Tag: Herbie Hancock

Nelson Mandela, Sun City, and Changing Times

With Nelson Mandela‘s passing, the world mourns the loss of an amazing man. It is hard to comprehend the changes that Mandela helped make in his lifetime. Back in 1985, while Mandela sat in prison and Artists Against Apartheid released the song “Sun City,” one could not have imagined that within a decade Mandela would be president of South Africa. RIP.

Aritsts Against Apartheid was founded by Steven Van Zandt (aka Miami Steve, aka Little Steven) and record producer Arthur Baker. Sun City was a resort in South Africa, and the song called on artists to refuse to play there until apartheid ended. The song and video features such artists as Run DMC, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, Herbie Hancock, and Ringo Starr.

Only five years after the song’s release, Steven Van Zandt would appear on stage with Simple Minds, Chrissie Hynde, Lou Reed, and others, to sing “Sun City” at a tribute concert for Nelson Mandela at Wembley stadium. They were celebrating Mandela’s release from prison in early 1990.

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  • Little Steven and Bruce Springsteen: “It’s Been a Long Time”
  • Super Bowl Songs: I Am a Patriot
  • Lou Reed Inducting Dion Into Rock Hall
  • Paul McCartney & Bruce Springsteen: “I Saw Her Standing There”
  • Little Steven is Releasing “Soulfire”
  • Springsteen and Bono Sing “Because the Night” in Dublin

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    Pop Culture Roundup (April 2012 Edition)

    a night to remember blu ray Unfortunately, some of the biggest pop culture news recently has been about the deaths of Mike Wallace, Dick Clark and Levon Helm. But in case you missed some of the other recent news, check out the following.

    –Movies–

    The Titanic anniversary prompted some film revivals. Salon critics debated: Is the film Titanic a classic or crap? Also, check out a review of that “other” Titanic movie on Blu-ray, A Night to Remember.

    Captain America will return to screens in his own sequel in April 2014.

    Universal is rebooting the Mummy films that starred Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

    Really? As if he doesn’t have enough going for him, Ryan Gosling saved a woman from a speeding car.

    Where are the stars of the movie Grease now? (slide show)

    Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks is going to be made into a film.

    Daniel Craig wants to continue to play James Bond as long as he can.

    Watch the trailer for Oliver Stone’s upcoming film about a drug cartel and a kidnapping, Savages.

    –Television–

    Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz is considering more seasons because of Netflix.

    Paul Feig offered his thoughts on each episode of the great TV series, Freaks and Geeks. (Onion A.V. Club)

    Jeopardy has lined up celebrity “Power Players” to compete in May, including Lewis Black and Chris Matthews.

    Interview with Denny McBride of HBO’s Eastbound & Down.

    From Chipwich to Hummer: 10 iconic brands that disappeared.

    Jonathan Frid, who played vampire Barnabas Collins on the original Dark Shadows series (and frightened me as a kid) has died. RIP.

    –Music–

    Ted Nugent is pleading guilty to transporting a black bear he illegally killed in Alaska.

    10 best breakup albums of all time.

    Scott Fedor writes about Bruce Springsteen connecting with a paralyzed fan this week. (Thanks to Mike S. from Cleveland)

    The neuroscience of Bob Dylan’s genius via @guardian (Thanks @sonjathegreat)

    Review of Johnny Cash – Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth. (from Hyperbolium)

    Review of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s new CD, Grifter’s Hymnal. (No Depression)

    Greg Ham of the band Men Down Under was found dead in his home in Australia.

    Musician Herbie Hancock is writing a memoir.

    Hear Lisa Marie Presley’s new single, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” from her upcoming Storm & Grace CD.

    The tragedy of country singer Johnny Paycheck (from No Depression).

    The 10 best cover songs you didn’t know were cover songs: (from Popdose)

    A hologram of Tupac Shakur performed at the Coachella festival. How did they do that?

    –Other Pop Culture News–

    Slide show of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its final flight, past several DC landmarks. (The Guardian)

    Pulitzer Prize nominations were announced, giving a nod to growing online journalism.

    11 Athletes Who Had Their Own Cereals. (Thanks @mental_floss)

    J.K. Rowling’s new novel, The Casual Vacancy, will be published September 27.

    Did you know crows and squirrels are among the 10 smartest animals? (from Animal Planet)

    Soon, you will no longer be able to buy thoughts in Canada, as the country is withdrawing the penny from circulation.

    Finally, Levon Helm passed away last week. In Marc Coh’s song about Helm, he sings “I was was lost/ I was gone/ Listening to Levon/ I was looking at the girl/ But I was listening to Levon.” -Marc Cohn.

  • Clarence Ashley: “The Cuckoo” & “Little Sadie”
  • The First Farm Aid
  • Nelson Mandela, Sun City, and Changing Times
  • Cowboy Jack Clement: “I Guess Things Happen That Way”
  • Tim Heidecker Foresees Dylan’s Upcoming “Titanic” Song
  • Pop Culture Roundup (for Early February 2012)

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