People: Gandolfini joins Jersey hall of fame
New Jersey inducted the late “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini into its Hall of Fame on Thursday, hoping no one will ever fuhgeddaboudhim.
Five cast members of the hit HBO drama were on hand as Gandolfini, who played mob boss Tony Soprano, was honored, as much for his love of the state as for his TV fame.
“Hey, J stands for Jersey and for Jimmy,” said Vincent Pastore, who played mobster Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero. “Jimmy should be remembered for his work, for his love of his family and for his compulsion to let people know how great New Jersey is. It was beyond perfect that he played a mob boss from New Jersey.”
Gandolfini was a Westwood native. He graduated from Rutgers University and won three Emmy awards for his portrayal of the neurotic north Jersey mob boss who ran his business with an iron fist but saw a shrink to deal with his anxieties. He died in Italy last year at age 51.
The only Jersey boss more powerful than Tony Soprano gave his blessing to Gandolfini.
“God bless you, Jimmy,” said rocker Bruce Springsteen, a surprise presenter at the ceremony.
AC/DC surprised by drummer’s ‘pickle’
Angus Young of AC/DC says his bandmates have not been in touch with drummer Phil Rudd since he was charged with threatening to kill and possessing methamphetamine and marijuana last week.
Young, 59, said in an interview Thursday that Rudd’s behavior was somewhat erratic while recording the band’s new album, “Rock or Bust,” which is due to be released Dec. 2.
“Well, we had a few problems. The situation he’s in – that took everyone by surprise. We had a few issues before with him, even when we were recording it was hard even to get to him to do the recording,” Young said.
Rudd, who has been with the band on and off for nearly four decades, was released last week. He is expected to appear in court in New Zealand on Nov. 27.
“We haven’t had contact,” Young said in New York City. “But he has his people that represent him. He’s got himself in a pickle.”
Rudd, 60, could face a maximum prison term of seven years for the charge of threatening to kill.
Young says AC/DC will continue to promote the album and perform without Rudd, if need be. The band will launch a tour next year.
The Australian band also faced a shake-up in its lineup when 61-year-old guitarist Malcolm Young, who has dementia, announced in September he was leaving the group because of his health. Stevie Young, nephew of founding members Malcolm and Angus Young, played guitar on the band’s new album and will join them on the tour.
The birthday bunch
Jazz musician Ellis Marsalis is 80. Zydeco singer-musician Buckwheat Zydeco is 67. Britain’s Prince Charles is 66. Rock singer-musician James Young (Styx) is 65. Singer Stephen Bishop is 63. Pianist Yanni is 60. Rapper Reverend Run (Run-DMC) is 50. Actor Josh Duhamel is 42. Actress/comedian Vanessa Bayer is 33.