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Hal Willner, Famed “Saturday Night Live” Music Producer, Beloved Hit Record Producer Dies at Age 64 from Coronavirus

Roger Friedman
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Hal Willner, Famed “Saturday Night Live” Music Producer, Beloved Hit Record Producer Dies at Age 64 from Coronavirus

This is really tragic, and huge, news.

Famed “Saturday Night Live” music director and beloved music producer Hal Willner has died from coronavirus at age 64, a day after his birthday. I’ll tell you, there’s barely anyone more popular or well known in the behind the scenes of the musicworld than Hal Willner. People are sobbing on the phone.

Hal was particularly close to Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, as well as Jenni Muldaur and everyone in the New York music scene. He’d been particularly upset about Marianne Faithfull in the last few days.

Steve Leeds of Sirius radio just tweeted: “Hall Wilner defined creativity R.I.P.” You can read a profile of Hal here.

Hal had been the man behind the music skits at “SNL” beginning in 1980, and went on to work with Lorne Michaels in many capacities. He was revered in the New York music world. He produced albums for Marianne Faithfull, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed (including his final major studio release, “Ecstasy”), Macy Gray, and Lucinda Williams. He produced Elvis Costello’s “Juliet Letters” with the Brodsky Quartet.

Hal also produced a lot of recordings of the Beat poets, bringing them back to life. He worked with William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, which is amazing.

Willner posted to Twitter on March 28th that he was in bed, and sick. The Tweet is below. He died at home at 5am this morning.

Just a day earlier he’d posted about John Prine: “Sending love to John Prine who is in critical condition with COVID-19.. John is a music giant. His songs are as good as it gets and he’s a spellbinding performer. Send good thoughts his way. “I sound like that old guy down the street that doesn’t chase you out of his apple tree.”

One of my favorite Hall Willner projects was “Stay Awake,” for which he recorded a bunch of stars doing Disney songs. Here’s the link.

Among Hal’s other credits is Marianne Faithfull’s seminal album, Broken English.

Condolences to Hal’s wife, Sheila Rogers, the long time music booker for David Letterman, and then James Corden, and their son. Hal also leaves his father, a Holocaust survivor.

Sean Lennon wrote: “Hal Willner R.I.P. All I can say is thanks for everything. Will miss you friend.”

Jenni Muldaur writes on Instagram:

Hal is everything to me. This covid19 virus just claimed the life of a true one of a kind. I met him when I was 19 in San Francisco at the wake of Jane Dornacker. Together we lost a dozen friends. So many that I arrogantly thought Hal and I would be the last ones standing. I am utterly in disbelief. This is a picture of him in Estonia when we were on the Lou tour. We’ve been everywhere together. One week ago he was on my Zoom birthday. One of my best friends in this whole wide world. Inconsolable. He was worried about Marianne and now this. The saddest day. Not Hal. Fuck.

Bebe Buell wrote:

There are no words… Hal Wilner @willnerh was one of the most noble and kind people I’ve ever known in my life. Wildly talented, he possessed ears of gold to match his heart of gold. My deepest condolences goes out to all those who loved him- all of us who knew him adored him. He was so worried about @mariannefaithfullofficial and now this evil virus has taken him. I’m thinking about my sweet friend @jennimuldaur right now- I’m sending you hugs and love, angel.
Bye for now you beautiful human. 💔🙏#halwilner #bebebuell

 

 

Universal Music’s Sir Lucian Grainge on His Way to a Full Recovery: “This thing is not just some bad flu. It’s as serious as it gets”

Roger Friedman
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Universal Music’s Sir Lucian Grainge on His Way to a Full Recovery: “This thing is not just some bad flu. It’s as serious as it gets”

Universal Music chief Lucian Grainge is on the mend, thank goodness. After a harrowing go with COVID-19, he sent a memo today to the Universal employees catching everyone up. It sounds like it’s all good news, Lucian is number 1 with a bullet. But he warns everyone that this was not a walk in the park. Whew!

Here’s the memo:

Dear Colleagues:

I do hope each and every one of you and your loved ones is safe and doing as well as can be in these difficult times.

I apologize for not having written earlier, but I know only too well how difficult these times can be, for you see, I contracted COVID-19 and was one of the 20% whose symptoms were severe.

Today, I am at home and recuperating. Thanks to those on the front line of this crisis—the doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers whose dedication and skill brought me back to health—I am on my way to a full recovery. I will never be able to thank them enough. And the first responders and all the other essential workers putting their lives on the line out there for all of us—they are heroes, justly entitled to our deepest respect and gratitude.

Take it from someone who’s been there: this thing is not just some bad flu. It’s as serious as it gets. As serious for the young and strong as it is for the old and infirm. Wherever you are in the world, take this pandemic as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Listen to and obey the guidance of your public health authorities. You will be doing it not merely for yourself, but for your families and—as we all know by now—for literally everyone in the world.

Let me close by thanking you as well. Without exaggeration, you are the greatest team the music world has ever brought together. Your amazing work—from home nonetheless!—during these past weeks only goes to prove it. I’m so proud of how your support for our artists and songwriters has not faltered, remaining as creative and devoted as it’s ever been, even as you’ve found the energy and time to lend helping hands to our COVID-19 response effort. You are remarkable.

Please take good care. If you need some special help the company might be able to provide, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Human Resources representative.

Remember: One day this will all be behind us. And I hope that day comes soon, because, honestly, I can’t wait until we’re all back in the office together. In the meantime, I’ll see you on Zoom.

Stay safe,

Lucian

Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Cast of “Grace and Frankie” Will Perform LIVE Table Read of Season 7 Script Thursday on YouTube

Roger Friedman
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Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Cast of “Grace and Frankie” Will Perform LIVE Table Read of Season 7 Script Thursday on YouTube

If you want to jump ahead to the 7th and final season of “Grace and Frankie,” it’s happening on Thursday.

Stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston, et al will perform a live table reading of a Season 7 script on You Tube. This unique experience will begin at 8pm, Eastern.

Here’s the link.

This is a rare opportunity to see some of our greatest actors ever in a much different setting. Table reads are fun, they stop and start, everyone chimes in. It’s much different than the finished product. And this one will give us some insight into Netflix’s longest running series. We can’t miss this.

Jane Fonda is tireless. She’s doing exercise videos online for the homebound. Very soon she’ll appear as Jimmy Kimmel’s guest on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” playing for charity. And on Friday she has her weekly Fire Drill Fridays online (see below).

 

Bruce Springsteen Will Get Sirius Tomorrow, Spinning Discs He Loves Live on Satellite Radio Channel

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen Will Get Sirius Tomorrow, Spinning Discs He Loves Live on Satellite Radio Channel

Bruce Springsteen is getting Sirius tomorrow morning.

The Boss is deejaying live on his satellite radio channel, spinning discs that he loves. He is not playing or performing, although those were the original, inaccurate reports.

But isn’t this more fun? I hope he’ll talk about his love of soul music, his favorite singers like Garland Jeffreys and Sam Moore, and play their hits. Maybe he’ll play the records that influenced him as a kid. Bruce’s insights about classic music are worth their weight in gold.

The show begins on Sirius XM at 10am on the E Street Channel, number 20. Here’s what they say officially. BTW I corrected the spelling of Sam Cooke’s name from their website: Bruce Springsteen takes over his own channel, E Street Radio, to play songs and share thoughts about the times we are living in. “Hear Bruce select songs from Roy Orbison, Sam Cook, Don Henley, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Patti Scialfa, Wyclef Jean, and more!”

 

In Washington, Useless Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham is Replaced by Sycophantic Follower Kayleigh McEnamy

Roger Friedman
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In Washington, Useless Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham is Replaced by Sycophantic Follower Kayleigh McEnamy

Stephanie Grisham didn’t have one press conference in the eight months she was press secretary to Donald Trump, our titular president.

So now, Grisham– former press secretary to invisible First Lady Melania Trump– has been removed. She’s going back to Melania’s office because the First Lady is so busy. She’ll be the former model’s Chief of Staff. Together, they will do nothing.

Replacing Grisham is Kayleigh McEnamy, a really annoying Trump sycophant who claimed on February 25th on her home planet, Fox News, that there would be no coronavirus in the United States, and that everything bad should be blamed on Barack Obama.

 

Forrest Compton, Mike Karr from “The Edge of Night” for 13 Years, Dies at 94 from Coronavirus, Veteran TV Actor

Roger Friedman
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Forrest Compton, Mike Karr from “The Edge of Night” for 13 Years, Dies at 94 from Coronavirus, Veteran TV Actor

Forrest Compton, who played good guy lawyer Mike Karr on “The Edge of Night” for 13 years, has died at age 94. The cause was coronavirus.

Compton played Mike Karr from 1971 to the show’s conclusion in 1984. In those years, “The Edge of Night” was a top notch soap opera-slash-mystery written by the great Henry Slesar. Lori Loughlin and Frances Fisher were among the actors who launched prime time and movie careers from the show at that time.

I always love Forrest Compton because he was so deadpan as Mike Karr. Crazy story lines were put in front of him and he never blinked. He was a stoic.

Compton was a TV veteran, coming from “Gomer Pyle” on prime time, where he was a regular. His resume is full of appearances on classic TV shows throughout the 50s and 60s.

Forrest Compton was born in Reading, Pennsylvania in September 1925. He went to Yale Drama school, where he met Paul Newman. “He was a great guy, charming, sharp, six months older than me,” Compton once told his local newspaper, the Shelter Island Reporter. “I remember Paul making salad dressing back then,” he said. “Once the agents saw Paul and those blue eyes and his charm, he was on television a month later.”

Condolences to Compton’s family, and to his “Edge of Night” TV wife, Ann Flood Granath.

 

Listen Queen Elizabeth’s Amazing, Erudite Speech Is How a Ruler Comforts Her People, A Sharp Contrast to Trump

Roger Friedman
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Listen Queen Elizabeth’s Amazing, Erudite Speech Is How a Ruler Comforts Her People, A Sharp Contrast to Trump

Queen Elizabeth’s brilliant speech was the kind of address a real ruler delivers. She even acknowledged atheism! Amazing.

We can all watch Queen Elizabeth’s speech right here at 3pm Eastern Live today. No this is not an extra episode of “The Crown.” This is also the not the actress they’ve hired to play the Queen, it’s really her. She’s 93, and she’s seen it all.

Elton John and David Furnish Donate $1 Million to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, Plus Last Week’s TV Living Room Show Raised $10 Million

Roger Friedman
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Elton John and David Furnish Donate $1 Million to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, Plus Last Week’s TV Living Room Show Raised $10 Million

Elton John’s AIDS Foundation, EJAF, is one of the best charities in the world. Today Sir Elton announced that they’re donating $1 million to the COVID 19 Emergency Fund. On top of that, the “Living Room” concert that Elton hosted on Fox last week raised $10 million!

“Today, I’m proud to announce that my Foundation @EJAF is launching a $1million COVID-19 Emergency Fund to make sure that our frontline partners can respond to the effects of COVID-19 on HIV care for the most marginalised communities around the world. Now and always, I’m committed to not leave anyone affected by HIV behind. Click on the link in my bio for more info. Sending love to all of our Foundation’s partners, grantees, supporters, frontline workers and members of our community during this time. xx”

Struggling Once Legendary Friars Club Finally Ousts Embattled CEO, “Furloughs” Main Employees As It Waits Out Pandemic

Roger Friedman
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Struggling Once Legendary Friars Club Finally Ousts Embattled CEO, “Furloughs” Main Employees As It Waits Out Pandemic

EXCLUSIVE The Friars Club, struggling to stay afloat, has finally wised up and “retired” embattled CEO Michael Gyure. His ousting wasn’t because he was found guilty of tax evasion last year, or countless other things he’s done to destroy the club. No, it seems that the pandemic did him in.

Gyure, according to a memo to Club members, “has decided it would be beneficial for him to leave the club in retirement at this time. It is with enormous gratitude for his long service to our club that we accept Michael’s decision.”

The Friars Club has been closed for months after a suspicious flood closed the place. According to sources, the insurance money has come in but no vendors have been paid– and this was just before the city shut down all non essential businesses.

The Friars “furloughed” Banquet Manager Giuseppie Tarillo, Director of Entertainment Bob Spiotto, and Chef Daniel Misiti. They say they expect to bring them back one day.

The letter to members comes from “Prior” Marvin Scott, a long time local New York newsman for Channel 11. The Friars have titles like “Prior,” “Abbott,” “Scribe.” Ralph Kramden would have loved it.

Scott writes: “We want to assure our members that the Friars Club is still here, and we are going to be back, along with all our beloved New York institutions, as soon as we can. ”

He adds: “With heavy heart, The Board of Governors has found it necessary to furlough a few of our dedicated staff members while our club is closed, and with the expectation and hope that we will be able to bring them back when we can. These furloughs follow the previous notice to our longtime union employees.”

This may be the first step in that direction, although a total cleaning of house will be needed before the Club re-opens and real members of the show business world come back to it.  They still haven’t jettisoned Bruce Charet, the man who caused them to settle a sexual harassment suit for close to $1 million. Charet is still considered the group’s celebrity wrangler. He’s living in a sketchy hotel in Los Angeles where he threw a “roast” last year for “dean” Larry King.

King, by the way, is still alive. He has a quote in the members’ memo thanking Gyure for his service. But the next thing I’m sure we’ll hear about is the severance package Gyure received, and how much he was paid not to discuss the Friars’ last five or six years of chaos.

 

Singer PiNK Says She and Son Are Negative Now After Testing Positive 2 Weeks Ago, Donating $1 Million for COVID Care

Roger Friedman
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0
Singer PiNK Says She and Son Are Negative Now After Testing Positive 2 Weeks Ago, Donating $1 Million for COVID Care

Singer PiNK says she and son Jameson tested positive for COVID-19. Now, re-tested, they are negative. Pink says she’s donating a total of $1 million to the cause. Temple University’s Emergency Hospital Fund will receive $500,000. Another $500,000 will go to the city of Los Angeles Mayor’s Emergency Fund.

 

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