Arch MUSIC NEWS for 11/14/12

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

INXS is bringing at least one aspect of their career to an end. The band is officially confirming their on stage comment Sunday in Perth, Australia that they were playing their last show. The guys say in a statement that they’ve decided to “bring down the curtain as a live touring band.”

One Direction fans took over New York City on Tuesday morning. The group appeared on the “Today” show, performing to a crowd of 15 thousand fans – the biggest crowd in the show’s history, according to “Today” co-host Al Roker.

A new film is in the works honoring Bruce Springsteen, and producers are looking for input from the fans. Ridley Scott Associates, Black Dog Films and Scott Free London are behind the project, titled “Springsteen & I,” which will feature testimonials from Bruce’s followers sharing memories and insights on what the New Jersey rocker and his music has meant to them. Producer Svana Gisla explains that they are “searching for a wide variety of creative interpretations, captured in the most visually exciting way” from those who’ve “been a hardcore Tramp since ’73 or have heard one of his songs for the first time today.” “Springsteen & I” is being described as “the ultimate collective filmmaking experience — for the people and by the people,” which will result in “a unique feature music documentary.” Additional details on the project and how to contribute your story are available at BruceSpringsteen.net and SpringsteenAndI.com. Producers plan to have the movie ready for release in 2013.

Eric Clapton sold his platinum chronograph Patek Philippe wristwatch at an auction Monday, and set a new record in the process. A Christie’s rep describes the watch as “ultra rare,” and says it sold for three-point 63-million-dollars. Clapton had the watch for about ten years. In addition to its celebrity connection, it’s only one of two watches of this design that are cased in platinum. In addition to telling the time, the watch also features day and month windows, minute and second dials, and a perpetual calendar with moon phases. Experts say it’s among the top ten wristwatches in the world. The buyer has been described as “an Asian private collector,” who attended the auction in person. The sale took place in Geneva, Switzerland.  This is the second time this fall that Clapton has made a windfall through an auction. At a London auction last month the legendary guitarist sold a German abstract painting that went for a record 34-point-two-million dollars.

Here are the winners of the Classic Rock Roll of Honor awards, which took place in London on Tuesday, sponsored by Classic Rock magazine

Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2012

Band Of The Year: Rush
Best New Band: Tracer
Breakthrough Act Of The Year: Rival Sons
Event Of The Year: Ginger Raises nearly 400-thousand-dollars
Comeback Award: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Album Of The Year: Rush “Clockwork Angels”
Film/DVD Award: Pink Floyd “The Story Of Wish You Were Here”
Reissue Of The Year: Pink Floyd’s “Immersion”
The Living Legend Award: ZZ Top
Outstanding Contribution: The Damned
Spirit Of Prog Award: Family
Showman Of The Year: Nikki Sixx
The Musicians’ Union Maestro Award: Phil Manzanera
Tommy Vance Inspiration Award: Jon Lord
V.I.P. Award: Tony Smith
Metal Guru Award: Anthrax
Classic Album Award: Status Quo “Live!”
Classic Songwriter Award: Russ Ballard

Led Zeppelin is lending a couple of songs to NBC’s “Revolution.” The band’s classic tracks “Kashmir and “Since I’ve Been Loving You” will help create the soundtrack to next Monday’s episode. In addition, “Kashmir” is also featured in this week’s promo for the show. Zeppelin’s TV presence ties in with the release of their new concert film, “Celebration Day,” which will arrive in stores on Monday. The movie documents the band’s 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena. Both “Kashmir” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You” are among the songs Zeppelin performed at the special event, which paid tribute to the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. Ertegun gave Zeppelin their record deal back in 1968, and the group maintained a relationship with the label throughout their career.

Stevie Wonder contributes to a salute to Eddie Murphy. The Motown legend is among the participants on the Spike TV special “Eddie Murphy: One Night Only,” premiering Wednesday night. At the taping earlier this month, Wonder performed his hit “My Cherie Amour” before he invited Eddie to join him to sing “Higher Ground.” Many of Murphy’s Hollywood friends and colleagues also take part in the event. Samuel L. Jackson, Adam Sandler, Jamie Foxx, Tracy Morgan, and Russell Brand are some of the other stars featured on the show.

Kesha is taking a break from auto-tune and going acoustic. The singer revealed an unplugged version of her single “Die Young,” which will be sold as a part of a separate EP when her album drops.  The extra, “Deconstructed,” will feature five broken-down versions of the songs “Old Flames,” “Blow,” “Harold Song,” “Supernatural” and “Die Young.” The EP will be sold through her fan store starting December 4th, “Warrior’s” release date. This isn’t the first time Kesha has sung without computers helping her out. Early this year she sang “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” for the Bob Dylan cover album “Chimes of Freedom.”