Search Results for: Pretenders

New York – Radio’s playlist liberation movement hatched in late 2001 at a birthday party in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A radio was blasting when Howard Kroeger, director of operations and programing for CHUM Broadcasting’s Winnipeg stations, arrived at his friend’s 40th-birthday bash. It was a competitor’s classic rock station, and Kroeger used the occasion to conduct an informal focus group among the partygoers, most in their mid- to late 30s. Whenever Boston, the Cars, Meatloaf, Supertramp or some other ’70s staple came on, it got an overwhelming thumbs-up from the Molson-enhanced crowd. But there was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm when… Read more »

Veteran band protests about Justin Veteran R&B group the O’Jays protested about Justin Timberlake’s involvement in their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group were introduced by the 24-year-old singer at the ceremony at in New York. The O’Jays are best known for their disco 70s hits Love Train and Backstabbers. Eddie Levert, 62, said they were unhappy about Timberlake inducting them into the Hall. He said: “We protested, kicked and stomped. But it is out of our control.” His bandmate Walter Williams, 61, added: “No offence to Justin, because he deserves the respect he has… Read more »

New York – Bruce Springsteen is returning the favor to Bono. U2’s talkative frontman, who gave memorable stream-of-consciousness speeches inducting Bob Marley and Springsteen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be saluted by Springsteen when the Boss inducts U2 next month. Springsteen’s no slouch in the induction speech department: He slyly noted last year how inductee Jackson Browne ‘s audience always seemed to be filled with women. Justin Timberlake will board the “Love Train” to pay tribute to the O’Jays in next month’s ceremony. B.B. King and Eric Clapton will team to induct bluesman Buddy Guy, Rod… Read more »

Artemis Records chairman/CEO Danny Goldberg is leaving the independent label he founded in 1999 due to what sources said Wednesday were “philosophical differences” with its owners. Artemis president Daniel Glass has been elevated to president/CEO of the label, which is the home of such acts as Steve Earle, Pretenders, Kittie and the late Warren Zevon. New Artemis releases from Better Than Ezra, Black Label Society and bluesman Hubert Sumlin are due soon. Goldberg will continue as a consultant. He launched New York-based Artemis after a long tenure as a top executive at the Mercury, Warner, Modern and Swan Song labels… Read more »

New York – Irish rockers U2, R&B singers The O’Jays and soul balladeer Percy Sledge are among five musical legends to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the foundation’s 20th annual induction ceremony next year, the organization announced Monday. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation will hold its induction ceremony March 14 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. U2, which became one of the planet’s most popular bands in the 1980s with their megahit “The Joshua Tree,” is still making the charts: Their November release, “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” is… Read more »

Jimmy Iovine, head of the West Coast operations of Universal Music Group, has signed on for another six years, sources confirmed Thursday. Iovine, the chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, has been in contract negotiations since last year. The multimillion-dollar deal was finally signed late Wednesday night. A label spokeswoman declined comment. As part of the deal, Iovine has the option to partner with Universal for music-driven film projects revolving around his artists. That part of the deal is based on Iovine’s success as the producer of Interscope rap star Eminem’s Oscar-winning film “8 Mile.” Last year was a busy… Read more »

The big question as we enter 2004 is simply “Do you want some?” The answer will come when Liam Gallagher and elder brother Noel return to the fray with the new Oasis album later this year. Although to some the Mancunian brothers’ group may be too tied up with the hangover of ’90s Britpop to ever be a potent force again, they are still undoubtedly one of the biggest rock groups in the country. They do like to tread water, however, and a much-needed change in direction may finally come with the introduction of Death In Vegas man Richard Fearless… Read more »

Celebrities including Madonna, Chrissie Hynde and Sharleen Spiteri remained tightlipped about the apparent wedding of designer Stella McCartney and publisher Alasdhair Willis as they left this remote Scottish island Sunday. Pretenders singer Hynde would only say that the 31-year-old daughter of former Beatle Paul McCartney looked “beautiful” when asked about the ceremony. “It was good. It has been a lovely week,” said Spiteri of the rock band Texas, as she boarded a coach to leave the island. Hordes of reporters, who have spent days trying to glean information about the closely guarded wedding, were left disappointed when both singers declined… Read more »

Sire Records, the label that introduced the world to Madonna, Talking Heads and the Ramones, is being resurrected and will officially rejoin the Warner Bros. Records family of labels. Label founder Seymour Stein’s first signing under the new deal is the Von Bondies. Also on the Sire roster are Morcheeba, Guster, the Distillers, Hot Hot Heat, Less Than Jake and the Hives (through a joint venture with Burning Heart/Epitaph). When Roger Ames was named chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group in 1999, Ames’ London Records was merged with Sire Records to create London-Sire. That label closed its doors in… Read more »

Age brings change, but the changes were decidedly for the better Tuesday when the Rolling Stones kicked off their Licks World Tour, named for an upcoming compilation that marks the British supergroup’s 40th anniversary. On their ’90s tours, the Stones had largely become a grizzled stadium jukebox. On this trip, however, in addition to mixing stadium, arena, theater and club dates – often in the same city – the band is taking new liberties with its set lists. Tuesday’s two-hour-plus tour opener at the FleetCenter included its share of rarely and never-played nuggets that thrilled and puzzled the arena crowd.… Read more »