Search Results for: EUROPE

EMI Group PLC said Monday it is discussing the possibility of buying Warner Music Group from AOL Time Warner Inc., three years after European regulatory opposition ended their discussions about a possible joint venture. If there were a deal, the combined companies would become the world’s second-largest music group behind Universal. Artists for Warner Music include Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Cher, while EMI artists include The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson and Billy Idol. “Discussions are at a very preliminary stage and there is no assurance that they will result in an agreement acceptable to both parties,” EMI said… Read more »

Bono and President George W. Bush held a candid discussion on AIDS funding on Tuesday (September 16) which the U2 lead singer describes as a “Good ole row.” Back in May, Bush earmarked $3 billion worth of funding to fight AIDS on a global level. But since that time, Congress has only released $2 billion. Speaking at a press conference following their meeting, Bono said Bush is “very passionate about these problems and I believe him. I just can’t agree on the numbers.” Bono has long used his fame as a platform to speak out about AIDS, which has claimed… Read more »

It was a moment that captivated the nation, but what would it have been like if Madonna had picked different kissmates for her VMA performance? As it turns out, Pink was supposed to be there too. “It was originally supposed to be different people involved,” Pink told MTV News Europe, “but I didn’t even know [what was going to happen during the performance]. The kiss wasn’t even talked about.” Rumors had been rampant before the Video Music Awards that Madonna would be taking the stage with representatives of the younger pop generation, but talk had centered mostly on Britney Spears… Read more »

Well, we can’t say we’re surprised. Billy Corgan has reportedly broken up his new alt.rock supergroup Zwan after releasing only one album. Corgan appeared on Chicago’s WGN-Channel 9 news program this morning (September 15) to chat with the talking heads and announce that he’s closed the door on Zwan. He claimed that he just wasn’t feeling the Zwan passion in the same way he did with his old band The Smashing Pumpkins. “My heart was in Smashing Pumpkins,” a surprisingly jovial looking Corgan said. “I really enjoyed my experience with Zwan, but at the end of the day, without that… Read more »

Summer touring partners Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera each saw their latest solo albums reach the triple-platinum plateau in August. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Timberlake’s “Justified” (Jive) and Aguilera’s “Stripped” (RCA) for U.S. shipments of 3 million copies. Both albums debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The artists recently wrapped their co-headlining Justified & Stripped U.S. summer tour and now have set their sights on Europe. Aguilera will begin her own two-month tour there Sept. 12 in Greece with Japanese and Australian dates to follow. Timberlake will tour the region beginning Nov.… Read more »

Sony Corp. plans to launch a music download service in the spring, vice chairman Howard Stringer said Thursday at a gathering of electronics dealers in Paris. Stringer briefly mentioned the initiative during a presentation with Kunitake Ando, president and group chief operating officer of Sony Corp. “We believe in maximizing the opportunities for people to enjoy music by making networks much friendlier places to visit and easier to obtain music from – in a legal manner,” said Stringer, who also is chairman and CEO of Sony Corp. of America. Few details were disclosed at the Sony Dream World exhibition, but… Read more »

AC/DC has come clean about a knife-pulling incident during the group’s 1977 tour opening for Black Sabbath in Europe. In the Cash For Questions fan feature in the new edition of the British music magazine Q, AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young confirms that Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler did pull a knife on his opening act. Young’s version of the story: “We were staying in the same hotel, and Geezer was in the bar, crying in his bear, ’10 years I’ve been in this band, 10 years-wait till you guys have been around 10 years, you’ll feel like us.’ I said ‘I… Read more »

McDonald’s is loving Justin Timberlake as part of its new marketing appeal to today’s customers, culture and lifestyles. The Golden Arches has announced a multi- tiered international partnership with this superstar tied to McDonald’s unprecedented worldwide brand campaign, “i’m lovin’ it,” launching in more than 100 countries beginning this month. “Justin Timberlake is perfect for the McDonald’s brand and our ‘i’m lovin’ it’ campaign, which is all about connecting with our customers in fresh, modern, relevant ways,” said Larry Light, McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer. “As one of music’s hottest young stars, Justin Timberlake is absolutely… Read more »

Kicking off in Scranton, PA on October 17th, Island Records recording artists, Thrice and Thursday join forces for a full scale U.S. tour. This pairing of incredible bands will give fans the opportunity to experience the unbridled energy and emotionally charged sounds of both artists. Thursday and Thrice are representative of a growing new musical scene. As the New York Times Magazine recently wrote, “What do you get when you mix crashing guitars, wrenchingly confessional lyrics and vocals that can peel paint? The new poetics of suburban living.” This two month tour will be sponsored by MTV2 and Alternative Press.… Read more »

JIMI PLAYS BERKELEY is one of the most popular music films of its time and a time capsule of the era. Yet the entire hour-long second set by Jimi Hendrix from the famed 1970 Berkeley concert has never been released on any album in any format – until now. The JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – LIVE AT BERKELEY (Experience Hendrix/UMe), released October 14, 2003, will be issued in both one-CD and numbered limited edition double LP packages. In addition, the previously unreleased performance will be heard in an audio-only 5.1 surround sound mix on the DVD debut of the film JIMI… Read more »