Welcome to The Dead Divas Lounge, the podcast where glamour, music, and legacy collide! Join the fabulous drag queen pianist/singer Amiss Tori, along with her endlessly patient manager, James, as they take you on a whirlwind journey through the lives of iconic musical divas from years gone by.
In each episode we’ll explore the glittering world of a different diva, exploring the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the smoky cabarets of Paris to the roaring jazz clubs of Harlem, The Dead Divas Lounge is your backstage pass to the stories that shaped the music industry.
Get ready for laughter, tears, and a healthy dose of sass as Amiss Tori tickles the ivories and spills the tea on the most unforgettable divas of yesteryear. Whether it's the sultry sounds of Billie Holiday, the magnetic presence of Josephine Baker, or the timeless ballads of Édith Piaf, this podcast is your front-row seat to the golden era of musical legends.
So, grab your feather boa, pour yourself a martini, and join us in The Dead Divas Lounge. It's not just a podcast; it's a glittering celebration of the extraordinary women who paved the way for the divas of today. Let the music play and the stories unfold – because the divas may be gone, but their legacies are forever.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to The Dead Divas Lounge, the podcast where glamour, music, and legacy collide! Join the fabulous drag queen pianist/singer Amiss Tori, along with her endlessly patient manager, James, as they take you on a whirlwind journey through the lives of iconic musical divas from years gone by.
In each episode we’ll explore the glittering world of a different diva, exploring the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the smoky cabarets of Paris to the roaring jazz clubs of Harlem, The Dead Divas Lounge is your backstage pass to the stories that shaped the music industry.
Get ready for laughter, tears, and a healthy dose of sass as Amiss Tori tickles the ivories and spills the tea on the most unforgettable divas of yesteryear. Whether it's the sultry sounds of Billie Holiday, the magnetic presence of Josephine Baker, or the timeless ballads of Édith Piaf, this podcast is your front-row seat to the golden era of musical legends.
So, grab your feather boa, pour yourself a martini, and join us in The Dead Divas Lounge. It's not just a podcast; it's a glittering celebration of the extraordinary women who paved the way for the divas of today. Let the music play and the stories unfold – because the divas may be gone, but their legacies are forever.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of The Dead Divas Lounge we celebrate the life and legacy of the iconic George Michael. Our special guest is Ammar Kalia, a seasoned journalist, author, and broadcaster with a wealth of experience across the media and music landscape.
Ammar is currently Global music critic and a features writer for The Guardian as well as writing for some of the most prestigious music publications including Crack, Downbeat, Apple Music, Hyphen, Jazzwise, Composer Magazine, The Economist, Mixmag, Vinyl Factory, WePresent, The British Library, BBC Proms, Huck, Dazed, Beat, M Magazine, The Times Literary Supplement, Clash, TANK and The Quietus.
Ammar is also the author of the poetry collection, Kintsugi: Jazz Poems for Musicians Alive and Dead and the stunning new novel 'A Person Is A Prayer' published by Old Castle Books.
In this episode, we explore the many facets of George Michael's life—from his early days as one-half of Wham! to his evolution into a solo superstar with hits like "Faith" and "Careless Whisper."
We dive into George Michael’s battles with fame, his struggles with personal identity, and his courageous journey as an LGBTQ+ icon who used his platform to advocate for equality and charity. Together, we reflect on his profound influence on pop culture, his complex personal life, and the timeless music that continues to resonate with fans around the world. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about one of pop music’s most enduring and beloved figures.
We also discuss the broader themes within Ammar's new novel, 'A Person Is A Prayer', of death, legacy, strong women and the men who hold them dear.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Clapping
06:43 Introducing Ammar Kalia and His Work
12:52 Reflections on Death, Legacy, and Art
19:52 Blending Autobiography and Fiction in Writing
28:56 Choosing George Michael as the Diva of Focus
32:52 The Emotional Power of George Michael's Music
33:12 The Art of Making Covers Your Own
37:13 Emotions and Moods in George Michael's Music
41:07 Challenging the Perception of Divas
44:23 The Lasting Impact of George Michael's Music
53:46 The Timelessness of George Michael's Songs
01:18:56 George Michael: An Unapologetic Gay Artist
01:19:26 The Comparison: George Michael vs. Freddie Mercury
01:20:08 Masculinity and Sexuality: George Michael's Authenticity
01:21:08 The Surprise of George Michael's Coming Out
01:22:07 Societal Expectations and the Idea of a National Treasure
01:22:29 George Michael's Unapologetic Authenticity
01:23:25 The Changing Perception of Messiness and Sexuality
01:24:03 Surprising Differences in Monthly Listeners
01:26:46 George Michael's Memorable Quotes
01:39:05 Ammar Kalia's Upcoming Projects
Find out more about Ammar Kalia here: ammarkalia.com
Order 'A Person Is A Prayer' here: https://bit.ly/3Zzypee / Amazon: https://bit.ly/3Vhe6j5
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.