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Cher Reports She Visited With Tina Turner in Switzerland for Three Hours On Sunday

Roger Friedman
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Cher Reports She Visited With Tina Turner in Switzerland for Three Hours On Sunday

Tina Turner had a visitor on Sunday at her home in Switzerland. Her old friend, Cher. Tina, who’s being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this fall, has been ailing a bit despite having a banner year with the induction and her HBO documentary. Also, her Broadway show returns this fall with Adrienne Warren reprising her Tony nominated performance.

Tina and Cher go back a long way. Tina was a guest on Cher’s TV shows, they knew each other from Las Vegas, and so on. They crossed paths working for Phil Spector in the mid 60s when Sonny & Cher were part of Phil’s world and Tina released “River Deep Mountain High.” The two of them could record an interview that would blow our minds.

Cher is on vacation in Europe, so naturally she stopped and saw Tina. Cher responded to a fan: I AGREE….SHES “SIMPLY
THE BEST”Glowing starGlowing starGlowing starGlowing starGlowing star.
NO CHICK CAN TOUCH HER…..
& I Red heart HER”

Kanye West Treated Louise Bourgeois Painting Like a Rap Sample, And Now His Album Has a Different Cover

Roger Friedman
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Kanye West Treated Louise Bourgeois Painting Like a Rap Sample, And Now His Album Has a Different Cover

No one really knows if Kanye West’s “Donda” album will come out on August 6th. Or Ever.

But whenever or if ever “Donda” arrives, it won’t have the cover that Kanye was touting last week.

Leading up to the crazy “Donda” listening session in Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Kanye was using the cropped photo of painting by the famed artist Louise Bourgeois. The painting is alternately described as a red woman’s bust or head, or some kind of fertility doll. Described as a “carmine red wet-on-wet gouache of a female form with the proportions of a fertility idol,” the picture was created in 2007.

The only problem is that Kanye treated the painting as if it were a hip hop sample: take it, use it on your record and wait til the copyright holder comes calling.

Unfortunately, the artist’s estate, I am told, was not pleased. And they didn’t want the painting on the cover of “Donda.” Eagle eyed “Donda” watchers have noticed the Bourgeois image has vanished from the promotion. In its place is a photograph of Kanye’s late mom, Donda West, when she was a little girl. Posters and billboards have gone up in Los Angeles with Donda’s black and white photo. Bourgeois is safe from being involved in the Donda debacle.

 

(Video) Bennifer Public Romance PR Campaign Continues As Couple Preens in Capri for the Press with Managers and Publicists

Roger Friedman
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(Video) Bennifer Public Romance PR Campaign Continues As Couple Preens in Capri for the Press with Managers and Publicists

The world is in lockdown. Why not flaunt your wealth and stupidity? Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, currently on a public romance campaign designed solely to attract the press, went on a stroll today in Capri. The press followed them, naturally. Are they going shopping? Nah. They’re just preening, getting attention the way Sally Field did in the mall in “Soapdish.”

The first time these two were together, you could understand all this. But she has two kids, he has three, it’s the summer, and where are they? Why, they’re with nannies or a custodial parent. I wonder what it’s like to be home playing vodeo games or whatever kids do and these stories pop up on the iPads.

“Hey, look, Mom/Dad is preening around in Capri. He was grabbing her butt on a yacht yesterday.”

These kids will have great books. I want to read them now!

It’s a shame about Ben Affleck, too. Meantime, Matt Damon is the subject of a terrific profile in the NY Times, accepting kudos for “Stillwater.”

PS Some romance! There are at least two American publicists with them, not to mention JLO’s manager, Benny Medina. And I love the publicist dressed in pseudo AFrican chic clothes telling the video guy, “You have enough.”

Here’s Benny and a publicist:

Netflix Takes Centerpiece at New York Film Festival with Bendedict Cumberbatch Causing Trouble for Kirsten Dunst in “Power of the Dog”

Roger Friedman
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Netflix Takes Centerpiece at New York Film Festival with Bendedict Cumberbatch Causing Trouble for Kirsten Dunst in “Power of the Dog”

Netflix has grabbed the centerpiece spot at the New York Film Festival.

They’re coming in with Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” starring real life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Based on a cult 1967 novel set in 1920s Montana, “Dog” sounds a lot like “Days of Heaven.” Dunst and Plemons are a young, naive couple out on the Plains. Cumberbatch plays his erratic and edgy brother who you know is going to cause a lot of trouble for these nice people.

But Jane Campion is a genius, so “Dog” will have its own “Power” and won’t be barking up the wrong tree. It debuts first at the Venice Film Festival, where it will be hailed as a landmark film. All the Oscar prognosticators will lose their minds and put it at the top of their lists. Do I sound cynical? I’ve been here before.

Campion says: “I am very honored that The Power of the Dog has been selected as the Centerpiece Gala at this year’s New York Film Festival. Public screenings we long took for granted feel exceptional now, so it is going to be a very emotional and joyous experience for me and my team to be there and present the film to such a film-celebrating audience.”

The NY Film Festival is opening with A24’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth” from Joel Coen, and I know they’ve got “The French Dispatch.” It’s going to be a solid and exciting festival, and some of it will be in person! At Alice Tully Hall! Worth the ticket!

 

$2 Mil Wu Tang Album Sold by US Government at Auction, Proceeds Applied to Pharma Dude’s $7.4 Mil Debt

Roger Friedman
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$2 Mil Wu Tang Album Sold by US Government at Auction, Proceeds Applied to Pharma Dude’s $7.4 Mil Debt

Someone, somewhere bought the Wu Tang Clan’s famous one copy album at auction today from the US Government.

The album, called “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,” was bought for $2 million in 2015 by the guy who jacked up pharma prices, Martin Shkreli. He quickly became the Most Hated Man in America. The government looked into him. He was convicted of fraud and went to jail.

Shkreli forfeited $7.4 million from his schemes. Now proceeds from the sale of “Shaolin” will go toward his debt. The Department of Justice won’t say who bought the album, how much they paid, or who they were. But you have to think they got at least $2 mil.

“Through the diligent and persistent efforts of this Office and its law enforcement partners, Shkreli has been held accountable and paid the price for lying and stealing from investors to enrich himself. With today’s sale of this one-of-a-kind album, his payment of the forfeiture is now complete,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis.

Following a six-week trial in federal court in Brooklyn, Shkreli was convicted in August 2017 of two counts of securities fraud and one count of securities fraud conspiracy for orchestrating a series of schemes to defraud investors in the hedge funds and to manipulate the price and trading volume of Retrophin’s stock. United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto sentenced Shkreli to seven years’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years’ supervised release.

 

Lorenzo Lamas Eyeing Wife Number 6, Mom Arlene Dahl (Almost 96) Had 6 Husbands, Dad Fernando Lamas Had Just 4 Wives

Roger Friedman
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Lorenzo Lamas Eyeing Wife Number 6, Mom Arlene Dahl (Almost 96) Had 6 Husbands, Dad Fernando Lamas Had Just 4 Wives

I love this story.

“Falcon Crest” star Lorenzo Lamas is getting married for the 6th time. Why not? He has the lineage. Listen to this:

His mom, Arlene Dahl, is absolutely still alive. On August 11th she turns 96! Come on! Arlene’s had 6 husbands herself. She’s been married to Marc Rosen, obviously a younger man, since 1984. And they said it wouldn’t last!

Arlene was a big star in the 50s. Her second husband was another big star, Fernando Lamas. (She was his third wife.) Lorenzo, 63, is their son. Are you following this? Fernando Lamas was a Latin star before there was Latino or Latinx. Billy Crystal lampooned him famously on “SNL” wearing an ascot and red smoking jacket, with “You look mahvelous” routine, also “It’s better to look good than to feel good.”

Fernando had just four wives. but countless lovers. He died youngish, at 67, from cancer. Lorenzo no doubt has that in the back of his head. Fernando’s final wife was the swimming movie star, Esther Williams.

Lorenzo has six children from those 5 wives, some of whom are probably older than the new fiancee. Who cares? Sean Penn’s new wife is a year younger than his daughter. Mick Jagger has children who are younger than his grandchildren. We are not dealing with reality here. It’s better to look good than to feel good! And you look mahvelous!

Review: Peter Asher Strikes 60s, 70s Gold at City Winery with Kate Taylor, Albert Lee, Leland Sklar

Roger Friedman
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Review: Peter Asher Strikes 60s, 70s Gold at City Winery with Kate Taylor, Albert Lee, Leland Sklar

Can you get to New York’s City Winery tonight?  Vaxxed? Carded? Just wear a mask.

Last night, Peter Asher– of Peter & Gordon fame, of Apple Records fame, of Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor fame — brought a crack band and an enormously satisfying, intimate pop rock folk show to the Winery’s Upstairs Loft. They’re doing it again tonight. I wish I could get back there.

Peter’s been touring for a few years now, bringing back his and Gordon’s number 1 Paul McCartney hit from 1966, “A World Without Love,” as well as Del Shannon’s “I Go to Pieces,” plus “Lady Godiva” and a lot of other top 40 gems. Even without Gordon, Asher is the king of harmony, mixing in the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly, groups he idolized, emulated, and later had Ronstadt and Taylor cover when he produced their parade of best selling albums.

Now, with Peter (bespectaced, bedazzling in a kind of Liberty of London flowered suit, the king of harmony) on tour, he’s got some other powerhouses of the era with him: Sister Kate– James’s charming beautiful sister, who had a hit album in 1971, looked around and decided  she did not want to be Carly, Carole, Joni, or Linda. And now, at age 71. she’s amazing, full throated, probably all the better for living her own life all these years. She’s Peter’s secret weapon on this tour, turning a little known James Taylor song from 1981– “I Will Follow Love” — into an unexpected hit.

Asher’s also got the great blues and rock guitarist Albert Lee, and famed bassist Leland Sklar (he played on every Carole, James, and and Carly hit, just for starters), plus Jeff Alan Ross, the multi-talented singer musician who has a connection to Badfinger– he was in a later version, toured as them, and performs socko versions of “No Matter What” and “Baby Blue.” A delight. Also on this bill, Steve Holley, a former member of Paul and Linda’s Wings whose credits include the hit version of “Coming Up.”

Did I mention spotting actress Amy Irving in the audience? And actors Christian Hoff and Clarke Thorell. And my old pal, Lynn Volkman.

Stevie and Maureen van Zandt, who were downstairs at City Winery supporting Darlene Love, came up to catch “A World Without Love.”

 

Nick Jonas Quietly Filming “Jersey Boys” in Cleveland for Peacock, Hoping for a Disney “Hamilton” Type Success

Roger Friedman
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Nick Jonas Quietly Filming “Jersey Boys” in Cleveland for Peacock, Hoping for a Disney “Hamilton” Type Success

Much as we love Clint Eastwood, his film version of “Jersey Boys” was not a success.

Ever since its disappointing run in 2014, the whole “Jersey Boys” gang has wanted a re-do. A do-over. And now they’re getting one.

“Jersey Boys,” the Tony winning musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons , is very quietly in production in Cleveland. The original Broadway director, Des McAnuff, is getting his shot. Nick Jonas is playing Frankie Valli. Graham King, who produced the show on Broadway, is producer.

As “Jersey Boys” was a Universal Production on Broadway and on screen, NBC’s streaming Peacock will be the venue. Peacock just announced a $400 million TV version of “The Exorcist,” bringing back Ellen Burstyn (but not Linda Blair). So they’re spreading colorful wings, opening up the piggy bank to try and compete with Disney Plus and the like.

For McAnuff, this will be a chance to reclaim “Jersey Boys” gold with Emmys and SAG Awards, if not Golden Globes (well, not GG’s if the streamer rolls this November). Peacock sees this as a chance to grab that Disney “Hamilton” glitz that came with the streaming from a theater version of that Tony winner.

Nick Jonas will make a great Frankie Valli, by the way. He has the chops to pull it off.

 

Clive Davis Adds to Central Park Concert: Earth Wind & Fire, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Journey, Wyclef

Roger Friedman
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Clive Davis Adds to Central Park Concert: Earth Wind & Fire, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Journey, Wyclef

A bunch of new names have been added to the big Welcome Back show in Central Pakr curated by Clive Davis August 21st.

I already told you about Santana and Rob Thomas joining Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Jennifer Hudson, plus the Killers.

Now as I expected, Earth Wind & Fire and Patti Smith, two Clive superstars, are on the bill along with Elvis Costello, Journey, Andrea Bocelli, LL Cool J, Kane Brown, the New York Philharmonic, Jon Batiste, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Wyclef Jean, Gayle King, Barry Manilow, and Polo G.

Having Cynthia Erivo along with JHud means there’s a chance we’ll see dueling Arethas as both singer-actresses are playing the Queen of Soul this year on screen. Erivo was the star of the Clive-produced “Genius” mini series, and Hudson opens August 13th in “Respect.”

The funny part is this is supposed to be a three hour show, but it’s starting to feel like an old fashioned five hour show. Once you bring the Philharmonic into it, and Earth Wind & Fire, well, then, this is an EVENT not just a concert. Who cares? What else were you going to do that day? It’s not like there’s a Broadway show that night!

I’m hearing that Elvis Costello will at least do “What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding” and “Pump It Up.” But I hope he plays “Watching the Detectives” and a couple more. Patti Smith is scheduled for “Because the Night” with Bruce, but she better get a chance to “People Have the Power,” so appropriate for this show.

So bring a cooler, a pillow and blanket, plenty of sunscreen, and margharita mix. Clive has done it again!

 

Advance Sales for Michael Jackson Broadway Musical “MJ” Suffering Even Though King of Pop’s Record Sales are Soaring

Roger Friedman
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Advance Sales for Michael Jackson Broadway Musical “MJ” Suffering Even Though King of Pop’s Record Sales are Soaring

“MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical” is suffering at the box office.

Advance sales are very poor so far because tourists are restricted from traveling to New York.

Most travelers from European countries, Britain, and many other countries are banned from entering the US right now depending on vaccinations, etc.

The result is all Broadway shows are suffering a lack of advanced sales. “MJ” isn’t alone, but the news isn’t good.

Aside from a couple of well sold Saturday nights in December, the shows are largely empty so far. On Ticketmaster.com, the seat maps are seas of blue dots waiting for purchase.

A website called StacyKnows.com just sent out a message saying they have a chunk of tickets available for December 9th, for $140. The first preview, on December 6th, still has a number of seats for sale.

It’s surprising, too, because Michael Jackson is on target to sell almost a million albums this year, half of which are copies of “Thriller.” His popularity is not an issue.

But the tourism restrictions, the prices, and fear of sitting in theaters is clearly inhibiting audiences from making plans.

We’ll look at more shows later this week.

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