It didn’t feel right to me to start an entertainment show without coming back down here and turning the lights on and saying something about it before we begin,” said James Corden. “I don’t even know where to start when I talk about Prince as an artist, because to be unique in this world is impossible. Almost all art is taken or borrowed from somewhere else, and yet an artist like Prince stands alone – he is completely original. I feel like today is about celebrating the incredible life that he led and the brilliant songs that he gave us. What a thing to be have been alive when Prince was making music, we are all incredibly lucky,” he concluded.
Watch Jennifer Hudson Sing ‘Purple Rain’ & ‘Hamilton’ Cast ‘Go Crazy’ In Broadway Tributes
The two leading Broadway shows paid tribute to Prince, who died on Thursday at the age of 57. Jennifer Hudson, the lead in the current production of The Color Purple, ended the show by sharing a personal Prince story and then sang a powerful, heart-wrenching performance of “Purple Rain” with backing from the cast, putting the church back into the venue. The cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton finished the performance with a rousing rendition of “Let’s Go Crazy.”
That Time Prince Performed “Purple Rain” During Downpour At Super Bowl
A tribute to a legend that has passed too soon, take a look back at Prince’s iconic Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show through a rain and wind storm.
The setlist included: “We Will Rock You”, “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Baby I’m a Star”, “Proud Mary”, “All Along the Watchtower”, “Best of You”, and “Purple Rain”.
Prince’s Kills It During Solo On “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Back in 2004, The Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame paid tribute to Beatle George Harrison with a performance of his classic, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Recorded in 1968 for the Beatles’ “White Album,” the track was a rarity for the Fab Four because it featured a guest artist, Harrison’s friend Eric Clapton, on lead guitar. For the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame’s tribute performance, it assembled a supergroup featuring Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne from Electric Light Orchestra, Harrison’s son Dhani and on lead guitar, playing Clapton’s role, was Prince.
There’s An Unprecedented Auction of Duke Ellington’s Personal Treasures
On May 18th at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Guernsey’s will be presenting a wonderful array of personal belongings from the late, legendary Duke Ellington. Consigned directly by one of Duke’s closest relatives, approximately 250 rarities will be sold at unreserved auction.
Few individuals have had a greater influence on the twentieth century popular culture than Duke Ellington. His remarkable musical legacy combined with an unfailing sense of style have accorded him iconic status. And although such evergreen hits as Take the A Train, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) and Satin Doll resonate from coast to coast – he was our nation’s Jazz Ambassador endeared the Duke to a global audience.
Imagine bidding on any of two dozen original music manuscripts – written in Duke’s own hand – for titles including Paris Blues, Let the Good Times Roll, and the Ellington classic, Mood Indigo. The word “dapper” might well have been coined when describing Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington; this will be well evident when viewing the many dinner jackets, tuxedos and suits in the sale. (Most have Duke’s name discreetly written on the inside of his jacket pockets.) In addition to creating great tunes, Duke also took pride in his paintings. Considered one of his finest efforts, the auction will include his oil on canvas titled, for obvious reasons, “Satin Doll.” Another artistic entry, Duke’s portrait of close friend and collaborator Billy Strayhorn, will have meaning for many, as will the other Strayhorn-related objects in the auction.
Without question, one of the most significant lots in this, or any other music-related auction, will be Duke Ellington’s personal white baby grand piano. (A striking photo of this important instrument on the stage of Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater is featured in the comprehensive auction catalogue Guernsey’s is producing for the event.) Although it is known that Duke owned two additional pianos, the one in this event (and the only one likely ever to be sold) is the one he used when composing much of his music.
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (58 West 129th Street) is in the heart of the historic community that housed the original Cotton Club where Duke led the Harlem Renaissance.
Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video without the music is awesome
Michael Jackson’s Thriller is considered a disco-funk song of the highest order. Set in the key of C♯ Modern Dorian, its instrumentation consists of synthesizer, guitar, trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophone, flute and trombone. The song has a moderate tempo of 118.31 beats per minute. The lyrics and sound effects on “Thriller” pertain to frightful elements and themes.
But none of that matters when you remove the music, and left with those…errr…natural sounds, courtesy of Mario Wienerroither.
Iman Shares Her Secret To Her 24-Year Marriage With David Bowie
In October 1990, a decade after marriage to Mary Angela Barnett ended, David Bowie and Somali-born supermodel Iman were introduced by a mutual friend. Bowie recalled, “I was naming the children the night we met … it was absolutely immediate.” They married in 1992.
Just before Bowie’s death in February, Iman sat down with the The Oprah Winfrey Network to discuss how they made their 24-year marriage work.
“We both understand the difference between the person and the persona. When we are home, we are just Iman and David. We’re not anybody else. I think the secret to a lasting marriage is timing, first of all. You have to be at the right time in your life that you’re ready for an ever-lasting relationship, that it becomes first, a priority in your life.”
Watch Steve Jobs Talk About Apple In 1980: ” “I don’t think the Apple II is ever going to be obsolete.”
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak (Jobs oversaw the development of the Apple II’s unusual case and Rod Holt developed the unique power supply). It was introduced in 1977 at the West Coast Computer Faire by Jobs and was the first consumer product sold by Apple Computer.
Here, Jobs talks about the brilliance of the computer, predicting, “I don’t think the Apple II is ever going to be obsolete.” He was almost right. The last Apple II series computer was made 13 years later.
This may be the most impressive music video you’ll see all week
Matt Mahaffey aka sElf performs his song Could You Love Me Now in this unique and amazing video directed by Bodie Orman. This was shot backwards and you are viewing it forwards. So the first shot you see was the last shot filmed. Done in one take, Matt learned the lyrics to the song backwards and walked backwards for this video.
If you want to follow along, the lyrics he had to learn again are:
an-nimulge-nuk
oh -an-nimulge-nuk
an-nimulge-nuk
wu eesch na pearl wsinth -oahww
luv-aay nahhsuak nithel on seth
oh an-nimulge-nuk
hey moez noa did dee gaznea
neadrua thew gnar nithel on seth
nog monet eeea beinma oohon say ash
snaearlwu mussyeartth
NAAiii look masishnuss
emm nain all bish faeast ist toebehest
AC/DC’s Brian Johnson: “I am not retiring”
Longtime AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has issued a statement explaining his recent battle with hearing loss, and clarifying the fact that, although Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose is fronting the band for now, he’s not retiring, putting the focus completely on recovery.
Here is Johnson’s statement in full:
As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer. I want personally to explain the reason because I don’t believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented.
On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness. While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage. I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised. In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow. Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can’t deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC. I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life.
Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness. Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.
I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life’s work. I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.
Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years. Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC. My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support.
Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell.
Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.
Love,
Brian