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Category: History (Page 11 of 14)

Rock Seen by Bob Gruen

September 18, 2011 / / 2 Comments

S&c Ahhh, the sweet smell of almost-respect.

Entertianment Weekly's September 2nd issue includes a review of music-photographer Bob Gruen's new book of rock icons.

The snapshot review is titled "Legends on the Loose" and the five examples of representative legends chosen to showcase are Debbie Harry on Coney Island in 1977, The Ramones on their way to CBGB's in 1975, KISS posing for an album cover in 1974, John Lennon in Yonkers in 1975 and…wait for it…Sonny & Cher in the picture to the left taken on Lexignton Avenue in New York City in 1973.

Melissa Maerz calls the book "a disarmingly natural look at icons like Blondie and Cher before the era of the posed rock-star portrait kicked in."

Don't they look groovy?

But what a list of heavyweights to be included with. In the last decade, Cher's been making it into more and more of these lists of "legends." Like the theory of Starstruck, The Business of Celebrity suggests, it's all about who you're seen with.

 

A Real Farewell Tour

September 18, 2011 / / 5 Comments

Cherglen One of my favorite Cher covers of all time is her 1975 Cher Show cover of Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy."

Sad news was reported in the September 2nd issue of Entertainment Weekly. Glen Campbell is embarking on a true farewell tour (and final album). He's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Campbell had a rennaisance in 2008 with his album Meet Glen Campbell. His last album, Ghost on the Canvas, was just released this year to good reviews.

As you recall, Glen Campbell was a member of The Wrecking Crew, the studio musicians in LA who recorded with everyone involved in the Southern California sound, including Sonny & Cher (I wish that documentary on those guys would come out on DVD already), and Cher performed with Glen on both The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour in 1969 and on The Sonny & Cher shows of the 1970s.

Although now polar opposites in political speak, those crazy kids once had real duet chemistry!

One of their best from 1977 (stick to the end for the duet).

"And offers comin over the phone"
Glen: I got three offers today.
Cher: Just three, huh?
Glen: That's all.

 

Cher Sings the Hits

September 1, 2011 / / 6 Comments

ChersingshitsThank you Cher scholar Robrt for reminding me of this most unfortunate compilation in your comment to last week's post.

It reminds me of a story. When I was a preteen, I found a list of Cher's ouvre in a record guide sitting in the entertainment section at our tiny B. Dalton bookstore at the mall. I secretly wrote the list out on an envelope found in my purse. Back then, you couldn't just peruse books with a cup of coffee like you can do at Borders (well before Borders went kaput). If you were caught reading something, you might hear: "Are you gonna buy that?"

With that stolen list, I was on a mission. My mother made my brother drive me from the burbs into the city of St. Louis to search the two local used record stores. It wasn't the bonding moment it would have been had I had a flamboyantly gay brother.

Soon, I found a list of more used record stores in the back ads of Rolling Stone magazine. Bingo! I hand-wrote letters to stores all over the country. I wish I had a copy of one of these dorky letters by my 10-year old self. Let me tell you, in the early 80s nobody was looking for Sonny & Cher records. Long story short, I was very excited to find someone in Indiana or some such place had a copy of Cher Sings the Hits. I was picturing an album of 60s covers. Okay so that pretty much describes any Cher or Sonny & Cher album of the 60s (give or take a few Sonny songs)…but I was imagining different covers, new covers. More hit-y covers. What I did not expect was another Cher compilation album of somewhat questionable hits like:

  1. Alfie
  2. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
  3. Blowin’ In The Wind
  4. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
  5. Like A Rolling Stone
  6. I Want You
  7. Magic In The Air
  8. Masters Of War
  9. Catch The Wind

Ok, so some of those had been hits by other people. But clearly not all of them. And I took umbrage with the usage of the work the in the title, as if this indicated surely that these would be the definitive hits of the day.

Add to that the travesty that the album didn't even include a picture on the cover! Why did it exist?? It was my first moment of compilation dismay, heralding in a lifetime of more to follow. Do James Joyce scholars go through this? I don't think so.

  

The Long Lost Blog Post

August 3, 2011 / / 3 Comments

125870-cast-member-cher-arrives-at-the-world-premiere-of-the-film-zookeeper-iGeez…it's been since June 6!! Uhh….I took the summer off. 🙂

Well, here's what really happened (very little of it keeping up with Cher): I was mired in some day-job woes, culminating in not having a work computer for a week. My husband and I been searching for a larger place to shack-up in here in Santa Fe. Now we're packing to move into the new place we found just down the street. I had my birthday weekend at the water park in Albuquerque. Been working with some friends on sample illustrations for a book of poems and I took a new ceramics class at Santa Fe Community College. OH…and my uterus has lost its mind. Many gynecology appointments and a (normal) biopsy later, I am finding a moment to write this blog.

But the good news is….during this time Cher zine 3 has gone through its layout and we’re in the final stage of checking and soon printing. Lots of great stuff in there!

But in the last two months, lots of current Cher news has passed me by. So to recap…

There was a special screening of Come Back to the 5 and Dine, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean in NewFive-and-dime51  York City at the Walter Reade Theater on July 15 that was followed by a Q&A with the production designer David Gropman, production executive Peter Newman and the distributor Ira Deutchman. The screening was presented by UCLA Film & Television Archive's preservation project at their Biennial Festival of Preservation. The Film Society of Lincoln Center hosted.

http://www.filmlinc.com/press/entry/film-society-to-host-new-york-engagement-of-ucla-festival-of-preservation

A review of the screening: http://altscreen.com/07/14/2011/friday-editors-pick-come-back-to-the-five-and-dime-jimmy-dean-jimmy-dean-1982-2/

Zookeeper came out! (Cher at premiere above and below) I really enjoyed Zookeeper. Critics have been harsh but then critics always hate the feel-good love story. It’s been done so many times, you know. But they actually do the trick of making one feel good. So, there you go. Cher was way underrepresented in animal dialogue (but it was her character Janet’s idea for Kevin James to go on a date with his co-worker…which was a crucial plot point). To hear her sing Boston’s "More Than a Feeling" during the end credits with the other animal cast members more than made up for the price of the ticket. I was in Cher-singing-random-songs Heaven. My trip to the movie was not without drama though. I went alone and arrived early. A huge Caucasian family (grandma in tow) completely surrounded me, passing their popcorn and drinks over me without so much as an excuse us. And then kept giving me annoyed glances as if I were the rude one. Note to parents, if you’re going to a movie with 12 family members who insist on sitting together, get there on the early side. Don't expect everyone there to accommodate you.

The movie had lots of zoo jokes. Everyone enjoyed it. Kevin James’ brother Dave in the movie looks like ICANN's CEO Rod Beckstrom. I liked the crazy Asian character–geat break from stereotype. I enjoyed the sweet wedding scene the best…the leads had chemistry. The Bromance with Gorilla Nick Nolte was also fun. Ironically, the animal scenes could have been funnier.

News came out in Entertainment Weekly this summer that Jane Lynch took the Nun role in the Three Stooges movie. I can’t say I’m devastated by this news. Although it must be fun to make comedies, Cher’s true acting gift is doing dramatic roles and I wish we’d see more of those. The best parts of Burlesque were when Cher was in a bit of drama. Cher cries and we cry.

Becoming Chaz’s has earned an emmy nomination.
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/07/chaz-bono-becoming-emmy-nominee

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1651272.php/Chaz-Bono-good-for-OWN-delivers-first-Emmy-Nomination

Speaking of World of Wonder productions, Drag U season 2 has been keeping me GOING the past month with its feel-good female empowerment messages. I even bought RuPaul's book "Workin It." This season they've had some butch lesbians in want of some dragging, which further reinforces the idea that clothes serve more as a uniform than representation of un-evolving identity. All the women seem to get a confidence boost from a few days as a Drag Queen. There's power to mine in big hair and sequins, there really is. And pink is just a a color, not an identity statement.

Cher turned up on the Bullseye page of Entertainment Weekly this summer and not in the good part of the page…she was in the far-off-center part: “Cher plans on touring long into her retirement. See? Another Mermaid in a wheelchair” (referring to Bette Midler as the other mermaid in a wheelchair).Article-2012106-0CE57B8500000578-349_468x770  She won't escape crap for a fake-retirement tour.

A clip of Cher and her mother Georgia singing together has surfaced. I love, love, love this. Hope this clip is a hint of more country to come from a new Cher release. You gotta do these things while you can.

My cousin has tipped me off to Cher Sidewalk (part of the Heavy Metal Parkinglot series) although it turns out Cher fans are not as hilariously dopey as 1986 Judas Priest fans.

In the wayback files, Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour costume designer Ret Turner(all the costumes Bob Mackie didn't do) is interviewed.

That's all for now….I hear I have a lot of Cher tweets to catch up on.

  

More Tweetin

April 13, 2011 / / 1 Comment

Twitter-cherhat Is that Cher tweet pic with a bull? That looks perilous! If she gets gored at least she'll go to the hospital looking awesome in a cowboy hat!

There have also been some great pics fans have done superimposing Cher's face onto great paintings, my favorite being the Frida Kahlo one. I'm hesitant to repost them here without knowing the mashup-artist's name.

The Kathy Griffin exchanges are interesting…you know real girl fights wouldn’t show up on Twitter. 

who is Kathleen? Red haired comedienne who used 2 b 1 of my Closest dearest most beloved friends ?  (April 7)

Worried about Cher's back pains! Especially lower back pains!

  • Lovelies Procedure went well if u can't live without needles in your back ! Ugh ! I'm fine, but id rather go shopping Xxx me (April 6)
  • on plane (windy )2LA ! Re procedure ID RATHER Xx GLEN BECK ! NONONO What am I saying? (April 6)
  • Hi lovelies home from SanFran In my bed! Heating pad on lower back! Had 2 NASTY FALLS IN LV (April 6)
  • Lovelies! Itsy bitsy pain in back awakened me ! Think I've got a few good min left in me ! (April 7)
  • Ok lovelies lying flat on bed like dr said, but its a bore & hurts ! Oh ice ! you missed me a tiny bit 2nite! nice 2 b missed Xxme (April 8)
  • Feel'n way Good 2day ! Back ( hold your breath) No Pain ! Lotta Gain ! (Apr 8)

Twitter-uggheard

Cher's tweet pic: a herd of ugg boots.

And we all know she loves Audrey & Katharine Hepburn but one fan asks about favorite leading men and she agrees with a list of Cary Grant, Gregory Peck and Jimmy Stewart (April 5)

  

 

 I particularly love Cher's advice tweets:

  • favorite bedtime snack besides Kathleens olive sandwich? My Mothers OLIVE Sandwich ! NOW Mine ! (April 7)
  • remedies 4 sunburn? R there great OTC preps? Ole school Baking soda & water into thick WET paste apply! MessY (April 7)
  • how do you deal when your peers tell you that you're not good enough for something??? Change Peers ! (Apr 5)
  • HOW DO U BLOCK NEGATIVE ENERGY FROM OTHER PEOPLE? Cry then say " fk them " 2 a friend (April 5)

And she's still trying to help the little kid with ecxema. Poor fella.

Nite lovelies am really tired ! Need find tweet little boy with ex-ema sp) Xxx me (April 5)

And she goes introspective….

have you ever had to do something that you didn't want to but had to do to survive? Ahh Yes ! (April 5)

what has been 1 of the most difficult time in your lifetime!' not now ! Write it in book ! Must Tell MY Story MY WAY (Apr 5)

oohh…so she's thinking about telling her story!

you doing autobiography? Not yet ! gotta b little older ( as if that's poss.) & a few people gotta get senile (April 5)

Oh yeah. I hear that.

I don't listen 2 my music! As a matter of fact I'm always alittle embarrassed when I'm out & it comes on ! Hide my face & giggle (April 8)

Incredible.

Twitter-chergaallagher

Cher tweet pic with Peter Gallagher. What's off-kilter here is seeing Cher in an office!

What a beige environment for her!! I just seems so wrong! Like someone will ask her to type something or take dictation.

Ron_Zimmerman: Legendary Director Passes Away and richard benjiman seems to b immortal. so unfair. Bad z (April 9)

Well…no intention to bash Richard because I actually like him as a character actor (that scavenger hunt movie, that movie where he played the cuckolded husband to George Hamilton's Dracula). He's got his own charm. But as a director? I do not feel he saved Mermaids from quasi-drama-quasi-comedy purgatory. I'm just sayin.

 

A Cher’s Eye View (Cher Tweets)

April 6, 2011 / / 2 Comments

Twitter-chershoes The pics in this post are from Cher's tweets. For instance, Cher takes a picture of her feet. Who hasn't done that??? That's my favorite one!

There are many cool developments in Cher-tweet-land…Cher's eye view pictures being the best. It's like…could you do a tweet an autobiography?

Some ask, "Is it really Cher tweeting?" It doesn't seem too foolish to believe that she is. The tweets are honest, peppery, emotional and even occasionally humanly mundane…and contain a quality of vagueness beyond what an assistant or publicist would contribute.

That said, when folks criticize her spelling and grammar–it's ludicrous. Seriously, Twitter is the land of C U Ltr. It seems these people are just poking Cher with a stick is what that is all about.

Which is why when Cher asks: "If people don't like me then why not just stay away & follow who They Love?" and "I must b very naïve cause I still don’t understand why people who don’t like me come here? Seems mean 4 no reason"  My opinion: they come to get a rise out of Cher…which they are more likely to get with something negative than something positive.

Twitter-cher-nepal

Cher in Nepal: Last night John made me watch a National Geographic show about Big Foot in Nepal.

So anyway, I’m behind with the Cher tweets…does that make me a bad fan? Make no mistake, I love the tweets. Cher is very generous with her tweet time.

"Ok let’s pick a topic & talk to each other! Something u think I won’t answer! Let’s stay away from XXX! We respect one another" Mar 23

I’m 35 text pages behind!!!  Cher has been a tweet'n fool too. And pouring over them feels like trying to uncover mysteries in biblical texts.

In any case, there is no need for Cher to defend her tweets with dyslexia. ("Dyslexia SORE spot 4 me! School was hell! Said I was lazy.” Mar 23) Even if she wasn't dyslexic, she can freakin tweet any way she wants.

Anyway, back to September of last year: Cher is loving on Lady Gaga’s VMA dress and she was just getting her tootsies squished into Grauman’s Chinese Theater ("the impossible dream of a tiny 4 yr old come True!" and "the first time ever someone got to throw glitter all over it." Nov 18). Again, Cher laments “I feel my Best Pictures are behind me” which boggles the mind. I feel like we’ve been hearing this since Believe and there have been amazing amazing pictures since then, The Vanity Fair pics are really beautiful. Stand right up there with anything from the 70s or 80s.

I "liked" Cher on Facebook (as I was told to do Sept 30)

Twitterfanpic I love this picture…an near-Cher-view of a fan getting his All I Ever Need Is You (1972) album signed in New York City (posted Nov 11). I love that album. I really do.

You haven’t seen the last of me is now in Cher's top 5 songs she's done. Oct 23…says Burlesque isn’t Shakespeare and is predictable but is beautiful and fun. Indeed.

Says Zimmerman is writing for teen Disney show, Shake it Up and Cher was sad when she lost half a years worth of texts between her and Rz…“I’m desolate! They were precious 2 me” (Mar 14) This reminds me of the heartache of losing creative and personal work from computer crashes. Technology has a sucky side. Which is why I'm wary of using document scanners for important docs. A fire seems less likely than a computer crash.

Cher thanked her fans for the last night in her three-year Vegas run: “packed audience on their feet for nearly the whole show! They screamed and yelled with excitement and delight" Feb 8

Cher now has a YouTube station: http://www.youtube.com/cher but there's not much on it yet

Cher often expresses concern for friends in surgery or sick. She expressed honest disappointment about the Oscars shunning for Best Song, “Would u like Some Cheese 2 go with that WHINE!” Jan 26  (her own "Snap out of it!")

She raises the interesting identity question: "Why would someone pretend to be me. It’s meaningless 4 them. Instead of making them feel more…it must make them feel less” Nov 6

She "Didn’t know caps were shouting! Sorry! I’m SO out of the loop. Probably out of the loop Is outa the loop" Feb 23

Twitter-cherdressing room Twitter-beforeshow  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two gorgeous pics of Lovely Cher backstage before Vegas Caesars shows.

"Who or What is Cher Lloyd" Mar 15 (Cher Lloyd is who clogs up my Cher google searches, that’s who!)…this comment causes drama to ensue from Cher Lloyd's minions: "I guess I live in a cave. No Disrespect meant !" The next day she apologizes for not knowing tweet etiquette (who does?) "give me a fn break here…There’s rm 4 both she has more followers cool! There truly is lots a rm! It’s a Big planet!"

Which is nice of Cher to say…but…honestly…can we be honest here in the 5th decade?…the planet does not have room for most celebrities, which is why they fade away predictably within months, years or a decade at most. Cher takes up a lot of planet room….nothing against thousands of other celebs who didn’t make it 5 decades…it’s just…you know…the odds are not good for Cher Lloyd. I could be wrong. Let’s touch base in 20 years. If I’m wrong. I’ll eat my hat.

People are asking questions (I'm so jealous!) but we only get to see the answer and I am forced to guess at the questions:

"long blk straight, But I try to make it wavy. Only works in Maui" Mar 15 (Is your hair straight or wavy?)

"true ! Broke it long ago ! Compound fract. but was in rehearsal 4 a show wore cast 2 wks Dr said 'you'll pay' " May 15 (Was it true you broke your toe?)

"Neon Pink on toes Metallic rose glitter on fingers Not deep or meaningful, it's just what I'm Doing right now" Mar 15 (What nail polish do you wear?)

Twitter-chercatCher dishes about pets. Awww!

"My cat 'Mr Big' found him on tour undera truck, alone ! Tiny little thing! I took pic & did silly art work" mar 16 

"Love both ! Found puppy in dirt alone (my karma) Rome ! Fought Lily T. 4 him (kidding) name pipo ! My Sister G Took him" (Do you like dogs or cats?)

"loved my dog Kuma ! Akita ! It's cool people Love their pets ! He's Gone, but what a Prince he Was. Strange, writing this i got tears"
Mar 16

On Kathy Griffin: "Let’s talk Kathy! I love her. Took her to Maui with G & bunch a my best friends 4 years! Only KG and RZ make me laugh uncontrollably! She is very kind, dresses up when not working. Me, I live in Chrome’s sweatpants." Mar 16

"Love 2 play wii tennis! It’s so much fun & great cardio!" Mar 17

This reminds me. I just finished a Mark Twain biography, a 600-page opus by Ron Powers. Did you know Mark Twain wrote with a bunch of ampersands in his correspondence & he would probably tweet that way too.)

"NO In & OUT Couple times a yr 3 jack tacos & choc shake whipped cream No Cherry!" Mar 17

Twitter-chercloset"In bed watching tcm! Not tired but gotta get up early’n work out. Been cleaning out my closet 4 what seems like half my adult life" Mar 17

"Hi Lovely's! Ran across my orig S&C Fur vest ! Will take pic tonite & post ! Am in closet will take pics !"

Look at all those shoes!

She solicits opinions about playing Mother superior to an orphanage on The Three Stooges movie (I’m agnostic) mar 18 "I want 2 do more films! …something 2 sink my teeth in! completely different! Unexpected! Cher put a sock in it."

Cher: explore your inner villain! Cher Scholar put a sock in it.

"Several mes! Calm impatient young old funny sad outgoing shy soft sharp laugh cry" Mar 18 (Who is the real you?)

"No Been Cher ALL MY LIFE! Only Cherilyn when in trouble!" Mar 24 (Were you ever called Cherilyn?)

"With Meryl saved girl from getting rapped by HUGE MAN between little Italy china town midnight" (No way!)

She almost had car accident after Chaz’s bday party on Mar 20: "yah but party was tonite ! Many people were away on 4th" (Why was Chaz's bday party on the 20th?)

Says she is "ipad/phone possessed. Artist I love So! Has song 4 me & maybe she & I duet! Oh happy Day lovelies" mar 21

"Wash every other nite! Unless needed don’t user dyer! Put is swirly big bun and let it dry that way" (How do you wash your hair?)

Finally we have questions included around March 26!

"I would have dinner with Jesus Buddha Shakespeare Billie Holiday Harry Hopkins" mar 26

"what’s your fave quotation that you truly live by? If it doesn’t matter in 5 years, it doesn’t matter! Mom" Mar 26

On Liz taylor: "I was once going through Hard time & She was So Kind 2 me" Mar 26

"Don’t sing my songs. Do wear my perfume. Fav song Winter Shade of Pale I’m hippy" Mar 26

Twitter-cherbuddha

Cher's pool with a Buddha statue.

Zimmerman turns out is a "big fan horror film I’m not! He put on Rene Zelweger scary ass film! I’m scared go down stairs 4 ice cream. Ok he’s going down 4 the ice cream, but I may never go Downstairs in the Dark AGAIN! Hate horror! I’m big sissy! What kind of ice cream? Chocolate??? If it’s not choc. It’s not Desert." Mar 28

"Oh! Arg! Monday! I became a singer so I could work Nites! Not really! Son said “Sing Cher” So I Did! But thank God it was Nites" Mar 28

Like all of us, Cher is curious about the latest antics of Charlie Sheen’s personal tour. Apr 3

"was almost no ["You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"] director hated it & wanted it out of his film ..said it would ruin it !" Apr 3

"would you ever duet with merle haggard? Seriously? Oh God yes ! Love him It might not b lovelies fav but great" apr 3 (This should happen.)

"I’m very dyslexic! Imagine what a success I might have made of my life if only my grammar was perfect…Might have been able to have true connection with people! Make them feel something! (sounds like Sonny liner notes from 1973) Oh well quel damage" mar 22

She’s kidding right!? Tell me she’s kidding.

"Nothing would be better than kicking the bucket on stage." Jan 27

Don’t say that! Cher freaks do NOT like to think of "Cher mortality." I can only imagine what Liz Taylor fans are going through right now. And if Entertainment Weekly puts Cher on the back and
Arnold Schwarzenegger's poopey face on the front when Cher “kicks it” I will lose my mind.

By the way, there are many Liz pics on the set of the movie Giant in EW's Taylor tribute this week, that set really being in Martha, Texas, the major plot setting forCome Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean.

Things Cher likes that you might want to check out:

Twiiter-parents

"Mom dad ! M. suede pants squaw boots ! ponytail 2 waist" mar 22

"my mom & Dad ! Like movie Stars ! Can't c moms Long hair suede pants & moccasins" apr 1

"I’m tired. Nite lovelies! That includes lovelies that Don’t love Me!" Mar 20



History: Dark Lady, Wooden Heart, David Letterman

March 30, 2011 / / 0 Comments

Woodenheart

Wooden Heart

I believe Cher scholar Robrt sent me this rarity of Cher singing "Wooden Heart" circa 1965.

 

 

 

 

David Letterman 

Also, in the latest Entertainment Weekly (4.1.11) there is a on-page piece on shocking David Letterman Show moments (page 8) of which Cher’s 1986 "asshole" episode is included among other weird weird episodes like Madonna’s f-word opus, Joaquin Phoenix’s sham performance, Farrah Fawcet's ramblings, Drew Barrymore’s boob flashing, and Crispin Glover (who knows what that was about). The representative pic for Cher shows her arms folded defensively. But she loosened up later in the interview as these shots show.

Normal_tel1986letterman_04

Cherletterman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luckily Cher had a change of heart about Letterman and has had many memorable visits since. 

 

Dark Lady

From: http://www.rttnews.com/Content/EntertainmentNews.aspx?Section=2&Id=1581411&SM=1

CherDarkLady

Cher reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with her "Dark Lady" on March 23, 1974.

The track was Cher's third solo chart-topper. She scored a number-one hit with 1971's "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" and repeated the feat with 1973's "Half-Breed." Cher would not return to the number-one spot for a quarter century, finally breaking her drought in 1999, when "Believe" topped the Hot 100.

Written by Ventures keyboardist Johnny Durrell, "Dark Lady" was the title track of Cher's 1974 album, which featured two other Durrell compositions, "Dixie Girl" and "I Saw a Man and He Danced with His Wife." The LP also included "Train of Thought" and "Rescue Me."

"Dark Lady" reached number one by knocking off "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks. After a one-week run, it was replaced by John Denver's "Sunshine On My Shoulders."

Wow…sandwiched between "Seasons in the Sun" (we had joy we had fun….this song was aCher%20Dark%20Lady n  earworm) and the drippy "Sunshine on My Shoulders" (I hugely prefer "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Thank God I’m a Country Boy" for my John Denver dollar).

Young heavy metal aficionados must have been pulling their hair out. God bless em.

Stan Ross RIP

March 30, 2011 / / 1 Comment

Sonny%20cuts%20rebsml Cher scholar Rob alerted me to Stan “Choo Choo” Ross’ passing with this link: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=77834

"Stan Ross, Producer and Engineer co-founded Gold Star studios, famed for its 'Wall of Sound'

Stan Ross, who co-founded Hollywood's Gold Star Recording Studio, where producer Phil Spector perfected the innovative “Wall of Sound" technique, has died. He was 82. Ross died Friday at Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank of complications following surgery.

More than 100 Top 40 hits were recorded at Gold Star, including such Spector-produced records as “You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers and “Be My Baby" by the Ronettes.

Other hits recorded at the modest building at Santa Monica Boulevard and Vine Street included Ritchie Valens' “La Bamba," Eddie Cochran's “Summertime Blues" and Iron Butterfly's “Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida." The Beach Boys also recorded most of their records there.

“Stan was born with a musical ear," said David Gold, who co-founded Gold Star with Ross when both were barely out of their teens. “He would come up with ideas for people who were recording, things that had never been tried before.""

Pic above is credited as Stan Ross, Sonny & Reb Foster. See many S&C pics from their time at Goldstar Studios: http://www.sonnycher.com/goldstar.html 

   

Las Vegas Sahara RIP

March 30, 2011 / / 1 Comment

Sonny_&_Cher_-_Live_In_Las_Vegas_Vol__2_album

From The Las Vegas Sun: 

"It was once the home of Jerry Lewis, Buddy Hackett, Johnny Carson and countless other comedy legends. It is where Louis Prima and Keely Smith turned lounge entertainment into an art form, and where Sonny & Cher packed the showroom at the height of their TV fame."

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/mar/11/end-sahara-isnt-hint-what-it-once-was/

First the Stardust sign kicks it and now this. Oh well, no more $35 rooms on the strip, eh?

How is the Riviera still standing? I ask you.

Take out your Sonny & Cher Live Volume II album and contemplate our ongoing need for a time machine so we can all go back and hear overly loud Sonny & Cher concerts at the Sahara and then sue for hearing damage like that guy did back in the early 70s. Ah…good times.

No seriously. If I could go back in time I would risk deafness to see S&C live.

  

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