theFiver.net » Newsbit

Tyler not quitting Aerosmith is a good thing … right?

John — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:52:37 +0000

Yes, Steven, you are the rainbow. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Unconscious Morrissey booed

John — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:53:47 +0000

Image from the official Morrissey website

Morrissey has been released from the hospital after collapsing one song into a set in Swindon, England. According to published reports, the former Smiths singer fell to his knees during the opening song, “This Charming Man.”

Rolling Stone reports that “A spokesperson for the Great Western Hospital, where Morrissey was admitted … said in a statement, ‘Morrissey became unwell last night. He was admitted overnight as a precautionary measure. He was seen this morning and was much improved and has now been discharged.’”

The Telegraph reports that Morrissey was said to be unconscious. After his collapse, ”two band members rushed to his side and dragged him offstage. He was immediately followed by his backing band and singers and the stage lights went up, to whistles and boos from the audience.”

The story continued: “Eyewitness Mark Taylor, 40, said: ‘The stage went dark and he was taken off the stage and then his band then all left the stage. There was a wait of about 25 minutes before one of the stage crew came on and said Morrissey had left the building, and that he was seriously ill. Everybody started booing, thinking “here we go again.” He has a bit of a poor track record for cancelling his concerts.’”

A statement on Morrissey’s website reads: “Morrissey is in stable condition after his collapse in Swindon Saturday night. Thanks go out to all his well wishers …”

We wish him a speedy recovery.

YouTube to webcast concert by Cold War-era spy plane/Irish rock band

John — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:20:16 +0000

Internet video megalith YouTube will be broadcasting U2’s concert at California’s Rose Bowl Stadium live on Sunday. Based upon the promotional video, it appears to be a very understated affair.

A-ha to break up (didn’t know they were still together)

John — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:51 +0000

A-ha, best known in the US for the seizure-inducing video (not really) for their hit “Take On Me” has announced that they’re breaking up after 27 years, following a UK comeback. The band reportedly announced that its members will now pursue “other meaningful aspects of life.” Read the story here.

In other news, Leona Lewis is reportedly all right after being punched in the head at a book signing.
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Romantic crooner Martino dead at 82

John — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:45:38 +0000

Al Martino, who hit is big with songs such as “Spanish Eyes,” and was also known for playing Johnny Fontane in “The Godfather,” died Tuesday. Read the story in the New York Times.

This is … a Paul Anka song?

John — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:14 +0000

“This Is It,” the song that is heralding the Michael Jackson film of the same name, was written in 1983 by crooner Paul Anka, the BBC reports. The current version of the song is available for streaming on the Jackson website, and features Jackson’s brothers on backing vocals.

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2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations announced

John — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:01:09 +0000

From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

NEW YORK — The nominations for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum were announced today. The twelve nominees are: ABBA, Darlene Love, Donna Summer, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, KISS, Laura Nyro, LL Cool J, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Chantels, The Hollies, and The Stooges. Ballots will be sent to more than 500 voters, who will select artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 25th Annual Induction Ceremony on March 15, 2010 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

To be eligible for nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an act must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. This year’s nominees had to release their first single no later than 1984.

Five of the twelve nominees will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The inductees will be announced in January 2010 and the induction ceremony will take place on March 15, 2010. All inductees are ultimately represented in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. This fall the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will also host two unique blowout concerts to celebrate its 25 anniversary at Madison Square Garden on October 29th and 30th.

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Lucinda Williams gets married onstage

John — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:00:35 +0000

From CMT:

“Lucinda Williams married her manager, Tom Overby, during her concert at First Avenue, a Minneapolis concert venue, on Friday (Sept. 18). The concert, attended by family, friends and fans, launched her 30th anniversary tour. Williams borrowed the idea from one of her heroes, Hank Williams, who married his second wife during a concert in New Orleans in 1952. …”

Good-bye, Mary

John — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:59:07 +0000

Considering the very conservative bent of my upbringing in the ’80s, it’s weird to consider my parents subjecting me to the progressive harmonies of Peter, Paul & Mary. But, without fail, there they would be, during every WGBH pledge drive each spring or summer (the PBS station’s pledge phone number is forever branded in my memory: 492-1111, 492-1111 …).

The Peter, Paul & Mary Christmas special was played ad nasseum every December, and it didn’t really seem Christmas-y until I heard “Children Go Where I Send Thee” – and while I still remember every one of those ten or so verses, I’ve never heard it preformed anywhere else, by anyone else. Perhaps I just haven’t been looking.

So, there were my parents, strict Reaganites, fuck Big Government, Michael Dukakis is the devil, etc., tuning in to watch Peter, Paul & Mary perform Blowin’ In The Wind and war protest songs about El Salvador on a public television station to which they never contributed.

I’m not saying the incredibly depressing “Puff the Magic Dragon” influenced my vote for Obama (who likely terrifies my father in ways Dems never could have imagined in 1968 or, for that matter, 1988). I just wonder why it was so acceptable. Folk music in my house was generally limited to The Kingston Trio and John Denver and while Peter Paul and Mary may have been part of that circle, they were also of the Bob Dylan and Joan Baez ilk.

It’s likely that this is just part of the typical childhood paradoxes one is oblivious to until adulthood. And I’m grateful for that obliviousness. Because, barring the aforementioned “Puff,” the music of Peter, Paul & Mary always made me happy during a time in my life when I usually was not.

I am also profoundly grateful that there were musicians a divided family could listen to together, without debate, and just enjoy.

Mary Travers died Wednesday. She was 72.

Read statements by Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey here.

War and music

John — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:13 +0000

Dame Vera Lynn, at 92, topped the UK album chart last weekend, becoming the oldest artist ever to snag the top spot, according to this article by the BBC. Lynn is famous for her radio program in which she sent messages to and performed in honor of British troops serving in World War II.

“We’ll Meet Again – The Very Best of Vera Lynn,” released to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the war, knocked the Arctic Monkeys off the top spot and staved off re-releases by the Beatles.

Lynn’s assent to the number 1 spot reaffirms the belief that the UK is serious in its honor of those who served during the war, and that the Arctic Monkeys suck.

Meanwhile, in America, part-time professional wrestler Toby Keith will be honored as the … wait, is this right? Really? Okay. … Toby Keith is receiving a Songwriter-Artist of the Decade Award at the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriter Achievement Awards.

Huh.

Keith, of course, penned the post-9/11 anthem “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue,” in which he declared, “And you’ll be sorry that you messed with The U.S. of A. / ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass – it’s the American way.”