Green Day punks up “Simpsons” theme song
May 31, 2007 Album, Green Day, Movies, Music, Record Label, Song
In a new twist, the score soundtrack for the upcoming “Simpsons” movie, featuring Green Day’s rendition of the show’s famous theme, will be released simultaneously by three companies.
On July 24, three days before the film opens in U.S. theaters, Warner Bros. Records will put out the Green Day single (the band also appears in the film). Fox Music will make a digital score album available through its Web site and other outlets. And Extreme Music, usually known for its vast production music library, will release 25,000 pink doughnut cases to such specialty retailers as Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble.
For traditionalists, jewel-cased CDs also will be available. “We really wanted to think outside of the box”, Fox Music president Robert Kraft says. “‘The Simpsons Movie’ was a perfect vehicle to try a new approach.”
The idea largely was the brainchild of Kraft and composer Hans Zimmer, who scored the film. “Hans has a great relationship with Extreme Music”, Kraft says. “They are known for their creative packaging. The model of handing over a soundtrack or score to a traditional label and then hoping it does well is changing. This is a coordinated marketing effort of behalf of Extreme, the studio and Warner Bros. Records.”
As previously reported, Green Day recently recorded a cover of another famous tune, John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero”, for the upcoming Darfur benefit “Instant Karma.” The song, which the group performed on Wednesday’s “American Idol” finale, climbs 25-14 on this week’s Billboard Modern Rock chart.
The Police Kick Off Their Reunion
May 30, 2007 Concert Tour, Famous People, Music, Reunion, Rock, Song
Vancouver was the first town to be chosen as a part of The Police’s reunion tour. The band performed in front of a sold out crowd of 20,000 people. It was the first time they played in a stadium for a long time; around 20 years. “Message in a Bottle”, a smash hit in 1979, was the first song sung, quickly followed by “Synchronicity”.
Fans were delighted to be able to see The Police on stage and while some were not even born when the band had its biggest success, others were happy to get to see them again. It’s always good to see an old success comeback and future plans for The Police also include a super reunion line up that will include Van Halen, Genesis and Eagles. More shows are already planned and if all will be like this first night maybe we will even see a new album soon. Fans around the world would love this or at least a special collector’s edition of the tour.
No Show in Rome for Barbara Streisand
May 29, 2007 Concert Tour, Famous People, Music, TV Show, Tickets Sale
Barbara Streisand recently canceled her concert in Rome. It was scheduled for next month but it did meet many fans that complained of very high ticket prices. Organizers claimed the move had nothing to do with this. The official statement made by promoter Michael Cohl was:
“We met with unexpected production delays. We deeply apologize to the fans in Rome”
Ticket prices will be refunded and fans will be allowed to book a ticket at another European venue included in the tour. We have to think about one thing here. The prices were very high as they varied from around $200 to $1,200. The show was supposed to happen at the Flaminio Stadium, which has 24,000 seats. Another thing to be taken into account was that the average sales price for a ticket in Barbara’s last tour (2006) was $298 and it still did sell like crazy.
R.E.M. Will Launch a New Album
May 28, 2007 Album, Music, News
R.E.M. will start work on a new album next wife in a collaboration with Jacknife Lee as a producer. Mills said that:
“We are psyched to work with Jacknife Lee. We’ve got a great batch of songs, and can’t wait to put them down.”
Millions of fans from all across the world will be thrilled at this piece of news. Lee stated that the new songs signed R.E.M. are very exciting and might be the best ones composed by the band. After 2004’s “Around The Sun” fans have been wondering when some new songs will appear. Well, you still have to wait a little. R.E.M. still has some shows planed and only after that we can expect an official launch and even new tour dates to promote the new, yet to be named album.
50 Cent says: ”Delusional Cam’ron is hurting diplomats camp”
May 28, 2007 50 Cent, Famous People, Music, Music Videos, Rumor
50 Cent is laughing straight through his feud with Cam’ron — and all the way to the bank. When Cam came out dissing 50, making a song and accompanying pair of videos called “Cuurtis,” 50 promptly flipped the whole scenario and named his next album Curtis. Mo’ money! When 50 tried to play mind games, saying the Diplomats should kick out Cam and nominate Jim Jones as the new head of the organization, some shrugged it off. Lo and behold, a few weeks later, Jones went public with his gripes about Cam and said he’s distancing himself from his longtime friend, musical collaborator and business partner.
50 Cent is laughing straight through his feud with Cam’ron — and all the way to the bank.
So now what’s next? Well last week, 50 appeared on BET’s “106 & Park” and said Cam’ron was basically in his house, scared to come outside because of a recent altercation he had at a New York nightclub with Roc-A-Fella recording artist Tru-Life.
Cam’ron immediately responded, posting a videotape message online from his vacation home. He appeared on camera standing poolside and wearing blue boxer shorts, a white iPod tank top and socks to match. He told 50 enigmatically, “You ain’t left alone, brother. You’re not left alone.” Cam also warned that it would be a “hot summer” – that he’s off probation now and that, when his vacation ends Friday, he’s going to give 50 the middle finger. “Get my pool in the back”, he said to the cameraman as he walked off. A second part of the Cam footage that surfaced showed a close-up shot of the usually tapered-up MC with his hair and mustache unkempt.
“It doesn’t make sense”, 50 said. “For him to shoot a video message in front of his pool in underwear, it doesn’t make sense. I think he’s delusional. For him to make any financial reference, being in the financial space he’s in and where I’m at financially, doesn’t make sense. He’s just upset, he’s angry.
50 won’t give Cam credit for inspiring him to title his album Curtis, but he did shrug off the NYC Harlemite’s using his birth name to dis him.
“He’s delusional”, 50 reiterated. “For a person to think that calling you the name your mom gave you at birth is disrespectful is beyond belief. He’s punished himself more than I can punish him. He’s made a fool of himself. There’s nobody asking me about Cam’ron. … I think people lost interest in it, based on the situation. He’s not even relevant. You’re talking about a guy who sold 270,000 [copies] his last record. I sold 9.8 million my last record. I’m not going to exhaust my audience by talking about somebody they have no interest in.”
The Greatest things about American Idol
May 26, 2007 American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, Music, Music Artists, Performance, TV Show
There are so many great things that we talk about the whole about American Idol. Since it started airing from season 1 until now the show has been a blast. And after several seasons it has already produced many of todays chart toping hits. Great names like Kelly Clarkson, Bo Bice, Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks are just some of the names that definitely made a big impact on the music world. The judges were also a great ingredient in this reality contest. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson did a great job in bringing great new talents to the American Idol. And now, another great chapter adds up to the show as Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis will finally bring out their last performances. Whoever wins in this show they are already both winners to me. Good luck!
Urban handed wine on a flight
May 25, 2007 Album, Famous People, Rumor
Country music singer and recovering alcoholic Keith Urban knew he was back in Australia when a Qantas flight attendant welcomed him with a bottle of wine
The Grammy winner and country music chart topper, who has publicly acknowledged a former addiction to cocaine, recently completed a three-month stint in rehab for alcohol abuse.
Urban, 39, who grew up in Australia, was offered a complimentary bottle of red wine during a recent Qantas Airways flight from Sydney to the South Australia state capital, Adelaide — part of a world tour for his latest album, “Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing.”
“I knew I was back in South Australia when the host came up to me, smiled, gave me a bottle of red and said, ‘Welcome to Adelaide Mr. Urban’”, the country music star told a packed stadium on Sunday, according to a report in News Ltd. newspapers Tuesday.
“So I drank it”, he quipped.
Urban’s manager Rob Potts rushed to assure fans the singer was only joking.
“He didn’t drink it at all”, he was quoted as saying. “I’ve been with him for years and I have a sense of how together he is and how determined he is to put it into his career.”
In a brief statement, Qantas said the gaffe was a routine customer relations gesture “by an individual staff member who genuinely did not realize who the passenger was.”
The New Zealand-born Urban checked himself into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., last October, less than four months after his wedding to Australian actress Nicole Kidman.
Liberty X become Liberty ex
May 24, 2007 Award, Music, News
Liberty X have announced they will not be recording any more material together.
The five-piece group, formed from 2001 reality show Popstars, made the announcement in a statement to fans on their website.
Although the group received considerably greater chart success than the show’s winners, Hear’Say, they have never managed to repeat the feat of their 2002 number one Just a Little.
That track won a Brit award for best single. Since then the group, consisting of Michelle Scott-Lee, Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young, Kevin Simm and Tony Lundon, have had six top ten hits including Being Nobody, Jumpin’ and Song 4 Lovers.
Their last release, X, charted at number 46 in the UK singles chart and the group have now decided to call it a day for good.
“We want to let the fans know that Liberty X won’t be doing any more recording together. All of us have separate projects we’re working on and are excited about,” the fivesome said.
“We’re still the best of friends and we’ll still be doing all the dates on the current club tour”, their statement added.
Liberty X have become the next group to split after some years of recording together. They didn’t have the success of the big groups like Spice Girls or Backstreet Boys but they showed their fans they could sing very well and make a good show. But sometimes this is not enough. People have different wishes and being in a group do not let them do what they really want. This is the main reason for the split of world’s best known groups and Liberty X is no exception.
Kanye West Tour Details
May 23, 2007 Album, Concert Tour, Famous People, Kanye West, MTV, Music, Music Artists, Performance, R&B, Rap Music
Kanye West is playing it strong and in order to succeed with a tour promoting the soon to be released new LP (“Graduation”). He stated that he will work with choreographer-director Jamie King, made famous by working with superstars like Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Prince, Britney Spears, Shakira and Mariah Carey. Kanye West said for MTV that:
“I’m working with Jamie King. I saw the last Madonna concert — he did the last Madonna concerts and so I’ve been sitting down vibing with him, cause I want to bring the level of entertainment up another level. At the end of the day, regardless of the he said/she said, regardless of whatever sh– I talk, whatever sh– anybody else talks — come to the show and have a good time.”
No tour dates have been confirmed but as I see Kanye West he is ready for a bang. Whenever the rapper drops something he does it big and we all know that.
U2 in Cannes
May 22, 2007 Famous People, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, Performance, Rock, U2
Wow! U2 in Cannes! I hope Cannes was prepared when U2 performed at the Cannes Festival. These guys are great at their music. I liked their song Vertigo which also has a great music video. I bet the people in Cannes were also blown away by the performances of lead singer Bono. The festival was packed with thousands of visitor, movie fans, and party goers. Their new concert movie, U2 3D was shown in the festival.
Rolling Stones get Greedy
May 22, 2007 Famous People, News
Fame brings with itself huge responsibility and transforms a simple individual into a role model. This has been the case with the Rolling Stones as well. This band certainly has more popularity than they ever expected and this unfortunately immediately brings up money. Superstars tend to ask for a lot of money in order to perform in various locations and although this is something normal, it is a shame to hear something like what happened in connection with a Glastonbury event.
On June 7 the Glastonbury Festival in England will take place. The Rolling Stones were offered the possibility to headline the event but greed or something untold stopped that. The multi platinum band asked for 2 million dollars to play at the event. Promoter Martin Elbourne said that this was the reason why negotiations failed as the band priced itself
Why Blake Lewis doesn’t want to win
May 21, 2007 American Idol, Justin Timberlake, Music, Rumor, TV Show
There has been much talk of late regarding the ramifications of a Blake Lewis victory come tomorrow night on American Idol. The issue has nothing to do with Jordin Sparks, so we’ll leave her out of this for now. There are, then, two issues to discuss. One, the reasons Blake Lewis doesn’t want to win and, two, evidence that Blake Lewis is not trying to win.
The truth is, Blake Lewis would benefit from coming in second. He would have more creative freedom on the album he decides to make. As witnessed at his Seattle concert (or any of his outside-of-Idol concerts), Blake has a repertoire of original songs that he’d love to record. However, they aren’t exactly mainstream fare. How much dance music do you see on TRL? American Idol will attempt to steer Blake into more of a Justin Timberlake direction if he ends up winning. I really don’t see the Idol executives signing off on an album that features 7-minute, loop-centric dance songs.
During tonight’s episode, the first thing that might clue you in to Blake’s mindset was his decision to perform first after he won the coin flip (AND after asking Jordin whether she wanted to go first). It’s always beneficial to perform last, in terms of making a lasting impression on the Idol voters (this may not be scientifically proven, but it sure seems to be the case). Blake’s lack of nervousness is another red flag. He does not seem at all invested in the competition and looks as if he only really cares about going out there and having a good time. If he really wanted to win American Idol, we’d probably sense at least a little stress out of him.
Thankfully, it is impossible to accuse Blake of trying to “throw” the competition at any point. It’s obvious that he’s doing the best that he can out there and that he has a lot of pride in what he does. A moment that stood out during last week’s results show was Blake’s reaction after it was announced that Melinda was eliminated. He looked embarrassed, even a little upset. That’s not the way a person reacts if they are in it to win it.
Blake’s already going to have the opportunity to record a high-profile album. Creative freedom is more important than the bragging rights of being an Idol champion. Jordin Sparks is much more Idol’s type: young, marketable, malleable.
Chemical Brothers to Launch New Album
May 20, 2007 Album, Concert Tour, Music, Music Artists, Music Bands, New Single, Song, Tickets Sale
The Chemical Brothers just announced their sixth studio album release. It will be held on the 18th of June and the material will be called “We are The Night”. As expected, there will also be a single release earlier, on the 4th of the same month, for a track featured on the album called “Do It Again”.
In other news, the Chemical Brothers will hold a show at Chalk Farm’s Roundhouse on May 31 and will headline the Other Stage in Glastonbury on June 24. The band is well renowned for their shows and fans are expected to quickly buy all the tickets can be offered. It certainly became a good move for a club to book them and I must say that they do know how to raise a crowd off their chairs.
Fergie On Both Ends of the MTV Top 20
May 19, 2007 Avril Lavigne, Famous People, Fergie, MTV, Music, Music Artists, Performance, Song
This week on MTV Top 20. Fergie is topping the MTV Top 20 and also wrapping up the top 20 spot. She is currently floating on the number one spot with “Glamorous”, and she is also on the number twenty spot on the list with her “Fergilicious”. She is definitely in control of her crowd. But lets see if she can still hold on to her spot as Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend” is slowly climbing up. The skater girl is putting up a nice fight for the spot. But will her topless act on the Blender magazine enough to take the number one spot? We’ll still have to see. If you happen to notice Beyonce appears on the MTV Top 20 list 3 times. But will that also be enough to take the glamour out of Fergie? Maybe she’s just fergilicious.
Melinda Doolittle out of “Idol”
May 18, 2007 American Idol, Music, TV Show
This was quite a shock for most “American Idol” viewers as Melinda Doolittle was considered the favorite to win the show this year but as in most cases, it’s not enough to be a crowd favorite to go on winning the competition. Controversy is definitely no stranger to this production. The final two to square off in one more battle are Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks.
Melinda was Cowell’s favorite and he definitely did not take the news with happiness. He always showed his affection for the 29-year-old backup singer and when he found out the news he covered his face and said:
Congratulations to you two. My commiserations, Melinda, ’cause you are one heck of a singer”
Upon leaving Melinda Doolittle seemed resigned and everyone could see that she was not really happy. The facts are she never hit a bad note in all of the shows and this does not seem fair. I am one of the guys that think singing needs to be the main criteria in Idol but we all know it is not. Let us see what happens next when in the last show we will see a perfect “American Idol” type in Sparks or the revolutionary “rebel” Wash.
Voice of Music Award Winner Mary J Blige
May 17, 2007 Award, Famous People, Music
Mary J. Blige has had what some might consider a huge 15 years career so far and she is only 36 now. She launched seven albums so far that all ranked high in the tops and this made her a true R&B diva. In February she won three Grammy Awards and now she just got another prize to add to the list. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers decided that Mary J. Blige will be the winner of their Voice of Music award and will be awarded the trophy on June 25 at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. The show will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.
ew people actually know how important this award is for some people. It stands out for much more than singing capabilities. It is awarded for a voice that has inspired and that changed something through music. Past people that have been honored with this award include Kenny Chesney, Diane Warren and Jimmy Webb among others. Thumbs up Marry!
Director Madonna
May 17, 2007 Famous People, Madonna, Movies
Madonna made her film directing debut a couple days ago (14.05.07) – as she started shooting her new mini-movie in London.
The pop superstar is making a 30-minute film entitled ‘Filth and Wisdom’, believed to be a comedy based on the star’s own experiences.
A source said: “Shooting has just started and it’s a chance for Madonna to showcase another of her talents. It’s just a short film at the moment but it’s expected to be a hit at film festivals.”
Madonna, 48, hopes filming will wrap by July when she is due back in the recording studio.
She said: “I hate to be such a tease, but you know how I am.”
The mother-of-three – who directed the TV advert for her ‘M by Madonna’ clothing line with high street chain H+M – held acting auditions for the project last month.
Characters reportedly include an Indian chemist owner, a Jewish businessman, and a failed ballet dancer who becomes a pole dancer.
Meanwhile, Madonna’s husband Guy Ritchie is also set to return to film making this summer.
Guy, 38, will write, produce and direct low-budget gangster flick ‘RocknRolla’.
The British director is hoping the movie will be better received than his last two films, ‘Swept Away’ and ‘Revolver’.
Swept Away’, which starred Madonna, was panned by critics and went straight to rental.
Furtado hoping to rock with Timbaland
May 16, 2007 Concert Tour, Music, Nelly Furtado, Timbaland
Nelly Furtado and Timbaland hit pay – and platinum – dirt with the dance tracks on the Canadian singer’s latest album, “Loose.” Now they’re looking to rock things up a bit.
Furtado tells Billboard.com she and Timbaland are planning to put together a rock band, although she adds that “I don’t think it’d be, like, a real rock band. It’d be more like our version of alternative, so it wouldn’t necessarily be like heavy and guitar-driven. It would be left field, and not necessarily pop.”
Furtado, who launches her 17-date North American Get Loose Tour on May 30, says there’s no timetable yet for the rock project but notes, “Tim’s been really enthusiastic about us working together again real soon.”
The purported band’s name is also up in the air, she says: “We keep arguing over names. I want these really weird, subversive names, and he wants these mysterious, like, ‘Lord of the Rings’ kind of names. We can’t decide.”
Noting that “time off is when I get ideas,” Furtado says her next recording project – rock band with Timbaland notwithstanding – will likely take a different direction.
“I don’t see myself recording in English again any time soon,” she explains. “I really want to do a Spanish and Portuguese project – and I have no plan on when I’m gonna do that. There was talk of rushing something out early in the year, and it just didn’t feel right. So I said, ‘I don’t want to rush this. Let’s wait and do something in the future.’”
Paris gets a Spelling lesson
May 15, 2007 Famous People, News
Celebs are never shy about giving people advice, and this can definitely be said about Tori Spelling’s mom. Candy Spelling is
dishing out advice to Paris Hilton of all people. “Paris, I’m very worried about you.” Candy has written to Paris, worried about the girl she is beginning to become. “It’s time to find a Paris somewhere between ‘heiress’ and a character on The Simple Life,” Spelling advised. “I know she’s there, and I know she can be a good citizen and maturely face consequences other people would have to face under the same circumstances.”This is too much fun. A woman no one knows is stepping into the spotlight to capitalize on Paris’ fame. As if this old hag would ever get a response from her. This is so pathetic is beautiful. I hope they get her to read the letter. Out loud. In public. On television.