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M. G. Kelly Interviews Barbra

Sep 2006

Shortly after "A Star Is Born" was released in theatres, Barbra Streisand called in to M.G. Kelly's Los Angeles based radio show. Kelly, who portrayed "Bebe Jesus" in the film and is a DJ in real life, had a lively on-air chat with his illustrious co-star in 1977.


M.G. Kelly with Kris Kristofferson in "A Star Is Born"

The M. G. Kelly Interview
M.G. "Machine Gun" Kelly is a real life radio DJ, so being cast as the acerbic radio host in the highly successful Streisand film "A Star Is Born" was a natural. As the feisty "Bebe Jesus," M.G. played the venomous antagonist opposite Kristofferson's John Norman. Even though they didn't share any dialogue in the film, Barbra and M.G. have remained friendly over the years. Barbra even called in to his LA based radio show on KHJ in May of 1977 for a lively and hilarious on air chat.

Kelly has an impressive list of acting credits in both television and the movies. Currently, he is the host of two syndicated radio programs around the country. Visit M.G. Kelly's website for a look at his very interesting career, including a personal note he he received from Barbra, and some of his very own "ASIB" memorabilia. Listen to the entire interview here.
 

Barbra talks about "My Heart Belongs to Me"

MG:  You asked me off the air if they were responding to the Barbra Streisand song, the one that's not even released yet, right, "My Heart Belongs to Me."

BJS:  Because I was nervous about it.

MG:  Why were you nervous about it?

BJS:  I don't know if the people will like it.

MG:  You don't know? Well I'll tell you what. My phone operator has done nothing but answering calls about it. We're playing it every other hour.

BJS:  That's incredible.

MG:  It sounds so good.

BJS:  I mean what's incredible is you're playing it.


Barbra talks about "Don't Believe What You Read"

BJS:  I read this ridiculous article in the paper that I have birds flying all over my house, and they were intimating that they were, I don't know if you can say this on the air, ...

MG:  You can say anything you want.

BJS:  ... that they were crapping on people's head. They said that in the paper, M.G. So I thought it would be hysterical to write a song called "Don't Believe What You Read." And I wrote about this article, these birds flying around my house, so it's on my album, my next album called "Superman."