Search Results for: october

Justin Timberlake has signed on for two projects that’ll find him taking a good look at his roots – a memoir and a television special celebrating the music of Motown. Timberlake had been shopping his autobiography since October, when he entertained offers from international publishers at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. Bidding was said to have reached seven figures, but the singer played coy when asked about it at the time. “Possibly, sure,” he said. “I have no idea. I have no clue.” He might have a better idea now that he’s sold the book’s U.K. rights. London’s Transworld… Read more »

The Grammy-nominated rapper (real name: Michael Taylor) was sentenced to six years behind bars for forcing his hairstylist to performsexual acts on him. The 40-year-old victim said that Mystikal and his two bodyguards made her perform oral sex on them after they accused her of stealing $80,000 worth of checks. Mystikal initially pleaded innocent to the charges, but after police located a videotape the hip-hopster and his hired goons made of the action, the rapper pleaded guilty to charges of sexual battery. Judge Tony Marabella, who imposed the rapper’s sentence, said it was evident from the tape that the victim… Read more »

Since Ben Moody’s departure from Evanescence in October, many have wondered about the guitarist’s whereabouts. Three months after he quit the band without so much as a “Dear John” letter, Moody has resurfaced as a part of Avril Lavigne’s Moody, who co-wrote all of Evanescence’s Fallen, including the hits “Bring Me to Life” and “Going Under,” is among the songwriters working with the 19-year-old pop star on her second album, the follow-up to her 2002 debut,Let Go. The collaboration was hatched when Moody contacted Lavigne’s A&R rep and volunteered his talents, according to Lavigne’s spokesperson. Lavigne’s guitarist Evan Taubenfeld and… Read more »

They’re not newlyweds anymore, but Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are coming back for a second season of “Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica” on MTV. New episodes of the reality series are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. EST Jan. 21. The first season followed the pop stars from their October 2002 wedding through the beginning of their life together, and became hugely popular thanks to Simpson’s frequent goofy-blonde gaffes. Right afterward, at 10:30 p.m. EST, MTV will air the debut of “‘Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave,” about the months leading up to the wedding of Carmen Electra… Read more »

Though U.S. album sales were down last year for the third year in a row – the longest stretch in 20 years – Nielsen SoundScan numbers still contain some bright spots for 2003. For the full year, album sales declined 3.6% to 667.9 million units from the 693.1 scanned in 2002. But when looking at the fourth quarter, album sales rose 4.7% from the October-December period in 2002. That has caused some executives to proclaim that the industry has hit bottom. Indeed, at mid-year, sales were down 8.6%. That gap was closed by the fourth-quarter surge. What’s more, 2004 is… Read more »

Sad-song troubadour Elliott Smith was thought to have died by his own hand two months ago. Now, those investigating the presumed suicide of the 34-year-old folk-rocker aren’t so sure. A statement issued this week by the Los Angeles County coroner has clouded the case, saying officials have been unable to determine whether Smith was the one who initiated the two “penetrating stab wounds” in his chest. Therefore, an official cause of death has not yet been filed. “Despite a comprehensive and ongoing inquiry into the death by the LAPD detectives and coroner investigators together with a thorough examination by the… Read more »

The music industry’s traditional packaged-goods retail business may be continuing its long decline, but the sale of downloadable tunes is hot and getting hotter. On December 16, Apple Computer announced that it has sold more than 25 million songs through its iTunes Music Store since its inception four months ago. The Cupertino, CA-based technology pioneer is now selling about 222,000 individual songs per day, at 99 ¢ each, a volume more than three times the 70,000 per day the company was selling in September, when the iTunes service was available only to Apple users. In October, the service was expanded… Read more »

Apple Computer Inc. said on Monday that consumers had bought and downloaded more than 25 million songs from the iconic computer maker’s iTunes online music store. Apple, based in Cupertino, California, also said that more than $1 million worth of iTunes online gift certificates – sold in denominations of $20 to $200 – and allowances have been bought since those features were added in October. “The fact that we’ve done over $1 million in allowances and gift certificates shows a lot of interest on both Mac and Windows,” said Chris Bell, director of iTunes product marketing, in a telephone interview.… Read more »

A judge postponed a hearing Thursday for singer-actress Courtney Love, who faces two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance. Superior Court Judge Lisa Hart Cole gave no explanation for delaying the hearing until Jan. 27. Defense attorney William Genego declined to say whether Love is undergoing drug rehabilitation. Love, who wore a pink jacket and pink sandals and carried pink roses, became anxious when the judge asked to review the probation report. “Probation…. What is that? What is that?” she said, before making growling noises and clawing motions with her hands. Love was charged in October with illegal… Read more »

The members of Fountains Of Wayne were just as shocked as the rest of the world at last week’s Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category. Lead singer Adam Schlesinger revealed he’s thrilled about the nod, but finds it ironic considering the band has been around for more than seven years. “I was told that it has to do with, defining it as the record that sort of gets you into the larger public consciousness or something,” Schlesinger said. “So I guess, in that sense, maybe it’s a fair definition. Yeah, this is our third record. Our first record… Read more »