Search Results for: thursday

The rock band U2 had the second biggest tour ever during a year in which concert industry business was off but ticket prices continued to rise, an industry trade publication said Thursday. The top 100 concert tours sold 34.4 million tickets in 2001, down about 7 percent from 37.1 million the year before, according to an analysis by Pollstar magazine. U2, coming off one of its strongest albums, sold out arenas across the country with a well-received back-to-basics show. They even added dates after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The band’s $109.7 million in estimated ticket sales is second only… Read more »

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on $75 million worth of metals, footwear and other goods from Ukraine in retaliation for piracy of music compact discs and other optical media products in that country. The action, which takes effect Jan. 23, follows repeated U.S. warnings over the past two years that Ukraine could face sanctions unless it cracked down on the illegal copying. “The United States is moving forcefully to protect its rights,” U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said in a statement. “We hope Ukraine will now redouble its efforts to deal with intellectual property rights and pass the… Read more »

Just when you thought the mystery of where ex-Beatle George Harrison died might have been solved, it may actually have deepened. A spokesman for ex-Beatle Paul McCartney Thursday strongly denied a local television report that said Harrison, who died of cancer in Los Angeles on Nov. 29, passed away at a house owned by McCartney. He also said McCartney did not even own a house in California. The Los Angeles affiliate of the UPN network, UPN News 13, reported Tuesday that Harrison died at a secluded home in Beverly Hills that McCartney bought from rock star Courtney Love six months… Read more »

Scott Weiland pleaded guilty to domestic battery in Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday and was ordered to attend 26 counseling sessions. Judge Douglas Smith approved a plea bargain that will dismiss the case against the Stone Temple Pilots singer in six months if the counseling sessions are completed and there are no further incidents. Weiland was arrested in November at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for allegedly grabbing his wife’s arms and pushing her against the wall several times. Mary Weiland told police the incident began when the couple got into a verbal argument after she… Read more »

Reggae artist Shaggy’s “Hotshot” album was the hottest-selling record in 2001, totaling 5.5 million units sold since January, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said on Thursday. Certified six times Platinum for sales of one million units, Shaggy was among three very diverse artists jockeying for best-selling record of the year. “Hotshot” was followed closely behind by Irish new age artist Enya’s “A Day Without Rain” and ‘N Sync’s “Celebrity,” which each sold five million copies this year, tying them for second. Shaggy’s album, released in late 2000, had sold about 500,000 copies prior to January 2001, the RIAA… Read more »

Dream Street is gearing up to hit the road early next year with Aaron Carter. The Aaron Carter/Dream Street Tour kicks off on January 25th, 2002 in Jacksonville, FL. In addition, Dream Street will warm up to Florida as the opening act for Britney Spears in Tampa, Florida on December 18th, 2001 at the Ice Palace Arena. Dream Street’s self-titled debut (UEG Records / edel Entertainment July 10th) has sold over 500,000 units and certified gold in just under six months of release. The album debuted at #37 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart and at #1 on Billboard’s Independent… Read more »

Veteran rocker David Bowie has quit the Virgin Records label, which released his last three albums, and set up an independent music company, he announced on his Web site. “I’ve had one too many years of bumping heads with corporate structure,” Bowie, 54, said in a fresh blow to the record label this year. “Many times I’ve not been in agreement with how things are done and as a writer of some proliferation, frustrated at how slow and lumbering it all is. I’ve dreamed of embarking on my own set-up for such a long time and now is the perfect… Read more »

Punk rock will get its proper place in music history as pioneers the Ramones and Talking Heads are among the inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2002, it was announced Thursday. Memphis icon and “Shaft” composer Isaac Hayes, rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and 1960s stars Brenda Lee and Gene Pitney where also voted in. Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart was named the “nonperformer” inductee, and guitar legend Chet Atkins will be inducted in the “sidemen” category. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Eligible artists who did… Read more »

A few punks, a scruffy “Refugee” and the most sex-crazed chef on television are crashing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Punk rock pioneers the Ramones and Talking Heads, Southern rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and soul singer Isaac Hayes will lead the class of 2002 when they are inducted into the rock hall on March 18, organizers announced Thursday (December 13). Other artists recognized include ’60s icons Brenda Lee and Gene Pitney, guitar great Chet Atkins, and Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart. Atkins, who crafted the sound of country music before moving on to record with Elvis… Read more »

Four of the biggest names in the entertainment industry reveal intimate insights when they join BET Tonight With Ed Gordon for a week of “all-star” celebrity interviews. One of America’s top television interviewers, Gordon sits down this week with Jamie Foxx, R. Kelly, Halle Berry and Will Smith for exclusive insights into their lives and their work. Gordon wraps the week by addressing America’s infatuation with celebrities on his regular Friday night roundtable. Each Friday on the show, Gordon gathers a diverse panel of personalities from various backgrounds for spirited debates on the latest news headlines and topics. The celebrity… Read more »