Michael Anthony has opened up about his relationship with former Van Halen bandmate David Lee Roth. While the bassist insists he has nothing against the singer, he describes the frontman as “kind of a crazy guy.”
In July, Anthony will head out on the “Best of All Worlds” tour alongside Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, and Jason Bonham. The all-star outfit will be performing Van Halen songs from all eras of the band on the North American outing.
Get Sammy Hagar Tickets Here
A couple years ago, a different tour honoring the late Eddie Van Halen was being planned that would have seen Anthony and Satriani playing alongside Roth and Alex Van Halen, with ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted also reported to be involved. That outing never materialized, and Anthony reveals he hasn’t spoken with Roth since.
In a Q&a at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp last month in...
In July, Anthony will head out on the “Best of All Worlds” tour alongside Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, and Jason Bonham. The all-star outfit will be performing Van Halen songs from all eras of the band on the North American outing.
Get Sammy Hagar Tickets Here
A couple years ago, a different tour honoring the late Eddie Van Halen was being planned that would have seen Anthony and Satriani playing alongside Roth and Alex Van Halen, with ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted also reported to be involved. That outing never materialized, and Anthony reveals he hasn’t spoken with Roth since.
In a Q&a at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp last month in...
- 4/18/2024
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Bassist Robert Trujillo joined his old band Suicidal Tendencies and his son Tye Trujillo onstage for a performance of “I Saw Your Mommy…” during their support set for Metallica on Saturday (September 9th) in Glendale, Arizona.
It was a pleasant surprise for those who attended the gig, which was a makeup date for Metallica’s September 3rd Glendale show that was postponed due to James Hetfield testing positive for Covid.
Original support act Ice Nine Kills couldn’t make the rescheduled date, so concertgoers were instead treated to a set by crossover thrash vets Suicidal Tendencies.
Robert Trujillo famously played bass in the Los Angeles band during its prime era — 1989 to 1995 — and now, his son Tye is currently serving as touring bassist. It made for a double dose of Trujillo low-end action on Saturday as father and son ran through the early Suicidal Tendencies track “I Saw Your Mommy…” (from...
It was a pleasant surprise for those who attended the gig, which was a makeup date for Metallica’s September 3rd Glendale show that was postponed due to James Hetfield testing positive for Covid.
Original support act Ice Nine Kills couldn’t make the rescheduled date, so concertgoers were instead treated to a set by crossover thrash vets Suicidal Tendencies.
Robert Trujillo famously played bass in the Los Angeles band during its prime era — 1989 to 1995 — and now, his son Tye is currently serving as touring bassist. It made for a double dose of Trujillo low-end action on Saturday as father and son ran through the early Suicidal Tendencies track “I Saw Your Mommy…” (from...
- 9/11/2023
- by Jon Hadusek
- Consequence - Music
Staind have announced the new album Confessions of the Fallen, the band’s first new studio LP in 12 years. In advance of the album’s fall release, the Massachusetts rockers have unveiled the first single, “Lowest in Me.”
The album news comes a few weeks after Staind announced a co-headlining summer US tour with Godsmack. The outing kicks off July 18th in St. Louis, Missouri, with tickets available here.
“Lowest in Me” features frontman Aaron Lewis’ familiar voice over hard-rocking instrumentals with a big chorus. The tune adds a slight industrial vibe to Staind’s typical post-grunge sound.
“I did want to modernize the sound and bring us up to date,” Lewis said in a press release. “You can certainly recognize the band but at the same time you can hear that we’ve been paying attention and understand what kind of sounds and approaches we can use that maybe...
The album news comes a few weeks after Staind announced a co-headlining summer US tour with Godsmack. The outing kicks off July 18th in St. Louis, Missouri, with tickets available here.
“Lowest in Me” features frontman Aaron Lewis’ familiar voice over hard-rocking instrumentals with a big chorus. The tune adds a slight industrial vibe to Staind’s typical post-grunge sound.
“I did want to modernize the sound and bring us up to date,” Lewis said in a press release. “You can certainly recognize the band but at the same time you can hear that we’ve been paying attention and understand what kind of sounds and approaches we can use that maybe...
- 4/19/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted is reuniting his eponymous metal band, Newsted, for their first show in 10 years. The metal act will make its return on May 20th at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The gig will bring Jason back together with original members Jesus Mendez Jr. (drums) and Jessie Farnsworth (guitar). New guitarist Humberto Perez replaces Mike Mushok, who has a busy year ahead with his main band Staind.
Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday (April 21st) at 10 a.m. Et via Ticketmaster. If the concert sells out, fans can check StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program.
Newsted only lasted a couple of years in their first incarnation. In 2013, they released an EP titled Metal and a full-length LP titled Heavy Metal Music, both well received by critics and fans. However, Jason abruptly ended the band in 2014, and largely remained out...
The gig will bring Jason back together with original members Jesus Mendez Jr. (drums) and Jessie Farnsworth (guitar). New guitarist Humberto Perez replaces Mike Mushok, who has a busy year ahead with his main band Staind.
Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday (April 21st) at 10 a.m. Et via Ticketmaster. If the concert sells out, fans can check StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program.
Newsted only lasted a couple of years in their first incarnation. In 2013, they released an EP titled Metal and a full-length LP titled Heavy Metal Music, both well received by critics and fans. However, Jason abruptly ended the band in 2014, and largely remained out...
- 4/17/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
Ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony has revealed that he’s formed a new band with Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X and current Aerosmith touring drummer John Douglas. There’s also a “really cool singer” on board, but Anthony is choosing to keep that a mystery for now.
Anthony, who’s currently the bassist for Sammy Hagar and The Circle, opened up about the project in a new interview on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk. When asked about his career trajectory if Hagar were to retire from performing, Anthony let the cat out of the bag.
“Well, I wasn’t going to mention anything about it,” Anthony said [as transcribed by Blabbermouth], “but there is a little side project thing that I’ve kind of been speaking to some people, and might be doing a couple of things with. I don’t wanna get ahead of myself and mention too much, but it...
Anthony, who’s currently the bassist for Sammy Hagar and The Circle, opened up about the project in a new interview on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk. When asked about his career trajectory if Hagar were to retire from performing, Anthony let the cat out of the bag.
“Well, I wasn’t going to mention anything about it,” Anthony said [as transcribed by Blabbermouth], “but there is a little side project thing that I’ve kind of been speaking to some people, and might be doing a couple of things with. I don’t wanna get ahead of myself and mention too much, but it...
- 3/23/2023
- by Jon Hadusek
- Consequence - Music
Thirty-nine years ago this month, on April Fool’s Day, Kirk Hammett got a call he hoped was no prank: an offer to join Metallica. The guitarist, then age 20, was still playing in Exodus, the thrash-metal band he’d co-founded as a teenager, but he’d fallen in love with Metallica since they first played the Bay Area, where he grew up. So when he realized the opportunity was no joke, he flew to New York, where the band was prepping its debut album, and within two weeks, he was...
- 4/22/2022
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Jason Newsted sent minor shockwaves through the hard-rock community late last week when he told the The Palm Beach Post that he’d been invited to jam with Alex Van Halen and Joe Satriani six months ago as part of a possible Van Halen tribute tour. The former Metallica bassist said he eventually realized the idea of finding any guitarist to play Eddie Van Halen’s parts was unlikely to work. “How could you?” he said. “There’s nobody that can top it, so how do you show it honor?...
- 4/19/2022
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
In a break between songs about madness and war during Metallica’s concert Friday night, frontman James Hetfield paused for a moment of sincerity. “We are grateful that you have been along with us for 40 years, and we are so happy that you’re here still after all this time,” he told the audience at San Francisco’s Chase Center. “It still blows my mind. Because we were created to do this. I know it.” And then he and his bandmates proved his point by riling up the crowd with “The Shortest Straw,...
- 12/18/2021
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington has released his rendition of Metallica’s “My Friend of Misery,” from the group’s upcoming Black Album covers compilation, The Metallica Blacklist.
Washington’s take on “My Friend of Misery” boasts a frenetic energy that leaps from the bustling drums and piano to Washington’s own searing solo. Vocalist Patrice Quinn presides over this fury with a remarkable cool that builds to something distorted and potent by the end.
Back in July, Washington previewed his rendition of “My Friend of Misery” during a show at...
Washington’s take on “My Friend of Misery” boasts a frenetic energy that leaps from the bustling drums and piano to Washington’s own searing solo. Vocalist Patrice Quinn presides over this fury with a remarkable cool that builds to something distorted and potent by the end.
Back in July, Washington previewed his rendition of “My Friend of Misery” during a show at...
- 8/31/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Metallica have teased yet another track from their massive 30th anniversary Black Album reissue project, a live recording of “Of Wolf and Man.”
The track was taken from Metallica’s May 22nd, 1993 show in Mannheim, Germany, and it opens with James Hetfield delivering a delightful dedication: “This one goes out to all you fucking crazy animals out there — you’re all gonna let loose tonight!”
Metallica also shared another offering from their accompanying covers collection, Royal Blood’s rendition of Black Album cut, “Sad But True.” Folk duo Goodbye, Texas...
The track was taken from Metallica’s May 22nd, 1993 show in Mannheim, Germany, and it opens with James Hetfield delivering a delightful dedication: “This one goes out to all you fucking crazy animals out there — you’re all gonna let loose tonight!”
Metallica also shared another offering from their accompanying covers collection, Royal Blood’s rendition of Black Album cut, “Sad But True.” Folk duo Goodbye, Texas...
- 8/18/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Earlier this week, Metallica announced plans to hold a 40th-anniversary celebration at San Francisco’s Chase Center on December 17th and December 19th.
“It feels like just yesterday that we were hitting the stage playing our first show at Radio City in Anaheim, CA, in the spring of 1982!” they wrote in a letter to fans. “It’s been a nutty ride and even though most of the time it feels like we’re just getting started, we’re excited to celebrate the past four decades with you. What better way...
“It feels like just yesterday that we were hitting the stage playing our first show at Radio City in Anaheim, CA, in the spring of 1982!” they wrote in a letter to fans. “It’s been a nutty ride and even though most of the time it feels like we’re just getting started, we’re excited to celebrate the past four decades with you. What better way...
- 7/15/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Rolling Stone’s Essential Albums guides survey an iconic artist’s discography, breaking down their finest LPs into three tiers: Must-Haves, Further Listening, and Going Deeper. We also recommend key songs from other releases.
When James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich formed Metallica in 1981, they were a couple of pimply faced, adrenaline-starved teenage outcasts obsessed with the speed of Motörhead, weightiness of Black Sabbath, and intricate riffs of New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands like Iron Maiden and Diamond Head. They wanted their metal faster, tougher, and more intense than anything they had ever heard,...
When James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich formed Metallica in 1981, they were a couple of pimply faced, adrenaline-starved teenage outcasts obsessed with the speed of Motörhead, weightiness of Black Sabbath, and intricate riffs of New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands like Iron Maiden and Diamond Head. They wanted their metal faster, tougher, and more intense than anything they had ever heard,...
- 7/15/2021
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
There’s a large storm brewing on the America’s Got Talent stage, and it goes by the name… Storm Large.
TVLine has an exclusive sneak peek of tonight’s episode (NBC, 10/9c), which features a jaw-dropping performance of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” from Large, a singer based in San Francisco.
More from TVLineAGT Recap: Terry Crews Hijacks the Golden Buzzer in Week 3 -- WatchThe Blacklist Shocker: Megan Boone Exiting After Season 8 (Report)Manifest Boss 'Devastated' by NBC Cancellation, Hopes to Find New Home for Show: 'Fans Deserve an Ending'
Of course, this might not be your...
TVLine has an exclusive sneak peek of tonight’s episode (NBC, 10/9c), which features a jaw-dropping performance of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” from Large, a singer based in San Francisco.
More from TVLineAGT Recap: Terry Crews Hijacks the Golden Buzzer in Week 3 -- WatchThe Blacklist Shocker: Megan Boone Exiting After Season 8 (Report)Manifest Boss 'Devastated' by NBC Cancellation, Hopes to Find New Home for Show: 'Fans Deserve an Ending'
Of course, this might not be your...
- 6/15/2021
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
For understandable reasons, the country is so focused on the presidential election right now that almost nobody is talking about the upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. But on Saturday night, the 2020 class of Depeche Mode, the Doobie Brothers, T-Rex, Nine Inch Nails, Whitney Houston, and the Notorious B.I.G. will finally enter the institution.
Needless to say, this will not be an ordinary induction ceremony. It’s going to be a virtual event featuring speeches, performances, a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, and appearances by Luke Bryan,...
Needless to say, this will not be an ordinary induction ceremony. It’s going to be a virtual event featuring speeches, performances, a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, and appearances by Luke Bryan,...
- 11/3/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
When an earthquake decimated parts of Armenia and killing between 25,000 to 50,000 people in 1988, the world was in shock. The Ussr earmarked the equivalent of billions of dollars to help rebuild, the U.S. sent medical aid and search dogs, and people from all over Europe came to help. Perhaps the most surprising fundraising effort, though, came from a who’s who of rock and metal legends calling themselves Rock Aid Armenia. The supergroup, which featured Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, Queen’s Brian May and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi,...
- 6/5/2019
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony announced a concert marking the 20th anniversary of their 1999 live LP, S&M. The show, dubbed “S&M²,” is scheduled for Friday, September 6th, and will be the debut concert for the city’s Chase Center venue.
A Chase pre-sale runs from Tuesday, March 19th at noon through Thursday, March 21st at 11:59 a.m. Pt. General tickets go on sale Friday, March 22nd at 10 a.m. Pt.
“We’re honored to take part in the Grand Opening of the Chase Center in San Francisco as...
A Chase pre-sale runs from Tuesday, March 19th at noon through Thursday, March 21st at 11:59 a.m. Pt. General tickets go on sale Friday, March 22nd at 10 a.m. Pt.
“We’re honored to take part in the Grand Opening of the Chase Center in San Francisco as...
- 3/19/2019
- by Ryan Reed
- Rollingstone.com
When Lars Ulrich reflects on Metallica’s massive Damaged Justice tour now, he marvels that they were able to pull it off at all. “No band as extreme as ours had ever done a full arena tour,” he says. “So it was definitely a crapshoot, and it paid off.”
“Those were the years that we proved ourselves,” Jason Newsted, the band’s bassist at the time, says. “We were firing on all cylinders. Once the ‘One’ video came out, we were ready for it and the world was ready for Metallica.
“Those were the years that we proved ourselves,” Jason Newsted, the band’s bassist at the time, says. “We were firing on all cylinders. Once the ‘One’ video came out, we were ready for it and the world was ready for Metallica.
- 11/15/2018
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Metallica became a force to be reckoned with on … And Justice for All, their fourth album and first after the death of bassist Cliff Burton. On their three previous LPs, they’d laid the groundwork for thrash metal, introduced melody and catchiness to the genre and built a following through relentless touring. If their third album, 1986’s Master of Puppets, was the apotheosis of their formative, underground years, then Justice, released two years later, ushered in a new, mainstream era for the band.
Dense, complex and mad at the world...
Dense, complex and mad at the world...
- 11/12/2018
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
“I was so in the dirt,” former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has said of how he felt when his first full-length with the group, … And Justice for All, came out. “I was so disappointed when I heard the final mix. I basically blocked it out, like people do with shit.”
The album, which turns 30 this year, is one of Metallica’s greatest masterworks. Its songs are lengthy, nuanced statements on political devolution (the title track and “Eye of the Beholder”), the atrocities of war (the single “One”) and dealing badly...
The album, which turns 30 this year, is one of Metallica’s greatest masterworks. Its songs are lengthy, nuanced statements on political devolution (the title track and “Eye of the Beholder”), the atrocities of war (the single “One”) and dealing badly...
- 8/25/2018
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Though Louis C.K.'s transgressions were widely considered the worst kept secret in the comedy world, to some, it really was a secret.
Stephen Colbert welcomed Samantha Bee to the stage at Njpac in Newark, New Jersey, on Dec. 6, where she was the special guest on Sad! A Happy Evening with Stephen Colbert & Samantha Bee, a fundraiser for the Montclair Film Festival.
During their hour-and-a-half-long chat, the longtime friends talked everything from dealing with politics (specifically President Donald Trump's tumultuous first-year in office) during their late night monologues -- Colbert hosts The Late Show on CBS while Bee is the face of Full Frontal on TBS -- as well as the seismic shift in culture surrounding sexual harassment since the Harvey Weinstein allegations came to light.
Colbert was supposed to have C.K. on his show the week the New York Times published its report on his sexual misconduct, and the 53-year-old comedian was planning on using an...
Stephen Colbert welcomed Samantha Bee to the stage at Njpac in Newark, New Jersey, on Dec. 6, where she was the special guest on Sad! A Happy Evening with Stephen Colbert & Samantha Bee, a fundraiser for the Montclair Film Festival.
During their hour-and-a-half-long chat, the longtime friends talked everything from dealing with politics (specifically President Donald Trump's tumultuous first-year in office) during their late night monologues -- Colbert hosts The Late Show on CBS while Bee is the face of Full Frontal on TBS -- as well as the seismic shift in culture surrounding sexual harassment since the Harvey Weinstein allegations came to light.
Colbert was supposed to have C.K. on his show the week the New York Times published its report on his sexual misconduct, and the 53-year-old comedian was planning on using an...
- 12/7/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Bruce Sinofsky, one-half of the Emmy Award-winning documentarian team behind films like Metallica: Some Kind of Monster and the West Memphis Three trilogy Paradise Lost, passed away in his sleep Saturday morning following complications from diabetes, his filmmaking partner Joe Berlinger told Variety. He was 58.
"[Sinofsky's] unique combination of courage and empathy made that possible, as well as everything that came after for us," Berlinger told Variety. "The extraordinary adventures we had on the road and the deeply stimulating experiences we had in the editing room were life-changing for all of...
"[Sinofsky's] unique combination of courage and empathy made that possible, as well as everything that came after for us," Berlinger told Variety. "The extraordinary adventures we had on the road and the deeply stimulating experiences we had in the editing room were life-changing for all of...
- 2/21/2015
- Rollingstone.com
“Metallica: Some Kind of Monster” was lauded in 2004 for its honest examination of one of the world’s most successful heavy metal bands teetering on the brink of implosion. But a decade later Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich and directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky revealed how the documentary also helped guide them through low points in their professional careers.
“The making of the movie was one of the most extraordinary experiences in my life,” Berlinger told TheWrap. “Precisely because it came at such a vulnerable time.”
But the movie didn’t just document Ulrich and frontman James Hetfield’s contentious relationship; it affected it.
“The making of the movie was one of the most extraordinary experiences in my life,” Berlinger told TheWrap. “Precisely because it came at such a vulnerable time.”
But the movie didn’t just document Ulrich and frontman James Hetfield’s contentious relationship; it affected it.
- 12/23/2014
- by Travis Reilly
- The Wrap
When Metallica’s eponymously titled fifth studio album hit shelves on Aug. 12, 1991, fans, critics, and even the band’s Thrash metal brethren felt an instantaneous sense of betrayal. The pointed snarl and metal-up-your-a** belligerence that had come to define their sound during the mid-1980s had been transformed into mainstream merchandise suitable for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.
What had originally gained traction through small clubs and tape trading was no longer the property of the subculture responsible for its inception, and, for an army of socially disenfranchised heavy metal fans, nothing could be worse than having one of their beacons stolen from them in the name of big business.
For a genre that had always championed individuality and anti-establishment rhetoric, the reality of Metallica joining forces with Bob Rock to create something palatable for the masses was the equivalent of President George H.W. Bush halting the Gulf War to admit...
What had originally gained traction through small clubs and tape trading was no longer the property of the subculture responsible for its inception, and, for an army of socially disenfranchised heavy metal fans, nothing could be worse than having one of their beacons stolen from them in the name of big business.
For a genre that had always championed individuality and anti-establishment rhetoric, the reality of Metallica joining forces with Bob Rock to create something palatable for the masses was the equivalent of President George H.W. Bush halting the Gulf War to admit...
- 12/10/2013
- by David Hens
- Obsessed with Film
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Release Date: August 6th 2013
There is one man that until now has been criminally underrated as a performer, a composer and a musician in general. That man is former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted; he has been overshadowed, forgotten, and to a great extent, discredited as an artist since 2000/2001. This is because of a number of small reasons, the most two most damaging are being mixed out of every Metallica recording that he “appeared on” and playing in the band during Metallica’s massive slide into washout alley.
This left his pre-Metallica career forgotten, and his post-Metallica career met with apathy. He was a primary member in the foundation of the Thrash band, Flotsam and Jetsam. That feat was one of the main reasons that he was allow join Metallica, it was due to his legit Thrash credentials. What followed was a criminal misuse of...
Release Date: August 6th 2013
There is one man that until now has been criminally underrated as a performer, a composer and a musician in general. That man is former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted; he has been overshadowed, forgotten, and to a great extent, discredited as an artist since 2000/2001. This is because of a number of small reasons, the most two most damaging are being mixed out of every Metallica recording that he “appeared on” and playing in the band during Metallica’s massive slide into washout alley.
This left his pre-Metallica career forgotten, and his post-Metallica career met with apathy. He was a primary member in the foundation of the Thrash band, Flotsam and Jetsam. That feat was one of the main reasons that he was allow join Metallica, it was due to his legit Thrash credentials. What followed was a criminal misuse of...
- 7/31/2013
- by Darragh O'Connor
- Obsessed with Film
We're back with another installment of Radio 66.6! This week features the latest news, music, videos and tour dates from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Newsted, Protest the Hero, Behemoth, Iwrestledabearonce, Cradle of Filth and more.
Don't touch that dial!
News
Dream Theater will release their self-titled album on September 24th via Roadrunner Records.
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted's new band, aptly named Newsted, will release their full-length debut, also appropriately titled Heavy Metal Music, on August 6th.
Protest the Hero drummer Moe Carlson has left the band to go back to school. Lamb of God's Chris Adler is filling in on their new album, which is due out in the fall.
Guitarists Devin Shidaker (ex-Oceano) and Richard Gomez have joined The Acacia Strain.
Iwrestledabearonce will release Late For Nothing on August 6th via Century Media Records.
Music
Listen to a new Nine Inch Nails...
Don't touch that dial!
News
Dream Theater will release their self-titled album on September 24th via Roadrunner Records.
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted's new band, aptly named Newsted, will release their full-length debut, also appropriately titled Heavy Metal Music, on August 6th.
Protest the Hero drummer Moe Carlson has left the band to go back to school. Lamb of God's Chris Adler is filling in on their new album, which is due out in the fall.
Guitarists Devin Shidaker (ex-Oceano) and Richard Gomez have joined The Acacia Strain.
Iwrestledabearonce will release Late For Nothing on August 6th via Century Media Records.
Music
Listen to a new Nine Inch Nails...
- 6/11/2013
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- DreadCentral.com
It's been an incredible year in the world of showbiz, with the usual headline-grabbing antics, scandal, sleaze, celebrity births, star weddings, and bitter break-ups. Here, WENN takes a look back at the final six months of 2011...
July
The month of July was overshadowed by the sudden and shocking death of British singer Amy Winehouse. The Back to Black hitmaker was found dead at her home in London at the age of 27 and the news sent the world of showbusiness into mourning. Tributes poured in from both fans and famous friends following the tragedy, and Winehouse's music shot back into the charts.
The headlines were also dominated by celebrity divorces as Jennifer Lopez announced her split from husband of seven years, Marc Anthony, the father of her young twins, Max and Emme. Arnold Schwarzenegger's marriage also came to an abrupt end as his wife Maria Shriver filed for divorce following revelations the actor/politician fathered a lovechild with the family's housekeeper.
Scarlett Johansson's divorce from Ryan Reynolds was finalised and Patricia Arquette's split from husband Thomas Jane was also made official.
In happier news, all eyes were on Monaco as the world geared up for the second royal wedding of the year, following the union of Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in April. In the same month as the British royals flew to Canada to begin their first international tour as a married couple, Prince Albert of Monaco married his fiancee, South African beauty Charlene Wittstock. The couple exchanged vows in two ceremonies in Monte Carlo and the former swimmer became her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco. British supermodel Kate Moss also became a married woman as she wed rocker Jamie Hince in a lavish ceremony in the English countryside, while it was also an exciting month for the Beckham family as former Spice Girls star Victoria, already mother to three boys, gave birth to her first daughter, Harper Seven.
There was also baby joy for Hollywood actress Kate Hudson - she welcomed a son called Bingham with her rocker fiance Matt Bellamy. Singer Jewel, actress Selma Blair and former Fugees star Lauryn Hill also became parents. British artist/director Sam Taylor-Wood also hit headlines after she confirmed she was expecting a second baby with her 21-year-old fiance, actor Aaron Johnson, a year after the birth of their daughter. The couple met on the set of their 2009 film Nowhere Boy and became parents together in 2010.
July also saw troubled British rocker Pete Doherty granted his freedom after serving less than half of his six-month prison sentence for cocaine possession. Another beleaguered star to walk free from jail was rapper Dmx, who served seven months behind bars for a probation violation. However, David Gilmour’s son Charlie found himself on the other side of the prison walls as he was ordered to serve 16 months in jail for his part in the 2010 student riots in London. The Pink Floyd star’s son was charged with violent disorder for causing chaos in the British capital and swinging from a flag on the city’s Cenotaph war memorial. (Lr/Zn)
August
The usual serenity of the summer months was shattered this year when Kate Winslet cheated death in a devastating inferno at Richard Branson's luxury island home, and a string of British stars appealed for calm as widespread rioting broke out in the U.K.
Winslet was holidaying at Virgin boss Branson's Necker Island retreat when lightning struck the property, sparking a huge blaze which gutted the home. Her party of 20 miraculously escaped unscathed - and Winslet was later hailed a heroine after it emerged she carried Branson's 90-year-old mother from the property during the drama.
As unrest, looting, and arson broke out for several nights in the U.K., showbiz stars including Idris Elba, Natasha Bedingfield and Boy George called for calm, and there was also bad news for Sir Paul McCartney - who learned his phone had been hacked by the tabloid press - and veteran actress Margot Kidder, who was arrested during an environment protest at the White House.
Tragedy struck at the Indiana State Fair, when a horrific stage collapse left seven revellers dead and more than 40 injured, actor Rowan Atkinson was treated in hospital after wrecking his rare sports car by crashing it into a tree, and French actor Gerard Depardieu was left red-faced when he was thrown off a plane in Paris, France for urinating in the cabin after he was refused access to the toilet during take-off.
It was ladies night at the MTV Video Music Awards as Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga took home two honours each - and Beyonce announced her pregnancy news. And at the Teen Choice Awards, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez were crowned queens of the event when they scooped whopping 11 awards between them.
Kings of Leon finally succumbed to their relentless touring schedule and axed their remaining U.S. dates to allow frontman Caleb Followill to recover from "vocal issues and exhaustion", Aerosmith rocker Tom Hamilton and Deep Purple star Jon Lord both announced they were battling cancer, Bono was hospitalised with chest pains, and Norwegian pop band A-ha thrilled fans by announcing they were to reform.
In family news, Kiss star Paul Stanley became a father again, and there were also welcome additions for Ethan Hawke, funnywoman Tina Fey, illusionist David Copperfield, Jessica Alba, and Benicio del Toro, who fathered a child with Rod Stewart's daughter Kimberly.
There were wedding bells for country singer Chely Wright and filmmaker Sofia Coppola, but romance took a plunge for George Michael and Geri Halliwell, who both split from their partners. Also joining the singles club was Arctic Monkeys rocker Alex Turner, who broke up with MTV presenter Alexa Chung after four years together.
The showbiz world bid farewell to songwriting legend Jerry Leiber, who died of cardiopulmonary failure at the age of 78, Police Academy star Charles 'Bubba' Smith, Bollywood veteran Shammi Kapoor, blues legend David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Warrant rocker Jani Lane, and Motown hitmaker Nickolas Ashford. (Zn/Lr)
September
September was a month rapper T.I. would like to both remember and forget - he completed an 11-month prison sentence for a probation violation only to run into legal trouble again soon after his initial release for conducting illegal business deals on his way to a halfway house. It wasn't a great month for Madonna either - her movie take on the romance between Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII was savaged by critics at the Venice Film Festival, while her ex-husband Guy Ritchie became a dad again.
Celine Dion was left shaken up after an intruder was found running a bath at her Montreal, Canada home; Neil Diamond revealed his engagement, and Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial got underway in Los Angeles as prosecutors attempted to prove the medic was responsible for Michael Jackson's death.
R.E.M. announced they were splitting after 31 years; My Chemical Romance fired drummer Michael Pedicone after accusing him of stealing from them; Boyzone singer Ronan Keating swam the Irish Sea for Cancer Research in the U.K., and Sir Paul McCartney became a grandfather again and was named the MusiCares Person of the Year - while he also celebrated as his first ballet score debuted in New York.
The Amy Winehouse Foundation was launched on what would have been the tragic singer's 28th birthday, and the star's Body & Soul duet with Tony Bennett became a hit, making the 85-year-old crooner the oldest living artist to have a single in America's Hot 100.
Eddie Murphy was confirmed as the host for the 2012 Oscars; model Lauren Bush became Lauren Lauren when she exchanged vows with Ralph Lauren's son David; British funnyman David Walliams braved the chills of the River Thames and a stomach bug to complete a charity 140-mile swim in eight days.
Actress Evan Rachel Wood lost a tooth during a boozy night out in Paris; Reese Witherspoon was hospitalised after she was hit by a car while out jogging in Santa Monica, California; soul legend Chaka Khan won temporary custody of her granddaughter after claiming the girl's mother was struggling with drug abuse issues, and British The Saturdays singer Una Healy announced she was pregnant.
Inxs dropped frontman J.D. fortune for a second time and replaced him with Ciaran Gribbin; Austin Powers henchman Joseph Son was sentenced to life behind bars for a Christmas Eve rape in 1990, and George Clooney went public with his new girl, Stacey Kiebler, at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada.
Ashton Kutcher had a month of ups and downs - his debut on TV sitcom Two and a Half Men was a big hit as 28 million Americans tuned in, but then came the news that his marriage to Demi Moore was in trouble amid infidelity rumours. Comedienne Wanda Sykes opened up about her breast cancer battle and double mastectomy; Sharon Stone won a restraining order against an obsessed fan and promptly put the home he visited uninvited on the market, and reality TV star and filmmaker Jack Osbourne announced his engagement to actress Lisa Stelly and followed that up with the news he was to become a dad.
Third time was not the charm for Clueless star Stacy Dash, who announced her plans to divorce husband number three, Emmanuel Xuereb, and X-Men star James Marsden's wife also joined the divorce club as she filed papers against her husband. Elizabeth Hurley's love life was on the up - she accepted cricket star Shane Warne's wedding proposal just three months after divorcing Arun Nayar.
Meanwhile, Elton John launched his new Million Dollar Piano residency in Las Vegas; Smokey Robinson accepted the coveted Ella Award at the Society of Singers Gala, and the month wrapped up with Shania Twain's alleged stalker pleading guilty to harassing the singer in court in Ontario, Canada.
Among September's Hollywood weddings, Amy Smart married reality TV star Carter Oosterhouse; Cougar Town co-stars David Rogers and Sally Pressman became man and wife, and model-turned-actress Molly Sims wed in a Napa Valley vineyard in California. There were also nuptials for British filmmaker Michael Winner and DJ/producer Mark Ronson, while R&B singer Keyshia Cole and former Friends star David Schwimmer both renewed vows with their spouses in Hawaii and London, respectively.
There was baby news for model Jodie Kidd, who gave birth to a son; actress Mary McCormack, who became a mum for the third time, and January Jones, who welcomed Xander Dane to the world while staying mum about the tot's father. Actors Emily Deschanel, Ana Ortiz, Mike Myers, Danny McBride and Jenna Fischer also became new parents. In the music world, former Spice Girl Melanie Brown gave birth to her third daughter, and country star John Rich and former Pussycat Dolls member Carmit Bachar welcomed babies too.
On September's sick list were rocker Scott Weiland and pop stars Katy Perry and Adele, who both scrapped shows due to illness, while Megadeth headbanger Dave Mustaine underwent surgery for a serious neck injury.
The month's big winners included movie mogul Tyler Perry, who was named Forbes magazine's Highest Paid Man in Entertainment; actor Michael Fassbender and director Alexander Sokurov, who claimed Best Actor and Best Film honours, respectively, for Shame and Faust at the Venice Film Festival. Gritty TV drama Boardwalk Empire picked up eight Emmy Awards; Calle 13 landed a record 10 Latin Grammy Award nominations, and Happy Days star Henry Winkler picked up an honorary Order of the British Empire medal at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Also winning: P.J. Harvey, who scooped the Mercury Prize in Britain, Arcade Fire, who claimed Canada's Polaris Prize, and U2 and Rolling Stone Keith Richards, who were named GQ magazine's Men of the Year.
September's losers included Scarlett Johansson, who was left exposed in a series of leaked naked phone photos; Cameron Diaz, who split from baseball beau Alex Rodriguez, and John Travolta, whose beloved Mercedes-Benz was stolen outside a Jaguar dealership in Santa Monica, while his Swordfish co-star Halle Berry broke her foot while on location in Spain.
Meanwhile, we said a sad goodbye to a slew of famous faces, including actors Andy Whitfield and Cliff Robertson; beloved TV stars Mary Fickett and Vesta Williams; actor Jack Garner; French DJ Mehdi Faveris-Essadi; blues great Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith; R&B hitmaker Vesta Williams; gospel icon Jessy Dixon; celebrated British writer/producer David Croft; Happy Gilmore star Frances Bay, and moviemakers David Pressman, Charles Dubin, George Kachar and Paul Hunt. (Kl/Mt)
October
October was a big month for celebrity weddings - funnyman Seth Rogen tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Lauren Miller, Twilight star Nikki Reed married singer/songwriter Paul McDonald, and former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Shannen Doherty walked down the aisle for the third time when she exchanged vows with celebrity photographer Kurt Iswarienko. Also hoping to make it third-time lucky was Robin Williams, who wed graphic designer Susan Schneider.
Also taking the plunge was Kiss rocker Gene Simmons, who married his girlfriend of 28 years, Shannon Tweed, and Sir Paul McCartney, who exchanged vows with American heiress Nancy Shevell on what would have been his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon’s 71st birthday.
And Sex & the City star Mario Cantone made good use of New York's new gay rights bill by solidifying his love for longtime partner Jerry Dixon.
A number of other stars announced their intention to wed in October - NCIS: Los Angeles star Eric Christian Olsen proposed to girlfriend Sarah Wright and Trace Cyrus popped the question to Disney actress Brenda Song. And actress Kaley Cuoco was sporting a new sparkler after boyfriend Josh 'Lazie' Resnik got down on bended knee. Also officially off the market were former child star Frankie Muniz, The Devil Wears Prada actor Stanley Tucci, rapper The Game and Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's grown-up little girl Francis Bean Cobain.
A number of other celebrities were prepping their homes for babies - movie star Bruce Willis, American footballer Tony Romo, former Dawson's Creek hunk James Van Der Beek, and actress Kaitlin Olson all announced they are expecting little ones, and Jessica Simpson ended months of speculation by announcing she was pregnant.
And October's new parents included Ne-Yo, who welcomed a baby boy, model Ali Landry, who gave birth to her second child, actress Spencer Grammer, who became a first time mum, and France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who became a mum for the second time when baby Giulia was born. Reality TV star Tori Spelling took home baby number three, as did Jackass funnyman Johnny Knoxville. And Sex & the City beauty Kristin Davis, The Help actress Viola Davis and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation veteran Mariska Hargitay all adopted babies.
But it wasn't such a happy month for rapper Rick Ross, who suffered two seizures on his way to a concert, or socialite Kim Kardashian who filed for divorce from husband Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage.
In other news, Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto announced he was gay and troubled actress Lindsay Lohan had her probation revoked after failing to complete her required community service hours. She also faced a limousine lawsuit for allegedly neglecting to pay a bill, her dad was arrested - twice, and she was served a lawsuit for reportedly attacking a Betty Ford Clinic employee during her stay there last year.
Meanwhile, the stars came out to show their support for the Occupy Wall Street protests, which were originally launched in New York City in a bid to end corporate greed, and the world mourned the loss of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, British TV and radio personality Sir Jimmy Savile, The Charlie Daniels Band keyboard player Joel 'Taz' Digregorio, former Weezer star Mikey Welsh, veteran British actress Betty Driver, The Miracles guitarist Marv Tarplin, pianist Roger Williams and IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon, who died in a horrific car smash at the Indy300.
November
British bachelor Hugh Grant stunned the world when he announced he had a new love in his life - a baby girl he had fathered during a brief relationship with Chinese model/actress Tinglan Hong. He wasn't the only star to join the celebrity parents' club in November - singer Lily Allen had a reason to Smile again after giving birth to a daughter, her first child with new husband Sam Cooper, while newsman Piers Morgan and his wife Celia Walden also became parents to a little girl. Maggie Gyllenhaal and her husband Peter Sarsgaard announced they were expecting their second child, as did reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian and her partner Scott Disick.
Selena Gomez revealed she is set to become a big sister, while Justin Bieber had some unwanted baby news of his own - he found himself at the centre of a paternity scandal following allegations he had impregnated 20-year-old Mariah Yeater following a backstage tryst in Los Angeles last year. The Baby hitmaker denied the claim and Yeater subsequently dropped the lawsuit.
Lindsay Lohan's troubles hit the headlines again after she was sentenced to serve 30 days behind bars for a probation violation, although she was released after less than five hours due to jail overcrowding. Dr. Conrad Murray was not so lucky - he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter relating to the death of Michael Jackson and sentenced to the maximum of four years behind bars.
In other legal matters, country singer Mindy McCready sparked a manhunt after she took her five-year-old son Zander from his father's Florida home without permission; Tim McGraw won a court battle with his record company bosses releasing him from his contract; and TLC star T-Boz declared bankruptcy.
Hugh Grant, Sienna Miller and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling became driving forces in the push to improve British press standards following the News of the World phone-hacking scandal earlier this year - the three stars were called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry and told how they had had their voicemails, emails and other private messages intercepted by private investigators working on behalf of tabloid reporters.
The sporting world mourned the death of boxing great Joe Frazier at the age of 67, just days after it was revealed he was battling liver cancer, while the hip-hop industry was rocked by the passing of rap icon Heavy D, who collapsed outside his Los Angeles home and was later declared dead at 44. British moviemaker Ken Russell also passed away, aged 84, and longtime Oscars producer Gil Cates died at 77. Meanwhile, Beatles fans remembered George Harrison on 29 November as fans marked the 10th anniversary of his death.
Veteran pop star George Michael was forced to scrap the remainder of his European tour after he was struck down by a serious bout of pneumonia; Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb also spent time in hospital after suffering abdominal pains, and Adele and Keith Urban had a quiet month as they both recovered from vocal cord surgery, while heavy rock fans rejoiced as the original members of Black Sabbath announced they would be reuniting for a new album and tour in 2012.
It was ladies' night at the American Music Awards as Taylor Swift and Adele walked away with three honours each, while Lady Gaga reigned over the MTV Europe Music Awards and newlyweds Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton ruled the Country Music Association Awards by taking home the two top vocalist prizes. November also saw Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher end weeks of speculation about their marriage by calling it quits, while Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles tied the knot and Anne Hathaway began making plans to wed boyfriend Adam Schulman, and former The Hills star Kristin Cavallari and American footballer Jay Cutler became engaged again, months after they broke off their initial plans to marry.
And it was a busy month for the film industry - the latest Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn - Part 1, landed the biggest global debut in the film franchise's history, thanks to a massive $284 million (£177.5 million) opening weekend haul; Golden Globes bosses decided to bring back controversial comedian Ricky Gervais to host his third prizegiving in 2012; Billy Crystal stepped in for Eddie Murphy as the host of the 2012 Academy Awards a day after the comic and producer pal Brett Ratner resigned, and the race for the Oscars kicked off with the Gotham Independent Film Awards, where Terrence Malick's Tree of Life and Mike Mills' acclaimed Beginners made history when they became the first films to tie for the Best Feature prize in the ceremony's 21-year history.
December
The holiday bells were peeling for newlyweds A.J. McLean, actress Judy Greer, reality TV star Jeff Probst and Yeah Yeah Yeahs rocker Karen O, while Sinead O'Connor married an addiction counsellor in Las Vegas only to call off the union 16 days later. There were also splits for actress Debra Messing and Chaz Bono.
Britney Spears led the month's bride and grooms-to-be when she accepted former agent Jason Trawick's proposal on his 40th birthday, while Steven Tyler, John Legend, Matthew McConaughey, basketball legend Michael Jordan and Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood all popped the question to their girlfriends - and there was baby news for new dads Robert De Niro, Halle Berry's ex Eric Benet, actor Charlie Day, Westlife star Kian Egan, actress/singer Fantasia Barrino, Essence Atkins and pop star Dev, while actress Alyson Hannigan, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, Kings of Leon star Caleb Followill's supermodel wife Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio and Irish singer Andrea Corr announced they were pregnant.
There was drama for rapper Tyler, The Creator, who was arrested for alleged acts of vandalism during a show in Hollywood; singer Christina Perri, who was attacked in a car-jacking incident; Barry Manilow, who underwent hip surgery, and Morrissey, whose concert in Puebla, Mexico was evacuated following an earthquake, while Britain's Prince Philip and R&B star Etta James spent Christmas in hospital.
Lindsay Lohan bared all for Playboy magazine; Adam Lambert was arrested in Finland following a pre-Christmas bust-up with his boyfriend; rapper The Game halted a gig in Norway to confront a bottle-throwing fan; boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was sentenced to 90 days in jail for a 2010 fight with his ex; a man who leaked an unfinished new Madonna song online was arrested in Spain, and Michael Douglas' incarcerated son Cameron was handed an extra four-and-a-half years behind bars for another drug conviction.
And there was yet more drama for Terrence Howard, who requested a restraining order against his wife; model Lauren Scruggs, who lost her hand and an eye in a freak plane propeller accident; Hollywood couple Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart, who had to vacate their home after high winds brought a tree crashing into their living room, and pop star Selena Gomez suffered a family tragedy when her mother miscarried.
Meanwhile, Jodie Foster's estranged father was jailed for five years after he was found guilty of a property scam; Angelina Jolie was sued by a Croatian journalist who alleged his chronicle of the Bosnian War inspired her directorial debut; Kirsten Dunst won a restraining order against an obsessed French fan; an extra died of a heart attack while shooting The Dark Knight Rises in New York; Goodfellas actor Tony Darrow was sentenced to six months behind bars for arranging a real-life mob beating, and Charlie Sheen had to change his phone number when he accidentally tweeted it to his followers.
The month's big winners included singer Melanie Amaro, who became the first U.S. X Factor winner; Julio Iglesias, who was named Spain's best-selling recording artist of all time; Russell Simmons, who was crowned PETA's Person of the Year; Chaka Khan, who won permanent custody of her granddaughter; Lady Gaga, who was hailed the year's highest earning female musician, and Taylor Swift who picked up Billboard magazine's coveted Woman of The Year honour.
Also winning in December: Guns N' Roses, the Beastie Boys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who were all announced as the members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2012, and Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who was named Forbes magazine's Most Lucrative Star. Adele dominated the year's end album and singles polls; Jason Newsted reunited with Metallica for their 30th anniversary bash in San Francisco, and Martin Scorsese's first 3D movie Hugo was the surprise Best Film winner at the National Board of Review Awards in America.
In other movie news, Transformers: Dark of The Moon was named the year's most mistake-ridden film; Orson Welles' Citizen Kane Oscar sold at auction for $861,000; Drive dominated the Satellite Awards while The Help, The Artist and The Descendants picked up the lion's share of nominations for the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Angelina Jolie's directorial debut, In The Land of Blood and Honey, also picked up Golden Globes nods and she was named the 2012 recipient of the Stanley Kramer Award at the Producer's Guild of America Awards.
In music news, Amy Winehouse's posthumous album debuted at number one in Britain; 30 Seconds To Mars broke a concert record at a show in New York - their 309th in a single album cycle, and Gucci Mane was released from prison.
Wrapping up the month, Oscar winner Colin Firth was immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds in London; Men's Health magazine bosses crowned Jennifer Aniston the Hottest Woman of All Time; Liz Taylor's diamonds and gems set a new auction record by becoming the most valuable private jewellery collection; Lmfao were forced to abandon a gig in Honduras after a fire broke out at the venue; Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins announced her split from fiance Gethin Jones, and Coldplay rang in 2012 with a $1.6 million gig in Abu Dhabi.
And the last month of the year saw the notable deaths of actor Bill McKinney, soul stars Dobie Gray and Howard Tate, M*A*S*H regular Harry Morgan, Clark Gable and Loretta Young's love child Judy Lewis, actress Doe Avedon Siegel, former child star Susan Gordon, country singer Billie Jo Spears, Aussie actor Graham Bown, world leaders Vaclav Havel and Kim Jong-Il, songwriter Ralph MacDonald, Kojak star Dan Frazer, directors Don Sharp and Yoshimitsu Morita, writer Christopher Hitchens and Tarzan's chimp sidekick Cheetah, who died of liver failure, aged 80.
July
The month of July was overshadowed by the sudden and shocking death of British singer Amy Winehouse. The Back to Black hitmaker was found dead at her home in London at the age of 27 and the news sent the world of showbusiness into mourning. Tributes poured in from both fans and famous friends following the tragedy, and Winehouse's music shot back into the charts.
The headlines were also dominated by celebrity divorces as Jennifer Lopez announced her split from husband of seven years, Marc Anthony, the father of her young twins, Max and Emme. Arnold Schwarzenegger's marriage also came to an abrupt end as his wife Maria Shriver filed for divorce following revelations the actor/politician fathered a lovechild with the family's housekeeper.
Scarlett Johansson's divorce from Ryan Reynolds was finalised and Patricia Arquette's split from husband Thomas Jane was also made official.
In happier news, all eyes were on Monaco as the world geared up for the second royal wedding of the year, following the union of Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in April. In the same month as the British royals flew to Canada to begin their first international tour as a married couple, Prince Albert of Monaco married his fiancee, South African beauty Charlene Wittstock. The couple exchanged vows in two ceremonies in Monte Carlo and the former swimmer became her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco. British supermodel Kate Moss also became a married woman as she wed rocker Jamie Hince in a lavish ceremony in the English countryside, while it was also an exciting month for the Beckham family as former Spice Girls star Victoria, already mother to three boys, gave birth to her first daughter, Harper Seven.
There was also baby joy for Hollywood actress Kate Hudson - she welcomed a son called Bingham with her rocker fiance Matt Bellamy. Singer Jewel, actress Selma Blair and former Fugees star Lauryn Hill also became parents. British artist/director Sam Taylor-Wood also hit headlines after she confirmed she was expecting a second baby with her 21-year-old fiance, actor Aaron Johnson, a year after the birth of their daughter. The couple met on the set of their 2009 film Nowhere Boy and became parents together in 2010.
July also saw troubled British rocker Pete Doherty granted his freedom after serving less than half of his six-month prison sentence for cocaine possession. Another beleaguered star to walk free from jail was rapper Dmx, who served seven months behind bars for a probation violation. However, David Gilmour’s son Charlie found himself on the other side of the prison walls as he was ordered to serve 16 months in jail for his part in the 2010 student riots in London. The Pink Floyd star’s son was charged with violent disorder for causing chaos in the British capital and swinging from a flag on the city’s Cenotaph war memorial. (Lr/Zn)
August
The usual serenity of the summer months was shattered this year when Kate Winslet cheated death in a devastating inferno at Richard Branson's luxury island home, and a string of British stars appealed for calm as widespread rioting broke out in the U.K.
Winslet was holidaying at Virgin boss Branson's Necker Island retreat when lightning struck the property, sparking a huge blaze which gutted the home. Her party of 20 miraculously escaped unscathed - and Winslet was later hailed a heroine after it emerged she carried Branson's 90-year-old mother from the property during the drama.
As unrest, looting, and arson broke out for several nights in the U.K., showbiz stars including Idris Elba, Natasha Bedingfield and Boy George called for calm, and there was also bad news for Sir Paul McCartney - who learned his phone had been hacked by the tabloid press - and veteran actress Margot Kidder, who was arrested during an environment protest at the White House.
Tragedy struck at the Indiana State Fair, when a horrific stage collapse left seven revellers dead and more than 40 injured, actor Rowan Atkinson was treated in hospital after wrecking his rare sports car by crashing it into a tree, and French actor Gerard Depardieu was left red-faced when he was thrown off a plane in Paris, France for urinating in the cabin after he was refused access to the toilet during take-off.
It was ladies night at the MTV Video Music Awards as Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga took home two honours each - and Beyonce announced her pregnancy news. And at the Teen Choice Awards, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez were crowned queens of the event when they scooped whopping 11 awards between them.
Kings of Leon finally succumbed to their relentless touring schedule and axed their remaining U.S. dates to allow frontman Caleb Followill to recover from "vocal issues and exhaustion", Aerosmith rocker Tom Hamilton and Deep Purple star Jon Lord both announced they were battling cancer, Bono was hospitalised with chest pains, and Norwegian pop band A-ha thrilled fans by announcing they were to reform.
In family news, Kiss star Paul Stanley became a father again, and there were also welcome additions for Ethan Hawke, funnywoman Tina Fey, illusionist David Copperfield, Jessica Alba, and Benicio del Toro, who fathered a child with Rod Stewart's daughter Kimberly.
There were wedding bells for country singer Chely Wright and filmmaker Sofia Coppola, but romance took a plunge for George Michael and Geri Halliwell, who both split from their partners. Also joining the singles club was Arctic Monkeys rocker Alex Turner, who broke up with MTV presenter Alexa Chung after four years together.
The showbiz world bid farewell to songwriting legend Jerry Leiber, who died of cardiopulmonary failure at the age of 78, Police Academy star Charles 'Bubba' Smith, Bollywood veteran Shammi Kapoor, blues legend David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Warrant rocker Jani Lane, and Motown hitmaker Nickolas Ashford. (Zn/Lr)
September
September was a month rapper T.I. would like to both remember and forget - he completed an 11-month prison sentence for a probation violation only to run into legal trouble again soon after his initial release for conducting illegal business deals on his way to a halfway house. It wasn't a great month for Madonna either - her movie take on the romance between Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII was savaged by critics at the Venice Film Festival, while her ex-husband Guy Ritchie became a dad again.
Celine Dion was left shaken up after an intruder was found running a bath at her Montreal, Canada home; Neil Diamond revealed his engagement, and Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial got underway in Los Angeles as prosecutors attempted to prove the medic was responsible for Michael Jackson's death.
R.E.M. announced they were splitting after 31 years; My Chemical Romance fired drummer Michael Pedicone after accusing him of stealing from them; Boyzone singer Ronan Keating swam the Irish Sea for Cancer Research in the U.K., and Sir Paul McCartney became a grandfather again and was named the MusiCares Person of the Year - while he also celebrated as his first ballet score debuted in New York.
The Amy Winehouse Foundation was launched on what would have been the tragic singer's 28th birthday, and the star's Body & Soul duet with Tony Bennett became a hit, making the 85-year-old crooner the oldest living artist to have a single in America's Hot 100.
Eddie Murphy was confirmed as the host for the 2012 Oscars; model Lauren Bush became Lauren Lauren when she exchanged vows with Ralph Lauren's son David; British funnyman David Walliams braved the chills of the River Thames and a stomach bug to complete a charity 140-mile swim in eight days.
Actress Evan Rachel Wood lost a tooth during a boozy night out in Paris; Reese Witherspoon was hospitalised after she was hit by a car while out jogging in Santa Monica, California; soul legend Chaka Khan won temporary custody of her granddaughter after claiming the girl's mother was struggling with drug abuse issues, and British The Saturdays singer Una Healy announced she was pregnant.
Inxs dropped frontman J.D. fortune for a second time and replaced him with Ciaran Gribbin; Austin Powers henchman Joseph Son was sentenced to life behind bars for a Christmas Eve rape in 1990, and George Clooney went public with his new girl, Stacey Kiebler, at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada.
Ashton Kutcher had a month of ups and downs - his debut on TV sitcom Two and a Half Men was a big hit as 28 million Americans tuned in, but then came the news that his marriage to Demi Moore was in trouble amid infidelity rumours. Comedienne Wanda Sykes opened up about her breast cancer battle and double mastectomy; Sharon Stone won a restraining order against an obsessed fan and promptly put the home he visited uninvited on the market, and reality TV star and filmmaker Jack Osbourne announced his engagement to actress Lisa Stelly and followed that up with the news he was to become a dad.
Third time was not the charm for Clueless star Stacy Dash, who announced her plans to divorce husband number three, Emmanuel Xuereb, and X-Men star James Marsden's wife also joined the divorce club as she filed papers against her husband. Elizabeth Hurley's love life was on the up - she accepted cricket star Shane Warne's wedding proposal just three months after divorcing Arun Nayar.
Meanwhile, Elton John launched his new Million Dollar Piano residency in Las Vegas; Smokey Robinson accepted the coveted Ella Award at the Society of Singers Gala, and the month wrapped up with Shania Twain's alleged stalker pleading guilty to harassing the singer in court in Ontario, Canada.
Among September's Hollywood weddings, Amy Smart married reality TV star Carter Oosterhouse; Cougar Town co-stars David Rogers and Sally Pressman became man and wife, and model-turned-actress Molly Sims wed in a Napa Valley vineyard in California. There were also nuptials for British filmmaker Michael Winner and DJ/producer Mark Ronson, while R&B singer Keyshia Cole and former Friends star David Schwimmer both renewed vows with their spouses in Hawaii and London, respectively.
There was baby news for model Jodie Kidd, who gave birth to a son; actress Mary McCormack, who became a mum for the third time, and January Jones, who welcomed Xander Dane to the world while staying mum about the tot's father. Actors Emily Deschanel, Ana Ortiz, Mike Myers, Danny McBride and Jenna Fischer also became new parents. In the music world, former Spice Girl Melanie Brown gave birth to her third daughter, and country star John Rich and former Pussycat Dolls member Carmit Bachar welcomed babies too.
On September's sick list were rocker Scott Weiland and pop stars Katy Perry and Adele, who both scrapped shows due to illness, while Megadeth headbanger Dave Mustaine underwent surgery for a serious neck injury.
The month's big winners included movie mogul Tyler Perry, who was named Forbes magazine's Highest Paid Man in Entertainment; actor Michael Fassbender and director Alexander Sokurov, who claimed Best Actor and Best Film honours, respectively, for Shame and Faust at the Venice Film Festival. Gritty TV drama Boardwalk Empire picked up eight Emmy Awards; Calle 13 landed a record 10 Latin Grammy Award nominations, and Happy Days star Henry Winkler picked up an honorary Order of the British Empire medal at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Also winning: P.J. Harvey, who scooped the Mercury Prize in Britain, Arcade Fire, who claimed Canada's Polaris Prize, and U2 and Rolling Stone Keith Richards, who were named GQ magazine's Men of the Year.
September's losers included Scarlett Johansson, who was left exposed in a series of leaked naked phone photos; Cameron Diaz, who split from baseball beau Alex Rodriguez, and John Travolta, whose beloved Mercedes-Benz was stolen outside a Jaguar dealership in Santa Monica, while his Swordfish co-star Halle Berry broke her foot while on location in Spain.
Meanwhile, we said a sad goodbye to a slew of famous faces, including actors Andy Whitfield and Cliff Robertson; beloved TV stars Mary Fickett and Vesta Williams; actor Jack Garner; French DJ Mehdi Faveris-Essadi; blues great Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith; R&B hitmaker Vesta Williams; gospel icon Jessy Dixon; celebrated British writer/producer David Croft; Happy Gilmore star Frances Bay, and moviemakers David Pressman, Charles Dubin, George Kachar and Paul Hunt. (Kl/Mt)
October
October was a big month for celebrity weddings - funnyman Seth Rogen tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Lauren Miller, Twilight star Nikki Reed married singer/songwriter Paul McDonald, and former Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Shannen Doherty walked down the aisle for the third time when she exchanged vows with celebrity photographer Kurt Iswarienko. Also hoping to make it third-time lucky was Robin Williams, who wed graphic designer Susan Schneider.
Also taking the plunge was Kiss rocker Gene Simmons, who married his girlfriend of 28 years, Shannon Tweed, and Sir Paul McCartney, who exchanged vows with American heiress Nancy Shevell on what would have been his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon’s 71st birthday.
And Sex & the City star Mario Cantone made good use of New York's new gay rights bill by solidifying his love for longtime partner Jerry Dixon.
A number of other stars announced their intention to wed in October - NCIS: Los Angeles star Eric Christian Olsen proposed to girlfriend Sarah Wright and Trace Cyrus popped the question to Disney actress Brenda Song. And actress Kaley Cuoco was sporting a new sparkler after boyfriend Josh 'Lazie' Resnik got down on bended knee. Also officially off the market were former child star Frankie Muniz, The Devil Wears Prada actor Stanley Tucci, rapper The Game and Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's grown-up little girl Francis Bean Cobain.
A number of other celebrities were prepping their homes for babies - movie star Bruce Willis, American footballer Tony Romo, former Dawson's Creek hunk James Van Der Beek, and actress Kaitlin Olson all announced they are expecting little ones, and Jessica Simpson ended months of speculation by announcing she was pregnant.
And October's new parents included Ne-Yo, who welcomed a baby boy, model Ali Landry, who gave birth to her second child, actress Spencer Grammer, who became a first time mum, and France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who became a mum for the second time when baby Giulia was born. Reality TV star Tori Spelling took home baby number three, as did Jackass funnyman Johnny Knoxville. And Sex & the City beauty Kristin Davis, The Help actress Viola Davis and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation veteran Mariska Hargitay all adopted babies.
But it wasn't such a happy month for rapper Rick Ross, who suffered two seizures on his way to a concert, or socialite Kim Kardashian who filed for divorce from husband Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage.
In other news, Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto announced he was gay and troubled actress Lindsay Lohan had her probation revoked after failing to complete her required community service hours. She also faced a limousine lawsuit for allegedly neglecting to pay a bill, her dad was arrested - twice, and she was served a lawsuit for reportedly attacking a Betty Ford Clinic employee during her stay there last year.
Meanwhile, the stars came out to show their support for the Occupy Wall Street protests, which were originally launched in New York City in a bid to end corporate greed, and the world mourned the loss of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, British TV and radio personality Sir Jimmy Savile, The Charlie Daniels Band keyboard player Joel 'Taz' Digregorio, former Weezer star Mikey Welsh, veteran British actress Betty Driver, The Miracles guitarist Marv Tarplin, pianist Roger Williams and IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon, who died in a horrific car smash at the Indy300.
November
British bachelor Hugh Grant stunned the world when he announced he had a new love in his life - a baby girl he had fathered during a brief relationship with Chinese model/actress Tinglan Hong. He wasn't the only star to join the celebrity parents' club in November - singer Lily Allen had a reason to Smile again after giving birth to a daughter, her first child with new husband Sam Cooper, while newsman Piers Morgan and his wife Celia Walden also became parents to a little girl. Maggie Gyllenhaal and her husband Peter Sarsgaard announced they were expecting their second child, as did reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian and her partner Scott Disick.
Selena Gomez revealed she is set to become a big sister, while Justin Bieber had some unwanted baby news of his own - he found himself at the centre of a paternity scandal following allegations he had impregnated 20-year-old Mariah Yeater following a backstage tryst in Los Angeles last year. The Baby hitmaker denied the claim and Yeater subsequently dropped the lawsuit.
Lindsay Lohan's troubles hit the headlines again after she was sentenced to serve 30 days behind bars for a probation violation, although she was released after less than five hours due to jail overcrowding. Dr. Conrad Murray was not so lucky - he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter relating to the death of Michael Jackson and sentenced to the maximum of four years behind bars.
In other legal matters, country singer Mindy McCready sparked a manhunt after she took her five-year-old son Zander from his father's Florida home without permission; Tim McGraw won a court battle with his record company bosses releasing him from his contract; and TLC star T-Boz declared bankruptcy.
Hugh Grant, Sienna Miller and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling became driving forces in the push to improve British press standards following the News of the World phone-hacking scandal earlier this year - the three stars were called to give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry and told how they had had their voicemails, emails and other private messages intercepted by private investigators working on behalf of tabloid reporters.
The sporting world mourned the death of boxing great Joe Frazier at the age of 67, just days after it was revealed he was battling liver cancer, while the hip-hop industry was rocked by the passing of rap icon Heavy D, who collapsed outside his Los Angeles home and was later declared dead at 44. British moviemaker Ken Russell also passed away, aged 84, and longtime Oscars producer Gil Cates died at 77. Meanwhile, Beatles fans remembered George Harrison on 29 November as fans marked the 10th anniversary of his death.
Veteran pop star George Michael was forced to scrap the remainder of his European tour after he was struck down by a serious bout of pneumonia; Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb also spent time in hospital after suffering abdominal pains, and Adele and Keith Urban had a quiet month as they both recovered from vocal cord surgery, while heavy rock fans rejoiced as the original members of Black Sabbath announced they would be reuniting for a new album and tour in 2012.
It was ladies' night at the American Music Awards as Taylor Swift and Adele walked away with three honours each, while Lady Gaga reigned over the MTV Europe Music Awards and newlyweds Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton ruled the Country Music Association Awards by taking home the two top vocalist prizes. November also saw Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher end weeks of speculation about their marriage by calling it quits, while Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles tied the knot and Anne Hathaway began making plans to wed boyfriend Adam Schulman, and former The Hills star Kristin Cavallari and American footballer Jay Cutler became engaged again, months after they broke off their initial plans to marry.
And it was a busy month for the film industry - the latest Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn - Part 1, landed the biggest global debut in the film franchise's history, thanks to a massive $284 million (£177.5 million) opening weekend haul; Golden Globes bosses decided to bring back controversial comedian Ricky Gervais to host his third prizegiving in 2012; Billy Crystal stepped in for Eddie Murphy as the host of the 2012 Academy Awards a day after the comic and producer pal Brett Ratner resigned, and the race for the Oscars kicked off with the Gotham Independent Film Awards, where Terrence Malick's Tree of Life and Mike Mills' acclaimed Beginners made history when they became the first films to tie for the Best Feature prize in the ceremony's 21-year history.
December
The holiday bells were peeling for newlyweds A.J. McLean, actress Judy Greer, reality TV star Jeff Probst and Yeah Yeah Yeahs rocker Karen O, while Sinead O'Connor married an addiction counsellor in Las Vegas only to call off the union 16 days later. There were also splits for actress Debra Messing and Chaz Bono.
Britney Spears led the month's bride and grooms-to-be when she accepted former agent Jason Trawick's proposal on his 40th birthday, while Steven Tyler, John Legend, Matthew McConaughey, basketball legend Michael Jordan and Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood all popped the question to their girlfriends - and there was baby news for new dads Robert De Niro, Halle Berry's ex Eric Benet, actor Charlie Day, Westlife star Kian Egan, actress/singer Fantasia Barrino, Essence Atkins and pop star Dev, while actress Alyson Hannigan, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, Kings of Leon star Caleb Followill's supermodel wife Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio and Irish singer Andrea Corr announced they were pregnant.
There was drama for rapper Tyler, The Creator, who was arrested for alleged acts of vandalism during a show in Hollywood; singer Christina Perri, who was attacked in a car-jacking incident; Barry Manilow, who underwent hip surgery, and Morrissey, whose concert in Puebla, Mexico was evacuated following an earthquake, while Britain's Prince Philip and R&B star Etta James spent Christmas in hospital.
Lindsay Lohan bared all for Playboy magazine; Adam Lambert was arrested in Finland following a pre-Christmas bust-up with his boyfriend; rapper The Game halted a gig in Norway to confront a bottle-throwing fan; boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was sentenced to 90 days in jail for a 2010 fight with his ex; a man who leaked an unfinished new Madonna song online was arrested in Spain, and Michael Douglas' incarcerated son Cameron was handed an extra four-and-a-half years behind bars for another drug conviction.
And there was yet more drama for Terrence Howard, who requested a restraining order against his wife; model Lauren Scruggs, who lost her hand and an eye in a freak plane propeller accident; Hollywood couple Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart, who had to vacate their home after high winds brought a tree crashing into their living room, and pop star Selena Gomez suffered a family tragedy when her mother miscarried.
Meanwhile, Jodie Foster's estranged father was jailed for five years after he was found guilty of a property scam; Angelina Jolie was sued by a Croatian journalist who alleged his chronicle of the Bosnian War inspired her directorial debut; Kirsten Dunst won a restraining order against an obsessed French fan; an extra died of a heart attack while shooting The Dark Knight Rises in New York; Goodfellas actor Tony Darrow was sentenced to six months behind bars for arranging a real-life mob beating, and Charlie Sheen had to change his phone number when he accidentally tweeted it to his followers.
The month's big winners included singer Melanie Amaro, who became the first U.S. X Factor winner; Julio Iglesias, who was named Spain's best-selling recording artist of all time; Russell Simmons, who was crowned PETA's Person of the Year; Chaka Khan, who won permanent custody of her granddaughter; Lady Gaga, who was hailed the year's highest earning female musician, and Taylor Swift who picked up Billboard magazine's coveted Woman of The Year honour.
Also winning in December: Guns N' Roses, the Beastie Boys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who were all announced as the members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2012, and Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who was named Forbes magazine's Most Lucrative Star. Adele dominated the year's end album and singles polls; Jason Newsted reunited with Metallica for their 30th anniversary bash in San Francisco, and Martin Scorsese's first 3D movie Hugo was the surprise Best Film winner at the National Board of Review Awards in America.
In other movie news, Transformers: Dark of The Moon was named the year's most mistake-ridden film; Orson Welles' Citizen Kane Oscar sold at auction for $861,000; Drive dominated the Satellite Awards while The Help, The Artist and The Descendants picked up the lion's share of nominations for the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Angelina Jolie's directorial debut, In The Land of Blood and Honey, also picked up Golden Globes nods and she was named the 2012 recipient of the Stanley Kramer Award at the Producer's Guild of America Awards.
In music news, Amy Winehouse's posthumous album debuted at number one in Britain; 30 Seconds To Mars broke a concert record at a show in New York - their 309th in a single album cycle, and Gucci Mane was released from prison.
Wrapping up the month, Oscar winner Colin Firth was immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds in London; Men's Health magazine bosses crowned Jennifer Aniston the Hottest Woman of All Time; Liz Taylor's diamonds and gems set a new auction record by becoming the most valuable private jewellery collection; Lmfao were forced to abandon a gig in Honduras after a fire broke out at the venue; Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins announced her split from fiance Gethin Jones, and Coldplay rang in 2012 with a $1.6 million gig in Abu Dhabi.
And the last month of the year saw the notable deaths of actor Bill McKinney, soul stars Dobie Gray and Howard Tate, M*A*S*H regular Harry Morgan, Clark Gable and Loretta Young's love child Judy Lewis, actress Doe Avedon Siegel, former child star Susan Gordon, country singer Billie Jo Spears, Aussie actor Graham Bown, world leaders Vaclav Havel and Kim Jong-Il, songwriter Ralph MacDonald, Kojak star Dan Frazer, directors Don Sharp and Yoshimitsu Morita, writer Christopher Hitchens and Tarzan's chimp sidekick Cheetah, who died of liver failure, aged 80.
- 1/1/2012
- WENN
Metallica has been all over the news lately, from their performance in a Danish prison to their ... ahem ... interesting collaboration with Lou Reed called "Lulu." For hardcore Metallica fans though, the real news is a reunion with former bassist Jason Newsted.
Newsted left Metallica in 2001 to pursue other musical projects. He reunited with the band when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2009, but this was the first time in over a decade that he played with the band at a gig.
The happy event took place at the first of four 30th anniversary (we refuse to accept that it's been that long) concerts in San Francisco. According to Rolling Stone, front man James Hetfield told the packed crowd that they were about to be joined by "someone who lived with us, and toured with us, and did stuff with us for 14 years."
Newsted...
Newsted left Metallica in 2001 to pursue other musical projects. He reunited with the band when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2009, but this was the first time in over a decade that he played with the band at a gig.
The happy event took place at the first of four 30th anniversary (we refuse to accept that it's been that long) concerts in San Francisco. According to Rolling Stone, front man James Hetfield told the packed crowd that they were about to be joined by "someone who lived with us, and toured with us, and did stuff with us for 14 years."
Newsted...
- 12/7/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Some of Heavy Metal’s greatest headbangers have joined together to form a massive supergroup for charity.
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan will front WhoCares, a charity band that also features Whitesnake keyboardist Jon Lord and Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has also joined the band for two charity songs due out shortly.
According to Gillan.com, the band “has recorded two brand new songs with the intent to support the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. Both Gillan and Iommi have spent a lot of time in Armenia, fallen in love with the country and the people and have dedicated a lot of work to a nation still shocked after the earthquake that struck Armenia on December 7, 1988 at 11:41am.”
Read more...
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan will front WhoCares, a charity band that also features Whitesnake keyboardist Jon Lord and Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has also joined the band for two charity songs due out shortly.
According to Gillan.com, the band “has recorded two brand new songs with the intent to support the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. Both Gillan and Iommi have spent a lot of time in Armenia, fallen in love with the country and the people and have dedicated a lot of work to a nation still shocked after the earthquake that struck Armenia on December 7, 1988 at 11:41am.”
Read more...
- 4/13/2011
- Look to the Stars
Considering how immediate the best of it feels, it's always a little bit surprising how well metal music ages. While not everything still sounds fresh, many of the genre's cornerstone releases hold up extremely well. Slayer's Reign in Blood still sounds as fresh and vital as it did when it first came out, and Black Sabbath's Paranoid remains top-shelf. While not all of their albums hold up well, Metallica's Master of Puppets — which came out on this day in 1986, a full 25 years ago — remains a stone cold classic and an album by which other metal albums should be judged.
The thing that stands out about Master of Puppets all these years later is how hard the whole thing is. Every chord crunch, every drum hit and every bellow from the throat of frontman James Hetfield is jagged and punishing, like the musical equivalent of a steel-toed boot constantly stomping on your face.
The thing that stands out about Master of Puppets all these years later is how hard the whole thing is. Every chord crunch, every drum hit and every bellow from the throat of frontman James Hetfield is jagged and punishing, like the musical equivalent of a steel-toed boot constantly stomping on your face.
- 3/3/2011
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
One of the most interesting performances in a film this year was Justin Timberlake's take on Napster co-founder and Facebook supporter Sean Parker, who was portrayed as both a street-smart marketing genius and a paranoid borderline sociopath. While the movie focuses on Facebook, the film about the development of Napster would likely be just as compelling, though the narrative wouldn't be so much about internal strife as it would be about outside challenges and the discussion about whether or not Napster was ever good for the music industry (most record label types would say no, while college students who didn't want to blow perfectly good burrito money on a legit copies of the Bob Marley discography would say yes). On this day in 1999, the Recording Industry Association of America filed suit against Napster for copyright infringement, kick-starting an epic legal battle that would take years to resolve.
Napster was...
Napster was...
- 12/7/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
September 22, 2010:Dave Higgins of Triple M, Australia’s rock station recently spoke to Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich last right before the band went onto play a show at the Rod Laver Arena’s stage as a part of its massive Australian Tour.
The departure of long serving bassist Jason Newsted and his replacement Robert Trujillo naturally came up to which Ulrich said that Jason was an insane musician as well as an immensely dedicated chap. He feels that the band never absolutely utilized Jason’s capabilities.
He says that the band did never take advantage of Jason’s musical know how and perhaps that.
The departure of long serving bassist Jason Newsted and his replacement Robert Trujillo naturally came up to which Ulrich said that Jason was an insane musician as well as an immensely dedicated chap. He feels that the band never absolutely utilized Jason’s capabilities.
He says that the band did never take advantage of Jason’s musical know how and perhaps that.
- 9/22/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
If you should run into Metallica frontman James Hetfield today, toss up your most powerful metal horns and buy that dude a slice of Devil's Food cake, because it's his birthday. Hetfield is now 47 years old and aging rather well for a guy who has lived as hard as he has. As the co-founder (with drummer Lars Ulrich) and voice of one of metal's most enduring bands (and one of America's finest rock institutions), Hetfield has been responsible for some of the greatest shout-alongs in history (most notably "Exit light/ Enter night/ Take my hand/ We're off to Never-Never Land!").
Born in southern California in 1963, Hetfield was raised a Christian Scientist and began his musical exploration at age nine when he began taking piano lessons. He graduated to drums and then guitar, and he got deep into Aerosmith as well as a trend that was later described as the...
Born in southern California in 1963, Hetfield was raised a Christian Scientist and began his musical exploration at age nine when he began taking piano lessons. He graduated to drums and then guitar, and he got deep into Aerosmith as well as a trend that was later described as the...
- 8/3/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
Getty Images
BFFs, you might have thought Bret would fill the seat of Idol creator and judge Simon Cowell, but don’t assume it’s a done deal. The rocker might have another show in the works, and we have the scoop!
Bret Michaels, are you the next American Idol judge? Or are you making some other deals on the side just in case that doesn’t work out! HollywoodLife.com has spoken to a source very close to the Poison frontman, and they tell us that Bret might actually sign on to do a show for CBS called Rock Star Supernova! The show originally ran for two seasons between 2006-08 was hosted by rocker Dave Navarro. Now Bret might be bringing the show back by hosting it!
“He’s been approached by numerous networks,” says our source. “But it looks as though Rock Star could definitely be the one.
BFFs, you might have thought Bret would fill the seat of Idol creator and judge Simon Cowell, but don’t assume it’s a done deal. The rocker might have another show in the works, and we have the scoop!
Bret Michaels, are you the next American Idol judge? Or are you making some other deals on the side just in case that doesn’t work out! HollywoodLife.com has spoken to a source very close to the Poison frontman, and they tell us that Bret might actually sign on to do a show for CBS called Rock Star Supernova! The show originally ran for two seasons between 2006-08 was hosted by rocker Dave Navarro. Now Bret might be bringing the show back by hosting it!
“He’s been approached by numerous networks,” says our source. “But it looks as though Rock Star could definitely be the one.
- 7/9/2010
- by Chloe Melas
- HollywoodLife
Phish's Trey Anastasio, E Street Band guitarist 'Little' Steven Van Zandt will also honor this year's inductees.
By Ryan J. Downey
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong — one of the most commercially successful punk-rock bandleaders in history — will have a chance to honor one of his genre's pioneers when he pays tribute to the Stooges at this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set for March 15.
Billie Joe will be joined by Phish's Trey Anastasio, who will welcome Genesis, according to Rolling Stone. The ceremony will take place at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Wyclef Jean will be on hand to induct reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. E Street Band guitarist "Little" Steven Van Zandt, equally well known as Sil from "The Sopranos" and respected as a curator and connoisseur of garage rock, will lavish praise on the Hollies.
By Ryan J. Downey
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong — one of the most commercially successful punk-rock bandleaders in history — will have a chance to honor one of his genre's pioneers when he pays tribute to the Stooges at this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, set for March 15.
Billie Joe will be joined by Phish's Trey Anastasio, who will welcome Genesis, according to Rolling Stone. The ceremony will take place at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Wyclef Jean will be on hand to induct reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. E Street Band guitarist "Little" Steven Van Zandt, equally well known as Sil from "The Sopranos" and respected as a curator and connoisseur of garage rock, will lavish praise on the Hollies.
- 2/24/2010
- MTV Music News
Of all the rock albums coming out in 2010 that can be considered hotly anticipated, the new record from the recently-reunited Blink-182 might be tops on the list. When it finally drops, hardcore fans will be able to experience the making of their new masterpiece first hand, as the band announced they are going to capture the recording experience first-hand as part of a making-of doc they're calling "The Blinkumentary."
While there have been plenty of documentaries that have tracked tours or specific shows, there have only been a handful of films that have really broken into the creation of great albums. But the ones that do exist are particularly amazing. If "The Blinkumentary" reveals the sorts of things that the following flicks do, then we're in for a classic.
"Some Kind of Monster"
Metallica originally just wanted to capture the energy of their 2003 album St. Anger, but following James Hetfield...
While there have been plenty of documentaries that have tracked tours or specific shows, there have only been a handful of films that have really broken into the creation of great albums. But the ones that do exist are particularly amazing. If "The Blinkumentary" reveals the sorts of things that the following flicks do, then we're in for a classic.
"Some Kind of Monster"
Metallica originally just wanted to capture the energy of their 2003 album St. Anger, but following James Hetfield...
- 1/12/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
The 2000s rehashed a lot of iconic 1980s entertainment, examining the lives of washed up pro wrestlers in film and countless biographies, building blockbuster franchises out of cartoons that existed only to sell toys, and weaving its kitschy style into ironic hipster clothing and music. Emo band members look increasingly like Bret Michaels and C.C. DeVille, synths came back in a big way, and of course the late ‘00s resurgence of thrash. In 2004 though, thrash kingpins Metallica were out of touch with their fans on both a musical and personal level, to the extent of suing them during the advent of the Napster era. They were lucky to have survived the '90s alternative boom at all, and didn’t appreciate it. They were divas, and even treating each other like shit to the point that longtime bassist Jason Newsted couldn’t take it anymore, and bailed. In order to save the band,...
- 12/8/2009
- by Goon
- FilmJunk
Canadian heavy metal band Voivod will release their latest album "Infini" in June. It will be the band's final studio album, as well as their last album to include contributions by their late original guitarist "Piggy."
The follow-up to 2006's "Katorz" - the album features the last 13 songs written by Voivod's founding member/guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, who passed away from colon cancer in 2005.
The album also features Jason Newsted (former bassist of Metallica) on bass. Newsted is also responsible for mixing the album.
The Quebec metal innovators say that all of "Piggy's" original demo guitar tracks appear on the album in the same way as they were recorded by him on his laptop before his death. They have made no alterations to it.
The follow-up to 2006's "Katorz" - the album features the last 13 songs written by Voivod's founding member/guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, who passed away from colon cancer in 2005.
The album also features Jason Newsted (former bassist of Metallica) on bass. Newsted is also responsible for mixing the album.
The Quebec metal innovators say that all of "Piggy's" original demo guitar tracks appear on the album in the same way as they were recorded by him on his laptop before his death. They have made no alterations to it.
- 4/21/2009
- icelebz.com
Metallica will be joined in performance by its former bassist Jason Newsted on Saturday at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland. His replacement, Robert Trujillo, will also be performing at the ceremony.
Billboard reports that the group will be a "two-bassist band at this weekend." A spokesman for the group's label, Warner Bros. Records, told the website that "Jason and Robert will both be playing Metallica's induction songs."
It is still not clear what songs would they be playing to or if Newsted and Trujillo would be on stage together or separately.
Newsted was hired by Metallica in 1986 to replace Cliff Burton, who died in a tour bus accident. He quit the band in 2001 to perform with acts like Echobrain, Voivod and the Ozzy Osbourne Band.
Billboard reports that the group will be a "two-bassist band at this weekend." A spokesman for the group's label, Warner Bros. Records, told the website that "Jason and Robert will both be playing Metallica's induction songs."
It is still not clear what songs would they be playing to or if Newsted and Trujillo would be on stage together or separately.
Newsted was hired by Metallica in 1986 to replace Cliff Burton, who died in a tour bus accident. He quit the band in 2001 to perform with acts like Echobrain, Voivod and the Ozzy Osbourne Band.
- 4/2/2009
- icelebz.com
The list of music acts crowding this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees has been unveiled to include Metallica and Run Dmc. Others slated to take the same honor in an April fourth ceremony at Cleveland's Public Hall are guitarist Jeff Beck, singer-songwriter Bobby Womack and blues vocal group Little Anthony & The Imperials.
Metallica who had just released their top-selling album "Death Magnetic", said that they are delighted with the honor and credit those who had played with the band over the years including late bassist Cliff Burton and bassist Jason Newsted. "So all the work and effort that we put into our relationship back then has brought a lot of fruits of labor with that, on this album, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammys. So we're feeling good," guitarist James Hetfield told The Associated Press.
Run Dmc meanwhile, becomes the second rap act to be inducted...
Metallica who had just released their top-selling album "Death Magnetic", said that they are delighted with the honor and credit those who had played with the band over the years including late bassist Cliff Burton and bassist Jason Newsted. "So all the work and effort that we put into our relationship back then has brought a lot of fruits of labor with that, on this album, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammys. So we're feeling good," guitarist James Hetfield told The Associated Press.
Run Dmc meanwhile, becomes the second rap act to be inducted...
- 1/15/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
James Hetfield has said that he wants every musician who has appeared on a Metallica LP to come together should the band be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He told Rolling Stone that his invitation is extended to bassist Jason Newsted, who left the group in 2001 after a rift with the singer. Hetfield said: "Everyone that played on a record should be there. You're considered for the Hall 25 years after your first recording, (more)...
- 11/5/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
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