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Billboard Hot 100 vs. Official Charts Company: 2Pac, Wiz Khalifa and 40 Years of No. 1s
Few people realize just how different the music across the pond is from that we listen to in America, that the Hot 100 doesn't exist in the UK, and that its equivalent to our singles chart doesn't just feature a whole bunch of American artists with even more One Direction and Ellie Goulding tracks.Music Times is looking back at the last five decades of music, and at the no. 1 hits on April 2 every ten years on the spot, going back to 1975. The ultimate contest, of course, is which country has better taste. Last month the win went to the UK in the best-of-five showdown. This month features Wiz Khalifa, Carrie Underwood, 2Pac and more in the field. -
What Performers Have Played Historic Venues Most? Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks, More
Billy Joel made history at one of the most acclaimed music venues in the world this week when he played his 65th concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The total helped him to surpass that of friend Elton John, giving him the most appearances at the historic Manhattan venue. There are many music venues the world over that are adored by performers and fans alike, but unfortunately not many have done much work in attempting to figure out what performers have played there the most. Of course, many—such as The Troubadour in Los Angeles—probably didn't foresee themselves lasting as long as they have. Music Times has done our best to figure out what musicians have played the most gigs at some of the world's most vaunted performance spaces. -
Breaking Benjamin, Tori Kelly, and Kacey Musgraves Top Albums Chart
This week's albums chart wasn't too much of a shakeup from the Billboard 200, except that all of the records that dropped in the Top 10 of the latter managed to move up a few places on the former. Breaking Benjamin, Tori Kelly and Kacey Musgraves took the top three spots, respectively, once again. -
Bob Dylan's 'Blood on The Tracks' Test Pressing For Sale...for $12,000
A Bob Dylan rarity has struck the market, as Amoeba Music in California will put a rare copy of the folk icon's 'Blood On The Tracks' for sale. The version features different renditions of many songs on the album than what appeared on the wide release during 1975. -
The Libertines Confirm New Album 'Anthems For Doomed Youth' for September
The Libertines have made good on the promise of a new album during 2015, announcing that Anthems For Doomed Youth will drop on September 4. The band signed to Harvest Records/Virgin EMI during 2014 with the aspirations for a new record this year and it seems that the group has come through. This marks the first album in more than a decade for the rockers and, believe it or not, only the band's third album overall. Issues and disagreements caused the band to go on a lengthy hiatus following 2004's self-titled record. -
Billboard's 50 Acts for 50 States: Taylor Swift, Eminem, More Rep Hometowns
Billboard came up with a fun project for the July 4th holiday, assigning a music performer that best represents each of the 50 states. According to the site, final decisions were largely based on sales results from its charts, but a performer's deception to their home state via its lyrics also made a difference. Check out what performer made it for your state and let us know if Billboard chose well. -
Jerry Garcia's Daughter Says Grateful Dead Considered Hologram for 'Fare Thee Well'
All the talk surrounding the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" concerts in hometown Santa Clara was the rainbow that appeared vividly over Levi Stadium over the weekend. Many suggested that the weather event was more than coincidental, and that perhaps the high price of tickets to the show was used to create a miraculous special effect. Music Times reported on the event this week and suggested that perhaps the band would play alongside a hologram of deceased founding guitarist Jerry Garcia when the concert series moves to Chicago this weekend. Trixie Garcia, his daughter, told Billboard this week that the idea was, in fact, considered. -
Billy Joel Beats Elton John's Madison Square Garden Record with 65th Show
Billy Joel set a record especially relevant in his hometown as he played his record 65th concert at Madison Square Garden, trumping the previous mark set by his pal and fellow "piano man" Elton John. -
Debbie Harry by Decade: Celebrating the Blondie Frontwoman's 70th Birthday
The year 1945 was an astounding one for music history, giving us Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, John Fogerty and Carly Simon. Add another big 70th birthday to the year, as July 1 marks the near-diamond anniversary of Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry. Music Times is celebrating the big day by looking back over her four decades in music and choosing our favorite track from each of the ten-year spans she's spent in business. -
Greece, Colonel Tom Parker, Allen Klein and Other Bad Money Managers
Odds are, if you're reading Music Times right now, you aren't all that interested in the current financial crisis of Greece, or the fact that the nation failed to pay the 1.5 billion euros it owed the International Monetary Fund as its bailout expired. It's a big—and very complicated—deal, but we're not going to take up your time explaining the sticky situation it puts both the Mediterranean nation and the European Union in. Instead, we figured we'd show you some of the worst money management issues in music...or more specifically, the managers that ran their clients through the cleaners worst. Performers such as Elvis Presley, Beyoncé and NSYNC get hosed. -
Breaking Benjamin Breaks Sales Mark with New Album; Tori Kelly + Kacey Musgraves Follow
Apparently the waiting only makes desire stronger, or at least that's what Breaking Benjamin learned with its most recent release, 'Dark Before Dawn.' The band had gone more than six years without a new album but the new release debuted with 141,000 equivalent copies sold (and 135,000 actual copies, marking the group's highest sales week ever). It's also the band's first no. 1 album on the Billboard 200. Kacey Musgraves and Tori Kelly also dropped new albums. -
Prince Releases New Song 'HARDROCKLOVER'; Shades Sade and Babyface?
Many would consider Prince to be among them most influential R&B performers ever, and the music he produced within that genre as some of the sexiest of all time. The Purple One himself has taken a very different attitude in his new song however, declaring during "HARDROCKLOVER" that he's just what the title suggests. -
Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters WILL Perform in Washington D.C. on July 4th
Music Times reported earlier this week that the Foo Fighters could be in quite a bit of financial trouble if frontman Dave Grohl isn't able to bounce back quickly from the leg fracture he suffered a few weeks ago...but it seems our fears are assuaged as the band has hinted that he'll be back at the fore for the band's July 4th concert in Washington D.C. -
Producer Destroyed Demos for Amy Winehouse 'Back To Black' Follow-Up
The new documentary shining light on the life of Amy Winehouse has generated both raves and controversy, but there's at least one bit of news that nearly everyone can agree is good: The final demos that the vocalist created before her death have been destroyed, ensuring that Drake won't come along and try to release them. -
Thom Yorke Albums on Apple Music...Despite Unadulterated Hatred for Streaming
Taylor Swift has become the figurehead of the anti-streaming movement in the last year thanks to pulling '1989' and the rest of her discography from Spotify during 2014, but Radiohead's Thom Yorke has hated the concept longer and more deeply than anyone. Yet Stereogum (as well as the rest of the world) was shocked to find that the frontman's solo discography was ready for streaming on Apple Music. -
Luke Bryan Announces 'Farm Tour' Dates; Cole Swindell to Open Again?
Luke Bryan may have given up on his "Spring Break" tour after this year's joint, but the "Farm Tour" is still going strong, as the country star announced the dates for 2015. The performer has performed the tour for seven years now, playing concerts on farms near agricultural communities while setting aside ticket proceeds to provide college scholarships for local students. -
The 7 Highest Music Incomes of The Last 5 Years; Dr. Dre, One Direction and More
Forbes released its annual Celebrity 100 list this week, a feature that ranks celebrities of all stripes—music, film, sports—by how socially active they are and how much they bring in. Although a number of factors add up to the final ranking, we all know that net worth is the most interesting aspect of the chart. This year's musical champ was Katy Perry, who brought in $135 million over the last 12 months, trailing only boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao overall. Music Times is looking back over the last five years and finding out what seven musicians had the biggest paydays during that span. -
David Bowie's 6 Epic Duets with Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and More
Thirty years ago today, the world was in rapture over Live Aid and the dozens of musicians who were finding ways to help the cause. Two of those musicians were David Bowie and Mick Jagger, who paired up for the iconic song (and video) for "Dancing In The Street," with the proceeds from sales going to Bob Geldof's Live Aid. The song, a cover of the classic hit from Martha and The Vandellas, was as raucous as any, but ultimately became better known for the comical video of its stars literally dancing in the streets. Bowie was among the most iconic performers in music's most iconic generation...and he's shared the stage with more iconic performers than just about anyone. Here are five other original songs that Bowie wrote and performed with legendary acts. -
Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic' Finally Available for Streaming via Apple Music
The clouds have parted and hip-hop fans are celebrating to know that Dr. Dre's classic solo album 'The Chronic' will be available digitally for the first time via Apple Music. Never before has the album been available through other streaming platforms. The album is a favorite among hip-hop fans for its defining "g-funk" style and hits such as "Nuthin But A 'G' Thang" and "F*ck Wit Dre Day (and Everybody's Celebratin')." -
Katy Perry Earns $135 Million in 2015, More Than Any Non-Boxer Celebrity
The Forbes Celebrity 100 list, ranking the highest earning stars in the world on a yearly basis, was published this week and one musician came in ahead of all entertainers (who weren't boxers): Katy Perry was the third highest-paid celebrity of the last 12 months, coming in behind only Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, respectively, with a net income of $135 million. -
Digital Dreams Day 1 Rained Out; Armin van Buuren, Porter Robinson Fans Complain
The Digital Dreams Festival in Toronto left fans with a half-empty feeling this weekend as the first day of the event was cancelled due to heavy rain, meaning fans missed out on performances from Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Porter Robinson and Steve Angello. -
Knotfest 2015 to Feature Judas Priest, Ghostface Killah and, Duh, Slipknot
Slipknot will once again bring a host of heavy metal and hip-hop headliners to San Bernardino, CA for the annual Knotfest. This year's event will feature big names such as Judas Priest, Korn and Bring Me The Horizon. -
Grateful Dead's Concert Rainbow Conspiracy: Real or Expensive Special Effect?
The Grateful Dead's first "Fare Thee Well" concert went over with rave reviews and ended on the perfect note, with a vivid rainbow appearing over Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. What was an ideal situation seemed just a little too ideal for some Deadheads and conspiracy theorists, who suggested that the high price of tickets for the concert series was partially used for outlandish specials effects...such as a rainbow machine. -
Kanye West's Hilarious Glastonbury BBC Censorsed Captions Go Viral
Music Times has already reported about how some UK media outlets went over the top in their reporting on Kanye West's headlining set at Glastonbury over the weekend, but we promise that this news bit is 100 percent worth it: The captions supplied by the BBC for the televised version of his performance have justifiably "gone viral." -
The Eagles' 5 No. 1 Hits May Surprise You (Hint: 'Already Gone' Ain't One)
Today marks the 40th anniversary of The Eagles' "One of These Nights" getting to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Getting to the top of the pop charts is one of the most difficult accomplishments in music, even for a major act (and even more difficult than topping the Billboard 200 albums chart). The Eagles has managed to do it five times across the band's lengthy career, and that's nothing to yawn at. Music Times decided to check out what five songs managed to peak on the chart...and were fairly surprised at what we found. If you were expecting "Take It Easy," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Already Gone" or other lasting hits from Their Greatest Hits...be prepared to be surprised. -
5 Great Chris Squire Bass Songs in Memory of The Legendary Yes-Man
Today is a sad one for fans of classic rock, progressive rock, and the bass guitar in general: Chris Squire was one of the most deft and appreciated players of four string to emerge from the first generation of prog rock bands, and played in every one of Yes's concerts for more than 45 years. He'll miss his first show with the band on August 7 when Yes opens a tour with Toto: Unfortunately, Squire succumbed to leukemia this weekend, shortly after he had announced his first hiatus from group. Yes has long shuffled members but Squire would end up being the one constant, and now the group will have to look deep at itself before it continues touring post-2015. For just a brief overview of Squire's best bass parts, check out the five tracks below from bios massive discography. -
Legendary Yes Bassist Chris Squire Dead at Age 67; Sound Helped Define Prog
Chris Squire, the legendary bassist and cofounder of Yes, has died at the age of 67. He announced a hiatus from the band during May as a result of recently-diagnosed acute erythroid leukemia. The band is scheduled to begin a new tour on August 7 with Toto, and it will mark the first performance in the group's 46-year history at which Squire will not appear. -
Adele Working with Pharrell Williams on '25'; Guest Appearance Possible?
It's been a while since we've gotten any new music from Adele, but the newest update seems to suggest that she's going for a uranium record (or whatever comes after platinum status): She'll be working with Pharrell Williams on the forthcoming '25.' The Neptunes producer and pop star in his own right let the details drop while being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest at the Cannes Film Festival last week. -
Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory to Merge in 2016
Two of the most esteemed music schools in the country will soon be joining forces, as officials from both the Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory announced Friday that the programs would be merging in the near future. The spacial issues involved with combining two campuses won't be too much of a problem, as both are blocks from each other in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. -
Dave Grohl's Injury Could Cost Foo Fighters Arm AND a Leg; $50 Million+?
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters are bummed that the band won't be able to tour for some time because of the frontman's leg injury, but a new report from Billboard suggests that the time away from the road will have a much greater impact on the band financially.
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