Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
If you want to get on the bad side of British pop star Howard Jones, call him an entertainer. “God, I hate that word,” Jones said. “It reminds me of one of those lounge lizards singing in Vegas.”
The story of Cinderella reads like a rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale. The band’s debut album, “Night Songs,” has sold more than a million copies, and the four hard rockers are on their second major tour in two years. The Philadelphia-based quartet will be the opening act for the immensely popular Bon Jovi in concerts starting at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Rosemont Horizon.
“Somebody was saying that I was too tall to be a rock singer,” Grahame “Skin” Skinner said. “Actually, I didn’t sing in most of the groups I was in before because I didn’t think I had a good voice. I played a little guitar — very little. The theory goes that a baritone doesn’t reach his potential until he’s 35, so I’ve still got several years to ago. Then I can make my comeback.”
According to John Avila of the rock group Oingo Boingo, “Boi-ngo”– the title of their latest album – is Japanese slang for “big breasts.” “Don’t quote me on that, though,” Avila said, laughing. “I’m just the bassist, not the linguist. That’s not why we chose that name, though. It was just an interesting title that’s a play on the group’s name. It sounded like fun, and all of us agreed it was a catchy title, so we used it.”
If it weren’t for the makeup caked on his face, Judge Reinhold probably wouldn’t stand out from the crew members on the set of his latest movie, “Vice Versa.” Filmed in Chicago, “Vice Versa” marks Reinhold’s first starring role.
Cannon Films is touting actor Michael Dudikoff as the next big action hero. Luckily for him, there’s not a lot he can’t do physically.A longtime fitness enthusiast, he’s adept at most sports – except karate. That may surprise fans who saw him play a martial arts expert in “American Ninja.”
Dudikoff’s latest film, “American Ninja 2: The Confrontation,” is now playing at local theaters. The sequel to the successful 1985 thriller marks Dudikoff’s return as stoic superhero Joe Armstrong.
Back in 1982 when Chip and Tony Kinman were having critical success with their band Rank and File, the group was one of the forerunners in the return to rock’s country roots. They advertised themselves as being good ol’ boys from Austin, Texas, and Chip even spoke with a slight drawl.
Welsh musician Karl Wallinger doesn’t seem comfortable doing interviews. The singer-songwriter has no trouble coming up with answers, but isn’t used to the attention. “The last time I was in America, I was with the Waterboys,” Wallinger said by phone from New York. “Since Mike (Scott) was essentially the Waterboys, I got to sleep while he did most of the interviews. It was rather nice, actually.”
During Paul Young’s last visit to the United States, he impaled himself onstage and was propositioned on national television. He’s still not sure which made him feel more uncomfortable. “I’m never quite sure when I’m being chatted up,” said the soulful British pop singer. On NBC’s “Tonight” show, actress Sonja Braga indicated she was interested in more than Young’s British accent. “I just sat there thinking, `This can’t be happening.’ It’s quite easy to flirt when you’re onstage, but in private, it’s a totally different situation.”
David Mendenhall said one of the secrets to his success is his youthful appearance. And although the 15-year-old actor is happy playing 12-year-olds, he said he’d eventually like to play older teens.