JEMEKER THOMPSON THE INSPIRATIONAL FORMER QUEEN PIN OF LA

Jemeker Thompson, beautiful, brilliant and a very talented entrepreneur is also known as the "Queen Pin," rose to the top of the cocaine trade during the peak of the 1980s crack epidemic in Los Angeles, California.

Evicted from her home in South Central Los Angeles at a young age, Thompson, became very determined to make money and to be in control of her own life. While still in school, she partnered with an older man by the name of Anthony M. "Daff" Mosley. Together, they ran a successful cocaine-trafficking business in L.A. The two would later marry and have one child together, a son they named Anthony.

After several months in the drug game, Thompson and Daff decided to expand their business by moving to a more in-demand drug, crack-cocaine. Shortly thereafter, tragedy struck: Daff was killed while washing his car. Eventually, a devastated Thompson trudged on, continuing to expand the business she'd started with her late husband by making additional connections and moving into new territories throughout the United States.

Around this same time, Thompson also invested in her L.A.-based hair business, selling hair to celebrities, and traveling and holding shows to market her products.

Also during this time, Thompson had begun dating a man known as "Cheese" who would later flip and begin cooperating with authorities.

Thompson subsequently fled L.A. and went into hiding.

On the run for two years, in 1993, Thompson—or the "Queen Pin," as she was known by both the police and media—finally decided to return to L.A. to attend her son's 6th-grade graduation ceremony, where law-enforcement officials, suspecting her attendance, were promptly waiting.

She was subsequently arrested, tried on and convicted of charges related to drug-trafficking, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Thompson was released from prison in 2005, after serving 13 years in a maximum-security prison alongside scary women like Griselda Blanco and Squeaky Fromme.

She was never caught on a wiretap, never caught making a drug deal, never caught with drugs... yet they gave her the maximum sentence on the testimony of her ex.  If circumstances had been different, this woman might have been CEO of any number of companies. I believe she is inspirational in many ways.

Jermeker now Jemeker Hairston now serves as an evangelical minister at Second Chance Ministries in South Central, Los Angeles, which she also owns. According to Thompson, her ministerial mission is to show others that, through God, they'll always have a second chance in life. "I'm here today to tell somebody else that you don't have to do what I did," she said. "You don’t have to be like the other kids in the neighborhood. I had a second chance." She is so smart..not your average criminal. Good for you Ms. Hairston.

Queen Pin

retrokimmer@gmail.com

DAVID BOWIE RELEASES ZIGGY STARDUST 2-10-1972

As David Bowie's celebrity profile increased, so did his desire to keep fans and critics guessing. The original pop chameleon introduced the pop world to Ziggy Stardust, Bowie's imagining of a doomed rock star, at a London concert on this day in 1972. His album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was released six months later and made him a superstar. Dressed in wild costumes that spoke of some kind of psychedelic future, Bowie, portraying Stardust himself, signaled a new age in rock music.

Who Was David Bowie?

Rock star David Bowie's first hit was the song "Space Oddity" in 1969. The original pop chameleon, Bowie became a fantastical sci-fi character for his breakout Ziggy Stardust album. He later co-wrote "Fame" with Carlos Alomar and John Lennon, which became his first American No. 1 single in 1975.

An accomplished actor, Bowie starred in The Man Who Fell to Earth in 1976. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Shortly after releasing his final album, Bowie died from cancer on January 10, 2016.

Early Years

Known as a musical chameleon for his ever-changing appearance and sound, David Bowie was born David Robert Jones in Brixton, South London, England, on January 8, 1947.

After graduating from Bromley Technical High School at 16, Bowie started working as a commercial artist. He also continued to play music, hooking up with a number of bands and leading a group himself called Davy Jones and the Lower Third. Several singles came out of this period, but nothing that gave the young performer the kind of commercial traction he needed.

Out of fear of being confused with Davy Jones of The Monkees, David changed his last name to Bowie, a name that was inspired by the knife developed by the 19th-century American pioneer Jim Bowie.

Pop Star

By early 1969, he signed a deal with Mercury Records and that summer released the single "Space Oddity." Bowie later said the song came to him after seeing Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey: "I went stoned out of my mind to see the movie and it really freaked me out, especially the trip passage."

The song quickly resonated with the public, sparked in large part by the BBC's use of the single during its coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The song enjoyed later success after being released in the United States in 1972, climbing to number 15 on the charts.

Bowie's next album, The Man Who Sold the World (1970), further catapulted him to stardom. The record offered up a heavier rock sound than anything Bowie had done before and included the song "All the Madmen," about his institutionalized brother, Terry. His next work, 1971's Hunky Dory, featured two hits: the title track that was a tribute to Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan; and "Changes," which came to embody Bowie himself. read more

SOUPY SALES: NICE GUY FUNNY GUY

Milton Supman (January 8, 1926 – October 22, 2009), known professionally as Soupy Sales, was an American comedian, actor, radio/television personality, and jazz aficionado. He was best known for his local and network children's television show Lunch with Soupy Sales (1953–1966), a series of comedy sketches frequently ending with Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his trademark.

Soupy Sales doing the "Mousie" with Ed Sullivan

From 1968 to 1975 he was a regular panelist on the syndicated revival of What's My Line? and appeared on several other TV game shows. During the 1980s, Sales hosted his own show on WNBC-AM in New York City.

Sales is best known for his daily children's television show, Lunch with Soupy Sales. The show was originally called 12 O'Clock Comics and was later known as The Soupy Sales Show. Improvised and slapstick in nature, Lunch with Soupy Sales was a rapid-fire stream of comedy sketches, gags, and puns, almost all of which resulted in Sales receiving a pie in the face.

Lunch with Soupy Sales began in 1953 from the studios of WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, located in the historic Maccabees Building, in Detroit. Sales occasionally took the studio cameras to the lawn of the Detroit Public Library, located across the street from the TV studios, and talked with local students walking to and from school.

Beginning no later than July 4, 1955, a Saturday version of Sales' lunch show was broadcast nationally on the ABC television network. His lunchtime program on weekdays was moved to early morning opposite Today and Captain Kangaroo.

On September 7, 1964, Sales found a new weekday home at WNEW-TV in New York City. This version was seen locally until September 2, 1966. 260 episodes were syndicated by Screen Gems to local stations outside the New York market during the 1965–66 season.

This show marked the height of Sales' popularity. It featured guest appearances by stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, Judy Garland, and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as musical groups like the Shangri-Las, The Supremes, The Temptations and even Alice Cooper.

Clyde Adler, the show's floor manager and a film editor at Detroit's WXYZ-TV, performed in sketches and voiced and operated all puppets on Sales' show in Detroit in the 1950s and in Los Angeles from 1959 to 1962, as well as in 1978.

Frank Nastasi, who played the part of Gramps on WXYZ-TV's other kid's show "Wixie Wonderland", assumed the role of straight man and puppeteer when Sales took the show to New York from 1964 to 1966. Nastasi was originally from Detroit and had worked with Sales at WXYZ.

White Fang, "The Biggest and Meanest Dog in the USA", who appeared only as a giant white shaggy paw with black triangular felt "claws", jutting out from the corner of the screen. Fang spoke with unintelligible short grunts and growls, which Soupy repeated back in English, for comic effect. White Fang was often the pie thrower when Soupy's jokes bombed.

Black Tooth, "The Biggest and Sweetest Dog in the USA", also seen only as a giant black paw with white triangular felt claws, and with more feminine, but similarly unintelligible, dialogue. Black Tooth's trademark was pulling Soupy off-camera to give loud and noisy kisses.

For a short time, there was a third dog character that became White Fang's girlfriend, Marilyn Monwolf. She caused some rivalry of affections between Black Tooth and White Fang, but later jilted them both for Joe Dogmaggio.

Pookie the Lion, a lion puppet appearing in a large window behind Soupy (the 1950s), was a hipster with a rapier wit. For example Soupy: "Do you know why my life is so miserable?" Pookie: "You got me!" Soupy: "That's why!"

One of Pookie's favorite lines when greeting Soupy was, "Hey bubby... want a kiss?". In the Detroit shows, Pookie never spoke but communicated in whistles. That puppet also was used to mouth the words while pantomiming novelty records on the show.

Hippy the Hippo, a minor character who occasionally appeared with Pookie the Lion. Frank Nastasi gave Hippy a voice for the New York shows. Clyde Adler also voiced Hippy in the shows done in the late 1970s.

Soupy Sales

Soupy Sales, who made an art form out of taking a pie in the face and delighted a generation of Detroiters with his loopy TV show on Channel 7 in the 1950s, died October 23, 2009, in New York. Soupy was 83. We were so lucky to grow up with Soupy Sales! Read More about Soupy

 

NO MORE MR NICE GUY: MICHAEL BRUCE'S BOOK REVISED!

Alice Cooper Group Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Bruce's “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Biography Revised!

Limited edition signed by Michael Bruce available!

London - Much to the excitement of Alice Cooper group fans worldwide, Gonzo Multimedia will be releasing Michael Bruce's critically acclaimed biography “No More Mr. Nice Guy” revised! Also available is a limited edition signed by Michael Bruce.

​Written by Alice Cooper group guitarist, keyboard player and main songwriter Michael Bruce, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” is an anthology of the band that encapsulated the decadent spirit of the 1970s. Following the group on their journey from Arizona garage band to eventual rise to stardom, it reveals the truth behind the drinking and the rock 'n' roll.

This “true life” story includes the hangings, the executions, the ghoulish makeup, the egos and of course, the rock 'n' roll. Revised and updated it includes previously unseen photographs and memorabilia.

“Its not often we get a chance to redo, remake or in this case re-release a book.....my book. It is with much thought, great enjoyment, many thanks and heartfelt appreciation for family, friends and fans that I present the re-release of 'No More Mr Nice Guy.' A compilation of hilarious rock 'n' roll stories and life events that made me the man I am today.” - Michael Bruce

This release comes on the heels of the recent highly publicized Alice Cooper group reunion concerts in the UK!

To order: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/michael-bruce-no-more-mr-nice-guy

Michael Bruce FB Page

THE OFFICIAL STAGE PLAY BIO OF TINA TURNER COMING SOON!

COMING SOON

The official stage musical of music legend Tina Turner is now in development.

Sign up to their mailing list to join the community and hear the latest news about the production. By submitting your email address, you will be among the first to receive priority access to tickets.

Coming soon to the West End stage, the official stage musical of music legend Tina Turner is now in development. Enter your email above for all the latest production news. Details have yet to be confirmed.

According to reports, Tina Turner herself was in London last week to attend a private workshop with an initial cast of 14. They will work from an initial draft of a book by Olivier Award winning playwright Katori Hall (The Mountaintop) in collaboration with director Phyllida Lloyd (Donmar's Shakespeare Trilogy, Mamma Mia!).

The forthcoming TINA TURNER musical is said to be a musical biography, chronicling her journey from rags to riches, to rags again, and ultimately to icon status. From growing up in the small town of Nutbush, to her stormy marrage to fellow musician Ike Turner, Tina Turner escaped his abuse before recording the brilliant comeback album Private Dancer in 1985 which propelled her to mega stardom.

Some of Tina Turner's greatest hits include "Fool In Love", "Proud Mary", "Nutbush City Limits", "What’s Love Got To Do With It", "I Don’t Wanna Fight" and "Simply The Best".

NEW BOOK** FIREBALL: CAROLE LOMBARD &THE MYSTERY OF FLIGHT 3

 Clark Gable at the funeral and the Headlines after the crash 

On January 16, 1942, TWA Flight 3 struck Nevada's Mount Potosi at 200 miles an hour, killing Hollywood's brightest starlet, highest paid actress, and wife of 'King of Hollywood' Clark Gable -- Carole Lombard -- and 21 others, in a fireball seen in the moonless sky for fifty miles.

Three investigations by the Civil Aeronautics Board, U.S. Congress and FBI failed to find a definitive cause for the crash -- which has become of the most enduring mysteries of WWII-era America.

January 16, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the plane crash that shocked the nation -- and also sees the trade paperback release of Robert Matzen's book Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3, presenting the first-ever in-depth examination of the events that led to the fateful crash.

Fireball reveals:

• Carole Lombard’s place in Hollywood history as a champion of women’s rights, wife of screen legend Clark Gable, and the highest-paid actress of her day
• The unlikely love story between Carole Lombard and Clark Gable -- who were very much the 'Brangelina' of their day
• Why three investigations (Civil Aeronautics Board, the United States Congress, and the FBI) failed to find a definitive cause for Flight 3's crash
• The wreckage from the crash that still covers the inaccessible Nevada mountainside (which Matzen scaled to find thousands of pieces of the plane still there, including the engines and landing gear)
• The heroic actions of ordinary people from Las Vegas, who, on January 16, 1942, suddenly found themselves involved in an extraordinary event
• The love story between Carole Lombard and Clark Gable
• 31 unpublished photos taken of Lombard the day before she died

Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3

About Robert Matzen:
Robert Matzen is the author of seven books, including the award-winning Errol & Olivia: Ego & Obsession in Golden Era Hollywood and the bestsellers Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3 and Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe.

Regularly interviewed by international press, including the New York Post, Hollywood Reporter, and BBC, Matzen’s previous print work includes many articles about classic films, and the Greenwood Press reference volume, Carole Lombard: A Bio-Bibliography. His work as a filmmaker earned national awards and his feature documentary about George Washington, When the Forest Ran Red, is a genre classic. He has also written and directed several films for NASA.

PAUL LYNDE: A BIOGRAPHY

This book will let you into the heart and soul of Paul Lynde. Best remembered for outrageous jokes on The Hollywood Squares, as Uncle Arthur from Bewitched, and as the frantic father in Bye Bye Birdie, Paul was never satisfied with his career - or his personal life. But even as he suffered through some of the cruelest of times, Paul continued to make us forget our troubles, and was forever gracious to his fans. This is the book those fans have been waiting for.

Though he was one of the most original, hilarious, and private actor-comedians of all time, author Cathy Rudolph, his trusted friend, reveals her adventures with Paul - along with his turbulent life story. Here for the first time are interviews with his relatives, personal notes, and never-before-published photos.

Also included are memories from his friends and peers including Cloris Leachman, Chita Rivera, Florence Henderson, Kaye Ballard, Peter Marshall, Les Roberts, Betty White, and many more. I've been saying for forty years that Paul Lynde could deliver a punch line better than any other comedian. READ MORE ABOUT PAUL LYNDE