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Famed Songwriter Gerry Goffin is Dead, Wrote Dozens of Hits with Ex Wife Carole King, Others

Roger Friedman
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Famed Songwriter Gerry Goffin is Dead, Wrote Dozens of Hits with Ex Wife Carole King, Others

UPDATE FRIDAY 12:40AM: Neil Sedaka on the passing of Gerry Goffin: “I am saddened to hear about the passing of Gerry Goffin. We all started together in The Brill Building.  As a matter of fact, I was the one who brought Gerry and Carole King up to the offices of Aldon Music where they signed with Don Kirshner and Al Nevins. I remember when we were all growing up in Brooklyn; singing on the street corners, at the local hops. Gerry was a brilliant lyricist in our business. The great “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, “Up on the Roof” and “Saving All My Love For You” were over and above the typical pop song of the day. Every time one of his songs is played on the radio, he will live on. My condolences to his wife and his family.”

EARLIER THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Gerry Goffin died today of “natural causes,” according to his wife, Michelle. He was 75 years old.

Carole King said in a statement: “Gerry Goffin was my first love. He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world.  Gerry was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come.  His legacy to me is our two daughters, four grandchildren, and our songs that have touched millions and millions of people, as well as a lifelong friendship. He will be missed by his wonderful wife Michele, his devoted manager, Christine Russell, his five children, and six grandchildren.”

Gerry Goffin had a crazy life, more of which can be told later. He was a poet, and a tortured soul. I think Michelle was his fourth wife. After Carole there was at least Ellen, and Linda. This doesn’t count the backup singer with whom he had a child while he was married to Carole during their outstanding and prolific heyday. Some of this in the musical “Beautiful.”

But the main thing about Gerry Goffin is that he wrote all those hits with Carole– from “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to “The Locomotion” and so on. He wrote the words to “Up on the Roof.” He also wrote lots of hits with other people including “”I’ve Got to Use my) Imagination” for Gladys Knight and the Pips, “Saving All My Love for You” for Whitney Houston, and “Do You Know Where You’re Going To” for Diana Ross.

Gerry came to the opening of “Beautiful” just a few months ago, so he knew that his legacy would live on and on. I’m sure they’ll have a moment of silence tonight at the show. When the Beatles came to America, they wanted to be Goffin and King. Let’s never forget that.

Beyonce Will Promote Concert Tour on HBO With Video Clips of Her Last Tour

Roger Friedman
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Beyonce Will Promote Concert Tour on HBO With Video Clips of Her Last Tour

I told you last week that Beyonce and Jay Z’s stadium tour is selling tickets, but slowly. A source at LiveNation countered that they’ve already sold $86 million worth of tickets, with a goal of $100 million. So hey, slow may be good! A total of 800, 000 people are headed to those 19 dates in the U.S.

But just in case, here’s news: Beyonce will promote the dates on HBO starting this Sunday night. For five minutes before every episode of “True Blood,” HBO will show videos from Beyonce’s “Mrs. Carter” tour. The songs are mostly from her recent album, and the “Mrs. Carter” tour only ended in March so it will all seem quite fresh. The match is good, too, since “True Blood” pulls an upscale audience that would probably buy tickets to see Beyonce and Jay Z.

So isn’t that nice? Everything’s going to work out. I was worried about those two crazy kids for a minute!

JLO New Album Will Come in Around 30-35K, 5 Times Lower Than The New #1

Roger Friedman
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JLO New Album Will Come in Around 30-35K, 5 Times Lower Than The New #1

Jennifer Lopez and manager Benny Medina must be steaming. Her “AKA” album is predicted to finish its debut week with just 30-35,000 copies sold. It’s a total disaster since Lopez’s last album did 83,000 copies and that was considered a flop. This is well below that.

The irony is that JLO is now signed to Capitol Records, which is now part of Universal Music. Capitol this week launched a British soul singer who’s sort of Boy George without the flamboyant outfits.  Capitol has put a ton of money into Smith, guaranteeing him the number 1 slot and between 130-150,000 copies for his debut.

“AKA” has not made further up the iTunes chart than number 9 so far. On amazon, the physical CD is around number 20. Lopez has appeared on “Good Morning America” with Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight show. But nothing is lighting a fire under its sales.

Here’s a great PR idea: have Lopez and Mariah Carey, who are sort of mortal enemies, appear together somewhere. They should sing “Enough is Enough.” (I doubt this will happen.)

Interesting, isn’t it? Carey and Lopez’s peer, Janet Jackson, sort of saw all this coming. She’s more or less retired from recording. She saw the writing on the wall. Of the three, Carey has the surest chance of a comeback. She’s got the Voice.

Notes: Donovan Rocks, Chicago Eats, Whitey Bulger Shoots

Roger Friedman
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Notes: Donovan Rocks, Chicago Eats, Whitey Bulger Shoots

Here’s a unique story: Donovan, the eternally youthful 1960s troubadour who had a zillion hits like “Mellow Yellow” and “The Hurdy Gurdy Man,” has been with the same music publisher his entire career. Around 1964 he found himself in Nashville, where he signed with Peer Music. He’s been with them this whole time, and unlike a lot of other artists, still owns his music. Now he’s 68, and still releasing new terrific music. (Check it out at www.donovan.com)

Yesterday I interviewed Donovan onstage at the Cutting Room for a huge group of advertising music supervisors and film people. Donovan, still sprightly and lots of fun, is also a great story teller. The room was spellbound. And he played a bunch of hits, acoustic on guitar, no augmentation: “Sunshine Superman,” “Season of the Witch,” “Catch the Wind,” the two I already mentioned, a couple of new songs, and “There Is A Mountain.” Did you know that the Allman Brothers adapted “Mountain” for their own “Mountain Jam” on “Eat a Peach”? Cool!

Donovan’s songs hold up beautifully because they’re based on blues, jazz, and 50s rock and roll. They are composed. It’s amazing how fresh they sound. That’s why they’re classics. Donovan was pretty much the last artist I advocated for at the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and he was just inducted. He should have been in there a long time ago…

…Going to Chicago? I did last week for Sting’s musical “The Last Ship.” What did I discover? Coco Pazzo, which closed up in New York years ago, has been there for 24 years. Pino Luongo’s former partner, Jack Weiss, moved to the Windy City and turned their Coco Pazzo into the premiere Italian restaurant. Weiss also has a cozy Coco Pazzo Cafe. On the night I ate there, Chicago Symphony Orchestra conductor Ricardo Muti came in after his performance dressed in white tie! This is apparently where the elite meet, and eat. I am still dreaming about the all the different pastas we tried. Chicago is an eating town, but this is where it starts…

…A bunch of interesting celebs turned up the other night for a screening of Joe Berlinger’s film, “Whitey:United States Of America V. James J. Bulger.” Whitey Bulger was played Jack Nicholson in “The Departed.” Then the infamous mobster was caught, tried and convicted of heinous crimes. The movie opens next Friday (June 27). It’s riveting. Among those riveted: Candice Bergen, Robert Wuhl, Peter Riegert, Gay Talese, Barbara Kopple, Clive Davis, Ashleigh Banfield, Nick Pileggi, and both NYC police commishes– past- Ray Kelly, with wife Veronica, and present Bill Bratton with his wife, journalist Rikki Klieman.

“Jersey Boys” Has 2 Sopranos and One Child Star from “My Three Sons”

Roger Friedman
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“Jersey Boys” Has 2 Sopranos and One Child Star from “My Three Sons”

Clint Eastwood’s “Jersey Boys”– which I found very moving– is full of little treats. The well-cast musical, opening tomorrow, of course has lots of music and all of the Four Seasons hits. Audiences tend to sing along, I know mine did.

But a couple of people to  look out for: I don’t know why but whenever I see Barry Livingston in a movie, I can’t get barry livingston as ernieover it. He played Ernie Douglas on “My Three Sons” in the 1960s. He was a huge child star, brought into the Fred MacMurray series when the show needed a new infusion of youth. He was around 8 back then. Now he’s 61. He looks pretty much the same, except in “Jersey Boys” he has a beard. Of course the irony is that Ernie and his brother Chip were probably doing their homework to Four Seasons songs on the radio. Barry Livingston, according to the imdb, works all the time. Bravo!

Sopranos alert: I thought there would be more Sopranos in “Jersey Boys” since Tony and his gang were the later, more violent non singing version of the Four Seasons. But be on the lookout for Kathrine Narducci and Steve Schirippa in early scenes of “Jersey Boys.” Kathy memorably played Charmaine Bucco, wife of restaurateur Artie, and good friend to Carmella. Schirippa, of course, was Bobby Bacala, Janet’s genial husband, Uncle Junior’s pal.

Movies: Amazing “Boyhood” with Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette Filmed Over 12 Year Span

Roger Friedman
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Movies: Amazing “Boyhood” with Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette Filmed Over 12 Year Span

Richard Linklater’s amazing “Boyhood” opened the 6th annual BAM Cinematek Festival last night in Brooklyn. Yes, I went to Brooklyn to see this movie I’d hear about for years. “Boyhood” was shot in real time with the same actors for a dozen years. It chronicles the life of a family through the eyes of a boy from ages 6 to 18, his school years, and everyone around him. “Boyhood” is quite extraordinary.

In the audience last night: Maggie Gyllenhaal and her director mom Naomi Foner, plus director Julie Taymor, “Foxcatcher” director Bennett Miller, and writer Kristin Gore (Al and Tipper’s lovely daughter).

What’s so special about “Boyhood”? It’s just “life.” Or a gimmick. But Linklater knew he was making his masterpiece, I’m sure, as the filming stopped and started over the years. During that time he made “Bernie” and about 10 other films including “School of Rock,” “Before Midnight,” “Before Sunrise,” and so on. He was just biding his time. The idea of using these actors– Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane and his own daughter, Lorelei Linklater– straight through lends an incredible gravitas to the proceedings. “Boyhood” is funny and sad and poignant.

The story: Arquette and Hawke have the two kids, divorce soon after, and he disappears. When he comes back into the kids’ lives, it’s with good intentions but no career, money, or focus. Hawke’s Mason Sr. is Peter Pan. Meanwhile, Arquette’s Olivia is a struggling single mom with her eye on the prize: a college education and more.

Olivia moves her little family in near her mother in Houston, Texas, and sets off to change their lives. She makes a misstep: a second marriage to a college professor with two kids. For a while their blended family works, then it doesn’t. Again, Olivia and her kids move forward toward independence. On the other end, Mason Sr. remarries and starts a new family to “get it right.” Sound familiar?

It’s an elegant, simple story. There are no big tragedies– this isn’t “The Fault in our Stars.” But you come to care for the characters so quickly that any possible peril any one of them may be in– Linklater throws in some red herrings–makes you worry something bad will happen.

Apparently, “Boyhood” is Linklater’s autobiography. I’ve heard that it’s very close to his own story of growing up in Texas. In that sense, this is for what “Almost Famous” was to Cameron Crowe. You can feel its authenticity. Like that film, “Boyhood” will catch audiences by surprise. It’s a surefire sleeper hit, with loads of awards potential.

 

Michael Jackson’s Father Tweets “Thanks” to Son’s Executors

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s Father Tweets “Thanks” to Son’s Executors

Joseph Jackson just posted an unexpected Tweet: “I would like to thank the Estate of Michael Jackson for taking care of my wife Katherine and my grandchildren Prince, Paris and blanket.” …

Huh? Mr. Jackson is not dying, I am assured by sources. “He’s had a change of heart. He’s tired of fighting. He thinks the Estate has done a great job with Katherine and the kids.”

Jackson, who’s in his early 80s, used to say that the Estate and everyone else “killed” Michael. But with the court fights all done, and the fifth anniversary of Michael’s death approaches, wily Joe is ready to make peace with everyone. “He’s getting nicer as he gets older.”

If only that had happened a long time ago.

Anyway, an olive branch to the executors is probably a good idea as Mr. Jackson gets older. He’s going to need their help.

Emmy Nom Ballots Due Friday: All About “Mad Men,” “Veep,” “Tanning of America”

Roger Friedman
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Emmy Nom Ballots Due Friday: All About “Mad Men,” “Veep,” “Tanning of America”

The trade papers are full of copy about the Emmy awards: nominating ballots are due in to the Television Academy on Friday. The amount of money spent on the advertising of For Your Consideration ads, plus campaigns for shows that will never be nominated, it’s all out of control. The Emmys are also kind of a static deal– the same things, people, get nominated over and over. By now everyone on “Modern Family” has a mansion full of statues. I’ve never watched an entire episode. What can you do?

Here are a couple of thoughts: “Mad Men” only had seven episodes this season but they were hugely impressive. Jon Hamm is overdue for an Emmy, and so is John Slattery. Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss had excellent material in this short season.

The writing, particularly in the 5th, 6th, and 7th episodes was far beyond anything else from American TV. Matt Weiner deserves all the Emmy praise we can heap on him. My favorite moments: John Slattery in the opening orgy scene, later going to see his daughter in a commune– outstanding. Jon Hamm sitting in a little chair in the copy room while we he waits and waits for Roger Sterling (Slattery) or someone to show up. Hamm looked a like an adult who’d returned to grade school. It was so uncomfortable, you could feel it through the screen. And the Man vs. Machine episode about the introduction of the computer into Sterling Cooper had incredible religious overtones. I hope “Mad Men” and all its players are front and center this year.

“Veep” is the best comedy on TV. This season was sublime, of course. Julia Louis Dreyfus can do no wrong as Selina Meyer, the Michael Scott of politics. Armando Iannucci is a genius. His movie “The Loop” is worth seeing as a blueprint for all this governmental zaniness. I’m in love with Anna Chlumsky’s Amy. Also, Reid Scott has really come into his own as Dan.  Why isn’t Kevin Dunn more celebrated as a supporting actor? The highlight of the season: Selina’s hair cut. How will she ever become President of the United States? I long for and dread the next season.

Steven Stoute got famous in New York for being a record executive beaten over the head with a Champagne bottle by Sean Diddy Combs. Those were the wild days of hip hop and rap. Things have progressed so much that Combs actually sat for an interview and was thoughtful in a VH-1 doc series called “The Tanning of America: One Nation Under Hip Hop.” Emmy voters can put this into the non fiction category. Do it. The series is terrific on how rap and hip hop were born and came to influence fashion and politics. I was knocked out by it.

In “The Tanning” we get some startling face time with rap mogul Rick Rubin, who never ever does interviews. Mariah Carey gives an extremely insightful moment into how she changed from Tommy Mottola’s ballad queen into a hip hop queen. And you’ll see rare footage of Combs himself interviewing Barack Obama when he was running for Congress. You can see Combs falling in love with him on camera. The rest of the country followed.

I spoke with Stoute yesterday from Cannes, where he’d just spoken to at the Cannes Lions advertising conference. He arranged for a whole session on hip hop and its power in the marketplace. He was with Kanye West at the Hotel du Cap in Antibes. “He’s never been here before,” Stoute told me. “He can’t believe it.”

He’s come a long way from his famous scuffle with Puffy in the bad old days, I said gently. “Having kids has changed everything,” he replied. “It changes everything.”

Stoute says of the four part doc: “It’s been an unbelievable journey. We started it from the 70s, and you have it give it a little time.” The doc played on VH-1 he said because “I wanted to connect with a large audience. We got a million people to watch it. That’s a big deal. It’s not a documentary that chronicles the hip hop you already know.”

Stoute cited Combs and Mariah Carey among others as standouts. And Dr. Dre, who’s become a billionaire with the Beats-Apple deal since he made the film. And that deal proves the whole point of his mini series, Apple, the biggest company, is now tanned.

Who was his favorite? “Norman Lear,” he said of the TV innovator who brought race and black life into living rooms for the first time. Lear gave us “Good Times” and “The Jeffersons,” two shows that everyone in the doc still cite as influential.  Said Stoute: “His take on it was so fresh. He’s been doing this for 40 years. I appreciate his courage.”

Emmy voters, take heed.

 

 

Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols Ruin Faye Dunaway’s Plans for “Master Class”

Roger Friedman
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Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols Ruin Faye Dunaway’s Plans for “Master Class”

Poor Faye Dunaway. The Oscar winning actress has long planned on starring in the movie version of Terrence McNally’s play “Master Class.” Dunaway herself played opera star Maria Callas in the national tour of “Master Class,” and trooped around the world trying to put a movie together. She gave millions of interviews about the project, and even Tweeted a picture of herself in 2012:

 

 

Alas, all is lost now. Meryl Streep and power partner producer director Mike Nichols have signed up with HBO to make the film about Callas and a music student.Zoe Caldwell and Audra McDonald won Tony Awards in 1995 when the play first appeared on Broadway. Tyne Daly won kudos when she played Callas on Broadway four years ago in a revival.

No one’s been announced yet for the student part, but you know that Anne Hathaway is probably making breakfast for Streep and Nichols this morning, and possibly getting their dry cleaning. “The Devil Sings Puccini,” you know.

Ah, Faye. Barbra Streisand probably felt this way when she heard Ryan Murphy was making “The Normal Heart.” Life’s a bitch. Please, no jokes about getting out the wire hangers!

 

Happy Birthday Paul McCartney! The Forever Beatle Turns 72

Roger Friedman
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Happy Birthday Paul McCartney! The Forever Beatle Turns 72

Paul McCartney is 72 today. Happy Birthday Paul! The forever Beatle is recovering in New York after a nasty viral infection cut short his tour in Japan. But really, what 72 year old continues to carry his own rock show solo? Crazy. But Paul loves it, and has endless energy on stage, as if he were 42! Paul picks up his tour in Albany, New York on July 5th. With or without John Lennon, Paul is the most successful songwriter in history. Let’s hope he has a nice vegetarian meal today, capped off with some good Champagne. He deserves it!

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