jagger. What a cocky thing to say, I thought when I first heard this quote as a kid. I'd always wanted to use the British term strumpet, and now was my chance. Why all the fuss about Marianne Faithfull, anyway? Sure, she was blonde, sexy and had a hit song. Big deal. So, it was with much skepticism that I decided to read her 1994 memoir "Faithfull." And by the time I finished it, I found her to be one of the most intelligent and independent women in rock -- a talented singer, songwriter, muse, actress, diarist, and survivor. Today is her 68th birthday.
Most columnists have had to squeeze one out now and then, so to speak. You have a tight deadline, you rack your brain for a topic that doesn’t require a lot of research or thoughtful analysis, and you dribble out a little essay that you pray won’t be perceived as lightweight or desperate. Yes, a deadline can serve as a…
Okay, I know it's Christmas season and we're supposed to be happy and peaceful and idealistic, listening to carols both solemn and silly, and trying to be all Norman Rockwelly and stuff. Heck, the last thing I'd want to do is bum you out as you deck the malls, looking for the prettiest Victoria's Secret training bra for little Madison, or the perfect starter rifle for Little Ethan. But, as your faithful blogger, I feel I have a duty to expose you to an alternate version of Christmas culture via a smathering of holiday tunes that are a wee bit more realistic for many at this time of the year.
If you think everyone’s making too big a fuss over what would have been Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday today, then you might have been born too late or you aren’t aware that he was the original bad-ass rock star. Here’s my favorite Frank moment, from the 1957 film “Pal Joey.” I know it’s staged, but I love it. He serenades…