Ask American Profile 8/31/2008

Q What can you tell me about the person—or persons—behind the name Desmond Child, which I’ve seen attached to so many hit songs over the years?
—Peter Chase, Redding, Calif.

Florida-born Desmond Child, 54, is one of rock music’s most successful songwriters and producers—not to be confused with Destiny’s Child, the 1990s pop trio of Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. It’s Desmond, not Destiny, whose name you’ve seen connected to a whopping 70 Top 40 smash singles, including KISS’ “I Was Made for Loving You,” Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” Aerosmith’s “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and the Bon Jovi hits “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Bad Medicine” and “Livin’ On A Prayer.” You can see him on TV as one of the judges on the Great American Country network’s talent-search competition, The Next GAC Star, as it builds toward a Sept. 10 finale.

Q Back in the early ’50s, I listened to Sky King on ABC radio. I remember commercials for Peter Pan Peanut Butter. I say the announcer was Mike Wallace, who would go on to fame on TV’s 60 Minutes. Is that correct?
—Ronald D. Abben, Independence, Iowa

Yes! Mike Wallace (then known as Myron Wallace) was indeed an announcer on radio’s Sky King, extolling the virtues (“won’t stick to the roof of your mouth”—like other brands) of Peter Pan Peanut Butter.

Q Who’s the woman dancing with the lizards in the SoBe Life Water commercials?
—Ashley Centofonti, Romney, W. Va.

That’s supermodel Naomi Campbell jiving to the Michael Jackson tune “Thriller” with a floor full of colorful animated lizards in the SoBe Life commercial, which debuted during the 2008 Super Bowl. The catchy spot marked the first time “Thriller”—which turned 25 years old earlier this year—was licensed for a TV commercial.

Q What can you tell me about my favorite country singer, Darryl Worley—particularly what he likes to do when he’s not making music?
—Gail Burt, Hardwick, Ga.

Worley, 43, a country radio favorite over the last eight years with hit singles including “I Miss My Friend,” “Have You Forgotten” and “Awful, Beautiful Life,” is an avid outdoorsman who loves hunting and fishing and playing with his new daughter, Savannah, born in March. On Sept. 6, he’ll host his seventh annual fundraising event, the Tennessee River Run, in Savannah, Tenn. The nine-day affair, which benefits numerous charities through his own Darryl Worley Foundation, includes a motorcycle ride, 5K run, an auction, talent show, and live music by Worley and his Nashville friends. For ticket information, visit www.darrylworley.com.

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