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Shock and Sadness in the Music World: Andre Harrell, Founder of Uptown Records, Father of Modern R&B, Dies Suddenly at 59

Roger Friedman
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Shock and Sadness in the Music World: Andre Harrell, Founder of Uptown Records, Father of Modern R&B, Dies Suddenly at 59

There’s a lot of shock and much sadness over night as word of the death of Andre Harrell spreads. He was 59 years old.

Andre–one of the best dressed, most articulate and intelligent record men– came into the business working with Russell Simmons at the original DefJam Records. He spread his wings in the 90s and started Uptown Records, introducing Mary J. Blige, among other artists.

But what Harrell really did was launch Sean Puffy Combs before Combs started Bad Boy Records. It was just this past January in Los Angeles at Clive Davis’s pre Grammy dinner when Puffy gave his long speech and reminisced about Andre giving him his big break. I was sitting just a few feet from Andre, and he overwhelmed by Puffy’s stories. This is much too soon.

In the mid 90s, Andre ran Motown Records, where he gave us BoyzIIMen, Johnny Gill, and many other hit acts. I can only say that in the late 80s and early 90s the only name you heard over and over was Andre Harrell. He was like the Berry Gordy of hip hop. Launching Puffy made Andre Harrell a legend literally in his own time.

More recently he’d been working for Combs on his Revolt TV project.

Yesterday, he wrote on Instagram: “Skip the virus and Let’s Pick it up again at the top of the year.” Cause of death is not confirmed but many social media accounts are saying it was a heart attack.

You can read an excellent Q&A with Andre here from 2016.   

Andre leaves his wife, choreographer to the stars Laurieann Gibson, and their son. Condolences to Andre’s friends and family, particularly Sean Combs, who’s now lost the mother of his children, Kim Porter, and his best friend, at relatively young ages. Just terrible.

 

Broadway Star Nick Cordero’s Wife Summarizes His 38 Days in the ICU Including 2 Strokes and Leg Amputation–And He’s Still in a Coma

Roger Friedman
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0
Broadway Star Nick Cordero’s Wife Summarizes His 38 Days in the ICU Including 2 Strokes and Leg Amputation–And He’s Still in a Coma

Broadway star Nick Cordero’s wife, Amanda Kloots, has been detailing his long stay in the hospital with corona virus on Instagram. She’s also been raising their toddler son, and trying not lose it. Tonight she summarized Nick’s condition so far. Keep in mind, he’s still unconscious.

Kloots writes: “What this man has gone through! Nick is 41 years old. He had no pre-existing health conditions. We do not know how he got COVID-19 but he did. He went to the ER on March 30th and intubated on a ventilator on April 1. Since then has he has suffered an infection that caused his heart to stop, he needed resuscitation, he had two mini strokes, went on ECMO, needed surgery to removal an ECMO cannula that was restricting blood flow to his leg, a faciatomy to relieve pressure on the leg, an amputation of his right leg, an MRI to further investigate brain damage, several bronchial sweeps to clear out his lungs, a sepsis infection causing septic shock, a fungus in his lungs, holes in his lungs, a tracheotomy, blood clots, low blood count and platelet levels, and a temporary pacemaker to assist his heart. He has spent 38 days now in the ICU. This disease does not only effect old people. This is real. A perfectly healthy 41 year old man! “

The latest is that Amanda goes to the hospital every day and sits outside in her car because she’s not allowed inside. She plays Nick’s record, “Love Your Life,” at full blast. All their friends do, too, all over the country, and on her Instagram stories. Their kid, Elvis, is very cute, and she never shows us that she might break down. But she keeps being upbeat, and encouraging Elvis, and recording videos to show Nick when he wakes up. All she wants is for him to wake up. Everyone who’s ever seen Nick on stage or met him is rooting for him and sending prayers and love to this family. There has to be a happy ending to this story.

 

View this post on Instagram

Our last family photo before Nick got sick. What this man has gone through! Nick is 41 years old. He had no pre-existing health conditions. We do not know how he got COVID-19 but he did. He went to the ER on March 30th and intubated on a ventilator on April 1. Since then has he has suffered an infection that caused his heart to stop, he needed resuscitation, he had two mini strokes, went on ECMO, needed surgery to removal an ECMO cannula that was restricting blood flow to his leg, a faciatomy to relieve pressure on the leg, an amputation of his right leg, an MRI to further investigate brain damage, several bronchial sweeps to clear out his lungs, a septis infection causing septic shock, a fungus in his lungs, holes in his lungs, a tracheostomy, blood clots, low blood count and platelet levels, and a temporary pacemaker to assist his heart. He has spent 38 days now in the ICU. This disease does not only effect old people. This is real. A perfectly healthy 41 year old man! Bring awareness to his story. STAY HOME! FOLLOW GUIDELINES! This journey with Nick has been the hardest thing we’ve ever had to go through. I ask God for a miracle and my Dad reminded me that God is answering my prayer everyday because he is still with us! Nick is a fighter and has not given up. His doctors and nurses have been truly incredible. Thank you @cedarssinai ❤️ We will get our CODE ROCKY! #wakeupnick

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This is How a Rumor Starts: Robert DeNiro to Play Andrew Cuomo In a Movie He Directs, with Mira Sorvino as Dr. Birx (and Phil Rizzuto as Fauci)

Roger Friedman
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0
This is How a Rumor Starts: Robert DeNiro to Play Andrew Cuomo In a Movie He Directs, with Mira Sorvino as Dr. Birx (and Phil Rizzuto as Fauci)

Well, this is how a rumor starts.

First, Robert De Niro told Stephen Colbert on his show that he would play Andrew Cuomo in a movie about the pandemic. Go to 1:50 in the clip.

Then Stephen Colbert told New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on his show that Robert De Niro wants to play him in a movie. Cuomo, who’s at least a decade younger than De Niro, was still thrilled.

Then a cab driver with a Twitter account told Mira Sorvino, who follows him, that De Niro would direct a movie about COVID-19, and play Cuomo. The Tweeting driver said Mira Sorvino would play scarf wearing Dr. Deborah Birks. Sorvino liked it, so she emailed De Niro’s producing partner, Jane Rosenthal.

Rosenthal responded to Sorvino that Bob was just joking, but hey, you never know.

And even though Brad Pitt played Dr. Fauci on “SNL,” I say, exhume Phil Rizzuto, the late Yankee catcher and sportscaster. Fauci is channeling him or something. Get Scorsese to direct and use old footage of Rizzuto CGI’d onto Joe Pesci. Someone call Netflix now!

And that’s how movies are made.

Adele’s Former Personal Trainer Speaks About Her Dramatic Weight Loss: “Disheartening to read negative commentary”

Roger Friedman
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0
Adele’s Former Personal Trainer Speaks About Her Dramatic Weight Loss: “Disheartening to read negative commentary”

I’ll tell you the truth: I was shocked, gobsmacked when I saw the picture Adele, the great singer and all around dame, posted to Instagram this week. Her weight loss was dramatic, far beyond dieting. It was one thing to lose weight, but her face seemed unnaturally different than the Adele we knew. I still think some kind of bariatric surgery may be involved.

But we love Adele, and not just for her amazing voice. She is a free wheeling spirit. I just hate to think of her suffering from poor body image and going overboard. Those are my two cents.

Now Adele’s former personal trainer in London has posted his thoughts to Instagram. Pete Geracimo is defending his friend and client. I thought he deserved his say here.


“As Adele’s former London-based personal trainer, it’s disheartening to read negative commentary and fat-phobic accusations questioning the genuineness of her amazing weight loss.

“In my personal experience of working with her through many highs and lows, she always marched to the beat of her own drum on her own terms. She never undermined her God-given talent in any way. She let her incredible voice do the talking, or should I say singing! She never once pretended to be something that she wasn’t. What you saw was what you got. And we all LOVED it!

“When Adele and I started our journey together, it was never about getting super skinny. It was about getting her healthy. Especially post pregnancy and post surgery. When 25 dropped and the tour announced, we had to get ready for a 13 month gruelling schedule. In that time, she warmed to training and made better food choices. As a result, she lost considerable weight and people took notice. Her body transformation was splashed across every media outlet. The attention it generated was mind-blowing.

“Since she moved to LA, it’s been well documented that she underwent some tough personal changes. It’s only natural that with change comes a new sense of self and wanting to be your best possible version. She embraced better eating habits and committed to her fitness and “is sweating”! I could not be prouder or happier for her! This metamorphosis is not for album sales, publicity or to be a role model. She is doing it for herself and for Angelo.
My hope is that people appreciate the hard work that Adele has done to improve herself for the benefit to her and her family only. She did not lose the weight to make others feel bad about themselves. This personal transformation has nothing to do with me or you. It’s about Adele and how she wants to live her life. She has not changed from the Adele we grew up with and have loved. There is just a little less of her to go around. ”

View this post on Instagram

As Adele’s former London-based personal trainer, it’s disheartening to read negative commentary and fat-phobic accusations questioning the genuineness of her amazing weight loss. In my personal experience of working with her through many highs and lows, she always marched to the beat of her own drum on her own terms. She never undermined her God-given talent in any way. She let her incredible voice do the talking, or should I say singing! She never once pretended to be something that she wasn’t. What you saw was what you got. And we all LOVED it! When Adele and I started our journey together, it was never about getting super skinny. It was about getting her healthy. Especially post pregnancy and post surgery. When 25 dropped and the tour announced, we had to get ready for a 13 month gruelling schedule. In that time, she warmed to training and made better food choices. As a result, she lost considerable weight and people took notice. Her body transformation was splashed across every media outlet. The attention it generated was mind-blowing. Since she moved to LA, it’s been well documented that she underwent some tough personal changes. It’s only natural that with change comes a new sense of self and wanting to be your best possible version. She embraced better eating habits and committed to her fitness and “is sweating”! I could not be prouder or happier for her! This metamorphosis is not for album sales, publicity or to be a role model. She is doing it for herself and for Angelo. My hope is that people appreciate the hard work that Adele has done to improve herself for the benefit to her and her family only. She did not lose the weight to make others feel bad about themselves. This personal transformation has nothing to do with me or you. It’s about Adele and how she wants to live her life. She has not changed from the Adele we grew up with and have loved. There is just a little less of her to go around. #adele #fabulous #strong #songbird #transformation #powerful #voice #love #rumorhasit #pt

A post shared by Pete Geracimo (@petegeracimo) on

Swinging “Silicon Valley” Star Thomas Middleditch Lands a Family Sitcom on CBS, Too Bad There Weren’t Any Upfronts This Year

Roger Friedman
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0
Swinging “Silicon Valley” Star Thomas Middleditch Lands a Family Sitcom on CBS, Too Bad There Weren’t Any Upfronts This Year

CBS has greenlighted a new sitcom for this fall with an unusual star.

Thomas Middleditch, who comes HBO’s “Silicon Valley” and cell phone commercials, will star with Broadway great Annaleigh Ashford in “B Positive.” The title refers to his blood type as Middleditch’s character is described as a therapist and newly divorced dad who needs a kidney donor, and Ashford is “a rough-around-the-edges woman from his past who volunteers her own.”

They should have called it “You’re Kidneying.” Bah bum!

Anyway, last September Middleditch made headlines with an interview he gave to Playboy, when it was still a magazine.

He and his wife, Mollie, are swingers. As, in they go to orgies, have sex with strangers, and so on. They swap partners. This is not a joke.

Middleditch said: “To be honest, swinging has saved our marriage. We have different speeds, and we argue over it constantly, but it’s better than feeling unheard and alone and that you have to scurry in the shadows. By the way, it’s now called being “part of the lifestyle.” The term swinging is old.”

The actor continued: ” I self-deprecatingly call myself a pervert, but that’s not what it is. I just like it. I’m sexual. I’d always thought I was a romantic and that when I fall in love, that stuff fades away. It does for some years—enough to be like, “I should get married, and I’ll be different.” But it’s part of me. If that’s part of your being and it feels important to you, find a way to explore it, because repression sucks.”

It’s too bad there were no upfronts this year for CBS. There probably won’t be TCA interviews this summer, either, but if there are, I’d like to ask Middleditch to expound on this subject. Maybe they can work it into the show once his character gets the new kidney. “Meet cute” takes on all new meaning!

Charts: Kenny Chesney Beats Drake to Number 1 By a Nose, But Their Sales Show the Difference Between Streaming and Downloads

Roger Friedman
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0
Charts: Kenny Chesney Beats Drake to Number 1 By a Nose, But Their Sales Show the Difference Between Streaming and Downloads

The divide between streaming and downloading was made clear this week by the the two biggest stars of the hitsdailydouble chart.

Kenny Chesney beat Drake to the number 1 position. Kenny sold 233,841 copies of his new “Here and Now.” Most of the sales were CDs or paid downloads. Streaming was about 5% of sales.

Drake sold 225,783 copies and most of it was from streaming. About it 10% came from downloads. “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” does not come in physical form. As with most rap and hip hop or urban, there are no CDs to commemorate the album’s existence. It’s just…in the air.

And so these two new releases tell the definitive story of how music is selling these days. Chesney skews older, country and white. Drake is younger, with an urban audience.  Older fans do want the music in their phones or iTouch’s or computers or iPads. They want the CD, too.

It’s funny. Drake is a superstar. If I were young, I’d want a complete collection of his “albums” that I could look at, read the liner notes, lyrics, etc. But his fans don’t seem to care about that. I guess it’s also generational. I think even at this advanced age I’d like to have the Drake CDs with some information to read along with the songs.

Anyway, with all this success Kenny Chesney can now afford sleeves. And I don’t mean record sleeves. (Kids, those were white envelopes that protected the album inside the cardboard cover…Oh, never mind.)

 

(Watch) Spike Lee’s Short Film Set to “New York, New York” Is a Tribute That Will Make You Cry and Applaud

Roger Friedman
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(Watch) Spike Lee’s Short Film Set to “New York, New York” Is a Tribute That Will Make You Cry and Applaud

Spike Lee thanks Tina Sinatra for letting him use her father’s famous recording of Kander and Ebb’s “New York, New York” for his wonderful short film. You will cry and applaud at the end of it.

There are so many great Spike Lee moments in film, like the whole dancing scene in “Blackkklansman” or the crack house in “Jungle Fever” set to Stevie Wonder’s “Living in the City.” In this video, at about 1:50, a basketball hoop turns into the clock over the information booth in Grand Central. That’s when this film reminded me of Pennebaker’s “Daybreak Express.” It’s magical.

Film Festivals in Virus Transition as Toronto, New York Plan Digital Events, “NYFF58 will be different” Says Director

Roger Friedman
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0
Film Festivals in Virus Transition as Toronto, New York Plan Digital Events, “NYFF58 will be different” Says Director

Eugene Hernandez, new  director of the New York Film Festival (but long time on the staff) Tweeted his thoughts about this year’s get together.

Hernandez writes: “A lot to consider — our city is still in crisis — NYFF58 will be different. We’re exploring in-person & digital experiences for 2020, watching films & making selections.”

The festival is set for September 25th through October 11th. They’ve just announced their programming team, and are taking submissions. This won’t be easy. All movie production stopped around March 15th, if not before. A lot of films that would have been ready by September aren’t done and won’t be finished in time for the festival.

Knowing Eugene, he’ll figure something out, but it’s not going to be your grandmother’s New York Film Festival. He can take his cues from the cancelled Tribeca and Cannes Film Festivals. Venice is now up in the air, even though they say they’re putting on a show. (I seriously doubt it.)

Also in purgatory right now are Telluride, and Toronto. The latter is really in jeopardy. Earlier this week, the Toronto Music Festival, which follows the film festival in September, cancelled. A top TIFF source told me this week: “Canadian Music Week announced the cancellation of their festival yesterday. Although their festival takes place in September, they are working from a live entertainment business model that is very different from ours. We are still planning a modified version of Festival this September and are exploring a number of scenarios, including digital models, as well as adjustments to the physical aspect of Festival knowing that social distancing measures will likely still be mandated by government. We’ll be in a better position to share what Festival will look like for 2020 later in June.”

Eugene also said in his Tweet that in June there would be more NYFF info. I think everyone’s hoping the sun comes out, the heat kills the virus, movies theaters open, and we all sing “Kumbaya.” I know I keep dreaming that will happen.

Meantime, here’s the updated structure of the festival. They’ve added some new features. I hope we get to see them!

  • The MAIN SLATE, which is the heart and historic core of the festival, brings together the films that promise to define the year in cinema. The selection committee for this section will be Dennis Lim (Chair), Florence Almozini, K. Austin Collins, Eugene Hernandez (NYFF Director), and Rachel Rosen.
  • A new section called CURRENTS will be added to the lineup and is designed to complement the Main Slate. The CURRENTS section traces a more complete picture of contemporary cinema, with an emphasis on new and innovative forms and voices. The section will present a diverse offering of short and feature-length work by filmmakers and artists working at the vanguard of the medium. The newly formed selection committee for this section will be Dennis Lim (Chair), Florence Almozini, Aily Nash, and Tyler Wilson.
  • The new SPOTLIGHT section will be NYFF’s showcase of sneak previews, gala events, screenings with live or performance elements, guest-curated selections and other special evenings. This section will be programmed by Eugene Hernandez and Dennis Lim.
  • The REVIVALS section connects cinema’s rich past to its dynamic present through an eclectic assortment of new restorations, titles selected by the festival’s filmmakers, rarities, and more. This section will be programmed by Florence Almozini and Dan Sullivan.
  • The TALKS section will supplement NYFF’s screenings with a series of free and ticketed panel discussions and in-depth conversations with a wide range of guests. This section will be programmed by Eugene Hernandez, Devika Girish, and Madeline Whittle.

 

 

 

Bob Dylan Drops Another New Single, “False Prophet,” Announces First Album of New Music in Eight Years Set for June 19th

Roger Friedman
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0
Bob Dylan Drops Another New Single, “False Prophet,” Announces First Album of New Music in Eight Years Set for June 19th

Bob Dylan — I wonder if he knew today was the 55th anniversary of his famous video for “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” At midnight he sent out the news of a third new single– “False Prophet”– and his first new album of original music called “Rough and Rowdy Days.” It’s set for June 19th release. Dylan’s last album of new songs was 2012’s “Tempest.” The new album will contain the two recent singles, the 17 minute long “Murder Most Foul,” and “I Contain Multitudes.” On the CD, “Murder Most Foul” will be a second CD unto itself.

“False Prophet” is a stompin’ blues number with some great gruff Dylan vocals and sweet guitar. It’s a balm for a day that sees some other, far less interesting releases.

55 Years Ago Today: Celebrating DA Pennebaker’s Historic Take on Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” the Most Influential Music Video of All Time

Roger Friedman
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0
55 Years Ago Today: Celebrating DA Pennebaker’s Historic Take on Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” the Most Influential Music Video of All Time

Yes, yes, today is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ “Let it Be.” But something else happened of even greater importance 55 years ago on May 8, 1965.

In the alley behind London’s Savoy Hotel, director DA Pennebaker shot what would turn out to be the most influential music video of all time, Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” Pennebaker was following Dylan around on his 1965 UK tour, making the documentary that would become “Dont Look Back,” still the greatest music doc of all time. Dylan was traveling with Joan Baez and with folk singer Donovan. There were other famous names in their party, including the Beat poet Allan Ginsberg and producer Bob Neuwirth.

The single had been released in March and was already a hit with the opening lines “Johnny’s in the basement/mixing up the medicine.” Dylan wanted to have a video clip that could be played for promotion. Pennebaker’s widow, filmmaker Chris Hegedus, recalls that the filmmaker “had seen something on the British music show Ready Steady Go using cards.” The plan was hatched. Donovan, Pennebaker said, was particularly good at making the cards.

“They carried the cards all over London. They were going to shoot on a rooftop, but it was too windy. They tried a park, that didn’t work. They settled on the alley behind the Savoy Hotel.” (You can see the failed attempts below.)

Ginsberg and Neuwirth can be seen in the video, which only lasts 2 minutes and 19 seconds. They’re having a conversation off to the side, seemingly oblivious to what Dylan is doing tossing the cards on the ground. At the end they just walk away in different directions.

Hegedus recalls, “When Penny was editing “Dont Look Back” he needed something to open with. And that was it.”

This short film has become the most influential, parodied, satirized, and copied music video of all time. Hegedus says she and Pennebaker even referred to in two of their own films. Among the places odes to Pennebaker’s work have turned up are in Tim Robbins’ “Bob Roberts,” and in “Love Actually.”

A few years ago, on a trip to London, Chris took the photo you see here of Penny and their son, Kit, who’s also a filmmaker, back in the Savoy alley. “It hadn’t changed much in 50 years,” Chris says with a laugh.

Pennebaker passed away last summer at the age of 94. In 2013, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Motion Picture Academy, the first documentary filmmaker ever to receive it.

Here’s an unused version of the video. On the side, Neuwirth is talking with Dylan’s producer, Tom Wilson, who’s wearing a fez and looking cool. Wilson’s other towering credits included Simon & Garfunkel and the Velvet Underground.

Johnny’s in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I’m on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he’s got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid
It’s somethin’ you did
God knows when
But you’re doing it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin’ for a new friend
A man in the coonskin cap, in the pig pen
Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten
Maggie comes fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talkin’ that the heat put
Plants in the bed but
The phone’s tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D.A. Look out kid
Don’t matter what you did
Walk on your tip toes
Don’t tie no bows
Better stay away from those
That carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch the…
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