Thursday, August 26, 2010

August 26: Bob Cowsill of The Cowsills is 61 today.

The Best of the Cowsills: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection
The Cowsills, from Newport, Rhode Island, specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. After their initial success, the brothers were later joined by their siblings Susan and Paul and their mother Barbara. Bob's twin brother Richard was the road manager. They were the inspiration for the television Partridge Family.

Their first big hit, "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. In 1968, the band scored another million-selling hit with the song "Indian Lake" which reached #10 on the charts and in 1969, the band had another number two hit and another million seller with their version of the title song from the musical Hair.

From 1968 through 1972, the band played an average of 200 performance dates per year, and were among the most popular acts on the American concert circuit. They were particularly noted for their ability to achieve 4- and 5-part harmonies with remarkable accuracy and relative pitch; a phenomenon common among sibling singing groups.

Mother Barbara, and brothers Bill and Barry have passed away. Barry drowned in New Orleans during hurricane Katrina.

Press links below to view You Tube videos:






Wednesday, August 25, 2010

August 25: Leonard Bernstein, conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist was born on this day in 1918...

... he died in Oct, 1990 at the age of 72.
Leonard Bernstein - Young People's Concerts / New York Philharmonic
Leonard Bernstein (born Louis Bernstein in Lawrence, Massachusetts) (was among the first conductors born and educated in the U.S. to receive worldwide acclaim. He was probably best known to the public as the longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic, for conducting concerts by many of the world's leading orchestras, and for writing the music for West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, and On the Town. He was also the first classical music conductor to appear regularly on TV.

In 1985 the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored Mr. Bernstein with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. He won eleven Emmy Awards in his career.
In 1990, Bernstein received the Praemium Imperiale, an international prize created in 1988 by the Japan Arts Association and awarded for lifetime achievement in the arts. Bernstein used the $100,000 prize to establish The Bernstein Education Through the Arts (BETA) Fund, Inc.

World peace was a particular concern of Bernstein, and he supported Amnesty International from its inception.
 
Bernstein recorded extensively from the 1950s until just a few months before his death. According to The New York Times, he was "one of the most prodigally talented and successful musicians in American history."

-- "Prologue" (West Side Story)

West Side Story (1957 Original Broadway Cast)Leonard Bernstein: Omnibus - The Historic TV Broadcasts

August 25: DJ Terminator X (AKA Norman Rogers) of Public Enemy is 44 today.


 

Power to the People & The Beats: Greatest Hits

Norman Rogers (stage name, Terminator X) was the producer DJ of the rap group Public Enemy, which he left in 1999. He has also produced two solo albums. Reportedly, Terminator X quit the hip-hop scene in 2003 and has been running an ostrich farm in South Carolina.


In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Public Enemy number forty-four on its list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Acclaimed Music ranks them the 29th most recommended musical act of all time and the highest hip-hop group. The group was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007.


Press links below to view You Tube videos:
-- "Fight the Power"
-- "Don't Believe the Hype"

August 25: Bass player, Doug Stegmeyer died on this day 1n 1995.


He was 43 when he died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Stegmeyer, along with guitarist Russell Javors and drummer Liberty Devito were members of the band Topper. Billy Joel recruited Stegmeyer to play bass on his third album, "Streetlight Serenade." Afterwards, Stegmeyer encouraged Joel to let Javors and Devito join the band, and Topper became known as "The Billy Joel Band."


Stegmeyer played bass and backing vocals at Joel's concerts and on every one of Joel's studio albums from Turnstiles through The Bridge and the live albums Songs in the Attic and КОНЦЕРТ. Throughout his tenure with Joel, Stegmeyer was dubbed "The Sargeant Of The Billy Joel Band."

Stegmeyer - along with Javors - were released from Joel's band in 1989. Stegmeyer also played bass for Debbie Gibson and Hall & Oates.

"Joel Introduces Band Members including Doug Stegmeyer"
-- "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" (1978)
-- "New York State of Mind"
-- "Only the Good Die Young" (1982)

PICTURE ABOVE FROM MEMORIAL PAGE FOR DOUG STEGMEYER
Songs In The Attic
Turnstiles

August 25: Gene Simmons lead singer & bassist for KISS is 61 today.

Lick It Up
The Very Best of Kiss

Born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel, "Gene Simmons" is well known as "The Demon", the blood-spitting, fire-breathing, and tongue-wagging bassist and co-frontman in the hard rock band Kiss, a group he co-founded in the early 1970s.

He immigrated to Jackson Heights, Queens in New York City at the age of eight with his Mother. After arriving in the U.S., he took the name Eugene Klein, Klein being his mother's maiden name. In the late 1960s, he changed his name to Gene Simmons to honor legendary rockabilly performer Jumpin' Gene Simmons.

The hard rock band KISS, formed in New York City in January 1973. The band became identified by its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits. The group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970. Their elaborate live performances, featured fire breathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars, and pyrotechnics. In 1983, Kiss abandoned its makeup.
Dressed to Kill
KISS has garnered had 24 gold albums to date in the U.S., selling over 19 million albums, with worldwide sales exceeded 100 million albums.

Kiss was named 10th, by VH1, on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock." and 9th on "The Greatest Metal Bands" list by MTV.

-- "Rock 'n Roll All Night!"
-- "I Was Made for Loving You"
-- "Heaven's On Fire"


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Carrie'd Away


Halston Heritage dress, Banana Republic ring, Steve Madden sandals, Hat from FineFinds

Sex and the City fans, I know you recognize this dress. None other than Ms. Carrie Bradshaw wore it in the latest SATC movie. Earlier this year, real life fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker partnered with Halston and became the chief creative officer for the archived-inspired collection Halston Heritage. It was a perfect match as she was in awe of the brand and wore it so well. I was lucky to spot a few pieces from this collection at 65% off a few weeks ago at the Bay. It was too good to be true and way too good to pass up! After trying on a few tops and dresses, I came home with this metallic striped two-tiered dress in a striking violet. With its silhouette-flattering pleating and flowy layers, it's one of those dresses to love forever.

Thanks to our newly engaged friends for lending their backyard for some quick photos before the engagement party. J and I are so proud to be the best man/maid of honour and we're both looking forward to the year ahead. From checking out venues and reviewing the guestlist to picking the flowers and cake, we're loving the involvement in working towards a beautiful summer 2011 wedding. It's good practice, right?







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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Time Travelers


Club Monaco top, F21 skirt, Steve Madden sandals, Michael Kors bag, Harriet Grey ring from BeautyMark

Like most girls, I both love and hate the humidity.  Despite walking around the city feeling like a steamed bun, the moisture acted like a miracle product giving volume and texture to my usually straight, heavy, and lifeless hair! It was also nice having the bestie do a French braid for me the night before our adventure into historic China. She flew over from Korea for the weekend and we managed to squeezed in all the major sites in 4 short days -- the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven to name a few. Together with J, we were the 3 musketeers roaming the through the city eating Peking duck, bargaining at Silk Street Market, and (sadly) getting scammed by pedicab drivers. It was amazing sharing a piece of Beijing with them.

Keeping wardrobe choices light, short, and breathable was key to surviving the heat on this trip. The yellow silk top was from a few seasons ago but I still love the pick-me-up color and the origami details. The cotton floral skirt has bits of yellow to compliment the vibrant colored top and I opted for simple sandals and belt in neutrals to avoid looking like I'm heading to the circus. One thing I missed? Sunblock on my feet. I have to live with a hideous sandal tan for the next little while!







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