Category Archives: Memory Lane

Why Donovan said he would get me a knighthood

Posted on May 10, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – When Donovan, who turns 70 today, announced in Cannes that the internet is the new Sixties, my story about it made headlines around the world. When I ran into the folk-rocker later at a BMI gathering … Continue reading →

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The Queen, the Happy Hooker and me

Posted on April 21, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I went to London to see the Queen and met the Happy Hooker, who led me astray. In June of 1973, Queen Elizabeth II, who turns 90 today, made a tour of Canada and The Windsor … Continue reading →

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Memories of Gregory Peck, born 100 years ago today

Posted on April 5, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – “It all goes by so quickly,” Gregory Peck told me. “It’s like a flash. Suddenly, one is in the home stretch and where did it all go? How did it flash by so fast?” That … Continue reading →

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David Bowie: When Ziggy played guitar

Posted on January 11, 2016 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – On Oct. 8 1972, a new young artist from England played his sixth U.S. concert in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre. This is what I wrote in The Windsor Star newspaper two days later: Remember the name. … Continue reading →

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Why Frank Sinatra was called The Voice

Posted on December 12, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett There were several reasons why Frank Sinatra, who was born 100 years ago today, was known as The Voice. In 1992, Daily Variety gave me the chance to research just how he earned the sobriquet.

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Going back to ‘Back To The Future’ with Michael J. Fox

Posted on October 16, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – As “Back to the Future” marks its 30th anniversary, here’s a version of a story I wrote in 1985 for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. In 1984, Canadian actor Michael J. Fox (pictured with Christopher … Continue reading →

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When Sean Connery offered me a Scotch …

Posted on August 25, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Sean Connery nudged my arm as a waiter hovered with a tray of champagne, and said, “They have Scotch, you know.” We were on the terrace on Elton John’s house on the cornish that overlooks Nice … Continue reading →

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How James Horner came to write the ‘Titanic’ song

Posted on June 23, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American composer James Horner, who has died in a plane crash aged 61, won an Academy Award along with lyricist Will Jennings for “My Heart Will Go On” sung by Celine Dion in “Titanic”, and … Continue reading →

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The look on Anne Murray’s face was one of sheer terror

Posted on June 20, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – One of Canada’s most successful singers, Anne Murray, who turns 70 today, became a huge international entertainer but she told me two things had made her nervous – performing in Las Vegas and at the … Continue reading →

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Ready with a zippo for Elizabeth Hurley

Posted on June 10, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Happy birthday to Elizabeth Hurley, who turns 50 today. I met her at a party during the Festival de Cannes several years ago. I turned on the terrace and there she was in a white dress … Continue reading →

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