OK, it may not actually be the worst song ever recorded, but French food retailer Monoprix takes a pretty good stab at it. It’s all based on their latest campaign, and you have to wait until the end to find out why the woman in the video is continuing to listen to the song, rather than tear her headphones off by the first chorus.
https://youtu.be/2xM-hdp56VQ
Damian Kulash, lead singer of OK Go, discusses the immense amount of math behind their video,”The One Moment”.
Despite a run of legendary hit singles in the 1970s, Black Sabbath and the seven-inch single format didn’t always sit well together. After the release of their debut single ‘Evil Woman’ in 1970, followed by their ultimate explosive chart success with ‘Paranoid’, the band were not comfortable with the confines of the mainstream pop format and the audience it brought them, leading to their now legendary self-imposed ban on releasing singles in the early 70s.
“We didn’t intend to make a single in the first place,” said Tony Iommi to the Disc and Music Echo in 1971. “But after we’d completed the album, the ‘Paranoid’ track was sufficiently short to be a ‘trailer’ for the LP. We really didn’t expect it to do anything at all. We don’t go into the studio to make singles. We make LPs only. But if there is anything suitable as a result of the recordings, it would be considered, of course.”
Black Sabbath’s music was vast, expansive and heavy; not the kind of vision that can be easily shackled to the three-minute pop format. Record Mirror ran a story in November of 1970 stating that “Sabbath have decided to place a ‘ban’ on singles in the future. Their hit, ‘Paranoid’, as far as they are concerned is their first and last single. They will also oppose any attempt to draw singles material from future albums.”
Black Sabbath’s ‘ban’ on singles in their own country lasted for more than two years, and good to their word, no singles were issued from 1971’s ‘Master Of Reality’, but in 1972, as a harbinger from fourth LP, ‘Vol 4’, ‘Tomorrow’s Dream’ was issued as a 45 and from then on a steady run of singles followed that showed that, despite Sabbath’s initial dislike, many of their songs did lend themselves well to the format.
‘Supersonic Years – The Seventies Singles Box Set’ released June 8th, documents the band’s run of hit singles as never before and features an array of unique content.
• This limited-edition box set includes five rare single edits: Iron Man / Sabbath Bloody Sabbath / Am I Going Insane (Radio) / Hard Road / Symptom Of The Universe.
• 10 unique colour picture sleeves from around the world, either ultra-rare or exclusive to this box set.
• Remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce.
• New liner notes booklet detailing the rarities contained within the box set, along with the story behind the birth and evolution of the most culturally important genre of all time.
• The exclusive ‘Henry Devil’ spider-dinc seven-inch adapter that can also be used as a keyring!
The box set features the following singles:
Disc 1: Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me)/Wicked World – 1970
Disc 2: Paranoid/The Wizard – 1970
Disc 3: Iron Man (Single Edit)/Electric Funeral – 1970
Disc 4: Tomorrow’s Dream/Laguna Sunrise – 1972
Disc 5: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Edited Version)/Changes – 1973
Disc 6: Am I Going Insane (Radio) (Single Edit)/Hole In The Sky – 1975
Disc 7: Gypsy/She’s Gone – 1976
Disc 8: It’s Alright/Rock ‘N’ Roll Doctor – 1976
Disc 9: Never Say Die/She’s Gone – 1978
Disc 10: Hard Rock (Single Edit)/Symptom Of The Universe (German Single Edit) – 1978
Netflix today announced that Academy Award-winning director, producer and screenwriter Martin Scorsese will direct an untitled Netflix original comedy special exploring the enduring legacy of Emmy-winning sketch comedy show SCTV.
Scorsese will reunite comedy legends and former SCTV co-stars Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon with SCTV, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel. To be held at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre on Sunday, May 13 at 3 p.m., the filming will be part of the Netflix special, produced by longtime SCTV Producer Andrew Alexander of Second City, Emma Tillinger Koskoff of Sikelia Productions and Lindsay Cox of Insight Productions.
Canadian classic SCTV aired for six seasons between 1976 and 1984, quickly becoming one of pop culture’s touchstone comedies. The series’ stars include some of the most beloved and celebrated names in laughter, including the late John Candy and Harold Ramis.
By: W. Andrew Powell, The GATE
Actor Molly Parker may be best known for playing Jackie Sharp on House of Cards, but in her latest role, she’s taken to the stars for the Netflix Original series, Lost In Space, and even she was surprised by the tough character, and how the writers turned her into a bit of an action hero by the end of the first season.
For the new Lost In Space, Parker plays Maureen, an engineer trying to work with her estranged husband, while reconnecting with her three children on a mission to reach a distant new human settlement. Based on the original series from the 1960s, the family-friendly show is fun and thrilling, with a fantastic cast and story.
“The writers, at the beginning of the production, kept joking with me that they were going to turn me into an action hero,” Parker said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, right.’ That’s not my forte, but as it went along, it turned out they were serious. She’s tough, and that’s pretty fun. That’s fun to play.”
“I hadn’t seen the original when Netflix first approached me about doing the show,” Parker said. “I guess I had a kind of idea of it, that there was a robot and super-cheesy sets, so I wasn’t altogether convinced that it was altogether a good idea. But then I read the script and the script was so nuanced and you’re right into the action right away, and I felt very comforted that Netflix was making it because I knew that they would support it in the way that it would need to be supported.”
Parker was also thrilled that the series was family-friendly, and how well it works for parents and kids.
“I think there’s a real lack of shows out there that you can watch with your kids and you’re both really engaged and want to watch it. I think this fits right into that space, but it’s fun and it’s exciting, but it’s also sophisticated enough to keep adults engaged.”
Watch the series and find out more on Netflix.com.
Watch the full interview with star Molly Parker:
RBC Master in Residence workshops at Calgary’s National Music Centre provide opportunities for emerging artists to gain unprecedented access to masters in various genres and aspects of music. Through mentorship, lectures, and hands-on workshops, Canadian artists benefit from the unique experiences and skills of these masters. NMC will recruit these masters, and work closely to develop specific programs that unpack their distinct skills to maximize benefit for participating emerging artists.
The NMC has just announced their Master in Residence for 2018 is ex-Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page. Great choice. His songs are etched in the canon of Canadian music. As one of the principal songwriters and lead singers for Barenaked Ladies, Page co-fronted one of the most unique success stories in Canadian music, leaving a legacy of international hits, and a rabid, global fanbase. Page continues to contribute to Canada’s musical story through his successful independent career.
As NMC’s Master in Residence for 2018, Page will provide insight into his process and offer new perspectives to aspiring songwriters. Go here to apply.
As part of its 60th Anniversary conference, the Music Business Association (Music Biz) has announced that the Music Business Hall of Fame — which was previewed at last year’s conference and will celebrate the achievements of industry executives, companies, media, venues, institutions, and others who have significantly contributed to the growth and continued success of the music business — will have as its first inductee the late Tower Records Founder Russ Solomon, who passed away on March 4. The Hall of Fame will have its official launch as part of the Music Biz 2018 Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 17 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Acclaimed actor and director Colin Hanks, who directed the 2015 Tower Records documentary All Things Must Pass, will pay tribute to Solomon. Music Business Hall of Fame inductees will be selected annually by the Music Biz Board of Directors, which consists of top executives from a wide cross-section of the industry, including major and independent labels and distributors, digital music services, wholesalers, and independent record stores.
“As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary, the timing was perfect to introduce the Music Business Hall of Fame, which will give us the opportunity to highlight those who have had a tremendous and lasting impact on the business, while providing an example to the next generation who will carry it forward,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “I had spoken with Russ to tell him he would be the first inductee, and he was humbled and excited to have been selected and planned to be in Nashville for the ceremony. While we were shocked and saddened to learn of his sudden passing, we feel this will be such a fitting tribute to a man who revolutionized music retail with Tower Records. We can think of no one better than Russ to be the first, and for all future Hall of Fame inductees to follow.”
“Russ was indeed one of a kind, and I’m incredibly grateful that I was not only able to help tell his story with All Things Must Pass, I also learned a great deal from him. But far more importantly I got to know Russ and am lucky to have been able to call him a friend,” said Colin Hanks. “Much like the members of the Tower Records family, I will miss Russ dearly but take comfort in seeing his legacy live on and am honored to induct him into the Music Business Hall of Fame.”
Additionally, Hanks will attend a screening of All Things Must Pass at the 2018 Nashville Film Festival that will be held at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, May 17 at the Regal Hollywood 27.
Russ Solomon started his career selling records at his father’s Sacramento drug store, opening the first Tower Records location in 1960 in the Tower Theater building. The business thrived, and in 1968, he opened his first satellite store in San Francisco, which became the largest in the U.S. His third location, in Los Angeles, brought him an increasingly high profile as the flagship store grabbed the attention of the entertainment industry. After expanding across the U.S., Tower Records became the first foreign retailer to crack the Japanese market. Their store in Tokyo’s Shibuya district was the world’s largest music store, with 52,000 square feet of sales floor.
Tower Records revolutionized the way people experienced, listened to, and bought music. It was the first music retailer to offer a comprehensive selection of music in a wide variety of genres — all in one location — with stores open until midnight, listening stations to sample new music, and employees who knew and loved the product. At Tower’s peak, Solomon was running a billion-dollar business with locations across the U.S. and in 20 countries on four continents. In contrast to many large chains, each branch did its own ordering based on local tastes, a business model that served the company well. After decades of phenomenal success, with changes in the music industry the company fell on hard times, eventually forced to liquidate and close its doors in 2006.
Colin Hanks directed the acclaimed Tower Records documentary All Things Must Pass, which premiered at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival and opened in theaters to rave reviews in the fall of 2015. He has since directed the HBO documentary Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends) — which premiered in February 2017 and received nominations for Best Documentary and Best Music Documentary at the 2017 Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards — and the animated short film The Amazing Adventures of Wally and the Worm, which debuted to positive reviews at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival.
Since we can’t leave it up to the government to solve the problem of ticket scalping (go see secondary sites and take a look at the sheer amount of seats available, for waaaay more than the ‘allowed’ markup deemed acceptable by the people in power), kudos to The Arctic Monkeys for taking the problem into their own hands for a solution. It might not solve ALL the problems, but at least they’re trying. And it gives the fans an even further bond with their relationship with the band.
From their website:
Tickets go on sale for our Live dates in September 2018 at 9am on Friday 13th April.
We will be undertaking the below measures to prevent tickets being resold on secondary ticket sites.
For the avoidance of doubt the ONLY official ticket sellers for these shows are:
LONDON THE O2 – ONLINE & PHONE ONLY – 0844 847 8000
BIRMINGHAM ARENA – ONLINE & PHONE ONLY – 0844 338 0338
MANCHESTER ARENA– ONLINE & PHONE ONLY – 0844 847 8000
SHEFFIELD FLYDSA ARENA – ONLINE & PHONE ONLY – 0114 2 565 656
NEWCASTLE METRO RADIO ARENA– ONLINE & PHONE ONLY – 0844 493 6666
DUBLIN 3ARENA – ONLINE & PHONE ONLY
DO NOT PURCHASE TICKETS FROM ANY OTHER OUTLETS – THESE TICKETS WILL BE CANCELLED.
Age Restrictions for these shows are as follows:
Standing: 16+ (ALL DATES)
Seated: U14 accompanied by an adult (Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle)
U15 accompanied by an adult (London)
U16 accompanied by an adult (Dublin)
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s fiancée and soon-to-be royalty starred in a Tostitos commercial from 2009. Strangely enough, the company used a different woman’s voice in the advertisement.
YES, one of the biggest bands in prog rock history and true pioneers of the genre, today revealed the dates and details for this summer’s 50th Anniversary North American tour titled #YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of YES. Tickets for the 30-plus date outing, which kicks off June 5 and 6 with a two-night engagement at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, will go on sale to the public beginning this Friday, March 30 or Saturday, March 31, with select shows going on sale in early April. A handful of additional dates will be announced soon.
“Much has changed since I joined Yes in 1970, but the core elements of the band have remained consistent,” shares guitarist Steve Howe. “We want to mark this anniversary with a tour that encompasses some of our best-loved work and revisit a few classic pieces that have been lost for a while. We look forward to sharing the 50th anniversary with the fanbase, playing classic songs that celebrate the broad musical style of Yes.”
“I have been blessed to be a member of this amazing band’s rhythm section for the past 46 years, mostly in the company of my great friend Chris Squire, and latterly alongside Chris’ chosen successor, Billy Sherwood, who is receiving recognition for stepping into Chris’ pre-eminent bass and vocals,” says drummer Alan White. “Each night we are pausing to reflect on Chris’ importance to Yes, his desire that we should continue to share Yes music on stages worldwide, and the specific dedication of ‘Onward’ to his huge memory. I’m so grateful to continue to be performing on stages for our dedicated fans and look forward to celebrating our 50th Anniversary in America. It has been a great ride!”
“Being a member of the band during its 50th anniversary is a privilege and honor,” adds Geoff Downes (keys). “It is awe-inspiring to reflect on the caliber and invention of the musicians who have forged the legacy of Yes since 1968, always pushing the boundaries. Playing on stage with founder member Tony Kaye to launch the 50th anniversary [on this year’s Cruise to the Edge] was a wonderful experience for the band and our fans, to whom we dedicate this special tour.”
During this summer’s “Evening with YES” shows, YES—Steve Howe (guitar since 1970), Alan White (drums since 1972), Geoff Downes (keyboards; first joined in 1980), Jon Davison (vocals since 2011) and Billy Sherwood (guitar/keyboards in the 1990s and the late Chris Squire’s choice to take over bass/vocals in 2015) — will perform a special classic hits concert to commemorate the landmark occasion.
The cross-country trek will take the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees to Kansas City, Denver, Los Angeles (June 19 at the Ford Theater), San Jose, Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Boston, Staten Island, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Orlando, among many other cities, before wrapping July 28 in Atlanta. See below for full list of tour dates.
YES Featuring Anderson, Rabin, and Wakeman 2018 Tour Dates:
06/03 – Warsaw, PL @ Park Sowinskiego
06/05 – Mannheim, DE @ Zelt Festival
06/07 – Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene
06/09 – Solvesborg, SE @ Sweden Rock Festival
06/10 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
06/12 – Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK @ Newcastle City Hall
06/13 – York, UK @ York Barbican
06/17 – London, UK @ Stone Free Festival
08/26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whiskey A Go Go
08/27 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s By The Bay
08/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
08/31 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
09/01 – Las Vegas, NV @ Westgate Resort & Casino
09/03 – Denver, CO @ Levitt Pavilion
09/05 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater
09/07 – Chicago, IL @ Ravinia
09/08 – Northfield, OH @ Hard Rock Live
09/09 – Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Center
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Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.
Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com
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