Arch MUSIC NEWS for 1/24/13

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Adele will perform her Oscar-nominated song “Skyfall” at the 85th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 24. The track is nominated in the Best Original Song category, after already winning that same award at the Golden Globes. It will be the first time Adele performs “Skyfall” live. It will also be her first public performance since the Grammy Awards last year.

Korean rapper Psy is now living proof that YouTube can make millionaires. Google has revealed that his viral sensation “Gangnam Style,” has generated over eight million dollars in ad revenues since it was posted on the site last July. As copyright owner of the video, Psy is entitled to half of the total amount, meaning he’s cashed in on four million dollars from YouTube ad revenue alone. “Gangnam Style” is now the most-watched and most-liked video on the site. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 last October. Before his performance at Times Square on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” Psy announced that it would be his last performance of the song as felt it had become too popular in the U.S. He has said that he’s at work on some new music in English to be released some time this year.

Aretha Franklin is speaking up in support of Beyonce, who sparked controversy by reportedly lip-synching the national anthem at this week’s inauguration ceremony. But Franklin sees no problem with using a pre-recorded track for these types of events — especially given how cold it was in Washington, DC on Monday. She tells ABC News that with temperatures in the 40s, “for most singers, that is just not good singing weather.” Aretha adds that Beyonce “did a beautiful job with the pre-record,” and she’ll “probably do the same” the next time she’s asked to perform at a special event under adverse weather conditions.

Don Henley is on board for the upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He’s been tapped to introduce Randy Newman at the event. Meanwhile, Rush will receive their welcome from the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, while Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson have been tapped to present the posthumous induction of the late singer Donna Summer and also perform in her honor. In addition, John Mayer will help induct Blues legend Freddie King. Other members of the Rock Hall’s Class of 2013 include Deep Purple, Heart, and Public Enemy. Additional performers and presenters for the event will be announced in the coming weeks. The 28th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on April 18th.

Dee Snider says it’s “mind-numbing” to realize how many conservative rock artists there are today.  He finds the change in political attitude “so convenient when you have a lot of money,” explaining that “when they were broke, struggling musicians, they were liberal and all for sharing the wealth.” Snider acknowledges that one rocker who never ventured into the left side of the political spectrum was Ted Nugent, saying the Motor City Madman has “always been a gun-toting conservative.” But he adds that Nugent hasn’t always stood up for his country, and during the Vietnam War “he was actually a draft dodger.” Snider says he thinks it’s “crazy” that Ted has “become one of the voices of Conservative America” given his past. Back in 1977 Nugent detailed to “High Times” magazine how in the ’60s, after receiving his draft notice, he abused himself for a few weeks to make sure he wouldn’t be able to pass his enlistment physical. Nugent later told a British newspaper that he made up the whole story, and actually had a student deferment. But according to Snopes.com, Nugent’s military record shows his student deferment expired in 1969, and he then received a medical exemption after failing his physical.

Def Leppard‘s upcoming Las Vegas residency will likely yield a new album as well. The band will launch their nine-show “Viva Hysteria!” run at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on March 22nd. The concert series will feature songs from the band’s multiplatinum 1987 album “Hysteria” and other material spanning the group’s 35-year career.

It turns out Maroon 5 may not have much of a fan in Prince. In his cover story in the new issue of “Billboard,” the Purple One takes issue with Adam Levine and company’s cover of his hit “Kiss.” The song appears as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Maroon 5′s latest album, “Overexposed,” but Prince says it shouldn’t have been released commercially at all. He says he doesn’t have a problem covering other artists’ songs during a live show and paying the necessary royalties, but he doesn’t see the point in actually recording a cover. He argues that “art is about building a new foundation, not just laying something on top of what’s already there.”

Adele may have inadvertently revealed the name of three-month-old son. The British singer has opted to keep the name of her newborn private, but on Tuesday she was photographed wearing a necklace with the name “Angelo” on it.  Adele gave birth to her son last October, and made her first public appearance earlier this month when accepting her award for “Skyfall” at the Golden Globes. Backstage she told “People” that she would not be “sharing his name at the moment” because it is “very personal” to her.

Following the success of her summer hit “Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen is cashing in on a new endorsement deal. The singer is now the new face of Candie’s. The fashion company has released a few shots from the Spring 2013 ad campaign, which will debut in full in March. The new Candie’s campaign is actually the first of its kind. Jepsen snapped all the photos in it herself, using a photo booth – which is the first time a celebrity spokesperson has photographed and starred in a fashion campaign. In a statement, Jepsen says she’s “very honored” to be the new face of Candie’s and that “it’s a dream come true to be in the company of such amazing women.” Other artists who have endorsed the brand include Lea Michele, Fergie and Britney Spears.