WEATHER ALERT
Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96
Read full article: Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96Tony Bennett, the eminent stylist and last of the great saloon singers whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" graced a decadeslong career, has died at 96.
Phillies hire DJs for live show during World Series BP
Read full article: Phillies hire DJs for live show during World Series BPWhile Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies took batting practice ahead of Game 3, Mr Hollywood DJ and DJ Smooth stood behind a turntable near the home dugout, spinning tunes from a playlist created by backup catcher Garrett Stubbs.
No sea serpents, mobsters but Tahoe trash divers strike ‘gold’
Read full article: No sea serpents, mobsters but Tahoe trash divers strike ‘gold’Scuba divers at Lake Tahoe are sorting through their haul after an unprecedented, yearlong effort to remove litter from the alpine lake's entire 72 miles of shoreline atop the Sierra Nevada.
For auction: Marilyn’s clothes, Thor's hammer, Cap’s shield
Read full article: For auction: Marilyn’s clothes, Thor's hammer, Cap’s shieldSeveral gowns Marilyn Monroe donned for “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” are going up for auction this summer along with 1,400 other pieces of Hollywood history.
Dean Stockwell of 'Quantum Leap,' 'Blue Velvet' dies at 85
Read full article: Dean Stockwell of 'Quantum Leap,' 'Blue Velvet' dies at 85Dean Stockwell, a top Hollywood child actor who gained new success in middle age, garnering an Oscar nomination for “Married to the Mob” and Emmy nominations for “Quantum Leap,” has died.
George Wein, Newport Jazz Festival co-founder, dies at 95
Read full article: George Wein, Newport Jazz Festival co-founder, dies at 95George Wein, one of the great impresarios of 20th century music who helped found the Newport jazz and folk festivals and set the template for gatherings everywhere from Woodstock to the south of France, has died at 95.
Live at Budokan: Famed arena gets another Olympic spotlight
Read full article: Live at Budokan: Famed arena gets another Olympic spotlightThe Nippon Budokan simply feels like a special place, even to those who don’t understand the astounding amount of sports and music history that has occurred under its elegant roof.
Rivalry renewed: Red Sox stop slide in Bronx, beat Yanks 5-2
Read full article: Rivalry renewed: Red Sox stop slide in Bronx, beat Yanks 5-2Rafael Devers hit a three-run homer in the first inning off Michael King, Marwin González added a two-run double and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 5-2 in the first of the rivals’ 19 meetings this season.
'Philip Roth': Blake Bailey's story behind the story arrives
Read full article: 'Philip Roth': Blake Bailey's story behind the story arrivesFILE - In this Sept. 8, 2008, file photo, author Philip Roth poses for a photo in the offices of his publisher in New York. A biography of the late author, "Philip Roth: The Biography" by Blake Bailey, comes out April 7. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)NEW YORK – The life of Philip Roth was a story. Blake Bailey's “Philip Roth,” a volume Roth had imagined in some form for more than 20 years, comes out April 6. AdThe “real” Philip Roth has been a quest for countless critics — and the author himself — since his 1969 bestseller “Portnoy's Complaint” left many readers believing that Roth and his lusting narrator were one and the same.
The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performers
Read full article: The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performersBeyonce, left, and Megan Thee Stallion accept the award for best rap song for "Savage" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish made history at the Grammy Awards. Just as joyously, dozens of creators largely sidelined for a year due to the pandemic got to make music again. 's topical “I Can't Breathe” won song of the year and Megan Thee Stallion was named best new artist. ___This story has been corrected to show the ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, not Staples Center.
Ladies night: Beyoncé, Swift make history as others win big
Read full article: Ladies night: Beyoncé, Swift make history as others win bigFour women won the top four prizes Sunday, including Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times. Beyoncé — with her 28th win — became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. And 9-year-old Blue Ivy Carter — who won best music video alongside her mother — became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in the show’s 63-year history. Megan Thee Stallion, who won three honors, also made history and became the first female rapper to win best rap song. She's also the fifth rap-based act to win best new artist.
With sale of the Venetian, Las Vegas Sands exits the Strip
Read full article: With sale of the Venetian, Las Vegas Sands exits the StripFILE - This Aug. 2, 2005 file photo shows the Venetian Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas Sands is selling the real estate and operations of its Venetian casino resort and Sands Expo and Convention Center to VICI Properties and Apollo Global Management in a deal worth $6.25 billion. Under Adelson, the company's focus turned to Asia years ago, where revenue eventually outpaced even the operations on the Las Vegas Strip. AdThe global pandemic broadsided Las Vegas, shuttering the Strip where Las Vegas Sands has been the biggest operator for years. The Venetian, located on the Las Vegas Strip, has three luxury hotel towers with gaming, entertainment, shopping and dining.
The Latest: First US J&J vaccine doses shipping Sunday night
Read full article: The Latest: First US J&J vaccine doses shipping Sunday nightWASHINGTON — Nearly 4 million doses of the newest COVID-19 vaccine will be shipped Sunday night, and will begin to be delivered to states for injections starting on Tuesday. AdJ&J plans to ship several million vaccine doses to states in the coming week, delivering a total of 20 million shots by the end of March. Utah so far has administered more than 680,000 vaccine doses and estimates that 10% of its 3.2 million population has been fully vaccinated. Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was given the first shot at a hospital near Bangkok, followed by the deputy health minister and other senior officials. They are part of the government’s plan that has so far secured 2 million doses from Sinovac and 61 million doses from AstraZeneca.
New this week: Billie Eilish, Billie Holiday and Superman
Read full article: New this week: Billie Eilish, Billie Holiday and SupermanThis combination photo shows promotional art for Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, a documentary debuting Friday on Apple TV+, from left, The United States vs. Billie Holiday," premiering Friday on Hulu and Superman & Lois," a new series premiering Tuesday on The CW. (AppleTV+/Hulu/The CW via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Ad— Based on Johann Hari’s 2015 book, “Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs,” Lee Daniels' “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” chronicles the legendary jazz singer's addiction and activism. Andra Day, who's nominated for a Golden Globe, plays Holiday in the biopic, which premieres Friday on Hulu. ET at the Amazon Music Twitch channel and will feature music from the group’s new album, “Life Rolls On,” released on Feb. 12.
Queen Latifah 'stoked' to land post-Super Bowl slot for show
Read full article: Queen Latifah 'stoked' to land post-Super Bowl slot for showThis image released by CBS shows Queen Latifah in a scene from the series "The Equalizer," premiering after the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7. Her latest chapter comes in the new CBS series "The Equalizer” as the first Black woman to portray the role in the franchise. The show debuts Feb. 7 in the coveted timeslot following the Super Bowl, typically the year's most-watched program. The post-Super Bowl slot has provided monstrous ratings over the years for shows like "Friends,” “Survivor” and "Undercover Boss.”"I'm so stoked that we’re coming on after the Super Bowl," Latifah said Wednesday on a video call. Latifah added: “Hopefully, they’ll start to say, ‘Damn, Latifah is a badass.'
From presidents to faded stars, all welcomed by Larry King
Read full article: From presidents to faded stars, all welcomed by Larry KingGeorge W. Bush jokes with CNN's Larry King after finishing the "Larry King Live" show from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tenn. King, who interviewed presidents, movie stars and ordinary Joes during a half-century in broadcasting, has died at age 87. For 25 years until 2010, “Larry King Live” was a fixture on CNN's weeknight schedule, and that was after a lengthy career as a late-night radio host. So did “Larry King Live.” He was busy. “Larry King Live” was a type of show that would feel foreign on cable news today, given its obsession with hard-nosed political combat. “My dad always asked me, 'Did you see who Larry King talked to last night?'"
Larry King, broadcasting giant for half-century, dies at 87
Read full article: Larry King, broadcasting giant for half-century, dies at 87FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2017, file photo, Larry King attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton, in New York. In its early years, “Larry King Live” was based in Washington, which gave the show an air of gravitas. “Do you know who I am?”“Always loved Larry King and will miss him,” Seinfeld tweeted Saturday. Originating from Washington on the Mutual network, “The Larry King Show” was eventually heard on more than 300 stations and made King a national phenomenon. “Larry King Live” debuted on June 1, 1985, and became CNN’s highest-rated program.
Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-Harris
Read full article: Hollywood on the Potomac: A-list turns out for Biden-HarrisA full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at President Joe Biden's inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion. While stars mostly eschewed Trump's inauguration four years ago, the A-list was back for Biden. Brooks was careful to call his decision to perform on Wednesday non-political, and in the spirit of unity. He had performed during the inaugural celebration for Obama in 2009, but turned down a chance to perform for Trump in 2017, citing a scheduling conflict. Alone with his guitar, The Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Sheldon Adelson, casino mogul and GOP donor, dies at 87
Read full article: Sheldon Adelson, casino mogul and GOP donor, dies at 87Adelson died Monday night from complications related to treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Las Vegas Sands announced Tuesday. “If you do things differently, success will follow you like a shadow,” he said during a 2014 talk to the gambling industry in Las Vegas. In politics, Adelson was a record-breaking campaign donor who had the ear of domestic and international leaders, including President Donald Trump. Late in 2015, Adelson secretly purchased the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Soon his Macao revenue outstripped that of his Las Vegas holdings.
Q&A: Clooney on 'Midnight Sky' and his twilight as an actor
Read full article: Q&A: Clooney on 'Midnight Sky' and his twilight as an actor“The Midnight Sky,” which Clooney directed and stars in, is an apocalyptic sci-fi drama with some striking solitude. Debuting Wednesday on Netflix, “The Midnight Sky,” based on Lily Brooks-Dalton's novel “Good Morning, Midnight," is Clooney's seventh film as director and his biggest scaled production yet. ___AP: You finished shooting “The Midnight Sky” in February, right before the pandemic began. AP: What drew you to “The Midnight Sky”? I know people who are older -- older than me, even -- who live with real regret.
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020
Read full article: Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.
Rafer Johnson, 1960 Olympic decathlon champion, dies at 86
Read full article: Rafer Johnson, 1960 Olympic decathlon champion, dies at 86Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy's assassin in 1968, died Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (AP Photo)LOS ANGELES – Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics and helped subdue Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin in 1968, died Wednesday. Johnson won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1955 while competing in just his fourth decathlon. Johnson, Yang, and Kuznetzov had their way with the record books between the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. Johnson won over the Soviet audience with his gutsy performance in front of what had been a hostile crowd.
Herbert Kretzmer, lyricist of Les Miserables, dead at 95
Read full article: Herbert Kretzmer, lyricist of Les Miserables, dead at 95LONDON – Herbert Kretzmer, the journalist and lyricist best known for his English-language adaptation of the musical Les Miserables, has died. Tributes poured in from giants of the London stage, including theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh, singer Elaine Paige and lyricist Tim Rice. Les Miserables producer Mackintosh said Kretzmer was instrumental in bringing Victor Hugo's classic tale of defiance and redemption in early 19th century France to the stage in English in October 1985, five years after it had opened in Paris. Until a young British producer by the name of Cameron Mackintosh invited Kretzmer to tea in June 1984 and his life changed. Though the expanded English version of Les Miserables — it was never Les Mis for Kretzmer — had mixed reviews at the start, it would soon become one of the biggest successes of 20th century theater.
All Night Long: Lionel Richie recalls closing 1984 Olympics
Read full article: All Night Long: Lionel Richie recalls closing 1984 OlympicsLionel Richie, then just starting his solo career, spoke to the AP recently about his performance at the closing ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The Los Angeles Olympics were just a few months away and closing ceremony producer David L. Wolper had a problem. He would do All Night Long. And he did it almost all night long, singing for 9 minutes as athletes danced on the field and people rocked in their seats. I basically just re-enacted the entire All Night Long video and brought it to life on stage, Richie said. I was sitting in traffic and a guy four cars up was crossing the street and saw me and yelled Lionel Richie, All Night Long, All Night Long.'
Michael Jackson channel launching on SiriusXM
Read full article: Michael Jackson channel launching on SiriusXMLOS ANGELES The King of Pop is joining The Boss and Old Blue Eyes on SiriusXM satellite radio. The month-long Michael Jackson channel was announced Wednesday by the singer's estate. Jackson joins SiriusXM channels devoted to artists like Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. It will also include music that influenced Jackson from artists including James Brown and Sly & the Family Stone, and artists that Jackson influenced including Beyonc, Justin Timberlake and Usher. Journalist and author Steven Ivory, a family friend who interviewed Jackson often, will provide the voice of the channel, telling stories, introducing discussions that chronicle the history and career of Jackson and sharing his own Jackson playlist.
Johnny Mandel, the Oscar- and Grammy- winning composer, dies
Read full article: Johnny Mandel, the Oscar- and Grammy- winning composer, diesFILE - Johnny Mandel appears at the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Awards Ceremony and Concert in New York on Jan. 11, 2011. Mandel, the Oscar- and Grammy- winning composer, arranger and musician, died Monday, June 29, 2020, of a cardiac ailment at his home in Ojai, Calif. There are many ways to describe the legendary composer Johnny Mandel. I just work with whats there and try to do the best with whats there.As an arranger, Mandel worked with some of the greatest singers of his time. Why didnt you write the lyrics to The Shadow of Your Smile? Mandel told the NEA.
Famed architect Paul Williams' archive goes to Getty, USC
Read full article: Famed architect Paul Williams' archive goes to Getty, USCPaul Williams was a trailblazing architect whose long career helped shape Los Angeles and Southern California. The Los Angeles County Courthouse, Los Angeles International Airport and First African Methodist Church were among the projects he led or worked on. He was the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects, its first African American Fellow and the first African American recipient of the institute's Gold Medal, its highest honor. Born in Los Angeles in 1894, Williams was orphaned following the death of his father at age 2 and his mother at age 4. The archives will be a central feature of the USC Center for Architecture + City Design and the African American Art History Initiative at Getty.
NY-bred Tiz the Law wins barren Belmont Stakes
Read full article: NY-bred Tiz the Law wins barren Belmont StakesAll three legs of this years Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tiz the Law gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area. Signs outside the locked down venue instructed gamblers that if they wanted to wager on this Belmont Stakes, their best bet was to download an app and do it on their phones. Tiz the Law owner Jack Knowlton of New Yorks Sackatoga Stable was set to watch from a restaurant patio in upstate Saratoga Springs. Manny Franco, a 25-year-old jockey from Puerto Rico, entered the winners circle in his first career Belmont Stakes.
Spike Lee on what's different about these protests
Read full article: Spike Lee on what's different about these protestsFILE - In this June 29, 2009 file photo, Spike Lee attends a special 20th anniversary screening of his film "Do the Right Thing" in New York. Do the Right Thing, about rising racial tensions on a hot summer day in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, took direct inspiration from reality. Many years later, Eric Garner, automatically I thought of Ray Raheem," said Lee. I mean, he was quoting the words of Eric Garner: I cant breathe. He was channeling Eric Garner. I haven't seen this diverse protests since when I was a kid, Lee said, citing the movements of the '60s.