Aretha, Condi Duet in Concert

Singer worried relationship was moving too fast

(AP) - Aretha Franklin won't be getting fitted for a wedding gown after all: She's called off her engagement . A statement released yesterday by her rep said Franklin's wedding to Willie Wilkerson wasn't going to happen. "Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time," Franklin said. "We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends." More»

Concert booking fees might surprise you

(NEWSER) - In the world of concert bookings, you probably wouldn’t be shocked to hear KISS commands a $500,000 fee. You might be surprised, however, by who comes in ahead of KISS. The Smoking Gun runs down contracts from the 2010 US summer concert season:

• Rascal Flatts: $702,500
• KISS: $500,000

Bipartisan duo to share stage at concert for inner-city kids

(NEWSER) - The Queen of Soul will team up with the "Warrior Princess" of the Bush administration at a charity concert next month. Aretha Franklin—a Democrat—will sing "Say a Little Prayer" and "Natural Woman" as classically trained pianist Condoleezza Rice—not a Democrat—plays, the New York Post reports. The concert at Philadelphia's Mann Hall will raise funds to support programs for inner-city children. More»

Frontman shows up at Joe Perry concert to set record straight

(NEWSER) - Reports of Steven Tyler’s solo career have been greatly exaggerated. The Aerosmith frontman made a surprise appearance at last night’s Joe Perry Project concert in New York, assuring fans he was not leaving Aerosmith. He told fellow band member Perry, who earlier Tweeted that the band would look for a new singer, “Joe Perry, you are a man of many colors. But I, motherfucker, am the rainbow,” Rolling Stone reports. More»

Michael Jackson was in surprisingly good shape in dazzling footage

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson didn't live long enough to take the final bow he had planned in London, but critics agree This Is It is a fitting swan song, proof that the King of Pop really did have a comeback in him:

• "This Is It is quite extraordinary. If there was any doubt that Michael was in control of the shows or his decisions, those fears are allayed here," writes Roger Friedman for the Hollywood Reporter. "It is truly amazing, considering the last 16 years of total lunacy, to see him so capable."