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Sweden wins Eurovision Song Contest

Sat, 26 May 2012 18:54:38 -0400

BAKU (Reuters) - Sweden's Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan on Sunday before an international TV audience of 100 million, days after angering Azeri authorities by meeting rights activists critical of the host country's human rights record. Opposition groups have used the Eurovision spotlight, intended by Azerbaijan to promote the country as a destination for tourism and business, to demand democracy and the resignation of the government. Dozens of peaceful protesters have been arrested this month in the Caspian coastal capital, Baku. ...

John Lydon boosts his Public Image with new album

Fri, 25 May 2012 06:00:31 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - As bad boy lead singer of the anarchic, trail-blazing and short-lived 1970s punk band the Sex Pistols, John Lydon (then Johnny Rotten) snarled and spat his way across a shocked society and music scene still pleasantly half-high from the mellow 1960s. Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Lydon left the Pistols in 1978 to form the more experimental - if less commercially successful - Public Image Ltd., and for the next 15 years the band's shifting lineup released a dozen albums and toured the world. ...

Folk artist Doc Watson's responsive after surgery: agent

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:37:55 -0400

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Reuters) - Grammy-winning folk musician Doc Watson remained in critical condition on Friday but had regained some strength after undergoing colon surgery at a North Carolina hospital, according to his management team. A statement on Folklore Productions International's website said the 89-year-old performer was "resting and responsive" following his surgery on Thursday. "The family appreciates everyone's prayers and good wishes," the statement said. ...

Tim McGraw giving houses to military vets during tour

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:02:31 -0400

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Here's a celebrity who's walking the walk this Memorial Day weekend: country star Tim McGraw is launching HomeFront, a national program that will award mortgage-free homes to wounded military vets in the 25 cities on McGraw's summer tour. Partnering with Chase and Operation Homefront, McGraw will give away one house to a military family in need in each of the stops on his tour, beginning with Tampa on June 2. ...

"Idol's" Phillips had 8 kidney surgeries during show

Fri, 25 May 2012 20:52:45 -0400

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips had kidney surgery eight times during his journey to victory, his father revealed after Wednesday's finale. And he's not done with the doctors just yet. Phillips was plagued by kidney stones as he strummed and sang his way to the "Idol" title, though his chronic health issues nearly knocked him out of the running. His many trips under the knife over the course of the competition enabled him to stick it out and clinch the win, but he's gearing up for yet another operation in coming days - this one to reconstruct his kidneys. ...

"Idol" finale slumps, but Phillips tops iTunes

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:46:14 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The "American Idol" finale audience slumped to a record low, but the show's newly crowned champion Phillip Phillips hit No.1 on iTunes on Thursday with his first single "Home." The 11-year-old Fox singing contest, once a TV industry juggernaut whose finale attracted more than 30 million viewers in 2006 and 2007, was watched by just 21.5 million viewers on Wednesday night, according to ratings data. Viewers in the 18-49 age group most-coveted by advertisers dropped by about 32 percent compared to last year's "Idol," although the program was still the top show on U.S. ...

Britney Spears denies storming off set of "X Factor"

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:49:28 -0400

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Britney Spears found herself in the middle of some silly drama almost as soon as she debuted as an "X Factor" judge. TMZ.com reported that Spears walked off the show's set during auditions in Austin when a contestant performed a not-so-great version of her song "Hold It Against Me." Spears tweeted in response: "#Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break people. I am having the BEST time!!!" The pop star debuted as a season two "X Factor" judge alongside fellow newbie Demi Lovato and returning judges L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell. ...

"Men in Black 3": what the critics think

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:52:13 -0400

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Nearly a decade after they last saved the earth from aliens, the Men in Black are back - and critics seem pretty okay with that. The science fiction sequel earned a 66 percent "fresh" rating, according to the critic aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. That's a far higher number than those received by recent box office duds "Dark Shadows" and "Battleship." At the very least, most reviewers preferred "Men in Black 3" to the critically reviled second film in the series. Not that everyone was happy to see the UFO chasers return to the big screen. ...

Elton John cancels Vegas dates due to infection

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:40:58 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Singer Elton John was treated in hospital in Los Angeles for a serious respiratory infection that forced him to cancel performances this weekend of his "The Million Dollar Piano" show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In a statement posted on his website on Thursday, the British entertainer, whose hits include "Rocket Man," "Your Song" and "Bennie and The Jets," apologized for the decision and told fans he hoped to be performing soon. The singer said he developed a serious respiratory illness while performing on Sunday. ...

Singer Doc Watson in critical condition, hospital says

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:01:05 -0400

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Reuters) - Grammy winning folk musician Doc Watson is in critical condition at a North Carolina hospital, a representative for the medical facility said on Thursday. The 89-year-old Watson is a singer of bluegrass, country, blues and gospel who is famous for his flatpicking style on the guitar and his interpretations of folk songs from bygone eras. Watson, a native of North Carolina, is in critical condition at Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, said Karen Richardson, a spokeswoman for the hospital. ...

Founding member of 3 Doors Down leaves band

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:07:22 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Matt Roberts, a founding member of Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down, is leaving the group after nearly two decades due to health issues, the band said on Thursday. "3 Doors Down will always have a special place in my heart and it saddens me to take this time off ... But my health has to be my first priority," Roberts said on the band's official website. Roberts did not elaborate but the website said his problems stemmed from circulation issues exacerbated by the band's performance schedule, playing nearly 300 dates a year. ...

Sade brings it home with concert film and live CD

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:37:22 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sade fans have had to learn to be very patient. After a decade-long hiatus, the soulful jazz band led by Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu, 53, returned to the stage with their "Bring Me Home" tour last year. And for those who couldn't make it to a show, there is now an album and film. This week, Sade released "Bring Me Home - Live 2011," a live CD and concert film directed by frequent collaborator Sophie Muller shot over several stops on the tour. ...

Summer's "I Feel Love", other tunes join U.S. archives

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:20:01 -0400

(Reuters) - Donna Summer's 1977 hit "I Feel Love" was added to the United States' archives on Wednesday, six days after the disco queen's death, along with Prince's "Purple Rain" album and 23 other recordings deemed cultural or historical treasures. The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in Washington DC also added the album "A Charlie Brown Christmas", the voice of late journalist Edward R. Murrow, and Dolly Parton's 1971 autobiographical song "Coat of Many Colors" to its collection. ...

Adam Lambert boots Underwood from Billboard No. 1

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:22:34 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert pushed his fellow "Idol" alum off the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart on Wednesday to score his first No. 1 album with "Trespassing." Lambert's second studio album sold 77,000 copies in its first week, a significantly lower debut than Underwood's "Blown Away" debut two weeks ago, which sold 267,000 copies to score the top spot on the chart. "Blown Away" fell to No. 3 this week, behind Adele's juggernaut "21," which added a further 63,000 copies to its phenomenal sales record this week. ...

The Flaming Lips take aim at Jay-Z's concert record

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:04:48 -0400

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The Flaming Lips will try to break Jay-Z's world record for most shows in a 24-hour period as part of the Viacom Music Group's third O Music Awards. Jay-Z performed seven shows in different cities, so the Oklahaoma City-based Lips will aim for eight shows on June 27 while traveling on a bus from Memphis to New Orleans. MTV announced the Lips' performances while unveiling the 24 different categories for the 24-hour show, which will be live-streamed across MTV's digital properties and potentially on television. ...

Dylan, Albright to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:07:38 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Musical legend Bob Dylan, novelist Toni Morrison and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright are among 13 people who will be awarded the country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Barack Obama next week, the White House said. The presentations will be made at the White House on May 29. Also chosen to receive the award were former senator and astronaut John Glenn, retired U.S. ...

Singer Robin Gibb, Bee Gees co-founder, dies at 62

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:34:09 -0400

LONDON (Reuters) - Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who with brothers Barry and Maurice helped define the disco era with their falsetto harmonies and funky beats on hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "Jive Talkin'", died on Sunday after a long fight with cancer. He was 62. The singer had colon and liver cancer and, despite brief improvements in his health in recent months, passed away on Sunday evening. Gibb died at the London Clinic surrounded by his second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa. ...

Adele, LMFAO sweep tribute-filled Billboard awards

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:13:36 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Energetic performances and heart-felt tributes took center stage at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, as Adele, LMFAO, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift came away top awards. British Grammy-winning singer Adele won 12 awards from 18 nominations for her juggernaut album "21," including top artist, top female artist and top album. Her awards were not presented during the live show and the singer was not present. ...

Whitney Houston's last record released for "Sparkle"

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:53:08 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Whitney Houston's last recording - a new duet with "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks - was released on Monday ahead of the singer's upcoming film, "Sparkle." "Celebrate," produced by R. Kelly for "Sparkle" which will hit movie theaters on August 17, was recorded by Houston shortly before her sudden death aged 48 in February. The uptempo track features disco beats and a positive message, as Sparks and Houston sing lyrics such as "I'm going to celebrate, celebrate you." Sparks throws in "We love you Whitney" at the end of the song. ...

Samuel L. Jackson to host BET Awards

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:09:24 -0400

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Somebody better bring the bleep button into the shop for a tune-up: Samuel L. Jackson is hosting this year's BET Awards. The "Snakes on a Plane" star's hosting gig was revealed Tuesday by the network, along with nominees for this year's event. Past hosts for the ceremony, which was launched in 2001, include Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx. Last year's event was hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart. ...

George Clinton, Black Eyed Peas end song lawsuit

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:35:38 -0400

(Reuters) - The funk pioneer George Clinton has settled a lawsuit in which he accused the pop and hip hop group Black Eyed Peas of using part of one of his songs in remixes of its hit song "Shut Up" without permission. The settlement followed two weeks of mediation, and was revealed in filings this week in Los Angeles federal court. Terms were not disclosed, but the mediator Gail Killefer in a court filing said the settlement "fully" resolved the dispute. ...

Power ballad Sanchez vs. "genius" Phillips on "Idol"

Wed, 23 May 2012 03:07:05 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jessica Sanchez, the teen with the big voice, chose power ballads while Phillip Phillips went with an indie vibe as the two diverse "American Idol" finalists sang on Tuesday for the hearts and votes of America. Sanchez, 16, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of America's most-watched TV show, was deemed ahead after performing songs made famous by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. But it was acoustic guitar-playing Phillips who brought all three judges to their feet at the end of the performance finale. ...

Adele notches up two Ivor Novello songwriting awards

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:14:42 -0400

LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Adele won two Ivor Novello awards for songwriting on Thursday, adding to a lengthening list of musical accolades, but she lost out in the best album and song categories. The 24-year-old chart queen picked up two coveted Ivor Novello prizes for the most performed song of 2011 ("Rolling in the Deep") and songwriter of the year. ...

Jack White attempts record for most metaphors

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:15:37 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jack White earned his musical stripes with his chart-topping debut solo album "Blunderbuss," and now the singer is attempting to add another accolade to his shelf - a Guinness World Record for most metaphors in a single concert. The eccentric former White Stripes frontman, who also has put "Blunderbuss" forward for the fastest named album in history, did not explain why he is attempting this feat of speech, but his record company is concerned about failure. ...

Renowned baritone Fischer-Dieskau dead at 86

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:34:07 -0400

BERLIN (Reuters) - German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, whose passionate and sensitive interpretations of German lieder brought the 19th-century song form to life again for new generations, died on Friday, 10 days short of his 87th birthday. Sometimes described as the most recorded singer in history, Fischer-Dieskau died in the town of Berg on Starnberg Lake in Bavaria, the Bavarian State Opera announced on its website. "The death of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is a great loss for the entire music world. Through his interpretations of vocals he decisively influenced the art of opera singing. ...

Jessica's got to connect to win, says "Idol" mentor Iovine

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:57:13 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sanchez must reach viewers emotionally in order to win the contest this week, while rival Phillip Phillips has a "crazy charisma" that will serve him well in his career, the show's mentor Jimmy Iovine said on Monday. As "American Idol" approaches its climax on Tuesday, Iovine said he was impressed by both the young singers but gave little away on who he thought would win the 2012 title and a guaranteed recording contract. ...

Disco queen Donna Summer dies at 63

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:17:51 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Disco queen Donna Summer, whose sultry voice and pulsing rhythms on hits like "Last Dance" and "Love to Love You Baby" defined the 1970s disco era, died of cancer on Thursday at age 63. Summer, who won five Grammys and sold more than 130 million records worldwide, died surrounded by her family in Naples, Florida, publicist Brian Edwards said. He declined to specify what type of cancer caused her death. "Early this morning, surrounded by family, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. ...

Britney is back - and so are the brickbats

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:20:04 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears hasn't even taken her seat as the new judge of "The X Factor," but the pop icon is already getting a lesson in the media glare of live, talent show television. Spears had barely wrapped up an appearance in New York confirming she is joining the singing contest before the celebrity knives were out, raising the question of how well the singer, who went through a public meltdown in 2007, can handle all the newfound attention. ...

Jessica Sanchez, Phillip Phillips make "Idol" final

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:10:42 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters) - He brought the "American Idol" judges to their feet, but Joshua Ledet couldn't win over fans and was sent home from the top-rated TV talent show on Thursday, leaving Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips to battle for the crown on next week's finale. The elimination of Ledet - through audience voting and not by the judges - sets up a final showdown between Sanchez and Phillips to determine who will be named the next "American Idol," a distinction that has belonged to hitmakers such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, among others. ...

Van Halen postpone more than 30 concert dates

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:13:05 -0400

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rock band Van Halen on Thursday postponed more than 30 concert dates of their U.S. summer tour, leading to speculation the "Runnin' with the Devil" group was feuding again. The band's official website, van-halen.com, took down all its dates after June 26, listing only 15 more shows, ending in New Orleans. Closely-watched fan site, Van Halen News Desk, said 31 dates had been postponed, starting on July 7 in Uncasville, Connecticut and ending on September 25 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...

Zimbabwe arrests British music presenter

Sat, 26 May 2012 09:36:48 -0400

Organizers of a classical music festival in Zimbabwe say authorities arrested a prominent British music personality at a concert in the second city of Bulawayo.

Justin Timberlake Returning To Music With The Devil In The Deep Blue Sea Soundtrack

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:33:13 -0400

<p>Justin Timberlake is combining three of his loves - fiancee Jessica Biel, movies and music - into one project!</p>

Phillip Phillips On His Health, Girlfriend, Music & The Lesson He Learned Winning Idol

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:41:42 -0400

Phillip Philips won "American Idol's" Season 11, but he admitted to Access Hollywood on Thursday that there were times during the competition that he thought of leaving the show.

The top 10 songs and albums on the iTunes Store

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:14:51 -0400

iTunes' Official Music Charts for the week ending May 21, 2012

A little music goes a long way in Egypt vote

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:28:00 -0400

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's presidential hopefuls have had to zip their lips before voting starts, but there is no stopping the songs that pump up their virtues in styles ranging from hip-hop to folk. For the first time Egyptians get to pick their leader in voting on Wednesday and Thursday in a fiercely contested race enlivened by another novelty - online music videos. Many of them are the work of underground musicians who flourished since the popular uprising that overthrew Hosni Mubarak last year and who can capture political moments too fleeting for the mainstream music industry to latch ...

"The Master": creepy Joaquin Phoenix and crazy music

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:06:18 -0400

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Paul Thomas Anderson has finally given audiences a look at his next picture "The Master," a sure-to-be-controversial look at the origins of a religion that sounds a whole lot like Scientology. The sneak peek features a zonked-out Joaquin Phoenix being grilled by a naval officer about his misbehavior while off-kilter music plays on the soundtrack. The whole thing is mighty unsettling. ...

Court won't reduce student's music download fine

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:38:38 -0400

A former Boston University student who was ordered to pay $675,000 for illegally downloading and sharing 30 songs on the Internet says he will continue fighting the penalty, despite the Supreme Court's refusal Monday to hear his appeal.

Billboard Music Awards 2012 Arrivals

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:20:10 -0400

Spanning all genres and styles from dapper dudes to pastel princesses, check out this year's red carpet arrivals

Violinist Hahn: Music from a different direction

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:28:08 -0400

LONDON (Reuters) - Classical music fans know that American violinist Hilary Hahn plays a wicked concerto, knocking out the fiendishly fast final bars of Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto, for example, faster and with more sheer energy than pretty much anyone else alive. "It's a finger twister but it's so fun. ...

Chuck Brown, pioneer of 'go-go' funk music, dies

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:22:19 -0400

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chuck Brown, who styled a unique mix of funk, soul and Latin party sounds to create go-go music in the nation's capital, has died after suffering from pneumonia. He was 75.