Smokey Robinson once wrote a song titled “The Day You Take One, You Have to Take the Other,” and there is a lot of truth in those words, nowhere more so than in show business.
It seems that rumors — usually negative and usually stupid — go along with fame. As rumor victim Maxwell sarcastically put it, “People say everything because they don’t know anything.”
Prince, Oprah Winfrey, James Brown, Johnny Gill, the Pointer Sisters, Usher, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Wendy Williams, Berry Gordy, Richard Gere, Ne-Yo, Beyoncé Knowles, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross and Keanu Reeves are among the hundreds, maybe thousands, who have been rumor targets.
Seems to me that taking care of one’s own life is a full time job.
Oh by the way, those of you who are into trivia might be interested to know that the song mentioned at the beginning of the column was the B-side of “When You’re Young and In Love,” a Top 10 hit for the Marvelettes.
WILL.I.AM from the Black Eyed Peas is really irritated about the Michael Jackson album that is scheduled to be released in November, featuring fully recorded tracks that were shelved for one reason or another and non-finished songs that others will complete.
“Disrepectful” is one of the words Will.i.am used to describe this project, because Jackson was a perfectionist and would not have wanted it released. How could someone complete Michael’s songs? How could they know what his wishes would have been?
Of course, it’s all about making money and Will.i.am has labeled these people “parasites.”
We wish Aretha Franklin well following her fall. Hopefully she will be up and about soon.
Count me in among those pleased that Hansen Clarke won the election in the 13th District (where I live). Nothing against incumbent Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick — she can’t be held responsible for what her son did or ex-husband may have done.
But Clarke was the better congressional choice. Something different at just the right time. He’s honest, caring, smart, hard-working, sincere, friendly, enthusiastic, and I believe he means it when he says, “Power to the people.”
Don Cornelius, creator and longtime host of the legendary “Soul Train,” spoke candidly about why he turned the hosting job over to others with the advent of hip-hop. “I could say ‘Yo! What’s up?’ but I would look stupid,” he said.
Interestingly, Stephanie Mills says singing in front of a large audience is actually easier than singing in front of two or three people.
DIDDY was wrong to accuse “Nightline’s” Martin Bashir of asking a racist question when he wanted to know why Diddy bought his teenage son a $350,000 car for his birthday.
Of course, what a father buys his son is his business, but it was a good question, even though Diddy believes Bashir would not have asked a White celebrity that. But I think he would have.
It’s hard to keep track of all the spinoff TV shows. Terrence Howard has been signed on for the new “Law & Order: Los Angeles.”
LeToya Luckett, formerly of Destiny’s Child, has parted company with Capitol Records because she believes their lackluster promotion is the reason her “Lady Love” album came up short in sales. This is in sharp contrast to her debut album, “LeToya,” which was certified Platinum for selling a million copies. “Lady Love” didn’t come close to that.
Speaking of ladies and their record sales, since Ciara’s “Fantasy Ride” did not do as well as expected, her next release, “Basic Instincts,” set for Oct. 5 release, will feature songs that are more overtly sexual.
With all due respect to Wyclef Jean in general and for his interest in his native Haiti specifically, what would qualify him to be president of that country?
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW….that “Love Child,” Diana Ross & the Supremes’ No. 1 hit from 1968, was written at the Pontchartrain Hotel. The writers were Deke Richards, R. Dean Taylor, Berry Gordy, Pam Sawyer and Frank Wilson.
MEMORIES: “What You Won’t Do For Love” (Bobby Caldwell), “Tighten Up” (Archie Bell & the Drells), “Baby Hold On to Me” (Gerald Levert with Eddie Levert), “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” (Lou Rawls), “Better Be Good to Me” (Tina Turner), “I’m So Into You” (SWV), “Looking For a New Love” (Jody Watley), “A Lover’s Question” (Clyde McPhatter), “Pull Up to the Bumper” (Grace Jones), “The Rain” (Oran “Juice” Jones).
BLESSINGS to Michael “Tiger” Price, Marvin Taylor (formerly “Marvelous Marv”), Cheryl Myhand, Terry Cabell, Donald Phillips, Henry Tyler, Edward Phillips, Keena Green, Martaez Cyars and Katherine Adams.
WORDS OF THE WEEK: “Are you willing to give what you want to receive?”
Let the music play!
(Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.)
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