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Folk Singer-Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot Dies At 84

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TORONTO, Ontario — Gordon Lightfoot, the folk singer-songwriter known for songs like “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Sundown,” as well as songs on Canadian identity, died on Monday. He was 84.

According to Representative Victoria Lord, the musician died at a Toronto hospital. His death cause was not immediately known.

Lightfoot was one of the most well-known voices to emerge from Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s, recording 20 studio albums and writing hundreds of songs, including “Carefree Highway,” “Early Morning Rain,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

Lightfoot had five Grammy nominations, three platinum records, and nine gold records for albums and songs in the 1970s. He played almost 1500 shows and recorded 500 songs.

He toured in his later years. He recently canceled future gigs in the United States and Canada, citing health concerns.

“We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Twitter. “Gordon Lightfoot captured the spirit of our country in his music, and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape.” May his music inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on in perpetuity.”

Numerous musicians, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray, Jane’s Addiction, and Sarah McLachlan, have recorded Lightfoot. Bob Dylan even referred to him as a “rare talent.”

Most of his songs are extremely autobiographical, with lyrics that frankly probe his experiences and discuss topics surrounding Canadian national identity. “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” depicted the railway’s construction.

“I just write songs about where I am and where I came from,” he previously explained. “I take real-life situations and write poems about them.”

Lightfoot’s music had its distinct style. “It’s not country, folk, or rock,” he declared in an interview in 2000. Nonetheless, it contains strains of all three.

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a mournful homage to the 29 men who died in the ship’s sinking in Lake Superior during a storm in 1975.

Lightfoot had five Grammy nominations, three platinum records, and nine gold records for albums and songs in the 1970s. He played almost 1500 shows and recorded 500 songs.

While his parents recognized his musical abilities early on, Lightfoot did not set out to become a famous balladeer.

He started singing in his church choir and aspired to be a jazz musician. At 13, the soprano won a talent competition at Toronto’s Massey Hall’s Kiwanis Music Festival.

“I remember the thrill of being in front of a crowd,” Lightfoot remarked in an interview in 2018. “It was like a stepping stone for me…”

The appeal of those early days lingered, and his barbershop quartet, The Collegiate Four, won a CBC talent competition in high school. In 1956, he strummed his first guitar and began dabbling in music in the following months. He flunked algebra the first time, possibly due to his musical tastes. He graduated in 1957 after retaking the class.

Lightfoot had already written his first serious work, “The Hula Hoop Song,” inspired by the popular toy at the time. Attempts to market the tune were futile, so at 18, he moved to the United States to study music for a year. The trip was partially sponsored by money saved from a job transporting linens to resorts near his hometown.

However, life in Hollywood was not for Lightfoot, and he soon returned to Canada. He promised to travel to Toronto to pursue his musical dreams, accepting any job he could find, including a job at a bank, until obtaining a role as a square dancer on CBC’s “Country Hoedown.”

His first job was at Fran’s Restaurant, a downtown family-run café that appreciated his folk inclinations. He met fellow musician Ronnie Hawkins there.

The singer was living with a few buddies in a condemned building in Yorkville, which was then a bohemian neighborhood where future stars like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell learned their trade in smoke-filled bars.

Lightfoot made his radio breakthrough with the single “(Remember Me) I’m the One” in 1962.

Lightfoot made his radio breakthrough with the single “(Remember Me) I’m the One” in 1962, which led to a string of hit tunes and collaborations with other local performers. Lightfoot bonded with the Mariposa Folk Festival in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario, that same year and became the festival’s most devoted returning artist.

By 1964, he spread positive word of mouth around town, and audiences began to assemble in greater numbers. The next year, Lightfoot’s song “I’m Not Sayin'” became a smash in Canada, helping to expand his popularity in the United States.

Several other artists’ covers didn’t hurt, either. Marty Robbins’ 1965 rendition of “Ribbon of Darkness” achieved No. 1 on the country charts in the United States, while Peter, Paul, and Mary charted Lightfoot’s original, “For Lovin’ Me,” in the United States. Hundreds of other musicians have covered the tune, which Dylan once claimed he wished he had recorded.

Lightfoot performed at the Newport Folk Festival that summer, the same year Dylan shocked audiences by ditching his folkie character in favor of an electric guitar.

As the folk music boom ended in the late 1960s, Lightfoot was already easing into pop music.

He earned his debut Billboard chart appearance in 1971 with “If You Could Read My Mind.” It peaked at No. 5 and has generated a slew of covers since.

Lightfoot’s success peaked in the mid-1970s when “Sundown,” his song and album, topped the Billboard charts for the first and only time.

Lightfoot won 12 Juno Awards during his career, including one in 1970 when it was known as the Gold Leaf.

He was inducted into the Canadian Recording Industry Hall of Fame, now known as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, in 1986. He was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 after receiving the Governor General’s Award in 1997.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast

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Audience Boos Kim Kardashian at Tom Brady’s Roast: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian made a surprise cameo on Netflix’s The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady, which was met with loud boos at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. She was introduced by comedian Kevin Hart to deliver a toast to which the audience booed.

“Alright, alright, alright,” Kardashian responded, as the boos became more intense.

Hart exclaimed, “Whoa! Whoa!”

When the booing faded, Kardashian resumed her roast, focusing on Brady.

“I am actually here tonight for Tom. I wasn’t planning to come tonight, but since I’m not here as Tom’s date, there’s a high possibility I will,” she laughed.

Kardashian made another joke, comparing Brady’s features to her stepfather, Caitlyn Jenner.

“I do know it would’ve never worked out,” Kardashian stated of a relationship with Brady. “The ex-athlete has high cheekbones and silky hair…” You remind me too much of my stepfather right now.”

A meme depicting “the evolution of Tom Brady” emerged on screen, depicting Brady’s physical transition into Jenner.

Kardashian went on, “Part of me believes you would trust me just to try on my clothing. I realize the move from the NFL must have been difficult, but I believe my stepfather is an excellent example for you.

She’s one of the world’s top athletes, and she proved that you can do anything in this next phase of your life. You can be a commentator, a far-right Republica, or a strong, confident lady.

Kardashian concluded her speech by referencing O.J. Simpson, stating, “Honestly, it’s painful for me to see people mock you. But I believe plenty of my family members have defended past football players.

Watch the footage of Kim Kardashian being booed.

 


Kim Kardashian is a reality TV personality, socialite, and businesswoman who catapulted to prominence with the release of her infamous sex tape with Ray J in 2007. She co-starred in the successful reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” with her family, which showed their opulent lifestyles and personal struggles.

Kim’s popularity increased, resulting in multiple endorsement deals, product lines, and media appearances. She’s a fashion and beauty trendsetter, having founded successful brands such as her shapewear company SKIMS and KKW Beauty. Despite criticism for her “famous for being famous” status, Kim’s astute business decisions and ability to remain relevant have elevated her to the rank of multi-millionaire and cultural icon.

Kim Kardashian’s romances and personal life, which include marriages to Damon Thomas, Kris Humphries, and Kanye West, have made headlines. Kim’s daring style and voluptuous physique have stirred discussions about body image and cultural appropriation. Love her or hate her, Kim has built an empire and is still one of the world’s most famous superstars.

Source: CTN

 

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

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Ethan Hawke and his daughter, Maya Hawke, have a running joke about their Flannery O’Connor film.

“Wildcat,” directed by Ethan and starring Maya as O’Connor, was created with genuine authenticity. It’s a deeply creative look at the Southern Catholic novelist and short story writer behind “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” weaving in and out of her imagination and actual life.

Lupus claimed O’Connor’s life in 1964, when she was 39. She won the National Book Award posthumously in 1972. Though she is well-known for her language and sharp social satire, she has recently faced criticism for racism in her private correspondence and her depiction of race in her work. It was a difficult but potentially rewarding region. However, the Hawkes can’t help but giggle as they imagine pitching to a major studio or streamer.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

Here’s how things could go:

Maya: “We want to make a film about an unfortunate-looking woman with lupus.” She struggles with her beliefs and does not have any lovers.

Ethan: “She’s a really brilliant writer but she’s completely unsuccessful.”

Maya: “Also, her minor success has recently been utterly disregarded, and people are mostly concerned in deleting her from the canon these days. “What do you think?”

Jonathan: “Sounds like the makings of a commercial, hit movie!”

If it isn’t clear, “Wildcat” (in select theaters Friday) was produced independently. To flesh out the cast, both Hawkes relied largely on friends with whom they had previously collaborated. The large ensemble includes Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Steve Zahn, and Vincent D’Onofrio, to mention a few.

Maya had the concept for a movie about the day she decided to devote her life to acting. Despite having two successful actresses as parents, including mother Uma Thurman, she had hesitated due to her passion of reading. She was concerned that if she attended Juilliard, she would be forced to choose a decision. So, in a little act of defiance, Maya decided to audition not with a monologue from the theatrical canon, but with one she had revised from O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal” with her father during his breaks while filming “The Magnificent Seven.”

“If I showed them that I was really interested in literature, and if then they still wanted me, then it would probably be a place that would still allow me to explore language and writing and poetry the way that I wanted,” Maya said. “What a rebel.”

Ethan had also read O’Connor early on, at the suggestion of his mother, who encouraged him to read female authors in addition to Faulkner and Hemingway. They were both drawn to this prickly woman who wrote about faith without preaching, as well as about race and white Christian hypocrisy, in a way that few others had. She was also talented, self-deprecating, and suffering with the sickness that killed her father. At 24, she received her diagnosis and returned to Milledgeville, Georgia, to live with her mother (portrayed by Linney).

Ethan has little interest in biopics, particularly “in the age of Wikipedia.” However, upon deciding to direct and co-write the film, he was inspired by films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” and Jane Campion’s “An Angel At My Table.” They were about real people, Jake LaMotta and Janet Frame, but they did not require any prior knowledge of boxing or literature. They were only films about individuals.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“(‘Wildcat’) is a kind of treatise on imagination, reality and faith and how those three things intersect with each other,” he remarked. “I’m not attempting to teach a college course on Flannery. We used her life experience as a starting point for a conversation.

Before delving too deeply into the process, they addressed themselves difficult questions about filming a film about someone who has made racist remarks.

“It begged the question: Do we want to make a film about someone who said some hurtful words at some point? What would it say about us if we did? And how do you become a decent anti-racist? Ethan said. “One of the things I realized was that you can’t create a story about America, past or present, without mentioning America’s wounds, crimes, and sins. One academic put it beautifully: Flannery O’Connor is a racist in rehabilitation, much like our society.

Maya pondered if depiction was always a celebration or if it could be an observation. She hopes it’s the latter, which she describes as a politeness that is frequently provided to films about complicated guys but may be less so when it comes to female characters.

Something remarked by novelist James McBride when Ethan was writing on “The Good Lord Bird” remained with him as well.

“He used to say how important it was that you don’t paint racists with horns on their head because people don’t have horns and racism is real,” Ethan added.

After much research and deliberation, they decided not to back down from the topic or defend her.

“I’m interested in this woman, and I’m interested in all the truths of her life,” he added.

“Wildcat” also served as inspiration for Maya’s upcoming album, “Chaos Angel” (due out May 31). The title and title track are based on a scene she shared with Philip Ettinger in which O’Connor discusses wrestling with her guardian angel.

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Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“That idea really hit me in my gut,” Maya remarked. “We resist our better selves… As soon as we finished shooting the film, I went to make this album.”

Maya is now 25, the same age her father was when he finished “Before Sunrise” and was performing on stage in Chicago in Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” They are close and like-minded, frequently finishing one other’s words. However, Hawke admits that he is little envious of Maya’s musical abilities.

“There’s a part of me that has joked my whole life that all I really am is a failed musician,” he remarked. “All art strives to be music. It’s the simplest emotional connection we may form with one another. So, to see her thrive in this art form? I’m a little jealous of her for that.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Lord of the Rings Actor Bernard Hill Dead at Age 79

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Hill Played Théoden, King of Rohan: Getty Images

Bernard Hill, who cried before leading his soldiers into war in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” died. Agent Lou Coulson said Hill, 79, died Sunday morning.

The second film of the series, 2002’s “The Two Towers,” starred Hill as Théoden, King of Rohan. He repeated the role in “Return of the King,” which won 11 Oscars, the following year.

In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Hill’s character gives a battle cry on horseback to his overmatched forces, sending them crashing downhill toward the enemy and his own death.

“Arise, Théoden riders!” Hill yells. Shields will shatter, spears quake! Sword day, red day before sunrise! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for destruction and the end! Death! Death!

Bernard Hill played Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic,” one of the few historically accurate characters in the 1997 tragedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film won 11 Oscars.

Hill’s character secretly retreats to the wheelhouse as the ship sinks. He takes a last breath and clutches the wheel as water crashes through the glass as the cabin moans under the waves.

Bernard Hill became famous for playing Yosser Hughes in the 1982 British miniseries “Boys From the Blackstuff,” about five unemployed men.

He received a 1983 BAFTA nomination for the part, and the show won for best drama series. His passing coincided with the second season of “The Responder,” on which he played Martin Freeman’s father.

Lindsay Salt, BBC Drama director, said Bernard Hill’s long career of memorable and outstanding roles was a tribute to his skill. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”

Biography

Bernard Hill was a seasoned English actor known for his powerful film, TV, and theatrical roles. He’s most recognized for playing King Théoden in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” series. Hill was a virtuoso at depicting a complex character’s emotional journey as the once-mighty monarch brought low by Saruman’s betrayal.

Hill has produced a remarkable range of work over five decades beyond his Tolkien role. He was riveting in “Titanic,” playing Captain Smith, and “Defiance,” about WWII Jewish resistance fighters.

He excels as a Napoleonic-era sailor in “Master and Commander” and a tough detective in “Merlin.”

Bernard Hill made an impression on TV with “Boys from the Blackstuff” and “Outcasts.” He has a loyal following and critical accolades for his ability to give every character depth and subtlety.

 

Source: The associated Press

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