Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

Ticketmaster and Live Nation Inc. announced on Tuesday (February 10) that they will combine forces to create one of the largest live entertainment companies on the planet, to be called Live Nation Entertainment.

The merger combines ticket provider Ticketmaster, which sells tickets for more than 80 percent of the major arenas and stadiums in the United States, with Live Nation, the world's leading concert-promotion company, into a company whose value is an estimated $2.5 billion.

The deal still has to face major hurdles that could delay it as regulators launch an antitrust review to ensure that the new company does not represent a monopoly. The merger comes after Live Nation cut ties with Ticketmaster earlier this year and attempted to launch its own rival ticketing service. Minutes after the deal was announced, New York Senator Charles Schumer, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, quickly criticized it, according to the New York Times.

"This merger would give a giant, new entity unrivaled power over concertgoers and the prices they pay to see their favorite artists and bands," the senator said in an e-mailed statement. "It must be viewed skeptically and scrutinized with a fine-toothed comb by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission."

Both services have endured bad publicity over the past few weeks. Ticketmaster got slammed by Bruce Springsteen's manager for allegedly redirecting fans trying to buy tickets for the singer's upcoming tour to a secondary resale site it owns called TicketsNow, where they were forced to pay premium prices for seats. Ticketmaster apologized to Springsteen and his fans, according to the Los Angeles Times. But on Monday, Bloomberg.com reported that a $500 million lawsuit had been filed in Canada against the company for allegedly selling tickets at inflated prices.

Phish fans were also outraged recently when tickets for the beloved jam band's reunion shows went on sale and, according to Billboard.com, Live Nation's new ticketing system crashed due to the high volume of requests.

Live Nation has been preparing its ticketing system for over a year, all the while making mega-million-dollar deals with artists including Jay-Z, Madonna, U2, Shakira and Nickelback for those acts' touring, merchandising and, in some cases, recording rights.

In addition to its holdings in the U.S., which encompass nearly 120 venues including 39 amphitheaters, as well as a number of major regional concert promoters, Live Nation controls businesses that print artist-related T-shirts and merchandise and run fan clubs.

The deal comes as the music industry is mired in a continuing downturn, with Nielsen Soundscan reporting that album sales slipped 14 percent in 2008, marking the fourth straight year of significant declines in CD sales.

Meanwhile, touring revenues were up slightly in 2008, and the business remains one of the most consistently profitable parts of the music industry.

In a release announcing the deal, Ticketmaster and Live Nation promised that they would attempt to give fans better access and more options for buying tickets, improve pricing schemes, invest in better ticketing technology such as paperless ticketing and mobile delivery of tickets, and increase attendance at events.

While the merger has led some to fear that the new company could unilaterally raise the average price of a concert ticket and leave fans without a second option, Ray Waddell, Billboard magazine's concert tour reporter told CNN that he doesn't expect ticket prices to "just blow up" should the merger be approved.

"Traditionally, when there's competition taken out of the marketplace, it really doesn't do a lot for lowering prices, but both these companies are very sensitive to the market and what the fans can pay," he said, adding the caveat that a combined company would control "everything before, during and after a concert takes place over the course of an entire tour, and that's pretty sizable."

• Jay-Z
• Madonna
• U2
• Nickelback
• Shakira

Beyoncé performs with Bono, Stevie Wonder and more on Sunday
Photo: Mark Wilson/ Getty Images

The star power during the "We Are One" concert was unbelievable, and the sense of patriotism in the readings, speeches and performances during the show — which was broadcast live from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. — set the tone for Barack Obama's upcoming inauguration.

Denzel Washington was the first celebrity to hit the stage, stressing to the crowd the show's theme of unity. His speech was followed by Bruce Springsteen's rousing performance of post-9/11 anthem "The Rising." The show was filled with nods to famous Americans: Laura Linney reminded everyone of FDR's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" speech with Martin Luther King Jr.'s son by her side, and Tom Hanks paid tribute to Abraham Lincoln.

But it was the music that really stood out. Mary J. Blige sang "Lean on Me," which was followed up by Jon Bon Jovi's duet with Bettye LaVette on Sam Cooke's civil-rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come." James Taylor and John Legend got together for Taylor's hit "Shower the People." Then John Mellencamp got onstage for his song "Ain't That America."

The celebrity sightings didn't end there. Sheryl Crow and Will.I.Am collaborated on Bob Marley's "One Love," while Usher, Shakira and Stevie Wonder joined up for "Higher Ground."

The big performances of the night came at the end. U2 performed two of their hits, "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and the Obama-approved "City of Blinding Lights," noting that the whole world is ready for Obama's presidency.

U2 were followed up by Obama himself, talking about the hard times to come, the pool stretching out in front of him reflecting Dr. King's dreams and the monument behind him to a president who made it possible for him to be there today.

Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger took the stage to sing "This Land Is Your Land," and Beyoncé brought it all home with her performance of "America the Beautiful."

"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.

• 'We Are One' Inaugural Concert: Highlights

• Beyonce, U2, Usher, More Perform At "We Are One" Inaugural Concert

• Will.I.Am
• Mary J. Blige
• Beyoncé
• Usher
• U2

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• Shakira

Avril Lavigne on the March cover of <i>Maxim</i>
Photo: Naomi Kaltman

Avril Lavigne, who was once known as the "anti-Britney," now has nothing but sympathy for the pop star, as she reveals in the new issue of Maxim. "No one else has it as hard as Britney," she told the magazine. "I feel bad for her. How does she even think with all those flashbulbs? When I'm being followed, everything's thrown off. They run red lights. They cause accidents. She can't even walk to her car. F---ing stalkers." Lavigne, who has been known to flip off and spit on the paparazzi in the past, also said she's disgusted at speculation that she's pregnant with her first child. "Remember in high school when people would start fake rumors about you?" she asked. "Well, this isn't high school. It's like, the entire world." Check out more Avril photos from the mag's March issue at Maxim.com. ...

A Los Angeles judge decided Thursday (February 14) to extend the temporary conservatory powers that Britney Spears' father has over the singer's affairs — at least through the next hearing, on March 10. Jamie Spears had been granted control to oversee Britney's well-being and her estate earlier this month, along with co-conservator Andrew Wallet. Court-appointed investigator Samuel Ingham told the court Thursday that he had not finished his psychological evaluation of the singer and was granted an extension until the next hearing. Also by March 10, Britney must undergo a 730 evaluation to study her family to determine the best custody arrangements, Commissioner Reva Goetz decided. Goetz also named Britney's older brother, Bryan — who used to work on her former management team — along with New York estate attorney Ivan Taback as co-trustees for the singer's trust while she is considered unable to manage her own affairs. Meanwhile, Britney's current manager Sam Lutfi has yet to be served with a restraining order. The lawyers for the conservatorship concluded that Lutfi was intentionally avoiding being served because they'd already spent over 200 hours trying to reach him. A hearing about the restraining order is scheduled for February 22. ...

Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, isn't too happy about Aretha Franklin scolding his daughter for comments she made about the Queen of Soul at Sunday's Grammy Awards. "Something this ridiculous — it's childish, it's unprofessional," he said in a statement on Thursday, according to People. "And it's a sad day when egos get bruised because somebody used the word 'king,' 'queen,' 'prince' or 'princess.' " Beyoncé introduced Tina Turner as "the queen" during the ceremony, after which Franklin released a statement in which she said, "I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé. ... However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy." ...

Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Ricky Martin and others are voicing support for Alejandro Sanz after the cancellation of a concert he intended to play in Venezuela, Reuters reports. In 2004, the Latin American singer claimed President Hugo Chávez had tried to quash a campaign for a recall referendum against him. Sanz supporters are reportedly accusing Chávez of censorship in the wake of the concert cancellation. ... White Stripes are getting some extra lovin' at Best Buy, Pitchfork reports. The retail chain is selling a five-track EP surrounding the band's new single, "Conquest," that features all the accompanying B-sides that were previously available only on vinyl or in digital form. The EP comes free with the purchase of the band's Icky Thump album, or it can be bought separately. ...

Well, so much for all those reunion tours. A day after Billboard.com reported that the Police would be retiring for good after their upcoming North American trek comes news that the reunited Spice Girls likely won't go on either. Geri Halliwell — or Ginger Spice, to the fans — told the site she isn't anticipating a follow-up to the group's current run, which ends February 26 in Toronto. "It probably won't happen ever again," she said. "I'm still absolutely blown away that we did more than one show. So right now I'm thinking this is it. This is the last time you will ever get to see this Girl Power, the five Spices on the stage as one." Still, she added the requisite nugget of wisdom: "You can never say never." ...

The Smashing Pumpkins have dished up an unreleased track, "SuperChrist," for a limited-edition CD that will be made available March 1 at Guitar Center locations, according to Billboard.com. The compilation disc, which doesn't have a name, was curated by Billy Corgan and the gang — they picked acts that feature Guitar Center employees based on submissions from them. "SuperChrist" was a leftover track from the Pumpkins' 2007 album, Zeitgist, and the band has previously played it on tour. An accompanying video will premiere February 27 on MySpace. ... Guitar Center has another limited-edition goody too: a Roland RZA/Forat Custom MV8800 machine designed by the RZA and electronic trailblazer Bruce Forat. The hand-painted device features original artwork by the two, including allusions to the Wu-Tang Clan's recent 8 Diagrams LP. If you're interested in getting one, though, you'll have to throw down big bucks and act fast when they go on sale February 28: Only eight machines are being made available, and they cost a pricey $5,999 apiece. ...

Christina Aguilera has "never had more respect for the female body," the new mom told People for its new issue, which hits newsstands Friday. She added of her C-section to deliver her 4-week-old son, Max: "The hardest part was deciding on his birthday. I wanted to leave it up to fate, but at the same time I was ready to be done early!" The singer, who shared photos of her baby with the magazine, said she intends to start recording in her home studio this month. As for what she and husband Jordan Bratman have been spinning lately, she revealed: "Yesterday we had Led Zeppelin blaring through the house. Most new moms play Beethoven, but we're playing Metallica, Bob Marley, the Stones." ...

An interview with Michelle Williams in which she addressed her breakup with Heath Ledger, who died from an accidental drug overdose late last month, has just been published. "Obviously so much has changed for me in the last few months that I don't really have an idea of what my life is going to be," Williams told the U.K.'s Wonderland Magazine for what is said to be her last interview before the actor's death. "I thought I knew certain things and it turned out that I didn't, so I don't really try and anticipate so much anymore. I'm not making any bets on the future." ...

Chris Rock has been confirmed to appear the 2008 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, taking place June 12-15 in Manchester, Tennessee. He's just one of more than a dozen comedians set to perform at the fest — a list that also includes David Cross and Janeane Garofolo — but he's the only one that'll do his work from Bonnaroo's main stage (the same stage Kanye West, Pearl Jam and Metallica will appear on) in front of 80,000 somewhat-dazed-and-confused festival-goers. ...

Madonna premiered her directorial debut Wednesday at the Berlin Film Festival, but she said the flick didn't come without a "struggle." Madge and members of the "Filth and Wisdom" cast also held a press conference, during which she said, "One of the themes that I explore in the film is struggle, and if I look back to the beginning of my career, I can recall those moments of struggle like it was yesterday. There are aspects of [the characters'] struggle that I could relate to completely, and I could access that memory and put it into the story." ...

Moby is building anticipation for his upcoming album, Last Night, with an exclusive downloadable preview mix at RCRDLBL.com. Last Night, meanwhile, is due April 1. ... As it turns out, Moby has something in common with Norah Jones, Lou Reed, David Byrne and Scissor Sisters: a mutual distaste for the Iraq war. The musicians will come together March 18 — the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion — in New York for "Speak Up!: A Benefit Concert for Peace in Iraq & Justice at Home." The event will take place at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn. ...

Broken Social Scene have lumped more dates onto their upcoming world tour, Pitchfork reports. In addition to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore, the band will also hit Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Luxembourg, Russia, the U.K., France, and the U.S. ... Battles are gearing up for some road action too: The band, adored by indie-philes, will play Bonnaroo June 12, after which it will swing through Washington, D.C., two days later, and then Philadelphia the day after that. ... Kristin Hersh, Cornershop's Anthony Saffery, Dirty Vegas' Steve Smith and others have concocted heartfelt covers of songs made famous by Joe Cocker, Bill Withers and others in time for Valentine's Day. Expansion Team Records just released Souvenirs, which contains the tracks, in CD and digital form. ...

Clear Channel Broadcasting — the media giant that owns the radio station that promoted the fatal Great White show in 2003 at the Station club in West Warwick, Rhode Island — agreed Wednesday to pay $22 million for more than 100 claims stemming from the fire that claimed 100 lives. According to The Boston Globe, the settlement is linked to Clear Channel's WHJY-FM, which ran ads for the show, where station DJ Michael Gonsalves was killed after introducing the band onstage. "We continue to be deeply saddened by the tremendous harm suffered by the victims, their families and the community as a result of this tragic fire," Andy Levin, chief legal officer of Clear Channel Communications, said in a written statement. "While Clear Channel had no role in causing or contributing to this fire, we are pleased to resolve these claims and, hopefully, contribute in some way to a sense of resolution for the affected victims and their families." The settlement comes on the heels of a $30 million tentative agreement reached three weeks ago with Rhode Island TV station WPRI-TV, whose photographer was accused of standing in the way of patrons attempting to escape the burning building. ...

Three people were arrested at Sunday's Grammy Awards on suspicion of using stolen passes to get access to the show. According to The Associated Press, Sebastian Bonner, 20, was arrested after he tried to enter the event at Los Angeles' Staples Center using one of nine stolen all-access passes. Courtney Mitchell, 30, and Pamela Clay, 44, were found with someone else's event ID card and arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property. Police believe the motive was a desire to see celebrities. "We eliminated that this wasn't something more serious than some people who wanted to see the Grammys who are star-struck," Commander Andrew Smith said. Police believe someone on the inside sold the IDs to friends and acquaintances. ... On Tuesday, Oklahoma State University forwarded a list of 11 student names to the Recording Industry Association of America, in compliance with a court order in the RIAA lawsuit accusing the students of unlawfully downloading copyrighted recordings using school servers. The students had filed a motion to quash their subpoenas, but the judge denied it and ordered the school to turn over their names. Wired.com reported that the move by OSU was the latest incidence of a university complying with the RIAA's newest tactic in combating illegal file-sharing.

2.13.08

There is only one Queen of Soul, and you don't want to mess with her. Aretha Franklin, who has held that title for decades, lashed out at Beyoncé on Tuesday after the young singer introduced Tina Turner as "the queen" at Sunday's Grammy Awards. According to an Associated Press report, Franklin released a statement in which she said, "I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé. ... However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy." In her intro to Turner's set, Knowles mentioned Franklin among a list of legendary female singers, then tagged Turner as the "one legend who has the essence of all of those things: the glamour, the soul, the passion, the strength, the talent. ... Ladies and gentlemen, stand on your feet and give it up for the queen." Showing her feelings were not that hurt, the missive from Franklin ended with a thank you to the Grammys and "love to Beyoncé anyway." ...

A day after coming under fire from Consumer Reports for being shown not wearing their seat belts in the new Hannah Montana flick, Billy Ray Cyrus has admitted that he and his daughter Miley were in the wrong. "We got caught up in the moment of filming, and we made a mistake and forgot to buckle our seatbelts," he told People in regards to the new 3-D movie "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert." "Seat-belt safety is extremely important," he added. ... As for Miley, tune in for a chat with the starlet after the Academy Awards on February 24. Along with nominee Ellen Page, Harrison Ford and others, Cyrus will be part of the 27th annual Oscar edition of "The Barbara Walters Special," airing at 7 p.m. on ABC. ...

Lil Wayne has been indicted by a grand jury on felony drug and weapons charges in connection with his arrest on January 22 near Yuma, Arizona. According to his lawyer, James Tilson, Wayne (born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) was in court Friday and pleaded not guilty to possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and misconduct involving weapons. Tilson said the rapper will remain free on bond as the case proceeds, and that he is "still free to travel and perform, and there are no changes in the conditions of his release." Wayne, 25, is due back in court on March 7 for a status hearing. ...

Snoop Dogg, Ciara, Doug E. Fresh, Jim Jones and others will be recognized at this year's Action Awards for their community-service efforts. The fifth annual fundraising dinner ceremony, put on by Russell Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, will take place February 25 at Capitale in New York. ... Add the Rothbury Festival to the list of new American fests launching this summer. The three-day affair at the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan, will take place over Independence Day weekend (July 3-6) and feature sets from Snoop, John Mayer, the Dave Matthews Band, Modest Mouse, the Mars Volta, Colbie Caillat, the Black Keys, Of Montreal, Widespread Panic, Beth Orton, Gogol Bordello, Phil Lesh & Friends and 311. The festival will have an environmental bent, including a panel discussion on climate issues and an energy fair. ... The Eagles have hopped onboard the Stagecoach Country Music Festival, set for May 2-4 in Indio, California. ...

Does Britney Spears want her kids back? Her first ex-husband, Jason Alexander, claims the singer told him no. "She wants to see them, but she doesn't want to be a full-time mom," Alexander told In Touch Weekly, claiming that he and Britney got back in touch in the last few weeks. "I got a ... a voice mail ... that says, 'Hey! It's me. I know we haven't spoken in a while.' It was Britney. She said she'd call me back, and we've been speaking ever since." ... Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is hoping to get Jamie and Lynne Spears to get Brit to cut back on dairy and meat, which the animal-rights organization claims could have a connection to her mental disorder. In a letter to the pop star's parents, PETA claimed bipolar patients worsen their condition if they ingest ice cream and other milk products. A PETA rep told MTV News that the group has yet to hear back from Spears' parents. ...

Here's an APB for all the Police fans out there: The recently reunited band will retire for good after one more North American tour, according to Billboard.com. Sting and the gang will play roughly 30 shows across the continent in May and July, as well as gigs in Europe in June, but that'll be it. Elvis Costello & the Imposters will open the North American shows, which start May 1 in Ottawa and end the first week in August. Billboard.com reports that the tour will gross in the $340 million range, making it one of the five top-grossing tours ever. ... With Stone Temple Pilots, Led Zeppelin and Rage Against the Machine also doing the whole reunion thing ... and could a Pavement reunion be on the way too? Well, frontman Stephen Malkmus told NME that, while the idea was an "interesting" one, he doesn't see it happening anytime soon — he's busy with his new band, the Jicks. But he isn't ruling it out entirely. "We're on fine terms, we don't have any plans to [re-form] yet," he told the magazine. "We haven't talked about sincerely doing that. I'm 1,000 percent committed to the people I'm working with now. I would never cheat on them and go and do Pavement, it's not [in] the cards. But who knows? Maybe it would be a good thing to do, maybe it'll feel right one day. I don't really ever think about it, except when I do interviews." ...

DJ Khaled is launching an exclusive partnership between his We the Best Music label, and Def Jam. Ace will put out the first release under the new deal, although the title and release date have yet to be determined. "We the Best Music/ Def Jam ... get ready for history!!!" Khaled said in a statement. ... The Bravery have put together quite the scheme to hype their March 18 release, The Sun and the Moon Complete. Starting Tuesday, the synth-rockers will dish up a song from the disc each week for the next month on iTunes, and the first offering will be a reworked version of "Believe." The March release is a two-disc set — the first one, titled The Sun, is the 12-song album the band issued in May; the second disc, The Moon, is the reimagined version of the release. ...

As if Barack Obama didn't have enough support from musicians already, the senator is earning some ancillary support from TV on the Radio amigos Dragons of Zynth. The electro-psychedelic band will try to rouse more love for the Democratic presidential candidate with an "Obamathon" in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, which is Valentine's Day. ... After initially being hit with a cease and desist from Radiohead for his unauthorized eight-track remix of songs from the band's In Rainbows, Oakland, California, DJ/producer Amplive has been given the go-ahead to release the free album. Rainydayz Remixes features verses from Too Short, Chali 2na of Jurassic 5 and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. ...

Mel Gibson can finally put his infamous DUI arrest behind him. According to TMZ, a judge on Wednesday (February 13) said there is no need for future progress reports on the actor, who was busted in July 2006. He still has 18 months of probation but has completed the requirements of his plea deal.

• Avril Lavigne's 'Maxim' Cover Shoot

• Avril Lavigne
• Britney Spears
• Beyoncé
• Jennifer Lopez
• Shakira

Juvenile
Photo: Jason Campbell

Juvenile was arrested in Mississippi on Tuesday (February 12) for marijuana possession, according to TMZ.com. The New Orleans rapper was reportedly pulled over for having expired tags on his car — it has yet to be determined whether he was the one driving — after which authorities discovered the drugs. He was released Tuesday afternoon after being arrested, and it's not yet known when his court appearance will be. ...

Joel Madden is busy raising his new baby girl with Nicole Richie, but life isn't as sweet these days for his brother Benji. Good Charlotte's lead guitarist has split with his fiancee, actress Sophie Monk, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph. "The decision was mutual and they remain amicable," Monk's agent in Sydney, Yoon Kim, reportedly said in a statement. The two got engaged in January last year. ... Shakira has drummed up $76,000 for her Bare Feet Foundation, a charity group that helps impoverished kids in Colombia, via an Internet auction, The Associated Press reports. A fan paid $14,000 for a meet-and-greet and front-row seats to one of her upcoming shows, while others threw down big bucks for a bra ($3,000), a skirt ($1,000) and other items from her recent Oral Fixation tour. ...

Buckle up, Miley Cyrus — that's what Consumer Reports is telling the pop tart, who is shown not wearing a seat belt in her new movie. In her new 3-D flick, "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert," she is seen riding in the back seat of a Range Rover without being strapped in, which spurred the mag to criticize her in a blog post on its Web site, ConsumerReports.org. "It seems to us that Miley, her father and [film studio] Disney had a perfect opportunity to help influence teens and counteract — rather than encourage — this trend," read the blog post, which also called out Billy Ray Cyrus for not buckling up either. According to the mag, 65 percent of 13- to 15-year-olds killed in auto accidents two years ago were not wearing seat belts. ...

After her triumphant return to live performing and five Grammy wins on Sunday night, Amy Winehouse is on the road to recovery, according to her mother. Janis Winehouse told Britain's GMTV that the singer's solid performance via satellite during the show is proof that she's overcoming the substance issues that were threatening to derail her promising career. "Well, it's Amy coming back, she's definitely on the way back," Janis Winehouse said. "As you saw, she looks good, and ... she's on the road to recovery." ... Even with the tease of a potential Kanye West diatribe, a possibly controversial performance from Winehouse and the shocking Album of the Year win by Herbie Hancock, Sunday's Grammys were a ratings bust. Early numbers indicated that the show was the third-least-watched Grammys ever, with just 17.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. It barely edged out the 2006 show, which had 17 million viewers. ...

Eric Idle, the comedy legend who authored the theatrical production "Monty Python's Spamalot," has swapped out a reference the script makes to Britney Spears and replaced it with a reference to Posh Spice instead, according to AP. Instead of, "I am sick of my career/ Always stuck in second gear ... I've no Tony Awards/ I'm constantly replaced by Britney Spears," Lady of the Lake will now sing "replaced by Posh Spice." Idle reportedly chimed in on the switch-up, saying, "We don't laugh at sad people. [Show director] Mike Nichols requested it, and he's right. We changed the lyrics in London, on tour, on Broadway and in Las Vegas. We think that it's now too sad. Britney Spears is being tortured to death, and we don't want to be on that side." ...

Radiohead have another album coming out this year, and they're not happy about it. According to a post on fan site AtEase.com, their former label, EMI, is slated to release a greatest-hits package to coincide with the band's upcoming tour. Guitarist Ed O'Brien said, "They're planning to do a greatest-hits for April/May to coincide with our tour. That's an interesting one. We won't be doing any promotion for that, obviously." Meanwhile, the band has confirmed the first half of dates and venues for its upcoming North American tour, and if you live in Bristow, Virginia, well, you're in luck! The trek kicks off May 5 at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida, and will make stops at outdoor venues in Tampa, Florida; Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Bristow (holler!); St. Louis; and Houston. The last confirmed venue/date is May 18 at the awesomely named SuperPages.com Center in Dallas. Pre-sale for the above dates begins Thursday via the band's online W.A.S.T.E. site, with general on-sale following Saturday. The second half of Radiohead's North American jaunt will follow their summer tour of the U.K. and Europe. ...

John Legend will spend an afternoon writing material with Trouble City, a Boston hip-hop duo, as part of OurStage's "Artist Access" program. The digital-music company specializes in artist development, and the program facilitates younger talents like Trouble City to work with veteran artists. ... The reunited Stone Temple Pilots will headline this year's Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio. The fest, which takes place May 17-18, will also feature sets from Kid Rock, 3 Doors Down, Disturbed, Staind, Seether, Papa Roach, Flyleaf, Killswitch Engage, Serj Tankian, Shinedown, Sevendust and Finger Eleven. On Monday, STP announced that they were scrapping their upcoming concerts in Australia in light of frontman Scott Weiland's return to rehab. ...

The Mars Volta have sketched out plans for an upcoming tour in support of The Bedlam in Goliath, which debuted, astonishingly, at #3 on Billboard albums chart last week. The confirmed gigs so far are slated for Orlando, Florida (April 1); Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (April 4); Atlanta (April 5); St. Louis (April 17); Columbus, Ohio (April 18); Chicago (April 20); and St. Paul, Minnesota (April 21). ... Kiss are turning 35, and to celebrate the milestone, the glam-rock gods will tour Europe starting May 11 in Munich, Germany, according to Agence-France Presse. The 14-date tour will be the group's first in Europe in almost 10 years and last until a June 21 show in Bilbao, Spain. ...

To commemorate Tuesday's release of the 25th-anniversary edition of his landmark album, Thriller, Michael Jackson released a thank-you video to fans, in which he says, "It's hard to believe that 25 years ago, Quincy Jones and I embarked on an album named Thriller," adding that "there is still much to come for Michael Jackson. ... My passion for music has never stopped. ... It's my hope that Thriller continues to live on for each new generation to discover." He also thanked fans for helping to make Thriller the best-selling album of all time. ...

Lenny Kravitz was rushed to an emergency room in Miami on Monday, suffering from severe bronchitis. Since mid-January, Kravitz, 43, had been struggling with a series of severe respiratory-tract infections and the flu, which evolved into bronchitis, according to Reuters. "Due to extreme dehydration and fatigue, doctors were unable to control it with outpatient treatment and advised the singer to check into the hospital," his spokesperson said. The hospitalization forced Kravitz to call off a planned European promotional tour for his just-released album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution. ...

An appeals court has upheld the 37-month federal prison sentence for tax evasion for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Ronald Isley. According to AP, the three-judge panel rejected the 66-year-old singer's argument that his sentence was unreasonable due to his age, poor health and lack of proof that the federal prison system can provide him adequate health care. The court ruled that the trial judge was correct in sentencing the "Twist and Shout" singer for his "pathological" tax evasion. Isley was sentenced in 2006 after being convicted of five counts of tax evasion and one count of willful failure to file a tax return. He suffered a minor stroke in 2004, but continued performing afterwards. He is currently in prison at the Terre Haute Federal Corrections Institution in Indiana, with release scheduled for April 2010.

2.11.08

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards recently offered up some free advice to Grammy-winning songstress Amy Winehouse, according to Reuters. "She should get her act together," the former addict said during an interview at the Berlin International Film Festival on Friday. "Apart from that, I have got nothing to say to the b---h." Winehouse entered a London rehab clinic last month, to deal with her own addictions. Stones frontman Mick Jagger also reflected on this latest generation of drug-addled rockers, saying, "When we were experimenting with drugs, little was known about the effects. In our time, there were no rehab centers like today." ...

Less than a week after frontman Scott Weiland returned to rehab, Velvet Revolver have nixed their upcoming concerts in Australia. "Velvet Revolver deeply apologize to their fans in Australia and thank them for sticking by the group when various members have relapsed during the last year and a half," a statement read. ... Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler have finalized their divorce, according to TMZ.com. "I'm no longer with her," Barker told People. "I have a beautiful daughter at home, a beautiful son at home. That's where my head is at right now. I don't have time for anything else." The couple, who have two children together, have been on and off since they filed for divorce two years ago. ...

Dr. Dre is on the hunt for Death Row documents in an effort to figure out how much it owes him for unpaid royalties that have been accrued after the record company filed for bankruptcy, Billboard.com reports. In paperwork filed in bankruptcy court last week, the producer/rapper (real name: Andre Young) requested permission to acquire information that would help him assess the value of his claim. Dre has asked the court to force Death Row to hand over the documents on February 29 and order the company's reps to be available to be deposed seven days later. Dre had previously tried to sue the label for royalties multiple times, but last month a district-court judge in California agreed to hear his appeal of the court's dismissal of one of the lawsuits. ...

Lupe Fiasco fans have a whole new reason to bundle up this winter: The Chicago MC has created a line of reversible jackets with L.A. street-wear designer Dr. Romanelli. The jackets are black on one side and pink on the other, and have "The Cool" — referring to Fiasco's latest LP — scrawled on the back. ... The score Death Cab for Cutie chief Ben Gibbard co-crafted for the new Kurt Cobain biopic, "About a Son," is getting a standalone release via Barsuk — the same label that recently put out Field Manual, the solo album by fellow Cutie Chris Walla. The "About a Son" score, co-written with Nirvana producer Steve Fisk, will be available digitally February 19, the same day the movie arrives on DVD. ...

All is not well in the Shire. The estate of J.R.R. Tolkien — the late author who penned the "Lord of the Rings" series — filed a lawsuit on Monday (February 11) against New Line Cinema, the studio that released Peter Jackson's film trilogy based on the books. The Tolkien Trust, along with HarperCollins — the series' original publisher — claims New Line failed to pay part of the 7.5 percent of the gross receipts from the films as required. This could mean bad news for the two back-to-back movie adaptations of "The Hobbit" that Jackson was planning to produce. According to The Associated Press, the plaintiffs are seeking more than $150 million in compensatory damages, additional punitive damages and a court order that would give the Tolkien Trust the right to cancel rights the film studio may have to make films based on Tolkien's other works. ...

Filter are planning to drop their comeback LP, Anthems for the Damned, in May. Frontman Richard Patrick spoke with MTV News about the effort late last year, saying, "I knew I'd have to return with the goods, and I'm absolutely convinced that that's what I have with this record." ... Fans of Cold War Kids probably didn't know that Matt Maust has more than just bass-playing skills — he's a writer too. His "What It Is: What It Is," co-written with Paul G. Maziar, is a new urban-centric tome that also includes photo collages. It's due in stores in May. ...

Actor Roy Scheider, who was perhaps best-known for his role as a small-town police chief in Steven Spielberg's 1975 film, "Jaws," died Sunday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital in Little Rock. He was 75. The cause of Scheider's death has not been released, but the actor had been receiving treatment for multiple myeloma at the hospital's Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy for the past two years, according to AP. ...

Ten young people were trampled or crushed to death Saturday night, as hundreds of music fans tried to force their way out of a concert by Indonesian melodic death-metallers Beside in Bandung, Indonesia, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. According to witnesses, people were packed into the venue and trying to escape the crush just as hundreds of others were surging their way inside. So far, police have not said what caused the stampede, but an investigation into the matter is ongoing.

• Grammys 60-Second Recap: Celebrating Amy Winehouse And The AARP

• Great Grammy Moments: Beyonce, Kanye, Rihanna, More

• Juvenile
• Amy Winehouse
• Britney Spears
• Radiohead
• John Legend

Jordin Sparks performs the national anthem during the Super Bowl XLII pregame show.
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

For years now, the NFL has been bedazzling the Super Bowl with busloads of Hollywood stars and singers in an attempt to distract viewers from the fact that the game is usually a snooze-worthy blowout. But thanks to the New York Giants' historic last-minute victory Sunday night over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, as well as an arena-rock-worthy halftime show from American icon Tom Petty, the people behind the big game finally got the mix of music and smash mouth right. (Except for the moments when it got things so, so wrong, which were also kind of great.) And so, we give you the first Super Bowl Musical Monday Morning Quarterback Report. (Also check out our take on Super Bowl movie ads — are you pumped for the next potential blockbusters?)

The Big Winners

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Classic rock has become the new standard at the big show, thanks to recent gigs by the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and last year's guitar-stroking extravaganza from Prince. And despite the suggestive beating-heart-pierced-by-Flying-V-guitar opening, laid-back Petty played his four-song halftime gig as if he were just strolling in for another night of work by the world's best bar band. No corny medleys, no hokey gimmicks, just unforgettable anthems that, frankly, by the end of the night couldn't have been more apt for both teams: "I Won't Back Down" (Giants), "Free Fallin' " (Patriots) and the nothing-but-hustle rocker "Runnin' Down a Dream" (Giants again).

Justin Timberlake: Though he mostly just got his ass kicked, the singer/actor proved his comic chops again in the hilarious Pepsi/Amazon "Magnetic Attraction" ad that mixed his slapstick abilities with a cameo from his "D--- in a Box" co-star, Andy Samberg.

Metal: As if the game needed any more aggro help, the Patriots entered to Ozzy Osbourne's iconic "Crazy Train," while the promos for Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" pulled out Danzig's dark "Mother," a Toyota ad went indie by using Fu Manchu's "Mongoose" and the ad for the big-screen adaptation of "Iron Man" pulled out Audioslave's stomping "Cochise." And as the clock ran out, Europe's "The Final Countdown" brought an end to the Patriots' dream-turned-nightmare.

Kanye West: On the cusp of the Grammys, West's "Stronger" pumped over the loudspeakers as the soon-to-be world champion Giants ran out onto the field.

Jordin Sparks: Her dad, former Giants player Phillippi Sparks, never made it to the big dance, but his daughter did him proud with a stirring rendition of the national anthem in front of her hometown fans.

Alicia Keys: The Grammy winner plugged her upcoming tour with a rousing pregame medley that included "Fallin'," "If I Ain't Got You" and "As I Am."

Madonna/Shakira: Now we get how the Material Girl is the highest-paid female singer on the planet. Her brief appearance in an ad for Sunsilk hair products reportedly brought in millions. Shakira can't complain either. Not only did she get to plug her years-old hit "Whenever, Wherever," but she played alongside Madonna and Marilyn Monroe, which isn't bad company.

Alice Cooper: We have no idea what the original shock-rocker was doing crouching on the ground with his albino snake at the end of that Bridgestone Firestone ad (maybe lying in wait for co-star Richard Simmons to jog by?), but it worked.

Arcade Fire: The Canadian band's "No Cars Go" was used as a bumper by Fox during one of those dancing-robot bits, giving them massive exposure, though not likely the kind they desire. According to Pitchfork, although Fox asked permission to use the tune, it's unclear if the band gave its consent.

Kina Grannis: The unknown singer/songwriter, who won a Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" competition and a deal with Interscope Records, was introduced on one of the world's biggest stages, singing her acoustic ballad "Message From Your Heart." The ad reportedly cost $5 million, so you better believe that they think she's got the goods.

Latch Key Kid: A close second to Grannis in terms of worldwide coming-out parties was the election-themed Coke ad scored to "Good Times" by Southern California musician Kid (real name: Gavin Heaney). The spot, featuring Democrat James Carville and Republican Bill Frist cavorting together, perfectly fit the mood of the cheery ditty about sharing good times with good friends.

The Flaming Lips: Our personal pick for the ultimate halftime band (think about it: aliens, spaceships, giant inflatable hands, dancing Santas and exploding confetti cannons!) subverted straight society for the umpteenth time when their proggy, Pink Floyd-like ode to running from lava flows, "Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung," accompanied a Ford Sync ad.

Bower: The fat guy who jump-started the car with his nipples in the Mountain Dew AMP ad? None other than Michael Bower, the guy who played Donkeylips on Nickelodeon's "Salute Your Shorts" and a budding rapper in the Eminem mode.

The Losers

Paula Abdul: The "American Idol" judge's pre-taped, lip-synced "performance" of "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," the first single from fellow judge Randy Jackson's new album, nearly rivaled the former pop star's infamous "baked potato" dance to "Vibeology" at the 1991 Video Music Awards. Save for the impressive male-dancer-assisted high kick/ split she pulled off near the end, the painfully '80s Janet Jackson rip-off tune and skinny-tie-era backup dancers made Adbul look like the Mrs. Robinson of dance pop. Judging those kids on "Idol" just got a lot harder.

Ben Roethlisberger: The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback's off-key warbling of "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" was supposed to be bad, we get it. But it was so bad, some Steelers fans might have preferred it if he entered a Superbike race instead.

Michael Jackson: At this point nobody wants to see the actual King of Pop in a TV ad, but the slimy digital reptiles doing the "Thriller" dance to promote the 25th anniversary of the singer's landmark album (oh, and SoBe Life Water too) were almost as creepy as a trip to Neverland Ranch.

LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Macy Gray and Missy Elliott: That fake-grinning, head-nodding Diet Pepsi Ad to the tune of Haddaway's club classic "What Is Love" was so cheesy that we agreed with "A Night at the Roxbury" star Chris Kattan when he yelled, "Stop it!" at the end.

"American Idol": Between Roethlisberger's lame ad and Abdul's crash-and-burn performance, not to mention bionic host Ryan Seacrest's painful "red carpet" interviews with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, the show wasn't done any favors by its host network.

• Justin, Busta, Missy, Light Up Super Bowl Ads

• Tom Petty
• Justin Timberlake
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Kanye West
• Jordin Sparks

• Busta Rhymes
• Madonna
• Shakira
• Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake in Pepsi's "Magnetic Attraction" commercial
Photo: Pepsi

More than 93 million people watched last year's Super Bowl, and with this year's contest only a few days away, will it be the game itself or the ads that get viewers talking the most? "People who aren't even sports fans watch the Super Bowl, just to watch the commercials," Derek Jeter, shortstop for the New York Yankees, said in a press video hyping the ads.

With that in mind, 26 brands have gone all out this year to provide star-packed ads involving celebs like Jeter, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Shakira, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J. The stars are making appearances via their images and/or music, most of them for Pepsi.

"PepsiCo is the second-biggest advertiser in the Super Bowl this year," after Anheuser-Busch, USA Today advertising reporter Theresa Howard said. "Pepsi-Cola alone, they've got two minutes of ad time. When you've got a big product, you want to be on the biggest stage."

With that in mind, here's a sneak peek of some clips — which run during the Super Bowl at a rate of $2.7 million per 30 seconds — hoping to make a splash.

Pepsi Stuff

For a promotion that promises $1 billion in prizes in conjunction with Amazon, Justin Timberlake puts himself through the ringer, as he's pulled — literally — through New York in a spot called "Magnetic Attraction." "This is a sort of crazy, ridiculous, awesome ride, full of stunts and painful activity," Timberlake said in the press video. "I'm running into buildings, flying up buildings, going through the Hudson River, almost running into cars, taking car doors out, everything you can think of. It's kind of fun but also scary at the same time." The scariest part, besides the damage done to Timberlake's crotch by a mailbox pole? He passes by the window of his biggest fan — a guy in a Britney-esque wig.

Diet Pepsi Max

Everyone's falling asleep at an awards show — even LL, Busta, Missy and Macy Gray, who are up for song of the year. "I have no energy, I'm exhausted, I'm fading quickly," LL Cool J explained. "But then I have a sip of Diet Pepsi Max, and I have a burst of energy that takes me to another level." That level involves bopping their heads to Haddaway's "What Is Love," "Night at the Roxbury"-style. "It makes us think we're in the club," Missy Elliott said. "Drinking it gets you hyped." "It's straight comedy," Busta said. "We had a ball doing it."

Gatorade G2

Derek Jeter walks around the SoHo neighborhood of New York's Manhattan borough, and it grows as green as a baseball field everywhere he steps, to demonstrate how hydrated he is by the low-calorie, off-field drink. "To be honest, when it airs, I'll probably go in the bathroom," Jeter said in the press video. "I'm kind of afraid to see people's reactions."

VitaminWater

Shaquille O'Neal — despite weighing 321 pounds — becomes a jockey in the energy-water ad, in which racing competitor Gatorade is called "Old Man Gator" by the race announcer. Shaq actually rides the horse, though a few shots use effects.

Mountain Dew Amp Energy

Dale Earnhardt Jr. also becomes a jockey of sorts — but instead of a horse, he's got a camel. And who is riding who isn't exactly clear.

SoBe Life Water

All we can tell you about the under-wraps spot for SoBe, which is rumored to have some "thrilling" music that's been licensed for the first time ever for a TV ad, is that it will feature Naomi Campbell and 30 dancing lizards. The music is "top secret," a rep for the company teased. The most the company would tell MTV News is what is available in a commercial "prequel," in which one of the lizards tries to explain to his parents how he'll be appearing in the ad, but "naked."

Bridgestone Tires

Alice Cooper, Richard Simmons and an albino snake — what is it with the reptiles this year? For two 30-second commercials (one between the first and second quarter, the other in the third quarter), Bridgestone (the sponsor for the halftime show) employs nearly 30 animals. The first features woodland creatures, while the second has the stars and the snake.

Audi

In the first quarter, Audi makes viewers an offer they can't refuse — via a "Godfather"-themed spot for the R8 sports car featuring Alex Rocco, a star from the first movie. The full-minute version will only air once, with a 30-second version to air the following day.

Under Armour

Athletes like the Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano run for the new cross-trainer Prototype.

Doritos

It's a battle of the bands called "Crash the Super Bowl," in which unsigned/unknown artists Nivla, Kina Grannis and Landon Austin get a shot at a commercial and a recording contract. Will.I.Am was among the judges for the preliminary rounds.

GoDaddy.com

It's an ad for another ad. Danica Patrick exposes herself on the Web site, which people in this ad flock to go see. No word if it deserves a parental-advisory warning, but there were concerns over the some of the language used in early versions.

Sunsilk

You can bet that Marilyn Monroe did not actually use Sunsilk, but here she is, along with Madonna and Shakira, shaking their iconic 'dos. Sunsilk's spot, to air in the fourth quarter, depends on file footage of the three women for its "Life Can't Wait" campaign, which is set to roll out in 15 countries.

Planters

Paris Hilton might have her movie "The Hottie and the Nottie" out soon, but Planters has its own take on what a "nottie" looks like — uni-brow included — for the second half. Strangely enough, men left and right can't help but fall for her when she walks by. "Planters is going through a product evolution," Howard said. "They're trying to expand being known as just peanuts. They're trying to be a new brand."

Ice Breakers Ice Cubes

Some like it hot. Carmen Electra likes it cold.

Victoria's Secret

In a spot set to appear between the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter, supermodel Adriana Lima will appear dressed in black lingerie and holding a football. The company hasn't released previews of the ad, which is said to be "all about the games men and women play."

Bud Light

Is sports nut Will Ferrell going to show up in character in a Super Bowl commercial? His character in the upcoming film "Semi-Pro," Jackie Moon — the player/owner/coach of losing basketball team the Flint Tropics — is rumored to be making a guest appearance in at least one ad. Now that's pregame buzz.

• Justin, Busta, Missy, Light Up Super Bowl Ads

• Justin Timberlake
• Busta Rhymes
• Missy Elliott
• Madonna
• Shakira

Remy Ma
Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Remy Ma's European tour plans appear to have fizzled — a New York judge has denied her request to travel overseas for a trek that was supposed to begin December 31 in Paris, The Associated Press reports. A lawyer for the rapper (real name: Remy Smith) argued Thursday (December 20) that his client needed to tour to earn money because she hasn't been getting enough bookings in the U.S. since she was arrested in July for allegedly shooting a friend over missing money, but the judge said she couldn't leave the country due to the seriousness of the charges. Remy Ma was ordered earlier this month to stand trail on charges of gang assault and witness tampering. She is due in court on January 3 for adjournment where prosecutors will decide whether to admit DNA evidence in the case. ...

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert fans can breathe a sigh of relief — "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" will start up production again on January 7, albeit without their writers, AP reports. In a joint statement, the pair reportedly said, "We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence." Stewart and Colbert are the most recent late-night hosts to announce their return to the airwaves amid the ongoing writers' strike, joining the likes of Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, who will return January 2. ...

So what's really going on between Rihanna and Josh Hartnett? The singer addresses the rumors in the January issue of Allure, saying there isn't much truth to them. "I went to [New York club] Pink Elephant, and he came by," she said. "All of a sudden, the next day I'm seeing that we were kissing and hugging up each other. You can't even go out with a friend who's a celebrity and have a good time without people making sh-- up ... well, at least he's good-looking, right?" Rih Rih also talked with the mag, which calls itself "The Beauty Expert," about — what else? — beauty. "While in America beautiful is skinny, in Barbados it's thick — girls with huge butts and nice curves," she said, contrasting the U.S. with her homeland. In other Rihanna news, she — as well as My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, Timbaland, Rufus Wainwright and many others — have partnered with Designers Against AIDS to create men's and women's lines called "Fashion Against AIDS." The lines will be available exclusively at H&M stores beginning in February, with one-fourth of the proceeds from the sales going to YouthAIDS, an HIV/AIDS prevention initiative that serves 60 countries worldwide. ...

Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah will star in the silver-screen adaptation of the best-selling book "The Secret Life of Bees," and Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning are also in negotiations to star in the flick, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Keys and Latifah are due to play beekeeping sisters who take in Hudson's and Fanning's characters after they run away from home. Production will reportedly begin in January for the movie, which is targeting a 2008 theatrical release. ... Rick Ross is blaming clearance issues for the delay of his second album, Trilla, according to Billboard.com. He said a DJ Toomp-produced song called "This Me" was one of the tracks in question. Ross is reportedly considering "Boss" (featuring T-Pain) as his second single. ...

Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, Bless the Fall and Atreyu lead the lineup for next year's Taste of Chaos trek, which will launch February 29 in Denver and continue through April 6 in El Paso, Texas. An Internet presale begins January 5 on the tour's Web site, with tickets going on sale nationally January 12. ... Death Cab for Cutie have posted on their Web site a new video teasing their next album. The clip features a portion of a song that will presumably appear on the group's yet-untitled LP and announces that the effort will be out in May. According to the video, the album was recorded in 44 days at three studios, in Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco. ...

"Into the Wild" got some critical love Thursday as Sean Penn's flick scooped up four Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, including best lead actor for Emile Hirsch. Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Viggo Mortensen and George Clooney all got nods, although "Atonement" — which dominates the list of Golden Globe contenders with seven noms — was shut out altogether. ... South by Southwest is taking a walk on the wild side — Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker at the music conference and film festival, which will take place March 12-16 in Austin, Texas. The Velvet Underground-er will speak March 13 at the Austin Convention Center in conjunction with a screening of Julian Schnabel's new documentary, "Lou Reed's Berlin," which revolves around the rock legend's 1973 album. Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates and composer Steve Reich will also give talks at SXSW. ...

Pennywise have cooked up an interesting album-release scheme with MySpace Records: The punks will make their yet-untitled new album available for free DRM-free download on MySpace for two weeks, starting March 25. That day will also see the release of an enhanced CD/DVD version of the effort for sale at retail outlets. To download the album for free, users have to add promotional partner "Textango" as their MySpace friend. "We know that this will piss off a lot of people in the music industry," guitarist Fletcher Dragge said in a statement. "And what do we say to that? 'Who cares?' " Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Sum 41) will produce and mix the effort. ... Are the Eagles too good for the Super Bowl? Apparently so — according to AP, the group turned down an offer to perform at the annual football extravaganza. As for a potential opportunity to play at the Grand Ole Opry, however, bandmember Don Henley said, "That would be an honor." ...

Live Nation has sewn up a deal with a German company that will allow the concert promoter to create its own ticketing service, according to Variety. The new service will reportedly allow Live Nation, which ended talks with Ticketmaster in August, to have more control over customer data, increasing sponsorship opportunities. There's another plus for Live Nation in the deal: It will reportedly allow the company to get the fees charged to customers over the listed ticket prices. ... A report issued Thursday determined that there were no violations in Paris Hilton's jailing in June but did find that three Los Angeles County sheriff's employees violated policy when Mel Gibson was arrested last year for misdemeanor drunk driving in Malibu, California, according to AP. The sheriff's employees have reportedly since been disciplined. The news service also said the report found that a sheriff's supervisor considered holding back details about the actor's anti-Semitic rant from an arrest report, but a captain eventually overruled him. ...

As he awaits a retrial, disgraced record producer Phil Spector has filed suit again in an attempt to get a refund of the $1 million fee he paid to former attorney Robert Shapiro, according to AP. Five years after his arrest in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, Spector filed a second lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that Shapiro cheated him and used their personal relationship to enrich himself unjustly. In December 2005, Spector dropped an earlier suit against Shapiro, the first lawyer to represent Spector after his arrest, with the provision that he could refile at a later time. The new suit makes similar allegations that Shapiro "took unfair and unscrupulous advantage of his friendship and position of trust with Mr. Spector, and decided to use Mr. Spector's arrest as an opportunity to make a financial windfall and garner publicity for himself." It also named Shapiro's law firm as a defendant, claiming it "stood behind and vouched for Shapiro's work." The suit alleges that Spector was under tremendous stress following his arrest and had not taken his medication for mental problems at the time he agreed to Shapiro's $1 million retainer fee. ...

Being an "American Idol" finalist ain't what it used to be. For proof, look at the depressed mug on curly haired season-six wonder Chris Sligh, 29, who is the main attraction for the alcohol-free First Night Westerly New Year's Eve celebration in the tiny Rhode Island town. After a day of face-painting, extreme sports video-gaming, karate demos, magicians, mimes, hayrides and swing-dance lessons, Sligh is slated to take the stage at the YMCA gym just before midnight. ... Chuck D, Lil Boosie and, oddly enough, Buckethead will salute James Brown by performing at a tribute show on Saturday in Covington, Kentucky, Billboard reports. Bootsy Collins, who was mentored by the late legend, is putting on the concert, and proceeds will go to the future launch of a museum and the rebuilding of Brown's early recording home. Brown's most recent band, the Soul Generals; members of his original backing group, the JB's; and MC Danny Ray will also play at the event. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions will take place in Cleveland in March 2009 — which is fitting, since the Rock Hall is located in the city. For the past decade, the event has been held in New York.

12.19.07

The ongoing legal actions surrounding the 1997 murder of the Notorious B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace) hit another bump in the road on Monday when a U.S. district judge dismissed a second wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the rapper's family against the city of Los Angeles and former LAPD officer Rafael Pérez. Judge Florence-Marie Cooper sided with the defendants and dismissed the case — filed in April — on the grounds that Biggie's family didn't file the claim against the city within the designated time frame. "This was not the primary civil-rights claim, that suit is still going forward," explained Perry Sanders, the lead attorney in the Wallace family's ongoing wrongful-death suit against the city and LAPD. "This was a standalone action based on state laws, but the rigorous rules state that if you don't file suit within six months of the injury, then the suit cannot go forward, and we didn't find out that Pérez was on duty until August 2006." The April suit alleged that Pérez conspired with fellow former police officers David Mack and Nino Durden to murder the famous rapper and that the city of Los Angeles covered up the officers' involvement to avoid being tangled in a lawsuit that would make the city liable in the killing. New evidence recently uncovered indicated that Pérez was on duty the night of the rapper's death, though the officer has denied any involvement. ...

Jessica Sierra has an unlikely ally in Dr. Drew, apparently. The radio personality will appear in criminal court on behalf of the former "American Idol" finalist at the request of her lawyer, according to TMZ.com. She is reportedly due to face a judge in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, while Drew will attend at a later court date. Sierra was arrested December 2 outside a bar near Tampa and is facing charges of disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating parole. She is currently in jail without bond. ...

The Rolling Stone/ Camel ad fiasco is far from over — two indie-rock bands have filed a class-action lawsuit against the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; the magazine; and its parent company, Wenner Media, according to TheDailySwarm.com. The suit was reportedly filed by Xiu Xiu and F---ed Up on behalf of the 186 artists whose names appeared alongside a cartoon-heavy indie-rock feature in the magazine's November 15 issue, and it claims the defendants had "unauthorized use of artists' names; unauthorized use of artist names for commercial advantage [right of publicity]; and unfair business practices." The bands are also seeking financial compensation for damages, and TheDailySwarm.com reports that Rolling Stone might have to pay close to $200 billion if found guilty. Nine state attorneys general have already sued Camel for its use of cartoons in the sale of tobacco products. ...

Ice Cube has settled on Raw Footage as the title of his upcoming studio album. "It'll be out next year," he recently told MTV News of the release, before humbly adding, "It's better than anything you've ever heard before." ... Jimmy Eat World will tag along with Foo Fighters for a handful of gigs early next year, in Sunrise, Florida (January 16); Orlando, Florida (January 17); Birmingham, Alabama (January 19); Pensacola, Florida (January 20); Houston (January 22); Dallas (January 23); and Memphis, Tennessee (January 25). Jimmy Eat World, who just wrapped their annual run of radio shows, have additional dates scheduled through March. ... The People's Choice Awards show is going to look a whole lot different next year, in light of the ongoing writers' strike. The awards program has nixed its red carpet, acceptance speeches and live audience and will instead feature a "magazine-style format," according to People.com. Queen Latifah is still slated to host the show, which will air January 8 on CBS, but the winners will be submitting their acceptance remarks in video form. ...

Shakira wants your help — the singer is asking people to reach out to the victims of the Bangladesh floods after her recent trip to the South Asian country. In a recent press release, Shakira said she had planned to travel to Bangladesh before the cyclone, to observe the education-outreach efforts being made there, but that she felt more urgency to go there after the disaster. "Now that I've seen with my own eyes the destruction everywhere, it's critical that the people of the world support the Bangladeshi and that they get more international help as they rebuild," the singer said, adding that 8 million people have been affected and 3,000 schools were damaged or destroyed. Visit the United Nations Children's Fund Web site to find out how you can help the victims. ...

Jessica Simpson is still catching heat for her appearance at Sunday's Dallas Cowboys game, which the team lost 10-6 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans have voiced anger over a purported link between the actress' attendance and the career-worst performance by quarterback Tony Romo, and now wide receiver Terrell Owens has joined the chorus, saying, "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite — in this locker room or in Texas Stadium," according to The Associated Press. Romo's previous worst game reportedly was a December 2006 contest attended by then-girlfriend Carrie Underwood. "Obviously with the way Tony played, and the comparison between [Simpson] and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel she has taken his focus away," Owens said. "Other than that, she was high on my list until last week. Oh, I got a message for her when we make the playoffs. Just stay tuned." ...

Lily Allen is expecting her first child with boyfriend Ed Simons, who is one-half of the Chemical Brothers. A representative for the 22-year-old singer told BBC News that Allen has been dating Simons since September and that they were "obviously both thrilled by the news," but would not comment any further. "As the pregnancy is at a very, very early stage, the couple ask that you respect their privacy, as the health of Lily and their child is their paramount concern," said the spokesman, who was not named. ... Hawthorne Heights frontman JT Woodruff, former Dead Kennedys leader Jello Biafra and Chris #2 from Anti-Flag make cameos on the upcoming A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere!) album Everybody Make Some Noise! The hardcore-punk band's effort will drop March 18. ... The Breeders are back — not just with their upcoming April 8 album, Mountain Battles, but with a U.K. trek surrounding it, according to Pollstar.com. The band will kick off its trek April 7 in Dublin, Ireland, and continue playing through an April 16 show in London. Plans for the Breeders to play at Coachella and South by Southwest are also reportedly in the works, the site said. ...

The Smashing Pumpkins have cobbled together a four-song acoustic EP, and it's coming right around the corner. According to a post by Billy Corgan on the band's Web site, American Gothic will be available January 2 on iTunes and feature the following songs: "The Rose March," "Again, Again, Again (The Crux)," "POX" and "Sunkissed." Corgan added in the rambling post that the band will play the new songs on their upcoming European and Australian tours, and he closed the missive with these remarks: "Thanks to New Orleans for showing Us the meaning of hope...and thanks to the old guard for showing the same dull move, you know the one that never works? Art band that said old guard wishes they were in so bad that they wish importance upon it? Check! No matter what you crutches all dream up, Led Zep is still a 100 times better! Go Zep! Go Team! Rock on! Long Live the Mighty SP!" ...

The Chris Brown/ Bow Wow tour is going to keep rolling. The duo have expanded their double-bill outing into February, adding another dozen dates to their itinerary, mostly along the East Coast, as well as a second Madison Square Garden show in New York and a New Year's Eve gig in Universal City, California. The tour is now scheduled to wrap up February 2 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Bow Wow recently left the tour briefly after being hospitalized, later telling MTV News that he had injured himself after throwing a fit in his dressing room. ...

Ozzy Osbourne has scratched his Thursday concert at Cleveland's Wolstein Center "due to an unforeseen personal family matter," according to a post on his Web site. The show won't be rescheduled, although tour partner Rob Zombie will instead play at the House of Blues with In This Moment. Ticketholders for the Wolstein Center show can get refunds at point of purchase. Meanwhile, Zombie has also added two more dates to his 2008 calendar: January 26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and January 27 in Lubbock, Texas. ... Hellyeah have broken out dates for the second leg of their Balls Volume Strength Tour, which also features Machine Head, Nonpoint and Ankla. The next stretch will take the hard-rockers from Clifton Park, New York, on January 25 to Milwaukee on February 15, although more dates are expected to be announced. ...

Will Ferrell will hit the road with three other comedians — Zach Galifianakis, Nick Swardson and Demetri Martin — in February for a short run of shows at universities and colleges. The Funny or Die Tour will make stops at Kansas State (February 4); Michigan State (February 5); Ohio State (February 6); Penn State (February 11); the University of Rhode Island (February 12); Boston College (February 13); Butler University (February 18); and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (February 22). ... Feist are working on new material — gently. "I'm tiptoeing into some new terrain," Leslie Feist told Billboard.com. "There's no necessity and no timeline. ... I'm not quite at the point where I think I should be thinking about another record. ... These songs, there's nothing forcing them to come, yet here's some ideas. It's really a ways away though." The singer did reveal, however, that the band hit the studio during a recent day off while on tour. Feist are up for four Grammys. ... Beck's Odelay — the 1996 album that ranks as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time — is getting polished up for a two-CD deluxe edition due January 29. The first disc has two unreleased session tracks produced by the Dust Brothers — "Inferno" and "Gold Chains" — and a soundtrack cut, while the second has 16 hard-to-find B-sides and compilation contributions. ...

While Weezer fans have to make do for now with the recently released Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, the rest of the bandmembers are busy working on their own side projects. According to Weezer's Web site, rhythm guitarist Brian Bell is working on an album with his other band, the Relationship; drummer Pat Wilson is recording an album with his long-running side project, the Special Goodness, that is due in the spring; and bassist Scott Shriner is getting ready to answer questions for Weezer fan site Weerez.com. ... Michael Jackson's Thriller is among the 70 new recordings that will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors songs that have been in release for at least 25 years. Other new honorees include: "Free Bird" (Lynyrd Skynyrd), the soundtrack to the classic reggae movie "The Harder They Come" (Jimmy Cliff), "Help!" (the Beatles), Hotel California (the Eagles), 1999 (Prince), Off the Wall (Jackson), "Roxanne" (the Police), "Shining Star" (Earth, Wind & Fire), "Always on My Mind" (Willie Nelson), The Wall (Pink Floyd) and The Velvet Underground & Nico. The new 25th Anniversary Edition of Thriller — which will include unreleased bonus tracks mixed by or featuring Kanye West, Will.I.Am, Akon and others — drops February 12. ...

One of Seattle's legendary rock venues, the Crocodile Café, unexpectedly shut its doors over the weekend after 17 years. The small downtown club, which was one of the prime spots that nurtured the early '90s grunge scene, played host to everyone from Beck to R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Death Cab for Cutie and, most famously, Nirvana and Mudhoney on a 1992 double bill that cost only $3. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that the venue's owner left voicemails for club employees on Sunday telling them not to come to work following Saturday night's gig. She reportedly said the club was shutting down due to financial difficulties. ... Prince has given his CDs away in newspapers and at shows, but the diminutive R&B superstar doesn't do freebie performances. According to the Miami Herald, the purple one pulled down an estimated $2 million payday Saturday night when he played a private 40th birthday party for Jeffrey Soffer, an heir to the Turnberry Associates real-estate fortune. The gig reportedly took place at the Turnberry Aviation hangar at the Opa Locka Executive Airport and featured elaborate open bars, gourmet food, a hit-filled set from Prince and a guest list that included director Brett Ratner, baseball player Alex Rodriguez and actor James Caan. Oh, and KC & the Sunshine Band were Prince's opening act. ...

Tom Sizemore was released from prison December 10 after serving time for violating his drug probation stemming from a 2004 meth conviction, TMZ.com reports. The actor was sentenced in mid-June to 16 months in state prison and awarded 213 days credit for time he had spent in county jail and live-in drug programs. Sizemore is still in a drug program, according to the site. ...

Boys and girls in America, it's time to rejoice. Brooklyn, New York, band the Hold Steady recently revealed on their Web site that they've wrapped preproduction on the follow-up to 2006's critically acclaimed Boys and Girls in America. "For the last few weeks we've been holed up in our rehearsal space in Greenpoint finishing up preproduction with John Agnello [who produced Boys] for the new album," read the post, which was simply attributed to "The Hold Steady." "Since the band's beginning, this is the longest we've gone without being in the studio. I've never looked forward to being placed in a giant aquarium with headphones like I have been lately. We'll be recording for most of January and February, and I'll post updates and photos for those interested. No release date yet, but you all will be the first to know."

• Remy Ma
• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Jennifer Hudson
• Queen Latifah

Notorious B.I.G.
Photo: Bad Boy

The ongoing legal actions surrounding the 1997 murder of the Notorious B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace) hit another bump in the road on Monday when a U.S. district judge dismissed a second wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the rapper's family against the city of Los Angeles and former LAPD officer Rafael Pérez. Judge Florence-Marie Cooper sided with the defendants and dismissed the case — filed in April — on the grounds that Biggie's family didn't file the claim against the city within the designated time frame. "This was not the primary civil-rights claim, that suit is still going forward," explained Perry Sanders, the lead attorney in the Wallace family's ongoing wrongful-death suit against the city and LAPD. "This was a standalone action based on state laws, but the rigorous rules state that if you don't file suit within six months of the injury, then the suit cannot go forward, and we didn't find out that Pérez was on duty until August 2006." The April suit alleged that Pérez conspired with fellow former police officers David Mack and Nino Durden to murder the famous rapper and that the city of Los Angeles covered up the officers' involvement to avoid being tangled in a lawsuit that would make the city liable in the killing. New evidence recently uncovered indicated that Pérez was on duty the night of the rapper's death, though the officer has denied any involvement. ...

Jessica Sierra has an unlikely ally in Dr. Drew, apparently. The radio personality will appear in criminal court on behalf of the former "American Idol" finalist at the request of her lawyer, according to TMZ.com. She is reportedly due to face a judge in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, while Drew will attend at a later court date. Sierra was arrested December 2 outside a bar near Tampa and is facing charges of disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating parole. She is currently in jail without bond. ...

The Rolling Stone/ Camel ad fiasco is far from over — two indie-rock bands have filed a class-action lawsuit against the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; the magazine; and its parent company, Wenner Media, according to TheDailySwarm.com. The suit was reportedly filed by Xiu Xiu and F---ed Up on behalf of the 186 artists whose names appeared alongside a cartoon-heavy indie-rock feature in the magazine's November 15 issue, and it claims the defendants had "unauthorized use of artists' names; unauthorized use of artist names for commercial advantage [right of publicity]; and unfair business practices." The bands are also seeking financial compensation for damages, and TheDailySwarm.com reports that Rolling Stone might have to pay close to $200 billion if found guilty. Nine state attorneys general have already sued Camel for its use of cartoons in the sale of tobacco products. ...

Ice Cube has settled on Raw Footage as the title of his upcoming studio album. "It'll be out next year," he recently told MTV News of the release, before humbly adding, "It's better than anything you've ever heard before." ... Jimmy Eat World will tag along with Foo Fighters for a handful of gigs early next year, in Sunrise, Florida (January 16); Orlando, Florida (January 17); Birmingham, Alabama (January 19); Pensacola, Florida (January 20); Houston (January 22); Dallas (January 23); and Memphis, Tennessee (January 25). Jimmy Eat World, who just wrapped their annual run of radio shows, have additional dates scheduled through March. ... The People's Choice Awards show is going to look a whole lot different next year, in light of the ongoing writers' strike. The awards program has nixed its red carpet, acceptance speeches and live audience and will instead feature a "magazine-style format," according to People.com. Queen Latifah is still slated to host the show, which will air January 8 on CBS, but the winners will be submitting their acceptance remarks in video form. ...

Shakira wants your help — the singer is asking people to reach out to the victims of the Bangladesh floods after her recent trip to the South Asian country. In a recent press release, Shakira said she had planned to travel to Bangladesh before the cyclone, to observe the education-outreach efforts being made there, but that she felt more urgency to go there after the disaster. "Now that I've seen with my own eyes the destruction everywhere, it's critical that the people of the world support the Bangladeshi and that they get more international help as they rebuild," the singer said, adding that 8 million people have been affected and 3,000 schools were damaged or destroyed. Visit the United Nations Children's Fund Web site to find out how you can help the victims. ...

Jessica Simpson is still catching heat for her appearance at Sunday's Dallas Cowboys game, which the team lost 10-6 to the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans have voiced anger over a purported link between the actress' attendance and the career-worst performance by quarterback Tony Romo, and now wide receiver Terrell Owens has joined the chorus, saying, "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite — in this locker room or in Texas Stadium," according to The Associated Press. Romo's previous worst game reportedly was a December 2006 contest attended by then-girlfriend Carrie Underwood. "Obviously with the way Tony played, and the comparison between [Simpson] and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel she has taken his focus away," Owens said. "Other than that, she was high on my list until last week. Oh, I got a message for her when we make the playoffs. Just stay tuned." ...

Lily Allen is expecting her first child with boyfriend Ed Simons, who is one-half of the Chemical Brothers. A representative for the 22-year-old singer told BBC News that Allen has been dating Simons since September and that they were "obviously both thrilled by the news," but would not comment any further. "As the pregnancy is at a very, very early stage, the couple ask that you respect their privacy, as the health of Lily and their child is their paramount concern," said the spokesman, who was not named. ... Hawthorne Heights frontman JT Woodruff, former Dead Kennedys leader Jello Biafra and Chris #2 from Anti-Flag make cameos on the upcoming A.K.A.s album Everyone Make Some Noise! The hardcore-punk band's effort will drop March 18. ... The Breeders are back — not just with their upcoming April 8 album, Mountain Battles, but with a U.K. trek surrounding it, according to Pollstar.com. The band will kick off its trek April 7 in Dublin, Ireland, and continue playing through an April 16 show in London. Plans for the Breeders to play at Coachella and South by Southwest are also reportedly in the works, the site said. ...

The Smashing Pumpkins have cobbled together a four-song acoustic EP, and it's coming right around the corner. According to a post by Billy Corgan on the band's Web site, American Gothic will be available January 2 on iTunes and feature the following songs: "The Rose March," "Again, Again, Again (The Crux)," "POX" and "Sunkissed." Corgan added in the rambling post that the band will play the new songs on their upcoming European and Australian tours, and he closed the missive with these remarks: "Thanks to New Orleans for showing Us the meaning of hope...and thanks to the old guard for showing the same dull move, you know the one that never works? Art band that said old guard wishes they were in so bad that they wish importance upon it? Check! No matter what you crutches all dream up, Led Zep is still a 100 times better! Go Zep! Go Team! Rock on! Long Live the Mighty SP!" ...

The Chris Brown/ Bow Wow tour is going to keep rolling. The duo have expanded their double-bill outing into February, adding another dozen dates to their itinerary, mostly along the East Coast, as well as a second Madison Square Garden show in New York and a New Year's Eve gig in Universal City, California. The tour is now scheduled to wrap up February 2 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Bow Wow recently left the tour briefly after being hospitalized, later telling MTV News that he had injured himself after throwing a fit in his dressing room. ...

Ozzy Osbourne has scratched his Thursday concert at Cleveland's Wolstein Center "due to an unforeseen personal family matter," according to a post on his Web site. The show won't be rescheduled, although tour partner Rob Zombie will instead play at the House of Blues with In This Moment. Ticketholders for the Wolstein Center show can get refunds at point of purchase. Meanwhile, Zombie has also added two more dates to his 2008 calendar: January 26 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and January 27 in Lubbock, Texas. ... Hellyeah have broken out dates for the second leg of their Balls Volume Strength Tour, which also features Machine Head, Nonpoint and Ankla. The next stretch will take the hard-rockers from Clifton Park, New York, on January 25 to Milwaukee on February 15, although more dates are expected to be announced. ...

Will Ferrell will hit the road with three other comedians — Zach Galifianakis, Nick Swardson and Demetri Martin — in February for a short run of shows at universities and colleges. The Funny or Die Tour will make stops at Kansas State (February 4); Michigan State (February 5); Ohio State (February 6); Penn State (February 11); the University of Rhode Island (February 12); Boston College (February 13); Butler University (February 18); and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (February 22). ... Feist are working on new material — gently. "I'm tiptoeing into some new terrain," Leslie Feist told Billboard.com. "There's no necessity and no timeline. ... I'm not quite at the point where I think I should be thinking about another record. ... These songs, there's nothing forcing them to come, yet here's some ideas. It's really a ways away though." The singer did reveal, however, that the band hit the studio during a recent day off while on tour. Feist are up for four Grammys. ... Beck's Odelay — the 1996 album that ranks as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time — is getting polished up for a two-CD deluxe edition due January 29. The first disc has two unreleased session tracks produced by the Dust Brothers — "Inferno" and "Gold Chains" — and a soundtrack cut, while the second has 16 hard-to-find B-sides and compilation contributions. ...

While Weezer fans have to make do for now with the recently released Alone - The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo, the rest of the bandmembers are busy working on their own side projects. According to Weezer's Web site, rhythm guitarist Brian Bell is working on an album with his other band, the Relationship; drummer Pat Wilson is recording an album with his long-running side project, the Special Goodness, that is due in the spring; and bassist Scott Shriner is getting ready to answer questions for Weezer fan site Weerez.com. ... Michael Jackson's Thriller is among the 70 new recordings that will be added to the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors songs that have been in release for at least 25 years. Other new honorees include: "Free Bird" (Lynyrd Skynyrd), the soundtrack to the classic reggae movie "The Harder They Come" (Jimmy Cliff), "Help!" (the Beatles), Hotel California (the Eagles), 1999 (Prince), Off the Wall (Jackson), "Roxanne" (the Police), "Shining Star" (Earth, Wind & Fire), "Always on My Mind" (Willie Nelson), The Wall (Pink Floyd) and The Velvet Underground & Nico. The new 25th Anniversary Edition of Thriller — which will include unreleased bonus tracks mixed by or featuring Kanye West, Will.I.Am, Akon and others — drops February 12. ...

One of Seattle's legendary rock venues, the Crocodile Café, unexpectedly shut its doors over the weekend after 17 years. The small downtown club, which was one of the prime spots that nurtured the early '90s grunge scene, played host to everyone from Beck to R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Death Cab for Cutie and, most famously, Nirvana and Mudhoney on a 1992 double bill that cost only $3. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that the venue's owner left voicemails for club employees on Sunday telling them not to come to work following Saturday night's gig. She reportedly said the club was shutting down due to financial difficulties. ... Prince has given his CDs away in newspapers and at shows, but the diminutive R&B superstar doesn't do freebie performances. According to the Miami Herald, the purple one pulled down an estimated $2 million payday Saturday night when he played a private 40th birthday party for Jeffrey Soffer, an heir to the Turnberry Associates real-estate fortune. The gig reportedly took place at the Turnberry Aviation hangar at the Opa Locka Executive Airport and featured elaborate open bars, gourmet food, a hit-filled set from Prince and a guest list that included director Brett Ratner, baseball player Alex Rodriguez and actor James Caan. Oh, and KC & the Sunshine Band were Prince's opening act. ...

Tom Sizemore was released from prison December 10 after serving time for violating his drug probation stemming from a 2004 meth conviction, TMZ.com reports. The actor was sentenced in mid-June to 16 months in state prison and awarded 213 days credit for time he had spent in county jail and live-in drug programs. Sizemore is still in a drug program, according to the site. ...

Boys and girls in America, it's time to rejoice. Brooklyn, New York, band the Hold Steady recently revealed on their Web site that they've wrapped preproduction on the follow-up to 2006's critically acclaimed Boys and Girls in America. "For the last few weeks we've been holed up in our rehearsal space in Greenpoint finishing up preproduction with John Agnello [who produced Boys] for the new album," read the post, which was simply attributed to "The Hold Steady." "Since the band's beginning, this is the longest we've gone without being in the studio. I've never looked forward to being placed in a giant aquarium with headphones like I have been lately. We'll be recording for most of January and February, and I'll post updates and photos for those interested. No release date yet, but you all will be the first to know."

12.18.07

Fergie is Blender magazine's Woman of the Year — but don't get too excited, guys, she's "practically married" to actor Josh Duhamel. "I'm madly in love with him," the Black Eyed Pea said in the cover-story interview, during which she dropped more than a few F-bombs. "He understands how to treat a woman and give me respect. And I'm gonna miss him on tour." Fergie reportedly started to cry after making that comment, as she did at the top of the chat, when she was told she had earned the Woman of the Year honor. "It feels like such an accomplishment. ... And — I can't believe you made me cry. I'm so embarrassed. And I'm f---ing up my eyeliner." ...

Ashley Tisdale is saying sorry to fans for scratching two shows over the weekend because of her recent nose job. "When my surgery was scheduled, we didn't think it would be necessary to cancel the shows because my doctor thought I would heal in time," she wrote on her Web site. "Unfortunately, the deviated septum was more significant than we originally thought so the healing process is taking longer." The "High School Musical" star, who missed her gigs in Miami and Philadelphia, was also absent at New York's Jingle Ball on Friday. ...

50 Cent played for thousands of fans at a soccer stadium in Pristina, the capital of the Serbian province of Kosovo, on Monday, The Associated Press reports. Twenty-five thousand tickets were reportedly sold for the show, which featured fireworks, according to AP. ...

Hawthorne Heights frontman JT Woodruff will participate in a conversation at an event being staged in memory of fallen bandmate Casey Calvert. The late guitarist's favorite charity, To Write Love on Her Arms — a group aimed at helping teens at risk for suicide — will put on "Heavy and Light: An Evening of Songs, Conversation and Hope" on December 29 in Orlando, Florida. The event will also feature acoustic performances by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus singer Ronnie Winter; Aaron Gillespie (Underoath, the Almost); Josh Moore; and Bayside frontman Anthony Ranieri. In related news, Ranieri has mapped out a series of 10 additional solo acoustic shows that will happen before and after the TWLOHA benefit. He will play Wednesday in San Francisco; Friday in Anaheim, California; and then perform a handful of more shows from January 11 in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, through January 19 in Troy, New York. ...

Stephen Stills, best known for his work with David Crosby, Graham Nash and Neil Young, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Reuters reports. According to the news service, Nash disclosed the news to Larry King in a telephone interview late Monday. Stills is scheduled to have an operation on January 3, which, as it turns out, also marks his 63rd birthday. Referring to folk singer Dan Fogelberg, who was afflicted with prostate cancer and passed away Sunday, Nash reportedly said on "Larry King Live," "Unlike Danny, who left it too long to be seriously checked, Stephen found his at an early stage" and might have potentially saved his own life by getting an early diagnosis. ...

Did you hear that one about Remy Ma's supposed sexual encounter with another woman? Well, surprise — it's not true. According to TMZ.com, the rapper has responded to an online video of a woman "confessing" to having had a sexual experience with Remy Ma. "The fraudulent video hoax that has surfaced of an alleged female lover of Remy Ma is completely false, and reps for Remy Ma emphatically deny these claims," the statement reportedly read. "Remy Ma has not, nor has she ever been, involved in a same-sex relationship with the accuser or any other woman, however Remy is respectful of those who choose the alternative lifestyle." ...

Foo Fighters are thinking big for their next tour — the band is planning to break out two stages for it, according to Billboard.com. The trek, which starts January 16 in Sunrise, Florida, will feature a main stage and an acoustic stage, with the eight-piece band that supported the Foos on their acoustic tour last year returning to supplement Dave Grohl's group on select songs. In other Foo news, Grohl told TheRockRadio.com that the band, which supported Senator John Kerry's presidential bid in 2004, hasn't picked a candidate to back in next year's election. "If a candidate that we all believed in asked us to give them some support, then we would do it," he said. "It wouldn't necessarily be as the Foo Fighters, it would be as four American citizens." ...

AFI frontman Davey Havok has declined an offer to return to his old side project, Son of Sam, but the band will carry on nonetheless. "We asked Davey [to participate], but he declined, which is a bummer, but we understand and he gave us his full blessing with looking for a new singer," the band said in a statement. ... Circus Diablo, the band featuring the Cult's Billy Duffy, Camp Freddy guitarist Billy Morrison and others, has lost a member. Bassist Brett Scallions, who was once the frontman for Fuel and is the current singer for Riders on the Storm, is out, according to the band. "Brett is deeply involved in being a new dad ... and has plans with Riders on the Storm, so with much love and respect, we will be moving forward with Patrick Cornell playing bass," reads a statement from the band. ...

Jimmy Kimmel will tag along with Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien when the late-night talk-show hosts return to TV on January 2 — albeit without writers. "Though it makes me sick to do so without my writers, there are more than a hundred people whose financial well-being depends on our show," Kimmel said in a statement issued by ABC, according to AP. "It is time to go back to work." David Letterman is also planning a return, with a union representing the striking writers reportedly talking about negotiating a deal with Letterman's Worldwide Pants and other indie production companies. ...

Minor Threat were a force to be reckoned with, having paved the way for the U.S. hardcore straightedge movement in the early '80s. But a new hot sauce that bites the band's name is actually pretty mild — according to maker Wheelhouse Pickles, its Minor Threat Sauce is "made from a rare, mild breed of habanero [pepper] grown specifically for us [and] mysteriously privileges the pepper's fruitiness over its notoriously overwhelming heat." Wheelhouse boss Jon Orren has 'fessed up to copping the hardcore band's name for the product, according to Gothamist.com, and the band's former frontman, Ian MacKaye, reportedly doesn't mind the unconventional tribute. "I don't have an occasion to eat a lot of hot sauce, but I also thought the Minor Threat stuff was nice," he reportedly told the site. ...

Jason Bonham, current member of Led Zeppelin and son of deceased original drummer John Bonham, says "only time will tell" if the band chooses to do a full-fledged reunion tour following its widely hailed comeback gig last week. "I'm still the new guy, and I wouldn't know," the drummer told Billboard.com about potential tour plans. "There's been no talks except to Jimmy [Page] and Robert [Plant] and John Paul [Jones], just to say thanks for the best Christmas present I could ask for. It really meant a lot to me. ... If they do it again, of course I would love to. But that's up to them." ... Rob Zombie has piled more solo-show off-dates during his North American tour with Ozzy Osbourne. The metal monster will play additional gigs Wednesday (Indianapolis); Friday (Rochester, New York); January 4 (Poughkeepsie, New York); January 6 (Norfolk, Virginia); January 11 (Scranton, Pennsylvania); January 13 (South Burlington, Vermont); January 18 (Kitchener, Ontario); January 22 (Buffalo, New York); January 23 (Columbus, Ohio); January 24 (Grand Rapids, Michigan); and January 28 (Albuquerque, New Mexico). ...

Legendary singer Burt Bacharach, classic-rock group the Band, iconic jazz drummer Max Roach and others will be honored with Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Awards on February 9, during Grammy week. The recipients — which also include Doris Day, Cab Calloway, Itzhak Perlman and Earl Scruggs — will also be recognized during the Grammy telecast, which airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS the following day. ...

British Sea Power, Panther and Holy F--- have planted themselves on the bill for next year's Noise Pop festival, which will go down February 26-March 2 in San Francisco. Badges for the fest are currently on sale. BSP's Do You Like Rock Music? streets February 12. ... Expect another installment next year of True Colors Tour, the Cyndi Lauper-created jaunt that featured Rufus Wainwright, the Gossip and others as part of its inaugural run this year. Dates and artists for next year's stretch have yet to be announced. ...

Joel Dorn, a veteran jazz and R&B producer who won multiple Grammy Awards and was part of Atlantic Records' in-house production staff, died Monday from a heart attack. He was 65 years old. The prolific producer, along with Roberta Flack, earned Record of the Year honors in 1972 and 1973 for the singer's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song," respectively. He also led Rhino's reissue campaign when it began in 1993, taking the reins for the campaign, production and annotation of almost two dozen releases. "The recording industry has lost a true music lover and respected professional, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his friends and all who have benefited from his gift," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said in a statement issued Tuesday.

[This story was originally published at 2::23 pm E.T. on 12.19.2007]

• Notorious B.I.G.
• Ice Cube
• Shakira
• Jessica Simpson
• Lily Allen

Beyonce, U2, Usher, More Perform At "We Are One" Inaugural Concert

• U2
• Beyoncé
• Will.I.Am
• Usher
• Shakira

65th Annual Golden Globes Nominees

• Shakira
• Eddie Vedder

The 2007 MTV Video Music Award Nominees

• Beyoncé
• Justin Timberlake
• Shakira
• Amy Winehouse
• Kanye West

Shakira's "Dirty Little Secrets" Contest

• Shakira

Red Carpet Spectacular: Photos From The 2007 Grammy Awards

• Pussycat Dolls
• Wolfmother
• Ministry
• Jamie Foxx
• Rihanna

What You Didn't See At The Grammys

• Justin Timberlake
• Timbaland
• Pink
• Shakira
• Kanye West

2006 VMA Highlights

• Panic at the Disco
• Christina Aguilera
• The Killers
• T.I.
• Ludacris

Fashion Scrapbook: SHAKIRA

• Shakira

2006 VMA Performer: Shakira

• Shakira

Nick Lachey, Shakira, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy, More Arrive At The 2006 VMAs

• Shakira
• Fall Out Boy
• AFI
• Danity Kane
• New Found Glory