Last Monday, Funfare reported the “scoop” about Claire dela Fuente having a concert in August with David Soul (Don’t Give Up, etc.), together with Rico J. Puno, at the PICC Plenary Hall, in which they will sing, among other numbers, a Taglish version of Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang which they recorded as a duet for Claire’s new (third) album for Viva Records, titled Claire dela Fuente Timeless.
The other good news is that Imelda Papin is also having her own concert with another music icon, Melissa Manchester no less, on July 31 and Aug. 1 and 2 at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas where Imelda usually mounts her shows.
Imelda told Funfare in a phone interview that Manchester has just signed the contract with 618 International Entertainment, Inc., headed by CEO Oscar Parel.
Of course, Imelda didn’t have to remind us that Melissa is a Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and actress who was discovered by Bette Midler and Barry Manilow when she appeared in the Manhattan club scene who took her on as one of the Harlettes in 1971. Melissa co-wrote with Carole Bayer Sager many of the songs on her debut album, Home to Myself, which was released in 1973. Two years later, Manchester’s album eponymous album produced her first Top 10 hit, Midnight Blue, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard charts. Other hits followed, such as Don’t Cry Out Loud, and If This Love. In 1979, she performed two nominated songs on the Academy Awards show, The Promise, and Through The Eyes Of Love (theme song from Ice Castles).
Two years later, she had her biggest hit, You Should Hear How She Talks About You, which won a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts. Her last Top 10 entry on the Adult Contemporary chart was a 1989 updating of Dionne Warwick’s Walk On By. The single was culled from the album Tribute, which honored some of the singers that influenced her style. In 2008, she released a new single, The Power of Ribbons, to digital retailers. Proceeds from the sales of the single benefit breast cancer research.
Based in the US for years now and happily remarried, Imelda has been performing in the main showrooms of Caesar’s Palace in Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Bally’s in Las Vegas, Nevada (she was the first Filipino artist to perform in the venue). She has also gone on concert tours in Europe, Australia, Asia and other parts of the US, counting among her audience heads of states and members of the royalty.
The Orleans Hotel & Casino honors Imelda for being the only Filipino talent included in its roster of international performers who also include Michael Bolton, Richard Marx, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Sedaka, Gladys Knight, Kenny G, Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka, Boys II Men and, yes, Melissa Manchester.
As Funfare reported several issues back, Imelda has just released her latest CD Voice of the Heart, recorded under 618 International Records (a division of 618 International Entertainment, Inc.), and distributed in the US and Canada under the Warner Music Group (ADA).
Also keeping Imelda busy is her TV show Imelda Papin in America aired every second Saturday of the month from 4 to 4:30 p.m. on LA 18; and her two-hour radio program The Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart Radio Show over KLAV 1230 AM (The Talk of Las Vegas) every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. (can be heard online at www.klav1230am.com).
(Note: For inquiries about Imelda and Melissa’s Las Vegas concert, those in the US West Coast may call the Orleans Hotel & Casino at 702-365-7075 or the toll-free number of 618 International Entertainment, Inc. at 1-877-922-5346.)
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphil-star@yahoo.com)