Music News: July 2011 Archive

31.07.11 U2 tour grosses $736m.
U2 wrapped up their two year 360 tour last night in Canada.  By the time they walk off stage they will have played to 7.26 Million people and grossed a record breaking $736,137,344.  This beats the previous record achieved by the Rolling Stones of $558m, although this probably won't go down too well with campaigners who accuse U2 of tax evasion.

http://www.nme.com/news/u2/58354

29.07.11 Def Leppard return to US tour.
Def Leppard have returned to their US tour in Cincinnati after postponing some dates after the death of the lead singer's, Joe Elliot, father.  He also posted a letter to his fans on the band website, to acknowledge their support and thank them for their condolences and well wishes.  The full letter can be read at the site below,

http://www.defleppard.com/news/2011/07/28/thank-you-cincinnati-joe-elliott

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-return-to-stage-as-joe-elliott-thanks-fans/

29.07.11 Independent Record retailers write open letter to jay-Z.
Scores of independent US record shops owners have written an open letter to Jay-Z and Kanye West after it was announced their forthcoming album will be exclusively released on itunes and at Best Buy two weeks before general release with other retailers.  The letter says the actions will cause 'great damage' and request equal access to the release.  Jay-Z's spokesman had no comment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14338806

28.07.11 Morrissey upsets with latest comments.
Morrissey, who is well known for his outspoken comments and views, has sparked off outrage at his latest remarks that the Norway attacks were 'nothing compared to what happens in McDonalds and KFC everyday.'  The remarks were made at a gig in Warsaw on Sunday where he told the crowd before singing Meat Is Murder: ‘We all live in a murderous world, as the events in Norway have shown, with 97 dead. Though that is nothing compared to what happens in McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried S*** every day.’  The vegetarian is well known for his outspoken beliefs on animal rights, but some internet fans feel this may have been a step too far.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/870664-morrissey-says-norway-massacre-nothing-compared-to-actions-of-kfc

27.04.11 Amy Winehouse foundation planned .
Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch Winehouse, has suggested he would like to set up a foundation in his daughters name to help those struggling with addiction.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14306472

26.07.11 Amy Winehouse cremated after private funeral.
Amy Winehouse was cremated today after a private funeral attended by family and close friends.  At the funeral were friends Mark Ronson, Kelly Osbourne and the stylist Alex Foden.  Her father, Mitch Winehouse, gave her eulogy which ended with the words "Goodnight, my angel, sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."  The family will now hold a two day Shiva according to their jewish faith.

http://music.uk.msn.com/news/amys-father-says-goodnight-angel-2

http://www.nme.com/news/amy-winehouse/58267

26.07.11 Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan get engaged?
Marcus Mumford, the front singer of band Mumford and Sons, has allegedly got engaged to his actress girlfriend Carey Mulligan.  The pair have been dating for 5 months and Mumford is said to have popped the question at the weekend.  Mulligan has been seen wearing an engagement ring.  Mumford is currently in the studio recording the bands much anticipated follow up album to the highly popular and critically acclaimed debut 'Sigh No More'. 

http://www.nme.com/news/tabloid-hell/58263

23.07.11 Amy Winehouse found dead.
Amy Winehouse has been found dead this afternoon in her London flat.  The cause of death is unknown, but she has allegedly been drinking heavily in recent weeks.

http://www.nme.com/news/amy-winehouse/58212

23.07.11 Ringo Starr wins 'Icon' award at Mojo awards.
Ringo Starr has won the 'icon' award at this years Mojo awards.  In front of many of his peers, like Jimmy Page and Phil Collins , Starr took the award to recognise his lifetime achievement.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ringo-starr-mojo-awards/

23.07.11 Tom Morello to release comic book in October.
Tom Morello, the guitarist with Rage Against the Machine, has annonced he will be releasing a comic book in October.  Entitled 'Orchid' it will  be a fantasy epic set in the future.  Morello has written a track to go with the comic and he will write a new song for each issue in the series.

http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2011/07/tom_morello_to_release_comic_b.html

22.07.11 Red Hot Chili Peppers announce UK tour dates.
The RHCP have announced some UK tour dates for this November.  The band, who release their 10th album this August will kick things off in Dublin and will include 3 nights at London's O2 arena.  This will be the first tour with the bands new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.  The dates announced are:-

Dublin O2 Arena (November 4)
London O2 Arena (7, 9, 10)
Glasgow SECC Hall (12)
Manchester Evening News Arena (14, 15)
Sheffield Motorpoint Arena (17)
Birmingham LG Arena (19, 20)

http://www.nme.com/news/red-hot-chili-peppers/58194 

21.07.11 Radio 1 Boss to leave after 13 years.
Andy Parfitt, the  current boss of BBC Radio 1 has annuonced he will be leaving the station to pursue other opportunities.  Parfitt has guided the station from a purely analogue format to a more diverse, interactive and multi platform format and has also increased weeekly listeners to almost 12 million.  Parfitt has said he will miss the DJ's,  "they are special people - I will miss dealing with them day to day".  Chris Moyles lead the tributes saying "Andy is the best boss I've ever had."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14230748

21.07.11 Paul McCartney documentary to be aired about his 9/11 experiences.
Paul McCartney will be marking the 10th anniversary of the events of 9/11 by sharing a documentary about his experiences before and after the events in New York.  At the time of the attacks McCartney was sat in a plane on the tarmac awaiting take-off and he talks about this and his efforts to organise a charity concert in the weeks afterwards.  The documentary will be shown in America on 10th September this year and there is no news on a broadcast date in the UK yet. 

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartney-documentary-9-11/

20.07.11 Take That break highest grossing concert series record.
Take That have broken the record for the highest grossing concert series.  Their 8 night run at Wembley Stadium during June and July 2011 made them £38 million.  The record was previously held by Bruce Springsteen for his 10 night run at Giant's Satdium, New Jersey in 2003 where he made £24 million.  In total the Take That tour grossed  £114 Million and played to 1.8 million fans.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14215576

19.07.11 Mercury Prize nominees announced.
This years Mercury prize nominees were announced today with some expected artists and also some surprises.  The winner will be announced on Septmeber 6th and will win the £20,000 prize, although the glory of the coveted award is often enough. The full nominee list is:-

Anna Calvi - 'Anna Calvi'
Elbow - 'Build A Rocket Boys!'
James Blake - 'James Blake'
Katy B - 'On A Mission'
Metronomy - 'The English Riviera'
Tinie Tempah - 'Disc-Overy'
PJ Harvey - 'Let England Shake'
Gwilym Simcock - 'Good Days At Schloss Elmau'
Everything Everything - 'Man Alive'
Ghostpoet - 'Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam'
King Creosote and Jon Hopkins - 'Diamond Mine'
Adele - '21'

http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/pj_harvey/news/15002

18.07.11 Ja Rule sentenced to 2 years in jail.
Rapper and actor Ja Rule, real name Jeffrey Atkins,   has been sentenced to 2 years in jail after failing to file income tax returns between the years 2004 and 2006.  He had admitted to not paying taxes on $3 Million during this period.

http://music.uk.msn.com/news/ja-rule-is-sentenced-in-tax-case-1

18.07.11 Adele's album '21' back at Number One spot.
'21', the album by Adele, is back at number one in the UK album chart.  It has not been out of the top 5 since its release in January and her debut '19' is also at number three.  All in all this makes it 17 weeks at the top spot for Adele, with no signs of her popularity diminishing.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/869610-adeles-21-returns-to-no-1-in-uk-albums-chart

17.07.11 Take That cancel show due to Robbie Illness.
Take That have had to cancel their show in Copenhagen last night due to Robbie Williams having severe food poisoning.  This is the first time in the bands career they have had to cancel a show and it was made on the advice of doctors in Denmark.  Robbie is recuperating and trying to get well enough for the bands next show in Amsterdam on Monday.

http://music.uk.msn.com/news/robbie-illness-stops-take-that-show-1

15.07.11 David Gilmour's son sentences to 16 months in jail.
Charlie Gilmour, the son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for his part in the student protests.  He pleaded guilty to defacing the cenotaph, throwing a bin at Prince Charles' car and smashing a window.  It is unknown if he will appeal.

http://www.nme.com/news/pink-floyd/58049

15.07.11 McCartney and Ringo quash rumours of Olympics Beatles concert.
After the previous speculation both Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney have quashed rumours that they would play at the Olympics ceremony with the children of Lennon and Harrison.  McCartney labelled it "tabloid stuff".    There is still talk that McCartney may play at the ceremony on his own.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/no-beatles-reunion-olympics/

14.07.11 Morrissey to publish autobiography.
Morrissey has announced that his much anticipated autobiography will be released in December 2012.  He said 'the innocent are named and the guilty are protected'.  Whjilst speaking to Billboard he also took the time to criticize modern pop music and those artists who perform without 'fire in the belly'.

http://www.nme.com/news/morrissey/58024

14.07.11 Lady Gaga slammed for performing in a wheelchair.
Lady Gaga has been slammed by disability groups after she performed in Sydney, dressed as a mermaid, whilst seated in a wheelchair.  Jesse Billauer from Life Rolls on Foundation said 'Since this isn't the first time she has used a wheelchair in her performances, I invite her to learn more about the 5.6 million Americans who live with paralysis. I extend a personal invitation to Lady GaGa to attend one of our Life Rolls On events where quadriplegics and paraplegics surf, skate, and snowboard, so she can see how much is possible beyond a wheelchair.'

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/869311-lady-gaga-attacked-over-wheelchair-mermaid-stunt-as-youtube-page-shut

14.07.11 Jimmy Page sets up website.
Jimmy Page has finally set up an official website to promote his music and career.  After sitting on the domain name for some time he now thinks it is time to do something with it and the site will include album critiques by Jimmy and a webstore, amongst other features.

http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2011/07/jimmy_page_launches_official_s.html
http://www.jimmypage.com/

13.07.11 Dave Grohl kicks out fan from gig after they were seen fighting.
Dave Grohl stopped a recent gig at The Roundhouse to throw out a fan after they were seen fighting.  Grohl called out to the fan ‘You don’t come to my show and fight. You come to my show and f***ing dance, you a**hole. Get the f*** outta here. I don’t put up with that bulls*** – you people come here to have a good time and that guy can f*** off.’  The fan was then escorted out of the premises.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/869128-watch-foo-fighters-dave-grohl-ejects-brawling-fan-from-itunes-festival-gig



13.07.11 Lady Gaga egged whilst leaving club.
Lady Gaga was egged whilst leaving a gay club in Sydney, Australia (July 11th), but managed to keep her composure thoughout.  Whilst in the city she was made an honourary citizen for her work on gay rights.

http://www.nme.com/news/lady-gaga/57995

12.07.11 Paul McCartney hints he may play at Olympics.
Paul McCartney has hinted he may play at the London Olympics opening ceremony with Ringo Starr and the kids of Lennon and Harrison.  Nothing has been confirmed as yet but it has been heard he is talking to the organisers.

http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/paul_mccartney/news/14987

12.07.11 Jay-Z working on solo album.
Jay-Z has said he is working on some songs for a solo album.  He already has two songs written for what will be his 11th album.  There is no release date as yet.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/869092-jay-z-reveals-new-solo-album-is-on-its-way

11.07.11 Matt Beallamy and Kate Hudson welcome their first child together.
Matt Bellamy from Muse and the actress Kate Hudson have welcomed their first child together into the world on Saturday 9th July.  The healthy baby boy weighed 7Ibs 12oz and was born in LA.  The name is as yet unconfirmed.

http://www.nme.com/news/muse/57935

11.07.11 Buena Vista Social Club Guitarist dies.
Manuel Galban, the guitarist for famed Cuban band Buena Vista Social Club, has passed away from a heart attack aged 80.  The band is famous for their 1996 album with Ry Cooder that brought them international recognition. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14097468

10.07.11 Steven Tyler and Stevie Nicks honour Betty Ford.
Both Steven Tyler and Stevie Nicks have paid tribute to Betty Ford after she passed away at the age of 93 last friday.  Betty Ford started The Betty Ford Center for those battling alcohol and drug adddiction and Tyler described it as "the gold standard of treatment facilities."  Nicks said that "as far as i'm concerned Betty Ford saved my life."

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/steven-tyler-stevie-nicks-betty-ford/

10.07.11 Michael Eavis says fans getting bored of festivals.
Michael Eavis, the owner and founder of Glastonbury feels the public are getting bored of music festivals.  There are now so many each summer that many have tickets left unsold and Reading, Leeds and Latitude all have tickets still available.  Eavis thinks there are only about 3-4 good years left and stated that in the year Jay-Z performed the festival very nearly went bankrupt.

 http://www.metro.co.uk/music/868837-glastonburys-michael-eavis-people-are-bored-of-music-festivals

09.07.11 Frank Carter quits Gallows
Frank Carter, the lead singer of Gallows, has announced he will be quitting the band at the end of their current tour.  The split, which seems amicable enough, is over the creative direction the band wants to take and a differing of opinion.  Carter has already annuonced he has a new band called Pure Love who will shortly record an album and will release tour dates.

http://www.nme.com/news/gallows/57879

08.07.11 Imogen Heap releases Propeller Seeds (aka Heapsong2)
Imogen Heap has released the second song in her Heapsong project, titled 'Propeller Seeds'.  Composed with the collaborations and suggestions of her fans this is another wonderful creation from this innovative artist.  Play it through your headphones for the full 3D musical effect and download it from the sources noted on her website.

http://imogenheap.com/propellerseeds/

08.07.11 Liam Gallagher dedicates song to his brother.
After Noel Gallagher's press conference announcing his solo album his brother, Liam, has dedicated a song to him at a spanish festivcal.  He said "this is for the one and only Noel Gallagher" before launching into 'Bring the Light' which has certain confrontational lyrics.

http://www.nme.com/news/beady-eye/57857

07.07.11 Metallica Sonisphere setlist revealed?
After Metallica played Gothenburg yesterday there is speculation that their headline set at Sonisphere, as part of the Big Four Metal Extravaganza (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax), will look very similar.  The songs played were:- 

Hit The Lights
Master Of Puppets
The Shortest Straw
Seek & Destroy
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Ride The Lightning
The Memory Remains
All Nightmare Long
Sad But True
The Call Of Ktulu
One
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Blackened
Fade To Black
Enter Sandman

Encore
Am I Evil?
(Diamond Head cover) (with Megadeth and Anthrax)
Damage Inc.
Creeping Death

http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2011/07/metallicas_sonisphere_set-list.html

07.07.11 Robbie Williams plans solo tour.
Bolstered by his recent tour with Take That, Robbie Williams has announced he plans a solo tour.  After receiving criticism for his 'Rudebox' album he feels he still has plenty to offer and prove.

http://music.uk.msn.com/news/robbie-williams-plans-solo-tour-1

07.07.11 Red Hot Chili Peppers discuss new album title.
The RHCP have discussed the reasoning behind the title of their upcoming album 'I'm With You'.  Lead singer, Anthony Kiedis, has said that their new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer came up with the name and they chose it as it's how the band feels at the moment.

http://www.nme.com/news/red-hot-chili-peppers/57840

06.07.11 Noel Gallagher finally announced solo album.
In a press conference today Noel Gallagher finaly announced the release date for his first post-Oasis solo album.   The album, to be titled 'Noel Gallagher;s High Flying Birds' will be released on 17th October.  He also discussed details of Oasis' break-up and other projects during the press confererence.  He also annuonced a new website which can be found at www.noelgallagher.com

http://news.qthemusic.com/2011/07/noel_gallagher_goes_solo_10_th.html

06.07.11 Eminem hits digital milestone.
Eminem has become the first artist to hit the milstone of a million downloads in the US for his 'Recovery' album. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14042558

06.07.11 Spotify link up with Virgin Media for new streaming service.
Spotify has announced it has linked up with Virgin Media to offer music streaming via the cable company's TV's, internet and mobile services. 

http://www.nme.com/news/spotify/57813

05.07.11 Adele back on track after vocal cord problem.
Adele confirmed today that she is back to full health and able to sing again at full capacity after a months recovery in the UK.  Speaking on the Chris Moyles show on Radio 1 she said she had had Laryngitis and had sung through her illness, but is back to full health now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14025600

05.07.11 Lily Allen finishes work on musical project.
Lily Allen has stated she has finished work on a musical based on Bridget Jones' Diary.   It is due to be staged in the West End in the UK.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/868384-lily-allen-nearly-finished-working-on-bridget-jones-diary-musical

04.07.11 Prince plays first UK festival.
Prince played his first UK festival with a 2 and a quarter hour set at the Hop farm in Kent.  He played a greatest hits set to 30,000 people and came on for three encores.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14009720

04.07.11 The 40th anniversary of Jim Morrisons death is honoured by fans and former band mates.
The 40th anniversary of Jim Morrison's death was honoured at his gravesite in Paris over the weekend.  Tributes were paid with fans singing songs and lighting candles.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/868167-jim-morrison-the-doors-singer-honoured-40-years-after-death

03.07.11 Speculation Noel Gallagher will announce debut solo album release date this week.
Noel Gallagher is set to hold a press conference this Wednesday (6th July) to reportedly announce the release date of his debut solo album. Noel has been recording in LA during recent months with a great deal of secrecy over his plans.  His brother Liam has already released his post-Oasis album, 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' with his new band Beady Eye.

http://www.nme.com/news/noel-gallagher/57730

02.07.11 Radio 1's Chris Moyles signs £1.25Million deal to stay at station until 2014
Chris Moyles has signed a contract to extend his Radio 1 breakfast show until 2014.  The deal is thought to be in the region of £1.25 Million, although Radio 1 boss Andy Parfitt has refused to confirm or deny this.

http://www.metro.co.uk/music/868013-chris-moyles-signs-1-25m-deal-to-host-radio-1-show-until-2014

02.07.11 Tom Petty threaten Republican Congresswoman with legal action.
Tom Petty has threatened legal action against Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann as she has been using his track 'American Girl' as part of her campaign music without his permission to do so.  This is not the first time Petty has had to show his displeasure about a politician using his music without permission, after George W Bush used his track 'I Won't Back Down' during his 2000 Presidential campaign.

http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/tom_petty/news/14967

01.07.11 Peter Gabriel announces new album release for autumn.
Peter Gabriel has announced the release of an album in autumn to be called 'New Blood'.  Similar is style to his 'Scratch my Back' album it will feature an orchestra playing some of the well known tracks from his back catalogue, without the accompaniment of Guitar, Bass or Drums.  There will also be a DVD of the Hammersmith Apollo concerts released around the same time.

http://petergabriel.com/newblood.php

01.07.11 NME has announced the launch of a new website NMEvideo.com
NME have launched a new website which can be found at www.nmevideo.com and which will be a seperate website to host NME's video content.  It will feature interviews, live footage, music videos and archive footage as well.

http://www.nme.com/news/nme/57712