TAKE FIVE FOR "THE INTERVIEW"

Chrissie Hynde

As promised (and I always keep my promises) I thought that it would be fun to randomly think of just "5" personalities I'd like to feature on "THE INTERVIEW" and make a note explaining my choices. Of course, there are more people I'd love to interview! But let's start here and have some fun.

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While in Chicago on a business trip, I waited to meet fellow blogger and Comedian Andy Martello at The Hard Rock Cafe. I had a salad and a drink at the bar. Immediately in front of me were three vertically stacked TV screens. Suddenly, live concert footage began to roll and I took note of an attractive lead singer playing a Fender Telecaster electric guitar. She was perspiring a bit and her eyeliner was a bit runny, but she caught my attention. There was only one problem. I couldn't come up with her name that afternoon to save my life! But wait. It gets worse! You know you're stressed when you similarly recognize but can't name the opening strains of the hit song "Back On The Chain Gang". Thankfully there were no psychics in the restaurant that afternoon or they would have heard me screaming my private thoughts: "C'mon, moron! THINK! You've seen this girl before! WHO IS SHE!" God, I felt pathetic. So, when the performance by The Pretenders ended, the bartender heard my confession and granted me the name of the girl who somehow made it out of Akron, Ohio (I know, can you believe it?) and eventually became famous after years of paying dues in bands in the U.S. and the U.K. So, you think I could come up with some interesting questions for Chrissie Hynde? Better believe it!

Raquel Welch

As a kid, one of the coolest Moms on the street I grew up on in Cincinnati, Ohio (it's okay, I survived it) drove my best buddy and me to (the now defunct) Globe Records store where plain clothes police detectives regularly raided the place for allegedly selling drugs. All we knew as kids was that a lot of great looking "older girls" from the local high school walked in and curiously disappeared in the back of the store through the Black Light Poster Room. We each spent two-dollars on a huge poster of Raquel Welch. We're talking door length here, folks. Yes, Raquel was naked but her long hair covered up everything in that black and white poster. My mother was horrified when she discovered it taking up three fourths of the back of my bedroom door! I had to "get rid of it". So, I gave it to my oldest brother. Today, I'm still convinced I could go to the mat with Charlie Rose on a fascinating interview--or should I say "Fantastic Voyage" (start Googling). I've always been fascinated with this sex symbol of the 70's, 80's, 90's and Today. At least I could remember her name!

Paul Newman

Paul Newman has been a Hero of mine for as long as I can remember. From the age of 6, I began a love affair with automobiles and like Paul, I later came to love watching car races on television. I challenge anyone to name a movie character Paul has created that wasn't just amazing in films ranging from "Cool Hand Luke" to "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid" to "The Verdict" and "Nobody's Fool". I love Paul's commitment to children facing serious illness and I support his labor of love, "The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp" each year. Paul is as passionate about his open wheel car racing team in C.A.R.T. as he is in donating millions of dollars for more than two decades from sales of his grocery brand of Salad Dressings and Pasta Sauces under the "Newman's Own" brand label. When Larry King asked Paul what his first thoughts were upon seeing his wife and actress Joanne Woodward for the first time, Paul paused and said quietly, "I think I'd like to keep that one to myself. That's very personal to me". Class all the way!

Neile McQueen Toffel (aka Neile Adams)

Next March, McQueenonline will be linking to my Annual Blogsite feature "The Steve McQueen Film Festival". This is a labor of love for me and this year, 6,941 bloggers stopped by to check out my salute to "The King of Cool". While no interview is ever certain due to scheduling conflicts and more, I have a request in to Neile McQueen Toffel's agent to consider allowing me the privilege of welcoming Neile to "THE INTERVIEW" as my Special Guest. A family friend loaned me the VHS movie featuring Neile called "This Could Be The Night" and it tickled me. I just knew this lady had a sense of humor. But aside from being married to Steve McQueen, Neile today remains an amazing singer, dancer and sparkling personality whose own life story is captivating and unforgettable. I loved reading her book. She is a Classy Lady, so let's keep our finger's crossed!

Robert Redford

My first recollection of seeing a Robert Redford film on the big screen was the movie "Jeremiah Johnson". His razor-sharp instincts are a trademark of every single film role he has accepted from "Barefoot in the Park" with Jane Fonda, to "All the President's Men" with Dustin Hoffman, his directorial turn in "Ordinary People" (with Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland), "Legal Eagles" with Debra Winger and "The Milagro Bean Field War". This dedicated environmentalist has no airs about his celebrity, and his Annual Sundance Film Festival continues to inspire and support the very best in Independent Film. We'd have much to talk about, I assure you!

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Ciao for Now!