>
Feb. 28, 1985
Page B4
-
Up Close
\_^ Michael plus Pri
Rarely has any recording artist, in the first stage
of his career, displayed such a command of
music's aural and visual elements as Rockwell. His
initial Motown release, the million-selling
"Somebody's Watching Me," demonstrated an
uncanny mastery of pop and funk craftsmanship,
a blend of the classic and the exotic. And this
year's follow-up LP, "Captured," continues the
trend, but with more dynamism and sensuality
_ than has been
ay e a r s .
Rockwell has
arrived, and
the rhythm
wave will
surely be of
tidal proportions.
At the
heart of this
phenomenon
lies the basic
attitude and
eclecticism
that sets the
21-year-old
Rockwell: Berry's son singer/composer
apart
fnnw Uir ?
ivsmt ins VWI11CUI|J*J1 dl 1C5?.
"Music is visual, to me," says Rockwell. "I
don't think of it in mathematical terms. My music
represents my deepest thoughts and fantasies.
First, I envision a scene in my mind, and then I
develop the concept."
Along with the obvious excitement over his
latest album, one can sense the dedication of a
studied musician who strives constantly to refine
his art. In fact, during his early years as a piano
student, Rockwell could practically learn faster
than his tutor could teach him.
"I was always free to experiment with music at
home," he says. "My piano lessons began when I
was 7 years old, and I learned lots of standards,
show tunes and classical pieces. But as with
A _I- **_
msk Toionqg
t
Husband's rel
By YOLONDA GAYLES
Syndicated Columnist
Dear Yolonda: I've been married for four years.
The mail I married has a daughter from his first
marriage who is a beautiful, intelligent young
woman of 19. But she is a problem that eventually
may break up my marriage. My husband spoils
her to death. It goes past being a good financial
and emotional supporter to her. My husband puts
her on a pedestal. She can do no wrong.
?kH
& vT^H Btv
' M?
npp pnngl Prwlrwpll I
everything 1 do, I don't let it become a routine, as
if I'm following a rule book. I could never become
a robot."
He needn't consider it, as the muscular young
performer is now a bonafide star, with a
worldwide tour in the works. His immediate success
occurred not only in the U.S., but in Britain
and Europe, as well.
Rockwell was born in Detroit, Mich., and moved
to Los Angeles with his father, Berry Gordy
Jr., while still a young boy. His father's prominence
in the music industry assured him of
steady contact with the show business elite, but
Rockwell insists he was not forced into his new
career.
"Michael Jackson was the only person close to
my age who was really exciting to me," says
Rockwell. "When 1 moved out to L.A., we lived
in a house once owned by the Jacksons. I saw
in cm a 101 ana 11 inspired me to learn to dance like
him.
"But I always listened to a wide variety of
music: hard rock, funk and classical. I never knew
that's what 1 wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to
take it further than anybody else."
"Captured" fulfills that intent magnificently.
Co-produced by Rockwell and Curtis Anthony
Nolen, it is an experience of near-cinematic scope,
filled with suspense and sounds found in a world
of romance and intrigue. "Peeping Tom" is, in a
way, a restatement of his earlier smash, but with a
decidedly lurid slant. Like the title cut, it is expertly
punctuated by a ferocious rhythm arrangement
and deft keyboard playing. "He's a Cobra"
demonstrates Rockwell's remarkable emotional
breadth, as he tears into the big sound along with
background vocalist Stevie Wonder. "T.V.
Psychology" and "Tokyo" are bristling with
energy - and more than a hint of humor - that
makes their pointed statements a treat.
To his credit, Rockwell and Nolen have managed
to combine songwriting and skill and modern
dub technology in very exciting ways. And like his
first album, which contained a powerful ballad,
Please see page B10
ationship with da
For example, although she lives with her
mother, she has a door key and she is always here
visiting. Whenever we go out, she accompanies us.
Sometimes she tries to bring a iftale friend along,
but because nobody is good enough for her, according
to her father, she usually comes along
unescorted.
Her father keeps her dressed to kill. He gives
her money, buys her clothes, and she always looks
like a model. What irks me the most, I guess, is
b
! * ?;?
^^H[' ?
J^gJH^K *'"/^B
*
With the release of her new home video, Tina
well as heard.
Musical Notes
BEU A m
1 ma visits home
Tina Turner has climbed to the top of the recorc
charts in the last year. Now she's about to visi
your video cassette recorder. Lovely Tina jus
released her first short form home video cassette
a four-song Video 45 from Sony. The S16.95 Son]
Video is studded with hits like the title sonj
"Private Dancer/' "Better Be Good To Me,'
"Let's Stay Together" and "What's Love Got Tc
Do With It." With legs like hers, the video can'i
miss.
Singer-songwriter-producer Luther Vandrosi
recently commissioned songwriter (Earth, Wind ?
Fire's "Boogie Wonderland") and visual artis
Allee Willis to do a rather strange piece of artworl
forjiis wall. Explains Vandross - who has writter
and produced hits for Aretha Franklin anc
lighter may end ]
that she doesn't even have to ask him for money
If she wants something, she simply goes into hi!
pocket and gets it. Furthermore, when we're in
public, they walk arm in arm ? it's as if they're
dating. When I'm in their company, sometimes I
feel like a chauffeur.
I have tried to talk with both my stepdaughter
and my husband about this situation, but nothing
works. What should I do?
Lillian C.
The arts, television,
reviews and columns.
Whoopi Goldberg has emerged as a
combination Moms Mabley-Richard
Pry or. In a one-woman Broadway act, *
Whoopi changes characters right
before the audience's eyes.
Sometimes she's a black junkie with
A rinrtnratA Han ran anH nthar Im^e
? wwtf.ww MMW WM.W. tllllWO
she's a white valley girl who botches
an abortion. "Those people who inhabit
my body actually are fullblooded
people," said Whoopi, who
won't reveal her real name. "I just
kind of sit back and watch what
they're up to. I become part of the
audience." For more on Whoopi, read
this month's Ebony and Essence
magazines.
^^MH^HppHHHHppp^^p^f^ ?.^ ~ if
wi * ^ * #r
I L
Turner, with her Class A legs, can now be seen as
5 vwY/r video cassette
i Dionne Warwicke, and whose other idol is Diana
t Ross - "the painting will have Aretha, Dionne
t and Diana dressed to the nines ~ with minks, high
heels... and boxing gloves! Allee makes these
/ things so they'll move. I asked her to set it up so
I that when Diana knocks down Dionne, a
Billboard chart pops up with 'Baby Love' at
> number one. And when Aretha knocks down
t Diana, up pops the chart with 'Respect.' "
Aretha Franklin ran into Luther in LA and
s heard his artistic concepts, then demanded one
: small modification in the piece. "You tell that art
tist," said the Queen of Soul, "that it's going to
: take the two of them to knock me down!"
1 The upcoming Daryl Hall and John Oates video
1 Please see page B10
present marriage
Dear Lillian: Your problem begins and ends not
} with your stepdaughter, but with your husband.
It's up to you to tell your husband how his actions
seem to you. Be candid.
But if you*ve said all, and things still don't
change, the question you must ask yourself is:
"Can I be happy as a chauffeur?"
Please see page B10