Arch MUSIC NEWS for 8/31/12

Adele is denying recent rumors suggesting that she had secretly married her fiancé Simon Konecki. “Life and Style” magazine reported that Adele had been seen out in London wearing a gold wedding band on her ring finger. A source reportedly told the magazine that a secret marriage could be possible considering how long she was able to keep her pregnancy under wraps.  Adele has kept a low profile since announcing her pregnancy in June. Her fiancé Simon is co-founder of British bottled-water company Life Water, and also heads the company’s charity that brings clean water to developing countries.

Some of pop’s biggest stars will be performing at the “MDA Show of Strength” special on Sunday, September 2nd for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The artists scheduled to make appearances include, will.i.am with Eva Simons, OneRepublic, Alanis Morissette, Pitbull, Brandy, Carrie Underwood, Paula Abdul, The All-American Rejects, and Jesse McCartney. Along with the musical performances, “MDA Show Of Strength” will also share the inspirational stories about people who’ve been affected by muscular dystrophy. Nearly 150 stations across the country are expected to broadcast the special, which will air Sunday night from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern. The show will also be streamed online at mda.org.

James Taylor is on board for next week’s Democratic National Convention. The singer-songwriter will be featured on the final day of the event, and perform before President Obama gives his nomination acceptance speech.

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe is trying to help bring out the vote for President Obama. The singer has collaborated with filmmaker Tom Gilroy to provide “Reason 23″ in the “90 Days, 90 Reasons” website supporting Obama’s re-election.
The man who killed John Lennon says he’s not sure he’d leave prison if he were granted parole. ABC News says Mark David Chapman’s latest parole hearing transcripts have been made public. Though his bid was denied, he told the board that if he were released he’d “probably stay right where I’m at,” explaining that “once you stand on a rock for 20 years and feel the waves on you and you don’t go anywhere because you’re on a rock, you don’t want to move.” However, Chapman did say he was a changed man. He explained that he experienced a miracle just a few days earlier, in which God transformed him from “Mr. Psychopath” into a caring person. He added that he has deep regrets over killing Lennon, admitting that it was “a very selfish act” that was “absolutely not worth it.” Chapman also had a message for Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono. He explained that he didn’t have “anything against her husband as a person, only as a famous person,” and had John been “less famous,” he “would not have been shot.”

To celebrate half a century of ups and downs, The Rolling Stones are releasing a new documentary called “Crossfire Hurricane.” The film will also feature historical footage with commentaries from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, as well as former members Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor. “Crossfire Hurricane” will be released in some British theaters in October and will premiere on HBO on November 17th.

Bret Michaels is using technology to unveil his latest track. Fans can access the song “They Don’t Make An App For That (The App Song)” through the official Bret Michaels mobile app, which is available for free at MobileRoadie.com. The free app also gives fans access to Bret Michaels news, tour dates, photos, and other information about the singer. The song will be featured on the Poison frontman’s upcoming album, “Bret Michaels And Friends: Get Your Rock On.” Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Def Leppard’s Phil Collen, former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, and Chickenfoot’s Michael Anthony are some of the “friends” featured on the album, along with country legend Loretta Lynn, rapper Lil Jon, and others. Michaels’ album is expected to be released in late fall.

You can get a new look into Led Zeppelin‘s career with the new book “Led Zeppelin: The Oral History Of The World’s Greatest Rock Band.” tells the group’s story based on more than 200 interviews with surviving band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones and dozens of other insiders and associates who were close to the group. Look for it in stores on November 6th.