In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed actor-dancer George Chakiris for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). George played Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, in the 1961 film version of West Side Story. He also played Etienne in one of my favorite films (and yours), The Young Girls of Rochefort. George talked about his Greek parents, who were united in an arranged marriage and became a perfect fit. We also talked about how he wound up dancing in major Hollywood films in the 1950s. [Photo above of George Chakiris, center, in West Side Story, courtesy of George Chakiris]
Here's George (in orange) in West Side Story's prologue...
Here's George (again, in orange) in The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)...
And here...
And here's George with Rosemary Clooney in Love, You Did Me Wrong from White Christmas (1954). I'm sure you'll know which one is George...
Also in the WSJ this week, I wrote an opinion essay on one of hard rock's seminal albums, Deep Purple's Machine Head (1972), which still raises hairs (go here). On March 25, the album celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Here's Deep Purple performing Smoke on the Water in 1972...
Central Park is just starting to show some color. It's still chilly in New York—in the 40s F in the morning—and we're expecting lower temperatures early next week. But there are glimmers of hope. As I crossed the park early this morning, I thought of you and snapped two pictures of the only blooms in sight. For now.
Barbara Morrison. A celebration of the late singer's life and career will be live streamed on Saturday, March 26, at 5 p.m. (ET). Go here.
Also, a GoFundMe page has been started to help cover her health expenses. The page has raised over $30,000 with a goal of raising $40,000. Go here.
Harold Mabern radio. On Sunday, Sid Gribetz will host a three-hour Jazz Profiles show on WKCR-FM spotlighting the life and music of pianist Harold Mabern from 2 to 5 p.m. Tune in from anywhere in the world by going here.
And finally, here's Joe Pesci on the Late Show With David Letterman in 1994 [photo above courtesy of NBC]...
Here's Madonna in 1994...
And here's Jerry Lewis, twice...