May 24

Kanye West names tour
[source: NME.com] Kanye West has hired Madonna's choreographer, Jamie King, to lend a hand on his upcoming Glow In The Dark tour.
"I saw the last Madonna concert and I want to bring the level of entertainment up another level," West told MTV.com.
"At the end of the day, regardless of the 'he said/she said' – regardless of whatever sh*t I talk or whatever sh*t anybody else talks – come to the show and have a good time," West said.
The dates of the tour have yet to be confirmed, but his new album, Graduation, is due out in the US in September.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kanye-West.aspx


Queens Of The Stone Age songs surface
[source: NME.com] Queens Of The Stone Age are giving fans a sneak peak of forthcoming album Era Vulgaris.
Fans are invited to listen to four exclusive tracks from the LP, which is due out on Monday June 11, on a microsite leading off their main website.
All you have to do is crack a simple code to access the tracks. A QOSTA desktop is also available to download. To access the website, visit www.eravulgaris.co.uk now.
Era Vulgaris will be preceded by new single "3's & 7's".

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age.aspx


Iggy Pop's garden wins award
[source: NME.com] The Iggy Pop-inspired garden, created by charity The Children's Society, has won a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Pop described the award as "awesome".
"It's great to know my music reaches out to so many and inspires. I'm honoured The Children Society's garden is inspired by my music and wholeheartedly support the work they do. They rock."
The garden features an arc of water that moves in rhythmic bursts to the beat of "Lust For Life".
The garden will later be dismantled and rebuilt within one of the charity's projects for disadvantaged children.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Iggy-Pop.aspx


Eve pleads not guilty to DUI
[source: NME.com] Eve has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanour DUI charge.
The rapper was arrested and taken to Los Angeles County Jail in April after she crashed her car on Hollywood Boulevard.
The star did not attend the arraignment on Tuesday May 22 but her attorney entered the plea on her behalf.
Eve's court appearance is scheduled for Thursday June 28. She faces a maximum penalty of six months' jail and a £500 (AU$1200) fine.

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


Elton John goes Down Under
Sir Elton John will head back to Australia for an exclusive solo tour at the end of 2007.
A statement by the singer's manager said: "We are pleased to announce that, for the first time ever, Elton will be performing a solo tour in unique locations in Australia, commencing in December 2007."
John was last in Australia in 2006 when he performed songs from the "sequel" to his hit 1975 album Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy.

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


Bob Dylan tour announced
Bob Dylan will return to Australia in August to support acclaimed 32nd album Modern Times.
It'll be the folk legend's first visit to our shores since 2003. With more than 50 years of music under his belt, Dylan is one of the most dynamic (and controversial) performers today. Tickets go on sale Thursday June 7.

Tour dates:

Monday August 13 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Wednesday August 15 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
Friday August 17 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Tuesday August 21 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Thursday August 23 – Burswood Dome, Perth

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bob-Dylan.aspx


Keith Richards says Pirates is like an "acid trip"
Veteran bad-boy and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards told journalists he felt like he was on drugs as he stepped onto the red carpet for the Disneyland premiere of Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End.
"I feel like I'm on a flashback acid trip," Richards quipped. "Disneyland is all about the imagination, and that sort of psychedelia can go in any direction, can't it? It can be quite dark, and it can be quite light and perfect here at the happiest place on Earth with the giant mice."
It's believed Richards' bizarre behaviour inspired Johnny Depp's portrayal of lead character Captain Jack Sparrow. Richards has a cameo role in the latest film.

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


The Valentinos undergo name change
Sydney five-piece The Valentinos have changed their name after it emerged there was another successful act with the same moniker.
They'll now be known as The Lost Valentinos and are hard at work on tracks for a debut LP. A single, "17 Deaths", is due in July. Produced by legendary Berlin-based Ewan Pearson, the song offers a teaser of what's in store. The band will head back into the studio with Pearson next month to finish the album, which should hit stores in late 2007.

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


Scott Stapp's domestic with wife made public
More details have emerged about last weekend's fight involving former Creed frontman Scott Stapp and his wife, Jaclyn Nesheiwat. Stapp was arrested for his part in the altercation.
According to a 911 emergency tape, Nesheiwat (a former Miss New York) begged police to come to her aid.
"He just threw a glass bottle at me," Nesheiwat is heard pleading hysterically. "He just came home, he's wasted…he's been out partying all night."
Nesheiwat also told the US dispatcher her husband had five to ten guns in the house at the time. Stapp was arrested on the weekend and charged with aggravated assault, although the charges have since been reduced to a misdemeanour. The couple have a baby daughter, Milan.

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


Shakira to wed?
Rumours abound that Latino pop star Shakira will marry her fiancé, Antonia De La Rua, at long last this September.
After six years together, the 30-year-old singer and 34-year-old Argentine lawyer are reportedly set to tie the knot at a lavish mansion in the Dominican Republic. Representatives for both parties are keeping their lips sealed.

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