Remember when music commercials were as iconic as the albums themselves? The Go-Go’s nailed that vibe with their 1982 commercial for the Vacation album, and it’s a time capsule of pure, unfiltered ‘80s fun.
ABBA’s ‘Money, Money, Money’ and ‘Happy Hawaii’: The Australian-Produced Gems from Down Under That You Need to See
What do you get when you combine the infectious melodies of ABBA with the vibrant creativity of Australian animators in 1977? Pure magic! The animated music videos for “Money, Money, Money” and “Happy Hawaii” are not just a feast for the ears but a visual treat that takes you on a whimsical journey through the world of ABBA. Exclusively animated in Australia, these cartoons capture the playful spirit of the songs. These two animated gems were actually a test run for what could have been an Australian ABBA cartoon show, much like the popular Osmonds and Jackson Five cartoon series from the ‘70s. While the show itself never got the green light, another theory suggests these cartoons were intended as standalone clips for distribution to children’s magazine-style programs, similar to how music videos were shared with pop shows. Regardless of their original purpose, these two animated videos for “Money, Money, Money” and “Happy Hawaii” stand as unique, colorful tributes to ABBA’s timeless appeal.
Gene Krupa’s Electrifying Drum Solo in ‘Glamour Girl’ From 1948 Is The Definition of Coolness
If you’ve ever wondered what pure rhythm looks like, just watch Gene Krupa’s jaw-dropping drumming scene in the 1948 film Glamour Girl. In a few electrifying minutes, Krupa doesn’t just play the drums—he becomes the drums.
Canadian Kiefer O’Reilly on Hallmark, Buddy Love and Vancouver
By Scott Campbell
Canadian Kiefer O’Reilly remembers – sort of – his first role appearing on screen.
“When Calls the Heart,” he said, the character’s name was Ephraim Noonan. “It was a Hallmark TV show. I had two lines. It was something about a funnel cake. That’s all I remember.”
Although O’Reilly’s experience with the show was brief, When Calls the Heart is still running. It was recently renewed for a twelfth season.
O’Reilly took the Hallmark wave into Christmas movies and featured in two – Time for You to Come Home for Christmas (2019) and Holiday Road (2023).
“There’s a huge following to those types of things,” he said. “There’s apparently a ‘Comic Con’ sort of thing just for Hallmark. A bunch of people go to that.”
(There’s an upcoming Christmas Con 2024 in Edison, Jersey, set for December and features appearances by Hallmark stars.)
“Holiday Road, we shot that last summer,” said O’Reilly. “It was really fun to work on. It didn’t feel like a Hallmark movie. Holiday Road, I felt, took it more as a comedy first. There are still many aspects of love and relationships like every good Hallmark movie.”
The synopsis of Holiday Road reads: “Stranded at an airport, a group of holiday travellers agrees to rent a van for a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey leads them into uncharted territory, they must navigate a series of misadventures that brings them closer together.”
BUDDY LOVE
Hallmark may make an impression, but it’s not O’Reilly’s big 2024 news. He is now a short film award winner. His project, Buddy Love, recently won at the London Global Film Awards with ‘Best Short Film,’ ‘Best Director,’ and Honorable Mention for ‘Best Screenplay.’
And who was the director? Kiefer O’Reilly.
“That was super fun to film,” he said. “Tom Cavanagh was insane to direct, and I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. It was a little bit surreal directing him.”
“I’m super proud of Buddy Love. I saw a lot of the other short films and I was a little bit surprised on how much it is winning.”
“The quick gist of the story,” said O’Reilly. “This guy Henry (played by Geoff Gustafson) whose wife passed away a long time ago. He hasn’t gotten over her. With the help of a robot (voiced by Cavanagh), who comes from this dating service, he helps rekindle love, but kind of in a different way, hopefully, you wouldn’t expect.”
O’Reilly hopes Buddy Love will be out on YouTube soon, along with other platforms. The short film has been in festivals for nearly a year now, but not many of his friends and family have watched it. The project, he said, had to have a festival run for a year before it could be released.
O’Reilly says a short film can be 40 minutes or two minutes. But the sweet spot is in the 12 to 20-minute range. Buddy Love runs for about 13 minutes.
“You don’t have the audience’s attention for an hour and a half,” he said,”because they are sitting down to watch a short film. If they want to watch a movie, they would watch an hour and a half movie.”
“Piper, the Pixar short film, is like 2 minutes, and it’s so good. There are ways you tell a story that are very short or very long. It is honestly up to the story.”
VANCOUVER
Buddy Love shot in Vancouver, where O’Reilly is from.
O’Reilly is a Vancouver Canucks fan, even with his claim of being part of Mighty Ducks history. He played on the Disney Plus series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. But he has since lined up other projects, too.
“I wrapped Playdate with Kevin James. He’s great to work with and super funny. You can tell he’s super passionate about the stuff he works on and wants to get it right. He would be doing different stuff over and over…I learned a lot from someone from that scale. There’s Happy Face and (an episode of) Alert.”
The day of the interview was O’Reilly’s birthday. He had turned 17 and was soon to get his license.
“I’m not a big cake guy,” he said. “I don’t like cake at all, if I’m being honest. I know it’s a hot take.”
Greenbank Senior Public School’s 1978 Rendition of Blood, Sweat & Tears “Spinning Wheel”
In 1978, the talented students of Greenbank Senior Public School came together to deliver a performance that’s nothing short of magical—a joyful, spirited take on the Blood, Sweat & Tears classic, “Spinning Wheel.” With a school band and choir that could rival professionals, these young Canadian musicians captured the essence of the song with an energy and enthusiasm that’s downright infectious.
Al Jourgensen’s Shasta Jingle: The Unbelievable Pop Gem from Ministry’s Mastermind
Before he redefined the sound of industrial metal with Ministry, Al Jourgensen was secretly crafting one of the most infectious pop jingles of the 80s—the Shasta jingle! The same genius behind the heaviest, darkest tracks in music history also gave us the bubbly, feel-good anthem that had everyone singing about their favorite soda in 1983.
The T.A.M.I. Show 1964: The Groundbreaking Concert Film That Pioneered High-Definition Music Cinema
Imagine witnessing rock and roll history captured in a groundbreaking format that laid the foundation for the future of music videos! The T.A.M.I. Show, filmed in 1964 using the revolutionary Electronovision system, brought together the biggest stars of the time in one electrifying concert. This cutting-edge technology, a precursor to today’s high-definition, gave the world a chance to experience these iconic performances on the big screen like never before. Dive into this seminal moment that not only captured the raw energy of a live show but also set the stage for the entire music film industry. Get ready to experience the ultimate rock and roll lineup with The Barbarians, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, James Brown and the Famous Flames, Marvin Gaye, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Lesley Gore, Jan and Dean, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, The Miracles, The Rolling Stones, and The Supremes all on one stage!
How the marching band became synonymous with college sports
By Mitch Rice
While college sports in America are big in their own right, the marching bands that accompany the events that take place have become synonymous with the spectacles.
The events are among some of the biggest in America, as sports fans are extremely passionate about the games that are played at that level. Whether it be college football, basketball, or even baseball, there are many who will go out of their way to support a college team as much as they would support a professional team.
Events like the Rose Bowl and March Madness are known worldwide because of the prestige that they have attached to them, which has attracted viewers from around the globe. Some have even looked to engage in sport betting activities based on these events, simply because of how big they have become.
Why have marching bands become synonymous with college sports?
While sporting fixtures are often the main attraction, marching bands have helped to increase their popularity.
Social media has perhaps helped to provide exposure to a more international market and audience, as video clips have gone viral for performances that have taken place on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok. Examples have included shows that have been choreographed to look like a story is being told from above.
Entertainment is a massive part of the sports culture in the US, with the Super Bowl perhaps the biggest example of this. The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most watched shows each year, with many looking forward to whoever might be headlining that year’s show. The college game might not be as big internationally, but the marching bands help to keep them entertained. As has been the case, there’s every chance that these performances can go as viral as one from an artist with an established reputation.
A respect for marching bands
Unlike some other forms of game entertainment, marching bands appear to have a lot of respect from fans who witness their performances, which is why they have become an integral part of the college sports scene.
Some have argued that it should be a sport in itself because of the intensity that can be experienced. The routines need a lot of discipline and organization, endurance because of how intense marches can be, as well as having technical skills and hand-eye coordination because they must play a musical instrument at the same time as walking. For many, there are some who can’t walk and talk on a mobile, which perhaps helps to highlight the difficulty of marching and playing an instrument, as well as knowing where to go.
Should marching bands remain in college sports?
For many, marching bands can be one of the best forms of entertainment that can be enjoyed during a half-time event, and they should remain part of the college sports scene.
Many others immediately associate college football with marching bands and vice versa, showing just how synonymous they have become and why they help to build the atmosphere further.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
Tears For Fears Are Coming to Fontainebleau Las Vegas with Three Shows
Iconic British duo Tears For Fears are headed to Las Vegas this fall with Songs for a Nervous Planet, an exclusive three-night live event at BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The shows will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Early access pre-sale for these limited run of dates starts Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. PT with the fan pre-sale.
Citi is the official card of Tears For Fears’ exclusive Las Vegas engagement at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 12 p.m. PT until Thursday, Aug. 22 at 10 p.m. PT through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete pre-sale details visit citientertainment.com.
Additional pre-sales will be held throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. PT at tearsforfears.com.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been on the road and are very eager to share this live show experience with everyone,” explains bandmates Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. “You can expect to hear tracks from our 2022 album The Tipping Point as well as fan favorites. Be sure to listen closely though as there may be something new sprinkled in there as well.”
This exclusive run of shows follows The Tipping Point World Tour and The Tipping Point Tour Part II, an extensive run of global dates in 2022 and 2023 that featured legendary stateside performances at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The tour was in support of the band’s first studio album in seventeen years, The Tipping Point, which was released in late February 2022 to rave reviews. According to Pitchfork, Vulture, Stereogum and more it was one of the year’s most anticipated albums and went on to receive widespread critical and commercial praise.
