In Memory Of: Music Icon and Legend: American Entertainer: Tony Bennett (1926 - 2023)

My tribute to the iconic and legendary Tony Bennett.  From Frank Sinatra and Sean Martin to Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga?  Yes!  Speaking of the man who left his heart in San Francisco but made his way into the hearts of generations of Americans beginning in 1949.  Now that's hip! \

In Memory Of:  Anthony Dominick Benedetto aka Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 - July 21, 2023)

People who know him would describe him as a genuinely warm, humble, and kind-hearted human being.  He was not just an entertainer but a civil rights activist who lent his celebrity status to support the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

• Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96 | AP News

 

The late Frank Sinatra or Old Blue Eyes as we liked to call him is considered an American Master, a standard, for all other American entertainers to measure up to. But one of his contemporaries is equally worthy of praise: Tony Bennett, a crooner like no other.

Anthony Dominick Benedetto (1926 - ) is an American singer; also an actor, artist, and activist. 

He is a humble yet great Italian-American, born in Astoria, Queens, New York who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and has been a tireless fighter for equal rights. Sinatra and Bennett had mutual respect and admiration for one another. Sinatra once said: “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves me.” Bennett complimented Sinatra by founding a high school in his hometown that offers diplomas in fine art, dance, vocal and instrumental music, drama, and film. Whereas he could have named the school after himself, instead the institution is named Frank Sinatra School of Arts.

Bennett began singing at an early but his signature song, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", was released in 1962. He has won numerous awards and sold millions of records and still continues to perform. Several young artists such as Lady Gaga, and the late Amy Winehouse, were honored to be chosen to collaborate with him on his “Duets” album. You can find several YouTube music videos, but for my listening pleasure, I start with this one wonderful collaboration between Bennett and the late Amy Winehouse. * 

Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul (from Duets II: The GreatPerformances)

Tony Bennett on Amazon Music. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s

Official Website: tonybennett.com

Harry Belafonte and Tony Bennett Honored at 30th JFA Gala at Apollo Theater https://t.co/FaipfRAhHF via @billboard #icons #legends
Both departed in 2023 at the age of 96.#celebrities #history #memories #priceless pic.twitter.com/TKVyCM1ukI

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) July 21, 2023

In Memory of: Tina Turner (1939 - 2023) | Queen of Rock'n'Roll

We've lost a legendary soul sista! TINA TURNER (1939 – 2023)

Anna Mae Bullock was born in Nutbush, TN.  She is known and loved by many as Tina Turner.  The first time I saw Tina Turner perform was on the Ed Sullivan Show, on Jan 11, 1970. She was electric!  She became famous for her cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic song “Proud Mary”.  I followed her career from that time forward.

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I liked most of her songs but I narrowed down her 60-year career and picked these four:

River Deep – Mountain High

On Silent Wings

Simply the Best

One of the Living (from OST for Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome)

She was chosen to sing the theme song for the James Bond film “Golden Eye”. Here's a little trivia about that. Bono wrote that song especially for her to perform.

She sold her music catalog ~ 60 years of music ~ for $50 million.


Whereas Aretha Franklin was called the “Queen of Soul”, Tina Turner was the “Queen of Rock and Roll”.

In her personal life, she did something that made me proud.
~ She's a survivor. SHE WALKED AWAY FROM HER ABUSIVE HUSBAND, IKE TURNER. She left everything behind and walked off with nothing her stage name “Tina Turner”; and with that name, she reinvented herself and become even more successful than when she was Ike.

She performed her last live concert in Austin, Texas USA. I live in this city but sadly I did not get to attend the show.

When I think of Tina Turner, I think:
STRONG WOMAN.
REMARKABLE.
A FIGHTER.
ICONIC.
EXEMPLARY and LEGENDARY.
A BEAST!! (And I mean that in a good way.)

Tina Turner described how she wanted to be remembered in an interview just six weeks before her death | Daily Mail Online

Goodbye my sweet soul sista!

Original source

In Memory Of: Jim Brown (1936 - 2023) | Sports Legend, Civil Rights Activist, and Actor

James Nathaniel Brown aka "Jim Brown" was a legendary American football player, civil rights activist, and actor.  Jim Brown Dead: Football Champion and 'Dirty Dozen' Actor Was 87 - Variety.

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons

This is a very short tribute.

He was very popular but since I did not like football, I can't say much about his sports career. Nevertheless, I knew his name because everybody in my neighborhood knew who Jim Brown was.

I am proud that he used his celebrity status to work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to promote civil rights.

Also, I enjoyed his movies. I will always remember him for these 2 movies: The Dirty Dozen AND 100 Rifles.

• In the movie The Dirty Dozen (1967), he had a support role. He was part of a team of 12 men (a dozen) who had to sneak behind enemy lines during World War II and blow up the Germans.

• In 100 Rifles (1969), he and Raquel Welch had a steamy interracial love scene. Forget what the movie was about. The only thing people remember is that scene with Jim Brown and Raquel Welch making out. It wasn't even X-rated but it caused quite a stir.

Sadly, the iconic Raquel Welch (1940 - 2023) is also no longer with us. Raquel Welch, Actress and ’60s Sex Symbol, Is Dead at 82 - The New York Times

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Other Blog Posts in the "In Memory Of" Series:

Billie Holiday (1915 - 1959)

Prince (1958 – 2016)

Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) 

Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020)

Nichelle Nichols (1932 - 2022)

Harry Belafonte (1927 - 2023)

In Memory Of Harry Belafonte (1927 - 2023)

Harry Belafonte passed away, on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96. He left an indelible mark in the history and the heart of America. 

• If you were preparing a list of iconic and legendary American entertainers, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of notable civil rights activists in America, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of humanitarians worthy of double honor for their good works, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.

Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. known to the world as Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian. Date of Birth March 1, 1927 — Date of Death April 25, 2023. Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.

Americans from my generation (50s, 60s, and 70s) know Harry Belafonte. We know the lyrics to the Banana Boat and Matilda songs, backward and forward. Several years back (1997) there was a special program on television — “An Evening With Harry Belafonte & Friends” — where he sang many songs accompanied by fabulous singers and musicians. He performed Banana Boat and Matilda. I’m sure he knew that if he had not sung those songs, the audience would have been very disappointed.

Mr. Belafonte is known for his singing, and also for the memorable roles he has played in several films like “Carmen Jones” (1954), and “Island in the Sun” (1957). He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

In addition to knowing him as an extremely talented triple threat, i.e. he can sing, dance and act — we also know him to be a civil rights activist and a humanitarian, involved in many good works.

Giving honor where honor is due, one person referred to Mr. Belafonte as “living history”. While he was alive, you did not have to read historical events in a book because you could just talk to him since he was alive during the time and actively participated in history-making.

Mr. Belafonte has passed from living to legend now. He was almost a centenarian; age 96.

“If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” ~ Harry Belafonte

IN MEMORY OF: Harry Belafonte (1927–2023)

♦

I hope that his amazing talent, his fight for human rights, and his selfless charitable acts will be appreciated and remembered by Americans for generations to come.

Original Source

How to watch and stream Harry Belafonte movies

In Memory of: Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) | Music Legend, Icon and the Queen of Soul

The incomparable "Queen of Soul", Aretha Franklin, crossed over on August 16, 2018.  Another music legend has succumbed to cancer.

Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the world's best-selling music artists. Wikipedia

Born: March 25, 1942, Memphis, TN

Died: August 16, 2018, Detroit, MI

Ms. Franklin set the standard for all the soul sisters who would come after her and influenced many female singers and musicians such as sweet little soul sister Esperanza Spalding. Ms. Spalding was once asked to name the 5 songs by Aretha Franklin that she considered “Essential”. These were her picks:

“Day Dreaming”
“Spanish Harlem”
“Respect”
“Spirit in the Dark”
“All the King’s Horses”

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These are the 5 songs that embody my memory of “The Queen Of Soul”.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Natural Woman
Chain of Fools
Spanish Harlem
I Knew You Were Waiting for Me (collaboration with the late George Michael)

Do you have a fave 5?

Original source

In Memory of: Nichelle Nichols (1932 - 2022) | Star Trek's Lieutenant Uhura

Shortly after Christmas in 2017, I was celebrating this lady's birthday. I would describe her as "iconic".

For those who were dedicated fans of the original Star Trek sci-fi TV series which aired 1966 through 1969, no doubt you remember Nichelle Nichols who played Lieutenant Uhura.

Born Grace Nichols on December 28, 1932, in Robbins, Illinois. Today is her birthday

Happy Birthday Ms. Nichols!

* Do you remember Lt. Uhura? 
What did you think of her?

I LOVED HER!

On July 30, 2022, this legend crossed over.  Nichelle Nichols passed away at the age of 89.

Today in 1966: #StarTrek (TOS) debuted in the U.S. The original starship Enterprise studio model used in the TV show is in our collection: https://t.co/Y6LNJ1sDxC #StarTrekDay #AirSpacePhoto pic.twitter.com/Lki0fhfkMz

— National Air and Space Museum (@airandspace) September 8, 2020

Also published at my partner blog.

Remembering Sir Christopher Lee (1922-2015)

On June 7, 2015, acting legend Christopher Lee bid us farewell. He departed this life. Henceforth, he will be spoken of as the late great Christopher Lee.

A polished actor, a distinguished gentleman, and a man with an immediately recognizable voice. You didn't even need to to see his face, When you heard that voice, you knew it was Sir Christopher Lee.

It is said that he was an Intelligence Officer in the British Royal Air Force. But it's hard to find information about what he did because apparently, even though he's dead, his work for God and country is still “a secret”.

People from my generation might remember him as Count Dracula. People from the younger generation might remember him as Saruman, the wicked wizard in “The Lord of the Rings”. Either or, he was a very memorable guy.

• Considered a cinematic giant by many, Lee towered in real life as well - standing at 6'5", he was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the tallest leading actors in the world. (SOURCE)

• He holds the world record for oldest video game voice actor. (SOURCE)

He entered the film industry in 1947 and his acting career spanned several decades. At his death, he was preparing to start his latest film 'The 11th' about the lead-up to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America.

Despite his advanced age (he was 93), his death was unexpected. He died of natural causes. Sir Christopher Lee: Screen legend dies aged 93 - BBC News

• In Memory of Christopher Lee (1922-2015)

Goodfellas: REMASTERED - Ending Scene | My Tribute to Ray Liotta (1954-2022)

I am in the habit of checking my Twitter account every day. It is usually the first online in the morning. I don't use Twitter as my reliable news source. But every once in a while they will tweet a bona fide fact about a current event that blows me away like the death of Ray Liotta (pronounced "Lee-oh-ta"). Only 67 years old. 

I once heard him say in an interview that he was adopted. ("Due to extreme poverty, the biological parents abandoned Ray immediately after his birth. ..." ~  Source)  That me think: So? Is he really Italian or was he just raised Italian? I know.  It's a stupid thought. But hey! Don't we all think stupid thoughts? No matter his biological heritage, it looks like his parents, Mary and Alfred Liotta, raised him to be a real good guy; not a fictional "Goodfella". Although ... I must say that he played the part of a gangster quite well. He was cast as Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's movie "GoodFellas" (1990). In my humble opinion, it's his most memorable role.  It's a cult classic and won 6 Academy Awards.

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In Memory of: Raymond Allen Liotta (1954-2022)

American actor and producer

RELATED LINKS:

• Ray Liotta Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements | The Famous People
• Ray Liotta - Early Life, Movies & 'Goodfellas' | Biography
• Ray Liotta Biography, Life, Interesting Facts | Sun Signs

In Memory Of: Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020)

Today is August 29, 2020, and I was not expecting this shocking news.  A brilliant talent has departed this life far too soon. Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020). He chose his acting roles carefully. No doubt he will be remembered for being the first black superhero portrayed in American films. He was Black Panther.

Other roles he played he chose likely because they were people he admired and praised: 

• Thurgood Marshall (first African-American Supreme Court justice), 
• James Brown (known as the hardest working man in show business and the godfather of soul), and 
• Jackie Robinson (first African American to play in Major League Baseball).  

Mr. Boseman suffered quietly for 4 years but in the end, lost his life to colon cancer. "Deaths from colorectal cancer. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It's expected to cause about 53,200 deaths during 2020." (Source: Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer?)  

As expected tributes to this young man are pouring in via Twitter.

Chadwick Boseman quote worth remembering:  "press on with pride and press on with purpose.”

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

During his commencement speech at our beloved Howard, my friend Chadwick Boseman said, "press on with pride and press on with purpose.”

In his name, let’s keep fighting. pic.twitter.com/HU8Q6yQaJ4

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 29, 2020