There is a reason Ron Howard is as respected as he is as a filmmaker.  His latest, “Pavarotti,” is a cinematic gem about the larger than life, singular operatic genius Italian tenor international superstar Luciano Pavarotti.

Last night at CAA in Los Angeles, Sir Lucian Grainge, Rob Light and CAA’s Richard Lovett hosted the film’s packed first screening.  Ron Howard told the VIP crowd, which besides being filled with industry execs including Ron’s Imagine partner Brian Grazer and Co-Chairman Michael Rosenberg, as well as Shania Twain, Steve Perry, Peter Asher and 10 time Oscar nominee Diane Warren.

Howard told the audience that “my introduction to the documentary world was not so long ago through Brian, who delved into docs.  I never got terribly involved. I had lunch with [the late] Jonathan Demme and I expressed to him that I wanted to do docs and that I was just a little terrified.  His answer to me was, “dude, just do it. You’re going to love it, and you’re going to learn something and tell stories.  Jonathan was right.” Ron previously directed docs on Jay Z and The Beatles.

Howard went on to thank everyone involved including Grainge, and pointed out that Lucian was named after Pavarotti, to which Lucian agreed from the audience.  Ron talked about the previously unseen footage, (Pavarotti’s performances worldwide are enchanting) and how he couldn’t have done it “without the blessing of the Pavarotti family. “ Howard then quipped, “This is the first time I’m seeing it without a pad and notes, so no more changes.  You all better like it, damn it!”

Howard has nothing to worry about.  You don’t have to be an opera lover to enjoy this film.  It’s a true work of art for all people, like Pavarotti himself.  Bravo, Ron Howard! You have an operatic sized grand slam with this one, a certain awards favorite and a deserved Oscar contender.

“Pavarotti” a CBS Films, Polygram Entertainment, Brian Grazer presentation, along with Imagine Entertainment and White Horse Pictures production, will be in limited release on June 7th.

Photo credit: Chris Whitaker

Taylor Swift dropped a new single tonight. It’s a duet called “ME!” for a good reason, it’s about HER. The song could have been called “It’s All About Me,” but why waste those other words? Brendan Urie of Panic at the Disco is her partner in crime in what could the Song of the Summer of 2019. It’s a very expensively made video, you can the $$$$$ money everywhere. It’s got HIT written all over it. A whole summer of this. If you’re young, it’s fine. If you’re old, you want the Springsteen single. Note to Madonna: THIS is what 2019 sounds like. “Medellin” sounds like 1989.

If John Hartford’s “Gentle on My Mind” and Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’ at Me” had a single, it would be Bruce Springsteen’s “Hello Sunshine.” I love it, it’s perfect for summer. Bruce signals Glenn Campbell and Harry Nilsson from 1968-69, and Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman.”

Yesterday people misunderstood that he was coming with a “Western” album. It’s not country western. It’s California, Arizona breezy southwest pop. The music lush and melodic. You won’t be able to forget this song.

We’ll have to ask Bruce if this a 50th anniversary thing. His song could go in the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” set in 1969. It’s a very specific sound. I can’t wait to hear the album!

Woodstock 50 doesn’t seem like it’s happening.

The promoters say the sale of tickets are on hold, and indeed they are, on the website.

The hold up is money, and if there isn’t enough, and logistics don’t pan out, this won’t happen. It’s not like 1969, either, when people were innocent and naive, everyone was on drugs, and everything was cool until it wasn’t. Oh, no. All the permits and accommodations have to be perfectly in order before anything starts this time.

Performers scheduled to appear include Miley Cyrus, Jay Z, Imagine Dragons, and a mish mash of artists from now and who were at the original festival, and some who didn’t make it.

It’s ironic– Woodstock anniversaries are not really meant to be. I remember back in 1994, for the 35th anniversary, legendary Beatles promoter Sid Bernstein told me over lunch how he was to get that one going. There were competing anniversary festivals planned. None of it worked out successfully.

Bruce Springsteen will likely be touring this summer, I am told.

In December Springsteen posted a statement with a very big loophole: “Just a note to quell some of the rumors over here on E Street,” he said in a statement posted on Twitter. “While we hope to be back with you soon, the E Street Band won’t be touring in 2019. Before I go back to my day job, the year will be consumed with a break after our Broadway run and various recording projects I’ve been working on. We do hope to see you soon, and until then, we have some mighty E Streeters out there regularly performing with their own projects who’d love and deserve your support.”

Well, the new album doesn’t include E Streeters. For one thing, Stevie van Zandt is on tour with the Disciples of Soul now. The others all have projects. But the musicians on this album are all free, and Bruce will be keeping his word.

It’s not about money. On Broadway Bruce made more money than anyone could imagine. No, he just likes to perform and tour. They all do, all the rockers. They want to be on the road. They love the audience, it’s a high. And the audience adores him.

A fall tour– count on it.

A statement from Bruce Springsteen… pic.twitter.com/bMqCPWmSaW

— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) December 5, 2018

Bruce Springsteen releases a new single tonight called “Hello Sunshine” and a new solo album on June 14th called “Western Stars.”

Springsteen says, “This record is a return to my solo recordings featuring character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangements. It’s a jewel box of a record.”

Ron Aniello produced the album with Springsteen and plays bass, keyboard, and other instruments. Bruce’s rocker wife, Patti Scialfa, assists with vocals and contributes vocal arrangements on four tracks. More than 20 other players are involved including Jon Brion (who plays celeste, Moog, and farfisa), as well as guest appearances by David Sancious, who appeared on early Springsteen records, as well as Charlie Giordano, and Soozie Tyrell. The album was mixed by Tom Elmhirst.

No one else from the E Street Band is involved.

Bruce says the record is inspired by music from Southern California in the 60s and early 70s. “Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach, those kinds of records. I don’t know if people will hear those influences, but that was what I had in my mind. It gave me something to hook an album around; it gave me some inspiration to write. And also, it’s a singer-songwriter record. It’s connected to my solo records writing-wise, more ‘Tunnel of Love’ and ‘Devils and Dust,’ but it’s not like them at all. Just different characters living their lives.”

Will Springsteen tour? My guess is, he will. The word went out after his hit Broadway show ended that there was no touring in 2019– for the E Street Band. That was the loophole.

“Western Stars” tracklist
1. Hitch Hikin’
2. The Wayfarer
3. Tucson Train
4. Western Stars
5. Sleepy Joe’s Café
6. Drive Fast (The Stuntman)
7. Chasin’ Wild Horses
8. Sundown
9. Somewhere North of Nashville
10. Stones
11. There Goes My Miracle
12. Hello Sunshine
13. Moonlight Motel