Category Archives: Memory Lane

Recalling Little Richard, rock’n’roll’s greatest

Posted on December 5, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – The first recording I ever bought was a 78rpm double-A side single of ‘Long Tall Sally’ and ‘Tutti Frutti’ by Little Richard, who was born 90 years ago today.

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Jerry Lee Lewis was no rock’n’roll hero to me

Posted on November 5, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Now that he has been laid to rest, it’s time to offer some balance to the hysterical reaction to the death of Jerry Lee Lewis. Given that today an artist can be cancelled on the basis … Continue reading →

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Recalling … a great afternoon with Deidre Hall

Posted on October 31, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – One of the true  queens of the soaps, ‘Days of Our Lives’ star Deidre Hall, who turns 75 today, sent me a very nice note after I interviewed her in 1981 for a cover story … Continue reading →

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Recalling … Jackie Collins, ‘me too’ before ‘me too’

Posted on October 4, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Novelist Jackie Collins, who was born 85 years ago today, wrote about the problems women faced in Hollywood long before the ‘me too’ movement came along. Younger sister of Joan Collins, she was known for … Continue reading →

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Sacheen Littlefeather: Apache with a great sense of humour

Posted on October 3, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON  – Sacheen Littlefeather, who has died of cancer aged 75, was known as a very serious social activist on behalf of  Native Americans but she had a great sense of humour, especially regarding her upbringing and … Continue reading →

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When Nancy Ames invited me to her show …

Posted on September 30, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – American singer Nancy Ames, who turns 85 today, once said she was my biggest fan. It began when I went to interview her for The Windsor Star in Canada and fell in love.

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A visit by the Queen was mostly fleeting memories …

Posted on September 8, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – In June of 1973, Queen Elizabeth II made a tour of Canada and The Windsor Star newspaper sent me to cover her visit at the nearest city where she would be seen, London , Ontario. The … Continue reading →

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Recalling Rory Calhoun: car thief, jailbird, movie star

Posted on August 8, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Rory Calhoun was a colourful old-time film star whose real-life story was as action-packed as any movie. Born 100 years ago today, he stole cars, spent time in prison and worked as a logger, miner, … Continue reading →

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When two ‘hippy’ reporters crossed the U.S. border

Posted on August 4, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – With the death on August 2 of my former Windsor Star colleague Bill Twaddle, aged 74, I’m reminded of a memorable escapade we had fifty-odd years ago. Inspired by Woodstock, many venues in Canada and … Continue reading →

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When Gillian Anderson hit a home run onstage

Posted on June 14, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – At the Royal Court Theatre in April 2004, a  tiny, waif-like creature strolls silently onto a wide, spare stage with the audience still settling and chattering and then suddenly becoming quiet. There is a window … Continue reading →

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