Topic

Biography & Personal Stories

A collection of 181 issues

The Man Who Made 'Airplane!' Fly and 'Ghost' Cry: How a Parody King Directed a Classic Romance

Director Jerry Zucker (Airplane!) almost didn't direct Ghost. Writer Bruce Joel Rubin feared he'd make it a parody and refused. But after a dinner where Rubin found Zucker 'deeply philosophical,' he realized the master of deadpan was the perfect choice for his supernatural romance.

Vanishing Act: The Paternal Ghost That Haunted Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan

Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan was abandoned by his father, Len, at 6 months. Told he was dead, Gahan was shocked when Len reappeared when he was 10. After a year of sporadic visits, Len vanished forever, leaving a profound void that would shape the iconic frontman's life and art.

Decoding Beethoven's Birthday: The 24-Hour Mystery Behind a Musical Genius

Ludwig van Beethoven's birth date is unknown. We celebrate it on December 16th based on his baptism record from December 17, 1770. Catholic custom at the time dictated infants be baptized within 24 hours of birth due to high mortality rates, making the 16th our best historical guess.

The Choice That Cost a Career: Emily Lloyd's Unbelievable Hollywood Story

In the late 80s, rising star Emily Lloyd made a fateful choice: she rejected the lead in *Pretty Woman* for a role in *Mermaids* alongside Cher. In a shocking twist, she was then fired from *Mermaids*, a career-altering event that sent her promising trajectory into a tailspin.

More Than a Careless Whisper: The Story of George Michael's Lifelong Gift to Andrew Ridgeley

George Michael, who wrote 'Careless Whisper' at 17, gave Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley a co-writing credit as a gesture of immense friendship. This act ensured Ridgeley would receive royalties for life from a song that became a global #1 hit, cementing a lifelong bond.

One Artist, Five Charts, Zero Competition: The Unprecedented Record of Sheena Easton

Scottish singer Sheena Easton holds a unique Billboard record no one else has matched: she is the only artist ever to score a top-5 hit on the five primary singles charts—Pop, R&B, Country, Adult Contemporary, and Dance. This is a testament to her incredible vocal versatility.