Soul/Jazz singer and actor Carl Anderson is dead at age 58
Soul turned Jazz singer turned actor Carl Anderson died today (Feb 23rd) just four days shy of his birthday - he was 58. Carl succomed to his battle with leukaemia after fighting it for 7 months.
Carl started out as an actor/singer rather than an outright singer and during a performance of of a song with his band The Second Eagle at his church was offered an audition to be casted in the critically acclaimed role of Judas Iscariot in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (a role then played by Ben Vereen but fell ill) He got it and played the role in both the stage and film versions.
in the late 70s he went solo from his band and released his debut album 'Abscent without Love' in 1982 on on Epic Records. Produced by Richard Rudolph, the set gave us the excellent rare groover 'Buttercup' written by Stevie Wonder. He went on to record 9 albums in total including 3 albums for the Jazz giant GRP label.For those of us who listened to his music in the 80s and 90s know that his talent is immense and always brightened a room with his infectous smile, he will be sorely missed. Carl is survived by his wife, son, two step daughters, his mother, six sisters and three brothers. A memorial service will be held in Culver City, California, on Saturday.
- - Source: soulnotes.net, soulwalking.co.uk
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'American Idol' reject finds idolism from fans online
Although he's been ousted from the show 'American Idol', singer William Hung has become somewhat of a celebrity in his own right ever since and has struck a cord with numerous admirers online.
According to the Associated Press, the young 21 year old has a petition going to have him reinstated back on the show and now has offers to do the talk show circuit. In doing so abviously means him getting some serious dosh but it's not fazing the man the 21-year-old. Hung has become an instant online celebrity, sought after by talk shows, record producers and "Idol" dreamers everywhere.So what's all the hype on Hung? Is it the boyish smile? the accent? the way he moves, well according to Andrea Michaelian, a San Francisco-area teenager who with a friend created the Web site WilliamHung.reallyrules.com. "it's all of that. He's not full of himself, he's just down-to-earth, he's like an unintentional celebrity so it's cool."
Hung was born in Hong Kong but moved to Southern California with his family as a child. He has always been interested in music but wanted to concentrate on his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, until he won a dorm talent contest singing the Ricky Martin hit, 'She Bangs'.
That led him to try out for American Idol last September in San Francisco, appearing before the show's judges: no nonsense talking Simon Cowell, pliteful Paula Abdul and steadily ready to mince words Randy Jackson. The outcome well this is what Cowell said to him, "You can't sing, you can't dance, so what do you want me to say?" More on this to come I'm sure.
- - Source: superherohype.com
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Ashanti and Nelly: the latest hook up
I guess love is in the air at the moment as the star studded power couples of the music industry are getting together left and right. Recently we've seen Usher and TLC's Chili, Janet Jackson and Jermaine 'JD' Dupri, Beyonce and Jay Z become boyfriend and girlfriend and now there's been reports that the petite R&B princess and first lady of the newly named 'The Inc' records Ashanti and St Louis prodigal son Nelly are now an item.
Star magazine reports Ashanti Douglas and Nelly (whos real name is ) have been secretly dating for the past three months and so much as even spent Christmas together in Aspen, CO. In addition, a source revealed he saw the couple arrive together late one night at the Beverly Hills Hotel. "They were lovey-dovey and holding hands, they went straight to their hotel room and stayed the rest of the night." said the source. Again more to come on this report.
- Source: reactmag.com
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Diana Krall raises over $800,000 for charity close to her heart
Jazz songstress Diana Krall held her charity concert last week in her native homeland of Vancouver, Canada for a charity program thats close to her heart - the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant program. Diana's mother had died from the disease 2 years ago and Diana wanted to find a way to give back to the program for the unconditional care her mother received through the program. The concert raised over $810,000 for the program but she had a little help from her friends.
The one-off show featured a guest appearance from her husband Elvis Costello and friend Sir Elton John. John gave the crowd a performance of his classic 'Tiny Dancer' while Elvis joined Diana in an renindition of Joni Mitchell's 'Almost Blue'. Diana also sang 'Love Letters' with Sir Reg and the show ended with the trio performing her version of 'Makin' Whoopee'.
"I am thrilled with what we were able to achieve this year and so very thankful for the generosity and support my family and friends have extended to the event," says Diana in a statement. "I am forever grateful to the hospital for the incredible care my mother Adella received through the L/BMT Program. The naming of the outpatient unit is a wonderful tribute to her." Diana's mother died of Leukemia in 2002.
A pair of tickets to the show was auctioned on eBay. The winning bid was $5,500.
- Source - undercover.com