Clik here to view.
Hot Buttered Isaac
I loved Issac Hayes. Who didn’t I guess? He was totally innovative, his own man, one of the most classic soul songwriters in history and a MASSIVE influence on me. “Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Comin’”,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What A Thill!
How I didn’t know about this dynamo drummer and firecracker of a spirit named Jerrie Thill when she’s led her own all female bands for over 60 years is nuts. Especially given my proclivity for being...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Being Boogie Wonderland
When I co-wrote the song “Boogie Wonderland” in 1978 every other record that came out had the word “boogie” in it to capitalize on the Disco craze that had wrapped itself around the world tighter than...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – The Del Rubio Triplets!!!
With the spectacular mini-skirted, go-go booted guitar playing singing stars, who I’m credited with discovering, in the living room of their mobile home, 1986. For a Del Rubios smorgasbord plus...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Reality Of Being A Songwriter
Winning the Grammy in 1986 Yesterday I wrote an open email to a widely read music industry newsletter re the longstanding mistreatment of songwriters in the entertainment industry, veering off into...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – James Brown, Me & How To Write for Money
Here I am with James Brown in my studio in 1984 as we peruse one of my favorite Kitsch books, How To Sing For Money. The Godfather and I used to joke that it should have been called ‘How To Write For...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Lawrence Welk Accordion Vase
One of the most spectacular examples of television Kitsch are reruns of The Lawrence Welk Show, 1955 to ’82, on PBS. My favorites are late 60′s/ early 70′s with their over-saturated technicolorish...
View ArticleClik here to view.
R.I. P. Annette…
Autographed in lipstick by Annette, one of my earliest star obsessions and with whom I shared much chocolate milk watching after school every day, this portrait has long been one of the most...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Heads Up, Detroit!
Just got back from an amazing trip to Detroit where I was laying the groundwork for the big project I’m coming back in September to do there and the project for which I’ve just launched a fund-raising...
View ArticleClik here to view.
EYE on Detroit! $$ in da Bank!
It’s no secret to anyone within miles of my mouth that constantly babbles on about it that I love my hometown of Detroit, the city that gets more bad raps than an unpopular war, deadly criminals, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“The D” Officially Gassed Up and On The Road!
I really meant to be doing far more of these updates but the schedule is thankfully and gratefully so packed here in Detroit that I can barely get into bed before it’s time to get up and start singing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Leg One of “The D” Over and Out!
Got back to LA from leg #1 of “The D”, my song/video/documentary tribute to the SOUL of Detroit, last week sick as a dog, happy as a clam, and just now rising from the dead to finally write this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Spectacular live show, retired Motown stars, NPR, and Tavis Smily in an afro
All around it was a very good SEPTEMBER week here at Willis Wonderland LA as well as Willis W in Detroit. Yes I know there is a Willis Street in almost every major city in the country. But this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Big ol’ news from “the most interesting woman in the world who no one has...
. In case you haven’t read it, the title of this post is in reference to the if-I-do-say-so-myself-despite-a-few-tiny-inaccuracies-great-and-rather-large-piece-on-me in last Sunday’s Washington Post....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – James Brown, Me & How To Write for Money
Here I am with James Brown in my studio in 1984 as we peruse one of my favorite Kitsch books, How To Sing For Money. The Godfather and I used to joke that it should have been called ‘How To Write For...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Lawrence Welk Accordion Vase
One of the most spectacular examples of television Kitsch are reruns of The Lawrence Welk Show, 1955 to ’82, on PBS. My favorites are late 60’s/ early 70’s with their over-saturated technicolorish...
View ArticleClik here to view.
R.I. P. Annette…
Autographed in lipstick by Annette, one of my earliest star obsessions and with whom I shared much chocolate milk watching after school every day, this portrait has long been one of the most...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Heads Up, Detroit!
Just got back from an amazing trip to Detroit where I was laying the groundwork for the big project I’m coming back in September to do there and the project for which I’ve just launched a fund-raising...
View ArticleClik here to view.
EYE on Detroit! $$ in da Bank!
It’s no secret to anyone within miles of my mouth that constantly babbles on about it that I love my hometown of Detroit, the city that gets more bad raps than an unpopular war, deadly criminals, and...
View Article