Tag Archives: the 80s

From the Hollywood Reporter: Diahann Carroll, the captivating singer and actress who came from the Bronx to win a Tony Award, receive an Oscar nomination and make television history with her turns on Julia and Dynasty, died Friday. She was 84. Carroll died at her home in Los Angeles after a long bout with cancer, her daughter, producer-journalist Suzanne Kay, …

The Associated Press reports: Ric Ocasek, The Cars frontman whose deadpan vocal delivery and lanky, sunglassed look defined a rock era with chart-topping hits like “Just What I Needed,” was discovered dead Sunday afternoon in his Manhattan apartment. The New York Police Department said that officers found the 75-year-old Ocasek at about 4 p.m. after responding to a 911 call. …

The Wrap reports: Musician Eddie Money died Friday following a battle with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, TheWrap has learned. He was 70. His family said in a statement: “The Money Family regrets to announce that Eddie passed away peacefully early this morning. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our loving husband and father. We cannot imagine …

USA Today reports: You don’t need bells and whistles when you have a voice like Freddie Mercury’s. That’s what singer/producer Dave Clark realized in 1985, when he met the larger-than-life Queen front man at London’s Abbey Road Studios to record “Time,” the title track from his sci-fi rock musical. Mercury sang a version of the song for the show’s concept …

The Guardian reports: Three Michael Jackson fan groups are suing his alleged victims in France for “sullying his memory” by taking part in the Leaving Neverland documentary, the fans’ lawyer told Agence France-Presse on Friday. The Michael Jackson Community – which claims to be the “official fan club forum” – and the MJ Street and On The Line groups accuse …

Variety reports: Jan-Michael Vincent, best known for playing the lead role in the 1980s CBS series “Airwolf,” died on Feb. 10 after suffering cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate obtained by several outlets. His death, first reported by TMZ, has only now come to light. He was 73. His image as a baby-faced blonde heartthrob was at odds with …

The New York Daily News reports: Grammy-winning singer and songwriter James Ingram, who topped the charts with hits like “Baby, Come to Me” and “Somewhere Out There,” has died, according to his close friend, actress Debbie Allen. The musician was 66. TMZ reports Ingram died after a battle with brain cancer. Ingram was nominated for a whopping 14 Grammys and …

The BBC reports: Buzzcocks lead singer Pete Shelley has died at 63 of a suspected heart attack. The punk band are best known for their hit, Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve). Their management told the BBC that Shelley died on Thursday in Estonia where he was living. BBC music correspondent Lizo Mzimba said Buzzcocks, who formed in …

Courtesy of Concord Music, tonight we have a special JMG giveaway of the new classic early disco remix compilation, For Discos Only, now available on Amazon, streaming, and download services. Craft Recordings is excited to announce the release of For Discos Only: Indie Dance Music From Fantasy & Vanguard Records (1976-1981), a comprehensive collection of the music that lit up …

The Las Vegas Journal-Review reports: Robin Leach, a celebrity columnist and television host who famously signed off each episode of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” with his signature catchphrase of “Champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” has died. “Despite the past 10 months, what a beautiful life he had. Our Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and friend Robin Leach passed away …

Gentle readers, today is Madonna’s 60th birthday. Below is a short story that first appeared on JMG on this day in 2006, a date which, as you’ll see, plays a role in the story. Ricky Loved Madonna Twenty years ago today, August 16th 1986, I was a few months into a new job with AMC Theatres, a position that I …

From the Hollywood Reporter: Twenty-five years after wrapping its seven-season run on CBS, Designing Women is plotting a return to the small screen. Series creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason is behind the revival, which hails from producers Sony Pictures Television Studios. The project has been in the works for months as the indie studio searches for a home for its revival of …

ABC News reports: Charlotte Rae, the character actress best known for her roles in “Diff’rent Strokes” and its spinoff, “The Facts of Life,” has died at age 92. Rae’s representative confirmed the news Sunday, saying she died surrounded by family and friends at her Los Angeles home. The actress’ career spanned six decades. She first charmed audiences as housekeeper Edna …

Deadline Hollywood reports: The Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees has voted to rescind two high-profile awards given to Bill Cosby following his conviction last month on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Cosby received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1998 for lifetime achievement in the performing arts. In 2009, he was the 12th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for …

The Associated Press reports: Two days after his conviction, Bill Cosby has already started life as an inmate — though his surroundings are far nicer than they likely will be in a few months. A judge says Cosby will be confined to the same suburban Philadelphia mansion where jurors concluded he drugged and molested a Temple University women’s basketball administrator, …

Buzzfeed News reports: Bill Cosby was convicted Thursday of drugging and raping Andrea Constand at his Pennsylvania home in 2004, marking a new fall from grace for a comedian who built his reputation as America’s Dad. The jury for Cosby’s first rape trial was unable to reach a verdict last year, however, this time, the jury of seven men and …

The New York Daily News reports: Nicole Eggert detailed the first time “Charles in Charge” co-star Scott Baio molested her in his garage — and revealed why she lied about it for so long. The actress, who is 11 years younger than Baio, told Megyn Kelly on Tuesday that the actor digitally penetrated her in his car in his garage …

Rolling Stone reports: After months of speculation, a medical examiner has ruled that Tom Petty died of an accidental overdose, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The Hall of Fame musician had taken several pain medications, including Fentanyl (including acetylfentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl), oxycodone and generic Xanax. Other medications included generic Restoril (a …

From the Hollywood Reporter: Broadway’s gotta have some “Hot Stuff” next spring. Producers Tommy Mottola and The Dodgers confirmed Tuesday that Summer: The Donna Summer Musical will begin previews March 28 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre ahead of an April 23 opening. The bio-musical tracing the life and career of the singer, who teamed with music producer Giorgio Moroder and Casablanca …

ABOVE: At the 1985 Xmas party described below: Me, Michael, and Barney. Originally posted May 2004. Reposted for World AIDS Day. Michael didn’t look good. We were at his annual Christmas luau party. Tons and tons of people in the house and the backyard. Standing in his kitchen, wearing a grass skirt and a ridiculous Santa hat covered in sequins, …