May 13th, 2008 by Hannah
Neil Young is the inspiration behind the name of a newly discovered species of spider. Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi is a trapdoor spider, named this week by biologist Jason Bond.
Well that’s different. I can’t say I’ve always dreamed of having an insect named after me. Stars, planets, streets maybe…but not spiders.
In a statement, Bond said, “I really enjoy his music and have had a great appreciation of him as an activist for peace and justice.”
The biologist from East Carolina University discovered the spider in Jefferson County, Alabama last year. There is then a procedure for given a species a name but Bond followed protocol and worked Neil Young into its name.
Spider species are identified by their genitalia. It was unknown at press time if Neil had to be examined for comparisons as well.
May 6th, 2008 by Hannah
It looks like performing at the Grammy Awards earlier this year was all it required to inspire Tina Turner to get back to work. The Queen of R&B will start her first post-retirement tour in Kansas City in October.
Tina will make the official announcement for the tour this week on Oprah, but the show to air May 12 was recorded last week in Las Vegas. The show was shot in front of an audience of 4,000 so the news is not really a secret.
The now 68-year-old Tina Turner retired after her last tour in 2000. The Queen went out of top with the highest grossing tour of that year.
Tina originally made her name with former husband Ike in the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. They scored global hits with ‘Nutbush City Limits’ and a soul version of Credence Clearwater Revivals ‘Proud Mary’.
After suffering beatings from her husband, the couple divorced in 1978.
In 1984, Tina revived her career as a solo artist with the massive hit ‘Private Dancer’. She won Record of the Year for ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ at the Grammy Awards the following year.
The 80s placed Tina in the superstar category. The hits that flowed included ‘Let’s Stay Together’, ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’, ‘Show Some Respect’, ‘Better Be Good To Me’ and ‘Steamy Windows’.
Tina recorded duets with David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Australia, Jimmy Barnes. With Barnes, she re-recorded her classic ‘The Best’ for a TV commercial for football.
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May 6th, 2008 by Hannah
A DNA test was recently done by James Brown’s widow to show that the late music legend is the father of little James Brown II. The DNA test confirms the paternity of a son of a woman who claims to be the singer’s widow. The attorney for the little tyke said that the 6-year old boy was tested in April, before a paternity test was ordered by a judge. While the results of the court-ordered test has yet to be released, Robert Archer, PhD, director of Genetic Identity labs of Eugene, Oregon says that “If that was James Brown’s bone we tested, that’s James Brown’s kid.” The report the lab did dated April 18, 2008 says “The alleged father (James Brown) cannot be excluded as the biological father of the child since they share genetic markers” and that “the probability of paternity is 99.999975.”
April 29th, 2008 by Hannah
The Godfather of Soul James Brown may have been dead for quite a while but his trustees still aren’t letting him rest in peace. According to a new report, the said trustees of his estate are questioning the paternity of James Brown II, the son of Brown’s widow Tomi Rae Hynie. A South Carolina judge has just ordered a paternity test for the supposed youngest son of the late musician to bring closure to the issue. The lawyer representing Tomi Rae said that she’s never objected to a paternity test even saying that “She’s said that she was in favor and would do the test, provided that the other children also took the test. She didn’t feel like her son should be singled out.” It’s war of the spawns!
April 29th, 2008 by Hannah
At 57 years of age and 30 years in the music industry, singer Phil Collins has finally decided to retire. The singer recently completed a reunion tour with his former band Genesis. Just this past Friday, he announced that he will no longer be releasing any more albums nor would he go on any more tours. The now retired musician plans to take a break from music but will continue to write music on his free time. As for the bulk of his free time, Phil has said that he’ll be spending time working on his favorite hobby of collecting memorabilia from the Battle of the Alamo.
April 25th, 2008 by Hannah
Amazing video footage of John Lennon smoking pot, writing songs and discussing putting the hallucinogenic drug LSD in President Richard Nixon’s tea will be at the centre of a dramatic court case to start next week.
In a bid to keep the tape private Yoko is set to go against Lawrence, Massachusetts-based World Wide Video, which claims ownership of nine hours of raw footage of the former Beatle and Ono filmed only weeks before the legendry band parted in 1970.
World Wide, a consortium of Beatles collectors, are looking to release the historical footage as a 2 hour film “3 days in the life” detailing the break-up and mind set of Lennon at this crucial time.
Rolling Stone magazine dubs it “the most awesome John Lennon footage you might never see.”
Having paid $1 million for the tapes after legal costs and other expenses, it was almost premiered last year but the showing was pulled after Yoko’s lawyers asserted her copyright ownership of the videotapes.
The story looks to be a film in itself with legal parties get ready to fight.
The tapes in question were filmed between 8 to 11 February 1970, and show Lennon composing two hits, “Remember” and “Mind Games,” whilst openly discussing his drug use in scenes that World Wide describe as “intimate and no-holds-barred.”
April 23rd, 2008 by Hannah
Old-school rap legend KRS-One was hospitalized in New Haven, Connecticut with a fractured hand last week when a so-called fan threw a bottle on stage which struck the rapper in the head and hand. The irony of it all was that the rap legend was performing in New Haven on his ‘Stop the Violence’ tour. But instead of being like Akon and Lil Wayne, KRS-One practiced what he preached and asked that the offender not be prosecuted and just told his fans to “Let it go. Let it go. When negativity comes your way, let it go.” He also continued on rapping after the incident. Unfortunately, KRS-One had to cancel several performances due to the severity of his injuries.
April 19th, 2008 by Hannah
Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of American women? That’s according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. And that’s why Barbra Streisand just donated a cool $5 million to LA’s Cedars-Sinai Medical for women’s heart education and research program. The diva’s gift will fund the Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education at Cedars-Sinai and for the expansion of the hospital’s research efforts. Of the donation, Barbra said “Women need to be educated about female cardiovascular disease and the medical community must be propelled toward change. Just like with breast cancer the impetus must come from women themselves striving to become empowered to reduce their risks for heart disease.”
April 11th, 2008 by Hannah
Cedella Booker, the mother of reggae legend Bob Marley, has passed away in Miami at the age of 81.
Cedella had been a resident of Miami for the past 30 years.She was an active figure in the promotion of her son and in 1993 started the Bob Marley Movement Festival that featured Santana and Wyclef Jean.
Mrs Booker gave birth to her son Robert when she was 18 years old. Bob died in May, 1981.
Cedella Booker also had her own music career. She released two albums, ‘Awake Zion’ and ‘Smilin’ Island of Song’.
April 2nd, 2008 by Hannah
The last unfinished John Lennon track could see the light of day as a tribute to “fifth Beatle” Neil Aspinall who died last week.
Now And Then was unearthed with Real Love and Free As A Bird during the Fab Four’s Anthology series in the 1990s. While the other two tracks were spruced up by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr and went on to become top ten hits, Now And Then was left untouched.
Neil worked as chief of Apple Corps until last year and ensured The Beatles profited from their back catalogue. An insider said: “There have been discussions about finishing Now And Then. It would be quite a task. The process of re-recording the two tracks that charted was fairly painless because the songs were almost complete. Now And Then will need a significant amount more work to get it into a condition where it could be released.”
With George also dead, I reckon Paul and Ringo should work together one last time in tribute to departed members of the group’s inner circle.
March 28th, 2008 by Hannah
Duran Duran kicked off their world tour on Wednesday in Auckland, New Zealand. And all I could say about it is – odd. Lead singer Simon Le Bon exclaimed to concertgoers that “Duran Duran, fucking up in style!” And he was right. Le Bon forgot the lyrics to the smash hit ‘Hungry like a Wolf’ and bassist John Taylor even stormed off the stage at one point when the group’s members wore matching satin suits and headsets to play a medley on keyboards and an electric drum set. After returning to the stage, Taylor said that he couldn’t dance to that.
March 26th, 2008 by Hannah
Neil Aspinall, known to many as the ‘fifth Beatle’ has passed away at the age of 66 in New York City. Mr. Aspinall died of lung cancer. He was known as the fifth member of the legendary band for his long time support. He was a school friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison. He was also the band’s first road manager who would drive them to gigs in his band. He later became their personal assistant and was then given a management role at Apple Records, The Beatles’ own label, in 1968. Despite no musical training, Mr. Aspinall also sang in the chorus of ‘Yellow Submarine’. Surviving Beatles Paul and Ringo Starr made a joint statement saying how much he will be missed.
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March 22nd, 2008 by Hannah
Beach Boy Mike Love and former band mate Al Jardine have finally settled a lawsuit over a feud over the band’s name. The suit was mainly revolved around Love’s request for about $2.2 million in attorney’s fees spent in previous litigation against Jardine. Love sued Jardine in 2003 after the latter toured with groups under the names “Beach Boys Family & Friends”, “Al Jardine, Beach Boy” and “Al Jardine of the Beach Boys”. A federal judge ruled that Jardine could not use any reference to his former band’s name as it violated copyright laws. Reports say that the terms of the settlement are confidential but that both parties were pleased with the outcome.
March 18th, 2008 by Hannah
Here’s another case of music royalty about to lose their castle. The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin’s Detroit mansion may be lost to the taxman. The said property is worth $700,000 for which Aretha owes a total of $19,192 in back taxes through 2007. The Queen says that she will pay up by the March 31 deadline. Tsk. If she paid on time, it wouldn’t have gotten this big. It was a $445 outstanding bill from the 2005 tax season that pushed for the foreclosure proceedings. The Queen can’t lose her castle! Oh well, if things go bad for Aretha, maybe Tina Turner would let her crash in her castle in Europe.
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March 5th, 2008 by Hannah
The future on Neverland Ranch is still in doubt and it looks like it’s not the only home Michael Jackson is about to lose. The fallen King of Pop has made a trend of neglecting his fiscal responsibilities when it comes to his homes. According to public records, Jacko repeatedly failed to make mortgage payments on his Encino, California property. He has $154,000 in missed payments on a $4 million loan as of January 17th. The default was withdrawn early February. Other documents show that Jacko also faced possible default over missed payments on the home in April and August of 2007.
Britney better take note of this. This is what happens when you spend all your money and do no work!
February 26th, 2008 by Hannah
Prince is set to have a secret hip replacement. Not much of a secret though if I’m writing about it is it?
The ‘Purple Rain’ singer, who released his first album in 1978, is being forced to undergo the surgery at just 49-years-old after suffering excruciating pain as a result of years of blistering performances.
A source said, “For months Prince, who always puts on the most energetic shows, has been complaining of pain every time he moves. He is totally crushed because he knows he will never be the same again.”
The surgery will involve removing the ball and socket of Prince’s damaged hip and replacing it with a titanium joint. The diminutive star is allegedly booking into a private hospital and aides have reportedly cleared two months from his diary to allow him time to recover from the operation.
Meanwhile, Prince put his health worries aside to host a special exclusive post Oscar-party last night. A-list names reportedly invited to the extravagant bash at his new Los Angeles home included Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Will Smith, Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz.
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February 26th, 2008 by Hannah
Mischa Barton was spotted walking around the Beverly Hills set of her latest film ‘The Homecoming’ on Friday. Someone actually hired her?! The 22-year old former ‘OC’ actress was seen carrying around a Starbucks coffee cup and a book by Sid Griffin called ‘Million Dollar Bash’. The book documents music legend Bob Dylan’s career and his association with famous musical friends ‘The Band’. I never knew that Mischa was a fan of Bob Dylan. Maybe she’s trying to pick up on a few things from the book. Then again, I didn’t even know that Mischa new how to read.
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February 18th, 2008 by Hannah
The Police are to embark on a final leg of their reunion world tour with 30 more shows across North America, they have announced.
Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland are expected to have earned a total of $340 million when the tour finally concludes.
Nice bit of pocket money…
The new dates kick-off in Ottawa on May 1 and are scheduled to visit a number of cities in the USA that the band have yet to play.
This raft of concerts, which will feature Elvis Costello as support, is set to be the last of the tour, and perhaps the final of the band’s career.
February 16th, 2008 by Hannah
90s rapper Coolio, best known for his song ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ from the movie ‘Dangerous Minds’, is trying to catapult himself back into the light of stardom by “teaching yo ass how to cook”. The self-proclaimed Ghetto Gourmet now has his own online cooking show and he’s on a mission to take over the world’s kitchen. Caprese salad was the first thing up on the menu. Coolio says “I’m gunna teach you how to make a salad that will get them panties right off.” If you want to learn how to do that, watch ‘Cooking with Coolio’ on MyDamnChannel.com. All hail Chef Coolio!
February 11th, 2008 by Hannah
Kiss star Gene Simmons insists the legendary rockers will never make another record because music is a dying industry. The band will embark on an extensive European tour later this year but the Crazy Nights hit makers have not released an album since Psycho Circus in 1998.
And Simmons is convinced they won’t be rushing back to the recording studio, as there is simply no money to make in selling LPs any more. He says, “There’s no new Kiss material because there’s no record industry. Any band that tries to do new material is trying to climb a slippery mountain. Every day record companies are folding. It’d be nice to have new Kiss songs, but what’s the business model? Do you just put songs on the Internet for free? Then what?”
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