I just returned from a week’s vacation in Palm Springs, California. I hadn’t been in the desert town for almost ten years. I couldn’t believe how many of the famous still live there or vacation there. Thanks to Jimmy Pattison, Carole and I had the privilege of visiting Frank Sinatra‘s sprawling estate. It was the experience of a lifetime. The collection of memorabilia and Frank’s personal items are awesome. I also had the opportunity to talk with Gloria Greer, a fixture in Palm Springs media who writes for Palm Springs Life magazine, and hosts a series of television shows where she does personality interviews. Recent visitors to the city were some entertainers I have had the pleasure of interviewing over the years including Pat Boone, James MacArthur (Dan-O on Hawaii 5-0), who was celebrating his 70th birthday, singer Jack Jones, and many others. It truly is celebrity city… Television game show host Bob Eubanks will appear at the Red Robinson Show Theatre for the $250,000 Game Show Spectacular, with two shows on July 7th. The only way to see the show is to win your way in. Details at the Boulevard Casino… Add to your list of summer shows the recently announced Whistler Music Festival, a two day long event which will headline Elvis Costello and the Imposters. Tickets at Ticketmaster… Speaking of concerts, pop singer Janet Jackson is on tour for the first time in seven years with the Canadian launch of her Rock Witchu arena tour. The whole tour will open in our city on September 7th and then will continue throughout North America… I was surprised to receive a memo the other day announcing that I would be the Vancouver Music Industry recipient of the 2008 Legends Award. The award will be presented during the VMI Gala at the Canvas Lounge in Vancouver on July 29th. Several local artists will perform live. I am extremely honoured to be receiving this award in my industry and my city…
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Congratulations also to old friends Herb Capozzi, a leader in sports, tourism and business, and well known charity fundraiser Peter Legge, publisher of TVWeek magazine, among many. Both are to receive the Order of British Columbia at a special ceremony at Government House in Victoria on June 26th… Look for local jazz singer Kenny Colman to sing up a storm at the Jazz festival June 23rd at the Performance Works with the wizards of jazz, the Ron Johnston Sextet… The curtain has come down on some marvelous entertainers in the last days. Film maker Sydney Pollack, who won a pair of Academy Awards for the epic Out of Africa and for his acting stints in films such as Tootsie has died at 73. Also we bid farewell to Laugh In star Dick Martin, who starred with Dan Rowan in their hit television series of the 60’s. (Rowan died in 1987). Martin was 86… One of my favourites in the world of comedy, Harvey Korman is dead at 81. Best known as a regular on the Carol Burnett Show and as the sneering “Hedley Lamarr” in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles. He won 4 Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work on the series. Korman came to Vancouver in the nineties and again a year ago with sidekick Tim Conway… Also passing from the scene is singer turned comic Jack Duffy who is probably best known for his various roles on CBC TV over the years. His career was varied, as he was a solo singer for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra until 1950. He also became a regular on the Perry Como Kraft Music Hall for two years. He bounced around on various variety shows and it didn’t hurt that he looked, in many ways, like Frank Sinatra. We will miss them all…