Muhammad Ali’s interfaith funeral was held today, and it was an event worthy of the boxer known as The Greatest. Highlights included comedian Billy Crystal’s funny and touching remembrance … … Rabbi Michael Lerner’s impassioned call for social change … … and the first eulogy, given by Ali’s wife, Lonnie Ali. If you missed the…
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RIP, Prince
Devastating! Another icon gone too soon. Prince June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016 Embed from Getty Images Just yesterday, I’d been reassured about Prince’s health after reading that he’d appeared before fans on Saturday to show them that he was okay after being hospitalized for the flu. I was checking up on him because…
RIP, George Martin
George Martin, the music producer who most famously worked with the Beatles, died at age 90 yesterday. Embed from Getty Images Ringo Starr first announced the news on Twitter. Paul McCartney made his statement here. To learn more about George’s interactions with the Beatles, you can read his memoir, All You Need Is Ears. But…
RIP, Cindy Edelstein
When I write an obituary for this blog, it’s often for someone with a household name, such as David Bowie. This time, it’s more personal. If you’re not in the fine-jewelry community, you may not have heard of Cindy Edelstein, but I encourage you to read about her anyway, because she is a role model…
All the Young Dudes
I’m quite proud of my habit of keeping pop-culture ephemera, such as this program from Madonna’s 1987 AIDS benefit concert and a Duran Duran ticket stub from the same year. However, my high-school friend Jim Begala wins the prize for keeping everything. Jim previously confirmed the exact date of a 1984 INXS concert for me,…
David Bowie’s 1976 Playboy Interview and Other Links
While searching for interesting David Bowie links, I realized I had to share the outrageous mid-1970s interviews from his Thin White Duke phase. Bowie had a horrendous cocaine addiction at the time. He was paranoid and obsessed with the occult, Charles Manson and Nazis. “I was hallucinating 24 hours a day,” he later said, noting…
Memories of David Bowie
I can still barely believe it, but we all know it’s true. David Bowie died of cancer yesterday, two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his 25th studio album, Blackstar. His producer called Blackstar a “parting gift” for Bowie’s fans. Embed from Getty Images I haven’t been able to think of anything…
RIP, David Bowie.
No words. I’m shocked.
Recommended Reading and Week in Review
While sitting in a waiting room early this month, I dug through the pile of old magazines until I found an October Rolling Stone with Keith Richards on the cover. Later that night, at a holiday party, I bumped into a friend of mine who is a longtime music journalist. We chatted about various musicians,…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Monday: Midlife rebels and pierced ears. (We’re all getting pierced septums next.) Tuesday: Sad to see Patricia Field’s big store go … along with my feathered top. Thursday: Throwback to the 2005 premiere of King Kong. Friday: Are you a bad shopper?…