Sunday January 2nd, 2005
New CD's this past week:
- John Legend – Get lifted
Music news headlines this week:
Jackson Five producer Freddie Perren Dies At Age 61
Former Motown producer Freddie Perren died
on December 16th in Los Angeles
at the age of 61. Rolling Stone reports that Perren had been struggling
from a long illness after suffering a stroke in 1993. He is best
remembered as being part of Motown's legendary writing and production team
known as "The Cooperation," which also included Fonce Mizell, Deke
Richards and Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. The team was responsible for
the early Jackson Five hits like "I Want You Back," "ABC," "I'll Be There"
and "The Love You Save."
After leaving Motown, Perren went on to success producing "Boogie Fever"
for the Sylvers, "Reunited" and ""Shake Your Groove Thing" for Peaches &
Herb and Tavares' "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel."
Perren went on to win two Grammys for his productions of Yvonne Elliman's
1978 Number One hit, "If I Can't Have You," and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will
Survive," which won the first Grammy for Best Disco Recording in 1979.
Perren is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
112 Portray Four Tops In New Episode Of “American
Dreams”
R&B quartet 112 will portray legendary
Motown group the Four Tops on NBC's
American Dreams. Billboard.com reports that 112 will perform the Four
Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There" on the episode, which is scheduled to air
this Sunday, January 2nd.
The episode will also feature a guest appearance by American Idol judge
Randy Jackson. He will play the Four Tops' manager.
In related news, 112 is currently working on a new, as-yet untitled album
to be released in 2005. The group's last CD was 2003's Hot & Wet.
Teena Marie To perform First Show Since Death Of
Rick James
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Teena
Marie performed a New
Year's Eve show on Friday, December 31st, at the House Of Blues in Los
Angeles . The show was her first since the untimely death of her
one-time producer, collaborator, and former romantic partner Rick James
this past August.
On Wednesday, Marie told the Los Angeles Times that part of the show would
be a tribute to James, the "punk funk" pioneer who had a hand in launching
her career. The two had recently wrapped a successful reunion tour this
summer and were planning more dates when James suffered a heart attack
with what coroners found to be nine different drugs in his system.