OUT 306--CELEBS ON THE TOWN IN STL IN 2007

THERE WERE MANY NATIONAL CELBS THAT CAME THROUGH THE CELEBS WHO CAME THROUGH THE STL FOR VARIOUS EVENTS FROM CONCERST TO SPECIAL APPREARNCES. HERE IS A TASTE OF WHICH CELBS CAME THROUGH IN THE 2007

EARLY IN THE YEAR......


Soul Food and Stomp the Yard star Darrin Henson drop by Joel King's Launch Party at 555 Building....former wrestler Diamond Dallas signed autographs at the Health Expo at Americas Center

Legendary crooner Johnny Mathis came through to perform at the Fox and newcomer singer/songwriter Anthony david performed at Club 747 in Feburary.

In March Yung Joc performed at Society

In April sexy actress Stacy Dash was in town to film the local flick, "Ghost Image"

Also in April, soul crooner Brian Mcknioght came through the Fox to give the ladies a touch of sexy.

In May, Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency model Marcus Foy co-hosted YOURS TRULY's fashion show Testocouture at Studio Altius.

In August several national celbrities came trhough to perform including actor/rapper Nick Cannon

Grammy Award winning singer Regina Belle also performed at this year's Expo.

And so did Gospel legend Dottie Peeples

Donnell Rawlings aka Ashy Larry was one of many comedians who kilt the stage at Laughs on the Landing.

Neo soul diva did her thang at the Urban league Confernce in August.

And so did R&B legend Teena Marie who also performed at the Pageant the previous night.

Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton was one of the many panelists that participated at the Urban league conference

Presidential hopeul Sen. Barak Obama particpated in the Democratic debate at the conference

And so did Sen. Hilary Clinton

And Sen. John Edwards.

Comedian Shang dropped by Laughs on the Landing later on in the year.

New jack soul singer Joe performed twice in the STL--as the opener for Brian McKnight at the Fox and at the 50 Million Pound Challenge in August at Union Station

Comedienne Dominique and comedian Joe Clair came through the Lou and brought on the funny at Laughs on the Landing (pictured is owner Dee Lee)

Although bred in the Missouri area, actor/comedian Cedric The Entertainer was one of the several STL to Hollywood stars that had parties in the Lou. This one was held at Dolce's in September for his annual bowling charity event

Comedian David Arnold--who perfiormed earlier in the year at the Loft for Jack and Jokes-- and comedienne/actress Kym Whitley dropped by Laughs on the Landing for side splitting comedy later on the year.

Dr. Ian came through the Lou with his 50 Million Pound Challenge tour at Union Station.

Tom Joyner Morning Show personality Jay Anthony Brown was the host of the 50 Million Pound Challenge

Actor Lorenz Tate dropped by during Nelly's Labor Day weekend festivties.

Nelly's Labor Day Wekeend was topped off with his 2nd Annual Black and White Ball with several guests including hit producer Jermaine Dupri

Nelly's main squeeze singer Ashanti also was at hand for the festivties

Rapper turned actor David Banner also came through (pictured with date Blu Bolden)

Singer Ruben Studdard was one of the entertainment guests at the Black and White Ball.

Rapper Krazie Bone dropped by Sunday Night Shindig at Lucky's in October.

Grammy award winning rapper Common(flanked by the Cafe Soul team) also dropped by for a concert at The Pageant in October (photo by indalou.com)

Sexy siren Beyonce dazzeld the STL crowd at Scott Trade Center with her Experience Tour
(as well as an early concert pyrotecnic malfunction that caused injiry to a couple of fans sitting in the front row)

Model/actress Eva Pigford help choose a model at one of Mo Spoons Eye candy parties in November at Society.

In Octyober Louisiana radio host Tony Brown and Marcus Jones (son to Jena 6's Mychael Bell) came through the STL during a function at 609 to talk about the Jena 6 Movement.

Grammy Award winning jazz//R&b legend Anita Baker came through to perform at the Fox in November

Actor/comedian Bill bellamy stopped by Laughs on the Landing, as well as Sunday Night Shindig, to sold out crowds(pictrued with Shindig creator Mocha Latte)
Photo by Jay Bailey .

Actress Niecey Nash picked up an award from the National Woman in the Arts Award at the Visionary Awrads at the Moto Museum in November.

As of this publishing, Grammy Award winning rapper/actor Ludacris was goin to be on hand for to host Chingy's album release party at Society this Friday.

OUT 305 TMP (TOO MUCH PLAYIN ) PICS

WHEN THE OUTTOWN CAM WENT OUT AND ABOUT THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE CAM GOT PICS THAT MADE IT GO, "OH , NO THEY DID NOT DO THAT!" IT WAS SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM, BUT OUTTOWN HAD TO CHOOSE WHAT OUTTOWN LIKES TO CALL THE TOP 10 TMP (TOO MUCH PLAYIN) PICS OF 2007HONORARY MENTIONS: In August, the Dunlap brothers (Calvin and Maurice) hit the Loft doin their famous synchronized erotic dancing. But what made it TMP was the sista who joined them from the crowd. After this pic was shot, homegirl got on top of Maurice and began doin her own simulated horizontal dancin! Also, in the same month, during the Urban league’s annual conference that was held at the Americas center, the leagues president had asked Presidential; hopeful Sen. Barak Obama during a Dem debate a hypothetical question which started off, “Let’s say that it is Inauguration Day….” And Obama raised his hand as though he was aboutto take the oath to the office! Classic (Photo by Lois Ingrum)

10. The sista in the purple had to get her shoes off after Nelly's Labor Day Weekend that was held at Society that Friday. And what makes it even more TMP was that she had her sandals with her!

9.This bruh from the 50 Million Pound Challenge in August was forced to particpate by comedian /host Jay Anthony Brown who picked on brothers who had on summer sets. This bruh was the most TMP. Not only did he point and pointed across the crowd, he also strutted as though he had theme music!

8. In August, STL comedian Jessie Taylor got married to his longtime girlfriend Bridgette at Lights On Broadway. It was a festive occasion, and in Jessie Taylor form, during the puling of the garter Taylor had to , well, smell what he was gettin into. TMP!

7. In January, Big Tah had the first of many Swimsuits and Boots contests for young ladies at the Main Ingredient. But during the dance floor moments of the event, this bruh wanted to get his own contest goin of rubbin his johnson on a rump!

6. In September, when local hip-hop group/organization Black on Black/Quit Playin' had a CD release party and concert at Society, this couple decided to have their own "release party!"

5. In September, SYGU and FREE TIME hooked up to throw their popular Smokin Aces party at Club Xes. But that wasn’t all that was smokin as you can see in this pic when this sista and this bruh was gettin buck wild (and she got the sweat stains to prove it!)TMP!

4. At the same SYGU/Free Time party, there were many different actions goin on like this sista gettin her feel on the white man up in therre. OUTTOWN doesn’t know what was goin on here! Maybe she was rubbin him for good luck!

3. In November, 1st Friday had its event at Lucky's on Washington and based on this pic, the white chick is tryin to get lucky with bruh man's bootay!

2.Stress Free Friday co-creator Mark Anthony Jones had his share of dance floor moments. Well, this one was definitely one of those moments ON THE DANCE FLOOR during the Investors Social/Panache event his group as well PRECISION and KEITH GRIFFIN INVESTORS SOCIAL at Kyo in November.

AND THE No. 1 TOO MUCH PLAYIN PIC OF 2007 IS.....................................................................

1.Stress Free's Mark Anthony Jones on the floor AGAIN at a b-day party in South St. Louis where OUTTOWN first captured this ON THE DANCE FLOOR behavior in August. TOOOO MUCH PLAYINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

OUT 304--DEATHS in 2007

In 2007, we lost many STL area prominent and everyday people who had made a social impact with their lives or what could have been with their lives. The following are some of those prominent folk who made a difference for the STL as as the world.

IN JANUARY, we lost Florrisant native Brett Clawson who died in a car accident. He was a finalist on the 2003 season of "Last Comic Standing" .He was 32.



IN FEBURARY, we lost East St. Lousi native Damien Nash (RIGHT) of a heartattck. He was a running back for the Denver Broncos. He was 24. Also, we lost veteran politician and the first African American STL city Comptroller John Bass. He was 80. And, St. Louis attorney and poet Sheryl Johnson who died of pancreatic cancer. She was 52.

In MARCH, we lost former Sen. Tom Eagleton, who also ran for VicePresident in 1972 at the age of 77 and R&B singer Luther Ingram of diabetes who is famous for the song, "If Loving You is Wrong." He was 69.

In APRIL we lost award-winning actor Roscoe Lee Brown from cancer. He was a graduate of Jefferson City, Mo HBCU Lincoln University. He was 81.

In AUGUST, St. Lous mourned the tragic loss of STl police officer Norvelle Brown who was gunned down from a routine patrol. He was 22. We also lost former East St. Louis City Alderman Cleophus Carr Carrdied after spending 17 days in the burn unit at St. John's Medical Center in St. Louis County.

In SEPTEMBER, Frank Peters Jr., a former arts editor and music critic for the Post-Dispatch who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1972, died of a heart attack. He was 76.

In DECEMBER, the world lost Grammy Award winning music genius Ike Turner who spent the 50s and 60s living in the St. Louis area, died at the age of 76.

Also in December we lost
Colonel Clifton W. Gates, former St. Louis American co-publisher, entrepreneur and civic leader, from diabetes at the age of 84.

R.I.P. also goes out to opther STl area people who have passed on: Gene Lynn Campbell III., Gary Smith aka LG, Jessica and Kelli Uhl, Ramika Thomas, Pamela Schmidt, Sadie Perkins , and all thsoe who didnt have a promoinnet name but had an impact on someone's lives.

OUT 303--SIR IKE TURNER--R.I.P.

AS OUTTOWN WAS GOING TO PRESS YESTERDAY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STL AND THE WORLD HAVE LOST A PIONEER IN MUSIC WHEN IKE TURNER PASSED THIS PAST WEDNESDAY IN HIS SLEEP AT HIS HOME IN SAN MARCOS, CALIFORNIA. HE WAS 76.

Born Izear Luster Turner, Jr in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1931, Turner's actual music career began in earnest in the late-1940s where he formed a group whom he christened The Kings of Rhythm. In 1951, the band recorded what historians have debated as "the first rock and roll record"[3] with "Rocket 88", listed on the charts as Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Brenston was both the band's saxophonist and the leading vocalist of the song and Turner was the original writer though credits initially stated that Brenston had written it also. The song was one of the first examples of guitar distortion, which happened by accident when one of the amplifiers dropped before the recording. Ike and the Kings of Rhythm settled into local fame in St. Louis where the band locally recorded for a St. Louis label and even appeared on local television shows.

Throughout this early period, Turner became a recording scout and A&R man for independent record companies including Sun Records - where "Rocket 88" was recorded, helping the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James and Otis Rush get signed. He also became a sideman playing guitar for these blues acts and more. Musically, Turner was known for his hard-hitting guitar style. He was known to put the whammy bar of his Fender Stratocaster to frequent use.

Turner's music career changed drastically after meeting a teenage singer from Nutbush, Tennessee, named Anna Mae Bullock, who demandingly grabbed a microphone during a singing session at one of St. Louis' nightspots and sang a BB King song in her now-trademark throated raspy vocals. Bullock's performance impressed Ike so much he allowed Anna to join his band as a background singer. However within a year, Ike's plans for Bullock changed after Anna recorded what he originally stated was a demo for a song that was to be sung by a male vocalist. After hearing her vocals, he let it be released under an independent label and in the process changed the name of the singer from Anna Mae Bullock to Tina Turner - naming her after Sheena - and the name of the band to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. That song, "A Fool in Love", became a national hit in early 1960, reaching the top three in the R&B charts and becoming a top thirty pop hit in the process.

From then until 1976, Ike and Tina Turner became one of the most explosive duos in rock & soul music. The creation of the revue also led to the soul revues of the 1960s. Inspired by Ray Charles, Turner created a trio of sexy background singers and dancers who were named The Ikettes who often had their moves choreographed by Tina and Ike. The Turners eventually scored several hit singles including "It's Gonna Work Out Fine", "River Deep - Mountain High", "I Want To Take You Higher", "Proud Mary"(their biggest hit charting #4pop and #5 R&B in 1971 and won Ike-- as well as Tina--his first Grammy Award thw following year) and "Nutbush City Limits" over thirteen years.

The success the duo contributed eventually led to the creation of the Los Angeles-based Bolic Sounds studio, founded by Ike. However, after Tina abruptly left Ike after a violent altercation in 1976, Ike lost ground in the national music market.

As a solo artist, he struggled to find success after Tina and after releasing two failed solo albums, had found himself facing drug and weapons charges, in which he was convicted of in 1989. Shortly after Ike's release from prison in 1993, the musician went back on the road and back into recording music, which continued until his deah.

Alongside his former wife, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and in 2001 was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

In 2001, Ike released the Grammy-nominated Here & Now album. Three years later, he was awarded with an "Heroes Award" from the Memphis charter of NARAS. In 2005, he appeared on the Gorillaz' album, Demon Days, playing piano on the track, "Every Planet We Reach Is Dead". He played live with the band on the band's world tour to that particular song.

In 2007, Ike won his first solo Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues Album category for the album, Risin' With the Blues. Before his death, a collaboration between Turner and the rock band, The Black Keys, by Gorillaz' producer Danger Mouse was expected for release next year.

In the STL area, Ike Turner as well as Tina Tuner they spent most of the 1950s and 1960s living in East St. Louis in the affluent Virginia Place neighborhood. And just recently, Turner was scheduled to front a blues festival in St. Louis in September 2 but cancelled at the last minute after a controversial decision by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay denied to give a Proclamation to Turner due to potential protestors against Ike receiving the award because of his past turbulent abuse with his former wife.

In one of his last interviews, in a St. Louis Post Dispatch newspaper article, Turner talked about the diss: "I already have a star on your walk of fame there, and I never asked for that star," Turner said in a telephone interview from his home in San Marcos, Calif. "I don't care about those things. I don't care about the Hall of Fame. I just care about making people happy in the audience."

Turner was also surprised of all teh national atention that sparked from the Proclomation controversy: "It's gotten bigger than I expected something like this to get," Turner said. "It's all over the world, about what happened to me in St. Louis. I never asked for Ike Turner Day from St. Louis, and I'm not coming for that," Turner said. "But they gave me the key to Memphis, and I did nothing for Memphis compared to what I did for St. Louis. I made St. Louis and East St. Louis a place where people want to come to have fun."

He also talked about the 1993 film, "What's Love Got to do with it," which highlighted the life and times of Ike and Tina Turner and the spousal abuse: "the movie "assassinated my career." He says that he was "doing drugs" when he signed a contract allowing someone to play him in the movie."

"It's been planted that I'm against women," Turner said. "That's the biggest lie in the world. A lot of people in St. Louis can verify that. I have nothing against women's liberation. My mother was a woman, and I loved her to death."

Longtime radio personality Bernie Hayes, who met Ike and Tina Turner in the 1960s at KATZ radio here, said Mr. Turner was misunderstood and underrated as a musician. "People questioned him ethically and morally, but he was ethically and morally committed to music," Hayes said. "He was in a class all by himself."

Vintage Vinyl in Delmar Loop currently has its marquee as "Ike Turner--RIP."

Reportedly, Ike's former wife, Tina stated that she hadn't spoken with Ike in 30 years, was aware that he had died and that she no longer had any other statement on the issue.

The cause of death wasn't released, but Turner, told the Post-Dispatch earlier this year that he had emphysema. However, rumors are brewing in Hollywood that his death may have been caused by substance abuse.

BIo info from www.wikipedia.org and interview from www.stltoday.com