Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Rock, R&B pioneer Bo Diddley dies at 79
Rock-and-roll pioneer Bo Diddley [ tickets ], whose distinctive guitar style informed generations of performers who followed in his footsteps, died early Monday. He was 79.Diddley, who for months had suffered from poor health, died of heart failure in his Archer, FL, home, according to his spokesperson, Susan Clary. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had suffered a heart attack last August, three months after suffering a stroke while on tour in Iowa that affected his ability to speak. Born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, MS, Diddley adopted his stage name early on, and supplied differing accounts of its origin throughout his life, once telling an interviewer "the kids in grammar school gave me that name."After working a variety of jobs as a young adult, Diddley joined with harmonica player Billy Boy Arnold, drummer Clifton James and bassist Roosevelt Jackson in 1954 to record demos of the songs that would become the signature tunes of his career: "I'm a Man" and the self-referential, shuffling "Bo Diddley." The group re-recorded the songs at the legendary Chess Studios in Chicago. When the record was released in 1955, the A-side, "Bo Diddley," rose to the top of the R&B charts.Although Diddley enjoyed several other hits in the '50s and '60s--including "Pretty Thing" (1956), "Say Man" (1959) and "You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover" (1962)--his greatest success came as an innovator and influential figure on the future history of rock music.His records and tour appearances in the UK, for instance, inspired a generation of British followers that included The Rolling Stones, who scored their first US hit with their cover of Buddy Holly's Diddley-inspired "Not Fade Away," and The Yardbirds, who covered "I'm a Man" with great success.Diddley, who built many of his own unique, square-shaped guitars, pioneered the use of the instrument in a rhythmic role in rock music, creating the "Bo Diddley beat," a syncopated 5/4 pattern that reminds many listeners of the traditional "shave and a haicut, two bits" ditty. The beat was possibly derived from West African sources, including the so-called "hambone" rhythm, although Diddley himself credited various sources ranging from Gene Autry to the music he heard in church during his youth. Diddley continued to tour extensively long after he stopped making hit records, content to bask in the admiration and respect given him by the contemporary hit makers he had influenced, among them Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello. Diddley, who was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1987, steadfastly refused to consider retirement even as he approached his final decade."Seventy ain't nothing but a damn number," he told The Associated Press in 1999. "I'm writing and creating new stuff and putting together new different things. Trying to stay out there and roll with the punches. I ain't quit yet."In 2005, Diddley celebrated his 50th anniversary in music with tours of both Australia and Europe, and performed "Bo Diddley" with Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson at that year's 20th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.Diddley is survived by four children--Evelyn Kelly, Ellas A. McDaniel, Tammi D. McDaniel and Terri Lynn McDaniel--15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
The final showdown
From folk music to panda-pop (yeah, we're not sure what that is either ...) five of the country's rising musical talents will sing for their supper tomorrow night and then some. The MTV Kickstart final takes place in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour Marine Village, with a prize package worth more than $210,000 up for grabs.The winner of the competition will walk away with everything they need to start their professional music career, including a recording package, single distribution deal, video grant, guaranteed television and radio airplay, publicity and travel package. Judged by a panel of MTV executives, music industry representatives, media and musicians, including P-Money, Mikey Havoc and Blindspott's Damien Alexander, the five finalists were selected from more than 200 entries throughout the country. Tickets to tomorrow night's concert are free, and available by registering at www.mtv.co.nz.A special will screen on MTV on June 22, at 8pm.IN THE RUNNING ...
Bear Cat Who: Dan Trevarthen and Jocee Tuck Where: AucklandWhat: Panda-popTrivia: Trevarthen claims he is actually half man, half panda. The band formed when he wrote a song to his ancestors, to which Tuck then added harmonies, creating their first song. The band's name comes from the literal Chinese translation for panda, meaning of "bear and cat". Cause For AllianceWho: Anton Minenko (guitar), James Boyd (guitar), Julian Bowater (bass), Michael Metzler (vocals), Sergio Minenko (drums)Where: AucklandWhat: MetalTrivia: Since forming in early 2007, Cause For Alliance has embarked on several national tours and have already released an independent EP, Coalesce. They also have some very nifty promotional fridge magnets. Clap Clap Riot Who: Stephen Heard (vocals, guitar), Dave Rowlands (guitar), Sam Mountain (drums), Tristan Colenso (bass)Where: ChristchurchWhat: Indie pop rockTrivia: The band are currently residing in Auckland, recording their debut EP, produced by The D4/ Luge Boa's Jimmy Christmas.Lydia Cole Who: Lydia Cole (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano), Pascal Jarry (drums), Rachel Harrison (bass) and Andrew Madjar (keys) Where: AucklandWhat: Folk musicTrivia: They formed in the bowels of the Northcote Baptist Church, in 2006, a fact Cole describes as "gross". She claims to pay her bandmates in lollies.Trigger Theory Who: Joseph Thompson (vocals, guitar), Tim Shipton (bass), Joshua Hare (guitar), Ian Collins (drums)Where: TaurangaWhat: Pop punkTrivia: You can catch up with all the boys' news and what's happening in "Triggerland" by watching their webisodes on YouTube.
Bear Cat Who: Dan Trevarthen and Jocee Tuck Where: AucklandWhat: Panda-popTrivia: Trevarthen claims he is actually half man, half panda. The band formed when he wrote a song to his ancestors, to which Tuck then added harmonies, creating their first song. The band's name comes from the literal Chinese translation for panda, meaning of "bear and cat". Cause For AllianceWho: Anton Minenko (guitar), James Boyd (guitar), Julian Bowater (bass), Michael Metzler (vocals), Sergio Minenko (drums)Where: AucklandWhat: MetalTrivia: Since forming in early 2007, Cause For Alliance has embarked on several national tours and have already released an independent EP, Coalesce. They also have some very nifty promotional fridge magnets. Clap Clap Riot Who: Stephen Heard (vocals, guitar), Dave Rowlands (guitar), Sam Mountain (drums), Tristan Colenso (bass)Where: ChristchurchWhat: Indie pop rockTrivia: The band are currently residing in Auckland, recording their debut EP, produced by The D4/ Luge Boa's Jimmy Christmas.Lydia Cole Who: Lydia Cole (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano), Pascal Jarry (drums), Rachel Harrison (bass) and Andrew Madjar (keys) Where: AucklandWhat: Folk musicTrivia: They formed in the bowels of the Northcote Baptist Church, in 2006, a fact Cole describes as "gross". She claims to pay her bandmates in lollies.Trigger Theory Who: Joseph Thompson (vocals, guitar), Tim Shipton (bass), Joshua Hare (guitar), Ian Collins (drums)Where: TaurangaWhat: Pop punkTrivia: You can catch up with all the boys' news and what's happening in "Triggerland" by watching their webisodes on YouTube.
Raven-Symone calls off 'Pajama Party'
Raven-Symone [ tickets ] has called off her planned "Pajama Party" arena tour, which was scheduled to visit dozens of US arenas through July.A press release issued by organizers said that the tour has been canceled due to "unforeseen circumstances.""Raven-Symone apologizes to her fans for any inconvenience this may have caused and ticket refunds will be available from the original point of purchase," the statement said.Concertgoers were encouraged to wear their PJs and arrive early for a mock slumber party that was to precede the singer's performance on a stage designed to replicate her own house.Fellow Disney star Mitchel Musso, known for his role as Oliver on the show "Hannah Montana," had been scheduled to open the tour, performing original R&B/hip-hop songs from his own forthcoming album. Artists B5 and Clique Girlz were also to be on the bill.
N.E.R.D.
Artist: N.E.R.D.
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
She Wants To Move (Remix)
Year: 2004
Tracks: 1
Maybe
Year: 2004
Tracks: 6
Fall Out Boy - Pete Wentz We Might Have A Gremlin-themed Wedding
FALL OUT BOY star PETE WENTZ has joked that he would like his upcoming nuptials to be inspired by GREMLINS 2.
The musician, who is engaged to songstress ASHLEE SIMPSON, told Female First that the movie – which sees green monsters trying to take over a New York building – is one of his all-time favourites.
"I think we're going to have our theme based around Gremlins 2! We could have it take place in a mall and there could be little green naked monsters running about! We could even have Gizmo as a guest!" he told the publication.
Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Ashlee and Pete's wedding could take place sooner than expected, with Hollyscoop.com claming that invitations have been sent to close friends and family notifying them of an event on May 16th.
The invitation reportedly states that the celebration will be held within an hour drive of Los Angeles, but all other details remain secret.
Last week, Ashlee's famous older sister JESSICA SIMPSON told People magazine that she is going to be the maid of honour at Ashlee's big day.
12/05/2008 12:01:43
See Also
Survivor star Parvati last one standing
You're stranded on a deserted island. You and your fellow castaways, some impossibly attractive, have drifted by boat to one of the islands of Palau, a small remote nation in the Pacific.
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