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DNC Day 1: Cory Rocks, Bernie’s a Mensch, Michelle Obama is a Rock Star

Roger Friedman
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DNC Day 1: Cory Rocks, Bernie’s a Mensch, Michelle Obama is a Rock Star

DNC first night: Cory Booker rocked the convention hall. Bernie Sanders was a total mensch, and goes down in history a mensch whose grace is unparalleled.

But it was Michelle Obama who stole the night. What a speech! She’s been working eight years towards this speech and this night. Funny, isn’t it? The Obamas are hitting their stride in their eighth year. You kind of want them to stay four more years. I can’t wait to see what they do once they’re out of the White House.

Paul Simon performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and underscored the night with elegance. No musical artists will complain this week that their songs were used without permission, that’s for sure.

Michelle Obama’s speech begins at 14:13.

Black Lives Matter Getting Concert with Broadway, Tony Award Winning Stars

Roger Friedman
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Black Lives Matter Getting Concert with Broadway, Tony Award Winning Stars

Black Lives Matter is coming to Broadway. Or rather, Broadway is putting on a show to support BLM.

The Tony-est winning star Audra McDonald leads a famed cast on August 1st at Columbia University “for a night of unity and solidarity supporting the Black Lives Matter movement through artistic expression and conversation before a public audience.”

Joining McDonald are four-time Grammy Award winner India.Arie, Tony Award winners Billy Porter (Shuffle Along, Kinky Boots), Jeanine Tesori (artistic director of New York City Center) and Tony Kushner ( Angels in America), Danielle Brooks ( The Color Purple), Rebecca Naomi Jones ( Hedwig and The Angry Inch, Passing Strange), Professor Kendall Thomas (Columbia Law School), Joshua Henry ( Shuffle Along), Camille A. Brown ( A Streetcar Named Desire), Professor Frank Roberts (Yale), Daniel Beatty, Daniel J. Watts ( Hamilton), The Broadway Inspirational Voices and New York City Center’s cast of Runaways.

In a statement, the Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective says, “An overwhelming number of friends and colleagues in the Broadway community have expressed a deep desire to participate in an open dialogue about the social and racial justice issues that are troubling our nation. The event will bring Broadway performers together with policy reformers, educators, clergymen, public officials, and community leaders to discuss a plan of action. The evening will spark conversation and encourage people to discover their roles as active participants in a movement towards positive change.”

Free tickets can be obtained here: BroadwayBlack.com/BWAY4BLM. Also the show will be live streamed.

Sting’s First Rock Album in 13 Years Coming in November, Single Drops September 2

Roger Friedman
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Sting’s First Rock Album in 13 Years Coming in November, Single Drops September 2

Sting is back! And if you were wondering whether he could return to rock after a Broadway show and learning the lute, there’s very good news. I’ve heard the first single, called “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You,” and I can’t stop thinking about it. Radio friendly with a Police-like propulsive bass driving it, the single has a unique melody that will get stuck in your head the minute you hear it.

All those acts– Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, that other one — that routinely lift the Police sound for new songs will sit up and pay attention when they hear how it’s really done.

The single drops September 2nd. The album, called “57th and 9th”– Sting’s first rock album in 13 years–comes in early November. And there’s a big marketing commitment here from Universal Music. Sting headlines the I Heart Music Festival on September 24th in Las Vegas. By that time “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You” should be number 1 on Z100.

(U2 headlines the other night, which suggests they have new music coming, too. Considering the bleak sales in the music biz right now, Sting and U2 are really needed on the charts.)

I’m told “57th and 9th” — with ten new tracks– was recorded quickly with Sting’s regular band (Dominic Miller, et al) and his new friends, Last Bandoleros from San Antonio, Texas. I heard Sting play with Los Bandoleros at Trudie Styler’s movie company dinner recently, and they rock.

PS September 30th comes a big boxed set from Sting– “The Studio Collection” consists of all eight essential A&M Records albums across eleven LPs – The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1985), …Nothing Like The Sun (1987) (double LP), The Soul Cages (1991), Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993), Mercury Falling (1996), Brand New Day (1999) (double LP), Sacred Love (2003) (double LP) and The Last Ship (2013) – with both Brand New Day and Sacred Love available on vinyl for the first time ever.

 

UPDATE Global Citizen Concert? Staff Salaries Are Up $1 Million, Group Finished 2014 in the Red

Roger Friedman
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UPDATE Global Citizen Concert? Staff Salaries Are Up $1 Million, Group Finished 2014 in the Red

UPDATE Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Selena Gomez, and Metallica have been announced this morning. None of them are asking questions.

EARLIER I’ve been asking for three or four years now, what the heck is this annual Global Citizen concert in Central Park? I’ve never gotten a good answer. Since they started their annual September concert, everyone from Alicia Keys to Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Neil Young have participated, plus dozens of actors and celebrities including Hugh Jackman.

But what is it all about and what’s happening now? Last year the sketchy Global Citizen group announced its acts for the September concert on July 9th.

Well, it’s July 25th and there’s no announcement yet for this September 24th. Maybe all those well meaning rock acts are starting to ask questions.

global citizen top pageHere’s some news. According to Global Poverty’s Form 990 (that’s what they call their foundation) for 2014, the most recent filing, their Net Assets at the end of 2014 were MINUS $205,889. That’s red ink, in the negative. They had total liabilities of ONE MILLION dollars. Apparently, global poverty starts here.

Their salaries went up by one million dollars from 2013 to 2014. In 2013, salaries were listed as $759,311. For 2014, the number increased to a whopping $1.79 million. (And actually there’s some discrepancy about the 2013 number because two different totals have been given.)

Hugh Evans, the Aussie who runs the show and loves to pose with celebrities, got a nice bump up from $94,673 to $109,861.

But who knows what’s really going on? The Global Poverty Form 990 has a lot of miscellaneous charges.

The main thing to know: 2014 total revenue was $10.5 million. Total contributions (donations from sponsors presumably since there’s no other donor breakdown) in 2014 were $8.8 million. (The difference came in investments, etc.)

All that money came in and this is where it went: they say $782,358 went to “increase awareness of Global Poverty.” This isn’t listed under Grants to poor people. The only money Global Poverty gave to any specific charitable organization was $96,896 to Rotary Clubs of America to promote polio awareness.

Some other expenses: $332,373 for Office Expenses. $376,641 for Travel Expenses.

And an astounding $7.1 million to put on the Central Park Concert in 2014 with Beyonce, Jay Z, and No Doubt. Included in that number is over $2 million paid to outside vendors.

Meanwhile, one officer and two directors of the charity loaned Global Poverty to help put on the 2014 concert. They have not been paid back.

So what is it? Is it just an ego boost to put on a mega concert and talk about the existence of poverty? At best yes. At worst, it’s something else all together. If you could raise $10 million from sponsors, wouldn’t be more worthwhile to give it to poor people instead of paying for a rock concert and all its trimmings?

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Bieber Posts Pic with Sex Offender on Instagram, Also Releases Lame New Single

Roger Friedman
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Justin Bieber Posts Pic with Sex Offender on Instagram, Also Releases Lame New Single

Two strikes for Justin Bieber.

First, he posted a photo taken of him and “Ferris Bueler” actor Jeffrey Jones on Instagram. Poor Justin. Since he was born yesterday he doesn’t realize that Jones was arrested and convicted in 2004 for soliciting photos of a 14 year old boy on the Internet. He is now a registered sex offender. Radar Online picked this up, and it’s unbelievable. I thought Bieber’s whole sthick now was ‘no photos.’ Only with sex offenders, I guess.

The Biebs also released a lame new single called “Cold Water.” I say, give it the cold shoulder. Want to hear a great song in the same vein? How about “You’ve Got a Friend”? Or “Lean on Me”? or “I’ll Stand by You.” Kids, go listen some of those great songs. They will move you down to your toes. This, this is just terrible. Sorry to throw cold water on this, but really…

Try this…

Box Office Resurgence for “Star Trek” ($60 Mil) and Woody Allen — “Cafe Society” is a Hit!

Roger Friedman
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Box Office Resurgence for “Star Trek” ($60 Mil) and Woody Allen — “Cafe Society” is a Hit!

Sometimes the box office will surprise you.

“Star Trek Beyond” did $59.6 million for the weekend, and you can round it up to $60 mil. That’s a huge success for a concept that’s been around since 1967. It’s also a nice tribute to the memory of Anton Yelchin. It’s also not far off the $70 million that “Star Trek into Darkness” did in 2013. The franchise lives.

Woody Allen’s “Cafe Society” is a hit for Amazon releasing through Lions Gate. Woody has just crossed the $1 million mark ($1.3 mil) in 50 locations. Amazon’s Bob Berney did it the right way. Put some thought and muscle into Woody and get a hit.

It didn’t hurt to have appealing young stars like Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg. But remember– they’ve co-starred in bad movies, too. “Cafe Society” is the best new dramedy of 2016, the best written by far, and beautifully directed by the master himself.

Alas, not so good for the latest installment of “The Ice Age.” With terrible reviews, the animated feature didn’t attract many kids. Of course, “Secret Life of Pets” and “Finding Dory” are wiping it out. A $21 million opening is half of what the previous chapters did.

“Independence Day: Resurgence” Finally Hits $100 Million After 27 Days in Release

Roger Friedman
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“Independence Day: Resurgence” Finally Hits $100 Million After 27 Days in Release

There should have been a fanfare on the Fox lot on Wednesday.

That’s when “Independence Day: Resurgence” crossed the $100 million mark at the US box office. It only took 27 days. Twenty seven long days.

The original “Independence Day” hit $100 million on its 6th day in 1996. On its 27th day, “ID4” was at $224 million US.

Luckily, overseas, “IDR” has made $243 million. Most of that came from China– $73 million. If the Chinese can get to the theater and get home without losing any human rights, they’re happy. They like seeing aliens get it. The plot or lack of character development is not a major concern.

So will there be another “Independence Day”? Hopefully not. Maybe just one in Chinese.

Disney May Have Pulled the Plug on Reality Star Ben Higgins’ Political Run in Colorado

Roger Friedman
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Disney May Have Pulled the Plug on Reality Star Ben Higgins’ Political Run in Colorado

It seemed ridiculous but no more ridiculous than anything else right now: Ben Higgins, 26 year old star of last season’s “The Bachelor,” filed to run for the state senate in Colorado. Higgins, unsurprisingly, is a Republican.

But yesterday came an announcement that Higgins was dropping his candidacy a couple of days after he announced. The statement came not from Higgins, but from Disney, which owns “The Bachelor” and is launching Higgins his fiancee in a new reality show this fall on its cable channel called Freeform.

For some reason, both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter omitted the fact that Disney sent out the statement. But the Denver Post’s Tracy Cook got it. Her sources told her: “[Disney] got very squeamish about the politics, especially with Ben being a Republican. The ultimatum that was given to Ben was ‘If you run, we will take you out of The Bachelor franchise.’ ”

And this does make sense. Disney chairman Bob Iger is a huge Hillary Clinton supporter and big Democratic fundraiser. He’s co-hosting a mega Hollywood fundraiser for Clinton on August 22nd. The idea of Higgins and Donald Trump igniting a reality TV PR campaign on ABC must have sent shivers down the spin of everyone at the company.

(Considering Colorado’s drug laws, Iger when he heard about Higgins must have said, “What’s he smoking?”)

In the end, Higgins chose show business over politics. But my guess is, if he goes through with his wedding to his reality fiancee, Lauren Bushnell, and they produce happy little babies, Higgins will be back soon enough.

Here is statement, issued by Disney’s Caitlyn Johnson:

It has been reported that Ben Higgins is running for public office in Colorado. He explored the idea and decided not to run. Here is his statement:

“I regret that I must withdraw my candidacy. Despite my best efforts to pursue this opportunity in good faith, I recently received information that has made such a pursuit unworkable. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will not be able to move forward as a candidate. I find solace in knowing that our intentions and actions have been fair and sincere. I entered into this endeavor wanting to bring positive change to my community, and it is with that same spirit that I will move forward, albeit on a different path.” — Ben Higgins

Billy Crystal Down Under Gives Inspirational Speech to Russell Crowe’s Rugby Team

Roger Friedman
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Billy Crystal Down Under Gives Inspirational Speech to Russell Crowe’s Rugby Team

Billy Crystal is a known quantity here in the US and we love him. And you know he’s a big baseball fan, particularly a Yankee fan.

In Australia this month on a huge tour that also includes New Zealand, Billy used his love of sports to help Russell Crowe. At dinner with Crowe and his rugby team The Rabbitohs, Billy wound up giving them an inspirational speech about winning that would make even Casey Stengel proud.

Crystal– who everyone would like to see back hosting the Oscars– has sold out his tour Down Under. He’s also gotten incredible reviews and the folks there are loving since Billy hasn’t been to see them since touring “700 Sundays” in 2007.

In Brisbane, the reviewer Roger Hall wrote: “The American comedian’s warm, hilarious show is the best thing I’ve seen this year and this is one bloke who deserved the standing ovation he got in the Concert Hall at QPAC.”

Billy’s just finished touring New Zealand to raves, then heads back to Australia (he already conquered Sydney) on Sunday for six shows in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. You know he must love it there if he’s missing a huge chunk of the baseball pennant races that are developing!

Crystal starts work on the animated “Which Witch?” feature directed by Brian Henson and produced by Brian’s sister Lisa (they’re the successful children of the late Jim Henson) this fall.

Come home soon, Billy!

Worst Week Ever? Pop Charts 325,000 Total for Top 20 as No Big Name Releases Kill Summer

Roger Friedman
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Worst Week Ever? Pop Charts 325,000 Total for Top 20 as No Big Name Releases Kill Summer

The pop charts are dead.

Is there a song of the summer of 2016? Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” sort of was headed in that direction. But it’s unclear if it held on long enough.

Otherwise, this week’s total sales of Top 20 CDs and digital downloads came to 325,000. That’s the whole top 20. Need to Breathe’s “Hard Love” album notched just under 45,000 to be number 1. That is a truly awful number 1.

The number 50 album, by Switchfoot, sold 4000 copies.

Blake Shelton’s newest album was number 14 and sold just 10,000 copies. After that, from number 15 down to 50, it’s all less than 10,000 copies for everyone.

Streaming added a little but not a lot to the equation. For example, Drake sold 16,562 CDs and downloads. If you add in streaming, he gets up to 87,567. But Drake is the EXCEPTION. And for some reason, his audience doesn’t care about owning his music.

There are no big name releases scheduled between now and August 29th, when 70 year old Barbra Streisand has an album of duets with odd ball non singers. September looks pretty bleak too. I know of one big single by a Rock Star coming on September 2nd that will surprise everyone. But otherwise, it’s slim pickens.

Have the record companies just given up? Feels like it. We need a real surprise album drop fast. But who could it be? The only superstars are over 50, and even they get one big week during release. This is a broken business.

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