Tom Jones denies heart scare, claims ‘severe dehydration’

Tuesday, 30 August 2011 20:17

After it was reported that Tom Jones was experiencing heart trouble, the Welsh singer issued a statement blaming his hospital visit on "severe dehydration".

71-year-old Jones had been slated to appear at a gig in Monte Carlo on August 27, but doctors banned him from performing as part of the Sporting Summer Festival.

Rumors surrounding Jones’ health were ignited via Twitter after an event spokesperson announced the singer had been taken to hospital. 

It was reported that Jones was in stable condition at Princess Grace Hospital. Hospital staff were unable to confirm whether or not he had been admitted.

The statement read: “This was extremely disappointing for Tom, the band and all connected with the tour. This was the last date of a very successful three-month tour, where many of the shows were in locations that were in the throes of high summer heat. There are NO heart problems, as has been reported in the press.”

It goes on to apologize to fans, adding that Jones is disappointed as well. “He thanks everyone for their understanding and support, and hopes to see the fans in Monte Carlo again soon.”

The singer recently lost weight, telling BBC Radio 2’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show that he had been seeing a dietician, had cut out alcohol consumption and was eating only healthy food.

During the June show he also discussed his upcoming summer concert schedule, noting the busy months ahead of him.

The veteran performer was singing from a very young age, when he enjoyed the spotlight at weddings and other family get-togethers. He worked the night shift at a paper mill after leaving school at the age of 16, when he began singing for band Tommy Scott and the Senators. It wasn’t until he was discovered by Gordon Mills in London that he finally experienced massive success with second single “It’s Not Unusual.”

Beyonce Actually Pregnant

Tuesday, 30 August 2011 20:14

After the tabloid media mistook Beyonce for pregnant several times over the last few years, it has finally actually happened. The "Best Thing I Never Had" singer showed the world her baby bump at this year's MTV Video music Awards, where she rubbed her bulging belly and informed photographers she had one on the way. A spokesperson confirmed the news after the event.

At the end of her VMA performance – a rendition of “Love on Top” – Beyonce stripped off her sequined D&G jacket to reveal her baby bump for the second time that night. Kanye West was seen on the sidelines, giving dad-to-be Jay-Z his back-thumping congratulations.

An inside source told American tabloid Us Weekly: “She’s close to three months along. She wasn’t going to announce it but she is so excited she couldn’t hold it in.”

Apparently husband Jay-Z is as thrilled as he appears. The source added: “Jay is ecstatic and over the moon. He really wanted this so badly.”

The couple are reportedly unaware of the baby’s gender, and want to keep the details concerning their first child on the down low. 

“They barely told anyone…. They kept it really secret until they were sure, and now she simply couldn’t wait to tell the world!”

Jay-Z is still headed on tour to promote Kanye West collaboration Watch the Throne, but filming of Beyonce’s upcoming flick A Star is Born has been put on hold.

The source told Us: “They will have to make adjustments, but this is worth it!”

Also making post-VMA headlines is Britney Spears, who told the music network that her next single would be “Criminal.”

She said: “Actually the song, when I first heard it, it’s really different and it’s not anything I’ve heard like this before. So I really wanted to deliver this song. I was thinking of a really cool concept for the video just to make it interesting.”

The pop star wouldn’t give up the goods, though, adding: “You’ll have to see.”

Michael Jackson manager Frank Dileo dies at 63

Friday, 26 August 2011 13:43

Frank Dileo, who managed Michael Jackson at the height of his career in the eighties and more recently through preparations for the "This Is It" tour, died at the age of 63 following surgery-related complications.

Co-executor of the Jackson estate John Branca said: “He was not only one of the great veterans of the music business, he was a beloved friend to me and all who were lucky enough to have had him in their lives. He was one of a kind. He was a character. He was an original.”

Business associates and wife Linda released a statement expressing their grief, writing that they were “deeply saddened by the loss of the legendary, iconic and highly respected music industry figure.”

Throughout his career Dileo’s high profile client roster also included Prince, Sheryl Crow and Bon Jovi guitarist Richard Sambora.

Dileo and Jackson parted ways before the eighties came to an end, but reunited before Jackson’s 2009 death. The pair became close while Dileo was acting as a CBS Records executive and Jackson was working on Thriller.

Jackson would later credit his manager for being “responsible for turning my dream into a reality.”

It had been Dileo’s idea to release the Jackson song “Beat It” as a single even while “Billie Jean” was still resting at the top of the US singles charts. As a result, both songs achieved massive success simultaneously – an unusual feat for an artist at the time.

In addition to his work in the music industry, Dileo appeared onscreen in Wayne’s World and Goodfellas and acted as executive producer for the film Moonwalker.

The cause of Dileo’s death has not officially been made public, but according to Rolling Stone he had been experiencing complications following heart surgery.

Lady Gaga and Katy Perry too ‘vulgar’ for China

Thursday, 25 August 2011 13:44

Two years ago the ministry in China vowed to keep "poor taste and vulgar content" - musically speaking - away from the nation's youth. Now the country is moving to ban a list of songs deemed indecent, including tracks by Lady Gaga, Backstreet Boys and Katy Perry.

Sites must remove music added to the blacklist of more than 100 tracks before September 15 or face prosecution – unless site administrators resubmit the songs for approval from the ministry of culture.

Songs included in the ban include the 1999 Backstreet Boys single “I Want It that Way,” and Perry’s “Last Friday Night.” Beyonce’s recent hit “Run the World (Girls)” was banished for its use of the line, “We run this mutha.”

Six Lady Gaga tracks are to be stricken from sites: “The Edge of Glory,” “Judas,” “Americano,” “Marry the Night,” “Bloody Mary” and “Hair.”

Banned tracks will no longer be available for streaming or downloading.  

This news comes in the form of a noticed posted on the culture ministry’s website, in a nation where any internet content branded unsuitable is usually blocked or removed.

China’s 2009 initiative claiming to target illegal downloads established that all hosted tracks must be officially sanctioned. It is not known whether the new blacklist is aimed at illegal sites or those selling songs legally.

Many of the songs on the blacklist are from artists in Hong Kong or Taiwan.

The country previously banned sales of Guns N’ Roses album Chinese Democracy (for obvious reasons), and forbade Oasis performing in China because of the band’s connections to the Free Tibet movement.

Amy Winehouse toxicology report turns up no illegal substances

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 14:11

According to family members, toxicology reports have shown "no illegal substances" present in the body of Amy Winehouse at the time of her death. The family says that the reports did find that alcohol was present, but that it was not clear as to whether the substance contributed to the singer's death.

In Tuesday’s statement, the family announced: “Toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy’s system at the time of her death. Results indicate that alcohol was present, but it cannot be determined as yet if it played a role in her death.

“The family would like to thank the police and coroner for their continuing thorough investigations and for keeping them informed throughout the process. They await the outcome of the inquest in October.”

It was never any secret that the “Back to Black” singer had problems with drugs and drink. In the weeks leading up to her death she was forced to cancel a comeback tour, after having appeared onstage in Belgrade too inebriated to sing her own songs.

Amy’s father Mitch Winehouse said at her funeral that she’d “completed three weeks of abstinence” and that he believed she had conquered her problems with drugs.

Mitch had planned to create a foundation in Amy’s name that would help others whose substance dependencies had spiraled from their control, but was forced to return donations when he was unable to register a website domain name.

He tweeted: “We all have to bombard the tabloids’ websites to put pressure on this dickhead who stole our foundation name. This person was offering to sell [the] name on [a] website.”

According to the Mirror, Mitch told a friend that the nightmare ordeal would not be over until the family understood what had happened. “We just need to know what killed our little girl. But we’re a step further to the truth now, which is a small comfort.”

Friendly Fires trumpet player suffers fatal heart attack

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 14:04

Friendly Fires have announced that Richard Turner, the trumpet player who contributed to the band's live shows, died after going into cardiac arrest on Thursday 11 August.

The 27-year-old had been swimming at Brockwell Lido’s open air pool in Herne Hill, South London, when he suffered a heart attack. He died after arriving at King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill, Camberwell, despite the best efforts of lifeguards and paramedics.

A statement on the band’s site read: “On Friday we learnt of the sudden passing of Richard Turner. Rich played trumpet in our live gigs on and off for three years. He was an utterly exceptional musician and his contributions to our shows will be hugely missed. He was also an accomplished and admired composer.”

Friendly Fires added: “On tour he was much envied for his ability to fall asleep at will however uncomfortable the bus, plane, car or train. RIP to an unbelievable musician and friend.”

The rockers wrapped up the post with by adding a composition from Turner’s band, Round Trip.

Turner’s close friend Eddy Hackett told the Evening Standard: “Richard is a very strong swimmer and the lifeguards could see something was wrong. They immediately pulled him out of the water and did their best to save his life. Three ambulances arrived within four minutes and they did everything they could.”

Tulisa Contostavlos: No one should ‘live a lie’

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 13:58

N-Dubz star and new X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos has issued an apology for any criminal inclinations she had as a teen.

Role models should always be candid when it comes to closet skeletons, she said, adding that she is not proud of her past behavior. In an interview with Fabulous magazine, Tulisa encouraged celebrities to openly discuss their crimes - including those involving drug use.

She said: “How many politicians out there have simply smoked weed. We bring children up to be honest and forgive people for their mistakes, but when someone says this is what I did they get blasted for it.”

The star finds it difficult to understand why so many of us must hide our pasts when it goes against what society teaches us to believe.

“To the people who I did wrong to I would say sorry for what I did,” she told the magazine, “but now there is nothing else for me to be ashamed of as I have told it all.”

After replacing Cheryl Cole on the X Factor judging panel, the singer anticipated some comparison to the Girls Aloud star. Her expectations were met on day one, when Tulisa was criticized by wannabe George Gerasimou.

Tulisa told ITV 1: “I think it was inevitable, I actually expected to get slack off someone. I know there was a lot of controversy around the fact that I was taking the role as a judge. And you know, I just kind of expected it at some point, someone’s going to challenge me. So it wasn’t so bad when it came along… I have as good as got I like to think.”

Sitting on the judging panel beside Tulisa are Kelly Rowland, Gary Barlow and veteran Louis Walsh, Tulisa has already been praised by many for her performance. Before the show aired many feared the new judges wouldn’t live up to expectations, but it seems the foursome have won viewers’ loyalties after only one episode.

Mitch Winehouse calls for rehab funding, sets up Amy Winehouse Foundation

Tuesday, 02 August 2011 15:23

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch met with Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, and Crime Minister James Brokenshire to plead for more funding for rehabilitation treatment centers. 

After his meeting, Mitch told the media that he intended to do something to help those in need to obtain private treatment. “I want to involve myself in things that would have been important to Amy. That is why we are going to be setting up the Amy Winehouse Foundation. This isn’t only important to me, this is important to our whole country.

“There’s hundreds of thousands of young people in situations today that could be avoided, and these are our future policemen, doctors and lawyers and solicitors, that we could help. We need to be able to help our children.”

Vaz spoke in support of Mitch’s goals: “When he gave evidence to our inquiry into drugs two years ago, he was very clear that drug treatment in the UK was hard to access and long waits were common, and we have already expressed our concerns at reports that residential rehabilitation is not readily available.

“This new initiative enables us to revisit this issue, and I am certainly keen to hear from all those who have had difficulty in obtaining treatment. As we said in our report, prevention is better than cure. Any initiative for rehabilitation must go hand in hand with sending out the message of prevention.”

Sarah Graham, a former cocaine addict turned substance abuse specialist, also attended the meeting. She is interested in helping those young people who may not be able to access the care needed for recovery. “As a rich country, we should be able to afford a rehabilitation center for young people, and we don’t think charities should pay for it totally.”

Amy’s family are still awaiting the results of a toxicology exam to determine the exact nature of her death. The “Back to Black” singer was found dead in her Camden flat Saturday, July 23.

Beyonce used hiatus to protect her mental health

Monday, 01 August 2011 16:19

Much attention has been given to singer Beyonce's year-long break from the biz. In a recent interview with The Sun, the singer explained that the break wasn't just about spending some time at the beach with husband Jay-Z - it was in part to protect her sanity.

She explained: “I couldn’t even tell which day or which city I was at. I would sit there at ceremonies and they would give me an award and I was just thinking about the next performance. I never really thought about how fortunate I was – it was onto the next project and the next day.”

The 29-year-old singer desperately needed a break – even if she didn’t know it. It was her mum, Tina, who stepped in and insisted Beyonce get some time to herself.

“My mother was very persistent and she kept saying that I had to take care of my mental health,” Beyonce told the news source.

Once she had stepped away from the limelight, the “Best Thing I Never Had” singer found herself enjoying “museums, ballets, the Great Wall of China, the Louvre,” before she eventually returned to work to record hit album 4.

“I got the chance to see the Jay-Z shoes in the audience which I had never been able to do,” she revealed, “so I was really inspired. I’ve always been a Jay-Z groupie.”

During Beyonce’s year-long hiatus, the rumors that she was pregnant wouldn’t seem to ever go away. They never turned out to hold any weight, of course, and the couple seem to have no plans to start a brood anytime soon.

Of babies, Beyonce told MTV UK: “That’s something that God has to decide. When it happens, it happens. I’m just so happy to be in this place in my life.”

Liam compares Noel’s new track to Dido

Thursday, 28 July 2011 14:49

On Tuesday, Liam Gallagher tweeted a mysterious three-word phrase which many took to be a stab at estranged brother Noel's artistic credibility.

"One Word. Dido", he wrote. Many believe the phrase was meant to describe Noel's debut solo effort, “The Death of You and Me.”

Earlier in the month, on the day Noel announced plans for a solo album, Liam posted another cryptic message most took to be meant for his brother: “S***BAG.”

The brothers’ spat rages on – recent weeks have seen both former Oasis members venting their emotions to different media outlets.

Noel informed Mojo that his brother had been leaving him disturbing voicemails following comments he made about Liam’s clothing label, Pretty Green.

“I would be getting up in the morning and our answering machine would have strange messages from him in the middle of the night,” Noel told the music mag. “It started off as offensive, then weird, and finally creepy.”

Noel claims that when he asked Liam what the messages were all about, his brother claimed ignorance, saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 “When we changed our number he started leaving messages on my girlfriend’s phone,” Noel continued. “She’d get up in the morning and there would be things like, ‘Tell your fucking boyfriend….’ This was insane.”

If Liam doesn’t want to work with Noel, there is at least one pop star who does – Robbie Williams. The singer, currently on tour with man band Take That, posted a link to Noel’s solo video debut on his blog. He wrote: “I know it’s pretty redundant, but I’d love to write with him.”

Noel’s first solo single is to be part of his LP, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, due out in October.