You may not know this, but Paul Simon’s been behind a massive children’s charity for years called the Children’s Health Fund. They took trucks of medical supplies to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and do all kinds of good works. Now Simon is putting on a 25th anniversary concert on October 4th at Radio City Musical Hall. Sting, Stevie Wonder, Vince Gill, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, James Taylor and a bunch more A listers are set to perform. Julianne Moore and Jane Pauley are going to host a VIP event before the show. If we’re lucky Artie Garfunkel will be drafted to sing with Simon. And Simon Fuller, creator of “American Idol.” is being honored. It’s the same night Jerry Seinfeld is playing the Beacon Theater and there’s a Broadway opening, too. New York fall season is here! Go to http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/annual-benefit
Clive Davis Book Will Hit at Grammy, Annual Party Time
When else would Clive Davis publish his autobiography but in February? That’s when he throws his annual Grammy eve dinner and concert, which last winter was brutally marred by Whitney Houston dying upstairs in the Beverly Hilton two hours before showtime. Clive’s book, published by Simon & Schuster, will be a reason to celebrate this February.
It doesn’t hurt that Bruce Springsteen will get the MusiCares Person of the Year Award the night before: Clive was there at Columbia Records when Bruce delivered “Greetings from Asbury Park.” It was Clive who suggested Bruce try to write a couple of singles for the album. “Spirit in the Night” and “Blinded by the Light” were the result.
Clive’s book (his second, actually) will rake through his 25 years with Whitney Houston, the formation of Arista Records after he left Columbia in 1973, and maybe how he survived a near-ouster in 2000 to start J Records and bring along Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, and Santana, among others. Anthony DeCurtis is the writer of record.
Will he tell the real story of Milli Vanilli? And how about how he reeled Kelly Clarkson back in when she tried to commit career suicide? And yes, all the stories from Columbia, from Joplin to Simon and Garfunkel to how Philadelphia International had all those soul hits like “Backstabbers” and “When Will I See You Again?” And maybe he can explain what he was doing at Monterey Pop, sitting there in the crowd, rocking out!
It’s going to be a great read.
Liv Tyler Heading Into Outer Space
Exclusive: Actress Liv Tyler, who’s coming off a hit in “Robot and Frank,” is heading into outer space. I’m told she’s just closing a deal to star in “Space Station 76,” an indie project. Her co-stars are set to be Matt Bomer and Patrick Wilson. (This is will be a good looking film, at least.) The first time director is Jack Plotnick, a highly regarded acting coach who teaches lots of stars. Here’s his acting reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgvLPV-Fpgc&lr=1 Among Plotnick’s students are Allyson Hannigan and Stiller and Meara, as well tons of character actors all working away in Hollywood. More to come…
Kennedy Center Shuns Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary for a Stairway to Heaven
Someone on the Kennedy Center committee must be a huge Led Zeppelin and blues fan. Out of nowhere, the Kennedy Center Honors have chosen Zep and Chicago blues guitarist Buddy Guy for Kennedy Center nods this December. This is a shock because the Rolling Stones 50th anniversary is here, they’re far more original and influential than Zeppelin, and deserved to get the award. But it’s Led Zeppelin, which created most of its music from existing American blues including most of the Robert Johnson songbook. Again, a KC committee member must be a huge fan of “Stairway to Heaven.”
The other pics this year are good, Dustin Hoffman being the absolutely best choice. David Letterman was selected; it will be interesting to see if he brings his wife, or admits to having a personal life. Even he said today something to the effect that there must be a mix up. Natalia Marakova, the ballet great, danced at the first Kennedy Center Honors, so she makes sense too. No one was chosen from the dramatic arts, and writers don’t even exist in the Kennedy Center world.
Also passed over this year were Billy Joel, Carole King, Eric Clapton, Shirley Maclaine, Doris Day, and so on. The Kennedy Center honors airs December 2nd to a select audience on CBS.
Michael Jackson “Bad25” Box Features Dedication to Frank DiLeo
Michael Jackson’s “Bad25” boxed set is one of the best packages I’ve ever seen. Beautifully executed in a CD sized box (and not all the unnecessary packaging that often comes with these things), “Bad25” has four discs, two four color booklets, a poster, and stick on decal of the “Bad” cover if you want to add it to the package. The box itself is simple and elegant. Executors John Branca and John McClain dedicate the box to Katherine Jackson and Michael’s three kids. And on the back page of the main booklet, there’s a beautiful dedication to Michael’s late manager, Frank Dileo.
There’s a full page picture of Michael and Frank, with this inscription: “We would like to this opportunity to acknowledge the passing of Michael’s friend, Frank Dileo, who, as Michael’s then manager, played such an integral role in the BAD album and subsequent tour. As we listened to the music, looked through photos and watched videos, while working on this album and the documentary by Spike Lee to celebrate this era in Michael’s career, Frank was always in our thoughts. We miss his friendship, humor and spirit.”
Everything about “Bad25” is well done, perfect. The demos are a treasure trove. The live album from Wembley Stadium is a collector’s item. The remastered “Bad” shows Michael at his peak performance. Ironically, this is from before everything “Bad” happened. It goes on sale next Tuesday, the 18th. Don’t download it. You want the box.
Alicia Keys New Music: The Good, The Bad, and the Sampled
Alicia Keys is getting ready to release a new album, so new music from it is dribbling out. It’s the good, the bad, and the sampled. The first track that appeared was called “New Day” and it’s very annoying. “New Day” has an insistent mechanical drum from a marching band, and not much of an idea lyrically. Yes, it is a new day. Every day. The song is designed to be performed live, not listened to at home. Or god forbid in earphones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-FEKPZ_Yy0&feature=relmfu
Next, on September 4th, Keys posted “Girl on Fire,” the title track from her November album. The song already has its detractors. One of them won’t be the estate of Leon Carr, the late composer of Eddie Holman’s wonderful 1969 classic “Hey There Lonely Girl.” Maybe Alicia is giving a nod to an old standard, but she’s sampled a little of “Lonely Girl” in “Girl on Fire.” Ka-ching for the estate of Leon Carr and partner Earl Shuman.
Another issue with the song: Katniss, the central character of “The Hunger Games,” is known as “the girl on fire.” An independent Los Angeles singer songwriter called Arshad posted a song to YouTube with that name last January: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSvoKoU3kk
Now we have “Not Even the King.” This is a song. This is what Alicia Keys is good at. Even though “King” recalls her best original piece so far, “If I Ain’t Got You,” it’s still catchy, thoughtful, and original (I hope, I don’t think there are any samples per se). It’s written with hot-as-a-pistol UK artist Emeli Sande. Check out her album, “Our Version of Events,” released in June by Virgin in their hide-the-music program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahsFa6AYRaQ
Keys is an astute sampler. Her hit, “Empire State of Mind” was based on “Love on a Two Way Street.” An older hit, “You Don’t Know My Name” came from a song from The Main Ingredient. Her weaving in of old R&B songs into her own music–which she’s quite capable of writing–is either an homage or is lazy, depending on your opinion.
As for “Hey There Lonely Girl”: Carr wrote it with Earl Shuman. But this isn’t the first time he’s been paid a tribute, so to speak. In 1953, Carr had a hit he wrote with our recently departed pal, Hal David. Theresa Brewer had a big hit with it. This was waaaay before the Burt Bacharach years. Its name? “Bell Bottom Blues.” Of course, a dozen years later, Eric Clapton wrote his own song with that name.
There’s nothing new, kids. Not anymore.
Hey There Lonely Girl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lscp1GCjUQ
Bell Bottom Blues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62rPcrUzDTs
“The Master” Premiere: No Protesters, But Lots of Celebs
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” got a proper premiere in New York at the Ziegfeld Theater last night. There were no Scientology protesters, but plenty of celebs. Harvey Weinstein kicked off his introductions with some good thoughts about 9-11 and waved a little pro-Obama flag at the same time. Then he brought out Amy Adams and Madisen Beaty, the only members of the cast who are in town. Director Anderson is in Austin, Texas showing the movie at one of his pop up screenings, apparently. Philip Seymour Hoffman is shooting the “Hunger Games” sequel. No one has any idea where Joaquin Phoenix is.
Anyway, the Z was filled with interesting people, from Edward Norton to Trudie Styler, daughter Mickey Sumner (who’s a hit in the new Noah Baumbach film “Frances Ha”) with Rosie Perez, Fisher Stevens, Adrien Brody, Bob and Lynn Balaban, and Lily Rabe, Grace Gummer and brother in law Ben Walker, actor Josh Hamilton all pouring into the theater to see Hoffman, Phoenix, and Adams in their tour de force. Also in the audience: newly minted Oscar recipient DA Pennebaker with filmmaker wife Chris Hegedus, and documentary pioneer Albert Maysles. Al said after seeing the film, “I don’t think anyone will be joining that cult.”
Let me tell you: every single seat in the Ziegfeld was taken. It was all to wall, which is unusual even for hit movies. Everyone wants to see “The Master.” It’s an epic, a classic, and some hard work at times. But when it opens Friday, expect high interest. For yours truly it was especially interesting to see it on a 70mm widescreen. This film is a work of art, stunning to experience and to look at. Oscars, here they come!
“Today” Show Made a Mistake, but “GMA” Was More Embarrassing
Yes, the “Today” show made a mistake this morning. They didn’t have the moment of silence for 9/11 victims and survivors. Instead they interviewed someone. If it had been someone serious or worthy of any time, no one would have cared. But Kris Jenner, madam of the Kardashians? Discussing breast implants? Oh my. The lowest of the low, you might say.
But really, over at “Good Morning America” today, things were much much worse. Jessica Simpson, famous at this point for nothing, was coming to co-host the 8-9am hour. They touted it all morning like grinning idiots. George Stephanopoulos was absolutely giddy. And then when she arrived, during the same hour of the 9/11 anniversary, GMA had a more than four minute segment of a game show called “What Do You Know About Jess?” or something. It was the most embarrassing thing that show has done in a while.
You can see it here: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/celebs-26594247/how-well-do-you-know-jessica-simpson-30562525.html. So really, which show was worse? It’s a toss up. Robin Roberts, please get better ASAP. You are sorely missed.
Zac Efron on on Being a Teen Heart-Throb: “I Know It Won’t Last Forever”
So: Zac Efron. At Sony Pictures Classics’ annual filmmakers dinner on Saturday night in Toronto, Zac Efron was the guy everyone wanted to meet. Of course, outside the Creme Brasserie restaurant on Cumberland Avenue, in a little alley, dozens and dozens of women, seemingly of all ages, crowded ten deep to get a glimpse of the former “High School Musical” star. Sitting on the inside of the barricades looking out, the whole thing looked like Beatlemania. (We were in a rain proof tent that is usually the restaurant’s outdoor dining area.)
Inside, Efron was a cool as a cucumber. He’s very nice, actually. And unfazed by all the attention. At first he said, “Maybe I should go out and sign a few things.” Before he could finish the sentence, everyone around us said “No” in unison. That seemed like a very bad idea, one that would cause an injury. Meantime, the ladies were shouting, waving, flashing cameras.
At one point, he took a call on his cell phone and walked into proximity of his rabid fans. I think he was milking it a little bit, but Zac said: “I couldn’t hear anything in there,” meaning the restaurant.
How does he process all of this, I asked him? “I know it’s not going to last forever,” he said quietly. “So I’m very grateful.”
He’s 24, and now he stars with Dennis Quaid in “At Any Price.” Remember when Dennis Quaid was the hot young guy from “The Big Easy”? Now he’s very happy just to watch all this unfold. Both he and Pierce Brosnan were eating in the back. They’ve seen it all.
So Zac lives by himself in the Hollywood Hills. He bought a house “but it’s not big enough for all the family and friends who come to visit,” he said. He is thinking of getting roommates because it is a little lonely. He’s talking to a couple of friends about it.
Had he seen his ex-girlfriend and “HSM” co-star Vanessa Hudgens in “Springbreakers” yet, I asked?
“I’ve heard about it,” he said, vaguely. And then he was gone, whisked out back by security. The girls outside in the front wouldn’t believe it. They were still hanging around, hoping in vain for something, anything.
Marvin Hamlisch, Hal David Memorials: Dates Set
Private memorials for both composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Hal David have been set. Hamlisch’s memorial is planned for September 18th at Lincoln Center. No word yet on who will perform, but it’s more than likely that Barbra Streisand will put in appearance. Other guests should include Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and Carole Bayer Sager. More info tomorrow.
The Bergmans will have double duty at memorials if they do come, since their fellow ASCAP former president Hal David will be celebrated in Los Angeles on September 21st. Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick are sure to be at that one, which is also private. The Songwriters Hall of Fame has moved up its annual nominating meeting in New York on the 20th to accommodate all the members who will travel to Hal’s memorial. He was the longtime president of the SHOF.