Dacia James What Fame Means To Me

What Fame Means To Me Dacia James (Dancer & Choreographer)

“As a child, I vividly remember the day I told my mom that I wanted to be like Debbie Allen from ‘Fame,’” James said. “I didn’t know at the time that the job was called a choreographer. I don’t think I even understood what that job entailed. All I knew is that I loved dancing, and I just wanted to be the one bringing the creativity".

Reginald Lawrence What Fame Means To Me

What Fame Means To Me by Reginald Lawrence


Fame opened up an entire world of possibilities for me.  Leroy (gene) - opened up a world of dance  for me.  When Fame began I was 14.  I had NEVER seen BLACK people on television celebrated the way that Gene and Debbie were.  They made me wanna dance.  From Dance I moved on to Theater and have been producing, writing, and performing for over twenty years.

My DVR is set to Ovation-  My two boys and I watch fame reruns together regularly.  I still talk to my high school dance teacher who looks surprisingly like Debbie Allen (even now).  I regularly ache for the loss of Gene- because he was such a symbol for me when I was a teen.

Your site helped me renew my connection.  I have spent my entire professional life with some little part of me connected to the influence of that show.  It's important to know that it is not nostalgia for many of us-  it's an active engaged life in the arts that was nurtured by that 30 year old t.v show.   You and it are a pleasant reminder that we all still share important connections and what we create has value that may never be apparent to those of us who do the creating.  

Gene never knew what he meant to me.  Debbie does not know either.  I never wrote to them to say thank you.  But I am writing to you-- because sometimes you do need a little reminder of how important your efforts are to others.

Erica Gimpel on Fame

"People tell me, Coco inspired them to follow their dreams!"

"Sometimes you meet someone in the business and they tell you how Fame inspired them. Then I think, ‘Wow! I helped to make a difference.’

“I still feel very proud of the show’s message.”

Erica Gimpel.

It's a Sonata Mozart - Instrumental

"It's A Sonata Mozart" comes from the season one episode "The Sell Out" and is based on Mozart's Sonata in C Major.

Download MP3 

Could We Be Magic Like You - Lee Curreri & Debbie Allen

"Could We Be Magic Like You" comes from the season 1 episode "The Sell Out". Written by Lee Curreri it is is performed by Lee with Debbie Allen and Lori Singer on the Cello.

Download  MP3 

Hi Fidelity - Valerie Landsburg

"Hi Fidelity" comes from the season 1 episode "The Sell Out" where it was performed by Valerie Landsburg, Lee Curreri and Carlo Imperato. Written by Enid Levine the album version only features Valerie singing.

Download Episode MP3 

Download Album MP3

"Hi fidelity" Jay B's Synth Mix.

With Thanks To Jeremy for sending this to me. 

Download MP3 

Valerie Landsburg Discusses "Hi Fidelity" 

Song Of Joy Billy Preston

"Song Of Joy" comes from the season 3 episode "A Way Of Winning" where it was written and Performed by Billy Preston.

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Elaine Prescott What Fame Means To Me

What Fame Means to me by Elaine Prescott:

"Fame" meant a lot to me almost from the start of the first series shown over here in the UK in 1982.  It was a show that had a quality of its own and at the time, I couldn't quite work out how a series like that could have so many different, fabulous stories every week, that included music and dancing as well!

I also play the piano, so that was an added connection

My favourite members of the cast at the beginning were Lee and Valerie, although as the years went on, I began to see Erica in a whole different light and was amazed at her endless energy and her lovely singing voice.

On a really personal level, I think my favourite episodes were those that featured Lee a lot (!), but more seriously the two that Jimmy Osmond appeared in as Troy Phillips will always mean a lot to me.  As I use a wheelchair myself, I was really pleased that the subject of disabilities of all kinds could be used in such a powerful way in a very popular show.

I had the opportunity to see the "Kids" live when they came to London at Easter 1983 and that was a very special evening to me, as I was seeing all these wonderful people, who made the characters so believable LIVE!  Although Carlo came and sat quite near to where I was sitting, I wasn't able to get his autograph. 

However, in 1999 when I became in Internet user, I found Pam's web-page and "Yahoo group" and at the time, thought I was the only person who was still really enthusiastic about the show!  How wrong I was!!

Through Sue Hinds, who is a member of Pam's "Yahoo Group" I (and a few others) had the chance to meet Valerie when she came to London in April 2001.  It was an amazing evening and as Sue picked me up in her car first, then went to get Val and her daughter,  I was sitting there, just listening to them chatting and I kept thinking of the scene in "Winners" when Doris made herself ill when she wanted to be like Coco.  It was a surreal experience, as I could remember Doris lying on the bed, when Miss Sherwood went to see how she was and offer some advice, yet at the same time thinking, "This fabulous actress is sitting right behind me now!!"  My only regret of the meeting was that I was a bit too "starstruck" and hardly spoke to her all evening, but when she was standing behind me for photos, I remember clinging on to her hands for dear life!!  It was a very memorable evening and I'll be forever grateful to Sue for giving me that chance to meet Val.

These are my thoughts of a fabulous TV programme that still means as much to me as it did when it was first on the BBC all those years ago, and it will always be special to me.

To Soar Ballet For Kathy William Goldstein

To Soar - Ballet For Kathy comes from the season 1 episode "To Soar and Never Falter". Composed by William Goldstein this comes from his "Music Of Fame" album.

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Ian Footitt What Fame Means To Me

What Fame Means To Me Ian Footitt


I was into fame but being 18 I kept it to myself, as my 3 brothers would of ripped into me? We was all boys of the town, going to gigs with our "Jam" albums and I know if I had turned up with my "Kids From Fame" album they would of had a field day, so I guess I'm now coming out of the closet??? 


I remember summer 82/83 watching "The Strike" then going out to cut my Mum's grass and couldn't get the "Desdemona" song out of my head lol. 


Loved it but had to keep this to myself, even now at 27...ishh...ok 47 my girlfriend still looks at me as if I'm an alien cus I say I've been blasting Kids From Fame out on my pc???? 


So yeah I'm out now and just glad that after all these years the Kids From Fame are still so popular. Your site is great and thank you. 


By the way I like all kinds of music but "Desdemona" would be up there in my top ten. Five even?? 


By the way green leggins and a tight lyrca suit on a 47 year old just looks wrong?? but its ok I keep the curtains closed..: )

Alone In The Crowd - Lee Curreri

"Alone In The Crowd" Written and performed by Lee Curreri, comes from the season 1 episode of the same name.

Download MP3 

Download Jay LB Fly Alone Mix.

With thanks to Jeremy for sending me this.

We Got The Power - Gene Anthony Ray, Erica Gimpel, Lee Curreri

"We Got The Power" From the Season 1 Episode "Alone In The Crowd", Written by Barry Fasman and Steve Sperry. It is performed by Erica Gimpel and Gene Anthony Ray. In the episode version Lee Curreri can also be heard on backing vocals. 

Download Episode MP3 

Download Album MP3

This extended remix of "We Got The Only Power" was only released on Promo 12 inch single. Here's video I made for the mix.

Download 12 inch MP3

Download the Jay LB No Electric Mix

Thanks to Jeremy for sending me this.

Cynthia Gibb On Fame

"Fame was the best job anyone could have hoped for. The best gig there ever was."

"I was a huge fan, and I was so intimidated to work with all these people,"

 "It was so much fun. It was exhausting but exhilarating."

 Cynthia Gibb.

Alan Parker Interview on Fame

Alan Parker Interview on Fame.

I Can Do Anything Beter Than You Can Erica Gimpel

"I Can Do Anything Better Than You Can" comes from the season 1 episode "Tomorrow's Farewll. Performed by Erica Gimpel & Debbie Allen, it is Written by David Wolfert and Sandy Linzer.


Download MP3

Download I Can Do anything Better Than You Can Jay LB's Sweat Mix.

With thanks to Jay B for sending me this. 

I Still Believe In Me - Debbie Allen & Erica Gimpel

"I Still believe In Me" performed by Debbie Allen and Erica Gimpel, comes from the season 1 episode "Passing Grade" and is Written by Gary Portnoy and Susan Sheridan.

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Doris Schwartz Time and Again Season 3 Episode 1

Season 3 of my fan fiction story "Doris Schwartz Time and Again" starts with Episode 1 titled "Pick Up The Broken Pieces Part 1". The title comes from the season 4 song "Broken Pieces".

Previously on "Doris Schwartz Time and Again":

 

Middle aged Doris Schwartz had somehow found herself back in the 80s at the school of the arts, where her teenage self had been a student. Interacting with her old friends and the school’s faculty had disrupted the time line and when Doris tried to save her friend Nicole Chapman dying in a car accident it had dire consequences, resulting in Danny Amatullo being killed instead. All this disruption had meant that differing time lines had merged into one and her friends from 6 different years had all met up together at a hospital. All now stood watching Doris awaiting some kind of explanation from her...

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Michael Cerveris Evita Press Conference

Press conference for the Broadway revival of "Evita" starring Michael Cerveris, Elena Roger and Ricky Martin.