MUSIC NEWS - One of the original rockers, Jerry Lee Lewis, 73, recently said he is hoping to get Mick Jagger and Keith Richardsonboard for his new album (and we hope they comply). Lewis is still rocking and is planning to release a blues-tinged record next year. He is about to headline at the London Rock 'n Roll Festival next Tuesday kicking off his Great Balls Of Fire European tour. At a press conference in London, Lewis said he would "probably have" the two Rolling Stones guesting on the new album. He described the record as "far out stuff. It's really good". Speaking of the Stones, Lewis said: "I have known them back when they were real young kids...
"Ain't that something? They ain't kids no more." Asked if he was still "The Killer", his nickname; Lewis replied: "Yes sir. I'm a mean old man. That's the name of a song we've just recorded."
Lewis went on to say: "I enjoy music and I enjoy playing the crowds. If they ever stop coming I'll just quit playing." Still a music fan, he sometimes listens to music on an iPod lent to him by his daughter Phoebe Lewis.
MUSIC NEWS- Oh well, we hoped for as long as we could, considering the tradition of the Coachella Festival reuniting bands. It worked with Jane's Addiction, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Pixies, Bauhaus, Gang of Four, Rage Against the Machine, The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. So, when reports from a British newspaper indicated that sources close to The Smiths said the band "could play Coachella for a ludicrous amount of money", we denied but believed. Only now word from Johnny Marr's manager is that the rumor is "rubbish" and that there will be no hatchet-burying next summer in Indio, CA. Instead, Johnny Marr has agreed to be the visiting professor of music at Salford University. Marr will be lecturing students on a regular basis. His initial lecture will be in the university's Maxwell Hall on November 4 and is expected to be about music's "mavericks" and "innovators."
It would have been the first time the band had played together since Johnny Marr said in 1987 that he was leaving, two months before Strangeways, Here We Come was released. That Marr, who has been playing with Modest Mouse, and Morrissey, whose solo career has continued to take off in recent years, will not be sharing a stage soon is not surprising, as the band's breakup had all of the standard rock n roll nastiness.
With The Smiths out of the running, the question is still; who do YOU want to see reunited at Coachella and what "secret deals" are in the works (tipsters- let MNN know !)
In Morrissey news, he's announced plans during a BBC Radio 2 interview that he will write his autobiography, which will span his music career. He didn't give any specific on how much of the memoir is completed or when the book will be released. He did explain, “So much crap is written about me, it’s hard to live with sometimes. It all gets burned down in history and becomes a part of your legacy.” He also discussed his upcoming album, Year of Refusal, which is due for release in February 2009. “It’s fantastically strong,” he said. “It’s very, very strong and it’s interesting for me after all these years, but it’s the strongest.”
MUSIC NEWS- Now back in good health, Gregg Allman plans to hit the road as a solo artist once again, beginning this December for his long-delayed first solo dates of the year. Allman, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, recently finished up tours with the legendary Allman Brothers Band (including a Barack Obama for President benefit gig in Pennsylvania with the recently reunited Grateful Dead), will start his solo tour on December 27 in Westbury, NY (NYC area). The ten city run will include a two-night (January 2 & 3) stretch in New York City. Itinerary is listed below.
Allman was forced to cancel shows with The Allman Brothers Band earlier this year due to the debilitating effects of his 24-week interferon treatment he received to combat Hepatitis C. "I feel great," said Allman, who has been pronounced free of the disease by his doctors, in a press statement. "We did about 20 shows this summer and we were really hitting it." Mr Allman will be backed on the upcoming tour by a band that features Bruce Katz (keyboard), Jerry Jemmott (bass), Steve Potts (drums), Mark McGee (guitar), Jay Collins (sax) and Floyd Miles (percussion). We can't wait to see the Mushroom embossed Hammond organ again!!! No word on the songs to be performed or of any new Gregg Allman material.
Due to the unfortunate death of his father, Stone Temple Pilots drummer Eric Kretz will be taking a brief leave of absence from the band's reunion tour dates this week in Texas and at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans. Drummer Ray Luzier will be filling in for Eric and will be performing with the band at these shows. Ray has worked with STP members, Dean (guitar) and Robert (bass) DeLeo, previously on related projects. Our condolences to the Kretz family...
MUSIC NEWS - Katy Perry has refuted claims that the photo showing her posing with a flick knife in a photo shoot (see pix at left) perpetuate knife crimes in the UK. As reported recently in the music press, the "dubious" picture was taken by acclaimed fashion photographer Terry Richardson for potential use in the marketing and promotion of Perry's album, 'One Of The Boys', but was later rejected. As with so many images these days, it showed up online, causing some folks to denounce the singer for setting a bad example at a time when knife crime is a hot topic in the UK. Her US publicist told MTV: "Katy Perry is against all violence. The photo in question was taken in 2005 and is in no way related to the current events in the UK". That should settle the matter, OK ?
See recent Katy Perry story on her upcoming MTV hosting gig.
MUSIC NEWS - Ready to rock at your local multi-plex ??? Queen’s recently recorded and never-before-seen concert, filmed in the Ukraine, " Queen + Paul Rodgers: Let the Cosmos Rock" will be shown exclusively in USA movie theatres on Thursday, November 6 (7:30pm, local time). Presented by NCM Fathom in high-definition in more than 425 movie theatre around the USA, Queen fans can experience this historic concert that features the band’s greatest hits and new music. This one-night-only event will be a chance for audiences to experience this historic concert featuring the band’s greatest hits and new music from their new album, The Cosmos Rocks, Queen's first new studio release in nearly a decade and a half. Additionally, footage from a 2005 performance in Japan will be included. Queen + Paul Rodgers kicked off their 2008-09 world tour with this powerful concert at the historic Freedom Square in Kharkov, Ukraine, on September 12th in front of more than 350,000 fans.
Queen is, of course, one of rock n rolls most successful, influential and popular acts, the band has released a total of 18 #1 albums, 18 #1 singles and 10 #1 DVDs worldwide, which makes them one of the world's best-selling music artists. Brian May and Roger Taylor bring Queen back with legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers in the one-night-only event Queen + Paul Rodgers: Let the Cosmos Rock. Queen + Paul Rodgers’ newest album, The Cosmos Rocks, will be available in the U.S. on Tuesday, Oct. 28th. Tickets are available at FathomEvents.
MUSIC NEWS- AC/DC is showing the world that they're as popular as ever! Their new album 'Black Ice', their first in over eight years, has hit retail shelves, and despite not being available via iTunes, and with an exclusive deal at WalMart and Sams Club in the USA, it's selling selling strongly. Obviously, independent music retailers are unhappy, with many purchasing the release from the "exclusive" retailers, making WalMart and Sams defacto distributors of the title, while other independents have opted to stop selling any AC/DC product during this new release period. We're sure SonyBMG is happy with the Black Ice success ! Early reports indicate that first week USA sales will be over 800,000, making it the label's fastest selling album in over two years. Inn the UK the Aussie rockers are outselling the new Kaiser Chiefs album by at least two to one, and could top 120,000 sales by the end of the week; a number one in both country's album charts is assured. The group begins an extensive world tour on October 28 in Wilkes-Barre, PA (see full itinerary below)
MUSIC NEWS- Looking to put their legal and accident problems behind them, Barenaked Ladies have announced some fun concerts for the whole family in friendly Canadian territory with a handful of December shows (see list below). The gigs will have one of two themes; "Snacktime!", matinees that will feature songs from BNL's new children's albums, while "Barenaked for the Holidays" are evening concerts that will include a mixture of festive tunes and some BNL standards. The guys will perform both a children's concert and holiday show on December 6 at Massey Hall in Toronto, ON. The next day, they will have a single holiday show at the same venue. Another matinee/holiday doubleheader will happen on December 13 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON.
MUSIC NEWS - Yes, it's finally coming true, Chinese Democracy, the title track from the upcoming Guns N' Roses' album, will be delivered to US radio stations under the cover of darkness on Wednesday AM, October 22. Which can mean only one thing; free Dr Pepper is coming soon (but not for Slash or Buckethead)! Although some album tracks were leaked this past summer (and note, the blogger accused of posting them online just pled innocent to the charges yesterday), this tune is the first authorized new music from Guns 'N Roses in over nine years. (but don't forget Shackler's Revenge, on Rock Band 2 though). The album Chinese Democracy (full track list below) [first studio disc since '93's Spaghetti Incident? ] is set for a November 23, 2008 release, exclusively at Best Buy stores in the US. The 14-track set includes only three songs that have not either been performed live or leaked online in recent years. And while we're talking about GnR, take a look at the 12+ promo clips for the new release.
UPDATE 10/22/08- The November 23 arrival of "Chinese Democracy", the album was finally confirmed today by Guns N' Roses manager Irving Azoff. "The release of 'Chinese Democracy' marks a historic moment in rock'n'roll," Azoff and co-manager Andy Gould said in a statement. "We're launching with a monumental campaign developed by Gary Arnold and the Best Buy team that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. Guns N’ Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."
UPDATE 10/23/08- American readers, the free Dr Pepper is ready! Log on to www.drpepper.com on November 23, the street date of Guns N Roses' long awaited new album 'Chinese Democracy'. Because, as promised, you be provided with a free can of the famous drink. As previously reported, Dr Pepper announced earlier this year that they would give a free can of Dr Pepper to every American if Axl Rose managed to get his new album out this year. With the Nov 23 release date now confirmed, a massive Dr Pepper coupon offer is now being prepared.
MUSIC NEWS - One of the original punk/glam bands,The New York Dolls are still at it and continue their comeback with a new live album and shows in October and in December (08). The group, formed over 35 years ago, is scheduled to appear October 28 on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," (NBC) and then to play an October 29 gig in Ventura, CA. They also have December shows in Los Angeles (20th) and New York (27th). This Dolls' lineup features two members of the original group; frontman David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain, joined by guitarist Steve Conte, Sami Yaffa (bass), Brian Delaney (drums) and Brian Koonin (keyboards). Founding member Arthur "Killer" Kane died in 2005 shortly after their initial reunion (see Kane in the documentary, New York Doll ). "It won't be very long that we'll be together longer than the original band was," Johansen joked in a press release. The original Dolls' lineup held together only two years after the band's self-titled debut album, then split up when co-founders Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan left in 1975.
The band's latest release, a live cd, "Live at the Fillmore East," is available from Sony Music. The 10-track set was recorded December '07 at the Fillmore New York (Irving Plaza) and features a mix of classic Dolls tracks and a selection of songs from the group's 2006 reunion album, "One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This." "One Day It Will Please Us..." (Roadrunner Records) was recorded last year with producer Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick) behind the boards. And, a 45-minute "making of" DVD; "On the Lip," which documents the Dolls' comeback effort and recording sessions, was included with early pressings of the album. Several clips from the video can still be viewed at the band's website.
UPDATE 11/14/08- New album news ! Todd Rundgren, who produced New York Dolls' 1973 self-titled debut album, is set to reunite with the band and produce their new album. Rundgren will hit the studio with founding New York Dolls members David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain in January '09 to record the album, still untitled. The band will follow the release of the LP with a world tour. The cd will by released by Atco via Warners !
MUSIC NEWS- Kevin Costner & Modern West, yes KEVIN COSTNER (Swing Vote, Tin Cup, Field of Dreams, Waterworld, Postman), will release their debut album, Untold Truths, on November 11 via Universal records. Of course, Mr Costner is best known for his acting career, but he's really no stranger to the art of making music and songwriting. The band’s history goes back nearly 20 years when Kevin first met bandmate John Coinman in LA at an acting workshop. The two began playing and writing music together and soon after started a band called “Roving Boy.” As Kevin’s acting star began to rise, he couldn't give much time to the band. But, he and some of the band members continued behind-the-scenes playing, writing, and recording anytime they could throughout the years. A few years back, the music bug was too strong for Costner, so, lucky for us, he devoted more time to performing.
MUSIC NEWS - Recognized even by non-fans as a great album, R.E.M.'s Murmur changed the landscape of new-wave, alternative rock music. To celebrate its' quarter century historical release, R.E.M. is planning to release a remastered version of their 1983 debut full-length album on November 25 via Universal in a special edition, according to a press release. The "Murmur" 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition contains the original album plus an additional disc with previously unreleased concert recordings from 1983 at their show at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto. The 16-song live show, was recorded three months after Murmur's initial release, highlights songs from the band's debut, plus cuts that would later appear on the band's second and fourth albums, 1984's "Reckoning," and 1986's "Life's Rich Pageant". The "Murmur" re-issue also features essays about the recording of the album by producers, Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, and former I.R.S. record label executives, including Jay Boberg (full track list below). You can still catch them live ( a few USA dates, then to South America) in 2008 (see below) and read other, related R.E.M. news.
MUSIC NEWS - COLDPLAY have launched an online competition where fans can create the group's new video for their tune, LOST. The Brit rockers want to see what their fans can come up with, just post your LOST video on YouTube.com then e-mail the URL to COLDPLAY at "lostvideos@coldplay.com" by December 1, 2008 and the band will pick the winner. On launching the new competition, frontman Chris Martin says, "Don't use anyone else's material i.e. Please don't splice together your favourite scenes from Spider-Man 3 and Mean Girls... and don't bother with Coldplay live footage or photographs, as there's enough of that on YouTube already." A winner will be selected on December 5 and treated to an all-expenses trip to join the band backstage at their December concert in London and tix for the show!
MUSIC NEWS- Katy Perry's plan was probably just to have a simple, fun gag at the climax of her on-stage performance of I KISSED A GIRL... at the recent MTV Latin America Awards in Guadalajara, Mexico (Oct 16). But, she had a somewhat embarrassing moment when she took a tumble, slipping on the icing on the stage. And instead of getting bothered by the spill, she just laughed it off. Let's hope she doesn't have any incidents when she hosts MTV's Europe Music Video Awards show on November 6 !
MUSIC NEWS- UPDATE 12/18/08- U2 are likely to make around $25 million if they move forward with reported plans to sell their Live Nation shares. The Irish superstars signed a 12-year deal with the company in March 2008 which gives see Live Nation rights to the band's concerts, online fanclubs and t-shirt sales. As we reported, U2 members were given 1.6 million shares as part of the deal and a guarantee that they would be permitted to sell the stocks for $25 million. So, on Wednesday (Dec. 12, 2008), the group moved to sell their stock, according to the Wall Street Journal. If sale goes through, the Live Nation will lose around $19 million as their shares closed at $3.91 on Wednesday (Dec. 17, 2008) on the NY Stock Exchange. This means U2's shares have a market value of only $6.3 million ! A sale now would be quite a windfall for Bono & Co. Madonna has a similar deal with Live Nation, signed back in October 2007 and she's eligible to sell her shares in the company in April 2009 under the terms of her contract. Watch for that transaction as soon as she's permitted and you have to wonder about the logic of these Live Nation stock deals with major artists !!!
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Some details on the infamous U2/Live Nation deal have been released. The Irish supergroup, U2 is to receive an estimated $19 million worth of Live Nation stock as part of the 12 year deal that Bono & company signed with the music/concert promotion firm. Just yesterday, L.A. based Live Nation registered 1.56 million shares to U2 in a regulatory filing with the USA Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The stock will be issued to five individuals designated by the rock band's Evergreen Concepts LLC, according to the filing. The well publicized agreement between U2 and Live Nation, announced in March 08, involves worldwide tour promotion, merchandising, and operation of the band's U2.com web site. When the deal was announced, U2 manager Paul McGuinness said, "U2 are doing their best work right now, on record and in concert. The opportunity to integrate U2 and Live Nation's vision of the future is a great extension of our established business and of our working relationship with Arthur Fogel and Michael Cohl, which started back in 1980 at the El Mocambo in Toronto." The deal, though, is not a true 360-degree pact, as publishing is not included and the band keeps its relationship with Universal Music to release music. U2 is in an elite "club" when it comes to touring. Its last tour, the 2005-2007 Vertigo tour took in nearly $400 million, the second highest ever. With touring alone, the deal should generate more than a billion dollars in grosses over the course of the contract. In addition to U2, Live Nation has also entered into multi-rights deals with Madonna, Jay-Z, Nickelback and Shakira.
In other U2 news, Bono and The Edge have joined the list of the announced performer's lineup for this year's Thelonius Monk Institure of Jazz annual event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, on October 26. The rockers will take the stage as part of a concert lineup to honor legend, B.B. King, to whom they will also present the organization's Founder's Award, according to a Monk Institute spokesperson.
UPDATE 10/27/08- see video clip of Bono and BB KIng at the Kodak Th event ;
