X17 News

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Canadian rock band Nickelback has signed a deal with concert promoter Live Nation reportedly worth between $50 million and $70 million, according to Reuters. This is the latest deal negotiated by the company, who in the past year have signed artists such as Madonna, Jay-Z, U2 and Shakira.

Nickelback signed a three-album/three-tour deal with Live Nation, which will allow the company to handle all aspects of the band's merchandising, licensing, sponsorship, secondary ticketing, endorsements, DVD and broadcast rights, fan club, web site and literary rights.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Dave Matthews Band saxophone player LeRoi Moore has died from the injuries he suffered in an all-terrain-vehicle accident, according to the Associated Press.

The band's publicist Ambrosia Healy confirmed that Moore died yesterday at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. Moore, 46, had was hospitalized in late June after an accident on his farm outside Charlottesville, Viginia and had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin physical rehabilitation, but complications forced him back into the hospital.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - When it comes to musical collaborations, this is probably one of the biggest ones in the last decade. Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood have lent their voices to the new song "Just Stand Up," which will be released on September 2. All of the song's sales will be donated to cancer research.

What's even more impressive is that all 15 singers will share the stage to perform the song live on September 5 during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special, which will air on ABC, NBC and CBS.

Other stars to appear in the special include Christina Applegate (who just recently went public with her own cancer battle), Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Lance Armstrong, Katie Couric, Sally Field, Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker and Reese Witherspoon.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - 'No Doubt' is planning a tour next year, according to the band's official website.

"We need to play. It's been too long," wrote bassist Tony Kanal. "I feel like it's time for some rock and roll."

No cities or dates were announced, but sources say the tour will likely take place in the summer of 2009.

"I don't think we should wait. Pack up the babies and get a bunch of nannies. So fun! Would be so inspiring to get out there and play all those songs again," singer Gwen Stefani wrote on No Doubt's Web site.

The band, who've been together for more than 20 years, is also preparing to start work on its first studio album since 2001's "Rock Steady."

During the break, Stefani, released two solo albums and became a mother to sons Kingston and Zuma with husband Gavin Rossdale.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The Jonas Brothers, along with Coldplay, Madonna and Justin Timberlake are celebrating their Grammy nominations today.

Coldplay racked up 7 nominations, one less than rapper Lil Wayne who's up for 8 awards.

The Jonas Brothers are competing in the Best New Artist category.

The Disney stars are up against against U.K. newcomers Adele and Duffy, Jazmine Sullivan, and the country group Lady Antebellum.

In the Record of the Year category, Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" will take on Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," Adele's "Chasing Pavements," M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" and Raising Sand's "Please Read the Letter."

Madonna and Justin Timberlake got a nomination for best collaboration with vocals for "4 minutes." Madonna also got a nomination for best dance recording for "Give It 2 Me."

The nominations were announced during a first-ever "nominations concert" from LA's Nokia Theater and televised live on CBS.

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be handed out on Feb. 8.

CLICK HERE for a list of all the nominees.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Justin Timberlake and Kanye West have been added to the already impressive list of performers for this year's Grammy Awards.

Timberlake will take the stage with T.I. to perform their hit "Dead and Gone."

While Kanye joins some of the biggest names in hip hop - Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T.I. - to perform "Swagga Like Us."

Other performers include Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson and The Jonas Brothers.

The Grammys will be held on February 8th at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - This year's Grammy Award show will feature many of music's biggest performers.

U2, Kid Rock and Rihanna are the latest performers added to be the already impressive lineup for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Previously announced performers include Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Paul McCartney (with drummer Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters), Katy Perry, Radiohead, T.I. and Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West in a special performance of their hit single “Swagga Like Us.”

The Grammy Awards will take place February 8th at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the big winners at Sunday's 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

The duo took home five awards including Album of the Year for "Raising Sand" and Record of the Year for "Please Read the Letter."

In addition, Plant and Krauss won the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album Grammys.

Coldplay won Song of Year honors for their "Viva La Vida." The band also won for Best Pop Performance and Best Rock Album.

Lil' Wayne won 4 awards, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, and Best Rap Song.

John Mayer won the award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, as well as Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger, has formed an all-star music group with Joss Stone, Damian Marley, Eurythmics star Dave Stewart and Indian musician and producer A.R. Rahman.

According to reports, Jagger has been secretly recording with the group and they have just finished their record and first music video. They are now talking to major labels for a deal for their band called Super Heavy.

Jagger's Rolling Stones bandmate Keith Richards recently trashed Mick's solo career in his best-selling autobiography, Life.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (X17online) -- High winds caused a stage to collapse during a concert from country group Sugarland at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday night.

Dozens were injured and, so far, five people have died as a result of the accident. It happened just before Sugarland was scheduled to take the stage. Winds were estimated between 60 and 70 mph that night.

At least 40 people were taken to area hospitals -- an unknown number are in critical condition.

The duo were headlining the event, and Tweeted: “We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you'll join us. They need your strength.”

Singer Sara Bareilles, who had performed on the stage earlier, wrote on her Twitter, “I'm speechless and feel so helpless. Please send love and prayers to Indianapolis tonight. My heart aches for the lives lost.”

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) -- Rapper The Game is in trouble with the Los Angeles sheriff's office after Tweeting out a phone number that jammed the office's emergency phone lines.

The Game Tweeted to his 580,000 followers a phone number, saying they should call if they wanted an internship. The calls jammed a Compton office's emergency phone lines for two hours on Friday.

"This was beyond irresponsible," sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker told the Los Angeles Times. "The deputies' ability to answer the phones and dispatch personnel to help these people in danger was significantly impeded."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department are considering misdemeanor charges against the rapper. The office says the jam resulted in delayed responses to cases including a missing person, a spousal assault, two robberies and a stolen car, according to reports.

The Game says the Tweet was an accident. He responded, “Yall can track a tweet down but cant solve murders ! Dat was an accident but maybe now yall can actually do yall job !!!!” he wrote.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - China’s Ministry of Culture has posted a list of 100 songs that will be banned in the country beginning September 15, including Lady Gaga’s “Judas” and Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls).”

The ministry is demanding that the songs be removed from Chinese websites because they had not been submitted for mandatory government screening, which is intended to protect China’s “national cultural security” by filtering out imported entertainment content that contains subversive political or ideological messages.

Sites that do not comply with the new rule will be prosecuted, though the penalties were not specified.

Other songs on the ban list include: Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night,” and Britney Spears’s “Burning Up.”

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Paul McCartney will marry his fiancé Nancy Shevell at London's Old Marylebone Town Hall – the same venue that he married his late wife, Linda.

McCartney and Shevell posted their notice of the wedding, expected to take place in October, on Wednesday.

McCartney wed his first wife, Linda Eastman, at the Old Marylebone Town Hall in 1969; she died 29 years later from cancer. Fellow Beatles member Ringo Starr and Oasis singer Liam Gallagher also wed at the venue.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - R.E.M. is splitting after 31 years, the band announced Wednesday.

The trio revealed the news on their official website, stating: “As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band.”

They assured their fans, however, that the decision was made “together, amicably and with each other’s best interests at heart” and that they continue to “truly love, and respect, each other.”

R.E.M. first entered the music scene in 1980 out of Athens, Georgia, and have produced fifteen studio albums over the span of their career.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Rapper Pitbull was a no-show at a Boston concert Thursday night.

Pitbull is the opening act for Enrique Iglesias’s Euphoria Tour, but failed to show up to the tour’s debut show due to weather conditions.

He tweeted: “Weather in the 305 shut us down- sorry to my Boston fans. Can't wait to join @Enrique305 @PrinceRoyce in Atlantic City 2moro nite. Dale!”

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - RCA Records is shutting down its Arista, Jive, and J Records labels.

Arista, founded by Clive Davis in 1974, was the label of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Barry Manilow.

Jive, founded in 1977, signed pop acts Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.

J Records, founded in 2000, was home to Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx.

All Arista, Jive, and J Records artists will now fall under the RCA label.

“The concept is that there is value in branding RCA and not having it confused or diluted by other labels,” Tom Corson, who was promoted to president and COO of RCA Records in August, told The Hollywood Reporter. “The artists have all been supportive. We didn’t make this move without consulting our artists, and we haven’t had any push-back. Frankly, they’re the brand. We’re defined by our artists.”

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Lady Gaga came out on top at Sunday night’s MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The eccentric pop star performed “Marry The Night” on top of a moon sculpture and took home four awards, including best female act, best fans, and best song and video for “Born This Way.”

"Thank you for believing in my vision; the success of Born This Way has changed my life," Gaga told the audience.

Justin Bieber fared well, too, picking up two awards for best male act and best pop act.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Rihanna and Usher will perform at this year's Grammy nominations concert.

The two pop sensations will join previously announced performers Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, Sugarland, Band Perry, and Jason Aldean. LL Cool J will return as host of the annual show.

The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! will broadcast live on CBS from L.A. Live’s Nokia Theatre on Nov. 30 at 10 p.m. ET.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Beastie Boys can officially call themselves rock stars.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the three bands – along with the late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, Donovan, and The Small Faces/The Faces - as its newest inductees on Wednesday morning.

Contenders Donna Summer, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Heart, and Rufus with Chaka Khan did not make the cut.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on April 14 in Cleveland, Ohio.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Adele was iTune’s highest-selling artist of 2011.

The British singer-songwriter had both the highest-selling album (21) and single (“Rolling in the Deep”), prompting iTunes to name her its Artist of the Year.

"I'm thrilled to top the iTunes album and song charts for 2011 and to be iTunes Artist of the Year is just amazing," Adele remarked in a statement.

iTunes also recognized Nicki Minaj as Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Foo Fighters' Wasting Light as Album of the Year, and Foster the People’s single “Pumped Up Kicks” as Song of the Year.

NEW YORK, New York (X17online) - Madonna has inked a three-album deal with Interscope Records.

After breaking ties with Warner Music Group in 2007, the Queen of Pop will reportedly earn a base of $1 million per album with her new label.

“It’s just about keeping relevance so that she can tour. She is still in the demo phase, but the idea is to get the first album out early next year,” a source told the New York Post.

Madonna’s 10-year, $100 million touring and merchandising contract with Live Nation will remain in tact.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Van Halen has announced plans for a reunion tour with original frontman David Lee Roth.

Roth has had a notoriously strained relationship with the band; after being ousted in 1985, he did not return until Van Halen’s most recent reunion tour in 2007 and 2008.

The group is currently recording their original first album with Roth since 1984.

Tickets for Van Halen’s reunion tour will be available beginning January 10.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Jason Derulo has canceled his world tour after fracturing his neck during a rehearsal.

The singer-songwriter Tweeted his fans after the incident: "I fractured my neck doing tumbling & acrobatics 4 tour! Always tryin 2 push boundaries 4 YOU!”

After landing on his head while performing an acrobatic move, Derulo fractured his vertebra and was nearly left paralyzed. He will remain in a neck brace for the next few months.

The Future History World Tour would have begun on Feb. 23 in Glasgow.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Blake Shelton’s father died Tuesday evening, putting his national tour on temporary hold.

Dick Shelton was first hospitalized with pneumonia in December and died a month later in the company of loved ones.

The Voice star has pushed his next four concerts in Montana and the Dakotas to March and will return to the stage on Jan. 26 in Georgia.

"I appreciate your understanding during this difficult time and thank you for all your prayers,” he wrote on his official site. “Your support means the world to me. I love you guys.”

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Guns N’ Roses has plans to tour the country without lead guitarist Slash.

Slash is currently focusing on his film production career, while the rest of his fellow Guns N' Roses members will participate in the reunion tour.

The rock band will perform at six venues in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Illinois, beginning at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom on Feb. 10.

Additional performances will take place at New York City’s Terminal 6 on Feb. 12 and Webster Hall on Feb. 15; Chicago’s House of Blues on Feb. 19; Silver Spring, Maryland’s The Fillmore on Feb. 23; and Atlantic City’s House of Blues on Feb. 24.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - NBC is receiving flack for its failure to blur M.I.A.’s middle finger during the Super Bowl halftime show.

The rapper “flipped the bird” during her performance with Madonna and Nicki Minaj on Sunday night, prompting groups such as the PTC (Parents Television Council) to criticize NBC, as well as the NFL, for enabling it.

"The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show," NBC said in a statement. "Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers."

The controversy is reminiscent to that of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, during which Jackson infamously flashed her nipple as a result of a “wardrobe malfunction.”

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - NBC's Smash is planning to release a soundtrack for their hit Broadway drama on May 1.

The soundtrack includes 13 tracks from the hit series, including original music written for the show by Grammy winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The album also features music from Katharine McPhee, Nick Jonas and more.

Check out a complete track listing below for the album below:

1. "Touch Me" featuring Katharine McPhee

2. "Stand" featuring Katharine McPhee and Leslie Odom

3. "Who You Are" featuring Megan Hilty

4. "Crazy Dreams" featuring Megan Hilty

5. "Beautiful" featuring Katharine McPhee

6. "Haven't Met You Yet" featuring Nick Jonas

7. "Shake It Out" featuring Katharine McPhee

8. "Brighter Than the Sun" featuring Katharine McPhee

9. "Let Me Be Your Star" featuring Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty

10. "20th Century Fox Mambo" featuring Katharine McPhee

11. "Mr & Mrs Smith" featuring Megan Hilty and Will Chase

12. "Let's Be Bad" featuring Megan Hilty

13. "History Is Made At Night" featuring Megan Hilty & Will Chase

LOS ANGELES, California (x17online) - Guns N' Roses reunited during their Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction concert on Sunday without their longstanding lead singer Axl Rose.

The three original members, Slash, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler, hit the stage this weekend to perform some of their greatest hits during the festivities, including classics like Sweet Child O' Mine and Paradise City.

With Axl's absence, the group recruited Miles Kennedy, lead singer from Creed spin-off band Alter Bridge, to take over the microphone during their set.

Axl Rose refused to attend the event after citing a "lack of respect" in a letter addressed to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last week.

LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - The Tupac hologram that "performed" onstage at the Coachella Music Festival might make more appearances with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre on a Tupac Revivalist Roadshow.

The unbelievably lifelike depiction of the late rapper stole the show Sunday by performing two songs for the captivated crowd.

The computer imaging was done by Digital Domain Image Group, who has hinted that they intend to make the hologram a large part of Dr. Dre's tour.

"This is just the beginning," Ed Ulbrich, the company creative director, told the Wall Street Journal. "Dre has a massive vision for this."

Although it costs an estimated $100,000 - 400,000 for digital recreations, that amount is far cheaper than the amount of money it would cost to contract with an entertainer. The technology has the ability to put a musician in every venue in the country.

LOS ANGELES, California (x17online) - Robin Gibb, co-founder and one-third of the famed Bee Gees, died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 62.

"The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery," a rep for the group said in a statement. "The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Gibb battled colon and liver cancer two years ago and made a brief recovery only to have a secondary tumor develop along with pneumonia.

With Gibb's death, this marks the end of the popular 70s group. Robin's twin brother, Maurice, passed away in 2003 due to complications from a twisted intestine and younger brother Andy died in 1988 from a heart ailment.