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‘heros’ Category

  1. Bob Dylan Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

    May 30, 2012 by editor

    Let’s talk heroes for a second, because yesterday, one of mine was awarded a very special honor. This man who is known for writing songs with anti-war and pro-civil rights themes, and who has been producing music for nearly 5 decades now, is none other than mister Bob Dylan. Time Magazine called him a “master poet, caustic social critic and intrepid, guiding spirit of the counterculture generation” and included him in their list of the Most Important People of the Century. Yesterday, President Obama presented this legendary musical genius with what I believe to be a well-deserved Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ian Duncan of the LA Times reports,

    “President Obama pinned the Presidential Medal of Freedom around Bob Dylan’s neck as the singer stood in the White House inscrutable in black sunglasses.

    “I have to say that I am a really big fan,” Obama said as he introduced Dylan, one of a number of figures from the struggles and accomplishments of the 1960s, as well as other eras, whom Obama chose to honor Tuesday. Labor leader and civil rights campaigner Dolores Huerta and astronaut John Glenn also received the medal.

    “I remember, you know, in college listening to Bob Dylan and my world opening up because he captured something about this country that was so vital,” Obama said.

    The president said many of the recipients had had a personal effect on his life. The year 1962 looms especially large in Obama’s picks: That was the year Dylan put out his first album, Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Assn. and Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.

    The medal is the country’s highest civilian honor and the president has wide latitude in choosing recipients. It is awarded to people who have made major contributions to the security of the United States, world peace or culture, or have undertaken “other significant public or private endeavors.” “

    Click here to read more about Dylan’s other Presidential awards throughout the years. 

    I can’t seem to get away from “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” I listen to this song and cannot believe that it is still just as relevant today as it was when Dylan first released it back in the ’60s as a sort of civil-rights awareness anthem. But the times are still a’changin’, every day, and so the song spans decades. It makes me real happy to see a man who has had such an impact on the country receive such a prestigious award. And now I’ll probably be listening to Bob Dylan for the next week straight. :)

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  2. Mark Zuckerberg Gets Married Day After FB IPO

    May 20, 2012 by editor

    Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has had one heck of a week. On Friday, the booming social network went public with an IPO, and the very next day, Mark married his longtime sweetheart, Priscilla Chan, in his backyard. According to sources, the lovebirds were waiting for Chan to graduate from med school. The pair reportedly threw a party to celebrate Chan’s graduation, and low and behold surprised all the guests in attendance with a wedding. Classy, Mark. That’s how it’s done. Marcus Wohlsen of the Associated Press reported,

    “For Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, it was quite a week — from birthday, to IPO, to I DO.

    A day after the historic Facebook stock offering, Zuckerberg on Saturday wed 27-year-old Priscilla Chan, his girlfriend of nearly a decade, according to a guest authorized to speak for the couple. The person spoke only on the condition of anonymity.

    Zuckerberg gave his new bride a ring he had designed with a “very simple ruby” to end an incredibly eventful week, according to the guest.

    The couple married at his Palo Alto, Calif. home in front of fewer than 100 stunned guests who thought they would be attending a party to celebrate Chan’s graduation from medical school.

    On Monday, Zuckerberg turned 28 and Chan graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, where she’d studied pediatrics.

    Then on Friday, Zuckerberg took his blue-and-white web behemoth public in one of the most anticipated IPOs in Wall Street history.

    The seemingly well-coordinated timing was largely a coincidence, the guest said. The wedding had been planned for months and the couple was waiting for Chan to finish medical school, but the date of the IPO was a “moving target” not known when the wedding was set.”

    To read about how Zuckerberg and Chan met, as well as quotes from one of the wedding guests, click here.

    Mark’s gotta be on top of the world right now. Though Friday’s IPO was a bit underwhelming, I don’t think that anyone would say that the social network giant is in a bad position. Now that that’s over and done with, and Mark’s sweetheart is finished with medical school, I imagine that those two must be basking in the “newlywed” glow. I wish them every happiness, and congrats to Mark for his constant persistence and hard work. I hope they go somewhere really sweet for their honeymoon and relax for a bit!

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  3. Dick Clark Dies at Age 82

    April 19, 2012 by editor

    There’s not much else to say about it. Dick Clark, you will be missed. This is the guy who’ve I’ve listened to every year on New Year’s Eve since I was a little kid, the guy I have to thank for giving stars like Madonna and the Mamas and the Papas their start on “American Bandstand,” the guy who I suspect may have softened my mother to the rock ‘n roll back in the 50′s when it was a newfangled idea. Geoff Boucher of the LA Times put together a really nice 3-page spread honoring Clark that I’d like to share:

    Photo Courtesy of the LA Times

    “Dick Clark, the youthful-looking television personality who literally introduced rock ‘n’ roll to much of the nation on “American Bandstand” and for four decades was the first and last voice many Americans heard each year with his New Year’s Eve countdowns, died Wednesday. He was 82.

    Clark died after suffering a heart attack following an outpatient procedure at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, according to a statement by his longtime publicist, Paul Shefrin. Clark’s health had been in question since a 2004 stroke affected his speech and mobility, but that year’s Dec. 31 countdown was the only one he missed since he started the annual rite during the Nixon years.

    With the exception of Elvis Presley, Clark was considered by many to be the person most responsible for the bonfire spread of rock ‘n’ roll across the country in the late 1950s. “Bandstand” gave fans a way to hear and see rock’s emerging idols in a way that radio and magazines could not. It made Clark a household name and gave him the foundation for a shrewdly pursued broadcasting career that made him wealthy, powerful and present in American television for half a century.”

    To read more about Clark’s incredible life, accomplishments, and story click here.

    As Dick himself used to say, “For now, Dick Clark…so long.” So long, indeed, Dick.

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  4. Monkees Bandmate Davy Jones Dies of Heart Attack

    March 1, 2012 by editor

    Yesterday I discussed the oddity of birthdays falling on February 29th, but didn’t even consider what an anomaly a Feb. 29th death would be. Unfortunately the world lost a very talented and well-loved musician yesterday. Legendary Monkees frontman, Davy Jones, died of a heart attack in Florida yesterday morning. Even if you didn’t watch the Monkees show that aired in the sixties, I’m sure you’ve busted a groove to “I’m a Believer” or secretly belted out “Daydream Believer” in your car at some point. I dare you to listen to this song and not get into it.

    Ethan Sacks of the New York Daily News reported,

    “After the sudden death of the Monkees’ lead singer Davy Jones Wednesday, the surviving three members of the band publicly paid their respects.

    Just as Jones’ fatal heart attack at the age of 66 stunned fans, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith were left reeling by the news out of Stuart, Fla.

    “It came as a pretty big shocker – right out of the blue,” Dolenz told NBC’s “Today” show. “You know, he was the last one that I thought would [go first] … the youngest one of us.”

    Though they had originally come together as a prefabricated band for the Beatles-inspired ’60s TV series, Tork said the four musicians bonded into friends.

    “I know Davy was very happy to be a part of all of this,” Tork told USA Today. “He wanted nothing more than to be an entertainer. And to help people enjoy time.”

    To read the rest of the NY Daily News article, go here.

    Something tells me that Davy Jones is monkeying around wherever he is right now. Thanks for the music and good times, Davy. You tha Monkee!

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  5. Sacha Baron Cohen is Genius as “the Dictator” at the Oscars

    February 27, 2012 by editor

    Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is up against some strong criticism for the stunt he pulled last night at the Oscars — spilling the contents of the urn he was carrying onto host Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet. But it earned the guy crazy amounts of Tweets, blog posts, news stories, and online videos so the promo he was doing for his upcoming movie, “The Dictator,” worked like a charm. I guess it’s like they say, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

    Deadline.com reported last night,

    “Sacha Baron Cohen just strolled onto the Red Carpet wearing The Dictator‘s full military white uniform in character as General Alladeen from the Middle East Republic of Wadiya. Flanked by two gorgeous women in military mini-skirts, Baron Cohen appears to be holding a funereal urn. (Maybe containing the ashes of the Academy’s integrity?) Ryan Seacrest of E! played along and addressed Baron Cohen as “Dictator” to which Sacha responded, “Hello. Death to the West!”

    Seacrest asked whom he is wearing. “I’m wearing John Galliano but the socks are from KMart. Saddam Hussein once said to me, ‘Socks are socks. Don’t waste money.” And, yes, that is a funereal urn which Sacha said contained his “dear friend” North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il. “It was his dream to come to the Oscars and to be sprinkled over the Red Carpet and over Halle Berry’s chest again.” (Too bad: Berry pulled out as an Oscars presenter today because of an injury that has her on crutches.)

    With that, Baron Cohen opened the urn and then spilled the ashes all over Seacrest’s Burberry tuxedo and shoes!

    Immediately, security men (real or play-acting) pushed Baron Cohen away from Seacrest who didn’t looked amused. “It’s OK. Now if somebody asks you who you are wearing, you can say Kim Jung Il!”

    To read the rest of Deadline.com’s article, go here.

    Regardless of whether or not I’m a fan of Cohen’s comedy or his previous films, I’ve gotta admit that he is a genius when it comes to advertising and to getting buzz going around him. I admire him for his fearlessness in his promotional endeavors, and the two foxy female officers who followed him up and down the red carpet last night weren’t tough to watch either :)

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  6. Oldies but Goodies

    February 13, 2012 by editor

    I’m hip. I’m with it. I’m into the newest pop and rap songs, latest reality tv shows and hottest trends. But every now and then I like to see a little bit of old school flavor. Last night’s Grammy Awards had the perfect combo of classic older talent meets up-and-coming modern music. A few of my favorite “oldie but goodie” performances included the Beach Boys, Paul Mccartney, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Tony Bennett. After seeing 54-year-old Madonna rock the SuperBowl half-time show last week, I started thinking man 50 is like the new 30. She looks GOOD. Circa the Grammy Awards last night, I saw 69-year-old Mccartney and though okay so 70 is like the new 50 now! Props out to the singer/songwriters from the older years who are still rocking and rolling. Mccartney even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week. Shauna Wright of UltimateClassicRock.com reported yesterday,

    “Paul McCartney was finally honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on Thursday — and if you’re anything like us, you’re thinking, “Wait, what? How did he not have one already?”

    The Beatles (as a group) have had a star since 1998, but somehow Paul was the last of the Fab Four to get one of his own. John Lennon and George Harrison died before they were enshrined on the famous pathway, but come on, evenRingo Starr has already been there for two years.

    Still, if Macca was bitter, he didn’t let it show, saying to the hundreds of fans at the ceremony, “In Liverpool, when we were kids and listening to Buddy Holly and all the other rock and roll greats, I would have never thought the day would come when I’d be getting a star on the Walk of Fame. I thought it was an impossible thing to happen. But here we are today.”

    His star was placed alongside those of his band members outside the Capitol Records building. Ringo couldn’t attend the ceremony due to illness, but Neil Young was on hand to pay tribute, saying that the 69-year-old McCartney is a singer and songwriter “at the top of his game.””

    To read the rest of Wright’s article on UltimateClassicRock.com, click here. 

    The even cooler thing than these older musicians still making and performing music is that they’re still winning awards for their music. Tony Bennett took home a couple of awards including Best Pop Performance by a Duo for his “Body and Soul” number with the late Amy Winehouse, and Paul Mccartney won Best Historical Album. For these guys, I’m going to go ahead and say it… they just don’t make music like that anymore.

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  7. Don Cornelius Steps Off the Soul Train

    February 1, 2012 by editor

    In the very words that the late Don Cornelius used to close every show, “As always, we wish you love, peace and soul!” Back at you, Don. Back at you. Allegedly the “Soul Train” creator was found dead this morning due to self-inflicted gunshot wounds. But instead of mourning his passing, I would like to tip my cap and give a nod to the first day of Black History Month by commending Mr. Cornelius for his accomplishments. I have nothing but respect for the guy who created a show aimed at giving talented musicians the exposure that they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Who knows where “Soul Train” guest stars Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross, to name a few, might have been without being able to use the show as a launch pad for their careers? Can a brotha get an Amen! The New York Times reported that “Soul Train” “played a critical role in spreading the music of black America to the world.” The New York Times says,

    “Don Cornelius, the producer and television host who created the dance show “Soul Train,” was found shot dead in his Los Angeles home early Wednesday morning in what appears to be a suicide, the Los Angeles Police Department and the county coroner’s office said. He was 75 years old.

    A person called the police from Mr. Cornelius’s house on Mulholland Drive in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood just before 4 a.m. and reported shots had been fired, a police spokesman, Chris No, said. When officers arrived, they were let into the house and found Mr. Cornelius lying lifeless on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head that appeared to be self-inflicted, said the Los Angeles County assistant chief coroner, Ed Winter.

    Mr. Cornelius was taken to Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:56 a.m., Mr. Winter said. “It was reported as a suicide, a self-inflicted wound,” he said. “I have investigators at the hospital.”

    “Soul Train” was one of the longest-running syndicated shows in television history and played a critical role in spreading the music of black America to the world, offering wide exposure to musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson in the 1970s and 1980s.” 

    To read the rest of the NYT article by James C. McKinley Jr., go here.

    Don, we wish your soul peace and love. (I hope you don’t mind that I changed it a little bit.) And now, I am going to go pull up some “Soul Train” episodes on YouTube. And maybe go download some Al Green on iTunes. And listen to some James Brown on Spotify.

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  8. Russian Tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov owner of New Jersey Nets Takes Putin on one on one

    December 13, 2011 by editor

    Who doesn’t love a comie turned capitalist turned billionaire.

    Mikail started off studying finance even when in the middle of a communist country. He went on to become one of the 50 richest people in the world, and bought the New Jersey Nets. So why not become president of Russia now? As the Russian streets grow uneasy against their current leader Putin, Mikhail has thrown his hat in the ring to go up against him.

    The LA times writes: ”

    Reporting from Moscow—

    The Russian billionaire who owns the New Jersey Nets basketball team announced he would challenge Vladimir Putin for the presidency in March, a sign of how quickly the political landscape has shifted since parliamentary elections widely criticized as having been rigged.

    A public outcry against results of the Dec. 4 vote has presented Putin, long Russia’s strongest leader, with a sudden problem: The protest by tens of thousands of people in Moscow on Saturday was the largest demonstration in the city since the collapse of the Soviet Union 20 years ago.

    Although tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov has in the past been sharply critical of the Kremlin, he had faded from the scene until Monday. Even after his announcement, there were widespread doubts whether he intended to risk Putin’s ire, or he was merely a player in an effort to prevent the discontent from jelling into an organized political movement.

    In the days since the vote, Putin has distanced himself from the ruling United Russia party, which the protesters decry as a “party of swindlers and thieves.” Officials have said they are willing to review some election results. And on Monday, even as Prokhorov announced his candidacy, officials also began punishing provincial leaders who failed to deliver enough votes.

    Together, the moves suggested the outlines of a plan to take the energy out of the protest movement, and ensure nothing stands in the way of Putin, who currently is prime minister, from regaining the office he left four years ago because of term limits.” You can read more here at the La Times.

    An American 14 year old teenage boy gets my BAMF of the week award. He was nabbed by Al Qaeda in the Philippines, held prisonor in the jungle for 4 months, then snuck away on the pretense that he was going to take a bath in the stream, like it was a Gilligans Island Episode. Then with some fast running down stream, he was free. The whole story is at ABC News.

    “An American teenage boy outsmarted the members of a suspected al Qaeda-linked militants, escaping after five months of being held hostage in a jungle in the Philippines.

    Kevin Lunsmann, 14, was lost for nearly two days, roaming without shoes, before he was found by villagers, his father said.

    ABC News affiliate WSET spoke to the boy’s father, Heiko Lunsmann, who said he’s so happy he’s getting his son back.

    “I’m so proud of my son, he’s a hero, he wandered two days through the jungle,” Heiko Lunsmann said.

    “That was a tough time, it was tough five months,” he said. “I only know he is a hero and I’m so happy he escaped.”

    When he spoke to this father for the first time the boy proudly said, “I did it on my own, Dad, they didn’t release me, I did it,” family friend Jean Gowen told ABC News.

    Kevin Lunsmann said he convinced his four armed captors that he was going to take a bath at a nearby stream, but then he decided to make a run for it. He followed a river down a mountain in Basilan province before being found with bruises on his arms and feet late the next day by villagers.

    Police Senior Superintendant Edwin de Ocampo told The Associated Press that Lunsmann was exhausted, hungry and still stunned when he was found. He initially feared the villagers and fled from them as well.”

    I am stoked with the new blog. We are going to be focusing on things to make you better. If you haven’t read it yet, read the mission of the crew on the right sidebar, and sign up on our list on facebook, so you get the super insider tips.

     

     

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