Bon Jovi will perform “We Weren’t Born To Follow” at an historic event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall on Monday, November 9th in Berlin, Germany for the “Fest der Freiheit,” a commemorative event taking place at Brandenburg Gate.
In front of an enormous crowd, heads of state and global figures including Angela Merkel, Gordon Brown, Hillary Clinton, Dimitri Medvedev, Nicolas Sarkozy, Hans Dietrich Genscher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Lech Walesa and Nelson Mandela, Bon Jovi will perform their latest single, “We Weren’t Born To Follow,” an anthemic celebration of independence, dedicated to those who fight for freedom in the face of adversity.
In 1983, when Bon Jovi was formed, the Berlin Wall was the ultimate symbol of a divided world. The ultimate fall of the “iron curtain” in 1989 affected Jon Bon Jovi deeply. He recalls an exchange at Checkpoint Charlie in 1986 with a border official who looked to be the same age, and not too different in many respects, from the singer himself. Three years later Jon chipped a piece of the Wall off and has kept it ever since.
“It’s a reminder that, while walls can separate us geographically, they can’t conceal the ways that we’re all human beings sharing similar dreams and desires,” he said.
See the “We Weren’t Born To Follow” video, featuring a salute to world leaders who have enacted change:
You knew this was coming: Susan Boyle got a makeover.
You may recognize that name as the Scottish sensation who wowed judges and audiences on Britain’s Got Talent a couple of weeks ago. To be fair, she looked like your standard, delusional American Idol contestant (albeit older), however the minute she started singing, she enchanted the world. Much ballyhoo was made about her look, and whether she should change it, because – let’s face it – there are more attractive ladies out there. However, there are not many people as talented as she, and therefore, should we care what she looks like if she’s got the pipes? There are plenty of attractive performers who can’t sing live worth a damn, so why not the other way around?
Don’t get TOO upset, though – they estimate her “makeover” only cost $50, including a dye-job for her graying locks and some new duds. Read more…
from Spinner.com:
Green Day’s 2004 opus ‘American Idiot’ is headed to the stage as a musical. The ambitious concept album, which won two Grammys, always seemed like more than just a record. And when I interviewed Green Day in the studio for Rolling Stone during the making of ‘American Idiot,’ the band was thrilled with the idea of having it follow in the tradition of the Who’s ‘Tommy.’ “I’d love it,” Billie Joe Armstrong said. “The whole thing was written kind of from that point of view musically. I think this record probably has more in common with ‘Rocky Horror’ than it does with ‘London Calling.”
The stage version, which follows “working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East, as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration,” according to a release, will debut in the band’s hometown of Berkley, California September 4 and run through October 11.
The play, which will also feature songs from the band’s upcoming ’21st Century Breakdown,’ is being directed by Michael Mayer, who also helmed ‘Spring Awakening.’ According to Armstrong, it was the combination of Mayer and the Berkley Rep that led to the stage production. “We are really excited to be working with Michael Mayer on this project,” Armstrong said.”We’d been thinking of bringing ‘American Idiot’ to the stage, but knew we needed to find the right partners. After meeting with Michael to discuss the possibility, he invited us to see ‘Spring Awakening.’ We were so impressed with that production, as well as his vision for ‘American Idiot,’ that we knew we’d found the perfect collaborator.”
The BPI, the UK record labels’ body, today announced the exciting news that the mighty U2, one of the world’s biggest bands, will perform their brand new single ‘Get On Your Boots’ live at The BRIT Awards 2009 with MasterCard. This highly anticipated annual event takes place on Wednesday 18 February at London’s Earls Court.
This year’s BRIT Awards, the premiere event in the British music calendar, is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet, with U2 confirmed, Pet Shop Boys being honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award and further intriguing live performances to be announced over the coming weeks. The show will be a spectacular night of great music, featuring and honouring the hottest music talent and thrilling the eleven thousand audience at Earls Court, as well as making it a must tune-in for the millions watching The BRITs live on ITV1.
Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said, “We’re thrilled to be able to confirm that U2 have chosen The BRITs for their first global TV performance on their new album. Their addition to the line-up for this year’s show makes it possibly the best we have ever had. This cements The BRITs as one of the biggest TV events in the world.”
Formed in 1976, U2 consists of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jnr. Over their three-decade career the band have sold over 140 million albums worldwide - with multiple gold, platinum and diamond certifications, and have amassed more awards than any other band. They have been awarded seven coveted BRIT Awards including five acclaimed Best International Group awards, Best Live Act and the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award in 2001.
With several chart topping albums under their belt, U2 will release their forthcoming album ‘No Line on the Horizon’ - tipped as their best to date - this spring and join the prestigious line up at The BRIT Awards 2009 with MasterCard ceremony at Earls Court, London on Wednesday 18 February.
Check out a Video stream of Tori performing “Thank You” at the 1991 Montreux Jazz Festival
Tori Amos descended on the scene in the early ‘90s brimming with newfound creativity, intelligence, sensitivity and an exacting literary bearing. Celebrated by critics and the public alike, that first spotlight was a heady time in the young singer/songwriter’s career. On September 30, 2008, Eagle Rock Entertainment, through its wholly-owned Eagle Eye Media subsidiary, will release Tori Amos Live At Montreux 1991/1992 on both CD (16 songs) and DVD (90 minutes, 19 songs) simultaneously sold separately. It is a rare glimpse into that initial breathy rush of a great artist’s ascendancy.
The ’91 gig came only months before her Little Earthquakes debut had catapulted her into an instant icon, the ’92 appearance shortly thereafter. The progression in both performance and audience receptivity is appreciable. Material includes most of her stellar debut but also tracks from her indie EPs and some notable covers (Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and “Thank You” as well as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”).
Tori Amos’ stark confessional style immediately garnered millions of young fans searching for some semblance of self in an all too imperfect world. Tori’s melodic sense, coupled with her unerring eye for the human foibles of a generation twice removed from the ‘60s sensibilities of her influences, made for a uniquely special art. There was no, and is no, precedent for such a talent. Tori’s obliquely personal oeuvre digs down deep into such dramatic lyrical topics as sexuality, religion and personal tragedy. She touches that universal chord. It’s small wonder she became a major voice right from the outset of her career.
1991 DVD TRACK LISTING 1) Silent All These Years 2) Precious Things 3) China 4) Crucify 5) Leather 6) Song For Eric 7) Upside Down 
Happy Phantom 9) Winter 10) Thank You
1992 DVD TRACK LISTING 11) Little Earthquakes 12) Crucify 13) Silent All These Years 14) Precious Things 15) Happy Phantom 16) Whole Lotta Love/Thank You 17) Me And A Gun 18) Winter 19) Smells Like Teen Spirit
CD TRACK LISTING 1991 show: 1) Silent All These Years 2) Precious Things 3) China 4) Crucify 5) Leather 6) Song For Eric 7) Upside Down 8) Happy Phantom 9) Winter 10) Thank You
1992 show: 11) Little Earthquakes 12) Precious Things 13) Whole Lotta Love/Thank You 14) Me And A Gun 15) Winter 16) Smells Like Teen Spirit
Check her out online:
http://www.myspace.com/toriamos
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I’m struggling to find the appeal in Tokio Hotel, but obviously there is a demand for androgynous rock from Germany. As evidence by this insane crowd of screaming girls, I might not be in their demographic:
The clip includes an interview where she discuses her songwriting, her husband French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s participation, and a performance of her song “tu es ma came” from her album Comme Si De Rien N’était (As if Nothing Had Happened) on Downtown Records. According to the Guardian UK, nearly 1 million viewers tuned into the program. On the program, she also performs Bessie Smith’s “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” with Jools Holland and her song “l’amoureuse” also from her album Comme Si De Rien N’était (As if Nothing Had Happened).
All summer long, Jon McLaughlin has been rocking out and throwing down on an extensive National tour, promoting his upcoming album ‘OK NOW’! Get a glimpse into his life on the road:
Plus, check out this breath-taking rendition of Jon’s smash hit single, “Beating My Heart”, Live from Rock The District 2008:
JON McLAUGHLIN BIO
A great deal has happened to Jon McLaughlin between the release of his debut Island Records album INDIANA last year, and his new, sophomore effort, OK NOW.
When we last saw him, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter was giving a show-stopping performance of the Oscar-nominated “So Close,” the song he sang in the hit Disney movie Enchanted, on the worldwide telecast of the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
The appearance re-ignited INDIANA, spurring a 1,514% overnight sales increase at Amazon, sending it to the #1 spot on its Movers & Shakers chart, and creating solid momentum for his latest release. The single from INDIANA, “Beautiful Disaster” attracted over 420,000 digital fans when featured as Download of The Week.
And after getting major touring slots with Sara Bareilles, Paolo Nutini and Kelly Clarkson, along with dates with Colbie Caillat, Duffy and One Republic under his belt, Jon McLaughlin hit his stride on the road.
Flushed with that success, McLaughlin entered an L.A. recording studio last year intent on undergoing both a musical and stylistic transformation. The heartland piano player expanded his palette by working with new producer John Fields (Rooney, Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse, Switchfoot), co-writing with the likes of Jason Reeves (Colbie Callait’s “Bubbly”) as well as writer/producers Tricky and The-Dream (Rihanna’s “Umbrella”), Troy Verges (Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me”) and Brett James (Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel”).
McLaughlin admits the experience of appearing in Enchanted and performing on the Oscar telecast was a career-defining moment.
“The whole thing has taken on a life of its own,” he says. “I wasn’t even supposed to be in the movie. I love Disney ballads, but I didn’t necessarily connect it to what I do as an artist. But that image of an old-school crooner inspired me. I was able to see myself as something different, which helped me open up to try new things on this album. I wasn’t afraid to try on some new looks, either.”
Jon describes himself as a “child of the ‘80s” in talking about the musical direction of OK NOW, with the very first single “Beating My Heart” the perfect example, an introspective, existential tune about nothing less than the meaning of life, with an elaborate pop-rock production that evokes Coldplay, thanks to soaring synths and a crackling backbeat.
With producer Fields playing bass, drums, slide guitar and a variety of other instruments, McLaughlin also enlisted the talents of ace players such as guitarists Tim Pierce and David Ryan Harris, as well as drummer Dorian Crozier in the studio.
“Smack Into You,” written and produced by Grammy winners Tricky and The-Dream, is about falling head over heels in love, a combination of the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and U2’s “With Or Without You,” melding acoustic guitar and McLaughlin’s piano to create a passionate undertow. “This song has such a great groove and is so fun to play live,” says Jon. “It creates such a special moment in the room.”
Jon describes “You Can Never Go Back,” which he co-wrote with acclaimed L.A. singer/songwriter Bleu, as his attempt to write a “late-‘70s, early-‘80s Billy Joel song,” an admonition to not dwell on the past that evokes the blue-eyed soul of the Bee Gees crossed with Hall and Oates, buttressed by Fields’ George Harrison-like slide guitar riffs.
McLaughlin’s soul/R&B croon also characterizes “Things That You Say,” a bittersweet song about “loneliness, the isolation you feel when you’re trying to connect with anybody, but end up with these shallow, going-through-the-motions relationships instead.”
Synthesizers introduce “You Are the One I Love,” a song Jon co-wrote with Jason Reeves, inspired by the tabloid reports about Amy Winehouse’s stormy relationship with her husband Blake that shows an empathy to the beleaguered pair. The multi-layered production is driven home by Peter Gabriel-like tribal drum rhythms.
“I feel for them,” McLaughlin admits. “Who’s to say any of our relationships are any less dysfunctional? I think it’s cool that they’re so madly in love.”
“The Middle” is about being able to take the Hoosier kid out of Indiana, but not being able to take Indiana out of the Hoosier. The youngster who grew up in a conservative Midwestern household admits home is where his heart still remains: “Let me tell you now where I went wrong/Hollywood is just another place/I don’t belong.”
“Four Years” is another Billy Joel-style, tongue-in-cheek take on a ‘50s rocker about high school peer pressure that advises freshmen not to worry about the dictates of fashion.
“You just spend so much time worrying about stupid stuff that just doesn’t matter,” says McLaughlin, who insists his own high school years were pretty good. “I wish I could get back all the money I spent on Abercrombie and Fitch back then. If I heard this song when I was still in high school, I still don’t think it would change anything. You can’t change high school kids’ minds about these things…but I’m still going to try.”
“We All Need Saving,” a song about the importance of friendship, starts with a stack of Beach Boys-styled street corner doo-wop oooh-oooh harmonies McLaughlin recorded late one night on Garageband.com, which gives the song its sacred feel, while “Throw My Love Around” counsels that, with only one life left to live, it’s preferable to take risks then end up having regrets.
That same spirit of taking chances informed the making of OK NOW.
“My philosophy has changed,” nods McLaughlin. “Now I believe you should get crazy in the studio, explore different sounds, and I love the challenge of recreating the songs in the live setting –that’s the best part.”
OK NOW is OK to go.
TOKYO POLICE CLUB will play live on MTV’s F’N MTV Friday, July 25, performing “Graves” from its acclaimed debut album Elephant Shell. TOKYO POLICE CLUB’s live performance on F’N MTV marks a logical progression from previous performers and obvious TPC peers Lil Wayne, Maroon 5 and Snoop Dogg, and will school the show’s audience as to why the Newmarket Ontario quartet is “poised to be the biggest Canadian export since Molson” (ROLLING STONE).
Prior to the F’N MTV live performance, TOKYO POLICE CLUB returns to its native Canada this weekend for the Summersonic and Rogers Picnic festivals, while the remainder of July and August finds the band making its way through Australia, Japan and London.
TOKYO POLICE CLUB will continue its relentless touring regimen with another string of U.S. dates beginning September 8 in Baltimore and featuring headline dates at the likes of Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Theater, as well appearances at the Street Scene, Treasure Island and Voodoo Festivals.
TOKYO POLICE CLUB U.S. DATES FALL 2008
Sept 08 BALTIMORE MD OTTOBAR
Sept 10 ATHENS GA 40 WATT
Sept 12 AUSTIN TX EMOS
Sept 14 DENVER CO MONOLITH FESTIVAL
Sept 16 PHOENIX AZ BRICKHOUSE
Sept 18 LOS ANGELES CA HENRY FONDA THEATER
Sept 19 POMONA CA GLASSHOUSE
Sept 20 SAN DIEGO CA STREET SCENE
Sept 21 SAN FRANCISCO CA TREASURE ISLAND
Sept 26 OMAHA NE SLOWDOWN
Sept 29 LAWRENCE KS JACKPOT
Oct 25 NEW ORLEANS LA VOODOO FESTIVAL
TPC - In A Cave (live)
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