With the increased chatter in the media this week regarding the rumoured $70 million deal being negotiated between Shakira and Live Nation, new rumour this morning that the other band on the live music conglom's 360 degree hitlist is Nickelback.
I say new rumour - that the much-bigger-than-you-realise Canadian rockers are on Live Nation's wishlist has been rumoured before, but it seems that they are now favourites to be the final of the four artists the live music firm's CEO Michael Rapino has said he hopes to sign up to his new multi-dimensional Artists division this year. Like Madonna and Jay-Z, Live Nation hope to secure an interest in Shakira and Nickelback's recording, merchandising and brand partnership activities as well as their touring.
A Nickelback deal would see Warner Music lose two of its bankable artists to the live music conglom - Madonna being the first. Jay-Z was previously with Universal while Shakira is currently signed to SonyBMG.
Elsewhere in Live Nation 360 degree news, HitsDailyDouble reports that one of the sticking points between Rapino and Michael Cohl - the CEO of Live Nation Artists who confirmed he was quitting the role last week - was Motley Crue. Cohl was very keen to sign the Crue up to a 360 degree deal, but Rapino didn't think they were right for his company's new division, wanting acts with "a more sophisticated image and more career still in front of them". Ouch.