Rock 'N Roll Chaos and Hollywood Glam Collide as MTV Unleashes the VMAs in Los Angeles & other

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

'WALL-E' has a $23.2 million opening

Even as the G-rated animated movie topped the day's boxoffice returns, Universal's R-rated "Wanted" gave it a run for its money, as the action pic roared out of the gate with a powerful second-place showing. Full story

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Monday, 30 June 2008

George Carlin becomes first posthumous Mark Twain honoree

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts said on Monday it would go ahead with plans to present its Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to the late George Carlin, making him the first comedian so honored posthumously.

Carlin, the counter-culture figure famed for his provocative stand-up routines on such subjects as profanity, drugs and the demise of humankind, died on Sunday at age 71 after complaining of heart problems earlier in the day.

The Kennedy Center had only announced days before that Carlin was selected as the 11th recipient of its prestigious Mark Twain award, an honor bestowed annually at a black-tie gala televised on the Public Broadcasting Service network PBS.

"He was thrilled that he was chosen ... and today was the day we were supposed to talk on the phone about potential guests," said Mark Krantz, an executive producer of the show. "So he was very much into it and was already agreeing to do some press, and we were getting ready to get the nuts and bolts worked out when this terrible thing happened."

After consulting with Carlin's family and PBS, the Kennedy Center decided to go forward with the ceremony as scheduled on November 10. The show, taped at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., will air on PBS at a date to be announced.

Last year's honoree was actor-comedian Billy Crystal. The first in 1998, was Richard Pryor, the only other recipient who is now deceased. Others have included Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, playwright Neil Simon and "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels.

For Carlin's ceremony, producers will stick with the usual format described by Krantz as "a funny celebration of a career," with friends and peers telling stories and anecdotes and introducing clips of his work.

"He has a 50-year career to look back on," Krantz said. "He was the first host of 'Saturday Night Live.' He did 130 Johnny Carson shows, he did 13 or more HBO specials, he's won four Grammys."

The Mark Twain prize is named for the 19th-century novelist, essayist and humorist whose given name was Samuel Clemens, author of such classics as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."

Dodgy

Artist: Dodgy

   Genre(s):
Rock

Discography:

Ace A's and Killer B's

Year: 1998
Tracks: 17

Free Peace Sweet

Year: 1996
Tracks: 14

Dodgy never was taken severely. Then again, they ne'er precious to be taken in earnest. As the clowns of Brit-pop, Dodgy carved out a recession with their infectious, goofy punk-pop that alternately sounded like the early Who and the Stone Roses. While they had a number of attain singles in the UK, highlighted by "Staying Out for the Summer," their offbeat British body fluid prevented them from landing an American criminal record deal for several years. Nevertheless, Dodgy was able to hold a devoted furor undermentioned into the late '90s, as they kept turning out attention-getting, zany power-pop tunes.

An early version of Dodgy formed in the tardy '80s, when Nigel Clarke (vocals, bass) and Mathew Priest (drums) moved from their native Birmingham to London. As they began working unmatched jobs, they placed an advertizement for a guitar player, eventually recruiting Andy Miller. Over the future few years, Dodgy played often, including regular stints at the Dodgy Club, where they made their live debut. In 1991, they formed their possess Bostin criminal record label to exit their possess singles, including "Summertime Fayre" and "Easy Way.". By the goal of 1992, Dodgy had earned a sizeable next, attracting the care of major labels. They gestural a contract with A&M later that yr, releasing their debut, The Dodgy Album, in May 1993. The criminal record was praised by the British music agitate, and Dodgy soon became regulars at the rising Camden bulge scene, which was headed by Blur.

Foxy returned during the flow of 1994 with the single "Staying Out for the Summer," which became their first gear Top 40 bump off. It set the stage for their breakthrough album, Homegrown, which was greeted with positive reviews upon its October release. Following a class of touring in 1995, the band returned in the summer of 1996 with Free Peace Sweet, which was their biggest bump off to day of the month, spawning the hits "In A Room," "Good Enough" and "If You're Thinking of Me," which peaked at number 11.

Hot Tuna

Artist: Hot Tuna

   Genre(s):
Rock
   Rock: Blues

Discography:

The Phosphorescent Rat

Year: 2004
Tracks: 10

Yellow Fever

Year: 2001
Tracks: 8

Live at Kenswick CD2

Year: 2000
Tracks: 12

Live at Kenswick CD1

Year: 2000
Tracks: 14

Live in Japan: At Stove's Yokohoma City

Year: 1998
Tracks: 14

Classic Hot Tuna Electric

Year: 1996
Tracks: 8

Classic Acoustic

Year: 1996
Tracks: 10

Double Dose

Year: 1995
Tracks: 14

Live at Sweetwater 2

Year: 1993
Tracks: 12

Live At Sweetwater

Year: 1992
Tracks: 13

Pair A Dice Found

Year: 1990
Tracks: 14

Historic Live

Year: 1985
Tracks: 8

Hoppkorv

Year: 1976
Tracks: 10

Splashdown Two

Year: 1975
Tracks: 14

America's Choice

Year: 1975
Tracks: 8

Burgers

Year: 1972
Tracks: 9

First Pull Up, Then Pull Down

Year: 1971
Tracks: 7

Hot Tuna

Year:
Tracks: 15

Funky

Year:
Tracks: 11

Begun as an acoustic spin-off of the Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna eventually became the full-time focus of creation members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, rising as a democratic touring act of the 1970s. The 2 were lifelong friends, maturation up together in Washington, D.C., and playing in the chemical group the Triumphs. After heights school, guitarist Kaukonen and his government-service parents resettled to the Philippines, merely he returned to the U.S. in time for the advent of psychedelia, landing place in San Francisco and co-founding the Airplane in 1965. Bassist Casady united not long after, and together they helped lead the group to massive success during the late '60s.

Hot Tuna -- in the first place dubbed Hot Sh*t, much to the mortification of their label, RCA -- start began pickings cast in 1969, patch both Casady and Kaukonen were tranquil active members of the Jefferson Airplane; in fact, their first performances were sandwiched between regular Airplane gigs. As a threesome rounded out by mouth harp player Will Scarlet (and at times including Airplane members Marty Balin and Spencer Dryden), Hot Tuna debuted in 1970 with a low-key self-titled LP of traditional blues and ragtime recorded live at the New Orleans House in Berkeley; by the undermentioned year's more rock-inspired First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, their roster included violinist Papa John Creach, at the same time a full-time member of the Airplane, and drummer Sammy Piazza. Minus Scarlet, a third album, Burgers, appeared in 1972.

By the appearance of 1974's The Phosphorescent Rat, both Casady and Kaukonen had formally exited Jefferson Airplane; by this time Creach, world Health Organization elective to persist with the Airplane, was no thirster in the group. With 1975's America's Choice, Piazza as well was kaput, replaced by drummer Bob Steeler; Sensationalistic Fever appeared that same twelvemonth, with Hoppkorv following in 1976. Keyboardist Nick Buck signed on for 1978's Double Dose, but Hot Tuna after announced their separation, ending out the first phase of their career with 1979's Last Vinyl.

In the come alive of the group's dying, Kaukonen released a solo LP, Jorma, and after joined the new wave unit Vital Parts; Casady as well fronted a modern wave group of his own, SVT. In 1984, both returned to their roots: Casady joined beau Airplane alums Balin and Paul Kantner in the K.B.C. Band, spell Kaukonen reverted to the acoustic folks and blue devils of his formative long time. Finally, Casady and Kaukonen played a handful of club dates under the Hot Tuna aegis, re-forming on a more concrete basis in 1986; by 1990, their ranks included Michael Falzarano, a veteran of many early reunion shows. That class Hot Tuna released Twin a Dice Found, their first base accumulation of new studio material in over a decade; a serial of live releases followed, including 1992's Live at Sweetwater, 1997's Splashdown Two, and 1999's And Furthurmore... In the geezerhood to follow, Hot Tuna continued to play respective alive shows a class in assorted configurations. A single-disc best-of from the RCA geezerhood, Keep on Truckin', was released in 2006.

Our Brother The Native Man Features on Phantom Channel Compilation

Sigur Ros unveils fall tour slate

Just before their new album hits store shelves across the country, art-rockers Sigur Ros [ tickets ] have announced dates for a headlining US tour this fall.The Icelandic post-rock ensemble, which earlier this week completed a quick US outing anchored by an appearance at last weekend's Bonnaroo Festival, will launch the new run with back-to-back shows in New York City beginning Sept. 17. The group will hit 15 cities on the early autumn trek, which follows a full schedule of European dates planned for the summer.North American dates are shown below; details of the group's European plans can be found at the Sigur Ros website.Due in stores June 23, "Med Sud i Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust" (English translation: "With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly") is the band's fifth studio album, and follows 2005's "Takk...," which was certified gold in the UK and sold more than 30,000 copies in the US during its first week in stores.Despite the unwieldy title, the disc is the group's first to feature a song performed in English ("All Alright.") The album was co-produced by the band with veteran producer Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) and recorded in New York City; London; the band's hometown of Reykjavik, Iceland; and Havana, Cuba.Earlier this month, the band made the album free in streaming form through its website and the music community website Last.fm.Last year, the group released "Hvarf-Heim," a 2-CD compilation album containing studio versions of previously unreleased songs, and the live DVD "Heima," which documents the group's 2006 tour of Iceland.

Bill Murray - Murray Wife Granted Quick Divorce

BILL MURRAY has ended his 10-year marriage to wife JENNIFER following a quick divorce.

The couple's separation only hit the headlines last month (May08) and now the Murray's are single again.

In court documents obtained by TMZ.com, the movie star has been ordered to pay child support.

His ex-wife will have custody of their four children and she'll keep the family home.

Jennifer filed for divorce a month ago, alleging the Lost In Translation star was an abusive sex addict.

According to legal documents, she moved out of the family home in 2006 as a result of the comedian's "adultery, addiction to marijuana and alcohol, abusive behaviour, physical abuse, sexual addictions and frequent abandonment."

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