Helen Reddy, "I Am Woman" singer and activist, dead at 78

September 29, 2020

Helen Reddy, the Australian singer whose early Seventies song “I Am Woman” has served as an empowering feminist anthem for several generations, died Tuesday at age 78. Her children, Traci Donat and Jordan Sommers, confirmed the news via her official Facebook page.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th, 2020, in Los Angeles,” they wrote in the statement. “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Reddy grew up in a showbiz family with actor parents. She performed as a child and later won a singing contest that brought her to New York to audition for a record contract. Though that situation did not materialize, she chose to remain in the U.S. and signed with Capitol Records. She recorded several singles, which climbed the charts.

In the Seventies, several of her songs made the Top 40, with three hitting Number One: a rendition of Alex Harvey’s “Delta Dawn,” Alan O’Day’s “Angie Baby,” and her signature song, “I Am Woman.” The latter earned a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and in 1974, she garnered a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But before her hits and fame, Reddy struggled as a single mother in New York before moving to Chicago with her then-husband and manager Jeff Wald. She would later release the single “One Way Ticket” on Fontana, which modestly charted in her native Australia.

Their move to Los Angeles proved more fruitful. It was there that she signed with Capitol and released “I Am Woman,” which she cowrote with Ray Burton. Inspired by her involvement in the women’s movement, it didn’t initially make waves, but the song gained popularity and eventually climbed to the top of the charts. The song made Reddy the first Australian singer to hit Number One in the U.S. and earned her a Grammy for Female Pop Vocal Performance. During her Grammy acceptance speech, she thanked “God, because She makes everything possible.”

In the Eighties, she moved on to MCA, where she released two albums, 1981’s Play Me Out and 1983’s Imagination. Her subsequent music releases included Nineties albums Feel So Young on her own label, a show tune-focused Center Stage, and the 2000 holiday album The Best Christmas Ever.

Beyond her recording accolades, Reddy also acted in film and on television, appearing on such programs as The Carol Burnett Show, The Muppet Show, and her own Helen Reddy Show. In film, she starred in Pete’s Dragon, where her sung “Candle on the Water” earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song. Her role in Airport 1975 earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Her career also expanded into musical theater, including her stint as Mrs. Johnstone in the Blood Brothers productions that opened on Broadway and in the West End in the Nineties.

She announced her retirement from performing in 2002, but returned to the stage a decade later for a couple of one-off performances. In 2017, she performed for a new generation of women reared on her trademark tune when she sang it a cappella, alongside actress Jamie Lee Curtis and other celebrities, at the 2017 Women’s March.

In 2015, Reddy was diagnosed with dementia. A Unjoo-Moon directed biopic of her life, aptly titled "I Am Woman" premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last fall.

First published in RollingStone, September 29, 2020

Exuberant playing in strings concert

 

“Schubert’s String Quintet in C”

Canberra Strings, directed by Barbara Jane Gilby

Wesley Music Centre

September 13, 2020.

by Tony Magee

Canberra Strings last performed in September 2019 and one could feel the exuberance and see it in the faces of the musicians, as they prepared to play “live” again, after such a long break.

Schubert’s “String Quintet in C” is notable on many fronts.

Firstly it was written only six weeks before Schubert died - his last chamber work. 

Also, it was published posthumously some 25 years after his death.

Thirdly, it is the only piece in the quintet repertoire which calls for two cellos.

Finally, there is no existing hand-written original score. The work has been drafted and pieced together by many different publishers and music scholars over the years. 

Canberra Strings at Wesley Music Centre performing Schubert's "String Quintet in C". Photo: Peter Hislop

Gilby and her compatriots have spent months comparing different published versions of the piece and for this concert came up with what they consider to be an authentic musical account of Schubert’s intentions.

Beginning with beautifully synchronised dynamic swells and excellent intonation, the piece sprang to life convincingly, the first movement showcasing melodic and flowing duet passages from the two cellists, Samuel Payne and Julia Janiszewski.

Later in the movement Lucy Carrigy-Ryan on viola played complex triplet work, taken over by beautiful duet passages where she was joined by second cellist Payne.

The second movement opened with pizzicato work from first cellist, later alternating in question-answer format with first violin, also playing pizzicato.

Both the second and third movements revealed sudden musical mood changes, ranging from lively, engaging and joyful playing in a major key, to sudden dark, slow, almost menacing motives and phrases in the minor.

The viola combined with second violin played beautifully by Pip Thompson, contributed significantly to the mysterious sounds emanating from the quintet by playing on the off-beat.

L-R: Violinists Barbara Jane Gilby and Pip Thompson. Photo: Peter Hislop

All these unusual, sometimes perplexing and unpredictable characteristics have been summarised by many over the years to reflect Schubert’s own despair at what he considered his nearing and impending death.

Certainly, Canberra Strings captured the conflict of confusion and sadness interspersed with joy and happiness superbly. One could feel the human emotions of drama, struggle and particularly the uncomfortable, perhaps frightening prospect of the unknown from their playing.

The final movement bounced into life - yes “life” - with an almost Hungarian dance style of writing and playing, featuring the two cellos both in unison and fifths, adding a wonderful, solid bass foundation, supporting the exciting and exuberant playing of the viola and the two violins.

Throughout the performance, Barbara Jane Gilby on first violin led her ensemble with discreet precision, and bold projection, resulting in ensemble playing of great feeling, emotion and unity.

First published in City News Digital Edition, September 14, 2020

Tribute to Diana Rigg from "our" James Bond

by Tony Magee

With the passing of British actress Dame Diana Rigg on September 10, one of the most moving tributes has come from one of our own.

Born in Goulburn and raised in Queanbeyan, actor George Lazenby is the only Australian to have been cast as James Bond, albeit just for the one movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, released in 1969.

His co-star was Diana Rigg, who played Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo. The two fall in love. 

What is unique about this particular Bond film, is that it's the only one in which James gets married! The Countess duly becomes Mrs Tracy Bond - alas, a marriage that lasts for just two days, as her character is shot dead and dies in his arms.

Publicity still from 1969 promoting "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Courtesy George Lazenby Instagram

Taking to Instagram, the US based actor posted to his 7,857 followers, a heartbreaking tribute, admitting he was in tears following the news of Dame Diana’s death.

"I'm so sad to hear of the death of Diana Rigg. She undoubtedly raised my acting game when we made On Her Majesty's Secret Service together in 1968-9.

"I remember the press conference at the Dorchester in London, knowing she was going to play my wife.

"We had fun together on the set of the movie in Switzerland and Portugal.

"Her depth of experience really helped me. We were good friends on set.

"Much was made of our supposed differences but that was the Press looking for a news story.

"I was sorry to have lost my wife in the film at the end. The death of Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo Draco created a memorable cinema moment over 50 years ago.

"As my new bride, Tracy Bond, I wept for her loss. Now, upon hearing of Dame Diana's death, I weep again. My deepest condolences for her family. Love George xx."

George Lazenby has travelled back to Canberra and Queanbeyan on many occasions since that movie was completed, mostly to visit his mother, Mrs Sheila “Joan” Lazenby, a long time resident of Queanbeyan, as well as to play golf or have a tennis hit with his great friend John Newcombe.

The Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO), for which I was event producer at the time, and later President, flew him out here in 1999 as special guest of honour for our fund raising auction-ball at the National Gallery of Australia. It was a James Bond themed event. Mrs Lazenby also attended as did his niece, Georgina Brennan.

At the CAPO Ball, 1999. L-R: Georgina Brennan, Mrs Sheila "Joan" Lazenby, George Lazenby, CAPO president Helen Morrison, event producer Tony Magee. Photo: Robert Roach

The Canberra British Car Club lent us a silver Aston Martin DB5 for display, the same model Lazenby drove, as Bond, in the movie. Rolfe Motors of Canberra also came to the party and loaned a brand new Holden Statesman with 007 plates for George to cruise around in whilst he was in town. 

When Richard Rolfe and I picked him up from Canberra airport, greeting him warmly, we ushered him to the carpark, and I said, “Mr Lazenby, here is a car for you to use, courtesy of the Rolfe family”. When he saw the 007 plates he gasped and said, “You guys are too much! This is very cool indeed! Thank you!”

Canberra audiences will remember with fondness Diana Rigg’s superb performance in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s international touring production of “The Hollow Crown”, which came to Canberra in 2002. Along with fellow British acting luminaries Donald Sinden, Ian Richardson and Derek Jacobi, the four portrayed various monarchs over time, to critical acclaim.

Rising to fame in the early 1960’s as secret agent Emma Peel in “The Avengers”, alongside actor Patrick Macnee, who played John Steed, Dame Diana’s final screen roles included her highly acclaimed performances as matriarch Olenna Tyrell in “Game of Thrones”.

Dame Diana Rigg was diagnosed with cancer in March earlier this year. Her death was announced by her daughter, Rachel, saying: "My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family. I will miss her beyond words”.

Dame Diana Rigg was 82.

Originally published in City News Digital Edition, September 14, 2020

Dame Diana Rigg: Avengers, Bond and Game of Thrones actress dies at 82

September 10, 2020

Actress Dame Diana Rigg, famous for roles including Emma Peel in TV series The Avengers and Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, has died at the age of 82.

Dame Diana was given a special award last year at the Canneseries TV Festival. Photo: EPA

Her daughter, actress Rachael Stirling, said she died of cancer, after being diagnosed in March.

"She spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession," she added.

Dame Diana also played the only woman who became Mrs James Bond.

She played Tracy, who married George Lazenby's 007 in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Mr and Mrs James and Tracy Bond. Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX

Lazenby said he was "so sad" to hear of her death, while Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli also paid tribute.

Dame Diana's other recent roles included the Duchess of Buccleuch in ITV's Victoria and Mrs Pumphrey in Channel 5's new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small.

Samuel West, who plays Siegfried in the show, said: "Doesn't really make sense to think of her having died. She generally lived the hell out of everyone."

Stirling earlier announced the news by writing: "My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family. I will miss her beyond words."

Others paying tribute included Sir Tom Stoppard, who remembered her "luminous" talent, while fellow playwright Sir David Hare said the actress had a "dazzling change of direction in middle age as a great classical actor".

'She swept all before her'

He said: "When Emma Peel played Euripides' Medea, Albee's Martha and Brecht's Mother Courage she swept all before her."

Diana Rigg as Emma Peel from The Avengers. Publicity still from 1965. Getty Images

Her four Tony Awards nominations resulted in a win for her searing portrayal in the leading role in the stage play Medea in 1994.

Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster Waldau, who played Jaime Lannister, said the actress "always raised the bar with her incredible talent, intelligence and wit. An absolute joy and honour to work with".

Sherlock writer and actor Mark Gatiss fondly recalled working with her, while Stephen Merchant remembered her in a scene from his show Extras.

Actor David Suchet, who starred with Dame Diana in the 1996 West End production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, told BBC Radio 4's PM programme she was "very generous and warm".

He said: "I met her for the first time in the rehearsal room and I remember being intimidated and nervous. She started as she continued, with 100 guns blazing, and was extremely powerful. I remember her having a fierce intelligence and extraordinary strength of passion as well."

Vanessa Redgrave said she was a "wonderful, wonderful actress", while Mia Farrow tweeted: "She was magnificent!! Gratitude to the great Diana Rigg for so many fearless, fascinating performances. But we wanted more."

Baby Driver director Edgar Wright said it was "beyond a thrill to work with her on her final film" - the forthcoming Last Night in Soho.

"She exceeded all my highest expectations, so blazingly talented, fiery and funny. Miss you already Dame D."

Director Jonathan Kent added that her "combination of force of personality, beauty, courage and sheer emotional power, made her a great classical actress - one of an astonishing generation of British stage performers".

He said: "Her dazzling wit and that inimitable voice made her an unforgettable leading figure in British theatre."

Her agent Simon Beresford said she "died at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time".

He added: "Dame Diana was force of nature who loved her work and her fellow actors."

Last year, Dame Diana spoke of her delight at her role in Game of Thrones, telling the BBC: "I love playing bad [characters]. They are so much more interesting than good.

Final appearance as Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, 2017. Photo: HBO/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

"There are some actors who don't like to play bad; they like to be liked. I love to be disliked. Olenna had the best lines."

In 1990, Dame Diana won a best actress Bafta TV award for playing a difficult mother-in-law in Mother Love. She also won a Bafta special award in 2000 for The Avengers, shared with the series' other stars Honor Blackman, Joanna Lumley and Linda Thorson.

Dame Diana was also nominated for nine primetime Emmy awards, winning for her role as Mrs Danvers in Rebecca in 1997.

First published at bcc.com, September 10, 2020