U2 performed “Acrobat” live for the very first time on the opening night of the Experience + Innocence Tour at BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And Bono has rightfully brought out early ’90s “Mr. MacPhisto” persona as a statement with what’s going on in the world. “I haven’t seen this guy in quite a while,” he told the crowd. “I’ve been a busy little devil. But you’ve made it all so much easier for me these days. … The truth is dead and the KKK are out on the streets of Charlottesville without their silly costumes. Who would have thought? When you don’t believe that I exist, that’s when I do my best work.”
Guns N’ Roses Releasing Massive Super Deluxe Edition of ‘Appetite for Destruction’
Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction is set for a major upgrade. As anticipated, the band announced that Deluxe, Super Deluxe and a massive “Locked N’ Loaded” versions of their landmark 1987 debut album will be released on June 29.
The Super Deluxe Edition contains 73 tracks, 49 of which have never been released, spread out over four CDs. This includes one disc of B-sides and EPs, and two discs containing 25 songs from their famed 1986 sessions at Los Angeles’ Sound City Studios and two tracks (“Shadow of Your Love” and an acoustic version of “Move to the City”) from another session with producer Mike Clink. There is also a Blu-ray with 5.1 surround mixes of the original album, five bonus tracks and five music videos, including an unreleased clip for “It’s So Easy.”
In addition, the set contains a 96-page hardbound book with unreleased photos from Axl Rose’s archive and memorabilia, including lithos of the band members and Robert Williams’ controversial original cover, a wall poster, a “Welcome to the Jungle” video invite flyer originally drawn by Slash, replica ticket stubs and temporary tattoos. It’s housed in a simulated-leather wrapped slipcase with embossed logos.
https://youtu.be/CpVrCQv3m7c
Arrested Development: Star Wars with Ron Howard
Solo: A Star Wars Story director Ron Howard narrates the story of Star Wars: A New Hope, in the style of the credits from Arrested Development.
Celine Dion Releases Deadpool 2 Song, “Ashes”
Céline Dion’s Ashes, from the Deadpool 2 Motion Picture Soundtrack, is a sure bet for next year’s Oscars, since not only will be heard by millions of movie-goers, but the lyrics are as autobiographical as anything else she’s performed.
What’s left to say?
These prayers ain’t working anymore
Every word shot down in flames
What’s left to do with these broken pieces on the floor?
I’m losing my voice calling on you
‘Cause I’ve been shaking, I’ve been bending backwards ‘till I’m broke
Watching all these dreams go up in smoke
Let beauty come out of ashes
Let beauty come out of ashes
And when I pray to God all I ask is
Can beauty come out of ashes?
The memory of René Angélil,Celine’s manager and husband might be all over these thoughts. But then, maybe that what she wants us to think. Either way, it fits in my mind today.
The song is included on the Deadpool 2 OST, set for release on May 18. The package also includes classic songs by a-ha, Cher, Dolly Parton, Air Supply, Pat Benatar and Peter Gabriel and is released the same day the movie opens.
The accompanying official video for “Ashes”, helmed by the film’s director David Leitch features Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool! It was filmed in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace where Dion hosts her Las Vegas residency show. The actual film was shot in Vancouver.
Toronto Symphony To Feature Screenings Of Star Wars With Live Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will present the Star Wars: Film Concert Series featuring screenings of the complete films A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens with Oscar-winning composer John Williams’s musical scores performed live to the films. The concerts will be led by conductor Sarah Hicks (A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back) and TSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke (Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens).
Tickets (ranging from $50.90 to $126.75) go on sale at 12:00pm today. Please call 416.593.1285 or visit TSO.CA.
Since the release of the first Star Wars movie 40 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects, and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.
Fans will be able to experience the scope and grandeur of these beloved Star Wars films in a live symphonic concert experience, as the Star Wars: Film Concert Series debuts January 23, 2019, at 7:30pm in Roy Thomson Hall. The full schedule is as follows:
January 23, 24, 25, 26, 2019, at 7:30pm — A New Hope
March 20, 21, 22, 23, 2019, at 7:30pm — The Empire Strikes Back
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 2019, at 7:30pm — Return of the Jedi
May 6, 7, 8, 9, 2020, at 7:30pm — The Force Awakens
GZA & The Soul Rebels’ Tiny Desk Concert
GZA’s performance at the Tiny Desk was a rare appearance for the legendary Wu-Tang Clan emcee, in part because he’s notoriously introverted, and because he brought along The Soul Rebels, an eight-piece New Orleans brass ensemble. Once they stepped behind the desk they got right down to business, opening with the sparkling “Living In The World Today,” from GZA’s 1995 solo album Liquid Swords. These 23-year old lyrics and metaphors felt timeless.
Cool Reading For This Weekend: Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music
Dolly Parton is instantly recognizable for her iconic style and persona, but how did she create her enduring image? Dolly crafted her exaggerated appearance and stage personality by combining two opposing stereotypes—the innocent mountain girl and the voluptuous sex symbol. Emerging through her lyrics, personal stories, stage presence, and visual imagery, these wildly different gender tropes form a central part of Dolly’s media image and portrayal of herself as a star and celebrity. By developing a multilayered image and persona, Dolly both critiques representations of femininity in country music and attracts a diverse fan base ranging from country and pop music fans to feminists and gay rights advocates. In Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music, Leigh H. Edwards explores Dolly’s roles as musician, actor, author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur to show how Dolly’s gender subversion highlights the challenges that can be found even in the most seemingly traditional form of American popular music. As Dolly depicts herself as simultaneously “real” and “fake,” she offers new perspectives on country music’s claims of authenticity.
Leigh H. Edwards is Associate Professor of English at Florida State University. She is author of Johnny Cash and the Paradox of American Identity and The Triumph of Reality TV: The Revolution in American Television.
You can get you copy here.
Financier Michael Wekerle Isn’t Coming Back To Dragon’s Den Next Year Because…
Think financier Michael Wekerle isn’t serious about getting Toronto’s iconic music video El Mocambo up and running again? Check this out, then. He won’t be returning to Season 13 of Dragons’ Den, and putting his efforts on making sure we misfits have another place to see live music.
The Future Is Female Panel Is A Must-See at Canadian Music Week
Maureen Holloway is the 2018 recipient of the The Rosalie Award from the Radio Trailblazers. A fan favourite on the Toronto airwaves, after longtime stints at Mix 99.9 (CKFM-FM), then Q107 (CILQ-FM), she is now one half of Darren and Mo on 98.1 CHFI-FM. Holloway is also familiar to listeners as host of nationally-syndicated entertainment feature The Last Word, now rebranded as Other People’s Business. Holloway will also moderate a panel during Canadian Music Week entitled The Future is Female addressing the #metoo and #timesup movements. Any CMW delegate can take in the May 10th panel featuring media exec Denise Donlon; Julie Adams, SVP Rogers Radio; and Susan Marjetti, CBC’s executive director of radio/audio, among others.
John Legend and 2018 BBMA Host, Kelly Clarkson, To Perform at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards
dick clark productions and NBC announced today that “2018 Billboard Music Awards” host, Kelly Clarkson, and two-time Billboard Music Award winner, John Legend, will both perform on the three-hour live telecast, airing Sunday, May 20th at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.
NBC’s “The Voice” coach was announced as the “Billboard Music Awards’” host last week and will emcee the award show for the first time. Legend is coming off his starring role in NBC’s commercially and critically acclaimed “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.”
The artists will join previously announced performers BTS, Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa and Shawn Mendes on a night filled with music’s biggest names. The show will feature performances from this year’s hottest musical acts, unexpected collaborations and buzzworthy moments that celebrate 60 years of the Billboard Hot 100.
Kelly Clarkson made her Billboard chart debut a little over 15 years ago and has charted over two dozen hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including 11 Top 10s. Three of those songs soared all the way to No. 1: “A Moment Like This,” “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).” She’s also claimed 10 entries on the Billboard 200 albums chart, including three No. 1s. Her most recent release, 2017’s “Meaning of Life,” bowed at No. 2 and launched a pair of Top 20-charting hits on the Adult Pop Songs chart: “Love So Soft” and “I Don’t Think About You.” Clarkson has earned four Adult Pop Songs No. 1s, among 16 Top 10s, the latter total a mark that only two other artists have achieved in the chart’s two-decade-plus history. In total, Clarkson’s catalog of albums has earned 18.6 million equivalent album units in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music, while her songs have sold more than 35 million downloads and generated over 1.5 billion on-demand streams.
Two-time Billboard Music Award winner John Legend has been adding to his collection of chart accolades for over a decade, dating to his Billboard chart debut in May 2004 on Slum Village’s “Selfish,” with Kanye West. Since then, the R&B singer has launched 15 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including his smash hit “All of Me” in 2014, which spent three weeks atop the chart and finished the year at No. 3 on Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 ranking. Legend has also scored six Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, which has helped him earn over 8 million equivalent album units in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music.
Kelly Clarkson has sold more than 25 million albums and 36 million singles worldwide. She has placed 11 singles in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is the recipient of three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and a CMA Award. The acclaimed singer/songwriter released her highly anticipated new album “Meaning of Life,” the first for Atlantic Records, on Oct. 27, 2017. “Meaning of Life,” featuring the emotionally charged single “I Don’t Think About You,” is the album Clarkson was destined to make with Atlantic, a collection of smart and sensual soul-inspired pop that immediately belongs among the legendary label’s classic canon. For her eighth studio album – and follow-up to 2015’s chart-topping “Piece By Piece” – Clarkson united a stellar team of top songwriters and producers to collaborate, among them past collaborators Jason Halbert, Jesse Shatkin and Grammy-winning Producer of the Year Greg Kurstin, as well as first-time collaborators Mick Schultz, the Monarch and Nick Ruth, among others.
Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece,” debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking her third No. 1 debut. “Piece by Piece” garnered two 2016 Grammy nominations (Pop Vocal Album and Pop Solo Performance for her hit single “Heartbeat Song”). Clarkson’s 2011 release, “Stronger,” was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, and produced the smash singles “Mr. Know It All” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” which marked her ninth and 10th Top 10 hits. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” was No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks (three weeks total), marking her third No.1 on the Hot 100 chart. In 2013, she released her first holiday album, “Wrapped in Red,” which debuted at No. 3, was the biggest holiday album debut for a female artist since 2010, and is certified platinum.
Clarkson is also a New York Times best-selling author, having recently released her second children’s picture book, “River Rose and the Magical Christmas”. This is the follow-up to “River Rose and the Magical Lullaby,” which debuted at No. 7 on The New York Times bestsellers list for children’s picture books.
Clarkson currently serves as a coach on the four-time Emmy Award-winning competition series “The Voice.”