Jay Weston, who was working as a publicist when a chance meeting with Billie Holiday at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival would lead to the producing of her 1972 biopic ‘Lady Sings The Blues,’ died February 28. He was 93
For Love of IvyIn his sole excursion to Broadway, Weston produced the storied 1968 production of Don Petersen’s playBorn John Weinstein on March 9, 1929, in Brooklyn, Weston and his younger brother Stan lost their mother at a young age, and were raised by their opera-enthusiast father and jazz pianist stepmother. .
The familial love of music would hold Weston in good stead: When he met the great jazz singer Holiday at the Newport fest he became intrigued by her newly published memoir. In a“I met Billie Holiday in 1958 at the Newport Jazz Festival,” he recalled. “She said to me, ‘Some guy just wrote a biography of me calledAnd most of it’s true, but a lot of it isn’t.’ I read the book and I said to her agent, ‘I want to make a movie out of it.’ He said, ‘Give me $5,000 and I’ll think about it.
Weston also recalled that how the film’s Oscar-nominated star Diana Ross became involved in the project that would become her feature film debut. “I wanted Diana Ross to do it because she said in amagazine interview that she had wanted to play Billie Holiday,” Weston said. “I finally went to see her and her manager said, No way, she won’t play a Black junkie.’ After two or three turn-downs, I went back with the director, Sidney Furie, and she ended up in the movie. Then I got Billy Dee Williams.
Weston had attended to New York University as a pre-med student before switching to an arts curriculum. After earning a BA, he began his career in publicity before being drafted and sent to Korea in 1952. There he started a newspaper,After his discharge, he returned to New York and started a publicity firm representing many young stars including Paul Anka. He became public relations counsel for Cinerama Inc.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $400 Shoulder Bag for Just $89 - E! OnlineThis Kate Spade Weston Shoulder Bag is chic, functional, and on sale for 78% off.
Read more »
Roy Kim sings 'Flower' for 'Call it Love' OST | allkpopRoy Kim is the voice behind 'Flower' for the 'Call it Love' OST.The music video features scenes from the past and present …
Read more »
DIA's Jooeun sings 'The First Moment' for 'Kokdu: Season of Deity' OST | allkpopDIA's Jooeun is the voice behind 'The First Moment' for the 'Kokdu: Season of Deity' OST.The music video features…
Read more »
Jay Leno Shows Off New Face on The Kelly Clarkson Show“That’s a brand new ear!”
Read more »
Jay Leno Shows His 'Brand New Face' During 'Kelly Clarkson Show'Leno suffered third-degree burns while fixing a vintage car back in November.
Read more »
Jay Leno shows off 'new face' after suffering third-degree burnsJay Leno discusses the horrific accident that led to third-degree burns on his face in a new interview on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.'
Read more »