Mary J. Blige Considering 'Rock of Ages' Role

The latest musical luminary to be affiliated with the upcoming film version of the Rock of Ages musical might raise a few eyebrows: Mary J. Blige.

Citing "spies," Vulture is reporting that the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul "is all in" to take on the role of Justice Charlier, owner of the show's exotic-dance venue the Venus Club. Tom Cruise's proposed starring role in the film reportedly also remains under discussion, although he is now said to be considering the role of bad-guy singer Stacee Jaxx instead of club owner Dennis Dupree.

Blige might seem like a left-field choice, but she's been inching into rock territory in recent years. She covered U2's "One" with Bono on her 2005 LP The Breakthrough, and, more surprisingly, earlier this year she teamed up with Travis Barker, Steve Vai and others for a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" that aired on Idol Gives Back — and Blige managed to take liberties with Robert Plant's melody and delivery without deviating too far from the original.

Mary J. Blige in Talks to Join Rock of Ages Movie [Vulture.com]

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Song Stories

“Tonight's the Night”

The Shirelles | 1960

The lead cut and title track from this girl group's debut album, "Tonight's the Night" was written by 19-year-old bandmember Shirley Owens, who sings lead, and producer Luther Dixon. The band from Passaic, New Jersey met in high school, first calling themselves the Pequellos. The song's frank thoughts about sexual and emotional surrender was racy for the time, but that didn't stop the Chiffons from cutting a similar version immediately after the original came out. "We were the first female group to write some of our own material," band member Beverly Lee recalls. "We did have some say-so in our writing."

More Song Stories entries »

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