tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64453636244362861642024-10-06T21:56:07.888-07:00John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-42096773142348008202009-02-10T21:46:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:56:05.270-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – Paul McCartney will open the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's new Joint in Las Vegas on April 19. Motley Crue closed the old Joint last week.Tickets go on sale February 14 at the Hard Rock Hotel box office and through ticketmaster.com. McCartney will also headline the first day of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on April 17 in the southern California city of

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-48513092215089003652009-02-10T21:41:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:46:02.849-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Singer Rihanna postponed a scheduled concert in Malaysia on Tuesday as Los Angeles police continued their probe of an attack by R&B star Chris Brown on a woman widely believed to be the pop songstress.Malaysia-based Pineapple Concerts said in a statement on its website that "in light of recent events involving Rihanna" a new date for the concert will be set within two

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-34165832881027018632009-02-05T20:52:00.000-08:002009-02-05T20:54:16.002-08:00

LONDON (Billboard) – Could it be third-time lucky for Judas Priest?Some 35 years into its career, the veteran metal band will vie for a pair of Grammys at the music industry's top honors in Los Angeles on Sunday. It will compete in the hard rock category for "Visions" and metal category for "Nostradamus," a pair of tunes from its 16th studio album, "Nostradamus."Previously nominated in 1991 and

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-45536450795570549982009-02-05T20:49:00.000-08:002009-02-05T20:51:51.093-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Disney teen idol Miley Cyrus has said she was making a goofy face when she made slant-eye poses in a personal photograph with friends, and was not making fun of Asians.Cyrus, 16, was responding on Thursday to demands from an Asian-American group that she apologize for the snapshot which surfaced on the Internet this week, and in a blog posted on her official Web site, she

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-64760784220836068412009-02-05T20:45:00.000-08:002009-02-05T20:49:46.520-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – Many artists dream of "packing out stadiums or selling a bazillion records," says Antonio "L.A." Reid, chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group. But to Reid there's a more important achievement. "I still hold the Grammys as the highest honor an artist can win."On Sunday, Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Radiohead will vie for the album of

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-17357927182550548272009-02-03T22:48:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:50:50.828-08:00

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) – Canadian rock group Nickelback led the musical pack Tuesday, picking up five nominations for the 38th annual Juno Awards, Canada's top music honors.The Alberta rockers received nominations for best single, best group, best producer and best album of the year.Nickelback also will compete for the Juno fan choice award against Celine Dion and Hedley -- both of whom

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-55445478383042371662009-02-03T22:45:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:48:22.143-08:00

HAVANA (Reuters) – The man who banned the Beatles from the communist-run island's radio and television stations has died, state television said on Tuesday.Jorge "Papito" Serguera, who at the time was president of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, pulled Beatles music from the airwaves in the 1970s even though he later admitted he enjoyed listening to it in private.Serguera, who was 76

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-50879048294870408752009-02-03T22:43:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:45:24.675-08:00

LAS VEGAS – Elton John is playing his final notes on the red piano in Las Vegas.Promoters say the pop singer will close his Las Vegas Strip show, "The Red Piano," on April 22.The show made its debut in February 2004 at The Colosseum theater at Caesars Palace. After initially signing on for 75 shows, John's engagement was extended.The casino says the closing show will be the 241st performance.The

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-74928943111640603182009-02-03T22:41:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:43:19.534-08:00

LOS ANGELES – Love them or not, the Jonas Brothers just keep popping up.The CW network says the singers will host a night of programming Feb. 10 that includes the dramas "90210" and "Privileged." They'll provide a sneak peek of their new 3-D concert film based on their "Burning Up" tour.Fans looking for a musical performance will get a clip of the group performing the hit song "Tonight."Last

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-48091214552518497962009-02-03T22:37:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:40:48.991-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The former self-styled manager of Britney Spears sued the pop star and her parents on Tuesday, accusing them of slander and failing to pay his fees.Sam Lutfi, Spears' constant companion in late 2007 at the height of her personal and professional meltdown, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court after a renewed flurry of legal moves against him.His lawsuit names

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-63936734171284834942009-02-02T23:36:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:37:55.456-08:00

NEW YORK – Barbra Streisand remembers the buzz generated before she started filming the musical "Yentl," and it wasn't particularly good.Despite her superstar status and two Oscars (one best actress trophy, another for composing) she recalls hearing negative comments about whether she could pull off the Herculean task of starring, directing, co-writing and producing the period piece about a

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-77260668989705679582009-02-02T23:34:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:36:30.511-08:00

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Flamin' Groovies principals Cyril Jordan and Roy Loney will reunite for the first time since 1971 at the eighth Ponderosa Stomp festival, to be held April 28-29 at New Orleans' House of Blues.The Flamin' Groovies formed in San Francisco in 1965 and set a template for the nascent power pop movement with their 1969 debut, "Supersnazz," and its 1970 follow-up, "Flamingo."Loney

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-60144896201212199692009-02-02T23:29:00.000-08:002009-02-02T23:34:05.058-08:00

by Charlotte GardnerHarmonia Mundi's contribution to Handel's 250th anniversary wins both the size and luxury prizes hands down. They have cherry-picked a selection of Handel recordings for re-release, packaging them into five limited edition luxury box sets (which can be bought separately) - Operas, Oratorios, Famous Arias, Arias for…, and Concertos. I must confess to a certain amount of Handel

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-17445706957607579352009-01-30T22:09:00.000-08:002009-01-30T22:10:04.029-08:00

LONDON (Billboard) – Dedicated rock fans have long made vacations out of following their favorite bands on the road. Now European classical fans are booking entire holidays around their chosen genre.Travel industry executives say that growing numbers of classical fans are exchanging beaches for Berlioz and Bizet, with classical music festival organizers and venues benefiting from increased

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-17064867378331243392009-01-30T22:05:00.000-08:002009-01-30T22:09:04.637-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Singer Charlie Wilson remembers soulstress Chaka Khan once telling him, "You work way too hard.""My friends still tell me that," Wilson says with his signature hee-hee laugh. "But I'm still having a good time performing. I'm always going to give music all the energy I've got."That old-school energy, enthusiasm and work ethic have served him well during a career

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-22780687692535709812009-01-30T21:55:00.000-08:002009-01-30T22:05:20.357-08:00

LOS ANGELES – Britney Spears has obtained a restraining order against former pal Osama "Sam" Lutfi and one-time boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, court records show.Attorneys for Spears and her father, who is her legal conservator, received the order Friday. The documents state that Lutfi, Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley have been trying to gain control of Spears' affairs."On the first anniversary of the

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-27672854659696146712009-01-30T01:23:00.000-08:002009-01-30T01:27:18.398-08:00

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-11944786219350386402009-01-30T01:19:00.000-08:002009-01-30T01:23:30.223-08:00

NASHVILLE (Billboard) – Madonna will crank up her Sticky & Sweet tour again this summer with about 25 more shows in the U.K. and Europe. The initial trek wrapped December 21 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.The final leg of the tour -- already the top-grossing tour ever by a female or solo artist -- will start in London at the O2 Arena on July 4. Madonna also will play the Manchester (U.K.) Evening News

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-41344086253481982012009-01-30T01:16:00.000-08:002009-01-30T01:19:54.191-08:00

TAMPA, Fla. – Anybody who thinks it's tough playing the halftime show at the Super Bowl with 150 million people watching should try serenading Barack Obama with the majestic granite visage of Abraham Lincoln staring over your shoulder.Bruce Springsteen did."It kind of was a good warm-up for this," Springsteen joked Thursday after arriving in Tampa with the E Street Band. "That takes some of the

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-91864066600050764192009-01-30T01:14:00.000-08:002009-01-30T01:16:52.190-08:00

NEW YORK – Jennifer Hudson has finished filming her first video since the slayings of her mother, brother and nephew.The clip for "If This Isn't Love" was done in Los Angeles and is set to debut the week of Feb. 9.The 27-year-old singer/actress is slowly starting to return back to work following the October slayings of her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson; 29-year-old brother Jason

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-82143157645165068882009-01-29T02:18:00.000-08:002009-01-29T02:21:27.195-08:00

NEW YORK – The Opera Orchestra of New York has canceled its two remaining performances this season because of the recession.The company, which usually presents three or four concert performances each season at Carnegie Hall, scrapped plans to perform Wagner's "Rienzi" on March 19 and Cherubini's "Medea" on April 21. It also canceled a concert with Ferruccio Furlanetto on Feb. 27.It's only

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-3379474690743309722009-01-29T02:16:00.000-08:002009-01-29T02:17:52.169-08:00

by Jon LuskAlthough it's not clear where they got the name from, The Whispertown 2000 is an improvement on Vagtown 2000, the stage moniker that lead singer and songwriter Morgan Naylor used to go by. On first listen, this LA-based indiefolk band's second album sounds like a half-arsed, ramshackle mess fronted by a woman who can't hold a tune. Persevere, because Naylor's chameleonesque vocal

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-70572515637998479722009-01-29T02:14:00.000-08:002009-01-29T02:15:48.750-08:00

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell, who played on such hits as "Sweet Home Alabama" and survived the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, died Wednesday. He was 56.Powell called 911 in this Jacksonville suburb saying he was having trouble breathing. Rescue crews performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead about an hour later, Orange Park Police Lt. Mark

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-60775597687280347522009-01-29T02:11:00.000-08:002009-01-29T02:14:03.161-08:00

DUSSELDORF, Germany (Billboard) – Gail Zappa, widow of U.S. rock legend Frank Zappa, has failed in her bid to stop a German music festival from using her husband's name and image.Zappa and her family trust had launched a lawsuit against the German Frank Zappa fan club over its annual Zappanale festival, demanding the removal of a bronze sculpture of Zappa at the festival site in Bad Doberan and

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6445363624436286164.post-86664481788197069162009-01-29T02:09:00.000-08:002009-01-29T02:11:10.366-08:00

by Charlotte GardnerForgive me a sweeping generalisation, but its fair to say that great British operas, pre-Britten, can be counted on one hand. Half a hand, even. However, what we lack in quantity, we make up for in quality, as illustrated by Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. This new recording for Chandos from the Choir and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is surely set for widespread

John Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05740342359523102819noreply@blogger.com0