(UKPA) – 1 day ago
Andrew Lloyd Webber is considering a musical about a key figure in the Profumo affair.
The stage maestro said he found the story of Stephen Ward - who had a pivotal role in the scandal - intriguing and could use it for his next production.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the episode which led to the downfall of the then secretary of state for war, John Profumo.
The story of his affair with showgirl Christine Keeler was chronicled in the 1989 film Scandal.
It starred Joanne Whalley as Keeler, Sir Ian McKellen as Profumo and John Hurt as Ward, a society figure who introduced the pair at a party at Cliveden and was central to the tale.
In the fallout from the affair, he faced charges of living off immoral earnings but died as a result of an overdose of sleeping tablets. Ward was found guilty although he was dead before sentencing.
Lord Lloyd-Webber - soon to lead an ITV1 search for the star to lead the cast in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar - said Ward's story could form the basis for his next new musical.
He told Chris Evans on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show: "I'm looking for a subject at the moment and I think I've found one. You always have to go and try these things.
"Stephen Ward really intrigues me and was a fantastically interesting character. The most popular man in London who ended up with absolutely nobody after the trial and everything.
"I kind of think he was the fall guy."
Copyright © 2012 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 27, 2012
“I talk to ghosts” Meat Loaf reveals his affinity for the supernatural
As a singer, he’s the voice behind Bat Out Of Hell — the fifth biggest selling album of all time. As an actor, he’s braved Shakespeare and working with David Fincher. But, on first speaking to Meat Loaf about his new album Hell In A Handbasket, (out in the UK on February 27) the most pressing question isn’t about any of those things…
Before we start, how do we address you?
Meat. I’ve been called that since I was a baby [laughs]. It’s not a stage name. Then, when I was about 13, I stepped on a coach’s foot and he screamed, “Get off my foot, you hunk of meatloaf!” And that was it. The only time that I’ve ever been called Mr Loaf was in a 1972 theatre review of As You Like It.
How does Hell In A Handbasket stand out from your previous material?
I have Chuck D rapping on a version of Tom Cochrane’s Mad Mad World. I already had Lil Jon on the record, and when I started to research the rap and hip-hop world, I began to appreciate the art form and the poetry involved, so I wanted a rap guy to do Mad Mad World. The producer said, “You want Chuck D. Your son-in-law is one of his best friends.” So I called Scotty [Ian], my son-in-law, who’s in Anthrax, and said, “I need Chuck D.” An email came saying, “Chuck meet Meat. Meat meet Chuck.”
You rocked in the Seventies and Eighties — you must have some crazy Ozzy Osbourne-style anecdotes?
I never was Steve Tyler or Ozzy. I tried drugs, but I don’t really drink. I get horrific stage fright, so I have a shot of tequila to calm my nerves, but that’s three hours before I go on. I despise the taste of beer. I don’t like vodka, don’t like Scotch. Champagne makes me want to gag. I’ve never been that clichéd rocker. Groupies cursed at me because I wouldn’t take them home. I’d go, “I can’t do it” and they’d go, “Well f*ck you then.” I don’t have many wild stories from the Seventies or Eighties. The Sixties, though, were crazy. I did acid and hung around everybody like Hendrix, Daltrey, Joplin, The Dead. A lot of those English bands would come over, you know, Bonzo Doo Da Doo Wop Diddy, or whatever.
And how do you relax now?
[Laughs] I don’t do anything. I listen to the news all day. I go back and forth between channels, and just shake my head going, “These people are whack!” [laughs]. NBC is all skewed to liberals, CBS is kind of split, MSNBC is real left-wing and Fox News is real right-wing. Then at night, I sit at my computer and play strategy games. I don’t remember the names — one is about knights and one is about gladiators.
What did you want to be first — actor or musician?
I never figured on music, I figured on acting. I was originally cast in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest as Billy Bibbit, but there was a writer’s strike and I ended up doing The Rocky Horror Show instead. I had the time of my life in London. I made friends with a Pakistani taxi driver. He was a member of the Playboy Club and he took me. You could gamble there in those days. I went in with £40 and came out with £23,000 — I was rich, dude! £23,000! I went and bought an apartment.
Is there a group of fans who know you best as Bob from Fight Club?
That was sort of a departure for me — it was a better script [laughs]. David Fincher is such a great director. One of my agent’s clients is in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. My agent went to the premiere in New York and he texted me, “I just saw David Fincher,” so I texted him back saying, “Go back and ask him when he’s going to hire me again.” David laughed and said I’m always on his list.
You’re known as someone who’s had a lot of near-death experiences — what was the closest you came?
I rolled into a river in a car. Got hit in the head by a shot put. I was on a commercial airliner landing in DC when the wing hit the runway. That was great [laughs]. I’ve had 18 concussions. I think I had a 19th, but I didn’t go to the doctor, so it’s not official.
Did you ever see ‘the light’? Did your life flash before your eyes?
Nah, I’ve never seen that stuff. But I believe there’s something when you die because there are ghosts. I’ve seen them, I’ve been around them. Some are just energy left behind, and some are intelligent. I’ve had conversations with them using a K2 meter, which lets them answer “yes” or “no”. I chased one across the room once. And when we were making Bat Out Of Hell I saw a blonde girl in a white dress. I went downstairs and told the guys, “There’s a groupie up on the balcony,” and they go, “How would she get up there?” Everybody went up and no one was there.
Finally, what exactly wouldn’t you do for love?
This was a huge discussion between me and [writer] Jim Steinman. Jim said people will never figure it out, and I said “Jim, do you really think audiences are stupid?” Obviously audiences are stupid, because I’ve been asked that question a million times. It’s the line before every chorus. Lines like “I’ll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life” or “I’ll never forget the way you feel right now”. I would do anything for love but I won’t do that. And so I add you to my stupid list [laughs].
Hell In A Handbasket is released on 27 February
Image: Rex
http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/music/Meat-Loaf-Interview
Before we start, how do we address you?
Meat. I’ve been called that since I was a baby [laughs]. It’s not a stage name. Then, when I was about 13, I stepped on a coach’s foot and he screamed, “Get off my foot, you hunk of meatloaf!” And that was it. The only time that I’ve ever been called Mr Loaf was in a 1972 theatre review of As You Like It.
How does Hell In A Handbasket stand out from your previous material?
I have Chuck D rapping on a version of Tom Cochrane’s Mad Mad World. I already had Lil Jon on the record, and when I started to research the rap and hip-hop world, I began to appreciate the art form and the poetry involved, so I wanted a rap guy to do Mad Mad World. The producer said, “You want Chuck D. Your son-in-law is one of his best friends.” So I called Scotty [Ian], my son-in-law, who’s in Anthrax, and said, “I need Chuck D.” An email came saying, “Chuck meet Meat. Meat meet Chuck.”
You rocked in the Seventies and Eighties — you must have some crazy Ozzy Osbourne-style anecdotes?
I never was Steve Tyler or Ozzy. I tried drugs, but I don’t really drink. I get horrific stage fright, so I have a shot of tequila to calm my nerves, but that’s three hours before I go on. I despise the taste of beer. I don’t like vodka, don’t like Scotch. Champagne makes me want to gag. I’ve never been that clichéd rocker. Groupies cursed at me because I wouldn’t take them home. I’d go, “I can’t do it” and they’d go, “Well f*ck you then.” I don’t have many wild stories from the Seventies or Eighties. The Sixties, though, were crazy. I did acid and hung around everybody like Hendrix, Daltrey, Joplin, The Dead. A lot of those English bands would come over, you know, Bonzo Doo Da Doo Wop Diddy, or whatever.
And how do you relax now?
[Laughs] I don’t do anything. I listen to the news all day. I go back and forth between channels, and just shake my head going, “These people are whack!” [laughs]. NBC is all skewed to liberals, CBS is kind of split, MSNBC is real left-wing and Fox News is real right-wing. Then at night, I sit at my computer and play strategy games. I don’t remember the names — one is about knights and one is about gladiators.
What did you want to be first — actor or musician?
I never figured on music, I figured on acting. I was originally cast in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest as Billy Bibbit, but there was a writer’s strike and I ended up doing The Rocky Horror Show instead. I had the time of my life in London. I made friends with a Pakistani taxi driver. He was a member of the Playboy Club and he took me. You could gamble there in those days. I went in with £40 and came out with £23,000 — I was rich, dude! £23,000! I went and bought an apartment.
Is there a group of fans who know you best as Bob from Fight Club?
That was sort of a departure for me — it was a better script [laughs]. David Fincher is such a great director. One of my agent’s clients is in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. My agent went to the premiere in New York and he texted me, “I just saw David Fincher,” so I texted him back saying, “Go back and ask him when he’s going to hire me again.” David laughed and said I’m always on his list.
You’re known as someone who’s had a lot of near-death experiences — what was the closest you came?
I rolled into a river in a car. Got hit in the head by a shot put. I was on a commercial airliner landing in DC when the wing hit the runway. That was great [laughs]. I’ve had 18 concussions. I think I had a 19th, but I didn’t go to the doctor, so it’s not official.
Did you ever see ‘the light’? Did your life flash before your eyes?
Nah, I’ve never seen that stuff. But I believe there’s something when you die because there are ghosts. I’ve seen them, I’ve been around them. Some are just energy left behind, and some are intelligent. I’ve had conversations with them using a K2 meter, which lets them answer “yes” or “no”. I chased one across the room once. And when we were making Bat Out Of Hell I saw a blonde girl in a white dress. I went downstairs and told the guys, “There’s a groupie up on the balcony,” and they go, “How would she get up there?” Everybody went up and no one was there.
Finally, what exactly wouldn’t you do for love?
This was a huge discussion between me and [writer] Jim Steinman. Jim said people will never figure it out, and I said “Jim, do you really think audiences are stupid?” Obviously audiences are stupid, because I’ve been asked that question a million times. It’s the line before every chorus. Lines like “I’ll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life” or “I’ll never forget the way you feel right now”. I would do anything for love but I won’t do that. And so I add you to my stupid list [laughs].
Hell In A Handbasket is released on 27 February
Image: Rex
http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/music/Meat-Loaf-Interview
Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot & Jim Steinman Enter Songwriters Hall Of Fame
by: Dave Swanson 3 days ago
Awards, awards…someone is always handing out awards! The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced their inductees for 2012 and the list includes Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot and Jim Steinman.
Canadian born Lightfoot, known for a string of hits such as ‘Sundown,’ ‘If You Could Read My Mind,’ ‘Carefree Highway’ and ‘The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald,’ began his career in a manner similar to that of many struggling young songwriters, with his songs becoming famous before he did. His early efforts were covered by the likes of The Grateful Dead, Elvis Presley and Peter Paul & Mary to name a few.
Bob Seger is no stranger to classic rockers. From his early days as a primal rock and roller in Detroit, making raw and gritty records, to his more polished arena filling million-sellers, Seger remains a staple on classic rock radio, with legions of fans. Hits like ‘Night Moves,’ ‘Turn The Page,’ ‘Old Time Rock And Roll,’ and ‘Hollywood Nights’ can be heard every day on a radio near you. Seger entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.
Meat Loaf may have been “the man,” but Jim Steinman was the man behind the man. Steinman wrote the songs that became million sellers for Meat Loaf on the ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ album. His conceptual teen dramas, filled with Phil Spector-esque arrangements, were brought to life via Meatloaf’s Broadway-style delivery. Steinman would later work with a variety of artists ranging from Bonnie Tyler to Sisters Of Mercy.
Also being inducted are Don Schlitz (primarily a country writer) and the duo of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (no not that Tom Jones, this duo gained fame from the 1960 musical ‘The Fantasticks,’ which is the longest running show in the history of musicals.)
The ceremony will be held Thursday, June 14 in New York City, with additional special award honorees announced soon. The Songwriters Hall Of Fame started in 1969 and annually pays tribute to a variety of writers in pop, rock, country, soul and more.
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/bob-seger-songwriters-hall-of-fame/
Awards, awards…someone is always handing out awards! The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced their inductees for 2012 and the list includes Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot and Jim Steinman.
Canadian born Lightfoot, known for a string of hits such as ‘Sundown,’ ‘If You Could Read My Mind,’ ‘Carefree Highway’ and ‘The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald,’ began his career in a manner similar to that of many struggling young songwriters, with his songs becoming famous before he did. His early efforts were covered by the likes of The Grateful Dead, Elvis Presley and Peter Paul & Mary to name a few.
Bob Seger is no stranger to classic rockers. From his early days as a primal rock and roller in Detroit, making raw and gritty records, to his more polished arena filling million-sellers, Seger remains a staple on classic rock radio, with legions of fans. Hits like ‘Night Moves,’ ‘Turn The Page,’ ‘Old Time Rock And Roll,’ and ‘Hollywood Nights’ can be heard every day on a radio near you. Seger entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.
Meat Loaf may have been “the man,” but Jim Steinman was the man behind the man. Steinman wrote the songs that became million sellers for Meat Loaf on the ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ album. His conceptual teen dramas, filled with Phil Spector-esque arrangements, were brought to life via Meatloaf’s Broadway-style delivery. Steinman would later work with a variety of artists ranging from Bonnie Tyler to Sisters Of Mercy.
Also being inducted are Don Schlitz (primarily a country writer) and the duo of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (no not that Tom Jones, this duo gained fame from the 1960 musical ‘The Fantasticks,’ which is the longest running show in the history of musicals.)
The ceremony will be held Thursday, June 14 in New York City, with additional special award honorees announced soon. The Songwriters Hall Of Fame started in 1969 and annually pays tribute to a variety of writers in pop, rock, country, soul and more.
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/bob-seger-songwriters-hall-of-fame/
Jim Steinman To Receive Songwriter Accolade
gbarton / News / 23/02/2012 10:31am
Jim Steinman is to be inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame.
The 64-year-old Steinman – famed for his collaborations with Meat Loaf as well as… er… Bonnie Tyler – will receive his accolade at a ceremony in New York on June 14.
Steinman is best known, of course, for the hit songs I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Total Eclipse Of The Heart – as well as the entire Bat Out Of Hell fandango.
Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones – not to be confused with the Welsh warbler – will be honoured at the same event.
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/jim-steinman-to-receive-songwriter-accolade/
Jim Steinman is to be inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame.
The 64-year-old Steinman – famed for his collaborations with Meat Loaf as well as… er… Bonnie Tyler – will receive his accolade at a ceremony in New York on June 14.
Steinman is best known, of course, for the hit songs I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Total Eclipse Of The Heart – as well as the entire Bat Out Of Hell fandango.
Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones – not to be confused with the Welsh warbler – will be honoured at the same event.
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/jim-steinman-to-receive-songwriter-accolade/
Meatloaf songwriter Jim Steinman to receive Fame honour
Record producer Jim Steinman, who has written songs for Meatloaf and Bonnie Tyler, is to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He is best known for the hit songs I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) and Total Eclipse Of The Heart.
In 1997 he received the album of the year Grammy award for producing Celine Dion's record Falling Into You.
The 64-year-old will receive his accolade at a ceremony in New York on 14 June.
Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones - not to be confused with the Welsh singer - will be honoured at the same event.
Chairman of the event, Jimmy Webb, said each inductee has created a "unique range of extraordinary contributions, a body of work that has resonated with audiences around the world, and greatly enriched our global culture".
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates composers and lyricists and has more than 300 inductees.
Lightfoot is largely credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s.
His song credits include Early Morning Rain, Canadian Railroad Trilogy and Sundown and he has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley.
Schlitz achieved award success with his first recorded song The Gambler, which was sung by Kenny Rogers.
In 1978 it was named country song of the year at the Grammys.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength, with a songbook that includes 24 number one hits.
As well as his songwriting credits, songwriter Seger has also achieved success with his Silver Bullet Band, who have sold more than 51 million records worldwide.
In 1981 he won a Grammy for his song Against The Wind in the best rock performance by a group or duo category.
Composer Schmidt and lyricist Jones are best known for penning the longest running musical in history, The Fantasticks.
The most well-known song from the show, Try To Remember, has been recorded by hundreds of artists over the decades, including Barbra Streisand and Placido Domingo.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17130540
He is best known for the hit songs I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) and Total Eclipse Of The Heart.
In 1997 he received the album of the year Grammy award for producing Celine Dion's record Falling Into You.
The 64-year-old will receive his accolade at a ceremony in New York on 14 June.
Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones - not to be confused with the Welsh singer - will be honoured at the same event.
Chairman of the event, Jimmy Webb, said each inductee has created a "unique range of extraordinary contributions, a body of work that has resonated with audiences around the world, and greatly enriched our global culture".
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates composers and lyricists and has more than 300 inductees.
Lightfoot is largely credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s.
His song credits include Early Morning Rain, Canadian Railroad Trilogy and Sundown and he has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley.
Schlitz achieved award success with his first recorded song The Gambler, which was sung by Kenny Rogers.
In 1978 it was named country song of the year at the Grammys.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength, with a songbook that includes 24 number one hits.
As well as his songwriting credits, songwriter Seger has also achieved success with his Silver Bullet Band, who have sold more than 51 million records worldwide.
In 1981 he won a Grammy for his song Against The Wind in the best rock performance by a group or duo category.
Composer Schmidt and lyricist Jones are best known for penning the longest running musical in history, The Fantasticks.
The most well-known song from the show, Try To Remember, has been recorded by hundreds of artists over the decades, including Barbra Streisand and Placido Domingo.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17130540
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