Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
As a kid living in Jamaica, David Marley was such a big David Bowie fan he was nicknamed “Ziggy” (after Bowie’s alter ego Ziggy Stardust)–a moniker that stuck after he got famous. The son of Bob Marley and the brother-in-law of Lauryn Hill, Grammy-winner Marley, 34, is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award and was a Goodwill Youth Ambassador for the United Nations.
Is a breakup in the works for the Backstreet Boys? Sounds as though the group wants it that way. Us Weekly predicted a breakup more than a year ago and in the new issue–on stands today–the magazine reports the band members are readier than ever to say bye, bye, bye. (Er, sorry. Wrong boy band.) According to Us, eldest member Kevin Richardson, 31, said the Boys were “having meetings to discuss” calling it quits.
The new album by O.A.R., “In Between Now and Then” (Lava), won’t be in stores until Tuesday, but you can meet the boys and hear them sing Sunday at Tower Records. “We love doing these shows,” says O.A.R. frontman Marc Roberge. “Any chance to play for an enthusiastic audience is a great time.”
With Memorial Day just around the corner, you’re probably thinking about picnics and–if the weather ever cooperates–heading to the beach or pool. Those of you who thought those collapsible chairs with built-in cupholders were the be-all, end-all are going to love the latest trend in portable chairs: the multitaskers.
When the group first toured the United States, Ash’s Tim Wheeler was the ripe old age of 19. Now 26, the Irish frontman phoned just days after his visit to the hospital (more on that later). Calling from Manchester, England, Wheeler chatted about touring, aging and how a “Dawson’s Creek” star surprised him.
In “Pokemon Heroes”–the fifth film in the phenomenally popular Pokemon series–a pair of dolphin-like sibling creatures are the center of intrigue. Latias and Latios–the newest characters from the Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire video games–make their big-screen debut in this spunky adventure.
Some women might take offense at being dubbed a Wacky Chick, but Jacklyn Kim revels in it. “I love being wacky and different.” Though she’s employed at one of the city’s most luxurious spas, Jacklyn rarely indulges in manicures and massages. The tiny dynamo–who is almost always clad in New York black–can’t sit still long enough to relax.
After watching his own life melodramatically played out on MTV as one of the Chicago cast members of “The Real World,” Lincolnshire’s Kyle Brandt is ready to tackle another kind of soap opera. The 24-year-old actor has a three-year contract, starting today, to portray Philip Kiriakis on the
long-running daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.”
Like many Americans, Caroll Spinney remembers watching the tragic Challenger shuttle mission in 1986. Had it not been for Big Bird, it could’ve been him on the mission instead of school teacher Christa McAuliffe.
Threading is so old school it’s trendy. The ancient Middle Eastern practice of hair removal is tops with trendsetters such as Jennifer Aniston and Salma Hayek. Even Grammy winner Michelle Branch sings the praises of threading.
Cheap Trick has been rocking for over a quarter-century, more or less with the original lineup. None of the band members–guitarist Rick Nielsen, singer-rhythm guitarist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos–has changed much over the years: two are hot; two, well, are not. And, Zander’s vocals have only gotten stronger. The ubiquitous Nielsen–a co-owner of the Wicker Park eatery Piece–took time to chat about boy bands, living in Rockford and Billy Corgan.
“No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself,” Morpheus says in “The Matrix” (1999). Four years later, the world is ready to feast its collective eyes on “The Matrix Reloaded”–the first of two sequels that have already been filmed.
Once you get past the exotic costumers and Kabuki-inspired makeup in “Onmyoji,” you realize that the subtitled Japanese film really is a dark, supernatural fairy tale not unlike “The Lord of the Rings.” OK, there are no dwarves, elves or sorcerers in “Onmyoji,” but the film is peppered with magicians, demons and, well, the undead.
Rob Thomas is more than you think he is. Touring to promote Matchbox Twenty’s latest album, “More Than You Think You Are” (Atlantic), the band’s singer took a break to talk about Santana, Enrique Iglesias and his never-ending quest to meet Kurt Vonnegut.
Beyonce Knowles is doing it. So are Richard Gere, Brendan Fraser, Dustin Hoffman and Howard Stern. They’re all taking pictures with Polaroid’s latest instant camera–the Polaroid One ($49.99).