Tag: Los Angeles
Sylvester Stallone's Son Found Dead
Family of Late R&B Singer/Songwriter Vesta Williams Speak
Radio Facts: Originally posted September 29, 2011 – "As an entertainer, performing artist and singer - "V" (Vesta Williams) was the total package." - Manager, Iris Perkins"
On Thursday September 22, singer/songwriter Vesta Williams (53) was found dead in her El Segundo, California hotel room. Best known for her 1988 classic "Congratulations" (#1 RB in Radio Records #5 Billboard), Williams was staying in the hotel as she prepared to move.into a new home that weekend.
In a statement prepared by Williams' family, they express:
"After many years of sharing her God-given gifts and talents with the world, we have lost our beloved daughter, sister and mother, Vesta. Due to the uncertainty of her passing, we are awaiting toxicology and autopsy results to shed light on what may have caused her death. We take extreme comfort in the cherished times that we shared with Vesta over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy and happiness to so many people around the world. Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this difficult time. Although she is gone, her music lives on. Vesta will never be forgotten."
Born Mary Vesta Williams on December 1, 1957, in Coshocton, Ohio, she was the firstborn child to Hugh Williams and his wife Joan. In the mid 60's Mr. Williams a disc Radio DJey/ broadcaster went on to become the first African American to anchor TV news in Los Angeles. In the `70s, Vesta put her powerful 4-octave vocal range to work first as a member of the show group Wild Honey led by Ron Townson of The 5th Dimension followed by tours with Bobby Womack, the Commodores, and Chaka Khan and session singing that stretched from Anita Baker to Gordon Lightfoot, Julio Iglesias, and Sting.
A chance meeting with executive John McClain evolved into Vesta signing with AM Records. Williams bowed in 1986 with the album Vesta and single "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." Her second album, Vesta 4 U (1988) yielded her signature, "Congratulations," co-penned by Vesta, Gary Prim and Tena Clark. Additionally, it was Vesta's concerts "“ which showcased her comedic instincts, celebrity impressions and defiantly flirty nature for a "big girl that won over fans. More hits followed such as "Sweet, Sweet Love," "Special," (#2 R&B in Billboard) and "Always," but Vesta's gifts were taking her places.
One was the big screen where she played saloon singer "Vera" in the 1993 western "Posse." On the television sitcom "Sister Sister," she played "Monica." Her voice enlivened commercial jingles such as Diet Coke, Baskin-Robbins, and Nike and the most memorably with jazz vocal icon Al Jarreau singing "The Big Mac Scat" for McDonalds. Vesta also took a six-figure job as a member of a radio morning show team at KRNB-FM 105.7 in Dallas..
A slim, trim and positive Vesta returned in 1998 on guitarist Lee Ritenour's i.e. music imprint with the concept album Relationships. Vesta co-composed 10 of the 11 songs plus sang "You and I" by one of her greatest musical influences, Stevie Wonder. In smooth jazz, Vesta toured with Fourplay and graced recordings with Will Downing, Najee, and Norman Brown.. In straight-ahead jazz, Vesta recorded with Christian McBride.
Inspirational at heart, Vesta flexed her gospel roots in concert with the great Bobby Jones and also recorded the touching "Bless This Child" for the Christmas CD, Mother Child reuniting her with Tena Clark.
Vesta's last CD was 2007's Distant Lover for Shanachie singing soul classics. She also recorded an as-yet-unreleased CD for Stimuli titled Seven. In between, Vesta remained on the road. Iris Perkins, Vesta's friend and longtime manager reminisces, "Even without a record deal, we were able to keep Vesta's concert calendar booked solid. "˜V' was the total package."
TV One's "Unsung" is devoting an episode to Vesta, she was in the midst of completing her interviews at the time of her sudden death, the show will air in the fall.
Gifted, funny, sexy, generous, ever-so-real and oh-so-underrated, Vesta will be deeply missed.
Vesta Williams is survived by her daughter - Tandia White, her mother - Joan W. Tate, her sisters - Margaret Wilson, Martaé Collins and Marlena Robinson, and her grandchildren - Taya McNeil, Alexia McNeil, and Brendon White.
Funeral services are as follows:
West Angeles Church of God and Christ
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
11:00AM
3045 Crenshaw Blvd. (North Campus)
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Republic Records Promotes Simon Katz to VP of A&R and Staff Producer
Simon Katz has been promoted by Republic Records to be Vice President of A&R and Staff Producer. The announcement was made earlier today by EVP Rob Stevenson.
Since being part of the label as Senior Director of A&R and Staff Producer in 2015, he had signed and developed many artists. Some of the artists include Dagny, Two Feet, and Mondo Cozmo. Katz is also a songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. He is also the founder of two bands who are signed with Republic Records. His first band was Iglu & Hartly. The band released the hit “In This City” in 2009. They performed many shows which includes Coachella Valley Music Festival and Bonnaroo Music Festival. The second band is Youngblood Hawke, who released their debut album Wake Up in 2013. The album featured their hit single “We Come Running,” which was heavily synced. The new Vice President of A&R also conceived and oversaw the build of Republic Records Studios in Los Angeles. This has been the site of recording from artist like The Weeknd, Metro Boomin and Amine within its first year of opening in 2017. Katz is currently based at the label’s Los Angeles office.
Kim Porter to be Laid to Rest in Columbus, Ga
An elaborate funeral is being planned for model Kim Porter who was found dead last week in her Toluca Lake, CA home. Sources state her father had come to stay with her and helped her out with the kids and just left a couple of months ago. Her mother died a couple of years ago and her grandmother recently passed. Kim is from Columbus, Ga which is about an hour and 10 minutes outside of Atlanta. TD Jakes will perform the eulogy.
