Search Results for: decade

For what was supposed to be a valentine to Bono (“Bahn-o”), there sure were a lot of references to Bono (“Bone-o”) Thursday night. First, on the red carpet leading into the new Kodak Theatre, Evan and Jaron joked that they thought the inaugural “Love Rocks” concert was honoring the late Sonny Bono. Then, R.E.M. carried on the joke by bringing out Cher during their four-song set to duet with singer Michael Stipe on “I Got You Babe,” after which Cher said, “I’ve never done that song without my Bono, so that was for you, Bono.” Finally, when accepting his Heart… Read more »

Viacom yesterday reported results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2001. For 2001, Viacom reported a 16 percent increase in revenues to $23.22 billion, but also reported a net loss of $224 million, or a loss of $.13 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2001, including a net loss of $43 million, or a loss of $.02 per share, for the fourth quarter. Viacom recorded full year 2001 pro forma revenues of $23.20 billion and pro forma EBITDA of $5.07 billion, compared with pro forma revenues of $23.09 billion and pro forma EBITDA of… Read more »

The lineup of musical acts at this year’s Super Bowl is so long that you might think the football game was the sideshow. The National Football League says it will be the most entertainment-packed Super Bowl ever, with performances by U2, PaulMcCartney, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Marc Anthony and others – not just on Super Bowl Sunday, but throughout the weekend. Part of the reason for the celebrity overflow is a patriotic theme after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which caused the Super Bowl to be pushed back a week. “With the events of September 11th, we’ve redefined and… Read more »

If Fu Manchu were hoping to find a few friendly faces when unveiling new material Tuesday night at the Troubadour, the stoner rock outfit was undoubtedly stoked by the warm welcome it found. By the time the band hit the stage at 11 p.m. to kick off its U.S. tour, the club was packed and the crowd was by all indications “into it,” if otherwise meditatively subdued in their devotion. Those in attendance, including former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, were clearly devotees of the Fu, nodding their heads along to the band’s low-end celebrations of surfing, skating, B-movies… Read more »

If you’ve always thought Britney Spears was ahead of her time, here’s your chance to take a backwards glance at the pop princess as she would have appeared at the height of the doo-wop explosion, the ’60s beach-blanket blitz and the psychedelic Flower Power era. Britney Spears will reprise her role as Pepsi pitchwoman in commercial breaks during Sunday’s Super Bowl, according to a spokesperson for the soft-drink company. Spears will perform her renditions of Pepsi jingles past and present in “Now and Then,” a 90-second spot that revisits the company’s ad themes of the past five decades, including the… Read more »

The Stone Pony, a mecca for fans of Jersey shore rock ‘n’ roll, appears to have survived a brush with destruction, officials said on Thursday. The dilapidated nightclub, a musical home to such legends as Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, will be incorporated into a tentative plan to help revitalize the decayed beachfront of Asbury Park, New Jersey, they said. Original plans called for the Stone Pony – the best-known place to catch an impromptu Springsteen appearance – to be demolished or moved, but a rollicking campaign by devoted patrons ensued to preserve the squat, grimy building now sitting amid… Read more »

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. reported financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2001, which marked the rollout of America’s first nationwide digital satellite radio service. In its first eight weeks of nationwide operation, XM signed up more than 30,000 customers, including 27,733 subscribers through December 31, 2001, making it the fastest-selling audio product in 20 years. XM was launched nationwide on November 12, 2001, with a lineup of 100 channels of music, news, sports and entertainment and has drawn acclaim from subscribers, listeners, retailers and the press, including being named “Product of the Year” by… Read more »

Pop diva Mariah Carey was axed by record company EMI on Wednesday with a $28 million pay-off, as the British music group decided it could not justify her huge contract after a dismal year for the company. EMI severed its ties with the Grammy-winning American vocalist after signing her to its Virgin Records label only last year in one of the most expensive recording contracts ever. Carey’s first album for Virgin, “Glitter,” fell well short of her previous hits, selling just two million copies worldwide. EMI’s shares fell 0.72 percent to 344 pence in early trade in London, as the… Read more »

Foo Fighters will be taking a break from the recording of their upcoming fourth album to play a special one-off benefit for MAP (Musicians’ Assistance Program). MAP is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by Buddy Arnold and his wife Carole Fields to provide treatment for musicians addicted to drugs and alcohol. The February 7th benefit is being organized at the behest of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who has found MAP’s services invaluable in his recent struggle with substance abuse. “Plain and simple: I’m a recovering addict,” says Hawkins. “Buddy, Carole and MAP have helped me, friends of mine,… Read more »

Life is making rocker Steven Tyler pinch himself these days. With his band Aerosmith receiving four Grammy nominations, including best rock album, and his daughter, Liv, co-starring in the box-office hit “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” Tyler is thrilled. “Am I surprised that things have turned out like this? I have to pinch myself every day,” the 53-year-old Tyler told the Los Angeles Times for Sunday’s editions. “Life is really beautiful.” Tyler said he’s also happy that for the first time in Aerosmith’s nearly three-decade career, the group had control over production of their latest… Read more »