Winchester, Author at The New York Independent, New York City, NY

Debbie Gibson, Queen of ’80s Bubblegum Pop, Ready to Relive Smash Hits on Tour

WinchesterApril 17, 2019

Debbie Gibson was my full-time occupation for six years. In that time, I saw her emerge as a huge star in the late ’80s. She was only 17 when she released her triple platinum debut album Out of the Blue. Now 48, she is about to hit the road on her Mixed Tape Tour....

POP

Wendy Stuart-Kaplan, a ’70s Club Kid Who Lived to Tell All, Still Going Strong

WinchesterMarch 4, 2019

New Yorker Wendy Stuart-Kaplan is a ’70s club kid and model who has done it all, from basking in the dazzling lights of the legendary Studio 54 and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Carl Bernstein, Andy Warhol and Calvin Klein, to saving elephants on treks to Thailand....

FASHION SENSE

Janet Jackson Puts Pop in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Plus 2018 Album Picks!

WinchesterDecember 14, 2018

Janet Jackson made some great records with the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis back in the day, but mostly staked her claim to fame on being Michael Jackson’s hot sister. And, really, was her music ever rock ‘n roll? The Rock Hall has always had an uneasy relationship with reality....

BETWEEN THE LINESROCK

Tony Smith, a Star of New York City Disco Scene, Now Relives it on Satellite Radio

WinchesterNovember 13, 2018

With the “Studio 54” movie by Matt Tymauer a regional hit here in New York City, we decided to take a look book at one of the definitive stars of those halcyon times when disco ruled in the ’70s and early ’80s....

BETWEEN THE LINESDANCE

Elton John Star-Studded NYC Show Draws Clintons, Russell Crowe Other Celebs

WinchesterOctober 23, 2018

Elton John made a two-night stand at his favorite venue in the world, Madison Square Garden in New York City, as part of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour,” and it was star-studded in more ways than one....

BETWEEN THE LINESPOP

Tom Petty, One Year After Death, Has New Music Projects On the Way

WinchesterOctober 8, 2018

Tom Petty died suddenly one year ago from an accidental drug overdoes, robbing rock music of one of its most enduring artists. For me, it seemed as if Petty would always be around delivering his rock solid music....

BETWEEN THE LINES

Duane Betts Talks About Carving a Niche and Building on Allman Bros. Legacy

WinchesterSeptember 27, 2018

Duane Betts, son of Allman Brothers Band founder Dickie Betts, has just released his first EP, called Sketches of American Music. A new video, for the song “Downtown Runaround” has been shot and is ready for release....

ROCK

Mark Bego Pens Last Word on Aretha Franklin; Talks About Life, Career, Death

WinchesterSeptember 24, 2018

When celebrity author Mark Bego originally wrote his 1989 biography, “Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul,” he had no idea that it would be updated three times, the latest being the new “Tribute Edition” of the book by Skyhorse Publishing, which puts her career in perspective since her death at 76 in August....

BETWEEN THE LINESR & B

Hozier Follows Up Album With New 4 Track EP Ahead of Nationwide Tour

WinchesterSeptember 21, 2018

Hozier, the pulti-platinum singer/songwriter, has released has released his latest EP, Nina Cried Power, via Columbia Records. The 4-track set is the first collection of new music Hozier has shared since the 2014 release of his critically acclaimed self-titled debut album....

BETWEEN THE LINES

The Mac Is Back! Mick, Stevie, Christine Recapture Fleetwood Mac Magic on Ellen

WinchesterSeptember 7, 2018

The re-constituted Fleetwood Mac appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show (their first-time ever on TV) performing “The Chain” and “Gypsy.” At first blush, with new additions Neil Finn and Mike Campbell replacing Lindsay Buckingham, they pretty much sounded the same. And that’s a good thing....

BETWEEN THE LINES

The Backstory to Woodstock ’69: An Insider Account of Three Days of Love and Music

WinchesterAugust 14, 2018

Brother and sister Weston and Julia Blelock grew up in Woodstock, New York, left town for many years and pursued separate lives and diverse careers. But they both were drawn back to the region and are now business partners in WoodstockArts....

ROCK

My Father’s Place, a L.I. Music Mecca, Reopens as Supper Club at Roslyn Hotel

WinchesterJuly 1, 2018

My Father’s Place in Roslyn, Long Island, NY, was one of the most influential spots in the country for breaking new acts in the ’70s and ’80s. Dave Mason, Bruce Springsteen, Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates, The Police, Rick Derringer, The Runaways, Bob Marley, U2 and many, many more, all played there early in their rise to fame and fortune....

Music

Mantus Rode ’70s Disco to the Top; Now It’s Eyeing New Glory With a New Album

WinchesterMay 25, 2018

Mantus is back. The lineup includes Billy Amendola, Jimmy Maer, Frank 'Deac' DeCrescenzo and John 'Kaz' Kazmack. (Photo: DisCompany) In the truest sense of the phrase--everything old is new again--the four-member group Mantus, which first broke ont...

DANCE

Mia Moravis Charts Music Industry Through Three Women in ‘Session Girls’

WinchesterFebruary 5, 2018

Mia Moravis is producer, performer in, and writer of new musical, Session Girls, a look behind-the-scenes at the exploits of three women in the music industry. Van Dean’s Broadway Records will record the show’s debut....

Theater

British Rock Legend Ian McDonald Sweetens the Pot With Honey West

WinchesterJanuary 7, 2018

Ian McDonald, best known for founding British supergroups King Crimson and Foreigner, takes the prize as the most interesting old-new act in music. His new group, Honey West, released their debut album, Bad Old World to rave reviews for its sound and lyrics. The album features Honey West founder, accomplished actor and neighbor Ted Zurkowski (the Actor’s Studio)), McDonald’s son Maxwell on bass, and Steve Holley from Paul McCartney’s Wings on drums....

BETWEEN THE LINESCELEBRITIESINDIEPOPROCK