girls on film

2 Unlimited once posed the question, "Are You Ready For This?"

1980s pop stars Deborah Gibson and Tiffany will star together in the Syfy original Saturday night movie, "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid", produced by the Asylum studio. Both Gibson and Tiffany have previously appeared in Asylum films — Gibson in "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus" and Tiffany in "Mega Piranha". This is the first time the duo will appear in a film together.

Gibson will play an animal rights activist who specializes in freeing exotic snakes from pet stores and setting them loose in the Everglades, where they, of course, grow to enormous sizes. Tiffany is set for the role of a park ranger who uses dangerous methods to save endangered alligators. The script reportedly includes a scene in which the two stars brawl, moving from a bar interior out to the muddy swamp.

"Mega Python vs. Gatoroid" is set to start shooting this month. Mary Lambert will direct. Lambert also directed of Madonna's classic videos including "Borderline" and "Like A Prayer".

Here's the trailer for "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus".

picture this

Not much in the way of birthdays this week. However, one of rock's biggest icons celebrates her 65th birthday.

Deborah Harry, lead singer of Blondie, is getting ready to release the legendary group's ninth album, "Panic Of Girls", later this year.

Here's one of Debbie's big solo hits, "I Want That Man", which was written by the Thompson Twins.

one year

This week marks the one year anniversary of the passing of Michael Jackson, The King Of Pop.

coming out of the dark

Today is Andy McCluskey's birthday. Andy, along with Paul Humphries, was a founding member of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, otherwise known as OMD.

OMD had their biggest US hit in 1986 with "If You Leave" from the movie, Pretty In Pink. In their homeland, it was a complete flop.

However, a few years before their American breakthrough, they were one of the electronic pioneers of pop in the UK, scoring a number of hits including TWO about Joan Of Arc.

Now, nearly fifteen years after their last album and a quarter of a century since the original line up recorded together, OMD is returning with "History Of Modern" in September.

Here's what Andy and Paul have to say about it.

true blue

Just as she celebrates her 57th birthday, 80s icon, Cyndi Lauper, is releasing "Memphis Blues", her eleventh studio album. It's her twelfth if you count her Christmas album.

"Memphis Blues" is self-explanatory. It features Cyndi working with blues greats like B.B. King and Alain Toussaint. The album is tremendous departure from her previous one, "Bring Ya To The Brink", which was a four-on-the-floor affair for the dancefloor. Cyndi describes "Memphis Blues" in the following clip.



Here are some behind-the-scenes clips of Cyndi recording "Memphis Blues" in the studio.

celebrity birthday blowout

No less than FIVE musical legends celebrate birthdays this week.

Crooner Chris Isaak, turns 54. He's most remembered for his signature song, "Wicked Game". But, Mr. Isaak has released 9 studio albums over the last 25 years and continues to tour. He's also an accomplished actor.



George Michael, one of the best blue-eyed soul singers of the last 30 years, is 47. He first came to prominence as one half of 80s duo, Wham!



Then he went solo in 1987.



And, he just celebrated 25 years of hits with a blockbuster, world tour.



Singer/songwriter, Carly Simon, is spending her 65th birthday with family and close friends. Here's a recent live version of one of my favorite Carly classics.



Superstar drummer, Mick Fleetwood, is still going strong at 68 with the mighty Fleetwood Mac. Mick is a funny character who always has a good story. Check him out in the following clip as he describes an unfortunate event that occurred during the recording of their landmark album, "Rumors".



Fresh from her stint on Celebrity Apprentice and on the eve of the release of her new album, Cyndi Lauper, is having fun at 57!



Also, American Idol judge, Randy Jackson, turns 54 today, dawg.

Soweto sunshine

A couple of weeks ago, Katrina And The Waves celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Walking On Sunshine" being released. The song has become part of the fabric of our lives. It's a true classic. And a timeless song usually gets recorded by artists all over the world many times, even in different languages and styles.

This year, just in time for the World Cup, two-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir have recorded a new version of the feel-good classic with some of Katrina And The Waves’ original band members. While the world-renowned choir have guested on many artists’ records, this is their first release featuring a cover version which is truly their own. The single will be released as a digital download on June 21.

In its short but spectacular career, Soweto Gospel Choir has sung alongside superstars including Bono, Queen, Annie Lennox, Dionne Warwick, Jimmy Cliff and Celine Dion. They've shared top billing in Paris with South African legend, Johnny Clegg, were the support act for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Germany and recorded with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant for the Fats Domino tribute album "Going Home". They even worked with long-time fan Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack to the Disney Pixar movie, WALL-E.

Little side note, Soweto Gospel Choir's version of "Walking On Sunshine" was produced by Mike Nocito, who was one third of late 80s trio, Johnny Hates Jazz.



Goosebumps! But, I think it could use a vuvuzela solo.

between a heart and a rock place

Four-time Grammy winner Pat Benatar is still one of the top-selling female singers of all time and was considered the most powerful, feminist rock voice of the '80s.

How can we forget songs like "Heartbreaker", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "Love Is A Battlefield" and "We Belong"? She amassed 19 top 40 singles and was a mainstay of MTV's early days.

This week, Pat releases her memoir, "Between A Heart And A Rock Place".



I wonder what Pat has to say about those dance moves in her book?

legendary birthdays

Three iconic entertainers are celebrating birthdays this week.

Sir Paul McCartney needs no introduction. His Royal Beatle-ness turns 68 just as he gets ready to embark on another stadium trek around the world.



New York-born, Barry Manilow, has been singing and writing the songs for over thirty years. This week, he celebrates his 67th birthday.



Boy George, the gender bending icon who fronted Culture Club in the 80s, turns 49.



Who wants the first slice of cake?

live and reconnected

After Depeche Mode but before Erasure, Vince Clarke had hits with Alison Moyet under the Yazoo moniker. It was shortened to Yaz in the US.

In 2008, they reunited after 25 years for the "Reconnected" tour. Now, the audio document of that tour will be released on September 25. Hopefully, a DVD will accompany the double CD set.

Here's a clip of Yazoo performing their electronic, 80s classic, "Don't Go", on a TV show in the UK before they started their worldwide jaunt.

gaga for Madonna

Lady Gaga just premiered the epic video for her current single, "Alejandro". Each new clip seems to be more cinematic than the one before. This latest one does not disappoint.

While the song sounds like a long-lost Ace Of Base single, the visual connection is completely inspired by Blond Ambition era Madonna.



Srsly! The ode to Madonna is quite striking. Can you spot the flashes of "Vogue", "Like A Prayer", "Express Yourself", "Oh Father" and "Human Nature"?

big birthdays

This week, two legendary performers celebrate birthday milestones.

Ol' Blue Eyes' daughter, Nancy, wears her white, thigh high boots into her 70th year!



Time Life favorite, Tom Jones, still struts his stuff. He hits the big seven-0 this week, too!



In 1988, Tom teamed up with Art Of Noise for a cover of Prince's "Kiss".



And by coincidence, the petite, purple one celebrates his 52nd birthday this week.

listen

Remember Marc Cohn? He had a giant hit with "Walking In Memphis". It peaked at #13 on the US singles chart in 1991.



Now he's back with a brand new album through Time Life's Saguaro Road imprint. It's called "Listening Booth: 1970" and will be available from July 7. Want some more info? Here you go...

lovers live a little longer

Australian, pop rocket Kylie Minogue returns with a taster from her forthcoming, twelfth album, "Aphrodite".

"All The Lovers" is a subtle, electronic, dance number which showcases her breathy voice and pop prowess.

The video for the song premiered on her website just a short time a go. Let's have a look!



Not sure what the symbolism is behind the falling marshmallows toward the beginning of the clip. Maybe the clip was shot around Halloween?