A Reunion and a Rebuttal, and a Possible breakup

A Reunion

The Police kicked off their reunion tour on May 28th at General Motors Place in Vancouver British Columbia before a sold out crowd of 20,000 people. This in response to a band that hasn't publicly played together in over twenty years. The show was opened by Fiction Plane a group led by Sting's son Joe Sumner.
The Police opened their show with "Message in a bottle" many fans in the audience stood up and sang along while some were feeling the nostalgia of the moment others weren't even born when the song was released.
Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland followed up with a six minute rendition of "Synchronicity" a track from their 1982 album by the same name.
The Police have scheduled a tour of 21 gigs in the US that include stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas,Seattle, New Orleans, and New York. Their stops in Canada include Montreal, Edmonton, and Toronto. They will also perform in South America, Europe, and finish up in Australia in early 2008. The Police are hoping to rival the Rolling Stones and U2 tours of late and join other bands that have had reunion tours such as The Eagles, Genesis, and the yet to reform Van Halen.

A Rebuttal

An unexpected critic of the show offered up his opinion of the first show. It was Stewart Copeland The Police's drummer said "the concert was unbelievably lame and the singer jumps like a petulant pansy" and the drummer is making "complete hash, and who knows what the guitarist is doing" said Copeland . The show started off rough for Copeland who tripped while walking on stage unintentionally striking a gong on his drum set. He didn't hear Sumners opening riff to "Message in a Bottle" and Sting didn't hear Copeland's drum intro. "We are half a bar out of sync with each other and Andy is in Idaho" said the drummer. They quickly recovered even though Sting got his footwork wrong as he leapt into the air to signal the end a shamble of the song "Synchronicity II." After the concert no fists flew backstage the three members of the band fell into each others arms laughing hysterically a different result from their heyday when fists flew.
Should the Police stay together for the tour they are scheduled to play and record a performance for MTV's "Unplugged" series. The series debuted in 1989 four years after the break up of the Police and Sting recorded a session as a solo artist in 1991. They will perform acoustically on July 13th at a yet to be named Miami Florida venue.

Music Notes

Prince will perform at the Macy's department store in Minneapolis on July 7th to celebrate the day his new fragrance 3121 debuts. The performance is expected to draw 1,400 fans and includes a ticket to a private show on the eighth floor of the building and one ticket to his performance that evening at the Target Center.
The cost of the package is $250 plus service fees and went on sale on Friday at Macy's in Minneapolis. Further details are posted on the purple one's website.

Johnny Borrell the front man of the english band Razorlight has recorded a solar powered song for the charity Friends of Earth. The track "Funeral Blues" that features the lead singer and a violinist highlights the solutions for climate change. The song was recorded at the Premises in Hoxton, London which is powered by 18 solar panels. The track is available on Britain's Radio 1 station and will be available for free download over the next two weeks.

The new disc by the White Stripes has been leaked by a Chicago radio station DJ Electra at Q101 and Jack White is really angry about it. The station played the disc in its entirety and was obviously instantly bootlegged placed on internet file sharing sites. Jack White called the radio station from Spain and scolded the dj and asked if she was sorry for what she had done. She wrote on her blog that someone had given a copy of the entire disc and they were excited about playing it. The whole experience was an hour long love fest for the White Stripes, and that Jack shouldn't be angry because it is believed to be a terrific disc.


Andrew Lloyd Webber wants to work with Eminem on a possible future collaboration. The composer admits that he doesn't know the rapper too well. But he has often spoken about his appreciation of the rap superstar and has even met with him, he says that Eminem is "very intelligent." Webber has written such hits as Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.


There had been speculation that Gerard Way lead singer of My Chemical Romance had married because a ring appeared on his left hand recently. He said it was only a friendship ring but announced his engagement on June 1 during an interview on MTV 2.

George Michael has donated the piano that John Lennon used to compose "Imagine" to Virginia Tech University. A spokesman for Michael said that "Georges's deepest wish is to imagine a world with peace and without violence." Virginia Tech University is where a gunman killed 33 students in April. In other related George Michael news the singer cancelled a concert in Prague because of an accident involving two of the trucks that carried special sections of the stage. A large part of the stage podium remained trapped under a truck and it wasn't possible to replace it. No further details of the accident were given and it isn't known when the concert will be rescheduled.

Further Rehab

Bo Diddley was released from Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska he returned to his Gainesville, Fl home by private jet. He was transported to Shands Rehab Hospital to begin further speech and occupational therapy. He will spend two weeks at the facility and will continue his therapy as an outpatient. Get well wishes from fans around the world poured in as well as messages from Chuck Berry, Elvis Costello and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

Brittney Spears has posted an open letter on her website to her fans detailing her descent into madness back in February. She said that she had " truly hit rock bottom," and that she wasn't suffering from depression or alcohol but she was running around like a bad kid with ADD. She also stated that she "had a manager from a long time ago come in and try to direct me and my life after I got my divorce," referring to her on-off again manager Larry Rudolph. She went on to further state that she was overwhelmed and in shock from the divorce and admits that she was just "lost." She said that her life is both "crazy and surreal" and she is "truly blessed " thanks to her children and finished the letter saying " I just hope this letter made some of you think a little bit more of me and where I'm coming from."
At one time she was a somewhat bankable pop sta. However, her novelty quickly wore off and her music never really changed with the scene. Her first marriage of 55 hours to Jason A. Alexander and her second marriage to Kevin Federline a backup dancer who she had two children with. Then her descent into alcohol and late night parties and subsequent rehab proved that she is a former pop star looking for attention.

Legal Blotter

Five weeks into the Phil Spector trial the jury continues to hear the physical evidence of the night that Lana Clarkson died. The coroner Dr. Louis Pena testified that the barrel of the gun may have been forced into Lana Clarkson's mouth bruising her tongue before she was fatally shot. He stated that the bruise was "very unique and is consistent with blunt-force trauma." He also testified that there are bruises on Clarkson's right arm and wrist.
Clarkson had been experiencing chronic headaches had been prescribed two drugs that are generally taken for depression. He called her death a homicide and described her as a hopeful person with no history of depression or suicide attempts according to his research. Pena cited evidence that she hadn't been putting her affairs in order as some people do before a suicide. "She died with a purse on her shoulder in a strangers home, which isn't typical of someone taking their own life." Jurors were then shown graphic photos of the crime scene and the damage done to Clarkson's face, and inside of her mouth. One juror looked away and Clarkson's mother and sister were obviously not present for this part of the prosecution. The defense maintains that on Feb 3, 2003 Clarkson took her own life and Spector had nothing to do with it.


Rapper Young Jeezy( Jay Jenkins) was arrested at an Atlanta Ga strip club on Thursday. Jeezy was there with his sister and her friends when an altercation occurred around 3 am. Off duty police officers working security at the club called for backup from the county police and they responded. The officers reported that there wasn't any physical confrontation it was all verbal and confrontational because some of the group didn't want to leave. Jeezy was later booked on a disorderly conduct charge at the DeKalb county jail and released.

A possible breakup?

According to Liv Tyler her father Steven Tyler lead singer of the band Aerosmith is considering leaving. His reason is that the other members don't seem to appreciate him. However, it hasn't been confirmed that Tyler is actually leaving the band. He recently recovered from throat surgery to correct a popped blood vessel. He and his wife clothing designer Teresa Tyler of 18 years divorced in January of 2006 citing personal problems as the reason for the divorce.

My Corner

I'd like to end this entry on a happy and somewhat nostalgic tone. The Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" came out exactly forty years ago on June 1, 1967 Although, I wasn't alive when the original came out it has always been a favorite of mine. The record confused alot of people because of its psychedelic content and was considered high technology because it was stereophonic. It set a pattern for bands of the future to emulate and learn from and influenced not only pop music but all forms. If you have the opportunity I strongly advise you to listen to the original record from the beginning to the end and imagine what it must have sounded like for the first time in 1967.

Until next week

GETOUTOFMYHEAD!

Reformations, Bannings, Courtney Love's garage sale,

Reformations

The Spice Girls are considering reuniting and have been offered $2 million each to play a show this Christmas. Melanie B, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckaham, met to discuss the plan last Wednesday evening. They were at the Cirprani Restaurant to celebrate David Beckham's thirty second birthday who is the husband of Victoria Beckham. The only holdout was Mel C who was against a reunion but is considering it after meeting up with the other girls later in the week.
The strangle hold that they seemed to have on the music scene in 1997 puzzled alot of people maybe it was because the grunge revolution died a few years earlier and britpop was at its peak and fans were looking for something new and fresh.Their influence spawned copycat groups like "All Saints","Girls Aloud", and the current incarnation "The Pussycat Dolls" all follow the same formula of five beautiful girls who sing about love, life, and girl power. I don't see a reason for the "Spice Girls" to reunite other than it will be a financial windfall for them as their solo careers have been less than successful.

A group who shared the charts with the Spice Girls ten years ago was Blur. Their "Blur" contained the hit "Song 2" an homage to the grunge sound of American bands They will reunite in the studio this summer with founding member Graham Coxon and Alex James. It will be the band's first disc since 2003's "Think Tank" a disc where Coxon quit during those sessions to begin a somewhat successful solo career. Although, there were alot of hard feelings when Coxon quit but apparently they are all back on speaking terms. Coxon said " If things don't go well in the studio they're all quite happy to walk away, safe in the knowledge they gave it their best shot." Alex James is quoted as saying " We're all going to head into the studio together this summer, Graham's coming too. We're going to see if we've still got it ."

Crowded House are to reform and release an album their first since 1996's " Farewell to the World." They called it quits after the release of that album and did their final performance on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney Australia on Nov. 26, 1996 where the proceeds went to the Sydney Children's Hospital.
The album will be called "Time on Earth" and be available on July 10th . They are to perform their first set of shows at the The Live Earth Festival in Australia which will feature the reformed band minus longtime drummer Paul Hester who committed suicide due to his struggle with depression in November of 2005. Hester's replacement is Matt Sheroud who has played drums for Beck.

The Police are set to play their first show in twenty five years in Vancouver B.C. They will play a fan only show on May 27th where members of the fan club can use tickets purchased online. They will then play a public show for ticket holders on May 28th. They have reunited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the bands formation and will tour North America and Canada this summer.

Banned From Walter Reed

Joan Baez the folk singer and anti-war activist has been banned from performing for recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. Although she had permission to do so as far back as March.
No reason as to why she wasn't allowed to perform for the soldiers other than "she didn't fit in here" Baez's replied " I have always been an advocate for nonviolence and I have stood as firmly against the Iraq war as I did the Vietnam war 40 years ago, I realize now that I might have contributed to a better welcome home for those soldiers fresh from Vietnam. Maybe that's why I didn't hesitate to accept the invitation to sing for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan."
A spokesman for the Army Steve Sanderson sent an email to Rolling Stone. Com stated " These additional requirements were not in the agreement/contract and would have required modification." John Mellencamp said " They didn't give me a reason why she couldn't come. We asked and they sad, "She can't come here period." Whatever the reason or reasons this author believes that in light of the recent deplorable conditions discovered at Walter Reed they should be looking for an opportunity for positive publicity instead of fostering the negative.

Courtney's Garage Sale

Courtney Love the widow of Kurt Cobain has announced that she will sell several items belonging to the former lead singer who committed suicide on April 5,1994. She plans to have an auction and give the proceeds to charity and has said " I am going to let my daughter have a sweater, a guitar, and the lyrics to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and the rest well just sell." "My daughter doesn't need to inherit a giant bag of flannel shirts" and " I still wear his (Kurt's) pajamas to bed how am I ever going to form another relationship in my lifetime wearing his pajamas." Love sold her share of the rights to the Nirvana catalog in March of 2006 and plans to release an album titled "Nobody's Daughter" a date has yet to be determined for the release.

Prince to play several shows in London

Prince will play 21 shows in London starting in August at the O2 arena. The ticket price will be £31.21($61.21 ) a reference to his last album 3121. Those who buy tickets for the performance will receive a yet untitled studio album from the purple one. Prince said " The last time I was here not alot of people saw me so we are trying to make it affordable." He has a large fanbase in the UK and is doing an extended stay in London similar to the shows he recently did in Las Vegas.

Tori "Lloyd Webber" Amos ?

Tori Amos the piano humping princess is writing a musical and will debut in New York's West End and Broadway. "I think I am writing a musical, I'm gushing but under lock and key" she said. " I'm trying to be Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. I'm trying to be both of them. I'm busy , this is such a big project-a double record 23 songs and teh extras."
She recently released her new album American Doll Posse where she uses different personas on the disc to tell a story so a musical shouldn't be hard for her.

Bad news for Phil Spector

The ongoing trial of Phil Spector who is suspected of killing Lana Clarkson in his Beverly Hills home on February 3, 2003. Spectors and his defense have claimed for the past four years that she killed herself. However, this week four women who knew Spector testified against him further incriminating his fondness for guns and his threat to women. The first Melissa Grosvenor testifed that during their relationship , he walked up, held a gun to my face between my eyes and said "If you try to leave I'm going to kill you." she claims this happened in New York in 1991 when she was a waitress and found him a charming and quick witteed they dated for a year and a half. Grosvenor acknowledged she has been convicted of embezzlement in Georgia and later lied on an employment application when she asked about her criminal history.

Stephanie Jennings testified that she and Spector developed a long distance relationship in 1994. Jennings a music industry photographer testified that he threatened her with a gun and held her hostage.
She described being at a party where Spector became extremely drunk and obnoxious. She returned to her hotel room without him and slept until a knock by a bodyguard who said that Spector wanted her in his room. When she refused he showed up drunk and during an argument he slapped and pushed her causing her to fall on the toilet and she grabbed Spector who fell into the bathtub. He left after the confortation and returned with a gun and placing a chair in front of the door and said "I wasn't going anywhere." Cross examination of Jennings revelead that she had dated Spector off and on until 2004 so she apparently wasn't afraid of him as it would seem.
If Spector's history with guns, violence, and women are true and he is guilty of killing Lana Clarkson the 67 year old former producer is facing 15 years in prison.

The Killers hold off on their third album

The Killers are saying that their third disc will be awhile. In an interview with Billboard guitarist Dave Keuning said that they won't start recording until mid 2008. They have started rehearsing new ideas for the third disc.
The Killers released their first disc "Hot Fuss' in 2004 and followed up wit "Sam's Town" in 2006.

My Chemical Romance and Muse in death threat scandal

My Chemical Romance and the british band Muse are canceling tour dates after members of their crew became violently ill after a gig in Virgina on April 29th. They apparently contracted salmonella from the Green Leaf Cafe in Williamsburg Va. The owner of the resturaunt claims he has been receiving death threats from fans who blame him for the incident. The poisionings are being investigated by Virgina health officials.

Wilco releases new album

The Chicago based band Wilco will release their new disc on May 15, 2007 titled "Sky Blue Sky." I have personally heard some of the tracks and it sounds like they are going back to a more basic sound which is different than their two previous discs 2000's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and 2004's " A Ghost is born." They changed peoples perception of what Jeff Tweedy a former member of Uncle Tupelo who were known for their "alt.country " sound could do with his talent. I'm certain it will be a good one so download or buy it tomorrow.
Thanks


On a personal note; our pet cat named "Lilith" passed away. She was a stray that we found she had lived with me and my brother for seven years and then stayed with my brother when he bought a house in 2002. Lilith was at least ten years old if not older her "pet" name was "Boo Cat " because she looked like the pictures of cats we used to see on bulletin boards in school during Halloween. She was all black and very affectionate and never complained .
So I have to say may you be able to frolic in the sunshine forever and may there always be a plentiful supply of Fancy Feast wherever you are. You were a wonderful friend and won't be forgotten.

Until next week GETOUTOFMYHEAD!