Category Archives: Music

When Topol stood me up to go off to war

Posted on March 9, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ star Chaim Topol cancelled my interview with him in June 1967 but he had a very good reason. He left his starring role of Tevye in the hit West End production … Continue reading →

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Why composer John Corigliano has been so choosy

Posted on February 16, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Prolific American composer John Corigiliano, who turns 85 today, scored just three feature films, earned two Academy Award nominations and won for ‘The Red Shoes’.  ‘For me, writing for film has everything to do with … Continue reading →

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John Williams said he never takes Spielberg for granted

Posted on January 24, 2023 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – ‘My hope is that I can work with Steven for many years to come,’ composer John Williams told me. That was in 2000 by which time he had written the scores for sixteen Spielberg-directed movies … Continue reading →

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Bob Dowling gave me the best job in the world

Posted on December 31, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – I shall always be grateful to Robert J.Dowling, the former publisher and editor-in-chief of The Hollywood Reporter who has died aged 83, because it was thanks to him that for several years I had a … Continue reading →

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When Julie Taymor met Paul and Yoko

Posted on December 15, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Julie Taymor, who turns 70 today, is known best for creating ‘The Lion King’ among a long list of theatrical productionsi but her films are just as fascinating such as ‘Titus’, ‘Frida’, ‘The Tempest’,’ The … Continue reading →

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Charlie Rich loved the blues more than country music

Posted on December 14, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Charlie Rich, who was born on this day ninety years ago, was one of the biggest names in country music. His recordings of ‘Behind Closed Doors’ and ‘Most Beautiful Girl’ made him an international smash on … Continue reading →

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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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Giggling over lunch with the great Cleo Laine

Posted on October 28, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – It was lunchtime at the Hotel Pontchartrain  in Detroit and things were getting a bit silly. Cleo Laine, who turns 95 today, was talking about Kurt Weill and the Berliner Ensemble when someone mentioned Monty … 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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