TheSunNews.com: Music News - Wire

Sinatra, Martin to receive stars in Las Vegas

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:36 EST

Sin City is paying homage to iconic singers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin by giving them each a place on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

Las Vegas Walk of Stars spokesman Pablo Castro Zavala said stars for the crooners would be unveiled Feb. 22 in a ceremony at the Flamingo Las Vegas casino-resort. The stars will then be placed in the sidewalk outside the Flamingo on the Las Vegas Strip.

Sinatra and Martin are icons of Sin City entertainment because of their appearances on stage, in film and on television.

UK group urges Elton John to cancel Israel show

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:31 EST

A British academic group that supports Palestinian rights is urging singer Elton John to cancel a summer concert in Israel.

The British Committee for Universities of Palestine says in an open letter to John that it is wrong to perform in Israel because of alleged abuses committed during the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip last year.

A spokesman for the singer did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Jackson celebrity turns doctor case into spectacle

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:36 EST

There's no bloody glove this time, no smoking gun, no faded music icon showing up in court wearing a wig that made it look like he plugged his finger into an electrical socket.

There's not even a celebrity for that matter - the person on trial is a doctor no one had heard of eight months ago.

Still, the case of the People vs. Michael Jackson's doctor has already taken on all the trappings of a full-blown Los Angeles celebrity trial, complete with a scrum of paparazzi and news photographers staking out the accused's residence and chasing him everywhere he goes. The mere rumor that he would be arrested or surrender sent an army of news photographers from all over the world rushing to a courthouse.

Lil Wayne sentencing postponed for dental reasons

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:46 EST

Rap star Lil Wayne has gotten a temporary reprieve from jail - for dental surgery.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper's sentencing in a New York City gun case was postponed Tuesday, because he needs to finish a string of recent surgeries before he goes to jail.

Lil Wayne, one of music's biggest sellers and rap's hottest stars, is poised to spend as much as a year in jail under a plea deal, though good behavior could shave that to as little as eight months.

DeGeneres says Cowell is `meaner than I thought'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:26 EST

Ellen DeGeneres, the newest judge on "American Idol," says Simon Cowell is "meaner" than she thought.

Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi (KEHR'-uh dee-oh-GWAR'-dee) and various guest judges kicked off the ninth season of the Fox singing competition last month. DeGeneres begins her stint Tuesday night.

In a video posted on the show's Web site, DeGeneres says Cowell is "actually meaner than I thought. It's hard to listen to him tell people things and for me not to go, 'You poor thing!'"

Perez Hilton, Black Eyed Peas manager settle suit

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:26 EST

A judge is dismissing a civil lawsuit filed against a Black Eyed Peas manager who punched blogger Perez Hilton in a nightclub last year.

Attorneys for Hilton and Peas' manager Liborio Molina announced in court Tuesday they had reached a settlement agreement. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John S. Wiley agreed to dismiss the case but retained jurisdiction in case the settlement falls apart.

The terms were not discussed and Hilton's attorney, Joshua Blum, declined comment after the hearing.

Jackson doctor out on bail, back for April hearing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:26 EST

Michael Jackson's doctor returns to court in April to find out the date for the next major step in the case - a proceeding that will reveal for the first time the evidence the prosecution believes will show his "gross negligence" was the direct cause of the pop star's death.

Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and a judge released him on $75,000 bail.

Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz ordered Murray to turn in his passport and said he could travel within the U.S., but not to any foreign country. The prosecutor had suggested he might flee to his native Grenada or to Trinidad where he has a child.

The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:21 EST

iTunes' top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending Feb. 8, 2010:

Singles:

1. "Imma Be," Black Eyed Peas

Beyonce, Alicia Keys shoot music video in Rio slum

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:51 EST

Grammy Award-winning singers Beyonce and Alicia Keys are filming a music video in a Rio de Janeiro slum. Brazilian news media report that the singers are at the Morro da Conceicao shantytown to shoot a video for Keys' "Put It In a Love Song," from the album "The Element of Freedom."

The Jornal do Brasil newspaper and other local media say Beyonce will have a special role in the clip. Beyonce is on tour in Brazil.

Brazilian TV on Tuesday showed the singers together performing in front of cameras at the slum.

Ringo Starr honored with Walk of Fame star

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:23 EST

A star for former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday evening during a whimsical ceremony that also marked the 50th anniversary of the sidewalk attraction's groundbreaking.

Starr's name was the 2,401st to be unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"This is the start of the next 50 years of stars," he said outside the Capitol Records building. "I'm proud to be the first one."

Daughtry brings Saints, Colts fans together

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:34 EST

They are on opposing sides, but Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints fans found something to bond over at the Super Bowl - a Daughtry concert.

Black and gold mixed with Colts blue as the rockers performed before Sunday's game. Lead singer Chris Daughtry joked that he was able to bring together a rowdy group.

"There was ... a lot of fights getting ready to break out," he said.

Miley Cyrus, other celebs auction items for Haiti

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:13 EST

Miley Cyrus has organized an online auction to benefit the relief effort in Haiti, and Britney Spears, Hugh Jackman, Ellen DeGeneres, Julianne Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Demi Lovato and others will donate items and experiences.

Cyrus is donating several items, including the Herve Leger dress she wore to the 2010 Grammy Awards. Fans can also bid on Spears' 2008 MTV Video Music Awards dress, a set visit to Jackman's new film, Lovato's tour wardrobe and other items.

The auction runs from 7 p.m. PST on Monday through 7 p.m. PST on Feb. 18. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross.

Michael Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:07 EST

Michael Jackson's doctor pleaded not guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star at a brief hearing that had all the trappings of another sensational celebrity courtroom drama.

Dr. Conrad Murray, accused of giving Jackson a fatal dose of an anesthetic to help him sleep, appeared in court in a gray suit and burgundy tie as Jackson's father Joe, mother Katherine, and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy watched from courtroom seats behind prosecutors.

Neither Murray nor the Jacksons showed much emotion as the six-foot-five Murray entered his plea through his attorney Ed Chernoff, but as he emerged from court, Joe Jackson declared, "My son was murdered."

Florez and his 9 high C's return to Met Opera

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:17 EST

There were plenty of high notes but not quite enough heart as Donizetti's comic romp "La Fille du Regiment" ("The Daughter of the Regiment") returned to the Metropolitan Opera.

The revival of the endearing production by Laurent Pelly, first seen at the Met two seasons ago, opened Saturday night. Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez was back to portray the lovesick peasant Tonio, while German soprano Diana Damrau appeared for the first time here as the tomboyish title character, Marie.

Damrau has had the unenviable task at the Met of late in following in the footsteps of French soprano Natalie Dessay, for whom this production of "La Fille" was created. Damrau has a slightly bigger voice and more secure high notes, and when the score called for coloratura fireworks, she let forth some dazzling ones. She portrayed Marie as feisty and pugnacious, but at times she seemed to be trying too hard to be funny, and she lacks the waif-like charm that made Dessay's Marie so touching as well as amusing.

Wyclef keeps Haiti in his heart amid Super Bowl

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:27 EST

The contrasts are stark: As Haiti grapples with chaos, death and despair after last month's earthquake, the world's most famous VIPs party in luxurious fashion in preparation for a football game.

Wyclef Jean - who has been an advocate for his native Haiti since the disaster - was in Miami for those celebrations this week, and understands that the festivities won't stop because of Haiti's pain. But he said he's partying with a purpose.

"(The) Super Bowl is Super Bowl. Super Bowl in Miami is one of the greatest Super Bowls," Jean said Saturday, a few hours before his performance at Eden Roc as part of 944's weeklong Super Bowl bash.

Jazz musician Sir John Dankworth dies at 82

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:09 EST

Sir John Dankworth, the British jazz composer, saxophonist and band leader, has died. He was 82.

Jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine - who married Dankworth in 1958 after meeting during an audition for a spot with his band - announced her husband's death before the finale of an anniversary concert at The Stables, the theater they founded together.

Monica Ferguson, the theater's chief executive officer, said Sunday that Laine believed Dankworth would have wanted the evening to go ahead.

Pete Wentz says Fall Out Boy not completely done

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:45 EST

Pete Wentz says talk of Fall Out Boy's demise has been blown out of proportion - but he isn't sure when the rock band will performing together again.

Earlier this week, lead singer Patrick Stump told Spin.com that the group was done after Wentz tweeted that he didn't see a future for the platinum band.

But on Friday, Wentz said band members are just doing things apart and it's not clear where their future lies.

Wyclef Jean, choir open BET concert for Haiti

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:08 EST

Nearly a month after a devastating earthquake, shock gave way Friday night to a celebration of Haitian culture and pride.

Wyclef Jean opened the "SOS Saving OurSelves - Help for Haiti" concert and telethon with the Haitian Creole phrase for "It's all good."

"I want to welcome you all to Haiti," the singer and producer told the cheering crowd, before continuing to rap in the language of his Caribbean homeland.

Gheorghiu cancels remainder of `Carmen' at Met

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:10 EST

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu (gee-or-GEE'-yoo) has canceled her remaining two performances of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Bizet's "Carmen."

Gheorghiu withdrew in August from her first six performances of the run, which began Dec. 31. She was to appear in those performances with her husband, tenor Roberto Alagna (a-LAN'-ya). The staging had been designed around the couple, but Gheorghiu said in October she and Alagna are divorcing.

Carmen is written for a mezzo-soprano, and Gheorghiu hasn't performed it on stage. She said Friday in a statement issued by the Met that she needs more time to prepare for the role.

Leif Garrett charged with heroin possession in LA

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:57 EST

Former 1970s teen idol Leif (LAFE) Garrett has been charged with felony possession of heroin after his arrest in a Los Angeles subway station.

The 48-year-old singer and actor was charged Friday and is free on bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 24.

Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says deputies confronted Garrett at the downtown Metro Red Line station Monday. They say he admitted having black tar heroin in his shoe.