Knight to star in TV holiday movie
Gladys Knight recalls Christmas as more than a family affair when she was growing up in Atlanta.
“Because Mom and Dad were the way they were, they would just embrace all the kids in the neighborhood,” said the singer. Many of the children were in the same church choir, and “we were just so excited about the music.”
She counts “O Holy Night” as a favorite Christmas song. The best childhood gift she received? A blue and silver bicycle.
Knight will be celebrating the holiday on screen in the TV movie “I’m Glad It’s Christmas,” airing Saturday on Great American Family. Knight plays matchmaker Cora, who wants to bring together a salesclerk dreaming of Broadway fame (Jessica Lowndes) and a songwriter (Paul Greene) for a small town’s Christmas concert.
Knight said she and husband William McDowell expect their North Carolina home to be packed as usual this Christmas, given their large brood of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Khan tells stories in Apple series:
Chaka Khan wants people to walk with her while she tells inspirational stories. Apple announced Monday that the Grammy winner is taking part in an audio experience called Time to Walk, a series designed to help people walk more often.
In the episode, Khan reflects on her upbringing in Chicago, how she found her better self in Europe, learning the music business and the importance of friendships. It features songs such as Khan’s “Woman Like Me,” Joni Mitchell’s “California” and Mile Davis’ “Tomaas.”
“Don’t take everything so fricking seriously because it’s not,” Khan said during her episode.
Khan is among the nearly 70 high-profile guests who have shared their stories through photos and music with Fitness+ users. The series can be heard on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Guitarist Johnson dies:
Wilko Johnson, the guitarist with British blues-rock band Dr. Feelgood who had an unexpected career renaissance after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, has died at age 75. A statement posted Wednesday on Johnson’s official social media accounts on behalf of his family said the musician died Monday at his England home.
Johnson helped give
Dr. Feelgood a dangerous edge with his choppy, relentless guitar style and thousand-yard glare. He went on to perform with
Ian Dury’s band, the Blockheads.
In 2012, Johnson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was told it was terminal. The prospect of death unexpectedly revived his creative energies. He went on tour and recorded a “final” album, “Going Back Home,” with Roger Daltrey of The Who.
Johnson announced he was cancer-free in
2014. He released another album, “Blow Your Mind,” in 2018, and played gigs with his Wilko Johnson Band until last month.
Drummer Pete Best is 81. Actor Billy Connolly is 80. Actor Dwight Schultz is 75. Drummer Clem Burke is 68. Musician Terry Lewis is 66. Actor Denise Crosby is 65. Actor Garret Dillahunt is 58. Actor Lola Glaudini is 51. Actor Colin Hanks is 45. Actor Katherine Heigl is 44. Actor Sarah Hyland is 32.