Vanity aka Denise Matthews: 1959 – 2016
The Gist: The Canadian model-turned-singer was one of Prince’s first proteges and muses, fronting the girl group Vanity 6, best known for the dance/R&B hit Nasty Girl. After leaving Prince, she starred in movies and recorded 2 solo albums. Surviving crack cocaine addiction led her to lead her own Fremont, CA ministry for over 20 years.
Source Article Here: Rolling Stone
Author: Kory Grow

Why Are Any Suicide & Crisis Calls From Military Veterans Going To Voicemail?
The Gist: A suicide hotline, featured in last year’s Oscar-winning documentary Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1, has been found by investigators to not be able to handle over 300,000 incoming calls annually. While some overflow goes to backup call centers, the combination of training, staffing shortages, and system issues are key problems.
Source Article Here: USA Today
Author: Gregg Zoroya

“Gasps and whimpers” In Court As ‘Grim Sleeper’ Trial Begins In Los Angeles
The Gist: An account of the first day and opening statement in the capital murder trial of Lonnie Franklin, Jr. Details of the long-awaited cases being brought to trial, which could last up to three months, are here.
Source Article Here: The Los Angeles Times
Authors: Stephen Ceasar, Corina Knoll and Marisa Gerber

“I’m trying to stay focused, it’s a little heavy for me tonight. Just keep jamming … She knows about this one.” – Prince Dedicates Songs To Vanity In Australia
The Gist: Prince shared a couple of reminiscences – and changed verses in The Beautiful Ones and The Ladder – in tribute to late girlfriend Vanity during his Piano and a Microphone tour last night.
Source Article Here: Herald Sun
Author: Cameron Adams

“..There were some real angels, real wonderful people in that show that aren’t alive today and I really wish they were.” – Eagles of Death Metal Return For France Show
The Gist: The California band returns to France; leader Jesse Hughes speaks about his views on gun control and the emotional shock after 89 concert goers were killed during the band’s November 13th concert at the Bataclan venue.
Source Article Here: BBC

#Late Night Video Watch: ‘Celebrities Read Mean Tweets: Music Edition’
The Gist: Jimmy Kimmel Live’s viral clip of musicians reading their hater’s tweets, including: James Taylor, Common, James Taylor, Mumford & Sons, Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban, Lionel Richie, Black Shelton, and Demi Lovato.
Video Source Here: Hulu

 

“There’s no way that in reality it’s comfortable for me to be reading this much sort of violent rhetoric in my direction.” – Lena Dunham
The Gist: Jane Fonda interviews Lena Dunham for the March 2016 edition of Paper magazine.
Source Article Here: Paper
Authors: Jane Fonda/Abby Schreiber   Photography by Ellen Von Unwerth

Media Industry Comings & Goings As of 2/16/16
The Gist: A one-page listing of who’s gone where and who has left (for now). Companies include: InStyle; Us Weekly; Factual; Superfly, and more.
Source Article Here: Mediabistro

 

 

FLASHBACK READ

Findings From ‘The Love Lab’: What Makes & Breaks Relationships
The Gist: Relationship scientist John Gottman reveals the jargon-free truths of what makes relationships work (“respect and affection”) and what will doom them (“criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt”) at home…and even at work. The 2007 article, Making Relationships Work, is here.
Source Article Here: Harvard Business Review
Author: Diane Coutu