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.
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/31/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
It’s official: Taylor Swift‘s “Red” sold a whopping 1.208 million copies last week in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. That’s more than any album has sold in a single week since 2002, when Eminem‘s “The Eminem Show” sold 1.322 million in its first full week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
In the midst of the Rolling Stones‘ 50th anniversary celebration preparations, Stones guitarist Ron Wood, 65, is also reportedly celebrating an engagement. He popped the question to his 34-year-old girlfriend Sally Humphreys, who he has been dating for six months.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is among the buildings damaged by superstorm Sandy. The Cleveland museum, which is 500 miles away from the New Jersey coast where Sandy came ashore Monday, was battered by the massive storm’s strong winds and heavy rains that came roaring southward off Lake Erie late Monday night. The damage is superficial, not structural, and the building didn’t experience any flooding, and no exhibits have been damaged.
Wolfgang Van Halen just might be a member of two bands. The Van Halen bassist joined Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti‘s solo group last month as a last-minute fill in for Tremonti’s bassist Brian Marshall. Tremonti has been so impressed with Wolfgang, he now wants to make the replacement permanent.
INXS‘ best-selling album “Kick” turns 25 this year, and the band is celebrating in a big way. They’ll be giving fans a deluxe box set version of the 1987 record, which comes complete with outtakes, additional songs from the sessions, and a DVD that includes a making-of documentary, live footage and more. ”The Kick 25th Anniversary Edition” is available now exclusively at INXS.com.
There’s good news for Lady Gaga‘s “little monsters.” Her upcoming album “ARTPOP,” will be released in two volumes. She may have plans to fill the first volume with commercial songs and the second volume with some of the more experimental work. She speculates that she would put out the second volume about six months after the first, adding that “even the experimental stuff is catchy.”
More performers are joining the lineup for the 40th American Music Awards. Pink, Pitbull and Carrie Underwood have just been added to the roster, which includes previously announced performers Christina Aguilera, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift and Linkin Park. More performers are expected to be announced in the days leading up to the November 18th ceremony. Minaj and Rihanna lead the fan-voted music awards event with four nominations each. Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher each have three. ABC will televise the 40th American Music Awards live from the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, November 18th, starting at 8:00 pm Eastern.
Rihanna fans better start saving up if they want to get their hands on the special deluxe edition of her upcoming album “Unapologetic.” It’ll be available for sale on December 11th — about a month after the release of the standard edition — for 250-dollars. “Unapologetic’s” deluxe deal includes a number of extras for hardcore Rihanna fans. Some of those include art prints, a vinyl of remixes and a custom notebook with handwritten notes from the singer.
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/30/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Kelly Clarkson has released a new single called “Don’t Rush,” a duet with country legend Vince Gill. The song will appear on Clarkson’s upcoming greatest hits album, due out November 19th. She’s is up for the Female Vocalist of the Year award at Thursday night’s Country Music Awards and Gill is also up for three awards. Both Kelly and Gill will be performing at the ceremony.
Tony Bennett is adding to the hype surrounding his upcoming jazz album with Lady Gaga. The legendary singer tells “Billboard” he believes the album will affirm to the world that Gaga is “one of the best jazz singers that anyone has ever heard.” Bennett has given up some more details on the project as well. He says it was actually Gaga’s father, Joseph Germanotta, who approached him about the project on behalf of his daughter, who was in Australia at the time. Bennett says he has yet to actually get into the studio with Gaga, but adds that the two have come up with a list of songs they want to include and have also approached arranger Marion Evans to come on board with them.
There’s a new list of the top ten best-selling female musicians in the U.K. over the past 60 years, and not a single Brit is on it. Madonna tops the list with 17-point-eight million singles sold, followed by Rihanna with eleven-point-four-million singles. Madonna’s top-selling hit in the U.K. was 1985′s “Into The Groove.” Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Mariah Carey also make the list. Australians Kylie Minogue and British-born Olivia Newton-John appear at number three and number ten, respectively. Canadian Celine Dion lands at number eight with six-point-seven-million singles sold.
The Official Charts Company, which released the new data, says that it’s possible Rihanna could overtake the Queen of Pop in the next two-and-a-half years if she continues to sell singles at her current pace. The organization released the figures as part of its celebration of 60 years of British charts. It previously named Elvis Presley as the best-selling male singer in the U.K., followed by Cliff Richard.
Taylor Swift is joining LL Cool J to co-host the Grammy nominations concert event next month. The six-time Grammy winner will join the rapper and “NCIS: Los Angeles” star in announcing nominees in some of the major categories during the live one-hour CBS telecast on December 5th. The event will be held in Nashville for the first time since organizers began televising the Grammy nominations in a live show format from Los Angeles five years ago. Performers will include country artist Luke Bryan and pop-rockers Maroon 5.
Guns N’ Roses‘ impact on Las Vegas is already being felt. The group doesn’t start their residency until Wednesday, but on Monday the city made one change in the band’s honor. The street “Paradise Road” has undergone a temporary name change, and over the course of the band’s tenure in Vegas it will be known as “Paradise City Road.” The move honors Guns N’ Roses hit, “Paradise City.” Guns N’ Roses have a picture of the new street sign posted on their Facebook page. G-N-R’s month-long “Appetite For Democracy” run at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino begins on Halloween, and continues through November 24th. The group is commemorating the 25th anniversary of their 1987 debut, “Appetite For Destruction” with the shows, but their sets will include hits spanning their entire career.
Copyright © 2012 – Metro Networks Inc
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/29/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
A Las Vegas road is transforming into the place where the “grass is green and the girls are pretty” today. The city will temporarily rename Paradise Road to “Paradise City Road” in honor of Guns N’ Roses late-80s hit “Paradise City.” The tribute to the band and the song will remain for the entire run of G-N-R’s month-long “Appetite For Democracy” residency at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The shows will run from October 31st to November 24th and include hits spanning G-N-R’s 25-year career.
Chuck Berry says President Obama represents something he thought he’d never see. According to “Rolling Stone,” the rock and roll icon sat down with reporters before accepting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s American Music Masters Award on Saturday. One of the many topics covered included the changes he’s seen throughout the country since his early days playing at segregated venues in the South. Berry reportedly got emotional as he explained that he “never thought a man with the qualities, features, and all that Obama has could be our president,” adding that his dad told him he “may not live to see that day.” Berry says he “believed him” then, but thanks God now that that day has come. Yet, Berry also lamented about his poor health and says he’s been “wondering about his future.” The 86-year-old guitar legend says he can’t hear well, his voice is gone, his throat is worn and his lungs are “going fast.” Berry still performs monthly at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis, but he feels his “singing days have passed.” He says the fans at those shows are “having a great time from memory,” and adds that he hopes to be able to “continue to enhance their memory because it looks very dim.”
Computer maker Apple Inc. is now the rightful owner of the Beatles‘ Apple Corps logo. According to Patently Apple, the technology company was granted ownership of the famed Grannysmith apple logo after years of litigation. The Beatles’ music company reached a deal with Apple Inc. in 2007 that stated Apple would buy out the the trademarks for a reported 500-million-dollars. The computer company would then license them back to Apple Corps. But that deal was temporarily halted after Apple Box Productions Sub Inc. filed a complaint opposing the the settlement. The complaint proved unsuccessful in the end and Apple Inc. was given ownership rights to the trademark.
Justin Timberlake is apologizing for a wedding video that mocks homeless people while defending the friends who made it. In an open letter to his fans on his website Friday, the pop superstar called the video “distasteful” but said he doesn’t believe it was made to be insensitive. The controversial clip surfaced just days after Timberlake and actress Jessica Biel exchanged vows at a lavish wedding in Italy last Friday. It shows homeless people congratulating the couple. Critics say it was demeaning of those less fortunate, condemning it as “tacky” and “wrong.” In his letter Timberlake said he had no knowledge of the video’s existence and that he had “ZERO contribution to it.” Timberlake also insists that his friends who made the video are “good people” and that it was clearly a lapse in judgment” on their part. Justin’s real estate friend, Justin Huchel, claimed responsibility for the video earlier this week. He has since lawyered up threatening to file suit if the video, which he says was created for private use, is publicized in violation of his copyright.
Taylor Swift is getting ready to paint the town “Red.” The country-pop superstar has announced plans for her 2013 Red Tour, named for her just-released new album that’s poised to top the music charts this week. The 58-date tour will kick off March 13th and 14th in Omaha, Nebraska and be in St. Louis on March 18th and 19th before wrapping up with a three-night stand in Nashville from September 19th through September 21st. The first wave of tickets go on sale November 16th. Taylor’s last tour raked in more than 97-million-dollars last year, putting her second only to U2 as the highest grossing acts of 2011.
Copyright © 2012 – Metro Networks Inc
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/26/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Bon Jovi will embark on a world tour next year in support of the upcoming album, What About Now, to be released in spring 2013. The band already has unveiled some Canadian dates for the Because We Can tour, running from February 13 in Montreal to April 5 in Winnipeg. With U.S. dates to be announced in the coming weeks, Bon Jovi will also tour Europe, the Far East, Africa, Latin America and Australia.
American Idol is set to return to FOX for its 12th season on January 16 and 17 with a two-night premiere, when fans will finally get to see new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban in action.
Taylor Swift has created special limited-edition promotional items for fans in various major retail outlets. Target exclusively carries a Deluxe Edition of her new CD “Red.” But fans who buy “Red” at Walgreens outlets will also get more Taylor for their money. Taylor is also catering to her fans through the creation of The Taylor Swift Store in all Walgreens and Duane Reade locations. Those outlets will make items like Taylor-branded T-shirts and notebooks available for fan purchase. “Red” is off to a big start following its release on Monday. The album is projected to top next week’s Billboard 200 Album chart.
Carly Rae Jepsen could not have had a better 2012. To top off the year, “Billboard” has named the Canadian pop singer its “Rising Star” for 2012. The award acknowledges Jepsen’s breakout year with the smash success of her song “Call Me Maybe,” which was also named “Song of the Summer” by the magazine earlier this year. She will be presented with the honor at “Billboard’s” Women in Music event on November 30th. Katy Perry, who was named Woman Of the Year, will also be honored at the event. In a statement, Jepsen said she’s grateful for the honor because she grew up “listening to and being influenced by countless female artists.” She also said that she hopes to “inspire others” through her own music.
Apparently, music isn’t enough for Christina Aguilera. While attending the “Billboard” and “Hollywood Reporter” 2012 Film & TV Music conference on Thursday, the singer told E! she’s looking for more interesting acting parts. She tells the site that if she is going to go after her personal desire to dabble more in film, she wants to play “a crackhead on the street, or a drug addict.” She says she only wants to take roles that are “crazy and meaty and juicy.” Aguilera starred in the 2010 film “Burlesque” with Cher, but now she says she looking to do something “really outside” of herself, “outside of music.”
Britney Spears former associate Sam Lutfi has apparently moved on to another blonde musician. Music-News.com says Lutfi revealed in court this week that he’s co-managing Courtney Love and working with the rocker on a “possible motion picture or Broadway musical based on the Nirvana catalogue.” He went on to say that the project will tell the story of Love’s life with Kurt Cobain, but he added that it’s still in the early stages and he didn’t want to reveal any other details. Lutfi has been in court this week testifying against Spears and her family. He’s suing his former client and her parents for breach of contract, libel and unpaid management fees.
Meat Loaf has warmed up to Mitt Romney. He gave his endorsement to the Republican Presidential hopeful at a rally in the swing state of Ohio Thursday night. According to TheWrap.com, Meat performed a few songs at a high school football stadium in Defiance just ahead of a speech by Romney. In introducing the former Massachusetts Governor, the rocker said Romney was the “one man who will stand tall in this country and fight the storm and bring the United States back to what it should be.” He also said that in 2012 “this is the most important election in the history of the United States.” Country stars Big & Rich and Randy Owen of Alabama were also on hand for the event.
Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose admits that voting in California is not a high priority for him. But if he were to vote he would likely vote the way much of the state has voted in the past. In a rare TV interview on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Wednesday night, the notoriously reclusive rocker gave an endorsement of sorts to the current President. He told Kimmel if he were to cast a ballot for the upcoming election, quote, “I would lean Democrat, I would lean Obama.” Rose also said he hasn’t really voted, having banked on California’s tendency to vote Democratic to carry his vote forward. He said, “I’m not in a battleground state, so does my vote even matter?” Kimmel was quick to joke that Axl’s comments, “would make a great ‘Rock the Vote’ commercial.”
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/25/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Duke University botanists have named 19 species of a new genus of fern after Lady Gaga, according to the New York Times. The fern has “somewhat fluid definitions of gender” and is found in Arizona, Texas and Mexico, as well as Central and South America. A grad student also found the sequence GAGA in the DNA base pairs of the fern.
3 Doors Down is releasing a best-of set, simply titled The Greatest Hits, on November 19. The collection features nine #1 hits that have been remixed and re-mastered, alongside three new songs. 3 Doors Down will hit the road co-headlining with Daughtry on a fall tour, starting November 18 in Springfield, MO.
Rod Stewart has recorded a Rock album for the first time since 2006′s Still The Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time, and his first to feature original material since 2001′s Human. “It’s all done mate. I produced it myself. It’s all finished, mixed, everything…Just a good, old-fashioned Rod Stewart album (with) a lot of mandolin and acoustic (guitar) and fiddles and good storytelling, I believe,” he told Billboard.com, adding that a spring 2013 release is planned. In the meantime, Stewart will offer a holiday album, Merry Christmas, Baby, on October 30.
Alicia Keys is buying a new home in Englewood, New Jersey. She’s buying Eddie Murphy’s place for up $12 million dollars.
Bob Seger says he’s rooting for the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. But he’s adamant that he won’t perform the national anthem before any of the games at Detroit’s Comerica Park. Seger sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before one of the 2006 World Series games and the Tigers lost, so he’s “taking one for the team” by refusing to contribute to this year’s event. But Bob says he plans to be on hand to cheer the Tigers on. He adds that he believes the Tigers have the talent to win, but admits that they’ll have to be “on their game” in order to get the better of the San Francisco Giants.
The King of Pop has been dethroned. Forbes.com’s latest list of the “Top-Earning Dead Celebrities” has arrived, and Michael Jackson made $145 million dollars over the past 12 months, which is more than any living artist. But that figure is only good enough to put him at number two among the stars who have passed on. Elizabeth Taylor is the new list leader. The legendary actress, who died last year at the age of 79, leads the way with $210 million. However, “Forbes” points out that the majority of Taylor’s money came from a one-time windfall auction that raked in $184 million.
Forbes.com’s “Top-Earning Dead Celebrities” List
1. Elizabeth Taylor, $210 million
2. Michael Jackson, $145 million
3. Elvis Presley, $55 million
4. Charles Schulz – $37 million
5. Bob Marley, $17 million
6. John Lennon, $12 million
7. Marilyn Monroe, $10 million
8. Albert Einstein, $10 million
8. “Dr. Seuss” Theodor Geisel, $9 million
10. Actor Steve McQueen, $8 million
10. Bettie Page, $8 million
12. Richard Rogers, $6 million
13. George Harrison, $5.5 million
Bobby Brown is facing DUI charges for a second time this year. Brown was pulled over Tuesday night in Los Angeles when police saw him driving erratically. Police allegedly smelled alcohol when they got to Brown’s vehicle and arrested him for suspected DUI following a field sobriety test. Brown was in an alcohol rehab program during the summer and had been arrested for DUI in March. He also has a DUI conviction from 1996.
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/24/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Taylor Swift is poised to become the first female artist in the Nielsen SoundScan era (1991 to present) to have a pair of albums sell more than a million units in a single week. According to industry sources, first-day sales for “Red” (Monday, Oct. 22) surpassed 500,000 units, including a record opening day sum at Target, as the mass-merchant scored exclusive rights to the album’s deluxe version which includes three additional songs and three remixes. According to sources, Target shifted more than 160,000 units.
Axl Rose is making an appearance on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” tonight (Wednesday) – a rare occurrence for the GNR singer, who hasn’t taken part in a live, broadcast TV interview in more than 20 years. He’ll discuss the group’s upcoming residency at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. With the engagement, dubbed “Appetite For Democracy,” the band is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1987 debut album, “Appetite for Destruction,” along with the fourth anniversary of their most recent release, “Chinese Democracy.” The long-awaited 2008 disc was Guns N’ Roses’ first studio album in 15 years.
Aretha Franklin is planning to take part in this year’s World Series. “USA Today” says the Queen of Soul has been tapped to sing the national anthem at the start of Game Five of the best of seven series, which is scheduled to take place in her hometown of Detroit. The Detroit Tigers are facing off against the San Francisco Giants for the baseball championship title. It is possible there won’t be a Game Five, but that would only occur if San Francisco wins each of the first four games. The World Series will begin in San Francisco tonight with “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips performing the anthem.
Lifetime’s new docu-series revolving around the family of late singer Whitney Houston premieres tonight. “The Houstons: On Our Own” will follow the lives of Whitney’s family and close friends in the months after her shocking death in February. The show’s 14 half-hour episodes will largely focus on Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, who inherited her mother’s fortune. Bobbi Kristina’s father, singer Bobby Brown; her grandmother Cissy Houston; uncle and aunt Gary and Pat Houston; and her cousin Rayah Houston will also be featured on the series. Pat Houston is Bobbi Kristina’s guardian and manager. She is also an executive producer on the docu-series.
Will.i.am is putting his spin on a well known TV theme intro. The Black Eyed Peas star and seven-time Grammy winner has remixed the classic “Entertainment Tonight” theme song. It’s expected to be revealed for the first time on Thursday’s show.
Copyright © 2012 – Metro Networks Inc
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/23/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Foreigner’s Mick Jones says he’s “feeling good” and believes his health problems are now behind him. He was sidelined earlier this year after suffering a heart attack, and several weeks ago made his return to the stage. The band will be at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on October 30th.
Maroon 5 has announced a North America tour for early 2013. Neon Trees and Owl City will open all dates for the shows. The tour runs up to April 6 in Rosemont, IL. – it will not come to St. Louis, so pick the city you can get to on the following dates to see the show!
Maroon 5 2013 Tour Dates:
February 13: Columbus, OH
February 14: Detroit
February 16: New York City
February 17: Manchester, NH
February 19: Toronto
February 20: Montreal
February 22: Uncasville, CT
February 23: East Rutherford, NJ
February 25: Grand Rapids, MI
February 27: Kansas City, MO
March 1: Moline, IL
March 3: Omaha, NE
March 4: St. Paul, MN
March 7: Calgary, AB
March 9: Vancouver, BC
March 11: Seattle
March 13: San Jose, CA
March 15: Los Angeles
March 16: Las Vegas
March 19: Houston
March 21: Dallas
March 22: Tulsa, OK
March 24: Nashville
March 26: Birmingham, AL
March 27: Atlanta
March 29: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
March 30: Orlando
April 1: Jacksonville, FL
April 3: Washington, D.C.
April 4: Philadelphia
April 6: Rosemont, IL
Depeche Mode will be back in action next year. The group plans to hold a press conference in Paris on Tuesday to talk about releasing a new album in the spring of 2013 and embarking on a world tour.
The guitar work on AC/DC‘s “Back In Black” is getting recognition as the best of its decade. The title track to the band’s 1980 album leads the way in Gibson.com’s list of the “Top Ten Riffs of the ’80s.” “Gibson” praises the the disc as “perhaps the greatest riff-oriented album of all time,” and says sibling guitarist Angus and Malcolm Young “cooked up some of the greatest riffs of their career” on the project. While the album also features such classic hits as “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Hell’s Bells,” the site points to “Back In Black’s” namesake song as the most memorable of them all.
Gibson.com’s “Top Ten Riffs of the ’80s” List
1. AC/DC, “Back In Black”
2. The Rolling Stones, “Start Me Up”
3. Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”
4. The Scorpions, “Rock You Like A Hurricane”
5. Def Leppard, “Photograph”
6. Judas Priest, “Breaking The Law”
7. Michael Jackson, “Beat It”
8. The Clash, “Should I Stay Or Should I Go”
9. Guns N’ Roses, “Sweet Child o’ Mine”
10. Rush, “Limelight”
Peter Criss‘ memoir hits stores today. In “Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of KISS,” the rocker opens up about his roller coaster ride of a life. He chronicles both his professional and personal highs and lows, which have ranged from being in one of rock’s biggest bands to feeling such despair he nearly took his own life. Criss covers his childhood, rise to fame, addiction issues, marriages, and cancer battle as he chronicles the events of his life for readers.
“The X Factor” will continue. Fox has announced its renewal of the singing competition for a third season and producer and judge Simon Cowell couldn’t be happier. In a statement, Cowell said he was proud of the show and thanked fans for their support and enthusiasm. Pop stars Britney Spears and Demi Lovato were added to the show’s judges’ panel for the current second season, replacing Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger who sat on the panel during the show’s first season. It’s not yet known if Spears or Lovato will be back for “X Factor’s” third season.
Justin Timberlake may have used his wedding day as an opportunity to debut some new music. “Us Weekly” reports the former N’sync singer performed a song at the wedding reception, which took place in southern Italy last Friday. A source tells the magazine Justin dedicated the unreleased song to his bride.
Kelly Clarkson says although she’s a Republican at heart, she’s giving her vote to President Obama. She says she’s on the same side as the President when it comes to his support of same-sex marriage. Clarkson says, “I can’t support Romney’s policies as I have a lot of gay friends and I don’t think it’s fair they can’t get married.” She also says women’s issues are also an important factor for her, saying she doesn’t consider herself a feminist but “we can’t be going back to the 50s.” Kelly recently dropped a new single called “Catch My Breath.” It will be one of the new songs attached on her upcoming greatest hits album called “Greatest Hits- Chapter 1,” which is set to drop on November 19th.
Avril Lavigne recently announced her engagement to Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger and now she’ll be covering his biggest hit – Nickelback’s 2001 song “How You Remind Me.” Her version will appear on the soundtrack to an upcoming anime film called “One Piece Film Z”, as well as her previously released Joan Jett cover, “Bad Reputation.”
Pink always says “no” to drugs. The singer reveals to “Shape” that when she was 15-years-old she almost overdosed, which scared her out of doing drugs for the rest of her life. Pink admits that as a teen, she used to dabble with ecstasy, crystal meth and acid. She says, “I remember getting up off the floor in the morning, and that was the last time I ever touched a drug again.”
Copyright © 2012 – Metro Networks Inc.
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/22/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Adele and her boyfriend Simon Konecki welcomed a son this past Friday. The growing family has yet to release an official statement, but a source close them says they’re “all over the moon.” Adele first revealed that she and Konecki were expecting back in June with a post on her Adele.tv website. The new mom recently managed to find time to release the new James Bond theme song, “Skyfall,” but now she reportedly plans to spend her time “laying low and nesting” for a while before starting work on the follow-up to her massively successful “21″ album.
Taylor Swift altered her record-making process for her new CD, “Red.” She explains that for her latest studio project she sought out the input of others.
While Taylor still wrote the majority of the songs herself on “Red,” the disc features a number of collaborations. She wrote three tracks with pop songwriter-producers Max Martin and Shellback — including her hits “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Taylor also penned tunes with Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody. They’re also featured on the songs they wrote with her. Swift’s highly-anticipated fourth studio album “Red” hits stores today.
Prince wants his money back. He’s filed a lawsuit against Capital Asset Protection, claiming the collections agency wrongfully seized assets he didn’t owe. Prince alleges that CAP took more than 116-thousand dollars in two withdrawals from his bank accounts back in June. The withdrawals were supposedly to pay off a music production contract Prince was thought to have defaulted on. But Prince says in his suit that the judgement stating he owed the money was tossed out in October of last year, which wiped his debt off the books. So now Prince is suing for the money to be returned along with interest.
Chuck Berry is the subject of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s American Music Masters series, which begins Monday. The week-long event will explore the life, work, and lasting influence of the pioneering rocker through panel discussions, interviews, films, and educational programs. The week of activities will come to a close with a Chuck Berry tribute concert. The lineup features Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, the Isley Brothers’ Ernie Isley, Joe Bonamassa, Rick Derringer, David Johansen, and others, while Berry himself might also perform. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland will host the American Music Masters series showcase, which will continue through Saturday. Details on the week’s activities are available at RockHall.com.
Now that his role as R.E.M. frontman is behind him, Michael Stipe has apparently turned to the world of GIFs. The singer recently announced on the REMhq.com website that he’ll be judging the animated images at the upcoming GIF festival Moving the Still. Curated by Paddle8 and hosted by Tumblr, the festival is said to be “the first large-scale, open call event of its kind.” Submissions will be accepted through November 7th and displayed at a live exhibition during this year’s Miami Art Week from December 4th through the 9th. Stipe has even made his own contributions, which can bee seen along with other information about the festival at MovingTheStill.paddle8.com.
Bob Seger showed his appreciation for a country music superstar by taking part in Garth Brooks’ Country Music Hall of Fame induction. Reflecting on the honor, Seger believes the milestone could prompt Brooks back into the recording studio. As he entered the ceremony he recalled his own induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, calling it “a career spike” that left him feeling that he had to return to the studio to “make a great album.” Bob added that he thinks “that might happen with Garth.” However, Brooks said he didn’t “feel any different,” and that the honor simply has him wanting to keep trying to make the country music community proud.
The Beatles first single is once again in stores. The commemorative 50th anniversary single of “Love Me Do” backed with “P.S. I Love You” is getting its release a few weeks later than intended. Plans were to offer the seven-inch disc earlier this month, in conjunction with the October 5th anniversary of the song’s original arrival. But EMI recalled the single after discovering that the album cut featuring drummer Alan White had been pressed — not the original single version with Ringo Starr. But now the mistake has been corrected, and the limited edition 50th anniversary single “Love Me Do” featuring Ringo on drums will be available today.
Copyright © 2012 – Metro Networks Inc.
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/19/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Apparently, Simon Cowell doesn’t quite understand that some Americans might consider baseball more important than his show. The “X Factor” judge tweeted his displeasure with a few choice words when Wednesday night’s rain delay during the National League Championship Series with the Cardinals and the Giants caused the show to be cut off. Only part of the episode ended up airing due to the unexpected weather delay. The show’s final 16 singers were supposed to be revealed but the program was cut before all were unveiled. According to Fox, the network received word that the delay was expected to last beyond primetime, so they decided to start airing “X Factor.” However, an hour into the broadcast the rain subsided and “X Factor” was pulled. Fox has announced that it will air the episode in its entirety either next Monday, if there is no NLCS game, or next Tuesday.
Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, Al Green, and ZZ Top are among the first stars to inducted into the new Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The city has announced plans to honor its musical heritage with the newly established Hall, which the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s John Doyle says is long overdue. He tells “The Memphis Daily News” that the city “should have started this 20 years ago, or maybe 40 years ago.” A total of 25 stars will be honored at the first annual induction ceremony, which will take place at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis on November 29th.
2012 Memphis Music Hall of Fame Inductees
Estelle Axton & Jim Stewart
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Booker T. and The MG’s
Lucie Campbell
George Coleman
Jim Dickinson
Al Green
W.C. Handy
Isaac Hayes
Howlin’ Wolf
B.B. King
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jimmie Lunceford
Professor W.T. McDaniel
Memphis Minnie
Willie Mitchell
Dewey Phillips
Sam Phillips
Elvis Presley
Otis Redding
The Staple Singers
Rufus Thomas
Three 6 Mafia
Nat D. Williams
ZZ Top
J.D. Souther says he signed on for a role on ABC’s “Nashville” because the show “feels authentic.” The singer-songwriter turned actor tells “Rolling Stone” the series “captures something about Nashville and the way country, the business and politics all co-exist in this city.” He explains that the series has avoided some of the traditional country trappings, and the locals are “thrilled there’s finally a show in which they escape the ‘Hee Haw’ stereotype.” Souther adds that it helps that those behind the show “hired actors who can really sing.” On “Nashville” Souther portrays the fictional country legend Watty White, and while he can sing as well he doesn’t know if he’ll ever be asked to do so. In real life, Souther co-wrote some of the biggest songs done by the Eagles: “Best Of My Love”, “Victim Of Love”, “Heartache Tonight” and “New Kid In Town”. He also had his own solo hit with “You’re Only Lonely”.
Making the follow-up to Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller” was quite a journey. Fans are now getting a look at how it was done in the Spike Lee-directed documentary “Michael Jackson: Bad 25.” Beginning Friday, the documentary, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the classic album, will see a limited theatrical run in New York and Los Angeles. For fans who don’t live in New York or L.A., “Bad 25″ will also air on ABC on Thanksgiving night.
Bruno Mars is going to have a busy Saturday night appearing as both host and musical guest on this weekend’s “Saturday Night Live.” It will be Mars’ first time as host and second time performing on the sketch comedy show. His upcoming album, titled “Unorthodox Jukebox,” will be out on December 11th.
Fergie addresses rumors of her husband Josh Duhamel’s alleged infidelity in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, airing Sunday. The Black Eyed Peas singer appears on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” to talk about what she calls their “difficult” times. Duhamel was rumored to be cheating on Fergie with a stripper in 2009. The actor’s indiscretions supposedly took place just nine months into the couple’s marriage. Fergie and Duhamel have been together now for a total of nine years. In a preview of the interview released Thursday, Fergie insists she and Duhamel are now stronger than ever, saying, “our love today is a deeper love.” Duhamel also joins the interview. Of his wife he says that “at the end of the day, she’s just an amazing girl.”
Lady Gaga is reportedly being offered $4.8 million dollars to appear in the new “Zoolander” movie. Ben Stiller, who directed and starred in the original 2001 comedy, is said to be interested in bringing Gaga on board. Both Stiller and Owen Wilson will be reprising their roles as rival male models in the sequel. Gaga is being considered for the part of Derek Zoolander’s new love interest. Kate Upton, Heidi Klum and Adriana Lima are reportedly also under consideration for the role.
Christina Aguilera is getting some help from her fellow coaches on “The Voice.” The tracklist of the singer’s upcoming album “Lotus” has been revealed, and Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton are both featured on two of the songs. Cee Lo will be joining Christina on a song called “Make The World Move,” which has been described as “soulful” and “upbeat.” Country star Shelton will be bringing a bit of his flavor to another song on the album called “Just A Fool.” Though the fourth “Voice” judge Adam Levine is missing, the two have collaborated before on Maroon 5′s “Moves Like Jagger.” “Lotus” will be Aguilera’s seventh studio album and will be out on November 13th.
Here is the tracklist for “Lotus”:
1. Lotus
2. Army of Me
3. Red Hot Kinda Love
4. Make the World Move (Feat. Cee Lo Green)
5. Let’s Find Out
6. Your Body
7. Let There Be Love
8. Sing for Me
9. Blank Page
10. Cease Fire
11. Around the World
12. Circles
13. Best of Me
14. Shut Up
15. Just a Fool (Feat. Blake Shelton)
16. Empty Words
17. Light Up the Sky
18. Your Body
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/18/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Alanis Morissette is tackling rap – with the help of her husband, Souleye. The singer recently told “Billboard” she and Souleye have started to write songs together for him. Souleye has been performing as Alanis’ opening act on her current tour promoting “Havoc and Bright Lights.” Alanis says she had been interested in collaborating with a rap artist for a long time and working with Souleye for his upcoming album was a “dream come true.” Morissette says when she first met her future husband she was a huge fan of his music. She describes his songwriting as a “super stream of consciousness” and “half ascension, half hip-hop, half rap world.” Souleye has been performing the songs he and Alanis wrote together while on tour with his wife. Though Alanis enjoyed the experience and is happy for her husband, she insists that her own rapping would be “really awful,” saying she is “as white as it gets.”
Bruce Springsteen is on the road today, making appearances at two rallies in support of President Obama’s re-election. He’s slated to take part in the “Obama For America” events in Parma, Ohio and Ames, Iowa. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina says they believe Bruce’s participation will help motivate Obama supporters to go to the polls and cast their votes.
But, KISS’ Gene Simmons hasn’t been pleased with the Obama presidency. The bassist voted for Obama in 2008, but now says he is “very disappointed” with the job Obama has done.
Aerosmith is offering fans a preview of their upcoming album, “Music From Another Dimension.” The group will debut the tracks over the coming weeks via RollingStone.com. The first preview is the album’s lead-off track, “LUV XXX”, a song that features the late John Lennon’s son Julian Lennon. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler says when he and Julian recorded the vocals, they shared a microphone just like John and Paul McCartney did in The Beatles. He also praises Julian as a talented singer who has “such a character to his voice,” adding that it’s “very Beatle-y.” Aerosmith’s “Music From Another Dimension” will be in stores on November 6th.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/17/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
If they win it, they get to put a ring on it! The players might be singing that along with Beyoncé at the Super Bowl. The NFL is confirming the Grammy winning superstar is next in line to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. The football league tweeted confirmation Tuesday afternoon, hours after rumors began circulating about Beyoncé’s participation in next year’s Bowl game. The tweet included a picture of Beyoncé wearing eye black with the words “Feb 3″ and “2013″ scrawled on each of her cheeks. Super Bowl 47 will be held on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans. It will mark the 31-year-old singer’s first halftime performance, although she previously performed the national anthem at the 2004 Super Bowl.
Keith Richards says he’s not sure just how much money the Rolling Stones stand to earn with their upcoming concerts. While the band is rumored to be making just under 26-million-dollars from their London and Newark dates, the guitarist tells England’s BBC6 Music that “numbers can get greatly exaggerated.” Keith also admits he’s “a bit out of touch with the mechanics of showbiz and stuff.” He says he just wants to “do some shows,” and adds that he doesn’t “want to charge over the bloody top” for them. According to Ticketmaster.com, fans going to the Newark shows will find tickets ranging in price from 114-dollars-and-80-cents to 813-dollars.
Neil Young will be presenting the first of his two Bridge School Benefit Concerts online. Saturday’s show is set to be webcast, and will be streaming at www.BridgeSchoolBenefit.org to raise more money through the show. Viewers will be able to access the webcast with a ten-dollar donation. The eight-hour concert is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Central time Saturday night. The event will feature acoustic sets from such stars as Guns N’ Roses — who are making their Bridge School Benefit debut — as well as Jack White, The Flaming Lips, Sarah McLachlan, Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon, and others. Neil Young and Crazy Horse are the headliners. The concert will take place at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
Stars are aligning on the ballot for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The rock-heavy list of nominees includes Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry; Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham, Steve Nicks, and Christine McVie; and Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne They’re all in the running in the Performer category along with Foreigner’s Mick Jones and Lou Gramm; The Kinks’ Ray Davies; Jimmy Buffett, Steve Winwood, and Elvis Costello. Meanwhile, former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry and J.D. Souther are among those on the Non-Performer ballot.
Voting members of the Songwriters Hall can only choose two from the Performer category for induction along with three from the Non-Performer category. The new honorees will be celebrated at the 2013 Annual Awards Gala, which will take place at the New York Marriott Marquis on June 13th.
Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees:
Performer/Songwriter
Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, & Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
Elvis Costello
Ray Davies (The Kinks)
Vince Gill
Mick Jones & Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
B.B. King
Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)
Jeff Lynne (ELO)
Steven Tyler & Joe Perry (Aerosmith)
Steve Winwood
Bobby Womack
Non-Performer Songwriters
Bobby Braddock – “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (George Jones), “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” (Tammy Wynette)
Don Covay – “Chain of Fools” (Aretha Franklin), “Pony Time” (Chubby Checker)
Randy Goodrum – “Lesson In Leavin’” (Dottie West), “Oh Sherrie” (Steve Perry)
Tony Hatch – “Downtown,”Don’t Sleep In The Subway,”I Know A Place,” “Sign Of The Times” (Petula Clark)
Holly Knight – “The Best” (Tina Turner) “Love Is A Battlefield” (Pat Benatar)
Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter – “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)” (Four Tops), “One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)” (Coven)
Bob McDill – “It Must Be Love,” “Gone Country” (Alan Jackson) “Song of the South” (Alabama)
Rick Nowels – “Heaven Is A Place on Earth” (Belinda Carlisle)
Linda Perry – “Get The Party Started” (Pink)
P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri – “Secret Agent Man” (Johnny Rivers) “Eve of Destruction” (Barry McGuire)
Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro will appear on the FX show Sons of Anarchy in the final two episodes of the current season, according to Entertainment Weekly. Navarro will portray a member of the Biz Lats gang. Additionally, Jane’s Addiction will perform a version of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” for the season finale.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/16/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Journey guitarist Neal Schon and alleged White House party crasher Michaele Salahi are engaged. While appearing at a benefit concert in Baltimore Sunday, Schon got down on one knee while onstage and proposed to the former “Real Housewives of DC” reality star. He’s 58, she’s 47.
Rihanna doesn’t understand why the public is so interested in her love life. The singer graces the cover of “Vogue” for the second time, opening up about how she feels about the world’s “fascination” with her and ex Chris Brown. Rihanna says “the world hasn’t let go” of Brown’s 2009 assault, for which he is still on probation, but she has.
Bruno Mars‘ upcoming album “Unorthodox Jukebox” is set to drop on December 11th. Mars is gearing up for his visit to “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, where he’ll be doing double-duty as host and musical guest.
Adam Lambert is apparently putting his money where his voice is: the “American Idol” runner up recently insured his voice for 48-million-dollars. Voice insurance is a relatively common place practice in the music industry, but to put the number in perspective, Bruce Springsteen‘s voice is reported to be insured for six million and Dolly Parton‘s for 587-thousand-dollars.
Donald Fagen and Chickenfoot are among the artists with albums arriving in stores today. “Sunken Condos” is the first solo album from the Steely Dan frontman in six years. It’s Fagen’s follow up to his 2006 release, “Morph the Cat.” Meanwhile, Chickenfoot is making their debut album available again. The band’s self-titled studio effort was discontinued after their former label went under, so the group reclaimed ownership of the masters and are re-releasing the project. The new “Chickenfoot” features all the tracks from the original album along with a second bonus disc of live tracks and the cut “Bitten by the Wolf,” which was previously only available on import copies of the album.
The holiday album “A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary” is also being released. Cheap Trick is included in the multi-artist compilation. But their contribution has caused a stir within the group, since drummer Bun E. Carlos wasn’t included in the recording session. The charity disc raises money for Special Olympics.
Prince and Lady Gaga are reportedly contributing to the soundtrack to the upcoming film “The Great Gatsby.” Directed By baz Luhrmann, the movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/15/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
The man arrested for trespassing at Miley Cyrus‘ Los Angeles home last month has received his sentence. The intruder, Jason Luis Rivera, was sentenced to 18 months in jail on Friday, after refusing probation for an unknown reason. He was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest. In early September, reports came in to police that there was a man banging on the walls and door of Cyrus’ home. The 19-year-old singer was not present at the time. When police responded they found Rivera hiding in the bushes near the home, carrying a pair of scissors in his back pocket. Shortly after, a video of the arrest become public. Rivera is heard saying, “I am a friend of Miley Cyrus. I am. She’s my wife. Me and Miley have been friends for five years.”
Lady Gaga is a huge fan of Edith Piaf‘s — and she wants the toenails to prove it. “The Sun” reports that Gaga is spending a fortune to acquire some of the legendary French singer’s old possessions. The magazine says that Gaga’s reps have been in negotiations with Piaf’s estate about wanting to buy her idol and musical inspiration’s clothing, perfume bottles, private letters and even her toenail clippings. According to the report, she also has her eyes on rights on nine of Piaf’s songs, which she is likely to sample on her next album.
Britney Spears is sitting on a huge amount of cash. TMZ has leaked new documents that were filed in her conservatorship case that reveal the pop star reported assets totaling over 30-million-dollars as of the end of 2010. The site has sources that say the 30-million figure doesn’t even scratch the surface of Britney’s wealth. After 2010, Britney has raked in plenty more, which includes the 15-million-dollar “X Factor” deal, as well as a profitable concert tour that made her another 68-million. TMZ also obtained a document revealing how Britney spent her cash in 2010. Apparently, the star spent over 300-thousand-dollars for child support and care, over 60-thousand for personal grooming and wardrobe, and paid 19-thousand-dollars per month in rent for her Calabasas home.
Phillip Phillips is looking forward to a big post-”Idol” debut. The season eleven winner of the show is set to release his debut album titled, “The World From The Side of The Moon” on November 19th.
It’s also worth noting that another “Idol” alum, Kelly Clarkson, has a big release set on the same day as Phillips. Clarkson will be releasing her first greatest hits album, “Greatest Hits: Chapter 1,” which has three new tracks on it including the latest “Catch My Breath.”
Bret Michaels and Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider are once again raising money for charity through NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice.” They’ll be part of the upcoming season’s “all-star” cast, which was revealed on the “Today” show Friday. Bret, the only returning champ, was on hand for the announcement. He said he doesn’t think having won before gives him any advantage, and expects the competition will “be insane.” Michaels added that the last time he was on the show he was “really sick,” but now he’s “ready to come back.” A month before the 2010 season came to an end Bret suffered his brain hemorrhage, and just days before the live finale he had been hospitalized for a “warning stroke” and doctors discovered he had a hole in his heart. Other returning stars include La Toya Jackson; NBA star Dennis Rodman; actors Gary Busey, Lisa Rinna, and Stephen Baldwin; rapper Lil Jon, country star Trace Adkins, and magician Penn Jillette. The new season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” will begin in March.
Eric Clapton isn’t just making money from his music. The UK’s “Telegraph” says the rocker made millions over the weekend selling a painting from his art collection, and set a new sales record in the process. He put Gerhard Richter’s “Abstraktes Bild” up for bid at Sotheby’s in London on Friday, and it went for more than 34-point-two-million-dollars. The painting was expected to fetch between 14-point-four-and-19-point-two-million-dollars. Clapton originally purchased the work in 2001 for just under three-point-four-million-dollars. In addition, the 34-point-two-million is the most ever paid for a Richter. The previous highest sales price for one of the German abstract artist’s paintings was just under 21-point-seven-million-dollars with the sale of his “Abstract Picture” in New York back in May.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/12/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Rihanna has named her new album “Unapologetic” and it will be released on November 19th. It’s her seventh album.
Michael Jackson‘s “Bad” album is 25 years old this year. To celebrate the milestone, fans in New York and Los Angeles will be able to watch the Spike Lee documentary “Bad 25″ in theaters, for one week only. The exclusive screenings will take place in New York, starting October 19th and in Los Angeles, beginning October 26th. Fans who can’t make it to either of the cities can see the film when it airs on ABC on November 22nd.
Michael Bolton is planning on making television a full-time job. “Deadline” says the singer will be playing a fictional version of himself in an upcoming comedy series for ABC. The show will be called “Michael Bolton’s Daughter Is Destroying My Life,” and is currently in development. It’s based on an idea by NBC’s “Go On” actress Allison Miller and is loosely inspired by her real-life celebrity encounters when she first came to Hollywood. Bolton’s most notable role in the TV world so far has been his stint on “Saturday Night Live’s” digital short, “Captain Jack Sparrow.” “Michael Bolton’s Daughter Is Destroying My Life” will mark a return to ABC, where Bolton appeared as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” two years ago. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter also recently had a guest spot on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington and .38 Special are being recognized by the state of Georgia this weekend. The Southern rockers will be among the honorees at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show. The Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist is set to receive the Songwriter Award at the ceremony, while .38 Special will earn the Group honor.
The Bret Michaels Hospitality and Music Room is now up and running at St. Joseph’s Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. “The Arizona Republic” says the Poison frontman was on hand for Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the room. Michael says the “sole purpose” of the space is to “provide comfort, serenity, and peace to families that are going through a very trying time in their lives.” Michaels was inspired to build the room when he was at the hospital recovering from his life-threatening brain hemorrhage in 2010, and could see how stressful it was for the patients’ visitors. He says his goal with the room is to give those people “a break,” and “something to take their mind off what’s going on.”
The Rolling Stones have delivered on schedule. As promised, the band unveiled its first single in seven years, “Doom and Gloom,” Thursday on BBC Radio 2. The track is now available on iTunes and will be included on the Stones’ upcoming compilation, “Grrr! Greatest Hits,” due out on November 13th. Though the song’s lyrics make references to current events like the Iraq War, fracking, a plane crash in the Louisiana swamp and even zombies, Stones frontman Mick Jagger tweeted ahead of “Doom and Gloom’s” release that the song is, “a really raunchy rocker you can dance to.”
Over 20 years after his death, Freddie Mercury is returning to the spotlight. In a statement on his website, guitarist Brian May revealed some new details about the upcoming biopic of the flamboyant Queen frontman, who passed away from AIDS in 1991. May has confirmed that the film should be ready for release in early 2014. He says the production is “on course” and even though they started slightly later than anticipated, filming is now scheduled to start in the spring. May has also confirmed that Mercury will be played by “Borat” star Sacha Baron Cohen. May said that he had a meeting with Queen drummer Roger Taylor and longtime manager Jim Beach earlier this week to discuss how they would be involved in the making of the film.
Journey is performing for a cause this weekend. The band is set to headline the 13th Annual Paul Reed Smith Guitars and Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Charity Weekend. The event will also feature the Journey of Hope Fashion Show, which Neal Schon’s girlfriend, former “Real Housewives” star Michaele Salahi, will host. The benefit will take place at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/11/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
The Rolling Stones appear to be nailing down dates and venues for some upcoming shows in London at the O2 Arena on November 26th and 27th, then two nights at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on December 15th and 16. The Stones are also expected to play a couple of shows at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, but those dates haven’t been set yet.
Stevie Nicks says she’s “truly sorry” for saying she would have strangled Nicki Minaj if she were in Mariah Carey‘s heels. Nicks’ apology comes after her strong reaction to the widely reported exchange between the rapper and the singer at a recent “American Idol” audition. Speaking on Minaj’s profanity-driven argument with Carey, Nicks told “The Daily” “How dare this little girl! If I had been Mariah, I would have walked over to Nicki and strangled her to death right there.” She continued saying, “I would have killed her in front of all those people and had to go to jail for it.” On Wednesday, the Fleetwood Mac singer issued a statement saying her remarks were “out of character” for her and came during a “long and exhausting day of interviews.”
Tom Petty is getting rid of his favorite car. He’s putting his 1996 Jaguar XJS Convertible up for bid to raise money for charity. Tom says the vehicle really means a lot to him, and he has “so many great memories associated with this car.” He explains that he got the Jag early on in his relationship with his wife Dana, while they were still dating, because she said it was her favorite type of car. Petty recalls the first time he and Dana took the car out for a drive, and says they were both “in heaven” as they rolled down California’s Pacific Coast Highway. The rocker adds that he and Dana “sure are going to miss” the car. Petty will donate the money raised from the sale of the car to the international medical organization Doctors Without Borders. The auction opens Thursday at eBay.com/TomPetty, and will run for ten days.
Sammy Hagar is currently in Mexico marking his 65th birthday. The Red Rocker is hosting his annual Birthday Bash at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, and he’s added some star power to the celebration. Country superstar Kenny Chesney is set to perform at the multi-day event on Friday. Sammy calls Chesney’s concert “an awesome birthday present,” and adds that he “can’t wait to rock with Kenny and the fans.” Chesney previously performed at Hagar’s birthday event in 2004. He set the record for the longest performance at the Cabo Wabo Cantina with a show clocking in at three-hours-and-40-minutes.
Miley Cyrus may be looking for another role to shed her Disney Channel image – but apparently “Bonnie & Clyde” isn’t it. According to TVLine.com, the pop star is out of the running to play the female lead in the new Lifetime and History Channel miniseries. Cyrus was reportedly in negotiations to play notorious outlaw Bonnie Parker in the upcoming project. The role would have been the 19-year-old’s first big return to television since playing the Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, the average girl with a double life as a pop star. The singer has been inching back to acting recently, starring in the movie “LOL” with Demi Moore earlier this year. She’ll also appear in a multi-episode arc on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men,” which will air later this month.
It looks like Beyoncé will not be starring in Clint Eastwood’s remake of A Star Is Born after all, due to scheduling conflicts. “I was looking forward to the production of A Star Is Born and the opportunity to work with Clint Eastwood,” the singer/actress said in a statement to E! News. “For months we tried to coordinate our schedules to bring this remake to life but it was just not possible. Hopefully in the future we will get a chance to work together.”
More information continues to surface about Dave Grohl‘s Sound City documentary. In a new interview with Billboard, Rick Springfield reveals that he recorded a new song, “The Man Who Never Was,” with the Foo Fighters for the soundtrack to the upcoming film. Springfield recorded his breakthrough 1981 album Working Class Dog at Sound City.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/10/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Rihanna and Nicki Minaj lead the list of nominees heading into next month’s American Music Awards. Both artists snagged four nominations a piece, just one more than Justin Bieber, One Direction, Maroon 5, Drake and Usher, who all landed three nominations each. Rihanna will compete with Bieber, Maroon 5, Drake and Katy Perry in the top category for Artist Of The Year at the November 18th ceremony. AMA winners are determined by fans through online voting at www.ama.abc.com. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the American Music Awards will be presented during a star-studded ceremony to be televised by ABC from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
KISS frontman Paul Stanley says he doesn’t really care if his band ever gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In an interview with RollingStone.com, Stanley calls the selection process “transparent” and run by what he calls the “East Coast music Mafia.” But while Stanley doesn’t voice much respect or admiration for those behind the Rock Hall, he says if KISS ever gets the nod he’d “be gracious” and accept the induction. He says that it “means nothing” to him, but he knows it matters to the band’s fans.
Britney Spears is on board to participate in the upcoming television tribute to the late Whitney Houston. She says she is “honored and humbled” to take part in the tribute, which will be taped Thursday at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Spears also added that Houston will always be one of her heroes. It’s not known if Spears’ participation will include a performance. So far, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion and Usher are among the performers for the special. The one-hour tribute to the six-time Grammy winner will include never-before-seen footage of Houston, along with some of her most memorable moments, and will air on CBS on November 16th. A new greatest hits album called “I Will Always Love You- The Best of Whitney Houston” will drop just days before the broadcast on November 13th.
Paula Abdul is taking another critical role in reality competition. This one’s temporary, however, as the former “American Idol” and “X Factor” judge sits in for a guest spot on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” Abdul will take her seat on the judges’ panel on next Monday’s episode.
Lady Gaga has been awarded a peace prize by Yoko Ono in a ceremony in Iceland. The wife of Beatles legend John Lennon presented Gaga with the LennonOno Grant for Peace, saying the singer has used her stardom around the globe to promote activism and changing the “mental map” of the world. Gaga told the longtime peace activist she planned to donate the monetary prize given with the award to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and vowed to continue to “communicate compassionately to the world and its leaders.”
Nicki Minaj better not cross Stevie Nicks. The Fleetwood Mac singer and former “American Idol” mentor told “The Daily Beast” she never would have tolerated Minaj’s verbal assaults the way Mariah Carey did. The rapper lashed out at her fellow “American Idol” judge during the show’s auditions in North Carolina last week. A video of the exchange has since gone viral. Stevie Nicks says if she had been in Carey’s chair things would have gotten violent, saying, in reference to Nicki, that she would have “strangled her to death right there.” Even though she would have “had to go to jail for it,” Stevie insists she would have “killed her in front of all those people.”
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/9/12
Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
The late John Lennon continues to be remembered on the anniversary of his birth today. While fans will be gathering at Strawberry Fields in New York’s Central Park, BeatlesNews.com says an event is also planned in Los Angeles. Fans will come together at the former Beatle’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is in front of the Capitol Records building on Vine Street. A birthday cake cutting ceremony is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time, and fans are encouraged to bring flowers and candles to place on Lennon’s star.
Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, will be in Iceland for the annual relighting of the Imagine Peace Tower. In a message on ImaginePeaceTower.com, Ono is calling on people to “come together to realize a peaceful world.” She adds that she’s hoping the tower will “give light to the strong wishes of World Peace from all corners of the planet and give encouragement, inspiration and a sense of solidarity in a world now filled with fear and confusion.” The Imagine Peace Tower will remain illuminated until December 8th, the anniversary of Lennon’s death.
Former Eagle Don Felder has a new album out. “Road To Forever” is his first solo album in nearly 30 years.
Lady Gaga is apparently determined not to be outdone by Justin Bieber. The pop star got sick and vomited on stage during a show in Barcelona on Sunday. Gaga’s gagging gaffe came about a week after Bieber got sick on stage, vomiting on stage on the first night of his “Believe” tour in Glendale, Arizona. A video of the Gaga incident was recorded by an audience member. It shows the singer throwing up at least twice during the chorus of her song “The Edge of Glory.” Gaga doesn’t seem to be too embarrassed what happened. Shortly afterwards she tweeted the video out to her 30 million followers, saying “check out Lady PukeGa doing Swan ‘Vomit’ Lake.” She also added that the video is “quite a good laugh.”
Kesha [kesh-uh] is adding author to her resume. The singer-songwriter has announced plans to release an illustrated memoir in November, just before the release of her new album “Warrior.” Titled “My Crazy Beautiful Life,” the book will tell the story of Kesha’s sudden rise to fame three years ago. It’s being published by Touchstone. The 25-year-old singer said in a statement that the memoir will give fans “a more complete picture” of what her life “is really is like.” “My Crazy Beautiful Life” is set to release on November 20th. ”Warrior” will be released on December 5th.
Barbara Walters is getting caught up in the war of words between “American Idol” judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. Minaj is accusing the veteran broadcaster of unbalanced reporting, claiming Walters never asked for her side of the story. Walters addressed the rapper’s Twitter complaint on Monday’s episode of “The View.” She said, they did in fact reach out to Minaj and asked her to call them. Walters claims to have had Mariah’s home phone number when she spoke to the singer last week. She says she didn’t have a direct line to Minaj.
Lady Gaga has been honored with the LennonOno Grant For Peace, for her work with the gay, lesbian and transgendered community. “Lady Gaga is one of the biggest living artists of our time,” Yoko Ono said in a statement. “She is not only an artist, she is also an activist, using her art to bring better communication to the world. She is being acknowledged for her activism, and how her album Born This Way has widely changed the mental map of the world. And how it has made us deal with the future world, which happens to be here already.” Gaga accepted the award and donation in person on Friday in Iceland, giving the donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/8/12
Arch Music News is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Ozzy Osbourne has a special TV appearance coming up this week. Ozzy will be on hand to help wife Sharon celebrate her 60th birthday on an episode of CBS’ “The Talk.” Tuesday’s program will be dedicated to the occasion, and will also feature appearances from daughter Kelly Osbourne as well as Sharon’s former “America’s Got Talent” colleague Nick Cannon.
Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind, and Fire; and Jon Bon Jovi were among the stars showing their support for President Obama. They were just some of the celebrities who performed at the “30 Days To Victory Concert” in support of the president’s re-election. At the event, President Obama expressed his gratitude to all the performers, even though he didn’t actually get to see the concert. Jennifer Hudson and Katy Perry also performed at the event, while George Clooney was among those who addressed the crowd. The president also praised the artists’ talents, saying they “just perform flawlessly night after night” while he “can’t always say the same” about himself. The “30 Days To Victory Concert” took place at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Muse fans got a taste of things to come on this weekend’s episode of “Saturday Night Live.” The band performed two of their newest songs — “Madness” and “Panic Station” — on Saturday’s episode of the NBC sketch comedy show. The live appearance came in conjunction with announcing a 2013 North American tour behind their latest album, “The 2nd Law.” So far, the trek is scheduled to begin January 21st, with a show in San Diego. They come to St. Louis on March 8th at Chaifetz Arena.
Lady Gaga is being recognized as an activist. She was honored as the fifth and final recipient of the LennonOno Grant For Peace. In a press release, Yoko Ono called Gaga one of the biggest artists of our time. Ono also praised Gaga’s “Born This Way,” saying that it has “widely changed the mental map of the world.”
The Who‘s Pete Townshend says he actually feels “sick” about having his long awaited autobiography, “Who I Am,” finally arriving in stores. The rock legend tells the UK’s “The Sun” that instead of having a sense of accomplishment, he feels “depleted and concerned” about publishing the book. Townshend explains that he doesn’t want “somebody to be hurt” by the things he’s written but he needed it “to be true,” so he’s “waiting for responses.” “Who I Am” is said to pull no punches, and publisher Harper Collins book description says Townshend tells his tale “with his trademark eloquence, fierce intelligence, and brutal honesty.” He covers his difficult childhood, life as a member of The Who — along with all the creativity and decadence of the rock scene and his associations with other rock greats. Pete also addresses his child pornography arrest — which he’s said stemmed from research for this book. Townshend’s “Who I Am” will be in stores today.
Whitney Houston‘s mother Cissy may be worried about her granddaughter’s future. TMZ is reporting that Cissy thinks it best to withhold 19-year-old Bobbi Kristina’s inheritance until she has matured. Sources close to the grandmother tell the site that Cissy is concerned that the multimillion dollar inheritance will take Bobbi down a dangerous path, one similar to her mother’s. Apparently, Cissy feels Bobbi is surrounded by negative influences, like her boyfriend Nick Gordon and her father Bobby Brown, who could end up draining her fortune if given the opportunity. Sources say she thinks Bobbi Kristina is still impressionable and is scared at the idea of leaving an estate worth an estimated $20 million dollars in her hands. Also according to TMZ, Cissy and Whitney’s sister-in-law Pat filed a request last week to modify the singer’s will, with changes only to the distribution schedule.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)
Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/5/12
\
Arch Music News is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Kelly Clarkson will release her first best-of set, Greatest Hits – Chapter 1, on November 19. The compilation will include three brand new songs, including her new single “Catch My Breath.”
Mariah Carey says she’s not taking any chances. The singer and “American Idol” judge told “The View’s” Barbara Walters Thursday that she had hired extra security believing that fellow judge Nicki Minaj threatened her life after a heated exchange this week.
Katy Perry, Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Hudson are among the artists who will take the stage this Sunday to help President Obama’s re-election campaign. The event is called “30 Days to Victory” and will take place at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Perry, Bon Jovi and Hudson will be joined by Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. The superstar line up is hoping to give the President an edge as he gears up for the final stretch of the campaign. Tickets to attend the “30 Days to Victory” concert sold for 44-dollars a piece for those Obama supporters who are under the age of 40. For those 40 and above, general admission tickets will cost 250-dollars. The concert will be followed by a 25-thousand-dollar per plate fundraising dinner at a nearby restaurant hosted by Hollywood producer and DreamWorks Animation boss Jeffrey Katzenberg.
She may only be 30 years old but that’s not stopping Kelly Clarkson from putting out her first greatest hits collection. The singer, who became the first winner of “American Idol” a decade ago, has announced that she will be releasing a greatest hits album called “Greatest Hits- Chapter 1.” On the album will be a new single called “Catch My Breath”, which Clarkson announced will be released on October 16th.
Nicole Scherzinger has revealed that she suffered from bulimia when she was a part of The Pussycat Dolls. The singer and former “X Factor” judge came clean about her destructive past in her interview for VH1′s “Behind the Music.”
Rush is expressing their appreciation for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bid. Band members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart posted a short message on their website saying they’re “honored to be among the nominees” for the Rock Hall’s Class of 2013. The list of 15 hopefuls also includes Deep Purple, Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Kraftwerk, Randy Newman, and others. Also, for the first time, fans are getting a say in the matter. The online ballot will be open at RollingStone.com until December 3rd. The Class of 2013 will be announced in December. The honorees will be celebrated with the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, taking place in Los Angeles on April 18th.
It was 50 years ago today The Beatles first single arrived in stores. “Love Me Do” marks the recording debut for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr as a group.
(Metro Networks, Inc. – Copyright © 2012)