That’s just music

American legend Aerosmith had announced the end of this year’s summer tour, said Associated Press. Practically, for some reason the band is quite unlucky during this year; things were not going well at all. The reason for this sad cancellation turned to be Steve Tyler’s trauma that had taken place on August 5 during the band’s concert in North Dakota. While they’ve been performing “Love in an Elevator” a singer was not able to stand on his feet and fell from the stage. Other sources say that a song was already finished and he tried to amuse the public, but again could not maintain a control over his body. Surely things like this happen all the time and there is no practical way to be totally safe on stage, even if dozens of technicians are taking care over it. Tyler had slightly damaged his head and a shoulder, and was quickly hospitalised with the help of a helicopter. Eventually, it became known that Tyler broke his shoulder, and ended up with a minor injury to his head, so this guy should be allright. Soon after the incident the band had cancelled it’s five Canadian concerts, but on August 14 they had to reject all of the following fifteen concerts as well.

Famous brit-pop group The Verve, which had reunited two years ago could not stay together and fell apart again, said The Guardian. Back in April the band’s guitarist Nick McCabe wrote in his MySpace blog that they’re “on vacation”, so there was not clear information. However, right now it turned out that McCabe and bassist Simon Johns are not communicating with vocalist Richard Ashcroft at all because they believe that the band is already in rubbles. Musicians think that Ashcroft needed this reunion only to boost his solo career. Well, it’s quite interesting because sometimes musicians need their previous projects, which are way more famous in order to move on with personal stuff. The Verve’s current disintegration is not the first one. In 1995 the band had already fallen apart right after the release of their second album “A Northern Soul”. Soon musicians have reunited and recorded the band’s most popular album “Urban Hymns” in 1997, so things were not so bad at that time. In 1999 due to some internal struggles they’ve separated in order to reunite again in 2007 to record “Forth”, which came out in 2008 and by many was considered to be the best album of the year. In one of the recent interviews Ashcroft had admitted that he is planning to re-start his solo career, but did not mention what’s going to happen with The Verve.

Frontman of the American legendary band The Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan had announced his personal wish to organise a number of concerts together with his new group Spirits In The Sky, said ContactMusic. Six concerts will take place in Los Angeles by the end of this month (August 26–31). Corgan is trying to move on with his new solo projects and various ideas about music, and it’s good, especially when it comes down to creative process with the former bandmates. Pumpkins’ frontman had experienced some problems with them all along 2009, so it’s great if things finally got fixed within the frames of his new project. Spirits In The Sky was created as the tribute band, particularly dedicated to the memory of The Seeds vocalist Sky Saxon who had died on June 25 this year. Back in a day Corgan used to make records together with Saxon, and the last one had participated in The Smashing Pumpkins video “Superchrist”. At the end of July Spirits In The Sky had already performed in Los Angeles, totally dedicating it to Saxon. Besides Corgan the new band includes a new Smashing Pumpkins drummer Mike Byrne, Electric Prunes bassist Mark Tulin, Strawberry Alarm Clock keyboardist Mark Weitz. Pretty cool project, hence it incorporates so many cool names.

Sir Elton John took some part in the recording process of the new Alice in Chains album. Associated Press said that British musician had performed on piano in one of the main songs called “Black Gives Way to Blue”, thus proving that pop music can be in alliance with metal/rock. This song is dedicated to Alice in Chains original vocalist Lane Staley who had died in 2002 from the overdose. If following Jerry Cantrell’s words (guitarist), while they’ve composed “Black Gives Way to Blue” the band had realised that Elton John is going to be the best candidate for the role of a pianist, but could not believe in the fact that he is going to agree to participate. According to all surprises John had agreed right after hearing the first demo version of this cool song, and eventually the whole recording session took place in Las Vegas where he was performing at a number of concerts. Currently, Alice in Chains musicians believe that Elton John turned to be exactly at the right place. The new album which is also called “Black Gives Way to Blue” is going to be the band’s first studio record in fourteen years and will be released on Virgin/EMI label on September 29. Let’s see what these guys are up to this time.

Infamous American heavy metal band Motley Crue had decided not to organise any concert activities within the frames of their own music festival – Crue Fest. Instead of this the band will concentrate on recording of the new album, said Billboard relating the news to Crue’s bassist Nikki Sixx. Following musician’s words, right after the current Crue Fest will be over (September 5), Motley Crue is about to stop any concert activities, and begins to prepare some new material for the new album. The next festival shall not happen before 2011. Basically, it was the great decision on their side because touring is allright, it always can happen once again, but new stuff is something way more speical. For many bands it’s a problem, they keep on traveling, moving onto festivals, but new material gets stuck once and for all. The last studio album produced by Motley Crue – “Saints of Los Angeles” was released in 2008 and it turned to be the first album in eight years. In order to make it happen they’ve reunited in their original line-up – Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. Practically, this is one of those bands which have survived after the “grunge revolution” made by Seattle music scene in the early 90’s.

Bob Dylan is currently working with the album which is going to include numerous cover versions of the popular Christmas songs, said New Musical Express relating this news to one of musicians’ fan sites. Following some information he had started doing this musical work back in May 2009. However, Dylan himself did not confirm this information so far, but most likely he is up to this activity. Also, it became known that Bob is about to record all of his Christmas songs at the Groove Master’s Studios, which is located in Santa Monica, California. Moreover, it turned out that some songs are already done, particularly it relates to “Must Be Santa” (it became popular with the help of a brilliant performance by an American singer Mitch Miller), “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” written way back in the midst of eighteen hundreds. Some rumours are saying that Dylan is planning to release this so far “ghost” album totally by himself, without any record labels. Certainly, right now there is no information on when or where this disk will see the light. Bob Dylan is extremely talented and most likely his interpretation of the mentioned above songs will sound great.

Lady GaGa and Beyonce were recommended for the MTV Video Music Awards 2009 in nine nominations; in contrast Britney Spears follows only seven thus showing that she goes slightly beneath them. The whole list of nominees was presented by the music channel on Tuesday, August 4, said Reuters. All three singers are going to fight for the biggest prize – “Video of the Year”, but there is more to it. Eminem with his “We Made You and Kanye West with “Love Lockdown” will stand on their way, so ladies mentioned above should fasten their belts right now. Beyonce goes with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, Lady GaGa with “Poker Face” and Britney Spears shall represent her new single “Womanizer”. In other words, this year’s show must be pretty exciting for those who enjoy pop music, but surely it totally excludes rock n’ roll, metal, industrial etc. It’s not going to present Trent Reznor or Metallica, but maybe this is allright, let pop fans look and listen at what they’re used to look and listen. Totally, MTV Video Music Awards will be given in fifteen categories including “The Best Video”, which is going to be awarded for the first time. This nomination includes ten videos, which were left out without any prizes during previous years.

Madonna’s Warsaw concert, which was originally planned to take place on August 15 is currently under the danger of being cancelled, said Polish news agency Radio ZET. According to their information concert organizers did not provide an emergency fire evacuation plan to the local fire department authorities. Hence it’s absolutely important to make things absolutely clear in terms of emergencies that may happen during large gatherings such as Madonna’s performance in Warsaw, authorities may decline her visit. Information should be given as soon as possible and most likely it will be done, her managers surely don’t want to loose money over these little things. However, so far Warsaw fire department did not receive the whole package of documents, but at the same time they’ve got the same evacuation plan, which was used during her Berlin performance. Besides that, many of the following papers were not translated into Polish language, and it’s crucial according to their laws. Currently, her managers have only three days to fix this problem, noted the agency. If it will not happen then Madonna is not going to visit Poland. Things like this are usually the worst, they literally stand in between fans and musicians. They absolutely have nothing to do with artistic inspiration, and it sounds terrible.

Sir Paul McCartney had denied any rumours regarding his wishes to leave music and stage, said The Boston Herald. This strange information had suddenly appeared on the pages of the British tabloid The Sun. However, while talking to The Boston Herald McCartney had radically crossed out everything what was mentioned in The Sun. Often these newspapers and news agencies make things look very odd, sometimes they lie in order to make the actual news; things that are readable are simply tasty. Sir Paul said that he is going to perform and participate in the world of music way until fans get tired of him. “I was thinking this morning that it was five years ago that this same rumor went around. All I can say is that I’m not retiring,” added McCartney. When discussing the very nature of gossips he had noted that there is nothing more simple than to spread them. Musician had also asked an interviewer if he would like to get some information which is going to turn into a rumour, and received a positive answer. “Stevie Wonder had moved to Alaska”, said McCartney. It was the best way to portray rumours because practically that’s exactly the way. Also, it was very clear that McCartney did not like to hear such rumours about himself, and possibly got slightly angry.

Original organiser of the first 1969 “Woodstock” festival Michael Lang could not find a sponsor in order to fund festival’s 40th anniversary, said Rolling Stone magazine on August 3. As promoters say, if this event did eventually happen then it would absorb up to ten million dollars. However, Woodstock  is not that popular anymore, or there is just not enough people who have money and would like to share it with music lovers. “Woodstock-2009” had to take place in New York right in the midst of August (15 and 16). Those bands and musicians which have performed at the original “Woodstock” had to be located in the area of Prospect park in Brooklyn. Interesting place to make this sort of event, hence it’s not that big, at least it’s way smaller than those grand areas in upstate New York. Previously Lang kept on saying that if he will be able to sign a contract then the entrance should be free for everybody. This sounds even bigger because just imagine how many people would pound into Brooklyn and Prospect park recreational area. Artists who have agreed to participate were The Who, Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Levon Helm Band, Jefferson Starship, Big Brother and the Holding Co., Ten Years After, Canned Heat, Mountain, Carlos Santana and many others. Brooklyn would be taken apart by pieces because it takes millions to see totally free “Woodstock”.