CMU
Daily - on the inside Wednesday
4th May
In
today's CMU Daily:
- Warner respond to Linkin Park claims
- It's all about the money: Jacko trial update
- Barat to compile album
- Billy Bragg releases live album online
- Wu Tang man sets up new company
- Leap move into recordings
- BPI investigate DJ Sanj mix album
- Pirate radio station shut down after airline interference
- Single Review: Towers Of London - Fuck It Up
- Radiohead on Warchild
- British Academy plan pre-Ivor Novellos showcase
- Lil Kim sued over non-payment claims
- Westlife in trademark battle with cigarette maker
- Martin gets a hand from Spielberg
- Queen kick off tour
- EMI respond to Gorillaz marketing tactics
- Franz write music for the ladies
- Amon Tobin surround sound gig
- Album Review: Mia - Arular
- Badly Drawn Boy plays charity gig
- Hot Hot Heat go acoustic
- Abdul affair continues
- Usher plans early retirement
- Britney's pregnancy test raises cash for kiddies
- J -Lo's presidential ambitions
- Timberlake to have throat surgery
--------------------------------------------------
WARNER
RESPOND TO LINKIN PARK CLAIMS
Warner Music has responded to that statement released by Linkin
Park on Monday in which the nu-metal band lashed out at the
plans of top Warner execs to float the company. As previously
reported, the band claim that the share sale will earn the small
group of investors who bought the company off Time Warner last
year in the region of $1.4 billion, little of which will be
invested in or shared with the company's roster of artists.
Warner
bosses yesterday claimed that the band had been misled by their
management company who, the major label claim, are using the
band's supposed outrage at the company's flotation plans as
a tactic in ongoing contract negotiations. A spokesman for Warner
told Rolling Stone magazine: "The band's management is
using fictitious numbers and making baseless charges and inflammatory
threats in what is clearly a negotiating tactic. Warner Brothers
Records has made significant investments in Linkin Park, and
they have always been compensated generously for their outstanding
worldwide success."
Of
those ongoing contract negotiations, one Warner insider told
Australian music site Undercover: "Linkin Park wanted a
60 million dollar advance and 50/50 joint venture moving forward.
They were offered $15 million and knocked it back".
Warners were also keen to play down Linkin Park's dominance
within the Warner Music stable. In their statement the band
claimed to have accounted for 10% of the Warner Music group's
sales from the last five years, figures which Warner describe
as "fictitious".
Whatever
Linkin Park's motivations for making their statement on Monday,
they have placed Warner Music in a tricky position regarding
their share sale. It is unlikely the fallout will affect Warner's
flotation schedule, but it might increase doubts among some
in the investment community currently in two minds as to whether
or not to invest. Certainly it has opened up a platform for
those who oppose the move to be more vocal about it. Attorney
Gary Stiffelman added to the pressure being put on Warner when
he told HITS magazine in the US: "It is disturbing to see,
once again, that artists who are principally responsible for
the successful sales or IPOs of these multibillion-dollar record
companies are not being rewarded for their contributions, whereas
executives with stock could make more money than those artists
were ever paid. A significant pool of shares should be set aside
for the artists to reward them, just as any key executive typically
is rewarded in similar circumstances. This is especially true
because a significant component of the purchase price often
reflects the anticipated value of the product these artists
remain committed to deliver. We all realise that operating a
record company is more-than-ever a low margin enterprise, and
artists are being told that they must share the pain by accepting
smaller advances and other guarantees. In exchange for agreeing
to accept these cutbacks, the artists should share in any windfall,
along with the executives and the shareholders."
In
the end, though, the overall affect of Linkin Park's angry statement
might depend on whether rumours that other high profile Warner
artists are considering backing them are true.
--------------------------------------------------
IT'S
ALL ABOUT THE MONEY: JACKO TRIAL UPDATE
It was all about the money in the ongoing Michael Jackson trial
yesterday. The prosecution were trying to show that Jacko's
finances were in meltdown in 2003 - linking that to allegations
the singer held the Arvizo family hostage in the weeks that
followed the screening of the Martin Bashir documentary. It
was financial panic, prosecutors argue, that motivated Jackson
and his aides to hold the family hostage, because they feared
that if the Arvizo's talked to the media it might prove to be
the final nail in the coffin for Jackson's faltering career
on which his ever growing debts were secured. Or something like
that.
Jackson's
people deny any such financial meltdown was underway at the
time, so prosecution lawyers presented a 'forensic accountant'
- Ross O'Bryan - to the court to try and prove otherwise. O'Bryan
says that at the time of the screening of the Bashir documentary
Jackson's annual expenditure was running at between $20m and
$30m more than his income, which is as impressive as it is mind-boggling.
The result of that, O'Bryan claims, is that Jackson's overall
debt had risen from $155m in 2000 to $224m in 2003. Phew. O'Bryan
also read out some memos from Jackson's financial advisers,
which voiced concern that the singer's spending habits were
out of control and that he was jeopardising his assets, in particular
his stake in Sony/ATV music publishing.
Jacko's
defence have strongly resisted any attempts to have Jackson's
finances revealed to the courts, which would perhaps suggest
that all is not well in the singer's accounts (if all was rosy,
why not reveal them to disprove the prosecution's allegations?).
However, some in the legal community do question the leap of
logic that says that because Jackson was having financial problems
he was more likely to kidnap a family who might badmouth him
to the press.
Elsewhere
in the trial yesterday, the court heard from police Sergeant
Steve Robel who told the court that Jackson's ex-wife Debbie
Rowe had once told him the singer was a "sociopath"
and that they had always had a "plan" to put a "positive
spin" on their relationship. The prosecution were using
Robel to try and overcome the problems Rowe caused them in her
actual testimony - rather than damning Jackson as expected,
Rowe said her ex-husband was a great father at the mercy of
vulture like aides.
--------------------------------------------------
BARAT
TO COMPILE ALBUM
Former Libertine (well, 'former' at the moment, anyway) Carl
Barat is to compile an album of his favourite songs as the latest
musician to put together a collection for the 'Under The Influence'
series. Artists who have previously contributed to the series
include Morrissey, Super Furry Animals and Paul Weller.
The
collection will be released on 20 Jun and is expected to feature
tracks by New York Dolls, The Jam, David Bowie, The Clash, Small
Faces, The Smiths and The Streets. As previously reported, Barat
is currently working on solo material, and looks like releasing
an album by the start of next year.
--------------------------------------------------
BILLY
BRAGG RELEASES LIVE ALBUM ONLINE
Billy Bragg is to release a download only album through his
website, http://www.billybragg.co.uk . The album, 'Billy Bragg
Live At The Barbican' was recorded at a gig in Mar 2004, when
the singer performed songs from across his solo career. The
recording also includes some of Bragg's infamous ramblings during
the show, tackling such subjects as the failings of New Labour
and the terrors of hen nights in Newcastle. The recording is
released on Friday.
There
are 33 tracks. 21 are songs, the rest are chat:
A
Lover Sings
Lovers Town Revisited
Really Sing (talk)
No Power Without Accountability
Newcastle Hen Night (talk)
The Fourteenth Of February
Stag Night (talk)
The Saturday Boy (with Dave Woodhead)
Little Time Bomb (with Dave Woodhead)
Fahrenheit 451 (talk)
She Came Along To Me
Who Are The Terrorists (talk)
The Wolf Covers Its Tracks
Like Soldiers Do
BNP Is The Enemy (talk)
Accident Waiting To Happen
Cindy Of A Thousand Lives
Grant's Special Effects (talk)
The World Turned Upside Down
Help Save The Youth Of America
Economic Migrants (talk)
Distant Shore
Levi Stubbs' Tears (with Dave Woodhead)
Body Surfing (talk)
Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards
Tank Park Salute
Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key
Morrissey's Rubber Sheet (talk)
Dry Bed
Rock Out With Yer Cock Out (talk)
All The Young Dudes (with Jill Sobule)
Don't Mourn, Organise (talk)
There Is Power In A Union
--------------------------------------------------
WU
TANG MAN SETS UP NEW COMPANY
Wu Tang Clan member RZA has set up a new company to handle all
of his Wu Tang and other business dealings. The company, to
be called 36 Chambers Productions, will also provide a platform
through which RZA can work with new artists. RZA will take on
a producer role with those new artists, releasing their music
via a joint venture with Damon Dash's new music company.
RZA's
first two signings are rapper Cilvaringz and singer Thea. On
the former RZA told reporters: "Cilvaringz joined the Wu
Tang extended family in 1999 and has recently finished recording
his debut album featuring guest appearances by Raekwon, Method
Man, Masta Killa and Ghostface Killa. His album will definitely
give fans the nostalgic feeling of the old Wu-Tang stuff and
it features old production by myself, 4th Disciple, Allah Mathematics
and True Master. The fans are gonna love this one when it drops
early next year."
On
Thea he continued: "Her single/title song for the movie
Unleashed, 'Baby Boy', is currently getting heavy rotation overseas.
I think she's the new sensation so we've been putting in a lot
of work for her debut album also scheduled to drop soon".
--------------------------------------------------
LEAP
MOVE INTO RECORDINGS
Talking of new business ventures, Leap Music, the music company
owned by advertising firm BBH, have launched a new division
called Leap Masters. So far Leap Music has specialised in acquiring
and exploiting publishing copyrights, specialising, unsurprisingly,
in the use of music in the advertising space. The new business
will see the company working with recording copyrights too.
That will, of course, mean moving more into the domain of the
record label, although Leap don't expect to compete in the conventional
CD sales space, concentrating more on exploiting sound recordings
through the digital and mobile domain.
Commenting
on the new company, Leap Music MD Richard Kirstein told reporters:
"Leap Masters extends what we can offer to unsigned talent
by providing a legitimate retail route through and into the
digital music market. We have seen how exposure via commercials
creates consumer demand and this is an entirely logical move
for Leap Music to take. We are now able to work more closely
with the artists we sign to further exploit their music, and
seamlessly satisfy consumer demand through downloads & realtones.
For an unsigned band the combined forces of Leap Masters and
Leap Music generates huge profile, upfront fees and back-end
royalties."
--------------------------------------------------
BPI
INVESTIGATE DJ SANJ MIX ALBUM
The BPI has confirmed it is investigating complaints made by
a number of its members about a supposedly "authorised"
remix album containing mixes by DJ Sanj. Released on the dubiously
titled Bootleg Recordings and distributed by the Hi Tech label,
word has it that a number of BPI members have said the album
includes uncleared samples from their catalogues.
Confirming
they were investigating the complaints, BPI Director of Anti-Piracy
David Martin told reporters: "We believe that this remix
album uses lengthy samples of our members' sound recordings
without permission. Of course we take every complaint we receive
in relation to our members' rights very seriously, and we are
investigating the situation."
--------------------------------------------------
PIRATE
RADIO STATION SHUT DOWN AFTER AIRLINE INTERFERENCE
Talking of pirate type things, police have shut down a pirate
radio station in Birmingham after pilots complained their dance
music output was drowning out instructions from air traffic
controllers at the city's airport. According to the Guardian,
police and officials from media regulator OfCom traced the rouge
radio signal to a transmitter on top of a city centre tower
block. They have stopped the broadcasts, but have not yet found
where the pirate station's studio is (though presumably it wasn't
that far from the transmitter).
An
OfCom spokesman told the paper: "This is not just some
guys having a bit of fun and trying to get their break in radio.
This has the potential to cause massive problems for essential
services." That said, a spokesman for the National Air
Traffic Service said there wasn't actually ever any risk to
the safety of aircraft at Birmingham airport, as they can communicate
with aircraft on a number of different radio frequencies.
--------------------------------------------------
SINGLE
REVIEW: Towers Of London - Fuck It Up (TVT)
You needn't look so nervous; the Towers' second single is just
as abrasive and precocious as their debut, 'On A Noose'. This
is two minutes forty of heavy radio unfriendly punk from the
rank outsiders who are taking the press by storm (sadly least
of all for their music - but that's the shonky mainstream music
press for you). But after all the arresting and fining and court
appearances and extreme close ups of Donny's nasal hair and
fillings, Towers Of London are giving UK kids what they have
been crying out for: Something intoxicated and intoxicating.
Something that stands taller than the music itself. The Towers
may gob in your eye if you told them, but even they know that
their music is only part of their subversive appeal - subverting
the complicated post-hardcore 00's answer to prog, subverting
the media and its bandwagon-hopping mentality, and subverting
the clean cut tattoo twats like Lostprophets. The Towers aren't
the only band who talk the talk, but they're in a minority of
bands that actually walk the walk. You may wonder how much radio
play this little puppy is going to receive, what with it being
called Fuck It Up. But who needs radio play? Hindsight has proved
through singles from Cliff Richard to Serge Gainsbourg that
being banned from radio often works in your favour. And it figures:
if people can't hear you on the radio, they're gonna have to
buy it...Fuck I love this band. JG.
Release Date: 20 Jun
Press Contact: Hall Or Nothing [all]
--------------------------------------------------
RADIOHEAD
ON WARCHILD
The ever diligent team at charity download site War Child would
like to point out that while, as we reported yesterday, Radiohead's
back catalogue is now available via their digital music service,
they don't have exclusive rights to it - i.e. you can buy Radiohead
tracks from iTunes et al. But, of course, only the War Child
site will donate £1.50 per Radiohead album sold to charity,
which is surely more the Radiohead way of doing things. And
the band have donated an exclusive track - 'Go To Sleep (Live)'
- to the charity download service, and 70p goes to charity every
time it is downloaded.
--------------------------------------------------
BRITISH
ACADEMY PLAN PRE-IVOR NOVELLOS SHOWCASE
The British Academy will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary
of the Ivor Novello Awards with a special Songwriter Showcase
at The Bedford, Balham on 12 May showcasing the best emerging
UK songwriter talent. Among the performances on the night will
be the category winners from the Academy's songwriter competition
Song Search UK. Press information about the event is available
from Kizzy Donaldson on 020 7636 2929.
--------------------------------------------------
LIL
KIM SUED OVER NON-PAYMENT CLAIMS
Lil Kim, currently awaiting sentencing after being found guilty
of committing perjury, faces more legal troubles, albeit this
time in a civil case. Anthony Jeffries and Vincent Hart filed
court papers on Monday claiming that they are owed payment by
the hip hop star for songwriting and performing services that
they supplied for her 2003 album 'La Bella Mafia'. They claim
they were promised $15,000 for performing on one track on the
million selling album, and an additional $30,000 plus royalties
for co-writing another three.
But,
the plaintiffs say, they were never paid for their work. Instead
they were each given a piece of jewellery which Kim claimed
were worth $10,000 but, they allege, the rapper later demanded
the return of those items and threatened physical violence if
they refused. The men's lawyer, Kenneth Sussmane, says: "A
very large person came around to collect the pieces, and they
gave them back." The two men are suing for $100,000 each.
Lil
Kim's lawyer disputed the allegations made against his client,
telling reporters Jeffries and Hart were trying to capitalise
on the notoriety that has surrounded Lil Kim since the perjury
case: "They were paid. They were paid by Atlantic Records.
They had a falling out, and now they've filed a frivolous and
malicious lawsuit to embarrass her."
--------------------------------------------------
WESTLIFE
IN TRADEMARK BATTLE WITH CIGARETTE MAKER
Elsewhere in the pop courts, Westlife are due in the European
courts today (well, their people are) in a bid to get the European
trademark on their band name. It's gone to court because their
trademark claim is being disputed by Germany's popular West
cigarette brand which says Westlife is too similar to their
previously registered trademarks including the word 'west'.
Apparently the cigarette firm is concerned that if Westlife
are granted a trademark consumers will get the Irish boy band
confused with their nicotine based products, which is a dubious
claim though, to be fair, both are bad for your health.
--------------------------------------------------
MARTIN
GETS A HAND FROM SPIELBERG
Chris Martin got legendary director Steven Spielberg to help
him win an Xfm phone-in yesterday. The singer was appearing
on the station's breakfast show as part of their 'Bounty Hunter'
contest, a feature that requires participants to get a celebrity
to call into the show.
Martin
used his family connections to get Spielberg to call and speak
to Xfm's Christian O'Connell - Spielberg is Martin's wife Gwyneth
Paltrow's godfather. Martin said: "This man is big time.
He's as big time as it gets. I can't believe I'm sitting with
him to be honest. The director of some the best films of all
time. It's crazy. It's none other than your main man Steven
Spielberg... It's crazy. Life's funny sometimes, man."
Spielberg
explained that he's currently finishing new film 'War Of The
Worlds', and revealed that he'd recently attended a private
screening of 'Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith' and described
it as the "best of the three new films". He also joked
with Martin about making a film about his band. Martin added
that he'd asked Spielberg about a film role. "I asked him
about 'Indiana Jones 4', but perhaps he'll let me be an android
in 'War Of The Worlds 2'."
--------------------------------------------------
QUEEN
KICK OFF TOUR
Queen started their first UK tour for nineteen years with a
performance at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle last night.
The band, who have already played to sell out audiences across
Europe, will also take in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and
Sheffield before a final gig in London on 11 May.
As
previously reported, Queen have been joined by former Free singer,
Paul Rodgers, who first stepped up to fill Freddy Mercury's
shoes at that 2004 concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the Fender Stratocaster, and made a second outing to mark
Queen's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame. Rodgers said
"Powerful and real, explosive and dynamic. That's how it
felt when Queen and I played our three tracks at the UK Music
Hall Of Fame Awards ceremony in London. Lets do more was the
unanimous feeling. Which is why we are joining forces for this
tour."
--------------------------------------------------
EMI
RESPOND TO GORILLAZ MARKETING TACTICS
EMI chief Tony Wadsworth has responded to criticism that his
Parlophone label cheated the new singles chart system with the
release of the Gorillaz single 'Feel Good Inc'.
As
previously reported, EMI released a very limited edition run
of the single and made it available to download. The albeit
limited physical release meant that the song was eligible for
a chart rating. Thanks to subsequent download sales it managed
to go Top 30 - even though the full physical CD release of the
single isn't until next week. This caused concerns in parts
of the music industry (well, mainly the retail sector) who say
that the label were pushing the rules regarding the physical
release that is required in order to get your download sales
counted in the main chart.
Responding
to those concerns, EMI boss Tony Wadsworth told reporters: "We
passionately believe that it is essential for the whole industry
to grow the digital business if we are to meet consumer wishes
and properly service our artists. Having said that, we have
no wish to make life any more difficult than it already is for
retailers, particularly small indies whom we have gone out of
our way to support in recent years. The Gorillaz limited physical
release was a one-off and we don't intend to repeat it. It has
highlighted an issue that we feel needs debating and we are
now happy to continue that debate within the chart supervisory
committee with retail representatives and other music companies."
--------------------------------------------------
FRANZ
WRITE MUSIC FOR THE LADIES
Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos has described songs in
progress for the new album as "music for girls to cry to".
As previously reported, the band have been in the studio working
on a follow up to their eponymous debut LP.
Writing
on the band's official website, the singer said "The character
of this new record is beginning to take form. I was joking with
a friend about how if the last record was music for girls to
dance to, this is probably music for girls to cry to...at least
for them to leak a little tear to while they're dancing."
Kapranos
has also recently spoken to NME.com about the band's progress,
saying: "We have started recording. Some of the stuff we
started recording we will be using but we want to record a lot
more. We try and get as many ideas down in the first place.
A song might have 28 parts and you keep three of them. Having
that huge choice in the first place and then being ruthless
about what you reject is how you make decent music."
He
continued: "It's a lot easier when you're hanging around
together than it is doing it on the road. I can write on the
road, but what's difficult to do on the road is get some perspective
and do the thing which makes songs good, which is editing them
down and discarding the bits that are rubbish. We do that from
the four of us just sitting around and chatting about it, seeing
what we like and what we don't like. The last few days have
been very good. Nick (McCarthy) and I were just at the house
ourselves writing a couple of songs a day, it was really, really
good."
--------------------------------------------------
AMON
TOBIN SURROUND SOUND GIG
Ninja Tune signed Amon Tobin next week releases a special 5.1
Surround Sound version of his critically acclaimed soundtrack
to the video game Tom Clancy's 'Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory'
on DVD audio. To celebrate Tobin has been performing a number
of surround sound gigs utilising all sorts of find sound technology.
That show comes the London's Mean Fiddler tonight - well worth
checking out if you can - press info from Ninja Tune.
--------------------------------------------------
ALBUM
REVIEW: MIA - Arular (Beggars/XL Recordings)
The Sri-Lankan born, London based artist's debut has been one
of the more eagerly awaited releases in recent memory. Available
for some time now on import, 'Arular' has been causing an extraordinary
buzz amongst the critical fraternity, and currently sits second
in Metacritic's highest rated albums of 2005. It's not difficult
to see why MIA has been so highly praised - 'Arular' is a stunningly
eclectic and diverse record, incorporating a plethora of genres
and styles, ranging from electro to ragga, from hip-hop to punk.
'Pull Up The Poor', which is in essence, the first full length
track on the album is an astonishing introduction to MIA's talents.
Sounding like Ari Up from The Slits, MIA spits out socially
aware lyrics over the kind of beats you'd normally associate
with Dizzee Rascal. As you'd expect for any budding female hip-hop
artists, Missy Elliott and Timbaland are obvious influences
upon MIA, even scoring a name check in 'Freedom'. Much like
Timbaland, MIA uses sounds from all corners of the world, and
infuses them into traditional hip-hop rhythms, creating a truly
cosmopolitan sound. The list of collaborators on this record
adds to its diversity; the likes of Richard X, Justine Frischmann,
and Steve Mackay lent their talents. As you'd expect from the
daughter of a Tamil Tiger, politics is a feature of this record;
both lyrics and attitude have a revolutionary edge to them.
Hip-hop, which was born out of social injustice, has lost its
political bearings, and it's reassuring to see that there are
artists out there spreading a message with more substance than
crass materialism. Hip-hop has always been open to accusations
of misogyny and marginalising women, and MIA challenges these
notions. I'd like to think that 'Arular' could shake both this
scene and the industry out of their complacency, but 'Arular'
will probably stay outside the mainstream; a pity, since it's
a vital and important record. That said, this is a time when
the power of word of mouth via the internet continues to grow,
and can be instrumental in breaking new artists. The response
to MIA in the US has been overwhelmingly positive. And even
if 'Arular' never receives the attention it deserves, those
who've heard it will know that they've shared something very
special. KW.
Release date: 25 Apr
Press contact: Beggars IH [all]
--------------------------------------------------
BADLY
DRAWN BOY PLAYS CHARITY GIG
Badly Drawn Boy, aka Damon Gough, is to play an intimate gig
for charity as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival in Manchester.
The singer, supported by local school band Simple Complications,
will perform at the 200 capacity venue, St Clement's Church,
in order to raise money for the building's roof. The event will
take place on 27 May and tickets, costing £20, can only
be brought in person from King Bee Records, Wilbraham Road,
Chorlton.
--------------------------------------------------
HOT
HOT HEAT GO ACOUSTIC
Hot Hot Heat have recorded acoustic versions of five songs from
latest album 'Elevator', with the idea to release an unplugged
EP later this year, although no release has been scheduled.
The songs include "Jingle Jangle," "You Owe Me
an IOU," "Pickin' It Up," and "Goodnight,
Goodnight".
--------------------------------------------------
ABDUL
AFFAIR CONTINUES
American Idol judge Paula Abdul is under increasing pressure
to quit following those allegations by former contestant Corey
Clark, who claims he had an affair with Abdul, and is shortly
to appear in an ABC news expose to discuss those claims. Clark
alleges that the affair began whilst he was appearing on the
show in 2003, prior to his disqualification for failing to admit
a pending criminal charge, and that Abdul also provided him
with "personal coaching" to help him advance in the
competition. Clark has also played a recent answer phone message
apparently left by Abdul, in which it seems she implored him
not to talk about her or publish his memoirs.
A
statement from the show's producers reiterated the notion that
Clark just isn't to be trusted: "Disqualified 'American
Idol' contestant Corey Clark was removed from the show for failing
to disclose his criminal arrest history. Despite documented
procedures and multiple opportunities for contestants to raise
any concerns they may have, the producers of 'American Idol,'
FreemantleMedia, 19 Entertainment and FOX were never notified
or contacted by Mr. Clark, nor presented with any evidence concerning
his claims. We will, of course, look into any evidence of improper
conduct that we receive.
In
the meantime, we recommend that the public carefully examine
Mr. Clark's motives, given his apparent desire to exploit his
prior involvement with 'American Idol' for profit and publicity."
--------------------------------------------------
USHER
PLANS EARLY RETIREMENT
Usher has said that he's happy to work hard at the moment, because
he's planning on an early and relaxing retirement. According
to Teenhollywood he said: "I don't plan on being a 30 or
40-year-old artist who continues to tour. I'll do it in my leisure.
I do not want to be 38-years-old, sweating with my shirt off,
running around stage." Which seems fair enough.
--------------------------------------------------
BRITNEY'S
PREGNANCY TEST RAISES CASH FOR KIDDIES
A positive pregnancy test which, it is claimed, was left behind
in the bathroom bin of a Los Angeles hotel room where Britney
Spears and Kevin Federline stayed a couple of months ago, has
been sold for charity for an undisclosed amount.
A
spokesperson for Internet casino GoldenPalace.com, famous for
several recent high-profile eBay sales, say proceeds from its
purchase of Britney's alleged pregnancy kit will be donated
to two US charities, the Candlelighter's Childhood Cancer Foundation
and the Easter Seal Society which helps children with physical
disabilities. Which is good for the charities, if a little hopeless
for the state of humankind if people are prepared to pay good
money for a stick that a pop singer has peed on. Euugh.
--------------------------------------------------
J-LO'S
PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS
According to The Sun, Jennifer Lopez would like to be the first
female US president, but said that she'd like to give the White
House a makeover first as it "doesn't look cosy."
Somebody stop her, please.
--------------------------------------------------
TIMBERLAKE
TO HAVE THROAT SURGERY
The Sun also reports that Justin Timberlake is to have an operation
in Los Angeles to get rid of throat nodules, and will not be
able to sing for three months following the operation, which
is a terrible, terrible shame.
A
source said: "He hadn't sung much for ages - he pretty
much stopped over the last year to focus on acting. But recently
he's been in the studio again making his latest single, SIgns,
with Snoop Dogg. That's when he realised there was a problem
with his voice. He saw a specialist and was diagnosed with nodules.
The op is fairly simple so he should be fine."