Music News

Van Halen Has Postponed a Huge Chunk of Their Tour Without Explanation

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:44:00 GMT

VAN HALEN won't be touring as much as we thought this summer. The band has reportedly postponed more than 30 dates, beginning with a show that was scheduled for July 7th in Uncasville, Connecticut. They had 31 shows booked between then and September 25th, and all of them have been postponed. There are no make-up dates yet. Apparently, they WILL go through with the 14 shows they have between now and the end of June.

For what it's worth, the tour seems to be selling very well, but a source tells "Rolling Stone" that the Van Halen members, "hate each other. The band is arguing like mad. They are fighting." That's all we know for now.

By the way, DAVID LEE ROTH stopped a concert in Canada earlier this week to chastise a fan for throwing garbage onstage. Diamond Dave said, "Wait a second, wait a second . . . don't throw your garbage up on stage, throw your girlfriend, [A-hole]." (There's video on YouTube.)

Donna Summer's Death: The Celebrities React

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:43:00 GMT

Naturally, a ton of singers and various other celebrities had something to say about DONNA SUMMER'S death. Here are the highlights:

Aretha Franklin: "So shocking to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. In the '70s, she reigned over the disco era and kept the disco jumping. Who will forget 'Last Dance'? A fine performer and a very nice person."

Barbra Streisand: "I was shocked to hear about Donna. She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It's so sad."

Quincy Jones: "Rest in Peace dear Donna Summer. Your voice was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade."

President Obama: "Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. Donna truly was the 'Queen of Disco.' Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon."

Chaka Khan: "Donna and I had a friendship for over 30 years. She's one of the few black women I could speak German with and she is one of the few friends I had in this business." (I love you, Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan! Ich liebe dich! I really hope you find another black woman to speak German with.)

Slash: "R.I.P. Donna Summer. She was the Queen of Disco no doubt. Although I pretty much loathed disco, I always thought she was pretty cool."

Janet Jackson: "We will miss Donna Summer! She changed the world of music with her beautiful voice and incredible talent."

LaToya Jackson: "My condolences to Donna Summer's family and love ones. She will be terribly missed. She was truly the Disco Queen!"

Neil Patrick Harris: "Donna Summer passed away today. Same day as Jim Henson, 22 years ago." In honor of both, he linked to a YouTube video of The Muppets singing Donna's "Hot Stuff". (Here's the link.) (Technically, Jim Henson died the day BEFORE, on May 16th, 1990.)

Mary J. Blige: "R.I.P. Donna Summer! You were truly a game changer!"

Kate Walsh from "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice": "I remember buying Donna Summer's 'I Remember Yesterday' when I was 10, and being obsessed with 'I Feel Love'."

Ryan Seacrest: "I remember sitting in the front seat of my mom's Toyota while she sang Donna Summer's 'She Works Hard for the Money'. Songs were just classic."

Harry Wayne Casey, "KC" of KC and the Sunshine Band: "It's just very sad . . . she was so young and vibrant . . . her voice was smooth and comforting . . . We just saw each other several months ago. She was beautiful as ever and her voice as strong as when I met her and we had some great laughs and a stroll down memory lane."

Piers Morgan: "R.I.P. Donna. [I] dined with her a few months ago, and she sang 'Amazing Grace' to guests with stunning power. Great lady, wonderful talent."

Alyssa Milano: "I used to do interpretative dance in my living room to Donna Summer's music when I was a little girl. Rest in peace."

Jaleel White: "She was one of the best guest stars we ever had on 'Family Matters'. She will be missed." (Donna played Urkel's aunt on two episodes.)

Elton John: "I'm so sad. This woman was the queen of disco and so much more. Her records sound as good today as they ever did. That she has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace, especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted. She's a great friend to me . . . and I will miss her greatly."

And Katharine McPhee has given us the obligatory, "So-and-so is now doing such-and-such in Heaven" tribute. She said, quote, "R.I.P. Donna Summer. Hope you're dancing up there."

Donna Summer Dead at the Age of 63

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Disco legend Donna Summer died Thursday at age 63 after a battle with cancer. TMZ was the first to report the singer's death, and the site reports that she was recording an album at the time of her death.

The Grammy-winning singer had numerous hits in both the 1970s and 1980s, including "Last Dance," "She Works Hard for the Money" and "Bad Girls."

Summer won five Grammy Awards and six American Music Awards, and charted three multi-platinum albums. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, and four grandchildren.

Aerosmith Is Performing on the "American Idol" Season Finale

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:06:00 GMT

AEROSMITH will debut their new single on the season finale of "American Idol", which airs on May 23rd. And JOE PERRY says it's happening FOR REAL this time.

Last season, there was talk that Aerosmith would perform, but it didn't end up happening. (Joe also appeared on "Idol" back in March to sing "Happy Birthday" to STEVEN TYLER.)

The single should be out in about a month. There's no title for it yet.

Video of Bruce Springsteen Paying Tribute to The Band By Playing "The Weight"

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:14:00 GMT

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN paid tribute to the late LEVON HELM at a show on Wednesday night, by playing THE BAND'S classic "The Weight". (Watch the video her or there's video on YouTube.)

The Boss said, "He was one of the greatest, greatest voices in country, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll. Levon's voice and drumming was so incredibly versatile. He had a feel on the drums, it comes out of a certain place in the past and you can't replicate it." Here's video of that speech:

Speaking of Levon, a benefit song for Amnesty International that he performs on has hit the Internet. It's called "Toast to Freedom", and it's one of the last recordings he made before he died. The song also features Kris Kristofferson, Marianne Faithfull, Carly Simon, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Rosanne Cash, Donald Fagen and Ewan McGregor.

The song is up on YouTube, but you can see it here:

Michael Jackson's Estate Has Reached a Licensing Deal with Pepsi. Is It in Poor Taste?

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:08:00 GMT

MICHAEL JACKSON'S estate has reached a deal with Pepsi that allows Michael's image to be used in a new global marketing plan. The specifics will vary from country-to-country, but basically it includes: Special edition cans with Michael's image, TV ads, and remixed versions of Michael's songs, which will be available as digital downloads. The problem is, Pepsi may have been indirectly responsible for Michael's death.

In 1984, Michael's hair caught fire while he was taping a Pepsi commercial. It was pretty serious, his scalp was burned . . . and some people say that injury triggered years of prescription drug abuse that ultimately killed him. The estate hasn't commented on that. They just released a statement saying, "We're here to market the re-release of the 'Bad' album and Pepsi is the most effective place to do it." Here's video of Michael's "Pepsi" accident:

Lynyrd Skynyrd Has a New Album Coming Out in August

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:17:00 GMT

A new LYNYRD SKYNYRD album is coming on August 21st. It's called "Last of a Dying Breed". Their last album "God & Guns" came out in 2009.

Guitarist Gary Rossington says, "We kind of went back old school this time. All of us playing together in the studio as a band, tracking songs and creating licks. We had a lot of fun and the music really flowed for us."

(Gary is the only original member left. Singer Johnny Van Zant has been onboard since 1987, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke has been in the band since 1996. He was also in Skynyrd from 1970 to 1971.)

(Drummer Michael Cartellone has been around since 1999. Their bassist is Johnny Colt from The Black Crowes. He's new. The previous bassist, Ean Evans, passed away in 2009.)

Neil Young's Version of "Oh Susannah" Is Out

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:39:00 GMT

NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE are putting out an album called "Americana", featuring traditional American songs like "This Land Is Your Land", "Oh Susannah" and "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain".

Their version of "Oh Susannah" has just hit the Internet, and it probably isn't what you'd expect. It's been completely re-arranged, and feels very much like a Neil Young song. Neil says, "[These are] songs we all know from kindergarten, but Crazy Horse has rearranged them, and they now belong to us."

"Americana" comes out on June 5th. It's Neil's first album with Crazy Horse since 1996.

You can listen to "Oh Susannah" here or find it on Neil Young's YouTube channel.

Robin Gibb Is Out of His Coma, Thanks to His Brother's Singing?

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:43:00 GMT

ROBIN GIBB of the BEE GEES has regained consciousness, and is communicating with family members at the hospital. Over a week ago, he contracted pneumonia, and went into a coma. He's still in bad shape, but his doctors released a statement saying they're "confounded" by his, "indomitable fighting spirit and remarkable physical endurance."

Three days before, they told his family it wasn't looking good, and that it was, "very likely that Robin would succumb to what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles to any form of meaningful recovery." But miraculously, he woke up, and it may have happened thanks to his older brother BARRY GIBB'S voice.

Robin's wife says "Barry was singing to him" while he was in the coma, and they've been playing his favorite music to "try to bring him back." (There's no word what songs those were.)

(Robin has had a ton of health issues over the past year. He's had intestinal problems, and was diagnosed with colon cancer, which has spread to his liver. He's also had liver failure, causing brain swelling.)

The Celebrities React in the Death of Dick Clark

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:32:00 GMT

One of the most important men in the history of radio and rock and roll is no more. DICK CLARK, a.k.a. AMERICA'S OLDEST TEENAGER, died yesterday of a massive heart attack, after having some kind of outpatient medical procedure the night before. He was 82.

As you probably know, Dick suffered a huge stroke in 2004, but he continued to make brief, annual appearances on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve", which he created in 1972. RYAN SEACREST, who took over the New Year's hosting duties, issued a statement yesterday saying, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

He added, "He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him."

Dick Clark started in radio in the early 1950s, as a MAIL ROOM GUY. He got his big break in 1956, getting the hosting gig on a local Philadelphia TV show called "Bob Horn's Bandstand" after Horn was fired.

As "American Bandstand", the show went national and aired on ABC until 1987. It then aired briefly in syndication and on the USA Network. The show launched the careers of everyone from BUDDY HOLLY to the JACKSON 5 to MADONNA. (Here's video of Madonna's first "Bandstand" appearance.)

Incidentally, three acts Clark never managed to get on "Bandstand" were THE BEATLES, THE ROLLING STONES and ELVIS. (He did interview Elvis on the phone once. But that's as close as he got to having him on the show.)

Dick's credits also include "The $25,000 Pyramid", "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes", which he hosted with ED MCMAHON, and the "American Music Awards". (Dick met McMahon during his days in Philly, and he was the one who introduced Ed to JOHNNY CARSON.)

Over his long and storied career, Dick has won five Emmys and a Peabody Award. He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dick Clark: The Celebrities React

Just about EVERYBODY Tweeted about DICK CLARK'S passing. Here's what they had to say . . .

Carson Daly: "I will always cherish the personal time we had together. I am indebted to Dick Clark and his legacy. My heart goes out to his family."

Joan Rivers: "Very sad to hear about Dick Clark. What a great life. What a great career. Relevant to until the end. He will be missed!"

Snoop Dogg: "REST IN PEACE to the DICK CLARK!! U were a pioneer n a good man!! Thank u sir."

Al Roker: "First Don Cornelius, now Dick Clark. Two true broadcasting pioneers and giants, both gone."

Clint Black: "We've lost one of the greatest men in show biz. Dick Clark will be remembered with the utmost admiration and affection."

Jared Followill from Kings of Leon: "R.I.P. Dick Clark? Say it ain't so."

Hayley Williams from Paramore: "RIP Dick Clark. Will think of you every New Year's Eve."

Duran Duran: "Sad to hear about Dick Clark. Rest in peace."

Weird Al Yankovic: "Such sad news. RIP Dick Clark."

Jenny McCarthy: "RIP Dick Clark. You were amazing to work with. U will be missed."

Dennis Haskins: "Sad to pass along the passing of a true legend - Dick Clark. Can anyone else hear the American Bandstand theme?" (Yes, even Mr. Belding from "Saved by the Bell" was affected by Dick Clark's passing! That's IMPACT!)

Patton Oswalt: "I finally get to apologize to GG Allin for never having him on Bandstand." -- Dick Clark's last words. #rip" (That's a pretty funny but obscure joke that only the most hardcore punk rock fans will get.) (--If you're interested, Google GG Allin or search for him on YouTube. Be warned, however, he's not for the faint of heart.)

Debbie Gibson: "Just heard about Dick Clark. Oh man . . . so sad."

Mario Lopez: "Just heard the news [about] Dick Clark. It was truly an honor to have worked with him, learn from him and to be able to call him a friend. He was a great man and an even better friend."

Kenny Rogers: "Dick produced almost every awards show I was on during the 80's, and he constantly encouraged me toward success. He will be missed by everyone . . . especially by those who knew him well."

Fergie: "Dick Clark will be truly missed. We will carry on his legacy every New Year's Eve."

Jermaine Jackson: "Dick Clark always came to our dressing pre-show to make sure we were okay and catered for. Big hearted. One-of-a-kind. Will be missed."

Janet Jackson: "Dick Clark changed the face of musical television. He was wonderful to many artists including our family. We will miss him. God bless."

L.A. Reid: "Dick Clark's profound contributions to music, television and popular culture will reverberate throughout time. R.I.P. Mr. American Bandstand."

Neil Patrick Harris: "For ever, Dick Clark... So long."

Quincy Jones: "Rest in Peace my good friend Dick Clark. A pioneer whose mark on American culture will be felt forever."

Jimmy Kimmel: "I had the pleasure of working with Dick Clark many times - great guy. Some trivia: did you know he HATED music?"

Smokey Robinson: "I loved Dick Clark. He was so instrumental in my career as well as all the other Motown acts and so many others in the recording business. Good bye my friend, rest in peace."

Katie Couric: "Dick Clark was such an institution and inspiration. Not ashamed to say I loved American Bandstand when I was a kid!"

Larry King: "Dick Clark was a great friend, true legend, & a master journalist. Nobody did what he did better. It was a pleasure to be in his company."

Anderson Cooper: "What a career Dick Clark had! What a life! My thoughts are with his family and friends."

Roseanne: "dick clark RIP-always a nice man to me-"

The Jonas Brothers: "You'll continue to be an inspiration to us all Dick Clark. Thanks for the amazing rockin years you were with us. You'll truly be missed."

Barry Manilow: "This is a sad day. He was a dear friend, supporting me and my music for all of my years in the business. A great businessman and a true gentleman. An inspiration. My heart is so heavy now." (Barry wrote and performed the "American Bandstand" theme song.)

PRESIDENT OBAMA also issued a statement, saying that Dick, quote, "reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer and, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year." He added, "But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel . . . as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final 'so long' to Dick Clark, America's oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends . . . which number far more than he knew."

Classic Dick Clark Videos

#1.) Here's a great video compilation of Dick's greatest "Bandstand" moments. It includes Madonna, the Jacksons, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Cyndi Lauper and more.

#2.) Here are 10 classic "Bandstand" moments, courtesy of Billboard.com.

#3.) Let's not forget "Pyramid". Here are some great moments from that.

#4.) Did you know that Dick Clark acted in a 1960 movie called "Because They're Young"? He played a high school teacher in a small town. (--Here's the trailer.)