$3,400 to talk to who ?

News this week

On thursday in Tokyo fans paid ¥400,000 or $ 3,400 to talk to and meet with Michael Jackson . Many came dressed as the King of Nonesuch and there was a fan art contest judged by Jackson. Over a 100 orphans and handicapped kids were able to visit with him for free.
Although, Jackson still has a huge fan base in Japan he has kept a low profile around the rest of the world since being acquitted of child molestation charges in June of 2005 and spending most of his time in Bahrain and Ireland.
It is rumored that he is currently working on a solo album with Will I. Am of the Black Eyed Peas. The reformation of the Jackson 5 may happen. Michael will reunite with his brothers and play 250 dates in Las Vegas then tour the United States. The shows and tour are expected to make $500 million.

Britney Spears who hasn't been on the top of the charts for quite sometime may get some help from producer Timbadland who has worked with Justin Timberlake, and Nelly Furtatdo on such hits as "SexyBack" and "Maneater".
Timbadland is quoted as saying " she's got to be serious about a comeback." He has also said that he would like to have Justin Timberlake help with the production of new material. Calls from Timbandland's agent to Spears agent and label were not immediately returned.

The Dixie Chicks weren't nominated for any catagories in the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards.
Apparently, it is because of their stand on George W. Bush. Having stated publicly that they were embarrassed about being from the same state as the president. They received five awards at the Grammy's earlier this month.

According to Van Halen's website guitarist Eddie Van Halen has entered himself into rehab because he doesn't feel himself. He also said that he will be able to give 110% in the future. Van Halen were slated to begin a reunion tour with former lead singer David Lee Roth.


Coldplay are boasting that they have written the song everybody should hear "before we die." The band has decided to return to the studio and craft a different sound than the previous album "X&Y" which has sold more than 2 million copies since being released in 2005. Chris Martin the lead singer said that for a long time people have believed that they are "black and white" but they now feel like they have an incredible job and can try new things.

LL Cool J is in talks with Chapstick to endorse the lip balm. The company believes that he can appeal more to men and increase sales.

The Beastie Boys are finishing a new album which will hopefully be out this summer. It will be their first since the 2004 release "To the 5 Burroughs."

Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey turned some heads in Nashville while filming scenes for the upcoming movie "Tennessee."

The R&B diva is playing an aspiring country signer who flees her controlling husband in New Mexico by moving to Nashville with two brothers.

Last week, she sang at the downtown honky-tonk Second Fiddle. She co-wrote "Right To Dream" with Willie Nelson and performed it with Nelson's harmonica player, Mickey Raphael.

"People were weeping on the crew when she sang it," director Aaron Woodley told The Tennessean. "It's very moving, especially in the context of the film and her character."

Earlier, they shot on location in Dunlap, about 20 miles north of Chattanooga, and at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville. Later they filmed some train scenes on trips between Nashville and Lebanon.

"There I am, sitting on the edge of a boxcar with Mariah Carey, breezing through town," Woodley said. "We slowed down to go over a bridge, and there were people sitting in cars. I think they did a double-take: 'I swear I just saw Mariah Carey on a boxcar.'(AP wire)



In celebrity legal news

Sean Combs now known as just "Diddy" is being sued. A man claims that Combs was talking to his girlfriend outside a Hollywood nightclub last week and as he approached them Combs punched and yelled obscenities at him. Police are investigating but couldn't confirm that the incident actually took place so Combs wasn't charged. Sean Combs lawyer says it is another case of someone trying to take advantage of a celebrity. The lawsuit filed by the man seeks unspecified pain suffering and punitive damages.
A side note to Sean Combs and one of his former associates. This past week wass the 11th anniversary of the death of the Notorius B.I.G. who was born Christopher Wallace.He was artist with Bad Boy Records fronted by Combs. Wallace was gunned down on March 6, 1996 in Los Angeles after attending the Source Awards. His murder remains unsolved to this day. However, he released a greatest hits album this past week which contained no new material.



Bobby Brown who spent three days in a Norfolk county Mass. jail for not paying child support. He was eventually bailed out by a Washington D.C. radio station because he was to be an employee of the station for a week. It was learned this week he will not be appearing on the station after all. The reason wasn't given as to why Brown won't show his gratitude.

John Popper of Blues Traveler was arrested tuesday afternoon for going 111 mph on Interstate 90 near Spokane, Wa. Police found various weapons inside hidden compartments of the vehicle. They also found a stun gun, night vision goggles and a small amount of marijuana in the black Mercedes SUV that had flashing emergency lights, siren and a p.a. system. Popper said that he had these items installed because "in the event of a natural disaster, he didn't want to be left behind." Police impounded the vehicle and the items. Popper and the driver were taken to jail but were released on their own recognizance. Authorities are going to charge them with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia
John Popper had a hit a few years ago with "Runaround" when he was with the band Blues Traveler. Recently, he formed the band The John Popper Project with DJ Logic they released an album in 2006.

Fabian the 50's and 60's teen hearthrob singer had a couple of close calls last weekend. He was in a car crash with his daughter and manager near Palm Springs, Ca on friday. A vehicle sideswiped the vehicle they were riding in it rolled a few times but no one was hurt. Later at the Spotlight Casino while performing with Frankie Avalon he fell of the stage and scraped his chin.


The premiere of "Three days in the Life" a documentary about John Lennon was cancelled by lawyers of Yoko Ono. The footage of the documentary was shot inside Lennon's apartment in 1970 . It details the two months before the Beatles broke up . It was to be screened at Berwich Academy a private school in southern Maine. Apparently, the executive producer of the documentary Ray Thomas didn't receive a release for the copyright of the film and planned to show it for free at the academy. However, Ono's lawyers said that was even forbidden so the screening was cancelled completely

Money Death,Money, Death
Courtney Love who recently sold her share of Nirvana's songs is profiting from the band's song "Breed" which will be featured on the new MLB 2k7. Kurt Cobain continues to make money 13 years after his death.


James Brown who died on December 25th, 2006 has finally been laid to rest. His body was kept at an undisclosed location while his former wife and his family fought over his estate.
Seems that the current widow of the singer was apparently still legally married to someone else when she married Brown. The family cites this as a reason why she shouldn't get a piece of his estate. Brown's body was finally placed in a crypt on saturday.
The crypt is locaton on the Brown familys Beech Island home in South Carolina. The family also plan to build a larger mausoleum similar to "Graceland" in the future.


The "Big Bopper" J.P. Richardson's body was exhumed recently. In 1959 near Mason, Iowa he died with Buddy Holly and Richie Valens in a plane crash. It has been rumored for years that a gun found near Buddy Holly was fired on that flight and may have caused the crash . It was also rumored that RIchardson may have lived for awhile after the crash and died trying to find help.
However, a forensic expert at the University of Tennessee found massive fractures on Richardson's body from head to toe which proved that he died on impact. This also proved that pilot error was responsible for the crash. Richardson's body was reburied in the same cemetery but in a different plot and there is a plan to place a statue at the grave-site.

Brad Delph of the band Boston died suddenly on friday March 9 at age 55 in his Atkinson, NH home. Details of his death are not know but foul play wasn't suspected. He was with the band from 1976-2007 and sang on such hits as "More than a feeling." and "Longtime." The band Boston recently released an album and had taken a break from their recent tour. The band's website was taken down and replaced with Delph's picture and the words "we just lost the nicest guy in rock n roll."




I will try to end this on a happy note by listing the birthdays this week of
March 11-18, 2007

Mar 12
Al Jarreau (1940),
b. Alwyn Jarreau
Jazz Singer
famous for singing the
theme song to the
t.v. show "Moonlighting"

Liza May Minnelli (1946)
Judy Garland's little girl
and famous for her
performance in "Cabaeret"

James Taylor (1948)
Famous for many hits
during the 70's such as
"Fire and Rain"
married to Carly SImon for
a short time.


Stephen Harris (1956)
Known as just "Arry" to
his fans. Bassist, songwriter
of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

Marlon David Jackson (1957)
Member of The Jackson 5

Graham Coxon (1969)
Former guitarist
for the Britpop band
"Blur"

March 13

Jan Howard (1930 )
born Lula Grace Johnson
was one of the trail-blazing
country music female vocalists of the 1960s.



Liz Anderson (1930)
born Elizabeth Jane Haaby
Country music singer songwriter
wrote the Merle Haggard song
"The Fugitive" and "Strangers"
she is also the mother of
Lynn Anderson who had
the hit "I never promised you
a rose garden."


Erma Franklin ( 1938 – 2002)
soul, rhythm and blues, pop singer
recorded the original version of
"Piece of My Heart" later covered
by Janis Joplin

Neil Sedaka (1939)
Singer, songwriter
who had the hits
"Breaking up is hard to do"
"Calendar Girl."


Michael Martin Murphey (1945)
Country music singer
had hits in the 70's such
as "Wildfire"


Adam Charles Clayton (1960)
Bassist for the Irish rock band
U2.

Common (1972)
born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr
Chicago based rapper, songwriter.

David Draiman (1973 )
The lead singer for the
band Disturbed,

Ed Sloan, (1973)
the lead vocalist and guitarist
of the metal group Crossfade

Spanky G (1979)
Born Michael Joseph Guthier
former drummer of the band
The Bloodhound Gang.

Mar 14

Les Brown, Sr. ( 1912 – 2001)
Known for Les Brown
the Band of Renown

Lee Hays ( 1914 - 1981)
American folk-singer and songwriter,
known for singing bass with
the Weavers.

Phil Phillips (1931)
born John Phillip Baptiste
singer and songwriter best known for
his 1959 hit "Sea of Love."

Quincy Jones (1933)
music impresario, conductor
record producer, musical arranger,
film composer and trumpeter

Rick Dees (1950)
Born Rigdon Ogden Dees
radio disc jockey who is
best known for his syndicated radio show
Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and
the novelty song "Disco Duck."

Taylor Hanson (1983 )
one of the singers
in the band Hanson

March 15
Harry James ( 1916 – 1983)
Band leader during the Big Band Era.

Phillip Lesh (1940 )
musician and founding member
of the rock band
Grateful Dead

Mike Love (1941)
singer and songwriter
of The Beach Boys.

Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder (1947)
American musician collaborates with various
musicians from other countries.

Dee Snider (1955)
born David Daniel Snider
Lead singer of "Twisted Sister"

Bret Michaels (1963)
Born Bret Michael Sychak
lead vocalist of
the glam metal band Poison.



Mark McGrath (1968)
the lead singer of rock band Sugar Ray
and currently hosts the television tabloid Extra.

Mark Hoppus (1972)
one of the three founding members of
the pop punk band blink-182

Wil. I Am( 1975)
Born William James Adams
hip-hop musician and founding member of The Black Eyed Peas

Sid Wilson ( 1978 )
DJ for the
group Slipknot.

March 16
Fred Neil ( 1936 – 2001)
American blues and folk singer
songwriter in the 1960s and early 1970s.
He is best remembered for writing the
top 40 hits "Candy Man" by Roy Orbison
"Everybody's Talkin'" by Nilsson

Jerry Jeff Walker (1942)
Born Ronald Clyde Crosby
a country music singer.

Nancy Wilson ( 1954)
singer and guitarist who formed
the band "Heart" with her sister
Ann. She is also married to
Cameron Crowe.

Flavor Flav (1959)
Born William Dayton
Rap artist and television star
founding member of the influential
politically conscious hip hop group Public Enemy



March 17


Billy Corgan (1967)
lead guitarist, and songwriter
for the rock band
Smashing Pumpkins

Melissa Auf der Maur (1972)
Canadian rock musician
and former bass player
of the band "Hole" and
Smashing Pumpkins.

Caroline Corr, MBE ( 1973)
drummer for the folk-rock band
The Corrs

Justin Hawkins ( 1975)
former lead guitarist and
singer of The Darkness.

Mar 18

Wilson Pickett (1941 – 2006)

Irene Cara (1959)
Known for the hit song
"What a feeling' from the movie
"Flashdance."


James McMurtry (1962)
folk music singer-songwriter
and the son of novelist Larry McMurtry.

Vanessa Williams ( 1963)
R&B/Pop/theatrical singer and actress

Jerry Cantrell ( 1966)
guitarist, singer, songwriter
with the band
Alice in Chains

Miki Berenyi (1967)
former lead singer
of the English band
Lush.

Queen Latifah (1970)
Born Dana Owens
One of the first female rappers.
Actor and spokesperson for
Maybelline.







Well that is all the news in music this week Until next week

GET OUT OF MY HEAD !