Spotlight On Music Is Now Spotlight On Entertainment

As of July 1, 2009, this site will merge with its sister site and become Spotlight on Entertainment.

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Spotlight On Entertainment

Michael Jackson Remembered

The Hollywood Reporter Remembers Michael Jackson

Bluewater To Release Michael Jackson Tribute

Press Release


To millions he was the King of Pop; one of the world’s most cherished entertainers and a celebrated international icon. With his untimely passing, Michael Jackson left an extraordinary and tragic legacy. Bluewater Productions is paying tribute in October to his memory and legacy with a special collectors edition biography comic.

The newest addition to the publisher's critically acclaimed biography library will trace Jackson's rise as a musical prodigy with the “Jackson 5” through last Thursdays sad end. The book will feature highlights from his storied career and cover his enigmatic private life.

“Michael Jackson's music served as the soundtrack to countless lives...including mine,” said Bluewater president Darren G. Davis, “His influence on our culture has been profound.”

“TRIBUTE: Michael Jackson, King of Pop,” features a wraparound cover and foreword by "The Official Michael Jackson Fan Club’s" Giuseppe Mazzola. Mazzola was also Jackson's personal friend. The issue is being written by Wey-Yuih Loh, (Political Power: Colin Powell” and “Political Power: Joe Biden) and illustrated by Giovanni Timpano (Vincent Price Presents). Noted cover artist Vinnie Tartamella will also provide an alternate wraparound cover.

“This is a celebration of his life and what he meant to a legion of fans,” Davis said. “Although the book won’t shy away from some of his personal troubles, we try to tell a balanced story that shows Jackson as a musical genius, an unparalleled superstar and as a complex person.”



Davis noted that he initially waffled at producing a tribute comic, but after receiving dozens of emails and phone calls he knew it was the proper way to show respect and give fans a lasting remembrance.

In recent months, Bluewater has become one of the leading producers of biography comics. Launched earlier this year, Bluewater’s “Female Force” has featured influential women such as Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Sarah Palin and Oprah Winfrey. A follow-up series, "Political Power" launching in July is set to turn the spotlight on politicians like Colin Powell, Barack Obama, and Al Gore.

Bluewater’s biography titles have drawn considerable media attention, including features on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” It has also been featured in such periodicals as People Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of blogs and other media outlets.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 26: Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson was one of the founding members and artists of Motown along with Barry Gordy. His songs with The Miracles and as a solo artists were really influential in helping to define the modern pop and R & B love song. He had many hits and has composed some of the greatest songs ever written. Bob Dylan once referred to him as "America's greatest living poet". He was responsible for the Motown sound having composed and or produced some of the label's biggest hits from The Temptation's "My Girl" and "Get Ready" to Mary Well's "My Guy" just to name a few. Today Robinson will be honored by ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) with the Rhythm and Blues Award for his work as a songwriter. That makes him the best choice for artist of the day. Here he is with The Miracles singing the incredible, "OOO, Baby Baby"!

MICHAEL JACKSON'S PASSED AWAY

http://www.mjjpictures.com/main.html

There is sad news in the world of music today. Michael Jackson known around the world as the King Of Pop had died. Performing since the age of 5, Michael garnered fame as a child performer with his brothers as Motown artists the Jackson 5, became a teen idol as he and his brothers evolved in the 80s as The Jacksons and them grew to world wide superstar status as a solo artist. His album Thriller remains the best selling album to this day with his Dangerous album being the best selling album.

In his later years Jackson became a constant tabloid newspaper headline for his ever changing physical appearance and for his legal troubles.
Jackson was set to make a comeback to music with a series of concerts in London. He was 50 years old.

Michael Jackson, one of a kind.

Michael Jackson was modern music's most famous world entertainer and in later years was perhaps the most notorious. His albums Thriller and Dangerous remain the best selling albums to this day.

Michael is survived by his three children, his parents and a host of family and friends.

ABC is air a special on the life and career of Michael Jackson tonight at 9pm eastern.

Black Music Month: Artist of The Day: Michael Jackson

MICHAEL JACKSON--ANOTHER PART OF ME!

Of course any list of great black music artists would be incomplete without Michael Jackson's name on it. Performing for most of his life, he's a master story teller and one of the most exciting performers. There's no one who has done more for the evolution of modern music today as Michael Jackson. As one of the pioneer artists who helped launch MTV to what it is today, Michael's video performances speak for themselves.

Musically, he experimented with all forms of the genre including pop and rock, but it a testiment to his roots of being mentored by Motown and the great Berry Gordy, that his best music by far continues to be his soul and R&B recordings.
Here is one of those songs--"Another Part Of Me".

Black Music Month Artist of The Day: Luther Vandross

Gone too soon but certainly not forgotten, Luther Vandross's voice defined the soul sound in the 80s and 90s. Whenever people think of soul music and songs that identify soul only one name comes up, Luther. Here is his first hit, "Never Too Much".

Jonas Brothers: Secret Show

The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with The Jonas Brothers at their surprise show. Check out the videos of Nick, Joe and Kevin.

Part 1:




Part 2:

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 22: The Ojays

THE OJAYS--LOVE TRAIN

This was a universal song that inspired a lot of dancing. Although their hit, "For Love Of Money" has gained popularity recently as the theme for Donald Trump's reality show The Apprentice, "Love Train" is one of the band's most recognizable and requested song. Here is a fantastic performance of the classic song.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 21: George Clinton & Parliment

Artist of the Day: George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, The P-Funk All Stars---Atomic Dog

This song was all about dancing,wishing you were older than you really were to go to a club or a house party to dance. George Clinton was all about funk, blending all music genres into one. They certainly believed in making the show as lively and colorful as possible. They became more known for their outrageous shows than for the music. Atomic Dog hit main stream success and is often used in movies and in commercial advertising.

Check out one of their most memorable performances of the hit.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 20: Isaac Hayes

ISAAC HAYES---SHAFT!!!!

The instrumentation on this song is incredible. There really aren't words to describe it. The fact that it was an Oscar winner for Best Original Song says a lot.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 19: The Gap Band

The Gap Band- OUTSTANDING

One of the most popular R& B band of the 80s. The Wilson Brothers, Charlie, Ronnie and Robert kept many people on the dance floor in clubs around the world. They've influenced many of today's artists with Charlie collaborating with such artists as Snoop Dog and Justin Timberlake. "Party Train" and "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" were two of their biggest dance hits. Their ballads were just as memorable. "Outstanding" is one of their best.

GREEN DAY TO PREMIERE NEW VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY ON MYSPACE

Teen Choice Awards nominees, Green Day will premiere the video for their new single, "21 Guns," exclusively on MySpace Music on June 21st at midnight. The video was shot by director Marc Webb, who has previously worked with such artists as My Chemical Romance, Weezer, and All-American Rejects, and has directed his first feature film, (500) Days of Summer, which is set to be released in July.

KINGS OF LEON SIGN THE FEATURES TO NEW RECORD LABEL

Kings of Leon, in partnership with Bug Music have launched a new record label. Details of the first release on the imprint, The Features “Some Kind of Salvation,” will be announced next week. The first artist signed is fellow Tennessee brethren The Features, a band with a decade of songs and touring experience. Longtime supporters of The Features, Kings Of Leon previously toured the UK and US with the band in 2007.

The Features recently performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival and are slated to hit the road throughout the U.S. this summer and fall in support of their album release, “Some Kind of Salvation”.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 18: Al Green

Al Green's "Let's Stay together" was the first song I remember everyone in my neighborhood loving. My parents, my aunt who lived next door and even my mom's friends loved it. A typical Saturday afternoon in Indiana was the same, moms would be talking, kids would be playing kick the can, dads would be mowing lawns, teenage girls would be braiding each others hair for the summer, all just going about their day. Then this song would be playing on the radio of a car passing by and suddenly every radio within a 5 mile radius would catch on and start playing it. Soon Al Green would be playing in surround sound on Deodar Street.

Those were the days. There aren't too many songs or artists today that could have everyone stop, listen, sing or dance to all at once, no matter the age. Al Green's
"Let's Stay Together" is one of those songs. The fact that he could unite a neighborhood in a common theme for even 4 minutes at a time, makes him the Black Music Month Artist of The Day.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 17: Gladys Knight & The Pips

There's no one like Gladys Knight. Her soulful voice is one of the most distinct in the music that dominated radio and television for over three decades since the 1960s.
Performing with her brother, Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins William Guest and Edward Patten as Gladys Knight & The Pips, they helped defined family groups.

Although, Gladys was the star, the group was really an ensemble. The back vocals on their well-known hit "Midnight Train To Georgia remain of the best written and performed to this day. Check out a true black music legend, Gladys Knight & The Pips.

Black Music Month Artist Of The Day: Day 16

The spotlight artist of the day, is Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan. Highly popular in the 70's and 80's, Rufus was synonymous with helping to define the R&B/Soul sound. Chaka Khan, a diva in her own right, began her career with the band. Blending dance songs with soulful ballads makes Rufus the artist of the day. Here's one of my favorite songs: Sweet Thing.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - McFadden and Whitehead

June is Black Music Month
Day 15
McFadden and Whitehead

I am sure you heard the song but most don't know that they were songwriters for Philadelphia International Label. They wrote hits you know today such as and Backstabbers by The O'Jays and Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin & The Blue notes just to name a few.
This song is still a classic after all these years.
We lost both of them recently R.I.P. Their music will live forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuHxZWeQOC4

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Teena Marie

June is Black Music Month
Day 14
Teena Marie

One of the best female singers in the business. One of my all time favorites. Not only can she sing, but she also writes, produces and plays most instruments on her recordings.Teena started in the music business when she was 16 years old, hired as a songwriter for Motown. Rick James wanted to produce and write for her. The rest is history. Listen to this track and you will see why she is on the list and a long time favorite.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Ready For The World

June is Black Music Month
Day 13

Ready For The World

One of my favorite groups from the 80s. Ready for the world are six men from Flint, Michigan who wrote & performed all their songs. They are best known for their number one song" Oh Sheila", but this band also knew how to produce a great ballad. Here is a look at their ballad Love You Down. RFTW are touring this year so get ready for them to do it all again.