Michael Jackson Tribute Concert Scrapped

December 19th, 2009

A Michael Jackson tribute concert which was scrapped in Vienna and moved to London after top acts dropped out has been canceled after the event’s organizer closed down, the company’s liquidator said on Friday.

admin Front Page News

Ask Billboard: How "TiK ToK" Winds Up At No. 2

December 19th, 2009

Billboard chart-watchers weigh in on this week’s Hot 100, where Ke$ha clocks in at No. 2, one notcher higher than Lady Gaga.

admin Front Page News

Cold War Kids Warming Up For Winter E.P., Concerts

December 19th, 2009

A forthcoming EP and four special concerts in January signal a time of “transition” for Cold War Kids before the California quartet hits the studio in February to record its third album.

admin Front Page News

Photos of the Year: Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Green Day, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga

December 19th, 2009

Michael Jackson lived on. Green Day and Bruce Bruce Springsteen rocked. Lady Gaga turned heads. Jay-Z, Beyonce and Taylor Swift triumphed. It all happened in 2009, and we’ve got the photos to prove it.

admin Front Page News

Loretta Lynn ‘Feeling Great’ After Illness

December 19th, 2009

Country music legend Loretta Lynn is “feeling great” and planning a trip to her home in the Bahamas over the holidays, according to her daughter Patsy Lynn Russell.

admin Front Page News

Jimmy Page To Play ‘Show Of Peace’ Concert In China

December 19th, 2009

An array of artists, including Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, will take part in the first annual Show Of Peace Concert, a globally televised event that will take place April 17 before an expected crowd of 100,000 at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing, China.

admin Front Page News

Goo Goo Dolls Ready ‘Something For The Rest Of Us"

December 19th, 2009

The Goo Goo Dolls plan to have their next album, “Something For the Rest of Us,” finished in February and out in late spring, according to bassist Robby Takac.

admin Front Page News

Rolling Stone’s Top Stories

December 19th, 2009

Rolling Stone’s Top Stories

December 19th, 2009

Rewind: The Week in Rock Daily

December 19th, 2009

Photo: Foley/FilmMagic

  • The Stooges, Genesis, ABBA, the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff were announced as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010. Rolling Stone talked to Iggy Pop and ABBA’s Benny Andersson about the honor and looked back at the careers of all the inductees.

  • U2’s No Line on the Horizon and “Moment of Surrender” topped Rolling Stone’s Top Albums and Top Songs of 2009 list. To find out where Merriweather Post Pavilion and “Empire State of Mind” landed, check out RS‘ 2009 picks. Plus, our readers named the Killers’ Sam’s Town the decade’s most underrated album.
  • John Frusciante revealed that he has officially left the Red Hot Chili Peppers in order to work on his own creative endeavors.
  • Chris Brown alleged that retailers were “blackballing” his new album Graffiti in a tweet rampage, then deleted of his Twitter. Despite stores’ best efforts to “hide” Graffiti, the album did finish at Number Seven on the charts with 102,000 copies.

admin Front Page News

Weekend Rock List: Fire Songs

December 19th, 2009

Photo: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
We were maybe listening to that Lil Wayne album that maybe leaked thanks to Amazon when we noticed that the soon-to-be-incarcerated Weezy is a big fan of songs with “fire” in the title. “On Fire” is the latest Lil Wayne track to feature a pyromaniacal title, following Tha Carter III’s “Playing with Fire” and TC2’s “Fireman.” Tell us your favorite songs about flames, and on Monday we’ll tally the votes and reveal the Readers’ List. Here’s a little inspiration:

• Grateful Dead – “Fire on the Mountain”
• The Doors – “Light My Fire”
• Kings of Leon – “Sex on Fire”
• Sebadoh – “On Fire”
• Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Fire”

admin Front Page News

Tour Tracker: Owl City, The Clientele and The Used

December 19th, 2009

Photo: Hill/FilmMagic

Breaking artist Owl City comes to your neck of the woods to catch “Fireflies,” the Clientele set out in support of their lush Bonfires on the Heath and the Used showcase Artwork as they embark on a nationwide headlining trek. Full dates for all three jaunts below.

Owl City
Mar. 30 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
Mar. 31 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
Apr. 1 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theater
Apr. 3 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
Apr. 5 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Apr. 6 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Apr. 7 – Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater
Apr. 8 – San Diego, CA @ Soma
Apr. 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia
Apr. 10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee
Apr. 12 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Salt Air
Apr. 13 – Denver, CO @ Ogden
Apr. 15 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs
Apr. 17 – Dallas, TX @ Nokia Theater
Apr. 19 – Nashville, TN @ War Memorial
Apr. 20 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
Apr. 22 – Washington, D.C. @ DAR Hall
Apr. 23 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
Apr. 24 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Apr. 25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
Apr. 28 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Apr. 29 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak
Apr. 30 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
May 1 – Minneapolis, MN @ State Theater
May 2 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagle Ballroom

The Clientele
Feb. 21 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s
Feb. 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Feb. 23 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Feb. 24 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Cats Cradle
Feb. 25 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Feb. 26 – Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
Feb. 27 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
Feb. 28 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
Mar. 1 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
Mar. 4 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Mar. 5 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
Mar. 6 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
Mar. 7 – Visalia, CA @ Cellar Door
Mar. 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
Mar. 11 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Mar. 12 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
Mar. 15 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
Mar. 16 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mar. 17 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Mar. 19 – Toronto, ONT @ Horseshoe Tavern
Mar. 20 – Montreal, QC Il @ Motore
Mar. 21 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
Mar. 23 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

The Used
Jan. 27 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Jan. 28 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
Jan. 29 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
Jan. 31 – Lubbock, TX @ The Pavilion
Feb. 01 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
Feb. 03 – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
Feb. 05 – Fargo, ND @ The Venue
Feb. 06 – Sioux City, IA @ Convention Center
Feb. 08 – DeKalb, IL @ Convocation Center
Feb. 09 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Feb. 12 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
Feb. 13 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s
Feb. 14 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Feb. 16 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre
Feb. 17 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Feb. 19 – Columbus, OH @ Lifestyles Pavilion
Feb. 20 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Feb. 22 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
Feb. 23 – Knoxville, TN @ Valarium
Feb. 25 – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
Feb. 26 – Birmingham, AL @ Five Point Music Hall

admin Front Page News

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Signs With New Management

December 19th, 2009

Photo: Mazur/WireImage
Rolling Stone has confirmed that Steven Tyler fired his new management team and signed with Mötley Crüe’s manager, Allen Kovac, at 10th Street Entertainment. Less than a year ago Tyler parted ways with Aerosmith manager Trudy Green and signed with John Greenberg and Jason Flom at Union Entertainment Group. The move enraged his bandmates. “It just kind of splits up the tribe,” Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer told Rolling Stone last month. “Then you have two different camps to go back and forth from and it really confuses things.”

According to Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford, Tyler had been threatening to hire his own manager for years. “I was always like,
‘Well, stop talking about it if you feel like you need someone else to represent you, do it, get it done,’ ” Whitford said. “It was always put in the context of a threat which was not understandable on my part.” Relations between Tyler and Aerosmith worsened this year when the singer informed his band that he needed a two-year break to work on “Brand Tyler.” Aerosmith says they aren’t going to wait for him and are seeking a new singer.

admin Front Page News

Flashback: Frusciante Era Red Hot Chili Peppers at 1990 Pinkpop

December 19th, 2009

John Frusciante finally confirmed this week that after two tours of duty he is no longer a member of the Red Hot Chili Members. Frusciante was the guitarist behind five of the Rock Hall-nominated band’s best albums, and while he says the split was amicable, we have to admit we’re saddened by his departure. To pay tribute to Frusciante, this week’s Flashback jumps back to the 1990 Pinkpop Festival, with the RHCPs performing Mother’s Milk’s “Knock Me Down,” a song that’s reportedly about the death of the guitarist that preceded Frusciante, Hillel Slovak. As evidenced by the clip, we’ll miss Frusciante even more than we already miss Anthony Kiedis’ “adjustable hat worn backwards” look.

Bonus Flashback: As a fitting send-off to Frusciante, watch as he performs Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” at the 1990 Pinkpop:

admin Front Page News

The 25 Best Albums and Songs of the Year: 2009 in Review

December 19th, 2009


The Rolling Stone editors have unveiled the 25 best albums and songs of 2009, and U2 top both lists with No Line on the Horizon and its single “Moment of Surrender.” Jay-Z takes second place on the songs list with his inescapable “Empire State of Mind” and The Blueprint 3 scores Number Four on our albums countdown. Chew over the results — and compare our rankings with the Readers’ Poll — here:

The 25 Best Albums of 2009
The 25 Best Songs of 2009
The Year-End Readers’ Poll

Plus, look back at the year’s craziest rock photos — from Amy Winehouse’s topless beach romp to Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl party and all of Lady Gaga’s nuttiest outfits — in the Year in Random Notes. And flip through our gallery of 2009’s Rolling Stone covers.

Check out all of our best-of coverage in Rolling Stone’s All-Time Greats.

admin Front Page News

Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page Plans Return to Stage in 2010

December 19th, 2009

Photo: Neal/AFP/Getty
Jimmy Page plans to return to the stage in 2010, but it won’t be alongside the rest of Led Zeppelin. With Robert Plant and Alison Krauss working on the follow-up to the Grammy-winning Raising Sand and John Paul Jones now playing with Josh Homme and Dave Grohl in Them Crooked Vultures, Page is tired of waiting to rock and will take whatever new material he’s cultivated to the stage next year.

“We’re running up to Christmas now and next year I have every intention of playing music live and manifesting it,” Page tells Sky News (via Spinner). “I’ve got the music waiting, and that’s what I’ll be doing. It’s been two years since the 02, so it’s time to do that.”

Classic photos of Led Zeppelin.

In fact, it’s been exactly two years and eight days since Led Zeppelin — with drummer Jason Bonham — reunited at London’s O2 Arena for a tribute concert. Since then, Plant and Jones have both pursued side projects while Page limited his appearances to a cameo at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony and the documentary It Might Get Loud, which co-starred the Edge and Jack White.

Check out our Essential Guitar Coverage.

No details yet regarding what Page has in store for his 2010 live plans, but we have a suggestion that seems rather plausible: With Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck plotting U.S. tour dates, why not add another former Yardbird like Jimmy Page to the bill? Page previously inducted Beck into the Rock Hall. With Roger Daltrey also in the mix — he’s already joining Clapton on tour in 2010 as a special guest — you’ve got a pretty nice supergroup.

Related Stories:

Rolling Stone’s Ultimate Guitar Hub: “It Might Get Loud” and More
Guitar Gods Crank It Up for New Documentary “It Might Get Loud”
“Led Zeppelin Are Over,” Jimmy Page’s Manager Declares

admin Front Page News

Single Minded: Muse, Radiohead, Lady Gaga, Pixies Get Remixed

December 19th, 2009

http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/2/6/1/4/31444162-31444167-slarge.jpgMuse, “Knights of Cydonia” [The Integrals Remix]
The integrals bring out the disco at the center of Muse’s soaring art rock, turning “Knights” into a bleak and gritty electro stomper.

Radiohead, “Videotape” [Xaphoon's Dubstep Remix]
The loveliest song on In Rainbows gets even lovelier, thanks to a tripping backbeat and weird washes of synth.

Pixies, “Where Is My Mind?” [Bassnectar Remix]
Bassnectar reconfigures the Pixies’ dizzying original, bringing Black’s sneer even further to the fore and brightening the backdrop with pulsing rhythms.

Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance” [Skrillex Remix]
Fast and furious, Gaga gets ramped up to 110mph and rushes furiously forward in this brash and bold remix.

Miike Snow, “Animal” [Mark Ronson Remix]
Snow in Jamaica — Ronson rethinks Snow’s original, taking it to the islands and getting clubbier and dubbier

admin Front Page News

The Flaming Lips’ “Dark Side of the Moon” Out Digitally December 22

December 19th, 2009

Photo: Joyner/WireImage
The Flaming Lips will release their version of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums) digitally starting December 22nd. The Lips’ Dark Side — full title The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs With Henry Rollins and Peaches Doing The Dark Side of the Moon — will be an iTunes exclusive for one week until December 29th, at which point it’ll head over to the other digital retailers. As you probably guessed from the rerecording’s epically long title, both Henry Rollins and Peaches contribute “vocal assistance,” or those talking-head bits that served as segues between songs on the original TDSOTM.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, the Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs will team up to perform Dark Side in its entirety at the band’s New Year’s Eve Freakout! in Oklahoma City. It is currently the Lips’ only planned live performance of Dark Side, and Rolling Stone will be on the ground for a full report. Frontman Wayne Coyne has promised, “Oh, it’s going to be a good time.”

In case you don’t already know the Dark Side track listing by heart, check out it below, with the guest spots:

The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches Doing the Dark Side of the Moon:
1. “Speak To Me” / “Breathe” (featuring Henry Rollins and Peaches)
2. “On The Run” (featuring Henry Rollins)
3. “Time” / “Breathe Reprise”
4. “The Great Gig In The Sky” (featuring Peaches and Henry Rollins)
5. “Money” (featuring Henry Rollins)
6. “Us And Them” (featuring Henry Rollins)
7. “Any Colour You Like”
8. “Brain Damage” (featuring Henry Rollins)
9. “Eclipse” (featuring Henry Rollins).

Related Stories:

Flaming Lips to Perform Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at New Year’s Eve Concert
Flaming Lips and Lenny Kravitz Wrap Voodoo Fest
Flaming Lips Road Test Dark New Tunes From “Embryonic” in L.A.

admin Front Page News

Songwriter for Elvis’ ‘It’s Now or Never’ dies

December 4th, 2009

Songwriter of Elvis Presley hit ‘It’s Now or Never’ and other songs dies at age 82

admin Front Page News

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex in NYC closing

December 4th, 2009

Year-old NYC annex to Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will close Jan. 3

admin Front Page News

Eminem can ‘relate’ to Jackson death

December 4th, 2009

Ronnie Wood arrested on suspicion of assault

December 4th, 2009

Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood arrested on suspicion of assault, spokesman says

admin Front Page News

ABC Cancels Additional Adam Lambert Appearances

December 4th, 2009

Beyonce, Swift top 2010 Grammy nominees

December 4th, 2009

Grammy nominations in top categories

December 4th, 2009

Grammy nominations in top categories

admin Front Page News

Jack Cooke, bandmate of Ralph Stanley, dead at 72

December 4th, 2009

Jack Cooke, longtime bluegrass musician with Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys, dies at 72

admin Front Page News

Defamation lawsuit against Dixie Chicks dismissed

December 4th, 2009

Judge dismisses defamation suit against Dixie Chicks over comments about 3 Ark. boys’ deaths

admin Front Page News

Susan Boyle makes chart history with No.1 debut

December 4th, 2009

Susan Boyle sells 700K of debut disc, best female debut in SoundScan era, top debut of 2009

admin Front Page News

Film star Richard Todd dies at 90 (AP)

December 4th, 2009

FILE - In this August 29, 1955 file photo Irish actor Richard Todd, right, jokes with French actress Anne Marie Marsen in Venice, Italy. The actor's family announced Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, that the actor had died of cancer at the age 90 on Thursday. Todd drew on his wartime exploits as a British army paratrooper in the 1962 film 'The Longest Day' and was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1949 film 'A Hasty Heart' as well as starring in one of his best-known roles playing Royal Air Force pilot Guy Gibson in 'The Dam Busters.' (AP Photo/Str)AP – Richard Todd, who re-enacted his wartime exploits in the 1962 film “The Longest Day” and was Ian Fleming’s choice to play James Bond, has died of cancer at age 90, his family said Friday.


admin Front Page News

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex in NYC closing (AP)

December 4th, 2009

AP – The year-old New York City annex to Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will shut down Jan. 3.

admin Front Page News

Jack Nicholson among 15 named to NJ Hall of Fame (AP)

December 4th, 2009

FILE - In this May. 2, 2009 file photo, actor Jack Nicholson waits for the start of the junior welterweight title boxing match between British boxer Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)AP – The newest members of New Jersey’s Hall of Fame include actors Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito, musicians Les Paul and Count Basie, and authors Philip Roth and Judy Blume.


admin Front Page News

Cuba singer barred by Bush visits U.S., sees official (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Reuters – A Cuban musician barred from the United States by the Bush administration performed in Washington on Thursday and had lunch with a White House official in a new sign of a thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations.

admin Front Page News

University turns iPhones into musical instruments (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

An Apple iPhone 3GS and an Apple Macbook Pro are shown at the Apple retail store in San Francisco, California July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Robert GalbraithReuters – Welcome to an orchestra of the 21st century. iPhones are being used as musical instruments in a new course at an American university.


admin Front Page News

Levine back on podium after disk surgery (AP)

December 4th, 2009

AP – Conductor James Levine has returned to the podium following a two-month absence caused by surgery for a herniated disk in his back.

admin Front Page News

Jay-Z’s "Empire" reigns again on singles chart (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Reuters – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” held at No. 1 for a third week on the Billboard Hot 100, increasing its lead over Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” which remained in the No. 2 spot.

admin Front Page News

Songwriter for Elvis’ ‘It’s Now or Never’ dies (AP)

December 4th, 2009

AP – The songwriter behind the Elvis Presley hit “It’s Now or Never” has died.

admin Front Page News

MySpace hopes high as launches music site in UK (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

MySpace Music has launched in Britain with a Reuters – MySpace expanded its presence in the entertainment market on Thursday with the British launch of its music service, as the social networking site seeks to reinvent itself after being eclipsed by rival Facebook.


admin Front Page News

Country Music Association chief Tammy Genovese resigns (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Reuters – The Country Music Association’s chief executive, Tammy Genovese, has resigned, the CMA Board of Directors said on Thursday.

admin Front Page News

Rocker Ronnie Wood arrested for possible assault (AP)

December 4th, 2009

FILE - In this April 4, 2009 file photo, Ronnie Wood and Ekaterina Ivanova arrive on the red carpet for the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.  A spokesman on Thursday Dec. 3, 2009 for Rolling Stone rocker Ronnie Wood said he was arrested on an assault charge in southern England. David Rigg, Wood's spokesman, says the 62-year-old guitarist was arrested in the area of Claygate, south of London, on Wednesday. Rigg says he can confirm that Wood was arrested and has been released on police bail. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)AP – Aging rocker Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones was released on bail Thursday after being arrested for possible domestic assault.


admin Front Page News

A Minute With: Bill Bailey and his remarkable Orchestra (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Reuters – Bill Bailey is a comedian familiar to millions of British television viewers from his appearances on TV pop quiz trivia show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

admin Front Page News

K’Naan song chosen as official 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem (Yahoo! Music)

December 4th, 2009

Yahoo! Music – Courtesy of NME.com – ‘Wavin’ Flag: The Celebration Mix’ will be used globally during the tournament

admin Front Page News

Beyonce leads Grammys, Taylor Swift close behind (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

U.S. singer Beyonce performs during a concert at Olympic stadium in Athens, November 8, 2009. REUTERS/John KolesidisReuters – R&B singer Beyonce led the field of Grammy contenders with 10 nominations on Wednesday, closely followed by teen country sensation Taylor Swift with eight, and both will compete for coveted album of the year.


admin Front Page News

The Strokes to make UK festival comeback with Jay-Z (Yahoo! Music)

December 4th, 2009

Yahoo! Music – Courtesy of NME.com — Headliners for for 2010 Isle Of Wight Festival announced

admin Front Page News

Roman Polanski begins house arrest in Gstaad (AP)

December 4th, 2009

Polish director Roman Polanski at the 60th Cannes Film Festival, May 20, 2007. REUTERS/Jean-Paul PelissierAP – Roman Polanski began his house arrest on $4.5 million bail Friday, rolling into the luxury resort of Gstaad in a police convoy to a warm welcome from his wife and children at his Alpine chalet.


admin Front Page News

Fla. judge wants footage in ‘Girls Gone Wild’ suit (AP)

December 4th, 2009

AP – A judge in Florida wants footage to be turned over to the court so he can decide on a motion to dismiss a civil suit against “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis.

admin Front Page News

`Bruno’ pastor runs for mayor of Birmingham, Ala. (AP)

December 4th, 2009

This undated campaign photograph shows Jody Trautwein, a pastor who was featured in the movie ``Bruno'' and is running for mayor of Birmingham, Ala. In the movie, Trautwein tried to talk Sacha Baron Cohen's character out of being gay. He is now among 14 people seeking to replace former mayor Larry Langford, who was ousted for a bribery conviction. (AP Photo/Trautwein campaign)AP – Moviegoers know Jody Trautwein as the smiling Alabama pastor who tries to talk Sacha Baron Cohen’s character out of being gay in the hit movie “Bruno.” Trautwein is now auditioning for another role: Mayor of Birmingham.


admin Front Page News

Film star Richard Todd dies at 90 (AP)

December 4th, 2009

FILE - In this August 29, 1955 file photo Irish actor Richard Todd, right, jokes with French actress Anne Marie Marsen in Venice, Italy. The actor's family announced Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, that the actor had died of cancer at the age 90 on Thursday. Todd drew on his wartime exploits as a British army paratrooper in the 1962 film 'The Longest Day' and was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1949 film 'A Hasty Heart' as well as starring in one of his best-known roles playing Royal Air Force pilot Guy Gibson in 'The Dam Busters.' (AP Photo/Str)AP – Richard Todd, who re-enacted his wartime exploits in the 1962 film “The Longest Day” and was Ian Fleming’s choice to play James Bond, has died of cancer at age 90, his family said Friday.


admin Front Page News

NBR names `Up in the Air’ best film of the year (AP)

December 4th, 2009

In this film publicity image released by Paramount, George Clooney portrays Ryan Bingham in a scene from 'Up in the Air.' (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Dale Robinette)AP – “Up in the Air” was named best picture from the National Board of Review and won a total of four awards.


admin Front Page News

Affleck, Holmes, Stewart, Fanning join Sundance (AP)

December 4th, 2009

In this film publicity image released by the Sundance Film Festival, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, left, and Amy Ryan are shown in a scene from, 'Jack Goes Boating.' (AP Photo/Sundance Film Festival)AP – Ben Affleck, Katie Holmes, rapper 50 Cent and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” co-stars Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are taking their acts to the Sundance Film Festival.


admin Front Page News

Brady picks winning door with ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ (AP)

December 4th, 2009

AP – Wayne Brady is savoring a big year, with doors opening to him at Carnegie Hall, the White House and, in multiples, on “Let’s Make a Deal.”

admin Front Page News

Film star Richard Todd dies at 90 (AP)

December 4th, 2009

FILE - In this August 29, 1955 file photo Irish actor Richard Todd, right, jokes with French actress Anne Marie Marsen in Venice, Italy. The actor's family announced Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, that the actor had died of cancer at the age 90 on Thursday. Todd drew on his wartime exploits as a British army paratrooper in the 1962 film 'The Longest Day' and was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1949 film 'A Hasty Heart' as well as starring in one of his best-known roles playing Royal Air Force pilot Guy Gibson in 'The Dam Busters.' (AP Photo/Str)AP – Richard Todd, who re-enacted his wartime exploits in the 1962 film “The Longest Day” and was Ian Fleming’s choice to play James Bond, has died of cancer at age 90, his family said Friday.


admin Front Page News

Film star Richard Todd dies at 90 (AP)

December 4th, 2009

FILE - In this August 29, 1955 file photo Irish actor Richard Todd, right, jokes with French actress Anne Marie Marsen in Venice, Italy. The actor's family announced Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, that the actor had died of cancer at the age 90 on Thursday. Todd drew on his wartime exploits as a British army paratrooper in the 1962 film 'The Longest Day' and was nominated for an Academy Award for the 1949 film 'A Hasty Heart' as well as starring in one of his best-known roles playing Royal Air Force pilot Guy Gibson in 'The Dam Busters.' (AP Photo/Str)AP – Richard Todd, who re-enacted his wartime exploits in the 1962 film “The Longest Day” and was Ian Fleming’s choice to play James Bond, has died of cancer at age 90, his family said Friday.


admin Front Page News

Comcast lands NBC in deal that reshapes media (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Pedestrians walk outside the NBC studios at the General Electric building in New York, December 1, 2009. REUTERS/Finbarr O'ReillyReuters – Comcast Corp struck a deal to buy a majority stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co, creating a media superpower that would control not just how television shows and movies are made, but how they are delivered to the home.


admin Front Page News

Christie’s eyes records with Rembrandt, Raphael (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Reuters – Christie’s is confident the recession is well and truly over in the world of fine art, with a record old masters sale in London next week that includes important works by Rembrandt, Raphael and Il Domenichino.

admin Front Page News

Polanski released into house arrest (Reuters)

December 4th, 2009

Polish director Roman Polanski at the 60th Cannes Film Festival, May 20, 2007. REUTERS/Jean-Paul PelissierReuters – Film director Roman Polanski was released on bail into house arrest in his Swiss chalet on Friday, following his arrest for fleeing U.S. sentencing for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.


admin Front Page News

Flying High with George Clooney at the "Up in the Air" Premiere (Fashion Wire Daily)

December 4th, 2009

FWD111  George Clooney and Vera Farmiga attend the premiere of Fashion Wire Daily – The Oscar buzz was “Up in the Air” on Monday night, Nov. 30, as George Clooney led the high-flying audience at the premiere of his latest film. Already being carried on a cloud of hot buzz in Hollywood, “Up in the Air” is Jason Reitman’s latest film, following his much-applauded “Juno,” and he was one excited guy as the crowd jammed the Mann Village theater in Westwood.


admin Front Page News

Sarah Palin’s fans push for 2012 presidential run (AP)

December 4th, 2009

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin signs a copy of 'Going Rogue' during a book signing event at a Sam's Club on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Beth Hall)AP – Lynn Giese calls Sarah Palin the best thing that’s happened to the U.S. in a long time, and the 57-year-old housewife says she’d work tirelessly for the former Alaska governor were she to run for president in 2012.


admin Front Page News

Boyle, Bocelli Battle For Next Week’s No. 1 Album

December 4th, 2009

On next week’s Billboard 200 albums chart, the sweet sounds of Susan Boyle’s album “I Dreamed a Dream” may be replaced by the holiday tunes of Andrea Bocelli as the latter’s “My Christmas” set could rise to the top.

admin Front Page News

Beyonce Leads Grammy Nominations, Airborne Toxic Event Learns Live Lessons

December 4th, 2009

Beyonce and Taylor Swift earn most Grammy nominations announced last night, Airborne Toxic Event talks about making their live show match their rapid success.

admin Front Page News

Chart Beat Thursday: Pink Floyd, Susan Boyle, Usher

December 4th, 2009

After 21 years, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” revisits the Billboard 200, logging a record-extending 742nd week on the survey.

admin Front Page News

Chris Brown Gets Personal With Rihanna On Leaked ‘Graffiti’ Tracks

December 4th, 2009

“We were supposed to be together/And I can’t let you go,” Brown sings on “Famous Girl.”

admin Front Page News

David Zweig: Artistic Overload

December 4th, 2009

David Zweig has so many creative ideas he can’t contain them to just one expressive medium.

admin Front Page News

Jack Cooke, Bandmate Of Ralph Stanley, Dead At 72

December 4th, 2009

A longtime bluegrass bass player and singer with Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys has died. Jack Cooke was 72.

admin Front Page News

Alicia Keys / December 1, 2009 / New York City (Nokia Theatre)

December 4th, 2009

Alicia Keys previewed her new album “The Element of Freedom” and paid homage to World AIDS Day with a charity concert at New York’s Nokia Theatre Tuesday night.

admin Front Page News

Jay-Z And Alicia Keys’ ‘Empire’ Stays Put On Hot 100

December 4th, 2009

“Empire State of Mind” holds at No. 1 for a third week on the Billboard Hot 100, increasing its lead over Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.”

admin Front Page News

Ron Wood Arrested On Suspicion Of Assault

December 4th, 2009

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood was arrested by British police late on Wednesday on suspicion of assault and released on bail after questioning on Thursday.

admin Front Page News

Galactic Enlists New Orleans Legends For ‘Ya-Ka-May’

December 4th, 2009

New Orleans’ multi-tasking funk outfit Galactic is set to return on Feb. 9, 2010 with its sixth studio album, entitled “Ya-Ka-May.”

admin Front Page News

Adam Lambert Axed From More ABC Shows

December 4th, 2009

Two more of Adam Lambert’s scheduled performances on ABC have been canceled, adding to the collateral damage caused by the singer’s controversial performance at the American Music Awards on Nov. 22.

admin Front Page News

Grammy Nominations: 10 Things You Didn’t See On T.V.

December 4th, 2009

Backstage after the Grammy nominations were announced, artists and musicians told Billboard.com what they think of the nominess and what they expect from this year’s show.

admin Front Page News

Top Stories: December 4, 2009

December 4th, 2009

Lil Wayne’s Taps “Scarface” Soundtrack for “Rebirth” Track “On Fire”

December 4th, 2009

Photo: Venema/WireImage

After a long history of delays and postponed release dates, it’s appearing more likely that Lil Wayne’s rock-rap LP Rebirth might actually be released on December 21st as “On Fire,” another new song reportedly destined for the album, leaked out yesterday, December 3rd. As opposed to the nu-metal-flavored cuts that were emerging earlier in the year, “On Fire” finds Weezy dropping Auto-Tuned rhymes over the synth sounds of Giorgio Morodor, heavily utilizing the Scarface soundtrack’s “She’s On Fire.” Listen to the Cool & Dre-produced track over at Nah Right.

“On Fire” is on the unconfirmed Rebirth track list that appeared over on Amazon.co.uk. If it turns out that the track list there is legit, Rebirth will also feature Weezy reteaming with “Forever” collaborator Eminem on a new track called “Drop The World.” Other artists who reportedly make a cameo on Rebirth include “Let It Rock” singer Kevin Rudolf, Nicki Minaj and, in an extended role, Young Money signee Shanell. As Rolling Stone reported last month, the cover of Rebirth has already been revealed (essentially the same cover of the “Hot Revolver” single), and just yesterday the covers for “On Fire” and future single “Da Da Da” were also unveiled via Rap-Up.

Between Cool & Dre sampling “She’s On Fire” and Clipse interpolating Laura Branigan’s “Self Control” for their recent “Counseling,” it appears that ripping samples from vintage songs appearing on various Grand Theft Auto soundtracks is becoming a popular trend. Some songs originally slated to appear on Rebirth—the aforementioned “Hot Revolver,” the Beastie Boys-influenced “Fix My Hat,” “Girls Forever” and “Ready for the World”—don’t appear on the Amazon.co.uk track list, though the rocker “Ground Zero,” which emerged back in June, seems to have made the final cut, as did first single “Prom Queen,” which debuted back in January.

Related Stories:
Inside the Strange Mind and Brilliant Rhymes of Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne Revealed: 7 Weezyisms Confirmed by “The Carter” Film
Lil Wayne Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges, Faces Year in Prison

admin Front Page News

News Ticker: Norah Jones, Kanye West, Animal Collective and Alan Parsons Project

December 4th, 2009

Photo: Sullivan/Getty

After collaborating with the likes of Ryan Adams, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff and Tom Waits’ backing band for The Fall, Norah Jones has recruited an even more impressive roster to remix some of her new songs. Check out the Beastie Boys remix of “That’s What I Said” at RCRD LBL, Santigold’s rendition of “Chasing Pirates” at Stereogum and Beck’s take on that same track at Artist Direct. The complete Chasing Pirates Remix EP will be available on January 12th.

Kanye West’s controversial VH1 Storytellers performance, which featured the rapper dissing Radiohead, supporting Chris Brown and calling O.J. Simpson “amazing,” will be released as a CD/DVD on January 5th, 2010, Rap-Up reports. The double-disc set will feature three of the songs edited out of the original telecast, plus a Q&A with the 808s & Heartbreak rapper.

Animal Collective’s long-in-the-works film, now dubbed ODDSAC, will premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, Pitchfork reports. The Danny Perez-directed film is synopsized as “an earthy, psychedelic experimental narrative infused with Animal Collective’s aural and musical sensibilities” on the Sundance website.

Eric Woolfson, the co-founder of the British prog rock band the Alan Parsons Project, died of cancer this week in London at the age of 64, THR writes. Woolfson had a role in the band’s biggest songs, “Don’t Answer Me” and “Eye in the Sky,” a track which recieved even greater exposure as the intro music for the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan era.

admin Front Page News

Tour Tracker: Furthur, the Residents and Editors

December 4th, 2009

The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and Bob Weir plot more dates with their Furthur project, those mysterious men behind the giant eyeball masks in the Residents venture out on tour in support of any of their four releases this year and Editors prepare for a slate of February 2010 dates. Full dates for all three treks, after the jump.

Furthur
Dec. 8, 9 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
Dec. 11 – Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theater
Dec. 12, 13 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Park Convention Hall
Dec. 30, 31 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Feb. 5 – Miami, FL @ Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
Feb. 6 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Feb. 8 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
Feb. 9 – Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Feb. 10 – Charlotte, NC @ Bojangles Coliseum
Feb. 12 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
Feb. 13 – Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center
Feb. 14 – Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall
Feb. 15 – Bethlehem, PA @ Stabler Arena
Feb. 17 – Buffalo, NY @ Shea Performing Arts Center
Feb. 18 – Manchester, NH @ Verizon Vireless Arena
Feb. 19 – Amherst, MA @ Mullins Center
Feb. 20 – Utica, NY @ Utica Auditorium
Feb. 22 – Newark, DE @ Bob Carpenter Center
Feb. 23, 24 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Feb. 26 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 27 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Trump Taj Mahal
Mar. 2, 3 – Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
Mar. 8 – Portland, OR @ Portland Memorial Coliseum

The Residents
Jan. 23 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio
Jan. 29 – San Diego, CA @ Birch North Park Theater
Jan. 30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
Jan. 31 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
Feb. 2 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ
Feb. 3 – Dallas, TX @ Granada
Feb. 4 – Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
Feb. 5 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety
Feb. 8 – Philadelphia, PA@ World Cafe
Feb. 9 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Feb. 10 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
Feb. 12 – Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
Feb. 13 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
Feb. 15 – Chicago, IL @ Logan Square
Feb. 16 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall

Editors
Feb. 5 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
Feb. 6 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Feb. 8 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
Feb. 9 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Feb. 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
Feb. 13 – Denver, CO @ Odgen Theatre
Feb. 15 – Chicago, IL @ Victoria Theatre
Feb. 16 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Feb. 18 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
Feb. 19 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Feb. 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Feb. 21 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

admin Front Page News

Dave Grohl Says He Never Meant For Foo Fighters “to Be a Career”

December 4th, 2009

Photo: Mazur/WireImage

The Foo Fighters may have just released their Greatest Hits, but that doesn’t mean the band is calling it quits any time soon. “I look at it now like it’s the end of chapter one, this is the first 15 years,” Grohl tells Time.com in a video interview. “I think we’ll be back sooner than people would imagine.” Grohl, though, admits that he never expected the Foo Fighters to last this long. “The first album was a fluke — it wasn’t meant to be a career,” the Them Crooked Vultures drummer says.

Grohl, who was answering Time readers’ questions, says that his favorite Foo Fighters song is “Aurora” from their 1999 album There Is Nothing Left to Lose. “I love that song because of what it represents to me. It was the first time Taylor [Hawkins] and Nate [Mendel] and I really connected in the songwriting process,” he says. “Whenever we play that song live — it doesn’t matter if we’re playing a club to 500 people or a stadium with 90 000 people — when I begin the intro, people go ape shit.”

A couple of the readers’ questions focused on Grohl’s family and how having two daughters has changed his career. “The band is not the most important thing in my life,” he says. “My kids are.” On the same token, he says parenthood is terrifying. “I’ve got two daughters that are gonna grow up with a rock musician as a father, here in Los Angeles,” he says. “Two beautiful girls in the Valley. I’m fucked, man. I’m shit out of luck. I don’t know what to do. I gotta move.”

Related Stories
Grohl Says Greatest Hits Feels Like an Obituary
Foo Fighters Unleash Two New Tracks on Greatest Hits

admin Front Page News

Enter to Win an Awesome Photo Book and More in Rolling Stone’s Gift Guide Giveaway!

December 4th, 2009

>Two photo books — Trust: Photographs by Jim Marshall and Matthew Niederhauser’s Sound Kapital — are just two of the many awesome gifts Rolling Stone is offering up in the rock & roll giveaways during December. As we wrote yesterday, this prize pack also features a Gibson SG Zoot Suit Guitar (retails for $1,999), a pair of AC/DC-branded Converse kicks and a Karmaloop x MTV Staying Alive Foundation Tee designed by Shepard Fairey.

Check out Rolling Stone’s Great Rock & Roll Gift Guide featuring over 100 of the season’s must-haves

To enter the giveaway, click here. The Gift Guide Giveaway is open to residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., who are 18 years of age or older as of December 1st, 2009. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins at 5 p.m. EST on December 1st, 2009, and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 6th, 2009. Certain restrictions may apply. Complete official rules are available here.

admin Front Page News

Rolling Stones’ Ron Wood Arrested on Suspicion of Assault

December 4th, 2009

Photo: Brett/FilmMagic

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood was arrested this morning on suspicion of assault. “I can confirm that there was an incident last night and that Ronnie Wood was arrested,” a spokesperson for Wood said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “He has since been released on police bail. We have no further statement to make at this time.” Rolling Stone also verified that the victim of the suspected assault was Wood’s 21-year-old girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova.

“We can confirm that a 62-year-old man from Esher was arrested last night on suspicion of assault in connection with a domestic incident in Claygate High Street,” a Surrey Police spokesman told The London Evening Standard, who have an account of the alleged events leading up to the suspected assault. “He has this afternoon been released on bail until a date in January pending further inquiries.”

As Rolling Stone reported last month, Wood’s relationship with Ivanova (who is 41 years his junior) resulted in his divorce from his wife of 24 years, Jo. The settlement in the divorce reportedly cost the guitarist £6.5 million on the grounds of adultery.

Related Stories:
Faces May Replace Rod Stewart With Simply Red Singer for Tour
Ron Wood Says Faces Reunion Tour Is “Ready to Go”

admin Front Page News

Green Day Premieres Version of “21 Guns” Recorded With “American Idiot” Musical Cast

December 4th, 2009

Photo: Kravitz/AMA
2009/FilmMagic

Green Day’s new version of “21 Guns,” featuring the cast of the American Idiot musical, debuted today over on Spinner, a day before it’s set to hit radio. As Rolling Stone previously reported, Billie Joe Armstrong and gang recorded the track with the cast in an Oakland studio just days after the musical’s final performance at the Berkeley Rep last month. The digital single of “21 Guns” will be available December 22nd.

Meet the cast of the American Idiot musical.

Fans who saw the show will immediately recognize the voice that starts out the song as belonging to Rebecca Naomi Jones, who plays the role of Whatsername in the musical. The new theatrical rendition, arranged by Tom Kitt (the show’s music supervisor), transforms “21 Guns” — which just last night earned a Grammy nod for Best Rock Song — into a fist-pumping anthem.

Green Day Talk “American Idiot” as Musical Debuts: On the Scene at the Berkeley Rep

“We wanted to record ‘21 Guns’ because it represents a pivotal moment in the show when the lead character, sung by John Gallagher, Jr., realizes he needs to get his shit together,” Armstrong said in a statement. “After the show wrapped, we headed straight to Oakland with the cast to record, and they sung the hell out of it. I couldn’t be happier. It’s great to have something out there for people to hear who didn’t get to see the show.” Of course, fans who missed the Berkeley run of the musical will have another chance to see Green Day’s songs brought to life: Producers are planning to bring American Idiot to Broadway next year.

Related Stories:
Green Day Record “21 Guns” With “American Idiot” Musical Cast
Green Day’s “American Idiot” Musical Heading to Broadway
The Birth of Green Day’s “American Idiot” Musical

admin Front Page News

Adam Lambert Gets Burned By “FCC Heat” As ABC Cancels Two More Appearances

December 4th, 2009

Photo:
Devaney/WireImage

More than a week after his racy American Music Awards performance, Adam Lambert is still coming up against a brick wall at ABC. Yesterday the singer revealed that the network canceled his scheduled appearances on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. As Rolling Stone previously reported, Lambert’s Good Morning America appearance last week was also nixed following his AMA performance.

Adam Lambert shocks, Taylor Swift soars: see the 2009 AMAs in photos.

“Yes, sadly friends, ABC has cancelled my appearances on Kimmel and NYE. Don’t blame them. It’s the FCC heat,” Lambert tweeted yesterday. “I AM doing Leno though. And lookin into something for NYE. It’ll all blow over. Let’s focus on being positive!” No date has been announced yet for the Leno appearance. Lambert was scheduled to perform on the outdoor stage for the December 17th episode of Kimmel. The Kimmel cancellation is especially surprising given that the late night talk show airs well outside the primetime hours when younger viewers would be watching.

Infamous crotch-rock moments, from Lambert’s AMAs to “Dick in a Box.”

The cancellations come just days after Lambert himself vowed to scale back on his controversial performances and focus more on the music. “Goin in a new direction now. Focus back on the music,” Lambert wrote. “Don’t worry friends: I’m still gonna be me. Always. W/o apologies. Just gonna experiment differently [with] how I present myself.” Following Lambert’s AMA performance, ABC received more than 1,500 complaints regarding the graphic nature of the Full-Frontal Glambgasm.

Related Stories:
Adam Lambert Vows to “Focus on the Music” After AMAs Controversy
Adam Lambert Argues “I’m Not a Babysitter” on “The Early Show”
“Full-Frontal Glambgasm”: Rob Sheffield on Adam Lambert’s AMAs

admin Front Page News

Hype Monitor: Oh No Ono, Sharon Van Etten and Letting Up Despite Great Fault

December 4th, 2009

Photo by Claus Peuckert
The Band: Oh No Ono
The Buzz: Here’s something suitably wintry: Danish band Oh No Ono make music that sounds like falling snow and bright white lights against a blackened sky — soft and twinkling and delicate. And fear not, the name is not a dis — the group actually met Yoko at a festival in the UK and they got on famously. Eggs, the group’s second full length, will be released stateside early in the new year.
Listen If: You tend toward the arty and atmospheric, but still like your songs to be grounded in a solid melody.
Key Track: Though Oh No Ono does occasionally kick up a herky-jerky new wave ruckus, we suggest starting with the hushed, lovely “Swim,” which is 300 percent winter madrigal — the sound of stirred cider and cinnamon.

The Band: Sharon Van Etten
The Buzz: Masterful Brooklyn singer/songwriter knows the value of a good mystery. Her songs are shadowy and beguiling, powered by her intoxicating, husky voice and brittle acoustic strum.
Listen If: You’re glad Cat Power sobered up, but miss the shadows that fell across her earlier songs.
Key Track: Any of them, really, but start with the delightfully maudlin “For You,” where Van Etten’s gorgeous, ghostly wail rises and hovers like a ghost in the Appalachains at midnight.

The Band: Letting Up Despite Great Fault
The Buzz: Lovely LA band gets right the balance between tight strumming and swooping electronics, turning out light, charming songs that are long on both melody and heartache.
Listen If: You’re sick and tired of waiting for that second Postal Service record.
Key Track: The gently surging “In Steps,” which makes an astonishing case for restraint, employing murmured vocals, tiny apostrophes of guitar and lightly lapping synths.

admin Front Page News

R&B star Chris Brown to be interviewed on ‘20/20′

November 28th, 2009

R&B star Chris Brown to discuss attack of ex-girlfriend Rihanna on ABC’s ‘20/20′ next month

admin Front Page News

Al Alberts, founding member of The Four Aces, dies

November 28th, 2009

Al Alberts, founding member of The Four Aces and longtime TV talent show host, dies at 87

admin Front Page News

Who to play Super Bowl

November 28th, 2009

Rihanna refuses therapy to get over emotional trauma

November 28th, 2009

Lady GaGa happy to be snubbed by Britney Spears

November 28th, 2009

25 recordings inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame

November 28th, 2009

Songs by Beach Boys, The Doors among 25 recordings inducted this year into Grammy Hall of Fame

admin Front Page News

Lambert says he got carried away, but not sorry

November 28th, 2009

Adam Lambert says he got carried away, but he’s not apologizing for AMA performance

admin Front Page News

Rihanna not happy with Brown’s confidantes

November 28th, 2009

Leona Lewis hopes "Echo" will resound (Reuters)

November 28th, 2009

Reuters – Violence and theft. Not words one would normally associate with Leona Lewis, the squeaky-clean winner of “The X Factor,” who went on to stunning worldwide success with her debut album, “Spirit.”

admin Front Page News

R&B star Chris Brown to be interviewed on ‘20/20′ (AP)

November 28th, 2009

In this Nov. 19, 2009 photo, Chris Brown leaves the Criminal Justice Center after a hearing, in Los Angeles to offer a judge his first progress report since being sentenced for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna earlier this year. ABC says Chris Brown will appear on its '20/20' newsmagazine Dec. 11. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)AP – ABC says Chris Brown will appear on its “20/20″ newsmagazine Dec. 11.


admin Front Page News

Al Alberts, founding member of The Four Aces, dies (AP)

November 28th, 2009

AP – Al Alberts, a founding member of the singing group, The Four Aces, and a longtime TV talent show host in Philadelphia, has died. He was 87.

admin Front Page News

Confusion surrounds Robbie Williams "proposal" (Reuters)

November 28th, 2009

Robbie Williams performs at the Metro in Sydney, November 25, 2009. REUTERS/James Morgan/MasterCard/HandoutReuters – British singer Robbie Williams “proposed” to his actress girlfriend, Ayda Field, live on Australian radio on Friday, but his spokesman then said it was a joke.


admin Front Page News

Pinetop Perkins’ 80-year career still going (AP)

November 28th, 2009

In this Oct. 11, 2009 photograph, Grammy winning blues pianist Joe Willie 'Pinetop' Perkins motions a 'thumbs up' gesture during the annual festival at Hopson Plantation in Clarksdale, Miss., honoring him. Although he is 96 years old, Perkins, who formerly drove a tractor at the plantation in the 1940's, keeps an active performance schedule and takes time to record with a number of contemporary blues musicians, many several decades younger than himself.  Proceeds of the festival are used to help fund programs of the Blues Foundation. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP – Noisy crowds in smoky bars don’t bother 96-year-old bluesman Pinetop Perkins.


admin Front Page News

For tenor from Malta, a star-making role? (AP)

November 28th, 2009

In this Nov. 4, 2009 photo, tenor Joseph Calleja poses for a photograph at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.  (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)AP – There’s something about the honeyed sweetness of Joseph Calleja’s voice that seems to evoke memories of a golden age, as if this young tenor carried within his vocal cords a secret passed down from bygone generations.


admin Front Page News

Some Calleja performances (AP)

November 28th, 2009

AP – Some opportunities to hear tenor Joseph Calleja:

admin Front Page News

Jay-Z’s "Empire" holds strong atop singles chart (Reuters)

November 28th, 2009

Rapper Jay-Z is interviewed at the MuchMusic television station in Toronto in this October 31, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Mark BlinchReuters – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second consecutive week.


admin Front Page News

Bob Dylan brings Christmas cheer to those without homes (Reuters)

November 28th, 2009

The cover of Bob Dylan's Reuters – Singer Bob Dylan reminisces about Christmas past, turkey dinners and his favorite holiday songs in a rare interview in a magazine for homeless people.


admin Front Page News

Phish electrifies fans with marathon show (Reuters)

November 28th, 2009

Reuters – When tickets for Phish’s Sunday night (November 22) show in Syracuse, N.Y., went on sale back in October, all 6,700 of them were gone in 15 minutes — and with good reason. The last time Phish performed at the War Memorial arena was November 1994. Local fans were ready for another show, and the band was certainly ready to give it to them.

admin Front Page News

John Mayer’s "Battle" wins top spot on album chart (Reuters)

November 28th, 2009

Reuters – John Mayer brought home his second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart Wednesday, while Norah Jones grabbed the No. 3 rung.

admin Front Page News

Lambert says he got carried away, but not sorry (AP)

November 28th, 2009

Singer Adam Lambert appears on CBS's' 'The Early Show' in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)AP – Adam Lambert admits he got carried away with his sexually charged American Music Awards performance, but he’s offering no apology.


admin Front Page News

Swiss: Polanski in jail until at least Monday (AP)

November 28th, 2009

Lorenz Erni, Swiss lawyer of Polish-born filmmaker Roman Polanski is surrounded by reporters as he leaves a district prison where his client is believed to be held in Winterthur, 26 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. The Swiss Justice Ministry says it will keep Roman Polanski in jail until at least Monday.  The 76-year-old director was granted US$4.5 million bail Wednesday on condition he remain under house arrest at his chalet in Gstaad and be fitted with an electronic bracelet. The ministry is still deciding whether to extradite Polanski to the U.S. for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl. .(AP Photo/Michel Euler)AP – Roman Polanski will remain in a jail outside Zurich for at least three more days until he meets the security conditions of his bail, a Swiss official said Friday.


admin Front Page News