Category Archives: Music

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 →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , | Comments Off on John Williams said he never takes Spielberg for granted

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 →

Posted in Comment, Film, Media, Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Bob Dowling gave me the best job in the world

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 →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Julie Taymor met Paul and Yoko

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 →

Posted in Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Charlie Rich loved the blues more than country music

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.

Posted in Film, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Recalling Little Richard, rock’n’roll’s greatest

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 →

Posted in Comment, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ..., Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Interviews, Memory Lane, Music | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Giggling over lunch with the great Cleo Laine

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.

Posted in Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ..., Television | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on When Nancy Ames invited me to her show …

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 →

Posted in Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , | Comments Off on When two ‘hippy’ reporters crossed the U.S. border

Composer Lalo Schifrin on fads and favorites

Posted on June 21, 2022 by admin

By Ray Bennett LONDON – Argentinian composer Lalo Schifrin, who turns 90 today, is known for his concerts, recordings, film scores such as ‘Bullitt’, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ and ‘Dirty Harry’ and TV shows such as ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Mannix’ but … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Interviews, Memory Lane, Music, Recalling ... | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Composer Lalo Schifrin on fads and favorites