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Random Notes: Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Taylor Swift and the Week in Rock

Photo: Truscello/WireImage Brace yourself for the sight of Gene Simmons enjoying a special moment with Carrot Top. Do we have an explanation for why the KISS merchandise-maniac and prop comic were hanging in Las Vegas? No, we do not. Perhaps they were talking about the relative merits of Canadian bands like Metric and the Dears, since Simmons is in the market for fresh indie talent for his new record label. Thankfully, there was a lot more to this week’s Random Notes: Kanye West dropped in on a slew of Paris fashion shows, from where he ultimately fired off a lengthy caps-locked missive to the press (read Kanye’s full e-mail in the Smoking Section). The Kings of Leon prepared to take the stage at New York’s historic Madison Square Garden by taking in a Knicks game there (more on the Kings at MSG in the SS, too). Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump and Co. unveiled their metallic take on The Simpsons theme song (watch Fall Out Boy talk Simpsons theme here). Britney Spears and her dancers embarked up on rehearsals for her upcoming Circus tour at a Los Angeles dance studio. Plus, Lily Allen hit the stage in London, Jessica Simpson hit a chili cook-off (yes, really) in Florida and Taylor Swift headed off to the set of CSI, where it seems she’ll be playing a dead girl. All those photos and much more can be found in this week’s installation of Random Notes: • Random Notes: Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Taylor Swift and the Week in Rock

Published: 2009-01-30 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Beyonce, Sting, Fall Out Boy Rock Inaugural Balls As Obamas Celebrate Historic Day

Photo: Sloan/AFP/Getty Yesterday’s presidential inauguration doubled as a mini-music festival of sorts, with many of the biggest names in rock, hip-hop and R&B taking the stage at galas across Washington, DC. At the nationally televised Neighborhood Ball, Barack and Michelle Obama enjoyed their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. President while Beyoncé sang “At Last.” Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine also performed at that event, and the group came together for an all-star rendition of Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” (Check out photos of all the biggest balls here.) At the Be the Change Ball at DC’s Hilton Washington, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy and Kid Rock rocked the crowd, while the Western States Inauguration Ball featured Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. The real all-stars of the night were the Obamas, however, as the couple managed to cameo at all 10 official balls. There were also performances by George Clinton and David Banner at the Heroes Red, White and Blue Ball, the reunited Dead at the Mid-Atlantic Ball, and countless after parties. The Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts wasn’t one of the official balls visited by President Obama, but it was still a star-studded affair with with the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson taking in performances by Sting, Elvis Costello and soul legend Sam Moore. A few guests braved the chills of the red carpet, (it was actually a blue carpet, an odd Muppet-ish hue), including Anne Hathaway, who expounded on the Creative Coalition’s mission. “Art makes good citizens, art makes good people,” the Rachel Getting Married star said, sporting a new haircut and a sleek red gown. She had spent the morning on the Mall where the weather was equally chilly, but human warmth was in surplus. “There are millions of people all sitting there sending positive energy toward something,” she marveled. Comedian Jeffrey Ross strolled by with s

Published: 2009-01-21 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

U2 Talk New “Trance”-Infused Album, Radiohead Halt Freebies December 10th, Pimp C Update

People will “feel the difference” when they hear the new U2 album, Bono tells The Independent. The album will find the Irish rockers taking on trance, metal and Moroccan influences. “Normally when you play a U2 tune, it clears the dance floor. And that may not be true of this. There’s some trance influences,” says Bono, forgetting his band’s own Pop album. “It’s not like anything we’ve ever done before, and we don’t think it sounds like anything anyone else has done either.” According to Bono, guitarist The Edge has “real molten metal” coming from his guitar, and that the band has recorded enough material to fit two CDs. On December 10th, Radiohead will close down InRainbows.com, thus preventing latecomers from downloading their new album for free and/or pay-whatever-you-want. The $80 discbox will still be on sale at merchandiser w.a.s.t.e., but only while supplies last. The physical CD hits stores on December 31st in the UK and January 1st in the States. According to authorities, rapper Pimp C, who was found dead yesterday in his L.A. hotel room, may have died of natural causes. Meanwhile, Lil Flip has recorded the first of what likely will be many of Pimp C tribute tracks. The Police drummer Stewart Copeland has apologized to Chilean president Michelle Bachelet after insinuating that she was less attractive than Argentina’s female president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Copeland also invited Bachelet to the Police’s concert in Santiago. MySpace, looking to stay fresh with Facebook on its tail, has created a new MTV’s Unplugged-like series where they post interviews and performances with artists on their site. First up: James Blunt. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2007-12-06 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup, Radiohead's "In Rainbows"

Former “American Idol” Producer Responds To Abdul’s Stalker Claims

Photo: GettyFormer American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has responded to Paula Abdul’s claims that the producers put her in an uncomfortable position by allowing her stalker to audition because of the encounter’s “entertainment value.” “[Paula Goodspeed] had been through an audition process with the producers, an audition process with the executive producers, and we were wheeling her in as a huge fan of Paula Abdul,” Lythgoe said, “This is what we knew: She was a great fan, she was a lovely girl. And a great fan of Paula.” Goodspeed later committed suicide in front of Abdul’s home following a string of threatening letter addressed to Abdul. As for whether Abdul asked producers not to let Goodspeed audition, “This is three years ago. I honestly say I can’t remember the conversation. If Paula said, that’s what she said, I believe her.” “We’ve seen over 700,000 contestants. And one has made a terrible, terrible mistake. If you’re an odds man, they are great odds,” Lythgoe added. Lythgoe left American Idol this past summer to concentrate on So You Think You Can Dance? and Superstars of Dance. Related Stories: • Paula Abdul Criticizes “American Idol” Producers For Allowing Stalker To Audition • Paula Abdul Fan Found Dead Outside “American Idol” Judge’s House • Cowell, Abdul Send Condolences to Jennifer Hudson

Published: 2008-12-12 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, American Idol

Fall Out Boy confirm Greatest Hits tracklisting

Fall Out Boy have confirmed the tracklisting for their Greatest Hits album, Believers Never Die. The record, which will be released at the end of November, will boast 14 FOB classics as well as two as-yet-untitled new tracks. The track listing is as follows: 01 Dead On Arrival 02 Grand Theft Autumn 03 Saturday 04 Sugar, We're Goin' Down 05 Dance, Dance 06 A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Touch Me 07 This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race 08 Thnx Fr Th Mmrs 09 The Takeover, The Break's

Published: 2009-10-06 Provider: Kerrang!

'Flashdance' breakdancer dead at 44

Read full story for latest details.

Published: 2008-04-04 Provider: CNN Keywords: Rock Steady Crew, The Bronx, Obituaries, Ken Swift, James Brown, Dance, Fab Five Freddy, Kool Blue, Entertainment, Hip-Hop and Rap, Old School Hip-Hop, Music, Wayne Frost, Culture and Lifestyle, Performing Arts, Village Voice Media Inc., Bruce Lee (Actor), Hip-Hop Culture

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• Juror Bloomberg is back at his day job — and he's brokered a deal with Albany that will require more developers in more neighborhoods to include low-income housing in their projects. Spitzer's likely to sign. [NYT]• Both the Post and the News draw giant asterisks next to their Barry Bonds headlines (the Post throws in syringes for good measure); the man is the new home-run king with 756 under his belt, but steroids and a Fed indictment on perjury kill the mood. [NYDN] • A fast break in the case of the NYU professors' daughter found dead days ago: Her boyfriend has implicated himself in her murder after trying, and failing, to commit suicide yesterday. [amNY] • Here's the next step in the annual MTA fare-hike dance. City Comptroller William Thompson says there's no need to futz with fares until 2010, but the state needs to cough up more funds. Albany, your turn. [NYP] • And remember that steam-pipe explosion in midtown? Con Ed still has no clue why it happened. Comforting. [IHT]

Published: 2007-08-08 Provider: New York Magazine

'Fast Cars & Superstars,' Stuck in Low Gear

Two years ago, in the dead of summer, ABC unfurled "Dancing With the Stars." Featuring an intriguing mix of A-list athletes and B-list celebrities on its dance card, the reality show grew to become one of the network's top-rated shows.

Published: 2007-06-07 Provider: Washington Post

Maryland

[ ON STAGE ] "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" After a preview last night, "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" officially opens at Montgomery College. Tom Stoppard's wacky plot pulls from the background of "Hamlet" two seemingly inconsequential characters and puts them at the center of their...

Published: 2006-11-16 Provider: Washington Post

Listen To This: Your Favorite New Band

Better than sex. Better than chocolate. There is no greater rush for us than discovering hot new music! Say hello to Ultraviolet. You will be hearing a lot more from them. Sweet sweet electro. Pure dirty disco. This is music to dance to. This is music to thrash to. This music is the shit!!! Hailing from sunny Los Angeles, Ultraviolet is not signed yet. So if you work at a record label, hurry up and email them motherfucker! Now, take off your shoes, slip on your pink socks and shake it to Dead o

Published: 2007-02-06 Provider: PerezHilton

Britney Spears deals with stage fright as she heads on tour

There was a time when Britney Spears’ stage show was one of her only redeeming qualities as a recording artist. Though she always lip-synced, her stage presence and dance abilities thrilled fans. Then came the breakdown and the infamous dead-eyed performance at the 2007 Video Music Awards. Since then, sources say Britney has been trying [...]

Published: 2008-12-26 Provider: Celebitchy Keywords: Britney Spears

Critics Consensus: Street Kings Doesn't Arrest; Smart People Flunks; Guess Prom Night's Tomatometer!

This week at the movies, we've got crooked cops (Street Kings, starring Keanu Reeves and Forrest Whittaker), misanthropic academics (Smart People, starring Dennis Quaid and Ellen Page), and dead dance attendees (Prom Night, starring Brittany Snow and Idris Elba). What do the critics have to say?

Published: 2008-04-10 Provider: Rotten Tomatoes