Linda Clifford speaks!

**Jeff H** · February 10th, 2002, 09:54 AM

I did a phone interview with Linda Clifford two days ago (she'll be performing in Pittsburgh March 2) and wanted to share that she was an absolute delight to talk to! Sweet, sincere, funny, dishy, sassy--what a great time we had!

I hope that once the interview is published I can post a link to it on Out's Web site (of course, I have to WRITE it first!), but here are some highlights I thought you all might enjoy:

She told me that the rap in "Runaway Love" was totally impromptu; she said a group of them were sitting around the studio working on songs for the "If My Friends" LP and she didn't know the microphone was on when she started going off on her first husband! The chorus came later. (She also swears she actually loves dogs--think about the lyrics to "Runaway" and "Don't Give It Up"!)

She said she has never heard from Shirley MacLaine about "If My Friends"--even though Linda worked with her as an extra in "Sweet Charity"--and that she never wanted to call to ask her opinion because MacLaine is "so busy with all those other lives"!!!

She talked about her close friendships with Mel Cheren and the late Michael Gore ("Red Light," "Don't Come Crying to Me," etc.) and that she lost two of her own brothers to AIDS. She was audibly choked up when she talked about this, and I almost felt like apologizing for asking the question about all the AIDS benefits she's done.

On a lighter note, she says one of her best shows ever was at one of the Int'l Mr. Leather contests when she sang "A Night With the Boys" backed by dancers in leather jockstraps!

She is very grateful for her gay fans and even thinks she "wouldn't have a career without them."

She was also very gracious when I tried to get her to dish about today's... shall we say, less talented performers, but the names Britney, Mandy and J. Lo did get mentioned....

Finally, she's been writing songs these days and said Gloria Gaynor has recorded one that should be released in a few weeks, and that she has been talking to Donna Summer about working together. (What a dream come true, huh?!)

For a woman who says she doesn't consider herself a diva, she sure exhibits all the best qualites of one: talent, class and style. (Hey, maybe I'll use that line in my story!)

_________________

"...a once in a lifetime feeling that returns every week..."

[ This Message was edited by: Jeff H on 2002-02-12 18:06 ]

**dhwm** · February 10th, 2002, 11:12 AM

Now, what about a DEFINITIVE ANTHOLOGY of ALL her songs on CD?

**guille** · February 10th, 2002, 11:15 AM

Linda Clifford not only exceeds in talent, but she's also a great human being. Glad to hear she's still recording. I can never get enough of her.

Have a Disco life.

[ This Message was edited by: guille on 2002-02-10 14:05 ]

**sirius** · February 10th, 2002, 12:18 PM

Oooh, thank god news from a real Diva! I am

really curious how many people will read this

message instead of Kylie Mini-Ogue.

She´s one of my all time favorites...

Cosmic Love & Kisses From SIRIUS & DARKTUNES

**Bernie** · February 10th, 2002, 05:11 PM

Jeff,

Thanks so much for the 411. Nice to hear that she is doing well and is still active. Love "Runaway Love" and "Don't Come Crying To Me." Drop me a note when the article is finished.

**paul** · February 10th, 2002, 11:34 PM

Thanks for sharing that Jeff. Be sure to let us know when you complete the piece on her.

**HustleBaby** · February 10th, 2002, 11:55 PM

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the info! I haven't heard about Linda since the early 80's and I've always wondered what she was up to these days. If you don't mind, can you dish the details she said about todays overrated "so-called" divas.

*DISCO DELIGHT*

**Outsider** · February 11th, 2002, 09:59 AM

I got a sound file of "Shoot Your Best Shot" a while back, and I absolutely love that song. It has everything you could ask for in a song: catchy melody and great musicianship. I'm surprised this song wasn't a hit, or was it? If it wasn't, it should have been. It's great to hear that she's still making music. I also want to read that article when it's finished.

**Jeff H** · February 11th, 2002, 12:03 PM

Outsider: "Shoot Your Best Shot" was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard disco chart in the fall of 1980 (October, I think). In fact, Linda had a pair of hits in late 1980--"Red Light" was the other one.

**markydefad** · February 11th, 2002, 12:30 PM

Jeff,

Can't wait to read your interview. Good work. Isn't it nice to be able to have those chart stats at your fingertips, to settle all disputes?

**Jeff H** · February 11th, 2002, 12:32 PM

HustleBaby: As I said, Linda was very gracious--maybe diplomatic is a better word--when we discussed today's wannabes. Most of her comments were about the state of the music industry, which she believes concentrates only on the next No. 1 hit without really helping young singers build a career. She said it was "sad" that the attitude is, "Well, she's past 16--let's move on to someone new."

Since she was referring only to young singers, I asked, "What about older singers who are being ignored?" and she said, "Oh, you don't want me to go there!" And I told her, "Yes, I do! Dish! Dish!" I complained that singers like her, Donna Summer and Patti Austin can't get arrested these days, and she told me she was listening to Patti Austin just before I called. (Lucky choice of names, huh?!)

About the only really derogatory thing she said was that today's performers don't have to be able to sing, since "you can throw anyone into a studio these days and make them sound good." Sorry to disappoint you, but she never said "Britney Spears sucks"; her name and Mandy Moore's were only mentioned as examples of how style matters more than substance.

I WISH she had said something bitchy like "Britney/Mandy/Jessica/J.Lo/Beyonce sucks," but I think she is too classy (or too smart!) to say anything like that--at least on the record.

**markydefad** · February 11th, 2002, 12:44 PM

Jeff,

If we could only get Linda & Gloria & Donna to sing on a record produced by Tom Moulton--now that would be a coup! What would be a great tune to remake with those 3 divas? Like they did with the "54" remake of "If You Could Read My Mind" with Amber, Ultra Nate' & Jocelyn Enriquez or the ghastly remake of "Lady Marmalade". Let's get those divas workin' again!

**HustleBaby** · February 11th, 2002, 11:53 PM

[quote]

On 2002-02-11 13:44, markydefad wrote:

the ghastly remake of "Lady Marmalade".

_____________________________________________

I'm glad to see that someone else agrees with me regarding that ATROCIOUS remake of "Lady Marmalade"!!!!! The first time I saw it I said YUCK!! I don't care if it was the theme for MOULIN ROUGE it is still ATROCIOUS!!!!

*DISCO DELIGHT*

**Outsider** · February 12th, 2002, 10:12 AM

On 2002-02-12 00:53, HustleBaby wrote:

I'm glad to see that someone else agrees with me regarding that ATROCIOUS remake of "Lady Marmalade"!!!!! The first time I saw it I said YUCK!! I don't care if it was the theme for MOULIN ROUGE it is still ATROCIOUS!!!!

*DISCO DELIGHT*

I also agree with you. I think that the remake of that song is horrible (but I like the original version). Why did Pink, whose music I like, get involved with this mess? Fortunately she got it right with songs such as "Get The Party Started".

**Twirlessence** · February 12th, 2002, 12:43 PM

I know this may sound slightly wierd but I'd like to hear them do a discofied 3-way vocal remaking the country music classic "Does He Love You?".

Or maybe revisit some of the 1st Choice catalog - The Player, Armed & Extremely Dangerous, Dr. Love, etc.

Or maybe a remake of Marlena Shaw's version of "Touch Me In The Morning".

**Jeff H** · February 12th, 2002, 01:03 PM

Twirl, did you know that Donna Summer and Liza Minnelli have already done a remake of "Does He Love You?" It's on Liza's CD "Gently" from 1996. It's not a dance version, but it is a big ol' over-the-top diva blowout! And Donna sounds awesome!

I'm still thinking about my own choices for great songs that are ripe for a remake. Given the names that have been mentioned, my mind keeps drifting toward songs like "I'm a Woman" or "Big Spender," but I'm not sure either of those lends itself to a dance version. (Not that the Ritchie Family didn't try anyway....)

"Doctor Love" is an interesting idea, and I've always loved that medley by First Choice: "Let Me Down Easy"/"Good Morning Midnight"/"Great Expectations."

But let me say right now that I forbid anyone from suggesting "It's Raining Men"!

_________________

"...a once in a lifetime feeling that returns every week..."

[ This Message was edited by: Jeff H on 2002-02-12 14:09 ]

**markydefad** · February 12th, 2002, 01:14 PM

Twirl,

We are on the same wavelength...my own thoughts were going in the direction of the First Choice catalog...I thought maybe "Dr. Love" or "Let No Man Put Asunder"-- and "Touch Me in The Morning" also occurred to me as part of the "Suite Seventeen" which could be remade with them taking turns singing the individual songs or in duets, trios, etc.

It's gotta be CLASSIC and EPIC and worthy of the combined talents of the three Any other ideas?

**markydefad** · February 12th, 2002, 01:18 PM

Jeff,

You is a readin' my mind---you edited that post and added "Doctor Love" as I was typin' mine, didn't you? I swear that wasn't there when I first read it????!!!!!

Is this "Gaslight"? Am I goin' out of my head?

Hmmm...I'm Just Askin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**markydefad** · February 12th, 2002, 01:53 PM

Or...what about some early stuff like a Trammps medley: Where the Happy People Go/ Love Epidemic/Hold Back The Night/Where Do We Go From Here/Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart/ or dare I say Disco Inferno or Disco Party? (Anyway, some combo of those songs). Remember Gloria covered "Mighty High" with The Trammps on her "Born Again-Greatest Hits" CD where almost every song had a reference to her Jesus-obsession (not that there ISN'T something wrong with that--it's DISCO, Gloria). Anyway, that song was fun, I thought.

Or what about a cover of an Ecstasy, Passion & Pain hits medley: "Ask Me, Good Things Don't Last Forever, I Wouldn't Give You Up , and Touch & Go" or some others in a tasteful assemblage.

_________________

Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-02-12 15:01 ]

[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-02-12 17:01 ]

**PhyllisHyman** · February 12th, 2002, 04:25 PM

Apparently she's been working with Joey Negro and she's done a version of "Going back to my roots" but I haven't managed to get hold of a copy despite begging!

**HustleBaby** · February 12th, 2002, 05:02 PM

Now that were on the subject of possible remakes, I think that some oldie but goodie jams should go untouched!!! Many of todays artists have done a weak version of the remake or completely BUTCHERED it, for example - (Lady Marmalade and Biggie Smalls "Hey Love" by the Delfonics)and many others.

But I must say that I've heard a techno/house version of Austraud Gilberto's

"The Girl From Ipanema" at a fashion show recently. Unfortunately, I don't know who made that song but it was HOT!!!!! Also I've heard a house version of Sylvester's "I Need You" and Harvey Mason Jr's "Groovin' You"

which was also HOT!!!!!

*DELIGHTFUL*

**JussiK** · February 13th, 2002, 03:25 AM

It's got to be AND I'M TELLING YOU I'M NOT GOING plus other DREAMGIRLS tracks - and if we could only get Boris Midney to re-think about doing the music.

**Jeff H** · February 13th, 2002, 08:40 AM

GREAT suggestion, Jussi! Let's have the girls do the songs "Dreamgirls," "One Night Only" or "Hard to Say Goodbye"! Paging Mr. Moulton...!

**Bernie** · February 13th, 2002, 09:17 AM

Why does it have to be remakes? I generally can't stand these and would prefer they do something creative and original and as grand as their previous output. All that talent to rehash showtunes-I just don't get it.

**Outsider** · February 13th, 2002, 10:07 AM

On 2002-02-13 10:17, Bernie wrote:

Why does it have to be remakes? I generally can't stand these and would prefer they do something creative and original and as grand as their previous output. All that talent to rehash showtunes-I just don't get it.

I agree. A new song would be much better for them.