Stars sing from home, raise money
Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and
Dave Grohl opened their doors — literally — as the musicians performed from their homes for an hourlong benefit concert to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Keys kicked off the Sunday event — which also honored health professionals and first responders — singing her song “Underdog” from a piano in her home. Carey, one of the last performers, sang “Always Be My Baby” from her home studio in New York.
Elton John sang and also hosted the special that aired on Fox and iHeartMedia radio stations; he said he hoped “this entertainment will feed and fuel your soul.”
Brother-producer Finneas strummed along as Eilish sang her No. 1 hit “Bad Guy” from their couch. Dave Grohl sang “My Hero” from his studio in Hawaii.
The artists were filmed with cellphones, cameras and audio equipment in their homes. The event took place during the time slot that was to belong to the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which was canceled due to the pandemic.
Viewers watching Sunday’s concert special were asked to support two of the charitable organizations aiding victims and first responders during the pandemic: Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation.
Schramm, veteran of the stage and TV’s ‘Wings,’ dies: David Schramm, the veteran stage actor best known for playing rival airline owner Roy Biggins on “Wings,” died over the weekend in New York. He was 73.
The news was confirmed by the New Yorkbased The Acting Company, of which Schramm was a founding member. The cause of death is not yet known.
“We mourn his loss and will miss him,” said Acting Company co-founder Margot Harley in a statement.
Besides his eight seasons on the ’90s NBC comedy “Wings,” Schramm also appeared in the TV movie “The Dreamer of
Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story” in 1990 and the 1983 miniseries “Kennedy” (as Robert McNamara). His film credits include “Let It Ride,” “Johnny Handsome” and “A Shock to the System.”
‘I Love Rock ’n’ Roll’ co-writer dies of virus complications: Alan Merrill — who co-wrote the song “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” that became a signature hit for fellow rocker Joan Jett — died Sunday in New York of complications from the coronavirus, his daughter said. He was 69.
Laura Merrill said on her Facebook account that he died in the morning. Merrill said her father was in good spirits recently. She went to a show of his about two weeks ago and had taken a photograph of him for his new album, Merrill said.
Jett scored a major hit with “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” in 1982. Alan Merrill wrote the song for his band The Arrows and recorded it in 1975.
March 31 birthdays: William Daniels is 93. Shirley Jones is 86. Christopher Walken is 77. Mick Ralphs is 76. Gabe Kaplan is 75. Rhea Perlman is 72. Ed Marinaro is 70. Angus Young is 65. Ewan McGregor is 49. Kate Micucci is 40. Melissa Ordway is 37. Jack Antonoff is 36. Jessica Szohr is 35.