Bahraini prince paid consultant to help juice singer's creative process
New York Daily News Nov 19, 08 12:19 PM CST
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The sheikh who is suing Michael Jackson says he spent nearly $350,000 on a brain guru for the star, the New York Daily News reports. Mind-mapping and motivational guru Tony Buzan spent one week with the King of Pop in an effort to unlock his creativity, thus allowing him to write the agreed-upon album, autobiography, and musical for the Bahraini prince.
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Bahraini royal claims Jackson reneged on deal to cut album in exchange for bailout
Reuters Nov 18, 08 10:17 CST
(Newser)
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A Bahraini prince is suing Michael Jackson in a UK court, Reuters reports, claiming the singer skipped out on a deal to record an album after years of financial support. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa claims payments to Jackson in 2005 and beyond were an advance for a new album, autobiography, and stage play; Jackson failed to produce, claiming the payments were gifts.
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Shakir Stewart took the helm of Def Jam Records in June
Billboard Nov 2, 08 12:11 PM CST
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Shakir Stewart, who took over at Def Jam Records when Jay-Z stepped down in June, was found dead yesterday, Billboard reports. The rap executive apparently committed suicide, though few details are available. Stewart had signed artists such as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, and Karina Pasian to his label, and in a previous stint at Hitco snagged Beyoncé.
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CMT Oct 14, 08 5:16 PM CDT
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Tim McGraw has a message for fans regarding his new greatest hits album: I'm sorry. McGraw issued a statement today ripping into his label, Curb Records, for releasing Greatest Hits 3 only 2 years after Greatest Hits 2 , CMT reports. The country star says he had nothing to do with it and would have preferred to release a new studio album. The move, he says, is part of a ploy by Curb to delay his plans of jumping ship.
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LA Times delivers the perfect soundtrack for financial woe
Los Angeles Times Oct 13, 08 5:22 PM CDT
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No matter how bad the current financial situation gets, popular music offers something to ease your woes. Hope you haven't pawned that iPod just yet: the LA Times brings you the best in recession-tastic classics: "Can't Buy Me Love" (Beatles): Single, former Lehman Bros workers will be spinning this one in heavy rotation. "Fortunate Son" (Creedence Clearwater Revival): It could be worse—you could be broke and drafted...
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Band complains that candidate is using song without permission
Wired Oct 9, 08 2:00 PM CDT
(Newser)
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When it comes to the “rock music” the kids are so into these days, John McCain just can’t catch a break. Joining an increasingly long line of ticked-off rockers, the Foo Fighters are accusing the candidate of using their song “My Hero” without permission, Wired reports. "The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential," the band says.
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Coalition aims to give UK bards more control over copyright
Guardian (UK) Oct 4, 08 4:41 CDT
(Newser)
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Dozens of British rock stars have joined together to form an organization that seeks more control over the music they create, the Guardian reports. The manifesto of the Featured Artists' Coalition calls for bands to have much more say over copyright—one of the issues that spurred founding members Radiohead to leave their label EMI last year and release a “pay what you can” album online.
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Sun (UK) Sep 26, 08 10:01 CDT
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Rock legend Robert Plant has finally agreed to participate in a Led Zeppelin reunion tour with guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones, and late drummer John Bonham's son Jason, the Sun reports. His bandmates had been rehearsing with stand-in singers.
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CNET Sep 25, 08 3:50 CDT
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Apple’s iTunes meets its first serious challenge today with the launch of MySpace Music, CNET reports. The second-largest online social network has joined forces with Amazon and the world’s four biggest record labels to offer free streaming and paid downloads. The move also pitches media mogul and MySpace owner Rupert Murdoch against Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
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obituary
Grammy-winner who wrote 'Heard it Through the Grapevine' was 67
Los Angeles Times Sep 18, 08 10:24 CDT
(Newser)
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Norman Whitfield, the visionary producer who helped shape the Motown era, has died at 67 from diabetes complications, the Los Angeles Times reports . Whitfield produced most of the Temptations’ recordings, and co-wrote dozens of Motown standouts, including Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” It was Whitfield who helped shift Motown records from the catchy love tunes of the early ‘60s to more socially relevant themes.
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Billboard's top songs of past 50 years including other twists, like no Elvis in top 10
Billboard Sep 12, 08 3:12 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Billboard has produced its definitive list of the top 100 songs of the past 50 years—and it's full of surprises. One is that neither Elvis nor the Beatles made the top five. They were beaten out by Santana, Bobby Darin, and even Los Del Rio's Macarena . Another twist—Chubby Checker's The Twist is the all-time No. 1 hit song. The top 10 are:
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Record execs dislike Apple's singles-friendly policy
Wall Street Journal Aug 28, 08 9:36 CDT
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Record labels have begun yanking their artists’ work from the iTunes, reports the Wall Street Journal , saying they can make more money selling intact albums than 99-cent singles downloads. Last year Atlantic Records kept Kid Rock's Rock 'n Roll Jesus album off the online shelves; when that album sold a hefty 1.7 million copies, they pulled an album from R&B singer Estelle from iTunes 4 months after it went on sale.
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Long-awaited duet may finally be recorded
New York Post Aug 21, 08 11:18 CDT
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The long-awaited duet between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake may finally see the light of day. The New York Pos t reports that the former teeny-bopper couple will collaborate on a track for Spears’ next album, due out at the end of '08. It's the second go-round for the duo: Timberlake offered his Midas touch to a mid-breakdown Spears last year, but she never showed up at the studio to record the track.
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