BILL VAUGHAN'S TASTY CLIPS New book touts ‘elements’; ‘Snoop’ back in ‘pound
As a lead singer, Philip Bailey is accustomed to hitting the high notes. This time he's doing it as the author of his memoir: "Shining Star: Braving the Elements of Earth Wind & Fire" from Viking.
Here are the stories of his beginning as a Denver percussionist persuaded to sing with a band that would go on to become one of the biggest charting and beloved groups of all time. Loved the tale of how they were knocked off stage in Washington, D.C. by Parliament/Funkadelic, causing them to mope about their future. It moved leader Maurice White to tell them they needed to go back to Los Angeles. to rehearse to "toughen up their sound." The rest, as they say, is history.
Other recollections — such as how the African thumb piano called a kalimba became vital, the meaning of their cover art and his collaboration with Phil Collins — make this a must read for EWF fans and music aficionados.
WWSD?: While it seems like this is only the season for Spike Lee to be seen on the NBA sidelines — or now as Anderson Cooper's go-to guy on Donald Sterling — he is still a director. His powerful video for Eminem's "Headlights" premiered in time for Mother's Day. It is a classic in line with his work on Naughty By Nature's "Hip Hop Hooray," Public Enemy's "Fight The Power," and Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us."
Lee also is part of a collective of filmmakers and artists brought together to work on Pepsi's World Cup tribute "Beats of the Beautiful Game" to be released June 10. Starting May 20, a new track and short film will hit from the likes of Lee, Kelly Rowland, Idris Elba and Timbaland.
TASTY CONCERTS: The 28th annual JazzReggae Festival in LA promises more music, merriment and munchies! On Jam Day, May 25, the line-up boasts Snoop Dogg, Aloe Blacc and Georgia Anne Muldrow. On Reggae Day, May 26, headliners include Ky-Mani Marley, Black Uhuru, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage and Sister Carol. It all takes place at UCLA's Intermural Field. Visit www.jazzreggaefest.com for details.
GRINDING AGAIN: Former "CSI" heartthrob Gary Dourdan seems to have finally shed his bad- boy image to start working regularly again. He's featured in a just-released DVD thriller, "The Last Letter" with an all-star cast that includes Sharon Leal, Omari Hardwick, Lynn Whitfield, Darren Dewitt Henson, Tatyana Ali, Richard T. Jones, Bill Cobbs and Rocsi.
Up next is "Mohawk Salon" with Vivica A. Fox and Lil' Kim. On the small screen, a guest slot on "Glee" will be followed by a recurring role on the next season of BET's "Being Mary Jane." TASTY CLIPS is still baffled why no one signed him to play Bob Marley!
TASTY QUIP: "In any sitcom you do, someone has to be the guy to take the pie. By that I mean, that person has to be the one that you look to for laughs. You got to commit. Snot's got to come out your nose. Your eyes got to water. You got to have hands flapping. You got to get messy in comedy. It's got to be ugly. You got to take the pie. And the person who takes the pie usually is going to surface because that's who people gravitate to." – JIMMIE "JJ" WALKER on PBS' "Pioneers of Television."
TC ON TV: “Arsenio Hall Show” (SYN) - 5/16: Gugu Mbatha-Raw & Jermaine Dupri!
“Billboard Music Awards” (ABC) - 5/18: John Legend and Jason Derulo are among the performers but the show shopper is anticipated to be the debut of the Michael Jackson hologram!
“The Maya Rudolph Show” (NBC) - 5/19: This variety special is hoped to attract enough interest to become a series. With a talent like the former SNL star headlining with Raphael Saddiq serving as band leader and guests Craig Robinson and Janelle Monae, it should be on the right path!
“Roadtrip With G Garvin” (COOKING) 5/21: The highest rated show on the network is back for a 3rd season exploring takes on southern cuisine! 1st stop is Connecticut with the chef getting hands on with Duck Tortillas, Short Ribs, Stuffed French Toast and Meatloaf!
“L.A. Hair” (WE) - 5/22: Season 3 premieres with Gabrielle Union in the salon!
CLIPPETTES: Some people get all the jobs! Terry Crews ("The Expendables 3," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine") was announced as the new host of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire"...
"Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes just got a new four-year deal with ABC Studios which will premiere her new show "How To Get Away With Murder" starring Viola Davis this fall...
Queen Latifah will play blues legend Bessie Smith in an HBO biopic...
Whoopi Goldberg is producing a reality docu-series to focus on daughter Alex Martin and her family...
Multi-Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan ("Bust Your Windows") is out with her first single in four years, "Dumb" featuring Meek Mill. Her third album "Reality Show," will hit later this year on RCA Records...
FOX is hoping to start a tradition with "Pit Bull's New Year's Revolution" to countdown 2015...
Larry Wilmore, "The Senior Black Correspondent" on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" will replace "The Colbert Report" in January with "The Minority Report." Meanwhile, "SNL" writer and comedian Michael Che supplants Wilmore. His stand-up special premieres on the network June 9th...
Common has joined the cast of Ava DuVerney's MLK film, "Selma."…
TASTY QUIP FINALE: "I just had a conversation on the phone with @TheRealMikeEpps where we addressed our issues directly. The conversation ended on a positive note. We both agreed that we are better than this [BS] and that we should’ve handled it differently! All is good now and we are putting it behind us." – KEVIN HART on Twitter addressing that beef TASTY CLIPS reported on last week.
"Tasty Clips" is an entertainment column published in The Wave to update readers on the activities and accomplishments of black celebrities and artists on television, in music and at the movies. To reach Bill Vaughan, send email to tastyclips@yahoo.com.