Style Icons: Female »Debbie Harry

dh1Blondie

Sometimes I use this blog just to personally record things I like, sometimes I get excited that there’s some new place or awesome book or movie that others may not have heard of and I want to share, and sometimes it’s just stating the obvious.

So, yeah, Debbie Harry as style icon. Of course. So with nothing left to say on the subject here are some images of the incomparable lady to make you wonder why some people get all the good genes.

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Posted on May 11, 2013

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Richie Havens, Here Comes the Sun, Wonder Child

rhRIP

Folk icon Richie Havens is remembered not only for his long career in folk music and particularly his break out performance at Woodstock but for being a genuinely kindhearted man. He devoted his time to educating children about the environment and never let fame get in the way of his life and his music.

It’s difficult to choose a favorite song from such an impressive list but I’d recommend a listen to his fantastic version of Here Comes the Sun, one of his biggest hits, and his touching cover of Wonder Child, a lesser known song originally performed by Helen Reddy on Sesame Street (it might bring you close to tears if you have little kids though!)

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Posted on April 30, 2013

Songs,Style Icons: Female »Patti Page, The Tennessee Waltz

patti“The Singing Rage”, 1950

The only thing lovelier than Patti Page was her voice. Her signature song Tennessee Waltz is one of my very favorites of all time.

If you are unfamiliar with her dreamy voice, I once recommended a great collection that would be a great introduction.

She passed away on New Years Day.

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Posted on January 3, 2013

Style Icons: Female »Carol Kaye

Unsung Queen of Bass

Rock and Roll, particularly the actual playing of musical instruments part, particularly in the 1950’s, was considered a man’s world.

Carol Kaye, who is self taught and came from poverty, defied stereotypes and the odds, and is one of the most prolific and admired studio musicians.

Her bass can be heard in La Bamba, Pet Sounds, These Boots Are Made For Walking, I’m a Believer, the Dirty Harry and Bullit scores, Then He Kissed Me, Danke Shen, and You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.

She’s the most recorded bassists of all time.

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Posted on July 21, 2012

Style Icons: Female »The Go-Go’s

Ladies Gone Wild

Female rock stars. A girl’s whole life can change if she’s got some good ones to look up to. My sister and I invented parallel lives in our fantasies which culminated in a combination of The Bangles and Barbies. But before that we had The Go-Go’s.

They embraced the best of the 80’s fashions. Neon, poofy skirts, wild hair, off the shoulder tops (honestly was there anything I aspired to wear to feel more grown up as a child?), they flaunted bold patterns and even managed to pull off suspenders, overalls and pleated pants which was (and still is, ladies!) nearly impossible.

They were second only to Cyndi Lauper and maybe Madonna in solidifying our interest in fashion.

Jim has always had a major crush on Belinda while Van has recently taken quite a shine to the song Vacation. So they’re still a part of my life decades later.

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Posted on June 28, 2012

Hunks »Jackie Wilson

Mr. Excitement

Jackie Wilson‘s on stage gyrating and crooning earned him the nicknames “mr. Excitement” and “The Black Elvis” though more accurately Elvis should have been called “the White Jackie Wilson” since he, as well as Michael Jackson and even James Brown were influenced by the dynamic performer.

Like so many of the ultra famous, Wilson had a life full of tragedies, both self inflicted (womanizing, addictions) and beyond his control (the loss of several children to violence). But his legacy is one of thrilling stage performances.

He passed away several years after collapsing on stage and slipping into a coma.

Numerous artists owe much to the man.

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Posted on June 10, 2012

Style Icons: Female »Donna Summer

RIP

I love Donna Summer. LOVE.

And I’m so sad today to hear she passed away. Her music is fun time disco magic, her style has always been daring and stunning.

I can recall dancing to the video She Works Hard for the Money and requesting her albums be played on my dad’s stereo as vividly as I can being uplifted on bad days be listening to her on my iPhone.

A legend and a great talent lost.

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Posted on May 17, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Adam MCA Yauch

RIP

Maybe it’s because we that grew up listening to The Beastie Boys are at the age when horrible things realities like cancer and other illnesses no longer just seem like something that happens to other people. Maybe it’s because anyone my age has at least one vivid memory associated with the band (I have quite a few myself) but the tragic death of Adam Yauch, aka MCA, has hit people of my generation particularly hard.

It feels like someone we knew has passed on. It’s close to home and he was far, far too young.

He was the social conscience of the band, the one that brought some gravitas to the party. He and his Tibetan activist wife have a daughter, and the photo below just breaks my heart for them.

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Posted on May 4, 2012

Style Icons: Female »Marsha Hunt

Brown Sugar

If you’ve heard The Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar” you know of Marsha Hunt. Mother to Jagger’s child, she was also once married to Mike Ratledge of Soft Machine and was romantically linked to Marc Bolan.

But Hunt was no career groupie. She was a singer in bands like The Ferris Wheel, an actress – she was literally the poster child for Hair in which she starred, and an author.

She is also a strong woman who is gorgeous and rocked an enviable, amazing afro.

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Posted on May 1, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Levon Helm

RIP

The Band was one of the most effortlessly cool groups in rock and roll ever and one that is still influencing musicians and men who aspire to a sort of timeless hipness that grows from American roots that is hard to capture (but oh so relevant, especially today – look at any mustached bar keep or farmer-chic butcher).

The heart of the band was the charismatic drummer and singer Levon Helm. He played backup for Bob Dylan, had a solo career as musician and actor (notably in Steven Seagal’s Fire Down Below, and continued making music out of Woodstock, NY).

After a long battle with cancer, Helm passed away a few days ago but his legacy lives on and his work is fondly remembered by those who knew him and those who were moved by his music.

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Posted on April 22, 2012

Hunks »Ricky Nelson

Poor Little Fool

Ricky Nelson isn’t necessarily remembered as a hit maker, even though he was as popular as Elvis on the charts for a time.

He’s also forgotten as a heartthrob even though he’s clearly down right adorable.

Maybe it’s that squeaky clean Ozzie and Harriet image that makes people omit him in their remembrance of hunks past.

Though, a perusal of his bio proves it was only that – an image.

His life was filled with affairs, illegitimate children and drugs not to mention sons who went on to become Nelson.

The images though are of classic boy next door good looks. There’s a slight mischievousness in his smirk but overall the boy looks wholesome and heartbreakingly cute.

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Posted on April 19, 2012

Albums,Style Icons: Female »The Party Ain’t Over

by Wanda Jackson (2011)

I have Van to thank for introducing me to this album. He immediately started dancing to the infectious Shakin’ All Over (which played over the ending credits of Bridesmaids before the Game of Thrones premiere).

Always wanting to please the little guy, I found the song on spotify and we’ve spent several mornings getting pumped for the day to Wanda Jackson’s throaty rock and roll.

I blindly assumed The Party Aint Over was from her heyday – the rockabilly 1950’s – but something about it felt indefinably modern.
The fact that one song, You Know That I’m No Good, (one of the best tracks) is an Amy Winehouse cover would have been a clue to a less oblivious listener.

The album was actually recorded last year with Jack White at the helm who has an affinity for awesome but nearly forgotten songstresses (see his Loretta Lynn collaboration a few years back). Miss Jackson, whom I’ve grown a small obsession for, sounds fabulous at 73 years of age.

While not all the songs are exactly my cup of tea – I’m looking at you Dust on the Bible – Blue Yodel #6, Like a Baby, Thunder on the Mountain, and Teach Me Tonight are sure to get your spirits up and fighting.

I’m currently exploring the back catalogue of this ferocious and inspiring rock and roll pioneer who I is also quite the style icon. Sexy and rebellious she is nicknamed The Queen of Rockabilly and dated none other than Elvis himself – but her lasting influence is her music more than her romantic life.

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Posted on April 4, 2012

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Davy Jones. Daydream Believer

RIP

Davy Jones was the biggest heartthrob to come out of the Monkees (though I was always fond of Nesmith) with his charming goofiness.

I grew up with Monkee reruns and still, with no irony or embarrassment can call Daydream Believer a favorite song (and one that’s great for karaoke too).

Jones passed away today leaving behind a generation (or two) of ardent fans.

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Posted on February 29, 2012

Style Icons: Female »Whitney

RIP

Oh, this was such sad news.

Whitney Houston‘s life was certainly troubled, but I think everyone was still shocked to hear of the iconic singer’s passing.

Like many girls my age, I was mesmerized by her paint splattered How Will I Know and sang the Greatest Love of All in school pageants.

I also have to say that even in her crazier times, she still had a spark that was hard to not love.

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Posted on February 12, 2012

Style Icons: Female »Etta James

RIP

If there’s one special talent I could be granted it would be to sing like Etta James.

I love her, adore her, am so sad to hear of her passing.

Simply incomparable.

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Posted on January 20, 2012

Hunks,Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Boney M

Disco Coolness

A brief perusal of the internet of Boney M videos and images will lead you to the conclusion that there’s a pretty strong case they may be the coolest band that ever was.

Singer and insanely cool dancer (just look here) Bobby Farrell is a weirdly handsome front man and the ladies dress like goddess/disco/alien butterflies most of the time.

I would have loved to have been a member. The only surprise is that they weren’t more popular outside Germany (where they were created).

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Posted on January 17, 2012

Hunks »Ronn Moss

Ridge Forrester, Rowdy Abilene, Player

Jim has been using the imperfect but pretty awesome program called Tune Up to match our sprawling music library with titles and cover art.

Because of this, when the AM Gold classic, Baby Come Back came on, I beheld one of the most brazenly extreme 1970’s displays of questionable men’s taste. Tinted glasses, deep V necks, silver belts, indescribable coifs, handle bar mustaches and their name is PLAYER!.. Of course, I was instantly in love.

But, wait just a second… That guy in the blazer and silk scarf(!) doesn’t he look familiar?

Could it? It couldn’t. But maybe it could be… Is that the hunk from one of the best films ever made – Hard Ticket to Hawaii??

Oh my goodness, friends. I found out that indeed, it is the same man.

Rowdy Abilene from Hard Ticket sang Baby Come Back.

I’ll just let that sink in.

His real name is Ronn Moss and apparently everything he touches is pure gold. Which means I should probably have been watching The Bold in the Beautiful where he played a fashion magnate named Ridge Forrester!!!

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Posted on January 5, 2012