While movie sets and some films were destroyed by the recent fire at Universal Studios, no music was lost at
the Universal Music Group vaults. According to the label, most of what was stored there was moved earlier this
year and of what little remained there, all of it was digitized.
The Cuyahoga County coroner Frank Miller has ruled that Sean Levert died of natural causes after falling ill in
jail. According to Miller, Levert died from complications of sarcoidosis (an inflammatory lung disease that produces
tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs.) He also said he suffered from heart disease, high blood sugar and withdrawal
from alprazolam (Xanax.) According to attorney's for Levert's widow, sheriff's department records show he wasn't
given his anti-anxiety medication while in jail or seen by a doctor.
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler has released his first public statement since entering a rehabilitation facility. Despite
rumors of a drug addiction relapse, Tyler was reportedly there after a series of surgeries to correct foot injuries
that have been aggravated by years of physically-demanding live performances. According to Tyler, "The doctors
told me the pain in my feet could be corrected but it would require a few surgeries over time." He also said,
"The 'foot repair' pain was intense, greater than I'd anticipated. The months of rehabilitative care and the
painful strain of physical therapy were traumatic. I really needed a safe environment to recuperate where I could
shut off my phone and get back on my feet." Tyler doesn't expect the rehab to hinder plans for Aerosmith's
new studio album and tour.
Patrick Swayze has released a statement to update fans on his fight against pancreatic cancer. "I am continuing
treatment at Stanford and the great news is I continue to respond well."
Anne Murray will receive the Howie Richmond Hitmaker award (which recognizes artists who have a substantial number
of hits to their credit that were achieved over an extended period of time) during the 2008 Songwriters Hall of
Fame Awards dinner on June 19th in New York City. During her career, Murray has sold 50 million albums.
U2 frontman Bono has received an honorary degree from Keio University in Japan for his contribution to music and
humanitarian causes.
Frank Sinatra's Nothing But The Best fell 2 places to #4 on the Billboard 200 album chart on sales of 54,000 copies.
Madonna's Hard Candy dropped a spot to #8 selling 39,000 copies. Neil Diamond's Home Before Dark fell 3 places
to #10 selling 36,000 copies. Donna Summer's Crayons debuted at #17 on sales of 23,000 copies. George Strait's
Troubadour climbed a spot to #28. Garth Brooks' The Ultimate Hits surged 21 places to #36. Keith Sweat's Just Me
plunged 28 spots to #38.
Madonna's "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake dropped a place to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles
chart. Meanwhile, her adoption of David Banda has been approved by a court in Malawi.
Cyndi Lauper's "Same Old F*#!ing Story" has climbed its way up the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart
in 3 weeks to #10.
Neil Diamond's Home Before Dark fell a place to #3 on the U.K. Albums chart. Diamond's The Best Of Neil Diamond
also dropped a spot to #9. The Osmonds' Very Best Of The Osmonds fell a place to #12. Madonna's Hard Candy dropped
6 spots to #13. Spiritualized's Songs In A&E debuted at #15. Neil Diamond's The Essential Neil Diamond debuted
at #22. Willie Nelson's Legend: The Best Of Willie Nelson fell 5 places to #34.
Madonna's "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake dropped a spot to #4 on the U.K. Singles chart. Paul
Weller's "Have You Made Up Your Mind/Echoes Round The Sun" debuted at #19.
The original members of the Simple Minds are planning to enter a recording studio this month to work together for
the first time in 27 years. Longtime members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill have called the goal, of creating two
new tracks to be released later this year, a "nice experiment" as it falls within their 30th anniversary.
Tiffany and Stacey Q have lent their vocals to songs appearing on Hydra Productions new 11-track collection, Liquid.
A video for "Dust Off And Dance" featuring Tiffany is up at YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGf1_p5ZrGI).
Exodus have released a new live DVD, Double Live Dynamo, to stores featuring their Oct. 27th 1985 and May 17th
1997 performances in Eindhoven, Holland.
Kajagoogoo had been working on a new studio album before Limahl and Jez Strode rejoined the group. That album,
Gone To The Moon, has been released as a free download at Kajagoogoo.com until Feb. 2009. A new release by the
band is expected early next year.
The Offspring release their new studio album, Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace, on June 17th featuring their new single
"Hammerhead."
Vocalist Geoff Tate of Queensryche has worked with 3 Rivers Winery to create a red wine signature blend called
Geoff Tate 'Insania.' The wine is expected to be launched with a solo concert event at the winery on Sept. 20th.
New Edition's Ralph Tresvant has released his new solo single, "It Must Be You, " to radio stations.
Former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno has been working with a new band in Brazil and are searching for a name
for the group. They are asking for fan suggestions. If they use your name they want you to hang out with them as
their special guest when they come to play your town.
Billy Joel and Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds are reportedly collaborating on songs for Marc Anthony's next English-language
pop album.
James have signed a deal in the U.S. with Decca Records to release their new studio album, Hey Ma, on Sept. 16th.
Tori Amos plans to release her next studio album next spring but it will not be via Epic Records. According to
her manager, she "has chosen the path of independence for her next work."
Former Quiet Riot/House Of Lords bassist Sean McNabb has parted ways amicably with Great White to focus his energies
on some other projects.
LL Cool J has signed a deal with Sears for an exclusive clothing line for young boys and girls called LL Cool J
for Sears.
The Violent Femmes plan to release their new single, "Crazy," on June 24th via iTunes and on limited
edition vinyl. The song is a cover of the Gnarls Barkley hit.
Rick Springfield will release his new studio album, Venus In Overdrive, via New Door Records/UMe on July 29th.
The first single to be released from the album will be "What's Victoria's Secret." He will also reportedly
return to General Hospital that month as Dr. Noah Drake (and rocker alter ego Eli Love) where he will perform the
single.
Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy has plans to release his third solo album, Under My Skin, via Airline Records on July
22nd.
Morrissey has reportedly finished work on his new 12-track studio album, Years Of Refusal, which could be released
in September. A July reissue of his 1995 album, Southpaw Grammar, is planned.
John Oates expects to complete work in the studio on his new solo album, 1000 Miles Of Life, in June.
The Tracii Guns version of L.A. Guns has hired a new vocalist that will replace Paul Black as well as a new guitarist
(Alec "Big Al" Bauer.)
Bootsy Collins has created an exclusive, original theme song for 2K Sports' new game, Don King Presents: Prizefighter,
due out June 10th. The game also includes over 70 songs (in their entirety or in small clips used for the ring
walk) to capture the atmosphere of different eras.
Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith) plan to enter the recording studio on Sept.
1st.
Eddie Murphy will reportedly reprise his role as Axel Foley for a fourth Beverly Hills Cop film scheduled for release
in 2010.
Gene Simmons will be making an appearance in an episode of the reality competition series Battleground Earth which
features Tommy Lee and Ludacris.
The Pogues are planning to release a 5-CD boxed set, Just Look Them Straight In The Eyes, shortly. The set includes
a majority of previously-unreleased material compiled by the band with notes made about each track.
GQ has a new featured article that includes interviews with the band members of Journey, new vocalist Arnel Pineda
and former vocalist Steve Perry. According to an interview in the article, Perry started writing music again last
summer and has sketches of many songs that he hasn't decided what to do with yet.
A distribution deal with Peace Arch Entertainment that will see, What We Do Is Secret, the Germs biopic head to
U.S. theaters in August.
Yazoo plan to record their performances during their Reconnected: Live tour. They hope to work in the studio afterwards
to deliver a proper live release.
The currently untitled New Kids On The Block reunion album could be released as early as Sept. 8th via Interscope.
A new Deep Purple 4-DVD boxed set, Deep Purple: Around The World Live, will be released via Eagle Rock Entertainment
on June 17th.
Paul Carrack will release his new single, "Ain't No Love In the Heart Of The City," in the U.K. on July
7th. His new studio album is expected to follow this autumn.
Sonic Youth's new 14-track hits compilation, Hits Are For Squares, will be released on June 10th at Starbucks.
The songs were chosen by celebrities with liner notes about each track by the celebrity that chose it.
Nitzer Ebb's Douglas McCarthy has lent his vocals to the upcoming KLOQ album, Move Forward, due out June 27th.
Jive Bunny plan to release a new 3-CD set, Jive Bunny's Summer Party 2008, in the U.K. at the end of June.
Front 242 plan to release a free 2-track download, "First Moment," on June 15th in 5 different sound
quality formats. To get the track, you'll need to register online (http://www.alfa-matrix.com/shop_comments.php?id=1524_0_8_0_C).
Trixter have released their live album, Alive In Japan, on CD exclusively through their TrixterRocks.com site.
The material was recorded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1993.
Legendary bluesman Bo Diddley [real name Ellas McDaniel], 79, died of heart failure in his Archer, Florida, home
on June 2nd. Diddley had been suffering from health problems over the last year. He had suffered a stroke while
on tour and suffered a heart attack 3 months later (in August) which doctors said his ability to speak had been
affected. He had since been in rehabilitation in Florida. Diddley's solo recording career began in late 1954 and
continued up to 1996's A Man Amongst Men (with 5 albums released during the 1980s.) In 2004, he was ranked by Rolling
Stone at #20 on their list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.