May 18

Keith Richards to pen autobiography?
[source: NME.com] Keith Richards could pocket US$5 million when he meets publishers in New York to discuss signing a book deal.
The Rolling Stones guitarist's agent, Ed Victor, said it's "way too early" to talk about anything concrete, although did reveal the memoirs might be "the greatest rock book of all time".
Victor represented Eric Clapton in a deal that secured the singer just under US$5 million for Clapton: The Autobiography, which is due out later this year.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Rolling-Stones-The.aspx


Ozzy Osbourne to be honoured by his native Birmingham
[source: NME.com] Ozzy Osbourne is to be honoured with the first star on the new Hollywood-style Walk Of Fame in his native Birmingham.
The rocker will be inducted on the Walk Of Stars in the city's Broad Street on Friday July 6, the day he plays a homecoming show at the city's National Indoor Arena.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham elect, Randal Brew, said: "I really look forward to welcoming Ozzy back to Birmingham. It is a great honour to be able to offer him the very first star on the Birmingham Walk Of Stars."
Osbourne, who was also inducted onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002, stated: "I have a star in Hollywood but having a star in my home town means so much more to me. A personal thanks goes out to Lord Mayor Randal Brew."
Osbourne's new album, Black Rain, is out on Monday May 21.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ozzy-Osbourne.aspx


Mick Jagger denies "tight" rumours
[source: NME.com] Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger has denied claims he's careful with money.
Ex-wife Jerry Hall – who had two children with the frontman – made the accusations but Jagger has since labelled them "absurd".
"I have always paid all the expenses for the children, as well as the lion's share of the costs relating to her lifestyle," he told The Times.
Meanwhile, BBC News reports Jagger will start rehearsals for The Stones' summer tour shortly
.
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Rolling-Stones-The.aspx


U2 could team with Hillary Clinton
[source: NME.com] Two of U2's tunes are in the running to act as a campaign song for Hillary Clinton's presidential challenge.
"Beautiful Day" and "City Of Blinding Lights" are two of nine songs currently being considered. The list also includes KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" and Jesus Jones' "Right Here, Right Now".
The former first lady has launched a contest on www.hillaryclinton.com asking people to vote.

The complete list:

U2 – "City Of Blinding Lights"
U2 – "Beautiful Day"
KT Tunstall – "Suddenly I See"
Smash Mouth – "I'm A Believer"
The Temptations – "Get Ready"
Dixie Chicks – "Ready To Run"
Shania Twain – "Rock This Country!"
Jesus Jones – "Right Here, Right Now"
The Staple Singers – "I'll Take You There"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/U2.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kt-Tunstall.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jesus-Jones.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Shania-Twain.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Smash-Mouth.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Dixie-Chicks.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Temptations-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Staple-Singers-The.aspx


Go-Betweens stars to release solo compilations
[source: NME.com] The last album Go-Betweens star Grant McLennan put together before his shock death in 2006 will be released next month.
Intermission, a compilation featuring the best solo recordings from McLennan and his Go-Betweens partner, Robert Forster, will be out on Monday June 18.
The two-CD anthology is comprised of tracks the duo recorded as solo artists between the band's initial split in 1989 and their reformation in 2000.
The pair's respective choices for their CDs were finalised in April 2006 and McLennan chose the title. He died a month later, aged 48, of a heart attack.

Intermission tracklisting:

Robert Forster CD:

"Falling Star"
"Baby Stones"
"121"
"I've Been Looking For Somebody"
"I'll Jump"
"Beyond Their Law"
"I Can Do"
"The Circle"
"Cryin' Love"
"The River People"
"Frisco Depot"
"Danger In The Past"
"Falling Star" (original version)

Grant McLennan CD:

"Haven't I Been A Fool"
"Easy Come Easy Go"
"Black Mule"
"The Dark Side Of Town"
"Lighting Fires"
"Surround Me"
"No Peace In The Palace"
"Hot Water
"I'll Call You Wild"
"Horsebreaker Star"
"Mailbu 69"
"One Plus One"
"In Your Bright Ray"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Go-Betweens-The.aspx


Ike Turner spends a night in the slammer
US performer Ike Turner – the former husband of singer Tina Turner – has spent the night in jail, after being arrested in California for an outstanding 1989 narcotics warrant.
The 75-year-old musician was pulled over after police saw his silver Mercedes driving erratically across lanes in the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday May 15.
Officer April Harding said they discovered the outstanding warrant during a routine check and booked him into a downtown hotel.
"He had court yesterday and I guess they deemed it was an old warrant that was never removed from the system," Harding revealed.
Turner was released the following day. The legendary producer is rumoured to be working on a new LP for Ohio duo Black Keys.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ike-And-Tina-Turner.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Black-Keys-The.aspx


Bo Diddley suffers stroke
Blues legend Bo Diddley has been admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke following a concert in western Iowa, his publicist revealed yesterday. The 78-year-old guitarist is now recovering at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, where doctors list his condition as "guarded".
According to Diddley's publicist, the singer suffered damage to the left side of his brain, which impairs speech and speech recognition. Diddley has a history of hypertension and diabetes and was sent to the hospital after he appeared disorientated during his show earlier in the evening.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bo-Diddley.aspx


Mika heads to Oz
Songwriter, performer, producer and orchestrator: UK singer Mika has a long list of talents.
In 2007 he stormed to the top of the charts in countries such as England, Italy, France, Norway, Greece and Australia thanks to hit single "Grace Kelly" and now local promoters Frontier Touring are proud to announce he'll head Down Under for a one-off promotional show in Sydney.
Tickets go on sale Thursday May 24.

Tour date:

Saturday June 2 – The Forum, Sydney

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Mika.aspx


Blue King Brown score YouTube top spot
Melbourne-based roots collective Blue King Brown have landed a coup, with the clip for land rights single "Water" (which they filmed for AU$200 in a Melbourne warehouse) finding its way onto the front page of global video site YouTube.
Landing the spot guarantees BKB exposure to thousands, if not millions, of potential viewers.
"What can you say? This sort of stuff doesn't come around very often. You can't take it for granted. It's a blessing. Exposure like that is huge," bassist/manager Carlo Santone told Sydney Morning Herald.
The last Aussie band to be featured on YouTube's home-page – rockers Sick Puppies – saw their "Free Hugs" clip viewed a staggering 14 million times, with mentions on US TV shows like Letterman and Oprah.
"It is a very special song for us," Santone said of "Water".
"Essentially it's a land rights song… it can relate to so many people around the world. That's what Blue King Brown are about: spreading messages about unity and positive change and respect for the struggles that the people are facing."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Blue-King-Brown.aspx


Britney Spears says thanks for the prayers
In a posting on her website, Britney Spears has issued a heavily religious statement to fans, thanking them for their support.
"The reason for this letter is to let everyone know that their prayers have truly helped me," Spears wrote.
"I am so blessed that you care enough about me to be concerned and will continue to live in this brighter state with all of you by my side during this trying time. We are all the lights of the world and we all need to continually inspire others and look to the higher power. You are all in my prayers. Godspeed. Love, Britney."

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


Elton John's biggest fan: Brandon Flowers
Despite fronting one of America's biggest rock bands, The Killers singer Brandon Flowers says he still gets star-struck by famous faces.
"It's all a bit unreal," Flowers admitted this week.
"I grew up worshipping U2. These days, I hang around in bars with the band and Bono invites me backstage to sing with him. I also get to hang out with Elton John. I'm such a fan that it's hard not to act like a teenage girl in his company."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Killers-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Elton-John.aspx