Backstreet Boys leave record company

Backstreet Boys have left their longtime label, Sony owned Jive Records.

While there has not been an announcement about their future plans, Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell says it is the 'best thing' that has happened to the group.

So the news is out! The Backstreet Boys are no longer signed to long time record label Jive Records. The amicable split is very exciting for the group. "This is the best thing, at the best time that could have ever happened for us', Brian said at the Backstreet Boys website. 'We are confident in the future of our band, and are looking forward to the new things to come. 2011 is going to be a great year for us!'

Backstreet Boys had been with Jive Records since their debut album in 1996.

Their self-titled album has sold over 14 million copies in the USA alone while the 'Millennium’ album sold more than 13 million in America.

Backstreet Boys released seven studio albums on Jive and sold more than 130 records.



Undercover.com.au

Alice Cooper reunites with Bob Ezrin

AC/DC forced to cut Oslo gig

AC/DC fans in Oslo on Sunday got a cutdown version of the show because of a plane malfunction.

The band was due to leave Berlin but their plane had a mechanical problem forcing AC/DC to look for another chartered plane.

By the time they made the alternative arrangements, they did not get to the stage at Valle Novin in Oslo, Norway until 9:45pm.

Norway has strict laws governing curfew and the band had to get off stage by 11pm. (They were through until 11:15pm).

However, the setlist suffered with 'Shot Down In Flames’, 'War Machine’, 'Black Ice’ and 'For Those About To Rock’ being cut from show.




Engelbert Humperdinck to be American Idol judge?

Alice Cooper reunites with Bob Ezrin

Alice Cooper is working with producer Bob Ezrin again.

Ezrin was the knob-twiddler on Alice Cooper’s biggest albums 'School’s Out’, Billion Dollar Babies’, 'Welcome To My Nightmare’ and the early 'Love It To Death’. Alice calls him 'our George Martin', in reference to George Martin who produced The Beatles albums.

After Alice, Ezrin produced albums for Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Janes Addiction, Deftones, Lou Reed and the classic Pink Floyd album 'The Wall’.

'I am delighted to be back in business with Alice Cooper and Shep Gordon’s Alive Enterprises and our whole company is over the moon about this collaboration,' Ezrin said in a statement. 'This is not a record deal but rather a partnership that involves virtually all aspects of Alice’s ever-expanding universe. And it’s a reunion with the first artist I ever produced and the first great manager I ever worked with. I couldn’t be happier.'

Ezrin will do the Cooper work through his company Bigger Picture Group. 'It feels great to be working with Bob again and the entire Bigger Picture team have been tremendously supportive,' Alice said. 'Lightning has struck more than once in the past with Bob’s involvement so we feel great that we’re onto something really electrifying now that we’re together again. The album we’re crafting is, in some ways, a 'shriekquel’ to what’s gone before and there’s no better guy to oversee things than Bob.'

According to Alice Cooper management 'Bigger Picture will contribute to strategy, staging, special products, theatrical projects as well as the production, promotion and distribution of future Alice Cooper releases. The company will utilize its distribution agreement with Warner Music Group when the new Alice Cooper album, projected for release early next year, and other recorded product launches. A tour themed to tie in with the album, the concept of which is being kept under wraps for the moment, is being planned in support of the release'.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark to release new material

Engelbert Humperdinck to be American Idol judge?

The name of legendary performer Engelbert Humperdinck has been put forward as a possible judge on American Idol.

Idol founder Simon Cowell vacated his seat as judge on American Idol following the final show of the season last week.

Engelbert’s name was put forward for the show by agent Vicki Roberts. 'He incorporates so much more than music in his stage shows, and he is intimately involved with the staging of the show, the arrangement of the musical numbers, the roles of the accompanying instruments in his band, the lighting, the sound, the musicality of the shows, and all facets of what it takes to launch and execute his concerts,' stated Roberts. 'That, along with his legendary status, is why he is the perfect candidate for the position of judge on American Idol.'

Engelbert also lives in Los Angeles, where the show is produced. He is also actively involved in mentoring young talent at this home recording studio.

Last month, Engelbert recorded the song 'Ever 'n Ever’ with Australian girl group Trinity. It will be released later this year.


Undercover.com.au

Jordin Sparks joining Broadway show

Lady Gaga slept in a car park on Saturday

The eccentric 'Telephone’ singer was booked to stay in London’s upmarket Dorchester hotel with her entourage, but after her staff checked in, she amazed onlookers by returning to her tour bus with her bodyguard, where they drove to a nearby Tesco supermarket and spent the night in the vehicle.

A source said: 'It was really bizarre. All Gaga’s luggage – about 20 laminated boxes and suitcases – were dropped off at the Dorchester and her crew at about 3am.

'And 15 minutes later, the driver, one of her entourage and Gaga’s security guy got back on the bus and drove off, hitting the West Cromwell Road Tesco at about 3.30am.

'They went down a ramp to park and Gaga got them to turn off the ignition and bedded down for the night.'

The star – whose real name is Stefani Germanotta – was later treated to breakfast in her bus, before heading off to start work for the day.

The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'Seven hours later at 10.30am , a Mercedes SLK arrived, as well as a silver people carrier bringing a bag of shopping.

'Her guard slipped her out of the bus and into the Mercedes. Both the cars drive off, with Gaga heading to a recording studio.'

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BB King triumphs at Mawazine Festival

Blues legend BB King took to the stage last Thursday at Rabat's 9th Mawazine Festival to the delight of the gathered crowd.

The event, which brings together internationally renowned performers from around the globe as well as a plethora of African and world music artists, is funded by the Morocco's King Mohammed VI.

The 84 year-old reigning 'King of the Blues' commanded the stage with humble swagger which belied his years.

The hour long performance took in 'The Thrill Is Gone', 'When Love Comes To Town' and 'I Need You So' by Ivory Joe Hunter amongst many others.

Below you can hear BB King's humble speak and a selection of the tracks he performed with his long standing backing band.



































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Wyclef Jean urges Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to adopt a child from Haiti

Wyclef Jean has urged Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to adopt a child from Haiti.

The singer has appealed to his friends – who have three adopted children and three biological kids – to take on the care of an impoverished youngster from his earthquake-stricken home nation.

He said: 'Brad and Angie, please! Please adopt a child from Haiti!

"I have so many celebrity friends who have really supported this cause and who continue to support this cause. Our job is to help those little kids, to give them a chance. If we give them a chance they'll have a better tomorrow."

However, Angelina has already admitted that while she and Brad are keen to adopt children from all over the world – their non-biological kids are from Vietnam, Cambodia and Ethiopia – adopting a Haitian child is not something they are currently considering.

She previously said: 'I'm always open to children around the world. We're that kind of family. Brad and I talk about that. But that's not what we're focusing on at this time, by any means.'

In February, the couple travelled to the country – which was hit by a devastating earthquake the previous month – and donated $1 million through their Jolie-Pitt Foundation to Doctors Without Borders.

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