Michael Jackson has canceled his comeback concert series opening show for July 8th in London, and moved it to the 13th. His other shows in July were moved all the way to March 2010??

And we have just one question…why is he pretending NOT to be ill? From what I have read, although not all totally confirmed, it looks like Jackson is experiencing some major health issues. I have heard lung problems, skin cancer, and a bevy of other ailments.

Hey Jacko, instead of trying to save face (yes, we said it) how about you just call the whole thing off. You can convalesce in the privacy of your own home and stop trying to make it seem like you are well enough to go on tour.

All I have to say about this (easily predicted) cancellation is: karma is a bitch.

Newsday reported from the Associated Press:

Michael Jackson’s representatives announced yesterday that the elusive King of Pop will postpone several of his London comeback shows scheduled for this summer.

The opening night at the 02 Arena had been set for July 8 but will be moved back to July 13, promoters said. In addition, shows scheduled for July 10, July 12 and July 14 will instead be held in March 2010, The Associated Press reports.

The delays are likely to fuel speculation that Jackson is suffering from health ailments that may curtail his comeback bid.

Recent reports in the British press said the 50-year-old singer was diagnosed with skin cancer last month. Doctors reportedly noticed spots on his neck and precancerous cells on his face. A spokesman has denied the rumors, insisting the star is in “perfect health.”

Kenny Ortega, Jackson’s collaborator, said the change is needed to deliver a flawless production.

“We apologize to all disappointed Michael Jackson fans and remain extremely dedicated and focused on creating an exceptional live music experience,” he said. Promoters said anyone who chooses not to attend the rescheduled shows will be entitled to a full refund.

Jackson’s 50 shows are scheduled to kick off in July and stretch into March.

The troubled pop singer has said the series, “This is It,” will be his last in the British capital.

Promoters said the tickets sold out within hours of becoming available.

Now I’m sorry, while there are clearly thousands of fans who are willing to overlook the well-documented molestation cases brought against Jackson for molesting boys, including the expensive payoffs to their parents, but I am not willing to forget that he is a blatant, creepy, unrepentant, and “ALLEGED” PEDOPHILE. 

When he wrote the song BAD, I guess we all should have been paying closer attention.

He was charged with 10 counts back in 2003, which were four counts of committing lewd acts on a child, one count of an attempted lewd act, and four counts of administering an intoxicating agent. Also conspiring to commit child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment and two special allegations.

This case was on the heels of Jackson admitting on national TV that there is nothing more beautiful then having someone sleep in your bed (he was of course referring to his young boy house guests) when he was interviewed by Martin Basheer back in 2003.

I think I heard the gasps of millions of people world wide that night.
Seems to me, he should have left that little gem out, but I am glad he didn’t, as it showed just how delusional, sick and twisted he truly is, and in turn, prompted abused victims to come forward.

BUT! To my utter disgust Jackson was found not guilty. The day Jackson was found not guilty of all 10 counts was the day (besides the OJ case) I gave up hope for the justice system actually being a justice system at all. It’s also proof positive that people are unwilling to apply the same laws and punishment to the rich and famous, regardless of the heinousness of their crimes.

Between the circus-like court case hearings of him showing up in his PJ’s, jumping on top of cars and waving, to his bizarre sightings on impromptu shopping sprees, he has not really done anything to change a lot of people’s minds about just how strange and troubled he is.

Perhaps someone can explain to me why he went into a BOOK STORE in Santa Monica, dressed like an undertaker with a mask and had someone following him around with a black umbrella on the INSIDE of the store? Was he trying NOT to attract attention?  Makes you wonder if that was his true intention. After all, if he just dressed normal and put a hat on, who would recognize him? Or how about going out for a little stroll? Why wear your PJs and a mask? I guess with today’s idiotic “swine flu” pandemic he could actually slip in and out of places totally undetected.

Jackson In Wheelchair Just Last Year 2008

And please, don’t get me started on his poor kids.

All parents are guilty of doing something to embarrass their kids from time to time, including my own dad. We would duck down in the back seat and cringe while my father was blowing kisses to any guy with shoulder length hair back in the 70’s. Thank God he has mellowed, and is more PC now. But can you imagine growing up with Jackson as your Dad? Egad! No wonder they wear masks, who can blame them!

Now I am certainly not going to deny that the man was a great talent. EMPHASIS ON THE WORD WAS. He was responsible for some incredible music and was a phenomenal dancer…WAS.

Sadly, that all changed for me when he started to act out his FREAKY desires, instead of getting some help. Now I know Michael had a hellacious childhood and I believe he is a victim himself, but once someone knows they have a problem then it’s their responsibility to get the help them need. Instead, Michael continued to surround himself with temptation and enablers who looked the other way while he acted out on his sickness, hurting innocent children in the process.

He has been in court enough times to know right from wrong, but Jackson chooses to do whatever Jackson wants to do. I would imagine, he is not accustomed to hearing the word no either. Unfortunately in this world, there are many celebrity “enablers” and they will do anything for a buck, including turning a blind eye to criminal behavior.

While many of Michael’s rabid fans may have been thrilled about the comeback tour, I was not one of them. I don’t care that he is a supposedly $300 million in debt, I mean talk about poor money management. Although, I do feel bad for his kids, for many, many, MANY reasons. Number one being THEY AREN’T HIS KIDS. At least not biologically. Just because you can buy children, doesn’t make you a good parent.

So to you Michael… just STOP. Stop trying to be the almighty Michael Jackson. Your moon walking and your sparkly glove days are over. Get the therapy and mental health care you need and try to let your kids have a normal life, while they are still young.

Hey Peter Pan…… it’s time to go back to Never Never Land.
Oh wait…that belongs to the Sycamore Valley Ranch Company now.

KARMA BABY!

Just Plain Frightening

At sixty years young, rocker Steven Tyler (aka Steven Tallarico) of Aerosmith (whose father Victor who is a classical musician who studied at Julliard), has no intention of sporting his AARP card any time soon.

Tyler will be headlining the upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp founded by David Fishof in Hollywood, Ca.

Roadrunner Records reports:

The five-day session, which runs April 29 through May 3 in Hollywood, California, gives music lovers — regardless of their musical ability — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live like a rock star and jam with their idols. Participants form separate bands, each of which receives intensive coaching from a different rock star in preparation for the two big events that cap off this unforgettable experience. Each band records an original song with renowned engineer/producer Eddie Kramer (LED ZEPPELIN, JIMI HENDRIX) at the historic Capitol Studios. Located near Hollywood and Vine, the famed studios have hosted recording sessions for everyone from FRANK SINATRA and the BEACH BOYS to GREEN DAY and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. Then the bands will rock all night, performing at the world-famous Whiskey-A-Go-Go on the Sunset Strip.

This session’s all-star roster of musicians also includes:
Todd Rundgren (Liv Tyler’s real Dad)
Duff McKagan (GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER)
Steve Lukather (TOTO)
Bruce Kulick (KISS)
Mark Farner (formerly of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD)
Slim Jim Phantom (STRAY CATS)
Mark Hudson (producer/songwriter)
Alan White (YES)
Elliot Easton (THE CARS)
Carmine Appice (VANILLA FUDGE)
Kip Winger (WINGER) (head counselor)

You can sign up online at RockCamp.com or by calling 888.762.2263.

Tyler who has just recovered from pneumonia, will be among 20 other counselors at the camp.

From a Reuters article:

“I’ve not done anything like this before. I’m expecting just a whole lot of fun,”

“I think they’ll find it very interesting when I tell them that it’s not really necessarily about practicing and hitting all your notes,”

“I don’t think it’s about that at all. I think it’s all about finding a passion, a way of singing something in a way that nobody has ever done it before. It’s about a feeling and getting that across to people. That’s what I’ll be trying to tell them.”

In Tyleresque speak, Steven says: “It’s the weird to the beard…It’ll be the most bad-ass rock ‘n’ roll you’ve ever heard in your life.”

They have just added three more “rock” counselors to to the lineup: keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters), original Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine and Vixen bassist Share Ross.

And what does an experience like this cost? One-day camps start at $1,999.00 per person, per camp, which sounds like a steal to me for a chance of a lifetime.

What should one expect at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp?

“As a participant in a Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp™, you’ll be treated like a rock star. You’ll live the rock n’ roll lifestyle day in and day out, learning or perfecting your knowledge of an instrument, practicing and jamming with your band mates and learning the ins and outs of the music business – all in the company of some of music’s brightest stars.”

Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect:

• Small group instruction from celebrity musicians (campers are placed in a band with a rock star counselor for the entire camp duration)
• Play and write your own original song
• Perform live on stage to a sold out audience at a major rock venue
• Counselor-led master class sessions in drums, bass, guitar, songwriting, etc.
• A souvenir DVD of you jamming at the final night’s Battle of the Bands
• 10+ hours of daily jam sessions with your bandmates and rock star counselors
• Daily meals with celebrity musicians and campers
• Rehearsal time at professional rehearsal studios (you’ll play where the stars play!)
• Plenty of opportunities for photos and autographs as guest stars walk through the camp all week (so be sure to bring your camera!)

So grab your axe and clear your pipes, camp starts on April 29 and runs through May 3.

And for you Aerosmith fans, you will be happy to know the band is also raring to go. They last toured in 2007 and have put aside working on their current album to concentrate on heading back out on tour, jam packed with gigs all over the US, and possibly heading out to South America, Europe and Japan.

Aerosmith and ZZ Top have announced the first dates for their summer North American tour. As first tipped by Billboard.com last week, the trek, sponsored by Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, begins June 10 in St. Louis and runs through Sept. 16 in Detroit. Some 33 shows (but not venues) have already been announced, with a few more dates expected to be added. ZZ Top will not play the first two shows, in St. Louis and on June 13 in East Troy, Wisc., and a third act will be announced for the Aug. 28 Chicago date.

Tickets will begin going on sale Friday.

Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry told Billboard.com that he’s psyched about being on the road with ZZ Top.

“To have to follow them is gonna be a mouthful every night,” Perry said, “and I know it’s gonna kick us into overdrive. That sounds like a cliche, but when you play with a band like that…we’ll be out listening a lot ’cause I love them. I always have. And I love Billy (Gibbon)’s playing. So we’ve got our work cut out for us, and the audience gets the benefit.”

Perry said that the groups “have 40 dates kind of on the books right now, and we’ll see how it goes from there.” He held out the possibility of Aerosmith at least continuing into South America and possibly Europe and Japan, but with no firm details.

“That’s how we book most of the tours: we kind of take them leg by leg, continent by continent,” he explains.

Looking back a bit, Aerosmith’s 1986 hit “Walk This Way” with rappers DMC, had a major influence on today’s music and paved the way for many of today’s bands that meld rap with rock.

Aerosmith has received eight American Music Awards, four Grammys, 12 MTV Awards, plus many others and have sold over 150 million albums. They are in the Rock Roll Hall of Fame, and featured in Activision’s Guitar Hero, and the band recently granted licensing rights to GTECH to use their image for their online casino games.

Steve Tyler also branched out of rocking and lent his voice as the Elf Lieutenant in Polar Express in 2004.

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Aerosmith. These guys have certainly had some “rocky” times over the last 30 plus years, to say the least. Perry and Tyler are sadly not strangers to rehab and have been nicknamed “The Toxic Twins”. But Tyler has vowed to stay clean.

The Roxbury rehab center named a wing in Tyler’s honor, of his support for Victory Programs, a Boston-based agency that helps people facing homelessness, addiction, and chronic illnesses.

And in 2006 it was reported that Tyler was diagnosed with hepatitis C:

Steven Tyler says he was diagnosed with hepatitis C three years ago after having the illness for a long time without any symptoms.

“I’ve been pretty quiet about this. I’ve had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic. And I talked to my doctor … and he said now is the time and it’s 11 months of chemotherapy. So I went on that and it about killed me.”

In the same year, Tyler also endured surgery to correct a popped blood vessel in his throat AND went through a divorce, and was back on tour in 2007. WOW! In and out rehab, divorce, surgery, chemo, hepatitis C, and pneumonia. Talk about BALLS of STEEL!. Rock on with your bad self Steven!

I wish Tyler fun at the Fantasy Camp and hope Aerosmith has a bitchin’ tour. They certainly have paid their dues. Don’t know if I will have their energy when I hit sixty. Then again, maybe sixty is the new 25, well, at least for the guys in Aerosmith.

Hmm…that sounds like a best selling title for the story of Steven Victor Tallarico, who once said, “Song writing’s a bitch, and then it has puppies.”

(Posted by Queen)

We haven’t heard from Amy Winehouse in a while, mainly because she’s been soaking up the fun and the sun on St. Lucia.  So let’s see if we can do a quick recap of everyone’s favorite reality soap opera, As The Beehive Turns.

The last time we visited Amy, she was crawling around on all fours begging for drinks and ciggies because the hotel in St. Lucia had been ordered not to serve her any more…in Dawn’s favorite description of her, she would distract a fellow guest and then, when they weren’t looking, grab their drink and sprint away “like a squirrel with a nut.”  I can just see her now:  “”ere now guv, ovah dere, ain’t it Lily Allen?”  “Where?”  *grabs drink and scuttles off*

However, all good things must come to an end, and Amy decided it was time to pack up her sunscreen and head back to Londontown…but oh, the hijinks to be had on the way!  First, during the flight on her way back from her tropical paradise, Amy politely requested that a fellow passenger stop looking at her:

The troubled singer, 25, lashed out at a man she thought was “giving her the eye”.

Back to Black singer Amy cut short her epic holiday in St Lucia after she discovered husband Blake Fielder-Civil, 26, had been freed from jail.

She flew back to London in a bid to save her turbulent marriage — but had to be pulled off a passenger.

A pal said: “Amy went wild. She thought this guy was giving her strange looks and just lost it.

“She was nervous about coming back and seeing Blake so it didn’t take much to push her over the edge.”

Next, she arrived home to find that her address had changed:

Upon her return, Amy moved from Camden, north London to a new home in Barnet, not far from where her mother Janis lives.

Her new gated property is just a few miles from Southgate, where she grew up.

Amy’s parents Mitch and Janis are hoping her new life in the suburbs will keep her away from the crazy party lifestyle she led in Camden, and that no doubt contributed to her ill health.

It seems that her divorce to Blake Formerly-Incarcerated-Deux is still on, despite her apparent change of heart:

The singer is said to want to give their marriage another try, despite the former music video assistant insisting divorce proceedings are still going ahead.

Blake was jailed in November 2007 for assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice and was sentenced to 27 months behind bars last July.

Last November, he was given permission to leave jail early on the condition he went to rehab, but was returned to custody after failing a drug test a few weeks later.

Blake walked free from Edmunds Hill Prison in Suffolk last Thursday and was greeted by his mother and Sophie before going to the family home in Claypole, Lincolnshire.

Speaking about his impending divorce, Blake said: ‘It’s all going ahead – but I don’t really know what will happen.

‘It’s just nice to be on the outside again. Now I am going to get over my drug habit.’

Speaking of Blake, just what has he been up to?

In a huge blow to the singer BLAKE FIELDER-CIVIL is said to be “besotted” with FRANCESCA MORRALEE, 17, who he has been seeing since filing for divorce from the troubled star.

The pair have NOT yet consummated their relationship but have written ’stacks’ of love letters to each other while he was behind bars and declared their feelings in emotional phone calls.

Fran’s family are ‘aware’ of the relationship.

The pal said: “They are willing to give him a chance. As long as he doesn’t hurt Fran they are ok with it.” [...]

Blake’s mum this week denied Blake had cheated on Amy. She said: “Blake’s been a bad lad when it comes to drugs but he hasn’t once cheated on Amy.

“He has a close circle of friends who have helped him through prison. They’ve been there for Blake when his own wife wasn’t.

“But he’s not got another woman – absolutely not. The last thing he wants right now is another relationship.”

[Francesca] has also told pals that she’s “so in love” with the 26-year-old. [...]

A friend said: “They are trying to keep the whole thing under wraps.

“It’s been going on since him and Amy separated. He filed for divorce and only then did he ask her out officially.

“They tell each other that they love each other. They seem so happy together he is absolutely devoted to her even though it is early days.

“He has promised her he wants nothing to do with Amy. She speaks to his mum every day and tries to get through to Blake but he doesn’t want to know.

“Georgette has also reassured her that he has cut all ties with Amy. Blake is in rehab now but when he gets out they want to live together.”

And speaking of court procedures, Amy is being sued for a little spat where she punched a fan:

She is accused of common assault on dancer Sherene Flash, 30.

Amy, 25, is said to have punched Sherene’s face when asked to pose for a photo at an End of Summer Ball in London last September.

A string of previous arrests over allegations of possessing drugs and attacking people had only resulted to Amy being cautioned before.

But the Rehab singer was charged when she attended London’s Charing Cross police station at 11am on Thursday. She failed to show up on at least two previous occasions.

Amy, just returned from the Caribbean, was arrested and questioned before a sergeant read out the charge.

She was released on bail to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates Court on March 17. [...]

One pal said: “Amy is worried. But she is determined to get through it and sees the case as a hangover from her past.”

And that night, lest you think we now are going to see a kinder, gentler Amy, she got drunk and started climbing the walls:

[...] hours after being held and charged, the recovering junkie drunkenly ran wild at a party.

On Thursday night she shocked partygoers with her antics after swigging vodka at the Oxjam charity bash in Selfridges’ London store.

An onlooker said: “She was clearly drunk. She knocked candles off a display unit, then started climbing up a bookshelf.”

Amy is planning a return to live performing:

She will return to the stage in the last of a star-studded series of gigs to celebrate Island Records’ 50th anniversary with a concert at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on May 31. [...]

Amy will be supported at her Island gig by her idols TOOTS & THE MAYTALS — the legendary Sixties Jamaican ska band whose song Monkey Man she covers.

It will be her first time on stage since her less than stellar appearances at festivals last year, including a Glastonbury performance that ended in a brawl.

So what does she want to do now?  Conquer the United Sta…oh wait:

[...] the charges brought against her last week after she allegedly punched a fan mean she can’t get a visa to work in America. [...]

Amy’s US ban comes as she was due in California to play the huge Coachella Festival in April, alongside SIR PAUL McCARTNEY, THE KILLERS, THE CURE and FRANZ FERDINAND.

A source said: “It’s almost certain Amy won’t be playing in America for the foreseeable future. But she now knows she has to concentrate on rebuilding her reputation here.”

So there you have it.  It’s kind of the same old/same old, but with a few new twists.  Amy does seem to look about a zillion times better than she has in recent memory, but it remains to be seen if the effects of her trip to the tropics will wear off sooner rather than later.  Because, like I’ve said before about Amy…wherever you go, there you are.  Your problems are always going to be inside you no matter where you’re at, and it is better to deal with them than to try and cover them up with a nice tan.  Hopefully, this is what she did while she was gone…anyone know if there is an operating rehab center on St. Lucia?

I want to believe the best…but we’ll see.

Well, he did it…Michael Jackson, frail and tottering and acting drugged, made the announcement that he is definitely playing London one last time (I’ll still believe it when I see it):

[The] trembling, gaunt figure in front of the microphone stumbled over his words just long enough to tell everyone he loved them – before saying an emotional goodbye. [...]

‘This really is it,’ he said. ‘When I say this is it, it really means this is it.’

And just in case anyone failed to pick up on the message, he added: ‘This is the final curtain call.’

Quite whether that was worth a five-hour wait in the refrigerator temperatures of the 02 Arena was the subject of much discussion afterwards among those who had so loyally endured the queueing marathon.

What was billed as a press conference turned out to be four minutes that failed to change the world. But, don’t worry. There will doubtless be masses of hyped up non-events like this one throughout what is certain to become the Summer of Jacko. [...]

It has been 12 years since he toured, the last several of which have been shadowed by erratic behaviour, tarnished reputation and concerns over his health.

He might have been punching the air and giving victory signs yesterday but his heavily-caked face failed to mask the uncomfortable impression that here was a middle-aged man who looked and acted as if he was on painkillers.

Now, don’t forget this is in London, so you’re going to have to pony up some dough; after you pay air fare, tickets for Michael’s shows should run around $70-$106 USD (£50 and £75 UKP).

Also this week, Britney Spears kicked off her new Circus tour, with tickets going anywhere from $90-$750 a pop.  So, this beggars the question:  In this recession, when people are losing their homes and being laid off left and right and wondering just how they are going to put dinner on the table, would YOU pay that kind of money for tickets?  I think you already know my answer.

Thinking of these two also brought to mind this snippet, talking about how both Brit and Michael are horrors to work with in the recording studio:

If only Britney Spears could sing in studio the way she’s able to cash in on her All American smile she’d be much more pleasant to work with, according to one of her New York record producers. The shapelessness of her psyche during recording sessions transcends into a living recording hell. The incensed producer said Spears has the blank schizoid fever of white southern trash when it comes to laying down her vox. “She’s the only artist I’ve ever worked with where it takes at least 250 takes to record a vocal,” the producer told IUC. “If you could hear just her voice tracks on solo play you’d have to block your ears. You hear the blank tones of her annoying southern drawl. Simon Cowell would have a heart attack hearing her.”
Another pop icon the producer had stirring memories working with was Michael Jackson. “Michael was impossible to deal with from the second he stepped in my studio,” the Grammy award winning producer said. “He requested mineral water from Norway and refused to wear headphones to record his vocal. That’s the biggest nightmare to work with. Imagine, no headphones and all the background noise filtering through. It’s almost impossible to clean up in post production.”

Searching through videos, I found this little gem of Michael and Britney performing together at Madison Square Garden in 2001  (sadly, shortly before the terrorist attacks).  It shows that even as recently as 2001, Michael could still sorta-kinda bring it (even though this was basically a rehash of a previous Grammy performance) and Britney looked pretty good pre-Kevin, although all Brit does is wander back and forth across the stage and shakes her booty a little while leaving Michael to do the actual work.  It just ticks me off that they goofed with a great MJ song…you know, from back when he was actually trying.  Putting Brit’s voice on there made it toothachingly awful…at least we know Michael can sing when he wants to.

Well, y’all enjoy…I’m outta here!

The rumors swirling around Michael Jackson show no signs of abating.  Fresh on the heels of the news that he is fighting a serious flesh-eating staph infection and could be suffering from a lung disease which could be fatal, is the latest announcement that he is going to play at least ten shows at London’s O2 Arena, but not before he undergoes some rigorous physical assessments first:

Michael Jackson has undergone a series of health checks to prove his fitness to perform a series of London concerts, it has been revealed.

This afternoon at a press conference to which his loyal fans have been invited, Jackson, 50, was announcing about 10 gigs at the O2 with the option of a ‘few more’ if demand is there.

Jackson will receive about £50 million for the series of summer shows.

Doubts about the star’s fitness prompted promoters to seek undertakings on his wellbeing.

A source close to AEG, the American owner of the O2 which is paying Jackson, insisted the pop star had submitted himself to a series of rigorous medical check-ups before the deal was agreed, according to the Evening Standard.

It is understood AEG has obtained insurance against Jackson falling ill and being unable to perform.

The source said: ‘The concerts will be absolutely amazing. It will be the whole shebang. Jackson will sing and also dance. He would have to be in good health or else nobody would insure the concerts  -  and we have got insurance.

‘This will be the biggest musical event of the decade. We have had the comebacks of the Spice Girls and Led Zeppelin but this is on another level.’

However, shocking news…he might have to lipsynch parts of the show (gasp!!!):

The pop star, acquitted in 2005 of child molestation charges, last performed in London in 2006, singing a verse and chorus of We Are The World. It was widely regarded as a disaster. One source fears Jackson may even have to mime parts of the new show.

The source close to the O2 and who is skeptical of the comeback said: ‘This will be all smoke and mirrors, lots of explosions and very little of the rest. I fear he could mime some parts.’

He’s been forced out of hiding because he has astronomical debts and no way of paying them back unless he does something drastic.  He’s already arranged a rummage sale of some of his personal possessions, and the concerts are seen as a last-ditch effort to try and salvage MJ from total financial meltdown.

Even if these performances do come to pass, with MJ being so incredibly sick (he is often seen in a wheelchair, and almost always seen with a surgical mask), what sort of show can he realistically put on?  Let’s put it this way…I’ll believe it when I see it.

Since I have a son who both plays the set and who rots out his brains playing video games, I’m pretty much forced to keep up on all things relating to both.  News in the gamer’s universe is that after a summer of wondering will they or won’t they, Guitar Hero or Rock Band, it turns out that the latter could be moar win than the former:

MTV is set to announce Thursday what it promises is an “unprecedented global music project” with Apple Corp., administrator of the Beatles catalog.

Videogame industryites are widely speculating that at least part of the project will involve getting Beatles songs for MTV’s music videogame “Rock Band.” The Wall Street Journal reported late Wednesday that just such a partnership will be announced.

Both MTV and its primary competitor, “Guitar Hero” publisher Activision, have hotly pursued the rights to include Beatles songs in their games.

Online music providers such as Apple (the one that makes iPods) have also thus far unsuccessfully tried to get rights to the Beatles catalog, and it’s possible MTV’s deal includes some sort of digital distribution component.

It’s not clear exactly which Beatles songs MTV will get access to and how they’ll be integrated into “Rock Band,” though it will most likely be in the form of an expansion like the upcoming “Rock Band: AC/DC Track Pack” and June’s “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.”

Personally, I would rather hear Beatles music played over and over at my local Walmart than AC/DC (can’t stand ‘em), but who am I?  Oh yeah…I’m the pretty lady with the checkbook.  (family in-joke)  But I do hope they use generic rock singers for the songs…I think it would be pretty creepy to see a computerized John Lennon rocking out, but that’s just me.

On a related note, my son gets quite the little crowd around him when he plays Rock Band at the store.  I don’t even have to see him to know he’s the one taking a turn this time…white boy has rhythm.

Love the sinner, hate the sin is the philosophy I apply to Fox News’ Roger Friedman. I hate Fox News and their over-the-top conservative slant, but I love Roger Friedman’s take-no-prisoners attitude towards celeb Scientologists, and his outright hatred toward Rolling Stone Magazine publisher Jann Wenner.

So today’s article was especially awesome, as he does BOTH.

Tom Cruise = FAIL

Apparently, Tom Cruise, second alien in charge at the Church of Scientology is under the faulty impression he’s still a major star, commanding a major paycheck. Unfortunately for Tom, movie studios aren’t under the same impression and Tom’s having trouble making his once typical $20 million per film. In fact, studios don’t want the liability related to negative press surrounding Tom and the creepy cult he shills for. Here’s more from Roger:

It looks like there’s a snag in Tom Cruise’s big career comeback film. According to sources, Cruise is probably not going to be playing the role of Edwin A. Salt, a fictional CIA officer who is outed as a spy.

“Edwin A. Salt,” which is set at Columbia Pictures, has had a rocky road. First Terry George was set to direct. He left and was replaced by Philip Noyce.

But now Cruise is out, and I’m told it’s because of money. Apparently, Tom is unaware of the change in his status in the Hollywood community. Where once he was the top-paid star, Cruise now is in a position where a $20 million salary is not possible. I’m told an internal memo went around among the film’s producers and top creators in which the Cruise situation was discussed and names were gathered for a replacement.

The reasons for Cruise’s departure are not just his diminished popularity, negative public opinion and Scientology.

This can not be good news for Cruise, who seems to be on the receiving end of this kind of misfortune a lot lately. His most recently completed film, Valkyrie, about real-life German hero Claus von Stauffenberg, has been plagued with problems, ranging from outrage from Germany, to footage being destroyed in fires, to general lackluster interest. The film’s release which was scheduled to open this summer, has been pushed back twice and is now set to release in Feb. 2009. Cruise’s efforts to revamp his career have not worked out so well either, and even a special show with Oprah celebrating his 25 year career did little to help.

Roger also points out one other major PR snafu — Tom’s handling of ex-wife Nicole Kidman’s blessed birth and visitation with her two adopted children from their ten-year marriage. Despite reports of Tom sending a “room full of flowers” to Nicole after the birth of her first biological child, Sunday Rose, Cruise is still keeping her children, Isabella and Connor away. More from Friedman’s article:

Meantime, Cruise remains at the center of the mystery concerning his kids Isabella and Connor’s continued absence from their mother, Nicole Kidman. The kids, I’m told, still have not visited Kidman in Tennessee nor met their new half-sister, Sunday Rose. This kind of thing, Cruise doesn’t seem to comprehend, only adds to his career predicament.

What Roger kindly left off, is that Cruise’s Church of Scientology, also has an nasty habit of separating parents from their kids. They call it “disconnection,” I call it the most despicable policy of the Church.

Rolling Stone Mag’s Jann Wenner Continues To Suck Out Loud

I have railed about Jann Wenner before on Glosslip. His choke-hold on the Rock Hall Inductees reeks of cronism, and those who DO vote, have major blinders on to some of the greatest talents in rock’s history. Oversights such as Roxy Music, The Cure, Rush, Graham Parker, Depeche Mode, Iggy Pop/Stooges, New Order/Joy Division, Moody Blues, Go-Go’s, Run DMC, Duran Duran and many, many more deserving artists proves the inductee list is all about WHO Wenner thinks should be in, not who DESERVES to be in. Well, apparently, this blindness extends to all aspects of Wenner’s misguided attempts to direct music history.

What Roger says:

Leave it to Rolling Stone, the magazine we boycott because of Jann Wenner’s tragic mishandling of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame every year.

In November, Rolling Stone is going to publish a list of the all-time best singers. It doesn’t matter if they’re dead or alive, active or retired, in their prime or over the hill. It’s just a free-for-all of names listed on a ballot and sent to Wenner’s friends.

Voters are asked to select “20 top singers, in order of preference. Among the criteria to take into account: originality, stage presence, influence and, most important, vocal ability.”

That last one must be why Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah and Perry Ferrell are on the same ballot as Whitney Houston, Paul Rodgers and James Taylor.

But it’s a list, you say, and these lists are simply marketing tools designed to infuriate readers and stimulate sales. Right you are. But if they’re going to do a list, regardless of their so-called winner, maybe “the Bible” (ho ho) of rock ‘n’ roll should try not to forget significant names.

Roger’s article includes a long list of names excluded from Wenner’s ballot, many of which I don’t agree with, but the point being, Jann clearly thinks that simply because HE created a list of names deserving of honor, that some how this makes the list definitive. It only means Jann think way too much of himself. Maybe he and Tommy should “hook-up” — if you know what I mean

So here we are, a year later, still drinking heavily and we present you with Summer Jams 2008, kind of like NOW! That’s What I Call Music, but sucks far less.

We present the Ting Tings, “Shut Up And Let Me Go”

Kardinal Offishall with Akon, “Dangerous”

Metro Station, “Shake It”

Shwayze (with Cisco Adler, YES, that Cisco

Nelly, featuring Akon (yes, Akon’s a D-Bomb fave)

Rock out and, and turn, so you can burn, Yo!

(please forgive the “generic videos”, record labels are so short-sighted.)

That’s Old Peepaws On The Toilet, coz that’s what their music still sounds like, just with older guys singing it.

In case you’re interested (and in case you still sleep with your New Kids On The Block pillowcase and still argue with your friends over who is hotter, Jordan or Jonathan), here’s their new video for their new song, Summertime.

Just how old does one have to be before one is no longer a New Kid?

The two gorgeous blondes discuss their mutual appreciation of one another, fan worship (Scarlett of Peter Falk and Blondie of Robert DeNiro), Scarlett’s new record, Anywhere I Lay My Head (a Tom Waits cover album) and a Blondie reissue of Parallel Lines, which coincides with tour to promote the album, one of their finest.

As I’ve mentioned before on this here blog, I am a HUGE fan of 80’s music a culture, which was heavily influenced by the greatness of Blondie. I am bummed they won’t be coming to Cleveland, but I encourage you to check the tour schedule for a concert near you.

Here’s one of my favorites – and I will be frightening the neighbors this summer with my own rendition of this classic. I might even break the internets and post it!

As for Scarlett’s debut, I gave it a decent listen and have mixed feelings. On one hand, she clearly has great taste in music. Tom Waits is classic singer/songwriter stuff and considering her very low, and gravely voice, Waits was a clever choice for Scarlett. She has a pleasant tone to her voice and with the right arrangement sounds pretty good, but she could use a vocal coach to help her.

While she isn’t “tone deaf” like I read some commenting at other sites, her range is quite limited and it shows in areas. I give the songs I heard, especially “Falling Down” a solid “B.”

With some practice, and good song choices, Scarlett could have a minor second career. I also like the behinds the scenes aspect of the video. The smiles that fade to sighs at the end say it all. Despite her inordinate beauty, I like Scarlett, she seems to have a fairly good head on her shoulders. She gets that it’s all a facade, even the fleetingness of beauty.