'Baby' Talk

A must-read piece about the enduring popularity of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" -- now 50 years old! -- without a doubt the finest moment in Phil Spector's illustrious career. Read HERE.

'Baby' Love or, Somewhere Linda McCartney's Cringing in Her Grave

  Here are the recently unvaulted isolated vocal tracks from the Ronettes' "Baby, I Love You," the group's sorely underappreciated follow-up to "Be My Baby." Like many songs by the group, Ronnie is the only Ronette featured -- part of the reason Phil Spector insisted the "group" didn't deserve induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (that, and because he's a psychotic asshole). The girls had been booked to tour with Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars, so Phil sent the other two members, Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley, plus Ronnie's cousin Elaine in her place, while Ronnie recorded this song back in California. In the girls' absence, the other vocals were provided by none other than Darlene Love and Cher! Sadly, it stalled at No. 24 on the charts -- but was later a Top 10 smash for Andy Kim in 1969 (my mom had the album!).

Hall of the Underrated

Sure, "Be My Baby" will always be their legacy. But "Baby, I Love You" should have been a huge hit for the Ronettes. Listen and you'll see why.

 

Page 1 Consider (03/13)

It's Still Rock 'n' Roll to Me: Another group of musicians was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (who proofread that name?!) last night at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, including all-time (212) favorites the Ronettes and R.E.M. Sadly, even on this huge occasion artists never seem to put aside their differences for a night (the Ronettes pretended Phil Spector never existed, last year Debbie Harry got into a cat fight with ex-guitarist Frank Infante, and years ago Michelle Phillips continued 20 years of not speaking to her ex-husband John, even as the Mamas and the Papas performed together on stage). Even so, I cannot wait for the television broadcast of the event as I cannot wait to see Ronnie Spector join her sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley in belting out "Be My Baby" one more time. (NYT) Patti Smith summed the honor nicely in this NYT op-ed.

Gayborhood Watch: I don't think we have to worry too much about the Castro losing its "gay ghetto" label with these two on the loose. (AP)

First-Class Dick: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday he considers homosexuality to be immoral and the military should not condone it by allowing gay personnel to serve openly. Marine Gen. Peter Pace likened homosexuality to adultery, which he said was also immoral. Well, let's see here. Homosexuals are in the service and married servicemembers do commit adultery. Any other questions, dickhead? (AP)

Male Bond-ing: Now that Daniel Craig has proven himself Bond worthy (CAUTION), who would you like to see play his next love interest? Women needn't apply. (AfterElton)

Felix al-Ungar: This headline confused me: Gay Arabs Begin to Organize. Why wouldn't they -- aren't they like the rest of us gays? (AP)

Wedding Bell Blues: A Web site was launched Monday that features 10 couples attesting to how same-sex marriage bans have stifled their families and relationships. The American Civil Liberties Union along with the Emmy-winning production company Public Interest launched 10Couples.org , containing streaming video and a call to action. The couples claim, among other things, that not being married has caused them to continue having sex, not get fat, and not hate one another. (Advocate)

Not So Sly: Thank you, Sylvester Stallone, for reconfirming my belief that whenever I see someone who is abnormally muscular they are using steroids. I've spent so many years going to the gym religiously only to basically remain looking like, well, myself. Lawyers for Stallone, the 60-year-old star of the "Rocky" and "Rambo" movie franchises, represented him in a Sydney court on Tuesday where he faces a charge of importing a banned substance. (AP)

Beefcake Watch: Evidently the average man wants to watch sports, politics, strippers, car chases and crashes, have sex and go to sleep. ABC has figured out that women prefer to watch shows about sex: couples who talk about sex, then have sex, lots of it, and then talk about sex some more to each other and to their best friends. (NYT)

Fashion Distraction: Genre magazine's style blogger, Sean Krebbs, is back, this time with what he calls "an insider's guide to Sydney, Australia." If you asked me, though, I'd say his mind is way more focused on Brazil. (Genre)

It Never Ends: Have you been following the not-so-exciting scandal about the eight U.S. attorneys who were unceremoniously fired without cause? Try to take one guess who is behind this one. (WP)

No Shirt, No Shoes, No ...: An Internet cafe owner in Casablanca asked two men to leave his place of business because he objected to their looking at jihadist Web sites. How did they respond? One of the men ran ... the other one blew himself up. (NYT)

RIP: Betty Hutton, the actress and singer who brought a brassy vitality to Hollywood musicals such as "Annie Get Your Gun," has died in Palm Springs, Calif., at age 86. Betty holds a special place in my heart -- and on my living room wall -- because of this photo taken of her visiting U.S. troops in Korea back in early '50s. That's my dad on the right and his twin brother, Kenny, on the left. When Hollywood came calling, naturally the charming Walsh twins were the first people they introduced them to. Perhaps my dad's making her laugh somewhere again now ... (AP)

Page 1 Consider (01/09)

Village People: "Kate and Allie" on DVD? I'm so there! (NYT)

Ro v. Whitney: I now pronounce you Fat Bitch and Crack Whore. (CM)

Danny's Real World: So I heard from a reader that he'd spotted "Real World" cutie Danny Roberts recently in Chelsea. Here's what he said about it: Hi Ken -- First off, great job with kenneth in the (212)...I read regularly and enjoy it; which is how I know that you are also a Real World Danny fan much like myself. I honestly hate doing this (hopefully this doesn't make me a stalker) but I figured I'd pass along my sighting... he was at Barracuda this past Friday night. I had too many drinks to attempt a real conversation with him but I was within close proximity for quite a while (trying not to stare) and I believe he said he was living in Brooklyn. Anyway, his grin is 100% intoxicating as ever but I am not a fan of his buzz-cut look. Best... OK: A. Thanks for the kind words. B. You're not a stalker, but I am. So make sure you call me next time this happens. C. Brooklyn? What are you thinking, Danny? Oh, wait. See B. (kenneth in the 212)

Universally Caring: Every time I try to hate Arnold he turns around and tries to do something like this. Are you listening Mr. Spitzer? I wish all "Republicans" acted like Arnold, and Bloomberg ... (AP)

Talk About Your Gay Drama: Americans may not be big on telenovelas, but the genre sure like the gays. (Advocate)

Battle of the Bigmouths: Rosie O'Donnell thinks The Donald is obsessed with her -- and I think she's got a point. And, finally, Barbara Walters remembers who's buttering her bread. (AP)

Everything's Kosher: When Congress banned known homosexuals from the military, convinced their presence could undermine morale and discipline in 1993, Israel took exactly the opposite approach. All restrictions on gay and lesbian soldiers were dropped. Homosexuals in the Israel Defense Forces could join close-knit combat units or serve in sensitive intelligence posts. They were eligible for promotion to the highest ranks. Fourteen years later, Israelis are convinced they made the right decision. Israel is among 24 countries that permit known gays to serve in the military, and its experience is giving fodder to opponents of the United States' controversial "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. (SPT)

Not-So-Private Parts: Howard Stern got Sirius and it's paying off. (MSNBC)

Pitt Falls: My blogger pals Steph and Alek lament the fact that even the likes of pretty boy Brad Pitt must age, citing this "shocking" new photo from this week's Palm Springs Film Festival as proof. Pitt reminds me Robert Redford in "Legal Eagles," which isn't a bad thing until you remember that Redford was 50 when that was filmed. (OhLaLa)

Queen With a Vengeance? Authorities investigating the Dec. 31 shootings of six gay men in Chicago at what some described as a "gay house" have new leads that suggest it was not a hate crime but the result of a "personal feud or rivalry." One of those new leads is a cell phone photo or video that has detectives searching for a "person of interest." "Someone didn't like someone else," one city official close to the investigation told Advocate.com. "To settle the score, one young man left the party and returned with one or more friends and guns." Sounds fierce to me. (Advocate)

Born to Be Together: After repeated nominations and Phil Spector's behind-the-scenes jockeying to keep it from happening, Ronnie Spector and the fabulous Ronettes are finally being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame -- and I say not a minute too soon! (AP)

RIP: This is really sad news. Washington Business Journal editor/cutie John McCalla was found dead in his apartment yesterday. He was 38. Cause of death is unknown at this time. He was a great writer and a funny guy. What a tragedy. (FishBowl DC and WP)