Feb 22

Guns N' Roses guitarist to write autobiography
[source: NME.com] Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash will complete a manuscript for his autobiography later this year.
According to New York Business magazine, the star, now in Velvet Revolver, recently sold his autobiography to publishing house HarperCollins and will work with writer Anthony Bozza, who helped Mötley Crüe rocker Tommy Lee pen his memoir, Tommyland.
Slash left Guns N' Roses in 1996 after an acrimonious split with lead singer Axl Rose and has no part in the band's current incarnation.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Guns-N-Roses.aspx


The Streets plan new album
[source: NME.com] The Streets have begun work on the follow-up to 2006's The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.
Frontman Mike Skinner says the group have adopted a new approach to recording.
"I decided to write all the lyrics before I started with the music, the complete opposite of normal," he revealed on the band's website.
Skinner said a number of "live" instruments are involved, including piano, trumpet, harp, violin and flute.
"I've never written an album featuring conversations with both an alien and the devil," he added.
A release date for the record has yet to be announced.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Streets-The.aspx


Michael Jackson sued by hospital
[source: NME.com] Michael Jackson is facing a lawsuit from the family of a woman who died two years ago.
Manuela Gomez Ruiz's family claim she was moved from her two-bed trauma unit to make room for Jackson when he arrived with flu symptoms.
The lawsuit was filed last Thursday against Jackson and the Marian Medical Centre in California.
The family had previously complained that Ruiz, who was on life support, was moved to make way for Jackson on February 15, 2005. The singer missed his court appearance that day due to illness, while Ruiz suffered a heart attack in the evening and died.
A statement from the medical centre claimed the suit was without merit and merely "another frivolous claim to generate publicity".
"Manuela Ruiz was dying," prosecution attorney James McKiernan retorted. Michael Jackson was also dying… not to go to court that day."
Yahoo reports the suit alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, elder abuse, false imprisonment and conspiracy by Jackson, Marian Medical Centre and Catholic Heathcare West, which owns the hospital.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Michael-Jackson.aspx


Van Morrison up for alternative Oscar
[source: NME.com] Legendary singer-songwriter Van Morrison will receive an Oscar Wilde award on Thursday February 22 for his contributions to cinema.
The ceremony will be attended by a number of big names in the American and European film industry, with the award presented by Al Pacino.
The event marks the second annual Oscar Wilde awards and celebrates Irish contribution to film. The bash is hosted by the US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit organisation that aims to strengthen ties between the film industries in the US and Ireland.
The music of Van Morrison has formed the soundtrack to almost 50 films, including classic road film Thelma And Louise and recent Martin Scorsese thriller The Departed.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Van-Morrison.aspx


James Brown burial place confirmed
[source: NME.com] The children and partner of soul legend James Brown have finally agreed on a burial spot for the singer, nearly two months after his death.
The location of the site is confidential but it's believed the burial will take place in the next few days.
James Brown's partner, Tomi Rae Hynie, had previously said the singer wished to be laid to rest on his South Carolina estate, but due to a current legal battle over control of the property, this plan was scrapped.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/James-Brown.aspx


Van Halen reform… and then split
Having recently announced they'd started rehearsing together for the first time in 20 years, it appears 80s rockers Van Halen have split before taking the stage for a show.
Halen's reunion was set to feature two founding members: singer David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen, with Wolfgang Van Halen – Eddie's son – rounding out the group on bass guitar. Former member Michael Anthony wasn't interested.
Now, however, according to US booking agency Pollstar, the mooted 40-date national tour has been put "indefinitely on hold".

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Van-Halen.aspx


Britney leaves rehab
Troubled pop star Britney Spears has left the rehab centre she checked into just 24 hours earlier.
Spears entered Promises Malibu Alcohol & Drug Rehab Treatment Facility earlier this week. Now, according to the singer's management, she's back home, where she intends to "continue to seek treatment".
"She's getting her life together," Spears' producer, Sean Garrett, told People magazine.
"She's getting it where it needs to be. She just needs time to herself. She's not crazy; she's young, she's rich and she does what she wants to do."
The singer's manager has reassured fans her two young sons, 17-month-old Sean Preston and five-month-old Jayden James, are okay.
"The kids are being well taken care of," Larry Rudolph insisted.
Meanwhile, the mother of Britney's first husband, childhood pal Jason Alexander, admitted she was concerned.
"She is obviously in a lot of pain," Doreen Seal offered, "and needs help immediately."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Britney-Spears.aspx


WAMi winners
The 2007 WAMi Awards were held last night to honour the best music talent in Western Australia.
Arguably the biggest night for the state's industry, the WAMis featured performances by Eskimo Joe, Little Birdy, Dave Hole, The Stems and Double Entendre.
Nominated for six WAMis, the big winner of the night was Karnivool, who took home five gongs – Most Popular Act, Most Popular Live Act, Best Hard Rock Act, Best Guitarist and Best Male Vocalist – for latest LP Themata.
Art rockers Snowman won Most Popular Album, beating the likes of Eskimo Joe and Bob Evans. The four-piece also won Best Rock Act and Most Popular Music Video Award ("You Are a Casino").
Eskimo Joe, meanwhile, scored WAMis for Most Popular Single/EP ("Black Fingernails, Red Wine") and Best Commercial Pop Act.
The ceremony also saw INXS songwriters Tim, Andrew and John Farriss inducted into the WAMi Hall Of Fame.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bob-Evans.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Snowman.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Eskimo-Joe.aspx


Spandau Ballet: no reformation
Eighties English chart-toppers Spandau Ballet have quelled rumours they're looking to reunite for a special tour.
Former singer Tony Hadley was especially adamant it wouldn't happen.
"I'm doing great without the band," he revealed.
"I know you should never say 'never', and bands in the past have said hell would freeze over before they got back together, but in our case I think hell is frozen and we still wouldn't do it."
Spandau Ballet, responsible for hits like "Gold" and "Communication", split acrimoniously in 1989, with three members of the band (including Hadley) attempting to sue guitarist and main songwriter Gary Kemp for royalties.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Spandau-Ballet.aspx


Joss Stone heads to Australia
Soulful British songstress Joss Stone will play a special one-off gig in Sydney this April.
Described by Interview magazine as possessing a voice that "can sting like aged bourbon, or melt like strap molasses", the 19-year-old will make her first trip Down Under to support her third album, Introducing Joss Stone. It's due for release on Friday March 19 via Virgin/EMI Music.
Stone's previous LP, Mind, Body & Soul, earned her multiple Grammy nominations and sold more than 7.5 million copies.
Stone will play at Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Tuesday April 3. Tickets are on sale Monday March 5.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Joss-Stone.aspx


Posh Spice wants a piece of Madonna?
With husband David about to move to Los Angeles to further his football career, Victoria Beckham has reportedly approached Madonna about buying her Beverly Hills compound.
The former Spice Girl has apparently viewed more than 20 houses in the AU$22million to $38million price range. The Beckhams' agent, Barry Peele of Sotheby's International Realty, is refusing to comment on the couple's real estate search.
However, Kurt Rappaport of local real estate firm Westside Estate Agency, told the Los Angeles Times the Beckhams will "be away for three weeks" before returning to continue the search for the perfect pad.
"There will be more homes for them to see when they get back," Rappaport said.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Spice-Girls.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Madonna.aspx