Former Warrant vocalist Jani Lane, 45, was
arrested on
Wednesday in Los Angeles County for a misdemeanor DUI traffic
accident. Lane reportedly hit a parked car just before
10pm. No one was injured in the accident and Lane is being
held on a $30,000 bond. In recent interviews, Lane had been
claiming sobriety since last summer.
Van Halen's company, ELVH Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Nike
accusing them of damaging his image and causing "irreparable harm and
damage" to his design with their Dunk Low range of footwear.
They are seeking monetary retribution and "the impoundment and
destruction of all footwear" bearing a red, white and black striped
color scheme. Nike has refuted the claim stating, "The Dunk
shoe design is not substantially similar to any of the Van Halen
designs, and Nike has not referenced the Van Halen name or image as
part of any marketing campaign or promotional material associated with
the shoe." Eddie Van Halen earlier this year launched his own
line of footwear, EVH Shoes, featuring the 'Frankenstrat' color scheme
that he trademarked from his guitar.
Baton Rouge film investor Jay Dykes Jr. has agreed to dismiss Madonna
from a lawsuit that accuses Maverick Films, the film company she
founded, of failing to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans
or give him producer credits for movies he helped finance.
Her dismissal from the suit is part of a settlement outlined in court
papers filed Thursday.
Poison vocalist Bret Michaels recently told People.com that he doesn't
have plans to file a lawsuit over his injuries during the Tony
Awards. The reason for the CAT scan was explained as "his
neck was hurt in an accident years ago, sho he's being cautious" by his
publicist. Michaels resumed his solo tour on June 12th.
Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has withdrawn from the Wahkiakum
County clerk race releasing a statement saying, "Let parties nominate
their own candidates. My protest is over."
Billy Joel and wife Katie Lee have released a statement confirming
their split saying that they remain "caring friends with admiration and
respect for each other."
Music publisher EverGreen (who owns the catalogs of 2 Live Crew, MC
Hammer and several others) has signed a deal with WIDEawake (who
acquired the assets of Death Row Records earlier this year) to be the
worldwide administration company of the rap label. EverGreen
will administer and handle the licensing for the compositions and
master recordings in the Death Row catalog, as well as processing of
the mechanical and performance royalties as part of the long-term
arrangement. WIDEawake Entertainment Group purchased the
catalog from bankruptcy for $18 million.
The 2009 CMT Music Awards were held on Tuesday. Alison Krauss
and Robert Plant's "Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)" won the Wide Open
Country Video of the Year. Bon Jovi's "Till We Ain't
Strangers Anymore" featuring LeAnn Rimes won Collaborative Video of the
Year. The show also featured a pairing of Sugarland and the
B-52's on the latter's 1989 hit song "Love Shack."
Chickenfoot's self-titled debut album retained the #4 spot on the
Billboard 200 albums chart selling 79,000 copies and earned Greatest
Gainer of the week. The Twilight soundtrack fell 2 places to
#17. Sonic Youth's The Eternal debuted at #18.
Teena Marie's Congo Square debuted at #20. Elvis Costello's
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane dropped 10 places to #23.
Iron Maiden's Flight 666 soundtrack debuted at #34.
The Pet Shop Boys have scored their 25th top 10 single as "Love Etc."
climbed 4 places to #9 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club chart.
U2's "Magnificent" leads the song at #8.
Paul Carrack's "I Don't Want To Hear Any More" climbed 3 spots to #11
on the FMQB A/C chart. Boys Don't Cry's "Don't Call Me A
Country Singer" climbed 4 places to #20.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's Greatest Hits debuted
at #7 on the U.K. Albums chart. Jim Reeves' The Very Best Of
Jim Reeves climbed 3 spots to #10. Chickenfoot's self-titled
debut is new on the chart at #23. Mike Oldfield's The
Collection debuted at #25. Meat Loaf's Hits Out Of Hell
debuted at #28. Don Henley's The Very Best Of Don Henley
debuted at #29. Lionel Richie & The Commodores' The
Definitive Collection re-entered the chart at #37. Bob
Marley& The Wailers' Legend retained the #38 spot.
Michael McDonald's The Ultimate Collection fell 19 places to
#39. Madness' The Liberty Of Norton Folgate dropped 18 spots
to #40.
Ironik's "Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)" fell 16 places to #40 on the
U.K. Singles chart.
Iron Maiden's award winning film, Flight 666, has not only a charting
soundtrack but holds the #1 position in the U.S. and Canada on the
Music Video charts.
Things had been in limbo for New Order after bassist Peter Hook left
but the band's Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Phil Cunningham have
paired with Blur bassist Alex James for a new project called Bad
Lieutenant. A debut album could be released as early as
October.
The Scorpions have extended their deal with Sony BMG Music
Entertainment's Ariola label and have already recorded 6 new songs for
their next album due out next year.
"Weird" Al Yankovic has released his new single, "Craigslist," via
iTunes. You can go check out a preview of the song at his
official MySpace page. Yankovic recorded the keyboard parts
for the track with original Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. A
video for it has been posted on YouTube. He personally hopes
for this to crack the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and become his
first "original" song to do so. "Craigslist" can be
downloaded at iTunes and all digital retailers. The song is
among those he will release on his next album, Internet Leaks, due out
early next year.
First there was Heaven & Hell and now former Black Sabbath
vocalist Tony Martin will tour the U.S. this summer under the name
Headless Cross as he celebrates the 20th anniversary of the similarly
titled Black Sabbath album.
Lisa Lisa will see her new studio album, Life 'n Love, released via
iTunes on July 14th with the exclusive track, "Can't Wait," produced by
Clinton Sparks. Her new single, "Que Locura," is available
now at iTunes.
The New Kids On The Block have canceled their planed tour of
Australia. Donnie Wahlberg posted to his blog that they've
"exhausted efforts" to get the tour off the ground but it was proving
to be "too complex." "We can only assure you that when the
recession's stranglehold on the world's economies eases up a bit -- we
will find a way to make this work."
According to SindhToday.net, George Harrison had a large collection of
unfinished tracks set aside before his death in 2001. Jeff
Lynne had worked together often during the latter part of his life and
he and Harrison's son Dhani are expected to work on the
material. Both of them had worked together on finishing
Harrison's posthumous album, Brainwashed.
Judas Priest plan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their British
Steel album by performing it in its entirety on stages across the U.S.
next year. They expect to record each of the shows.
The The has scored Gerard Johnson's debut feature film, Tony.
The soundtrack is to be the first in a series of soundtracks by The The
to be released by CineOla at a later date.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has launched a new clothing line
called Ronnie Wood for Liberty London which will bear images from his
paintings.
Paul Weller is finishing the final month of work on his follow-up to
2008's 22 Dreams. The album, his 10th solo release, could be
released early next year.
Living Colour will release, The Chair In The Doorway, their first new
studio album in 5 years, on Sept. 15th via Megaforce Records.
Sting plans to release, If On A Winter's Night..., a new album inspired
by his favorite time of year on Oct. 27th. The set will
include two original compositions as well as carols, lullabies and
traditional songs from the U.K.
Camouflage's long-out-of-print 1995 album, Spice Crackers, will be
re-released on Aug. 28th via the bureau-b label in a double-CD
remastered version. The set will contain the original album
and a second disc containing 14 bonus tracks (11 of which have never
before been released.)
Bob Dylan will see the release of his documentary, Bob Dylan 1978-1989:
Both Ends Of The Rainbow, on July 14th.
Ozzy Osbourne will publish his long-awaited memoir, I Am Ozzy, on Oct.
1st in the U.K. via Sphere. Meanwhile, his wife has been
asked by the state of California to pay more than $23,000 after she was
allegedly fined for failing to pay her taxes in 2007.
New Tales To Tell: A Tribute To Love And Rockets will be released
digitally on July 28th and physically on Aug. 18th. The
Flaming Lips have recorded "Kundalini Express" and Black Francis has
covered "All In My Mind" for the set. Meanwhile, The Flaming
Lips have announced that their new double-CD will be titled Embryonic
when released in September.
Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate confirmed in an interview with Sterling
Whitaker for the We Will Rock You blog that discussions have begun
about creating a stage musical version of their 1988 concept album,
Operation: Mindcrime.
Amazon.com presented the world premiere of Kenny Loggins' video, "There
Is A Mountain," from his new family album, All Join In, on June
16th. Fans can visit www.amazon.com/music to see the video
well before the album gets released on July 21st.
German rock act Bad Sister will release their new studio album, Because
Rust Never Sleeps, via Distinct Music on June 26th.
Gordon Gano and The Ryans will release their new studio album, Under
The Sun, via Yep Roc Records on Sept. 15th.
Dinosaur Jr.'s first double-LP and their fifth full length record by
the original line-up, Farm, will be released on Jagjaguwar and PIAS
next week. Fans visiting their MySpace page can hear the
album streamed in its entirety. They have also filmed a new
video for, "Over It."
Adam Ant's 1990 album, Manners & Physique, will be reissued in
an expanded edition on July 20th in the U.K. The bonus material will
consist of 4 remixes and the song, "Bruce Lee."
Paul McCartney is set to record the score for the animated film, High
In The Clouds, based on a children's story he co-wrote.
Lenny Kravitz will celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Let Love Rule"
with a special remastered version and exclusive "Let Love Rule"
packages. You can find out more information at his
http://www.LennyKravitzMusic.com/llr2009 Web site.
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor opened up their performance at
the annual Bonnaroo Festival stating, "It just dawned on me that this
is our last show ever in the United States. Don't be
sad. I'll keep going. But I think I'm going to lose
my... mind if I keep doing this, and I have to stop." Reznor
had just previously announced his need to take a break from social
networking.
Tony Carey has left Over The Rainbow and the band all respect his
decision, wishing him much success in his future endeavors.
Former Rainbow keyboardist Paul Morris has been officially added to the
band's roster for their U.S. tour.
Megadeth have announced that Endgame will be the title of their 12th
studio album when it heads to stores in September via Roadrunner
Records.
Bananarama will release their new single, "Love Comes," in
August. A clip of the dance track can be heard at their
official site by placing your mouse over the photos of the duo.
Nanci Griffith will release, The Loving Kind, her first new studio
album in 4 years via Rounder on June 9th.
Lead guitarist/bassist Bob Bogle, 75, of the Ventures lost his long
battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on June 14th. Bogle
founded the band in 1958 and switched from lead guitar to bass later in
the band's career. They recorded several albums (1980's
Chameleon, 1981's 60's Pops, 1982's St. Louis Memory and 1982's The
Last Album On Liberty) as well as 3 live albums before their 2008
induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.