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Kiss member Gene Simmons and War founder Howard E. Scott unleashed verbal assaults this week on other acts.
Gene SimmonsSimmons, the bassist and vocalist for the legendary band, said Madonna is not appropriate to perform at Super Bowl XLVI. When asked for his opinion on the matter, Simmons had a sarcastic response. "I love all karaoke singers," he told TMZ. "I like all the girl singers who get up and sing with tapes. Shame on you."
Simmons, whose band performed at the Super Bowl in 1999, said artists who lip-sync misrepresent themselves to their audience. He suggested that entertainers who sing over vocal tracks inform their audience beforehand.
Madonna, GettyImages, Stephen Lovekin"I don't care what your music is, have some integrity, be real, or full disclosure before the fact," he said. "Hold up a sign that says, '70 percent of what you hear is fake. It's a tape. I'm a karaoke singer.'"
Madonna has not responded publicly to Simmons' insults.
The Beastie Boys also caught flack for receiving a special honor, being named Wednesday as 2012 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Scott, whose band produced a number of classic hits including "Low Rider," "Slippin Into Darkness," and "Why Can't We Be Friends," was offended that War was not selected to be inducted despite its nomination.
More on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees
Scott, in a Kanye West-like dig, slammed the Beastie Boys for making the 2012 cut. Scott said War was due to receive the honor before the punk rap band.
"We were cranking out gold records when they were still in diapers," Scott told TMZ. "How could the Beastie Boys get in before us when they sampled War's music on their first album? I'll eat their platinum records."
WarScott's sampling comment refers to the Beastie Boys' song "Slow and Low" from their 1986 debut "Licensed to Ill." The track includes a piece of War's "Low Rider."
The Beastie Boys have not responded to the attack, but did thank their predecessors in a statement released Wednesday.
"While we are very proud of the music we make, we have to acknowledge the inspiration from our families, friends and musicians like the slits, bad brains, x-rap spex, the treacherous three and too many others to possibly name," they said in the statement.
The Beastie Boys are joined by other new inductees, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns 'N Roses, and '60s singer Donovan.
Beastie BoysFormer Pussycat Doll lead singer Nicole Scherzinger was also the victim of ridicule this week. The "X Factor" judge was blamed for 13-year-old contestant Rachel Crow being sent home Wednesday. Instead of voting to keep Crow on the show, Scherzinger let the viewers decide, a decision that backfired and left the teen sobbing for her mother.
But there was some good news this week. Jay-Z's February 2012 concert run at Carnegie Hall was announced. The dates will mark the historic venues' first hip-hop bill. Lastly, music's woman of the year Adele wraps 2011 topping three charts -- albums, song, and video.
For more info on this week's topics see the links below, and be sure to check back next week for another roundup of music news.
THIS WEEK'S TOP 5 MUSIC NEWS STORIES
1) I Declare War -- War member slams Beastie Boys for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
2) Kiss of Death -- Gene Simmons calls Madonna a karaoke singer not appropriate for Super Bowl.
3) Unhappy Ending -- Favorite "X Factor" teen has meltdown after elimination.
4) Hall of Fame -- Jay-Z to headline first hip-hop concert series at Carnegie Hall.
5) British Invasion -- Adele tops three end-year charts.
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This week's country news: Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood big winners at ACMs