Simon Cowell tops music rich list

Thursday, 05 May 2011 20:27

Simon Cowell appeared in the top ten for the first time this year on the Sunday Times' 10th annual music rich list. The music mogul's estimated worth is around £200 million, with an annual income somewhere around £35 million – but the star, who reportedly just signed a £1 billion deal with Sony BMG, admitted not 48 hours ago that he still plays the National Lottery.

Cowell, in at No. 6 after having moved up 11 places since the publication of last year’s list, is thought to have been a great deal more successful in recent months because of the launch of the US X Factor program.

However, many are skeptical about whether Cowell belongs on such a list in the first place.

Music Week news editor Ben Cardew lamented to the Guardian: “I’m slightly dubious about any of these lists but whatever his actual ‘fortune’ may be, it’s clear Cowell has done well financially over the past few years. For all his success with selling music, I would imagine most of his money comes from TV.”

But Sunday Times Rich List editor Ian Coxon defended Cowell’s place on the list to Bloomberg: “Simon Cowell owns a share of the programs he’s involved in as well as being in front of the camera. He’s busy behind the scenes and also responsible for many of the performers, so he’s taking pots of money in all directions.”

Clive Calder, co-founder of Zomba Records and subsidiary label Jive, sits at the top of the list, having amassed a fortune somewhere in the vicinity of £1.3 billion. Andrew Lloyd Webber followed him in second place, with £680 million.

Others in the top ten include Sir Cameron Mackintosh (£657 million), Sir Paul McCartney (£495 million), Simon Fuller (£375 million), Sir Elton John (£195 million), Sir Mick Jagger (£190 million), Sting (£180 million) and Keith Richards (£175 million).

Radiohead will perform The King of Limbs for BBC

Thursday, 05 May 2011 14:24

Oxford rockers Radiohead are slated to record a performance of latest release The King of Limbs, to be aired on the BBC. The gig can be seen on the network on July 1, and many anticipate that the show will be the first time that the band are to play the album in a live setting.

Radiohead’s BBC performance will be part of the broadcast company’s From the Basement series.

Fans were given hardly any notice before the album was released to wide acclaim back in February. Radiohead are thought to have been wary of the album leaking online and never announced that they were working on a new full length release.

Because there were only eight tracks on the new album, rumors began circulating that the band hoped to eventually release songs that they’d recently record, but that weren’t on the album. Guitarist Ed O’Brien later denied this; he told BBC 6 music that any tracks recorded in recent sessions were unlikely to ever see the light of day.

He said: “There are [other] songs that we have started, that we never finished, but there’s not like seven or eight finished songs waiting in the wings to be released now, or in the autumn. When we start a new record, we tend to start afresh.”

In related news, Stanley Donwood, who has long contributed to the band’s album art, discussed the newspaper theme on The King of Limbs cover.

“The whole idea of this album was to have something that was almost not existing, so we chose clear vinyl and the newspaper format,” Donwood told NME.

He added: “Where they are now is more transitory [compared to the definitive nature of the In Rainbows cover]. When a newspaper comes out, that doesn’t mean the news stops, what you have is just a snapshot of how things were at the moment that newspaper was printed. And similarly, this album shows where Radiohead are at the moment the record was released.”

The Wombats bow out gracefully to reigning chart-topper Adele

Wednesday, 04 May 2011 14:13

The Wombats don't mind being in third place on the album charts if it means they're sitting just below Adele's record-breaking albums. They figure they're in good company - the indie rockers are just glad they’ve come in before Jessie J on the weekly rundown.

Bandmates Murph, Tord and Dan are big fans of Adele, even if she kept their new album This Modern Glitch from reaching the chart summit.

“Adele’s two albums have been amazing,” the band’s 26-year-old frontman, Murph, told the Daily Star. “She deserves everything that’s going for her. She is someone everyone can relate to as she’s not overly stylized, like Jessie J.”

It seems the band aren’t big fans of the “Price Tag” singer, even if they covered that same song for Radio 1 not too long ago.

“We did a TV show with her and got to see how amazing that song is,” Murph admitted.

The chart success the Wombats are currently enjoying may be proof that rock is on the rise in terms of mainstream popularity – and the frontman doesn’t disagree.

He told the news source: “It’s a shame there’s not much guitar music in the charts but we’re happy to help in any way we can. I quite like the Vaccines as well as Morning Parade. Brother are good, too. I’ve missed a ballsy frontman on stage.”

It’s not surprising that the band would mention Brother, who will be touring with the Wombats when they headline gigs at Ibiza and Mallorca Rocks this summer.

“In 2008 we played Ibiza Rocks and enjoyed the villa they gave us for six days,” Murph smiled. “We got horrific sunburn. And we’ll give it a go again this year.”

This week is the 13^th that Adele will spend at the top of the charts with sophomore album 21.

Chase & Status: Dubstep is hot right now because of us

Tuesday, 03 May 2011 13:58

Dubstep's growing popularity in the US is all thanks to Chase & Status - at least, according to the duo themselves. The pair, who worked on Rihanna's Rated R album, say that the album’s status has given way to a new overseas love of the British dance sound.

In an interview with Digital Spy, Chase & Status’ Will Kennard and Saul Milton discussed their American takeover. Kennard told the news source: “I think it helped. Rihanna was one of the first megastars in America to pick up on dubstep. Full credit to her for getting in touch with us. We did a whole load of stuff with her that didn’t get used for her album.”

Britney Spears received massive billing for borrowing from the dubstep sound on single “Hold it Against Me,” but Kennard and Milton aren’t so sure the song qualifies for the dubstep label.

“I’m still baffled why everyone goes on about the Britney Spears thing because about 15 seconds of the song is dubstep, and the rest of it sounds like a trance record to me,” Milton said. “I’ve got no qualms with mainstream people using dubstep. I think it’s a natural progression, really. Americans love dubstep. It’s hot s**t right now. The kids want it.”

The boys are receiving their share of collaboration requests, but as they were so busy with album No More Idols they were forced to frequently turn down such requests.

Kennard revealed: “We turn down people every day because there’s just no time, especially for American artists because they’re very demanding. We wanted to commit to our album and concentrate on our sound.”

That said, the pair cleared their schedule enough to make music with indie rockers White Lies.

“We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to do a dubstep track with the White Lies?’” Milton explained. “That was our first idea for the second album because we are massive White Lies fans.”

‘Honored’ Ellie Goulding Covers the Killers, Stevie Wonder at Royal Reception

Tuesday, 03 May 2011 13:54

Friday's Royal Wedding reception saw Ellie Goulding perform covers of songs by the Killers, Bryan Adams and Stevie Wonder. It was much-anticipated that Goulding would kick start her set with Elton John’s “Your Song” – and the singer didn’t disappoint.

Goulding’s performance at Buckingham Palace included renditions of “Mr. Brightside,” “Superstition,” and the Wannadie’s “You and Me Song,” according to news of the World.

Royal guests, including Prince Charles, Camilla and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, lapped up Goulding’s covers of “Summer of ‘69” and the Jacksons’ “Blame it on the Boogie.” Goulding’s setlist also included some of her own hit singles, “Light” and “Starry Eyed.”

After the pop star’s live performance, a deejay took over, reportedly playing mainstream hits like King of Leon’s “Sex on Fire,” Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” and Dizzee Rascal’s “Bonkers.”

After her historical performance, Goulding told News of the World: “It was an amazing honor to be asked by Kate and William to perform at their party. The atmosphere was incredible and it is a night I will never forget.”

An unnamed source discussed Goulding’s opening song: “It was a clear yet subtle nod to Princess Diana because she loved that song and William knew that. Elton is also very important to William because of his role at Diana’s funeral.

“Ellie’s performance was spectacular and even Prince Charles and Camilla ended up slow dancing on the floor before they bailed out and left it to the young ones.

“Kate wanted to make sure there were songs everyone would get up and dance to. She and Wills are huge fans of Ellie so they were more excited by her original songs and danced to most of them. Kate sung along to every word of her last song, ‘Starry Eyed.’”

Kasabian: New album is going to be ‘epic’

Thursday, 28 April 2011 21:19

Not ones to lack for confidence, Leicestershire rockers Kasabian are already promising that an "epic" new release is on the way. The as-yet untitled album - the follow-up to West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - is set for an October release, though not much else is known about it.

Rumor has it that Dan the Automator produced the album, but nothing has been confirmed by the band or label. A rep from Sony/BMG said: “It’s nearly finished. They’re mixing it. I can’t tell you who’s producing it – it’s secret – and I can’t even give you a clue about what it sounds like because we haven’t heard it.”

Guitarist and songwriter Serge Pizzorno recently described the album as full of “big songs that make you feel like anything’s possible.”

He added of the “epic” new album: “It’s a really positive record. I suppose it’s a combination of all three records but we’ve just taken it a bit further. I’m really excited about it, because after the last record, people really liked it and wanted to know what was next, and I’m happy to say that it’s got better. I’m excited about playing it live – there are tunes on there that are going to take people to a new place.”

Pizzorno went on to discuss his thoughts on the creative process: “I see myself as a sort of vessel; I don’t even think the songs have anything to do with me. I don’t really know how or why it works, but every now and again something happens and I just seem to be able to write a song. You can explain what you like about music and why you got into it but it’s hard to say how you do it yourself.”

Kate Hudson confirms engagement to Muse’s Matt Bellamy

Thursday, 28 April 2011 15:06

Kate Hudson was already expecting Matt Bellamy's baby - now the 32-year-old actress reveals she's engaged to the rocker as well. During an interview on US morning talk program the Today Show, Kate said: “This is new, I’m engaged, it just happened a week ago. I’m so glad you noticed. I haven’t really announced it, the announcing thing feels so silly; I’m just waiting for somebody to notice.”

The Bride Wars star has a thing for rock stars – she was previously married to Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, with whom she had a son, seven-year-old Ryder.

“He’s a beautiful man and I’m excited,” the actress gushed over Bellamy.

Hudson said the proposal was “very sweet, it was very romantic,” but didn’t give up the details. Hudson and Bellamy have not yet set a date, as the actress says they’re “going to sit in for the baby thing for a little bit….”

With her pregnancy showing quite a bit, Hudson told the show’s host that she and future husband Bellamy had yet to find out whether it was a girl or a boy – but that she had been doing “the pendulum test.”

“It goes in a circle if it’s a girl and it usually goes back and forth if it’s a boy. It’s a circle…it’s saying it’s a girl,” the star explained.

Hudson said of her pregnancy: “She’s so nuts in here. It’s got the Hawn gene. It’s got my mum’s [Goldie Hawn’s] lineage for sure. It’s dancing every day.”

The actress had previously denied that she and Bellamy would be getting married after reports that the couple had thrown an engagement party at a London hotel.

“I don’t like putting that sort of pressure on it and I don’t feel it necessary to get married,” she said at the time. “I already have one child and have had one divorce so it is not necessarily the golden ticket. I just want to be happy.”

Punk icon Poly Styrene dies aged 53

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 14:37

She was one of the first female punk icons and with her unorthodox and infectious style, became highly influential from the first day of her career, through to her last.

Real name Marianne Elliot-Said had been suffering from cancer of the spine and breast and on her official Twitter feed a statement confirmed that “beautiful Poly Styrene, who has been a true fighter, won her battle on Monday evening to go to higher places.”

Many other singers and celebrities have paid tribute to the former X-Ray Spex singer, including Jonathan Ross who said his first concert was an X-Ray Spex gig, adding that the singer had “changed lives”.

Her band split after just one album ‘Germ Free Adolescents’, released in 1978. Poly Styrene then released a solo album, ‘Translucence’ in 1980, before retreating from the music industry to join the Hare Krishnas. She then moved into a Krishna temple in Hertfordshire with her daughter and struggled with bipolar disorder.

Boy George, who once tried to break her out of the temple, tweeted “I was a fan of Poly before I got to know her, she was a Krishna follower too, oh bless you Poly, you will be missed! Legend!”

The singer did occasionally return to the limelight and last month, released her third solo album ‘Generation Indigo’.

She said “I know I’ll probably be remembered for ‘Oh Bondage Up Yours!’”, the X-Ray Spex signature tune, which began with Poly Styrene’s famous line of “Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard”, but perhaps wanting a different memory she added, “I’d like to be remembered for something a bit more spiritual.”

Lily Allen just kidding about Royal 'outrage'

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 14:01

Prolific tweeter Lily Allen is denying reports that she is "outraged" about being left off the guest list for the upcoming royal wedding. The singer says she was "being sarcastic" in her tweet about being passed over while fellow celebrities Joss Stone, Rowan Atkinson and David and Victoria Beckham will be in attendance.

Allen sparked tabloid interest when she tweeted: “Well, you can quote me as ‘outraged,’ why does bloody Joss Stone get an invite and not moi? I sang at the Diana concert too!”

With the press already on high Royal Wedding Alert, it wasn’t long before Allen’s outrage was making internet headlines.

Always relatively quick with a response, Allen took to her Twitter account to clear up yet another misunderstanding – and to explain to the non-initiated that she was simply having a joke with her fans.

Allen tweeted: “It was pretty obvious that I was being sarcastic about not being invited to the royal wedding, right?”

She went on to add a bit more sarcasm to the pile, writing: “I’m just worried that Clarence House will now be trying to shuffle things round when they must have so much on their plates.”

The royal wedding is set to take place on Friday, April 29, with the latest buzz surrounding the event less about Lily Allen than it is about floral arrangements. The BBC reports that Emma Sampson, a Berkshire florist who has long supplied the Middleton family with blossom arrangements, will be supplying some of the flowers for the wedding.

“Catherine asked us herself and it was wonderful, I mean, what an honor to be asked to do such a fantastic event and use some amazing flowers hopefully as well,” Sampson told the news source.

The royal floral arrangements will remain in Westminster Abbey for public viewing until May 6.

Jennifer Hudson confuses Cheryl Cole with Sheryl Crow

Tuesday, 26 April 2011 15:23

Cheryl Cole is not a household name for Americans - the Girls Aloud star is now being confused with singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow by those who have never heard of the X Factor judge.

Jennifer Hudson made the blunder during a recent television interview after being asked her opinion on Cheryl.

“Sheryl Crow?” she asked. When she was corrected, the former American Idol contestant admitted: “No, I’m not familiar with her.”

According to The Sun, many of those gathered to audition for the US version of X Factor have been making the same mistake.

Even American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez had no idea who the Geordie was. A few weeks ago, when the singer was asked about whether Cheryl was to be a rival for her seat on American Idol, J-lo responded: “Ah, someone mentioned her to me yesterday. She’s a singer, right? I don’t know much about her, I don’t know her music. I’d be happy to learn about it!”

One pop star who is familiar with Cheryl is Justin Bieber. Earlier this week the 16-year-old singing sensation told The Sun that he was none too thrilled about Cheryl’s current home in LA, and offered to act as her realtor.

He told the news source: “She needs to get out of her rented place and buy a great place in LA. She needs help. I saw the place she was renting in a magazine and she is in the wrong part of LA for sure. I have a place in LA and so many of my buddies have great places.

“I can help show her round the properties in the best and coolest areas. Where I really want to show her is in the Hills. Zac Efron and Mick Jagger live there and we can go and see how great their places are. I am sure that will sell it to Cheryl.”