Just last week this column included an item about entertainers who get behind (way behind!) on their taxes.
It was noted how difficult it is to feel a lot of compassion for them because they know what their responsibilities are and, besides that, they make so much more money than the average person.
Names like Toni Braxton, Chris Tucker and Lauryn Hill were mentioned.
Well, Eve (Jeffers) has joined the infamous group. The rapper/actress owes the IRS well over $12 thousand for 2007, nearly $182 thousand for 1010, $30 thousand for 2011, and $102 thousand for 2012.
There is no excuse! I like Eve, but would be willing to bet that she has spent awesome amounts of money on cars, clothes, living accommodations, travel, etc.
THE BEATLES have been much in the news regarding their arrival in the United States 50 years ago and, more specifically, their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show.
The iconic band (I love the Beatles) has written and recorded so many of the greatest songs ever, and quite a few of them have been remade, usually with success, by African-American artists.
That includes Stevie Wonder (“We Can Work It Out”), Earth, Wind & Fire (“Got to Get You into My Life”), the Ramsey Lewis Trio (“A Hard Day’s Night”), Esther Phillips (“And I Love Him”), Aretha Franklin (“Eleanor Rigby”).
“My Love” (Margie Joseph), Michael Jackson (“Come Together”), “Hey Jude” (Wilson Pickett), Natalie Cole (“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”) and J.J. Barnes (“Day Tripper”).
BABYFACE and Toni Braxton, currently hot with their duet album “Love, Marriage & Divorce,” will join the cast of the Broadway musical “After Midnight” for a limited run, March 18-30.
The show “celebrates the glamour and exuberance of Harlem’s golden age.”
And speaking of Toni Braxton, her autobiography is scheduled to be published in May. Perhaps she will explain why and how she fell into declaring bankruptcy — twice.
Mariah Carey was heavily criticized for her poorly reviewed, poorly attended 2001 film “Glitter.” She has felt bad about that for a long time but feels somewhat better now because, according to her, it has become “a cult classic.”
Since 2007 there has been an event called Record Store Day. April 19 is the date for 2004 and Chuck D, co-founder of famed rap group Public Enemy, is this year’s ambassador. The purpose is to heighten awareness of independent record stores.
No one would have ever thought that record stores would ever become so scarce. Technology has its downsides.
Remember when Detroit (and metro Detroit) had Harmony House, LaGreen’s Records, Detroit Audio, Monroe Music, Bad Records, Peaches, Ross Music, Record Time, Sam’s Jams, White’s Records, Musicland and Peterson’s Records, among others?
Former Highland Park mayor Linsey Porter says he will be among the participants in “Love Stories” on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, featuring “real people, real stories, told live.”
Porter is going to talk about the ups and downs of Highland Park and those in his own life. The event is presented by the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers.” (Don’t let the word “twisted” throw you off!)
For more information, visit secretstorytellers.com.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that Usher is a vegan, actually a “lacto vegan” because in addition to not consuming meat, he doesn’t eat eggs or dairy products either.
MEMORIES: “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again” (L.T.D.), “Shake Your Groove Thing” (Peaches & Herb), “Just be Good to Me” (the S.O.S. Band), “Can You Get to That?” (Funkadelic), “Don’t Mess With Bill” (the Marvelettes), “Good Times” (Chic), “Baby Sitter” (Betty Wright), “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” (Sylvester), “A Lover’s Question” (Clyde McPhatter).
BLESSINGS to Joan Rogers, Leni Sinclair, Betty DeRamus, Al Hudson, Virgil Wyatt, Kip Ware, Chuck Bennett, Sandra Woodall and Al Allen.
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Les Brown: “The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the ‘buts’ you use today.”
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
About Post Author
