Search Results for: england

England is gripped by a heady patriotic fervor these days – between the England team’s highly anticipated appearances in the 2002 World Cup and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, you can barely move without seeing a flag or banner. Yet the Brits still seem to have a little fervor left over for their American cousins, especially when those Americans happen to be the Red Hot Chili Peppers. When the Chilis took the stage for a “secret” club gig at the Garage in London on Friday (May 31), the primarily invite-only crowd erupted with an enthusiasm normally reserved for a winning goal… Read more »

Pop star Elton John, one of the biggest names in a star-studded line-up to serenade Queen Elizabeth on her Golden Jubilee, is not quite sure how well even his music will go down with the British monarch. “She grins and bears it. She’s probably the best in the world at grinning and bearing it on every occasion, whether it’s Maori dancing, pop music or whatever,” he told BBC television on Friday. The flamboyant rocker, a close personal friend of the late Princess Diana, will appear at the June 3 concert alongside artists ranging from ex-Beatle Paul McCartney to Ozzy Osbourne.… Read more »

England soccer captain David Beckham and his pop singer wife Victoria, also known as “Posh Spice,” threw a celebrity-studded party Sunday to raise money for a children’s charity. Dozens of stars attended the lavish Japanese-themed garden party at the couple’s mansion, nicknamed Beckingham Palace. Guests – asked to dress in “white tie and diamonds” – included many of England’s World Cup soccer squad, Sir Elton John, tennis star Greg Rusedski, designer Vivienne Westwood, actress Joan Collins and Virgin empire billionaire Sir Richard Branson. Harrods owner Mohammad al-Fayed arrived at the mansion north of London in a helicopter. The bash included… Read more »

After 14 years of brain-frazzling albums and concerts, industrial metal pioneers Godflesh have abruptly broken up. The band was preparing to tour the U.S. with High on Fire and Halo when frontman Justin Broadrick suffered a nervous breakdown just before boarding a flight to San Diego, where Godflesh were scheduled to start their tour April 22, according to a band spokesperson. “Unable to make the trip, never mind perform a two-month tour, Justin has decided to call it quits. Godflesh is done for,” said a brief note on the band’s Web site. Godflesh formed in Birmingham, England, in 1988 and… Read more »

Warner Music Group (WMG) announced today that Janine Richardson has been promoted to vice president, special events. Richardson has been the Music Group’s senior director, special events, since 2000. As such, she has been responsible for managing the companies’ participation in industry special events, philanthropic activities and related programs. Based in New York, Richardson will continue to report to Dawn Bridges, WMG’s senior vice president, corporate communications. In making the announcement, Bridges said, “For years, Janine has served as Warner Music’s ambassador to the music industry and its numerous charitable organizations. She brings such a wealth of experience, class and… Read more »

British pop trio BBMak have a six-string surprise in store for their fans, as their second album promises to be more of a guitar-driven affair. BBMak, known for being one of the few pop groups to play their own music and write their own songs, have spent the last two weeks putting the finishing touches on the follow-up to 2000’s Sooner or Later, according to a Hollywood Records spokesperson, who described the effort as being laced with guitar throughout. The as-yet-untitled LP is expected to be released in September, and a single – a video for which is being planned… Read more »

Judging by the number of cars bearing Canada license plates around Michigan State University’s Breslin Center on Tuesday, it was clear that Vancouver’s Nickelback were going to feel right at home. Fans waved maple-leaf flags around the venue before the Campus Invasion show, which also featured performances by Starsailor, Injected and Nickelback protégées Default. Others sat atop their rides shouting pro-Canada slogans. Stepping onstage to sweeping, cinematic music, Nickelback kicked off their set with “Woke Up This Morning.” Singer/guitarist Chad Kroeger was obviously pleased with Nickelback’s newfound multiplatinum status – he grinned incessantly as fans punched their fists in the… Read more »

Heavy metal superstar Ozzy Osbourne, infamous for biting the head off a bat in his younger days, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday for his dark brand of showmanship. Wearing a black suit, a large gold cross and round, blue glasses, with bright red streaks in his brown hair, Osbourne accepted the star with humility. “To say that this is an honor is not enough,” he said. “This is just so overwhelming, with all of you turning out so early in the morning to see my old butt.” The 53-year-old is enjoying renewed popularity with… Read more »

Veteran British electronic duo Pet Shop Boys has lined up a spring/summer world tour due to kick off May 14 in Miami. The trek crosses over to Europe beginning June 12 in Madrid and concludes with 12 dates in the group’s U.K. home base. It comes in support of the pair’s eighth EMI studio album, “Release,” which debuts this week at No. 5 on the European Top 100 Albums chart. The set is due April 23 in North America. As previously reported, the group’s planned Wotapalava tour was canceled last July due to poor ticket sales and the failure to… Read more »

Virgin Entertainment Group, North America, announced today its Student Showcase Program that will start this week at Virgin Megastore Boston. The program will allow classical and jazz musicians from local Boston music colleges to perform mini-recitals in front of the Boston community every Thursday, starting April 11, 2002. The program will be kicked off this week as Virgin Entertainment Group presents a scholarship check to Berklee College of Music. To show Virgin Entertainment Group’s appreciation and support of classical and jazz music, Virgin Megastore Boston will host two-hour live performances showcasing students from Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory… Read more »