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![]() FORMER WILCO MAN DIES A posting on the website of the Undertow Music Collective, Bennett most recent label, said simply: "We are profoundly saddened to report that our friend died in his sleep ... Jay was a beautiful human being who will be missed". Tweedy, currently touring with Wilco in Spain, issued this statement yesterday: "We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will miss Jay as we remember him - as a truly unique and gifted human being and one who made welcome and significant contributions to the band's songs and evolution. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this very difficult time". Multi-instrumentalist Bennett joined Wilco in 1994 and wrote for and appeared on three of the band's albums, 1996's 'Being There', 1999's 'Summerteeth' and 2002's 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot', as well as taking part in the band's Woody Guthrie celebrating Billy Bragg collaborations, 'Mermaid Avenue' and 'Mermaid Avenue 2'. He quit the band in 2001 after a falling out with Tweedy, a falling out which was closely documented because the band were participating in the recording of a documentary film at the time of the split. It was partly royalties relating to that film that Bennett claimed he was still owed earlier this month. At the time it was revealed that the musician needed the allegedly unpaid Wilco royalties to help fund a hip replacement operation, which with hindsight may have been an indication of general ill-health. As well as his work with Wilco, Bennett recorded three albums in the nineties with his own band Titanic Love Affair, and more recently released four solo albums and appeared as a session musician on tracks by other artists, most notably Sheryl Crow. He was working on his fifth solo album at the time of his death. It is not clear what Bennett's death means for the litigation he launched against Tweedy. -------------------------------------------------- RIHANNA APPEARS IN KANYE VIDEO This is news, of course, because it's the first major public appearance of the singer since her much reported altercation with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown ahead of this year's Grammys which left her unconscious and him facing charges of assault. The black and white video was filmed in Hawaii and apparently features Rihanna driving around late at night, with "messages" of "betrayal" and "traumatic delusions" somehow intertwined into it. It was previewed by LA Reid, the boss of West's label Def Jam, last week and will be properly released with a new version of the track later this summer. At the time of Brown's alleged assault on Rihanna, West was one of the artists to quickly voice his support for the injured singer, telling reporters: "That's my [metaphorical] baby sister and I will do any and everything to help her in any situation". TI WILL START 366 DAY PRISON SENTENCE TODAY As previously reported, TI was sentenced to a year in jail back in March after pleading guilty to two charges of illegally possessing firearms and of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, both relating to an incident in October 2007 when the rapper was found trying to buy unlicensed machine guns and silencers. Those who think Harris has already got a rather good deal thanks to his expensive lawyers and celebrity status - the standard sentence for his crime is at least five years - will be pleased to here that is seems those reports from last week that the rapper's sentence had been further reduced to just two months are not true. As previously reported, there were reports widely circulating on the net last week that because TI has already spent 305 days under 'home detention', some of it prior to his trial in March, those days would be credited against his prison sentence meaning he could be out of jail by July. However, it seems there has been some confusion between his prison time and a separate part of his sentence ordering home detention. It is true that, having been under 'home detention' for 305 days, TI only has to spend a further two months living under curfew, but that is separate from the prison sentence. The two remaining months of home detention will come once he is out of jail. Prison time, though, remains unchanged at a year and a day, though he could get two months shaved off that for good behaviour once inside. As previously reported, TI got favourable treatment as part of a plea bargain which included some high profile community service warning young people off guns and crime, some of which was seen via an MTV series. Confirming that the one year one day sentence still stood, TI told a celeb-filled audience at a special gig held in Atlanta this weekend to mark the start of his prison time: "I'm going to stand up tall, head up high. What I need y'all to do is pray for me while I'm gone. I'll see y'all in 366 days". -------------------------------------------------- DRUMMER SUES BILLY JOEL Liberty DeVitto worked with Joel for some thirty years before being kicked out of the band in 2005. The drummer says his dismissal came as a shock, and was possibly caused by his involvement in an intervention in which Joel was challenged about his various addictions. Joel checked into rehab later that year. DeVitto is clearly bitter, though he claims the lawsuit relates to straight royalty commitments that Joel and his label Sony have failed to fulfil. He is suing to get access to accounts of Joel's record sales, and for any cut of profits he is due. Confirming the litigation, DeVitto told the New York Post: "Everybody always assumes that you make a lot of money because you worked with Billy Joel. It didn't happen that way. People get fired, they get severance or insurance for a certain period of time. I didn't even get a phone call. It was cold". MANIC PREACHER RECKONS WE'RE ALL CORRUPT, SPEAK FOR YOURSELF WIRE Burnham is one of the latest MPs to be featured in the Telegraph's review of politicians' expenses, and has been criticised for some property arrangements that possibly enabled him to dodge a six grand tax bill. That said, the criticism of Burnham is less clear cut than that levelled against many of his parliamentary colleagues, as it relates to a complicated property windfall which changed in status from income to expenses, reducing tax liabilities, as it went through the parliamentary fees system, rather than simple lavish expense claims or the dodgy practice of 'flipping' second home assignment to boost the tax-payers' mortgage contributions. Only really a tax accountant could say whether Burnham acted unethically or not. Anyway, back to Wire, who was talking about his band's reputation for politically charged lyrics in an interview with Absolute Radio. Asked if the recent MPs expenses scandal had left him disillusioned about Britain's political system, Wire said: "Personally, I'm not disillusioned with politics. I enjoy politics. I still think it gets a lot of things done". He also encouraged other bands who participate in political campaigns to bring their politics into their music. Wire: "There's a lot of musicians who seem to act politically, and you listen to their music and think, 'Well, why don't you actually write about it?'". -------------------------------------------------- MCCLURE TO SPEED DEBATE TONIGHT NOTTING HILL SIGN IVOR NOVELLO NOMINATED HEMMING As previously reported, Hemming was nominated in the Best Song Musically And Lyrically category for his song 'The Last Of The Melting Snow', which his band Leisure Society self-released late last year. Although he lost out to Elbow at the awards show itself, he confirmed to Billboard last week: "I signed with Notting Hill Music last weekend, so that's exciting. It's my last day at work [on Friday] at a warehouse in Wimbledon. I'm a full-time musician as of Monday". The band, however, remain unsigned, with Hemming admitting they are cautious about doing a label deal, preferring to release via their own Willkommen Records, though conceding they will probably sign up to a bigger record company eventually. Hemming: "There are a few labels who are interested but we haven't signed anything yet. We're holding out a little bit - we're scared of signing our rights away because we've been doing it on our own for so long. But I think we probably will do eventually". NEW PROCLAIMERS NEXT MONTH There'll be lots of gigging from the Proclaimer boys too, in both the UK and Canada, through to the end of the year. Dates at www.myspace.com/theproclaimers DIDDY TO PLAY LABEL BOSS IN BRAND FILM MORE JACKO SPECULATION The source says: "The suggestion that they need more time to set up the show in London is a joke. I think the fans who have already bought tickets should hold their breath and cross their fingers, because there is no guarantee any of this is actually going to happen. There is a possibility that this will still happen, but it is up to him to get his act together. Michael has only been to two days of rehearsals for the show. His dancers have been working on it every single day for 45 days at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, but Michael has been nowhere to be found". But not everyone is predicting doom and gloom for the Jacko comeback. 50 Cent, presumably asked by a passing reporter what he thought about the postponed Jacko dates (he was speaking at the Cannes Film Festival), said that he reckoned the delays in starting The O2 residency were just the result of Jackson's characteristic perfectionism, something he'd be willing to forgive because of Jacko's legacy. Fiddy told reporters: "Michael Jackson is such a perfectionist, you know? He is the King Of Pop. Until someone tops 'Thriller' he's going to have that, and the odds are it ain't gonna happen no time soon". -------------------------------------------------- EAST 17 MORTIMER PREPPING FOR SOLO SHOW Speaking to Digital Spy, he said: "It's a big deal for me as I've only performed once in the past ten years. We've been rehearsing a lot for it and I'm still nervous but excited to get back out there. I'm going to be singing our classic songs like 'House Of Love', 'Thunder' and 'Around The World', because I think that is what my fans will want to hear". On the motivation to start performing solo, he continued: "It's really exciting to get back out on the road. I don't really want to stop gigging now. Although the East 17 comeback didn't work out, the outcome was positive as it really got me back in the mood for going out and performing again". -------------------------------------------------- GET THE BLESSING ELEVEN DIE AS FENCE COLLAPSES AT MOROCCAN FESTIVAL According to Reuters, the fence collapsed at the city's Hay Nahda stadium as the festival was closing and crowds rushed to leave the venue. Some festival-goers have blamed police who, they allege, closed some exits as the festival ended, forcing audience members to use unsafe routes to leave the stadium. However, authorities have said all official gates were open, and it was fans who chose to exit by unofficial routes in a bid to beat the queues. -------------------------------------------------- DOHERTY TO HEADLINE ANTI-RACISM FEST ALBUM REVIEW: Florence & The Machine - Lungs (Universal/Island) Buy from iTunes SATURDAYS DO ALL IMPORTANT HAIR-REMOVAL CREAM DEAL Confirming they would be fronting an ad campaign for Veet, Saturday girl Una Healy told reporters: "We all like to look after ourselves and we are often wearing little dresses and shorts for shoots, videos and live performances so we have to make sure our legs look their best". BEGGARS TO OPEN LA OFFICE -------------------------------------------------- CHRYSALIS DOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED Bosses at the music company said that they were now quite optimistic about the rest of this financial year, with songwriters like Bat For Lashes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs expected to deliver well this year, and the firm's CD and DVD distribution company benefiting from the downfall for their large Woolworths-owned rival eUK. Chrysalis boss Jeremy Lascelles said in a statement: "I am very pleased that we have managed to emerge from a very difficult period last year in such strong shape, which I attribute to some very good A&R decisions in the signing of artists like White Lies, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Mastodon and Laura Marling, and the steps we took to streamline the business and concentrate on our core strengths. The continuing robust performance of our catalogue confirms our belief that the value of strong intellectual property is holding up in the difficult current economic environment". -------------------------------------------------- SCOTTISH TOURING PROGRAMME RECRUITING NEW VENUES The current Tune Up tour features James Yorkston & Lisa Knapp, Going Across The Sea, De Rosa and The Hebrides Ensemble and touches down in both bigger Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, but also in less obvious locations like Peebles, Langholm, Ayr, Stornoway and Ullapool - details at www.tuneup.org.uk But plans are already underway for the next season, and any Scottish promoters and venues, whatever their size, are invited to sign up to receive information about how they might participate. To do so fill out the form at www.tuneup.org.uk/section/industry_mailing_list/ COLD WAR KIDS PLAY INTERACTIVE www.mtvmusic.com/artist/coldwarkids.jhtml ROSS SHOW TO BE PRE-RECORDED Although the remarks that garnered the recent complaints were relatively minor, the Beeb is still very nervous about offending listeners, especially when Ross, who some feel should have been fired over the Andrew Sachs phone calls he participated in on Russell Brand's Radio 2 show last year, is involved. Of course the infamous Sachsgate edition of Brand's radio show was actually pre-recorded, so I'm not sure making Ross's own show a pre-record gives 100% guarantees nothing will go wrong, though presumably Radio 2 hopes it now has enough checks in place to stop inappropriate pre-recorded content from getting to air. There were reports that Ross was unhappy with the decision to ban him from live broadcasting on Radio 2, but a spokesman for the station denied those rumours, telling reporters: "Both Radio 2 and Jonathan are all very happy with the plan as we've been discussing the matter for many weeks". Station bosses added that by recording the show on a Friday rather than a Saturday morning they should be able to secure higher profile guests who many not be willing to do an early(ish) start at the weekend. -------------------------------------------------- FORMER CHRYSALIS BOSS ACQUIRES EIGHT GLOBAL STATIONS Phil Riley's bid for the eight stations was backed by the private equity division of Lloyds TSB (called LDC), and a deal was done last week after earlier talks between Global and rivals Bauer Media fell through. The eight stations Riley acquires are FM pop stations BRMB, Mercia, Wyvern and Beacon, three accompanying AM Gold services, and the East Midlands outpost of the Heart franchise, which has been operating as a Heart station since 2005. The latter will continue to operate as part of the Heart network, under licence from Global, but managed by Riley's company. Confirming his purchase, Riley told reporters: "We are delighted to be taking ownership of these stations. I have a real passion for radio in the Midlands as someone who has spent most of his working life in the region, and LDC are perfect partners given their Birmingham base. These stations represent a fantastic opportunity for growth and we can't wait to start working with the teams there". Global boss Ashley Tabor added: "We are delighted to have concluded this deal with LDC and Phil Riley, who will be great owners of these fantastic stations. We are pleased that the Heart brand remains on air in the East Midlands, where audience numbers are going from strength to strength". CHART UPDATE New entries-wise you have that Daniel Merriweather chap at five with 'Red', Alexander Ryback with 'Fairytale' at 10, Paolo Nutini with 'Candy' at 19 and Star Pilots with 'In The Heat Of The Night' at 21, while Kanye/Keri/Ne-Yo, Jade Ewen, Katy Perry and Empire Of The Sun all move into the Top 40 this week from previous positions lower down the chart. Albums-wise, and no surprise that Eminem pushed Green Day into second place with comeback album 'Relapse'. The Manics quickly follow with a new entry in the form of 'Journal For Plague Lovers' at three. Madness are bringing liberty to Norton Falgate at number five, and with CMU HQ just next to the Falgate, can we just say, thank God for that. Jazzy songstress and music therapy advocate Melody Gardot arrives at number 12 with 'My One And Only Thrill', and there are new entries elsewhere from Jarvis Cocker at 19, Tori Amos at 20, Katharine Jenkins at 36 and Steve Earle at 37. Hurrah. The charts are compiled, using an HB pencil and a Pritt Stick, by the Official Charts Company. SUSAN BOYLE SINGS A SONG Having been voted by the judges into the semi-finals, Boyle was quickly voted by the great British public onto the final of the talent fest which, I think, takes place next weekend. The show's producers remain insistent Boyle isn't a complete cert to win next week's final, though it seems unlikely anyone else can count on quite the same level of automatic public support once the phone vote begins. If I was Cowell, I'd get 'Susan's Showtunes' and 'Boyle Does The Blues' out this side of the summer, before people find other reasons to cheer up and start to forget about this particular YouTube sensation. If he's lucky he might get a Christmas album out of her before the bubble bursts. Though given her popularity Stateside, a Vegas season might have more longevity. -------------------------------------------------- MAY WANTS TO WORK WITH NON-AMERICAN IDOL Lambert was robbed, if Teri CMU is to be believed, but, of course, winning these shows isn't necessarily all that important in terms of pursuing a successful career. And it seems Lambert has some fans in high places. Gene Simmons has reportedly offered the non-Idol a slot on the next Kiss tour, while Brian May, who performed with Lambert on the final of the talent show, has also said he'd like to work with him again, though, despite rumours, he has not suggested the Idol-wannabe fill the now vacant post of Queen frontman. May told Rolling Stone: "It's not like we, as Queen, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn't that easy. But I'd certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there". -------------------------------------------------- VV BROWN DISSES TELLY TALENT SHOWS |
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