Wow, what a tough week in Hollywood and for all those who grew up watching and listening to them: three icons gone before you could blink. And how sad is it that all three were going through some of the toughest times in their lives when they passed?

First Ed McMahon, he of the TONIGHT SHOW 2nd chair, STAR SEARCH and TV’s PRACTICAL JOKES AND BLOOPERS, passed at the age of 86.  It appears that the bone cancer he had been suffering, among other health problems, may have contributed to his death.  (No doubt the added stress of being in financial trouble and on the verge of losing his home didn’t help…  Too bad he couldn’t have been enjoying his golden years instead of having to hawk Cash for Gold to make ends meet!)

Then, just when we were getting used to his being gone, Farrah Fawcett loses her battle with cancer at 62.  (How weird is it that all of the original Angels ended up with cancer? I’d seriously want to check out where they were filming for nuclear waste products!!) 

While I actually liked Jacklyn Smith the best of the three original Charlie’s Angels, the chemistry of the three leads together made for a fun show. Unfortunately, like many actors who leave successful shows before the storyline is really ready to let them go, Farrah’s career never really ever took off again. She ended up being known more for the men in her life and the best-selling (cheesecake) poster of all time and now for dying of a really embarrasing form of lower body cancer.  How sad is that?

Then, before we all stop reeling, the biggest shock of the week happens.  Ed McMahon was getting up there in years and Farrah had been battling cancer for a while, but Michael Jackson always seemed to go on and on no matter what bumps and bruises tossed his life.  Then, he gets accidentally done in at only 50 by the doctor that’s supposed to be watching his fragile health? (That’s just one of the many rumors running rampant right now…  Among the thousands that no doubt will spring up and grow and take on a life of their own as the days, weeks and months go by.)

I’m sorry to say I don’t really miss this Michael much.  I miss the Michael of the earlier years, the one who hadn’t gotten twisted so much by either his father or all the money or just finally being unable to cope with all the fame and pressure. I miss the originality of his early music, the magic he seemed to have lost as he lost his own way, personally and financially, not quite seeming to live in the real world anymore.  It’s too bad that it looked all downhill for him, no matter what he did.

RIP to all three. May they now have the peace and tranquility they seemed to have lost so late in their lives…

What a week…

Technorati Tags: Charlie's Angels, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, MUSIC, Obituary, Thriller, Tonight Show, TV

For the 4th time in 5 years, singer Kenny Chesney went home with the big prize:  Entertainer of the Year.  He beat out Brad Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland and Keith Urban to take top honors in this year’s Country Music Awards. Other winners included:

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Carrie Underwood
   

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Brad Paisley
   

New Artist of the Year

• Lady Antebellum
   

Vocal Group of the Year

• Rascal Flatts
   

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Sugarland
   

Single of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer)

• "I Saw God Today" George Strait Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait MCA Nashville

This year’s CMA Awards show was hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. For full information on the 2008 CMA Awards, check out their official website.

Technorati Tags: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, MUSIC

The movie hasn’t even come out yet, but TWILIGHT, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, has already set a record – its soundtrack album hit #1 on the Billboard 200 chart this week, outperforming AC/DC’s Black Ice at #2, followed by the soundtrack to Disney’s High School Musical 3 at #3, Hinder’s Take It to the Limit at #4 with Pink’s Funhouse taking spot #5.

It’s highly unusual for a soundtrack to top the charts before the movie has even hit the screens, much less take the #1 spot.

The movie, based on Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling series, comes out in theaters November 21st.  Stewart (ZATHURA) plays Bella Swan, a teenager who finds herself in love with a vampire played by Pattinson (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE).

Based on the reception the album has already received, it’s probably a safe bet the movie itself will also score big at the box office.  (Pattinson has been continually mobbed at pre-screening events by hundreds and thousands of young girls trying to get a glimpse of the actor bringing the supernatural “Edward Cullen” to life.)

If you want to check out the music for yourself, click on the box below:

Technorati Tags: Kristen Stewart, MUSIC, Robert Pattinson, TWILIGHT

Recently, I was listening to a TV music channel in the background when MERCY by Duffy came on. I looked up to watch, expecting to see a retro-1960’s black girl’s group singing it, only to be surprised to see this little Welsh blond belting it out. Needless to say, I was quite amazed at what a great voice she has, part Billie Holiday, part Ronettes, and a little Ben E. King mixed in. =)

Duffy looks like she’s got the chops to be another Bonnie Tyler or Dusty Springfield (if she keeps getting such good material.) She’s an artist I’ll be keeping an eye on to see if she fulfills her promise – I’d hate to see her end up a 1-hit wonder given her voice. Check it out:

Technorati Tags: Duffy, Mercy, MUSIC, Soul

One of my all-time favorite pop music artists, Cher, is going to have a show opening at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, starting May 6th 2008.

For anyone who missed her (many) Farewell Tour(s), this is a chance to see a really amazing stage show and hear some great classic pop music.

There will be 18 dancers and aerialists backing her up and Bob Mackie’s back doing all her costumes. (Think”The Sonny & Cher Show”!)

The concert will only run for a month when it premieres, then will return in August, so there will be 2 chances to catch it depending on when you can make it to Vegas.

I really like her new “softer” look. The jet black, totally straight hair she’s been wearing for a long time did nothing for her. The lighter brown, streaked look makes her look about 20 years younger. (She’ll be 62 this year!) And the toned down make-up really looks much better than the harsh blacks she was using! (And she’s one of the only people I know who can wear something that looks like it got caught in a shredder and make it look sexy. LOL) I should only look that good when I reach her age! (Which is sneaking up on me fast!)

BTW, don’t miss Cher making a special presentation at The Grammys tonight!

Click Here for CHER Tickets at Caesars Palace

Cher’s Official Website

Technorati Tags: Cher, Concerts, MUSIC, Pop Music