It’s official. Kara DioGuardi is no longer part of the “American Idol” franchise. Fox finally issued a statement confirming what many have been expecting—that the songwriter will not return as a judge next season.
Paul Oakenfold, Paul van Dyk and Armin van Buuren have teamed up for a musical tribute to Germany’s Love Parade victims. The DJs will release a song together titled “Remember Love” to raise money for the families of those who tragically died during the stampede.
Good news to gamers who want to rock out to “Sensual Seduction.” Snoop Dogg has become the first solo rap artist to be featured in Rock Band. The video game will feature eight tracks from the hip-hop star, including “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and “Ridin’ In My Chevy.” We dig!
Partner site LessThan3 – a group of electronic dance music enthusiasts – lend their insight into all of the bleeps, bloops and trumpet toots that make up Dutch house music. In this “Dirty Dutch” dance music revolution, there seems to be one DJ/producer leading the way, and that man is Afrojack. Also check out LessThan3’s super cool site redesign!
TAB the Band Hits the Road Again with Stone Temple Pilots
After a string of shows in Europe opening for Stone Temple Pilots, TAB the Band—who also have opening dates with Slash—join STP on their fall tour, along with Cage the Elephant and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Frontman Adrian Perry blogs from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, as the tour kicks off!
First the Sex Pistols get their own perfume and now the Rolling Stones have their own branded version of Monopoly. It’s all so, how should we say it, rock and roll?
The alternative rockers ended their 2008 tour, after playing 354 shows in support of their 2008 self-titled debut, at Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles. The Comet was lucky enough to be there to witness the seminal show which featured the Calder Quartet, and paid tribute to their East L.A. origins with a local girls choir, high school marching band and mariachis. The event was filmed for a DVD which premiered last night. Check out the film’s trailer:
Have you ever dreamed about coming to work dressed as Freddie Mercury? Well, today is your lucky day! The Mercury Phoenix Trust, which raises funds to fight HIV AIDS, will celebrate the star’s life with a fundraising event, Freddie for a Day, Sept. 3.
Rocker Phil Varone Suggests an Anti-Movie Revolution in his blog “A Captive Audience.” Don’t you dare go to a movie or use Netflix this Labor Day Weekend! Phil will find you!
Katy Perry, whose “Teenage Dream” record topped the albums chart this week, also lands at No. 1 on the Ultimate chart with second single of the same name. Meanwhile, Taio Cruz moves down to No. 2 with “Dynamite” and Eminem hangs on to No. 3 with “Love the Way You Lie.”
Two organizations, operated by Phish fans, have raised and distributed a combined $1 million for charity—the Mockingbird Foundation, which supports music education for children, and the Mimi Fishman Foundation, benefiting various vision-related, women, children and animal charities.
Papa Roach celebrated the release of new album “Time for Annihilation…On The Record and On The Road” with a visit to the Los Angeles Mission. The Comet caught up with the band as they prepared and served meals to the homeless living on the streets of Skid Row.
Former Bad Boy Records employee Francesca Spero, 51, has reportedly filed a $12 million lawsuit against Diddy for alleged age discrimination. Spero, who spent 12 years at the label, claims the music mogul fired her abruptly while she was recovering from hip surgery and after confiding to a co-worker that she suffered a drug dependency relapse.
Guns N’ Roses showed up well over an hour late at Dublin’s O2 Arena last night (Sept. 1) and the crowd wasn’t having it. The group was greeted with boos and bottles, and after about twenty minutes into their set, the band walked off. Sounds like a GNR concert! And, of course, it’s all captured on video.
Brooks & Dunn, who are up for vocal duo of the year at this year’s CMA awards, will take the stage tonight (Sept. 2) in Nashville for their final concert. After twenty years together, Brooks is taking his American Country Countdown radio show on the road and both vocalists are rumored to be working on solo projects.
Digital music entrepreneur and partner at Venrock David Packman responds to U2 manager Paul McGuinness’ oped that piracy is the main reason the massive decline in music sales.
Steve Jobs did a big reveal today in San Francisco, announcing the snazzy new iPod touch, which Jobs describes as the “iPhone without a contract.” Apple also unveiled a smaller version of the iPod nano, a music social network and a new TV!
Oh no! More legal trouble for T.I. The rapper, who is currently on probation for a gun conviction, and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle were arrested last night in West Hollywood for allegedly possessing a controlled substance.
Hits’ editor-in-chief Lenny Beer may not be the most interesting man in the world, but Hits is a partner to The Comet and he does have an impressive track record when it comes to spotting hits and trends before they happen – even if he does say so himself. Here are his 10 things to ponder, digest and worship over Labor Day weekend, including Arcade Fire’s Grammy potential.
Music exec Jonathan McHugh had a front row seat to the World’s Most Famous Arena hosting the World’s Most Famous Kid for a sold-out musical garden party. With a 3D feature film in the works, Bieber-mania is just beginning.
