Latest Music News
Female musicians are famous for making headbands and accessories more popular than other celebrities. Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey are some of the most well known musicians that love accessories and headbands. Alicia Keys has been seen at numerous hollywood events wearing her favorite orange headband. Mariah Carey is more likely to wear a designer headband.
Lynyrd Skynrd has seen a lot of tragedy since the band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, back in 1966. Notably, Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines — the singer, guitarist, and backup vocalist, respectively — were among those killed in a plane crash in 1977.
Now, Billy Powell, the keyboardist for Lynyrd Skynrd, can be added to that list of tragedies.
It might not be easy to understand, mourning the loss of a musician that many of us who are under the age of 35 to 40 have never heard of — unless, of course, we are into classic rock — but honestly, if you love music, you should mourn this passing. Whether you are a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music (or unique spelling style) or not, we should all recognize the contribution this band has made to music as a whole.
It has a particularly personal ring for yours truly. My parents danced to “Free Bird” at their wedding reception. It was a very long dance. However, it gives me the opportunity to see my folks fall in love with each other all over again each time they hear it.
Billy Powell was only 56, but had a long history of heart problems. It is suspected that a heart attack led to his death. There will be no autopsy.
Die hard fans have been predicting it for years, despite the fact that it did not seem likely. Now, however, you see it all over the television. Axl Rose — cornrowed, pasty, just another middle aged redhead — is popping up everywhere. All you hear about is Chinese Democracy, the new album from Guns N Roses. The biggest question — aside of the obvious one, which would be, “Who cares?” — is this: Is the album any good?
The simple answer is: no. No, it is not good at all. It probably shouldn’t have been made. And why was it? My guess is probably money. Steven Adler suddenly pops up out of nowhere on VH1 and Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab, all he does is talk about GNR, and voila! Suddenly, the new album — which has been promised since the band broke up for the 49875983th time — is suddenly out.
Fans have been waiting about seventeen years to hear Axl wailing. Most of them are not pleased. The album’s ranked at 3 on the Billboard charts, but even still, sales have gone really slowly. There are several theories floating around to explain why the album’s not a winner. Some blame it on GNR’s exclusive deal with Best Buy; others claim it has to do with Axl’s adamant refusal to do any interviews.
And some folks (ahem) just think that the days of guns and roses have well nigh passed. Plus, those cornrows might have something to do with it.
Video killed the radio star; the Buggles told us so. The Presidents of the United States of America did too, though I wish they hadn’t. But is reality TV taking things a bit further, and killing the singing star altogether?
American Idol: the prime time spawn of Satan. It brought us William Hung. Who has a CD. This begs the question: does he realize he’s not talented, or does he misinterpret his weird fame, wherein most of his “fans” make fun of him, as proof that he really deserves to have an album?
A crap load of the cootie carriers who appeared on seasons one and two of Rock of Love, where former pretty boy and Poison front man Bret Michaels tries to find ratings love, are now musicians. Sort of. The ones who are not are trying to pimp themselves again in yet more of VH1’s trainwreck (but oh so entertaining) reality shows.
Anybody see the latest episode of Real Chance of Love? Enough said.
Has beens and never weres are featured on a Fuse show called Redemption Song. Various celebrities get to turn country music into the freak show a lot of people believe it is, thanks to Gone Country.
For the love of Top 20 charts, stop it! Stop it, stop it, stop it! Give us good music, not pop tarts who know they only need to look good and have a little talent because a little editing magic will take care of everything else!
This has been a rant, masquerading as news! Tune in next week, though, I promise tons of harmonious gossip.
It’s official times two, guys! Clay Aiken, American Idol extraordinaire, has finally come out of the closet. Mind, this will only come as a surprise to those of you who have been living under a rock ever since the first time Clay opened his mouth during the American Idol auditions, but that’s okay!
Aiken just became a father; a friend, Jaymes Foster, was impregnated using in-vitro fertilization, and recently gave birth to Parker Foster Aiken. In fact, Clay is holding his small son on the cover of the People issue in which he announces his sexuality. The headline is actually, “Yes, I’m Gay.”
Truthfully, Clay credits the birth of his son for his decision to finally be honest about his sexuality. There are hopes that this will help promote tolerance for gay parents. As for Clay’s fans, well, one can only imagine. Evidently their responses have been mostly supportive, but I have seen some of the hardcore Claymates go off on people for even advancing the theory that Clay might be gay. Personally, I hope they are all busy for days, wiping the egg off their face, and can only commend Clay on his decision. I think, if anything, he’ll be able to go new places with his music now and, yet again, hopefully this will make it easier for other people in the public eye to feel comfortable with their own lifestyle choices. Can you tell I’m delighted?
Folks, it is finally official. Normally this probably would not qualify as “music news,” per se – except that, once upon a time, Lindsay Lohan did sing, plus Samantha Sam Ronson is, of course, a rockin’ DJ. Lilo has finally come out and admitted to dating Sam – for a very long time, as it turns out, which is no secret to anyone who’s paid any attention to photos of the two of them together. Lots of little tiffs have been reported but frankly, when they look at each other, they look just like my partner and me. I don’t agree with a lot of things Lindsay does or a lot of the things she stands for, but insofar as this goes, I wish her all the happiness in the world and hope that Samantha can be a good influence on her.
As well, this will undoubtedly make it easier for other actresses, musicians, et cetera, to feel comfortable talking about who they love, whether they are gay, straight, or bisexual.
So hey, congrats, girls. You should be commended for your bravery, at the very least.
It’s a pretty well known fact that some of the most outspoken celebrities are big supporters of the Democratic party. The claws are coming out extremely far as election day creeps closer and closer. A while ago, it was Jackson Browne throwing a fit because of McCain’s use of his song “Running on Empty.” Now, Heart – who arguably hasn’t had any publicity since their song appeared in the first Charlie’s Angels – are trying to do the same to Sarah Palin, for using the famed “Barracuda.” They insist, rather snottily for women in their 50s or 60s who should know better than to pull high school crap, that they were not asked for permission, and snarked that they wouldn’t give it anyway. Problem? It’s really not their concern. The other problem here is that Palin’s camp went through all the necessary paperwork and licensing to get the appropriate permission to use the song. They paid their fees, in other words, so although this is by no means an endorsement of either the Republican or the Democratic parties, Heart kind of needs to shut up and sing, ala the Dixie Chicks. They’re on tour right now, they should have better things to do that splitting hairs. And trust, that flashback to the seventies isn’t going to make anyone more inclined to vote for McCain/Palin. All it’s doing is reminding a world that could care less, that once upon a time there was a group named Heart. Ironically, one of the co-writers of “Barracuda” thinks it’s great that the song is getting exposure. He says he’s going to use the residuals he gets for Palin’s use – acknowledging, in fact, that she did go through the appropriate maneuvers to use the song – as a contribution to Obama. So Heart sisters? Stfu and buy a clue with your royalties, why don’t you? Sadly, it’s probably just that the little fat one there only gets exercise by running her mouth. Aw…
It’s official. Madonna’s new Sticky & Sweet tour is officially beginning, opening at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium over the weekend. Though she’s passed half a century – Madge just celebrated her 50th birthday last week – her popularity has only grown.
Her last tour – 2006’s Confessions – earned $195 million in ticket sales, easily making the Material Girl’s tour the biggest grossing ever pulled in by a female artist. With Sticky & Sweet, she’s hoping to break her own record wide open.
This tour will feature her newest album, “Hard Candy.” Hardcore fans need not worry, however, because Madonna’s glamourous repertoire will also feature hits from the almost thirty years she has spent as the reigning queen of pop music.
Madonna hasn’t been looking well lately. Recent pictures surfaced that showed the pop siren looking emaciated and down right ill. Spokespersons from Madonna’s camp insist that the photos were doctored in Photoshop, but given her recent separation from her husband of eight years, Guy Ritchie, not to mention the fact that she is apparently furious at “protégé,” Britney Spears, for leaking early footage of the much anticipated concert tour, one has to wonder if she’s starting to cave into her age. Between adopting children and talking smack, Madge has been rather crucified in the media lately. One thing is for certain, this tour will likely spark a lot of controversy – but hey, she has to be used to that by now.
Joggers have been using MP3 players to keep them motivated on their run. Now swimmers will be able to do the same thing during their laps in the pool.
The new waterproof MP3 player, the Speedo Aquabeat, from the famous swim wear manufacturer and Iriver let you take your MP3 favs with you into the deep.
The device has the standard features; a fixed 1GB storage, USB charging, playlist-editing software, and a built-in battery capable of nine hours’ playback, but sorry, no LCD screen here.
With the ability to handle water depths up to 3 meters, the cool thing about the MP3 play is that it’s so lightweight (35 grams to be exact) that it floats! Makes for easy retrieval should it become detached from you.
Plus the earplugs are waterproof which makes for more funtime in the pool. Available in three color no-so aquatic colors; pink, lime green and jet black, it retails for $145. Go ahead, get your music into the swim.
According to a July 1st report in the New York Post, the Colombian-born superstar Shakira is about to complete months of contract negotiations with concert promoter Live Nation.
The multi-million dollar deal for recording, touring and merchandising is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.
At present, the 31-year old Shakira is still under recording contract with Epic Records and has a greatest hits album plus one in Spanish and English to deliver.
Live Nation managed the US part of Shakira’s 2007 “Oral Fixation” tour, which reported grossed over $100 million. The new contract will expand their role beyond the current touring relationship with the Latin singer in a “360 deal” reportedly worth $70 million.