SCIENTOLOGY and the TOM / KAT DIVORCE

SCIENTOLOGY AND THE

TOM / KAT DIVORCE

Tom and Katie call it "Quits Ville"

By Filicity Blaze Noodleman

First of all for the record let me state how below me this is! This is such“tabloid tripe “subject to write about. Hey, guess what, its Friday the 13th! I’m always saddened to hear about a marriage that’s calling it “Quits Ville”.  It’s as though I’m contributing to what will be turned into publicity spectacle. But wait a minute; before I can finish writing about the divorce, it’s over! As of July 9, 2012 Tom has signed the divorce settlement and slithered away. Katie has won her freedom. Hooray for her!

The exact details of the divorce settlement are not public at this time. "E" has reported that the couple had a prenup. agreement which is also not public at this time and that such prenup.'s are subject to the length of time spent in the marriage to determine cash payouts and the division of property. What we do know is that Tom and Katie have agreed to the "shared parenting" of their daughter Suri. Tom and Katie have both asked for the public to respect their right to privacy in the matter and I'm sure we'll know more as time moves by.

This is Tom’s third marriage in the last 25 years. I know Hollywood marriages suffer a lot because of the pressure involved with show business but this average is high even in Hollywood. Most of us can forgive one or even two bad marriages but its number three that really begins to plot a bad personality flaw and makes people feel this guy is no role model. As the revelation of Tom's dual lifestyle emerges one has to ask herself, did Tom give any consideration to his wife Katie's well being with to respect to HIV and AIDS? I think this is a big nightmare for most women.

Not enough room in the marriage bed for Tom, his gay relationships, Scientology and Katie! Some needed to go and Katie is opting out. Sad but true Katy with her daughters best interest at hart is moving out of the relationship and Scientology. I completely understand why. Scientology is a very domineering cult which is very hawkish in dealing with its followers. The organizations leadership seems to be very maniacal when ever I’ve seen them speak in the media. I can only wonder how they must deal with their membership in privet and I am really concerned about how they handle the children.

As for Tom Cruise and his boyish acting style; I’ve never really cared for it. I don’t think he’s a great actor at all. Never went to a film because he was in it and many times wished he wasn’t in the film period! Now for what I really think –Tom is lower than the pond scum under a snake’s belly. After this revelation and divorce I’ll avoid wasting my time and money by seeing another Cruise film!

Now on to Scientology. Since the days of L. Ron Hubbard’s paranoia with the Government infiltrating Scientology, the organization has been obsessed with spying on each of its members. This really sounds like Fascism to me. Another problem I’ve heard with Scientology is allegations of blackmail and mind control tactics.

L. Ron Hubbard and successor David Miscavige

Tom Cruise and David Miscavige salute each other at Scientology event.

Let’s examine Scientology a little more in depth. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard dropped out of college at George Washington University in 1932 where he was studying civil engineering. Hubbard would soon fail again in the US Navy (1941 - 50) being dismissed from two command positions and resigning his commission in 1950. Hubbard evidently wrote during his spare time while in the Navy. He then turned pulp fiction writer writing short stories and novels. He wrote Dianetics in 1950 and founded The Church of Scientology in 1952 incorporated in Camden, New Jersey in 1953. Scientology under Lron’s, (as he was called), leadership experienced many problems with the U.S. Government for its practices. Problems with the FDA for pills being marketed as “Radiation Cures”. Scientology was investigated by the IRS and was concluded in 1993 granting Scientology tax exempt status as a religious organization. US standards must be pretty low!

Scientology conducts AA, (Alcoholics Anonymous) NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and an outreach known as CrimiNon (a prison rehabilitation program created by Scientology in 2000 which was spawned by Nar-Anon) in conjunction with its Dianetics, but at a price. AA and NA have many chapters and are mostly free to those who wish to participate asking only small donations to provide refreshments. It should be noted that AA and NA have had the most success with its "12 Step" programs in helping rehabilitate recovering addicts and has been doing so since l935. Al-Anon was formed in 1951 for families to provide support for family members in AA. Nar-Anon can be traced back to 1968 and established worldwide in 1986. As I have stated so many of these chapters are free and many may be found at participating Organizations and Churches.

* A few words about David Miscavige. He dropped out of high school at the age of 16 in 1976 and joined Scientology's Sea Organization. Sea Org. has been described as Scientology's Para military branch. Although it is not publicly documented, Miscavige's education was completed in Scientology. He is chairman of the board at Scientology and is the head of the Regional Training Center (RTC). The "New Yorker" has reported Miscavige's wife Michele Diane "Shelly" Miscavige as missing since 2006 and her where about is still unknown at this time. He is estimated to be worth 50 million.

LRon has been described as a Paranoid Schizophrenic and set up his own office within Scientology to investigate what he perceived as “Crimes against the Church”, the G.O. (Guardians Office) and other internal organizations within Scientology to deal with members the Church found to be undesirables. If you ask me, I would call him a Paranoid Schizophrenic with Maniacal Tendencies! You know a bad character out of a "James Bond" novel who was bent on taking over the world, or the real "Dr. Evil" out of "Austin Powers"! Scientology was investigated for burglarizing US Government offices to include the Department of Justice and the IRS. Hubbard’s wife Mary Sue and 10 members of Scientology’s G.O. (Guardians Office) were convicted and sent to prison in the late 1970’s.

L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology books.  (1)  Brain-Washing published in 1955

(2)  Dianetics - 1950  and  (3)  Scientology - 1954? 
Scientology claims Hubbard has authored some 500 novels and short stories.

Hubbard led a somewhat bizarre lifestyle. Ranging from the occult in 1945, he was influenced by his landlord and had a sexual relationship with his land lord’s 21 year old girl friend in Pasadena CA, to his small fleet of sea ships which sailed in the Mediterranean which were supported with funds from Scientology. He lived in hiding for a number of years fleeing from extradition to France where he was convicted in absentia for fraud and customs violations he was sentenced to four years and fined 35,000FF ($7,000.). He lived incognito at a number of residences in the US from New York to California continuing as the leader of Scientology and issuing his dictates by messenger. In reality his true life story was better reading than any of the pulp fiction he’d ever written.

David Miscavige and Scientologists in their "Sea Org. uniforms.

* As I delve further into my research on Scientology I am seeing some striking similarities to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany during the 1920’s and 30’s. The fascism of Scientology, the uniforms, how Scientology deals internally with its members, and the core book of Dianetics. All of these traits were evident with Hitler; the “Brown Shirt” uniforms, the same kind of Fascism and Hitler’s book, “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle). It’s somewhat ironic because Hubbard himself was fearful Scientology was being attacked by an international Nazi conspiracy which he referred to as the “Tenyaka Memorial”.

It should be noted that Scientology is not recognized as a religion in a number of countries to include: Canada, England, France, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, Israel, Mexico, Greece and Germany which closely monitors Scientology’s activities. In other areas of the world Scientology has been challenged and denied many of the privileges granted to religious institutions. There are other countries in the world however which do recognize Scientology as a religion: mostly in Eastern Europe, Portugal, Spain, and Australia.

In all of my research on Scientology and my experiences with its Church members I’ve yet to discover how Scientology can help me become a better Christian. That’s something they don’t talk about and this is where I begin to become aggravated with them. They are not a church in the Christian sense of the word and only seek to benefit from the tax exempt status associated with being a recognized religion.

Back in the 1980's I would sometimes pass Scientology’s building on Hollywood Blvd. and would be asked to take their stress /personality test and was told how much I could benefit from reading Dianetics. I tell them I already have a religion and keep on walking. At this time Hubbard was missing. Scientologists gave the impression that foul play was involved but in reality Hubbard was living in hiding and did so until the end of his life in 1986 at the age of 74. I also remember seeing Scientologists in their uniforms and asking myself is this a religion or a military organization of some sort? They give religion a bad name!

Hitler and Hubbard.  Same crap - different organization!

* One thing about the world today; the world can track an organization by following its progress on the Internet. People can get complete information, personal reviews and are no longer debatable. It will become harder for organizations like Scientology to operate as they have in the past. All of the information in this article is verifiable on the web. You can also see and hear testimonials of X-Scientologists on “YouTube”.

Lastly A few words about“Dianetics”. Hubbard had no credentials for writing this kind of book. A college drop out with no training in Psychology, Theology or any association with a Divinity school, Dianetics is pure speculation on Hubbard’s part. Dianetics is not a text for study at any College or University and the Scientology’s “Religious Theology Center” is not an accredited school with transferable hours to other Colleges and Universities. If you are looking for self help books in this area then I would like to suggest amazon.com. Many good books have been published in many areas by PhD’s who are qualified to help people. One thing is certain; Scientology has nothing to do with science nor has it anything to do with Christianity as we know it.

Next week we will be discussing the Pharmaceutical Industry. I’m Felicity and we’ll see you then. HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th!

* All art and photos for this article provided by "Google Images", Compositing and Titles by Felicity Blaze Noodleman.

What Is Happiness



Art provided through "Google Images". Titles and compositing

by F.B. Noodleman. Special thanks to Dicitonary.com and Wikipedia.

What  is  Happiness?

By Felicity Blaze Noodleman

This week we’re going to explore the concepts behind being happy.  Gregory asked me to write about it because he sees me as a cheerful and happy person and wants to know my secret!  I was suppressed because I’m just like almost everyone else; an average person who is just struggling from day to day trying to make it.  Well here goes – I’ll try my best.  Dictionary.com defines happiness as follows:

hap·pi·ness

 /ˈhæpinɪs/ Show Spelled[hap-ee-nis] Show IPA

noun
1.
the quality or state of being happy.
2.
good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.
How to be Happy www.forbetterliving.org/ A Common Sense Guide that anyone can use to have a happier life.
Origin:
1520–30; happy + -ness
Related forms
o·ver·hap·pi·ness, noun
Synonyms
1, 2. pleasure, joy, exhilaration, bliss, contentedness, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction. Happiness, bliss, contentment, felicity imply an active or passive state of pleasure or pleasurable satisfaction. Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good: the happiness of visiting one's family. Bliss is unalloyed happiness or supreme delight: the bliss of perfect companionship. Contentment is a peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires, even though every wish may not have been gratified: contentment in one's surroundings. Felicity is a formal word for happiness of an especially fortunate or intense kind: to wish a young couple felicity in life.


Wikipedia.com defines happiness as a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.   A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources.Various research groups, including Positive psychology, endeavor to apply the scientific method to answer questions about what "happiness" is, and how we might attain it.Philosophers and religious thinkers often define happiness in terms of living a good life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an emotion. Happiness in this sense was used to translate the Greek Eudaimonia, and is still used in virtue ethics.Happiness economics suggests that measures of public happiness should be used to supplement more traditional economic measures when evaluating the success of public policy.

 

The "Smiley Face" has its origins in the psychedelic 1960's
and the LSD culture.It has become the universal symbol for happy.

Oops – thought I saw my name in there!  Now we have several sources to begin exploring the meaning of happiness for ourselves.  Have you ever met someone who was always so happy that it seemed just to gush forth from them, spilled over and filled the whole room.  Their eyes just seem to illuminate so brightly toward you they twinkle and with a smile which seems to shine equally as bright. 

I’ve met a few people like that which have left me wondering what their secret was.  My aunt was like that.  She was always so glad to see you – and it wasn’t just with family, she was like that with everyone.  She could make you feel so good.  It seems these people take pleasure from bringing pleasure to others.

Here a few points to think about for becoming truly happy:

·       Happiness is many things to different people and at different times.

·       Is materialism a source of happiness or vice versa?  Can what we think will bring us happiness bring us unhappiness?  I think we can call it the “Twilight Zone Syndrome”.

·       Happiness needs a good foundation to build upon.

·       Happiness will work better for you in achieving your goals.

·       Happiness is supported by family, friends and spiritual higher powers.

                      Truly happy people often give freely to help others.

Music brings me a great deal of happiness.  It’s kind of a “whistle while you work” kind of thing.  I will always think of a song throughout the day even without thinking about it a song will just pop into my head.  Comedy is also a source of happiness for me.  My comic education was learned from the great comedians of early television who perfected their craft in Vaudeville and Broadway.  Red Skelton, Lucile Ball, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason and Sid Caesar.   Sadly we don’t seem to have entertainers like those today.

Try to avoid temporary fixes for happiness such as drink or drugs.  These crutches are only meant to help us transition through a rough period until we are able to become stable on our own.  Although these substances can make us feel very warm and fuzzy they can also cause a great deal of unhappiness when abused so be very careful with them.  They could cost you an awful lot.

The one out of hundreds who sparkles with happiness!

A logical perspective to view happiness is through a subtractive process which is to say happiness is the absence of unhappiness.  If you remove all the pressures and stresses of everyday life than what is left over is happiness.  That which which remains in their place is relief from uncomfortable situations.   Have you ever gotten out of a big jam and found yourself smiling with relief?  That’s what I’m talking about.

Doesn’t it seem like there are a special breed of people out there who are just bent of breeding unhappiness?  You know the grumblers, the complainers and the “buzz kills or B.K.’s”.  I try to avoid them and justify my leaving with a “have a good day” or a “best of luck to you” and remove myself from them as quickly as possible!

There also those people who are similar to the people whom I’ve just described who derive their pleasure and happiness from bringing unhappiness to others.  They have crossed over to the “dark side” and are characterized as some kind of a dark caped villain but in reality they are very crafty and you would never suspect what they are really up to.  Beware of them.  They are lurking in so many places!  They thrive on seeing others suffer and are somehow validated feeling superior because of their actions.  They can be very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs!

Well that “Plumbs” the depths of my knowledge on the subject of happiness!  Join us next week as we take on the subject of “Scientology” and the “TomKat” Divorce.  I’m felicity and hope you’ve found something of value you can can use in your quest for happiness.

Can you make this your family portrait?

Pop Music (Part II)

Photos and images provided by "Google Images" 
Titling and compositing by Felicity B.

Part II  (1948 – 2012)

By Felicity Blaze Noodleman

*  The electric guitar was invented in 1931 by the National Guitar Corporation which would become “Rickenbacker Guitars”.  Before the 1950's there were clues indicating pop music music was beginning to change.  Since the beginning of radio and recorded music during the 1920’s in the southern US radio stations were catering to the regional tastes of their listeners.

Television was replacing radio as the medium for entertainment drama.  Programs which began on radio were now moving to TV and as a result radio stations needed a new source of programming to fill their empty time slots.  Music radio was born.  Radio stations began to branch off into all areas of music – Pop, Rock, Soul, Country and Easy Listening.  Rock n’Roll and Soul were new with small recording studios springing up to help Radio meet the new challenge of programming.   

WSM radio in Nashville was the home of “Country” music and would spawn what was to be called “Rockabilly” music.  It was becoming hugely popular in other parts of the country and the world.  Deeper in the south “Jazz”, with its home in New Orleans, had already made an influence in the swing and pop music of the day.  All over the south there was a trend toward “Rhythm and Blues”.  Soul was being developed in the northern urban areas of the nation and also drew its inspiration from the musical traditions of the South.  Young people in the ‘50’s were becoming disenchanted with the music of their parents feeling it was too stuffy and old hat.  They were ready for something new!

WHO ARE THESE POP STARS?

Dean Martin – Dean is arguably the last of the really big Crooners.  He began his very successful career with his comedy partner Jerry Lewis.  They were another example of stars who drove their fans to pandemonium.  Jerry was the wild and crazy nut and Dean was the voice of reason and sensibility who would try to keep Jerry in line.  What was really different about Lewis & Martin was Dean’s singing ability.  He absolutely knocked them off their feet with his smooth Baritone voice.

Performing as a nightclub act they were given national exposure on the new medium of television and were signed to a radio contract in 1948 and then were signed by Paramount Pictures in 1949.  Martin recorded for a small company in 1946 and signed with Capitol Records in ‘48 and would later record for fellow “Rat-packer” Sinatra at Reprise Records in 1962.  Lewis & Martin went through a very nasty public break up in 1956.  Dean was the more successful of the two and perused a successful solo acting career and continuing with his accomplished recording profession.

During Dean’s era many entertainment industrial innovations came about.  The Birth of television, Stereo recording and record manufacturing, AM top 40 Radio and FM Stereo Radio.

Martin has recorded 83 singles, and 52 albums in all during his career.  He has made over 60 motion pictures and has been very successful as a television performer throughout the early years of TV.  “The Dean Martin Show” and the “Dean Martin Celebrity Roast” were both big hits on national TV.

Dean Martin very early in his career on NBC radio with

 comedy partner Jerry Lewis, 1949

Elvis Presley -  Started his career at Sun Records in Memphis, TN. In 1954 this was a new kind of music enterprise blending Country music with Rhythm & Blues and the beginnings of “Rockabilly”.  He was creating a stir with fans where ever he performed with his “hip swiveling” style.  Other artist at Sun also were “rockers” such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison.  One other very famous artist who would come from Sun Records was the hugely popular country artist Johnny Cash and was dubbed a member of the “Million Dollar Quartet” with Presley, Lewis and Perkins.  

Sun records sold Elvis’s contract to RCA records and he became an international sensation.  “Rock & Roll” was the term coined by D.J. Alan Freed some years earlier.  Elvis truly was a crossover artist who could sing and perform Rock & Roll at a fever pitch and who also was capable of singing a tender love ballad in the best tradition of the “Crooner”.  Elvis had the best singing voice I have ever heard! 

He soon signed a movie deal with MGM and the dye was struck.  Over the course of his career his films did very well and were a staple for fans.  He influenced so many others of his generation and those to follow.  One such notable entertainer who gave Elvis a great deal of competition was Ricky Nelson.  During the early period of their careers it was difficult to detect who was the top dog!  Both greatly admired the other but with time Elvis became the more dominate through the longevity of his career.  Elvis holds the number 2 spot in the over $300,000. club with a certified 203.3 million units sold.  He was working and still emencly popular until his death in 1977.

Sir Paul McCartney - Began his professional music career in 1962 recording with “The Beatles” and signing with Parlophone records.  He was an influenceal member of the group being one half of the song writing genius of Lennon & McCartney.  His career with this band lasted until their breakup in 1970 and they are listed as the number one pop act of all time earning well over $300,000. with an estimated 250 million units sold.

Paul or Sir James Paul; as he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 is estimated to have earned over 450,000 in English Pounds Sterling.  This entertainer concerns himself primarily with songwriting, recording and touring in concert.  He is now in his sixth decade of entertaining.  His accomplishments are staggering and at this point I will quote from the “Gunnies Book of World Records”.

McCartney has been described by Guinness World Records as "The Most Successful Composer and Recording Artist of All Time", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million albums, 100 million singles, and a writer's credit on forty-three songs that have sold over one million copies each.  According to Guinness, he is "the most successful songwriter" in UK singles chart history, and has written or co-written “188 charted records, of which 129 are different songs. Of these records, 91 reached the Top 10 and 33 made it to No.1. In total, the songs have spent 1,662 weeks on the chart (up to the beginning of 2007)”.  In 1986 he received acclaim from the Guinness Book of Records Hall of Fame, who presented him with a rhodium disk to commemorate his standing "as the most successful musician of all-time."

In the US, as a songwriter or co-writer, McCartney is included on 32 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100; including twenty with the Beatles and nine solo and/or with Wings, one as a co-writer of "A World Without Love", a number one single for Peter and Gordon, one as a co-writer on Elton John's cover of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", and one as a co-writer with Jackson on "Say Say Say”.  As of 2012 he has sold 15.5 million RIAA certified units in the United States.

Although Elvis Presley has achieved the most UK number-ones as a solo artist with eighteen, McCartney has been involved in more number-ones in the UK than any other artist under a variety of credits, totalling twenty-four singles: including seventeen with the Beatles, one solo, and one each with Wings, Stevie Wonder, Ferry Aid, Band Aid, Band Aid 20 and one with "The Christians et all".  He is the only artist to reach the UK number one as a soloist ("Pipes of Peace"), duo ("Ebony and Ivory" with Wonder), trio ("Mull of Kintyre", Wings), quartet ("She Loves You", the Beatles), quintet ("Get Back", the Beatles with Billy Preston), and as part of a musical ensemble for charity (Ferry Aid).

McCartney's song "Yesterday" is thought to be the most covered in history with more than 2,200 recorded versions,  and according to the BBC, "The track is the only one by a UK writer to have been aired more than seven million times on American TV and radio and is third in the all-time list ... [and] is the most played song by a British writer this century in the US."  His 1968 Beatles composition, "Hey Jude", is also a career highlight. It achieved the highest sales in the UK that year, and topped the US charts for nine weeks, longer than any other Beatles single. It was also the longest single ever released by the band, and at seven minutes eleven seconds was the longest of any number one ever to that point.   "Hey Jude" was covered by several notable artists, including Presley, Bing Crosby, Count Basie, and Wilson Pickett.  It is the best-selling Beatles single of all-time, with sales of over five million copies achieved soon after its release.

In 1990 the minor planet 4148, was named "McCartney" in his honour.  In July 2005 he was involved with the fastest-released single in history, when his performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" with U2 at Live 8 was released before the concert was over. The single reached number six on the Billboard charts, just hours after the single's release, and hit number one on numerous online download charts across the world.  In 2008 he received a BRIT award for Outstanding Contribution to Music,  as well as an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale University.  In 2012 he became the last of the "Fab Four" to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sir Paul embraces the other members of "The Beatles" in the mid 1960's 

(Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison)

Sir Elton John -  The true mad man of mad men.  He has been known for his simply out ragious performances on stage with big glasses, rhine stone and feather studded costumes with high platform shoes.  Elton holds a number of records – number two best selling song of all time, “Candle in the Wind” and is ranked as the fifth best selling artist of all time with over $300,000. in sales and 154 million units sold.  He came to prominence in 1969 and still remains active today.

Trained as a classical pianist John was exposed to classical and gospel music.  He also was influenced by the rockers of his day – Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.   Elton collaborates with partner Bernie Taupin on his music writing which is where he got his start in the music industry.   Together they have produced more than 30 albums to date.  Sir Elton has also established himself in theater and motion pictures writing music and sound tracks for a number of shows and films.  John’s career has earned him a number of awards and he is active in a number of charities. 

During Elton’s career “Disco” was the popular dance music of the day and produced many one hit wonders which have been a phenomenon since the early days of recording.  FM radio was now transitioning making the switch to pop and rock music formats and moving away from its staple which was known as “elevator music”.  In the recording studios however there were big changes happening.  Video 1 & 2 inch recording tapes were being adapted for sound only recording making more channels available.  Much bigger mixing boards were developed and the largest part of recording was now in production.

* Motown Records – Founded in 1960 by Barry Gordy Jr. is probably the most successful small label in the recording industry. Motown’s studio was located in a two floor house in Detroit, MI and was to become known as “Hits Ville USA”. Gordy has discovered and produced so many great stars in pop music. The Supremes, The Jackson 5, The Miracles, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Dianna Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder to name a few all got their start at Motown. Gordy would go on to establish a total of five labels for his recording business and is currently planning a Broadway musical on the founding of Motown.

Michael Jackson  -  Began his recording career in 1968 at the historic “Motown” record label with his brothers, the “Jackson 5”.  A highly popular act selling over 100 million albums Michael performed as the lead singer at the age of 10.  Jackson became a solo act.  He has been active in motion pictures, stage and recording until his death in 2009.  He is ranked as the third best selling artist of all time and dubbed “The King of Pop” with sales over $300,000. and 156.5 million units sold. 

The albums “Thriller” and “Bad” are Jackson’s two of his biggest selling albums and they have been ranked as the best selling of all time with over 40 million in sales each.  He is best known for his singing and dancing style and has been involved with various areas in motion pictures.  At the time of his unfortunate death Michael was in the middle of preparing for his sold out tour “This Is It”.  After his death he became the best selling artist of 2009 with over 35 million albums sold worldwide.

A young Michael in 1973 performs with his brothers "The Jackson 5" 

Tito, Randy, Marlon, Michael and Jermaine

*Special thanks to TaNisha Harris for background research on Michael and The Jackson 5

Madonna – This lady has carved her entertainment career in the likeness of her predecessors.  She began recording in what was known as “New Wave” music.  She is a star of recording, stage and motion pictures and is ranked as the forth best selling recording artist of all time with over $300,000. In sales with 157 million units sold.  She has made 18 motion pictures to date and has worked as a director.  Her career has been going strong since her first film in 1979.  She still continues working and hopefully will be with us for years to come.

During Madonna’s career the music industry continued to make big technical advances.  MTV became a new medium for showcasing musicians and digital recording revolutionized music production.  Compact discs soon gave way to music down loads for iPods and MP3 players and the computer replaced CD players and turn tables.  Now it is possible to down load music videos and motion pictures via computer.  Madonna is the reigning queen of pop – that’s it and that’s all!  She is active in all areas as an entertainer and is the hardest working woman in show business today.

Inside the digital recording studio.  This is where the engineer

"mixes" and produces what will become the final master

recording of a song.

Who will be the next Mega Super Pop stars of the future?   Only time will reveal them to us.  They are out there right now working at their craft – building their numbers.  I’ll throw out a few names:  Lady Ga Ga, Eminem, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z or maybe someone out of one of the groups like the Black Eyed Peas, Red Hot Chili Peppers or the Backstreet Boys. Perhaps it will be Christina Aguilar, Bono of U-2, Gwen Stephani or Sting.  It’s a little early to tell for now.

It is this writer’s opinion that we will not see such mega super stars for quite some time for two reasons.  Firstly because the music field of today is so diverse incorporating more genera’s than ever before blending into the main stream of music.  Some of these are totally new musical styles and are still in themselves being developed while others are much older and established veins of music with newer stars who are making the effort of mass appeal through the medium of television and video.  The second reason is due to the new medium of the music digital down load – iTunes; which allows users the option of purchasing only a single song or video instead of making the song only available as an album purchase.  Boy; things have sure changed a lot!

I’m Felicity and next week we will be looking at “happiness” and how to really achieve it.  Here’s hoping you will keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!

* A sad footnote to this article – the Kodak Theater here in Hollywood has changed hands with the Dolby Laboratories, Inc. as of May 1, 2012.  The theater has been home to “Oscar” and the Academy Awards since its opening in 2001; the first ceremony being held there in 2002.  It has also been home to “American Idol”.   Kodak has been associated with the motion picture industry for well over 100 years and was present during so many of the innovations mentioned is this article.  Kodak has truly been a part of our lives and passes on a rich legacy for all time.