Latest news with #Killers
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Donna Vickroy: Chicago's long history with grisly killings, and why we're so fascinated
We're obsessed with murder. Murders in the building, on the Orient Express, in the Rue Morgue. From Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot to Steve Martin's Charles Haden-Savage, murder detectives are among the most celebrated of fictional characters. But nothing captivates like true crime, whether we're a shocked and outraged member of the audience or an amateur sleuth trying to get to the bottom of things. Chicago historian Clarence Goodman gives all kinds of presentations, from talks about the Black Sox to a look at the Kennedys in Chicago, but when the topic is murder, 'the place is packed.' Goodman, a musician and radio personality, presents 'A Killer Among Us (Part 2): Killers, Stalkers, and Creeps of Chicago's Modern Era' at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Tinley Park Public Library. And, same as Part 1 a year ago, he expects the audience to take notes and ask lots of questions. 'The obsession with murder in this country is something I have been acutely aware of ever since I got into this about 20 years ago,' Goodman said. He started as a tour guide covering all kinds of topics in Chicago history but whenever the subject turned to grisly killings, he said, 'people hang on every word.' According to a recent YouGov poll, 57% of Americans say they consume true-crime content. Popularity is high across all demographics, but mostly among women under age 65. It's not just an entertaining topic, the poll reveals, 'it is seen by many Americans as having the potential to change how people understand crime and the criminal-justice system.' More than half of the fans say true-crime entertainment makes people more vigilant and safety-conscious, improves understanding of the criminal justice system, increases empathy with victims, and helps to solve cases that wouldn't have been solved otherwise, the poll states. Goodman says women are the biggest fans, perhaps because throughout history they have been extraordinarily marginalized and mistreated by a lot of men. And most often, men are the ones doing the killing. 'Maybe that's the root of the fascination,' he said. 'Women and gay men seem to be the most common victims.' Goodman said, 'Maybe our fascination with death begins as little children. But then we learn about murder, about taking someone's life, about exerting that control, imposing one's will and power on another person. 'The most arrogant act in the world is killing another human being,' he said. Goodman divides his coverage of killers into three distinct presentations: The Gilded Age killers, from the notorious H.H. Holmes to organized crime; the post-War 1940s and on, which features the horrendous acts of John Wayne Gacy, Richard Speck and The Unabomber; and political/social manifestos, the people who serial and mass kill from a distance using rifles and bombs. At the Tinley presentation, he will focus on the second school of Chicago-area serial killers — killers of the modern era. Beginning in post-war 1940s, he said, there has been an incredible timeline of murders in this country, almost always with a Chicago thread. John Wayne Gacy, Richard Speck, Theodore Kaczynski will be discussed, as will Ed Gein, Wisconsin serial killer upon whom 'Psycho,' 'Silence of the Lambs' and 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' were based. Goodman, who gives his presentations at Chicago-area libraries and retirement homes, says he isn't trying to be the definitive voice, just one of the many delving into dark matter. 'People like to do their own digging, they get more excited about it. I want to get people excited about this, explain to them why this city is important. Among all the wonderful things Chicago gave us, it also gave us this,' he said. Why Chicago? Goodman said, 'It came of age during the Industrial Revolution. It blossomed like no other city in American history hitherto. So many people from so many different walks of life. It grew from a mudhole to a megalopolis overnight practically. 'The biggest confidante the serial killer has is anonymity granted by cities of a million or more people,' he said. In a town of a million or more, it's easy to go unnoticed, he said. It's easy to not care about neighbors. In addition to the Tinley gig, Goodman will present 'A Tale of Two Chicagos: The White City and the Murder Castle of Englewood' at the Helen Plum Memorial Library in Lombard on Oct. 1. For more information on these events and others, go to his website at or visit his Facebook page Is he ever taken aback by the evergreen popularity of Chicago's most notorious stories? 'I understand the interest,' he said. He opens his presentations with a brief explanation of what he's going to talk about: the most horrific killings. Then he scans the audience and, seeing everyone on the edge of their seats, chuckles and asks, 'What's wrong with all of you?'
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Brad Pitt Buys Los Angeles Home From Killers Guitarist for $12 Million
Hollywood star Brad Pitt has paid $12 million for a renovated Spanish-style house in Los Angeles, according to people familiar with the deal. The sellers are Dave Keuning, best known as the lead guitarist for the rock band the Killers, and his wife, interior designer Emilie Keuning. The couple listed the property in June for $13.999 million, according to Zillow. The Keunings bought the house for around $9.6 million in 2021 from Joel Simkhai, founder of the social-networking app Grindr, property records show. Pitt and the Keunings couldn't immediately be reached for comment. The house is located in a prestigious Hollywood Hills community called Outpost Estates, which has drawn celebrities including Orlando Bloom and Ben Affleck. Originally built around 1989, the stucco house spans around 8,385 square feet with six bedrooms, according to the listing. It has views from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. There is a double-height foyer with wood-beam ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Arched corridors leading to the main entertaining spaces. In the living room, black steel French doors open to the outside, and there is a tin-panel ceiling with a sunflower motif. Off the living room is an office space with built-ins and a floral ceiling light. Outside, there is a pool, tiered vegetable gardens and a barbecue area. A hand-laid brick motor court sits behind a gated entry. Pitt is currently starring in 'F1 The Movie.' The Oscar-winning actor is also known for movies like 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' 'Moneyball' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.' He is an architecture enthusiast, with a home in Carmel Highlands that he bought for $40 million in 2022. In 2023, Pitt sold his longtime compound in L.A.'s Los Feliz neighborhood for $33 million, records show. That year, he paid $5.5 million for a Midcentury house in Los Feliz. Pitt also co-owns Château Miraval, a winery in France, that has been at the center of a yearslong legal battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. David Parnes, Sam Collins and James Harris of Carolwood Estates had the listing for the Keuning house. Carolwood's Marci Kays and Jonathan Mogharrabi represented Pitt. The gated property has a hand-laid brick motorcourt. The living room has a tin-panel ceiling with a sunflower kitchen has a vaulted wood-beamed ceiling. There are six primary bathroom has a soaking tub. Market snapshot The number of luxury single-family home sales in L.A. rose 7.6% in the second quarter from the prior-year period, according to real-estate appraisal firm Miller Samuel. The median luxury single-family home sale price during the period was $13.75 million, up 6.5% from the second quarter of 2024. Write to E.B. Solomont at Brad Pitt Buys Los Angeles Home From Killers Guitarist for $12 Million Brad Pitt Buys Los Angeles Home From Killers Guitarist for $12 Million Brad Pitt Buys Los Angeles Home From Killers Guitarist for $12 Million Brad Pitt Buys Los Angeles Home From Killers Guitarist for $12 Million Brad Pitt Buys Los Angeles Home From Killers Guitarist for $12 Million
Metro
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Former Iron Maiden lead singer Paul Mario Day dies aged 69
Steve Charnock Published July 31, 2025 9:42am Updated July 31, 2025 9:42am Link is copied Comments Paul Mario Day, the original lead singer of the hugely adored heavy metal band Iron Maiden - and a key early stalwart in 70s and 80s UK rock music - has sadly died at the age of 69, following a battle with cancer. News of his death was confirmed by former bandmates in More, the group he founded after Maiden. They called him 'a huge part of the new wave of British heavy metal' and 'a well-loved figure in British rock music' (Picture:/Hulton Archive) Day was recruited by Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris in late 1975, becoming the band's very first frontman. He sang at their debut gig in Poplar, East London on 1 May, 1976, and performed regularly at a local pub in Stratford as the band built their early reputation. Despite being part of the band's formative period, Day's tenure was pretty short. He left Iron Maiden after just ten months, with the band claiming that he lacked the kind of showy stage presence they felt they required in order to push on as a group. His successor Dennis Wilcock also lasted less than two years for similar reasons. The band's fortunes changed with Paul Di'Anno and later Bruce Dickinson, who would become the group's defining voice (Picture: YouTube/Metal Talk) In a 2019 interview, Day reflected on his departure from the band: 'Steve was saying, 'You've got to get better. You've got to be more in the audience's face. You've got to be commanding. You've got to be a hero.' And I agreed with him, but I didn't actually know how to make that happen!' (Picture: Jo Hale/Redferns) 'I got a warning for maybe three months: 'Get it together. Get it together.' And I wanted to, I just didn't know how to do it. So the funny thing is, the worst experience was the best lesson because when I got that notice and I felt so gutted, it changed me. Iron Maiden at that time were nothing, honestly … What Steve was doing was trying to make the band big. He knew what he wanted. What he wanted is what he got. He got one of the biggest bands on the planet. As much as it hurt, as much as it upset me, I learnt a big lesson that day. I really did. I used that emotion, I guess, in my singing…' (Picture:/Hulton Archive) After Maiden, Day went on to form More in 1980. The band played the Donington Monsters of Rock festival the following year and opened for Iron Maiden on their Killers tour. He later fronted Wildfire and joined a reformed version of glam rock group Sweet. 'We needed a singer and when Paul arrived for the audition we looked no further,' said Sweet guitarist Andy Scott (Picture: ROMEO BOETZLE/AFP via Getty Images) Day eventually relocated to Australia, where he continued to perform and record music. In his later years, he was cared for in a hospice. He is survived by his wife Cecily (Picture:/Hulton Archive) Next Gallery
1News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 1News
Heavy metal: Iron Maiden's 50 years celebrated on new UK coins
The Royal Mint in the UK has unveiled a commemorative coin celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden is "spawned to be released". The heavy metal band has joined the likes of Queen, Elton John and David Bowie in the Royal Mint's 'music legends' coins series. Designed by Iron Maiden's artist Albert "Akirant" Quirantes, the design features the band's mascot Eddie as well as numerous hidden Easter eggs referencing the band's career, albums, and world tours. Quirantes said the coin was the "perfect fusion of metal on metal". "We expect it will prove to be a collector's piece that's highly sought after by both numismatists and passionate rock fans alike." ADVERTISEMENT It's estimated Iron Maiden has sold in excess of 100 million albums including Number Of The Beast, Killers and Powerslave. Each featured mascot Eddie on the album artwork. Iron Maiden's manager Rod Smallwood said having Eddie on an official UK coin was a continuation of of the band mascot's "incredible odyssey". "We've been on stamps, beer bottles, plane tails and now legal tender." Smallwood said the detail packed into the design was "superb". "There are little nods to virtually every chapter of our journey as a band. We're truly honoured that The Royal Mint has chosen to commemorate 50 years of Iron Maiden in such a unique way." The coins were available to buy from the Royal Mint from Tuesday (local time) for NZ$30 for a £5 denomination coin, and NZ$49 for a colour version. The collection also included a £200 available for NZ$11,541.
Edinburgh Reporter
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Review – Iron Maiden at The Hydro ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Around 95% of Iron Maiden supporters are expressing brand loyalty with a variety of t-shirts, including Eddie as 'The Clansman' in Braveheart warpaint. A number from across the globe are flag-ready in the front row. They sing along to every word of the UFO intro, Doctor Doctor, before Maiden begins with Murders In The Rue Morgue. Bandleader Steve Harris leans forward on the monitor and begins the rumbling bass line of Killers. Much-loved mascot Eddie bounds onto the stage with an axe, aiming to take out each member of the band one by one. Bruce Dickinson is just too quick on his feet, using every inch of the stage while holding his microphone stand in the air. Some fans may be old enough to remember the Lucozade advert featuring Olympic athlete Daley Thompson running to the epic riff of Phantom of The Opera. The song has lost none of its majesty, augmented with Dave Murray's exquisite guitar solos. For the heavier parts, Janick Gers stomps around the stage with manic glee. The mythology and storytelling aspect at the heart of Maiden keeps the audience in the palm of the band's hand. A case in point is Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which is bolstered by stunning graphics and pyrotechnics. Dickinson takes on various characters and dons several costume changes, among them a Dickensian persona in a top hat and black cloak holding a lantern during Fear Of The Dark. It's a cliche that most groups trot out, 'the audience is getting younger', but in Maiden's case, there are several small children who love every minute, especially the appearances of Eddie and for them, a Horrible Histories aspect to the show. The talismanic mascot returns for The Trooper, another fan favourite that finds Dickinson in a redcoat while flying at Saltire. This galloping classic remains one of the most arresting metal tracks of all time. Added to the demographic are many female fans who are well represented in the front rows. It's a hit-filled set list which includes the top ten single Run To The Hills, this writer spent his pocket money on the record back in 1982. I still have it to this day, and what a thrill it is to see it performed live and take in those solos by Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. Maiden has been an exceptional live act for close to 50 years, but even veteran gig-goers suggest they are as good live as they ever were. Perhaps the highlight was Aces High supported by Churchill's 'We shall fight on the beaches' speech, Spitfires on the big screen, air-raid sirens and beams of light over the audience. Dickinson manages to hit every impossible note (still in its original key) as the triple guitar assault reaches its peak. What else is left to say but 'Up the Irons', they remain one of the best live draws on the global circuit. All photos Richard Purden Like this: Like Related
