Archive: April 2010 (51-60 of 139)

Apr 20 2010 02:18 PM ET

Michael Jackson to get his own Cirque du Soleil shows: Dream? Nightmare? Or BOTH?

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Categories: Michael Jackson, Stage, Things That Are Canadian

Michael-Jackson-240.jpgImage Credit: Tim Whitby/Getty Images According to Reuters, Cirque du Soleil is creating a series of projects honoring Michael Jackson, including an arena touring show starting in 2011 and a Las Vegas nightclub. Proceeds will be split by Jackson’s estate and the Cirque crew — the late King of Pop was apparently a big fan — and according to a statement from Katherine Jackson, the family is “thrilled that Cirque du Soleil will pay tribute to my son in such an important way.”

This isn’t the first time Cirque du Soleil has taken on a pop icon: Both Love (Beatles) and Viva Elvis (uh, Elvis) are up and running in Vegas, and Ka was once featured in a particularly horrifying episode of CSI. All things considered — like Neverland Ranches, affections for monkeys, and the millions of Jackson fans who took to the worldwide streets after his death — a Jacko Jackson [sorry, irate fans; you're right, my bad] Cirque seems like a no-brainer.

What do you think, Mixers? Who’s excited? I for one am not, as these projects will now be added to the list of things I really really want to see but cannot because I am utterly terrified of all things Cirque du Soleil-related. Carny folk! Small hands! I couldn’t even make it through the trailer embedded below! Please tell me I am not alone! READ FULL STORY »

Apr 20 2010 12:31 PM ET

Guru, RIP: Our four favorite songs

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Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, In Memoriam, Music Videos, R.I.P.

Like he said on his 1994 classic “Mass Appeal,” Guru was “wild with my monotone style.” The lyricist rapped as if it were just you and him in a room talking. There was no need to yell. And with wise, impactful words in each rhyme, he always made you listen.

Guru died yesterday. In honor of one of hip-hop’s true legends passing, here are four of our favorite Guru and Gang Starr jams. Open up your ears and take a listen.

“Mass Appeal” from Gang Starr’s 1994 album, Hard to Earn

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Apr 20 2010 12:24 PM ET

Unreleased Rolling Stones song circa 'Exile on Main Street': Hear 'Plundered My Soul'

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Categories: Music, New Stuff, Rolling Stones, YouTube Delights

Rolling-StonesImage Credit: Robert Knight Archive/Getty ImagesThis past weekend’s third annual Record Store Day—established to support the venerable 20th-century practice of paying genuine U.S. currency for physically tangible vinyl at a brick-and-mortar location— brought a host of treats, including remastered Beatles material, a rare Smashing Pumpkins live show, and countless one-offs from the stars of independent music.

It also brought a little something from a certain shaggy-haired foursome, circa 1972: the previously unreleased B-side “Plundered My Soul,” released as a single for RSD in the U.K., and soon to be included on a remastered deluxe reissue and box set of the band’s legendary double album Exile on Main Street. Stream it after the jump: READ FULL STORY »

Apr 20 2010 11:07 AM ET

Susan Boyle's autobiography to be published this fall

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Categories: New Stuff, Susan Boyle

susan-boyleSusan Boyle, already the subject of two reverie-themed books (this past February’s authorized Dreams Can Come True, and the unsanctioned Susan Boyle: Living the Dream: The Biography of Britain’s Incredible Singing Sensation) will finally tell her own story in The Woman I was Born to Be, due this fall.

Publisher Atria has bought the U.S. rights to the 49-year-old Scottish songbird’s memoir for an undisclosed amount. According to Bookseller.com, Boyle said, “”When I strutted onto the stage for that audition, I was a scared wee lassie, still grieving for my mother, not caring how I looked. I think I’ve grown up a lot in the last year, become more of a lady, and I’m not so frightened anymore.

“I’m writing this book to try to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and I hope it will benefit other people. My story demonstrates that you shouldn’t just look at the label, you should look at the whole person, emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually, and I hope that telling it will show that dreams are not impossible, if you’ve got courage and a willingness to go on no matter what the circumstances.”

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Aerosmith reunited, ready to tour
Coachella 2010 Sunday: Gorillaz, Pavement, Thom Yorke close out the festival
Grace Jones vs. Lady Gaga: ‘I wouldn’t go to see her’
Ke$ha’s amazingly bland Saturday Night Live performances: Watch here
Academy of Country Music Awards: We live-blogged it!

Apr 20 2010 10:13 AM ET

Guru of Gang Starr dead at 48

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Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, In Memoriam, R.I.P.

Guru-Gang-StarrImage Credit: Cary Hammond/Getty ImagesRapper Guru is dead at age 48 after a long battle with cancer. The New York-based hip-hop legend, born Keith Elam, had a heart attack March 2 and subsequently fell into a coma. After seemingly recovering from that hit, Guru lost his battle with a cancer-related disease on April 19. His death was announced on the DJ Premier Blog, a site dedicated to DJ Premier, Guru’s partner in the group Gang Starr.

Gang Starr released six albums between 1989 and 2003, including the critically acclaimed 1998 album Moment of Truth. As a solo artist, Guru pioneered the idea of fusing jazz and hip-hop, creating his series of Jazzmatazz records that featured collaborations with Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, and Erykah Badu, among many others.

Born on July 17, 1961, the Massachusetts native burst onto hip-hop’s underground scene in the late 1980s. His rhymes were equal parts aggressive, uplifting, and witty.

Guru’s manager, Solar, released a statement confirming his artist’s death.

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru,” he said. “Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius.”

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Aerosmith reunited, ready to tour
Coachella 2010 Sunday: Gorillaz, Pavement, Thom Yorke close out the festival
Grace Jones vs. Lady Gaga: ‘I wouldn’t go to see her’
Ke$ha’s amazingly bland Saturday Night Live performances: Watch here
Academy of Country Music Awards: We live-blogged it!

Apr 19 2010 04:48 PM ET

Aerosmith's Joe Perry says Steven Tyler is 'stronger than ever,' ready to tour

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Categories: Aerosmith, Rock Stars Say the Darndest Things

aerosmithImage Credit: Kevin Kane/WireImage.comLess than three months after a seemingly Humpty-Dumptyed Aerosmith appeared destined for an inglorious, Steven-less end, the reconciled rockers sound full of sweet(ish) emotions.

This weekend, an August 14 hometown gig at Boston’s Fenway Park sold out in less than 24 hours; the string of scheduled European and South American tour dates—excepting a canceled Buenos Aires stop—are a go. And today, guitarist Joe Perry, who only recently seemed to be leading the Brutus-vs.-Ceasar brigade, spoke of frontman Tyler in fond, conciliatory tones.

Steven “didn’t really leave the band,” Perry tells Reuters today. “He made it very clear from the very beginning that he wasn’t going to leave the band and he just wanted some solo time.”

“The press kind of twisted it around to sell papers but you know the bottom line is I just knew things were just going to work themselves out,” he continued. “And he is back and he is stronger than ever.”

Perry does admit, though, that their friendship is not what it once was: READ FULL STORY »

Apr 19 2010 03:28 PM ET

Lil Wayne's 'Single' video: Watch here

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Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Lil Wayne, Music Videos

lil-wayneImage Credit: Jonathan MannionSo what if Lil Wayne is in jail? He banked enough videos before hitting his cell at Rikers Island to last him til he’s released this winter.

The latest is his “Single.” It’s the standout cut from his 2009 No Ceilings mixtape.  Directed by DJ Skoob Doo, who documented Wayne’s last days as a free man, this clip mixes in shots from when Wayne first played the track for friends with two women who play Wayne’s love interests. One’s jealous. And the other validates the first’s jealousy. Check the video out after the jump.

READ FULL STORY »

Apr 19 2010 01:21 PM ET

LCD Soundsystem get hazed in new 'Drunk Girls' video

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Categories: Indie Rock, LCD Soundsystem, New Stuff, Video Gaga

Who is this harassing the innocent members of LCD Soundsystem? Apparently, it’s Asshole Pandas Gone Wild in the Spike Jonze-directed video—throwing frontman James Murphy into involuntary lady-drag, urinating on each other, egging the place, and generally unleashing frat-bear mayhem. Watch the marginally NSFW clip after the jump: READ FULL STORY »

Apr 19 2010 12:32 PM ET

Grace Jones vs. Lady Gaga: 'I wouldn't go to see her'

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Categories: In Defense Of, Lady Gaga, Let's Argue!, Misc.

grace-jones-lady-gagaImage Credit: Paul Bergen/Redferns/Getty Images; Scott Gries/Getty ImagesLady Gaga may adore cult pop icon Grace Jones, but Ms. Jones won’t picking up her t-t-telephone calls any time soon.

The 61-year-old Jamaican-born model/actress/fashion radical, best known as a club performer, Warhol muse, Bond girl, hair maverick, and all-around fabu freakshow, was recently asked by London’s Guardian newspaper what she thought of the world’s current preeminent mistress of carcinogenic eyewear. Jones’ reply? “I really don’t think of her at all. I go about my business … I wouldn’t go to see her.”

And would they ever work together? “She did [ask], but I said no. I’d just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually.” READ FULL STORY »

Apr 19 2010 11:50 AM ET

Ke$ha's amazingly bland Saturday Night Live performances: Watch here

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Categories: Ke$ha, SNL, Television, Things That Are Strange

kesha-snlImage Credit: Dana Edelson/NBCKe$ha‘s SNL debut last weekend was supposed to be epic, but the only moderately entertaining thing was her outfits. Her first performance was a star spangled train wreck: The 23-year-old pop star hit the stage to perform her Billboard smash “Tik Tok” looking like a sad man’s Wonder Woman in a shiny gray ensemble and a cape lined with the stars and stripes of the American flag. Vocally, she was only alright. For such a club anthem, Ke$ha’s delivery seemed tame and tired.

Even worse was the second performance of her latest hit, “Your Love is My Drug.” Ke$ha’s body was marked up in glowing paint like a spectacular, trippy tribal hallucination. But again, her delivery was tired. She drunkenly staggered danced across the stage before dropping to her knees to finish. “It’s Saturday night,” she closed. “Do you wanna make out?” No, thanks.

Like a movie with amazing special effects and a poor plot, Ke$ha dropped the ball. Check out her performances after the jump.

READ FULL STORY »

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