Entertainment

John Legend Performs Tribute Set at Sundance Premiere

Published

10 years ago

January 23, 2015

Liz Garbus, director of the documentary film “What Happened, Miss Simone?”, is interviewed at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The opening-night documentary at the Sundance Film Festival closed with a superstar concert.

After the credits rolled on “What Happened, Miss Simone?” John Legend took the stage to pay tribute to its subject, Nina Simone.

“I’m so grateful to be here today honoring the legacy of the wonderful, powerful, dynamic, super-talented Nina Simone,” said Legend, who along with Common is nominated for an Oscar for their original song from “Selma.”

The documentary about the late singer tracks her rise to fame, her struggles with mental illness, her activism during the civil rights movement, her move to Liberia where she left music behind and finally to France, where she regained her career.

Legend said the entertainer, who died in 2003, is “one of my favorite singers; one of my favorite artists of all time.”

“I find myself studying her versions of all kinds of songs, thinking about her words, thinking about her boldness, thinking about her commitment to justice,” he said. “I’m truly humbled to be here tonight to honor her legacy.”

He emerged onstage from behind a screen seated at a grand piano, opening with Simone’s soulful version of “Lilac Wine.” He followed with “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” which Simone made famous in 1967. After saying how much he admired Simone, he performed her 1964 single, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”

Legend took a bow, then was embraced by the film’s director, Liz Garbus, and festival founder Robert Redford.

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Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of October 30 – November 5, 2024

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1 day ago

November 1, 2024

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Bay Area

Love Life Organization Shows Love

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.

City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team

By Donald Lacy

Special to The Post

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.

It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.

The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.

Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..

There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.