| Quick Hits: Aerosmith, Indie Rocks! benefit album, Jay-Z / Will Smith, Jennifer Hudson, Little Steven Van Zandt, The Jonas Brothers, The Velvet Underground |
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November 18, 2009
Steven Tyler |
The Aerosmith drama continues, as Steven Tyler's bandmates are now saying that he has completely isolated himself from the rest of the group, leading them to believe that he may have fallen off the wagon. "Steven, he isolates more and more all the time -- that's what gives it away to me that there's something going on," drummer Joey Kramer told Billboard.com. "I don't know what that is. I know he's made some not so great choices and he's got some negative influences around him now. I love the guy. I just want to see him get some help." Guitarist Brad Whitford added that "this guy has a tremendous history of drug abuse, and you have to be suspicious that this is something that's probably going on with him. I have a feeling we might be looking at someone who's just really struggling very badly." Tyler has denied reports that he is leaving Aerosmith, but the band is still exploring the option of moving on with another singer. Whitford said the selection will come down to "people that we know or are friends that we think might consider doing it" and that "hopefully we'll do something creative and push the boundaries of what we do, maybe make some new music, not just go out there and be, like, an Aerosmith cover band." Kramer added that, "Brad and Tom and Joe and I wish to continue to play and tour as a band, so whatever is involved in that, in moving forward, that's what we intend to do. The four of us stand united."
RED Distribution has produced a benefit compilation for the non-profit organization Malaria No More. Indie Rocks! A Benefit Album For Malaria No More is comprised of 14 songs from artists including Juliette Lewis, The Walkmen, Youssou N’Dour, Great Lake Swimmers and Yonder Mountain String Band. It also includes a live track of "Bonfire" from Third Eye Blind, and an exclusive cover song from Peter Bjorn and John who recorded "Summer Breeze." On November 17, the digital-only release launched on Amie Street with a four-week exclusivity period. The album will then be available to all participating digital service providers. RED and Amie Street will be donating 100 percent of the proceeds to Malaria No More, which is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.
Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have officially signed on as co-producers of Fela!, a Broadway musical about Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The show opens on Monday, November 23. Fela! re-creates the Shrine nightclub in Nigeria where Kuti played multiple nights each week with his band, Africa 70. Singers, dancers and musicians will perform Kuti songs such as "Shakara," "Zombie" and "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense." "There's going to be an enormous incentive for people to investigate Fela when they know that Jay-Z and Will Smith are all rabid fans," said Kuti's former co-manager Rikki Stein, according to Billboard. "It's a sign that the underground is moving overground." Meanwhile, Kuti's estate also has licensed his catalog to the newly revived Knitting Factory Records, which will result in the reissue of Kuti's complete catalog of 45 albums over the next 12 years.
Jennifer Hudson has been cast as controversial activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, in the biopic Winnie, Variety reports. Hudson also is expected to sing the film’s theme song. Shooting begins on May 30, 2010 throughout South Africa in Johannesburg, Capetown, Transkei and Robben Island.
Little Steven Van Zandt will appear on two Sirius XM channels today, live from Nashville before Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's shows in Music City. Van Zandt will guest with Mojo Nixon on his Outlaw Country afternoon show today between 4-8 p.m. ET and then they will appear again on E Street Radio at 7 p.m.
Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers will unveil his new side project, Nick Jonas and the Administration, at the Grammy Nominations Concert on December 2. The live special will air on CBS and as previously reported, will be hosted by LL Cool J. Other performers include the Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell and Sugarland.
Three founding members of The Velvet Underground will make a rare appearance together on December 8 at the New York Public Library. Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule will discuss the band's music and legacy with journalist David Fricke as part of the library's "Live From The NYPL" series.
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January 29, 2010 |
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A2IM President
Rich Bengloff |
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