Back in the day — 1969 to be exact — the Parliaments (there was an “s” in those days) had a single written by group leader George Clinton titled “A New Day Begins” that deserved more attention than it received.
It said, “Give the past to the past, give love to the future, give the mistakes that we made to the wind.”
After becoming the first black woman to win the Miss America title in 1983, Vanessa Williams, as virtually the whole world knows, had to relinquish the title when a lowdown adult magazine publisher ran nude pictures taken years earlier.
But the “scandal” didn’t stop the talented and beautiful Williams from becoming a major star, as actress, recording artist, dancer and more.
Nevertheless, it took courage to return to the pageant, this time as a judge. But then again, Williams has always been a fighter. In fact, she even used the “F” word to describe her feelings regarding those who were predicting, or even hoping for, her failure.
When Williams won an NAACP Image Award in 1989 as outstanding new female recording artist, she tearfully thanked several people, but especially the black community, saying “because you were there when I needed you.”
Then she jubilantly declared, “I’m going to fly!”
ONE OF the hottest — and wealthiest — couples in the music industry had something really nice said about them by “CBS This Morning” anchor Gayle King.
“I would love to have dinner with Jay Z and Beyoncé,” she said. “I think we would have a lot to chat about. I like them both so much and I love them as a couple. I like that they are both at the top of their game, and that they have a mutual respect and admiration for each other.”
It’s bad enough that some young recording artists are saying they would support Kanye West if by some freak of nature he actually became a serious contender for president of the United States, the most powerful position in the world.
But now Chelsea Clinton, a college graduate, daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, and diligent worker with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative, has come out in favor of the absurdity of West running and might possibly be willing to vote for him, saying, “It think it depends on who he’d be running against.”
Is everybody going mad?
BABYFACE, whose last album, the Grammy-winning “Love, Marriage & Divorce,” a duet project with Toni Braxton, was outstanding, is excited about his new release, set for December release and titled “Return of the Tender Lover.”
Kenny Edmonds — that’s his real name, you know — says only half-jokingly that the album could be subtitled “Unapologetic R&B.”
“’Love, Marriage & Divorce’ showed me that there is definitely an audience that’s still there and interested in R&B music done with quality and honesty.”
More than a few people are angry with Damon Wayans for publicly expressing support for the beleaguered — and to an extent, persecuted — Bill Cosby.
“I just don’t believe it (the accusations),” said Wayans. “I think it’s a money hustle. Look, I understand fame. I’ve lived it. Women will throw themselves at you. They just want to be in your presence. There’s some that innocently will come up there, but not 40-something women. They’re not that naive.”
Prince says some of his favorite artists are Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, Kenrick Lamar and Esperanza Spalding, and of course the classic greats he grew up on, like Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone and the Staple Singers.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that Denzel and Paulette Washington’s son, John David Washington, is an actor. He just wrapped up a season of an HBO comedy series starring Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson.
MEMORIES: “Come Get to This” (Marvin Gaye), “Let’s Go Dancin’ (Ooh La La La)” (Kool & the Gang), “Practice What You Preach” (Barry White), “Son of a Preacher Man” (Dusty Springfield), “Sweet Soul Music” (Arthur Conley), “I Don’t Know Why” (Stevie Wonder), “I Wanna be Where You Are” (Michael Jackson), “He’s the Greatest Dancer” (Sister Sledge), “Don’t Ask My Neighbors” (the Emotions), “Do What You Gotta Do” (Nina Simone).
BLESSINGS to Charles Davis, E.J. Johnson, Bobby Green, Valerie Stevenson, Marion Hayden, Henry White, Bessie White, Jay Butler, Diane Steinberg Lewis and Roz Edward.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Stephen Covey (author, educator): “There are three constants in life — change, choice and principles.”
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
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