DIVAS IN PERSON Continues on Page 87

By Maximillien de Lafayette

 

 

Simone Signoret

I thought it would be fun, nostalgic and informative to write a column on divas and colorful characters who shaped a part of our history in a most unusual way. Divas I knew in person. Especially,  those mega stars who were or are often misunderstood and or misconceived by the media and the public. In the twenty years plus, I spent on ink, papers and "manchettes", I had the reason, the means and the opportunities to meet a lot of them. I forgot a great deal of  and about those once upon a time goddesses of the screen, and a lot of fond memories and vivid recollection about what they told me or showed me,  I kept in my heart and across the bridge of my "souvenirs". Some caused a permanent imprint on my psyche, while others entertained me and confused the hell out of me for a while. Today, you and me will revisit dear and confidential moments I shared with some of them. And hopefully, you will get to know the real persona and character of the divas I knew, off stage, far from the glitter of the stage , the spotlights and red carpet. Those who follow the bla bla bla and adore Joan Rivers will label this column a tabloid, a gossips rendez vous. And those who dig deeper in the human fabric will see it and read it differently. For, they will be capturing an unwritten short chapter in the life and history of illustrious stars but warm, tender and unquestionably unmatched in their craft and personality. Continues on Page 87

 

 

CHAT WITH MAESTRO BILLY VERPLANCK. Cont'd from P. 8

Billy VerPlanck: "A Breath Of Fresh Air" was the first really good ballad I ever wrote with a Jim Pollack lyric.

Q-who got you into ASCAP with your composition and arrangement of "Chicken Shack Boogie"?                                     Billy:  Ralph Marterie, which was real nice. It started me off as a composer. And I am very grateful to him for it. That was a very good band and a ball to play with.                                                        Q-You wrote hundreds of scores for documentary films, industrial shows, commercials, plus producing, arranging and conducting seventeen CDs for the great Marlene Verplanck, your wife. What is your favorite composition?                                                                       Billy: Growing Old Gracefully on our first album "A Breath Of Fresh Air" It was the first really good ballad I ever wrote with a Jim Pollack lyric.                                                                                                               Q-Did you make money out of it?                                                          Billy: No, not really, but I had the great fortune of having the greatest singer of the American Popular Song to sing it, with my arrangement and a great New York orchestra to record it; which led to other wonderful things, and again I am deeply grateful for it.        Q-What are you are you working on now?                                      Billy: Writing new songs and arrangements as I always have everyday of my life.                                                                                    Q-Any regrets in life?                                                                          Billy: No, Life has been great for me. I am very thankful.                   Q-The best musical experience in your life? Of course, beside marrying Marlene.                                                                                 Billy: Playing on Tommy Dorsey's Band and being in this wonderful music business.                                            

Billy VerPlanck is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment