Search Results for: european

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 »

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 »

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 »

Pop star Christina Aguilera has signed on as the international spokesperson for Skechers women’s footwear. The campaign, which will feature print ads and store displays, will launch in October to coincide with the European leg of her co-headlining Justified & Stripped tour with Justin Timberlake. “I agreed to be a part of Skechers’ international marketing team because I like its image – youthful but edgy,” Aguilera says in a statement. “They have attitude and are willing to try new ideas – refreshing.” The U.S. leg of the Justified & Stripped tour has four dates remaining, beginning with Monday’s show in… Read more »

Matchbox Twenty has announced the dates for their upcoming North American tour. The band wrapped up a 10-week tour in July and will hit the road for a North American tour starting September 24 in Tallahassee, Florida. In between, however, Matchbox Twenty will play seven European shows. Guitarist Adam Gaynor revealed that for Matchbox Twenty, touring is hardly a chore. “I think there’s nothing more fun and exhilarating than your own crowd in an indoor setting that’s there to see you, you know what I mean?” Gaynor said. “But when you’re doing your own show they’re there for you and… Read more »

Chiming in with the “Year of the Blues” theme, Jimi Hendrix’s record label is set to release two DVDs and one CD commemorating the American Folk Blues Festival, featuring performances in the early ’60s by folk and blues masters playing to European crowds. “The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966” (Experience Hendrix/Universal Music Enterprises) will be released in two DVD volumes Aug. 26, as will a compilation of 16 audio highlights on one CD. The releases are the first non Hendrix-related items issued by the Experience Hendrix imprint. The DVDs feature 36 previously unreleased performances by the likes of Muddy Waters,… Read more »

Ticket sales from the Dixie Chicks’ current Top Of The World tour are nearing the $60-million mark, setting the trio up to be the top-grossing country tour of the year. With 56 shows under their belt so far, the Dixie Chicks’ average attendance is upwards of 16,000 fans per show. The group’s manager, Simon Renshaw, told Billboard, “The bottom line is, for all the so-called controversy…the Dixie Chicks’ fans remained totally loyal throughout the tour,” referring to lead singer Natalie Maine’s much-publicized anti-Bush comment. The Dixie Chicks will wrap up the North America leg of their tour on August 13… Read more »

Deftones lead singer Chino Moreno has suffered what doctors are calling a “severe groin injury,” necessitating the cancellation of two of the band’s headlining off-dates on the current Summer Sanitarium tour with Metallica, Linkin Park and others. The canceled concerts are Tuesday, August 5th at the Salt Air Pavilion in Salt Lake City, Utah and Wednesday, August 6th at the Big Easy in Boise, Idaho. The group is then expected to rejoin the Summer Sanitarium tour for its remaining dates in early August, although Moreno will be required to restrict his on-stage movements. The Deftones, who have expressed regret over… Read more »

Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington must have realized lately that a hospital is somewhere he belongs. Back in May, the ill-fated screamer was diagnosed with a crippling back and stomach ailment that forced the band to cancel 12 European shows. Despite thorough investigation, doctors were unable to pinpoint the source of Bennington’s mysterious problem. Rather, they have merely speculated that it could have been either an intestinal disorder or a parasite, the latter of which may have been transmitted to Bennington through improperly cooked food (that’ll teach ‘em to let Fred Durst grill the burgers next time…). Since then, things… Read more »

Parents, roommates – even grandparents – are being targeted in the music industry’s new campaign to track computer users who share songs over the Internet, bringing the threat of expensive lawsuits to more than college kids. “Within five minutes, if I can get hold of her, this will come to an end,” said Gordon Pate of Dana Point, California, when told by The Associated Press that a federal subpeona had been issued over his daughter’s music downloads. The subpoena required the family’s Internet provider to hand over Pate’s name and address to lawyers for the recording industry. Pate, 67, confirmed… Read more »