Thursday, June 20, 2002
Forbes: Britney Spears is the most powerful celebrity
Pop-star and actress Britney Spears dethroned actor Tom Cruise for the top spot on Forbes magazine’s annual “Celebrity 100” list, an index compiled by assessing the earning power and media exposure of celebrities.
Pop-star and actress Britney Spears dethroned actor Tom Cruise for the top spot on Forbes magazine’s annual “Celebrity 100” list, an index compiled by assessing the earning power and media exposure of celebrities.
Though Spears ranked at No. 25 in earnings (taking in $39.2 million in the last year), she made up for that with a huge about of media coverage. Fame can be fleeting, though--Cruise didn’t even rank on this year’s “Celebrity 100.”
Despite the recent recording-industry slump, five of the top seven celebrities on the Forbes list are musical acts. Clocking in at No. 4 is Madonna, who maintained strong media buzz while raking in an estimated $43 million.
U2, which ranked at No. 1 on Rolling Stone magazine’s recent list of top-earning musical acts, is at No. 5 on the Forbes list. ‘NSync and Mariah Carey rank at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively.
Other musical acts charting on the Forbes list were Backstreet Boys (No. 19), Dave Matthews Band (No. 24), Elton John (No. 25), Aerosmith (No. 44), Eric Clapton (No. 52), the Osbournes (No. 85), Mandy Moore (No. 86) and Lil’ Bow Wow (No. 92).
Among the criteria used to quantify the celebrities’ star power are earnings, website hits, press clips, TV and radio mentions and magazine cover stories.
The Top 10 celebrities on the Forbes list:
1. Britney Spears
2. Tiger Woods
3. Steven Spielberg
4. Madonna
5. U2
6. ‘NSync
7. Mariah Carey
8. Oprah Winfrey
9. Michael Jordan
10. Tom Hanks
Allman Brothers Band sets a new round of summer dates
The Allman Brothers Band has lined up a series of August and September dates that will follow its current spring-summer tour.
The Allman Brothers Band has lined up a series of August and September dates that will follow its current spring-summer tour.
The August-September run will focus on amphitheaters on the East Coast and in the South. The band’s touring line-up includes Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards), Butch Trucks (percussion), Derek Trucks (guitar), Marc Quinones (percussion), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Jaimoe (percussion) and Warren Haynes (guitar).
Gregg Allman, in a recent SoundSpike interview, said that the band went through some shaky times since the departure of founding guitarist Dickey Betts in 2000, but that things are now settling down.
“Whole lot of change is going on in the Allman Brothers, and now things are down to real, good old peaceful, back to writing, you know, really grooving on it,” he said. “And not really thinking about absolutely calling it quits with the Allman Brothers altogether, which is what we almost did.”
In the first quarter of 2003 the Allmans are expected to release their first studio album since 1994’s “Where It All Begins.”
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Poison, Winger, Cinderella, Faster Pussycat link for tour
For the fourth summer in a row, Poison will headline a U.S. tour atop a roster of popular ‘80s hair-metal acts.
For the fourth summer in a row, Poison will headline a U.S. tour atop a roster of popular ‘80s hair-metal acts.
The outing--which also features Winger, Cinderella and Faster Pussycat--kicks off on May 16, two days after the release of Poison’s seventh studio album, “Hollyweird.” The four acts tour together through July 20, after which Poison will continue to tour on its own.
Dubbed the Hollyweird World Tour, the upcoming run will be Winger’s first outing in nine years. The group, fronted by namesake Kip Winger, broke up in 1993 after touring in support of that year’s “Pull.” “The Very Best of Winger,” a greatest-hits collection featuring a new recording titled “On the Inside,” surfaced last year.
Cinderella has released several live- and greatest-hits compilations in the last few years, while Faster Pussycat frontman Taime Downe last year released “Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy,” a collection of his group’s previously released material retooled into techno tracks.
Last summer’s Poison outing--which also featured Warrant, Quiet Riot and Enuff Z’Nuff--was cut short with 22 dates left on the itinerary after bassist Bobby Dall injured his back and underwent surgery, during which doctors replaced several discs in his spine.
The band’s 2000 outing featured this year’s returning act Cinderella, as well as Dokken and Slaughter. During its 1999 reunion tour, Poison had Ratt, Great White and L.A. Guns in tow.
Live Review: INXS at the Clio Area Amphitheatre, Clio, Mich.
CLIO, Mich.—When INXS singer Jon Stevens arrived on stage through the darkness, it seemed eerily like the late frontman Michael Hutchence had been resurrected.
CLIO, Mich.—When INXS singer Jon Stevens arrived on stage through the darkness, it seemed eerily like the late frontman Michael Hutchence had been resurrected.
Stevens’ arms were outstretched, his hair tousled, his torso covered in a half-unbuttoned baggy white dress shirt with oversized sleeves.
While Stevens is a worthy stand-in, it would have been less eerie if he didn’t try so hard to be Hutchence, the group’s enigmatic yet charismatic original frontman, who died in November of 1997. Vocally, Stevens’ delivery wasn’t as smooth as Hutchence’s (in songs such as “Mystify"), nor were his stage moves as elegant as the late singer’s. But Stevens brought to life some of the group’s greatest hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
“I look out in the audience and I feel like I know you all personally,” Stevens told a sparse crowd at the Clio Area Amphitheatre on Wednesday (6/19). “I see all these happy faces.”
He was playful, inviting the crowd to dance in a pit area near the front of the stage. After finishing a new song, “Sugar,” he teased the audience by saying, “Look what I found,” waving around a drum stick. When he handed it to a young girl in the front row, he added, “She’s got plenty of years to start being a drummer. Maybe she’ll be inspired.”
The set list for the two-hour show read like an INXS greatest-hits collection--"Not Enough Time,” “Disappear,” “New Sensation,” “Devil Inside” and “Shine Like It Does” were among the favorites performed. For “Beautiful Girl,” Stevens invited a slew of girls on stage to dance with him.
Sadly, it took nearly an hour for INXS to acknowledge Hutchence. With the lights down low and a video screen showing film footage of Hutchence, INXS performed “Never Tear Us Apart.”
“This is the special part of the show. We’re going to dedicate this song to [Hutchence’s] memory,” guitarist-keyboardist Andrew Farriss said.
During the chorus, saxophonist Kirk Pengilly hopped atop the drum riser--and in front of a spotlight --to play the weeping horn lines. As the visions of Hutchence faded, Stevens said, “God bless you, mate,” as the crowd gave a standing ovation.
For a band whose surviving members have reportedly said that no one will replace Hutchence, it sure seems Stevens is the man. Hutchence seemed to be merely a passing thought. In press materials about the band, Stevens is dubbed a “featured vocalist,” but he and the rest of INXS--original members Pengilly (guitar, saxophone), Garry Beers (bass), Tim Farriss (guitar), Andrew Farriss (keyboard, guitar), Jon Farriss (drums)--played a handful of new songs, which, Stevens said, will be recorded in July or August in their home country of Australia.
They would be better off starting anew, like Van Halen did with Sammy Hagar. But at this point, INXS comes across as a very talented cover band.
Dokken, Ratt and cohorts rock the road this summer
Subscribing to the theory that the more hair-metal bands on a tour’s roster the better, popular ‘80s rock acts Dokken, Ratt, Warrant, Firehouse and L.A. Guns have teamed up for this summer’s Rock Fest 2002 Tour.
Subscribing to the theory that the more hair-metal bands on a tour’s roster the better, popular ‘80s rock acts Dokken, Ratt, Warrant, Firehouse and L.A. Guns have teamed up for this summer’s Rock Fest 2002 Tour.
Tour-headliner Dokken is supporting its April release, “Long Way Home.” The band still features frontman and namesake Don Dokken and original drummer Mick Brown, along with new members Barry Sparks (bass) and Alex DeRosso (guitar).
Most of the package’s remaining acts also feature altered lineups, including Ratt, which is now fronted by Love/Hate singer Jizzy Pearl. Original frontman Stephen Pearcy is currently suing the group, while original guitarist Robbin Crosby recently succumbed to AIDS.
The Rock Fest 2002 Tour--which Metal Edge magazine is sponsoring--is one of four ‘80s-metal packages on the road this summer. The other three outings feature: Poison, Winger, Cinderella and Faster Pussycat; Tesla, Vince Neil, Jackyl and Skid Row; and and Scorpions, Deep Purple and Dio.
System of a Down fits headlining dates between Ozzfest gigs
Southern California prog-metal act System of a Down heads up a posse of bands moonlighting during Ozzfest’s off-dates.
Southern California prog-metal act System of a Down heads up a posse of bands moonlighting during Ozzfest’s off-dates.
P.O.D., Pulse Ultra and Meshuggah are scheduled to join System of a Down for a July 9 show in Hershey, Pa., and a July 15 date in Portland, Maine. The lineup, sans P.O.D., then plays shows in Wantagh, N.Y.; Tampa, Fla.; Montreal; and Hamilton, Ontario.
System of a Down continues to tour in support of last September’s “Toxicity,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band is a main-stage act on this summer’s Ozzfest..
P.O.D., a rock-rap group that’s also on Ozzfest’s main stage, is touring behind its 2001 album, “Satellite.” The album spawned the hit “Alive.”
Pulse Ultra, which releases its debut album in July, and Swedish rockers Meshuggah, are both second-stage acts on Ozzfest.
Ticket Window: Rolling Stones, Eminem, Aerosmith
This week’s major new on-sales also include tickets for Cher, Creed, Santana, the Who, Toby Keith, Tool, and Sammy Hagar with David Lee Roth.
This week’s major new on-sales also include tickets for Cher, Creed, Santana, the Who, Toby Keith, Tool, and Sammy Hagar with David Lee Roth.
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Aerosmith
Read about the tour.
- Burgettstown, Pa. (8/15, Post-Gazette Pavilion), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Hershey, Pa. (8/17, Hersheypark Stadium), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Mansfield, Mass. (8/26, Tweeter Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Camden, N.J. (9/7, Tweeter Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Scranton, Pa. (9/10, Montage Mountain), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
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Anger Management Tour with Eminem
Read about the tour.
- Devore, Calif. (8/16, Blockbuster Pavilion), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. PT
- Phoenix (8/20, America West Arena), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. PT
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Cher
Read about the tour.
- Little Rock, Ark. (8/17, Alltel Arena), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
- Houston (8/21, Compaq Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
- Atlanta (8/27, Philips Arena), on sale 6/22 at noon ET
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Creed
Read about the tour.
- East Rutherford, N.J. (7/27, Continental Arena), on sale 6/22 at 9 a.m. ET
- Uniondale, N.Y. (7/30, Nassau Coliseum), on sale 6/22 at 9 a.m. ET
- Moline, Ill. (8/15, The Mark), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
- Antioch, Tenn. (8/17, Amsouth Amphitheatre), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
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Rolling Stones
Read about the tour.
- Hartford, Conn. (10/5, Civic Center), on sale 6/24 at 10 a.m. ET
- Tacoma, Wash. (11/6, Tacoma Dome), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. PT
- Las Vegas (11/30, MGM Grand), on sale 6/24 at 10 a.m. PT
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Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth
Read about the tour.
- Bossier City, La. (7/23, CenturyTel Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
- Antioch, Tenn. (8/3, Amsouth Amphitheate), on sale 6/21 at 5 p.m. CT
- Raleigh, N.C. (8/6, Alltel Pavilion), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Bristow, Va. (8/16, Nissan Pavilion), on sale 6/22 at 11 a.m. ET
- Virginia Beach, Va. (8/19, Virgina Beach Amphitheatre), on sale 6/21 at 5 p.m. ET
- Holmdel, N.J. (8/20, PNC Center), on sale 6/21 at 10 a.m. ET
- Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (8/25, Performing Arts Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Syracuse, N.Y. (9/1, State Fair), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
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Santana
Read about the tour.
- Noblesville, Ind. (8/17, Verizon Wireless Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Tinley Park, Ill. (8/23, Tweeter Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
- St. Paul, Minn. (8/25, Xcel Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
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The Who
Read about the tour.
- Dallas (9/21, American Airlines Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
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Toby Keith
Read about the tour.
- Syracuse, N.Y. (8/30, State Fair), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Mansfield, Mass. (9/1, Tweeter Center), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Birmingham, Ala. (9/5, Oak Mountain), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. CT
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Tool
Read about the tour.
- New Haven, Conn. (8/20, Coliseum), on sale 6/22 at 10 a.m. ET
- Chicago (8/29, United Center), on sale 6/22 at 11 a.m. CT
- St. Paul, Minn. (9/4, Xcel Center), onsale 6/22 at noon CT
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All ticket on-sale times and concert dates are subject to change without notice. Confirm with your local venue and/or ticket seller.
SoundSpike’s Ticket Window feature is updated each Thursday evening.
In Brief: P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records breaks from Arista
Bruce Springsteen on “Today.” Brandy’s a mom. Bono meets with Jacques Chirac. Nelly’s extras.
Bruce Springsteen on “Today.” Brandy’s a mom. Bono meets with Jacques Chirac. Nelly’s extras.
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Sean “P. Diddy” Combs‘ Bad Boy Records has terminated its joint-venture with Arista Records. Combs will retain ownership of the label, its roster and its back catalog. Arista will continue to handle Bad Boy’s distribution, marketing and promotion on an interim basis.
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The popular Bruce Springsteen fan site Backstreets.com reports that the Boss is tentatively scheduled to perform on the “Today” show on July 30. Album art for Springsteen’s forthcoming album, “The Rising,” is now posted on Springsteen’s official website.
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Singer-actress Brandy and her husband, producer Robert Smith, announced the June 16 birth of their daughter, Sy’rai. “All three are extremely happy at home and are doing very well,” a spokesperson said in a statement. Brandy’s pregnancy is documented in the MTV series “Diary Presents: Brandy - Special Delivery.”
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U2 frontman Bono is scheduled to meet with French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday (6/20) to discuss “Africa, the developing world and an upcoming summit of industrialized nations,” according to the Associated Press.
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Fans who purchase “Nellyville,” the new Nelly album due in stores on June 25, will gain access to a VIP area on Nelly’s official website. The area will include exclusive songs, video clips and other features.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Billy Joel checks into Connecticut hospital for ‘personal problem’
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel has checked himself into a substance abuse and psychiatric hospital in Connecticut due to an undisclosed personal problem, his record company confirmed.
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel has checked himself into a substance abuse and psychiatric hospital in Connecticut due to an undisclosed personal problem, his record company confirmed.
“Billy Joel recently checked himself into Silver Hill Hospital for a planned 10-day stay to deal with a specific and personal problem that had recently developed,” a statement from Columbia Records said. “Joel scheduled his stay in Silver Hill several weeks ago and expects to leave in a few days, as planned.”
The Stamford Advocate, citing unidentified sources, reported on Wednesday (6/19) that Joel was receiving counseling for chemical dependency at the New Canaan, Conn., hospital.
Joel and Elton John rescheduled a series of co-headlining dates earlier this year, citing Joel’s acute laryngitis, inflamed vocal cords and upper-respiratory infection. Those dates are now scheduled to take place in September.
In a review of a concert that took place shortly before the tour was postponed, a New York Times reviewer wrote that Joel “seemed to have ingested something quite a bit stronger than cough syrup.”
Album Chart: Korn aims high, but Eminem stays put
Korn’s “Untouchables” sold an impressive 426,000 copies during its first week in stores, but the total wasn’t enough to knock “The Eminem Show” from the top slot.
Korn’s “Untouchables” sold an impressive 426,000 copies during its first week in stores, but the total wasn’t enough to knock “The Eminem Show” from the top slot.
Fueled by the hit “Here to Stay,” “Untouchables” debuts at No. 2 on the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart, according to industry sources. The band’s previous two releases--1998’s “Follow the Leader” and 1999’s “Issues"--both debuted at No. 1, with first-week sales of about 268,000 copies and 575,000 copies, respectively.
Eminem’s latest stayed well ahead, logging sales of about 530,000 copies. The album, which is now in its fourth week on the chart, has sold almost 3 million copies.
Down one spot to No. 3 is “Totally Hits 2002,” which features previously released songs from artists such as Pink, P.O.D., Alicia Keys, OutKast, Busta Rhymes, LeAnn Rimes and more.
Punk-pop act New Found Glory leverages its hit single, “My Friends Over You,” into a No. 4 debut for its third full-length, “Sticks and Stones.” That arrival pushes P. Diddy & Bad Boy Records’ “We Invented the Remix” and Ashanti’s self-titled debut each down a notch to land at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively.
CMT’s inaugural Flameworthy Video Music Awards program--which aired on June 12 and featured a performance by Allison Kraus and Union Station, among others--kicks the Grammy Award-winning “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” back into the Top 10, up from No. 19 to No. 7.
Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” slips two spots to No. 8, Donnel Jones’ “Life Goes On” drops three spots to No. 9 and Avril Lavigne’s “Let Go” closes out the Top 10, down two spots from last week.
Lots of action just outside the Top 10 this week, as CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards performer Alan Jackson’s “Drive” jumps from No. 24 to No. 12. That entry is followed by the debut of “The Osbourne Family Album” at No. 13 and David Bowie’s “Heathen” at No. 14.
Debuting further down the chart are Raphael Saadiq’s “Instant Vintage” at No. 25, AZ’s “Aziatic” at No. 29, the Who’s “Ultimate Connection” at No. 31, the “Lilo & Stitch” soundtrack at No. 57 and Widespread Panic’s “Live in the Classic City” at No. 99.