New musical on songstress Carole King Broadway-bound
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A musical about the life of legendary singer-songwriter Carole King will open on Broadway next year, producers said on Friday. "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," will chart the journey of Carol Klein from Brooklyn to the top of the pop music world, producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing said.
"X Factor" the musical to hit London stage in 2014
LONDON (Reuters) - Creator of "The X Factor", Simon Cowell, has given his approval for his hit TV singing competition to head to the London stage. Syco Entertainment, Cowell's joint venture with Sony Music, is teaming up with Stage Entertainment UK to bring a musical based on the TV singing contest to the stage next year, the partners announced on Friday.
Country music singer Jack Greene dies at age 83
(Reuters) - Country musician Jack Greene, a veteran star of the Grand Ole Opry, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 83, the Nashville, Tennessee, music hall said on Friday. Greene, who was best known for his smooth voice and 1966 song "There Goes My Everything," died in his sleep at his home in the capital of country music, the Grand Ole Opry said in a statement.
Jay-Z to put modern jazz twist on Gatsby soundtrack
LONDON (Reuters) - Rapper Jay-Z has teamed up with Australian director Baz Luhrmann to produce and perform on the soundtrack for "The Great Gatsby" which will open the 2013 Cannes film festival in May. Jay-Z said he would join some of the world's top musical artists on the soundtrack which would bring modern "jazz age" energy to the latest film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of 1920s America.
Depeche Mode, "pessimists at heart," never imagined longevity
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Depeche Mode has come a long way since its 1980s debut as part of Britain's New Wave scene, and as it prepares to tour behind its 13th album, no one appears more surprised at the group's longevity than the band members themselves. The British synthpop pioneers - singer Dave Gahan, guitarist-keyboardist Martin Gore and keyboardist Andy Fletcher - are marking their fourth decade in the music industry with the release of "Delta Machine" on March 26.
Pet Shop Boys switch labels for new "Electric" album
LONDON (Reuters) - Pet Shop Boys have left the record label Parlophone after 28 years and will release their new studio album "Electric" through independent music publisher Kobalt in June, the British duo said on Thursday. The chart-toppers, whose 1980s hits include "West End Girls" and "It's A Sin", said further details of their 12th studio album would be released soon.
"Psy Style" scores as Gangnam rapper readies new song
SEOUL (Reuters) - As South Korean rapper Psy readies what he hopes will be his next hit song, aiming for a repeat of the viral "Gangnam Style", retailers are keeping a close eye on what he wears, hoping another blockbuster will send sales surging. From the tortoiseshell sunglasses to the two-toned Oxfords the chubby singer sported for his YouTube megahit, a wide range of brands - and Seoul's Gangnam district itself - have reaped rich rewards from the Psy effect.
A Minute With: R&B singer Miguel in the spotlight after Grammys
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - With two critically acclaimed albums and a Grammy award under his belt, American R&B singer/songwriter Miguel is starting to hit the mainstream. The Los Angeles native, born Miguel Jontel Pimentel to a Mexican father and African-American mother, was thrust into the spotlight at the Grammy awards last month, delivering a soulful rendition of his hit single "Adorn," which won Best R&B song.
Bob Dylan admitted to American Academy of Arts and Letters
By Todd Cunningham LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Bob Dylan has become the first rock star voted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the century-old arts organization announced Tuesday.
Peter Banks, guitarist from British band Yes, dies at 65
(Reuters) - Peter Banks, a founding member of the British progressive rock band Yes and its original guitarist, has died at his home in London. He was 65. A statement on Banks' website said he died on March 7 and was found in his home after he failed to show up for a recording session.
