Search Results for: GRAMMYs

“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Michael Stipe asked the crowd soon after R.E.M. took the stage Thursday night at the venerable venue. “Practice,” the crowd blurted in unison. “Well, we didn’t,” Stipe responded. “So if you hear a bum note or something that doesn’t sound right, I urge you to sing louder in your head.” The tour-shy Athens rockers and granola-pop folkie Jewel were among those on hand for an evening of spirited entertainment at “You Gotta Have Friends: Partners in the Fight Against AIDS,” a benefit for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. ( from the event.) Judging… Read more »

Midem kicked off with more flash than usual Saturday with a touch of Britneymania, a surprise appearance from Virgin mogul Richard Branson and the NRJ awards, France’s answer to the Grammys. Pop icon Britney Spears, braving the chill at the 36th installment of the annual music market in a skimpy floral dress, was on hand to promote her upcoming feature film, “Crossroads,” scheduled for Valentine’s Day release in the United States, as well as her third album, “Britney,” already approaching 8 million units worldwide At a packed Carlton hotel press conference, Spears expressed her hopes for her first foray onto… Read more »

Chart-topping singer Dido had her nomination for a British best-newcomer award revoked Wednesday, after officials realized she wasn’t that new after all. The singer, who rose to stardom after rapper Eminem chose her song “Thank You” as the backing track to his chart-topper “Stan,” was nominated Monday in the category for a Brit Award, Britain’s equivalent of the Grammys. Observers pointed out that the 30-year-old Dido, whose real name is Florian Cloud De Bounevialle Armstrong, had been nominated for best female artist the previous year. The Official U.K. Charts Company, which compiled the list of eligible artists, said Wednesday it… Read more »

Gorillaz heads the list of nominees for the 2002 Brit Awards, the U.K. equivalent of the Grammys that primarily honors homegrown talent, earning six nominations for Best British Group, Newcomer, Dance Act, Album (for Gorilliaz), and Single and Video (for “Clint Eastwood”). Dido, Robbie Williams – who led the 2001 Brits with three victories – and Kylie Minogue each earned four nominations, including one shared by Williams and Minogue for their “Kids” video. The Strokes, meanwhile, led all American acts with three nominations for Best International Group, Newcomer and Album, for Is This It, which debuted in the U.K. a… Read more »

Cartoon band Gorillaz has been nominated for six Brit Awards – the U.K.’s equivalent of the Grammys – including best group, album and single for its hit “Clint Eastwood.” In with four nominations in the 14 categories are songstress Dido, pop phenom Robbie Williams and pop diva Kylie Minogue. Up for three are guitar group Travis, R&B singer Craig David and garage band So Solid Crew. Leading in the international categories are New York indie rockers the Strokes, up for three Brits, including group and album. The awards will be presented Feb. 20 at Earl’s Court Arena in London. Traditionally,… Read more »

Billy Joel and Elton John are back together in the new year for the continuation of the pair’s magical “Face To Face” performances kicking off on Sunday, January 13th in Washington, DC at the MCI Center. Billy and Elton first toured the successful “Face To Face” tour in the United States in 1995 and again in 1996. The tour was extended to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Europe in 1998. The 31-date “Face To Face” 2001 tour grossed $59 million. Early sales for the Billy Joel/Elton John “Face To Face” 2002 tour of the American northeast immediately set box office… Read more »

Nelly Furtado is miffed about a midriff. The Canadian singer has complained that a photo of her on the cover of British men’s magazine FHM was digitally altered to show a bare torso – and it’s not hers. “There I am with a shirt that has actually been digitally altered to go to just below my chest, with a stomach that I don’t recognize, saying ‘Nelly Furtado – her sexiest shoot yet,”‘ the singer told British Broadcasting Corp. radio on Monday. “I don’t like being misrepresented to my fans. You work hard to represent a certain thing and have a… Read more »

Self-proclaimed “king of pop” Michael Jackson will dust off a 13-year-old hit song during the American Music Awards Wednesday night – even though it might jeopardize his chances of performing at the more prestigious Grammys seven weeks later. Grammys boss Michael Greene, who is being sued for $10 million by American Music Awards producer Dick Clark for allegedly blackballing acts who appear on the earlier show, said Tuesday he would see what the Gloved One does during the ceremony before deciding whether to send him an invite. “We have 980 nominees and only 14 performance slots. So who in their… Read more »

A California state senator on Monday launched a legislative assault against the music industry on behalf of recording stars like Courtney Love and Don Henley who have been crusading to free artists from record company control. California State Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City) Monday introduced the bill to repeal an amendment won by the music industry in 1987 that keeps recording artists tied to personal contracts longer than talent in other industries like film and television. In announcing the bill at the Future of Music conference in Washington, D.C., Murray said the artist community should take its cue from the… Read more »

Irish rock band U2, which enjoyed a triumphant 2001 playing to sold-out crowds in support of its acclaimed new album, led the list of nominees Friday for the Grammy Awards, the music industry’s top prizes. U2 picked up eight nominations, including the key album, song and record of the year categories, organizers announced at a news conference in Beverly Hills. The group’s four members were “thrilled and really excited, and not at all blase,” U2 manager Paul McGuinness told Reuters from the band’s Dublin base after he tracked them down across Europe to break the good news. “There’s a lot… Read more »