LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Grammy Awards, the music industry's top awards, will return to Los Angeles for tenth straight year in 2013, taking place on February 10, organizers said on Thursday.
The annual nominations concert also will be held in Los Angeles and take place on December 5, 2012, the Recording Academy said in a statement.
Both the nominations and the awards - in its 55th edition for 2013 - will take place in the city's Staples Center and be broadcast live on U.S. television network CBS.
Only a handful of the 70-plus categories for the awards are featured in the nominations and awards show, including the top honors of album, record and song of the year.
A week of cultural events and activities take place in the run up to music's biggest night, including producer Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala the night before the awards which was struck by tragedy this past February after the sudden death of singer Whitney Houston a few hours before the party.
Houston's death cast a shadow on the 2012 awards show, and the late singer was commemorated by Jennifer Hudson singing 'I Will Always Love You.'
A record 39.9 million viewers tuned in to see British singer Adele sweep top categories, take home six Grammys, and sing a heartfelt rendition of her hit single 'Rolling In The Deep.' It was her first performance since her throat surgery in late 2011.
The awards show also brought back a host for the first time in seven years with actor-singer LL Cool J, and featured performances by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and a electronic dance music tribute with Deadmau5 and Foo Fighters.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy)
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Amy Winehouse London home put up for sale
LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Amy Winehouse's family have put her north London home up for sale following her death last July, a spokesman for the family said on Thursday.
'The Winehouses have decided to put the house on the market, with great regret,' the spokesman said in an email to Reuters.
'Amy loved that house but none of the family felt it appropriate that they should live in it and it was not practical to keep it empty while paying the costs of its upkeep.'
Winehouse's fans have flocked to the property in Camden, north London and transformed a nearby square into a shrine following the 'Back To Black' star's death.
Winehouse was 27 years old when her body was discovered at the house after a long battle with drink and drugs.
Newspaper reports said the three-bedroomed property had gone on the market for 2.7 million pounds ($4.2 million).
(Reporting by Paul Casciato; Editing by Steve Addison)
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'The Winehouses have decided to put the house on the market, with great regret,' the spokesman said in an email to Reuters.
'Amy loved that house but none of the family felt it appropriate that they should live in it and it was not practical to keep it empty while paying the costs of its upkeep.'
Winehouse's fans have flocked to the property in Camden, north London and transformed a nearby square into a shrine following the 'Back To Black' star's death.
Winehouse was 27 years old when her body was discovered at the house after a long battle with drink and drugs.
Newspaper reports said the three-bedroomed property had gone on the market for 2.7 million pounds ($4.2 million).
(Reporting by Paul Casciato; Editing by Steve Addison)
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The top 10 songs and albums on the iTunes Store
iTunes' Official Music Charts for the week ending May 28, 2012
Top Songs:
1. 'Call Me Maybe,' Carly Rae Jepsen
2. 'Payphone (feat. Wiz Khalifa),' Maroon 5
3. 'Somebody That I Used to Know,' Gotye
4. 'Starships,' Nicki Minaj
5. 'Back In Time (From 'Men In Black III'),' Pitbull
6. 'Boyfriend,' Justin Bieber
7. 'We Are Young,' Fun.
8. 'Wild Ones (feat. Sia),' Flo Rida
9. 'Where Have You Been,' Rihanna
10. 'Scream,' Usher
Top Albums:
1. 'Born and Raised,' John Mayer
2. 'Once Upon Another Time - EP,' Sara Bareilles
3. 'Up All Night,' One Direction
4. '21,' ADELE
5. 'Blown Away,' Carrie Underwood
6. 'Vows,' Kimbra
7. 'Apocalyptic Love (feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators),' Slash
8. 'Glee: The Music - The Graduation Album,' Glee Cast
9. 'Making Mirrors,' Gotye
10. 'Listen Up!,' Haley Reinhart
___
(copyright) 2012 Apple, Inc.
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Top Songs:
1. 'Call Me Maybe,' Carly Rae Jepsen
2. 'Payphone (feat. Wiz Khalifa),' Maroon 5
3. 'Somebody That I Used to Know,' Gotye
4. 'Starships,' Nicki Minaj
5. 'Back In Time (From 'Men In Black III'),' Pitbull
6. 'Boyfriend,' Justin Bieber
7. 'We Are Young,' Fun.
8. 'Wild Ones (feat. Sia),' Flo Rida
9. 'Where Have You Been,' Rihanna
10. 'Scream,' Usher
Top Albums:
1. 'Born and Raised,' John Mayer
2. 'Once Upon Another Time - EP,' Sara Bareilles
3. 'Up All Night,' One Direction
4. '21,' ADELE
5. 'Blown Away,' Carrie Underwood
6. 'Vows,' Kimbra
7. 'Apocalyptic Love (feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators),' Slash
8. 'Glee: The Music - The Graduation Album,' Glee Cast
9. 'Making Mirrors,' Gotye
10. 'Listen Up!,' Haley Reinhart
___
(copyright) 2012 Apple, Inc.
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John Mayer tops Billboard album chart
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - John Mayer earned some redemption from fans after his fifth album 'Born And Raised' debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart on Wednesday, beating back stiff competition from rocker Slash and several 'American Idol' alumni.
After making headlines with a string of controversial comments in various publications about his high-profile relationships and personal life in 2010, Mayer retreated to a quieter life in Montana, embracing laid-back country sounds for 'Born And Raised.'
The album sold 219,000 copies in its first week, notching a third No. 1 debut for the 34-year-old singer, who is currently unable to sing due to a type of tumor known as granuloma in his throat. He previously topped the charts with 2003's 'Heavier Things' and 2009's 'Battle Studies.'
Other new entries in the top ten include ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash at No. 4 with 'Apocalyptic Love' featuring Miles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Christian rock group MercyMe at No. 7 with 'The Hurt & The Healer,' and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles at No. 8 with her EP 'Once Upon Another Time.'
After last week's 'American Idol' finale, winner Phillip Phillips notched the No. 11 spot on the Billboard 200 with his live performance compilation from the show 'Phillip Phillips: Journey To The Finale.' He also scored a No. 2 debut on the Digital Songs chart with his lead single 'Home,' selling 27,000 copies in its first week.
Several 'Idol' alumni played a strong presence in the album chart this week with country singer Carrie Underwood holding steady at No. 3 with 'Blown Away,' Haley Reinhart debuting at No. 17 with 'Listen Up' and 2009 winner Kris Allen entering at No. 26 with his second studio album 'Thank You Camelia.'
Last week's 'Idol' chart topper, Adam Lambert, dropped to No. 12 this week after selling 22,000 copies of 'Trespassing.'
(This story was corrected to fix John Mayer's fifth album in first paragraph)
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy)
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After making headlines with a string of controversial comments in various publications about his high-profile relationships and personal life in 2010, Mayer retreated to a quieter life in Montana, embracing laid-back country sounds for 'Born And Raised.'
The album sold 219,000 copies in its first week, notching a third No. 1 debut for the 34-year-old singer, who is currently unable to sing due to a type of tumor known as granuloma in his throat. He previously topped the charts with 2003's 'Heavier Things' and 2009's 'Battle Studies.'
Other new entries in the top ten include ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash at No. 4 with 'Apocalyptic Love' featuring Miles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Christian rock group MercyMe at No. 7 with 'The Hurt & The Healer,' and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles at No. 8 with her EP 'Once Upon Another Time.'
After last week's 'American Idol' finale, winner Phillip Phillips notched the No. 11 spot on the Billboard 200 with his live performance compilation from the show 'Phillip Phillips: Journey To The Finale.' He also scored a No. 2 debut on the Digital Songs chart with his lead single 'Home,' selling 27,000 copies in its first week.
Several 'Idol' alumni played a strong presence in the album chart this week with country singer Carrie Underwood holding steady at No. 3 with 'Blown Away,' Haley Reinhart debuting at No. 17 with 'Listen Up' and 2009 winner Kris Allen entering at No. 26 with his second studio album 'Thank You Camelia.'
Last week's 'Idol' chart topper, Adam Lambert, dropped to No. 12 this week after selling 22,000 copies of 'Trespassing.'
(This story was corrected to fix John Mayer's fifth album in first paragraph)
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy)
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Thailand furious at Lady Gaga's fake Rolex tweet
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's government is up in arms over a tweet by pop sensation Lady Gaga about buying a fake designer watch in a Bangkok street market and has complained to the United States.
Bangkok's sprawling outdoor markets and some of its big shopping malls are widely known for selling near-perfect replicas of famous luxury brands, often imported from China.
Even so, Gaga's May 23 tweet, two days ahead of a sellout concert in Bangkok, struck a raw nerve with some Thais who said the zany artist had dented the country's reputation by suggesting she could easily get her hands on a fake Rolex watch.
The Grammy Award winner, who cancelled a concert after threats in Indonesia and faced protests by conservative groups in the Philippines and South Korea, has not apologized for the tweet, which Thailand's Commerce Ministry said undermined its efforts to stamp out piracy.
'Lady Gaga is a representative of the U.S. and the U.S. puts pressure on smaller countries to promote the protection of intellectual property,' an official at the ministry's Intellectual Property Department told Reuters, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
'She should tell her fans that they shouldn't use fake goods.'
Gaga's comment stirred debate on Thai web forums and social media. A small protest took place in Bangkok's business district but that failed to keep fans away from her much-anticipated show on Friday, which attracted 50,000 people.
Gaga's contentious tweet to her 24 million followers said: 'I just landed in Bangkok baby! Ready for 50,000 screaming Thai monsters. I wanna get lost in a lady market and buy a fake rolex.'
She was believed to be referring to the popular Ladies' Market in Hong Kong.
Officials at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok were unavailable for comment.
(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Martin Petty and Nick Macfie)
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Bangkok's sprawling outdoor markets and some of its big shopping malls are widely known for selling near-perfect replicas of famous luxury brands, often imported from China.
Even so, Gaga's May 23 tweet, two days ahead of a sellout concert in Bangkok, struck a raw nerve with some Thais who said the zany artist had dented the country's reputation by suggesting she could easily get her hands on a fake Rolex watch.
The Grammy Award winner, who cancelled a concert after threats in Indonesia and faced protests by conservative groups in the Philippines and South Korea, has not apologized for the tweet, which Thailand's Commerce Ministry said undermined its efforts to stamp out piracy.
'Lady Gaga is a representative of the U.S. and the U.S. puts pressure on smaller countries to promote the protection of intellectual property,' an official at the ministry's Intellectual Property Department told Reuters, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
'She should tell her fans that they shouldn't use fake goods.'
Gaga's comment stirred debate on Thai web forums and social media. A small protest took place in Bangkok's business district but that failed to keep fans away from her much-anticipated show on Friday, which attracted 50,000 people.
Gaga's contentious tweet to her 24 million followers said: 'I just landed in Bangkok baby! Ready for 50,000 screaming Thai monsters. I wanna get lost in a lady market and buy a fake rolex.'
She was believed to be referring to the popular Ladies' Market in Hong Kong.
Officials at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok were unavailable for comment.
(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Martin Petty and Nick Macfie)
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Justin Bieber accused of battering man taking photos
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are investigating a complaint that Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber roughed up a man who was taking pictures of the performer at a suburban shopping center, police said on Monday.
Deputies were called on Sunday to an outdoor shopping area in Calabasas, about 23 miles northwest of Hollywood, by a man who reported having just had an altercation with Bieber, the sheriff's department said in a press statement.
According to the statement, the man said he was taking pictures of Bieber, who was with his girlfriend, actress Selena Gomez, when the singer 'physically battered' him.
Bieber's publicist with Island/Def Jam Music Group could not immediately be reached for comment.
A spokeswoman for the sheriff's department, Lillian Peck, declined to give further details about the nature of the alleged confrontation or any injuries suffered by the man.
But Peck said the man, who was not identified by police, complained of pain, and after requesting medical attention was treated on the scene by paramedics, then taken to a local hospital, where he was examined and later released.
Bieber, 18, who has professed a determination to maintain a squeaky-clean image, had left the shopping center with Gomez, 19, before officers arrived, according to the man with the camera.
Peck said sheriff's deputies are investigating the case as a misdemeanor battery complaint and were looking for any possible eyewitnesses, but she did not know whether they had contacted Bieber about the incident.
The Hollywood news website TMZ.com reported that the man behind the complaint was a professional celebrity photographer.
Citing accounts of witnesses at the scene, TMZ said the paparazzo was blocking Bieber's car as the entertainer was trying to leave and that a scuffle ensued after Bieber got out of his car, asked the man to leave and the man refused.
TMZ also reported that after the altercation, a lawyer approached the photographer and suggested he could collect a lot of money by calling for an ambulance and filing a police report.
The cherubic-faced singer, discovered in 2008 through homemade music videos he posted on YouTube, released his first album at age 15 and rocketed to international fame on his way to logging 41 million fans on Facebook and 20 million on Twitter.
Bieber's latest hit single, 'Boyfriend,' debuted at No. 2 last month on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that the recent high school graduate paid $6.5 million for his first house, a 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) luxury home set in a gated community of Calabasas. Amenities are reported to include a movie theater with stadium-style seating, a library, wet bar, wine cellar, guest house and swimming pool.
(Reporting and writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Paul Simao)
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Deputies were called on Sunday to an outdoor shopping area in Calabasas, about 23 miles northwest of Hollywood, by a man who reported having just had an altercation with Bieber, the sheriff's department said in a press statement.
According to the statement, the man said he was taking pictures of Bieber, who was with his girlfriend, actress Selena Gomez, when the singer 'physically battered' him.
Bieber's publicist with Island/Def Jam Music Group could not immediately be reached for comment.
A spokeswoman for the sheriff's department, Lillian Peck, declined to give further details about the nature of the alleged confrontation or any injuries suffered by the man.
But Peck said the man, who was not identified by police, complained of pain, and after requesting medical attention was treated on the scene by paramedics, then taken to a local hospital, where he was examined and later released.
Bieber, 18, who has professed a determination to maintain a squeaky-clean image, had left the shopping center with Gomez, 19, before officers arrived, according to the man with the camera.
Peck said sheriff's deputies are investigating the case as a misdemeanor battery complaint and were looking for any possible eyewitnesses, but she did not know whether they had contacted Bieber about the incident.
The Hollywood news website TMZ.com reported that the man behind the complaint was a professional celebrity photographer.
Citing accounts of witnesses at the scene, TMZ said the paparazzo was blocking Bieber's car as the entertainer was trying to leave and that a scuffle ensued after Bieber got out of his car, asked the man to leave and the man refused.
TMZ also reported that after the altercation, a lawyer approached the photographer and suggested he could collect a lot of money by calling for an ambulance and filing a police report.
The cherubic-faced singer, discovered in 2008 through homemade music videos he posted on YouTube, released his first album at age 15 and rocketed to international fame on his way to logging 41 million fans on Facebook and 20 million on Twitter.
Bieber's latest hit single, 'Boyfriend,' debuted at No. 2 last month on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that the recent high school graduate paid $6.5 million for his first house, a 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) luxury home set in a gated community of Calabasas. Amenities are reported to include a movie theater with stadium-style seating, a library, wet bar, wine cellar, guest house and swimming pool.
(Reporting and writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Paul Simao)
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Elvis' crypt, other rock, sports items to be sold
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The crypt in which Elvis Presley's body was first laid to rest before being moved to the grounds of his Graceland mansion is set to be auctioned off in June along with other memorabilia from rock music and sports stars.
Julien's Auctions Sports Legends and Music Icons sale will feature items from Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards and the late singer Amy Winehouse to basketball superstar Michael Jordan, the auctioneer said in a statement on Monday.
But the original Elvis crypt is likely to gain a lot of attention. Elvis, among the best known rock 'n' rollers of all time, died in 1977 and following his funeral at Graceland, his body was temporarily entombed in the crypt of a private mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
After about two months, both his body and that of his mother were moved to a permanent site in the meditation garden on the grounds of Graceland. Beverly Hills-based Julien's said the lot for sale includes the crypt, opening and closing of the vault for burial, memorial inscription and use of a small chapel for a memorial service.
The two-day sale on June 23 and 24 also includes a ripped t-shirt with 'Hell' scrawled across it Keith Richards once wore while playing for the Stones.
A robe that Amy Winehouse used in her video for smash hit 'Rehab' will be sold, as will memorabilia and clothing owned by David Bowie, John Lennon and Michael Jackson.
Sports items include a pair of shoes worn and signed by Michael Jordan, the hood of a race car signed by driving champion Tony Stewart and a Lance Armstrong skin suit worn in the 2003 Tour de France.
(Reporting By Bob Tourtellotte; editing by Todd Eastham)
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Julien's Auctions Sports Legends and Music Icons sale will feature items from Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards and the late singer Amy Winehouse to basketball superstar Michael Jordan, the auctioneer said in a statement on Monday.
But the original Elvis crypt is likely to gain a lot of attention. Elvis, among the best known rock 'n' rollers of all time, died in 1977 and following his funeral at Graceland, his body was temporarily entombed in the crypt of a private mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
After about two months, both his body and that of his mother were moved to a permanent site in the meditation garden on the grounds of Graceland. Beverly Hills-based Julien's said the lot for sale includes the crypt, opening and closing of the vault for burial, memorial inscription and use of a small chapel for a memorial service.
The two-day sale on June 23 and 24 also includes a ripped t-shirt with 'Hell' scrawled across it Keith Richards once wore while playing for the Stones.
A robe that Amy Winehouse used in her video for smash hit 'Rehab' will be sold, as will memorabilia and clothing owned by David Bowie, John Lennon and Michael Jackson.
Sports items include a pair of shoes worn and signed by Michael Jordan, the hood of a race car signed by driving champion Tony Stewart and a Lance Armstrong skin suit worn in the 2003 Tour de France.
(Reporting By Bob Tourtellotte; editing by Todd Eastham)
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Sweden wins song contest marked by Azeri dissent
BAKU (Reuters) - Sweden's Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan on Sunday before an international TV audience of 100 million, days after angering Azeri authorities by meeting rights activists critical of the host country's human rights record.
Opposition groups have used the Eurovision spotlight, intended by Azerbaijan to promote the oil-rich country as a destination for tourism and business, to demand democratic reform and the resignation of the government.
Dozens of peaceful protesters have been arrested this month in Baku. Activists say some buildings in the centre of the city were torn down to make way for the Eurovision arena, an extravagantly illuminated 23,000-seat 'Crystal Hall' on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and residents were forcibly evicted without proper compensation.
The 28-year-old pop singer won with the song 'Euphoria' in the annual competition of 42 countries, delighting viewers and the contest's professional judges and dancing barefoot as she sang. After the show, traditionally heavy on kitsch, bizarre costumes and dramatic presentation but low on politics, Loreen steered clear of any controversial statements.
'This is about all of us! Thank you so very much!' she told a news conference. 'Time has stopped,' Loreen said about her feelings after she was announced as winner.
Russia's entry, rural folk group Buranovskiye Babushki (Grannies from Buranovo), dressed in traditional peasant dress and somewhat incongruous in the dancing spotlights, came in second. Serbia's Zeljko Joksimovic was third.
Last week, Loreen met activists who accuse the government of forcing people from their homes for the building of the hall, an accusation Baku denies. Azeri authorities accused her of making political statements that had no place at a musical event.
'Human rights are violated in Azerbaijan every day,' the opposition newspaper Azadliq quoted Loreen as saying after last week's encounter. 'One should not be silent about such things.'
Opposition activists and international rights groups accuse President Ilham Aliyev of stifling dissent in the southern Caucasus nation, which became independent of the Soviet Union in 1991. Aliyev, who denies the accusation, has run the country since 2003, when he succeeded his father.
'HISTORICAL AND MAGICAL'
After the result was announced, hundreds of people poured onto a roundabout in central Stockholm, dancing in a fountain, honking horns and waving flags and playing the winning song.
'This is historical and magical! I think I'm going to die. This is the best thing that has happened to Sweden in 13 years!' said 20-year-old Tanja Tuuliainen, wearing a Swedish flag and drinking from a bottle of champagne with her girlfriends on the edge of a fountain in downtown Stockholm.
Sweden's entry last won the Eurovision competition in 1999.
Celebrants bathed in their underwear in the fountain, where Swedes traditionally celebrate major sporting event wins.
Hundreds sang 'We're going up up up up up!!!', repeating a line from Loreen's song.
The Eurovision Song Contest has been a launching pad for international careers. Swedish pop group Abba became famous after winning in 1974 with 'Waterloo' and Canada's Celine Dion took top honors in 1988 for Switzerland.
To promote talent over politically and geographically motivated bloc voting, professional judges now account for 50 percent of a performer's score.
The other half comes from telephone and SMS votes received by each contestant, with fans unable to vote for their own country's entry.
As winner, Sweden will host the next Eurovision contest.
(Additional reporting by Mia Shanley in Stockholm; Editing by Louise Ireland and Ralph Boulton)
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Opposition groups have used the Eurovision spotlight, intended by Azerbaijan to promote the oil-rich country as a destination for tourism and business, to demand democratic reform and the resignation of the government.
Dozens of peaceful protesters have been arrested this month in Baku. Activists say some buildings in the centre of the city were torn down to make way for the Eurovision arena, an extravagantly illuminated 23,000-seat 'Crystal Hall' on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and residents were forcibly evicted without proper compensation.
The 28-year-old pop singer won with the song 'Euphoria' in the annual competition of 42 countries, delighting viewers and the contest's professional judges and dancing barefoot as she sang. After the show, traditionally heavy on kitsch, bizarre costumes and dramatic presentation but low on politics, Loreen steered clear of any controversial statements.
'This is about all of us! Thank you so very much!' she told a news conference. 'Time has stopped,' Loreen said about her feelings after she was announced as winner.
Russia's entry, rural folk group Buranovskiye Babushki (Grannies from Buranovo), dressed in traditional peasant dress and somewhat incongruous in the dancing spotlights, came in second. Serbia's Zeljko Joksimovic was third.
Last week, Loreen met activists who accuse the government of forcing people from their homes for the building of the hall, an accusation Baku denies. Azeri authorities accused her of making political statements that had no place at a musical event.
'Human rights are violated in Azerbaijan every day,' the opposition newspaper Azadliq quoted Loreen as saying after last week's encounter. 'One should not be silent about such things.'
Opposition activists and international rights groups accuse President Ilham Aliyev of stifling dissent in the southern Caucasus nation, which became independent of the Soviet Union in 1991. Aliyev, who denies the accusation, has run the country since 2003, when he succeeded his father.
'HISTORICAL AND MAGICAL'
After the result was announced, hundreds of people poured onto a roundabout in central Stockholm, dancing in a fountain, honking horns and waving flags and playing the winning song.
'This is historical and magical! I think I'm going to die. This is the best thing that has happened to Sweden in 13 years!' said 20-year-old Tanja Tuuliainen, wearing a Swedish flag and drinking from a bottle of champagne with her girlfriends on the edge of a fountain in downtown Stockholm.
Sweden's entry last won the Eurovision competition in 1999.
Celebrants bathed in their underwear in the fountain, where Swedes traditionally celebrate major sporting event wins.
Hundreds sang 'We're going up up up up up!!!', repeating a line from Loreen's song.
The Eurovision Song Contest has been a launching pad for international careers. Swedish pop group Abba became famous after winning in 1974 with 'Waterloo' and Canada's Celine Dion took top honors in 1988 for Switzerland.
To promote talent over politically and geographically motivated bloc voting, professional judges now account for 50 percent of a performer's score.
The other half comes from telephone and SMS votes received by each contestant, with fans unable to vote for their own country's entry.
As winner, Sweden will host the next Eurovision contest.
(Additional reporting by Mia Shanley in Stockholm; Editing by Louise Ireland and Ralph Boulton)
This article is brought to you by PICTURES OF SEXY GIRLS.
Sweden wins Eurovision Song Contest
Opposition groups have used the Eurovision spotlight, intended by Azerbaijan to promote the country as a destination for tourism and business, to demand democracy and the resignation of the government.
Dozens of peaceful protesters have been arrested this month in the Caspian coastal capital, Baku. Activists say some buildings in the centre of the city were torn down to make way for the Eurovision arena and residents were forcibly evicted without proper compensation.
The 28-year-old won with the song 'Euphoria' in the annual competition of 42 countries, delighting viewers and the contest's professional judges and dancing barefoot as she sang.
Russia came second and Serbia was third in the 57th year of a contest famous for heavy-duty kitsch.
The competition took place in a specially-built 'Crystal Hall' on the shores of the Caspian.
Loreen met activists who accuse the government of forcing people from their homes for the building of the hall, an accusation Baku denies. Azeri authorities accused her of making political statements that did not belong in a musical event.
The Eurovision Song Contest has been a launching pad for international careers. Swedish pop group Abba became famous after winning in 1974 with 'Waterloo' and Canada's Celine Dion took top honors in 1988 for Switzerland.
To promote talent over politically and geographically motivated bloc voting, professional judges now account for 50 percent of a performer's score.
The other half comes from the number of telephone and SMS votes each contestant receives, with fans unable to vote for their own country's entry.
As winner, Sweden will host the next Eurovision contest.
(Reporting by Margarita Antidze; Editing by Louise Ireland and Ralph Boulton)
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John Lydon boosts his Public Image with new album
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - As bad boy lead singer of the anarchic, trail-blazing and short-lived 1970s punk band the Sex Pistols, John Lydon (then Johnny Rotten) snarled and spat his way across a shocked society and music scene still pleasantly half-high from the mellow 1960s.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Lydon left the Pistols in 1978 to form the more experimental - if less commercially successful - Public Image Ltd., and for the next 15 years the band's shifting lineup released a dozen albums and toured the world.
PiL finally sputtered out in 1993, but now Lydon has revived the band, and he talked to Reuters about their new album, 'This is PiL,' their tour and how butter changed his life.
Q: It's been 20 years since the last PiL album. Why did it take you so long?
A: 'Not my choice. The record company and contract obligations kept me in a state of non-recoupment and I had to outwait them. It was a very difficult time for me, almost like a state of mental starvation. You're gagging at the bit to work, and music's my life. But I found that the law worked against me, all the corporations and accountants. So I had a very negative view of business-as-usual.'
Q: So what changed?
A: 'Three years ago a British butter company approached me with the wonderfully loony idea of me promoting butter (laughs). How brilliant, I thought! Insane, right? Not bonkers money, but it got me working again. And I found everyone involved to be so honorable and decent that I was thrilled. And with that money, I put the band back together.'
Q: Were you a bit rusty, despite all the butter?
A: (Laughs) 'I was well-buttered, and firstly we wanted to tour. That was important to get me chops and respect back. So we did two years touring, and gradually the idea of a new album came together, along with forming our own record label, PiL Official. And thanks to the tours, we were able to finance it all ourselves.'
Q: Is it true you recorded the album at Stevie Winwood's studio?
A: 'Yeah, it was the only place we could afford. It was his barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds, with nothing for inspiration but sheep - and I don't like sheep particularly.'
Q: Did Stevie Winwood come to the sessions?
A: 'He did, but only with one ear to the barn door, and then he pretended to be watering the daisies. So he never contributed, but it was great he rented us the studio.'
Q: How did the sessions go?
A: 'Fantastic! The 30 years of heartbreak, arguments, problems, animosities and bad management have led to good management, good interaction between band members and a wonderful sense of freedom. It's been worth the wait. So now I view myself as 50 years young. And the next 50 are going to be nothing but gems.'
Q: How's the tour going?
A: 'Great. We'll start in America in September and I can't wait. Everyone gets on and it's a healthy working relationship. I didn't know there was any such thing! Look at my past. I started in a band that all hated each other apparently, and it's taken me this long to learn what I'm doing and get it all in order. But we're working on hatred. We'll get to that on the next record (laughs).'
Q: What's your view of the music business today?
A: 'There isn't one. The record companies fell apart - quite deservedly. Their corrupting, all-binding contract nonsense had to stop. But this modernization of sampling and regurgitating of old ideas isn't healthy either. Live music is healthy.'
Q: What about TV shows like 'American Idol' and 'The Voice'?
A: 'They're dragging us back into Las Vegas wannabes. And there's the painful tone of humiliation, the smirking at who gets voted off. And people now think that's the universe of music. That's utterly corrupting too.'
Q: Back in '77, London's punks protested the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations and the Sex Pistols famously performed 'God Save the Queen' sailing down the Thames, mocking her river trip. Ironically, she's outlasted all the punks and now it's her Diamond Jubilee. Are you still anti-monarchy?
A: 'I never was. But if I'm expected to pay taxes for this kind of hierarchy that demands my oath of obedience, then I'm going to be telling it what to do with my money. Simply said, but simply believed. That's a concept not fully understood 35 years ago. But I was right, wasn't I.'
(This story has been refiled to change Golden to Diamond in penultimate paragraph)
(Reporting by Iain Blair; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This news article is brought to you by CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS - where latest news are our top priority.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Lydon left the Pistols in 1978 to form the more experimental - if less commercially successful - Public Image Ltd., and for the next 15 years the band's shifting lineup released a dozen albums and toured the world.
PiL finally sputtered out in 1993, but now Lydon has revived the band, and he talked to Reuters about their new album, 'This is PiL,' their tour and how butter changed his life.
Q: It's been 20 years since the last PiL album. Why did it take you so long?
A: 'Not my choice. The record company and contract obligations kept me in a state of non-recoupment and I had to outwait them. It was a very difficult time for me, almost like a state of mental starvation. You're gagging at the bit to work, and music's my life. But I found that the law worked against me, all the corporations and accountants. So I had a very negative view of business-as-usual.'
Q: So what changed?
A: 'Three years ago a British butter company approached me with the wonderfully loony idea of me promoting butter (laughs). How brilliant, I thought! Insane, right? Not bonkers money, but it got me working again. And I found everyone involved to be so honorable and decent that I was thrilled. And with that money, I put the band back together.'
Q: Were you a bit rusty, despite all the butter?
A: (Laughs) 'I was well-buttered, and firstly we wanted to tour. That was important to get me chops and respect back. So we did two years touring, and gradually the idea of a new album came together, along with forming our own record label, PiL Official. And thanks to the tours, we were able to finance it all ourselves.'
Q: Is it true you recorded the album at Stevie Winwood's studio?
A: 'Yeah, it was the only place we could afford. It was his barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds, with nothing for inspiration but sheep - and I don't like sheep particularly.'
Q: Did Stevie Winwood come to the sessions?
A: 'He did, but only with one ear to the barn door, and then he pretended to be watering the daisies. So he never contributed, but it was great he rented us the studio.'
Q: How did the sessions go?
A: 'Fantastic! The 30 years of heartbreak, arguments, problems, animosities and bad management have led to good management, good interaction between band members and a wonderful sense of freedom. It's been worth the wait. So now I view myself as 50 years young. And the next 50 are going to be nothing but gems.'
Q: How's the tour going?
A: 'Great. We'll start in America in September and I can't wait. Everyone gets on and it's a healthy working relationship. I didn't know there was any such thing! Look at my past. I started in a band that all hated each other apparently, and it's taken me this long to learn what I'm doing and get it all in order. But we're working on hatred. We'll get to that on the next record (laughs).'
Q: What's your view of the music business today?
A: 'There isn't one. The record companies fell apart - quite deservedly. Their corrupting, all-binding contract nonsense had to stop. But this modernization of sampling and regurgitating of old ideas isn't healthy either. Live music is healthy.'
Q: What about TV shows like 'American Idol' and 'The Voice'?
A: 'They're dragging us back into Las Vegas wannabes. And there's the painful tone of humiliation, the smirking at who gets voted off. And people now think that's the universe of music. That's utterly corrupting too.'
Q: Back in '77, London's punks protested the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations and the Sex Pistols famously performed 'God Save the Queen' sailing down the Thames, mocking her river trip. Ironically, she's outlasted all the punks and now it's her Diamond Jubilee. Are you still anti-monarchy?
A: 'I never was. But if I'm expected to pay taxes for this kind of hierarchy that demands my oath of obedience, then I'm going to be telling it what to do with my money. Simply said, but simply believed. That's a concept not fully understood 35 years ago. But I was right, wasn't I.'
(This story has been refiled to change Golden to Diamond in penultimate paragraph)
(Reporting by Iain Blair; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This news article is brought to you by CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS - where latest news are our top priority.
"Idol" finale slumps, but Phillips tops iTunes
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The 'American Idol' finale audience slumped to a record low, but the show's newly crowned champion Phillip Phillips hit No.1 on iTunes on Thursday with his first single 'Home.'
The 11-year-old Fox singing contest, once a TV industry juggernaut whose finale attracted more than 30 million viewers in 2006 and 2007, was watched by just 21.5 million viewers on Wednesday night, according to ratings data.
Viewers in the 18-49 age group most-coveted by advertisers dropped by about 32 percent compared to last year's 'Idol,' although the program was still the top show on U.S. television on Wednesday night.
Fox executives said earlier this month that the audience drop-off this season had been greater than anticipated and that several tweaks were in the works to freshen the format for 2013.
Despite the smallest TV audience since the show began in 2002, viewers cast a record 132 million votes for finalists Phillips and 16-year-old singer Jessica Sanchez.
And on Thursday, Phillips' first single, the folk-rock ballad 'Home', topped the iTune charts, while his compilation album of 'Idol' cover songs from Season 11 was in the No.3 spot.
Phillips, an acoustic guitar player and songwriter, said 'Home' didn't represent his style of music, which he described as more jazz and rock.
'It's not really something I would write,' the 21 year-old from Georgia told reporters on a conference call.
'It's a little too pop for me. I don't really put in the ohs and oohs. I am a little more rock than that,' he said, adding that he was excited to get his own album out.
Phillips, whose goofball humor and good looks won the hearts of millions of young women, said he was still adjusting to his newfound fame. 'I hate being the center of attention,' he said.
He was the fifth consecutive male to win 'American Idol,' joining a club of so-called 'white guys with guitars' who had previously taken home the winner's crown.
But Phillips said it was wrong to lump him in with recent Idols Scotty McCreery, Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen and David Cook.
'They are probably better singers than I am, but I play the guitar a lot different ... I feel like I am different,' he said.
Fox said 'American Idol' had held onto its spot as the most-watched show on U.S. television for the 2011-12 season just ended in total viewers, 18-49 year-olds and teens.
The talent contest helped Fox to its eighth straight season victory among 18-49 year-olds, outperforming CBS by 7 percent, third-place NBC by 28 percent and ABC by 33 percent.
Earlier this week, CBS declared victory as the most-watched network among total audiences, saying it would end the season with 11.74 million viewers a night, on average, followed by Fox with 8.87 million, ABC at 8.36 million and NBC in 4th place at 7.38 million.
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
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The 11-year-old Fox singing contest, once a TV industry juggernaut whose finale attracted more than 30 million viewers in 2006 and 2007, was watched by just 21.5 million viewers on Wednesday night, according to ratings data.
Viewers in the 18-49 age group most-coveted by advertisers dropped by about 32 percent compared to last year's 'Idol,' although the program was still the top show on U.S. television on Wednesday night.
Fox executives said earlier this month that the audience drop-off this season had been greater than anticipated and that several tweaks were in the works to freshen the format for 2013.
Despite the smallest TV audience since the show began in 2002, viewers cast a record 132 million votes for finalists Phillips and 16-year-old singer Jessica Sanchez.
And on Thursday, Phillips' first single, the folk-rock ballad 'Home', topped the iTune charts, while his compilation album of 'Idol' cover songs from Season 11 was in the No.3 spot.
Phillips, an acoustic guitar player and songwriter, said 'Home' didn't represent his style of music, which he described as more jazz and rock.
'It's not really something I would write,' the 21 year-old from Georgia told reporters on a conference call.
'It's a little too pop for me. I don't really put in the ohs and oohs. I am a little more rock than that,' he said, adding that he was excited to get his own album out.
Phillips, whose goofball humor and good looks won the hearts of millions of young women, said he was still adjusting to his newfound fame. 'I hate being the center of attention,' he said.
He was the fifth consecutive male to win 'American Idol,' joining a club of so-called 'white guys with guitars' who had previously taken home the winner's crown.
But Phillips said it was wrong to lump him in with recent Idols Scotty McCreery, Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen and David Cook.
'They are probably better singers than I am, but I play the guitar a lot different ... I feel like I am different,' he said.
Fox said 'American Idol' had held onto its spot as the most-watched show on U.S. television for the 2011-12 season just ended in total viewers, 18-49 year-olds and teens.
The talent contest helped Fox to its eighth straight season victory among 18-49 year-olds, outperforming CBS by 7 percent, third-place NBC by 28 percent and ABC by 33 percent.
Earlier this week, CBS declared victory as the most-watched network among total audiences, saying it would end the season with 11.74 million viewers a night, on average, followed by Fox with 8.87 million, ABC at 8.36 million and NBC in 4th place at 7.38 million.
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This article is brought to you by DATING SERVICE.
Elton John cancels Vegas dates due to respiratory infection
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Singer Elton John has been hospitalized with a serious respiratory infection and on Thursday canceled three nights of performances this weekend of his 'The Million Dollar Piano' show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
In a statement released on his website, the British entertainer, whose hits include 'Rocket Man,' 'Your Song' and 'Bennie and The Jets,' apologized for the decision and told fans he hoped to be performing soon.
'It feels strange not to be able to perform these 'Million Dollar Piano' concerts at The Colosseum. I love performing this show and will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the eleven concerts soon to be scheduled,' he said.
The singer said he developed a serious respiratory illness while performing on Sunday. After the condition worsened he was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Following tests, he was given antibiotics and told not to perform for a week.
John opened his Las Vegas act last September and began a second series of performances in February. A child piano prodigy, John, 65, rose from a part-time pub player to become one of the most successful recording artists of all time.
He completed a 5-year residency at the Colosseum in 2009 with 'The Red Piano', which ran for 241 shows.
(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; editing by Doina Chiacu)
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In a statement released on his website, the British entertainer, whose hits include 'Rocket Man,' 'Your Song' and 'Bennie and The Jets,' apologized for the decision and told fans he hoped to be performing soon.
'It feels strange not to be able to perform these 'Million Dollar Piano' concerts at The Colosseum. I love performing this show and will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the eleven concerts soon to be scheduled,' he said.
The singer said he developed a serious respiratory illness while performing on Sunday. After the condition worsened he was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Following tests, he was given antibiotics and told not to perform for a week.
John opened his Las Vegas act last September and began a second series of performances in February. A child piano prodigy, John, 65, rose from a part-time pub player to become one of the most successful recording artists of all time.
He completed a 5-year residency at the Colosseum in 2009 with 'The Red Piano', which ran for 241 shows.
(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; editing by Doina Chiacu)
This article is brought to you by PERSONALS.
Summer's "I Feel Love", other tunes join U.S. archives
(Reuters) - Donna Summer's 1977 hit 'I Feel Love' was added to the United States' archives on Wednesday, six days after the disco queen's death, along with Prince's 'Purple Rain' album and 23 other recordings deemed cultural or historical treasures.
The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in Washington DC also added the album 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', the voice of late journalist Edward R. Murrow, and Dolly Parton's 1971 autobiographical song 'Coat of Many Colors' to its collection.
'America's sound heritage is an important part of the nation's history and culture, and this year's selections reflect the diversity and creativity of the American experience,' Librarian of Congress James Billington said in a statement.
The selections range from Leonard Bernstein's conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943 to the 1979 hip-hop record 'Rapper's Delight' by the Sugarhill Gang and a 1977 concert at Cornell University by the Grateful Dead.
The registry said Summer's 'I Feel Love', which took nightclubs in the U.S. and Europe by storm in 1977, had a 'thunderous sound (that) combined Summer's breathy and ethereal vocal' and became an anthem of the gay and lesbian community.
Summer, 63, died in Florida on May 17 from cancer.
Nominations for the 2011 list were gathered from the public and the National Recording Preservation Board and bring the total number of recordings preserved for posterity to 350. Recordings must be at least 10-years-old to be eligible for consideration.
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This news article is brought to you by FEAR OF COMMITMENT - where latest news are our top priority.
The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in Washington DC also added the album 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', the voice of late journalist Edward R. Murrow, and Dolly Parton's 1971 autobiographical song 'Coat of Many Colors' to its collection.
'America's sound heritage is an important part of the nation's history and culture, and this year's selections reflect the diversity and creativity of the American experience,' Librarian of Congress James Billington said in a statement.
The selections range from Leonard Bernstein's conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943 to the 1979 hip-hop record 'Rapper's Delight' by the Sugarhill Gang and a 1977 concert at Cornell University by the Grateful Dead.
The registry said Summer's 'I Feel Love', which took nightclubs in the U.S. and Europe by storm in 1977, had a 'thunderous sound (that) combined Summer's breathy and ethereal vocal' and became an anthem of the gay and lesbian community.
Summer, 63, died in Florida on May 17 from cancer.
Nominations for the 2011 list were gathered from the public and the National Recording Preservation Board and bring the total number of recordings preserved for posterity to 350. Recordings must be at least 10-years-old to be eligible for consideration.
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This news article is brought to you by FEAR OF COMMITMENT - where latest news are our top priority.
Phillip Phillips crowned "American Idol"
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Indie artist Phillip Phillips won 'American Idol' on Wednesday, becoming the fifth male singer in a row to take the title and a guaranteed recording contract.
The 21-year-old guitar player from Georgia, who brought an indie vibe to the top-rated TV contest, beat ballad singer Jessica Sanchez, 16, of California in the public vote.
'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest said a world record 132 million votes were cast by phone, text and online for the two finalists.
The winner was announced at the end of a two-hour finale on Wednesday featuring performances by Rihanna, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire as well as 'Idol' judge Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's band Aerosmith, which closed the show by going back to their hard rock roots with the 1976 classic 'Walk This Way'.
Phillips looked stunned as Seacrest announced his name, and could not finish his performance of his new single 'Home' as he fought back tears. Instead, he unstrapped his guitar and with eyes brimming walked off the stage to hug his family in the front row of the audience.
Sanchez, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of 'American Idol,' was thought to have the edge after dominating social media and Twitter mentions in the last few days.
But Phillips' goofball humor and individual style earned him a large, young female fan base, and he had never appeared in the bottom three in public votes during earlier stage of the Fox TV show.
The 'Idol' judges also raved over his singing at Tuesday night's performance show finale of what will now be his first single - the folk-rock ballad 'Home.'
VULNERABLE AND REAL
'He's real, we watched him pull out of his soul ... he can really sing a melody right. He's just really evolved and he's been vulnerable and I think America loves that,' Tyler told reporters after the finale.
Phillips, who worked in his father's pawn shop before auditioning for 'Idol' also won sympathy for a recurrent kidney problem that has plagued his health during the season.
Sanchez was praised in the contest for her big voice but sometimes faulted for lacking the emotion needed to deliver power ballads such as those made famous by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.
She was saved by the judges from elimination in April after placing at the bottom in public voting, and the show's judges disliked her third song in Tuesday night's performance finale.
But Tyler said on Wednesday she also had a great future ahead of her. 'She sings so beautiful, so if the right person writes her the right song, she'll be on her way,' he said.
'American Idol' remains the most-watched show on U.S. television but public appetite for the contest and its winners is slipping after 11 years on the air and a slew of rival, months-long talent shows.
Audiences are down about 23 percent this year, and Tuesday's performance finale was watched by just 14.4 million people. In fact, it was beaten by the climax of 'Dancing With the Stars'.
'American Idol' launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert - who on Wednesday scored his first No. 1 album with his second disc 'Trespassing.'
With the exception of 2011 'Idol' winner, country singer Scotty McCreery, recent contestants have fared less well. A female singer has not won the title since Jordin Sparks in 2007, leading Phillips to be dubbed the latest 'white guy with a guitar' to emerge as America's newest pop star.
Veteran singer Chaka Khan, who performed on Wednesday's finale in Los Angeles, said the music business had changed dramatically since her heyday 25 years ago.
'Most of the advice I would give (to Jessica and Phillip) they're getting already doing this show. A lot of people think this is a walk in the park. This is hard,' Khan told reporters backstage.
(Additional reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
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The 21-year-old guitar player from Georgia, who brought an indie vibe to the top-rated TV contest, beat ballad singer Jessica Sanchez, 16, of California in the public vote.
'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest said a world record 132 million votes were cast by phone, text and online for the two finalists.
The winner was announced at the end of a two-hour finale on Wednesday featuring performances by Rihanna, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire as well as 'Idol' judge Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's band Aerosmith, which closed the show by going back to their hard rock roots with the 1976 classic 'Walk This Way'.
Phillips looked stunned as Seacrest announced his name, and could not finish his performance of his new single 'Home' as he fought back tears. Instead, he unstrapped his guitar and with eyes brimming walked off the stage to hug his family in the front row of the audience.
Sanchez, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of 'American Idol,' was thought to have the edge after dominating social media and Twitter mentions in the last few days.
But Phillips' goofball humor and individual style earned him a large, young female fan base, and he had never appeared in the bottom three in public votes during earlier stage of the Fox TV show.
The 'Idol' judges also raved over his singing at Tuesday night's performance show finale of what will now be his first single - the folk-rock ballad 'Home.'
VULNERABLE AND REAL
'He's real, we watched him pull out of his soul ... he can really sing a melody right. He's just really evolved and he's been vulnerable and I think America loves that,' Tyler told reporters after the finale.
Phillips, who worked in his father's pawn shop before auditioning for 'Idol' also won sympathy for a recurrent kidney problem that has plagued his health during the season.
Sanchez was praised in the contest for her big voice but sometimes faulted for lacking the emotion needed to deliver power ballads such as those made famous by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.
She was saved by the judges from elimination in April after placing at the bottom in public voting, and the show's judges disliked her third song in Tuesday night's performance finale.
But Tyler said on Wednesday she also had a great future ahead of her. 'She sings so beautiful, so if the right person writes her the right song, she'll be on her way,' he said.
'American Idol' remains the most-watched show on U.S. television but public appetite for the contest and its winners is slipping after 11 years on the air and a slew of rival, months-long talent shows.
Audiences are down about 23 percent this year, and Tuesday's performance finale was watched by just 14.4 million people. In fact, it was beaten by the climax of 'Dancing With the Stars'.
'American Idol' launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert - who on Wednesday scored his first No. 1 album with his second disc 'Trespassing.'
With the exception of 2011 'Idol' winner, country singer Scotty McCreery, recent contestants have fared less well. A female singer has not won the title since Jordin Sparks in 2007, leading Phillips to be dubbed the latest 'white guy with a guitar' to emerge as America's newest pop star.
Veteran singer Chaka Khan, who performed on Wednesday's finale in Los Angeles, said the music business had changed dramatically since her heyday 25 years ago.
'Most of the advice I would give (to Jessica and Phillip) they're getting already doing this show. A lot of people think this is a walk in the park. This is hard,' Khan told reporters backstage.
(Additional reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This news article is brought to you by BUSINESS AND TRAVEL - where latest news are our top priority.
Adam Lambert boots Underwood from Billboard No. 1
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former 'American Idol' runner-up Adam Lambert pushed his fellow 'Idol' alum off the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart on Wednesday to score his first No. 1 album with 'Trespassing.'
Lambert's second studio album sold 77,000 copies in its first week, a significantly lower debut than Underwood's 'Blown Away' debut two weeks ago, which sold 267,000 copies to score the top spot on the chart.
'Blown Away' fell to No. 3 this week, behind Adele's juggernaut '21,' which added a further 63,000 copies to its phenomenal sales record this week.
Lambert joins six other former 'Idol' contestants who have topped the album chart -- Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Scotty McCreery.
Comedy rockers Tenacious D, comprising actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass, made an impressive debut at No. 5 with their third studio album 'Rize of the Fenix,' selling 44,000. Baltimore atmospheric pop band Beach House scored their highest debut to date with their fourth studio album 'Bloom' at No. 7.
Fox's musical TV show 'Glee' made its lowest chart debut to date, as their season 3 finale's 'Graduation Album' sold 39,000 copies and clocked in at No. 8.
Newcomer Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen broke Gotye's long-running streak at No. 1 on the Digital Songs chart with her infectious single 'Call Me Maybe,' which she performed at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know' featuring Kimbra fell to No. 2, while the rest of the top five was rounded out by Maroon 5's 'Payphone' featuring Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj's 'Starships' and fun.'s 'We Are Young,' featuring Janelle Monae, in that order.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This news article is brought to you by CELEBRITY GOSSIP NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Lambert's second studio album sold 77,000 copies in its first week, a significantly lower debut than Underwood's 'Blown Away' debut two weeks ago, which sold 267,000 copies to score the top spot on the chart.
'Blown Away' fell to No. 3 this week, behind Adele's juggernaut '21,' which added a further 63,000 copies to its phenomenal sales record this week.
Lambert joins six other former 'Idol' contestants who have topped the album chart -- Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Scotty McCreery.
Comedy rockers Tenacious D, comprising actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass, made an impressive debut at No. 5 with their third studio album 'Rize of the Fenix,' selling 44,000. Baltimore atmospheric pop band Beach House scored their highest debut to date with their fourth studio album 'Bloom' at No. 7.
Fox's musical TV show 'Glee' made its lowest chart debut to date, as their season 3 finale's 'Graduation Album' sold 39,000 copies and clocked in at No. 8.
Newcomer Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen broke Gotye's long-running streak at No. 1 on the Digital Songs chart with her infectious single 'Call Me Maybe,' which she performed at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know' featuring Kimbra fell to No. 2, while the rest of the top five was rounded out by Maroon 5's 'Payphone' featuring Wiz Khalifa, Nicki Minaj's 'Starships' and fun.'s 'We Are Young,' featuring Janelle Monae, in that order.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
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Dylan, Albright to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Musical legend Bob Dylan, novelist Toni Morrison and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright are among 13 people who will be awarded the country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Barack Obama next week, the White House said.
The presentations will be made at the White House on May 29.
Also chosen to receive the award were former senator and astronaut John Glenn, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Jan Karski, an officer in the Polish underground who carried the first eye-witness accounts of the Nazi Holocaust to the outside world.
The award also will be given to John Doar, a key figure in the Justice Department during the civil rights era; William Foege, who helped spread smallpox immunizations around the world; Gordon Hirabayashi, who fought Japanese-American World War Two internment; civil rights campaigner Dolores Huerta; Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low; and former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Peres will not attend the ceremony and will receive his medal at a separate event, the White House said.
(Reporting By Alister Bull; Editing by Bill Trott)
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The presentations will be made at the White House on May 29.
Also chosen to receive the award were former senator and astronaut John Glenn, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Jan Karski, an officer in the Polish underground who carried the first eye-witness accounts of the Nazi Holocaust to the outside world.
The award also will be given to John Doar, a key figure in the Justice Department during the civil rights era; William Foege, who helped spread smallpox immunizations around the world; Gordon Hirabayashi, who fought Japanese-American World War Two internment; civil rights campaigner Dolores Huerta; Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low; and former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Peres will not attend the ceremony and will receive his medal at a separate event, the White House said.
(Reporting By Alister Bull; Editing by Bill Trott)
This news article is brought to you by TEA - where latest news are our top priority.
Adele, LMFAO sweep tribute-filled Billboard awards
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Energetic performances and heart-felt tributes took center stage at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, as Adele, LMFAO, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift came away top awards.
British Grammy-winning singer Adele won 12 awards from 18 nominations for her juggernaut album '21,' including top artist, top female artist and top album. Her awards were not presented during the live show and the singer was not present.
But LMFAO, the uncle-nephew duo Redfoo and SkyBlu, showed in trademark outrageous fashion and picked up two awards, song of the year for 'Party Rock Anthem' and the top duo/group, along with four more honors.
Rappers Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne and R&B singer Chris Brown took honors for top new artist, male artist of the year and R&B artist of the year, respectively.
LMFAO kicked off the show with an energetic medley of their hits 'Party Rock Anthem' and 'Sexy And I Know It.' They were followed later by a shirtless Chris Brown performing his dance single 'Turn Up The Music' with BMX bikers doing stunts.
Katy Perry, clad in a white dress, hung above the stage in a swing to sing her latest 'personal and intimate' heartbreak single 'Wide Awake,' while Justin Bieber, one of last year's big winners at the Billboard show, presented a grown up image this year after turning 18-years-old, singing 'Boyfriend' with dancers dressed as clowns and neon geisha girls.
Other performers included Kelly Clarkson, The Wanted, Carly Rae Jepsen, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Linkin Park, Nelly Furtado and Billboard Battle of the Bands winner, Patent Pending.
Taylor Swift was given the Billboard Woman of the Year honor for her success as a recording artist, and she picked up the award from 'New Girl' TV star Zooey Deschanel and veteran artist Kris Kristofferson, who praised Swift for having 'done it the old-fashioned way by speaking the truth beautifully.'
Bieber picked up the award for the most social artist, thanking his 22 million Twitter followers and 43 million Facebook fans, saying 'the Internet is where I got my start.'
Perry was given the Spotlight award for being the only female artist in history to see five No. 1 singles from one album. Michael Jackson is the only artist to have received the award previously.
Veteran soul singer Stevie Wonder, 62, was honored with the Icon award this year and sang 'Higher Ground' and 'Overjoyed' with R&B singer Alicia Keys, wrapping the set with his hit song 'Superstition.'
TRIBUTES TO THE FALLEN
With some big losses in the music world already this year, the awards show featured numerous tributes to late artists.
Early in the show, hosts Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell paused to remember late Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer, with a moment of silence.
New Zealand artist Natasha Bedingfield paid tribute to late 'Disco Queen' Donna Summer, who died earlier this week after fighting lung cancer, saying 'if we can remember her through her music, this will never really be her last dance,' before kicking off into Summer's hit, 'Last Dance.'
Wiz Khalifa paid tribute to late Beastie Boy Adam 'MCA' Yauch, who passed away earlier this month after battling cancer, while Cee Lo Green joined his hip hop band Goodie Mob to perform 'Fight For Your Right' in Yauch's memory.
The biggest tribute of the night was for Whitney Houston, who died suddenly aged 48 in February this year. The late singer was posthumously given the Millennium award, while singers John Legend and Jordin Sparks led heartfelt renditions of 'The Greatest Love of All' and 'I Will Always Love You' against a backdrop of photographs of Houston.
Houston's sister-in-law Patricia Houston and teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown accepted the award, with the late singer's emotional daughter saying 'I'm just blessed to have been in such an incredible woman's life, there will never be another one ever.'
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
British Grammy-winning singer Adele won 12 awards from 18 nominations for her juggernaut album '21,' including top artist, top female artist and top album. Her awards were not presented during the live show and the singer was not present.
But LMFAO, the uncle-nephew duo Redfoo and SkyBlu, showed in trademark outrageous fashion and picked up two awards, song of the year for 'Party Rock Anthem' and the top duo/group, along with four more honors.
Rappers Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne and R&B singer Chris Brown took honors for top new artist, male artist of the year and R&B artist of the year, respectively.
LMFAO kicked off the show with an energetic medley of their hits 'Party Rock Anthem' and 'Sexy And I Know It.' They were followed later by a shirtless Chris Brown performing his dance single 'Turn Up The Music' with BMX bikers doing stunts.
Katy Perry, clad in a white dress, hung above the stage in a swing to sing her latest 'personal and intimate' heartbreak single 'Wide Awake,' while Justin Bieber, one of last year's big winners at the Billboard show, presented a grown up image this year after turning 18-years-old, singing 'Boyfriend' with dancers dressed as clowns and neon geisha girls.
Other performers included Kelly Clarkson, The Wanted, Carly Rae Jepsen, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Linkin Park, Nelly Furtado and Billboard Battle of the Bands winner, Patent Pending.
Taylor Swift was given the Billboard Woman of the Year honor for her success as a recording artist, and she picked up the award from 'New Girl' TV star Zooey Deschanel and veteran artist Kris Kristofferson, who praised Swift for having 'done it the old-fashioned way by speaking the truth beautifully.'
Bieber picked up the award for the most social artist, thanking his 22 million Twitter followers and 43 million Facebook fans, saying 'the Internet is where I got my start.'
Perry was given the Spotlight award for being the only female artist in history to see five No. 1 singles from one album. Michael Jackson is the only artist to have received the award previously.
Veteran soul singer Stevie Wonder, 62, was honored with the Icon award this year and sang 'Higher Ground' and 'Overjoyed' with R&B singer Alicia Keys, wrapping the set with his hit song 'Superstition.'
TRIBUTES TO THE FALLEN
With some big losses in the music world already this year, the awards show featured numerous tributes to late artists.
Early in the show, hosts Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell paused to remember late Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer, with a moment of silence.
New Zealand artist Natasha Bedingfield paid tribute to late 'Disco Queen' Donna Summer, who died earlier this week after fighting lung cancer, saying 'if we can remember her through her music, this will never really be her last dance,' before kicking off into Summer's hit, 'Last Dance.'
Wiz Khalifa paid tribute to late Beastie Boy Adam 'MCA' Yauch, who passed away earlier this month after battling cancer, while Cee Lo Green joined his hip hop band Goodie Mob to perform 'Fight For Your Right' in Yauch's memory.
The biggest tribute of the night was for Whitney Houston, who died suddenly aged 48 in February this year. The late singer was posthumously given the Millennium award, while singers John Legend and Jordin Sparks led heartfelt renditions of 'The Greatest Love of All' and 'I Will Always Love You' against a backdrop of photographs of Houston.
Houston's sister-in-law Patricia Houston and teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown accepted the award, with the late singer's emotional daughter saying 'I'm just blessed to have been in such an incredible woman's life, there will never be another one ever.'
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Singer Robin Gibb, Bee Gees co-founder, dies at 62
LONDON (Reuters) - Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who with brothers Barry and Maurice helped define the disco era with their falsetto harmonies and funky beats on smash hits such as 'Stayin' Alive' and 'Jive Talkin',' has died after a long fight with cancer. He was 62.
The singer had colon and liver cancer and, despite brief improvements in his health in recent months, passed away on Sunday evening.
'The family of Robin Gibb ... announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,' a statement posted on his official website said.
'The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.'
Hundreds of tributes poured on to the Twitter micro-blogging site, including from record labels and fellow musicians, and at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, the show was stopped for a moment of silence as a large black-and-white picture of Gibb was displayed against the stage's backdrop.
Neil Portnow, chief executive of Grammy organization the Recording Academy said the six-time winner of the industry's highest award, 'had an indelible impact on music.'
'His distinctive vibrato voice was part of the trio's signature harmony,' Portnow said in a statement. Fans 'will continue to sing and dance to his music that will be 'Stayin' Alive' for many generations to come.'
Gibb spent much of a career spanning six decades pursuing solo projects. But it was his part in one of pop's most successful brother acts, the Bee Gees, that earned him fame and fortune.
Born in 1949 on the Isle of Man, located between England and Ireland, Robin and his family moved to Manchester where the brothers performed in local cinemas.
They went to live in Australia where the Bee Gees as a group was officially born, and in 1963 released the first single 'The Battle Of The Blue And The Grey.'
Believing their future lay in Europe, the Gibb brothers travelled to England to pursue a career in music and had their first British number one with 'Massachusetts' in 1967.
TRAIN CRASH
The same year, Robin and wife-to-be Molly survived the Hither Green rail crash in south London that claimed around 50 lives. He later recalled that they probably would have been killed had they not been sitting in a first class carriage.
Rather than build on the early successes, the Bee Gees almost threw away the promising career they had worked so hard to achieve.
After recording the double-LP set 'Odessa,' the siblings fell out over which track should be the single and Robin walked out. Two years later the Gibbs were back together, and the 1970s was to belong to them.
Early in the decade they released the ballads 'Lonely Days' and 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,' which topped the U.S. charts in 1971.
They struggled to maintain the momentum and critics felt the brothers had become stale until, in 1975, the Bee Gees changed course with an emphasis on dance-friendly tunes featuring high harmonies on their 13th album 'Main Course.'
It produced the catchy chart-topper 'Jive Talkin',' which then led to an invitation to contribute to the soundtrack for the upcoming movie 'Saturday Night Fever.'
The Bee Gees' contributions would prove the pinnacle of their fame - 'Stayin' Alive,' 'How Deep Is Your Love,' 'Night Fever' and 'More Than a Woman' are all among their most recognizable songs, featuring the band's distinctive high vocals and harmonies, disco beats and slower romantic ballads.
The combination of the movie, starring John Travolta as the white-suited dance floor king Tony Manero, and the Bee Gees' accompanying hits, helped launch the disco phenomenon the world over.
LONG BATTLE WITH ILLNESS
The Bee Gees achieved superstardom with album sales estimated today at up to 200 million, putting them in the same league as the likes of the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.
Explaining their success, Bruce Elder of the All Music Guide wrote: 'The group ... managed to meld every influence they'd ever embraced, from the Mills Brothers and the Beatles and early-'70s soul, into something of their own that was virtually irresistible.'
The magic did not last, however, and with the disco era waning Robin and his brothers faded quickly into obscurity, concentrating in the 1980s on producing and writing for other acts including Diana Ross.
A 1987 comeback album 'E.S.P.' was moderately successful and included the hit 'You Win Again,' although in the 1980s Robin was actively pursuing his solo career.
In 1988 Andy Gibb, the youngest brother who was also a pop star and teen idol, died aged just 30.
Maurice passed away in January 2003, aged 53, of complications resulting from a twisted intestine, a condition that plagued Robin towards the end of his life.
According to online reports, in 2010, Robin had surgery for a blocked intestine and suffered further stomach pains last year forcing him to cancel a series of shows in Brazil.
During surgery a tumor was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and, subsequently, the liver.
His gaunt, frail appearance led to media speculation that he was seriously ill, but in February he spoke of a 'spectacular' recovery and later that month performed on stage for the last time in a charity concert in London.
But he fell ill again and was unable to attend the world premiere of 'The Titanic Requiem,' his first classical work written with son Robin-John.
Robin-John told Reuters at the event that his father had contributed much of the requiem to the famous shipping disaster while in hospital.
According to the Sun tabloid, Robin's second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa were at his bedside at the London Clinic when he passed away.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White and Piya Sinha-Roy and Bob Tourtellotte, editing by Paul Casciato and Eric Walsh)
This article is brought to you by MATCH.
The singer had colon and liver cancer and, despite brief improvements in his health in recent months, passed away on Sunday evening.
'The family of Robin Gibb ... announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,' a statement posted on his official website said.
'The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.'
Hundreds of tributes poured on to the Twitter micro-blogging site, including from record labels and fellow musicians, and at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, the show was stopped for a moment of silence as a large black-and-white picture of Gibb was displayed against the stage's backdrop.
Neil Portnow, chief executive of Grammy organization the Recording Academy said the six-time winner of the industry's highest award, 'had an indelible impact on music.'
'His distinctive vibrato voice was part of the trio's signature harmony,' Portnow said in a statement. Fans 'will continue to sing and dance to his music that will be 'Stayin' Alive' for many generations to come.'
Gibb spent much of a career spanning six decades pursuing solo projects. But it was his part in one of pop's most successful brother acts, the Bee Gees, that earned him fame and fortune.
Born in 1949 on the Isle of Man, located between England and Ireland, Robin and his family moved to Manchester where the brothers performed in local cinemas.
They went to live in Australia where the Bee Gees as a group was officially born, and in 1963 released the first single 'The Battle Of The Blue And The Grey.'
Believing their future lay in Europe, the Gibb brothers travelled to England to pursue a career in music and had their first British number one with 'Massachusetts' in 1967.
TRAIN CRASH
The same year, Robin and wife-to-be Molly survived the Hither Green rail crash in south London that claimed around 50 lives. He later recalled that they probably would have been killed had they not been sitting in a first class carriage.
Rather than build on the early successes, the Bee Gees almost threw away the promising career they had worked so hard to achieve.
After recording the double-LP set 'Odessa,' the siblings fell out over which track should be the single and Robin walked out. Two years later the Gibbs were back together, and the 1970s was to belong to them.
Early in the decade they released the ballads 'Lonely Days' and 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,' which topped the U.S. charts in 1971.
They struggled to maintain the momentum and critics felt the brothers had become stale until, in 1975, the Bee Gees changed course with an emphasis on dance-friendly tunes featuring high harmonies on their 13th album 'Main Course.'
It produced the catchy chart-topper 'Jive Talkin',' which then led to an invitation to contribute to the soundtrack for the upcoming movie 'Saturday Night Fever.'
The Bee Gees' contributions would prove the pinnacle of their fame - 'Stayin' Alive,' 'How Deep Is Your Love,' 'Night Fever' and 'More Than a Woman' are all among their most recognizable songs, featuring the band's distinctive high vocals and harmonies, disco beats and slower romantic ballads.
The combination of the movie, starring John Travolta as the white-suited dance floor king Tony Manero, and the Bee Gees' accompanying hits, helped launch the disco phenomenon the world over.
LONG BATTLE WITH ILLNESS
The Bee Gees achieved superstardom with album sales estimated today at up to 200 million, putting them in the same league as the likes of the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd.
Explaining their success, Bruce Elder of the All Music Guide wrote: 'The group ... managed to meld every influence they'd ever embraced, from the Mills Brothers and the Beatles and early-'70s soul, into something of their own that was virtually irresistible.'
The magic did not last, however, and with the disco era waning Robin and his brothers faded quickly into obscurity, concentrating in the 1980s on producing and writing for other acts including Diana Ross.
A 1987 comeback album 'E.S.P.' was moderately successful and included the hit 'You Win Again,' although in the 1980s Robin was actively pursuing his solo career.
In 1988 Andy Gibb, the youngest brother who was also a pop star and teen idol, died aged just 30.
Maurice passed away in January 2003, aged 53, of complications resulting from a twisted intestine, a condition that plagued Robin towards the end of his life.
According to online reports, in 2010, Robin had surgery for a blocked intestine and suffered further stomach pains last year forcing him to cancel a series of shows in Brazil.
During surgery a tumor was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and, subsequently, the liver.
His gaunt, frail appearance led to media speculation that he was seriously ill, but in February he spoke of a 'spectacular' recovery and later that month performed on stage for the last time in a charity concert in London.
But he fell ill again and was unable to attend the world premiere of 'The Titanic Requiem,' his first classical work written with son Robin-John.
Robin-John told Reuters at the event that his father had contributed much of the requiem to the famous shipping disaster while in hospital.
According to the Sun tabloid, Robin's second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa were at his bedside at the London Clinic when he passed away.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White and Piya Sinha-Roy and Bob Tourtellotte, editing by Paul Casciato and Eric Walsh)
This article is brought to you by MATCH.
Adele notches up two Ivor Novello songwriting awards
LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Adele won two Ivor Novello awards for songwriting on Thursday, adding to a lengthening list of musical accolades, but she lost out in the best album and song categories.
The 24-year-old chart queen picked up two coveted Ivor Novello prizes for the most performed song of 2011 ('Rolling in the Deep') and songwriter of the year.
She was also nominated for best song musically and lyrically (Rolling in the Deep) but was beaten by Ed Sheeran's 'The A Team', and in the album category Adele's record-breaking '21' was shortlisted but lost out to PJ Harvey's 'Let England Shake'.
In a year dominated by female artists, it was little surprise to see rising U.S. star Lana Del Rey win the best contemporary song award for 'Video Games', co-written by Briton Justin Parker.
The best television soundtrack was Martin Phipps' composition for 'The Shadow Line', and Alex Heffes won the best film score with 'The First Grader'.
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet fame picked up a prize for outstanding song collection, Siouxsie Sioux won the Ivor 'inspiration' award and Dire Straits frontman and songwriter Mark Knopfler received a lifetime achievement honor.
Former boy band Take That won a prize for their outstanding contribution to British music.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
This article is brought to you by FREE DATING.
The 24-year-old chart queen picked up two coveted Ivor Novello prizes for the most performed song of 2011 ('Rolling in the Deep') and songwriter of the year.
She was also nominated for best song musically and lyrically (Rolling in the Deep) but was beaten by Ed Sheeran's 'The A Team', and in the album category Adele's record-breaking '21' was shortlisted but lost out to PJ Harvey's 'Let England Shake'.
In a year dominated by female artists, it was little surprise to see rising U.S. star Lana Del Rey win the best contemporary song award for 'Video Games', co-written by Briton Justin Parker.
The best television soundtrack was Martin Phipps' composition for 'The Shadow Line', and Alex Heffes won the best film score with 'The First Grader'.
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet fame picked up a prize for outstanding song collection, Siouxsie Sioux won the Ivor 'inspiration' award and Dire Straits frontman and songwriter Mark Knopfler received a lifetime achievement honor.
Former boy band Take That won a prize for their outstanding contribution to British music.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)
This article is brought to you by FREE DATING.
Britney is back - and so are the brickbats
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears hasn't even taken her seat as the new judge of 'The X Factor,' but the pop icon is already getting a lesson in the media glare of live, talent show television.
Spears had barely wrapped up an appearance in New York confirming she is joining the singing contest before the celebrity knives were out, raising the question of how well the singer, who went through a public meltdown in 2007, can handle all the newfound attention.
Her dress, nails, shoes, legs and figure have all come in for scrutiny - most of it negative - in a taste of what may come when the show returns to TV in September for two nights a week over four months.
The New York Daily News ran photos of the 'Toxic' singer's 'bloody picked fingernails'. It also showed a close-up of her thighs, commenting that she 'appeared in a short white mini dress that showed off her famous pop star legs - and what looks to be a bit of cellulite.'
Spears, famed for raunchy dance routines and music videos in her heyday, is now 30-years-old and a mother of two. Outside her sell-out global concert tours, she has been largely shielded from the media since a career and personal breakdown in 2007 that resulted in her affairs being handed over to her father.
Mary Fischer at The Stir on website cafemom.com, said the singer was 'a hot mess' in the cream dress she wore for her New York appearance on Monday before Fox TV network executives and advertisers.
'She might as well have just thrown on a nightgown or racy piece of lingerie. She would've achieved the same effect (showing off the fact that she's shed a bit of weight and gotten her groove back), but she wouldn't have looked like she was trying so hard,' Fischer said.
She suggested Spears should take a tip from Prince William's wife and style icon Kate Middleton who 'is the definition of being sexy without revealing too much skin.'
DAZZLING RING, LUMPY LEGS
Celebrity magazine Us Weekly was more excited by Britney's three carat diamond engagement ring, estimated to be worth about $90,000, that boyfriend Jason Trawick slid on her finger in December.
But some readers weren't dazzled by the ring and focused on Spears' fashion. Kathleen Tandy commented on the magazine's website that although Britney looked good in the second, purple dress she wore for photos on Monday 'she looked like straight-up trailer trash' in the cream outfit.
Britain's Sun newspaper said 'Britney looked better than she has in years,' when she stepped out in New York. But elsewhere in the tabloid, reporters said her cream mini-dress 'hugged her lumpy legs. A pair of tight ankle-strapped heels cut off her pins even more.'
Elsewhere, Spears' legs were seen as either toned, bruised, dimpled or fat in hundreds of fevered online debates, where the former pop princess was compared (mostly unfavorably) to the demurely-dressed Demi Lovato, 19, who is also joining 'The X Factor.'
But the 'Baby...One More Time' singer also had plenty of defenders.
'I don't care for Britney, but seriously what is with all the fat comments? I'd love to see what some of you guys look like or your spouses...' wrote HuffingtonPost.com user Goldie Treasure..
'The only thing that looks kind of weird is her knee, but whatever on that. Christina (Aguilera) and Britney are not little 17 yr old pop princesses anymore they are women in their 30's with kids, cut them some slack.'
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant)
This article is brought to you by PICTURES OF CELEBRITIES.
Spears had barely wrapped up an appearance in New York confirming she is joining the singing contest before the celebrity knives were out, raising the question of how well the singer, who went through a public meltdown in 2007, can handle all the newfound attention.
Her dress, nails, shoes, legs and figure have all come in for scrutiny - most of it negative - in a taste of what may come when the show returns to TV in September for two nights a week over four months.
The New York Daily News ran photos of the 'Toxic' singer's 'bloody picked fingernails'. It also showed a close-up of her thighs, commenting that she 'appeared in a short white mini dress that showed off her famous pop star legs - and what looks to be a bit of cellulite.'
Spears, famed for raunchy dance routines and music videos in her heyday, is now 30-years-old and a mother of two. Outside her sell-out global concert tours, she has been largely shielded from the media since a career and personal breakdown in 2007 that resulted in her affairs being handed over to her father.
Mary Fischer at The Stir on website cafemom.com, said the singer was 'a hot mess' in the cream dress she wore for her New York appearance on Monday before Fox TV network executives and advertisers.
'She might as well have just thrown on a nightgown or racy piece of lingerie. She would've achieved the same effect (showing off the fact that she's shed a bit of weight and gotten her groove back), but she wouldn't have looked like she was trying so hard,' Fischer said.
She suggested Spears should take a tip from Prince William's wife and style icon Kate Middleton who 'is the definition of being sexy without revealing too much skin.'
DAZZLING RING, LUMPY LEGS
Celebrity magazine Us Weekly was more excited by Britney's three carat diamond engagement ring, estimated to be worth about $90,000, that boyfriend Jason Trawick slid on her finger in December.
But some readers weren't dazzled by the ring and focused on Spears' fashion. Kathleen Tandy commented on the magazine's website that although Britney looked good in the second, purple dress she wore for photos on Monday 'she looked like straight-up trailer trash' in the cream outfit.
Britain's Sun newspaper said 'Britney looked better than she has in years,' when she stepped out in New York. But elsewhere in the tabloid, reporters said her cream mini-dress 'hugged her lumpy legs. A pair of tight ankle-strapped heels cut off her pins even more.'
Elsewhere, Spears' legs were seen as either toned, bruised, dimpled or fat in hundreds of fevered online debates, where the former pop princess was compared (mostly unfavorably) to the demurely-dressed Demi Lovato, 19, who is also joining 'The X Factor.'
But the 'Baby...One More Time' singer also had plenty of defenders.
'I don't care for Britney, but seriously what is with all the fat comments? I'd love to see what some of you guys look like or your spouses...' wrote HuffingtonPost.com user Goldie Treasure..
'The only thing that looks kind of weird is her knee, but whatever on that. Christina (Aguilera) and Britney are not little 17 yr old pop princesses anymore they are women in their 30's with kids, cut them some slack.'
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant)
This article is brought to you by PICTURES OF CELEBRITIES.
Analysis: Key to Universal-EMI decision: Has music business lost control?
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the face of it, Universal Music Group's bid to buy a big chunk of EMI stands to make the world's leading music company an even more formidable force, combining Universal's star lineup of Lady Gaga and Rihanna with the British company's deep library of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Katy Perry.
Certainly the fierce opposition from rival Warner Music Group, consumer groups and independent music companies makes it seem that way. They have all vowed to fight it tooth and nail, telling U.S. and European regulators that the merger would create a behemoth capable of controlling the future of digital media by withholding content from digital music startups.
But industry insiders say regulators also are looking at a counterargument - that the major recording companies already are weakened giants worn down by the forces of big retailers and piracy that put downward pressure on the price of CDs and digital downloads.
U.S.-based Universal, owned by Paris-based Vivendi, made the $1.9 billion deal in November.
Eight antitrust experts interviewed about the issue were divided about the chances for approval, largely because the music landscape has changed so much in recent years that it is not clear that a deal that would concentrate 40 percent of the recorded music industry in one company would harm competition.
'Ten years ago, the labels had power. Today they don't have any power. If they (the U.S. Federal Trade Commission) block it, it's just because they don't understand the market,' said Daniel Sokol, who teaches antitrust issues at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Two antitrust experts who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect business relationships said that Universal faces a tough fight in winning U.S. approval - especially because Warner Music Group, owned by privately held Access Industries, has organized opposition to the deal.
'My sense is that the FTC could take a hard line depending on how good a job Warner does in generating complaints,' one expert said. 'It wouldn't surprise me if it didn't go through.'
Universal is gearing up to begin discussions later this month with the FTC about potential asset sales that could make the transaction more palatable to regulators, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Universal also is considering making a request to the FTC in the next two weeks for the agency to decide on approval of the deal within a 30-day period, this source added.
Two industry insiders who have met with U.S. regulators say the FTC is asking about the pricing power of retailers like Apple and Amazon, who use cheap music as loss leaders to attract customers for more expensive goods, and about the pressure of illegal music downloads.
The FTC also is asking about allegations made by consumer groups and others that Universal has been reluctant to license its enormous catalog of must-have music to digital startups, or has licensed the music only on onerous terms, those insiders said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Universal spokesman Peter Lofrumento said the company is working closely with the FTC and is confident of approval. The FTC declined to comment on the matter.
As the U.S. regulatory review heats up, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee said last week it will hold a hearing on the matter. The panel has no official say over approval, but is able to help shape the debate over the deal.
'AN ANTICOMPETITIVE MERGER'
While the FTC may accept the argument that major retailers push prices down, Bert Foer, president of the American Antitrust Institute advocacy group, dismissed piracy as a defense.
'It's a passing issue and it will eventually get dealt with. It should not be the justification for allowing an anticompetitive merger to take place,' Foer said.
The consumer groups Public Knowledge and Consumer Federation of America have written to two U.S. House of Representatives and Senate antitrust subcommittees to urge close scrutiny of the deal. The groups said Universal's 40 percent market share could make it a bully when innovative startups come up with new ways to sell and stream music online.
'If you control that much of the marquee content, they can determine the fate of new digital business models by withholding content,' Mark Cooper of Consumer Federation of America said.
Universal said those worries are unfounded.
'The future of music also depends on providing consumers with as many legal alternatives to piracy as possible,' Universal's Lofrumento said. 'We have licensed more digital music services than any other music company and will continue to do so to the benefit of our artists, consumers and the overall industry.'
Another critic of the deal is IMPALA, a European organization of independent music companies. It points out that last year 90 percent of the Top 1000 for downloads and airplay were from the big four music companies.
'These results are very revealing, especially as they already factor in independent successes such as Adele. They send a serious warning about the dangers of concentration in music for diversity in Europe,' said Helen Smith, IMPALA executive chair.
British singer Adele is on the independent label XL Recordings.
European antitrust regulators in Brussels are asking many of the same questions that the FTC is asking, according to sources there, and are also asking whether artists would be able to switch record labels easily after the deal.
The European regulators, who are more public about their investigations than their U.S. counterparts, are due to decide by September 6 whether to clear the deal.
Officials in Brussels are concerned since the combination of Universal and EMI's recorded music unit would create a player almost twice the size of the nearest European rival.
They also appear to be focusing on the companies' market share in classical music and jazz, compilations and the extent to which Universal dominates hit charts.
In addition to Lady Gaga and Rihanna, Universal's roster of artists includes Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and LL Cool J. In addition to Katy Perry, EMI's list includes Norah Jones, Coldplay, Joss Stone and Lady Antebellum.
PLUMMETING REVENUES
Across U.S. music labels, revenues have plummeted 50 percent from 2000 to $7 billion in 2011, according to the Recording Industry Association of America trade group, which blames piracy for much of the losses.
Employment by record companies in the United States has fallen to less than 10,000 now from about 25,000 people in 1999, the association said.
The situation has not been much better in Europe. British company EMI, which was the first home to the Beatles when they were unknowns in 1962, was heavily indebted in 2007 when British private equity firm Terra Firma bought it with financing from Citigroup.
In February 2011, EMI, unable to pay the loans, was acquired by Citigroup. The bank cleared out the debt, broke the company in two and sold the parts last November.
Sony snapped up EMI Music Publishing, the portion of the company that handles copyrights to 1.3 million songs, for $2.2 billion, and received European approval in April.
The FTC has not weighed in on the Sony deal, but it is not expected to run into antitrust trouble in the United States.
Universal won the rights to EMI's recorded music unit after Warner Music dropped out of bidding. Warner, the No. 3 U.S. music company, has now pursued its public campaign against Universal's deal.
Edgar Bronfman Jr., the former chairman of Warner, said at the Dive Into Media Conference in January in reference to the deal: 'It's dangerous, problematic and has to be stopped.'
Bronfman argued that Universal, with a 40 percent share, would determine not only the future of the recorded music industry but any kind of digital music industry.
Warner Music declined to comment for this story.
Typically that sort of market share would prompt regulators to challenge a deal - and they might despite Universal's cries that they are powerless to raise prices when faced with retail giants and illegal downloads.
Evan Stewart, an antitrust expert with the law firm Zuckerman Spaeder, argued that the FTC could well approve the deal if Universal's lawyers have compelling data to support arguments about Apple and Amazon's pricing power, and the effect of piracy. 'If they're skillful at making that presentation, I think it will be approved,' Stewart said.
(Editing by Karey Wutkowski and Will Dunham)
This article is brought to you by SINGLES.
Certainly the fierce opposition from rival Warner Music Group, consumer groups and independent music companies makes it seem that way. They have all vowed to fight it tooth and nail, telling U.S. and European regulators that the merger would create a behemoth capable of controlling the future of digital media by withholding content from digital music startups.
But industry insiders say regulators also are looking at a counterargument - that the major recording companies already are weakened giants worn down by the forces of big retailers and piracy that put downward pressure on the price of CDs and digital downloads.
U.S.-based Universal, owned by Paris-based Vivendi, made the $1.9 billion deal in November.
Eight antitrust experts interviewed about the issue were divided about the chances for approval, largely because the music landscape has changed so much in recent years that it is not clear that a deal that would concentrate 40 percent of the recorded music industry in one company would harm competition.
'Ten years ago, the labels had power. Today they don't have any power. If they (the U.S. Federal Trade Commission) block it, it's just because they don't understand the market,' said Daniel Sokol, who teaches antitrust issues at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Two antitrust experts who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect business relationships said that Universal faces a tough fight in winning U.S. approval - especially because Warner Music Group, owned by privately held Access Industries, has organized opposition to the deal.
'My sense is that the FTC could take a hard line depending on how good a job Warner does in generating complaints,' one expert said. 'It wouldn't surprise me if it didn't go through.'
Universal is gearing up to begin discussions later this month with the FTC about potential asset sales that could make the transaction more palatable to regulators, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Universal also is considering making a request to the FTC in the next two weeks for the agency to decide on approval of the deal within a 30-day period, this source added.
Two industry insiders who have met with U.S. regulators say the FTC is asking about the pricing power of retailers like Apple and Amazon, who use cheap music as loss leaders to attract customers for more expensive goods, and about the pressure of illegal music downloads.
The FTC also is asking about allegations made by consumer groups and others that Universal has been reluctant to license its enormous catalog of must-have music to digital startups, or has licensed the music only on onerous terms, those insiders said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Universal spokesman Peter Lofrumento said the company is working closely with the FTC and is confident of approval. The FTC declined to comment on the matter.
As the U.S. regulatory review heats up, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee said last week it will hold a hearing on the matter. The panel has no official say over approval, but is able to help shape the debate over the deal.
'AN ANTICOMPETITIVE MERGER'
While the FTC may accept the argument that major retailers push prices down, Bert Foer, president of the American Antitrust Institute advocacy group, dismissed piracy as a defense.
'It's a passing issue and it will eventually get dealt with. It should not be the justification for allowing an anticompetitive merger to take place,' Foer said.
The consumer groups Public Knowledge and Consumer Federation of America have written to two U.S. House of Representatives and Senate antitrust subcommittees to urge close scrutiny of the deal. The groups said Universal's 40 percent market share could make it a bully when innovative startups come up with new ways to sell and stream music online.
'If you control that much of the marquee content, they can determine the fate of new digital business models by withholding content,' Mark Cooper of Consumer Federation of America said.
Universal said those worries are unfounded.
'The future of music also depends on providing consumers with as many legal alternatives to piracy as possible,' Universal's Lofrumento said. 'We have licensed more digital music services than any other music company and will continue to do so to the benefit of our artists, consumers and the overall industry.'
Another critic of the deal is IMPALA, a European organization of independent music companies. It points out that last year 90 percent of the Top 1000 for downloads and airplay were from the big four music companies.
'These results are very revealing, especially as they already factor in independent successes such as Adele. They send a serious warning about the dangers of concentration in music for diversity in Europe,' said Helen Smith, IMPALA executive chair.
British singer Adele is on the independent label XL Recordings.
European antitrust regulators in Brussels are asking many of the same questions that the FTC is asking, according to sources there, and are also asking whether artists would be able to switch record labels easily after the deal.
The European regulators, who are more public about their investigations than their U.S. counterparts, are due to decide by September 6 whether to clear the deal.
Officials in Brussels are concerned since the combination of Universal and EMI's recorded music unit would create a player almost twice the size of the nearest European rival.
They also appear to be focusing on the companies' market share in classical music and jazz, compilations and the extent to which Universal dominates hit charts.
In addition to Lady Gaga and Rihanna, Universal's roster of artists includes Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and LL Cool J. In addition to Katy Perry, EMI's list includes Norah Jones, Coldplay, Joss Stone and Lady Antebellum.
PLUMMETING REVENUES
Across U.S. music labels, revenues have plummeted 50 percent from 2000 to $7 billion in 2011, according to the Recording Industry Association of America trade group, which blames piracy for much of the losses.
Employment by record companies in the United States has fallen to less than 10,000 now from about 25,000 people in 1999, the association said.
The situation has not been much better in Europe. British company EMI, which was the first home to the Beatles when they were unknowns in 1962, was heavily indebted in 2007 when British private equity firm Terra Firma bought it with financing from Citigroup.
In February 2011, EMI, unable to pay the loans, was acquired by Citigroup. The bank cleared out the debt, broke the company in two and sold the parts last November.
Sony snapped up EMI Music Publishing, the portion of the company that handles copyrights to 1.3 million songs, for $2.2 billion, and received European approval in April.
The FTC has not weighed in on the Sony deal, but it is not expected to run into antitrust trouble in the United States.
Universal won the rights to EMI's recorded music unit after Warner Music dropped out of bidding. Warner, the No. 3 U.S. music company, has now pursued its public campaign against Universal's deal.
Edgar Bronfman Jr., the former chairman of Warner, said at the Dive Into Media Conference in January in reference to the deal: 'It's dangerous, problematic and has to be stopped.'
Bronfman argued that Universal, with a 40 percent share, would determine not only the future of the recorded music industry but any kind of digital music industry.
Warner Music declined to comment for this story.
Typically that sort of market share would prompt regulators to challenge a deal - and they might despite Universal's cries that they are powerless to raise prices when faced with retail giants and illegal downloads.
Evan Stewart, an antitrust expert with the law firm Zuckerman Spaeder, argued that the FTC could well approve the deal if Universal's lawyers have compelling data to support arguments about Apple and Amazon's pricing power, and the effect of piracy. 'If they're skillful at making that presentation, I think it will be approved,' Stewart said.
(Editing by Karey Wutkowski and Will Dunham)
This article is brought to you by SINGLES.
'X Factor' may be singing "Oops!..." over Britney
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Simon Cowell and Fox television are gambling on pop icon Britney Spears and teen singer Demi Lovato to revive 'The X Factor', but for many media watchers it could be a case of 'Oops!...' did they do it again?
Spears, 30, and former Disney Channel star Lovato, 19, are expected to bring in bigger, and more importantly younger, audiences when the singing contest returns for its second season on U.S. television in September after a weaker-than-expected debut in 2011.
But whether viewers will tune in is less certain, and the huge check Fox and the producers wrote - Spears is reported to be getting $15 million for one season - may not pay off, pop culture and TV experts say.
'It's a short term gain for 'X Factor'. There will be a huge amount of PR and when the show premieres there will be huge ratings,' said Lyndsey Parker, managing editor of Yahoo! Music. 'But I think it could be a disaster. I think Britney could make Nicole Scherzinger look like a genius,' Parker said.
Spears, who became a teen sensation with hit records such as 'Oops! ... I Did It Again,' suffered a career and personal meltdown in 2007 but later rebounded. Now, at age 30, the 'Womanizer' mom of two is mostly shielded from the media and rarely gives live interviews.
Andy Dehnart, editor of RealityBlurred.com, said many viewers will likely tune in just to 'see her crash and burn.'
'It's not clear she is really a TV personality and somebody who can give the show what it needs, which is really insightful, concise, witty critiques of these singers,' Dehnart said.
'I really don't think it's going to work, but I am hopeful that Britney will surprise us,' he added.
FACTORING IN THE CHANGES
'X-Factor' came into its first season last year with high expectations but failed to reach them. With former 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul and ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger on the panel of mentors/judges, Cowell had boasted his new show would oust 'Idol' as the most-watched show on U.S. television.
His claim rang hollow when 'X Factor' drew only about half the 'Idol' audience over its first season, and critics slammed it for being noisy, stale and over-produced.
Spears and Lovato were hired to fill the slots left by Abdul and Scherzinger, who were fired in January with Steve Jones, a British presenter who was seen as wooden and flustered.
Cowell said the new panel 'will be dynamic and will work really well with the changes we are making to the show,' but he did not spell out what those changes will be.
Hitfix.com music blogger Melinda Newman questioned whether Spears will sizzle on live television the way she does on her highly-produced records and in her well-choreographed concerts.
Spears may flail on a TV show in which the best moments happen when judges speak off the cuff and often deliver harsh news to aspiring singers who don't make the grade, experts said.
'You are saying to someone, 'you may succeed but your dream of succeeding through us ends here.' That is emotional pressure and that is hard to do,' said Newman.
'The public has not seen Britney in an environment where we would know if she is able to withstand that level of pressure and have to think very quickly on her feet,' she added.
Lovato, 19, the former star of Disney Channel's 'Sonny With a Chance', is seen as a draw for Latino viewers because of her Mexican, Irish and Italian descent. She also will be the youngest judge on a U.S. TV talent show, and that is key because broadcast TV networks try to lure younger audiences whom advertisers covet for their spending power.
But TVLine.com writer Michael Slezak said Lovato's resume was 'as light as beaten egg whites' and questioned whether the teen was ready for the spotlight of a high-profile of a TV show after her 2010 stint in rehab for eating disorders and cutting.
Also raising eyebrows has been Spears' reported $15 million salary - more than five times what Abdul was earning - especially since Cowell has yet to find a capable host to replace Jones.
'If that $15 million is an accurate figure, it makes no sense,' said Dehnart. 'To give that to someone who is unproven on a show is really a disaster (and) seems absurd to me.'
Despite some misgivings, Newman felt Spears would be good for the show because Cowell needed a top celebrity who is going to bring viewers. 'He needs someone on the level of Christina Aguilera or Jennifer Lopez,' she said, referring to the judges on rivals 'The Voice' and 'American Idol,' respectively.
Still, Newman said 'X Factor' needed more than celebrities to keep audiences coming back two nights a week for four months.
'The inherent problem with any of these shows it that you are only as good as your contestants. That is catching lightning in a bottle and getting a Susan Boyle,' said Newman.
'If you watch the show, you are watching because you are invested in these acts.'
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Christine Kearney)
This article is brought to you by FREE DATING.
Spears, 30, and former Disney Channel star Lovato, 19, are expected to bring in bigger, and more importantly younger, audiences when the singing contest returns for its second season on U.S. television in September after a weaker-than-expected debut in 2011.
But whether viewers will tune in is less certain, and the huge check Fox and the producers wrote - Spears is reported to be getting $15 million for one season - may not pay off, pop culture and TV experts say.
'It's a short term gain for 'X Factor'. There will be a huge amount of PR and when the show premieres there will be huge ratings,' said Lyndsey Parker, managing editor of Yahoo! Music. 'But I think it could be a disaster. I think Britney could make Nicole Scherzinger look like a genius,' Parker said.
Spears, who became a teen sensation with hit records such as 'Oops! ... I Did It Again,' suffered a career and personal meltdown in 2007 but later rebounded. Now, at age 30, the 'Womanizer' mom of two is mostly shielded from the media and rarely gives live interviews.
Andy Dehnart, editor of RealityBlurred.com, said many viewers will likely tune in just to 'see her crash and burn.'
'It's not clear she is really a TV personality and somebody who can give the show what it needs, which is really insightful, concise, witty critiques of these singers,' Dehnart said.
'I really don't think it's going to work, but I am hopeful that Britney will surprise us,' he added.
FACTORING IN THE CHANGES
'X-Factor' came into its first season last year with high expectations but failed to reach them. With former 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul and ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger on the panel of mentors/judges, Cowell had boasted his new show would oust 'Idol' as the most-watched show on U.S. television.
His claim rang hollow when 'X Factor' drew only about half the 'Idol' audience over its first season, and critics slammed it for being noisy, stale and over-produced.
Spears and Lovato were hired to fill the slots left by Abdul and Scherzinger, who were fired in January with Steve Jones, a British presenter who was seen as wooden and flustered.
Cowell said the new panel 'will be dynamic and will work really well with the changes we are making to the show,' but he did not spell out what those changes will be.
Hitfix.com music blogger Melinda Newman questioned whether Spears will sizzle on live television the way she does on her highly-produced records and in her well-choreographed concerts.
Spears may flail on a TV show in which the best moments happen when judges speak off the cuff and often deliver harsh news to aspiring singers who don't make the grade, experts said.
'You are saying to someone, 'you may succeed but your dream of succeeding through us ends here.' That is emotional pressure and that is hard to do,' said Newman.
'The public has not seen Britney in an environment where we would know if she is able to withstand that level of pressure and have to think very quickly on her feet,' she added.
Lovato, 19, the former star of Disney Channel's 'Sonny With a Chance', is seen as a draw for Latino viewers because of her Mexican, Irish and Italian descent. She also will be the youngest judge on a U.S. TV talent show, and that is key because broadcast TV networks try to lure younger audiences whom advertisers covet for their spending power.
But TVLine.com writer Michael Slezak said Lovato's resume was 'as light as beaten egg whites' and questioned whether the teen was ready for the spotlight of a high-profile of a TV show after her 2010 stint in rehab for eating disorders and cutting.
Also raising eyebrows has been Spears' reported $15 million salary - more than five times what Abdul was earning - especially since Cowell has yet to find a capable host to replace Jones.
'If that $15 million is an accurate figure, it makes no sense,' said Dehnart. 'To give that to someone who is unproven on a show is really a disaster (and) seems absurd to me.'
Despite some misgivings, Newman felt Spears would be good for the show because Cowell needed a top celebrity who is going to bring viewers. 'He needs someone on the level of Christina Aguilera or Jennifer Lopez,' she said, referring to the judges on rivals 'The Voice' and 'American Idol,' respectively.
Still, Newman said 'X Factor' needed more than celebrities to keep audiences coming back two nights a week for four months.
'The inherent problem with any of these shows it that you are only as good as your contestants. That is catching lightning in a bottle and getting a Susan Boyle,' said Newman.
'If you watch the show, you are watching because you are invested in these acts.'
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Christine Kearney)
This article is brought to you by FREE DATING.
Lady Gaga gagged in Indonesia after Islamic opposition
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Pop star Lady Gaga has been refused a permit to perform in the Indonesian capital next month over security concerns, police said on Tuesday, after Islamic groups voiced strong objections to her 'vulgar' style.
Three Islamic groups have expressed their opposition to the concert on June 3, demanding it be stopped, national police spokesman Saud Usman Nasution said by telephone.
Indonesia, a secular state, has the world's largest population of Muslims as well as significant minorities of Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.
'She's a vulgar singer who wears only panties and a bra when she sings and she stated she is the envoy of the devil's child and that she will spread satanic teaching,' said Salim Alatas, the Jakarta head of hardline Islamic Defender Front (FPI). 'This is dangerous.'
More than 30,000 concert tickets from a total of 40,000 tickets had been sold, said the Jakarta Post newspaper. Tickets ranged in price from 465,000 rupiah ($50.35) to 2.25 million rupiah ($240). ($1 = 9235 rupiah)
(Reporting by Olivia Rondonuwu; Editing by Matthew Bigg and Jeremy Laurence)
This article is brought to you by DATING.
Three Islamic groups have expressed their opposition to the concert on June 3, demanding it be stopped, national police spokesman Saud Usman Nasution said by telephone.
Indonesia, a secular state, has the world's largest population of Muslims as well as significant minorities of Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.
'She's a vulgar singer who wears only panties and a bra when she sings and she stated she is the envoy of the devil's child and that she will spread satanic teaching,' said Salim Alatas, the Jakarta head of hardline Islamic Defender Front (FPI). 'This is dangerous.'
More than 30,000 concert tickets from a total of 40,000 tickets had been sold, said the Jakarta Post newspaper. Tickets ranged in price from 465,000 rupiah ($50.35) to 2.25 million rupiah ($240). ($1 = 9235 rupiah)
(Reporting by Olivia Rondonuwu; Editing by Matthew Bigg and Jeremy Laurence)
This article is brought to you by DATING.
Cowell vows to "kick butt" with new "Factor" stars
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears and former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato officially joined the U.S. version of 'The X Factor' on Monday, leading creator Simon Cowell to pledge the second season would 'seriously kick butt' when it returns in September.
Spears, 30, the world's biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, and Lovato, 19, will fill the judge's slots left open by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.
Spears and Lovato appeared with Cowell and fellow judge Antonio 'L.A' Reid at Fox television's presentation of its new 2012-13 season programming to advertisers in New York.
The announcement ended months of speculation over the new faces on the singing contest, which offers a $5 million recording contract to a new star found from tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.
'We've delivered. Rumors are one thing but we've delivered,' a delighted Cowell said. Moments earlier he Tweeted a photo of himself with record producer Reid, Spears and Lovato, saying 'Can't believe it's finally happening. Very exciting!'
Spears found fame as a 16-year-old in 1998 with her debut single 'Baby One More Time' and went on to score multiple hits with songs like 'Crazy', 'Oops I Did It Again' and 'Womanizer.' She had a much-publicized personal and career meltdown in 2007, but made a comeback with her 2008 album 'Circus' and a world tour.
'I'm so excited by this whole experience. It's so different from anything I've ever done,' Spears said in New York.
Lovato starred in the Disney Channel's TV series 'Sonny With a Chance' before launching a career as a pop singer with hit singles like 'Skyscraper'.
'Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident and enthusiastic. I think it's really important that she speaks to our younger audience,' Cowell said in a statement.
Fox gave no details of their contracts, but Spears is widely reported to be getting $15 million for a single season, which would make her one of the highest-paid TV reality show judges.
Cowell launched the U.S. version of 'X Factor' last September with great fanfare and boasts that it would topple aging 'American Idol' as America's most-watched TV show.
But 'X Factor' mustered only about 13 million viewers - around half the audience for 'American Idol' - and many critics disliked its brash, noisy production and felt it added little that was new to the crowded TV singing contest field.
'The X Factor' faces further challenges in its second season following NBC's decision to air its hit singing contest 'The Voice' in the fall of 2012, as well as the spring.
Cowell said on Monday that other changes were being made to the show but gave no details.
'This year we're going to seriously kick butt. I'm thrilled 'The Voice' is going to compete with us, but second's not great,' the acid-tongued Briton said in New York.
Fox and Cowell have yet to announce a new host after firing little-known Briton Steve Jones in January. Cowell has said he would like two hosts - a man and a woman - but no names have yet emerged.
(Reporting By Yinka Adegoke and Jill Serjeant; Editing by Christine Kearney and Bob Tourtellotte)
Spears, 30, the world's biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, and Lovato, 19, will fill the judge's slots left open by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.
Spears and Lovato appeared with Cowell and fellow judge Antonio 'L.A' Reid at Fox television's presentation of its new 2012-13 season programming to advertisers in New York.
The announcement ended months of speculation over the new faces on the singing contest, which offers a $5 million recording contract to a new star found from tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.
'We've delivered. Rumors are one thing but we've delivered,' a delighted Cowell said. Moments earlier he Tweeted a photo of himself with record producer Reid, Spears and Lovato, saying 'Can't believe it's finally happening. Very exciting!'
Spears found fame as a 16-year-old in 1998 with her debut single 'Baby One More Time' and went on to score multiple hits with songs like 'Crazy', 'Oops I Did It Again' and 'Womanizer.' She had a much-publicized personal and career meltdown in 2007, but made a comeback with her 2008 album 'Circus' and a world tour.
'I'm so excited by this whole experience. It's so different from anything I've ever done,' Spears said in New York.
Lovato starred in the Disney Channel's TV series 'Sonny With a Chance' before launching a career as a pop singer with hit singles like 'Skyscraper'.
'Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident and enthusiastic. I think it's really important that she speaks to our younger audience,' Cowell said in a statement.
Fox gave no details of their contracts, but Spears is widely reported to be getting $15 million for a single season, which would make her one of the highest-paid TV reality show judges.
Cowell launched the U.S. version of 'X Factor' last September with great fanfare and boasts that it would topple aging 'American Idol' as America's most-watched TV show.
But 'X Factor' mustered only about 13 million viewers - around half the audience for 'American Idol' - and many critics disliked its brash, noisy production and felt it added little that was new to the crowded TV singing contest field.
'The X Factor' faces further challenges in its second season following NBC's decision to air its hit singing contest 'The Voice' in the fall of 2012, as well as the spring.
Cowell said on Monday that other changes were being made to the show but gave no details.
'This year we're going to seriously kick butt. I'm thrilled 'The Voice' is going to compete with us, but second's not great,' the acid-tongued Briton said in New York.
Fox and Cowell have yet to announce a new host after firing little-known Briton Steve Jones in January. Cowell has said he would like two hosts - a man and a woman - but no names have yet emerged.
(Reporting By Yinka Adegoke and Jill Serjeant; Editing by Christine Kearney and Bob Tourtellotte)
Britney Spears, Demi Lovato are new "X Factor" judges
(Reuters) - Britney Spears and former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato will join talent show 'The X Factor' as judges when the U.S. version of the contest returns to television in September, Fox television and the show's creator Simon Cowell said on Monday.
Cowell said in a Twitter message that Spears, 30, the world's biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, will join him on 'X Factor,' which searches for a new pop star from tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.
Spears will be joined by singer and actress Lovato, 19, to fill the judge's seats left by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.
Cowell announced the news on Twitter, sending a photo of himself with record producer Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, Spears and Lovato and saying 'Can't believe it's finally happening. Very exciting!'
His Tweet landed moments before Fox made the official announcement in New York in a presentation to advertisers of its new 2012-13 season programming.
Spears and Lovato both appeared in person at the presentation, ending months of speculation about the replacements for the show.
Spears found fame as a 16 year-old in 1998 with her debut single 'Baby One More Time' and went on to score multiple hits with songs like 'Crazy', 'Oops I Did It Again' and 'Womanizer'. She had a much-publicized personal and career meltdown in 2007 but made a comeback with her 2008 album 'Circus' and a world tour.
Lovato found fame on Disney Channel's TV series 'Sonny With a Chance' before launching a career as a pop singer with hit singles like 'Skyscraper'.
'Britney remains one of the biggest stars in the world, she's talented, fascinating - and I believe she knows exactly how to spot 'The X Factor',' Cowell said in a statement.
'Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident, and enthusiastic. I think it's really important that she speaks to our younger audience.'
Spears said in New York, 'I'm so excited by this whole experience. It's so different from anything I've ever done.'
Fox gave no details of their contracts but Spears has been widely reported to be getting $15 million a year for 'X Factor' gig, which would make her one of the highest-paid TV reality show judges.
Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne were among other names rumored to have been approached or in talks with Cowell about taking part in 'X Factor'.
Cowell launched the U.S. version of 'X Factor' last September with great fanfare and boasts that it would topple ageing 'American Idol' as America's most-watched TV show.
But the show mustered only about 13 million viewers - about half the audience for 'American Idol' - and many critics disliked its brash, noisy production and felt it added little new to the crowded TV singing contest field.
Fox and Cowell are still yet to announce a new host after firing little-known Briton Steve Jones in January.
'The X Factor' faces further challenges in its second season following news on Sunday that NBC will be airing its hit contest 'The Voice' in the fall of 2012, as well as the spring.
(Reporting By Yinka Adegoke and Jill Serjeant; Editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and Christine Kearney)
Cowell said in a Twitter message that Spears, 30, the world's biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, will join him on 'X Factor,' which searches for a new pop star from tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.
Spears will be joined by singer and actress Lovato, 19, to fill the judge's seats left by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.
Cowell announced the news on Twitter, sending a photo of himself with record producer Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, Spears and Lovato and saying 'Can't believe it's finally happening. Very exciting!'
His Tweet landed moments before Fox made the official announcement in New York in a presentation to advertisers of its new 2012-13 season programming.
Spears and Lovato both appeared in person at the presentation, ending months of speculation about the replacements for the show.
Spears found fame as a 16 year-old in 1998 with her debut single 'Baby One More Time' and went on to score multiple hits with songs like 'Crazy', 'Oops I Did It Again' and 'Womanizer'. She had a much-publicized personal and career meltdown in 2007 but made a comeback with her 2008 album 'Circus' and a world tour.
Lovato found fame on Disney Channel's TV series 'Sonny With a Chance' before launching a career as a pop singer with hit singles like 'Skyscraper'.
'Britney remains one of the biggest stars in the world, she's talented, fascinating - and I believe she knows exactly how to spot 'The X Factor',' Cowell said in a statement.
'Demi's had an amazing career in music, TV and film for someone her age. She's young, confident, and enthusiastic. I think it's really important that she speaks to our younger audience.'
Spears said in New York, 'I'm so excited by this whole experience. It's so different from anything I've ever done.'
Fox gave no details of their contracts but Spears has been widely reported to be getting $15 million a year for 'X Factor' gig, which would make her one of the highest-paid TV reality show judges.
Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne were among other names rumored to have been approached or in talks with Cowell about taking part in 'X Factor'.
Cowell launched the U.S. version of 'X Factor' last September with great fanfare and boasts that it would topple ageing 'American Idol' as America's most-watched TV show.
But the show mustered only about 13 million viewers - about half the audience for 'American Idol' - and many critics disliked its brash, noisy production and felt it added little new to the crowded TV singing contest field.
Fox and Cowell are still yet to announce a new host after firing little-known Briton Steve Jones in January.
'The X Factor' faces further challenges in its second season following news on Sunday that NBC will be airing its hit contest 'The Voice' in the fall of 2012, as well as the spring.
(Reporting By Yinka Adegoke and Jill Serjeant; Editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and Christine Kearney)
Whitney Houston's daughter stars in reality TV series
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Whitney Houston's teenage daughter will star in a reality TV show that follows the family of the 'I Will Always Love You' singer as they cope with her sudden death earlier this year.
The Lifetime channel said on Friday that Bobbi Kristina Brown, 19, Houston's mother Cissy, the singer's brother Gary, and her manager and sister-in-law Pat Houston would all appear in the show that will air later this year.
'The Houston Family Chronicles', billed as a documentary series, will follow Pat and Gary Houston 'as they take on their greatest challenge, supporting and guiding Bobbi Kristina as she faces the world alone, without the one person she relied on the most, her mother,' Lifetime said.
Bobbi Kristina is the only child of Houston with her ex-husband Bobby Brown, and she was hospitalized twice for anxiety after her mother was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel room in February. She is now being raised by Pat and Gary Houston.
Houston, 48, drowned in her hotel room's bathtub in what authorities have said was an accidental death triggered by cocaine use and heart disease. The singer had a history of addiction to cocaine and other drugs.
'The tragic loss of Whitney Houston left a void in the hearts of people all over the world, but certainly none more so than her beloved family,' said Lifetime programming executive Rob Sharenow.
'In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow,' he added in a statement.
Pat Houston said she had been developing a TV project for herself for some time but the unexpected death of Houston had affected the direction of the show.
'It is my hope that others will be enlightened as they watch our family heal and move forward,' she said in a statement.
Lifetime, whose audience is largely female, said it had ordered 10 hour-long episodes of the series. A premier date has not yet been announced.
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
The Lifetime channel said on Friday that Bobbi Kristina Brown, 19, Houston's mother Cissy, the singer's brother Gary, and her manager and sister-in-law Pat Houston would all appear in the show that will air later this year.
'The Houston Family Chronicles', billed as a documentary series, will follow Pat and Gary Houston 'as they take on their greatest challenge, supporting and guiding Bobbi Kristina as she faces the world alone, without the one person she relied on the most, her mother,' Lifetime said.
Bobbi Kristina is the only child of Houston with her ex-husband Bobby Brown, and she was hospitalized twice for anxiety after her mother was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel room in February. She is now being raised by Pat and Gary Houston.
Houston, 48, drowned in her hotel room's bathtub in what authorities have said was an accidental death triggered by cocaine use and heart disease. The singer had a history of addiction to cocaine and other drugs.
'The tragic loss of Whitney Houston left a void in the hearts of people all over the world, but certainly none more so than her beloved family,' said Lifetime programming executive Rob Sharenow.
'In this series, the multi-generations of the Houston family will bravely reveal their lives as they bond together to heal, love, and grow,' he added in a statement.
Pat Houston said she had been developing a TV project for herself for some time but the unexpected death of Houston had affected the direction of the show.
'It is my hope that others will be enlightened as they watch our family heal and move forward,' she said in a statement.
Lifetime, whose audience is largely female, said it had ordered 10 hour-long episodes of the series. A premier date has not yet been announced.
(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Hollie Cavanagh couldn't make 'Idol' fans love her
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hollie Cavanagh was sent home from top-rated TV talent show 'American Idol' on Thursday night after singing 'I Can't Make You Love Me' - a song choice that proved prophetic.
Cavanagh closed out the show by performing Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb,' remaining composed while fellow contestant Joshua Ledet wept as she sang.
Almost 70 million votes were cast to determine Thursday's outcome. Audience voting was based on performances on Wednesday night's episode during which contestants sang songs by artists from California, followed by songs they wished they had written.
Cavanagh first belted out 'Faithfully' by rock band Journey, and the show's judges marveled that she was hitting her stride. Panelist Randy Jackson said her rendition 'did him proud.'
The judges, however, were less enthusiastic about her second selection, Bonnie Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me.' Jackson called it 'the wrong choice at the wrong time.' Jennifer Lopez told her there was 'a little too much vibrato,' and mentor Jimmy Iovine was the most blunt, saying Cavanagh 'crashed and burned.'
At 18-years-old, Cavanagh's failure was chalked up to her lack of real-life experience with heartbreak that was needed to infuse the song with proper emotion.
On Thursday's elimination episode, Lopez rose from the judges' table to perform her new song 'Dance Again.' Season 7 winner David Cook also stopped by to serenade audiences with his 'The Last Song I'll Write for You.'
'Idol', which first aired in on Fox in 2002, has launched the careers of singers Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Husdon, among many others. Now in its 11th season, the show continues to be the most watched reality show in America.
Audiences vote for their favorite performers by phone and text message each week as contestants are challenged by a variety of musical styles. The winner receives a recording contract following the final episode later this month.
(Reporting By Andrea Burzynski; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This article is brought to you by DATING.
Cavanagh closed out the show by performing Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb,' remaining composed while fellow contestant Joshua Ledet wept as she sang.
Almost 70 million votes were cast to determine Thursday's outcome. Audience voting was based on performances on Wednesday night's episode during which contestants sang songs by artists from California, followed by songs they wished they had written.
Cavanagh first belted out 'Faithfully' by rock band Journey, and the show's judges marveled that she was hitting her stride. Panelist Randy Jackson said her rendition 'did him proud.'
The judges, however, were less enthusiastic about her second selection, Bonnie Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me.' Jackson called it 'the wrong choice at the wrong time.' Jennifer Lopez told her there was 'a little too much vibrato,' and mentor Jimmy Iovine was the most blunt, saying Cavanagh 'crashed and burned.'
At 18-years-old, Cavanagh's failure was chalked up to her lack of real-life experience with heartbreak that was needed to infuse the song with proper emotion.
On Thursday's elimination episode, Lopez rose from the judges' table to perform her new song 'Dance Again.' Season 7 winner David Cook also stopped by to serenade audiences with his 'The Last Song I'll Write for You.'
'Idol', which first aired in on Fox in 2002, has launched the careers of singers Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Husdon, among many others. Now in its 11th season, the show continues to be the most watched reality show in America.
Audiences vote for their favorite performers by phone and text message each week as contestants are challenged by a variety of musical styles. The winner receives a recording contract following the final episode later this month.
(Reporting By Andrea Burzynski; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
This article is brought to you by DATING.