While the writers’ strike put a damper on the Golden Globes, the Writers Guild of America announced Tuesday (January 22) that the striking union will not protest the upcoming Grammy Awards, as had been expected.
The unresolved writers’ strike already resulted in a scaled-back Golden Globes and was looming over the Grammy telecast, which is scheduled to air live February 10 from Los Angeles.
Beyoncé and the Foo Fighters had been the only acts to commit to perform at the event so far. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, more artists should begin to announce their intentions to attend the Grammy Awards as well.
“We are pleased with the decision made by the WGA today,” said Neil Portnow, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, which organizes the Grammy telecast. “In light of this, we are gratified that the 50th Annual Grammy Awards will focus solely on the great music, artists and charitable work resulting from our show. We look forward to unveiling the exciting lineup of artists who will give our worldwide audience one of the most memorable Grammy shows ever.”
The production of the show, however, is still fraught with concerns — particularly over writers’ participation. The Recording Academy is still working on securing a deal with the WGA to permit its staff writers to contribute to the production of the show.
According to a spokesman for the WGA, a decision to grant an interim agreement has not been reached yet. Billboard is reporting that a meeting between the WGA board of directors and the Recording Academy is set for Tuesday night to discuss finer details of the proposal.
Last week Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, and Foo Fighters manager John Silva made statements that were optimistic that an agreement would be reached to ensure the telecast. Both men also expressed support for the writers.
“The work of the Recording Academy is vital to the music industry, and we have every intention of being with the entire music community to celebrate the Grammys,” Knowles said.
Silva echoed Knowles’ sentiments. “We are hopeful that we will see a resolution to the current situation affecting our entire industry,” he said. “[The] Foo Fighters have always had nothing short of amazing experiences with the writers, producers, fellow artists and audiences at the Grammys and every television show the band has ever played.”
2006 – Veteran British singer Rod Stewart is among the music industry stalwarts feted in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Stewart is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), for services to music.
2006 – During its second annual benefit concert at the Music Box/Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, the MusiCares MAP Fund, a non-profit organization aimed at helping music industry professionals with addiction recovery treatment, present Metallica.
2004 – The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry report that global music sales fell 7.6 percent over the last year. They blame the slump on piracy, poor economic performance, and the rise in DVD and video game sales.
2003 – The RIAA certifies AC/DC’s Back In Black as the world’s second-best-selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Back in black
I hit the sack
It’s been too long I’m glad to be back
Yes, I’m let loose
From the noose
That’s kept me hanging around
I’ve been looking at the sky
and it’s gettin’ me high
Forget the hearse ’cause I never die
I got nine lives
Cats eyes
Cruisin’ every woman, never wonderin’ why
CHORUS:
‘Cause I’m back
Yes, I’m back
Well, I’m back
Yes, I’m back
Well, I’m back, back
Well I’m back in black
Yes, I’m back in black
Back in the back
Of a Cadillac
Number one with a bullet, I’m a power pack
Yes, I’m in a bang
With a gang
They’ve got to catch me if they want me to hang
Cause I’m back on the track
And I’m beatin’ the flack
Nobody’s gonna get me on another rap
So look at me now
I’m just makin’ my play
Don’t try to push your luck, just get out of my way
CHORUS
Well, I’m back, Yes I’m back
Well, I’m back, Yes I’m back
Well, I’m back, back
Well I’m back in black
Yes I’m back in black
hooo yeah
Ohh yeah
Yes I am
Oooh yeah, yeah Oh yeah
Back in now
Well I’m back, I’m back
Back, I’m back
Back, I’m back
Back, I’m back
Back, I’m back
Back
Back in black
Yes I’m back in black
Out of the sack
Back in Black is the 7th studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on July 25, 1980. Back in Black was the first AC/DC album recorded without former lead singer Bon Scott, who had died at the age of 33 on February 19, 1980. The band considered disbanding following Scott’s death, but ultimately decided to continue and shortly thereafter hired Brian Johnson as their new lead singer and lyricist. Producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who had previously worked with AC/DC on Highway to Hell, was again brought in to produce.
The album was remastered and re-released first in late 1994, then again in the Bonfire box set in 1997, and as part of the AC/DC Remasters Series in 2003. In addition, a Dualdisc version was released in 2004, featuring the album in enhanced LPCM Stereo format and the video documentary The Story of Back in Black.
It has sold an estimated 42 million copies, making it second only to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the best-selling album of all-time as well as the best selling album ever released by a band.
Overview
Back in Black contains some of AC/DC’s biggest hits, including “Hells Bells”, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, and the title track “Back in Black.” According to Angus Young the album’s all-black cover was a “sign of mourning” for Scott, as black is the traditional Western colour of mourning. It is AC/DC’s best selling album, the second best-selling album of all time, and the biggest selling album by any band, with more than 42 million copies sold worldwide.
In 1989, it was ranked #26 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 100 Greatest Albums of the 80′s. In 2003, the album was ranked number 73 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. VH1 named ‘Back in Black’ as one of the biggest comeback albums of all time.
Track listing
* All songs written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Brian Johnson.
1. “Hells Bells” – 5:12
2. “Shoot to Thrill” – 5:17
3. “What Do You Do for Money Honey” – 3:35
4. “Givin’ the Dog a Bone” – 3:32
5. “Let Me Put My Love into You” – 4:15
6. “Back in Black” – 4:15
7. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – 3:30
8. “Have a Drink on Me” – 3:59
9. “Shake a Leg” – 4:06
10. “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” – 4:15
It should be noted that “Givin’ the Dog a Bone” was originally spelled “Given the Dog a Bone.”
Personnel
* Brian Johnson — lead vocals
* Angus Young — lead guitar
* Malcolm Young — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* Cliff Williams — bass guitar, backing vocals
* Phil Rudd — drums, percussion
Production
* Robert John “Mutt” Lange — Producer
* Benji Armbrister — Assistant Engineer
* Bob Defrin — Art Direction
* Robert Ellis — Photography
* Bob Ludwig — Mastering (original LP)
* Barry Diament — Mastering (original CD releases)
* Ted Jensen — Remastering (EMI/Atco reissue)
* George Marino — Remastering (Epic reissue)
* Tony Platt — Engineer
* Brad Samuelsohn — Mixing
* Jack Newber — Assistant Engineer
Chart performance
Albums
Year Chart Position
1980 UK Albums Chart #1
Billboard Pop Albums #4
Ö3 Austria Top 40 #2
Norwegian Album Charts #11
RIANZ Album Top 50 #1
1981 Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart #1
1990 The Billboard 200 #13
2008 Billboard Top Pop Catalog #1
2008 Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums #4
Singles
Year Single Chart Position
1980 “Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” UK Singles Chart #15
“You Shook Me All Night Long” Billboard Hot 100 #35
“You Shook Me All Night Long” UK Singles Chart #38
1981 “Back in Black” Billboard Hot 100 #37
“Hells Bells” Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #50
“Back in Black” Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #51
“Shoot To Thrill” Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #60
References
* Engleheart, Murray & Arnaud Durieux (2007-01-02), AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll, Harper Entertainment, ISBN 0-0611-3391-4, <http://www.acdcbook.com/>.
Notes
1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. “Back in Black > Overview”. All Media Guide. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
2. ^ “For The Record: Quick News On Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Paris Hilton, Black Eyed Peas, AC/DC, John Mayer & More”. MTV (2003-12-09). Retrieved on 2008-12-03.
3. ^ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS
4. ^ “Record Breakers and Trivia: Albums”. Every Hit. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
5. ^ “Top 100 Albums”. Recording Industry Association of America (2006-07-31). Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
6. ^ a b “AC/DC discography”. Rock Detector. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
7. ^ “73) Back in Black”. Rolling Stone (2003-11-01). Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
8. ^ “Charts & awards – Billboard albums”. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
9. ^ “Number 1 Albums – 1980s”. Every Hit. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
10. ^ “Charts & awards – Billboard singles”. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-01-29.
11. ^ “Every Hit”. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
2003 – The recording industry announces it has settled 52 of the 261 suits filed against Internet users accused of trafficking in MP3s of copyrighted music.
2003 – The Rolling Stones headline a one-day festival in Toronto to revive the city’s tourism industry following an outbreak of the SARS virus. Other performers include AC/DC, Rush and Justin Timberlake. An estimated 450,000 people attend.
2003 – The songwriters of the year crown goes to British band Coldplay at the 48th annual Ivor Novello Awards, the music industry gongs that celebrate composers. The even is staged by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters in association with the Performing Rights Society at a glittering awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House hotel.
2002 – A judge rules that the record industry must prove it owns the copyrights on recordings it claims were illegally traded on Napster in the ongoing dispute between the two parties.
2000 – Industrial supergroup the Damage Manual is forced to scrap its North American tour, due to what an Invisible Records spokesperson describes as “continued processing delays of the band and crews’ U.S. visas.
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