• New Live DVD/Album Being Released for Bob Marley's 70th Birthday; Expect More Deluxe Rereleases of Classic Albums during 2015

    Next year marks what would have been the 70th birthday of Bob Marley, the biggest figure in "world music" history, and as you would expect, there will be a boatload of special releases on the way. The Marley family has allowed the Universal Music Group access to his back catalogue to gather up unreleased material for deluxe rereleases of classic albums, probably including Exodus, Natty Dread and more.

  • Adam Lambert or Freddie Mercury? Queen's Brian May Says 'American Idol' Alum Has Better Range

    You know those people who say they were "born in the wrong era" and wish they could have been a teenager in the 1960s or '70s? That is basically Adam Lambert, who rose to pop fame with "American Idol" at the turn of the decade. He was as close to late Queen singer Freddie Mercury as a new star could get, but he could not nail down a perfect fit in the music world.Until Queen came calling in 2011, that is. Then the pieces fell into place immediately. One of the world's most storied rock bands got a third wind — after a forgettable era with Paul Rodgers — and Lambert got his chance to eschew pop for the coolest cover gig ever.Now — get this — Brian May is throwing out some serious compliments."They're difficult songs to sing, Queen songs," he told Japan's Universal Music, via "Billboard." "There's too much range. So many people can't sing them in the original key — even if they are good singers, Adam comes along, [and] he can do it easy. He can do it in his sleep! He can sing higher than even Freddie could in a live situation. So I think Freddie would look at this guy and think, 'Hmm ... Yeah. OK.' There would be a kind of, 'Hmm ... You bastard. You can do this.'"

  • Brandon Flowers on The Killers: Says Band Suffers from a 'Lack of Drive' and Next Album Will Be 'Different'

    Brandon Flowers of The Killers knows why his band is not more successful. In a recent chat with "NME," he said The Killers suffer from a "lack of drive." That is some harsh criticism considering they have two platinum albums under their belt with "Hot Fuzz" and "Sam's Town," as well as strong releases with "Day & Age" and "Battle Born." Flowers cites U2 as a band who was more in tune with their time and generation."There's definitely a drive that we're lacking," Flowers said. "It takes a lot of work and that's fine, everybody's different, everybody's gonna have their own road that they go down. Other than Coldplay I'm not sure anybody's made the dent that U2 were able to make. They were so much a part of the landscape and the timing of when they were coming out."That is a tough comparison. U2's first album came out in 1980 during an era that relied heavily on albums. "Hot Fuzz" was released in 2004 in the midst of a still-changing landscape.

  • KISS Teams with J-Pop Stars Momoiro Clover Z for New Songs "Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina" and "Samurai Son"

    Gene Simmons might think rock is dead but he's got a master plan for making it cool again: Perform singles with J-Pop acts and make it huge in another part of the world. Hence the forthcoming single "Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina," featuring idol act Momoiro Clover Z, which will be available for download on January 28. Whose idea it actually was isn't clear but the song is apparently written by KISS frontman Paul Stanley.

  • Mixware Issues Update on Vestax Japan Bankruptcy

    After several months of rumors swirling around lackluster sales from a Japanese manufacturer of DJ equipment and digital mixers, the company filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. Vestax had been in trouble ever since it reportedly lost its United States distributer in October, and sales started to languish at home due to varying economic factors, including the rise in the Value Added Tax from 5 percent to 8 percent as part of Shinizo Abe's plan to generate government revenue and a recent dip back into recession. The company fell into debt of 900 million yen — $7.5 million — and was forced to file for bankruptcy, which makes it one of the 9,045 as of November 2014. Mixware, a U.S. representative and distributer for Vestax, has released a statement about bankruptcy and how there might actually be a light at the end of the tunnel via DJ Times:"The bankruptcy procedure was a necessary first step into the rebuilding of Vestax Japan and Vestax brand. Measures, engineering team, new product designs and financial support are already in place to support the rebuilding process and more information will be published by Vestax Japan during the course of the first semester 2015."This process will definitely take some time before the first new Vestax products reach the worldwide markets but we're confident that once again under the leadership of its original founders, Vestax will soon re-emerge as a strong, innovative brand as it has always been."

  • The Cure Goes Big, Playing 40-Song Set at London Hammersmith Residency Date, Including "A Man Inside My Mouth" for First Time

    The Cure came to London for a three-night residency at the iconic Hammersmith Eventim Apollo and it doesn't seem like the band is bound to water down its sets to spread out across the three concerts. According to NME, the band played an epic 39-song set during their first gig on Sunday night. Promos had promised "deeps cuts" and "surprises galore" and it can't be said the group didn't deliver on that promise.

  • Amber Rose Twerks All Over Chris Brown at Hollywood Club with Blac Chyna [WATCH]

    Amber Rose does not seem to be too heartbroken over her recent split with Wiz Khalifa. The model was spotted at a club in Hollywood last week grinding all over Chris Brown. According to "XXL," Rose was at The Supper Club with her friend Blac Chyna. The pair also showed off their twerking abilities in a video on Instagram recently. The Internet went wild.The action was captured in a Vine and Instagram. Check them out below.

  • Live Nation Buys Majority Hold in C3 Presents, Promoter behind Lollapalooza Brand and Austin City Limits

    Huge moves on the live music front as Live Nation bought up a huge portion of C3 Presents. The buyer was already the world's largest music event organizer while the bought was the largest independent concert promoter until the purchase. None of the details behind the deal have been disclosed to the public but reports from Billboard claim that Live Nation bought a 51 percent share in C3 for around $125 million.

  • REVIEW: Wale, Jerry Seinfeld Team Up for "The Chess Match" from New Mixtape, 'Festivus' [LISTEN]

    "So you find it's a chess game, but instead in this chess the board is made of water that's just flowing and all the chess pieces are smoke. You can make all the moves you want, they will not affect the outcome of the game," Jerry Seinfeld says at the top of the short new Wale track "The Chess Match." Yes, you read that right: Jerry Seinfeld. In the first sampling from the upcoming Wale project Festivus, the legendary comedian steps into the studio with the rapper to kick things off.

  • Elton John Marries David Furnish in England: 'Tiny Dancer' Singer Shares Pictures in New Instagram [PHOTOS]

    Elton John officially tied the knot with partner David Furnish yesterday, Dec. 22, during a ceremony in England. The two have been in a civil partnership since 2005, but Britain passed new legislation earlier this year that permits same-sex marriages, "Us Weekly" notes. The rock star shared some photos from the day on his new Instagram account.After signing some papers, John posted a picture of him and Furnish prior to the ceremony."That's the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony! #ShareTheLove @DavidFurnish," the post read.
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