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08-11-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
WE REMEMBER ISSAC HAYES: Veteran soul singer's body discovered Sunday morning near treadmill. Candlelight vigil scheduled.
*Isaac Hayes, an Oscar- and Grammy-winning music icon who helped to usher in the disco era, died Sunday afternoon after he collapsed near a treadmill, authorities said. He was 65.
The entertainer was pronounced dead at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis an hour after his body was found by a family member, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. The cause of death was not immediately known.
Sheriff's office spokesman Steve Shular said authorities received a 911 call after Hayes' wife, young son and his wife's cousin returned home from the grocery store and found him collapsed in a downstairs bedroom. A sheriff's deputy administered CPR until paramedics arrived.
"The treadmill was running but he was unresponsive lying on the floor," Shular said.
Hayes was preparing to record a new album for Stax, the soul record label he helped build to legendary status. And he had recently finished work on a movie called "Soul Men" in which he played himself, starring Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday.
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Isaac Hayes, a true historic world music figure," said the Reverend Al Sharpton, who was to dedicate his Sunday night radio program to the late artist. "Isaac Hayes was the first African-American to win an Oscar for a music score but never lost sight of his commitment to his community and the betterment of mankind. He was more than an artist he was a trailblazer, He was an innovator. He was a creative genius. I shall never forget how in the height of his career he still had time to work and lend his celebrity to those of us much younger and at that time who were totally unknown. Even in his later years he never hesitated to appear for a cause or endorse something that he felt was for the good of mankind. He will be sorely missed."
With his trademark shades, bald head and deep baritone, Isaac Hayes laid the groundwork for not just disco, but also what came to be known as urban contemporary. He co-wrote the Sam and Dave hits "Hold On I'm Coming"
and "Soul Man." He reached his commercial peak in 1972 when he won an Academy Award for his No. 1 hit "Theme from 'Shaft."'
Younger audiences are more familiar with Hayes as the voice of Chef on Comedy Central's animated series "South Park." But he left the show a few years ago because he disagreed with its attacks on Scientology, the religious movement to which he belonged.
Hayes was born in 1942 in a tin shack in Covington, Tenn., about 40 miles north of Memphis. He was raised by his maternal grandparents after his mother died and his father left when he was 1 1/2. The family moved to Memphis when he was 6.
Hayes wanted to be a doctor, but those dreams ended and were replaced with musical aspirations after he won a ninth grade talent contest by singing Nat King Cole's "Looking Back."
He released his debut album, the poor-selling "Presenting Isaac Hayes," in 1968. He broke through the following year with "Hot Buttered Soul," which contained just four songs but sold over a million copies.
His work on director Gordon Parks' urban crime drama "Shaft," a project he had hoped to star in, was the first of many forays into movie soundtracks. He got in front of the camera for the 1974 cult classic "Truck Turner" and had kept busy with film work ever since, recently appearing in the hip-hop drama "Hustle & Flow."
Community activist Najee Ali says a candlelight vigil for Hayes, as well as Bernie Mac, will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in Los Angeles at 5th Street Dicks coffeehouse in Leimert Park (4305 Degnan Blvd.)
BERNIE MAC'S FINAL MOMENTS: Sister-in-law says family was at bedside; funeral scheduled for Friday, friends release statements.
*A sister-in-law to late comedian Bernie Mac has opened up to People magazine about the entertainer's final moments at the hospital with his wife, Rhonda, and their 30-year-old daughter, Je'Niece.
"He opened his eyes on his own and looked at Rhonda. She called his name, and he opened his eyes and nodded to her," said Rhonda's younger sister, Mary Ann Grossett. "She smiled at him and told him, 'Don't leave me … 'I'm waiting for you to come back.' He shrugged his shoulders, and she said that's when she knew he was tired. He signaled to her that his body was tired."
Mac, Grossett revealed, was hospitalized in Chicago on July 24, eight days before the date announced by his publicist. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and immediately placed on a ventilator. He died at 2 a.m. on Saturday.
The night before, "He struggled for his life. He couldn't breathe," said Grossett. The next day, doctors "were working on him. They tried to resuscitate him two times. One time he came back for about an hour. Then he went into cardiac arrest the second time."
Grossett said the last communication between Mac and Rhonda took place on July 31, one week after he was admitted to the hospital. "He told his wife [non-verbally] that he could breathe on his own, and he wanted the ventilator out. He motioned that he wanted it out," says Grossett.
Additionally, Grossett says Mac's inflammatory lung disease contributed to his death. "He had sarcoidosis, but it was in remission," she says. "But because he had it, his immune system was compromised. He had an infection ... He was on a new medication that suppresses the immune system, and that's where the pneumonia came from."
She says that doctors kept Mac sedated, although he was conscious at times and he contracted a second strain of pneumonia while in the hospital.
Of her widowed sibling Rhonda, Grossett says, "She’s devastated. However, she's at peace about his transition because of her faith in God. Her faith is what is sustaining her."
A funeral for Mac is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, at an undisclosed location. The family requests that donations be made to the Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis, 40 E. Ninth St., Suite 601, Chicago IL 60605.
Community activist Najee Ali says a candlelight vigil for Hayes, as well as Bernie Mac, will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in Los Angeles at 5th Street Dicks coffeehouse in Leimert Park (4305 Degnan Blvd.)
Some of Mac's celebrity friends and co-stars have issued statements expressing condolences and sharing memories of the comedian:
• Samuel L. Jackson, his co-star in the upcoming film "Soul Men," says: "It goes without saying that Bernie was one of the preeminent comedians of our generation. He was also an attentive husband, a great father and loving grandfather. I feel blessed to have shared years of friendship with Bernie Mac, and I'm honored to have finally co-starred with him in what I consider to be his finest cinematic acting achievement. My sincere prayer is that his family will be comforted by the warmth of love from all of us who knew and respected this man."
• Don Cheadle, who starred with Mac in 2001's "Ocean's Eleven" and its two sequels, says: "This is a very sad day for many of us who knew and loved Bernie. He brought so much joy to so many. He will be missed, but heaven just got funnier."
• George Clooney, fellow co-star in "Ocean's" franchise: "The world just got a little less funny. He will be missed dearly."
• Brad Pitt, fellow "Ocean's" colleague, says: "I lament the loss of a ferociously funny and hardcore family man. My thoughts are with Rhonda and their family. Bernie Mac, you are already missed."
• Chris Rock: "Bernie Mac was one of the best and funniest comedians to ever live, but that was the second best thing he did. Bernie was one of the greatest friends a person could have. Losing him is like losing 12 people because he absolutely filled up any room he was in. I'm gonna miss the Mac Man."
• Cedric the Entertainer: "It's hard to put into words just how I feel and what a painful loss this is. Bernie was a brother, a friend and one of the comic masters of our time. Sharing the marquee with him during the phenomenon of the Kings of Comedy tour bonded us like family, and created a unique moment in comic history marking some of the most meaningful, memorable and fun times of our lives. His comedic approach was his own brand and will definitely stand the test of time. The level of his talent always inspired me and other comedians to 'bring their A-game.' I promise you that you never wanted to be the guy who had to follow Bernie's set! As a husband and father, he was THE MAN and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
He will truly be missed, but so well remembered."
• Niecy Nash, who played Mac's sister on 'The Bernie Mac Show,' recalls his knack for making fellow actors feel at home on the set. "When I showed up to work, he said something to me that had never been said to me on a set before. He said, 'Baby girl, the script here is not the Bible. Do you, and I'll follow. I got mine, you get yours.' When he said that, I knew everything was going to be all right. I was happy to have the freedom to make up some funny with him. It was simply delicious. My working experiences with Bernie were so amazing, that from that point on, I wouldn't have cared if he called me in the middle of the night to come and be in a scene where I didn't have anything to do but sit in the background and eat cereal. I would've just done it because I loved him like that."
• Jenifer Lewis: "Bernie's style of comedy was bold, courageous and revolutionary—I never knew anyone who loved to be funny as much as Bernie.
He will most definitely be very missed."
• George Lopez: "He was one of those comics that was unique because of his approach, his look, his voice [and] the content of his material. Bernie fell into that category of people who were inherently different like when you saw them, you knew they were different and when they spoke, you knew they were different.
As comics, we're all brothers. and I’ll miss him a lot. He was a good friend of mine."
• Luke Wilson, Mac's costar in 'Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,' told
People: "He couldn't have been a nicer guy. He just seemed like a real family man and just a nice guy on the set, just very kind of normal guy."
• Carl Reiner, "Ocean's Eleven" costar, says: "It's a tremendous loss because of his age and the fact that he was such a vital, original human being. When I use the word 'original' I really mean it. He was like no other person I knew. He lived his life to the fullest, even when we were on the set of Ocean's. He had his own little apartment and he cooked and invited people to lunch every day and he had food that was for everybody. He made very exotic things. His conversations were always different than any conversations I had with anyone else. They were very family-oriented; he talked about his wife and children with such love and it's very hard to believe that he's not with us anymore."
• Kelly Preston and John Travolta: "We are heartbroken. He will be deeply missed. He was a wonderful, kind and gentle man."
• Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television, home of "The Bernie Mac Show," stated: "Bernie Mac was a gifted talent whose comedy came from an authentic and highly personal place. He was a tremendous live performer and a wonderful actor. Fox was proud to be the home of The Bernie Mac Show, and all of us at Fox and 20th Century Fox Television extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Rhonda, and daughter, JeNiece."
• J.D. Stokes, voice over actor who worked with Mac on an episode of Moesha,
says: "He was a genuinely funny and nice guy. I say this because prior to working with him on the show, I had no knowledge of who he was and how well known of a comedian he was. But, unlike a lot of people at his level, he was very friendly, down to earth and accommodating. When our paths accidentally crossed about a week later at LAX airport, he greeted me as if I had been a life-long friend and I could feel the genuine warmth and sincerity of that greeting. May God have mercy on his soul."
MURDER CHARGES FOR SUSPECT AT LIL' KIM B-DAY: Syed Rahman allegedly killed victim for refusing his advances.
*The harrowing final moments of the 24-year-old woman who was beaten to death at a New York night club during Lil Kim's birthday party were revealed in court Friday during the suspect's arraignment.
Syed Rahman, also 24, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison if convicted. He's due back in court on Wednesday (Aug. 13).
Rahman, who had worked at the club for four years and had no previous criminal record, confessed to smashing Ingrid Rivera over the head at about 2:45 a.m. Monday during the Lil' Kim event that the victim had paid to attend, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. Rivera's body was discovered Wednesday afternoon stuffed inside of a utility room on the club's roof.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide Thursday after an autopsy found that Rivera died from a "blunt impact trauma" to the head and that "incised wounds to the neck" cut her carotid artery.
Police said Rivera was a Lil' Kim fan who arrived at the Spotlight Live club around 9:30 p.m. with a bouquet she had hoped to give to the rapper. During the evening, she and her friend spoke with Rahman while drinking at the bar.
Later in the evening, Rivera was kicked out of the club for accidentally entering the men's rest room, police said. Rivera's friend said that around the same time, Rahman lured her to the roof by claiming Rivera was there. When the friend rebuffed the suspect, he located the victim outside and "told her he could get her back in," Kelly said.
He took Rivera in through the employee entrance, then up to the roof in a service elevator, police said. Once there, he beat her inside a utility shed, killing her instantly, police said. The man left the club at around 3 a.m., even though he was scheduled to work until 5 a.m., and went to Central Park and slept for a few hours, police said.
Police said that after Rivera's mother reported her missing on Tuesday, officers went to the club on Wednesday to examine security videotape and conduct a floor-by-floor search of the five-story building. After they left, a repairman doing work at the club stumbled upon Rivera's body tucked away in the utility shed.
Officers tracked down Rahman on Wednesday at an upper Manhattan apartment he shares with his parents.
Rivera was the only daughter of Ingrid Estrada, a customer service agent at John F. Kennedy International Airport for British Airways. Five of Rivera's family members were at Friday's arraignment for Rahman, "crying profusely," according to TMZ.com.
The club issued a statement expressing its condolences to Rivera's family. "We are shocked by this terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to Ingrid Rivera's family and friends. We are grateful to the New York Police Department for arresting a suspect in this crime. We continue to cooperate with police and answer any questions they may have," the club said.
Lil' Kim's spokesman, Ronn Torossian, said in an e-mailed statement that Wednesday night was "the first (she) has heard of this matter."
ERIC BENET PLAYS ALBUM FOR ESSENCE STAFF: Singer serenades ladies with a cappella of new song 'Chocolate Legs.'
*Moments before a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Los Angeles Area on July 29th, singer Eric Benet was trying to make a few waves of his own some 3000 miles away inside the Manhattan offices of Essence magazine.
Veteran columnist Liz Smith was with the singer while he promoted his new "Love & Life" CD to a roomful of female journalists at the magazine. The set included an a cappella version of his new song, "Chocolate Legs." Smith said he "wowed" his audience of about 20 or so women, but the love fest stopped once he got wind of the earthquake in Los Angeles, where he lives with his 16-year-old daughter, India.
After learning that she was okay, ("Oh, Daddy, it was no big deal!" India reportedly told him), he "returned to seduction mode," wrote Smith in a recent column. "The Essence ladies were even more impressed. Sex appeal and the right priorities!"
Smith continued: "Earlier in the day at E. 38th Street's El Rio Grande I'd had lunch with Eric and his ladylove Manuela Testolini. (She used to be married to Prince!) I first met Eric a couple of years ago, in the immediate wake of his highly publicized break-up with Halle Berry. He was singularly concerned about the effect of any negative publicity on his daughter. (India's mother was killed in a car accident.) He spoke well of Miss Berry, and still does. I had a strong feeling, on that initial encounter, that there was another side to the Benet/Berry story -- his side.
But Eric wouldn't go there. Now, that drama is behind him. (And also behind Halle; she's blissful with her new love and baby.) Eric and Manuela, survivors of high-profile spouses, have great chemistry. She is a businesswoman/philanthropist and admirably grounded. She and Eric have been together about a year-and-a-half. 'I'm in a good place now,' Eric said. Then we all had a lively debate on whether or not Eric should shave his scruff of facial hair and just how much skin to show in his coming video. Manuela and I decided less is better. I asked him what he'd like to do next? 'Well, touring for this one, of course. And I want to do an album of R&B classics, a collection of great American pop standards -- Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, like that. And I want to do a Christmas album. The problem is,' and Benet gave out a big laugh, 'I want to do it all in the next three months!'"
CLIFTON POWELL FINISHES 'LAST' FOR HBO: Actor to join cop drama pilot set in 1970s.
*Clifton Powell has been cast as a regular in HBO's drama pilot "Last of the Ninth," described by the Hollywood Reporter as a "1970s gritty cop drama."
The story centers on Joe Dalton (Jonah Lotan), a young Vietnam veteran-tuned undercover cop, and veteran detective John Giglio (Ray Winstone). Michael Gaston will play the lieutenant in charge of the 9th Precinct where the show is set.
Lily Rabe ("What Just Happened") will play a plainclothes cop and a potential love interest for Dalton. Fredric Lehne ("Lost") will play a bright detective with a drinking problem. Michael Raymond-James ("True Blood") will play a macho narcotics detective. Powell also will play a detective.
LISARAYE BACK IN THE MANSION FOR GOOD?: She's reportedly called off the divorce from Misick and has moved back in.
*The New York Post is reporting that actress LisaRaye has moved back into the mansion she shares with Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick, despite reports that she was planning to file for divorce amid infidelity rumors.
Last week, a rep for the actress released a statement suggesting that Misick has been cheating with Rocsi from BET's "106 & Park," and was spotted "canoodling" with the VJ at a recent music event on the island while LisaRaye was visiting the U.S.
LisaRaye was reportedly furious and had offered to share her story with EUR's Lee Bailey, as well as the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, but both interviews were cancelled by her rep.
Now, she's reportedly back on the island and back inside of the mansion, reports Page Six.
"It's not that she would miss him, she would miss her position," said a source for the column. "She's grown accustomed to the lifestyle - the gifts, the cars, the status."
Since becoming married in 2006, Misick has been accused of raping one of LisaRaye's friends, a claim he denied; and the actress has been linked to former NBA star Gary Payton, according to Page Six.
JAY-Z STILL WONT CONFIRM MARRIAGE: Latest non-answer comes in new issue of Vibe magazine; plus, rapper in NY's 'Summer Streets.'
*For Vibe magazine's upcoming 15th anniversary issue, editors decided to pose 15 questions to Sean "Jay-Z" Carter - with No. 15 being, after Jay-Z had referred to Beyoncé as a "friend": "You said your 'friend,' but this is your wife. Are you still not willing to confirm?"
"That's ridiculous for me to confirm," replies Jay-Z. "I don't have ... I'm gonna say, I think that was a ridiculous question. I just think it's really a part of your life that you gotta keep to yourself."
Jigga and Beyonce tied the knot in April, but neither spouse has spoken about the nuptials publicly, or even confirmed that a wedding took place.
On the importance of keeping their private lives private, Jay-Z said: "You have to, or you'll go insane in this type of business. You have to have something that's sacred to you and the people around you.
"I shared so much of my life, my childhood, and my family, the death of my nephew with the world. I should have something to hold on to. You need something for your sanity … to say, Okay, I could chill out, and this is it."
What Jay-Z does say is that he's currently in a stable, committed relationship – which he considers "part of maturing, right? You have the right people around you, and if that person around you is your friend, then you just wanna carry it like that. You get to a point when you could let people into your circle, and that's it."
In other Jay-Z news, the rap mogul teamed with New York's mayor Michael Bloomberg to launch the Summer Streets program, an effort designed to transform local streets into recreation filled, car-free zones.
Summer Streets was held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (August 9) on nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Lafayette Street, 4th Avenue, Park Avenue and 72nd Street.
DAD OF 'HAIRSPRAY' STAR DENIED BAIL: Carl Blonsky detained until Aug. 19 trial for allegedly beating mother of 'Top Model' contestant.
*The father of "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky was denied bail Friday and ordered to stay behind bars in Turks and Caicos until his trial begins on Aug. 19.
Carl Blonsky, 53, faces assault charges stemming from a July 29 airport brawl that police say involved him, daughter Nikki, "America's Next Top Model" contestant Bianca Golden, and Golden's mother, Elaine.
Prosecutor Samantha Glinton said Elaine Golden was injured so badly by Carl Blonsky that she had to be airlifted to a hospital in Aventura, Fla., where she stayed for five days before being released to a neurologist.
"While her condition has improved, she still has some problems," Glinton said. "She is in the healing stage. She has a right cerebral traumatic lesion, according to the report. She has a slurred left side, left side weakness, insomnia and memory impairment."
Blonsky's lawyer, Oliver Smith, says Elaine Golden's injuries are "not as severe as she wants it to be," saying videos showed her walking around after the fight. "She is trying to set up a potential lawsuit," he claimed.
Smith argued that Mr. Blonsky has a clean criminal record and was injured himself in the brawl. "My client ... is not a wealthy man. He works in a sewage plant. No prior convictions. He volunteers at his local church, coaches softball, baseball and soccer. He is taking Xanax, Crestor, and has nerve damage to his arm. He takes Percocet."
Still, the judge denied bail, saying that as a foreigner, Blonsky is a flight risk. Nikki Blonsky, 19, was not at the hearing. She and Bianca Golden were both arrested on July 29, but were each freed on $6,000 bail the same day. Elaine Golden was not charged in the incident.
Blonsky and Bianca Golden were each charged with actual bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of two years. Blonsky had an additional charge of common assault, with a 90-day maximum term.
Nikki is due in court on the Caribbean island in December. She has selected a bench trial, meaning that a judge will decide her fate. Bianca Golden has selected a jury trial, which is scheduled for Sept. 17.
Police said the fight began when the Blonsky family attempted to save seats in the airport's small departure lounge, and Golden's family protested.
TMZ GETS PERSONAL WITH L'OREAL: African American writer for Web site says Beyonce's ad 'struck a nerve.'
*A person identifying herself as a black, female writer for TMZ.com says she is personally offended by the new L'Oreal ad featuring Beyonce with what appears to be digitally-lightened skin.
Last week, the Paris-based cosmetics company released a statement denying that it had altered the singer's skin tone in a new Feria ad appearing in Elle magazine, but pictures of the ad in comparison to other photos of Beyonce appear to contradict their denial.
Over the weekend, TMZ posted the following:
I am an African-American woman and I work for TMZ. Yes, TMZ hires Black people.
I saw the new L'Oréal ad a few days ago, and it struck a nerve. There's still a stigma of Black celebs acting "too Black." This ad re-enforces that negative portrayal.
Why can't a powerful, talented African-American woman be celebrated for her natural beauty? L'Oréal claims they didn't change Beyonce's appearance, but who are they fooling? L'Oreal obviously wanted to make Beyonce look White.
The L'Oréal ad is disrespectful and dismissive to the Black community. And L'Oréal's explanation is lame.
My name is Nina and I approved (and wrote) this message.
ICE CUBE REALLY WANTS THE 'A TEAM' GIG: Rapper says he's 'so ready to play B.A. Baracus.'
*Ice Cube told the Los Angeles Times that he's still hoping to play Mr. T's famous TV role in director John Singleton's upcoming film version of "The A Team."
He said: "Man, I am so ready to play ‘B.A.' Baracus. I was a big, big Mr. T fan. I mean, c'mon, Clubber Lang [in "Rocky III") was amazing. I even watched his Saturday morning show, but that was cheesy. I was like everybody else, I watched it for about six weeks and said, ‘Man this isn't any good.' But the 'A-Team,' I would love for this to happen."
The rapper-actor-producer said he's already been talking to Singleton about the role.
"It's the thing we've been talking about lately, the thing on the other side of the strike or no-strike. I think it could be great," Cube said. "I always look at how they did ‘Mission: Impossible' and even how they upgraded 'Batman' from what it was not that long ago. The key is the story and the director."
KWAME KILPATRICK IN ELECTRONIC BRACELET: Detroit mayor freed from jail, but his movements will be monitored until trial.
*After an overnight jail stay, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was released on Friday afternoon, but with new restrictions on his movements and facing brand new assault charges.
A judge overturned a lower court ruling that revoked Kilpatrick's bond because of an unapproved trip to Canada in July, ruling the mayor should have been allowed some type of bond despite his breach of the rules. However, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Jackson set a $50,000 cash bond, ordered an electronic tether and restricted Kilpatrick's movements to three counties comprising Detroit and surrounding areas, preventing him from attending the Democratic National Convention.
The mayor was freed on Friday after posting the $50,000 cash bond and $2,500 of the $25,000 bond set for the assault charges, a Wayne County Sheriff's spokesman said.
The mayor was also arraigned on Friday on two felony assault charges stemming from an altercation at a friend's house with a Wayne County deputy and investigator in July. The new assault charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
Kilpatrick, 38, faces a potential 15-year prison term if convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice and official misconduct stemming from a sex scandal and his handling of a whistle-blower lawsuit.
NATALIE COLE PREPARES FOR FALL TOUR: Singer schedules a dozen shows throughout October to plug 'Still Unforgettable.'
*Natalie Cole will spend October on the road to promote "Still Unforgettable," her forthcoming album of American standards, due Sept. 9.
The follow-up to 1991's "Unforgettable ... With Love," which sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and earned Cole several Grammy Awards, includes the lead single "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," a posthumous duet with her late father, Nat King Cole.
"If there was going to be another 'duet' with Dad, I felt it should be something more whimsical, fun and light," Cole said in her bio. "At the same time, I was looking for a song that would also be familiar to a certain type of audience. I think this is going to work just as well. It's adorable and loving between parent and child. It feels like he's right there with me. How do you top that?"
Below is the tour itinerary for Cole's "Still Unforgettable" tour:
October 2008
7 - Indiana, PA - Fisher Auditorium
9 - N. Bethesda, MD - Music Center at Strathmore 10 - Brooksville, NY - Tiles Center for the Performing Arts
11 - Newport News, VA - Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall
12 - Charlottesville, VA - Paramount Theatre
15 - Fort Walton Beach, FL - Emerald Coast CC
17 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall
18 - Columbus, GA - RiverCenter
19 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
22 - Brampton, Ontario - Rose Theatre
23 - Windsor, Ontario - The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
LEON WARE SHOOTS FOR THE 'MOON': Soul veteran returns on Stax/Concord after 20-year major label absence.
*Singer/songwriter/producer Leon Ware is preparing to release his first major label album in more than two decades.
The Stax/Concord Records set, entitled "Moon Ride," is due tomorrow (Aug. 12) and reportedly captures the sensual style of music that has been his trademark since the recording of his own albums began in the '70s.
Ware is best known for his writing and production credits on projects by Gaye (the "I Want You" album), Michael Jackson ("I Wanna Be Where You
Are") and Quincy Jones ("Body Heat," "If I Ever Lose This Heaven") among others.
"Moon Ride" continues the velvetiness with such tracks as "Loceans,"
the Gaye-inspired "I Never Loved So Much" and lead single, "Smoovin'."
"This album has all the things I lean toward: romance, sensuality and spirituality," Ware says. "I live in that place; it's my religion."
CHUCK BERRY'S HOUSE MAY BE 'HISTORIC': St. Louis dwelling considered for landmark status.
*The one-story, red-brick house once owned by rock-and-roll icon Chuck Berry may become a St. Louis landmark.
Purchased in 1950 by the singer, the modest home will be considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, reports the Associated Press.
Experts on St. Louis landmarks say Berry and his family lived in the home in the city's Ville neighborhood during his most productive early songwriting period. It was where he developed his trademark guitar style and rehearsed, wrote and recorded many of his classic songs including "Maybelline," "Johnny B. Goode," and "Roll Over Beethoven."
Berry sold the house in 1958. On Friday, the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation recommended the home for inclusion on the National Register.
FUND RAISER PLANNED FOR TRAVEL CLUB: Black Italia announces outpouring of support after alleged misappropriation of trip money.
*The head of black travel club Bella Italia released a statement announcing an upcoming fundraiser to help preserve a tour of Venice, Rome and Milan after some $80,000 of the group's money was never forwarded to the tour operator.
Bella Italia's Fleace Weaver has accused Avocet Travel, and its founder, former Essence magazine president Clarence O. Smith, of pocketing the funds that were supposed to pay for a trip to Italy from Sept. 18 through 27.
"My goal is to preserve the tour and give the Bellas the trip of the lifetime that they envisioned," says Weaver, founder of Black Weekly and BlackGirlTravel.com. "To that end, 19 of the hottest promoters in Los Angeles have come together in a spirit of cooperation and volunteerism to help bring out the people of Los Angeles to assist us in that endeavor. Our deadline to provide funds to our tour operator is August 15th. If we can raise enough money to offer these girls a modified tour, then I feel that we will have given these girls a modicum of what Avocet denied them through their actions."
The benefit will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14, at Club 214 in Los Angeles (214 S. La Brea Ave.) The minimum donation is $20. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m. and the dance party begins at 8:30 p.m. To make a donation or learn more about the event, please visit www.BlackGirlTravel.com/party.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Rick Ross a deadbeat dad?; Dre's daughter's film; Mendes ad; Braxton's dancing rumor; Yung Berg arrested.
*A woman claiming to be the mother of Rick Ross' two-year-old son is attempting to establish paternity and collect additional child support from the rapper. TMZ.com reports that the lawsuit comes from Tiallondra Nicole Kemp, mother of William Leonard Roberts, III. Ross' camp says he already pays support for the toddler, including medical bills. Ross's attorney Allan Zamren says, "Mr. Roberts (Ross) is an excellent person and an outstanding member in his community. I've known him for quite some time and it's a pleasure to represent him."
*A documentary that follows the efforts of Dr. Dre’s daughter to break into hip hop despite her father's wishes is currently available for $5.99 per download at http://www.tmmediagroup.com/. In "Daddy's Shadow,"
23-year-old Manaj claims her father has never offered support for her rap aspirations, and has been against her efforts since she signed her label deal in 2006. The documentary was originally scheduled for release that same year, but was delayed when Dr. Dre allegedly stopped speaking to Manaj, due to the film’s content.
*The banned Calvin Klein ad featuring Eva Mendes has been banned again, this time from the folks at YouTube. The commercial, which features the actress writhing around topless, was deemed too steamy for U.S. TV. The clip, however, became available on YouTube and quickly drew thousands of hits. But the video has now been removed from the Web site as well after higher-ups deemed it unsuitable. A statement from the site reads: "It has been removed due to terms of use violation."
*Toni Braxton, rumored to be joining "Dancing with the Stars" next season, reportedly took the spot that once belonged to 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman. TMZ.com says producers were looking to fill the show's "disability" slot, occupied in the past by Heather Mills (one leg) and Marlee Matlin (deaf). "They figured [Leachman's] age would fit the bill -- until they got Toni Braxton, who has a heart condition, to sign on. That's when they put Cloris' dancing shoes ... six feet under," TMZ stated. The official cast will be announced on Aug. 25 on 'Good Morning America."
*Rapper Yung Berg, 21, was arrested in New York City over the weekend and charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of marijuana and menacing. Sources tell TMZ.com that a limo driver reported a dispute with five passengers and police ended up arresting the artist and his friends. Berg, whose real name is Christian Ward, is featured in the Ray-J song "Sexy Can I."
THEO KILLION TAKES CONTROL OF ZALE: African American exec promoted to president of jewelry retailer.
*Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. has just promoted 57-year-old African American executive Theo Killion president of the company. His duties include overseeing the operation of customer, employee, and store support.
Formerly Zale Corp's executive vice president of human resources and legal and corporate strategy, Killion's new duties will also include management of the loss prevention department, which handles security for the company and as well as all of its stores.
"Theo is an outstanding manager with tremendous experience and leadership skills," said CEO Neal Goldberg in a statement.
David Sternblitz, a spokesman for Zale, says Killion's appointment is an example of Zale's ongoing commitment to a diverse work force.
"We have a diverse management team, and that is reflected in our overall hiring practices," Sternblitz says.
Before joining the Irving, Texas-based company in January, Killion served as an executive recruiter at executive search firm Berglass & Associates. He also served as executive vice president of human resources at Tommy Hilfiger where he led the company's global human resources efforts. Killion is a human resources veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the industry.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"For every failure, there's an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour." — Mary Kay Ash
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Aug. 11: Songwriter Kenny Gamble of Gamble and Huff is 65. Drummer Chris Dave (Mint Condition) is 40. Rap DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Lucy Pearl, A Tribe Called Quest) is 38. Rapper Chris Kelly of Kris Kross is 30. Singer J-Boog (B2K) is 23.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
*This "fan" blog keeps you current with the latest happenings in the world of Serena Williams, on and off the court. Try it out at: http://simplyserenawilliams.blogspot.com
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Aug. 11, 1873: Actor and co-composer of "Lift Every Voice And Sing," J Rosamond Johnson, was born. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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