Search Results for: sting

When word came out last week that Hoobastank were canceling the remainder of their U.S. tour, fans began to worry. After all, this isn’t something that happens all the time. For a band that’s been on the road nonstop for more than 14 months to skip out on some shows must mean that something cataclysmic has happened. A meteor striking the Earth. A volcanic eruption. A motorbike accident, like the one guitarist Dan Estrin suffered in 2003. But it actually was a nasty case of bronchial pneumonia that sidelined Hooba frontman Doug Robb, finally bringing their whirlwind four-continent jaunt to… Read more »

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – A judge denied a defense bid to delay Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial, saying it would be “a huge step backward” and clearing the way for the trial to begin next month as planned. Judge Rodney S. Melville also refused to dismiss the case for what his defense lawyers had argued was “vindictive prosecution and outrageous government conduct.” Jackson attorney Robert Sanger had asked Melville to postpone the trial for three months, allowing attorneys time to sort through 14,000 pages of evidence filed by prosecutors. The request stalled at Monday’s pre-trial hearing for Jackson, who was… Read more »

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Prosecutors in Michael Jackson’s child molestation case are pushing to introduce evidence of alleged wrongdoing in the past during pre-trial hearings scheduled to begin Monday. Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting a boy, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol, to his alleged victim. He faces trial on Jan. 31. The Santa Barbara district attorney’s office is asking the judge to allow evidence that Jackson has committed other sex crimes over the years that went uncharged, such as a 1993 molestation case that was settled out of court. Prosecutors said in their filing that the evidence… Read more »

Hong Kong – Stanley Cheung has been named Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company (China), it was announced today by Andy Bird, President, Walt Disney International. In this capacity, Mr. Cheung will be responsible for driving the company’s strategy, coordinating all of Disney’s business efforts in China, including overseeing Disney’s global brands in the market, expanding existing businesses and seeking out new business opportunities. With Mr. Cheung’s appointment, Disney will now have its existing businesses in China managed locally, with all business segments reporting into Mr. Cheung, as well as their respective business units. Mr. Cheung will be based in… Read more »

New York – The year began with the Super Bowl halftime show fiasco and ended with aftershocks from Howard Stern flipping his detractors the bird and taunting the Federal Communications Commission with a just-try-and-get-me-now move to satellite radio. Between those two seismic events, the FCC levied a record number of indecency fines, responding to an avalanche of complaints carefully orchestrated by conservative zealots and election year political pressure. The results from the government crackdown were widespread. Top-rated personalities were fired. Zero-tolerance edicts were issued. On-air delays and indecency tutorials became commonplace. Warhorses like Pink Floyd’s “Money,” Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer”… Read more »

Atlanta – James Brown underwent successful surgery Wednesday to treat his recently diagnosed prostate cancer. “Mr. Brown has successfully undergone a localized prostate cancer procedure and is resting comfortably,” Dr. James Bennett, his urologist, said in a statement. “We expect a full recovery. With proper follow-up and care, we can also expect a full cure.” The 71-year-old “Godfather of Soul” was released Wednesday afternoon from the Midtown Urology Surgical Center in Atlanta. As he walked out of the clinic to his limousine, Brown was wearing sunglasses, a hat and a big smile. “I feel good,” Brown told reporters outside, playing… Read more »

New York – As rap stars go, Jin has the typical look down cold: Hoodie, baggy sweats, chunky diamond stud earring, a Chinese character tattooed on his neck and a large blingy necklace. Not everything’s typical, though. “Yeah, I’m Chinese. And what?” he asks with mock exasperation. At just 22, the Miami-bred, New York-based rapper is something of a pioneer – the first Asian-American hip-hop artist to get a major solo record deal. At the same time, he worries that it’s his race, not his rhymes, generating all the attention. “Being Asian helps me so much,” he says. “It definitely… Read more »

Madonna has reinvented herself once again, this time as the top touring act of 2004. The singer’s Re-Invention Tour was the year’s biggest grosser, according to Billboard Boxscore, taking in $125 million through September and scoring 55 sellouts out of 56 shows. The elaborate concerts averaged $2.23 million each night. Another ’80s icon, Prince, came in second place, with one of his most successful tours in more than a decade. Playing to more people than any other artist (almost 1.5 million), Prince’s Musicology tour grossed $90.2 million. Country star Shania Twain was third, playing to almost 950,000 fans and grossing… Read more »

Los Angeles – Nearly 10 years into his career, Xzibit is on a roll. Now in the second season of hosting the popular MTV series “Pimp My Ride,” the West Coast rapper is busy promoting his fifth album, “Weapons of Mass Destruction,” which Columbia will release Dec. 14. His acting chops are also getting a workout. His cameo in Eminem’s “8 Mile” has segued into a role alongside Ice Cube in the upcoming “XXX” sequel, “XXX State of the Union.” Xzibit also has a part in the forthcoming Jennifer Aniston/Clive Owen suspense thriller, “Derailed.” While he enjoys the wider audience… Read more »

BURBANK, Calif. – The inspiring holiday adventure “The Polar Express,” from Warner Bros. Pictures, continues to defy conventional box office fall-off patterns with significantly increasing grosses that crossed the $100 million mark Friday and gained through the weekend for a cumulative total of $109,826,809 and no end in sight. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. Still at full steam in its fifth week, “The Polar Express” remains the only movie in wide release setting an exceptional upward trend in box office receipts, grossing over $9.5 million this weekend and posting… Read more »