Michael Jackson’s final This Is It tour encompassed much more than 50 concerts in London.
Choreographer Kenny Ortega said Jackson had plans to take the O2 Arena tour of the UK around the world over a period of three years.
Ortega’s documentary of the same name has brought high acclaim in just 24 hours since opening, earning more than US$2.2 million on its first day in the US.
Ortega said Jackson talked a lot about a world tour that would have included Australia.
“We would just be hanging out on a rest break and sitting in the dressing room and he would say ‘Kenny, have you ever been to India?’ I would say, ‘No, I really want to go to India so badly. I haven’t been.’ He’d say, ‘You must. You must. When I take the show to India whatever you are doing you have to stop and come back and join the tour.’ He’d say, ‘What about Japan?’ I’d say, ‘Yes of course. I love Japan. I want to go to Japan.’ He’d say, ‘What about Africa?’ I’d say, ‘Yes, Africa’.”
Ortega said: “I realised he wanted the world. He wanted to take this all over the world.”
Benji and Joel Madden are on a Sydney party bender to rival anything in Hollywood.
The pair started off with the launch of the Blackberry Curve just hours after they landed in Australia.
The tattooed twins from Good Charlotte arrived by boat at Simmer On The Bay in Sydney’s Dawes Point. Joel, who is travelling without his partner Nicole Richie and their two children, wore sunglasses and leather while Benji wore his signature fedora. The pair DJ’d for a reported substantial appearance fee.
They were later seen at hot Kings Cross nightspot theclub. According to witnesses, they stuck to Red Bull and cigarettes before leaving at about 2am. The late nighter did not stop them arriving five minutes early for a 7.30am radio interview the next day, likely the result of the time zone swap.
The next night they moved on to the State Theatre for Absolut Vodka’s Rock edition party, where they kept the company of local bright young things.
Despite Nick Jonas having some solo ambition, the Jonas Brothers have no intention of breaking up. In a letter to their fans, the band of brothers said “We plan to make music together for as long as we can.” Nick also wrote “We’ve said from the beginning of our career as the Jonas Brothers that anything we do outside of the group is a side project because you can’t break up brothers. My brothers are my biggest supporters, and were on the phone with me everyday while I was in the studio asking how it was going, and telling me they couldn’t wait to hear the record.” Joe and Kevin replied to that, saying “We are so proud of our brother Nick. We know that we will be doing music together for the rest of our lives. But we are thrilled for you to hear these songs that were on his heart.” Aww.
As reported last month, even though U2 had been selling out concerts, the band has yet to make any profits due to the high cost of production. According to projections, U2 won’t break even until they’re done with the North American leg of their tour this month. The group is now trying to break even with the tour by adding more dates. They will make their return to North America when they perform at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium on June 6th net year. The band will end with their European tour next October, performing their final show in Portugal. Good luck getting tickets though because they are selling out fast!
Posted by Sam on 29th October 2009 in Book, Lady GaGa
I’m sure a lot of Lady Gaga fans are very excited for her newest release ‘The Fame Monster’ and I bet that excitement will grow exponentially once everyone finds out the details of the albums Deluxe Edition. On top of the 8 new studio recordings, it includes the original album ‘The Fame’ and ‘Book of Gaga’ – a highly stylized art book that comes in a custom slipcase documenting the singer’s rise into pop super stardom. It includes a lock of Lady Gaga’s hair, collectible puzzle, pictorials, a behind the scenes look at her creative process, pull out posters, themed fanzines, a paper doll collection, 3D glasses to view forthcoming visuals and personal notes from Lady Gaga. Wow!
I have some exciting new for all you Lady Gaga fans. Not only is the singer’s new single ‘Bad Romance’ already available on iTunes but a detailed track list for her album ‘The Fame Monster’ has been released. The list goes as ‘Bad Romance’, ‘Alejandro’, ‘Monster’, ‘Speechless’, ‘Dance in the Dark’, ‘Telephone’ featuring Beyonce’, ‘So Happy I Could Die’ and ‘Teeth’. Yes, Beyonce will be on one of the Princess of Pop’s tracks! Lady Gaga was recently filming a video for Beyonce’s ‘Video Phone’. I wonder if they filmed a video for ‘Telephone’ too. By the way, I’m having a slight chuckle at the titles of their songs.
Former Oasis star Liam Gallagher said he is planning to set up his own band.
The 37-year-old was a member of the Britpop band until band member and brother Noel, 42, walked out.
Talking about his future plans, he said: “I don’t want to do anything solo. I want to be in a band. But we can do things a lot differently these days. It’ll definitely be rock ‘n roll.
“I’m always going to miss Oasis. It was MY thing. It’s who I am. But it’s only a name. I’m still who I am and I can go and do something else. It might be **** but you don’t know until you try.
Liam’s fall-out with brother Noel is still going on and he said: “I gave Noel some of my Pretty Green clothes out of courtesy.
“And he took it, which ****** me off ‘cos he should have threw it back in my face ‘cos we weren’t talking. But he took it and he probably put it in the bin.
“Or he probably wears it round his house when his missus is out. Soon as she comes back in, he probably takes it off because he’s not allowed as he’s under the thumb.”
Jay-Z won 4 times
Winners List 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards:
Verizon People’s Champ Award – Fabulous Ft. The Dream – Throw it in the Bag
Best Hip Hop Collabo – T.I. FT Rihanna – Live Your Life
Lyricist of the Year – Jay-Z
Producer of the Year – Kanye West
CD of the Year – T.I. – Paper Trail
Best Hip Hop Video – T.I. FT Rihanna – Live Your Life
DJ of the Year – DJ AM
Made-You-Look Award – Kanye West
Best Live Performer – Jay-Z
Video Director – Hype Williams
Track of the Year – Young Money – Every Girl
Rookie of the Year – Drake
MVP of the Year – Jay-Z
Hustler of the Year – Jay-Z
Best Hip Hop Blog Site – All Hip Hop.com
The craze over ‘Glee’ doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. Billboard has revealed some very interesting stuff regarding the musical TV show. There are reports that the cast members of the show could potentially get their own record deals with Columbia. The cast is also going to be recording a special version of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ to be released as a single next month but it won’t be used for the show. There’s also talk for an episode of all original songs as songwriters have been contacting the show’s creator to feature their songs. One of those writers is Diane Warren, who will be writing two ballads for the show. Wow!
The music event is apparently going to be taken over by all of the Simon Cowell’s minions from previous seasons of the “talent” show American Idol. Apparently, the awards will feature Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and perhaps even more. There are all American Idol trained. It looks like Simon Cowell has finally achieved his life’s goal of producing and authentic, functional and seemingly respectable star factory. Ah, the blood of industrialization runs deep in his British veins. Who could possibly compete with his skill and the large number of “Idol” shows he has established across the span of his mere lifetime.
British singing legend Morrissey has reportedly been discharged from a UK hospital.
The singer, real name Steven Patrick Morrissey, collapsed with breathing difficulties during a gig in front of 1,000 fans.
He was taken to hospital after being dragged off-stage unconscious and treated by paramedics on-site.
An unidentified spokeswoman for the Great Western Hospital, in Swindon, confirmed that the singer stayed overnight at the hospital.
The incident took place at the Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre, where fans said he looked pale and “winced” before collapsing.
Earlier this year, Morrissey cancelled tour dates for an unspecified illness. He is scheduled to begin a tour in Europe in November, and is to stage nine performances in the US.
Jillian Moody, who was at the gig, said, “He kept putting his hand up to his mouth as if he felt sick or – perhaps he was trying to hide something, but he didn’t look particularly comfortable.”
After a big fight with his brother Liam Gallagher, former Oasis member Noel Gallagher is going to embark on a solo project. The musician said “I’m looking forward to doing my own thing, bringing out my own music. I’m glad that’s what people want to hear. I am not thinking about much else, Oasis or Liam, I’m just having a good time.” Noel left Oasis back in August after his brother made some inappropriate comments about the paternity of his daughter, Anais. I wish him the best of luck, though I doubt that he’ll be able to replicate the success of Oasis.
John Mayer’s first single ‘Who Says’ off of his upcoming album doesn’t do much for me but the rumored second single is so much better. The song has recently surfaced and I really like it. Unlike the sparse and cutesy first single, ‘Heartbreak Warfare’ takes music lovers on much more of a sonic and emotional journey. The song may sound like a U2 rip off to most people but, let’s face it, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. What is it going on and going wrong with singers releasing duds for first singles these days? Shakira, Rihanna, John Mayer – who will be next?
DMX got into a screaming match with security when he arrived to Colorado Springs charity concert nearly one and a half hours late after security was told that he was scheduled to perform. The rapper, his bodyguards and fans eventually got into a shoving match with security in front of the stage, while the crowd, who had already been told that DMX wasn’t going to show up, began chanting for the rapper. DMX eventually got on stage but the sound system was reportedly turned off so he couldn’t perform. I think that he’s the only guy who could make a charity event into a melee.
U2 have confirmed via video blog that their sold-out concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California, Sunday 25th October 2009 will be streamed free, in full and live on YouTube. It’s the first time a show of this size will be streamed live.
The Rose Bowl show is the penultimate U2 show this year – with more to come in 2010 – and already is set to host the venue’s biggest ever audience of over 96, 000 fans. The 360˚ Tour, which has been critically acclaimed and “re-invents rock’n’roll”*, will now boast unique access for fans worldwide – as fans in territories yet to be visited by the tour, or not at all, will be able to enjoy the whole show online. Managed in partnership with Live Nation, this sell-out tour has broken attendance records in most venues it has visited – its success due in part to increased capacity coupled with a lower ticket price and great sight lines afforded by the stunning in-the-round stage set. Visit U2.com or youtube.com/u2official for details of how to join in this ground-breaking on-line event.
U2 manager Paul McGuinness said – “The band has wanted to do something like this for a long time. As we’re filming the LA show, it’s the perfect opportunity to extend the party beyond the stadium. Fans often travel long distances to come to see U2 – this time U2 can go to them, globally.”
YouTube will be streaming live across five continents. The show will be available in the usual You Tube way, as video-on-demand, following two full replays – after the live stream – on both U2.com and You Tube.
“YouTube is thrilled to be able to provide our global audience with a live streaming performance from one of the world’s greatest bands” – Chris Maxcy, Director of YouTube Partner Development. “We are always looking for new ways to connect fans around the world with their favourite artists, and this is the perfect opportunity to do just that.”
On November 2 at 11 p.m. ET, Fuse, the national music network, will televise the worldwide premiere of Nirvana Live at Reading, the band’s legendary, never-before-released 1992 Reading concert. The show, marking the first time that Nirvana fans will experience the epochal August 30, 1992 headlining appearance at UK’s Reading Festival, will debut as an hour long broadcast the night before the limited edition 90 minute CD+DVD Deluxe Edition is by Geffen/UMe.
Featuring 25 songs including “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “All Apologies” and “Come As You Are,” Nirvana’s performance at Reading ranked No. 1 in Kerrang Magazine’s “100 Gigs That Shook The World” chart and was voted as “Nirvana’s No. 1 Greatest Moment” by fans in a recent NME poll.
“Fuse is excited to provide Nirvana fans with the first opportunity to witness this historic music event since the concert 17 years ago,” said David Weier, vice president, programming, Fuse. “Not only are we airing a highly anticipated, never-before-seen concert in more than 65 million homes, we are providing Nirvana’s loyal fan base with companion programming for a comprehensive and unique viewing experience.”
Leading up to the premiere of Nirvana Live at Reading, Fuse will air “Loaded: Nirvana,” a half-hour of Nirvana’s greatest music videos at 10 p.m. ET, followed by “Videos That Rocked the World: Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a celebration of the legendary music video which was a breakthrough for music, entertainment, culture and society.
While the show’s centerpiece was a performance of nearly the entire Nevermind tracklist, also noteworthy were early performances of three as yet unrecorded songs which wouldn’t be released until 2 years later on In Utero: “All Apologies,” “Dumb,” and in its first ever public performance, “Tourettes.” The career-spanning setlist also reached back to the band’s 1989 Sub Pop debut album, Bleach, for “Blew,” “About A Girl,” “School,” “Negative Creep” and first single “Love Buzz,” and even further back to the mid-’80s for “Spank Thru.” Other songs from the Reading set would appear in studio form on the Incesticide compilation later in the year: “Aneurysm,” “Been A Son” and “Sliver.” Additionally, the band played a pair of beloved covers by two bands that helped shape the formative Nirvana sound– “The Money Will Roll Right In” by Fang and “D-7″ by The Wipers.
Garth Brooks has been retired from the music scene since 2000 but the country singer has recently signed on with the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas to perform at the Danny Gans Theater beginning next year. The country star is expected to perform for 16 weeks shortly after New Year’s. Garth also recently had press conferences in both Nashville and Vegas to announce further details. If for some reason you don’t know who this guy is, Garth has sold over 220 million albums worldwide since his first album back in 1989 and currently lives in Oklahoma with his fellow country singer wife Trisha Yearwood.
The choreographer of the late pop legend’s final concerts and the man behind the soon to be hit movie “This is It!”, Kenny Ortega, recently told the story of how he was helping Michael Jackson fight weight soon before he died. Kenny Ortega said: “He was thin, but he was at what he liked to call his ‘fighting weight.’ He didn’t like to eat, but we were always watching him and making sure he had plenty of protein drinks and fluids. We were there sliding chicken salads in front of him and making sure he was OK. But he was strong and he was getting stronger.” So, let’s try and clarify this: Michael Jackson was at the ideal weight for fighting or what exactly is Kenny Ortega trying to say here? Oh well, at least they were there with the chicken salads every now and again… that must’ve been a real help.
The famous rapper and producer is apparently a very big fan of the “True Blood” series and has now expressed his urgent desire of becoming part of the show. Yep, you read correctly, Snoop Dogg wants to be a vampire nowadays. Here’s what he said about it: “I love that show. I wish I could be on it. I’d be a hell of a vampire, don’t you think? So what’s happenin’? ‘True Blood,’ get at me – Snoop Dogg wants to be a vampire.” Has rap really become that boring, does Snoop Dogg really have nothing better to do with his time, or his dignity for that matter? Well, it’s his choice, still, he’d be far better off as an obscure rapper that secretly hunts vampires in his spare time… it would all add to the plot.
AllGood Entertainment is now after Michael Jackson’s estate in the battle over profits from the upcoming movie ‘This is It’, along with revenues from the Sony catalog. The company is suing for over $300 million. AllGood previously filed a lawsuit against the King of Pop, AEG Live and Frank Dileo for $40 million when the singer was still alive. Now the company filed an amended suit which includes the estate of Michael with the original defendants still named in the amended suit. AllGood sued because it claims that Dileo acted as Michael’s agent and agreed to a Jackson family reunion concert that got torpedoed when the London concerts were booked.
