That’s just music

Australian legend AC/DC was literally forced to cancel six US concerts due to it’s vocalist’s health problems. As the New Musical Express said, doctors have recommended him to stay at home for a certain period of time after they’ve found something not so good about his physical condition. Brian Johnson is about to turn sixty two on October 5, and if taking into consideration his pretty harsh lifestyle all kinds of things may show up. As the result of it, AC/DC had cancelled it’s concerts in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Lousville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee. However, this unpleasant thing will not totally interrupt their American tour, which is going to be continued on October 16 in Washington. All of the AC/DC guys are pretty strong people and once they’re after something, especially if it’s touring process, then absolutely nothing can stop them. Current tour had started in 2008 and was organised to support their new album called “Black Ice”. This time AC/DC did not follow an easy path, hence this tour had begun in 2008 and will end in 2010, so it’s no wonder why Brian got sick. Also, Johnson had noted that after this tour will be over, he is about to quit music for good, but his fellow bandmates told him not to allow this at any cost.

British singer Robbie Williams was recently seen in one of the New York’s recording studios, and according to The Daily Mirror, he specifically went there to co-work with his former collegues from Take That. Interesting twist in this guy’s game, hence he was not really planning to re-unite with them. The newspaper had discovered that he is about to record a new song with his former bandmates, and if it actucally comes out then it will be his first collaboration moment with them since 1995.  Williams has left the band fourteen years ago and did not participate in the process of making music with them in any way. As the newspaper’s source (closely related to the band) had noted, there is a possibility that Take That’s new material is most likely going to see the light, and fans will hear it. At the same time it may be supported by the tour in which Williams is going to participate, and surely will sing together with Take That as an equal member. However, it’s not known when Take That is planning to release this new stuff, and their representative had refused to comment Robbie Williams’ return. In the beginning of 2009 his manager had particularly noted that his client is not looking at the possibility of reuniting with Take That on the every day basis.

Popular British singer Lily Allen who’s recent album “It’s Not Me, It’s You” was released in February this year, had decided to finish her music career, said ClashMusic. This news is quite shocking because this girl is currently on the top, the last album was able to get to the first place on the British national charts, and suddenly she came up with this strange decision. She insists on the fact that there will be no new albums, and there will be no new contract with her record label. Not so long ago a singer wrote in her blog at the ‘It’s Not Alright’ website that she is very upset with the online piracy, and that she doesn’t feel like getting along with this kind of situation. “The days of me making money from recording music have been and gone as far as I’m concerned, so I don’t (at this point) stand to profit from legislation (against file sharing). Except future purchases of previously recorded material (which won’t be much)”, she said. Nobody knows (and she didn’t say anything) what she is about to do after quitting music; the best guess will be that she is planning to start up her acting career. After all, a lot of musicians are speaking about leaving music, but usually their words don’t really come true.

On Wednesday, September 23 Britain was witnessing the ceremony dedicated to the post-punk band Joy Division and the legendary BBC DJ John Peel (the real name John Robert Parker Ravenscroft). This event took place in Rochdale, Greater Manchester county where Joy Division and Peel have started their careers. The idea of installing so called Blue Plaques came from the town council of Rochdale, so it definitely means that they care about modern culture and the history of their place. Practically, post-punk sounds of Joy Division and John Peel are surely giving some serious credits to this small town. The Blue Plaque which is dedicated to Peel was installed on the building where Tractor Sound Studios was previously located; simply the guy began to finance it in 1973 and generally took care of it. Moreover, those who have decided to organise the Blue Plaque for Peel have underlined that even though he was born in Liverpool, he is still very much connected to Rochdale because for a certain period of time he had worked over there on the textile factory. Joy Division’s Blue Plaque is now located on the building where legendary Cargo Studios were based back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Cargo Studios was like the ‘alma mater’ for them.

Infamous American rock musician Marilyn Manson (the real name Brian Hugh Warner) had told his fans that he got sick with A/H1N1 virus, better known as the “swine flu”. This information came out on September 24 on the Australian music news site Undercover. “So I have officially been diagnosed, by a real doctor, with the swine flu. I know everyone will suggest that f..ing a pig is how this disease was obtained. However, the doctor said my past choices in women have in no way contributed to me acquiring this mysterious sickness. Unfortunately, I am going to survive,” wrote Manson in his Facebook page. When he became sick is not known at all, but he is surely not planning to stay sick for a long time. In the nearest future Manson is planning to perform in Halifax, and some other cities in Canada. So far there was no information if he is planning to cancel these venues. It’s interesting to note that he is not the first famous musician who got ‘swine flu’ – all Kasabian bandmates were hospitalised with the characterised symptoms. Also, there were some rumours that Pete Doherty (Babyshambles) became sick with H1N1, but later this information was denied.

The street sign from the infamous Abbey Road in London is now put on the eBay Internet auction, said NME. The most important part of this lot is based on The Beatles popularity, which dragged the street name into the same fame; this band’s 1969 album is called “Abbey Road”. Besides that, the band’s recording usually took place at the studio located on Abbey Road, so the street sign is surely worth of something. The one who put that piece of historical metal on eBay will become known on September 29, and before it anyone who wants to participate in the process can offer his own price per this lot. Money that will be taken from this sale will go into London’s transportation system. “This is a rare opportunity for someone to own a precious piece of Beatles memorabilia and Westminster history,” said councillor Danny Chalkley. Also, it’s interesting to note that along with the “Abbey Road”, forty two other street signs will be sold out, and probably used for the same purpose of helping London. The Abbey Road street sign was erected in 2003, but only after four years had to be removed because The Beatles’ fans just kept on writing on it. Currently, the Westminster authorities are thinking about creating the new sign, but this time it should be very strong and protected from any possible signatures.

Jon Bon Jovi had supported musicians from legendary Nirvana, which have accused Activision in illegal use of Kurt Cobain’s image, said BBC News. During the last week bassist Chris Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl have announced the fact that they don’t like how Cobain looks in Guitar Hero 5. Actucally a lot of musician are accusing this game of something bad, this time it’s a bad image of their fellow bandmate and the leader. Besides that, they were angered because in the game Kurt is performing other band’s songs among which is Bon Jovi. In his interview Jon Bon Jovi had underlined that Activision was proposing him to participate in the Guitar Hero 5, but he decided to reject it. He said that while talking to him, Activision representatives did not mention that his “image” may be performing other songs, and he obviously doesn’t like it. Also, he didn’t make any comments on what he would do if Guitar Hero 5 went against his wil, and put other music tracks on his digital self. The scandal around Guitar Hero 5 began right after Courtney Love wrote on her Twitter mini blog that she is going to sue Activision for using her dead husband’s image (most likely without her consent).

Infamous Amy Winehouse had performed at the surprise concert in one of the London’s small clubs called Jazz After Dark. Possibly it’s one of the best things about being popular; one can show up somewhere, right next to people and perform live while sharing love and respect. This improvised show took place on September 17. British media sources have assumed that Amy’s sudden performance at Jazz After Dark was dedicated to her birthday, which took place on September 14 (she turned 26). Singer herself had decided not to make any comments on this issue, and probably was right. After all, what could she say? This concert was one of her first live appearances in 2009; the last one took place in August. At that time she had appeared on stage together with The Specials and performed a few songs. In May 2009 she had participated at the music festival in Saint Lucia, which is also her new living location. It’s interesting to note that her Saint Lucia performance had received a lot of negative feedbacks, and was generally dumped by her critics. Right now nobody knows when she is planning to release a new record, there are many rumours and controversies, but definite answers may be given only by the future itself.

The Stooges leader, legendary Iggy Pop will receive the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour award as the living legend, said The Daily Telegraph relating this news to the ceremony’s organisers. A solemn ceremony where a sixty two years old musician is going to attain his prize will take place in London on November 2 this year. He definitely deserves to get it, hence Pop is not just the living legend, but he also belongs to survivors. So many times he could’ve pass out from this world due to drugs, alcohol, and other difficulties that stood on his way, but could not break him, and now he receives what trully belongs to him. Iggy himself had said that he is extremely happy to get this prize, which was established by the Classic Rock magazine. During the previous years such artists as Ozzy Osbourne (2008), Jimmy Page (2007), Alice Cooper (2006) and Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister (2005) were awarded with it. Surely all of these guys including Iggy Pop deserve it because again, all of them are survivors along with being the living legends. Other Classic Rock magazine’s nominees will become known to the public right during the ceremony. It will include “The best new band”, “The best album”, “The best band of the year”, and “The best movie of the year”.

The Strokes vocalist Julian Casablancas had finished his work with the solo album, said ClashMusic. This new work had received the name “Phrazes For The Young”, and will be the first solo project created by this artist. It should be released as planned on October 19, 2009. It’s already known that the track list will include eight songs personally written by Casablancas and nobody else, so this new thing belongs exclusively to him. Frontman of the American garage-rock band was working with the solo album in various studios, which located in New York, Nebraska and Los Angeles. Musician had told the press that in the nearest future his new creation will be available on his official website, and that he may support the album with some short tour in around the UK soon after it’s release. Casablancas is not the first guy from The Strokes who began to record on his own. The band’s rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. had released two albums: “Yours To Keep” in 2006 and “Como Te Llama?” in 2008. Bassist Nikolai Fraiture had organised his own side project called Nickel Eye and during the winter of 2009 had released “The Time Of The Assassins”. In other words, this band is full of talents and they just can’t stay away from making new and cool stuff.