Threats – Mario Puzo

When the novel “The Godfather” was published, Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) threatened the author of the book, Mario Puzo (1920-1999), because he believed that he served the author as an inspiration for the fictional mobster, singer and actor in the book, Johnny Fontane.

Puzo was enraged after hearing Sinatra’s threats:

“I do remember him saying that if it wasn’t that I was so much older than he, he would beat the hell out of me. What hurt was that here he was, a northern Italian, threatening me, a southern Italian, with physical violence. This was roughly equivalent to Einstein pulling a knife on Al Capone. It just wasn’t done.”

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The name – Bob Dylan

In 1962, young American singer-songwriter Robert Allen Zimmerman officially changed his name to Bob Dylan. Allegedly, he did it in the memory of one of his literary idols, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953).

Robert was 21 when he done that, and he was just 12 when Dylan Thomas died.

Later, at the peak of his fame, he recalled that event and acknowledged that he had been influenced by Dylan Thomas’ poetry, but:

“I didn't change my name in honor of Dylan Thomas. That's just a story. I've done more for Dylan Thomas than he's ever done for me. Look how many kids are probably reading his poetry now because they heard that story”

Regarding his change of name, Bob Dylan also said:

"You're born, you know, the wrong names, wrong parents. I mean, that happens. You call yourself what you want to call yourself. This is the land of the free."

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Who is who? – Waldick Soriano

Waldick Soriano (1933-2008) was a very popular Brasilian singer-songwriter who recorder 83 albums in his career. However, his great career wasn't without a few incidents.

During one of his concerts, Waldick started singing one of his greatest hits – a song called "Eu Não Sou Cachorro Não" (I'm not a dog).

A few seconds after the song began, someone from the audience let a dog on the stage who had an inscription around his neck saying: „I'm not Waldick Soriano“.

Soriano was deeply offended with that and he began cursing at the audience. In excange, the audince started throwing all kinds of object towards him.

The concert turned into a battlefield and was cancelled.

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Unusual relationship – Marlene Dietrich and Eddie Fisher

In his autobiography „Eddie: My Life, My Loves”, American singer and entertainer Eddie Fisher (1928-2010) wrote that when he was young, he had an “unusual relationship” with German  actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992).

During her life, famous German actress, whose real name was Maria Magdalene Dietrich, was never ashamed of her love affairs. She even boldly admitted that she slept with American President John F. Kennedy when she was 62 years old.

However, when an auction of her books was held in one Parisian bookstore, they found her copy of Fisher's autobiography. Next to the section where he described their „unusual relationship“, Marlene scrawled:

“You said it, kid. We never met.”

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Devil and his apprentice – Georg Friedrich Handel and Francesca Cuzzoni

When capricious singer, soprano Francesca Cuzzoni (1696-1778), refused to sing the aria 'Falsa immagine' from Handel's opera "Ottone, re di Germania", Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) threatened her that he will fling her out of the window.

At first, the singer and composer began to argue fiercely, but then he thundered:

“Oh! Madame I know well that you are a real she-devil, but I hereby give you notice, me, that I am Beelzebub, the Chief of Devils."

Having said that, Handel grabbed her around the waist and carried her to the window, threatening that he will fling her out, if she doesn’t do what he says.

Francesca started begging for mercy.

She was now ready to sing the aria.

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People's Artist – Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin

The famous Russian opera singer, Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin (1873-1938), was a very rich man - a real millionaire. But then came the October Revolution and almost everything he had was taken from him.

However, Chaliapin continued to appear on stage, but his fees were no longer the same. More precisely, instead of the money he was paid "in kind". For example, six month after the Revolution, the former millionaire would a get bag of flour, a little bit of ham and sugar, and a sack of potatoes after he held a concert.

This doesn’t mean that the new Soviet government did not respect him and appreciate him. On the contrary! Chaliapin was among the first people who were declared as People's Artists.

Even on that occasion, instead of monetary prize, he was awarded with – food.

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