BlondieSometimes I use this blog just to personally record things I like, sometimes I get excited that there’s some new place or awesome book or movie that others may not have heard of and I want to share, and sometimes it’s just stating the obvious.
So, yeah, Debbie Harry as style icon. Of course. So with nothing left to say on the subject here are some images of the incomparable lady to make you wonder why some people get all the good genes.
RIPFolk icon Richie Havens is remembered not only for his long career in folk music and particularly his break out performance at Woodstock but for being a genuinely kindhearted man. He devoted his time to educating children about the environment and never let fame get in the way of his life and his music.
It’s difficult to choose a favorite song from such an impressive list but I’d recommend a listen to his fantastic version of Here Comes the Sun, one of his biggest hits, and his touching cover of Wonder Child, a lesser known song originally performed by Helen Reddy on Sesame Street (it might bring you close to tears if you have little kids though!)
“The Singing Rage”, 1950The only thing lovelier than Patti Page was her voice. Her signature song Tennessee Waltz is one of my very favorites of all time.
If you are unfamiliar with her dreamy voice, I once recommended a great collection that would be a great introduction.
She passed away on New Years Day.
Unsung Queen of BassRock and Roll, particularly the actual playing of musical instruments part, particularly in the 1950’s, was considered a man’s world.
Carol Kaye, who is self taught and came from poverty, defied stereotypes and the odds, and is one of the most prolific and admired studio musicians.
Her bass can be heard in La Bamba, Pet Sounds, These Boots Are Made For Walking, I’m a Believer, the Dirty Harry and Bullit scores, Then He Kissed Me, Danke Shen, and You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.
She’s the most recorded bassists of all time.
Ladies Gone WildFemale rock stars. A girl’s whole life can change if she’s got some good ones to look up to. My sister and I invented parallel lives in our fantasies which culminated in a combination of The Bangles and Barbies. But before that we had The Go-Go’s.
They embraced the best of the 80’s fashions. Neon, poofy skirts, wild hair, off the shoulder tops (honestly was there anything I aspired to wear to feel more grown up as a child?), they flaunted bold patterns and even managed to pull off suspenders, overalls and pleated pants which was (and still is, ladies!) nearly impossible.
They were second only to Cyndi Lauper and maybe Madonna in solidifying our interest in fashion.
Jim has always had a major crush on Belinda while Van has recently taken quite a shine to the song Vacation. So they’re still a part of my life decades later.
Mr. ExcitementJackie Wilson‘s on stage gyrating and crooning earned him the nicknames “mr. Excitement” and “The Black Elvis” though more accurately Elvis should have been called “the White Jackie Wilson” since he, as well as Michael Jackson and even James Brown were influenced by the dynamic performer.
Like so many of the ultra famous, Wilson had a life full of tragedies, both self inflicted (womanizing, addictions) and beyond his control (the loss of several children to violence). But his legacy is one of thrilling stage performances.
He passed away several years after collapsing on stage and slipping into a coma.
Numerous artists owe much to the man.
RIPI love Donna Summer. LOVE.
And I’m so sad today to hear she passed away. Her music is fun time disco magic, her style has always been daring and stunning.
I can recall dancing to the video She Works Hard for the Money and requesting her albums be played on my dad’s stereo as vividly as I can being uplifted on bad days be listening to her on my iPhone.
A legend and a great talent lost.
RIPMaybe it’s because we that grew up listening to The Beastie Boys are at the age when horrible things realities like cancer and other illnesses no longer just seem like something that happens to other people. Maybe it’s because anyone my age has at least one vivid memory associated with the band (I have quite a few myself) but the tragic death of Adam Yauch, aka MCA, has hit people of my generation particularly hard.
It feels like someone we knew has passed on. It’s close to home and he was far, far too young.
He was the social conscience of the band, the one that brought some gravitas to the party. He and his Tibetan activist wife have a daughter, and the photo below just breaks my heart for them.
Brown SugarIf you’ve heard The Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” you know of Marsha Hunt. Mother to Jagger’s child, she was also once married to Mike Ratledge of Soft Machine and was romantically linked to Marc Bolan.
But Hunt was no career groupie. She was a singer in bands like The Ferris Wheel, an actress – she was literally the poster child for Hair in which she starred, and an author.
She is also a strong woman who is gorgeous and rocked an enviable, amazing afro.
RIPThe Band was one of the most effortlessly cool groups in rock and roll ever and one that is still influencing musicians and men who aspire to a sort of timeless hipness that grows from American roots that is hard to capture (but oh so relevant, especially today – look at any mustached bar keep or farmer-chic butcher).
The heart of the band was the charismatic drummer and singer Levon Helm. He played backup for Bob Dylan, had a solo career as musician and actor (notably in Steven Seagal’s Fire Down Below, and continued making music out of Woodstock, NY).
After a long battle with cancer, Helm passed away a few days ago but his legacy lives on and his work is fondly remembered by those who knew him and those who were moved by his music.
