Eric Schaal

Music

Why David Bowie Rated ‘Cygnet Committee’ Higher Than ‘Space Oddity’ and the Rest of His 2nd LP

David Bowie ranked 'Cygnet Committee' higher than the other tracks on his second LP. That included his first hit, 'Space Oddity.' Bowie loved the passion in the song.

TV

‘The Sopranos’: How Toni Kalem Got Injured During Her 1st ‘Big Pussy’ Scene

Though Toni Kalem and Vincent Pastore rehearsed an intense 'Sopranos' scene featuring the Bonpensieros, Kalem still walked away hurting.

Music

Why David Bowie Changed His Name in the Mid-’60s

After releasing singles under the name he was born with, David Bowie made a change in the middle of the '60s. Bowie wanted to leave an earlier persona behind.

TV

The ‘Sopranos’ Episode Toni Kalem Wrote During Her Run as Angie Bonpensiero

Toni Kalem did more on 'The Sopranos' than play Angie Bonpensiero. Halfway through her run on the show, she wrote this episode with David Chase.

Movies

Why Norman Jewison Called Steve McQueen ‘a Cheapskate’ After Directing Him in 2 Films

While Steve McQueen would rarely carry cash, director Norman Jewison considered the star a 'cheapskate' for his interactions with other actors.

TV

‘Sopranos’ Actor Toni Kalem Said She ‘Could Write an Encyclopedia’ on Sexual Harassment in the ’70s

Before 'The Sopranos' and 'The Wanderers,' Toni Kalem dealt with all kinds of predatory showbiz figures. She managed to fight through it in the '70s.

Music

How Frank Sinatra Inspired David Bowie to Write ‘Life on Mars?’

David Bowie had taken the first crack at a song that became one of Frank Sinatra's biggest hits. Bowie said that experience inspired 'Life on Mars?'

TV

‘The Sopranos’: Toni Kalem Was in the Running for a Lead Role Before Getting Angie Bonpensiero

Before playing Angie Bonpensiero, Toni Kalem got close to one of the lead 'Sopranos' roles. David Chase had been a big fan of her earlier work.

Music

David Bowie’s Surreal First Encounters With ‘Greatest Mentor’ John Lennon

David Bowie had some classic stories about his first encounters with John Lennon, who he considered a mentor. Bowie and Lennon then worked together.

Music

The Jimi Hendrix Song That Featured Aretha Franklin’s Backup Singers

In the '60s, the Sweet Inspirations were the most in-demand backing vocal group. After working with Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison, they backed Jimi Hendrix on this track.

Music

Why Frank Sinatra Hated Singing ‘Strangers in the Night’

Though 'Strangers in the Night' was Frank Sinatra's last solo No. 1, he disliked the song from the start and came to hate it as time passed.

Music

Robert Plant Recalled His Pre-Led Zeppelin Days of ‘Over-singing’ and John Bonham ‘Overplaying’

Looks back on his pre-Led Zeppelin days in a recent podcast episode, Robert Plant recalled how he and John Bonham could go over the top.

Movies

‘In the Heat of the Night’: Why Sidney Poitier Insisted His Character Return a White Man’s Slap

'In the Heat of the Night' really takes off when Sidney Poitier's character smacks a wealthy Southerner. Poitier believed the film could not proceed otherwise.

Music

Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones Couldn’t Get Over the Bass in This Stevie Wonder Classic

When discussing his influences, Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones pointed to the Motown sound -- and the bass part on one of Stevie Wonder's hits in particular.

Movies

‘In the Heat of the Night’: Sidney Poitier Slept With a Gun Under His Pillow During the Shoot

Shooting 'In the Heat of the Night' was a risky proposition for Sidney Poitier in the mid-'60s. At one point, the star felt the need to protect himself while he slept.

Movies

‘Goodfellas’: Marianne Leone Recalled What a Blast Martin Scorsese Had During the Shoot

Though Marianne Leone saw most of her work cut from 'Goodfellas,' the 'Sopranos' actor recalled the joy of Martin Scorsese working on the film.

Music

How Jimi Hendrix Got That Kazoo Sound on ‘Crosstown Traffic’

According to one of Jimi Hendrix's associates, the kazoo effect heard on 'Crosstown Traffic' didn't come from a kazoo. Hendrix made a contraption in the studio that day.

TV

‘The Sopranos’: Why Marianne Leone Was Glad She Played Christopher’s Mother Instead of Janice Soprano

Though the Janice Soprano part was a bigger role, Marianne Leone was happy she played Joanne Moltisanti on 'The Sopranos' instead.

Music

John Lennon Believed Mick Jagger Copied a ‘Walls and Bridges’ Song on This No. 1 Rolling Stones Hit

When John Lennon heard a Rolling Stones song hit No. 1 in the late '70s, Lennon heard his own song 'Bless You' as the model for Mick Jagger.

TV

‘The Sopranos’: How Lorraine Bracco Kept Peter Bogdanovich on His Toes for Their Scenes

Peter Bogdanovich couldn't put his guard down when shooting 'Sopranos' scenes with Lorraine Bracco. Bogdanovich told that and other 'Sopranos' stories on a new podcast.