Yesterday, I saw my brother off at the airport for a trip out west. He’s flown only once before—in the 1990s—and air travel has changed a lot since then, especially when it comes to security. I knew he was going to be surprised at all the hoops he had to jump through before getting on the plane. But he’s in good company. Even William Shatner, the man who navigated galaxies in the 60s as the original Captain Kirk, cannot escape airport security. Shatner recalls that once during a pat-down at L.A. International, his loose-fitting pants actually FELL down! I’m sure we can all agree that this would NEVER have happened, had he been wearing his snug Star Fleet commander uniform!
Mr. Shatner, who will celebrate his 84th birthday in March, stays busy as the spokesperson for priceline.com travel company, starring in clever commercials like this one that debuted during last year’s Super Bowl.
The star just finished a national one-man stage show tour and has another in the works. The avid motorcyclist is also planning a Chicago-to-L.A. charity motorcycle ride, and enjoys competitive horseback riding to keep fit. Wouldn’t Spock be as pleased as we are to know that Captain Kirk has indeed been able to live long and prosper?
This week, I had a chance to catch the James Brown biopic “Get On Up.” Although I’ve been a fan of Brown’s music and funky style for decades, I never realized what he endured to earn the title of “The Godfather of Soul.” But the same could probably be said for anyone who chooses music as a career. There are very few “overnight” sensations, and even those people could tell you that their success was anything but overnight.
For almost 30 years now, the industry has recognized those who made the brutal climb to the top and remained relevant for 25 years or more, by inducting them into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The first induction took place on January 23, 1986, and included 10 mega-stars: Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley—the very ROOTS of rock & roll! Every year since, the music industry shows its appreciation and respect for another roster of talented people who’ve made their musical mark on the world. On April 18, this year’s inductees will be Ringo Starr, Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble, Green Day, Lou Reed, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and 3 others, bringing the 29-year total of inductees to 304! Read all the names and reminisce about your favorites at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website.
On Friday, January 9th, the lovely Duchess of Cambridge turned 33! Her radiant smile, keen fashion sense, and hands-on parenting style remind us of another princess we adored—Princess Diana.
Our fascination with royal women isn’t something new. For centuries, princess stories have been told through ancient hieroglyphics, Greek mythology, medieval plays, Grimm’s fairy tales, and of course, Walt Disney animation. There’s something so compelling about the idea of a commoner being swept off her feet by a handsome prince—or being manor-born and living happily ever after in a palace! But there’s more to royalty than tiaras and ball gowns. The princesses we adore are generous, kind and brave—traits shared by the fairy tale variety like Cinderella and Snow White, warrior princesses Wonder Woman and Princess Leia, and real-life modern day women like Diana Princess of Wales and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge. Long may they reign!
y friend Ellen bought herself an electric guitar for Christmas. She’s always wanted to learn to play, and she decided that 2015 will be the year to make it happen. That in and of itself is not so unusual; millions of people pick up the guitar each year. What makes it unique is that she is 62 years old! And her guitar of choice? The iconic Gibson Flying V!
In early January of 1958, Gibson Guitar launched its newest guitar design. Nicknamed the “Flying V,” the wide round edges of previous models were replaced by sharp futuristic angles so popular in the furniture and autos of the 50s. The name caught on, but unfortunately the design did not. After producing less than 100, Gibson stopped production of the Flying V the next year. Back in 1958, you could buy one from the Gibson catalog for $247.50. Today, an original will cost you anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000.
In the mid-60s, a young Jimi Hendrix, in search of a distinctive look and powerful sound, discovered the Flying V. His style and skill inspired a new interest in the model among musicians, so Gibson reissued it in 1967. Since then, artists including Lenny Kravitz, Neil Young, Johnny Winter, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Perry, Paul Stanley, Billy Gibbons and many others have added the iconic model to their collection, placing my friend in very good company! Rock on, Ellen!
