The pastor and the painter, Bali Nine ringleaders Chan and Sukumaran. Written April 29th, 2015 – Reprinted again today for the first anniversary. Several times over the past few days I had listeners challenge me as to why I don’t believe in the death penalty. I fumbled my way more than I wished through explaining…
Category: Music
The Launch Of ‘Soul’ – My New iHeart Radio Station Playing The Best Classic Soul & R&B
It’s fair to say I’ve been planning this for a little while. The first time I landed in Los Angeles was in 2006 and I passed a billboard overlooking the freeway in my taxi that I’ve never forgotten. It was advertising a radio station that played “everything from Marvin Gaye to Alicia Keys”. “They’ve stolen…
The End Of The Purple Reign: Prince Dead At 57
This morning I woke up to a text message that read “Noooooooooooo” and had a link to an article. Half asleep and thinking I’d probably click on whatever the link was and read it later, I felt wide awake as soon as I clicked. Can’t believe it. Prince is dead at the age…
Barry Gibb: “I’m the man who does it all or nothing” – Analysis Of His New Recording ‘The Home Truth Song’
Barry Gibb. Originally published this time in 2015, as fans countdown to the release of Barry Gibb’s first album project since 2005’s Guilty Pleasures collaboration with Barbra Streisand, here’s the article again: Sandwiched between a couple of classic early-period Bee Gees recordings, Barry Gibb unveiled a spirited new song during his 12-song set at the…
Elton John’s 69th Birthday – My Top 5 Elton Songs
Elton John celebrated birthday number 69* this Easter so I thought I’d put up a list of my top five Elton songs ever, which considering the depth of that back catalogue could be tough. But then off the top of my head, I realised my absolute favourites have been pretty much set in stone for the…
2 Brilliant Non-Beatles Songs To Remember Sir George Martin By
Not just for the sake of being different, but mainly because it’s an another excuse to showcase two lesser-known songs I love, here’s my non-Beatles tribute to the great Sir George Martin. The man so frequently referred to as “the 5th Beatle” has died aged 90. As a producer it was Martin who suggested to…
My NZ Herald Tribute To Martin Crowe – How He Used To Request Michael Buble Songs On My Radio Show
In case you missed it, click here to link to my New Zealand Herald tribute article to Martin Crowe. I wrote the piece in less than 90 minutes in the emotion and shock of hearing my great mate had died. If I’d had more time it might’ve been more refined, more eloquent. But sometimes writing in…
In The Presence Of Genius – Reflections On Prince’s Auckland Concerts, Plus A Live B-Side Classic
Prince at the American Music Awards, 2015. We toss the word “legend” around fairly willy-nilly in New Zealand. I guess if we call our mates “legend” when they buy us a drink or give us a ride somewhere then it’s little surprise we extol far too many musicians with two albums and three hits with…
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White Dies – Their Epic Rivalry With The Commodores
Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice White was the heart and soul of a band who overflowed with both. They overflowed with funk too, not to mention the touches of jazz and gospel and the grooves of Africa and Latin America that ran through their music. And all told, some of the greatest…
Why David Bowie Did The Lord’s Prayer At The Freddie Mecury Concert In 1992
David Bowie reciting The Lord’s Prayer, Wembley Stadium, 1992. There’s been so much written about David Bowie in the week and a bit since he died, but this piece about him doing the Lord’s Prayer at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1992 is my favourite. For decades it’s been easier…
Glenn Frey Dies Aged 67 – 6 Of The Best Lesser-Known Eagles Songs
Following on from my New Zealand Herald tribute yesterday to Glenn Frey of The Eagles who’s died at the too young age of 67, I wanted to re-release this article from last year. It was my response to finally seeing The Eagles live in concert and now that we know Frey only had months to…
Wearing An Eagles T-Shirt To A Wedding – Rembering Glenn Frey, Dead Aged 67
Who wears an Eagles shirt to a wedding!? We were all thinking it. Actually, a bunch of us were saying it too. Friends of mine were getting married in gardens next to a beach on New South Wales’ Central Coast a couple of years back and amidst all the suits and gowns was a good…
