NORBY WALTERS: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
We just heard that Norby Walters died at 91- he was a successful music agent from New York who threw those fabulous Night of 100 Stars Oscar parties at the Beverly Hills Hotel every year. As the Star Magazine gossip columnist, this was a party I never missed. Celebrities – many of them classic old time movie stars – all turned up – and they were friendly, talkative, and VERY accessible. We recall Mamie Van Doran looking ultra-glamorous, but the biggest thrill for me was meeting George Chakiris from West Side Story. Remember – he played the hot Puerto Rican gang member in the purple shirt (and he could DANCE!) George was sweet and I told him his movie character had changed my life. As a Chicago teen I had never even MET a Puerto Rican, so I vowed to go to New York someday and look for a boyfriend like George’s character Bernardo. (Yes, I did, but my bf looked more like Jimi Hendrix, which was fine.) George laughed at my story and he was a pleasure to meet. Thanks to Norby Walters, a dream of mine came true!
Photo; West Side Story- Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris
Was Tina Turner’s death something she took charge of? The iconic star passed away from a plethora of illnesses including kidney failure, but a music insider speculates that Tina orchestrated her passing on HER terms. In the months leading up to her death, Tina reconnected with everyone she felt was important in her life, from Cher to Oprah. The insider says that this went on for months. During some of these talks and visits she hinted that she soon planned to stop her daily dialysis treatments and pass away on her own terms. She no longer wanted to live connected to a machine on a daily basis. The insider says that while her last years weren’t the easiest, her passing was peaceful – she was surrounded by flowers, photos, her favorite mementos, and music.
