Category Archives: music

Whitney: We’ll Always Love You

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Some things in life are beyond understanding.   February 2012 is turning out to be one of ups and downs.  From the death of Don Cornelius to a Giants Super Bowl win.  And now we deal the death of Whitney Houston.
Just this past week blog sites were buzzing with pictures from an LA club of a Whitney Houston we’d come to know all too well.   At times she looked confused, then suddenly ready to party with fans swarming her as she exited the venue.   Her leg appeared cut due to what looked to be drops of blood smeared below the hemline of her dress.

Ms. Houston was in Los Angeles celebrating the Grammy Awards and attending the annual pre-Grammy Party hosted by music mogul Clive Davis.   Since I got the news I’ve been haunted with reminders of the day Michael Jackson left us.
At 48 years old, Whitney Houston hadn’t been the hit-machine superstar with World Wide tours, movies and platinum albums since the late-1990’s.  Since that time her legacy was smeared with a barrage of set backs including a Wendy Williams interview that would prove any publicist’s worst nightmare, over the top reality show cameos on “Being Bobby Brown”, divorce, and numerous tabloid drama.
In 2009 everything seemed to change as media frenzy hit surrounding a new album and public appearances.   The first single from the album of the same title “I Look To You”, featured lyrics describing a Houston that, at rock bottom, saw God’s Grace and could now carry on.  The CD listening premiere at an invitation only Clive Davis event at Jazz at Lincoln Center in which Ms. Houston spoke, gave everyone hope for a comeback by an artist who dominated R&B and pop charts through much of the 80’s and 90’s.

But limited engagements, including a shaky Good Morning America Central Park performance, signaled trouble.   Was she healthy?  Were her vocal chords damaged?   A tour beginning in Europe failed and was immediately postponed.  Rumors of illness and continued substance abuse quietly reappeared in media reports.  And on the afternoon of February 11th in Los Angeles we lost an icon.
Why do people with so many gifts fall so hard?   After all, Whitney Houston was raised in a Newark Church, with an award winning Gospel singing mom.   What is it about talent and success that sometime overwhelm?
Whitney Houston joins the ranks of so many before her.  Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway, Teena Marie, Rick James, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Hendrix, Frankie Lymon and too many others who left us young and with no warning.
Perhaps we put too much pressure on those who are creative, gifted, yet at times fragile, insecure and overworked.   Sometimes those who have the most fans and followers don’t feel they have true “friends” to lean on when times get tough.

I’ve heard audio clips in which a very tired Jimmy Hendrix said if he could have anything, it would be “8 hours of uninterrupted sleep”.   Many remember the interview of girl R&B group TLC who had to admit after selling millions of albums that they were “broke”.   A Michael Jackson who spent a good part of his amazing, yet at times tragic life trying to relive the childhood he lost along with so many other stories of success gone wrong.
I don’t know about you but at this point I don’t want to hear about the end of Whitney Houston’s life.  The tabloids, blogs and Hollywood gossip TV shows can take a hike as far as I’m concerned.   I prefer to remember the Whitney Houston I had a crush on in college, an unstoppable Whitney Houston of HUGE, proud accomplishments including:
*2 Emmy Awards
*4 Number One albums in America
*6 Grammy Awards
*11 number One songs
*22 American Music Awards
*Roles in hit movies including the Body Guard, Preachers Wife and Waiting To Exhale.   (she also recently completed filming for a role in the remake of the 1976 film classic, “Sparkle”).
*The music video icon with some of the most watched “premieres” in the history of MTV.
*Whitney Houston’s rendition of the National Anthem in 1991 during “Superbowl XXV”, considered by many to be among the greatest “Star Spangled Banner” performances ever.  It was re-released after the September 11th 2001 attacks and hit top 10 on both the U.S. and Canadian charts.  Ms. Houston donated her share of the proceeds and royalties to the firefighters and families of the victims of 9/11.

During this time the best thing we can do is remember the gifts Ms. Houston left all of us through her music.  She made many people in the music industry and around her materially wealthy but we her fans were the most fortunate.   And, Bobbi Christina, Cissy Houston and the Houston/Brown family must remain in our Prayers!

 

The Legacy of Don Cornelius

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In our present day world of YouTube, Vevo and a wireless Universe of audio, video and written word, I find it all too easy to forget the days when we looked to Soul Train for what was sometimes our first look at that new artist or band moving up the R&B charts.  In fact, one of the first shows I really was excited to view with our home’s first color TV was Soul Train.   The fact that any syndicated show could run for over 35 years is a testament to the relevance, demand and need for Soul Train.

Regardless of the reason a legendary figure in his middle 70’s would choose to take his own life, what’s hard to deal with is how such a sad end could come to a man who brought so much joy to so many.

Don Cornelius saw a need and filled it.  He did not have the backing of television networks and millionaires as his rival Dick Clark and American Bandstand did with ABC behind them.   Cornelius started his show with Black hair products and worked his way up to larger sponsors like McDonalds.   In fact, given the little he had to work with, his contributions surpassed many others who received more fame and popularity.

While a proud, confident person, perhaps Don Cornelius didn’t know how gifted a marking guru he was.   I remember as a child going to visit relatives and always seeing a Soul Train 8 Track, cassette or CD representing a specific year or “best of” compilation from the show.  And Don’s features including the World Famous “Soul Train Line” or “Scrabble Board” helped influence our culture ranging from high school dances to the fashion industry.

Soul Train was also “all inclusive”.  In the early 70’s as the Civil Rights struggles of the 60’s were just beginning to cool, Cornelius welcomed people of all colors including artists ranging from KC & The Sunshine Band to Elton John.   As long as Black people were “grooving” to it, you’d find it on Soul Train.   Cornelius’ Soul Train also was among the very first entertainment media to embrace hip-hop, welcoming artists who were considered by others to be a “fad”.   Cornelius also occasionally featured young, African American comedians helping to launch the careers of non-musical talents including Arsenio Hall.

As for artists old and new; just about everyone in R&B over the age of 40 has Don Cornelius to thank.   From Prince, to Rick James, to Jody Watley, Atlantic Starr to New Edition, if you wanted to be seen as well as heard; Soul Train was the “You Tube” of the 70’s, 80’s and much of the 90’s.    And when MTV wouldn’t air videos by Black Artists when it launched in 1980, Soul Train “chugged along” capturing R&B lovers of all races across the globe.

Don Cornelius was born Donald Cortez Cornelius in Chicago on September 27th 1936.   After high school he served 18 months in Korea as a U.S. Marine.  After fulfilling his duties, Cornelius returned home to Chicago holding numerous jobs ranging from selling automobiles to a stint as a Chicago Police Officer.   After taking a broadcasting course, Cornelius landed a job at Chicago station WVON where he served as a DJ and news announcer.   Soul Train began as a local TV show fulfilling Don’s dream to have a “soul review” where artists of color could showcase their music.  Don served as host eventually syndicating his show Nation-wide in 1971.   Soul Train made history as the longest running syndicated TV show ending in 2006.

Don Cornelius’ legacy will live on through an unmatched archive of music and memories spanning almost 40 years.   Finally, Don Cornelius may rest knowing he is now receiving the recognition and appreciation in death that seemed to elude him in life.

Great Artists Who Left Us in 2011

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ROLL CALL! 

Heavy D and Skip Dillard

Heavy D and Skip Dillard

ROLL CALL! 

Moving into 2012 we won’t forget great artists who left us in 2011.   My mind goes back to last year’s freak Northeast Snowstorm that closed out 2010 coupled with the loss of a Teena Marie, who was still making new music and performing her classics with a passion seldom seen by an artist so many years into the game.  

The legends continued to leave us in 2011 faster than we’ve been able to find “new legends” to replace them.   Thank God these great artists will live on through their music.

Heavy D-44 Years young and still in his prime, his passing from heart complications due to a blood clot is still hard to accept.

Phoebe Snow-Her song “Poetry Man” summed up a life filled with challenges and the ability to convey them to the World through her music.

Sylvia Robinson-Artist, CEO, Mentor and Pioneer who heard the sounds of the New York City Streets and made sure everyone else took a listen.

Nick Ashford-With his wife Valerie, this “perfect pair wrote and performed music that touched the heart.

Clarence Clemmons-The flamboyant sax virtuoso of Bruce Springsteen’s “E Street Band”

Gil Scott Heron-An Activist who spent his life in pursuit of peace and justice through music.

Amy Winehouse-Super-talented British R&B vocalist unable to  escape her demons.

Glady’s Horton (Marvelettes)-Another Motown “voice” gone but not forgotten.

Vesta Williams-A true R&B Diva!   Her 1989 Top-5 Hit Congratulations became a women’s anthem.

Nate Dogg-Proved that “Gangta Rap” could still have a “smooth side” as well.

Pine Top Perkins-Born in 1913, he was among the last of the great Blues artists who paved the way for Rock N’ Roll.