glee club

The hit, musical comedy Glee is ready to launch its Madonna themed episode on April 13.

A week later, a soundtrack will be released with the cast of the show performing eight Madonna hits. This much talked about and highly anticipated mini-album features their distinctive and unique take on such classics as "Like A Virgin", "Express Yourself", "Vogue", "Like A Prayer" and more.

The tracklisting for "The Power Of Madonna" features the following songs:

1. Express Yourself
2. Bordeline
3. Open Your Heart
4. Vogue
5. Like A Virgin
6. 4 Minutes
7. What It Feels Like For A Girl
8. Like A Prayer

this week in celebrity celebrations

We start this week's celebrity birthdays with one of our good friends, Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis, otherwise known as Tony Orlando. Currently, he hosts one of Time Life's most successful infomercials, "Romancing The 70s".

Knock three times for Tony who turn 66 this year! Here's a clip of Tony Orlando with Dawn performing "Knock Three Times".



Clearly, it's a few years before Tony grew his trademark mustache.

Canadian belter, Celine Dion lights 42 candles on her cake this week. I prefer Celine's more uptempo numbers like "That's The Way It Is", a #6 hit from 1999.



Guitar legend and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member, Eric Clapton is 65.



Also celebrating birthdays this week are Reba McEntire (54), Sebastian Bach from Skid Row and the current season of "Celebrity Fit Club" (42), and Las Vegas lounge lizard Wayne Newton (68).

"The Best Of Soul Train" slides into the station

The moment of peace, love and soul is upon us. Time Life is proud to launch the infomercial for "The Best Of Soul Train", the 9 DVD set which encapsulates all that we know and love about the landmark TV show.

You'll see performances from some of the world's biggest stars and soul legends. Some of these clips have never been seen since they first aired. And don't forget to check out Don Cornelius, host of "Soul Train". He dressed like no one else back in the day.

Without further detail, here's the online premiere of "The Best Of Soul Train" infomercial. Watch all three parts for the full, soul experience.

freshly squeezed

Here's something else that makes me happy. Squeeze, 35 years after their debut gig in London, are taking on a tour schedule that will see them play all over the world well into 2011.

Today, they announced the first set of dates and took a look back at their formidable legacy of music.

happy brandy

The spring weather makes me happy. This old clip of The Manhattan Transfer just popped up on YouTube. It makes me happy, too.




It's a rarely seen, Japanese television commercial from 1983. The song is "American Pop" from their album, "Bodies And Souls".

Brandy, anyone?

Lonestar rising

We're gearing up for the new Lonestar album!

Watch the country foursome on QVC as they launch an EXCLUSIVE pre-sale of their new 10 track album "Party Heard Around the World"! They will be performing new songs and classic hits on Wednesday, March 31.




Plus, if you order "Party Heard Around The World" on QVC, you'll get a bonus CD featuring Lonestar performing acoustic versions of their biggest hits including "Amazed", "What About Now" and more.

You can also hear "You're The Reason Why", the first single from the album, right here on our blog. Check it out on the audio player in the upper, right-hand corner of your screen.

And if that's not enough, head over to Time Life's official Facebook page for a special deal!

birthday bashes

It's a CRAZY week for celebrity birthdays. Many need absolutely NO introduction. Without further adieu, break out the cake and candles.

Celebrating her 20th anniversary on the hit parade, Mariah Carey turns 40.



Aretha Franklin, the Queen Of Soul, sails into her 68th year.



The legendary Elton John is 63 as he starts up the engines on another world tour. Here's one of my favorite EJ hits.



Diana Ross, a supreme diva, is 66 this year.



And Steven Tyler, Aerosmith's gangly front man, still rockin' at 62 years old.

this week's news nuggets

We're starting a brand new feature on the blog. Every Friday, we are going to put together an review of some of the week's most interesting and noteworthy entertainment stories. Check out these news nuggets...

ABBA, Genesis, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Jimmy Cliff and The Hollies were all inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (MSNBC)

Jimi Hendrix breaks Elvis' record from beyond the grave. (Yahoo)

Beyoncé ties Rihanna as she lands her 14th top 10 single since 2000. (Billboard)

Alicia Keys and Black Eyed Peas will perform at a concert opening the World Cup. (BBC)

crazy about the boy

Boy George returns with a brand new single next week. "Amazing Grace", not to be confused with the spiritual, will be released with a handful of remixes. However, it's the original version that captures the power and soulful beauty of Mr. O'Dowd's voice.

hail, hail rock n' roll

Congratulations to ABBA, Genesis, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Jimmy Cliff and The Hollies for their induction at this year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony.

ABBA is one act nobody thought would ever see the inside of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. However, they've proven that although they weren't a household name in the US, their music has become a part of the fabric of our everyday lives ever since the premiere of Mamma Mia! on Broadway nearly a decade ago.

With only one #1 hit on the US charts compared to nine in the UK, ABBA are arguably bigger now that they are apart than when they were together.

Here are last night's acceptance speeches from two members of ABBA, Benny and Frida.



For a historic look back at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, check out Time Life's 9 DVD set"Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Live". It's a must have for any music fan.

birthday bashes

It's a busy week for celebrity birthdays!

Rick Ocasek, lead singer of The Cars, is 61. Here they are with their #12 hit from 1984, "Magic".



R&B legend and soul sensational diva, Chaka Khan, turns 57.




Sly Stone is still dancing at 67.



But wait...there's more! Eddie Money is 61. Broadway maestro, Andrew Lloyd Weber, the creator of such legendary musicals as "Evita", "Jesus Christ Superstar" and the omnipresent "Phantom Of The Opera", turns 62. Actress and rapper Queen Latifah hits the big four-O. And Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is so excited to celebrate her 64th birthday.

still amazed after all these years

Country supergroup Lonestar will return with a new album on April 27. It's called "Party Heard Around The World" and it marks a decade since they scaled the dizzy heights of the pop chart with their evergreen hit, "Amazed".



The tracklsing for "Party Heard Around The World" has been revealed by the fine folks at Saguaro Road, the band's new home. It's ten songs strong and features the following:

1. Beat (I Can Feel Your Heart)
2. Live Laugh And Love
3. She Wants What She Wants
4. You're The Reason Why
5. Y.O.U.
6. Making Memories
7. The Future
8. Goodbye Is Goodbye
9. Let Me Love You
10. Party Heard Around The World

And now, a look back at "Amazed", the #1 hit that has launched thousands of weddings.



A little side note... Track #9, "Let Me Love You", was co-written by Dennis Matkosky. You may not know him, but you've certainly heard one of his biggest hits. He co-wrote this #1 smash from 1983:

Smokey knows about soul

As we inch ever closer to the launch of "The Best Of Soul Train" on March 26, we're celebrating the released of the 9 DVD set with a slew of exclusive interviews. We've heard from Eddie Levert and Jody Watley.

Now, we have the second and final interview with the legendary, Smokey Robinson.



Don't forget. We're going to feature the infomercial for "The Best Of Soul Train" in its entirety on Time Life's official YouTube channel. Simultaneously, we will premiere it right here on "The Rewind" blog. You don't want to miss it!

Mark your calendars. The infomercial is scheduled to premiere on on March 26.

a tale of two Taylors and more

It's Monday, so it's time to reveal another week of celebrity birthdays!

James Taylor, the king of classic singer/songwriters, turns 62. James is most known for his early, soft rock hits like "You've Got A Friend" and "Fire And Rain".



Taylor Dayne, sultry songstress from the 80s, celebrates her 48th birthday.



The incomparable Liza Minnelli, legend of sound and stage, is 64. Here's a clip of "Losing My Mind", the lead single from her 1989 album, "Results". It was produced by the Pet Shop Boys.



Legendary songwriter Neil Sedaka has 71 candles on top of his cake. Neil has written songs for others like "Love Will Keep Us Together" for Captain And Tennille. Here he is in 1980 performing a medley of hits with Toni Tennille on her short-lived talk show.



And now Neil as he is today!



Last but not least, Barbara Feldon, who played Agent 99 from "Get Smart", turns 78.

Smokey Robinson remembers

We're swiftly approaching the launch of "The Best Of Soul Train".

Mark your calendars. The infomercial is scheduled to premiere on Time Life's official YouTube channel on March 26.

In the meantime, the legendary Smokey Robinson, the host of the infomercial, was kind enough to give us an exclusive interview. Smokey recalls his fondest memories of "Soul Train" and its larger-than-life host, Don Cornelius.

last looks

Here is the last of six previews for "The Best Of Soul Train".



There's really nothing more to say. Time Life has more "Soul Train" than you can shake your afro at. Get your 9 DVD set now!

It has been a trailblazer and a landmark television show. It's amazing to think it launched nearly 40 years ago.

cakes and candles

Candles on cakes all around!

Lady Miss Tee, the one and only, super soulful Teena Marie, celebrates her 54th birthday this week! Here she is performing her hit, "Lover Girl", on "Soul Train" in 1984.


The legendary Lou Reed still walks on the wild side at 68.


Two-hit wonder, Tone Loc, is 44.


And Broadway legend, Benadette Peters, is still belting out the showtunes at 62.