Return to the list of newsletters Powerhouse Radio Newsletter Marvin Gaye Remembered May 12, 2004 This issue includes... 1) National Hip Hop Political Convention 2) The Powerhouse Radio Toolbar 3) HD Radio is coming to the USA 4) Music News: Usher and John Whitehead 5) Concert Dates: Who's on Tour? 6) Mercy, Mercy, Me: The Art Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye 7) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Chicken Tender Lyrics 8) Chicken Games 9) Top Ten Listening from the last 30 Days 10)Your Feedback Forward this issue to a friend Subscribe at http://www.powerhouseradio.com 1) National Hip Hop Political Convention The Democrats and Republicans are in the spotlight this year with conventions in Boston and New York City to support the presidential election in the USA. Another summit gaining momentum is the National Hip Hop Political Convention, June 16 - 19 in Newark, New Jersey. Organizers describe it as a national gathering of the Hip Hop generation to vote on, adopt, and endorse a political agenda. For more information about the convention, including how to become a delegate, visit: http://www.hiphopconvention.org 2) The Powerhouse Radio Toolbar Here's a toolbar created with you in mind. The brand new Powerhouse Radio Toolbar will increase your ability to find everything you want on the web, easily. I'm excited about it, and you will be too, so go to: http://www.powerhouseradio.com/download.html and read all about it. If you use Google, Yahoo!, or MSN to search the web, don't miss out on this terrific time saver. 3) HD Radio is coming to the USA Hot in the UK for more than a year, (because of new programming supplied there by the BBC), HD radio, also called high definition digital radio, is coming to America in a big way. Here's yet another choice in the crowded space currently occupied by terrestrial radio, Internet radio, and satellite radio. I heard the actual HD radio system at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year in Las Vegas on a local station piloting the technology with a radio manufacturer. Two words, it's awesome. Music on AM sounds just like FM quality. This is no joke. Music on FM is reproduced with CD quality. Of course, your current radio won't pick up the digital signal. The first HD radios are out now, and cost between $400 - $500. However, just like those new dedicated Internet radio boxes, and satellite radios, over time, HD radio prices will drop. Most AM & FM stations in the USA will be converting to HD radio over the next couple of years. Many have made the conversion early. Here is a complete list: http://www.ibiquity.com/hdradio/hdradio_hdstations.htm Another big benefit: you get the meta data display, currently available only on new analog radios, Internet radio players, and satellite radios. This is the text display giving you the song, artist, and album title. HD radio will also allow your favorite local station to broadcast two different channels of programming on the same frequency at the same time. One station can now turn into two. Wireless Internet radio will probably be in automobiles by the time HD radio takes off big time. We'll see what happens. ------------ Written by King 4) Music News: Usher and John Whitehead Usher ----- His new album, "Confessions," sold over a million copies in less than a week, making it the highest selling album debut since 2001. This is a record-setter for an R&B artist, according to his record label, Arista. John Whitehead -------------- One half of the famous McFadden and Whitehead song writing team was shot dead in Philadelphia, PA, Tuesday evening, May 11. Along with Gene McFadden, the duo wrote lots of hits for the artists of the Philadelphia International roster. Whitehead was working on a vehicle in the West Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia, when three men approached and shots were fired. "Back Stabbers" may be the most famous song written by McFadden and Whitehead. The Jacksons, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Archie Bell, Lou Rawls, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, and others have recorded their songs. One song they didn't give to another artist, was "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," a big R&B and pop hit sung by McFadden and Whitehead in 1979. There are four versions of "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" that feature the original Philly International rhythm track that I'm aware of. I have these four in my personal collection: a) The 12" vinyl single, 10:30 approx. time b) The 7" vinyl single, 3:29 approx. time c) The version for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team d) The version by Doug Henderson Sr., Philly DJ known as Jocko The Powerhouse Radio version is a special edit I did on the 12" vinyl single bringing the run time to 7:19. McFadden and Whitehead were a very creative writing team. They flourished under the mentoring of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the owners of Philadelphia International Records. Condolences to John Whitehead's family. 5) Concert Dates: Who's on Tour? Janet Jackson Saturday, May 15, 2004 The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA War Saturday, May 22, 2004 Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 7:00pm George Benson Tuesday, May 25, 2004 Wembley Arena, London, United Kingdom Diana Krall Thursday & Friday, May 27 - 28, 2004 Hummingbird Center, Toronto, Canada 8:00pm Teena Marie Friday, May 28, 2004 Constitution Hall, Washington, DC 8:00pm James Brown Saturday, June 5, 2004 Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, Canada 7:30pm Smokey Robinson Saturday, June 5, 2004 Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, MN George Benson Wednesday, June 9, 2004 Grand Rex, Paris, France Macy Gray Sunday, June 27, 2004 Pier 62/63, Seattle, WA 7:00pm Prince Monday - Wednesday, July 12 - July 14, 2004 Madison Square Garden, NY, NY 7:30pm all three nights Natalie Cole Friday, July 16, 2004 Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 8:00pm Earth Wind & Fire Friday, July 16, 2004 Pier Six Concert Pavilion, Baltimore, MD 8:00pm CeCe Winans Friday, July 23, 2004 Savvis Center, St. Louis, MO Al Green Saturday, July 31, 2004 Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA Madonna Sunday & Monday, August 1 - 2, 2004 American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL 8:00pm both nights Prince Monday & Tuesday, August 9 - 10, 2004 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:30pm both nights Lionel Richie Thursday, September 30, 2004 Le Zenith, Paris, France 6) Mercy, Mercy, Me: The Art Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye Mercy, Mercy, Me: The Art Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye, written by Michael Eric Dyson. Published by Basic Civitas Books, 2004. Our review was written by Dorothy Ferebee for the Powerhouse Radio Newsletter. ------------ Twenty years after Marvin Gaye's death by his father's hand, we are still talking about him and still inspired by his music. He is very much a part of our lives. As a commemoration of his life and death, Professor Michael Eric Dyson offers up this "biocriticism" dividing Gaye's life into three dimensions: his art, his loves and his demons. For those of us who are unfamiliar with Gaye's life, this book will only heighten our sense of loss. To know more about Marvin Gaye will not ease the pain of separation. While Dyson brings to light the fractured and dysfunctional relationship between Gaye and his father, which ultimately resulted in Gaye's death, he also offers up a feast of remembrances and recollections that illuminate the genius of Marvin Gaye. We are given a behind-the-scenes look at the man, the music and Motown by icons such as Leon Ware, Kim Weston, Johnny Bristol and Martha Reeves. Dyson examines the effect of Marvin Gaye's music on the socio-political climate of the sixties, seventies and eighties. Each decade of Gaye's music was a direct reflection of where he was at that point in his life. During the sixties, his music reflected his doo-wop roots and his ability to cross over to mainstream audiences. It was also the time of his duets with Tammi Terrell, who collapsed onstage in his arms and eventually died of a brain tumor. The seventies saw Gaye's music take a social and political turn with hits like "What's Going On," "Inner City Blues" while moving into the eighties with more personal and sexual songs like "You Sure Love to Ball" and "Sexual Healing." Dyson attempts to unravel the mysteries of Gaye's loves and passions for Anna Gordy and Janice Hunter, his two wives and his reputed romantic relationship with Tammi Terrell. He also reveals that Marvin Gaye fathered a son with his wife's 15 year old cousin. This book goes a long way to satisfy our need to understand the man who continues to influence contemporary musical artists and whose musical legacy can never be erased. Still, it leaves us wanting more. ---------------------------- Review written by Dorothy Ferebee for the Powerhouse Radio Newsletter. Dorothy is the author of the book "How To Create Your Own African American Library." Read her other reviews and visit her website at: http://www.booksforblacks.net 7) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood: Chicken Tender Lyrics Have you misunderstood any song lyrics lately? Here are some real gems submitted by real people courtesy of The Archive of Misheard Lyrics at amiright.com Sam Cooke, "Twistin' the Night Away" Misheard Lyrics: "Dancing with the chicken slats" Correct Lyrics: "Dancing with the chick in slacks" Barry White, "Let The Music Play" Misheard Lyrics: "One chicken please" Correct Lyrics: "One ticket please" Commodores, "Brick House" Misheard Lyrics: "Chicken Cow, Chicken Cow, Chicken Cow Now" Correct Lyrics: "Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now" Will Smith, "Gettin' Jiggy With It" Misheard Lyrics: "Kickin chicken with it" Correct Lyrics: "Gettin' jiggy with it" Had enough chicken? Try our R&B animal planet puzzle: http://www.powerhouseradio.com/puzzle16.html 8) Chicken Games More fun than training your dog or cat. Teach this chicken to be obedient at: http://www.subservientchicken.com/ Is that the San Diego Chicken? The chicken mask download is also a riot. Check it out. 9) Top Ten Listening from the last 30 Days A couple of times a year, we give you an update about the community of Powerhouse Radio listeners. Music lovers from 92 different countries have launched the stream and listened in the last 30 days. Here are the current "top tens" in three categories of total listening hours: * By city, ranked from highest to lowest 1) Washington, DC 2) New York City, NY 3) Los Angeles, CA 4) Atlanta, Ga 5) Philadelphia, PA 6) Boston, MA 7) Dallas, TX 8) Chicago, IL 9) Raleigh - Durham, NC 10)Detroit, MI * By state, ranked from highest to lowest 1) CA - California 2) VA - Virginia 3) TX - Texas 4) GA - Georgia 5) NY - New York 6) NJ - New Jersey 7) PA - Pennsylvania 8) DC - District of Columbia 9) IL - Illinois 10)NC - North Carolina * By country, ranked from highest to lowest 1) United States 2) Canada 3) United Kingdom 4) France 5) Japan 6) Mexico 7) Germany 8) Barbados 9) Australia 10)Virgin Islands (USA) 10) Your Feedback via email to King at Powerhouse Radio Robin aka LadyRob writes: "Your station is on point!" King replies: Thanks LadyRob. I visited LadyRob's site, and she is a young singer, songwriter, producer and accomplished musician, and independent artist. She is a two time winner of the Best R&B Drummer for the City of Buffalo New York's music awards. http://www.lucrock.com You can listen to three of her songs on her site. Graham sent this email: "I'm e-mailing from Minster Kent in the UK. It's about time I have found a classic soul station as I'm into northern soul here in the UK and we don't have the stations and your music is much better. Many thanks." Sherri says: "I love Powerhouse Radio! Do you take requests? If so, I would like to hear Leon Haywood's "I want to do something freaky to you." If you don't take requests, keep up the good work anyway. (Smile)" King replies: No problem. The song is in our library and we just added it to our playlist. It's one of those songs that will air occasionally. What we call in radio land, "light rotation." ---------- Don't be left out, because we're listening. Leave your comments or feedback here: http://www.powerhouseradio.com/contact.html ---------- P.S. Lionel Richie on MSNBC TV's "Tonight with Deborah Norville," in a recent one hour interview, about his life, his career, and his new CD... "There are two types of artists, those that are created, and those that are creative." --------- Now that's the voice of experience talking! ****************************************************** Copyright 2004 by Powerhouse Radio All rights reserved Powerhouse Radio http://www.powerhouseradio.com Legendary R&B stars and their friends More music on your computer from 5 decades No Commercials, No audio ads, and... No login required when you click the listen links from: http://www.powerhouseradio.com More 2004 Powerhouse Radio Newsletters:
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