Between the Lines

By Winchester

Zoe Silverman, daughter of Tommy Boy Entertainment guru Tom Silverman debuted her singing career recently at Steve Walter's Cutting Room. Silverman, long a much lauded figure in the record biz, stood front-and-center and proudly watched daughter Zoe with her partner Alex deliver a nice program of infectious, rap-and-slap music.

Seen in the SRO-crowd, were music-industry icons Seymour Stein, Danny Glass, producer Nile Rodgers, with Nancy Hunt; PR-man David Salidor; and, our own Keith Girard. I don't know when this music will be released, but when it is, it will be big. Congrats to Zoe and Alex. One quick note regarding Mr. Stein: He's a music icon. Through his terribly-missed Sire Records, he brought us acts like: The Talking Heads; Madonna; The Tom Tom Club; Kid Creole & The Coconuts; and, many more. Great to see him!

Our colleague Roger Friedman had a very interesting list in his daily Fox News column today under the heading, Rock Of Shame, listing all the acts who were NOT in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - which, coincidentally held its annual affair this week. The list includes such music-chestnuts as Neil Sedaka, Linda Ronstadt, Chicago, Carly Simon, Neil Diamond, Laura Nyro, The Moody Blues, Ben E. King, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Hall & Oates, Iggy Pop, Patti LaBelle, Rufus, Alice Cooper and, at least two dozen others. Hard to believe, right?

But, I must admit that I've personally given up on these cheesy Waldorf Astoria events anyway, where, only the FOW (Friends of Rolling Stone Publisher Jann Wenner) really get any acknowledgement at all. Why, even at this week's event, where Madonna is inducted, John Mellencamp was inducted and performed. As Monkee Micky Dolenz (and, this group is NOT in either!) has often said, "It's a private club ... and, not many people get invited in."

Speaking of the Monkees, there was a closed-door ceremony for Jerry Renino(Aka Jerry Jam), who passed last year, at The Cutting Room. Renino performed with the group as well as the individuals members, for the last decade. Micky's here in town, Davy Jones performed over the weekend, and Peter is schlepping down from Connecticut. Is it a true Monkees-reunion? Could be, details next week. Speaking of Dolenz, a rumor abounds that he will perform several songs with Chic at Nile Rodger's "We Are Family" event on April 28. Now, that would be something to see. btw: This year's show honors Patti LaBelle as too!

Talk about legends: Deborah Gibson, who stills hold the record as the youngest-performer ever to have written, performed, and, produced at No. 1 pop record, will headline Harrah's in Atlantic City for three weeks starting May 4. Though she's been missing from the record-scene for awhile, don't ever count her out. With the right producer, label and song, she could be back in heartbeat. As a good friend of mine has said, when queried about whether she could again rule the roost: "You got to remember, she's got talent, so, anything is possible!"

Last week we referenced the tribute-band Talk of The Town. Mary Beth Cronin from the band called to say, that not only are they a Pretenders tribute band but, they also perform a Cars tribute as well, and, that said, it got me to thinking about the band, which rose from the early punk scene in the 1970s. Members of the band were singer Ric Ocasek, Ben Orr, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and David Robinson. Hailing from Boston, they were signed in 1977. Though they were billed at the time as a synth-oriented pop band, Ocasek's inimitable stage antics and looks propelled the band to success.

"Tonight", "You Might Think", and "Tonight She Drives" were their biggest commercial hits, although their style, both visually and musical, were probably responsible for many new musicians and bands. They had a re-union last year, sans Ocasek, billed as The New Cars, with Todd Rundgren and Kaz Sultan, and did fairly well. I actually caught them at the China Club and thought it was a terrific show, especially when they let Rundgren (The Runt) perform some of his own songs, like "Black Maria." Great band and great memories. We're off to see Talk of The Town this week ... more news on them next column.

First Run Features just released a DVD of the movie "Who Is Henry Jaglon." Hailed by some as a cinematic genius, a feminist voice and a true Maverick of American cinema, Jaglon was dismissed by others as a voyeuristic, egomaniacal fraud and 'the world's worst director' the film explores the sometime-wunderkind of the film world. A fascinating watch.

Sad news for New Line Films, which was officially downsized and folded into Time Warner. New Line-chieftains Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne weren't everyone's cut of tea, but they did bring the "Lord Of The Rings" franchise to life in a big way and made director Peter Jackson a bona-fide star. Sad news indeed, especially for the 600 plus employees being shown the door.

Also, at Palm West this week, Penthouse Pets Erica Ellyson (Pet of the Year '08); Justine Joli (Runner Up '08) and, Bree Olson (March 08 Pet), and, May Pang's Cutting Room book-launch for her Instamatic Karma (St. Martin's)

NAMES IN THE NEWS: Sab Ravilla; Leslie Gold; Tom Cuddy; August Darnell; Coatimundi; Tara's Comedy Cosmos; Lanie Speiser; Mark Berry; Andrew Tobin; Derek Storm; and, Ernie Lake.