Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Back in the mid-1980s, 17-year-old Charlie Sexton was in a unique situation. The guitar sensation headlined at clubs across the country but was legally too young to order a beer at any of them. He was encouraged to trade his rootsy blues style for synth-driven rock and had a minor hit with “Beat’s So Lonely.”
Talk about bad timing. Just as the recording industry is giving electronic music the big public relations push, Moby – techno’s premier poster boy – has shifted gears and turned to heavy metal.
It’s not often that having no money or a reputation are considered fortuitous in filmmaking. But when director Doug Pray and producer Steve Helvey decided to make a movie about the Seattle music community, their do-it-yourself attitude endeared themselves to the film’s subjects. Even reclusive Eddie Vedder spoke candidly on-camera about feeling guilty that his band, Pearl Jam, was enjoying so much success while older Seattle bands went unappreciated. “Hype!” opens today.
Rock’s prettiest couple has split up. No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and Bush’s Gavin Rossdale – the Gwyneth and Brad of the music world – have ended their 10-month relationship. But they’re still good enough friends to exchange little presents. During a recent visit to Chicago, Stefani wore a black sweater with black and white striped sleeves – exactly the kind that Rossdale favors. “Oh, it’s funny that you mention that,” Stefani said. “It was a gift from Gavin.”