Quick quips: Paul McCartney, KISS, Don Cornelius, Etta James, Black Sabbath, musical cruise

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added: 8 Feb 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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Digital Music News has reported that all Paul McCartney and Wings albums that are under the Concord Music Group umbrella have been pulled from Spotify, Rhapsody, MOG, Rdio and other streaming services. It also appears that McCartney music from sources other than Concord are also being removed.

The Angry Genes? Yes, that could be one direction that the creators of the Angry Birds game could go as they talk with the members of KISS about bringing out a band-based version of the game. Gene Simmons told the magazine Industry Games that the group is looking to break into the video game market in a big way but not by creating one from scratch, but by attaching the KISS brand to existing hits.
So while the gaming world is waiting for the KISS games that are going to explode, we're busy taking the brand to places where no band has gone before. So Hello Kitty is one of the biggest brands on planet Earth. Now there's KISS Hello Kitty, which we've already launched in 90 countries. We're talking with Angry Birds, KISS and Angry Birds, which will become a deal. The KISS and the Archie world have now teamed up and the first issues of KISS Archie comic books hits the world this month. KISS golf courses are starting in Las Vegas right across from the Hard Rock. That opens in January. It's just endless what we can do, but we only do things when it's right. Just because there are games, and just because there's this or that out there, unless the deal is right and unless the content is exciting to our fans, we don't do it.

Coroners ruled on Tuesday that Don Cornelius' death was, indeed, a suicide. Toxicology tests, which could take a week or two, are needed before a final report can be issued.

The Grammys will present a salute to Etta James at this Sunday's awards ceremony. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt will sing.

Fans appear to be getting on the Bill Ward bandwagon after an internet rumor circulated that he was being replaced in the Black Sabbath reunion by Tommy Clufetos who previously played with Ozzy Osbourned.
A Facebook group, 1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes to Bill Ward, has been formed and they have reported that the people who run Black Sabbath's Facebook page have turned off all comments.

Here's a concert lineup for you, if you want to take a cruise around the Caribbean. The Malt Shop Memories cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on October 27 for Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas and the private island of Half Moon Cay. On stage during the seven day trip will be Dion, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love, The Original Drifters, The Duprees, Sonny Turner (former lead singer of the Platters), Carl Gardner's Coasters, Kenny Vance and the Planotones, The Chiffons, The Tymes, The Marvelettes and more.

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Black Sabbath reunion in jeopardy

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added: 3 Feb 2012 // by: Marco Gandolfi

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The 2012 Black Sabbath reunion tour has been thrown in jeopardy with founding member Bill Ward announcing he will not go ahead with the tour unless he is given a 'signable contract'.

In a lengthy statement posted on his website Ward says he is currently in a 'holding pattern' and says he is being given 'the cold shoulder (and not for the first time).

The original line-up of Black Sabbath announced a reunion tour and new album for 2012 at a press conference in Los Angeles on November 11 last year.

We understand that he is not with the rest of the group in Birmingham working on material while Tony Iommi receives cancer treatment and he is not being kept up-to-date on the work in progress.

At worst this could scupper reunion plans at best it would mean a partial reunion minus Ward. As yet the rest of the band have yet to comment on the on going situation.

All will be revealed before the first date on the reunion tour scheduled for May 18 in Moscow.

Bill Wards web posting is in full below:

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what'shappening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'

The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a 'signable' contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a 'big piece' of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I'd like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

'Bill Ward

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Black Sabbath to play without Ward

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added: 6 Feb 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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It wouldn't be the full reunion of the original lineup but three-out-of-four isn't that bad. After Bill Ward announced that his participation in the Black Sabbath reunion was in jeopardy over an "unsignable" contract, the rest of the band responded by saying they would carry on without him.

Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi posted the following statement on Facebook:

We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans. We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open...We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll...See you at Download!!!"

In his original statement, Ward did acknowledge the possibility that negotiations would end without his participation. "If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact."

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Quick quips: Black Sabbath, Neil Young, Merle Haggard, Jim Reeves, Steven Tyler, Winston Riley

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added: 23 Jan 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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It seems that a cancer diagnosis is not keeping Tony Iommi from working on music for the Black Sabbath reunion. Bandmate Geezer Butler wrote on his website:

Today [January 19] we got the engines back up and running @ Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump- it's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings, it has been great working on this stuff.

Neil Young's LinkVolt LLC is being sued for $500,000 by Unigard Insurance over damages from a 2010 warehouse fire in San Carlos, CA. Unigard paid out to the owners of the building but allege that the fire was caused by Young's 1959 Lincoln Continental that he had converted to run on electricity and a bio-diesel powered generator.

Merle Haggard was released from the hospital on Friday after being treated for pneumonia. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Haggard has postponed his remaining concert dates for January while he fully recovers.

A trial opens on Monday that will determine how the royalties for the late Jim Reeves' recordings will be split. Even though Reeves passed away almost fifty years ago, his work still generates $400,000 per year and Terry Davis, who married the singers widow, feels that he should receive part of them. Davis was married to Mary Reeves for thirty years until her death in 1999.
For the second year in a row, CMT will present a special edition of their long running Crossroads series during the festivities for the Super Bowl. Last year it was Faith Hill and the Pretenders and, this year, on February 4, it will be Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood.
The two previously performed together at last year's ACM Awards.

Jamaican reggae pioneer Winston Riley passed away on Thursday from gunshot wounds to the head he received in November. He was 65.
Riley had been the target of a number of unexplained attacks in 2011, including being shot in August and stabbed in September.

Riley was a founder of the Techniques while still a teenager and was still adapting and having hits into the 80's. He was also credited with introducing reggae to England.

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The Black Keys new single 'Gold On The Ceiling'

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added: 20 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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The Black Keys embark on a sold out tour of Europe in January and February to coincide with the release of their critically acclaimed new album, El Camino, including dates in Nottingham, Edinburgh, two in Manchester, and three at London's Alexandra Palace (see below for details).

Released to widespread critical acclaim in December on Nonesuch Records, El Camino debuted at # 2 on the Billboard Top 200 and has already been certified Silver in the UK, Gold in Australia, and Platinum in Canada. Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the 11-track album was recorded in the band's new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011. El Camino includes the hit single 'Lonely Boy', the video for which has been viewed over six million times on YouTube, as well as the forthcoming 'Gold On The Ceiling', which will be released on March 5.

Describing the sound of the album, drummer Patrick Carney tells Rolling Stone, 'Every record, we figure out the mood and stick with that. With Brothers, we were listening to a lot of hip-hop and old R&B and drawing from that. This is the first record we've made where it's all rock & roll.' And in an interview with Spin singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach says, 'I've never been into guitar solos. I really like when every instrument in the band is a rhythm instrument. This record has a lot of that going on ' guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards all working together as a rhythm instrument. But unlike Brothers, which has more of these slower songs with an open feeling, [the new LP] is definitely fast.'

European Tour Schedule ' January & February 2012
Mon Jan 23 Lotto, Antwerp, Belgium
Tue Jan 24 Zenith, Lille, France
Wed Jan 25 Zenith, Paris, France
Fri Jan 27 Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Sat Jan 28 Arena, Berlin, Germany
Mon Jan 30 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
Tue Jan 31 Maag Hall, Zurich, Switzerland .
Wed Feb 1 Klokgebouw, Eindhoven, Holland
Fri Feb 3 Capital FM Arena, Nottingham, UK
Sat Feb 4 Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, UK
Mon Feb 6 Apollo, Manchester, UK
Tue Feb 7 Apollo, Manchester, UK
Thu Feb 9 Alexandra Palace, London, UK
Fri Feb 10 Alexandra Palace, London, UK
Sat Feb 11 Alexandra Palace, London, UK

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Dr. John's gets Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys to produce

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added: 17 Jan 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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Dr. John has recruited the very busy Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys as producer of his new album, Locked Down. The album is due April 3 and is Dr. John's debut with Nonesuch Records.

Not only is Auerbach's group's album, El Camino, currently at number 3 in the U.S., but they will be one of the headliners at this year's Coachella festival as part of their upcoming world tour. Still, he made time to work with Dr. John, saying "Mac [Rebennack, Dr. John's real name] inspired me every single day we were in the studio together: musically, spiritually, cosmically ... something special seemed to be happening and everyone involved could sense it. For my money, Mac's one of the greatest who ever was and who ever will be ... I'm so honored to have had this opportunity to work with him."

Dr. John returns the love, saying "It was way cool cutting this record with Dan and the crew he put together for it. It's real HIP."

Early word is that Locked Down is a departure from the artists latest few albums. He used a band of young musicians which he handpicked for the sessions, recording at his own Easy Eye Sound in Nashville.

It was Rebennack's children that first turned him on to the Black Keys and Auerbach, which led to the two men collaborating on last year's very successful Bonnaroo Jam at the yearly festival.

More details are expected on the album in the coming weeks.

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Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi posts statement

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added: 14 Jan 2012 // by: Noise11 

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It is still uncertain how Tony Iommi's news that he has cancer will effect the upcoming Black Sabbath tour.

On Monday, it was revealed to the world that Tony Iommi was suffering from lymphoma and would be undergoing treatment to eradicate the disease.

He posted the following statement on his official web page:
Message From Tony

My fans, friends & colleagues -

I just want to say how overwhelmed I am with all your messages of support, thank you so much.

Well it's not what I wanted for Christmas, that's for sure, but now I can't wait for the test results to come in and get going with the treatment.

It's really good that the guys are coming over so that we can continue working on the album as things are going great in the studio.

Well, not much else to say at this time, so thanks again.

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Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi diagnosed with cancer

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added: 10 Jan 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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Tony Iommi, guitarist with Black Sabbath from 1969 to 2006 and once again from 2011 to today, has been diagnosed with early stage lymphoma.

The following was posted on both Black Sabbath and Iommi's official sites:

With the news that Black Sabbath´s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan--the 'IRON MAN' of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

This comes as Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)--are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

The group is scheduled to start their world tour on May 18 in Moscow and to headline the Download Festival on June 8 to 10 in Donnington Park, England.

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Black Keys, Radiohead, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg to headline Coachella

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added: 10 Jan 2012 // by: Noise11 

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This year's Coachella hosts big names, and some massive reunions in the form of At The Drive-In and Refused.

The Californian mega-festival Coachella has announced their line-up, looking suspiciously like the leaked poster that was unveiled before Christmas.

Day One will be headlined by The Black Keys, with Swedish House Mafia, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Mazzy Star, Afrojack, Explosions In The Sky and more.

The big news for the first day is that iconic and massively influential Swedish hardcore innovators Refused will reform for the show.

Day Two features Radiohead, Bon Iver, The Shins, David Guetta, Noel Gallaghers' High Flying Birds, Kaskade, Miike Snow and more.

And the final day features Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, Justice, Florence And The Machine, AVICII, La Roux, Beirut and the reunion show for equally influential post-hardcore act At The Drive-In.

The festival runs over two weekend this year, April 13-15 and April 20-22.

For the full line-up at coachella.com

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