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Had Russell Watson followed some early career advice, the classical tenor might be singing ‘N Sync-like pop tunes instead of arias. “I was told, ‘Oh Russell, join a boy band, leave the opera to the Italians,”‘ the 27-year-old Brit recalls hearing from agents. “That just made me more determined.” His determination has paid off handsomely. Watson, who is not classically trained and who got his start singing Meat Loaf and Lionel Richie songs in the pubs of Manchester, has become an opera sensation with the release of his debut disc, “The Voice.” Already a best-seller in Britain, the album has… Read more »

Bruce Springsteen has proved he’s still “The Boss” A federal judge has awarded the rock superstar copyright control of an album of Springsteen’s early songs, dismissing a claim to them by a small music company, Pony Express Records, Springsteen’s attorney said on Tuesday. In the June 22 decision, U.S. District Court Judge Harold Ackerman also forbade Pony Express from selling more copies of the album and ordered the company to destroy existing copies. “We’re thrilled, and I think it’s important and significant that Bruce now owns all of his own music,” Springsteen attorney Steven Hayes said. New Jersey-born Springsteen, known… Read more »

Depeche Mode, the influential British technopop band that has flourished for two decades, kicked off a five-month world tour in Quebec City Monday night, promoting its new songs in an effort to leave behind its 1980s hits and its years of rock ‘n’ roll excess. The two-hour show, which will tour 24 countries, focused on Depeche Mode’s new album “Exciter,” offering a smoother sound that returns to the band’s roots of pop music with romantic lyrics and electronic melodies. The show was meant to capture the imagination of a new generation of fans, not necessarily the die-hard 1980s supporters. Solid,… Read more »

Depeche Mode, the influential British technopop band that flourished in the 1980s, kicks off a five-month tour in Canada this week with a new album and what one founding member said is a hard-earned feeling of serenity. “It is the first time for a long, long time, in about 15 years probably, that all three members of Depeche Mode are happy and stable in their private and working lives,” keyboardist Andrew Fletcher, 39, told Reuters in an interview. “It is enjoyable to be in Depeche Mode at the moment, and I would not have said that five years ago.” Fletcher,… Read more »

MCY today announced the signing of legendary rocker Dave Mason to MCY’s subsidiary, Pyramid Music. Pyramid will create a digital production from a June 2001 Dave Mason Band North American tour performance, which will be released on CD and DVD, as well as distributed through television and secure digital distribution channels. MCY CEO Bernhard Fritsch said, “We’re proud to help Dave bring his compelling, timeless rock into the digital era. He revolutionized rock-n-roll with Traffic and has been a powerful influence ever since.” Pyramid President Alan Jacobi concurred, adding, “Dave always pushes the limits to give fans an extraordinary experience.… Read more »

Columbia Records’ Crazy Town, Portrait/Columbia Records’ The Union Underground and American Recordings/Columbia Records’ American Head Charge have all signed on-board on what just might be the heaviest Ozzfest ever. Following a big British blow-out at the Milton Keynes Bowl in England on May 26, Ozzfest 2001 opens full-force stateside at the World Amphitheater in Chicago, Illinois. Launched by the heavy metal pioneer and visionary Ozzy Osbourne, the first Ozzfest, a multi-band festival held in 1996, hit only two markets-Los Angeles and Phoenix-but paved the way for a full-on touring extravaganza the next year. Since then, the Ozzfest has become a… Read more »

The combative brothers in English rock band Oasis have buried the hatchet long enough to survive the first two shows of their North American tour, guitarist Noel Gallagher said Monday. Oasis are co-headlining the road trip with the Black Crowes, an American band also fronted by two squabbling siblings, and the package has been slyly dubbed “The Tour of Brotherly Love.” Noel Gallagher and his younger brother, vocalist Liam, are famous for their public spats, with Noel walking off the group’s European tour last year. A few years ago, the group cut short an American tour because of internal strife.… Read more »

Alanis Morissette is not letting a contract dispute with her label prevent her from hitting the road to try out some new songs. The Canadian pop singer will begin a 12-country tour of European festivals, arenas and clubs in Nuremberg, Germany on June 1, which also happens to be her 27th birthday. She will warm up with two shows at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theater on May 25 and 26, her publicist announced Thursday. Tickets for the El Rey shows will be available exclusively at http://www.alanismorissette.com on May 13 at 10 a.m. PDT. The El Rey holds about 700 people.… Read more »

Pop superstar Madonna may have found a British school for her baby son Rocco when he is a bit older – by dialing a wrong number. Madonna intended to ring the exclusive Cheltenham Ladies College in western England to talk about enrolling her four-year-old daughter Lourdes, but was accidentally put through to the similarly named Cheltenham College, newspapers reported on Tuesday. School porter Roger Northwood, who took the call, managed to persuade the singer that the private 600-pupil mixed college could suit eight-month-old Rocco when he is 10 years older. “Rocco’s obviously a bit young but Madonna is coming for… Read more »

Iggy Pop, the undisputed godfather of punk, is slated to release another blistering sonic assault in July. Entitled “Beat ‘Em Up,” the album is a return to form for the astonishingly ageless Pop, whose last release was 1999’s “Avenue B.” “Beat ‘Em Up,” to be released from Virgin Records America, was produced by Iggy, and engineered by Danny Kader. Joining Iggy are Whitey Kirst (guitar), Alex Kirst (drums), Pete Marshall (guitar) and Lloyd “Mooseman” Roberts (bass). Sadly, Mooseman, formerly of Body Count, was murdered in a drive-by shooting this past winter. Pete Marshall will take over bass duties for Iggy’s… Read more »