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Blues Musician Johnny Winter Dead At 70

Blues Musician Johnny Winter Dead At 70

By Hubert Kahl, dpa

ZURICH — Blues musician Johnny Winter is dead at age 70, according to Zurich police.

Although no foul play was suspected in his death, which reportedly happened overnight into Wednesday, prosecutors have still ordered an autopsy, a police spokeswoman told dpa Thursday.

There was no mention of the musician’s death on his website or Facebook page, both of which are promoting his new album, “Step Back,” to be released on Sept. 2.

Born John Dawson Winter III, he grew up in Beaumont, Texas, frequenting traditionally black music clubs, according to his website. He formed his first band at age 15 with his brother, Edgar, who went on to become a famous musician in his own right. Both cut striking figures on stage, partially because of their albinism and long, flowing white hair.

After an attempt to break into the Chicago music scene, Winter returned to Texas and got his first break in 1968, when Rolling Stone magazine featured him in an article about the state’s music scene. That paved the way for a recording contract and hits like “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.”

He appeared at the Woodstock festival in 1969. But, despite some fans’ hopes that he would become a major rock star, he stayed true to the blues. He is one of a very few white performers to be honored in the Blues Hall of Fame.

After a string of hits in the 1960s and ’70s, with an interruption to recover from heroin addiction, Winter enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, with multiple collaborations with performers such as Slash, Eric Clapton, and the Allman Brothers.

Photo via WikiCommons

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Jerry Vale, Singer Who Topped The Charts In 1950s And ’60s, Dies At 83

Jerry Vale, Singer Who Topped The Charts In 1950s And ’60s, Dies At 83

By Claire Noland, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Jerry Vale, a smooth-voiced singer who reached the top of the pop charts in the 1950s and ’60s with his interpretations of romantic ballads, died Sunday at his home in Palm Desert, near Palm Springs. He was 83.

Vale’s attorney, Harold J. Levy, confirmed his death after a long illness.

Signed to Columbia Records in 1951 by legendary talent director and producer Mitch Miller Vale had his first hit two years later with “You Can Never Give Me Back My Heart.” Backed by Percy Faith and His Orchestra, Vale established his trademark sound on lyrical ballads at a time when rock ‘n’ roll was gaining fans with younger audiences.

The Italian American crooner from New York went on to record 50 albums and had hits into the mid-1960s with his signature “Al Di La,” “Have You Looked Into Your Heart?,” “Two Purple Shadows,” “I Live Each Day,” “Innamorata” and “You Don’t Know Me.”

He made appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show and other TV programs and performed for decades in Las Vegas casinos and on the nightclub circuit.

Vale’s renditions of Italian love songs clearly struck a chord with director Martin Scorsese, who used his recording of “Pretend You Don’t See Me” in Good Fellas (1990) and “Love Me the Way I Love You” in Casino (1995). Vale appeared in both films and the HBO series The Sopranos.

He was born Genaro Louis Vitaliano on July 8, 1930, in the Bronx, N.Y., to Italian immigrant parents. He got tips for singing while working as a shoeshine boy, and he won a talent contest after working at an electrical component factory and with his engineer father. By age 15, claiming he was older, he was singing in nightclubs.

Singer Guy Mitchell, who was recording with Columbia, recommended Miller sign the youngster, who changed his name to Vale.

Vale’s survivors include his wife, Rita; a daughter, Pamela; a son, Robert; and a grandson.

Photo: Tim F Bklyn via Flickr

Chris Brown Forced To Wear Orange Jail Suit To Court

Chris Brown Forced To Wear Orange Jail Suit To Court

By Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Singer Chris Brown appeared in court Monday in jail-issued shirt and pants.

Before cameras rolled during the hearing, in which a judge ordered the R&B singer held without bail until April 23, Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos, argued his client should be able to wear a business suit.

Brown was in custody after being kicked out of court-ordered rehab in connection with a 2009 conviction for beating singer Rihanna.

“This will end up being filmed and shown around the world,” Geragos said, noting Brown has an assault trial next month in Washington, D.C.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin agreed Brown’s handcuffs could be removed in court, but he stopped short of allowing the change of clothes.

Geragos then asked that the session not be videotaped. But the judge and prosecutor both noted the image of Brown in orange jail clothing would not prejudice his Washington case because it is scheduled to be heard only by a judge.

The Grammy-winning singer was arrested Friday at a Malibu rehab, where he was undergoing court-ordered treatment for anger and mental health issues.

The judge ordered Brown’s arrest after he was ejected from the program because of internal rule violations, including allegedly making a threatening comment, failing to take a drug test and touching a female undergoing treatment at the center.

“It is clear from reading the incident report from the program, the program was concerned about the defendant’s noncompliance and inability to follow the program’s rules,” Brandlin said.

If Brandlin finds Brown violated his probation, Brandlin could send him to prison for up to four years.

Brandlin said he was particularly troubled by Brown’s alleged statement during the “morning reflection meeting.” While reading from a card, Brown allegedly added, “I am good at using guns and knives.”

Geragos likened the comment to Brown saying, “I’m going to ask my higher power to take away my troubles.” Geragos told the court Brown passed two drug screenings and the touching of the female amounted to “rubbing elbows.”

Brown’s ejection marks the second time he has been kicked out of a rehab center. During family counseling in November, Brown walked out and threw a rock through his mother’s car window.

That led the judge to order a lengthy stay at another rehab, to complete 24 hours a week of community labor and to undergo periodic drug tests.

On Monday, Brandlin also rejected Geragos’ request that Brown be released because of his pending trial April 17 in Washington, D.C., where he faces a misdemeanor assault charge. He was accused of hitting a man trying to take a picture of him outside the W Hotel.

The judge also denied Geragos’ request to have Brown enter another program. Prosecutor Mary Murray had argued that given Brown’s repeated opportunities, he was not deserving of another chance.

AFP Photo/Alberto E. Rodriguez

Rapper Chief Keef Arrested On DUI Charge

Rapper Chief Keef Arrested On DUI Charge

By Lisa Black, Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO — Highland Park police arrested the rapper Chief Keef and charged him with driving under the influence, just weeks after he completed court-ordered drug rehab, according to Lake County court records.

Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, was pulled over by police around 12:35 p.m. March 5 for an expired registration, according to Highland Park Deputy Police Chief George Pfutzenreuter.

“During the traffic stop, he showed signs of impairment from drugs,” Pfutzenreuter said. “There was an odor of burnt cannabis about his presence and in his vehicle and some admission of his use.”

After field sobriety tests, Cozart was charged with DUI, as well as driving with a suspended license, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration, he said.

Cozart posted a $300 bond the next day and was released from custody, according to the court record. Arraignment is scheduled April 11.

Cozart recently completed a 90-day drug rehabilitation program in California after testing positive for drugs.

During a December court hearing, Judge Earl Hoffenberg told Cozart’s three lawyers during a hearing at the Skokie, Ill., courthouse that he would send the rapper to jail if he fails another drug test.

Photo: Swimfinfan via Flickr