Can a reporter be compelled to testify in a Houston courtroom? Can he be jailed for conspiracy to go skinny-dipping in Austin? The answers may be found - or not - here.
Eric Clapton, Ronnie Lane and a Texas Ambush
Category: Foreign
Rock in Rio – Yes, Ozzy, AC/DC, Go-Gos, Iron Maiden (and more!)
• Is it possible to have a crappy time at a rock concert in Rio de Janiero? • We go Flying Down to Rio. . . but forget about that Girl From Ipanema • Do you want some whine with that caipirinha? A newspaper comic strip popular with my journalist friends, called “Shoe” featured some … Continue reading Rock in Rio – Yes, Ozzy, AC/DC, Go-Gos, Iron Maiden (and more!)
The Wimbledon Press Pass Caper and Other Stories
The Wimbledon Press Pass Caper and Other Stories, in which gates are crashed, wristwatches are smuggled and Richard Burton expires.
Odds and Sods – Brian Wilson, Biggie Smalls, Oasis, Bob Dylan
• These are a few of my favorite things. . . that happened while interviewing celebs • Notorious B.I.G. almost ruins an interview with his eyes closed • The guy from Fountains of Wayne versus the guy from Wayne, N.J. Brian Wilson was still under the spell of a weird therapist, Eugene Landy, and extremely … Continue reading Odds and Sods – Brian Wilson, Biggie Smalls, Oasis, Bob Dylan
Seventh Son – Willie Dixon
If you like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Cream and the Doors, you've probably heard them - and others - play a song written by Willie Dixon: "Whole Lotta Love," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Little Red Rooster," "My Babe," "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "You Can't Judge a … Continue reading Seventh Son – Willie Dixon
Stone ROSRS
• The age-defying Rolling Stones wrap up a swing through North America this summer to some very enthusiastic reviews • Thirty years ago, I ramped up my own enthusiasm describing what they did backstage before the opening riff of “Start Me Up” • What’s a ROSR? Stay tuned In December of 1989, the Stones wound … Continue reading Stone ROSRS
The Who’s Tommy
• Fifty years of that deaf, dumb and blind kid • And I thought I felt old at the 20th anniversary celebration • Hope I don’t die before the 60th I can’t say that “It could have been 1989 in Madison Square Garden the other night.” Because, clearly, it wasn’t. This was September 1, 2019. … Continue reading The Who’s Tommy
The Piano, Man, in Russia • Billy Joel
There WAS collusion in Russia. Plus Billy Joel concerts. And vodka. Lots of vodka.
RSNN: The Rolling Stones News Network
• ABC’s Reporter on the Road.....doesn’t go on forever • Mick and Keith to the rescue. They keep me from going on the dole, mate • All the news that’s fit to print – or say – about the Steel Wheels tour As the Eighties drew to a close, so did my days as ABC … Continue reading RSNN: The Rolling Stones News Network
More Divas – Beyoncè, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, Spice Girls
• Call me "the Fourth Child" or "the Sixth Spice" • With Mandy Moore, bowling for column lines • More teen spirit than one man can take I mingled with Destiny’s Child at a Grammy Awards show or an MTV Video Music Awards show in the late ‘90s. I understand the young woman to my … Continue reading More Divas – Beyoncè, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, Spice Girls
Showbiz Today, CNN – Pt. 2
• A part of CNN at its post-Gulf War peak • Covering show business like it's a . . . . business • When celebrity breaks out, we break in! For the next twelve years, spanning the nineties, I had a most amazing time as a CNN correspondent. “No heavy lifting,” is how I … Continue reading Showbiz Today, CNN – Pt. 2
I’ve Seen All Good People • Tom Hanks, Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, U2
Okay, I dished some dirt in a recent post, The Bad Actors. But really, people, isn’t tossing bouquets a better use of a blog than throwing shade? Here are some of what I thought were the good guys. Respect.
Rehearsing with the Stones
• “‘Allo, Darlin!” Keith extends an invitation to an awe-struck reporter • We watched the band working on “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” • Whoa. What are Keith and Ronnie getting up to?” In the 1990’s, when I was covering entertainment news for CNN’s Showbiz Today, I was sent to Toronto, where the … Continue reading Rehearsing with the Stones
Celebrity Hockey – Pt. 1
• The ultimate sports fantasy camp: you play in a televised game against the '74 and ’75 Stanley Cup champions. • What would you pay to spend a weekend treated like an NHL player? But wait – there’s more! • See how Dave “Full House” Coulier, Cameron “Beverly Hills 90102” Bancroft and I combined for … Continue reading Celebrity Hockey – Pt. 1
Hockey Celebrities – Pt. 2
• I got mugged by the Hanson brothers from “Slapshot” • Hung out with Gretzky, Messier, Huddy and Lowe at their Edmonton bar • Scored on an assist from Rod Gilbert. Honest Any reporter worth their salt gets amped up covering the stories that bring them in contact with some of their personal favorite subjects. … Continue reading Hockey Celebrities – Pt. 2
Hockey, News – Pt. 3
• WHA? As a PA announcer in the World Hockey Association, my safety was in question • D’oh! The Stanley Cup-clinching overtime goal this reporter missed • All the news that fits: covering college hockey for the NY Times People who have trouble ice skating sometimes say, “My ankles are weak.” Circa 1956 Mine weren’t, … Continue reading Hockey, News – Pt. 3
Overtime Hockey – Pt. 4
• Skating with Marty Brodeur; dodging ruts at Madison Square Garden • Playing the Red Army • Taking the worst photo of Bobby Hull the Golden Jet ever saw Marty Brodeur plays forward – in his goalie skates – better than you’d think. Unless you know that, when he was twelve he had to choose … Continue reading Overtime Hockey – Pt. 4
The Lost Bowie Soundbite
• Do you remember the movie, “The Linguini Incident?” I didn’t think so. • On a dusty old cassette, a bittersweet revelation: David Bowie’s unfulfilled dream • Another recollection from my distant pasta I have shoeboxes full of audio cassette tapes I haven’t listened to in 30 or 40 years -- interviews done for radio … Continue reading The Lost Bowie Soundbite
“Yesterday” and Today – The Beatles
• Paul, George, Ringo, and the one that got away “Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs.” So goes the tease for the 2019 film, Yesterday. The movie-going public (or what was left of it) disagreed with film critics who find Yesterday kind of meh. The people rate it 90 on … Continue reading “Yesterday” and Today – The Beatles
Hey Dude
• Oh, I believe in Yesterday there's a curious throwback to a Paul McCartney flub. • Did screenwriter Richard Curtis nick a 28-year-old laugh line from Paul? • There are no spoilers here about the movie, Yesterday In an interview I did with Paul McCartney in 1991, he made a slip of the tongue that … Continue reading Hey Dude