Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Author: Pop Expresso

Roy Thomas Baker 1946-2025

Baker co-produced several of Queen’s early albums, including Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, and Jazz. His work on “Bohemian Rhapsody” is particularly renowned, showcasing his innovative production techniques. Baker’s production credits also included albums for The Cars, Journey, Foreigner, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, and The Smashing Pumpkins, among others

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Remembering the iconic child star Shirley Temple

By the time she was six, Shirley had appeared in a string of immensely popular films—”Bright Eyes,” “Curly Top” and “Heidi” among them—endearing herself to Depression‑era audiences with her trademark ringlets, sunny smile and tap‑dance routines

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The filmmaker Michael Moore celebrates 71 today

Moore’s breakthrough came in 1989 with the television series “TV Nation,” a satirical news magazine that blended humor and investigative journalism. He cemented his reputation in 1989’s “Roger & Me,” a cinéma vérité portrait of Flint’s factory closures that heralded a new style of activist documentary

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Peter Frampton celebrates 75 today

His career reached stratospheric heights in 1976 with the double‑live album “Frampton Comes Alive!,” which captured the Grammy‑nominated hits “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do,” and made him one of the world’s best‑selling artists of the decade

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Jack Nicholson celebrates 88 today

After a string of small, often uncredited parts in the early 1960s, Nicholson’s big break came in 1969 with his memorable turn as a laid‑back biker in “Easy Rider.” He followed that with a stunning lead in “Five Easy Pieces” (1970), earning his first Oscar nomination

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John Waters celebrates 79 today

Known as the “Pope of Trash,” Waters found his creative voice in the 1970s with a unique troupe of misfit actors known as the Dreamlanders, most notably the iconic drag queen Divine who delivered the memorable performance in the now cult movie “Pink Flamingos,” and reached mainstream audiences during the 1980s and 1990s with movies such as “Hairspray” and “Cry Baby”

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Remembering Aaron Spelling

Spelling’s first big success came in the 1960s with series like “Naked City” and “The Mod Squad,” but it was in the 1970s and ’80s—first through his partnership with Leonard Goldberg and later under his own banner, Spelling Television—that he truly reshaped prime‑time TV

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The actress Andie MacDowell celebrates 67 today

Her film breakthrough came in 1989 when director Steven Soderbergh cast her in “Sex, Lies, and Videotape.” Her nuanced performance as a quietly introspective woman won critical acclaim and helped usher in the independent‑film movement of the 1990s

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The Cure’s Robert Smith turns 66 today

The Cure scored several hit songs throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s with their unique blend of Post Punk, Goth Rock and Pop music. They are still as relevant and popular today as they were back then. Robert Smith, co-founder and lead singer turns 66 today

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George Takei celebrates 88 today

Takei earned a full scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied theater arts and soon moved to New York to pursue acting, winning early roles on Broadway and in television guest spots before landing what would become his signature part: helmsman Hikaru Sulu aboard the USS Enterprise in “Star Trek.” His warm portrayal made Sulu one of the first prominent Asian‑American characters on American television

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Remembering Ryan O’Neal

In 1964 he landed his first major role as Rodney Harrington on the hit ABC soap opera “Peyton Place,” becoming a teenage heartthrob and household name. He made a seamless transition to the big screen at the end of the decade, earning an Academy Award nomination for his turn as the romantic lead in “Love Story” (1970)

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Remembering Luther Vandross

In 1981 Vandross burst onto the scene as a solo artist with his timeless debut single “Never Too Much,” launching an illustrious run of soulful ballads and smooth grooves that would earn him four Grammy Awards and become the soundtrack of a generation

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Jessica Lange celebrates 76 today

Her screen debut came in 1976’s blockbuster “King Kong,” in which her portrayal of Ann Darrow—equal parts vulnerable and resilient—announced her as a star overnight. Over the next decade she delivered a string of powerhouse performances: as the troubled actress Frances Farmer in “Frances” (1982), a role that earned her first Academy Award nomination

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On this day in 1992 The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert takes place in a crowded Wembley Stadium, featuring an all star line up

In 1992, a few months after Freddie Mercury’s untimely death caused by AIDS, Queen and a group of legendary artists and musicians including David Bowie, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John, George Michael, Roger Daltrey, Tony Iommi and Robert Plant among many others, gathered to pay tribute to the Queen legend in order to launch The Mercury Phoenix Trust, an AIDS charity organization

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The actor Tim Curry celebrates 79 today

His international breakthrough came in 1973 when he originated the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter in the stage musical “The Rocky Horror Show”; two years later he reprised the part in Jim Sharman’s film adaptation “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” becoming a cult icon

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The actor James Franco turns 47 today

Franco’s breakthrough came in 2002 when he landed the role of Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi’s “Spider‑Man” trilogy, establishing him as a young leading man. He followed this with a string of acclaimed performances: portraying James Dean in “James Dean,” winning a Golden Globe; playing a conflicted photographer in “127 Hours,” earning an Academy Award nomination

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Remembering Dudley Moore

His most celebrated role came in the 1981 movie “Arthur,” where his portrayal of the lovable, hard‑drinking millionaire earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor

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Mark Volman of The Turtles turns 78 today

During the late 1960’s Volman scored hits as a member of The Turtles with songs such as “Happy Together” and “Eleanore” and later became also a member of Frank Zappa’s The Mothers of Invention. Today he turns 78

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The actor Rick Moranis turns 72 today

Moranis’s film career took off in 1984 with a supporting turn as the endearingly awkward Louis Tully in “Ghostbusters,” followed by his scene‑stealing appearances in “Spaceballs” as the teenage loner Dark Helmet and “Little Shop of Horrors” in 1986

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James Woods celebrates 78 today

Wood’s film debut came in the mid‑1970s, but he broke through with a magnetic performance as a tortured photojournalist in Oliver Stone’s “Salvador,” earning his first Academy Award nomination and later delivered a chilling portrayal of real‑life Klansman Byron De La Beckwith in the 1996 “Ghosts of Mississippi,” which brought him a second Oscar nod

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The actor Eric Roberts celebrates 69 today

Roberts made his feature‑film debut in 1977’s “King of the Gypsies,” earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and in the 1990s and 2000s Roberts became known both for leading roles in indie and genre films and for his steady work on television

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Conan O´Brien celebrates 62

His big break came in 1988 when he was hired as a writer for “Saturday Night Live,” where he helped craft classic sketches and soon became known for his sharp wit and as host of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” he developed his own off‑beat style, combining surreal comedy bits, self‑deprecating humor and a penchant for intricate musical stunts

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Remembering Henry Mancini

Through the 1960s and ’70s he became one of Hollywood’s most sought‑after composers, crafting instantly recognizable melodies for films such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (including the wistful “Moon River”), the “Pink Panther” series (with its sly, swinging title theme)

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Remembering Dusty Springfield

Dusty’s solo career took off in late 1963 with the buoyant single “I Only Want to Be with You,” which cemented her status as Britain’s leading blue‑eyed soul singer, scoring several hits across the 1960s and 1970s including “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”

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The talented singer-songwriter Linda Perry turns 60

Linda Perry rose to fame during the 1990’s with the Alternative Rock anthem “What’s Up” unique songwriting talent, led her to write and produce songs for an impressive number of artists from many different genres including Pink, Courtney Love and even Enrique Iglesias

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The actor Adrien Brody turns 52 today

His breakthrough came with Roman Polanski’s The Pianist in 2002, in which he portrayed Polish pianist Władysław Szpilman. At 29, Brody became the youngest actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for this role

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The Scottish actor Robert Carlyle celebrates 64 today

His breakthrough came with the roles of Francis Begbie in the 1996 movie Trainspotting and Gaz in The Full Monty, the latter earning him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor.​ On television, he starred in Stargate Universe and portrayed Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold in Once Upon a Time

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Remembering the actor Paul Sorvino

In 1990, Sorvino delivered one of his most memorable performances as mobster Paulie Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and he also portrayed NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerreta on the television series Law & Order from 1991 to 1992

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Remembering the actor Jonathan Brandis

In the early 1990s, Brandis became a prominent teen actor when he starred as Bastian Bux in “The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter” and portrayed Bill Denbrough in the original television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s “It”

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Remembering Shannen Doherty

​Doherty rose to prominence in the 1990s with her portrayal of Brenda Walsh in the popular teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210” and later with her role as Prue Halliwell in the supernatural series “Charmed”

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The actor Andy Garcia turns 69 today

Garcia’s film debut came in 1983 with “Blue Skies Again,” but his breakthrough role was as Agent George Stone in Brian De Palma’s 1987 blockbuster “The Untouchables” and in 1990 gained further acclaim for his performance as Vincent Mancini in “The Godfather Part III,” earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor

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David Letterman celebrates 78 today

In 1982, Letterman launched “Late Night with David Letterman” on NBC, introducing audiences to his unique brand of humor and after a network transition in 1993, he began hosting “The Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS, where he remained until his retirement in 2015

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Julian Lennon celebrates 62 today

As a child, he inspired the Beatles’ songs “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “Hey Jude,” the latter written by Paul McCartney to comfort him during his parents’ divorce, and released his debut album, Valotte, in 1984, which earned critical praise and commercial success, scoring a global hit with the track “Too Late for Goodbyes”

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Clem Burke 1954-1975

In 1975, Burke joined the band Blondie, shortly after its formation by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein. His energetic and versatile drumming became a defining element of the band’s sound, playing on all the Blondie albums and contributing to hits like “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” and “One Way or Another.” He passed away at age 70.

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Remembering the British actor Gorden Kaye

Kaye’s acting career took off in the 1970s with appearances in British television series such as Coronation Street, but it was his portrayal of René, the reluctant French café owner caught up in wartime absurdities, that brought him international fame

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Billy Dee Williams turns 88 today

Billy Dee Williams was born on April 6, 1937, in New York City. Williams became a blockbuster sci-fi legend with his role as Lando Calrissian in “The Empire Strikes Back” & “Return of the Jedi”

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Remembering the Hollywood legend Spencer Tracy

Throughout his career, Tracy was celebrated for his naturalistic acting style and versatility. He starred in a diverse range of films, including “Father of the Bride,” “Bad Day at Black Rock,” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” the latter marking his ninth and final on-screen collaboration with Katharine Hepburn

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Remembering the Led Zeppelin manager and mastermind Peter Grant

In 1968, Grant became the manager of Led Zeppelin, guiding the band from its inception until its disbandment in 1980. His hands-on approach and formidable negotiating skills secured unprecedented deals for the band, significantly improving financial and contractual terms for musicians in their dealings with concert promoters and record labels

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Remembering the controversial record producer Joe Meek

In 1960, Meek established his own production company, RGM Sound, operating from a home studio above a shop, where he recorded and produced several artists and songs including the 1962 instrumental hit “Telstar” by The Tornados. This track became the first by a British group to reach number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and showcased Meek’s pioneering use of electronic sounds and recording techniques. He also famously rejected producing The Beatles upon hearing a demo from the band prior to their success. Later in his life, Meek’s mental health problems resulted in a murder and suicide, which stained his career and achievements

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Remembering the influential Muddy Waters

A seminal figure in the development of modern blues music, Waters’ dynamic performances and innovative use of amplification not only defined the Chicago blues genre but also significantly influenced the development of rock and roll

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Remembering the Australian actor Heath Ledger

Ledger’s breakthrough in Hollywood came with the teen comedy “10 Things I Hate About You” in 1999. In 2008, Ledger delivered a memorable performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” a role that posthumously earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

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Remembering actor Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins was born in New York City, on April 4, 1932, most well-known part as innkeeper Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ (1960). Perkins died on September 12, 1992, in Hollywood, California due to AIDS-related pneumonia.

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Robert Downey Jr. turns 60 today

Actor Robert Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965, in New York City, the son of the avant-garde filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., who is best known for the film “Putney Swope” (1969). The actor is known for roles in a wide variety of films, including ‘Iron Man,’ (2008) ‘The Avengers,’ (2012) ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ (2009) and ‘Chaplin’ (1992).

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Remembering the Hollywood icon Doris Day

She began her career as a vocalist in the late 1930s, achieving her first major success with the song “Sentimental Journey” in 1945 and made her film debut in 1948 with “Romance on the High Seas” leading to a series of successful musicals and comedies throughout the 1950s and 1960s

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The actor Alec Baldwin celebrates 67 today

Baldwin’s acting career began in television, with a notable role on the soap opera “The Doctors” from 1980 to 1982. Transitioning to film, Baldwin appeared in the 1988 Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” and achieved leading man status with “The Hunt for Red October” in 1989

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Val Kilmer 1959-2025

One of the most talented actors of his generation, Val Kilmer came to prominence during the 1980’s in movies such as “Top Gun” and solidified his career when he played the role of The Doors singer Jim Morrison in 1991. Val Kilmer passed away on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, in Los Angeles. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer stated the cause of death as pneumonia. He was 65.

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Remembering the Prince of Soul, Marvin Gaye

The legendary Marvin Gaye was pivotal in taking Soul music to the mainstream during the 1960’s. He released several memorable songs such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology”), “What’s Going On” and “Sexual Healing” among others. His life was cut short at the age of 44 by his own father. We look back at his career on what would have been his 86th birthday

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In his own words: 15 Quotes by Serge Gainsbourg

The iconic Serge Gainsbourg had a way with the words, never comfortable with the establishment, throughout his life he wrote beautiful memorable songs and poems that continue to influence and inspire new generations of musicians, poets and artists around the world. To celebrate his anniversary, we’ve gathered together 15 memorable quotes by the man himself

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Marvin Gaye’s last hours

On April 1, 1984, Marvin was fatally shot by his father in their Los Angeles home. On the day of the murder, Marvin and Marvin Sr. were arguing about a misplaced insurance policy document. At this point, the relationship between Marvin and his father was as heated as ever- Marvin’s sister had moved out of the house just to avoid the conflict

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Remembering Richard Chamberlain on his birthday

Chamberlain’s acting career began with guest roles on television, but he gained widespread recognition in 1961 as the titular character in the medical drama “Dr. Kildare” and in the 1970s and 1980s, Chamberlain became known as the “King of the Miniseries” for his leading roles in acclaimed productions such as “Shōgun” and “The Thorn Birds”

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The legendary Herb Alpert celebrates 90

In 1962, Alpert co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss, which became one of the most successful independent record labels. That same year, he formed Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, achieving widespread acclaim with their unique blend of jazz, Latin, and pop influences

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The Placebo bassist Stefan Olsdal celebrates 51

In 1994, a chance encounter with Brian Molko at a London tube station led to the formation of the band Placebo. The band’s unique blend of alternative rock and androgynous aesthetics quickly garnered attention, and they became one of the most influential and important Alternative Rock bands over the last 30 years, releasing albums such as “Without You I’m Nothing,” “Black Market Music” and “Sleeping with Ghosts”

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The Scottish actor Ewan McGregor celebrates 54

McGregor gained international recognition for his portrayal of Mark Renton, a heroin addict, in Danny Boyle’s 1996 film “Trainspotting,” which led to several successful and iconic roles, including Obi-Wan Kenobi in the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy

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The 45 rpm Single turns 76

In 1949 RCA Victor introduced the first 45 rpm single. Nowadays, in music, the word single does not refer to vinyl only, but with the vinyl records resurgence in recent years, the original single format has made a comeback

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Remembering Robbie Coltrane

In 2001, though, Coltrane’s celebrity status went global when he was cast as Hagrid, the half-giant gamekeeper of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry in the first film adaptation of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, reportedly at Rowling’s insistence

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Celine Dion celebrates 57

Dion gained international recognition after winning the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Switzerland with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” but it wasn’t up until the 1990s that Dion ascended to global superstardom. Her albums “Falling into You” and “Let’s Talk About Love” each sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and with the 1997 “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song for the film “Titanic,” she earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song

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The singer-songwriter Norah Jones celebrates 46

The daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar, in 2002 she released her debut album, “Come Away with Me,” whose intimate blend of jazz, pop and soul struck a chord worldwide—earning five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and selling over 27 million copies

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Stop! It’s MC Hammer’s birthday

“Stop! Hammertime” became one of the most popular and used expressions ever in Pop Culture, all credit goes to MC Hammer when he first used it on his smash hit “U Can’t Touch This”. The artist that brought Rap to the worldwide masses and had one of the quickest risings and falls in the music industry turns 63 today. We look back at his career

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Folk singer and artist Tracy Chapman turns 61 today

Tracy Chapman’s beautifully crafted modern folk songs marked the difference back in the 1980’s. She put Folk and simple songs back in the charts just like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez had made it back in the 60’s. We look back at her career today that she turns 61

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Richard Chamberlain 1934-2025

Chamberlain’s acting career began with guest roles on television, but he gained widespread recognition in 1961 as the titular character in the medical drama “Dr. Kildare” and in the 1970s and 1980s, Chamberlain became known as the “King of the Miniseries” for his leading roles in acclaimed productions such as “Shōgun” and “The Thorn Birds”

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Remembering the jazz legend Pearl Bailey

Her sultry voice and comedic timing made her a sought-after performer in both the music and film industries. In 1952, her rendition of “Takes Two to Tango” became a top ten hit, and her Broadway debut came in 1946 with “St. Louis Woman,” earning her the Donaldson Award for Best Newcomer

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Mariah Carey celebrates 56

Throughout the 1990s, Carey solidified her status as a leading artist with albums like “Emotions,” “Music Box” and “Daydream,” scoring multiple worldwide hits including “Hero” and “Without You”

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The best 20 Elton John songs

Controversial, talented and a world class entertainer, Elton John turns 78 years old, to celebrate it, look back at 20 of his very best songs, from his 70’s classics to the shift into 80’s modern pop beats and throughout his return during the 1990’s and 21st century to the classic formula that first made him famous

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Remembering comedy legend Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle

At the height of his fame, Arbuckle signed a lucrative contract with Paramount Pictures, reportedly worth $1 million annually, underscoring his immense popularity. However, his career took a dramatic downturn in 1921 when he was wrongly accused of the rape and manslaughter of actress Virginia Rappe following a party in San Francisco. Despite being acquitted after three trials, the scandal severely damaged his reputation and led to a de facto ban from the film industry

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The actor Robert Carradine celebrates 71

Carradine made his film debut in 1972, appearing alongside John Wayne in “The Cowboys.” In 1984, Carradine gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in the comedy “Revenge of the Nerds.” The film’s success led to several sequels, with Carradine reprising his role in each installment

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Remembering Joseph Barbera

In 1937, Barbera joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) as a sketch artist, where he met William Hanna. Together, they created the iconic “Tom and Jerry” series, producing over 100 episodes between 1940 and 1957, and winning seven Academy Awards

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German singer Nena turns 65 today

As the lead singer for the German new wave band Nena, she had a string of hits during the 1980’s, even topping the US Hot 100 to No.2 with the smash hit “99 Red Balloons.” We look back at her life her career on the day she turns 65

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Remembering the comedian and actor John Pinette

Pinette’s comedic style often revolved around self-deprecating humor, particularly focusing on his experiences with weight and food. Beyond stand-up, Pinette appeared in various films and television shows. Notably, he played the carjacking victim in the final episode of the sitcom “Seinfeld” in 1998.

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Remembering the film legend Akira Kurosawa

Kurosawa’s international breakthrough occurred with the release of “Rashomon” in 1950. This success was followed by a series of masterpieces, including “Ikiru,” “Seven Samurai,” and “Throne of Blood,” each reflecting his distinctive storytelling and visual style. He was born on this day in 1910.

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The actor Richard Grieco celebrates 60

He gained widespread recognition in 1988 when he joined the cast of the television series “21 Jump Street” as Detective Dennis Booker, a role that led to the spin-off series “Booker,” which aired from 1989 to 1990

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Chaka Khan celebrates 72

In the early 1970s, Chaka Khan joined the funk band Rufus as their lead vocalist, delivering several successful albums and singles, including “Sweet Thing” and “Ain’t Nobody” and later launching her own successful solo career

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The actress Reese Witherspoon celebrates 49

Witherspoon’s acting career began at the age of 14 when she was cast in the leading role of Dani Trant in “The Man in the Moon”, earning critical acclaim for her performance. Throughout the 1990s, she appeared in various films, including “Fear” and “Cruel Intentions” and in 2005, she portrayed June Carter Cash in the biographical film “Walk the Line,” a performance that garnered her the Academy Award for Best Actress

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The British actor Timothy Dalton celebrates 79

Dalton’s film debut came in 1968 with his portrayal of Philip II of France in “The Lion in Winter” and in 1980 he appeared as Prince Barin in the cult classic “Flash Gordon.” In 1987 he gained international prominence as the fourth actor to portray James Bond in the Eon Productions film series. He starred in “The Living Daylights” and “License to Kill,” bringing a darker and more serious tone to the iconic character

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Remembering the Soul legend Solomon Burke

In 1960, Burke signed with Atlantic Records, marking the beginning of a prolific recording career. His unique blend of gospel, rhythm and blues, and country influences produced a series of hits, including “Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms),” “Cry to Me,” and “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”

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Actress and comedian Rosie O´Donell celebrates 63

Her big break came in 1984 when she appeared on the television talent show “Star Search,” gaining national recognition and led to various television and film roles, including appearances on the sitcom “Gimme a Break!” and parts in movies such as “A League of Their Own,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “The Flintstones”

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The former Supertramp co-frontman Roger Hogson celebrates 75

In 1969, he co-founded Supertramp with Rick Davies, serving as the band’s co-frontman until his departure in 1983. During his tenure with Supertramp, Hodgson composed and sang many of the band’s most successful songs, including “Dreamer,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home,” “The Logical Song,” “It’s Raining Again,” and “Breakfast in America”

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The British actor Gary Oldman celebrates 67

Oldman’s professional acting career began in the theater, and he gained prominence in the big screen with his portrayal of punk rocker Sid Vicious in the 1986 biopic “Sid and Nancy” and later as Lee Harvey Oswald in “JFK” and Count Dracula in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”

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The film director Spike Lee celebrates 68

His 1989 movie “Do the Right Thing,” which delves into racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and he continued to explore complex social and political issues in films such as “Malcolm X” in 1992

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The actress Holly Hunter celebrates 67

Her breakthrough came in 1987 with two significant roles: Edwina “Ed” McDunnough in the Coen Brothers’ comedy “Raising Arizona,” and Jane Craig in “Broadcast News,” the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and in 1993 with her portrayal of Ada McGrath, a mute pianist, in Jane Campion’s “The Piano,” her performance garnered widespread acclaim, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe awards

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Remembering Chester Benington

Benington’s breakthrough came in 1999 when he became the lead singer of Linkin Park. The band’s debut album, “Hybrid Theory” in 2000, was a massive success, featuring hits like “Crawling” and “In the End.” He was born on this day in 1976

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Remembering the acting legend William Hurt

One of the most acclaimed contemporary actors of all time, he played memorable roles in films such as “Kiss of the Spider Woman”, “Children of a Lesser God” and “The Big Chill” among several others. He was born on this day in 1950

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60’s sex symbol Ursula Andress turns 89

Former actress, model, and sex symbol Ursula Andress was born on March 19, 1936, in Ostermundigen, Switzerland. Andress is best known for her breakthrough role as Bond girl Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, “Dr. No” in 1962

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Queen Latifah celebrates 55

In 1993, she achieved global success with the release of the album “Black Reign,” which included the Grammy Award-winning track “U.N.I.T.Y.,” addressing issues of sexism and violence against women, while at the same time also launching her successful acting career

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The British actress and former model Lesley-Anne Down celebrates 71

Down’s acting career commenced with roles in British films such as “The Smashing Bird I Used to Know” in 1969. Transitioning to Hollywood, Down appeared in notable films including “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” and “The First Great Train Robbery” alongside Sean Connery. During the 1980s, Down gained further prominence for her portrayal of Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the American miniseries “North and South”

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Actor Patrick Duffy turns 76 today

Patrick Duffy is best known for playing Bobby Ewing on the long-running television series “Dallas”. He also starred on the TV shows “Man from Atlantis” and “Step by Step,” among other roles

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Remembering Comedy legend Jerry Lewis

In 1946, he partnered with singer Dean Martin to form the comedy duo Martin and Lewis. Their act gained national acclaim through performances in nightclubs, on radio, and television appearances. After the duo split, Lewis led a successful career starring in movies such as “The Bellboy” and “The Nutty Professor”

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Remembering the influential Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci

Bertolucci’s cinematic career began under the mentorship of Pier Paolo Pasolini, serving as an assistant director on the 1961 film “Accattone.” In 1987, his magnum opus, “The Last Emperor,” that chronicled the life of China’s final monarch, Puyi, achieved critical and commercial success, earning nine Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture

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Heart singer and guitarist Nancy Wilson turns 71 today

Together with her sister Ann, they became the first women to front a Hard Rock band. With Heart, Nancy Wilson scored several hits that are now regarded as Rock classics such as “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” “Alone,” “These Dreams” and “What About Love” among others. She turns 71 today

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The legendary Sly Stone celebrates 82

In 1966, he formed Sly and the Family Stone, a groundbreaking band celebrated for its fusion of soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel. The group’s diverse, multiracial, and mixed-gender composition mirrored the inclusive messages in their music

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The singer Rockwell celebrates 61

The son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Rockwell’s 1984 debut single, “Somebody’s Watching Me,” featuring guest vocals by Michael Jackson remains one of the most memorable 1980s hits

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Terence Trent D’Arby turns 63 today

Terence Trent D’Arby had a string of hit singles during the late 1980’s including “Sign Your Name” with his acclaimed debut album “Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby,” today, the singer that has changed his name to Sananda Francesco Maitreya, turns 63

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Remembering Quincy Jones

Record producer, actor, conductor, arranger, composer, musician, television producer, film producer, instrumentalist, magazine founder, entertainment company executive, and humanitarian, Quincy Jones was one of the most powerful and acclaimed figures of music and showbiz. 

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Remembering Scatman John

In the 1970s and 1980s, John Larkin established himself as a jazz pianist in Los Angeles, however, it wasn’t until the 1990s that he achieved international fame when he released the worldwide dance hit “Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Bop)” in 1994 under the name Scatman John

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Bobby McFerrin turns 75 today

Bobby McFerrin was born March 11, 1950, in New York, NY. He is best known for his song, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” which reached No.1 in the U.S Hot 100 on September 24th, 1988

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The Cult of The Hero: “Flash Gordon”

A movie that will take you on a magical journey, through different worlds and where you really don’t have to make sense of anything, just enjoy the trip, the color, the action scenes, the beautiful vintage FX’s and Queen’s perfect score along with it.

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Ernie Isley celebrates 73

Ernie Isley officially joined The Isley Brothers in 1973, contributing heavily to their transformation from a vocal harmony group into a powerful, instrument-driven band

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David Gilmour celebrates 79 today

In 1967, David Gilmour joined Pink Floyd, initially to support Syd Barrett, but took on a more prominent role as the band’s guitarist and co-lead vocalist and his smooth yet emotive guitar work became a defining element of Pink Floyd’s sound

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Eddy Grant turns 77 today

The Guyanese British vocalist and musician Eddy Grant delivered smash hits throughout his career including “Baby Come Back” (with the Equals) and “Electric Avenue”

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Remembering Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb was the youngest brother of the famed Bee Gees and during the late 1970s quickly became a teen sensation, known for his smooth voice, youthful charm, and disco-influenced pop sound

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Jennifer Warnes celebrates 78 today

Despite her memorable songs, hits and collaborations since the 1970s, it was her collaboration with Bill Medley on the hit song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” from the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, that catapulted her into global fame

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David Johansen 1950-2025

The frontman of the influential proto-punk and glam rock band New York Dolls, passed away on February 28, 2025, at the age of 75. He was the last surviving member of the band’s original line-up.

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The Who’s Roger Daltrey turns 81

One of the most legendary and iconic Rock singer and frontmen ever, Roger Daltrey influenced and continues to influence generations of singers, with his unique vocals and charismatic stage presence

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Gene Hackman 1930-2025

Throughout his career, Hackman made film history by playing some of the most memorable roles ever in movies such as “French Connection,” “Superman: The Movie” or “Mississippi Burning”

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Michael Bolton celebrates 72 today

In the mid-1970s Bolton cut his teeth as the frontman for hard-rockers Black Oak Arkansas before embarking on a solo career that saw him evolve into one of adult contemporary’s defining voice, scoring hits such as the power-ballad “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”

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Roberta Flack 1937-2025

Roberta Flack was the first and the only solo artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year on two consecutive years. She will be remembered by her #1 singles “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” among many others.

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George Harrison: The Quiet Beatle

George Harrison’s life was cut short, but his influence in music can still be heard today, together with John Lennon, Harrison was the most daring of the four Beatles on what concerned experimenting with music. We look back at his life and career on his 82nd birthday

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David Geffen celebrates 82

He founded and co-founded some of the entertainment industries most significant music labels and film production companies including Asylum Records, Geffen and Dreamworks

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Kurt Cobain 58th Anniversary Special

A talented artist, songwriter, musician and a passionate advocate for women’s and gay rights, Kurt Cobain left the earthly plan by his own hand on April 8, 1994, at age 27, but today we celebrate his life with a special feature that includes 6 articles to remember Kurt Cobain

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Yoko Ono turns 92 today

The artist Yoko Ono is most famous for her marriage and relationship to John Lennon, but she has had a long and productive artistic career on several fields and her experimental music influenced many of the early Alternative Rock and Art Rock movement

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Remembering Jackie Gleason

In 1951 he created and starred in the television variety program “The Jackie Gleason Show,” introducing a host of beloved characters before achieving immortal fame as bus driver Ralph Kramden in the classic sitcom “The Honeymooners”

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Original Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor turns 64 today

With Duran Duran, Andy Taylor reached the pinnacle of his success during the 1980’s, but the guitarist has had also a successful solo career collaborating with many other artists and with Power Station back in the 1980’s. Look back at Taylor’s life and career on the day he turns 64

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Remembering the artist and politician Sonny Bono on his birthday

Sonny Bono helped to launch Cher’s career with their successful duo Sonny & Cher back in the 1960’s, with a string of hits such as “I Got You Babe” or “The Beat Goes On.” But he also wrote many songs for other artists and had an active acting career and later in his life, also as a politician. Look back at Sonny Bono’s life

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Looking back at 1931’s Dracula

There’s something very sexy and erotic about vampires. It’s probably the intimacy of their assaults and the fact that they traditionally choose to appear in your bedroom in the middle of the night, maybe. But back in 1931, director Tod Browning was pretty direct about bloodsucking as a euphemism for sex in his classic “Dracula”

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Robbie Williams turns 51 today

Singer Robbie Williams was born on February 13, 1974, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. At 16, he was selling double glazing when his mother told him about an audition for a boy band. He would help earn Take That six No. 1 singles and three No. 1 albums. His single from it, “Angels,” sold more than 800,000 copies and spent over three months in the UK’s top 10.

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Henry Rollins turns 64 today

Henry Rollins was born on February 13, 1961, in Washington, D.C. his parents divorced when he was very young and was mainly raised by his mother. He was working at an ice cream store when he caught his first big break. At a Black Flag show in New York, he jumped on stage and sang a song with the band.

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Roxette’s Per Gessle turns 66 today

Roxette had an impressive string of hit songs during the late 80’s and early 90’s, the Swedish duo consisting of Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, ruled the airwaves around the globe during that period, today, Per turns 66

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David Bowie releases “Sound and Vision” in 1977

On February 11, 1977, one of David Bowie’s most revolutionary and famous songs, “Sound and Vision,” was the first single to be released from the album “Low,” the Experimental Electronic-Rock adventure of the Berlin period. The back vocals on the song were done by a very special singer

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The actress Emma Roberts celebrates 34 today

The daughter of Eric Robers and niece of Julia Roberts, she made her acting debut at the age of nine in the film “Blow” portraying the daughter of Johnny Depp’s character and became one of the most popular contemporary actresses through her work in the anthology series “American Horror Story”

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Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack turns 88 today

Roberta Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She is known for her #1 singles “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and for “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You,” two of her many duets with Donny Hathaway.

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The actor Joe Pesci celebrates 82 today

Pesci’s acting breakthrough came with his role in Martin Scorsese’s 1980 “Raging Bull,” where he portrayed Joey LaMotta, earning him an Academy Award nomination and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor with his acclaimed performances in the 1990 movie “Goodfellas”

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Nick Nolte celebrates 83 today

Nolte first garnered national attention with his role in the 1976 television miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man,” and during the 1980’s became known for his lead roles in films such as the 1982 action classic “48 Hrs.”

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James Dean – An Unfinished Book

Remembering James Dean on the 94th anniversary of his birth. Like a lot of celebrities of his time, James Dean always carried around a certain aura of mystery that endures to this day. This might be also because of the fact he died young and as we all now know, that is a certain morbid formula to eternity that allows people like Dean to be remembered forever. Explore some facts of Dean’s short life on this article

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Mamie Van Doren Turns 94

Mamie Van Doren was born Joan Lucille Olander on February 6, 1931, in Rowena, South Dakota. She is an actress, known for “The Navy vs. the Night Monsters” (1966), “Teacher’s Pet” (1958) and “Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women” (1968)

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Rick Astley turns 61 today

The British singer became popular during the late 1980’s with songs such as “Never Gonna Give You Up” produced by the famous team Stock Aitken Waterman, despite that in recent years he’s more famous for the “rickrolling,” his career has been much more than that

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The Ballad Of Alice “Super Duper Alice Cooper”

Alice Cooper celebrates 77 years old today. Celebrate the icon’s birthday by watching “Super Duper Alice Cooper.” an essential documentary that will give you a better glimpse of the man behind Alice Cooper, the persona that almost drove Vincent Furnier to death

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Shakira turns 48 today

Shakira has one of the most impressive music careers of the last 25 years, the hot Colombian singer became worldwide famous during the early 2000’s with the song “Whenever, Wherever” and ever since she’s unbeatable. We look back at her career and some interesting facts about Shakira, on the day she turns 48

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The Legend of Sid Vicious: Live Fast, Die Young

Sid Vicious perhaps remains the most important Punk Rock icon of all time, but the price he paid for his immortality came earlier when he passed away from an overdose on February 2nd, 1979, in New York, aged only 21. We look back at his life and career on the day that marks the anniversary of his untimely death

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The actress Sherilyn Fenn turns 60

Sherilyn Fenn’s most memorable role remains the reckless Audrey Horne in the David Lynch’s cult TV series “Twin Peaks” but despite that famous role and her talent, she never made it into stardom

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Remembering Lisa Marie Presley on her birthday

The daughter of the ultimate rock legend of all time, Lisa Marie Presley was in the limelight all her life, not always for the best of the reasons. From the loss of her father at age 9, to a disastrous marriage to Michael Jackson in the 90’s, the weight of the Presley name brought her bitterness at times, and ultimately ended up in tragedy

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So long, Marianne: Marianne Faithfull 1946-2025

The singer and actress Marianne Faithfull was one of the biggest and most enduring 1960’s icons. She first came to prominence in 1964 with the Jagger/Richards penned “As Tears Go By” and shortly after became Mick Jagger’s steady girlfriend for over three years and the Rolling Stones muse, until drug addiction stroke her life costing her voice, but her career remained intact as she found her unique way to successfully adapt her “new” vocals to new music after that incident, resulting in a celebrated and influential career that lasted 6 decades. Marianne Faithfull passed away at age 78 in London, England on January 30th

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Christian Bale turns 51 today

Christian Bale made his big screen debut at age 13 in Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” and aside of his talent, is also known as taking acting methods to the extreme by exposing his body to transformations that he regards as necessary to embody the characters

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Phil Collins turns 74 today

Phil Collins first came to prominence during the 1970’s as the drummer, and later the lead singer, for Prog-Rock band Genesis, achieving a notorious and successful solo career in the 1980’s with a string of hit songs

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Too Beautiful to Die: The short life of the world’s first supermodel

Born on January 29, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gia Marie Carangi is widely considered to be the first supermodel. While paving the way for models like Elle MacPherson and Cindy Crawford to achieve superstardom, Gia’s beauty introduced her to the temptations of fame, to which she could not help but fall, victim. On November 18th, 1986, Gia Carangi passed away, her battle with AIDS proving too strong for the 26-year-old.

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Actor Elijah Wood turns 44

Elijah Wood skyrocketed to international success thanks to his memorable role as Frodo Baggins in “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy but his screen debut, as a child actor in the late 1980’s, was in an also very popular movie

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Retired actress Bridget Fonda turns 61 today

Turning 61 today is the talented Bridget Fonda, the daughter of Peter Fonda and niece of Jane, who since 2002 hasn’t played any role. During the 1990’s she starred in some of the decade’s most memorable films including Point of No Return, Single White Female and Tarantino’s Jackie Brown

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Faith No More’s amazing frontman Mike Patton turns 57

Mike Patton is one of the most versatile and diverse musicians, throughout his career he has sung and played several musical styles, and since he joined Faith No More in 1989 also became one of the most influential Rock singers multiplying himself through several side projects. Celebrate his 57th anniversary by watching two amazing Faith No More concerts

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The importance of David Bowie’s first visit to America

On January 27th, 1971, despite his fear of flying, David Bowie gets on a plane for a flight across the Atlantic for the first time financed by his label Mercury Records to go on a promotional tour of his album “The Man Who Sold the World.” Despite being unable to perform due to work visa restrictions, Bowie made the most out of this trip and it was there he started to plan his next career move

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Bizarre and eye-catching Klaus Nomi was born on this day in 1944

Klaus Nomi was a famous German singer-songwriter and actor, who was born on January 24, 1944, in Immenstadt, Bavaria, Germany. Nomi was a visionary artist with a stunning sense of humor that filled up the two studio records recorded in his lifetime with campy New Wave-inflected pop songs like “Simple Man” and “Lightnin’ Strikes”

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Actress Sharon Tate would have been 82 years old today

Actress Sharon Tate was born on January 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. Starting out in Hollywood in the early 1960s, she appeared in a recurring role on the television show “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and in bit parts in movies, including “The Americanization of Emily” (1964) and “The Sandpiper” (1965).

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Richard Dean Anderson turns 75 today

Thanks to the role of Angus MacGyver, Richard Dean Anderson became one of the world’s most famous actors, and turning 75 today, the actor also discretely has been throughout the years an avid supporter of several charity and environmental causes

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Steve Perry celebrates 76 today

Perry joined the rock band Journey in 1977, and his unique tenor voice became the defining sound of their greatest hits including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Faithfully,” and “Separate Ways” turned Journey into a worldwide phenomenon

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Remembering music legend Sam Cooke

Often called the “architect of soul music,” Sam Cooke paved the way for future artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye with his ability to blend gospel, soul, and pop music

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Actress Diane Lane turns 60 today

Diane Lane was born on January 22, 1965, in New York City and is an Oscar nomination for her role as a wayward wife in 2002’s Unfaithful. Lane has since worked more box office magic with romantic fare like Under the Tuscan Sun and Nights in Rodanthe, with additional projects including Secretariat, Man of Steel

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The Punk Rock mastermind Malcolm McLaren was born 79 years ago

His Portuguese grandmother used to tell him “To be bad is good… to be good is simply boring.” and Malcolm McLaren followed those words throughout his life. He was responsible to bring Punk to England and help to spread it around the world. The creator and mastermind behind the Sex Pistols was born on this day in 1946.

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Actress Geena Davis turns 69 today

Born on January 21, 1956, actress Geena Davis is also known for her roles in “The Fly” (1986), “Beetlejuice” (1988), “Earth Girls Are Easy” (1988), “A League of Their Own” (1992)

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Remembering David Lynch on his birthday

David Lynch was known for his surreal and enigmatic storytelling in several memorable movies that gained almost instant cult status upon their initial release such as “Eraserhead,” “Dune,” “Blue Velvet,” “Wild at Heart” and “Lost Highway” among others. He also created the iconic TV series “Twin Peaks” He was born on this day in 1946

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The KISS Starchild Paul Stanley turns 73 today

Much has been written about Paul Stanley, he’s the Starchild, one of the most iconic alter-egos and characters in Rock music. With KISS, Paul Stanley has led a career that has earned him millions of followers around the globe. The pinnacle of his success was back in the 1970’s but today, Stanley remains one of the biggest Rock Stars in the world

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The influential Blues artist Lead Belly was born on this day

Lead Belly was the first American Blues artist to achieve success in Europe, he was born in 1888, wrote a large part of his repertoire while doing time in prison and became one of the most influential artists to musicians from all genres including the Alternative Rock and Grunge bands of the early 90’s.

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Remembering Robert Palmer

During the 1980’s Robert Palmer embraced the new MTV trend and went on to make some of the 1980’s most iconic music videos which earned him a new exposure to a younger audience including the famous one for the song “Addicted to Love”

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15 Quotes By Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin only lived for 27 years, but those years were as intense as it gets. She loved to sing; she loved to live, and she loved to see people having fun. She also gave many society outcasts a voice not just through her singing but also her own personal words. We’ve assembled 15 quotes by one of Rock’s most ferocious voices ever

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The actress Tippi Hedren turns 95

Tippi Hedren’s memorable screen debut was in the Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” in 1963, but the professional relation between both ended abruptly while the actress filmed her second movie with the famed director in 1964, due to serious accusations made by Hedren, who’s also the mother of another famous actress, Melanie Griffith

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