Day in Pop Report for 08/17/2011
Lloyd's of London originally issued the policy to cover potential losses for MJ's 2009 "This Is It" concerts -- but earlier this year, the company asked an L.A. court to declare the policy null and void ... claiming MJ lied about his medical history and drug addiction. Lloyd's insists the policy "was restricted to losses resulting from accident only" -- pointing out Michael's official cause of death was "homicide." But the estate is now on the offensive -- filing a cross-complaint, claiming MJ never intended to die, whether by homicide or not, so his death still qualifies as an accident. But the Estate isn't just settling for the original $17.5 million -- they also want punitive damages. FYI, suing for punitive damages often scares the crap out of insurance companies. more on this story
Since getting its first radio play in the UK, it has received rave reviews and is already topping club charts across the world. Marking a new chapter for the multi-platinum selling, chart-topping artist, "Collide" is the first track to be introduced from Leona's as yet untitled third studio album, which she is currently hard at work on in the studio. more on this story
The newly remastered collection includes both the original off-Broadway cast recording from 1971 and the motion picture soundtrack from 1973. Featuring new liner notes by composer Stephen Schwartz, Godspell - The 40th Anniversary Celebration comes out in advance of the first ever Broadway revival, which begins performances at New York City's Circle in the Square Theatre in October. The score by Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Wicked and Pippin, includes the hit "Day By Day," which reached #13 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in the summer of 1972. "The popularity of the record helped make the show a bigger hit," recalls Schwartz in his liner notes, "and at one point there were ten companies playing simultaneously around the United States, plus other productions in London, Paris, Australia, South Africa, Germany, etc�Today it is hard to believe that forty years have gone by since the original production." more on this story
The recordings were completed over the last 4 months and feature a celebrated list of artists, including the last ever studio recording with Amy Winehouse and recordings with, amongst others: Michael Bubl� ; Lady Gaga; k.d. Lang; Sheryl Crow; Mariah Carey; Andrea Bocelli; Queen Latifah and Willie Nelson. Speaking of recording with Tony, Michael Bubl� commented: "One of the most important things about being a great singer is that your voice is unmistakable when someone hears it. Tony Bennett's voice.. no-one, even sounds close." more on this story
Shaq is about to complete the Filmmaking Conservatory at the New York Film Academy's branch at Universal Studios Hollywood. Shaq's been very hands-on during directing and cinematography classes -- walking his crew through stunts (above photo) ... and shooting on the studio's famous back lot (see the video below). According to the school, Shaq has been "incredibly humble, funny, and likable" ... or just the usual Shaq. How big do they make those director's chairs anyway? more on this story
Capri Anderson's manager, Gina Rodriguez, tells TMZ she's pushing hard to get Capri on the show ... and has appealed to the Roastmaster General himself, Jeff Ross. Rodriguez says they approached Ross with the idea this week --and he told them he was "interested." Maybe she'll present him with the watch she allegedly put in her vagina and smuggled out of the hotel room last year -- proving the point, it really can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. more on this story
Now, Sony Music has enlisted one of their own international stars, Marc Mysterio, to re-write the song in French and re-produce it to fit the sound of French speaking markets which lean more dance - right up the alley of French Canadian Marc. Indeed, Marc Mysterio has amassed an impressive resume establishing his exceptional pedigree whereby he has previously featured the likes of Chris Willis ("Roll Wit It"), Gary Pine ("Sunshine"), Samantha Fox ("Tomorrow"), Grammy Winning Rihanna/Katy Perry Producer Sandy Vee ("Let Loose") on a slew of massive hits of global repute that he additionally wrote/produced. more on this story
The premise of the video is based on Gaga walking all the way from New York City to Nebraska to get her boyfriend back, but it doesn't stop there. It's filled with torture scenes, Gaga as a mermaid, dancing in a Nebraskan corn field, and even a wedding. Check it out here
This deal provides Shout! Factory with licensing rights to this two-hour special featuring an intimate journey on-stage and behind-the-scenes with Taylor Swift, as she embarks on her first headlining concert tour. Produced by Hasbro Studios, Taylor Swift's Journey to Fearless features 13 performances from Taylor's first headlining tour, in support of her multi-platinum, multi-Grammy Award winning album Fearless. more on this story
The effort was produced by the band along with Adam Landry and Justin Collins, who were also at the helm for lead singer, main songwriter John McCauley's highly acclaimed side project, Middle Brother. "After so many years of critics praising [and making fun of] us for our 'folk' and 'country' sounds, and hardly ever mentioning the fact that we've also recorded virtually dozens of other kinds of music, we wanted to make a record that was truer to our live set: raw, loud, heartfelt, and completely uninterested in whatever the hell the rest of the music industry is up to," says McCauley. "The results are unlike anything you've heard on a Deer Tick album." more on this story
The tour, bringing both artists' dance and R&B infused music to an intimate club setting, kicks off in Boston, MA on September 6 at the House of Blues and will visit major cities across North America including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco. "This is going to be a killer tour and who better to hit the road with than Jay Sean," says Joe Jonas. "I've been working hard to put together a show that my fans are going to love. There are some real surprises in store so people coming out to these shows are going to see a different side of me. I really can't wait to get back out there and see all those familiar faces again." more on this story
Produced and written by Lynch, the album's 14 original songs spotlight him on guitar and vocals. The album will be released on November 8 by independent British label Sunday Best Recordings / PIAS in America. Two tracks released late last year � "Good Day Today" and "I Know" � already have American and British critics buzzing about the album. more on this story
Our sources say Armstrong hanged himself He was found hanging in his bedroom on Mulholland Drive. We're told L.A. City Fire Department arrived at his home and pronounced him dead at 8:16 PM Monday. We're told authorities have not found a suicide note. Taylor filed for divorce last month, after she claimed Russell physically abused her. He was 47 years old. more on this story
"We're really stoked to get back out on tour," says singer Jared Watson. "We took the summer off to record the new album, so we're excited to play new music. Plus, I think the mix of The Dirty Heads and Gym Class Heroes is going to make for a filthy show." They'll be celebrating the September release of the third single, "Believe," from their Any Port In A Storm debut album. more on this story
A casting agent for NBC found some performances by Nakia (pronounced nah-kee-uh) on YouTube. They eventually made their way to producer Mark Burnett, who, after watching Nakia's searing performance of the blues classic "Double Trouble," insisted that the performer audition for his new show, The Voice, starring Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. Nakia's bluesy rendition of "Forget You" earned him a spot on Cee Lo Green's team and quickly made him a fan favorite. His show-stopping performances over a period of weeks earned him a spot as one of eight top finalists. Following the show's finale, Nakia joined the seven other semi-finalists on a coast-to-coast concert tour of theaters. more on this story
Produced by Jones and Ivor Guest, Hurricane has received widespread praise in the U.K. and Europe where it was released in 2009. The tracks "Williams' Blood" and "Corporate Cannibal" have emerged as hits as has the video for "Corporate Cannibal" directed by Nick Hooker. The release will also include a brand new bonus disc dub version of the entire album. Listen to the brand new "Well Well Well" Dub MP3 here
AshleyMadison.com wants Arnold to wear a t-shirt of their own design. For his trouble, and if he's photographed just one time, they'll fork over $100,000 -- but not to Arnold. The company would make the check out to "the State of California to assist with its current deficit." They've sent Arnold's lawyer a letter with the offer. We don't think they'll hear back. more on this story
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