Stars At The Shore: Cee Lo Green
By Veronica Dudo
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) - Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter-producer Cee Lo Green recently performed a show at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City. As one of the coach's on NBC's hit show, The Voice; Green along with Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Black Sheldon have helped aspiring singers turn their dreams into reality. After three seasons, the 38 year-old is taking a hiatus from the TV show to bring his hits to the stage for a residency in Las Vegas.
Green has been in the music industry for almost 20 years; first enjoying success with Goodie Mob, and then reinventing himself to form Gnarls Barkley. Before an appearance at the Pool After Dark, Green talked about the future of The Voice, his music career, upcoming residency in Las Vegas, and memories from Philadelphia!
Fans enjoyed your Atlantic City concert which featured a broad mix of music—do you draw inspiration from all genres?
I do. I'm glad people still enjoyed the show because we didn't get a chance to rehearse the show at all! The band was flown in from London and they did a great job. Sometimes you end up tweaking and working out the particulars as you go so you kind of see the show grow. As you saw, it kind of exploded as the show went on. I even wanted more because I was empowered and energized because not only could I hear but I could feel more. To just come out in front of an audience of strangers trying to please them—you don't know what to expect it's very vulnerable, it's very sobering experience it's just like damn!
You and Christina Aguilera are taking a hiatus from The Voice and Shakira and Usher will be filling in—how do you think the show will change?
It will change both figuratively and literally. It's going to change it completely! It'll be a totally different show without me and Christina. I can only hope that it is as well received but it's its own competition and so therefore you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That's the harsh reality, that's the pressure; it's also the perspective that is put in. But, I wish them well and I would like to see our brand sustained. I'm very proud and protective of The Voice, the brand, the sentiment—you know, what it represents so I'd like to see it do well but it's up against a lot of scrutiny but I wish them well.
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Your upcoming residency, "Cee Lo Green is Loberace" at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas debuts next week. What can fans expect?
We're definitely going to do our best to make a fashion statement, make a social statement saying that all people belong together under the umbrella of good music. It's going to be fun, fireworks, fire-breathing dragons, and unicorns.
Do you have any fond memories from Philadelphia?
I have fond memories—shopping on South Street and a chicken hoagie from Ishkabibble's.
Is there a possibility of a Gnarls Barkley reunion?
"There is. I'm making a transition now. I'm doing Goodie Mob, I'm doing another solo album and these albums are almost completely done I've been working very hard.
Veronica Dudo is an award-winning journalist covering everything from breaking news to red carpet celebrity interviews. Follow her on Twitter @VeronicaDudo and Facebook
