Queens natives and hip-hop icons, Run D.M.C. are releasing their first album since 1993’s Down with the Kings.

The new album, The Crown, will be released on February 27 and will be the group’s second release on the Profile record label.

Run D.M.C. consists of Joseph Simmons
(Run), Darryl McDaniels (D.M.C) and the D.J., Jason Mizell.

The group whose members grew up in Hollis, began on Run’s brother, Russell’s record label, Def Jam Records and was the first rap act to have a gold album, the 1984 debut Run D.M.C.

Their next album, 1985’s King of Rock, was the first platinum rap album and their 1986 release, Raising Hell, was the first rap multi-platinum album.

Long Island funnyman Billy Crystal hopes to break the streak of notoriously awful films he’s been associated with in recent years with the April premiere of 61* — his self-directed made-for-HBO baseball drama.

Documenting the historic 1961 homerun race between New York Yankee teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, the film is one Crystal has been dying to make since his days growing up as a diehard Bronx Bomber fan.

Though the two Yankee greats were neck and neck in their highly publicized and stressful pursuit of Babe Ruth’s 60 homerun mark, in the end Maris, who is played by Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan), edged out Mantle, portrayed by Thomas Jane (The Thin Red Line), with a then-record 61 homers.

The asterisk in the film’s title apparently signifies the subsequent controversy among sports enthusiasts regarding Maris’ record. Since he played more games in 1961 than Ruth when the initial mark was set in 1927 — along with the fact that Maris broke the record during the last game of the season — many felt he was undeserving of the crown.

All controversy ended in 1998, however, when St. Louis Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire (no relation to Trib editor Stephen) smashed 70 homers, shattering both previous marks in record time.

Mets' Pitcher Accused Of Hitting

As QConfidential went to press, Mets’ hurler Armando Benitez was scheduled to turn himself in to cops at Flushing’s 109th Precinct after being charged with the misdemeanor assault of his girlfriend in their Whitestone home last year.

Met Armando Benitez

Benitez was scheduled to surrender on Jan 29, according to police.

The Mets closer and fan favorite in Flushing was charged on Jan. 3 with punching his live-in girlfriend in the neck on Oct. 18 — an off–day between the Amazin’s clinching of the National League title and the first game of the Subway Series.

Last week prosecutors in Baltimore, Maryland dismissed charges in a domestic abuse case filed against Benitez by the same woman.

Benitez who played for the Baltimore Orioles before coming to the Mets is reported to still keep a residence in his former team’s hometown.

"There was not sufficient evidence to try him, and we’re not going forward with the case," a spokeswoman for Baltimore City State’s Attorney told reporters.

Benitez’s girlfriend had filed a complaint against him there in December saying he slammed a door against her during a November 8 argument.

Into The Porn Business?

Ever consider breaking into the adult entertainment business, but don’t know how? Well, there is finally a course that will reveal the ins and outs of the porn industry.

Educational films?

Candida Royalle, adult film star and filmmaker, will hold a lecture for New Yorkers on the secrets of adult filmmaking. Royalle has successfully gone from acting in X-rated movies to becoming president of her own production company, Femme Productions, Inc. which specializes in making erotic movies from a woman’s perspective.

The lecture is being sponsored by Learning Annex and will give attendees pointers on getting an acting audition, the amount of money to expect, avoiding pitfalls, finding a job behind the scenes, and writing a salable script.

The $49 lecture will be held in Midtown Manhattan; to register call (212) 319-1623.

 

 

 

 

Bye Or Buy?

Earlier this month when mag publishers Hachette Fillipacchi decided to turn the last page on John F Kennedy’s magazine legacy called George, they may have overlooked a few important details.

Let us explain.

Here at QConfidential we subscribe to a lot of magazines.

Doing so helps us keep us on our toes and up to speed with the world around us.

Following the Jan. 4 announcement that the mag would be history after its final issue next month, we received a final subscription notice from George.

"This is your last chance to reinstate your George subscription at the special low rates shown above," the letter from the soon-to-be defunct magazine’s senior subscription director read.

The letter went on to explain that the best way to maximize "incredible prices" and "big savings" could be best achieved by subscribing for the next two or three years.

"I urge you to return your order form today," the note went on.

Nice try George, but like your magazine’s namesake – George Washington – we cannot tell a lie, you did get one thing right.

"This offer will not be repeated," the notice read.

We’re pretty sure of that!

You can reach us by email at conf@queenstribune.com Fax to Conf (718) 357-0972 Or you can reach us by mail: "Confidential" 174-15 Horace Harding Expressway Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

 

Confidentially New York . . .

E-MAIL your items to: conf@queenstribune.com

Queens NYConfidential is edited by: Michael Schenkler and Tamara Hartman.
Contributors:	Tom Allon, Steve Azzara, Nick Buglione, David Colby, Ira Cohen, Marcia Moxam Comrie, Barbara Jarvie, Stephen McGuire, Mike Nussbaum, Dee Richard.