Bronze bust of Reynolds unveiled
A plaque and a palm tree weren’t enough to mark the swagger and star power of Burt Reynolds.
That’s why a bronze bust, mustachioed of course, and sporting his “Smokey and the Bandit” cowboy hat, were unveiled Monday, three years after his death.
“Anybody else want to touch him?” Loni Anderson, Reynolds’ wife from 1988 to 1994, asked the small crowd that gathered around the sculpture after the unveiling at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.
“Yes, he’s made to be touched!” said Caroline P.M. Jones, the artist who made it.
Anderson and her son with Reynolds, Quinton, chose the spot where Reynolds’ cremated remains were laid to rest in February, because it was next to a palm tree and water, which evoked his native Florida. A simple plaque with his name marked the spot.
But Hollywood Forever co-owner Tyler Cassity told them that the many visitors to his grave would appreciate more of a monument, something to look at, to touch, to take photos with. So the bust was commissioned.
“It’s absolutely beautiful, it’s exactly what we both envisioned,” Quinton Reynolds said after a brief private ceremony where a crowd of several dozen people who were close to Reynolds gathered to mark the occasion.
Guests included actors Stefanie Powers and Ruta Lee.
Fugees to reunite for anniversary:
Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel of the hip-hop group Fugees have reunited for their first tour in 25 years and first shows in 15 years, celebrating the
anniversary of their blockbuster 1996 “The Score,” the group announced Tuesday.
The 12-city tour launches Wednesday with a show in New York. That show is in support of “Global Citizen Live,” a global broadcast event “calling on world leaders to defend the planet and defeat poverty,” which will air Sept. 25. The rest of the tour will commence Nov. 2 in Chicago and cross the country before wrapping up in Africa, with the final shows in Nigeria and Ghana.
“The Score,” which was driven by the group’s cover of Robert Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” won two Grammys and has been certified seven-times platinum.
Labelle co-founder Dash dies:
Singer Sarah Dash, who co-founded the all-female group Labelle — best known for the raucous 1974 hit “Lady Marmalade” — has died. She was 76.
Patti Labelle and Nona Hendryx completed the trio. They announced Dash’s death Monday on social media. No cause of death was disclosed.
“We spoke a musical language, music says it
best. Singing brought us together,” wrote Hendryx.
“Sarah Dash was an awesomely talented, beautiful and loving soul who blessed my life and the lives of so many others in more ways than I can say,” Labelle wrote. “Rest in power my dear sister.”
Dash originally started in the group The Ordettes, before it morphed into The Bluebells and then into Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles. In the early 1970s, they shortened it to Labelle, changed their outfits and veered toward funk, with all three members singing lead and background.
Dash released several albums over the years. She wrote music with Keith Richards and toured with the Rolling Stones.
Sept. 22 birthdays: Singerdancer Toni Basil is 78. Singer David Coverdale is
70. Actor Shari Belafonte is 67. Singer Debby Boone is 65. Singer Joan Jett is 63. Opera singer Andrea Bocelli is 63. Actor Bonnie Hunt is 60.Rapper Mystikal is 51.Actor James Hillier is
48. Actor Tatiana Maslany is 36. Actor Ukweli Roach is 35. Actor Tom Felton is
34. Actor Teyonah Parris is 34.