Unauthorized biographies are seldom popular with celebrities. One reason is that a lot of truth can come out that they would rather keep under wraps. Secondly, there is always the possibility of inaccurate information being published.
But the subjects have no recourse. There is nothing they can do about it.
One of the most prolific unauthorized biographers is J. Randy Taraborrelli. Although he has written many books, the most famous is probably “Call Her Miss Ross” that Diana Ross found very upsetting, to say the least. His other subjects include Madonna, Cher and Michael Jackson, among others.
And something in Taraborrelli’s Motown book disturbed Berry Gordy so much that he threatened a massive lawsuit.
Of course, Taraborrelli may very well not write anything “juicy” or “mildly scandalous” about Beyoncé, but a “sugar and spice” book about the megastar would be boring — and out of character for J. Randy Taraborrelli.
The as yet untitled book is scheduled to be released in the latter half of next year.
MARY J. BLIGE did something that was mean but still comes under the heading of “That’s Show Business.”
Blige was booked for a concert in Dallas by Vision Entertainment Worldwide, but she cancelled just two days before the show date, after having received a whopping $145,000 advance. She issued a legal challenge that the company failed to reach the first class airfare provisions for herself and her entourage.
A federal judge decided that not only did she not have to return the $145K, the company had to pay her the remainder of the fee because there was proof that she had every intention of doing the show.
I recall a Detroit promoter booking Smokey Robinson for a concert with the understanding that he was to be paid in full upon arrival. But when Robinson got to the venue shortly before the well-advertised show, the promoter wanted to give him half the money upfront and the rest after the show.
Robinson and his entourage immediately turned around and walked out, leaving the promoter to refund all that money.
That shattered his career as a promoter. He probably had good intentions but failed to fully understand how high the stakes are in such endeavors.
HAVE YOU seen the Roots band on “The “Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon lately? Most of the guys (not counting leader Questlove who loves his Afro!) in this outstanding, majority-Black band look so much better now that most of the members have ditched the excessive, unruly-looking hair.
Sisqo (real name: Mark Andrews), who emerged from the group Dru Hill, rather briefly found success as a solo artist (with platinum hair), then returned to Dru Hill, is working on his first solo album in 14 years, titled “Last Dragon.”
George Clinton, whose new autobiography has a title too long and too silly to mention here, says maturity (he is 73) and dropping his drug habits have cleared his head, leaving him better prepared to fight the prolonged legal battles regarding his music. He now has what he describes as “a lawyer habit.”
The reason he performs as “George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars” is that he lost the legal rights to names he created, “Parliament” and “Funkadelic.”
Jodeci, a group that had hits for almost the entirety of the ’90s, is reuniting for the Soul Train Awards which will air Nov. 30 on BET, hosted by gossip queen Wendy Williams. The guys say they are “humbled by the loyalty of our fans.”
MARY WILSON said “The Composer” and “No Matter What Sign You Are” are “among the worst songs ever released under the Supremes name.” Well, to those I would add “Some Things You Never Get Used To” and the song I dislike the most, “I’m Livin’ in Shame.”
Such corny lyrics!
Examples:
“Mama’s cooking bread. She wore a dirty, raggedy scarf around her head. Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet. She just didn’t know. Out of the pot she ate, never used a fork or a dinner plate.”
And then it slides in for the closing chapter:
“Came a telegram. Mama passed away while making homemade jam.”
A team of five writers came up with these cornball lyrics and a concept that was, to use Wilson’s word, “melodramatic.”
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that it was Melvin Franklin of the Temptations who came up with the Supremes’ famous “Stop! In the Name of Love” outstretched arm gesture.
MEMORIES: “I Just Want to Be” (Cameo), “You Should Be Dancing” (the Bee Gees), “Come on and See Me” (Tammi Terrell), “If You Want Me to Stay” (Sly & the Family Stone), “Memory Lane” (Minnie Riperton), “Honky Tonk” (Bill Doggett), “Sukiyaki” (A Taste of Honey), “And the Beat Goes On” (the Whispers), “Mockingbird” (Inez Foxx), “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” (Janet Jackson).
BLESSINGS to Tony Braceful, Robert Brown, Keith Owens, Brenda Perryman, Bud McQueen, Stephanie Ross, James Ross Jr., Horace Boyington, Betty DeRamus and Donafay Collins.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from an anonymous source: “If you are really taking care of your own business, you will not have the time (or the interest) to get in someone else’s.”
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
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