Search Results for: the wonder years

Newport Beach doesn’t raise no quitters. Sugar Ray first presented themselves in 1995 as horn-dog pop funksters with Lemonade and Brownies and were roundly ignored. Floored appeared two years later with a gloss of self-parodying Swingers hip, and the lilting “Fly” took wing, planting band mouthpiece Mark McGrath’s chiseled cheekbones and parti-colored hair in front of every camera or mike that would pause long enough to listen to him joshingly appreciate his group’s success. Having been tagged nobodies and one-hit wonders, Sugar Ray got both mad and even, releasing 14:59 – their position on the clock of fleeting fame –… Read more »

MCY today announced the signing of legendary rocker Dave Mason to MCY’s subsidiary, Pyramid Music. Pyramid will create a digital production from a June 2001 Dave Mason Band North American tour performance, which will be released on CD and DVD, as well as distributed through television and secure digital distribution channels. MCY CEO Bernhard Fritsch said, “We’re proud to help Dave bring his compelling, timeless rock into the digital era. He revolutionized rock-n-roll with Traffic and has been a powerful influence ever since.” Pyramid President Alan Jacobi concurred, adding, “Dave always pushes the limits to give fans an extraordinary experience.… Read more »

Fat chance Melanie Szepvolgyi is going to forget this year’s HFStival. Out of the 30-plus bands at the two-day musical extravaganza going on at RFK Stadium, she had wanted most to see Coldplay, the up and coming Britpop band. She was as surprised as anyone yesterday when lead singer Chris Martin pulled her up on stage to sing. “I was in the front of the stage, and nobody knew them up there. [People in the crowd] were being so rude and obnoxious,” said the still-glowing 24-year-old who had flown in from Columbus, Ohio. “Then they started playing my favorite song,… Read more »

The plot was spoiled well before Eric Clapton even took the stage of Dallas’ Reunion Arena for the maiden performance of his 2001 Reptile tour. Opening act Doyle Bramhall II and his band Smokestack may have kicked off Thursday night’s show with a thunderous roar reminiscent of Clapton in his Cream days, but the three chairs brought front and center before the main event was a tell-tale sign that there would be no more of that tomfoolery. Not that Clapton didn1t receive an honest-to-god, three-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, guitar hero’s welcome when he walked out on… Read more »

British rocker Phil Collins and his third wife, Swiss-born Orianne, have had their first child, the star’s publicist said on Tuesday. Orianne gave birth to Nicholas Grev Austin on Saturday in Geneva, Switzerland, where the couple now live. “It is difficult to express just how happy Orianne and I are with the arrival of little Nicholas,” the 50-year-old legend said in a statement. He married Orianne, 22 years his junior, in July 1999. Collins has three other children, Simon, Joley and Lily, by his first two marriages. The stocky drummer who became frontman for the hugely successful band Genesis has… Read more »

Citing the powerful allure that Napster’s free service has had on millions of music fans, the head of MusicNet – a new music subscription joint venture backed by three of the world’s biggest record labels – sounded a note of cautious optimism Tuesday. “It’s still unproven that people will go from paying zero to a reliable but paid service,” said Rob Glaser, chief executive of media software giant RealNetworks Inc. and acting CEO of MusicNet. “I’m optimistic, but until it plays out in the marketplace, its not proven,” Glaser said, speaking at a Beverly Hills breakfast for entertainment executives and… Read more »

Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications has created a music recording and publishing division, which will be headed by Jose Behar – the Latin music veteran who discovered Tejano singing sensation Selena. The new subsidiary, Univision Music Group, is headquartered in Los Angeles. As part of its music assets, Univision is acquiring a 50% interest in Disa Records, a privately held indie label based in Monterrey, Mexico, whose roster includes Los Angeles Azules. Disa’s owners, the Chavez family, will retain the other 50% and will continue to manage the business. Terms were not disclosed. Univision also announced an exclusive distribution accord with… Read more »

With the passing of Joey Ramone on Sunday, music fans lost a genius who changed the world, according to the many artists – from Blink-182 to the Go-Go’s – who were influenced by the lanky, leather jacket-clad godfather of punk rock. “I wish I could have met him and told him what a huge influence he had on my life, and what an inspiration his music was, and what a genius he really was,” Blink-182 singer/bassist Mark Hoppus said. “The Ramones came out at a time when music wasn’t being done like that, and they came out with three-chord pop-punk… Read more »

Oh, what a week it was for music news. My head hurts just thinking about it. No, wait – that’s just my hangover. Twelve-time Brit Award winner and international chart topper Robbie Williams disclosed plans to release a version of “We Are the Champions,” recorded with the remaining members of Queen. Poor Freddie Mercury is pirouetting in his grave. Williams also told a British chat show he’s been wrestling with alcoholism off-and-on for the past four years. Let’s hope he sobers up for good before somebody convinces him to tackle “Radio Ga Ga.” Mariah Carey’s new deal with Virgin Records… Read more »

Despite it being the basis of their latest single, Good Charlotte don’t need much motivation these days. Twin brothers Joel and Benji, whose “The Motivation Proclamation” is getting increasing spins at radio and video outlets, didn’t have to be asked twice to appear as prom entertainment in the upcoming comedy “Teen Movie,” nor did it take much prodding to get them to accept an invitation from the Vans Warped Tour. Lately, Good Charlotte’s drive and enthusiasm rivals even the most ambitious up-and-comers, however that wasn’t always the case. “There was a point, especially before we got signed, when there was… Read more »