Arch MUSIC NEWS for 8/13/12

The closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games included a thorough history of British music that came all the way up to today’s hits. Muse performed their Olympic theme song and new single “Survival”.  Ed Sheeran appeared with Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason to take on “Wish You Were Here,” Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of the Who showed up themselves to close out the event with rousing performances of “Baba O’Riley,” “See Me, Feel Me,” and “My Generation.”  Other performers included Fatboy Slim, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, Jessie J, Taio Cruz, Annie Lennox, Madness, the Spice Girls and even a few comedians showing off their vocal skills. Russell Brand sang “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and the Beatles‘ “I Am the Walrus,” while Monty Python star Eric Idle sang “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”

Flavor Flav‘s rise to reality fame is gonna cost him … big time — at least according to the federal government, which claims the rapper owes nearly a MILLION bucks in back taxes from 2004-2006. According to documents filed recently by the Department of the Treasury, Flav shorted Uncle Sam on his tax returns for the years that coincided with his return to prominence via reality TV — with ” The Surreal Life,” “Strange Love” and “Flavor of Love.” Flav’s tax bill isn’t chump change either — he owes $52, 243.47 for 2004, $303,035.93 for 2005 and $550,971.16 for 2006 … for a whopping total of $906,250.56.

Motley Crue and KISS are donating money to support those affected by the Colorado movie theater shootings. The bands said at their concert in suburban Denver on Wednesday night that they would donate $100,000 to the Aurora Victim Relief Fund. The fund was set up to help victims and families who were hurt when a man opened fire July 20 at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie in Aurora.

Gwen Stefani‘s high profile “play date” with First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to bring in some big money for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign. The No Doubt singer hosted a “Family Day” fundraising event at her home in Beverly Hills Sunday with Mrs. Obama as the special guest. Roughly 400 guests participated in the event. At 25-hundred-dollars a ticket for a family of four, early estimates suggest the event brought in more than one-million-dollars for the Obama campaign coffer.

OneRepublic, All-American Rejects and members of Good Charlotte are among the celebrities who will be showing their support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association next month during the organization’s Labor Day weekend TV event. Rebranded the “MDA Show of Strength,” the three-hour prime-time special is replacing the long-running MDA Labor Day Telethon. Will.i.am, Pitbull, Carrie Underwood and Carole King are all on board to serve as the show’s headliners. Other artists also be making appearances include Gavin DeGraw, Alanis Morissette, Tim McGraw, Paula Abdul and many more. “MDA Show of Strength” is expected to air on almost 150 stations, starting at 7:00 p.m. (StL time) on Sunday, September 2nd. The show will also be streamed online at mda.org.

It hasn’t been long since it was revealed last week that Adam Yauch‘s will prohibits the use of Beastie Boys music in advertisements, but the group has already been forced to turn those words into action. E! News reports Mike Diamond, Adam Horovitz and Yauch’s widow and executor of his estate Denchen Yauch are suing the maker of Monster Energy Drink for copyright infringement. According to the suit, Monster used parts of “Sabotage,” “So Watcha Want,” “Make Some Noise,” and “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun” in a promotional video posted on the company’s website.

Beyoncé is encouraging everyone to do their part for World Humanitarian Day. She was at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City Friday to film a new music video for her song “I Was Here.” The video will be released in conjunction with World Humanitarian Day on August 19th.

Taylor Swift fans won’t have to wait much longer to hear the singer’s “cool news.” She’s hosting a webchat today to unveil her upcoming plans. She explained in a website video that the chat will give fans the opportunity to ask her questions, and she’ll divulge some “really cool news.” Swift has hinted for the past several weeks that something has been brewing. She said in an admittedly vague Facebook post in early July that she’d been in meetings, made “a lot of decisions,” and that “stuff” was “about to happen.” The singer will launch her webchat at YouTube.com/TaylorSwift at 6:00 p.m. StL time.