Music News

Van Halen Has Postponed a Huge Chunk of Their Tour Without Explanation

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:29:00 GMT

VAN HALEN won't be touring as much as we thought this summer. The band has reportedly postponed more than 30 dates, beginning with a show that was scheduled for July 7th in Uncasville, Connecticut. They had 31 shows booked between then and September 25th, and all of them have been postponed. There are no make-up dates yet. Apparently, they WILL go through with the 14 shows they have between now and the end of June.

For what it's worth, the tour seems to be selling very well, but a source tells "Rolling Stone" that the Van Halen members, "hate each other. The band is arguing like mad. They are fighting." That's all we know for now.

By the way, DAVID LEE ROTH stopped a concert in Canada earlier this week to chastise a fan for throwing garbage onstage. Diamond Dave said, "Wait a second, wait a second . . . don't throw your garbage up on stage, throw your girlfriend, [A-hole]." (There's video on YouTube.)

Donna Summer's Death: The Celebrities React

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:23:00 GMT

Naturally, a ton of singers and various other celebrities had something to say about DONNA SUMMER'S death. Here are the highlights:

Aretha Franklin: "So shocking to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. In the '70s, she reigned over the disco era and kept the disco jumping. Who will forget 'Last Dance'? A fine performer and a very nice person."

Barbra Streisand: "I was shocked to hear about Donna. She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It's so sad."

Quincy Jones: "Rest in Peace dear Donna Summer. Your voice was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade."

President Obama: "Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. Donna truly was the 'Queen of Disco.' Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon."

Chaka Khan: "Donna and I had a friendship for over 30 years. She's one of the few black women I could speak German with and she is one of the few friends I had in this business." (I love you, Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan! Ich liebe dich! I really hope you find another black woman to speak German with.)

Slash: "R.I.P. Donna Summer. She was the Queen of Disco no doubt. Although I pretty much loathed disco, I always thought she was pretty cool."

Janet Jackson: "We will miss Donna Summer! She changed the world of music with her beautiful voice and incredible talent."

LaToya Jackson: "My condolences to Donna Summer's family and love ones. She will be terribly missed. She was truly the Disco Queen!"

Neil Patrick Harris: "Donna Summer passed away today. Same day as Jim Henson, 22 years ago." In honor of both, he linked to a YouTube video of The Muppets singing Donna's "Hot Stuff". (Here's the link.) (Technically, Jim Henson died the day BEFORE, on May 16th, 1990.)

Mary J. Blige: "R.I.P. Donna Summer! You were truly a game changer!"

Kate Walsh from "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice": "I remember buying Donna Summer's 'I Remember Yesterday' when I was 10, and being obsessed with 'I Feel Love'."

Ryan Seacrest: "I remember sitting in the front seat of my mom's Toyota while she sang Donna Summer's 'She Works Hard for the Money'. Songs were just classic."

Harry Wayne Casey, "KC" of KC and the Sunshine Band: "It's just very sad . . . she was so young and vibrant . . . her voice was smooth and comforting . . . We just saw each other several months ago. She was beautiful as ever and her voice as strong as when I met her and we had some great laughs and a stroll down memory lane."

Piers Morgan: "R.I.P. Donna. [I] dined with her a few months ago, and she sang 'Amazing Grace' to guests with stunning power. Great lady, wonderful talent."

Alyssa Milano: "I used to do interpretative dance in my living room to Donna Summer's music when I was a little girl. Rest in peace."

Jaleel White: "She was one of the best guest stars we ever had on 'Family Matters'. She will be missed." (Donna played Urkel's aunt on two episodes.)

Elton John: "I'm so sad. This woman was the queen of disco and so much more. Her records sound as good today as they ever did. That she has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace, especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted. She's a great friend to me . . . and I will miss her greatly."

And Katharine McPhee has given us the obligatory, "So-and-so is now doing such-and-such in Heaven" tribute. She said, quote, "R.I.P. Donna Summer. Hope you're dancing up there."

Adele loves Spanx!

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:36:00 GMT

Bob FM artist Adele is the first celebrity ever to wear four pairs of Spanx at once, according to the popular undergarment's founder Sara Blakely. "We've heard about wearing double and triple pairs of Spanx, but I'm thrilled to hear that Adele is our first quadruple," she said. "Now that's commitment!" Adele revealed that she wore four pairs of Spanx to the Grammys, but had to take a couple off later so that she could sing. Bob is on a mission to wear five to beat the record!

The Best Beastie Boys Songs of All Time, According to "Rolling Stone" Readers

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:33:00 GMT

To pay tribute to the late ADAM YAUCH, "Rolling Stone" polled their readers to compile a list of The Best Beastie Boys Songs of All Time. They released the results yesterday. Here's the list:

1.) "Sabotage" . . . from "Ill Communication"

2.) "Paul Revere" . . . from "Licensed to Ill"

3.) "So What'cha Want" . . . from "Check Your Head"

4.) "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)" . . . from "Licensed to Ill"

5.) "No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn" . . . from "Licensed to Ill"

6.) "Intergalactic" . . . from "Hello Nasty"

7.) "Brass Monkey" . . . from "Licensed to Ill"

8.) "Sure Shot" . . . from "Ill Communication"

9.) "Shake Your Rump" . . . from "Paul's Boutique"

10.) "Get It Together" . . . from "Ill Communication"

You can read brief write-ups on each song at RollingStone.com.

Aerosmith Is Performing on the "American Idol" Season Finale

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:23:00 GMT

AEROSMITH will debut their new single on the season finale of "American Idol", which airs on May 23rd. And JOE PERRY says it's happening FOR REAL this time.

Last season, there was talk that Aerosmith would perform, but it didn't end up happening. (Joe also appeared on "Idol" back in March to sing "Happy Birthday" to STEVEN TYLER.)

The single should be out in about a month. There's no title for it yet.

Blink-182 Canceled Some Shows Because Travis Barker Had an Emergency Tonsillectomy

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:17:00 GMT

BLINK-182 has canceled some shows because drummer TRAVIS BARKER had to undergo an emergency tonsillectomy.

The shows that were scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Oklahoma have been rescheduled for September. Six other shows will NOT be rescheduled. (For more information, hit up Blink182.com.)

Travis Tweeted, "My throat still feels like I'm swallowing broken [effing] glass. Looking forward to this being over with . . . [it's] been a pain but green tea ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner is the jump off."

He'll be fine. He survived a PLANE CRASH. He can handle a tonsillectomy.

Video of Johnny Depp Performing with Alice Cooper

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:34:00 GMT

JOHNNY DEPP recently played guitar with MARILYN MANSON, and on Monday, he performed with ALICE COOPER. It went down at a premiere party for Johnny's new movie "Dark Shadows", which hits theaters this Friday.

Here's the video. (You can find a 15-minute clip on YouTube.)

Johnny also jammed with Alice during a club gig in London last summer. Here's video. And we should probably note that Alice is also in "Dark Shadows" . . . as himself.

Johnny was on stage for "No More Mr. Nice Guy", "Come Together" and "School's Out". The last two also featured STEVEN TYLER and JOE PERRY of AEROSMITH. (There's no video of that. Hopefully it'll pop up soon, though.)

Beastie Boys Albums Are Selling Like Crazy, and Ad-Rock and Mike D Comment on MCA's Death

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:38:00 GMT

Not surprisingly, BEASTIE BOYS albums are selling like crazy on iTunes, after ADAM YAUCH'S death on Friday. As of late last night, "Licensed to Ill" had rocketed up to #3 on the iTunes album chart, while "Paul's Boutique" sat at #13, "Ill Communication" was #27, "Check Your Head" was #38, "Hot Sauce Committee, Part Two" was #42, and "To the 5 Boroughs" was #174.

Yesterday, the other two Beastie Boys ADAM HOROWITZ, a.k.a. "AD-ROCK", and MICHAEL DIAMOND, a.k.a. "MIKE D", commented on MCA's death.

Ad-Rock said, "As you can imagine, [stuff] is just [effed] up right now. But I wanna say thank you to all our friends and family (which are kinda one in the same) for all the love and support. I'm glad to know that all the love that Yauch has put out into the world is coming right back at him. Thank you."

Mike D said, "I know, we should have Tweeted and Instagrammed every sad, happy and inspired thought, smile or tear by now. But honestly, the last few days have just been a blur of deep emotions for our closest friend, band mate and brother. I miss Adam so much . . . he really served as a great example for myself and so many of what determination, faith, focus, and humility coupled with a sense of humor can accomplish. The world is in need of many more like him. We love you, Adam."

Sheryl Crow's Brain Has "Gone to [Crap]"

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:37:00 GMT

SHERYL CROW forgot the words to "Soak Up the Sun" during her show in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday night. But at least she had an excuse: She's OLD.

She said, "Oh, what's the words? . . . It's live! Nothing on tape here! . . . I'm 50 what can I say! My brain has gone to [crap]!"

(TMZ has video, which you can see here)

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch Dead At 47 After Battling Cancer

Fri, 04 May 2012 19:34:00 GMT

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch has died at the age of 47 after a two and a half year battle with cancer, RadarOnline.com is reporting.

The legendary rapper -- known to his legions of fans as "MCA" -- was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his left salivary gland in July 2009.

He was one of the talents responsible for seminal hits like No Sleep Till Brooklyn, Body Movin', Fight for Your Right and Intergalactic.

Last month he was too sick to appear with his bandmates during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"So this is crazy," he said in a video statement at the time on the band's official web site. "I have some pretty heavy news ... I actually have a form of cancer."

Yauch co-founded the group with friends Michael "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Ad Rock" Horovitz in 1979 as a punk band, before moving into rap in the mid-80s.

Yauch was born an only child in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Frances and Noel Yauch, a painter and architect. His father was Catholic and his mother was Jewish.

Throughout high school, he taught himself to play the bass guitar, and formed the Beastie Boys. They played their first show, then still a hardcore punk band in the vein of Reagan Youth, on his 17th birthday, while still attending Edward R. Murrow High School in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Yauch attended Bard College for two years before dropping out. Two years later, at the age of 22, the Beastie Boys, now performing as a hip-hop trio, released their first album Licensed to Ill on Def Jam Records.

Yauch is survived by a wife and daughter.