Search Results for: thursday

For those still scratching their heads over Lance Bass’ plans to become the youngest space traveler ever, you’re not alone. A spokesman for Russia’s space agency, Rosaviakosmos, said Thursday that they haven’t started any talks with Netherlands-based MirCorp about sending the ‘N Syncer into space. And while it’s entirely possible Bass could still realize his $25 million Rocket Man dream, the pop star’s announcement “is as if I said I had bought Australia,” Rosaviakosmos spokesman Sergei Gorbunov tells Reuters. “MirCorp has no right to sell these flights. They have no link to Rosaviakosmos, we have no contract linking us.” They… Read more »

What was supposed to be a peaceful, private gathering of the West Coast hip-hop community on Thursday turned into a heated four-hour open-mic assembly dominated by two very different sermons: one from Minister Louis Farrakhan and one from Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight. Tempers flared at the West Coast Hip-Hop Summit inside the posh ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel when Knight spent much of his time at the podium insulting everyone from Dr. Dre, Eminem and Master P to Janet Jackson, women and homosexuals. Knight’s tirades prompted a few outbursts and resulted in several people storming out… Read more »

For what was supposed to be a valentine to Bono (“Bahn-o”), there sure were a lot of references to Bono (“Bone-o”) Thursday night. First, on the red carpet leading into the new Kodak Theatre, Evan and Jaron joked that they thought the inaugural “Love Rocks” concert was honoring the late Sonny Bono. Then, R.E.M. carried on the joke by bringing out Cher during their four-song set to duet with singer Michael Stipe on “I Got You Babe,” after which Cher said, “I’ve never done that song without my Bono, so that was for you, Bono.” Finally, when accepting his Heart… Read more »

No Doubt drummer Adrian Young became a father Saturday (February 9) when his wife gave birth to Mason James Young in a Southern California hospital. The visibly elated father arrived to perform with his band at the Love Rocks event honoring U2’s Bono in Hollywood on Thursday (February 14.) Young, wearing hospital garb, said, “Well, I’m still in my scrubs ’cause I haven’t gone home yet. The baby’s still in the hospital. I take him home after the gig’s over. It happened on Saturday but they’ve been giving him antibiotics and now we’re taking him home tonight.” The reason for… Read more »

Chart-topping singer Robbie Williams and his publisher must pay $71,000 in royalties to the owners of a song whose lyrics he plagiarized, a judge ruled Thursday. Judge Nicholas Pumfrey rejected a request for more damages from Ludlow Music Inc., which holds the copyright to the Woody Guthrie song “I Am the Way.” The High Court ruled in October 2000 that Williams had copied substantial portions of the song for “Jesus in a Camper Van,” a track from his 1998 album “I’ve Been Expecting You.” The original song, which Guthrie wrote in 1961 and Loudon Wainwright III adapted in 1973, included… Read more »

Eight years ago, President Clinton made headlines on MTV, not with some sober policy initiative, but an infamous reply to a 24-year-old’s impertinent question about whether he preferred “boxers or briefs.” (Mostly briefs, came the answer.) Tonight, MTV offers a new political forum – for a more world-conscious post-Sept. 11 age – in what’s billed as a “global discussion” with Secretary of State Colin Powell. Experts say the session is a smart “brand-building” tool that helps the cable network solidify its status as an outlet for political expression – and not just music videos – among the nation’s youth. “Teens… Read more »

Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, Sting, Randy Newman, and Ashford & Simpson have been named as the next inductees to the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. The songwriters-all of whom are also performing artists in their own right-will be honored during the 33rd annual Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony and dinner in June. Songwriter Hal David, the Hall’s chairman and CEO, said during the announcement on Monday (February 11), “The Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards & Dinner is so important because it’s a time when some of the premier songwriters in the world come together to honor their own. That kind… Read more »

“Songs in A Minor” may turn Alicia Keys into a major hit. Keys received four nominations for the 16th annual Soul Train Music Awards – leading soul songstresses India.Arie and the late performer Aaliyah, with three each. Veteran R&B singers the Isley Brothers, making a comeback more than 42 years after their first hit single “Shout,” also gathered three nominations Thursday. Keys also is up for six Grammys for the album “Songs in A Minor,” while India.Arie has seven Grammy nominations for her debut album “Acoustic Soul.” Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash last August at age 22, has… Read more »

Someone got past Janet Jackson’s velvet rope. While the pop diva was entertaining fans Wednesday night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a 19-year-old man was allegedly breaking into her dressing room, police said. Mario Backman of Manhattan was charged with third-degree burglary after the singer’s managers found him inside Jackson’s dressing room, said Detective Sgt. John Giambrone, a Nassau County police spokesman. Backman had allegedly taken some stuffed animals, an FDNY cap and correspondence, police said Thursday. The 35-year-old singer, who released the hit album “The Velvet Rope” in 1997, is nearing the end of a long tour in… Read more »

Janet Jackson’s dressing room was broken into on Wednesday night (February 7) while the singer was on stage performing to the packed house at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. Police charged Mario Backman for burglary after he was found trying to pilfer personal items belonging to Jackson from the backstage area. Detective Lieutenant Kevin Smith of the Nassau County Police Department revealed that Backman was a ticketholder to the concert who somehow made his way into a restricted area. “At one point he made his way backstage, or into a back dressing room-which was actually her dressing room-and… Read more »