Today in Music History (May 18, 1982): Jeffrey Osborne releases his solo debut album. Before that, Jeffrey Osborne was the lead singer of Love Togetherness and Devotion (later shortened to L.T.D.), one the best and most popular self-contained Soul groups of the 70s.
He credits his long career to staying healthy. He admits he has run every day since he was 18 years old. “I work out five days each week. “I’m up at 6:30 in the morning every day, and I’m in the gym for an hour and a half to two hours,” Jeffrey Osborne says. “I’ve always stayed in shape.”
Other members OF L.T.D. include Carle Vickers (trumpet/sax/flute), Toby Wynn (sax), Abraham “Onion” Miller (sax), Arthur Lorenzo Carnegie (sax, flute, guitar), Jeffrey (drums and vocals), and brother Billy Osborne (keyboards), Henry Davis (bass, flute, keyboards), Jimmy Davis (keyboards and musical director), guitarist Johnny McGhee and horn player Jake Riley.
“In all the time I was with L.T.D., I was never allowed to do an interview by myself. I wasn’t even allowed to talk on stage between songs,” says Jeffrey Osborne. “I couldn’t get a publishing agreement or a production deal because everyone had their own little role to play in the group… and the money, well, anything split 10 ways can’t be much.”
L.T.D. landed a #1 Soul hit in 1976 with the now-classic love song “Love Ballad” and the album “Love to the World.” They topped the charts again the following year with the funky dance cut “Back In Love Again” and the #1 album Something To Love.
How does Jeffrey Osborne still sound the same?He says the secret is to stay active and eat healthy. He’s been a vegan for about a year. “I thank the Lord to still have the voice that I’ve always had,” he said.
The group continued to score over the next three years with a series of wonderful Osborne ballads, including “Stranger,” “Where Did We Go Wrong,” and “We Both Deserve Each Other’s Love.”
Throughout the L.T.D. albums, Jeffrey Osborne became a larger and larger presence. His debut album would begin a career as a solo artist that surpassed even his work with L.T.D.
“Everyone in the group sang when I joined them. That was one of the problems with L.T.D.: there was no focal point,” says Jeffrey Osborne. “It took until 1976, or about six or seven years, before I was put into the spotlight as a vocalist. That’s when I recorded ‘Love Ballad,’ and it became a hit for the group.”
The album features radio-friendly ballads like “On The Wings of Love” and “Congratulations,” an emotional song of loss that remains one of his most requested tracks.
We’re celebrating Divabetic’s 12th Year Anniversary of Podcasting with musical inspiration from Babyface and music from his A Closer Look album courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks,Susan WeinerMS, RDN, CDCES,FADCES, Ivan Hampden Jr., and Collage Artist Tom Cocotos. Hosted by Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek.
Our musical inspiration, Kenneth Edmonds, known professionally as Babyface, has written over 250 top-10 R&B and pop hits, working with Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, and Whitney Houston.
“The blessing of being able to write music and let the music speak for itself is you let the melodies and let the lyrics and the groove talk to people instead of me talking to people,” says Babyface.
What makes Babyface so great? His ability to craft a song that touches our emotions captivates our ears and perfectly harmonizes every word. It’s a rare gift that not many people have in music.
“I would say that I’ve been lucky. Being blessed and not really ever giving up,” says Babyface.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your diabetes wellness journey! We’re looking forward to sharing more insight and advice on diabetes self-care from experts and peers, along with more great music in the next year!
With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.
Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly. Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat? If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.
Our friend and podcast guest, Dr. Lisa Young, shares some great suggestions for smart swaps for a healthy heart in this Video. Dr. Young, PhD, RDN, CDN is an internationally recognized nutritionist in private practice and offers counseling to adults and children.
Guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and MamaRose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.
Please feel free to call-in comments at 1-347-215-8551. Diva TalkRadio’s signature show is one you want to hear live every month.
I’m thrilled my friends, Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson, professionally known as Crystal Penny, will be on Richard Marzetti’s Soul Life show on Solar Radio today.
They will be discussing their new song, “Standards.” I wrote this song with them and my Luther Vandross musical family member, Ivan Hampden Jr. – it means so much to return to music twenty years after Luther’s passing.
Ivan and I have had professional and personal ups and down’s over these past two decades.
Thanks to you, I channeled my grief into helping people affected by and at risk for diabetes through my work with Divabetic. Like anyone in the entertainment industry, I experienced disappointments and setbacks throughout my career. I feel fortunate that I still have the passion, perseverance, and imagination to write song lyrics. “Standards” is my ode to all my favorite divas – Dionne Warwick, Etta James, Phyllis Hyman, Sarah Vaughan, Chaka Khan, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle (who has once again sparked my creativity!)
Penni and Crystal are super-talented sisters who have survived several music career setbacks and disappointments to continue making incredible music. Their passion for making music began in Pittsburgh, performing as teenagers as The Lovations preserved a bad record deal and several broken promises to continue today. Another retro disco song I wrote with Crystal and Penni, “Are You Ready?” was the theme song for the first year of Divabeticpodcasts.
During the pandemic, UK audiences rediscovered the Lovation’s Original Soul Classics records on multiple music streaming apps, which sparked Penni and Crystal’s interest in returning to the studio. Fortunately, I was the lucky fool who called them up to collaborate on a song. I wrote lyrics and recorded (an off-key) melody for a song called “Standards,” paying tribute to several female vocalists they idolized growing up. With Ivan Hampden Jr.‘s magic touch and polish, we released “Standards” earlier this Spring.
Crystal Penny Guest on Richard Marzetti’s Soul Life on Solar Radio LISTEN NOW
It’s been a fantastic journey for all of us. We were surprised and delighted by the response our song, “Standards,” received from UK Audiences. For the past six weeks, “Standards” has been on the BCfm Soul Chart hosted by Tony Griffin. We climbed as high as #3, which isn’t too shabby!
Watching someone you love die slowly from mismanaged diabetes complications is difficult. They’re slowly robbed of their dignity and quality of life.
I know firsthand how difficult it is to watch someone suffer from a stroke due to mismanaged type 2 diabetes. They’re slowly robbed of everything they took for granted – eyesight, kidney function, memory, and the use of their limbs.
I often tell myself that if I had known that mismanaged diabetes could cause something so destructive as a stroke, I would have done something to stop it. But could I?
Most people with diabetes face mountains of shame and blame regarding their condition. They don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Their narrowminded, stubborn attitude quickly leaves you shaking your head and waving a white flag to surrender. Then, you’re forced to witness the painful consequences of mismanaged diabetes.
Madonna famously sang in these lyrics; the road to hell is paved with good intentions in her song, 4 minutes. Is it true?
Many women in the Divabetic community admit their motivation for properly managing their diabetes is their grandchildren.
Broadcast journalist Don Lemon’s father’s early death due to mismanaged diabetes has made him rethink his life goals after his abrupt departure from CNN.
Speaking to reporters on the red carpet, Don Lemon talked about the challenges he has faced in his life, noting the tragic death of his sister in 2018 and losing his father young from diabetes. “Listen, I didn’t lose my job. I lost my sister. A job is something that is not as important as a person,” Lemon said. “I know what’s important in life.”
A few years earlier, he posted on Instagram, “Dad died of diabetes when I was a kid. Glad I can help @JDRF spread awareness for type 1 diabetes (T1D) during #NDAM. Will u spread the word?”
His late father, Wilmon Richardson, was an attorney remembered for being part of a lawsuit that successfully challenged the segregation of public transportation in the family’s hometown of Baton Rouge.
Don was still a child when his father died due to mismanaged diabetes. Common diabetes health complications include heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and other problems with feet, oral health, vision, hearing, and mental health.
37.3 million people have diabetes (11.3% of the US population). Sadly, 8.5 million people with diabetes are undiagnosed. An estimated 96 million adults aged 18 years or older had prediabetes in 2019.
Don Lemon shared that his mother eventually married his late stepfather. He didn’t specify his name.
With a new father figure, Lemon also recalled having a good relationship with his stepfather. There was no lack of love and connection in his family, too.
Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald, on her 106th birthday!
Ella Fitzgerald was living with type 2 diabetes. Sadly, she had both of her legs amputated. But losing her limbs didn’t stop her from performing on stage. I think that’s a great testament to her strong will and determination.
There are still so many obstacles blocking people with disabilities from living their best life. I’m sure Ella Fitzgerald encountered many of them, from the smallest stair to the pity and scorn in people’s eyes. Week after week, traveling on the road from city to city to perform at night makes it difficult to maintain and sustain a health regimen, especially diabetes self-care. As someone who has traveled on the road supporting musician, I can easily understand how the rigors of touring can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
It’s easy for someone to write her off for not taking care of herself because it’s harder to admit how easy it is to ignore your diabetes. The number of people who don’t manage their diabetes dramatically outnumbers those who do.
Sadly, ignoring your diabetes leads to disastrous consequences. Mismanaged diabetes can lead to amputations, usually of the toes, feet, or legs. Causes include reduced blood flow or peripheral neuropathy. Managing your blood sugar is one way to help prevent it.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Trusted Source, about 130,000 people in the United States who have diabetes have amputations yearly.
Better diabetes management and foot care have caused lower limb amputations over the past 20 years. However, 2018 research suggests that young and middle-aged adults in the United States are experiencing an uptick in diabetes-related amputations.
With ongoing diabetes management, foot care, and wound care, many people with diabetes can limit their risk of amputation or prevent it entirely. Education is crucial.
We proudly celebrate the First Lady of Song and raise awareness for the greater need for diabetes education on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDCES, CDN, Lorraine Brooks, Ansley Dalbo, Anna J. Stewart, and Leola and Cornelia.
After 63 years and thousands of issues, JET printed its last magazine in 2014, but it was announced that the iconic publication is coming back!
Growing up, Jet magazine was a staple in the Black community. Copies of Jet magazine could be found in Black hair salons, barbershops, and on almost every Black family’s coffee table, including Luther Vandross‘s house. He once told me how his older sister, Pat, would give him money to send him to the store to buy a copy!
The first Jet issue’s cover star is CEO & Founder of Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole.
“I am so thrilled to be featured on the cover of Jet!” said Cole in a press release. “Ever since I was a little girl, I grew up reading every inch of every issue that I could get my hands on. Now here I am on the cover and as their iconic ‘Beauty of the Week.’ This moment is so personal and special to me because, in many ways, Jet helped shape who I wanted to become and who I am now.”
Pinky Cole is known for popularizing vegan meals in the Black community through her vegan comfort food and recipes. Since opening her business in 2018, her vegan burger chain has opened restaurants in Georgia, New York, and Alabama.
Her menus include such burgers as the Fussy Hussy (vegan cheese, caramelized onions), the Super Slut (guacamole, jalapeños), and the Ménage à Trois (vegan bacon, vegan shrimp). All were made with plant-based patties from Impossible Foods and doused with a spicy orange “slut sauce.”
Pinky Cole told New Yorker Magazine she estimates that three-quarters of Slutty Vegan’s customers are meat-eaters. “We like it that way,” she told the magazine. “It’s not a vegan concept where we’re this glorified group that’s better than everybody else.”
Some of Slutty Vegan burger options aren’t very healthy either. “I won’t sit here and tell you to eat Slutty Vegan every single day, all day,” she told the magazine before declining to share nutritional information. “But I do want you to understand that veganism can be healthier, even if it starts with burgers and fries.”
A vegan diet doesn’t include animal products. That means no meat, fish, eggs, poultry, milk, cheese, or other dairy products. Strict vegans avoid honey.
Generally speaking, vegan diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber – as a result, they fit well with meal plans for people with diabetes. If you’re considering a plant-based diet, please consult with your friendly certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCDE) to determine the best meal plan for you.
International yoga teacher, and author Rachel Zinman, living with LADA diabetes, shares a guided meditation, “Compassion Meditation,” focusing on self-love and compassion to help jumpstart your day with a new attitude.
In a 2020 episode of the TV Show, Biggest Loser, former American Idol winner RubenStuddard, 35, received some startling news about his health. Dr. Robert Huizenga diagnosed the singer with type 2 diabetes.
According to the show’s medical expert, Studdard’s insulin level, average blood sugar and instantaneous blood sugar levels were high across the board.
“I AM AFRAID,” the Velvet Teddy Bear replied. “I have seen a lot of lives cut short because of health issues.
It’s easy to assume he could be referring to Luther Vandross, who suffered a stroke at age 52 and died at age 54 due to the mismanagement of type 2 diabetes.
Luther had over fifty people supporting him with his music, but he chose to go it alone when managing his diabetes. One thing I have learned over the past twenty years is that for people with diabetes, a team approach to managing their health is ideal. From supportive healthcare collaborators to nonjudgmental co-workers, a team approach offers you the support you need when the daily grind of self-care burns you out.
Many people ignore or don’t treat their with type 2 diabetes, choosing to believe their diagnosis isn’t that serious. Too many doctors suggest losing weight is the easiest way to solve their problems. But what if it isn’t?
I watched my boss, Luther Vandross, struggle with his weight for over a decade. He lost and gained a hundred pounds multiple times while I worked for him. Whenever we thought he had found a way to maintain his weight loss, something would trigger weight gain.
Unfortunately, mismanaged type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating health consequences such as stroke, kidney failure, amputation, and blindness.
Research has shown that people who lack proper diabetes self-care education are more likely to be affected by complications of mismanaged diabetes. Diabetes is a complex and challenging disease that requires daily self-management decisions made by the person with diabetes. The emotional toll of living with diabetes can also take its toll on someone’s ability to manage their care.
Anxiety—feelings of worry, fear, or being on edge—is how your mind and body react to stress. People with diabetes are 20% more likely than those without diabetes to have anxiety at some point. Managing a long-term condition like diabetes is a source of anxiety for some. If you suffer from anxiety, please seek professional help. Talking to others about how you feel helps relieve some of the stress and overcome feeling overwhelmed.
Most of us take our health for granted. We leave our houses without eating. We sit for hours in a chair without getting up. We think we’re hungry when we’re thirsty. We don’t listen to our bodies. Sadly, most people don’t adopt health habits until diagnosed with a chronic condition.
Awareness of your blood sugar levels, what you eat, and when you eat can be exhausting. Many people push back on being aware of everything in their bodies.
“I’ve worked since I was 11-years-old to be a professional singer,” says Ruben Studdard. “That’s all I ever wanted to do.” He confessed to being on the show because he knows it’s time to focus on his health.
“I most definitely want to be around for a long time,” said Ruben Studdard. “This has really, like, given me a second chance.”
Divabetic remembers Luther Vandross (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) with this special podcast, Tribute to Luther Vandross, celebrating his career during the 1990’s. Luther Vandross was a musical master whose style influenced a generation of today’s vocalists. His distinctive brand of satin-smooth vocal magic moved international audiences and continues to touch people today.
The happy healthcare host, Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek, who worked with Vandross for more than 14 years, hosts this tribute podcast featuring Luther’s former vocalists Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle, and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain.
Throughout the podcast, we will play selected Luther Vandross songs that he recorded during the 1990’s courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic, the organization inspired by Luther’s diabetes journey, revisits the singer’s career in the decade of hair scrunchies, boy bands, grunge, and rave parties. This Luther tribute remembers the moments, the music and the man, and the motivation to ensure that no one struggles with diabetes alone or in silence. Keep ‘your house a home’ and learn how to prevent diabetes health-related complications from occurring. Visit: www.divabetic.org
The song I co-wrote, Crystal Penny’s new single, STANDARDS, jumps from #15 (last week) to #5 on the OfficialBCfm Soul Chart countdown this week.
STANDARDS is my tribute to the leading ladies of R&B and Soul Music whose timeless classics captured my heart’s ideals of love listening to the Quiet Storm.
My former boss, Luther Vandross also, was a fan of many of the divas whose names are mentioned in the chorus of my song. Luther founded and was the president of the first Patti LaBelle fan club at his high school!
Coincidentally, Patti LaBelle, who is living with type 2 diabetes, inspired me to create national diabetes nonprofit, Divabetic, in 2005. Divabetic, a combination of the word “diabetic” with the letter “V” inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and a positive attitude associated with the great divas Luther loved, like Patti LaBelle.
I like to tell his fans that Luther had over fifty people support him with his music, but when it came to managing his type 2 diabetes. Stroke is related to the mismanagement to type 2 diabetes. The connection between diabetes and stroke involves how the body handles blood glucose to make energy. People with untreated or mismanaged diabetes accumulate too much glucose in their blood, and their cells don’t receive enough energy. Over time, excessive blood glucose can increase fatty deposits or blood vessel clots. These clots can narrow or block blood vessels in the brain or neck, cutting off the blood supply, stopping oxygen from getting to the brain, and causing a stroke.
Thank you to DJ Tony Griffin and BCFM Radio for playing Crystal Penny’s STANDARDSas much as I do. I am overjoyed! STANDARDSwill be available on all music streaming apps on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Last night Fern Mallis, the host of the 92nd StreetY’s Fashion Icons series, interviewed legendary fashion writer Mary Lou Luther as several of the New York fashion industry’s heavyweights listened in, including Fashion Designer Norma Kamali.
Fern Mallis is primarily credited with transforming New York Fashion Week into one of the significant fashion events on the international circuit. Her guest, Mary Lou Luther, is credited with making designers like Derek Lamb a household name and helping reporters gain access to seeing new fashions at the same time as most buyers.
Marylou Luther’s unparalleled 70-year career, which included stints with the Des Moines Register, The Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the LA Times Syndicate, and Fashion Group International, afforded her access to the most influential designers. Her new book, Be-spoke, Revelations from the World’s Most Important Fashion Designers, published by Rizzoli, features quotes from her interviews with 72 designers, from Christian Dior in 1957 to Kirby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss and colorful illustrations by Ruben Toledo.
Here are a few fun takeaways from this enchanting evening of oral history on fashion:
Costume Designer Edith Head kept her eight Acamady Awards on display everywhere she went, including in her trailer while on film locations. She once said, “I’ve designed films I’ve never seen. If it is a Paramount film, I probably designed it.” But apparently, her unparalleled success did not make her immune to criticism. She thought it was important to remind new upstart designers who she was and her numerous accomplishments. According to Mary Lou, Edith Head kept young designers waiting in her trailer, staring at her shelf of Oscars to curb their enthusiasm for offering their advice to her on set.
Coco Chanel sat at the top of her stairs and watched the audience react to her clothes and fashion show at her atelier at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris. MarMarylou’svorite quote is from Coco Chanel in an article she wrote for the LA Times, “Fa” he fades. Only style remains the same. Only those with no memory insist on their originality. Yves Saint Laurent has excellent taste. The more he copies me, the better like he displays.”
Karl Lagerfeld was a genius with fabric, color, and silhouette and a wizard in set design. According to Mary Lou Luther, Karl Lagerfeld turned fashion shows into spectacles. She recalled how he went to great lengths to design and build elaborate sets for his runway shows.
New York Times’ legendary Fashion Photographer, Bill Cunningham, a friend of Luther’s, was one of the most honest people she knew. At 93, she seems to agree wholeheartedly with his work ethic of never stopping. A decade ago, she started writing the syndicated column Clotheslines, which deals with whatever fashion-related topics her readers want to ask. Five million people read her column weekly. Her answers come from her “long history of hearing similar questions” and from what she learns during her trips to the semi-annual fashion openings, trips she has been making since 1969.
Her no-nonsense, objective approach to reporting on fashion has earned legions of readers and people like designer Todd Oldham. The designer describes Mary Lou’s writing style: “She can make fashion writing interesting to a truck driver.”
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, presents a diva-style approach to diabetes empowerment on this podcast for fashion lovers.
Get the scoop on what Hemoglobin A1 C is on ‘Sexy Little Numbers’ related to diabetes health with the help of Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. The A1C reflects your average blood sugar level over a two to three-month period.
Leading fashion experts dish on the latest trends before playing the fun fashion game, ‘Buy, Borrow or Burn!with our special guest, Alexis, living with type 1 diabetes.
New York City’s annual Easter Bonnet Festival, a celebration that dates back to the 1870s, is a celebration of craftiness and creativity.
The event began as a post-mass stylish fashion show, but it’s a spectacle of floral whimsy and pageantry.
Many revelers wear traditional floral bonnets. From tailcoats, furs, and pearls to tweeds and herringbone, some couples are decked out in their 40s and 50s finery. They go to great lengths to recreate head-to-toe sophisticated vintage looks.
But in between these swanky fashion plates are massive, at times monstrous, absolutely fabulous creative creations. These spectacular works of art of epic vertical proportions can make you forget about the high cost of living in New York.
Some paraders subscribe to the adage, ‘Bigger is always better.’ For example, this parade found inspiration from the year of the rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is known to be the luckiest out of all the twelve animals. It symbolizes mercy, elegance, and beauty.
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the Red Tomato Carpet and tests everyday people’s Food IQ with his Serve, Taste or Trash!Food Game at the Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City, NY. Special guests Carla Cravens and Catherine Schuller add some glamour to the occasion.
The New York City Easter Parade has been an annual tradition since the Civil War. It features marchers in elaborate Easter finery, including some of the fanciest Easter bonnets imaginable.
Watch this dynamic duo in the diabetes outreach challenge, everyday people, to play Divabetic’s original food game, Serve, Taste or Trash!
You might be surprised by the results. In the game, you’re given three choices of popular foods. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste, and which one you’d trash. The game’s goal is to encourage people to become more open-minded eaters.
