Search Results for: COIN

It seems that three little women are now down to two. On Wednesday (August 21), 3LW’s Naturi Naughton, with her lawyer in tow, told New York City radio jock Wendy Williams that she has been forced out of the group. With just over one month to go before the release of the trio’s second album, A Girl Can Mack, a number of canceled appearances had fueled rumors of discord between Naughton and the other members, Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon. Naughton said she had received repeated complaints about her performance, her image and her loyalty to the group from 3LW’s… Read more »

Sharon Osbourne seems to be doing well following her first session of chemotherapy Monday, with husband Ozzy by her side. She’s in “very good spirits – she’s very upbeat,” the Osbournes’ spokesperson told USA Today. Sharon’s three-month chemo prescription is treating the cancer that was initially thought to be confined to her colon, but following an operation, was found to have spread. She was first diagnosed with the disease earlier this month. After postponing the first two dates of Ozzfest when the diagnosis became public, Ozzy persevered on the annual trek without his wife and manager, who masterminds the annual… Read more »

Newly installed VH1 toppers Brian Graden and Christina Norman are moving quickly to put their stamp on the struggling music cable network, greenlighting an aggressive fall slate of series and specials aimed at building on the channel’s still-strong retro music brand. VH1 is also beefing up its “Movies That Rock” franchise, snagging the broadcast premiere of the Oscar-winning “Moulin Rouge” and several other theatricals. And rather than simply repurposing other networks’ music specials, Graden wants VH1 to sign A-level talent for original concert specials. The flurry of activity comes barely three months after Graden was named entertainment president of the… Read more »

Viewers of Fox’s summer megahit “American Idol” won’t have to wait long to hear the first single from whomever wins the competition. Simon Cowell, the snarly Brit judge-recording exec who’ll be producing the track, said he’ll have the song in stores within three weeks of “Idol’s” Sept. 4 finale. He’ll achieve that feat by asking all of the three remaining finalists to record the song – an original composition Cowell describes as a “big power ballad” similar to Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time.” RCA Records has already committed to giving the “Idol” winner a $1 million recording contract that… Read more »

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will launch an extensive tour in August to coincide with the release of The Rising, their first studio album together in 18 years. The Boss will again be backed by “Sopranos” co-star Steven Van Zandt (guitar), “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” bandleader Max Weinberg (drums), Roy Bittan (keyboards), Nils Lofgren (guitar), Garry Tallent (bass), Patti Scialfa (vocals, guitar), Danny Federici (keyboards) and legendary sax man Clarence Clemons, for what has been appropriately dubbed The Rising Tour. Despite enjoying success as a solo performer in the nearly 20 years since the E Street Band… Read more »

Even if he doesn’t ever say, “This is the first song off our new album” in concert, believe it or not, Ozzy Osbourne still has something in common with Robin Zander. Like Zander’s Cheap Trick before him, Osbourne recorded his performance at Tokyo’s Budokan Arena and will title the resulting live LP Live at the Budokan (though Cheap Trick’s legendary 1979 release was titled Live at Budokan, for those scoring at home). The 13-track album, boosted with bonus CD-ROM video footage, is due June 25, according to Osbourne’s Web site. A home video, issued on both VHS and DVD formats,… Read more »

With the success of “The Osbournes,” Ozzy and his clan seem omnipresent. It feels like you can’t go anywhere without being exposed to something related to the offbeat family. As it is for Ozzy himself, your only refuge from the onslaught is the confines of your bathroom. However, soon even that sanctuary will be ripe for some Osbourne accoutrements. The family has signed a licensing agreement with San Francisco-based Signatures Network, which will usher everything from Osbourne backpacks and beach towels to cookie jars and cell phone covers into the marketplace in the coming months, according to company CEO Dell… Read more »

Bennett Zier has a fine idea for a new radio format. His eyes light up as he tells you about it. “We play Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Bobby Darin,” he says. “The great thing about it is what we call it. You ready?” He pauses. “Vegas Radio! Is that great or what?” Zier can imagine the whole scene – the deejays, the jingles, the ironic retro-swinger patter. It’s his music, the kind he plays in his car. He’s in love with this idea, and with his natural salesman’s charm, he’s making you love it, too. So why doesn’t… Read more »

Ringo Starr has signed a new recording contract and is reportedly at work on a new album. He hopes to release the project next year, to coincide with his next All-Starr Band tour. The former Beatles drummer has signed on with Koch Entertainment, the company that released his live boxed set The Anthology…So Far in 2001. Mark Hudson, who worked on Starr’s last three studio albums and was also part of the Boneyard Boys production team on Aerosmith’s latest album Just Push Play, is producing the new album. In a statement, Starr said, “It’s a pleasure to be on the… Read more »

Grammy Award-winners U2 and Celine Dion will each headline new concert specials during the 2002-3 TV season on CBS. U2’s concert from the famed Slaine Castle in Dublin, Ireland, will air later this year to coincide with the release of a new album by the band. In addition to their performance, the special will include a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most successful rock bands. The special’s airing will coincide. Dion will return to CBS in a new concert special set to coincide with the opening of her new show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which will… Read more »