July 22, 2017

45 RPMs 17: Cat People & John Heard

12" 45 RPM single album cover detail
detail photo by Styrous®


John Matthew Heard Jr. died yesterday, July 21, 2017. The list of the films he starred in and the actors with whom he performed is astounding. It was difficult to decide which of his films to feature for this blog; I settled on Cat People as it is my favorite of his films. And I could have used the soundtrack album, which I have, but I settled on the 12" single by David Bowie, Putting Out Fire, because I love this song.      



David Bowie ~ Putting Out Fire
title song from Cat People
12" 45 RPM single album cover
photo by Styrous®


Putting Out Fire is a great piece that rocks out. It has a quiet start then goes into a driving dance beat that worked extremely well in discos. The beat of the song is sustained by a fantastically complicated drum. The video for the song features stylized scenes from the film (link below).   


title song from Cat People
12" 45 RPM single record 
photo by Styrous®


John Heard was born on March 7, 1945 in Washington, D.C. His mother was involved in the arts and appeared in community theater; his father, worked for the office of the Secretary of Defense. He attended Gonzaga College High School, Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C.     

He appeared on the stage, television, film and off-Broadway. He won Obie Awards for his performances in Othello and Split in 1979–80.    

In 1982 he played the lover of Nastassja Kinski in the film, Cat People, which was a remake of the 1942 film, Cat People, a horror film produced by Val Lewton and directed by Jacques Tourneur.    

Cat People - 1942 


Cat People is a 1982 American erotic horror film directed by Paul Schrader. It stars Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell; John Heard, Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley, Jr., Scott Paulin, and Frankie Faison play supporting roles. Jerry Bruckheimer served as executive producer. Alan Ormsby wrote the screenplay, basing it loosely on the story by DeWitt Bodeen, the screenwriter for the original Cat People (1942). Giorgio Moroder composed the film's score, including the theme song, which features lyrics and vocals by David Bowie. A re-recorded version of the song appears on the album by Bowie, Let's Dance.     


photo by Styrous®

Giorgio Moroder composed the film's score, including the theme song. The lyrics were written by David Bowie who also sang the song.  

 Giorgio Moroder ~ Paul's Theme
song from Cat People
12" 45 RPM single record 
photo by Styrous®

Giorgio was born Giovanni Giorgio Moroder (Italian: [dʒoˈvanni ˈdʒordʒo moˈrɔːder] on the 26th of April, 1940. He is an Italian singer, songwriter, DJ and record producer. Moroder is frequently credited with pioneering Italo disco and electronic dance music.       


 
 Giorgio Moroder ~ Paul's Theme
song from Cat People
12" 45 RPM single record label
photo by Styrous®



John Heard married actress Margot Kidder in 1979. On July 21, 2017, he was found dead in a hotel in Palo Alto, California, where he was reportedly recovering after undergoing back surgery. He was 71 years old.   



Tracklist:

Side 1:

David Bowie ~ Cat People (Putting Out Fire), written by Bowie* - 6:41    

Side 2:

Giorgio Moroder - Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase), written by G. Moroder*

Credits:

    Producer, Written-By – Giorgio Moroder
    Written-By – David Bowie

Notes:

Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Barcode (Side 1 (Etched)): MCA-2971 AZ1 [flower]
    Barcode (Side 2 (Etched)): MCA-2972 AZ1 [flower]
    Barcode (Both Sides (Stamped)): MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.

David Bowie ‎– Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
Label: Backstreet Records ‎– L33-1759
Format: Vinyl, 12", Promo
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop


Viewfinder Link:     
       
David Bowie     
     
Net Links:     
       
Filmography     
Variety obit
Rolling Stone obit         
New York Daily News obit      BBC News obit   
ABC News obit   
CNN obit             
NBC news obit                           
     
YouTube Links:     
       
David Bowie ~ Cat People (Putting Out Fire)    
        
         
         
          
John Heard - 1949 - 2017
photo by Jeff Vespa



"If Martin Scorsese thinks you stink, you stink." 
                         ~ John Matthew Heard Jr.  




Styrous® ~ Saturday, July 22, 2017         








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