Arch MUSIC NEWS for 11/1/12

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Seven is the magic number for Rihanna.  She’ll perform seven shows in seven days in seven countries around the world to promote her upcoming album “Unapologetic.” To get from show to show, she will be taking off on a Boeing 777 twinjet along with more than 150 handpicked journalists representing 82 countries, as well as an elite group of fans from her “Rihanna’s Navy” fan club. The launch date for the 777 Tour has been announced as November 14th. Rihanna will release more details about the tour dates and ticket purchase in the weeks to come. She’s also set to return for a fourth time as a musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on November 10th.

Taylor Swift‘s “Red” isn’t just last week’s best-selling album – it’s already the third-best seller of 2012, and could move up on the list. In its first week in stores, Swift’s fourth studio set sold 1.208 million copies in the U.S. — which averages out to two albums sold every second. In addition, “Red” made up 19-percent of all albums sold last week, or roughly one out of every five CD purchases. Swift’s disc accounted for 63-percent — or just under two-thirds — of all country album sales. The biggest-selling album of 2012 is Adele‘s “21,” which since January has rung up more than 4.1 million in sales. But “Red” isn’t far behind the number two disc on the list. One Direction currently holds the runner-up spot with “Up All Night.”

Steven Tyler is denying rumors that he and fiancee Erin Brady have split up. A rep for the Aerosmith frontman tells the “New York Post” that all couples go through “trials and tribulations” over the course of a relationship, and while Steven and Erin are “asking for their privacy at this time” they’re still engaged.

Sammy Hagar is assessing the damage at his New Jersey restaurant. His Beach Bar & Grill on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City took a hit this week from superstorm Sandy. He’s posted a picture of the area on his Facebook page, along with a promise to get the place up and running again. Hagar says in the caption, “Hope all Redheads and BB&G staff are safe and dry! Here is a look at the damage – we will rebuild!” Sammy’s restaurant is only open from May through Labor Day, so he has several months to complete the construction project before business resumes next spring.