Search Results for: european

Even as Chuck Leavell watches Mick Jagger for cues or listens to Keith Richards’ riffs, his mind sometimes drifts from rock ‘n’ roll to the trees and seedlings on his 2,200-acre farm in central Georgia. Being part of one of the world’s great rock bands is just one side of Leavell, who tours with the Rolling Stones but always returns to Charlane Plantation eager to get his hands dirty again. “Part of my job is to really keep a close eye on Mick. They look to me for changes, and to signal to let them know the verse or chorus.… Read more »

On the eve of Madonna’s sold-out, three-month North American tour, America Online, the world’s leading interactive services company, will be offering AOL members a “Madonna All-Access” pass for the ultimate look at her first U.S. tour in eight years. From previously unreleased photos and concert footage to music, videos and more, AOL Music will give fans a one-of-a-kind window on the MADONNA DROWNED WORLD TOUR 2001. The tour which features material selected from her current multi-platinum CD, MUSIC, as well as signature songs spanning the length of her incredible career already wowed European fans with Madonna’s costumes, her choreography and… Read more »

MSN ®, the exclusive online sponsor of Janet Jackson’s “All for You World Tour 2001” concert tour, is connecting Jackson with her fans around the world like never before. From exclusive online interviews and behind-the-scenes video footage to the opportunity to meet Jackson in person, fans will have the ultimate window into the four-time Grammy Award winner’s world during one of the most highly anticipated tours of the year. Beginning today, fans can access all this exclusive content at http://music.msn.com/. “The Internet is a great way for me to stay in touch with my fans,” said Jackson, “and to deliver… Read more »

German media giant Bertelsmann’s shakeup of its flagging music division looks set to continue with U.S.-based subsidiary Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) reportedly looking to lay off hundreds of employees in its efforts to cut costs and raise profits. Rumors followed the appointment last week of former BMG Germany chief Thomas Stein to head BMG’s European division. Stein replaces Richard Griffiths, who is leaving the company by mutual agreement after six months in the job. “We have a new European management team and everything is being reviewed,” said a BMG Europe spokeswoman in Munich, who confirmed that BMG’s top management would… Read more »

Influential guitarist Chet Atkins, who helped modernize country music in the 1960s, paving the way for the massive commercial force that it is today, died in Nashville Saturday. He was 77. In 1973 and in 1997, Atkins had fought both colon cancer and brain cancer, surviving a number of surgeries. Atkins, enjoyed a multi-faceted career: as a sought-after session musician for the likes of Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers; as a prolific recording artist in his own right; and as a veteran Nashville talent scout. His discoveries included Charley Pride and Waylon Jennings. Atkins was one of the most… Read more »

Napster has become so effective in blocking the trade of copyrighted material that the sharing of songs on the service has virtually ground to a halt, research firm Webnoize said on Wednesday. Webnoize said users of Napster’s latest software, which incorporates file identification technology, had an average of 1.5 song files to share at any given time as of Wednesday, down from a peak of 220 songs in February. The newest version of the once-phenomenally popular song-swap software includes audio fingerprinting technology, developed by Relatable, which helps Napster filter out copyrighted songs in order to comply with a court injunction.… Read more »

Prodigy will be playing four European shows in August. Prodigy are currently in the studio working on new material for their fourth album, to be released on Maverick Recording Co. Maverick anticipates an early 2002 release date. Prodigy’s 1997 release, “Fat of the Land”, entered the Billboard Album Chart at #1 and went on to sell two and a half million copies in the U.S. and over seven million copies worldwide. With hits like, “Firestarter,” “Smack My B**** Up” and “Breathe,” the band received major radio airplay and MTV exposure. Prodigy has played to sold-out concert venues nationwide and headlined… Read more »

Southern California punk stalwarts Bad Religion were forced to cancel their European tour due to drummer Bobby Schayer’s shoulder injury. Moreover, the damaged rotator cuff will take him out of the band’s lineup permanently. The injury prohibits Schayer from lifting his arm above his shoulder, effectively ending his drumming career, according to the band’s publicist. Suicidal Tendencies drummer Brooks Wackerman is slated to replace the fallen percussionist. Schayer’s injury has “left us stunned and greatly saddened,” the bandmembers posted on their official Web site (www.badreligion.com). “His doctor tells us that he has lost a very significant amount of motion in… Read more »

Blues legend John Lee Hooker died of natural causes as he slept at his home in Los Altos, south of San Francisco. He was 80 years old. The veteran blues singer recorded more than 100 albums over a career that spanned nearly seven decades. Hooker often recorded under false names, including Texas Slim, John Lee Booker, John Lee Cocker, Delta John, Birmingham Sam, and the Boogie Man. He won a Grammy for a version of “I’m In the Mood,” and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Having recorded his first hit, “Boogie Chillen,” in… Read more »

While the music industry responded aggressively to curb the spread of piracy on the Internet, the number of pirated music discs sold worldwide soared last year. A report released today by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) said that even as music industry worked to curb the spread of piracy on the Internet, the number of pirated music discs sold worldwide soared by 25 percent last year. The report, dubbed “IFPI Music Piracy Report 2001,” goes on to say that a total of 1.8 billion pirate recordings (CDs and cassettes) were estimated to be sold in 2000, meaning… Read more »