Phil Spector News

Roy Orbison's song 'Candy Man' was more than just the B-side to his hit 'Cryin'. The song, penned by Beverly Ross and Fred Neil was also an unexpected cross over hit into the country market for Orbison whose hits had previously charted mainly in the new 'Rock and Roll' category.

I love horror movies, especially the kind of cheesy stuff from the 1950's and 1960's that director Roger Corman was famous for. It's been said that he shot the cult favorite, The LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, in four days, and it certainly has a look that would suggest as much. But, underneath its filthy veneer is a bizarre black comedy that deserved a far better fate than the faded copies that clog up discount DVD bins. So, Howard Ashman (book and lyrics) and Alan Menken (music) dusted off the basic premise of this crazy little film, and crafted a clever and funny off-Broadway musical which, in turn, spawned a motion picture. Stray Dog Theatre closes their tenth season on a high note with a very imaginative and well cast production of this creepy classic.

Fifty nine years after the release of her chart topping 'Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)' recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives issues a Guide to the Beverly Ross Collection to help early Rock 'N' Roll scholars learn more about this unsung composer of Tin Pan Alley's Brill Building.

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations were announced this morning at 8:40 AM ET. Below, check out the list of 2013 EMMY AWARD Nominations by series

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations were announced this morning at 8:40 AM PT live at Emmys.com. Broadway was well represented among the list of nominees including the following

Built on the creative output of Janelle Best's skills as a classically-trained violinist, Desert Stars is a band that dispatches its own brand of psych-pop with intricately-layered instrumentation, lush harmonies and atmospheric guitar topped by Best's dreamy tenor.

Continuing to build on the enormous success of new play development at Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch and Managing Director Sarah Clare Corporandy, announces casting for the Signature Staged Readings of Dark Radio by Colin McKenna to be presented today, July 11-13 on the Bratton Theater Mainstage.

Continuing to build on the enormous success of new play development at Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch and Managing Director Sarah Clare Corporandy, announces casting for the Signature Staged Readings of Dark Radio by Colin McKenna to be presented July 11-13 on the Bratton Theater Mainstage.

A classically trained violinist, Janelle Best brings a distinctive mark to the intricately layered instrumentation, lush harmonies and atmospheric guitar implemented by her band Desert Stars. Their newest track “Off the Cliff” invites you to take a plunge deep down into a reverb-soaked abyss, darkened by Janelle's warm voice. Listen to it courtesy of SPIN below!

Ehrenkranz Artistic Director Jane Moss today announced the roster for Lincoln Center's fourth multidisciplinary White Light Festival, October 24 through November 23, 2013. The Festival's focus is music's capacity to illuminate the many dimensions of our interior lives, with a particular emphasis this year on the power of the voice. Spanning numerous musical traditions, genres, and disciplines, the Festival will offer 23 performances, films, and events featuring seven premieres and debuts by artists and companies from more than a dozen countries, including France, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, the U.K., Mali, Estonia, Italy, Austria, Canada and the U.S. New to this edition of the Festival is White Light on Film, film screenings followed by discussions with their directors. Other Festival components include: a panel discussion focused on the subject of time, pre- and post-performance artist discussions, and the popular post-performance White Light Lounges.

Beverly Ross, iconic songwriter of classic rock 'n' roll tunes such as 'Lollipop' for the Chordettes, 'Judy's Turn to Cry' for Leslie Gore, and two hits for Elvis Presley, 'The Girl of My Best Friend' and 'Dixieland Rock' will have a book signing today, June 18th 6PM at Two Old Hippies in the Gulch.

Columbia Records releases 20 Feet From Stardom: Music From The Motion Picture, the soundtrack from the compelling new film from award-winning director Morgan Neville today, June 18.

The Righteous Brothers can rightfully claim to have fathered the genre "blue-eyed soul," and as the singer who held down the low-end of the duo, Bill Medley's voice-raw and emotional-is a virtual trademark in popular music. In the mid-1960s, the Righteous Brothers became a fixture on Top Forty radio, with You're My Soul and Inspiration, Unchained Melody and You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, the most played song in American radio history and more. For his Three Stages performance, the Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will be joined on stage by his daughter McKenna Medley.

Beverly Ross, iconic songwriter of classic rock 'n' roll tunes such as “Lollipop” for the Chordettes, “Judy's Turn to Cry” for Leslie Gore, and two hits for Elvis Presley, “The Girl of My Best Friend” and “Dixieland Rock” will have a book signing on June 18th 6PM at Two Old Hippies in the Gulch.

Built on the creative output of Janelle Best's skills as a classically-trained violinist, Desert Stars is a band that dispatches its own brand of psych-pop with intricately-layered instrumentation, lush harmonies and atmospheric guitar topped by Best's dreamy tenor.

Those who scored nominations include stage veteran Sutton Foster for ABC Family's BUNHEADS, and current VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE star, Sigourney Weaver, for her role as Secretary of State on USA's POLITICAL ANIMALS.

HBO leads the networks in nominations with 21, followed closely by FX which collected 19. Topping the list of nominated series are American Horror Story: Asylum (FX) and The Big Bang Theory (CBS) with six nominations each. Other series with multiple nominations include Parks and Recreation (NBC) and Top Of The Lake (Sundance) with five each and The Americans (FX), Breaking Bad (AMC), Game of Thrones (HBO), The Good Wife (CBS), Louie (FX), New Girl (FOX) andPolitical Animals (USA) with four each.

The RadioChick, in association with Sony Television Pictures, presents THE GONG SHOW LIVE, the greatest show in human history brought to life onstage for the first time on earth. The pre-off-Broadway-tryout-six-month-event will run tonight, May 2 - October 3 at The Cutting Room in New York City.

The Righteous Brothers can rightfully claim to have fathered the genre “blue-eyed soul,” and as the singer who held down the low-end of the duo, Bill Medley's voice—raw and emotional—is a virtual trademark in popular music. In the mid-1960s, the Righteous Brothers became a fixture on Top Forty radio, with You're My Soul and Inspiration, Unchained Melody and You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, the most played song in American radio history and more. For his Three Stages performance, the Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will be joined on stage by his daughter McKenna Medley.

Rock and Roll icon Ronnie Spector has announced the return of her production 'Beyond The Beehive' to Bridge Street Live in Collinsville, CT on May 4th. The theatrical production depicting her life story in monologue, images and song was met with overwhelming critical acclaim in its initial New York City run last year. The latest version of Ronnie's multi-media production chronicles her fascinating 50-year journey through Rock and Roll with stories, video and still images, as well as upwards of fifteen live songs backed by her full band. Tickets for 'Beyond The Beehive' are available at Bridge Street Live box office, online at www.41bridgestreet.com and by phone at 860 693-9762.