Nov 15, 2008 Happy Holidays Hi everybody. I want to take this chance to send my thanks to all the fans and friends who have supported my music and to offer this small token of my appreciation. Through the end of the year, my song 'Christmas is Calling' is available for free download. If you're not already a street team member, please register to download my gift. Peace, ~Val Kilmer |
Val Kilmer
There are only three reasons to do a movie: the cast, the director, the role. Like I say, you live in a minute of screen time, but to prepare for the minute takes much more than a day. You`d better be excited about what those moments are, even if they`re the hardest moments. Or the smallest.
~Val Kilmer
Music History
By Dawn Bonner
Many people are surprised when they learn Kilmer has recorded music and released a CD--although, he has been doing music through out his acting career. 
Top Secret
His musical interest showed up in the 1984 movie 'Top Secret.' He sang in the movie and released an album under the name of Nick Rivers, the young rocker he portrayed in the movie.
Songs Performed by Kilmer in Top Secret
Skeet Surfing, Tutti Fruti, How Silly Can You Get, Spend This Night with Me, Are You Lonesome Tonight, and Straighten Out the Rug.
He did 'The Doors' in 1991 and I can't say he did a portrayal in this movie--it seems he became Jim Morrison. It was incredible, even the original Doors band members said it was eerie how closely he resembled Morrison in looks and voice.
Kilmer said, "I listened to a lot of records. I smoked quite a few cigarettes and that, the smoking, stayed with me unfortunately. And, I copied his voice in much the same way as I would learn an accent. With a lot of work, I got it. I found Jim's voice. Whenever people see me singing, it's really me singing. It's live. Oliver [Stone] was counting a lot on the spontaneity and the authenticity, especially in the concert scenes. Everything was pre-recorded just in case; but I ended up performing it all live. It is all a thing of imagination and one can have the tendency to underestimate it. Physically, I enjoyed myself a lot when I had to gain weight to incarnate Jim Morrison at the end of his life. When he is in a stupor, intoxicated by alcohol and drugs, he resembles Karl Marx. The make-up artists took Polaroids and showed them to the Doors guitarist and to Alain Ronay to get their approval. They were amazed by the resemblance and that helped me a lot."
Songs Performed by Kilmer in The Doors
Moonlight Drive, Break on Through, Light My Fire, My Wild Love, Not to Touch the Earth, The Soft Parade, Touch Me, Five to One, Dead Cats--Dead Rats, The Crystal Ship and The End
The End Vocals by Val Kilmer
He was at it again in 1993 performing Heartbreak Hotel in 'True Romance.'
Prince of Egypt
'The Prince of Egypt' was released in 1998 and he participated in an ensemble song call 'Humanity' with Amy Grant, Beth Nielsen Chapman and other performers.
Spartan, was released in 2004, in which Kilmer re-learned how to play guitar for the movie shows another faucet of his musical interest. He also played guitar in 'Top Secret.'
An interview with Daniel Robert Epstein for UGO
Kilmer said, "Well, they [directors Zucker Brothers and Abrahams] were cruel comedians. I learned the guitar because there were a couple of songs my character plays. So, I was killing myself to learn the songs and make the guys happy. But all along they knew they didn't want me to play the guitar. They just liked that look on my face and about a week before shooting, they were like, "It's like Elvis, its funny if you can't play." They thought that it was hysterical and my fingers were bleeding." 
Ten Commandments
Even more music history, in 2005 and 2006 he did the play 'The Ten Commandments: The Musical' in Los Angeles at the Kodak Theater, which is a full scale musical.
Our Assistant Editor Shelli Carlisle attended the show. She said, "Kilmer's performance is beautiful, powerful and will bring you to tears. He can hold his own with the best of them."
Weren't able to see it live? You can see the play starring Kilmer on DVD.
Music Video A Prayer for Life from The Ten Commandments
Vocals by Val Kilmer and Cast
Music with Mick Rossi
And, for several years now, he has been writing his own music and playing it with friend and music partner, Mick Rossi. In late 2007, the released a CD of original tunes called 'Val Kilmer in Sessions With Mick Rossi'.
50 Cent
It looks like this will not be the last of his music. Kilmer met 50 cent on the set of 'Felon' and according to Starpulse.com 50 cent and Kilmer are going to hit the studio together.
50 cent said, "I don't think he's going to produce a song, but he really likes one of my songs. I told him my idea for it and he wants to help. He's officially my new friend."
But, the love fest doesn't end there. Kilmer said in an interview with MTV that Mr. Curtis Jackson (50 cent) wrote a song for his children.
Kilmer also portrayed Elvis in Graceland, although he didn't sing as Elvis...but I just know, if asked, he could 'channel' the King of Rock, too.
What Kilmer Says About His Music Career
UGO: Are you going to break into a singing career? Because you did once release an album.
VK: I'm getting too old already. I can't do that JLo thing, I don't think. I respect people who can do both careers, like Will Smith and a couple of other people who have done it, but I just don't know when they sleep. I sang the songs in The Doors. I have a lot of musician friends, and I started hanging out with Sean Lennon a lot and his record is fantastic. But I just don't know how you raise the kids and do all of that.
Wonderland
Kilmer recorded a duet with Kate Bosworth for the 2003 film, 'Wonderland'. The cover of Gordon Lightfoot's 'If You Could Read My Mind', was cut from the soundtrack, but we have it here for your enjoyment.
Bookmark the music department and we will keep you posted for new releases.
If You Could Read My Mind