Smaller Than Life
Jody Watley has become the first major black singer to cross over
that thin line between dance and aerobics. In early April, she'll
release a 45-minute home-video instructional tape, Jody Watley: Dance
to Fitness.
Moll Music
Madonna's new album, Breathless, due May 15, will include Stephen
Sondheim's songs for the movie Dick Tracy, in which she plays the
detective's girlfriend, Breathless Mahoney.
This One's for Roy
On May 6 Showtime will present Roy Orbison Tribute: Concert to
Benefit the Homeless. The special will feature highlights from last
month's show in L.A., with a Byrds reunion and songs by Bob Dylan,
k.d. lang, and Bonnie Raitt. During
the program, a toll-free number for donations and information will be
flashed on the screen.
Whole Lotta Rappin' Goin' On
Rapmania is on its way. On April 6, some of rap's top names can be
seen in a massive pay-per-view concert. Some of the 41 artists
taped at the Apollo and the Hollywood Palace in March: 3rd Bass
(above), Ice-T, Tone-Loc, Young MC, Kool Moe Dee, Run-D.M.C., L.L.
Cool J, and Kurtis Blow. Historians someday may call this the
Woodstock of hip-hop.
Never Mind the $$, Here's 3/4 of the Sex Pistols
Three original members of the ultimate punk band, the Sex Pistols,
would like to slam together for a reunion tour. Guitarist Steve
Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock (later replaced by
the now-dead Sid Vicious, below left) are ready to gob it up. But not
singer Johnny Rotten — which leaves the
lead-singer slot pretty vacant.
Following in Dad's Footsteps
Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers will perform in Zimbabwe on
April 21 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that country's
independence. Back in 1980 Ziggy's father, Bob, headlined a massive
outdoor show honoring Zimbabwe's new freedom. ''It's always been
Ziggy's dream to play Africa,'' a Marley spokeswoman says.
A Moonwalk Through the '80s
Coming this fall to stereos everywhere: Michael Jackson's Decade
1980-90. In addition to his greatest hits, the two-CD (or
two-cassette or three-LP) set will include five new songs, which,
Jackson says, are ''some of the best things I ever recorded.''
Loved Him, Hated Him
Next month, RCA Victor will release an album of songs from the
forthcoming musical Jekyll and Hyde. Colm Wilkinson, of Les Miz fame,
sings the album's title role(s), though he's not in the stage
production. The musical, with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and
music by Frank Wildhorn, opens in late May in Houston.
Not Standing Pat
Guitarist Pat Metheny will be nearly unavoidable over the next six
months. He can be heard on the just-released Reunion, under vibist
Gary Burton's leadership. He's also on drummer Jack DeJohnette's
album, coming this spring, along with Herbie Hancock on keyboards. In
late summer, Metheny will release a trio album of his own, with
drummer Roy Haynes and bassist Dave Holland. Meanwhile, he's been
working on his next solo album in Brazil. And over the next five
months, he'll be touring with his own group, with Burton's group, and
with DeJohnette, Hancock, and Holland.
Baker Still Cooks
Until recently, R&B great LaVern Baker (''Tweedle Dee'' and ''Jim
Dandy'') had performed only once in the U.S. in the past 20 years. In
late April the NPR Bluesstage program will broadcast Baker
performances from February dates at the Lone Star Roadhouse in New
York City.
