As inappropriate as it may be to bring it up, it is evident that the massive amount of publicity Rihanna received after being physically abused by Chris Brown actually worked to her advantage.
Not that I am suggesting that it was a good thing that it happened because it definitely should not have.
But the truth of the matter is that Rihanna, who had 90 percent of the public on her side, is more popular than ever. Her concerts are selling out with lightening speed, album sales are through the roof and radio play is relentless.
Also, Rihanna is making use of sexuality and even lasciviousness to an extent she never had before.
RANDY JACKSON just might be as misguided and publicity-craving as his father, Joseph, and brother, Jermaine, often are.
He is upset that Oprah Winfrey was allowed into the Jackson home to do a show, even though his mother, Katherine, had no problem with it.
Believe it or not, Randy accused Winfrey of doing a show on pedophilia during the Michael Jackson trial in order to influence the jury so that Michael would have to go to jail!
Fact is, she did that show because that subject was hot and needed to be explored.
Speaking of Oprah Winfrey, Entertainment Weekly magazine last week presented “The 50 Most Powerful Entertainers” — in terms of money, influence, popularity, impact, etc. Seven African Americans made the list. No surprise that Winfrey was number one among those seven, followed (in order) by Will Smith, will.i.am, Kanye West, Beyoncé Knowles, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry.
THE TALENTED and beautiful Tammi Terrell is remembered primarily for the numerous outstanding duets she recorded with Marvin Gaye, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “If This World Were Mine,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and my favorite, “You’re All I Need To Get By.”
But by the time you read this, a new two-CD set titled “Tammi Terrell, Come On and See Me: The Complete Solo Collection” should be available.
There are 50 songs in all, including her three Motown solo singles, “I Can’t Believe You Love Me,” “Come On and See Me” and “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” — plus many songs she recorded before Motown, as Tammy Montgomery.
We all know that all kinds of things happen to people, but Toni Braxton filing bankruptcy again (the first time was 1998) seems a bit much. You wouldn’t believe how many companies she owes money to.
Part of the problem just has to be bad money management on her part. And what happened to all the money she made during her lengthy stint in Las Vegas?
Bruce Springsteen hit the nail on the head when he said one reason the country is so messed up is that the visionary, charismatic leaders who were assassinated in the 1960s — Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy — were never replaced.
A MOVIE is being made on the life and career of Dr. Catana Sparks, the first woman to coach a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 men’s team. LeToya Luckett, hitmaker and former member of Destiny’s Child, has landed a significant part in the film, which stars Taraji P. Henson, who was so great in “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” among many others.
A biopic is also being made on famed record producer Phil Spector, who is as bizarre as he is talented. The HBO film will feature the Academy Award-winning Al Pacino in the starring role.
Spector, who produced hits for the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers, the Crystals and others, is currently in prison for murder.
Ryan Seacrest, the genial “American Idol” host and well-known radio personality, is starting his own cable channel that will focus on music, lifestyle and pop culture.
Solange Knowles believes pop/rock singer Katy Perry has gone too far with one of her videos with regard to sexual presentation. What prompted the public criticism was Knowles catching her very young son, Julez, looking at it.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW …that when Jay Leno took over from Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show” in 1991, the musical guest on his first show was Shanice, who had a No. 1 hit at the time with “I Love Your Smile.”
MEMORIES: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (Roberta Flack), “Let Me Start Tonite” (Lamont Dozier), “Delirious” (Prince), “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” (James Ingram and Patti Austin), “Oh How Happy” (Shades of Blue), “Please Return Your Love to Me” (the Temptations), “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” (Deniece Williams), “Easy Lover” (Philip Bailey with Phil Collins), “Natural High” (Bloodstone), “Somebody Else’s Guy” (Jocelyn Brown), “Let’s Get Married” (Al Green).
BLESSINGS to Terry Cabell, V. Lonnie Peek, Ceil Stevenson, Gwen West, Kyle Burkett, JoAnn Burkett, Lydia Nance Adams, Carol Harvin, James Banks and Melody Moore.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from motivational author and success coach Michael Neill: “When you are clear on the ‘want to,’ the ‘how to’ shows up.”
Let the music play!
(Steve Holsey can be reached at [email protected] and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.)
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