Klassic Magazine Online :: News Archive-10



		Toronto Concerts link: Kenny Rogers – Dec. 3, 2010 @ Massey Hall The Pointers Sisters – Feb. 18, 2011 @ Rose Theatre, Brampton Gordon Lightfoot – May 25 - 28, 2011 @ Massey Hall Sade – June 28, 2011 @ Air Canada Centre

NEWS ARCHIVE [page 10]


GREG GARRISON, TV DIRECTOR, DIES [AP, 4/2/05]
Greg Garrison, a pioneering TV Director who worked with such stars as Dean Martin, Jack Benny, George Burns and Lucille Ball spanning a 40 year career, has died. He was 81. Garrison died of pneumonia March 25, 2005 at his suburban Los Angeles home, said his wife Judy.

RICCARDO MUTI QUITS LA SCALA [BBC.CO.UK, 4/2/05]
Riccardo Muti, renowned musical director of Milan's La Scala, has resigned citing "hostility" from fellow members of staff at the opera house. The resignation came after more than 700 orchestra members and staff demanded Mr. Muti step down last month. Concern among staff was prompted by the dismissal in February of Carlo Fontana - who had headed the theatre since 1990. The theatre board cited "differences" with Mr. Muti.

RWANDA FILM GETS KIGALI SCREENING [BBC.CO.UK, 4/2/05]
The man who inspired Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda is to return to the country's capital to see it screened. Paul Rusesabagina said the film would be shown at the Mille Collines Hotel in Kigali, where he sheltered more than 1,000 people from the 1994 massacre. Meanwhile, Rome's Panafricana festival has opened with a focus on Rwanda with a screening of Sometimes in April.

ALPERT, MOSS DONATE A&M PAPER, MEMENTOS [AP, 4/2/05]
Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, whose A&M Records label recorded superstars such as Sting, the Carpenters and Quincy Jones, have donated company papers and mementos to the UCLA Library. The collection includes sound recordings, gold albums, letters, photographs and items such as a score for "The Lonely Bull," a 1962 hit by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, according to an announcement Friday. The company was founded in 1962 in a garage behind Alpert's house. Other music greats the label recorded include Carole King, Joan Baez, Chet Baker, Burt Bacharach and Bryan Adams.

K-OS WIN SINGLE OF THE YEAR AT JUNOS [Reuters, 4/3/05]
Critically respected hip hop star K-OS won single of the year "Crabbuckit", best rap recording for "Joyful Rebellion" and video of the year at the Junos. It was the first time the Junos, Canada's version of the Grammy Awards were held in Winnipeg, a frigid prairie city where crews cleared away stubborn piles of snow to make way for the red carpet.

BET FOUNDER MAY CEDE CONTROL [AP, 3/20/05]
Robert Johnson and Black Entertainment Television are known for one thing - each other. Soon, they could go their separate ways after a profitable 25-year relationship. The deal that let him stay on as BET's chief executive after he sold the network in 2000 expires this year. He is busy with other projects, including his losing NBA franchise in Charlotte, N.C. Johnson was 34 when he launched BET from the basement of his Washington home in January 1980. It is the country's first and largest black-oriented cable network and has proved an unmatched success. He became the county's first black billionaire after BET's sale for $3 billion nearly 5 years ago. Debra Lee, now BET's president and chief operating officer after joining the network in 1986, is considered the most likely person to succeed Johnson.

IMAX 'SHUNS FILMS ON EVOLUTION' [AP, 3/20/05]
Several Imax cinemas in the US have refused to show films referring to the theory of evolution for fear of a religious backlash, it is reported. Viewers at a US test screening judged films which contained religious descriptions of man's origins as "blasphemous", the New York Times said. As a result, science films were denied screening in approximately 12 large-screen Imax cinemas. Spokesman for Imax cinemas in the UK were unavailable for comment.

BIOPIC 'RAY' WINS FOUR NAACP IMAGE AWARDS [Reuters, 3/20/05]
The biopic 'Ray' about the life of legendary singer Ray Charles won four NAACP Image Awards, including an outstanding actor trophy that added to its star Jamie Foxx's armful of honors. The 36th Annual Image Awards, which honor films, television, literature and music by and about people of color, were handed out at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The ceremony was hosted by actor Chris Tucker. It was the second year in a row that Ray Charles loomed large at the Image Awards. He was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame in 2004, three months before his death at 73. Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys also was a multiple winner, taking home a pair of trophies for outstanding song and music video for "If I Ain't Got You". Morgan Freeman won the Image Award for supporting actor in his role in the film "Million Dollar Baby". Kanye West was named outstanding new artist for his album, "College Dropout", while Grammy-winner Usher was honored as outstanding male artist. "American Idol" winner Fantasia was named outstanding female artist.

SOUTH AFRICAN WINS AFRICA'S TOP FILM PRIZE [Reuturs, 3/5/05]
Director Zola Maseko became the first South African to win the top prize at Africa's premier film festival, snaring the honor on Saturday for "Drum". Maseko was awarded the Etalon d'Or de Yennenga, the Golden Stallion of Yennenga, and a cash prize of 10 million CFA francs ($20,000) at the closing ceremony of the Fespaco film Festival in Burkina, Faso's capital Ouagadougou. "Drum" is set in the 1950s Sophiatown, the bohemian center of Johannesburg, where apartheid melted away in busy jazz clubs. It tells the story of the magazine of the same name and its anti-apartheid campaigning journalist Henry Nxumalo. Maseko dedicated his prize to his producer, who was shot dead during a robbery in Johannesburg last year. After years of boycotts because of apartheid, South Africa is now Africa's cinematic powerhouse. Its stunning locations, balmy climate and low costs have made it an attractive alternative to the United States, Australia and New Zealand for foreign film shoots. A string of awards, have also put its films on the international map.

SOUTH AFRICAN "CARMEN" WINS AT BERLIN [BBC.co.uk, 2/20/05]
A South African reworking of the opera Carmen has won the top award at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival, one of the most prestigious after Cannes. U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha, which moved Georges Bizet's story to a township and translated the lyrics into Xhosa, was a surprise winner of the Golden Bear Award. Based on the theatre show, it is the first feature film from British opera director Mark Dornford-May. U-Carmen e-Khayelitsch, which sees its heroine work in a cigarette factory, was described as a "piece of arthouse genius" by The Times. Lou Taylor Pucci won best actor for Thumbsucker while Julia Jintsch was named best actress for Sophie Scholl.

OSCAR NOMINEE O'HERLIHY DIES [BBC.co.uk, 2/20/05]
Irish actor Dan O'Herlihy who was nominated for best actor at the 1955 Oscars, has died at 85. O'Herlihy began his career in the 1940s playing Macduff to Orson Welles' Macbeth in 1948 and was also a regular on the Dublin stage. He appeared in Robocop, Robocop 2 and cult TV show Twin Peaks.

LATE-NIGHT TV KING JOHNNY CARSON MOURNED [Los Angeles, AP, 1/24/05]
From the White House to Hollywood, the loss of Johnny Carson is hitting home. The 30-year host of the "Tonight Show" died on Sunday, January 23, 2005. He was 79. NBC says Carson's death was the result of complications from emphysema. At the request of his family, there won't be a memorial service. Johnny Carson did not invent the late-night TV talk show, but he made the most of it.

BOB MARLEY 'RE-BURIAL' PLANS DENIED [BBC.co.uk, 1/13/05]
The widow of reggae legend Bob Marley has distanced herself from reports that she plans to exhume his remains in Jamaica and rebury them in Ethiopia. Rita Marley was reported as saying the ceremony would take place in February to coincide with celebrations marking 60 years since the singer's birth. But Rita, who is currently in Ethiopia, has now denied the reports. A spokeswoman for the Marley Foundation, who is travelling with her said her words had been "twisted". Bob Marley was born in St. Ann, Jamaica, in 1945, and died of cancer in 1981.

QUEEN LATIFAH NAMED GRAMMY'S HOST [BBC.co.uk, 1/14/05]
Singer and actress Queen Latifah will be hosting the proceedings at the 47th annual Grammy Awards from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on 13 February, 2005. The 34 year old is also up for an award in the best jazz vocal album category for The Dana Owens Album, which uses her real name as its title. Rapper Kanye West has received the most Grammy nomination with 10 followed by Alicia Keys and Usher with eight each. Latifah was nominated for an Oscar in 2003 for her supporting role in the musical film "Chicago".

BLACK ACTORS SET MARK FOR OSCAR NODS [Los Angeles, AP, 1/29/05]
Six years ago, Chris Rock joked that the Academy Awards looked like the "million white man march" for its traditional under-representation of blacks. This time, with Rock taking his maiden voyage as host of Hollywood's biggest party, he will preside over a record Oscar night for black actors, who earned five of the 20 nominations. Jamie Foxx was the first black performer to receive two nominations in the same year, as lead actor for his soul-stirring portrayal of Ray Charles in "Ray" and supporting actor for "Collateral", playing a wily cabdriver who holds his own against a relentless hitman. Foxx's competition in the best actor race includes Don Cheadle for "Hotel Rwanda", in which he plays real-life innkeeper Paul Rusesabagina, who shielded refugees during Rwandan genocide, and Morgan Freeman of "Million Dollar Baby" in the supporting role category.

RAY CHARLES FINALLY GETS HIS DUE IN HOLLYWOOD [Los Angeles, Reuters, 1/25/05]
Ray Charles was an international star for five decades, but in Hollywood the complicated piano man was long considered box-office poison. When director Taylor Hackford started pitching a project about the "genius of soul" more than 15 years ago, no studios were interested. Music-themed pictures are a touch sell, especially when the subject is an old, blind, black man. "Ray" eventually got made and received an official seal of approval on Tuesday with six Academy Award nominations including best picture, director and actor. Jamie Foxx's eerie lead performance made him an Oscar front-runner long before the film was released to commercial and critical acclaim in late October, a few months after Charles died of liver disease. The film grossed $73 million at the North American box office and will come out on DVD on Tuesday.

FOX CENSOR CARTOON CHARACTER [Los Angeles, 1/17/05]
Fox says it covered up a cartoon character's posterior recently because of nervousness over what the Federal Communications Commission will find objectionable. The latest example of TV network self-censorship because of FCC concerns came a few weeks ago during a rerun of "Family Guy" cartoon. Fox electronically blurred a character's posterior even though the image was seen five years ago when the episode originally aired. PBS is also making small edits to HBO film "Dirty War", about a fictional radiological attack on London, "Sometimes in April" about the 1994 Rwandan genocide and "Yesterday" a drama about AIDS in South Africa, before they are distributed to affiliates.

VIRGINIA MAYO, '40s AND '50s ACTRESS DIES [Los Angeles, 1/17/05]
Virginia Mayo, the stunning blond actress who brought beauty and romance to films of the 1940s and 1950s with such co-stars as James Cagney, Bob Hope and Gregory Peck.

Off The Mark: (the following story is not an entertainment news, but thought this was worth a comment - Canada | June 5, 2005).
Rosalie Abella and Louise Charron were appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. There are now a total of four women on the high court's bench and a first anywhere in the World. However, why aren't I elated as the rest of Canada? the world? As I look at the photograph of the 9 judges on the Supreme Court of Canada bench, it suddenly struck me that there wasn't one ethnic face among the group.

Miss Jamaica 2004 - TONOYA Composed, organised, and caring [Jamaica Gleaner |2004 ]
Tonoya Toyloy is the winner of the Miss Jamaica World 2004 Pageant. "I WAS telling them that 'I found the key to answering the questions'," said Tonoya Toyloy, "and they said 'What was it?' And I said well, if somebody asks you a question you answer it. Everybody started to laugh, and they said 'That's the key?'"

MICHAEL JACKSON
Michael Jackson "King of Pop" has asked networks to remove the Eminem video "Just Lose It" from their rotations. In the video Eminem appears dressed mockingly as Jackson with a group of boys in the background jumping as he sings the lyrics in reference to Jackson's child molestation allegations; "Come here little kiddie, on my lap. Guess who's back with a brand new rap . . " BET cable network has pulled the video from their rotations at the request of Jackson. Jackson feels the video is outrageous, disrespectful and insensitive. Jackson 46, has pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation and conspiracy.

BEATLES US ALBUMS FINALLY ON CD [BBC News | October 14, 2004].
The Beatles' first four US albums for Capitol Records are to be released on CD for the first time, a report says. They are Meet the Beatles, The Beatles' Second Album, Something New and Beatles '65, all originally released in 1964, the Hollywood Reporter said. .The box set, Capitol Albums Vol 1, will be available in the US November 16 for $70.

MERRI' REUNION [Jamaica Gleaner| October 19, 2004]
ON SATURDAY night, Merritone music celebrated 54 years in music with a 'Reunion in the City' at the Morgan's Harbour Hotel, Port Royal, St. Andrew. At the 8 p.m. scheduled start, Fab Five played to the empty tables and chairs that were spread across the spacious venue. Very soon after, however, persons started coming in to enjoy the music of Merritone, the delightful ambience of the seaside venue and the food and drink prepared and served by waiters. The dim light of the venue and the cool sea breeze that wafted on to the land to gently caress the skin, provided a very romantic setting, quite unlike one created for a reunion of old friends. The mood was helped by the '70s and '80s R&B that was being played by Merritone Disco. From Teddy Prendergrass' You are My Lady to Whitney Houston's You Give Good Love and Oceans Apart, Lady in Red, and Stuck on You in between, the atmosphere was one created for lovers young and old.

K-OS, K-OS, K-OS
Who is K-OS? He is Kevin (Kheaven) Brereton, 32, Canadian songwriter, rapper, singer and producer. K-OS is changing the sound of hip-hop by mixing elements of rock, r&b, reggae, rap and introducing classical strings, East Indian tabla and Spanish flamenco guitar into his sound. The EMI recording artist, debut in 2002 with his album "Exit" and quickly followed with "Joyful Rebellion". Still not familiar with him, then his current hit single "crabbuckit" being aired almost every 15 minutes on radio stations and in clubs would be. In a recent interview, K-OS (meaning Knowledge of Self) expressed his frustration with people mixing up Kevin Brereton with his alter-ego K-OS. Well, "K", your fans are only extending respect to you for years of hard work. If they did not, you may leave wondering why the "crabbuckit" are they ignoring you. We love you, sign the autograph!

SHANIA TWAIN CENTRE OPENS IN TIMMINS
Shania Twain will be in Timmins on Tuesday, November 2, to officially open the Shania Twain Centre. The 4,000 square feet centre, located on Shania Twain Drive, is open seven days a week to fans and tourist who are treated to an assortment of items, some of which the singer has yet to see, including her Juno Award. The Mayor has also declared the day "Shania Twain Day" Born in Windsor, the singer lived and performed at several local venues before making it. Fans in Toronto can catch a glimpse of Shania on Wednesday, November 3 when she co-host CTV's Canada AM from Yonge & Dundas Square.

SIZZLA UK TOUR CANCELLED [bbc.uk.com]
The government is considering banning reggae star Sizzla from the UK as police investigate "anti-Gay" lyrics. All five dates on Sizzla's UK tour were cancelled after gay rights campaigners protested against the star. Scotland yard is examining lyrics by eight reggae artists, but they would not confirm that Sizzla was among them. Born in Jamaica as Miguel Collins, Sizzla has released 25 albums since 1995 and is credited with taking dancehall music back to its reggae origins. The Metropolitan Police's Racial and Violent Crime task force is investigating lyrics by Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer and five other reggae artists after a complaint from OutRage.

EMINEM PRODUCES NEW TUPAC ALBUM [bbc.uk.com]
Eminem has produce an album of previously unreleased songs by the late rapper Tupac Shakur. "Loyal to the Game" will be the seventh album of Shakur's music released since he was shot and killed in 1996. Rapper Eminem has produced 12 of the songs on the 16-track album, according to Billboard.com. The four tracks Eminem did not produce were overseen by Raphael Saadig, Scott Storch and Red Spyda. "Loyal to the Game" features guest appearances from hip hop stars including 50 Cent, Jadakis and Lloyd Banks and Nate Dogg. Eminem previously produced three Tupac songs for the 2003 soundtrack to the documentary film Tupac: Resurrection. "Loyal to the Game" is due to be released in December.

RAPPER ODB DEAD AT 35
Rap artist ODB (Ol' Dirty Bastard), one of the most colourful characters in the world of hip-hop, has died age 35. ODB, real name Russell Jones, collapsed and died at the Manhattan recording studio in New York on Saturday, Nov. 13. A spokesman for the recording company, Gabe Tesoriero, said the rapper, who complained of chest pains, was dead by the time paramedics reached him. ODB - whose famous song was Got Your Money - had recently finished a prison sentence for drug possession. ODB was a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1990s.

PAID IN FULL GREATEST HIP-HOP ALBUM [bbc.uk.com]
Entertainment Weekly has hailed the 1997 album Paid in Full by Eric B and Rakin as the greatest hip-hop album in a poll marking 25 years of rap. Paid in Full is described as making "hip-hop a true art form, doing for rap what Bob Dylan did for rock in the mid-60s".

ERROL 'ET' THOMPSON, RECORD PRODUCER, STUDIO ENGINEER [Jamaica Observer, 11/19/04]
World renowned Jamaican studio engineer and music producer, Errol 'ET' Thompson, is to be buried on Saturday, November 27. Thompson, 55, died in the University Hospital of the West Indies last Saturday night following a stroke. Thompson is regarded internationally as one of Jamaica's greatest studio engineers and with Gibbs, the duo known as the 'Mighty Two' produced many top 10 songs including such memorable number one singles of the 1970s as Althea and Donna's Uptown Top Ranking, Nicky Thomas' Love Of The Common People, JC Lodge's Someone Loves You Honey, and the Marcia Aitken version of I Am Still In Love With You Boy, which was eventually translated into Sean Paul's most recent hit single. Gibbs and Thompson started working together in 1974, after Thompson left his original studio, Randy's, located at North Parade, in Kingston.

STARS UNITE FOR MANDELA GIG BOOK LAUNCH [bbc.uk, 11/27/04]
Singers Cat Stevens and Annie Lennox joined former South African President Nelson Mandela to launch a photo book marking last years 46664 charity concert. Named after Mandela's prison number, the five hour concert in Cape Town featured more than 30 global stars raising money to combat Aids and HIV. Performers including Bono, Beyonce, Ms. Dynamite, Anastacia, Zucchero and Eurythmics were watched by an audience of our 40,000 in Cape Town on 29 November 2003. Last year's concert at Green Point Stadium is the first of many organized by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to help fight Aids and HIV. Brad Pitt and Will Smith are ambassadors for the Mandela's campaign.

MUSICIANS URGED TO REGISTER FOR ROYALTY WINDFALL [Los Angeles, Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 11/30/04]
More than 38,000 performing artists are owed royalty money for certain digital and satellite transmissions, but they only have until December 31, 2004 to claim it. SoundExchange was established in 2000 to issue compulsory licenses for the transmissions and to collect the fees and distribute the relevant royalties. They are appealing to musicians to register with it to ensure that they don't lose out. Royalties were collected from 1996-2000. Artists or their heirs will not be able to collect their share of the royalties if they do not come forward by December 31. The royalty organization has already paid out about $16 million covering more than 200 million digital plays for about 6,000 members. Count Five and the Shangri-Las are among some of the artists who recently received money owed them.

UNPAID ROYALTIES CLAIM LODGED BY 23 PUPILS
Twenty-three former school students from Islington Green School who sang on Pink Floyd's 1979 classic "Another Brick In The Wall" have lodged a claim for unpaid royalties. The teenage pupils secretly recorded vocals for the track, which became an anthem for children with the chorus "We don't need no education". On hearing the song, the headmistress, who was not advised of the session, banned the pupils from appearing on television or video - leaving no evidence. The album sold over 12 million copies and the single became number one in Britain and America. If the claim is successful, the money would come from the music royalties society and not from Pink Floyd. The 23 pupils would receive 200 pounds each.

JAY-Z AND LINKIN PARK "MASH-UP" CD/DVD [New York, Reuters/Billboard, 12/05/04]
Multiplatinum acts Jay-Z and Linkin Park are the latest to merge musical forces in a legally sanctioned mash-up - a concept which interwine two songs, often placing the vocals of one track atop an instrumental section of another - one step further. Instead of simply creating a mash-up remix of one track, as other artists have done, Jay-Z and Linkin Park created an entire CD/DVD project based on the mash-up concept. The result is "MTV Ultimate Mash-UPs Presents Jay-Z/Linkin Park: Collision Course". The idea for the DVD is based on the July 18 live performance of the mash-ups at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles which debuted November 10 on MTV with the network's new series "MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups". Some of the mash-up on "Collision Course" are "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You", "Jigga What/Faint" and "Izzo/In The End".

RAPPER SNOOP DOGG TOPS US CHART [bbc.co.uk]
Rapper Snoop Dogg has achieved the first chart topping single of his career on the US chart. Snoop's song "Drop It Like It's Hot" displaced "My Boo" - a duet between R&B stars Usher and Alicia Keys - to take the top spot after spending four weeks at number two. "My Boo" spent six weeks on top of the singles chart. Dogg's latest album R&G (Rhythm & Gangasta) was brought forward in November in a bid to combat internet piracy.

DICK CLARKE SUFFERS MILD STROKE [California, AP music, 12/08/04]
"American Bandstand" icon Dick Clark who turned 75 on Nov. 30, was hospitalized after suffering a mild stroke this week. The entertainer who went from "hosting American Bandstand" to game shows and producing award ceremonies, is scheduled to host ABC's "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005" on Dec. 31. Reports are that Clarke is recuperating and that there is no cause for alarm.

BILLBOARD HONORS HIT MAKERS [BBC.co.uk, 12/08/04]
Usher, Alicia Keys and Outkast will be battling it out at the Billboard Award in Las Vegas. Usher was nominated in 13 categories including best male artist and best album for Confessions. Keys has 12 nominations including a mention for her album The Diary of Alicia Keys. Stevie Wonder will receive a lifetime achievement award.

SHANIA TWAIN ALBUM 20-TIMES PLATINUM [BBC.co.uk, 12/8/04]
Shania Twain has joined The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson and Led Zeppelin in the exclusive club of mega-sellers. The Canadian singer's 1997 country and western album "Come On Over' has been certified 20 times platinum by the US music industry with over 20 million copies shipped to date. Her track "Forever And For Always" was named country song of the year by the US performing rights agency BMI last year. The Eagles' Greatest Hits released in 1976 shipped more than 28 million copies.

JAY-Z IS PRESIDENT OF DEF JAM RECORDS [Los Angeles, AP, 12/8/04]
In an appointment, rumored for months, Jay-Z is now the President/CEO of Def Jam record label. His 3-year contract is valued at between $8 million and $10 million. Def Jam owns 50% of Roc-A-Fella and also announced that it had wholly purchased the rap label whose acts include 10-time Grammy nominee Kanye West, Cam'ron and Beanie Sigel.

50 CENT, G-UNIT, RIHANNA, KARDINAL OFFISHALL TOUR CANADA [Industry News, 11/14/05]
Venue dates are as follows:
December 3 - Vancouver - Pacific Coliseum December 14 - Halifax - Metro Centre December 15 - St. John - Harbour Station December 17 - Quebec City - Colisee December 19 - Montreal - Bell Centre December 20 - Toronto - Ricoh Coliseum December 21 - Ottawa - Corel Centre

50 CENT TO LAUNCH HIP HOP BOOK LINE
[AP, 11/15/05]
50 Cent will again turn his reality into fiction with a new line of hip-hop novellas and graphic novels featuring his former G-Unit rap crew buddies, Pocket/MTV Books announced. The venture would showcase "gritty" stories and cover much of the same terrain as 50 Cent's raps. "These tales will tell the truth about The Life; the sex, guns and cash; the brutal highs and short lives of the players on the streets," the publisher said. The G-Unit Books line of street fiction will feature G-Unit members Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Olivia as characters, the release said. Nikki Turner, author of "The Glamorous Life" and "A Hustler's Wife," will pen the line's first novella. It is set to be published in 2007.

MARK KNOPFLER NEW CD "SHANGRI-LA" [Industry News, 11/19/05]
Mark Knopfler is one of the few artists that can truly be categorized as a Legend. Lead singer, guitarist, producer and creative driver to one of the worlds biggest selling acts, Dire Straits, his career now spans an impressive 25+ years. Countless hit singles, 21 albums garnering over 112 million album sales, Knopfler now returns with his 4th solo studio album Shangri-La. Since his motorcycle accident last March which cancelled his N.A. tour, Mark has been very productive, both writing and then recording the new album at a 60s vintage studio in Malibu called Shangri-La, where musicians like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and The Band used to frequent.

GARY GLITTER ARRESTED IN VIETNAM [BBC.CO.UK, 11/19/05]
Former glam rock star Gary Glitter has been arrested in Vietnam where police want to question him about alleged child sex offences. The 61 year old was detained at Ho Chi Minh airport as he tried to board a plane to Bangkok. A newspaper reported that police were investigating Glitter over allegations of "obscene acts with a child". Police said Glitter was allegedly involved with two girls under the age of 18, but declines to elaborate. In 1999 he was convicted in the UK of possessing child pornography and served two months in jail.

BOB MARLEY TO BE NAMED NATIONAL HERO [BBC.co.uk, 12/12/04]
There is growing support from the Bob Marley Foundation and others to have the late reggae superstar, Bob Marley, made a Jamaica National Hero to mark his 60th birthday. The push for national hero status comes as preparation are underway for a month long celebration of his life in Ethiopia on February 6, 2005. The Foundation is also seeking to have his birthday declared a national holiday. Marley was awarded the Order of Merit, Jamaica's third highest honour, in 1981, a month before he died of cancer at 36.

CONCERT FOR NOBEL PRIZE WINNER [BBC.co.uk, 12/12/04]
Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise hosted a concert in Norway to honour Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. The 64 year old Kenyan received the Nobel Prize for her environmental work saving trees in Africa and promoting ecological, social and economic reforms. She is the first African woman to receive the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

RAPPER ODB DIED FROM ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE [12/15/04]
The New York City medical examiner's office has determined that ODB, real name Russell Jones, died as a result of intoxication by the combined effects of cocaine and Tramadol, a prescription painkiller but not a narcotic. The manner of death is an accident. The 35 year old, also known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, collapsed and died at a recording studio on November 13, 2004 after complaining of chest pains. He was dead before paramedics could reach him at a Manhattan studio where he was recording a comeback album. ODB joins a string of rap stars who have met untimely deaths, including Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, who was fatally shot in late 2002, and Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur who were both shot in the late 1990s.

PHIL COLLINS #1 AT THE BOX OFFICE [AP, 12/15/04]
The Top 20 concert tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for show in North America. The list is based on data provided to Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers. Here is a condensed list:

1. Phil Collins - $1,094,463; $77.30

2. Sting - $999,442; $66.60

6. R. Kelly / Jay-Z - $753,975; $62.29

7. Usher - $750,526; $59.02

8. Cher - $660,421; $68.44

10. Jay-Z & Friends - $549,898; $60.51

JAMES BROWN SURGERY SUCCESSFUL [New York, AP, 12/15/04]

James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, was released from the Midtown Urology Surgical Center in Atlanta after undergoing surgery to treat his recently diagnosed prostate cancer. Brown is expected to spend three weeks recovering from the procedure with and a full recovery. The 71 year old is due to release an autobiography next month and is planning a tour of Asia and Australia early next year.

LISA MARIE SELLS PRESLEY ESTATE [BBC.co.uk, 12/17/04]

Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley has agreed to sell 85% of his estate to business man Robert FX Sillerman in a deal worth $100 million. He will run Presley's Memphis home Graceland, will own Elvis' name and likeness, the rights to his photographs and revenue from his music and films. Lisa Marie will retain possession of Graceland and many of her father's "personal effects". Sillerman founded music and sports promotion agency SFX Entertainment.

ROBERTA FLACK MUSIC SCHOOL [New York, AP 12/20/04]

R&B singer Roberta Flack plans to transform two abandoned brownstones in Harlem into a school of music to be opened next fall. The 126th Street facility will offer free liberal arts classes for talented students, house a permanent faculty of teachers, a recording studio, an auditorium and performance cafe, said the 65 year old Grammy-winner singer, "there are so many young artists who have talent but they need support."

ACTOR WESLEY SNIPES SUES NEW YORK CITY [New York, Reuters, 12/20/04]

Actor Wesley Snipes sued New York City on Monday, Dec. 20/04 charging that it has no jurisdiction to arrest him as part of an Indiana paternity case. The suit, filed in Manhattan Federal Court, seeks a court ruling invalidating an arrest warrant issued by a New York family court judge. The Manhattan judge took the action on an interstate paternity petition filed in Indiana by a woman who says the tough talking action star fathered her young son. In his suit, Snipes charges that the woman is a mentally ill former crack addict who has made other claims to be the mother of many children of celebrities. He said the woman began having delusions about him after watching the movie Blade.

OPERA SINGER RENATA TEBALDI DIES [BBC.co.uk, 12/20/04]

Italian opera singer Renata Tebaldi, who was a great rival to Maria Callas, died in San Marion at age 82.

LINKIN PARK DONATE TSUNAMI FUNDS [BBC.co.uk, 1/1/05]

US rock band Linkin Park have set up an organization called "Music For Relief" charity fund for countries affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster with an initial donation of $100,000. The tsunami disaster has left more than 125,000 people confirmed dead off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. In the summer of 2004, Linkin Park played to sell-out stadium shows in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

JAZZ GIANT ARTIE SHAW DIES AT 94 [BBC.co.uk, 1/1/05]

Artie Shaw, one of the most famous American band leaders of the swing era has died. Shaw best known for his 1938 recording of the Cole Porter tune "Begin the Beguine" was a highly paid musician in the US at the time. He played alongside such artists as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and a then unknown blues singer Billie Holiday, who went on to become one of the icons of the era.

POP STARS UNITE FOR ASIAN TSUNAMI VICTIMS [BBC.co.uk, 1/1/05]

Singers including Sir Cliff Richards and Boy George are recording a charty single to help raise funds for victims of the Asian tsunami. They hope the song will raise more than 2 million pounds for the relief fund. The song entitled "Grief Never Grows Old" and described as a melancholy ballad, was written by DJ Mike Read prior to the Boxing Day tragedy, but he thought it was too gloomy to release. But now he plans to have it recorded by a collective group of pop stars under the name "One World Project". Other music stars who are being approached are Robin and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Jazz sensation Jamie Cullum, Chris Rea and Olivia Newton-John.

AL PACINO AS A STAND UP COMIC? [New York, AP 1/1/05]

That's how he started his career, says the Oscar-winning actor. Pacino, 64, won the best actor award in 1993 for "Scent of a Woman". His screen credits include "Dog Day Afternoon", "The Godfather" and "Serpico".

ELVIS FANS PREPARE FOR BIRTHDAY BASH [BBC.co.uk, 1/7/05]

Elvis Presley fans around the world are preparing to mark the legendary singer's 70th birthday on Saturday, January 8, 2005. A three-day Elvis convention will take place in Blackpool, England over the weekend with the aim of finding the best European Elvis impersonator. His Graceland, Tennessee home will be the focus for US celebrations with four days of events including a concert by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. SonyBMG are releasing Elvis' 18 number one singles at the rate of one a week in Britain, complete with original artwork and a collector's box. Hit single One Night will follow next week, with the chance of becoming the 1,000th number one as interest surrounding Elvis birthday grows.

LED ZEPPELIN TO GET GRAMMY HONOUR[1/5/05]

Rock legends Led Zeppelin, Jerry Lewis and Janis Joplin will receive lifetime achievement honours at this year's prestigious Grammy Awards to be held in February. Country star Eddy Arnold and Jazz great Jelly Roll Morton will also get awards.

SLIM SHADY STUDIO BOSS FOUND DEAD [BBC.co.uk, 1/5/05]

AJ Abdallah, the owner of a recording studio where Eminen recorded his best selling Slim Shady LP has been found dead on the premises. The 36 year old was discovered by a business colleague at the Detroit studio on Tuesday, January 4, 2005. It is thought he had been dead for at least two days. Eminen recorded The Slim Shady LP at the studio in 1997. Since its release in 1999, it has sold more than 5 million copies. Mr. Abdallah lived in a two bedroom apartment above the studio on Eight Mile Road, the Detroit Street which inspired the title of Eminen's 2002 film 8 Mile. Last month he announced plans to sell the studio saying that he was planning on spending more time in New York. The studio was put up for auction on the eBay website with an asking price of $215,000.

McCARTNEY SONG AIDS MANDELA FUND [BBC.co.uk, 1/7/05]

Paul McCartney, Queen and Sting are among artists who have recorded exclusive tracks on iTunes in aid of Nelson Mandela's 46664 Campaign. The tracks will be available to download via the internet and donations for each one sold will go towards Mandela's ongoing Aids campaign. Other contributors to the 46664 1 Year on EP include Eurythmics guitarist David A Stewart and Jimmy Cliff. The tunes are available to download throughout the world with exception of Spain and track will be available in the US from January 19, 2005.

USHER BIGGEST SELLING ARTIST IN 2004 [BBC.co.uk, 1/7/05]

US CD sales rose by 2.3% in 2004 - the first rise in four years - despite the growing popularity of legal digital music downloads. The CD format still accounts for 98% of the 666 million albums sold, according to research company Nielson Soundscan. A total of 140 million digital tracks were legally downloaded last year, equivalent to 14 million albums. R&B star Usher was the biggest selling artist with his album Confessions selling eight million copies alone. Other top sellers of the year were Norah Jones, Eminem and country stars Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson.

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