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Lisa Marie’s Death Could Be a Boon to Nearly Defunct Elvis Presley Non-Profit Foundations

Roger Friedman
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Lisa Marie’s Death Could Be a Boon to Nearly Defunct Elvis Presley Non-Profit Foundations

The website for Graceland — and all the publicity surrounding Lisa Marie Presley’s death — is suggesting donations to the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation in her memory.

Over the years there have been several Presley non profits. But as of today, there are only two and they don’t have much money on hand.

One of them is called the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. It has just $105K in net assets and is located in Memphis. The other is called the Presley Charitable Foundation located in Woodland Hills, California. It has just $92,671 according to federal tax filing.

Very little information is available for the latter foundation. Over three years, from 2017 to 2019, it made one donation, of $10,000, to the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy fund called Walking Strong of Woodland Hills, CA.

The former foundation located in Memphis, Elvis’s adopted hometown, distributed $13,450 in 2019 to a smattering of local charities. In his heyday, Elvis used to spend more than that on sequins.

Much has been made of Lisa Marie’s perilous financial situation, and it’s true. She squandered a $100 million fortune and bad investments and advice, and Scientology. Not much is left except the Graceland business, which also supports her mother, Priscilla Presley. The busines should be booming right now thanks to morbid interest in Lisa Marie’s death and the current “Elvis” movie. A special VIP tour is being offered now throuhg the end of February for $195.

You can read my 2017 story about Lisa Marie and the two foundations by clicking here.

Manhattan Losing Second and Last Downtown Cineplex as Regal Closes Union Square

Roger Friedman
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Manhattan Losing Second and Last Downtown Cineplex as Regal Closes Union Square

First they came for the record stores, then the book stores. Now the movie theaters are going to be eliminated, and fast.

Regal Cinemas, filing for bankruptcy, is closing the Union Square Theater on East 13th St. This follows the shuttering of the Cinepolis, aka Chelsea Odeon Cineplex, over on West 23rd St. And that’s it aside from the small Village East, and Kips Bay Cinema. Anomalies now.

Regal is shuttering a bunch of theaters across the country including some in LA and Boston.

The party is over, my friends. More and more theaters will be closing this year as streaming, digital, Netflix, etc kills off the experience of seeing movies in public. New York is a desert at night aside from Times Square.

People are home. New York is the city that sleeps. This is quite different than the night life of my youth, which was so much fun and culturally important. We saw all the groups, hung out at all the clubs, met all the people we know now. We couldn’t have done that in our living rooms, and we wouldn’t have wanted to.

Live music will be the next to go, I guess. You can just stream a concert onto your phone. No parking, no babysitters, no headaches. No life.

Stephen Stills on David Crosby’s Passing: “I Was Happy to Be At Peace with Him” Grace Slick Speaks: “He Saved My Life”

Roger Friedman
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Stephen Stills on David Crosby’s Passing: “I Was Happy to Be At Peace with Him” Grace Slick Speaks: “He Saved My Life”

David Crosby’s bandmate Stephen Stills has sent this message. Again, they were friends for about 55 years.

“I read a quote in this morning’s paper attributed to compose Gustav Mahler that stopped me for a moment:

“Death has, on placid cat’s paws, entered the room.”

I shoulda known something was up.

David and I butted heads a lot over time, but they were mostly glancing blows, yet still left us numb skulls..

I was happy to be at peace with him.

He was without question a giant of a musician, and his harmonic sensibilities were nothing short of genius.

The glue that held us together as our vocals soared, like Icarus, towards the sun.

I am deeply saddened at his passing and shall miss him beyond measure.”

Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane Tweeted below. The Airplane recorded “Wooden Ships” before CSN existed.

Graham Nash on Longtime Friend and Fellow Singer David Crosby: “I know people want to focus on how volatile our relationship has been”

Roger Friedman
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Graham Nash on Longtime Friend and Fellow Singer David Crosby: “I know people want to focus on how volatile our relationship has been”

Graham Nash posted this to Facebook. He and David Crosby knew each other and worked together for over 50 years. They made four albums together as a duo. I recommend the first two, which are really masterpieces.

“It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed. I know people tend to focus on how volatile our relationship has been at times, but what has always mattered to David and me more than anything was the pure joy of the music we created together, the sound we discovered with one another, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many long years. David was fearless in life and in music. He leaves behind a tremendous void as far as sheer personality and talent in this world. He spoke his mind, his heart, and his passion through his beautiful music and leaves an incredible legacy. These are the things that matter most. My heart is truly with his wife, Jan, his son, Django, and all of the people he has touched in this world.”

Famed Rock Singer David Crosby Dead at 81, Founding Member of the Byrds, and CSN, Sources Say Cause Was COVID (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Famed Rock Singer David Crosby Dead at 81, Founding Member of the Byrds, and CSN, Sources Say Cause Was COVID (Exclusive)

Shock: it’s the end of Crosby, Stills, and Nash as David Crosby has died at age 81. His wife says he had a long illness but he kept it to himself. Crosby was a regular presence on Twitter until recently. (Actually his most recent Tweets were yesterday.)

Sources tell me Crosby died from COVID. He was most likely vaccinated, but may have had co-morbidities.

Crosby was known for his famous harmonies with the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He warred with all of them including Neil Young.

His wife issued a statement: “It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched. We will miss him dearly. At this time, we respectfully and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and try to deal with our profound loss. Thank you for the love and prayers.”

Last year, Crosby sold the rights to his songs, which is usually an indication of estate planning. Among his compositions was “Wooden Ships,” recorded by both CSN and the Jefferson Airplane.

Brian Wilson wrote on Twitter: “I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words. Love & Mercy to David’s family and friends.”

keep refreshing…

One of my favorite albums is the Crosby-Nash album from the mid 70s:

David Crosby Walks Out on Podcast Interview, Calls Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg “Dipsh*t” for Asking Questions

BAFTA, the British Film Academy, Snubs Steven Spielberg Again As Usual, Ignores “The Fabelmans” And It Doesn’t Matter

Roger Friedman
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BAFTA, the British Film Academy, Snubs Steven Spielberg Again As Usual, Ignores “The Fabelmans” And It Doesn’t Matter

BAFTA, the British Film Academy, has never liked Steven Spielberg. He’s too American, too Jewish, too everything.

After all his classic movies, Spielberg has only been honored by BAFTA twice– for making “Schindler’s List” and directing “Saving Private Ryan.”

That’s right: he got no wins for “ET,” “Close Encounters,” “Amistad,” “Minority Report,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Lincoln,” or “Munich.” Or any of the others. How ridiculous is that?

This year, BAFTA mostly snubbed Spielberg’s glorious “Fabelmans.” There’s nothing for the film, the director, the amazing Michelle Williams, or Judd Hirsch. They’ve all won a lot of awards already and will likely be Oscar nominees next week.

Not getting any BAFTA love does nothing to “The Fabelmans” for the Oscars. There is little overlap between the two groups. We like our lox on bagels. The Brits eat it on toast points– and call it gravlax.. That should tell you everything.

Academy voters, who love movies with heart and soul, will probably rally around “The Fabelmans” to show the British a thing or two. We did it in 1776, we can do it in 2023.

Motown Greats Lined Up for Musicares Person of the Year Gala Including Lionel Richie, Valerie Simpson, Temptations, Four Tops — and Stevie Wonder?

Roger Friedman
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Motown Greats Lined Up for Musicares Person of the Year Gala Including Lionel Richie, Valerie Simpson, Temptations, Four Tops — and Stevie Wonder?

The first group of entertainers has been announced for the Grammys annual Musicares Person of the Year dinner.

This the annual glittering gala held on the Friday night before the Grammy Awards. It’s a massive fundraiser and concert for the Recording Academy’s vitally important foundation. The location is the LA Convention Center and the date is Friday, February 3rd.

This year, Motown founder Berry Gordy and key iconic label artist Smokey Robinson are the honorees. It’s going to be a blast!

If the guests only sang Smokey’s songs they’d be there all night. Already signed for the evening to perform Motown and Smokey hits are performers from the label’s vaunted past including Lionel Richie, Valerie Simpson (she wrote dozen of the hits with late husband Nik Ashford), and the current versions of the Temptations and Four Tops.

Also coming are the Isley Brothers, who had their first hits on Motown like “This Old Heart of Mine.” Add to this group Jimmie Allen, Brandi Carlile, Chloe x Halle, Sheryl Crow, Lalah Hathaway, Samara Joy, John Legend, Michael McDonald, PJ Morton, Mumford & Sons, Trombone Shorty, Molly Tuttle, Rita Wilson, and Sebastián Yatra.

One name not announced today is Stevie Wonder. It’s inconceivable that Stevie won’t be there as a guest or performer.

“We’re bringing together such a unique lineup of artists not only to pay tribute to Mr. Gordy, Mr.
Robinson and Motown, but also to raise awareness of the critical health and social service
needs within the music community,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “The
funds raised from Persons of the Year will allow MusiCares to continue to provide vital services
throughout the year to the music community and continue to serve those who make the songs
and events we all love possible.”

Tables are available for purchase at http://personoftheyear.musicares.org/. For more
information about MusiCares Persons of the Year, please visit www.musicares.org or email
personoftheyear@musicares.org.

SHOCK Alec Baldwin Will Be Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in Hutchins Death

Roger Friedman
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SHOCK Alec Baldwin Will Be Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in Hutchins Death

The Santa Fe district attorney will charge Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Prince Harry Book Sales First Week Far Below Obama Record (Exclusive)

Roger Friedman
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Prince Harry Book Sales First Week Far Below Obama Record (Exclusive)

First week sales of Prince Harry’s book Spare were far below a record set by Barack Obama.

Spare sold just 629,300 copies in the US. Obama’s memoir, A Promised Land, sold 200,000 more when it was published in 2020, according to NPD Book Scan.

Nevertheless, Spare remains at the top of all best seller lists this week.

Publisher PenguinRandomHouseetc has to be disappointed. They expected 1 million in sales for the first week after a barrage of publicity.

I Told You a Year Ago About the Michael Jackson Movie, Now It Has a Director

Roger Friedman
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I Told You a Year Ago About the Michael Jackson Movie, Now It Has a Director

Well, I told you a year ago that a Michael Jackson movie was in the works. It’s separate from the Broadway musical “MJ.”

John Logan wrote the screenplay. Graham King is producing.

Now we know that it has a director in Antoine Fuqua. He’s never directed a musical or a movie with music. It’s not even clear if he’s a distant relative of late R&B great Harvey Fuqua. Antoine makes a lot of gritty movies. So this should be unusual, to say the least.

Here’s the link to last February‘s story.

Doing this kind of movie, a soup to nuts bio, is problematic. Look at current Whitney Houston movie. It’s better to do what the musical did, pick a moment in time. With Michael, everything after the “Thriller” period would be a huge downer on screen. Do we really want to see a movie that includes lawsuits, arrests, trials? And how much of it could possibly be accurate? (Almost nothing.)

We’ll see how this works out.

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