2011 – Prince Michael I, 14, Paris, 13, and nine-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as ‘Blanket’, Michael Jackson’s children are custodians of Grandmother Katherine Jackson. Diana Ross will retain custody if Katherine dies.
2011 – John Cossette, 54, producer of the Grammy Awards, died today.
“We are deeply saddened to report that John Cossette, 54, has passed away. We ask that you please respect our privacy during this incredibly emotional time. We appreciate everyone’s love and support, and further details regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming in the next few days.”
– Rita Cossette, and daughters Maria and Rose Cossette
2011 – Funk legend Bootsy Collins is making the track “JB – Still The Man” available as a free MP3 download on This Day in Rock! To celebrate the April 25th release of his new studio album “Tha Funk Capital of the World”, funk legend Bootsy Collins is making the track “JB – Still The Man” available as a free MP3 download. Fans can download the song now by visiting http://mascotlabelgroup.com/mlg/exclusives/download-bootsy-collins/.
While supplies last, CD copies of “Tha Funk Capital of the World” will be available with eye-popping holographic 3D album artwork – “The cover artwork breathes like it is a living being… it’s alive,” says Bootsy. Click here for the 3D artwork – www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/mascot/bootsy3d.htm
“Tha Funk Capital of the World”, which will also be released as a transparent blue double-vinyl ltd edition, features fellow P-Funkers George Clinton and Bernie Worrell, along with an all-star line-up of musicians and cultural luminaries, including rappers Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, and Ice Cube; actor Samuel L. Jackson; banjo phenomenon Bela Fleck; the Rev. Al Sharpton; scholar Dr. Cornel West; guitarist Buckethead, and more. Tour dates supporting “Tha Funk Capital of the World” will be announced soon.
Read the official Bootsy Collins album press release – www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/mascot/bootsy.htm.
For further info and album review copies:
Peter Noble and Will Taylor at Noble PR Consultancy;
2011 – Bootsy Collins releases new album “Tha Funk Capital of the World”
Celebrated American funk bassist, singer and songwriter Bootsy Collins will release his new studio album “Tha Funk Capital of the World” in the UK on Monday 25th April 2011.
Released by Mascot Records, “Tha Funk Capital of the World” is a collective masterpiece so full of grooves, grit, guts and glory that Collins refers to as “the best thing I’ve ever done – a whole new chapter in the life of Bootsy.” “Funk Capital” is Bootsy’s first new studio album of original funk material since 2002′s “Play With Bootsy.” The album artwork features a dazzling 3D lenticular sleeve.
The new album features guest performances from a staggering A-list of real-life heroes including the scholar Dr. Cornell West, activist Rev. Al Sharpton, the actor Samuel L. Jackson, rappers Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Chuck D, P-Funkers George Clinton and Bernie Worrell, percussionist Sheila E, R&B legend Bobby Womack and guitarists Buckethead and Catfish Collins; the latter being Bootsy’s brother and longtime six-string foil, who passed away during the disc’s making.
Rising to prominence playing bass guitar for James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament Funkadelic in the 1970s, Collins’ thunderous, infectious bass guitar and humourous vocals established him as one of the leading pioneers of funk. In 1997 Collins, along with 15 other members of Parliament Funkadelic, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“James Brown is the biggest influence on this whole album,” says Bootsy. “When I joined his band, he took me under his wing and taught me about the business, but the most important thing he taught me about was the ‘one’ – the downbeat that always drove his music and is the engine for all great funk. What’s funny is that I was a guitar player before I joined Mr. Brown’s band, and I wanted to play bass like Jimi Hendrix. Eventually, that’s exactly what I did, adding effects and freeing up the instrument to go anywhere I imagined it could go. That’s how Bootsy became Bootsy.”
Read the official press release and download hi-res artwork/photos here – http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/mascot/bootsy.htm
2011 – Michael Jackson images are allowed for jurors to see at his doctor’s trial on This Day in Rock.
Furthermore, Judge Michael Pastor said he will allow prosecutors to see segments of the concert movie “This Is It”. Hopefully to see his physical and mental health on screen during the time of the Doctor’s administrations.
Judge is quoted as saying…
“I don’t think this should be entertainment,” the judge said. “We should not feel deprived of our 99-cent iTunes if we don’t hear the whole song.”
2011 – Planet Rock’s “Rob Birnie Show” will debut Def Leppard’s new single, “Undefeated” today at 9 a.m. UK time, 4 a.m. EST, 1 a.m. PST on This Day in Rock. One of three new studio songs on Leppard’s new live album, “Mirrorball,” which should hit stores this summer.
2011 – Following on from their critically acclaimed album ‘Machinery’, Dutch rockers ‘De Staat’ start their UK tour on Wednesday 6th April at the Camden Barfly.
Other UK dates include Manchester Deaf Institute (April 7), Nottingham The Bodega (April 8), and Bristol The Louisiana (April 9). Tickets are available from 0845 413 4444 and www.alt-tickets.co.uk.
“Thick, soupy, tribal funk-rock.” – The Word Magazine / “Nothing short of genius.” – Guitar & Bass Magazine
Released in early March by Cool Green Recordings, ‘Machinery’ is described as a “dark sonic adventure that takes the listener through underground caves of blues, funk and electro where halal butchers, serial killers, whistleblowers, rats and sweat-covered bodybuilders cross paths.”
Read the official album and UK tour press release – http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/destaat/album.htm
For review tickets and photo passes, please contact:
Peter Noble and Will Taylor at Noble PR Consultancy
0207 272 7772, peter@noblepr.co.uk, will@noblepr.co.uk
Contact: Adrian Bryan-Brown, Aaron Meier, Amy Kass (ameier@bbbway.com)
Follow MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Twitter: @milliondquartet or on Facebook
OPENS THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 11th!
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
THE NEW MUSICAL
At Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, a new musical, opens on Broadway this Sunday, April 11th at the Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street).
The cast includes Eddie Clendening (Elvis Presley), Lance Guest (Johnny Cash), Levi Kreis (Jerry Lee Lewis), Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins), Hunter Foster (Sam Phillips) and Elizabeth Stanley (Dyanne).
On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock and Roll,” who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.
Inspired by the actual event, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET features a treasure trove of the greatest rock and roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these musicians, including such iconic songs as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Riders in the Sky,” “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry’s most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is directed by Eric Schaeffer, features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, and was originally directed and conceived by Mutrux. The design team for Broadway includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, Broadway Across America, and James L. Nederlander.
For information about the Chicago production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com.
Follow MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET are available online www.TicketMaster.com, by calling 212-307-4100, or by visiting the Nederlander Box Office (208 West 41st Street).
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’s performance schedule is Tuesday at 8 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. Beginning Tuesday, April 13 the performance schedule will be Tuesday at 7PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
# # # #
www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com
Follow MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET news on Twitter @milliondquartet and on Facebook
Recent Comments