Archive for June, 2009

Kris Allen spoke with Newsweek magazine about his love for Michael Jackson’s music and how the other Idols reacted when they heard the news of Jackson’s death.   Kris, a huge fan of Jackson, helped some of the Idols with their song choices for MJ week.   It was Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror that catapulted him into the Top 13 as a dark horse contestant from the semi-final round.   Excerpts:

Where were you when you heard news of his death?, “We were at rehearsal for the tour. Actually, Adam was on stage. He was almost done, and I was about to go up. We heard the news and we stopped everything and we canceled the rehearsal.”

Why? Out of respect?, “I’d like to say that was part of it. More than anything, it was weird. The weird thing was he was in the room next to us probably a couple weeks before that. We all knew people that worked on the tour and everything. It was just weird. No one could really feel right. It was one of those moments in life when you’re like what the heck just happened. I remember thinking I hope this isn’t real, but if it is, Wow this is a sad day in music.”

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Poor Brandon Rogers!   He twittered from the Los Angeles auditions a few minutes ago, “This is but an example of the ridiculousness that is The LA Idol auditions. Behold! ”   Ha ha.

The La Times’s Richard Rushfield is there too, and reports that “Crying Girl”, Ashley Ferl, arrived to audition.   She just turned 16 and is eligible for the first time.   She’s probably crying, and auditioning…and crying. (If you are unfamiliar with Ashley read this.)

According to the Pasadena Star-News, “thousands” of people turned up at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to audition, causing backlogs on the freeway and prompting fire officials to send extra personnel on site.

More info as it becomes available!

Adam Lambert tells Rolling Stone magazine that the Idols got the news of Michael Jackson’s death while they were rehearsing for the tour. Adam was performing “Whole Lotta Love” on stage when Lil Rounds ran into the room and whispered something into the producer’s ear.

‘I kept singing and looked over at them with a confused look on my face,” says Adam, “and one of the producers mouthed to me, ‘Michael Jackson just died.’ I went, ‘What?’ and stopped singing. Everybody just stopped.’ 

Idol rehearsals were canceled for the rest of the day, and he and the rest of the Idols avoided negative press about Jackson as they digested the news. ‘What he was capable of as a showman, and what he brought to the world, outshone any of that,’  Adam says.

Adam also mentions that his first American Idol audition song was “Rock With You,” a performance that particularly impressed judge Paula Abdul. “Paula was really grooving to it,” he says.

The RS article also reveals one more Adam Lambert tour spoiler, “Whole Lotta Love”can be added to the list that includes: “Mad World”, Muse’s “Starlight”, a David Bowie Bowie medley of “Life on Mars”, “Fame” and “Let’s Dance,” and the “Slow Ride” duet with Allison Iraheta.

Interesting interview with David Cook from yesterday’s FUSE TV No. 1 Countdown show.

David’s eclectic music taste, the influence of his Dad on his music, and learning multiple intruments. He says he’s a “terrible” drummer. Heh.

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Fast overnight ratings from Marc Berman:

Holy bomb-out Batman!

In an unprecedented move, Fox replayed the American Idol performance show from early in the season which was devoted to the music of Michael Jackson. There was little interest, however, with a fourth-place 4.22 million viewers and a 1.4/ 4 in the demo from 8-10 p.m.

If FOX had re-packaged it in some way, rather than just running a straight-up re-run, it might have faired better. Unless you’re a die hard, watching a competition knowing the outcome isn’t very interesting.

The NBC Dateline special featuring the Martin Bashir 2003 documentary on Michael Jackson that led to his 2005 trial for child molestation won its timeslot:

Capping off the evening on NBC was more coverage of Michael Jackson on Dateline at 6.69 million viewers (#2) and a first-place 2.1/ 6 among adults 18-49 at 10 p.m. Still hard to believe, isn’t it?

Via Laura Saltman from Access Hollywood, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey and the rest of the American Idol Live Tour stars take fan questions, via Twitter.

A couple of new tidbits:

Adam says he’s excited to be working with songwriter Sam Sparrow (“Black and Gold”) “we have a couple of good songs in the works.” Plus, Adam reveals he is talking to producer Dr. Luke (“I Kissed a Girl”, “Since You Been Gone”, “Circus”) about a possible collaboration, “It’s all…being worked out.”

Danny mentions some upcoming meetings (he’s meeting with label execs in Nashville this week) and hopes to be signing a record deal very soon.

Lil Rounds was very impressed with David Cook…

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2nd Update: Debbie Rowe’s lawyer told Radaronline that she is the biological mother of Paris and Prince, Michael Jackson’s eldest children.

Update:  this just in, according to CNN, Michael Jackson’s body will return to his Neverland Ranch on Thursday morning for a public viewing Friday. A private memorial service is scheduled for Sunday.

US is reporting:

Though Michael Jackson was wed to Prince and Paris’ mother, Debbie Rowe, their biological father is Arnold Klein, Jackson’s L.A.-based dermatologist and Rowe’s former boss, multiple sources confirm to the new issue of Us Weekly.

“He is the dad,” says a Jackson insider. “He and Debbie signed an agreement saying they would never reveal the truth.”

Though neither Rowe nor Jackson ever confessed to their kids’ true lineage, she did admit in 2002 that she carried his children as a personal favor (and would not confirm that the marriage was ever consummated).

Also, multiple sources are telling TMZ that Jackson’s ex-wife, Debbie Rowe  isn’t the biological mom of his two eldest children, either, that she acted as a surrogate.   If true, that could explain her strange disconnection from from Prince and Paris, the two children she bore.

Plus, the Wall Street Journal reports that a will from 2002 that divides his estate between  Jackson’s mother, children and charities, but does not include his father.   Reportedly, two other wills have also surfaced, while Michael’s parents claim there is no valid will. Sounds like a mess.   Jackson’s parents   have temporary custody of Jackson’s children and are petitioning to be the administrators of his estate.

Some positive news:  According to Billboard, “industry prognosticators indicate that three of Jackson’s albums — “Number Ones,” “The Essential Michael Jackson” and “Thriller” — each sold around 100,000 copies last week. The sales tracking week ended at the close of business on Sunday (June 28) night.” Wow.

Amazon UK has snippets of Jordin Sparks upcoming album,  Battlefield, up on their site.   Check out the snips HERE.   The UK version isn’t configured exactly like the US–”Tattoo” and “One Step at a Time”, both singles across the pond are included in the album’s track list. (I’m assuming Jordin’s debut wasn’t released over there?)

One of the tunes “S.O.S (Let The Music Play)”, a disco throwback nabs the chorus from the classic disco hit,  Shannon’s “Let the Music Play”  Sample lyric from Jordin’s song (check out the demo): “That little bitch don’t know who she’s messing with, I can’t believe it, but I think she’s undressing him…”   Our little Jordin, all growed up! Heh.  

Battlefield will be available in the US on July 21.

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Anoop Desai reveals to Lindsey Parker during her Idol rehearsal interview for Yahoo music, that he’ll be performing “My Prerogative” on tour, and there will be some dancing during the Madcon “Beggin” group number.

…I was happy to hear that both sides of Anoop will be on full display on the Idols Live Tour, and that he’ll definitely be performing at least one crowd-rousing partystarter during his solo set. (No, he’s not doing “Beat It,” understandably, given his mixed feelings about that one–but it’s a fun number he’s going with.) He’ll also be involved in the Madcon “Beggin’” group performance that I mentioned yesterday, which will further allow him to do his R&B thang.

And additionally keeping the party going on the tour will be choreographer JaQuel Knight, the man behind the moves of Beyonce’s iconic “Single Ladies” video–whom Anoop revealed will be choreographing his and the other Idols’ dance routines on the tour. However, sadly, Anoop emphatically clarified that there will be NO black unitards in the tour’s wardrobe, so don’t expect a “Single Ladies” parody a la Justin Timberlake on SNL or that recent Joe Jonas stunt. Even though that WOULD be awesome…

Video after the JUMP…

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The New York Post reports this morning that Simon Cowell, who is in the midst of renegotiating his American Idol contract beyond the 2010 season, has been offered between $100 million and $144 million per year.

The figures come from London newspaper, The Guardian:

A source close to Fuller says that Cowell has already been offered three to four times the $36m he was paid for American Idol in 2008 – but then, he is the most important person on the show and the series makes $900m a year and attracts audiences of 25 million.

Those figures sound reasonable to me. I could see Fuller offering to make Simon and his production company Syco, a partner in the show.

Barrino Returns to Color Purple Role, Beginning June 30 at the Kennedy Center

“American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino reprises her award-winning performance as Celie in The Color Purple, which begins a limited run at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, June 30.

The Kennedy Center engagement marks Barrino’s first return to Purple since making her Broadway debut in the New York production in 2007. The national tour of the Tony-nominated musical officially opens July 1 and will continue through Aug. 9 at the D.C. venue.

Playbill.com

Wanna be an American Idol? Here’s some advice

It’s time to warm up those vocal chords and see if you’ve got what it takes to become the next American music sensation.

American Idol is holding open auditions at Orlando’s Amway Arena for its ninth season on July 9. Audition registrations are on July 7 and 8.

Daily Commercial.com

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

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So You Think You Can Dance Top 14 Spoilers from Television Without Pity–they’re incomplete right now, I’ll edit in   (or post again) further information after complete spoiler become available tonight for tomorrow night’s show.

Spoilers for the top 14 performance episode:
Karla and Vitolioo – quickstep
Melissa and Ade – pas de deux
Janette and Brandon   – latin
Kayla and Kupono – contemporary
Randi and Evan – Broadway by Joey Dowling
Caitlin and Jason -
Jeanine and Phillip – hip hop by Napoleon and Tabitha

Third judge is Mia Michaels.

Spoilers for the top 14 results episode:
Guest performer is Kelly Clarkson.
Guest dancers are Desmond Richardson and Patricia Hachey.
Group routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio.

The re-broadcast of   the Season 8 American Idol Top 13 performance show featuring the music of Michael Jackson will be broadcast on FOX tonight at 8 pm.

It starts here on the east coast at 8 PM ET. I’m starting a post for those of you who are watching tonight and want to chat.   I’m also re-uploading some….stuff. shhh….   I’ll update this post later.

Also, in case you missed it, and you might have–my site was down for a good part of yesterday afternoon.   Nigel Lythgoe twittered about his plans for an all-Michael Jackson special for So You Think You Can Dance.   Read all about it HERE.

Here’s my original recap from March 10, 2009…

Song list and video after the jump…

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Amazon UK has posted preview clips up of   Chris Daughtry’s upcoming album, Leave this Town.   Listen to clips HERE.

UPDATE:   Daughtry just announced   dates for their summer tour, beginning August 2 in Orlando FL. Tickets go on sale July 11th. Check out the dates after the jump…

The record, Daughtry’s sophomore effort, drops July 14, in the UK on July 13.   The UK version has the Wal-mart bonus track, “Get Me Through”.

It’s hard to judge on snippets, but so far, I’d say if you liked their debut, you’re gonna like Leave this Town.

*Snippets are also available on You Tube HERE.

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Photos from Michael Jackson’s final rehearsal Tuesday night have emerged HERE and HERE. Those who were there said he seemed in good shape and in good spirits. The LA coroner’s office returned toJackson’s rented home today. Ew. OK Magazine.

And, there is video:

Michael Jackson’s last rehearsal at the Staples Center on Wednesday, the eve of his death, was recorded in multi-camera, high-definition video and multi-track audio, and could be released as the performer’s last album, according to several people close to the now-defunct concert tour.

The recordings were made as part of concert promotion company AEG Live’s deal with Jackson, which included a plan to produce both an album and DVD of what Jackson had billed his ‘final performance’  tour, titled ‘This Is It.’ 

The recordings also could be used to produce both a DVD or Blu-ray disc of the entertainer’s last performance — the entertainer singing his greatest hits.

One AEG official boasted to a colleague this weekend, ”We have a live album in the can.’ 

UPDATE: The AP reports on “The Dome Project” HERE.

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