One of the indicators that an entertainment figure is a firmly entrenched superstar, perhaps even an icon, is that people often refer to them by their first name only and everyone knows who is being spoken of.
One thing that I find offensive is how companies and individuals do everything they can think of to make money when someone famous — and especially an icon — dies.
I was asked by a reader who is a Temptations fan, a Motown enthusiast and a lover of statistics, how many men had been members of the Temptations in the history of the group, which would be 1961 to the present.
Gospel music should be comforting and inspiring, in addition to sounding good. There are times, too, when it should get the listener fired up. It should touch hearts, and it will if it is being presented from the heart.
Alturo Shelton was, in some ways, a throwback to other eras. As increasingly raunchy comedy became more popular, due to the “Def Jam Comedy” TV show, a changing society and many other factors, Shelton kept it clean. He had made a commitment.
One of the most talented female vocal groups of all time, and one of Detroit’s greatest gifts to the music world, is the Jones Girls. For whatever reason, Shirley, Valorie and Brenda Jones have not received the amount of attention their talents and accomplishments merit.The Jones Girls were at their peak from 1979 to 1982 when they enjoyed national success with hits such as “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else,” “I Just Love the Man,” “Nights Over Egypt” and “Dance Turned Into a Romance.” Their well-received albums include “The Jones Girls” and “At Peace With Woman.”
It would be virtually impossible to overstate the importance and impact of “Soul Train,” which came to the end of the track in 2006, although reruns continued to air for an additional two years.
A little bit of Kanye West goes a long way, for some of us more than others. If ever an (overrated) artist needed to get over himself, it is this man. His ego-driven rants have been numerous, and annoying, in the past, but jumping onstage as teen country star Taylor Swift was accepting her Best Female Video award at the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony was a new low.
Giving Kem Owens his well-deserved propsFew and far between are the successful entertainers who are willing to give back to the extent that KEM does. His recent free concert at Cass Park speaks volumes about his character.
