music history – Divabetic

02/05/202502/06/2025

My London Trip: Rock N Roll History Walking Tour

We had a great time on the 2018 TripAdvisor award-winning ‘Traveler’s Choice music tour that celebrated London’s vibrant music history! Exploring the city that gave rise to legendary bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bad Finger, and others was nothing short of magical.

Our small group, full of rock music enthusiasm (I was the only one asking about the Spice Girls!), made stops at iconic locations—like the cozy Blues bar where Amy Winehouse poured her heart into her songwriting and cleared tables when she had writer’s block.

The energy in that space was palpable!

I created two Amy Winehouse sculptures using discarded water and soda bottles, yarn and Target bags (before they removed their Pride merchandise from store shelves and ended their DEI ( Diversity and Inclusion) program.

We also visited The Ships pub, where Jimi Hendrix once made a memorable exit (he vomitted outside the door) —such fun to think about the history that unfolded in these spots.

Did you know a JAMA Neurology study found a possible link between walking 10,000 steps per day and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, 13 types of cancer, stroke, and heart failure?

Our guide, Alan, a professional actor and musician, was simply fantastic! His passion for music and storytelling brought London’s rock ‘n’ roll scene alive.

FUN FACT: The original recording of the Beatle’s iconic song “Hey Jude” contains the F-bomb in the background. The Beatles decided to leave the word in the song.

As we strolled through the bustling streets of Soho and Mayfair, we soaked up tales of musical greats like David Bowie, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Elton John, feeling inspired by their legacies.

FUN FACT: You can hear a phone ringing at the end of Ziggy Stardust’s original “Life On Mars” recording. What’s strange about it is that the studio line was an unlisted number, so someone misdialed during the recording. The cost of recording tape was expensive; they didn’t re-record it.

We traveled down Canterbury Street, where Sharon Osbourne’s father, Don Arden‘s music management office was located and 3 Savile Row, where the Beatles performed an outdoor concert on the rooftop.

Walking at least 30 minutes most day of the week can help lower blood pressure. Walking also improves the body’s ability to use insulin, the hormone that lowers blood sugar.

It was funny to think that just the night before, we had wandered these same streets in search of late-night food after enjoying The Devil Wears Prada musical starring Vanessa Williams.

The delightful discovery of following in the footsteps of music legends made our experience extra special!

We visited the location of the Trident Studios, a British recording facility located at 17 St Anne’s Court in London’s Soho district between 1968 and 1981.

Queen recorded their first song there using the free studio time booked by Paul McCartney. We also visited Regent Sound studios, first used to record jingles, then by bands like the Rolling Stones.

01/01/2025

Luther & Dionne: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Luther Vandross‘s journey into the world of entertainment was sparked by a memorable experience at the Fox Theater in Brooklyn, NY, where he had the chance to watch Dionne Warwick perform.

Luther shared with the New York Times that witnessing her magic on stage inspired him to connect with audiences in a similar way. Luther fondly remarked, “It was women like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, and The Supremes who drove me to the stereo.” He believed that women, in their performances, were more willing to dive deep emotionally and take creative risks, showcasing their talents with flair.

A beautiful friendship blossomed between Luther and Dionne after Cissy Houston, Luther’s friend, introduced them backstage at Radio City Music Hall. They became so close that when he recorded A House Is Not A Home, Dionne was the first person he wanted to share it with. Dionne praised Luther’s ability to put his unique spin on her songs, saying, “He didn’t do Dionne Warwick. He did Luther Vandross interpreting what Dionne Warwick had done, and he was a genius.”

In 1983, Clive Davis enlisted Luther to produce Dionne’s album, How Many Times Can You Say Goodbye. The final track on the album features Dionne’s interpretation of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, a classic penned by Carole King and Gerry Grolnick.

Not everyone knows that before she left to get married, Dionne joined the Shirelles, stepping in for Shirley Owens and Doris Coley, and continued with the group starting in 1963.

Luther, a devoted fan of the Shirelles, would later share with the New York Times, “First, I was a down and desperate fan of the Shirelles. Then, when I saw Dionne Warwick at the Brooklyn Fox, my life changed. She showed me there were standards.” To honor her legacy, Luther surprised Dionne by bringing in the original Shirelles members to join her on a track.

Dionne reminisced, “We had a ball recording that song. We laughed a lot, let me tell you!” Luther even playfully told her, “See! You ARE a rock and roll singer!”

04/28/202404/28/2024

Girl Groups & Diabetes

The world of girl groups was an arena of glittering illusions, where the sweet harmonies and coordinated outfits masked the performers’ backstage drama and personal struggles.

The Girl Group phenomenon emerged during a time when male artists dominated music, and this all-female genre of music was a breath of fresh air. The girl groups were created to appeal to the teenage girl demographic, with their high-pitched vocals and lyrics spoke of love and romance.

But behind the scenes, things were not so rosy. The girl groups were mostly created by men who manufactured their names, images, and songs. The performers had little say in these decisions and were often subjected to misogynistic treatment. The notorious Phil Spector was known for his complete control over Ronnie Spector’s life. The girl groups’ success was short-lived, and after achieving colossal success as teenagers, they were quickly dropped by their labels a few years later.

The emergence of Girl Groups right before the Women’s Rights movement raises the question of whether they helped or hindered the challenge against traditional female roles. While their success could be seen as a signal of female empowerment, their songs, primarily focused on finding a man, may have reflected the traditional domestic roles of women as wives and mothers.

As their music lost popularity on radio formats, British acts like the Rolling Stones incorporated elements of the girl group sound into their music, which some argue may have contributed to the genre’s decline. Additionally, the fact that black women backing vocalists have become a mainstay in major Rock and Roll tours raises questions of whether the girl group was a victim of racism and male chauvinism.

The downfall of most girl groups was swift and drastic, with many original members dying young, suffering from substance abuse, or getting pregnant and being replaced. As the decades progressed, cousins, children, or someone in their outer circle would join the group so they could continue to perform. The girl groups’ legacy was tarnished by tales of unrecouped royalties, lawsuits over names and likenesses, and other horror stories.

Today, many of these groups appear in casinos and on Olides circuits. Their wig, girdle, and rhinestone showcases seem cliche. it’s unrealistic to expect someone to look the same way they did 50 years ago. It’s unfair to pressure women to maintain a certain appearance and criticize them if they don’t meet those standards. We should prioritize valuing people for who they are rather than how they look.

We can draw parallels between the challenges faced by girl groups and the struggles of managing one’s health. Getting diagnosed with a life-altering condition like diabetes can be a shock to the system, leaving one feeling defensive, hurt, frustrated, and overwhelmed. The lack of emotional support and proper education often leaves patients feeling blamed by their healthcare providers, leading to complications like stroke, blindness, and amputation rates that continue to rise. Many people give up before even trying to manage their health properly, just like the girl groups were dropped by their record labels after achieving success.

08/19/202308/19/2023

Divabetic Remembers Diana Ross in Lady Sings The Blues

Diana Ross’s iconic performance in Lady Sings The Blues inspires us to discuss the link between diabetes and depression and diabetes distress.

When Diana Ross chose to make her feature film debut playing the role of Billie Holiday in the biopic Lady Sings The Blues; there were more than a few skeptics. The Motown Queen’s solo career started as a slow burn – only one of her four post-Supremes albums to date had made the US Top 40.

Thankfully, she persevered through people’s doubts and the physically and emotionally grueling film production. Her captivating performance on film and record earned her an Academy Award nomination and a #1 solo Pop Album in the US — aptly, on the chart date that would have been Billie’s 58th birthday, April 7, 1973. The double LP features Ross singing gems from the tragic singer’s catalog, such as God Bless The Child, Strange Fruit, and the title song.

Sadly, Billie Holiday had already been gone for 13 years when Lady Sings The Blues was released.

Why Is It Called the Blues?

In the 19th century, the English phrase blue devils referred to the upsetting hallucinations brought on by severe alcohol withdrawal. Over time it was shortened to the blues, which described states of depression and upset, and it was later adopted as the name for the melancholic songs that the musical genre encapsulates.

If you’re feeling blue, symptoms include sadness, lack of sleep, or loss of appetite. Depression has these symptoms and more, including prolonged insomnia, significant weight loss or gain, and extreme fatigue or disinterest in regular activities.

Many people with diabetes struggle with depression. The daily demands of diabetes can be stressful and lead to symptoms of depression. Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may make symptoms of depression worse. Don’t be afraid to seek help.

What Is Diabetes Distress?

According to our friends at Diabetes.UK, diabetes distress is what some people feel when they’re overwhelmed by the relentlessness of diabetes. This can lead to diabetes burnout.

Diabetes distress has been described as worrying about not taking enough care of your diabetes but not feeling motivated to change. Symptoms include avoiding going to appointments or checking your blood sugars, making unhealthy food choices regularly, and feeling alone and isolated.

Many people feel like this sometimes, but you must get help.

Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and became a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and ability to boldly turn any material she confronted into her music made her a superstar of her time.

Today, Billy Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity, and vivacity, as many of Holiday’s songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday’s poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.

Billie Holiday inspires us to talk about the ‘MILESTONES’ related to diabetes wellness with a stellar lineup of guests featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Susan Wiener RD, CDCES, Best-Selling Author Brenda Novak, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

This Divabetic podcast features music from across Billie Holiday‘s extraordinary career, including What A Little Moonlight Can Do, Them There Eyes, That Ole Devil Called Love, Blue Moon, Strange Fruit, God Bless the Child, and more courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

08/12/202108/12/2021

Luther’s iconic Never Too Much Album Turns 40!

Luther Vandross’ debut solo album Never Too Much, originally released August 12, 1981, celebrates its 40th Anniversary and the start of an epic solo career.

Before the album’s release, Luther worked steadily in the music industry. He worked as a jingle writer and singer on TV commercials for major companies like Burger King, Juicy Fruit, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. He sang backgrounds on many records, sometimes even arranging the parts for major hits by acts like CHIC. He toured with legends Roberta Flack and Bette Midler, and others. He even co-wrote ‘Young Americans’ and ‘Fascination’ with David Bowie. He also gained moderate success as one-fifth of the self-titled R&B quintet Luther, releasing two solid projects on the Cotillion label—1976’s Luther and 1977’s Close to You.

Many consider Luther’s first major break to be The Glow Of Love and subsequently, Searching for the Italian-US disco-soul ensemble Change, formed by businessman and executive producer Jacques Ford Petrus and producer-songwriter Mauro Malauasi. The Glow Of Love. Luther gained valuable name recognition from music fans from the success of these records when disc jockeys started to introduce the singles as “Change featuring Luther Vandross.”

It still boggles my mind that after all of his success, several major record label executives passed on signing Luther after hearing his self-financed demo records. The fact that he kept shopping his demo around to labels pays tribute to his drive and ambition. I have never met anyone else in life with more purpose, ambition, and determination than Luther Vandross. Of course, he was mega-talented, but these other qualities that he possessed should not be overlooked. He was and still is an incredible inspiration in my life. How many people would keep on trying to succeed after being told ‘NO’ multiple times?

I also feel Luther gained invaluable insight into how to successfully shape his career from his years working behind the scenes. He learned from other’s successes and failures. Luther witnessed first-hand the struggles, fights, and frustrations that music artists experience with their record labels, managers, agents, and fans. He also made invaluable connections with other artists, musicians, and producers.

In 1981, a now thirty-year-old Luther Vandross finally got a record deal. The then-senior vice president of CBS Records, Larkin Arnold, and record executive Jerome Gasper sign him to the subsidiary label, Epic Records. Rumor is that they decided after hearing only one song, Never Too Much.

In recognition of 40 years of Luther Vandross’s double-platinum selling album, Never Too Much, his keyboardist and songwriting partner, John “Skip” Anderson remixes his classic hit as a mid-tempo ballad.

https://youtu.be/jr9Pp0RAeIk

Divabetic’s 2021 Luther Vandross Tribute podcast guests include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Chuck Flowers.

By the time Luther Vandross headed to the studio to record his fifth album Give Me the Reason in 1986, he’d become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties. His four previous albums have been either certified platinum or double-platinum in America. He appears slim and trim on the album cover. Unfortunately, the considerable amount of weight he lost on a liquid diet triggered a lifelong cycle of yo-yo dieting.

For Luther Vandross’ fifth album Give Me the Reason, the album comprised nine tracks, including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love, and Give Me The Reason.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.