TRAGIC DESCENT: FORMER TEEN HEARTTHROB LEIF GARRETT’S LIFE TAKES A DARK TURN

In my opinion, it seems that the artistic and performance contributions of teenage heartthrob Leif Garrett are not adequately recognized. He warranted greater acknowledgment!

Across his journey, the one-time teen idol faced significant triumphs and setbacks. Unfortunately, his pursuit of highs through drug addiction, employed as a coping mechanism, ultimately led to the decline of his career…

Before observing him in his current state at 61, it might be advisable to brace yourself.

He was quite the heartthrob… Leif Garrett began his career as a child actor, and in the 1970s, he captured the admiration of young women when he transitioned to become a musician.

According to my mom, during trips to the grocery store with her parents, Leif’s face graced the covers of various teen magazines at the checkout lanes, causing a stir among fans.

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Leif Garrett Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The American singer-actor, born in Hollywood, California, made his debut at the age of 5 in the 1969 movie “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” which ranked as the sixth highest-grossing film of the year.

Following this, the dreamy-eyed, blond heartthrob starred in the film “Walking Tall” and its two sequels. In 1983, he joined other teen heartthrobs, such as Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise, in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.”

Some may also recognize him from his roles in TV series like “Family,” “The Odd Couple” (1974), “Wonder Woman” (1978), and “CHiPs” (1979).

In 1977, he launched his inaugural album, “Leif Garret,” causing a fan frenzy with covers of popular songs such as “The Wanderer” (Dion), “Surfin’ USA” (The Beach Boys), and Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Leif Garrett Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

At the peak of his success, Garrett, with his blond, unkempt hair, toured globally, eliciting ecstatic reactions from his predominantly young female fans.

“I was on a public appearance tour in Sydney, Australia, and they had to fly me in by helicopter. Then, I jumped into an armored car and drove into the theater through the back door. I’ve tried using a limo there before, but the fans almost tipped it over. I guess it’s an adrenaline rush for them. They just freak out. It’s very strange,” Garrett shared with New York Daily News in 1979.

Despite his music nearing the top of the charts, he grappled with management issues that made him feel like an “impostor.” The transition to adulthood posed another challenge for Garrett.

“I believe I was a good performer from the start, but I wish they had offered me singing lessons before making a record and engaging in the typical practice of punching in a sentence here or there or words or whatever,” Garrett stated in an interview.

“There’s a particular track (‘I Was Looking for Someone to Love’) that doesn’t even sound like me at all. I would even possibly say I wasn’t even on that track. And to me, that IS fraud. That’s like a Milli Vanilli situation, the difference being, of course, mine was blended many times with myself and somebody else.”

In 1979, Garrett’s career took a nosedive when, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, he crashed a car, sending it rolling down a hillside in North Hollywood. This tragic incident left his close friend Ronald Winkler paralyzed.

However, Garrett’s life took a further negative turn. In 1980, during what he describes as “the pinnacle of pinup fame,” he indulged in a lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll alongside the iconic Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. This period coincided with the recording of Queen’s highly successful album “The Game,” featuring hits like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” Garrett formed a friendship with the band, experiencing the real rock star life complete with girls and drugs.

Reflecting on this tumultuous time in an interview with Fox for the release of his memoir, “Idol Truth,” Garrett admitted, “I don’t think I was a very mature 16-year-old. I became mature very quickly because I was always surrounded by adults who were drinking and doing coke. I was a child, but being treated as an adult… And all of this was coming out of my pocket.”

He continued, “You know, I probably have the greatest fan base that I could ever imagine for myself. They have stuck with me through thick and thin. And as you know, I’ve gotten myself in plenty of bad situations. There was a lot of bad decision-making. But at the same time, I didn’t have the parental guidance that I should have at that time.”

Indie Stock Music Festival at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera California on October 28, 2017-

Garrett has accumulated a lengthy list of charges, including dropping out of rehabilitation and encountering various legal issues. These incidents involved attempting to purchase drugs from undercover police and concealing heroin in his shoe.

Despite earnest attempts to rebuild his life and career, Garrett eventually regressed into his old habits. Due to his comical encounters with the law, Garrett was chosen to provide commentary on the comedy show “World’s Dumbest,” which highlights the antics of “most amazingly stupid” criminals.

The program also featured other celebrities known for their personal misadventures, such as Todd Bridges, Tonya Harding, Gary Busey, and Danny Bonaduce.

Subsequently, Garrett secured a prominent role on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” a show he initially resisted participating in. Garrett accused the show of inducing a relapse for dramatic effect, a claim vehemently denied by VH1.

In an interview the LA Times, Garrett said: “They asked to get some footage of me using, and I said, ‘I haven’t been using. They said, ‘We really have to get footage of you using.’ Anyway, I was easily talked into showing them.”

When a counselor with the production called him out, suggesting he was still using, Garrett walked off the show saying: “This is insanity and quite honestly I don’t appreciate it.”

At 77, Dolly has confirmed that the rumors are true. I don’t care who you are or what you think of Dolly Parton, this is a courageous step for her to take, and we wish her the best

Dolly Parton has been there and done pretty much all there is to do in the music industry.

And yet… and yet the country music icon is still finding ways to challenge herself and broaden her scope of magnificence.

As per reports, fans the world over are reacting with joy over reports that Dolly is finally set to release her first-ever rock album! You may remember that the 77-year-old was inducted into the Hollywood Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, one year on from having turned down the nomination as she felt she hadn’t “earned the right”.

Though Dolly eventually accepted her entry, it would appear she’s eager to ensure no one can say she doesn’t belong. Dolly previously promised to release a rock album to commemorate her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we now have a release date!

If sources are to be believed, Parton was initially reluctant to be in the conversation for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Jolene singer was said to be of the opinion that since her career consists mostly of country music, others were perhaps more suited.

In the end, however, the people spoke, and voters decided that Dolly did belong there. In November 2022 she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and immediately set about trying to ensure that her selection was justified.

Her new rock album is now one step closer to becoming a reality, with Dolly herself having confirmed it will be titled ‘Rockstar’ and is due to drop November 17.

As per reports, there are 30 tracks in total on the album, nine of which are original. The remaining 21 consist of collaborations with other artists and feature new versions of tracks made famous by said featuring artist. A new take on Every Breath You Take by Sting will be on the album, for example, as will Wrecking Ball by Dolly’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus

Other distinguished guests set to appear on the album include Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, and Steven Tyler.

Reflecting on her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly told The View earlier this year:

“I just didn’t feel like I had earned it but they explained to me why I was in it and all that so I said, ‘Well, if you insist on giving it to me, I’ll take it’.”

“But if I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to do something to earn it.”

The full list of songs on the album is reportedly as follows:

‘Rockstar’ (special guest Richie Sambora)
‘World on Fire’
‘Every Breath You Take’ (feat. Sting)
‘Open Arms’ (feat. Steve Perry)
‘Magic Man’ (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
‘Long As I Can See the Light’ (feat. John Fogerty)
‘Either Or’ (feat. Kid Rock)
‘I Want You Back’ (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
‘What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You’ (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
‘Purple Rain’
‘Baby, I Love Your Way’ (feat. Peter Frampton)
‘I Hate Myself for Loving You’ (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
‘Night Moves’ (feat. Chris Stapleton)
‘Wrecking Ball’ (feat. Miley Cyrus)
‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
‘Keep on Loving You’ (feat. Kevin Cronin)
‘Heart of Glass’ (feat. Debbie Harry)
‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ (feat. Elton John)
‘Tried to Rock and Roll Me’ (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
‘Stairway to Heaven’ (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
‘We Are the Champions’
‘Bygones’ (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
‘My Blue Tears’ (feat. Simon Le Bon)
‘What’s Up?’ (feat. Linda Perry)
‘You’re No Good’ (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
‘Heartbreaker’ (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
‘Bittersweet’ (feat. Michael McDonald)
‘I Dreamed About Elvis’ (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
‘Let It Be’ (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
‘Free Bird’ (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)

As per Billboard, Dolly said in a statement: “I am very honoured and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time, and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure.

“I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

I’m so happy to see Dolly still making music and still enjoying her work even at 77!

Are you a fan of Dolly Parton and her music? Let us know in the comments box.

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