Aretha Franklin (1995)
Aretha Franklin hates the new biography about her, “Respect” by David Ritz. She’s condemned it: “a very trashy book…full of lies and more...
Category: Pop
Jack Bruce (1993)
“I couldn’t be happier.” I blew my chance. It only occurred to me today, two weeks after Jack Bruce’s death at age 71 from liver disease, that I...
Billy Joel (1998)
“…if I only knew me from “Tell Her About It” and “Uptown Girl” and “Just the Way You Are,” I might not like Billy Joel either.” Not many pop stars are honest or insightful...
Aimee Mann
“It doesn’t even pay to sell out.” January, 1996, in advance of the “I’m With Stupid” release and tour By phone from her home in Los Angeles I caught sight of Aimee Mann...
Edie Brickell
“I would never listen to his ideas as far as writing goes.” – Edie Brickell, on her husband Paul Simon. August 16, 1994 By phone from Montauk, Long Island, New York Edie Brickell...
Barry White
“I cut the music I love to record. I do it whether it’s a hit or not. It’s the love for the music I’m into.” June 1 (or 2), 1995 By phone from...
Aretha Franklin
October 9, 2013 I came across the YouTube clip below the other day and seeing the young, Afro-ed Aretha Franklin brought back a happy memory: seeing the Queen of Soul in concert for the...
Luther Vandross
“I love background vocals so much that I can’t breathe.” June, 1995 By phone from Luther’s apartment in Manhattan The recent must-see documentary “20 Feet from Stardom” explores the plight of the great backup...