This Week’s Music News
- Monday, May 14th, 2007 -
Celeb Babies and a Simpson tribute… No, not O.J.
SHERYL CROW adopted a baby boy over the weekend
. . . so another celeb baby to add to the list!
Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis, Heart and ZZ Top were honored Saturday night for their contributions to music. The ceremony, hosted by Bam Margera, was taped at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Nickelback performed to pay tribute to ZZ Top. Billy Bob Thornton introduced the band from Texas who performed a few of their own tunes. Cameron Diaz spoke about Heart’s place in her heart and country singer Gretchen Wilson belted out a Heart tune backed by Alice in Chains with Nancy Wilson joining them on guitar. Ann and Nancy Wilson then took the stage together to play a few Heart songs. Robin Williams entertained the crowd and introduced Genesis, who were tributed by another band from England, Keane. Queens of the Stone Age saluted Ozzy Osbourne by playing one of his tunes. Jada Pinkett Smith described Ozzy’s impact on music and illusionist Criss Angel recreated an infamous moment in Ozzy’s career. The duo introduced Ozzy, who performed to wrap up the show.Meanwhile backstage, each of the bands were escorted from the stage after their performance to a press area back stage where they were presented with a Super Bowl sized ring, to commemorate their Rock Honor.
PINK FLOYD MEMBERS APPEAR AT BARRETT TRIBUTE, BUT NOT TOGETHER.
The surviving members of Pink Floyd appeared at a tribute for the late Roger “Syd” Barrett on Thursday. Billboard.com reports that David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright performed the group’s first hit, “Arnold Layne;” the song is also one of Barrett’s best-known tunes. Roger Waters, who is apparently still feuding with Gilmour, performed a solo version of his own song, “Flickering Flame.” According to the BBC, Waters and Gilmour were not photographed together, and Waters was not onstage for the finale, which also included Gorillaz man Damon Albarn, Chrissie Hynde and more. The concert was held in honor of Barrett, who died last year from complications related to diabetes.
STING AND TRUDIE WRONGLY FIRED CHEF.
Sting and Trudie Styler owe a chef some cash. According to the Associated Press, an employment tribunal in Southern England ruled that the singer and his wife were in the wrong when they fired Jane Martin. The chef had cooked food for the couple and their guests for eight years, and claimed that Styler made her work long hours and got upset when she took time off for illness after she got pregnant. She left the job in 2006 for disputed reasons. The tribunal determined that Martin was unlawfully dismissed and was a victim of sexual discrimination. The judgment also read that while Styler tried to distance herself from the acts, her involvement was clear. The actress released a statement that said, “I am devastated that the tribunal’s judgment makes this unjust and unfair attack on Sting and me… Jane Martin was always treated well and generously as an employee, and we remain stunned at her actions and at the verdict of the tribunal.” Sting and Styler will appeal the ruling. Martin is to receive compensation, the sum of which will be determined at June 8th hearing.
LAST YEAR OF OZZFEST?
This year’s Ozzfest kicks off on July 12th in Seattle, but will it mark the end of the annual tour? In an interview with Guitar World magazine, Ozzy addressed the festival saying, “At my age, I don’t know how many more of these tours I have left in me. This could be the last one. It’s a hell of a lot of responsibility for me. If I get sick or if my voice gets blown out or whatever the f*** happens, and I can’t make a show, the audience gets pretty f***ing mad.” Regardless of his age, Ozzy is still going on. His new album, Black Rain, comes out on May 22nd.
SIMPSONS DISCUSS GREEN DAY!
We reported a while back that Green Day would appear in the upcoming Simpsons movie, but no one from the actual film or Green Day had commented on the cameo till now. At a party in L-A this week, Simpsons creator Matt Groening told MTV News that yes, the threesome appear in the film, in animated form, of course. He spoke about them saying, “They’re really good sports and I think we both honor them and ‘Simpson’-ize them. You can take that however you want. They’re really nice guys.” What else can we expect? Well, Matt revealed that the whole crowd turns on them in the scene, including everyone’s favorite pub owner “Moe.” You can see it all for yourself when The Simpsons Movie comes out on July 27th.
BANDS ROCK IDOL!
If over 30-million people watch American Idol each week, then there’s gotta be some aspiring bands who are fans of the show, right? Well, the people at Idol have broadened their horizons and are launching a new show tentatively titled The Search for the Next Great American Band. You can submit demo tapes to the people at American Idol right now. Bands of all ages and genres are encouraged.
Posted on Monday, May 14th @ 3:23 pm.