People tell me all the time that my memory amazes them. I have a head full of facts, statistics, songs, etc. I can recall, in great detail, people, events and conversations going way back, plus there are always new things to pick up on.
With that in mind, this week we’re bringing back — or in some cases introducing — information from all directions.
MARVIN GAYE and SMOKEY ROBINSON both made acting debuts in the 1970s. Gaye appeared in a B-movie titled “Chrome and Hot Leather.” That was in 1971. Robinson was in an episode of the TV series “Police Story” that aired in 1974.
The very talented actress PHYLICIA RASHÃD was, from 1978 to 1982, married to VICTOR WILLIS, original lead singer of the Village People. She was Phylicia Ayers-Allen when they tied the knot.
Sadly, many years later, when his ex-wife was a superstar — thanks to “The Cosby Show” — Willis fell on hard times (much of it caused by heavy drug use) and sold items that had belonged to Rashãd.
Now that’s tacky!
SIMONE, daughter of the legendary and eclectic NINA SIMONE, is making quite a name for herself — without ever attempting to imitate her famous mother. Simone’s father is Andy Stroud, the late star’s second husband who worked on and off as her manager.
Simone has been featured on Broadway in two hit productions, “Rent” and “Aida.” Also, she has an album by way of which she pays homage to her mother titled “Simone On Simone.” To learn more about this interesting lady, go to www.simonesworld.com or YouTube.
MARY J. BLIGE is very excited about portraying Nina Simone on the big screen. She said, “I’m going to really try to figure out how to bring Nina back to life, like Jamie Foxx did with “Ray.’ I’m not just going to take advantage of being the artist they (Paramount Pictures) picked. I know I’ve really got to nail this part.”
A former member of MILES DAVIS’ band says that on one occasion, a woman had for some reason infuriated Davis, who was known for frequently not practicing “temper control.” According to the band member — who is from Detroit — Davis knocked the woman out, then put her in an elevator and pushed the down button.
That, of course, was disgraceful. But Davis could have had his judgment clouded by drugs.
At one point DAVID RUFFIN wanted the Temptations’ name changed to David Ruffin & the Temptations, in the tradition of the Miracles being renamed Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and the Supremes being reintroduced as Diana Ross & the Supremes.
The group said no to Ruffin in the clearest possible language.
According to OTIS WILLIAMS, in his autobiography (“Temptations”), David wasn’t the only one with ego problems.
“We had to let DENNIS (EDWARDS) go,” he said. “His troubles were getting out of control, and his attitude was generally intolerable. We loved Dennis, but we just couldn’t take his nonsense anymore.”
No doubt Edwards sees things differently.
DON CORNELIUS laughs today when he recalls that James Brown had an extremely hard time believing that “Soul Train,” the popularity of which at the time was phenomenal and growing, could possibly be owned by a Black man. On more than one occasion he said to Cornelius, “Come on, tell me, who’s backing you?”
Despite being a widely acclaimed and highly respected actress, and having received an Academy Award nomination, ANGELA BASSETT is still among the talented Black actresses who do not work as regularly as they should.
The situation is better for a select few Black superstar actors who work constantly, such as Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle.
Despite that unfair reality, Bassett says she will not accept any role that is below her standards. She said you have to be a “faith walker,” and that it is essentially that you go into that business for “the love of acting.”
NICK ASHFORD and VALERIE SIMPSON have been together now, first as lovers then as husband and wife, since the early 1960s. Ashford said one of the things that first attracted him to Simpson was “the way she moved” in the choir at White Rock Baptist Church in New York.
Knowing that Nick may have been having some non-spiritual thoughts, Valerie laughed and quickly explained, “Those were church moves!”
Which brings to mind something funny gospel superstar VICKIE WINANS once said. At the time her son was about 12. Someone asked her what kind of music he listened to. She said, “Oh, he listens to gospel music.” After thinking about it for a few seconds she added, “But when they have those headphones on, you don’t know what they’re listening to!”
These days Detroit’s own BETTYE LAVETTE is everywhere — concerts at prestigious venues, appearances on TV shows such as David Letterman’s, even singing for the president (Obama). But it was an extremely rough road leading to this point. LaVette — the queen of tenacity — was asked if the thought of quitting ever crossed her mind.
With typical candor and humor she said, “About every two weeks! Sometimes people would want to light candles around me I was so low! But as soon as the phone would ring, I’d get out my high heels and lipstick and go right back to it. Somewhere deep in my heart, I never gave up.”
BRANFORD MARSALIS admits that he and youngerbrother WYNTON MARSALIS are not as close now as they were back in the day. He said those things happen and it’s not an issue. (It has always seemed that Wynton would be the older of the two.)
One mild point of contention might have been when Wynton reportedly said publicly that Branford was playing below his abilities when he was in Sting’s band. (It should be noted that Sting is exceptionally talented and multifaceted.)
So many people are under the assumption that ANITA BAKER was born in Detroit. Although she came to Detroit at a young age, she was actually born in Toledo.
Early in their career, THE POINTER SISTERS were fired as background singers by blues star Esther Phillips because they refused to wear matching outfits.