Aretha Franklin hates the new biography about her, “Respect” by David Ritz. She’s condemned it: “a very trashy book…full of lies and more lies about me.” I didn’t hate it. It’s the best book yet about the Queen of Soul. That said, I’m kind […]
Jack Bruce (1993)
“I couldn’t be happier.” I blew my chance. It only occurred to me today, two weeks after Jack Bruce’s death at age 71 from liver disease, that I should have thought to thank him for his part in my becoming a bass player. The first song I learned, copying […]
Billy Joel (1998)
“…if I only knew me from “Tell Her About It” and “Uptown Girl” and “Just the Way You Are,” I might not like Billy Joel either.” Not many pop stars are honest or insightful enough to acknowledge their haters point of view. Billy Joel did and that’s one reason I dug talking to him. Here’s […]
Aimee Mann
“It doesn’t even pay to sell out.” January, 1996, in advance of the “I’m With Stupid” release and tour By phone from her home in Los Angeles I caught sight of Aimee Mann on TV last week. She was rocking out with Ted Leo, her unlikely partner in a new band, The Both. Singing […]
Edie Brickell
“I would never listen to his ideas as far as writing goes.” – Edie Brickell, on her husband Paul Simon. August 16, 1994 By phone from Montauk, Long Island, New York Edie Brickell charmed many people as the winsome lead singer of the New Bohemians – perhaps no one more so than Paul Simon, […]
Barry White
“I cut the music I love to record. I do it whether it’s a hit or not. It’s the love for the music I’m into.” June 1 (or 2), 1995 By phone from the Tutwiler Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama Oh. My. God. That voice. Barry White is the kind of person you want to […]
Aretha Franklin
October 9, 2013 I came across the YouTube clip below the other day and seeing the young, Afro-ed Aretha Franklin brought back a happy memory: seeing the Queen of Soul in concert for the first time.
Luther Vandross
“I love background vocals so much that I can’t breathe.” June, 1995 By phone from Luther’s apartment in Manhattan The recent must-see documentary “20 Feet from Stardom” explores the plight of the great backup singers. Millions have heard their voices, but not their names. They ply their art in the shadows in near anonymity. Despite […]