Search Results for: madonna

An array of music stars, from songstress Emmylou Harris to the rock band R.E.M., wrapped up a week of sold-out benefit concerts here Monday, raising $1 million for a United Nations food program, organizers said Monday. The Groundwork 2001 benefit series of six nightly concerts in three Seattle venues, which was streamed across the Internet, opened Oct. 14 with a line-up that included Harris, Dave Matthews and lesser-known talents such as alternative pop artist Daniel Lanois and gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama. “It’s an old trick (to) have the person outside the tent who gets the people inside,” Harris… Read more »

Maverick Recording Co. announces the signing of worldwide DJ phenomenon Paul Oakenfold to make his debut album as a solo recording artist. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Paul,” said Guy Oseary, Maverick co-partner and CEO. “As a DJ, he’s the best at what he does, and we’re determined to help him reach the widest audience possible as an electronic artist.” While Maverick is best known as the label founded by Madonna, Oseary says Oakenfold’s signing fits the label’s history of bringing electronic music to a larger audience. He cites Madonna’s own work with electronic producers like William Orbit… Read more »

God gave Mick Jagger everything, and in return, the Rolling Stones singer is giving a song with that title to radio and video outlets. “God Gave Me Everything,” co-written and produced by Jagger and Lenny Kravitz, is the first single from Jagger’s Goddess in the Doorway, which has been pushed back two weeks to November 20, Virgin Records announced on Thursday (October 18). “You’re talking about a guy who wrote some of the best songs ever in the world, and whose music helped define an era,” Kravitz, who worked with Jagger in Miami, said on Thursday. “He’s royalty… And he’s… Read more »

Teen pop diva Brtiney Spears will pair up with AOL Time Warner Inc. through a strategic pact that will promote the artist across the AOL Internet unit, the world’s biggest Internet and media firm said Thursday. As part of the pact, AOL’s 31 million members will get exclusive online activities such as exclusive chats with the pop star, access to music and videos, as well as concert promotions with Spears during the fall. AOL Time Warner, home to artists such as Madonna and Jewel, will promote the artist’s albums and live tour. Spears has said that she will donate $1… Read more »

While concert ticket sales have begun to rebound for top-level acts since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, it’s the medium-range and niche bands that have felt the pinch and are likely to suffer further, industry insiders said. Ticket sales for such mainstream acts as Madonna, U2, Elton John, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Buffett continue to be strong, while tours catering to a niche teen demographic are not selling as well. Notable examples, according to sources, include the Family Values Tour, featuring Linkin Park, Staind and Stone Temple Pilots, and the Pledge of Allegiance tour, which… Read more »

The September 11th terrorist attacks pulled dozens of high-profile musicians into spirited rounds of fundraising and flag waving. But Groundwork 2001, a benefit to alleviate hunger, began Sunday night, showing that such charity existed before the attacks and will presumably continue after the furor dies down. The opening show was suitably eclectic, featuring Daniel Lanois, Philip Glass, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews. After four smaller shows during the week – featuring Joe Strummer, the Wallflowers, Heart and others – next Monday’s grand finale boasts R.E.M., Pearl Jam and Alanis Morissette, with Gwyneth Paltrow as the… Read more »

No Doubt began as a good-time ska-party band, full of California sunshine. But in the last few years, that’s been obscured by smog: bruised egos within the band, gloomy lyrics and weak record sales for last year’s Return of Saturn. The bad times are all gone on their upcoming album, Rock Steady, reports singer Gwen Stefani. “We’re not taking ourselves so seriously,” she says. “It’s like, get over it. We’re a fucking band and we’re really lucky to be doing what we do.” Rock Steady, out December 18th, is a sweet pop confection, made with arrays of keyboards, a dance-floor… Read more »

No Doubt might as well change their name to No Rules for their upcoming album. Rock Steady, due December 18, is a scattered collection of pop, rock, rap and reggae songs produced by everyone from Prince to Dr. Dre. Singer Gwen Stefani, all smiles talking about her band’s fifth album during the video shoot for the all-star “What’s Going On” remake, explained how her band of brothers returned from Saturn with an urge to do something different. “After 14 years of being a band, you build all these rules up,” Stefani said, adjusting her shiny No Doubt belt buckle. “That’s… Read more »

Singer, musician, composer, actress, dancer, businesswoman, role model and leader – Aaliyah had accomplished incredible things by the time she turned 22. But Aaliyah Dana Houghton, the reigning Queen of Urban Pop, wasn’t sitting still. She was hard at work, shooting her next video, when a plane crash ended her life on August 25 – leaving her family, friends and fans to ask “How?” and “Why?” “Behind the Music: Aaliyah” traces the all-too-brief life story of this soaring young superstar when the latest episode of VH1’s Emmy-nominated hit series debuts on Sunday, October 14 at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). “Behind the… Read more »

As Fred Durst says, the title tells it all: New Old Songs. The Neptunes do it all for the nookie, Timbaland tries a mission impossible and P. Diddy shows his way on Limp Bizkit’s upcoming remix album, due in December. Also among the hitmakers who are contributing versions of Bizkit’s songs are DJ Premier and William Orbit – in addition to Limp’s own DJ Lethal, guitarist Wes Borland and Durst. “The remixes are like brand new songs,” Durst said Thursday. “We’re writing our new record, so this is something you can put in your stereos and bump to.” E-40 and… Read more »