Lewis shows off first tattoo

Singer Leona Lewis has rebelled against her squeaky clean image by getting her first tattoo.

The well-behaved Bleeding Love hitmaker has managed to keep out of the headlines for any reckless rock and roll behaviour since winning Simon Cowell's TV talent show The X Factor in 2006.

But now the pop star is showing off a rock and roll streak after having a tattoo inked on the inside of her left wrist in tribute to her boyfriend Lou Al-Chamaa.

Keeping coy about its significance, Lewis says, "It's incredibly private and something that we both had done. It's Hebrew letters and I'm thrilled with it. I can't reveal what it is. Some things need to remain private for me."

The couple shares a residence in London, but Lewis is currently based in the US as she works on her forthcoming album Happy.
source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/21092009/364/lewis-shows-first-tattoo.html&e=l_news_dm
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Cohen plays three-hour show on 75th birthday

Leonard Cohen made a triumphant return to the stage with a three-hour concert on his 75th birthday on Monday.

The veteran singer sparked fears for his health after collapsing onstage in Valencia, Spain last week.

His concert was cut short after he fainted mid-song and was taken to the city's Nueve de Octubre hospital, where he was treated for stomach flu.

But he was back on his feet to perform the last show of his European tour in front of 14,000 fans in Barcelona, Spain on Monday - the same day he turned 75.

The Hallelujah hitmaker was given a standing ovation as he stepped on stage at the Palau Sant Jordi concert hall, where he played for more than three hours.

And the star was moved after hundreds of fans held up lit candles handed out earlier in the evening to celebrate his special day.

His band member Dino Soldo wrote on Twitter.com, "To all the friends in Leonard Cohen's Barcelona gig, your birthday candles brought a tear to my eye. He was touched."

Concertgoers also tossed bouquets, books and teddy bears onto the stage, and the Canadian star thanked them by raising his hat and concluding the show with the parting words, "May your life be sweet as apples dipped in honey."

He is scheduled to play a concert in Israel on Thursday before travelling to North America to continue his tour in the US next month.
source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/22092009/364/cohen-plays-three-hour-show-75th-birthday.html&e=l_news_dm
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Dannii turned to Botox during Kylie's cancer struggle

Singer Dannii Minogue used Botox injections to help her cope with the pain of watching her sister Kylie battle cancer.

Dannii, 37, admits she fell into a depression after her pop star sibling was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 - and turned to the wrinkle-smoothing shots to help her feel better about her appearance.

She explains, "My sister was sick, then my best friend died soon after - I felt I'd been hit by a wave. I couldn't deal with the stress. I couldn't deal with having to look at my face.

"It was a personal thing of having to get through a lot of sadness. At first, it was something fun I tried, then it became a necessity."

The Australian star, who is currently dating rugby player Kris Smith, insists she is happier than ever since overcoming her addiction to the jabs.

She adds, "I don't need Botox now and don't want it. Life is just so different now."
source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/22092009/364/dannii-turned-botox-during-kylie-s-cancer-struggle.html&e=l_news_dm
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"This Is It" premieres

Michael Jackson's posthumous live film, "This Is It", will get a simultaneous premiere in 15 cities across the world next month.

The concert movie has been stitched together from hours and hours of footage shot before the pop icon died in June.

These will kick-off in Los Angeles on October 27, followed a matter of hours later by synchronised events in London, New York, Rio De Janeiro, Berlin, Johannesburg and Seoul.

Red carpet arrivals from the Los Angeles event will be broadcast by satellite to those cities, before the film goes out in Moscow, Tokyo, Sydney and Paris, amongst others.

AEG Live, who were promoting Jackson's ill-fated, 50-date "This Is It" live comeback in London, struck a $60 million deal with Sony Pictures for the footage.
source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/090922/340/iqyug.html&e=l_news_dm
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Electric Robbie

Robbie Williams is to play the Electric Proms next month in promotion of his new album, "Reality Killed The Video Star".

Shirley Bassey appears at the same venue three days later, in a concert designed to mark 50 years in showbusiness.

Robbie will debut material from the forthcoming album, which is released in November, in a show directed by his legendary new producer.

"I'm looking forward to playing my new songs, working with Trevor Horn again and seeing how people react to what I've been doing", he explained.

Dizzee Rascal, Doves, Smokey Robinson, Metronomy and Florence & The Machine are amongst the other acts set to appear across the BBC-endorsed run from October 20-24.
source: http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/090922/340/iqyql.html&e=l_news_dm
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Coldplay's mega donation

Coldplay have donated £1 million to a children's charity, it has been revealed. Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh confirmed the news, explaining how thrilled the London-based organisation were by the gesture.

"They were moved by the tough stories they heard and want to be genuine participants", she said.

"I got the feeling the donation was something they had planned from the start of their careers", explained Batmanghelidjh.

Coldplay completed their "Viva La Vida" world tour this weekend, with a pair of shows at Wembley Stadium in London.
source:http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/090922/340/iqyor.html&e=l_news_dm
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Mika's terror over TV interview

Shy pop star Mika was so terrified about a TV interview earlier this month, he had to be dragged back into the studio after running out in fear.

The Grace Kelly hitmaker admits he is only confident while performing - and nearly pulled out of an appearance on talk show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross after realising he'd have to chat to the host after comedian Ricky Gervais.

He explains, "When I'm on stage I can appear strong. But in real life I'm not. The other day, when I was on Jonathan Ross, I was sitting there next to Ricky Gervais and Jamie Oliver and I was like, 'I'm in hell - I'm in hell! What am I doing here?'

"I was around two of the most self-assured, ebullient people, who know how to swagger and talk. I actually ran off twice and they had to keep coming back to get me. I feel inept. I feel like I should be better at it and I think it's really not a good thing. I'm not proud of it at all.

"If I go to a party and I don't know anyone I'll still be the one sitting in the corner, drinking too much! Then I'll leave, being angry that no one spoke to me - but of course it's all my fault that they didn't."
source:http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/22092009/364/mika-s-terror-tv-interview.html&e=l_news_dm
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Pop veterans Chas and Dave split

Music veterans Chas and Dave have split after 35 years together, their agent has announced.

The duo recorded classic household name tunes such as Rabbit, The Sideboard Song and Snooker Loopy.

Bassist and singer Dave Peacock is to retire from the music business following the death of his wife Sue from lung cancer in July.

Pianist Chas Hodges said he will honour their touring commitments under the new name of Chas And His Band.

Chas and Dave's debut album One Fing 'n' Anuvver was released in 1975 and they went on to have eight top 40 singles.

The much-loved artists played the Glastonbury music festival in 2005 and have influenced modern artists like The Libertines.

In July this year, Peacock's wife of 36 years died of lung cancer despite being a lifelong non-smoker.

In a statement on their website, the band said: "Sue was instrumental behind the scenes for Chas and Dave, working tirelessly on the side of the business that musicians just aren't good at.

"It's accurate to say that without Sue and [Chas's wife] Joan, there wouldn't have been Chas and Dave."
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8269057.stm
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Lady Gaga, Kings of L head up Europe nominations

Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon have been nominated for five MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). The singer and the band will both compete for Best Song, for 'Poker Face' and 'Use Somebody' respectively, Best Live Act and Best World Stage Performance, with Gaga also nominated for Best Female and Best New Act, while Kings of Leon are also up for the Best Group and Best Rock prizes.

Beyonce Knowles follows them in the nominations list, receiving nods in four categories, while Eminem and Green Day are each up for three accolades.

American artists dominate the shortlists, with Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Kanye West and Black Eyed Peas each named in two categories.

U2 are the only non-American stars to receive more than one nomination, competing for Best Live Act and Best Rock.

British singer Leona Lewis, 'American Idiot' hitmakers Green Day and German group Tokio Hotel will perform live at this year's ceremony, which takes place in Berlin, Germany, on November 5.
source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/music/news/article.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10598829
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Lawsuit settled over Coldplay song

Guitarist Joe Satriani and Coldplay have reached an agreement that ends a copyright infringement lawsuit filed over the band's smash hit Viva la Vida.

Satriani sued Coldplay in December, claiming the band copied "substantial, original portions" of his 2004 song, If I Could Fly.

Coldplay won a Grammy Award earlier this year for Viva La Vida.

A federal judge in Los Angeles last week dismissed the case at the request of attorneys for both sides. No details about an agreement were included in court filings, other than each side would pay its own legal costs.

Satriani is a renowned guitarist who has been nominated for numerous Grammys during his career.
source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/music/news/article.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10598878
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Lady GaGa & Her Silly Outfits - Has She Gone Too Far??

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Jonas Brothers stay safe on dates

The Jonas Brothers are chaperoned on dates. The boy band - comprising brothers Kevin, 21, Joe, 20, and 17-year-old Nick are always accompanied by their bodyguards when they go out with girls to ensure they stay safe. Nick said: "I think with anything we do, we have to be safe." Kevin added: "I don't know if you'd call it chaperoning, but they come with us anywhere we go, all the time. They're just looking out for us."Kevin is currently engaged to Danielle Deleasa, and is making plans for their wedding.

Nick and Joe are both currently single, although Nick is rumoured to be on the verge of rekindling his romance with Miley Cyrus.

Taking burly security guards on dates is not the only thing the boys have admitted to.

The are all proud to say they regularly get manicures as their nails can get ruined when playing the guitar.

Joe explained to Top of the Pops magazine: "We don't get nail polish or anything though! But we could rock that... I saw some guy rocking a gold nail varnish the other day and it looked pretty cool on him."
source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1502166.php/Jonas-Brothers-stay-safe-on-dates
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MICHAEL JACKSON 'TOO SHY' FOR MADONNA

'Revolver' singer Madonna never recorded a duet with Michael Jackson because he was scared of her ''provocative'' music.

Madonna thought Michael Jackson was "too shy".

The 'Revolver' singer spent weeks working with the 'King of Pop' several years ago, but never recorded a duet with him because Michael was scared of Madonna's "provocative" music.

The 51-year-old star recalled: "We spent a chunk of time together, and became friends, but it never happened. I wrote a bunch of words and presented them to him, and he didn't want to go there.

"He didn't want to be provocative. And I said, 'Well, why come to me?' I mean, that's like asking Quentin Tarantino to not put any violence in his films. I felt like he was too inhibited, too shy."

Madonna paid tribute to Michael - who died in June of acute propofol intoxication - in an emotional speech at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month.

Even though she used the occasion to "say goodbye" to her old friend, the star admits she can't stop thinking about Michael, and the torment he faced at the hands of the media.

She told Britain's Times newspaper: "When I heard he had died, the first thing that came into my head was the word 'abandoned'. I feel like we all abandoned him and put him in a box and labelled him as a strange person.

"And it used to pain me to see people go write such horrible things about him, accuse him of being a child molester, and all these things that nobody had any proof of because I've had plenty of things I've been accused of.

"When I adopted David, I was accused of kidnapping him, for God's sakes; and it's very hurtful, and people love to jump on bandwagons. The lynch-mob mentality is pretty scary."
source: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/michael-jackson-too-shy-for-madonna_1116603
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AVRIL LAVIGNE 'MARRIED TOO YOUNG'

'Girlfriend' singer Avril Lavigne decided to split from Sum 41 rocker Deryck Whibley because she ''finally'' realised it was a mistake to marry at 21.

Avril Lavigne is getting divorced because she "married too young".

The 'Girlfriend' singer - who announced she was separating from Sum 41 rocker Deryck Whibley last week - has "finally" realised tying the knot at 21 was a mistake.

An insider told People magazine: "She married too young and she finally realised that. Avril realised she needs her own life and needs to explore things without him."

The 24-year-old star married Deryck in a private Catholic ceremony in 2006. They had been dating since 2004.

But even though their three-year marriage is over, Avril has vowed to stay friends with her estranged husband.

In a statement on her website, the star said: "Deryck and I have been together for six-and-a-half years. We have been friends since I was 17, started dating when I was 19, and married when I was 21. I am grateful for our time together, and I am grateful and blessed for our remaining friendship.

"I admire Deryck and have a great amount of respect for him. He is the most amazing person I know, and I love him with all my heart. Deryck and I are separating and moving forward on a positive note."

Deryk was said to be "crushed" when Avril "walked out on him" but claimed their separation was amicable in a posting on his own blog.
source: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/avril-lavigne-married-too-young_1116564 View Here...

JACKSON SLAMMED FAMILY IN SHOCK AUTOBIOGRAPHY TAPES

MICHAEL JACKSON blasted his famous family members in explosive recordings made for his 1988 autobiography - branding JERMAINE a "womaniser"and TITO "boring".
The King Of Pop hits out at all of his Jackson 5 bandmate brothers - Jermaine and Tito, as well as Marlon and Jackie - claiming they were lazy and moaned during their time in the group, while he was always "watching and learning".
The revelations come from a series of taped interviews Jackson gave for his 1988 book Moonwalk - but insisted were never published at the time.
In the recordings, obtained by Britain's News of the World newspaper, Jackson is heard saying, "The brothers didn't give me support. We'd be working on a TV show or video and they'd be sitting around moaning and groaning but I'd be watching and learning.
"It takes a talent, but some people are lazy and don't want to develop anything."
He then hits out at his brothers one by one - calling Marlon "old-fashioned", branding Jackie "negative" and referring to Randy, who later joined the group, as "hard-headed" and "macho".
Jackson then takes aim at his sister La Toya, adding: "To me, she is Mrs Nice and Nasty."
The star admits he was unhappy when his younger sister Janet wed producer James DeBarge in 1984: "It kills me to see her off and married. We did everything together and were just alike. It's a terrible loss."
Jackson also hits out at his beloved mother Katherine for giving a tell-all interview about him when he was younger.
He says, "She disappointed me. She did an interview. I don't like her to talk. It's none of those people's business."
But the revelations never made it into the book, as Jackson told the tome's ghostwriter: "You can't print that."
Moonwalk is set to be re-released next month (Oct09), following Jackson's death in June (09).
source: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/jackson-slammed-family-in-shock-autobiography-tapes_1116551

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WINFREY'S PRECIOUS WINS TOP TORONTO AWARD

MARIAH CAREY and OPRAH WINFREY's new movie PRECIOUS scooped the top award at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday (19Sep09).
The movie, a gritty drama produced by talk show host Winfrey and featuring singer Carey, was honoured with the People's Choice award at the annual event in Canada.
Director Lee Daniels says, "I made this film for every person out there who ever looked in the mirror and felt unsure about the person looking back. This is not an art film for a select few. This is a movie that everyone can relate to."
Last year's (08) People's Choice award was won by Slumdog Millionaire - which went on to sweep the board at the Oscars and Golden Globes earlier this year (09).
source: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/winfreys-precious-wins-top-toronto-award_1116558
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JANET SENT TAYLOR SWIFT FLOWERS: Country star still 'blown away by all the love thrown in my direction.'

Taylor Swift's Twitter page wasn't the only thing to blow up with well wisher in the hours following Kanye West's interruption of her acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards.

“Artists that I didn’t even assume knew who I was (have supported me)," she told Elvis Duran of New York radio station Z100 on Friday. I woke up the next day and I had flowers in my hotel room from Janet Jackson."

She continued: “I am blown away by all the love that was thrown in my direction,” she said, “and feel very lucky and blessed to have people come and support me like that."

Days after sending the flowers, Janet hit the club with some friends at Greenhouse in New York, reports People.com.

According to an eyewitness, the singer "seemed [to be] in a great mood" and was "chatty" as she danced around a little and hung out with her dancers and choreographers. And Jackson wasn't drinking alcohol: According to the source, she stuck to Ice River Springs water.
source: http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur56169.cfm View Here...

Talented Miley Cyrus caught between girly and all grown-up

They sure grow up quick, don't they?
Less than two years ago, Miley Cyrus appeared at the Oracle Arena in Oakland and played the part of her Disney Channel alter-ego Hannah Montana. She smiled as she bounced about the stage, singing happy tunes that delighted pigtailed little girls and comforted their minivan-driving chauffeurs (aka parents).

In that role, Miley (the daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus) wasn't threatening in the slightest. Her function seemed simply to provide a much-needed stepping stone between Raffi, the Wiggles and other children's music favorites to young-teen idols such as Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears.

Now, however, little Miss Cyrus wants to join that latter group.

On her current "Wonder World Tour" — the first not to advertise the Hannah Montana name — the 16-year-old brunette has tossed aside her Disney character's blonde wig, as well as most of her teeny-bopper charm, to further establish her own star. Compared with what we've seen in the past — including the 2007-08 "Best of Both Worlds Tour," which was billed to both Montana and Cyrus — this trek is a decidedly more mature affair.

The result, at least at the gate, has been more of the same for Cyrus. She drew a capacity crowd of screaming young girls and earplug-wearing parents to the Oracle Arena on Friday night. A similar scene awaits the pop princess when she performs tonight at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.
source: http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_13377752 View Here...

Billboard: Madonna, Yoko Ono, Gospel

Madonna notching her 40th No. 1, "Celebration," on Dance/Club Play Songs is an extraordinary achievement. Even Madonna seems to 'cherish' the honor, as evidenced on her official website.

Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart is one of the few surveys in our menu that is not based on Nielsen SoundScan point-of-sale data or BDS-monitored airplay. Such methodology would be almost impossible for the chart, which is compiled from reports submitted by club DJs, many of whom spin and mix at multiple venues.

Sales and airplay do not contribute to Dance/Club Play Songs. Rather, Billboard compiles charts for that data separately: Hot Dance Singles Sales and Hot Dance Airplay.

As Billboard's dance charts manager, Gordon Murray, can attest to, the dance community is a tight-knit one, and the DJs contributing to the Dance/Club Play Songs chart take great pride in their responsibility to help shape a format that's so unique; unlike pop, adult, rock, R&B or country, for example, there are few dance-oriented radio stations (San Francisco's KNGY just defected to mainstream top 40 last week), so club play is a key barometer of the format's trends.

I posed your question to Gordon, and here is his deeper analysis of Dance/Club Play Songs:

"The chart is compiled from the playlists of a carefully screened and consistently scrutinized panel of U.S. club DJs (currently 140), even those in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. These playlists are reflective of what the DJs are playing to crowds on the dance floors each week in clubs. Because of the nature of this type of music, which is often mixed together and which can include many different remixes of the same song, there is no means of compiling the data electronically.

"As for Madonna, her achievement is particularly noteworthy because of the changing nature of club tastes and styles of music. What becomes mainstream popular music often starts out as more underground music, played first in the clubs before it is accepted by radio's larger audiences. So, for one artist to be able to change with the times and perhaps even set the trends to the extent that she has is, indeed, truly remarkable."
source: http://www.billboard.com/#/news/ask-billboard-madonna-yoko-ono-gospel-1004014251.story View Here...

Shakira: The 'She Wolf' Billboard Cover Story

In Shakira's hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, there's a 15-foot metal statue of her, wearing bell-bottoms and strumming a guitar. It was donated by a German sculptor in 2006, in the midst of the singer's wildly successful Oral Fixation world tour, which featured her jaw-dropping belly-dancing and a finale of "Hips Don't Lie" with Wyclef Jean.

Shakira occasionally strummed a glittery guitar during the show, but by the time the statue was put up, she was far from the acoustic pop-rocker she'd been on her 1996 breakthrough album, "Pies Descalzos." And if the statue already was playing catch-up with her image in 2006, it barely captures her now.

A preview of Shakira's third English album, "She Wolf," due Oct. 13 on Epic, reveals what may be some of her most club-oriented music to date: electronic pop with strong basslines and prominent world music textures, combined with a dose of in-your-face sex appeal.

"I felt very curious and intrigued about the electro-pop world and everything it has to offer," Shakira tells Billboard by phone from her home in the Bahamas. "I wanted to make sure that this album was very bassy and that the kicks hit really hard, and I wanted to concentrate on the beat. But my music, to a certain extent, is very complex -- because I always try to experiment with sounds from other parts of the world." Shakira produced and wrote "She Wolf," teaming with Pharrell Williams on production; other collaborators include Jean; John Hill, who's worked with Santigold; the Bravery's Sam Endicott; and Academy Award winner Jorge Drexler. Keyboardist Albert Menendez also co-wrote a song.
source: http://www.billboard.com/#/features/shakira-the-she-wolf-billboard-cover-story-1004012552.story View Here...