With slightly different lyrics, a bunch of these songs (including several written by Johnny Mathis) would sound at home in a rowdy roadhouse on a Saturday night.

NPR: From the Church to the Tavern and Back

In the seven years since he made his last film, the director has written "Role Models, " a collection of essays about his idols who hurdled over adversity, including Johnny Mathis, Little Richard and a seedy pornographer.

WSJ: John Waters

"This Is the Moment, " one of the standout songs from "Jekyll, " has been recorded 1, 000 times by everyone from Johnny Mathis to Dennis DeYoung of Styx , and was performed by Jennifer Holliday at Bill Clinton's inauguration and at the 1994 and 1996 Olympics.

WSJ: Composer Frank Wildhorn bridges pop and Broadway