I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Donna Summer. I once saw her walking down 50th st in NYC & said, “Oh! Hi Ms. Summer!” She smiled and laughed hello.:) In this photo by Walter McBride, she is backstage at the Savoy Theater in New York in January 1983.
Rest in Peace. Donna Summer.
Jody Watley, Vanity Fair 1991 in Azzedine Alaia. Photo: Michel Comte
Jody Watley in Norma Kamali, 1989.
Road trip to San Diego’s Anthology for a rare live concert appearance April 18, 2012; 7:30 PM. A Music Journey of Hits, New Music and Beyond.
My UK days. Produced with Gary Langan, Anne Dudley, JJ Jeclazik who would become ‘The Art Of Noise’ and written with Bruce Woolley formerly of ‘The Buggles’ while living in London just after quitting Shalamar. I had short tumultuous stint on Phonogram Records. The album was never released but it was my connection at Phonogram that resulted in my participation of one of music’s biggest charity singles “Band Aid - Do They Know It’s Christmas.” Everything happens for a reason.
The single that preceded this was “Where The Boys Are” (not the old 50’s classic) but same writing and production collaborator’s as ‘Girls Night Out.’ The clash was strong with Phonogram as I wanted edgy dance funk eager to establish my own distinct identity - they wanted to do music that sounded like my former group Shalamar. Though that music was great, that wasn’t what I wanted to do. This era of 1983-84 was also the first I started rocking Jean Paul Gaultier who was virtually unknown as seen on the cover of ‘Girls Night Out’ and the video for ‘Where The Boys Are’ (complete with his cone bra, albeit the less extreme version, though I also had the extreme version in red-the bra of course would be made famous and become a ‘signature’ look many years later). By the time I returned to America in 1986, I had my vibe totally worked out and signed with a label who supported and my vision.
(Source: blackculture)
Jet Magazine. June 18th, 1981.
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The one and only Marvin Gaye is gone but never forgotten. Though his life ended tragically this day 28 years ago, he left an incredible legacy of music and artistry for generations to come. I’m so happy to have grown up with this quality music and to be exposed and influenced by his fearlessness to grow and evolve throughout his career. His 73rd birthday would have been tomorrow. If you ever have a chance, ‘Divided Soul’ by David Ritz is a must read.