As a teenager, Kyu Sakamoto was a member of a comedy vocal group, but he wasn’t happy. He felt he should be the group’s lead vocalist and often fought — physically — with his bandmates over the decision. He finally got his opportunity when he sang lead on one song during a performance at a …
What if Nick and Nora met Bud and Lou?
The Supremes were a hit-making powerhouse. In 1967, riding high on a succession of twelve Top Ten singles — 10 of which hit Number One — the trio released their first foray into the fledging genre of “psychedelia.” Smack in the middle of the so-called “Summer of Love,” Motown Records issued “Reflections” with an arrangement …
Virginia Cherrill really didn’t want to be an actress. She even turned down an invitation to join the elite Ziegfeld Follies — an offer that came for Florenz Ziegfeld himself. But, Virginia’s friend Sue Carol, an actress-turned-agent was very persuasive. Virginia was cast as an extra in Howard Hawkes 1928 film The Air Circus, the …
What if Garbo wanted to be alone in space?
“Home is the nicest word there is.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder. She should know. She had the nicest one on the prairie.
Writer-director-comedian Buck Henry was a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Johnny asked Buck how he wanted to die. Buck replied “I want to be unbelievably old. I want to be withered beyond belief. I want people to be saying, ‘I thought he died years ago.’ and to be amazed I’d lasted to …
What if Buster Keaton took his humor to the army?
“Fresh air!” “Times Square!”
Rebellious Ruth Weston ran away from home at 17, opting to sing in nightclubs rather than church. She married trumpeter Jimmie Brown along the way. Blanche Calloway, sister of noted band leader Cab Calloway, arranged for Ruth to sing at a Washington DC nightclub. Popular radio DJ Willis Conover saw her act and recommended her …
