September 26 to October 2, 2013
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
NEWS HARD ROCK HOTEL PALM SPRINGS TO DISPLAY MEMORABILIA FROM AN
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ECLECTIC MIX OF ARTISTS RANGING FROM ELVIS PRESLEY TO LADY GAGA
ne of the most popular elements of the highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will be the memorabilia that adorns its walls, which will include a very eclectic, festival-inspired mix of artists. The memorabilia is carefully chosen from the coveted “Rock Vault,” Hard Rock International’s famed warehouse in Orlando, Florida that stores more than 74,000 prized possessions gathered from rock and roll greats. The collection chosen for the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will include autographed guitars, costumes from world tours, rare photographs, original contracts and more from almost every genre of music—from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake. More than 75 items will be displayed throughout the new hotel which is set to open its doors in late September or early October, depending on construction. “We can’t wait to show off our amazing collection,” says Hector Moreno, Vice President and General Manager for the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs. “Our guests will get to see items from the biggest legends in musical history, as well as memorabilia from contemporary superstars like Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, Shakira, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, and
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so many other incredible performers.” A few highlights from the extensive collection includes: • Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards signed Danelectro guitar, considered a collector’s item in itself • Original photos used in the artwork for the Who’s epic 1973 album, Quadrophenia • A corduroy jacket owned and worn by the late, great Johnny Cash. • A wool jacket worn by Frank Sinatra, as well as a supplement to his Capitol Records contract from April 1, 1953 that was signed by the Chairman himself, stipulating that he would always receive top billing on all record labels. Sinatra was also a part time Palm Springs resident. • A leather biker jacket once owned by Elvis, along with a badge given to the King by the Palm Springs Police Department making him an honorary Captain. • A unique Vera Thordardottir outfit worn by Lady Gaga during her performance at Sir Elton John’s “White Tie and Tiara Ball” in 2010 • A stylish William Rast tuxedo jacket worn by Justin Timberlake in a 2008 “Fashion Rocks” photo shoot. • A fringed outfit worn by Barbados-born pop sensation Rihanna in the video for her 2010 smash single “Only Girl (In the World)”
• A meticulously hand-crafted First Act guitar made especially for, and with the input of, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine who used it on stage. • A Yamaha CB70 electric grand piano acquired by Chris Martin of Coldplay, who used it live as a composition tool and also in the video for “Shiver” • A leather shirt from the personal wardrobe of Sly Stone, leader of Sly and the Family Stone • A custom suit tailored for Sammy Davis, Jr. who once owned a home in Palm Springs • A fringed jacket from the 1960’s belonging to Jimi Hendrix, certainly the most important and influential electric guitarist of all time, who also had an impcact on the world of fashion • Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics to “Hearts of Stone” – never released – with his handwritten annotations • Eric Clapton’s vintage National Studio 66 guitar • A fringed vest worn by the first lady of country music, Loretta Lynn The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will also feature a unique lobby sculpture made of 500 recycled loud speakers and assorted electronic parts including amplifiers, radios, tuners and more. The interactive display was designed by popular Berlin-based artist
Benoît Maubrey and will allow guests to “communicate” with music. Upon completion this fall, the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will offer 163 guest rooms, plus a lively pool scene, great dining, entertainment and special events. From the on-site VIBE manager, who keeps a pulse on the hotel’s atmosphere, to the groundbreaking, interactive amenity “The Sound Of Your Stay®,” where guests will be able to jam out with hands-on music experiences the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will offer guests a sophisticated, yet fun resort experience. Additional musicrelated amenities will include a VIP Rock Star Suite, a Rock Spa®, a Body Rock® workout facility, and the world famous Rock Shop® featuring Hard Rock’s iconic, collectible merchandise.
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
public personalities
Steve kelly
By judith salkin
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n the 1970s, Steve Kelly was a political science and broadcasting major at Rutgers University and the New Jersey native was more interested in pursuing a career doing sports play-by-play than he was talking about city governments or what was going on in Washington, D.C. But life changes and now Kelly, whose daily Kelly’s Corner airs from 4 to 6 p.m. on 1450 AM KPTR, takes great pleasure in being a voice that keeps local pols on their toes. With 22 years as a resident of Palm Springs, Kelly brings a broad perspective to covering and talking to local politicians, but the show isn’t just politics. “Today I’m talking with an expert on the pope,” he said on Monday afternoon. “But what I love is keeping an eye on what’s going on in the valley.” Kelly, 54, grew up in Bergin County, N.J. “It’s 11 miles from New York, but we don’t have an accent,” he said. He loved sports and wanted cover them on radio for a living. In 1977 he got into broadcasting but left a few years later to work with the New Jersey Devils doing public relations for the National Hockey League team. By the late ‘80s, he was in Seattle where he worked as a print journalist. When Kelly’s brother needed some help managing property he owned in Palm Springs, he decided to lend a hand. “But I didn’t plan on staying,” he said. One thing that bugged him in those early years in the desert was listening to local radio. “It was lousy,” he said. After three years working with his brother, Kelly decided to get back into mass communications. With his background, Kelly was hired on at KPSL in 1995 as a program director and over the years has managed to help raise the quality of radio, starting with himself. “I did a morning show with Gary Stone and then I got the chance to work with (former Los Angeles Times sports writer and radio announcer) Bud Furillo,” he said. “That was the best experience I’ve had in radio.” The pair worked together for three years and Kelly soaked up pointers from Furillo’s interview style. “It was the best training just watching him work,” he said. “He’d say, ‘tell us about that,’ and the interviews would just take off.” Sports is still important to Kelly, who covers local events like the BNP Paribas Tennis Open in Indian Wells and the Humana Challenge or talking with Oakland A’s center fielder, Coco Crisp, who lives in Rancho Mirage.
EVENTS
September 26 to October 2, 2013
It’s All About the Animals: Living Free Animal Sanctuary Annual Fundraiser saturday, October 5th
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“What I love about sports is that there’s a definite winner or loser,” he said. “If it’s a baseball game, you know that after nine innings, sometime extra innings, that one team is going to win and one is going to lose.” Politics, on the other hand, “isn’t that well defined,” he said. “Politicians are always trying to reinvent themselves.” He’s watched as the political pendulum has moved from the far right to more middle of the road. “When I got here, the valley was run by Republicans,” he recalled. “Now the Democrats are fighting back and that’s not all bad, in my opinion.” His role with his show, he said, “is to provide a platform for what (local politicians) have to say and then to provide a translation for the listeners so that they understand what’s going on.” He’s well versed in the goings on in valley politics and events like talking about a snub to Democratic Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. “When Bush spoke out here in June, why wasn’t Dr. Ruiz invited?” he asked. Other hot button topics for Kelly recently included both gun rights and gay rights. “I almost had my head torn off over them,” he said. Kelly’s says he’s “interested in talking to everyone.” “I’ve interviewed people from Wilt Chamberlain to Newt Gingrich,” he added, and he sounds just as enthusiastic about talking to Riverside County and Coachella Valley politicians. “I love calling keeping an eye on what’s going on and calling people out on what they do.” Over the years Kelly has had offers to move to larger markets, “But I turned them down,” he said. He’s stayed because “my job is fun,” and, with the exception of summer, “this is a beautiful place to live.”
iving Free Animal Sanctuary is hosting its annual fundraiser It’s All About the Animals, on Saturday in October 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year Melissa Etheridge has agreed to support Living Free and perform at this important event. Along with Melissa will be actress Sharon Lawrence (One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, Desperate Housewives, etc.) as emcee, along with the hilarious comedienne Debi Gutierrez. There will live entertainment, a silent auction with outrageous items, vendor and Arts & Crafts booths, a Beer & Wine Garden, Food Court, and lots of fun for the whole family. The event is held on Living Free’s 153 acre campus just outside of Idyllwild in the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains. This year they are including a special tribute to the Firefighters who battled the Mountain Fire as it approached the property lines of Living Free and managed to keep all the animals safe. This fundraiser benefits Living Free’s programs that help them rescue abandoned cats and dogs facing euthanasia in public shelters and find them new forever homes. Living Free is a nonprofit, no kill, public supported cat and dog rescue founded in 1980. “Rescuing these adorable cats and dogs and seeing them leave as
they’re adopted into new loving homes is exceptionally heartwarming” says President and Executive Director, Sharon Maguire. Presale tickets are available online at Living-Free.org starting at $40 and sales have been outrageous. Clay Helgren, Living Free’s Public Relations Specialist and event coordinator, said, “There is a very good chance we may end up selling out before October 5th so people should get their tickets early. We had a limited number of VIP seats which included a meet and greet with Melissa Etheridge; those sold out in the first 2 weeks.” Melissa is such a great sport that she’s granting a few more meet and greets so Living Free can put them up for auction. More information can be found on their website as soon as these special opportunity tickets are available.
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