Evolution of Rock Music

In the earlier part of 1950s the world witnessed the birth of a popular music genre known as Rock Music. It is very difficult to pin point a particular song as the birth of rock, however, the most attention and credit goes to Rocket 88 by Jackie Brenston and Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the comets. The new form of music with electric bass guitar and drums and cymbals was becoming increasingly popular and famous.

Elvis Presley, in 1954, recorded a song at a studio in Tennessee and became a singing sensation. The new type of music was liked by other artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others. And by the end of 1950s and early 1960s Rock music hit United Kingdom. Rock artists toured Europe and their music was all over the radios, in streets, in clubs, and everywhere. Quarrymen was the most liked group in Europe at that time.

The British were not going to stay behind. The Beatles made their debut in the USA in 1964. 73 Million People witnessed their debut. And in only three months’ time they were sitting on top 5 positions in Billboard Charts. Then came in Rolling Stones to rock the scene! A graphical presentation shows in detail how Rock music evolved since 1940s to date.

Rock music dealt with a wide range of themes such as romantic love, rebellion against the established system, sex, social concerns and life styles. Addressing such a wide variety of concerns made this popular music even more liked around the globe. Rock is now one of the most listened to music genre in the world and some musicians believe that it can bring peace to the world. The title, ‘Rock & Roll Jihad’, of his book by Salman Ahmad explains it all!

Source : http://www.ticketsmove.com/blog/music/evolution-of-rock-music/

John Mayer Dedicates Song to Katy Perry During Tour Opener

Katy Perry and John Mayer in February

John Mayer madeknown his feelings for on-again girlfriend Katy Perry in a big way during the first stop on his Born and Raised World Tour.

On Saturday night in Milwaukee, the singer dedicated his final song -- "A Face to Call Home," from his 2012 album Born and Raised -- to Perry, according to Rolling Stone.

He also praised Perry for taking care of him following his throat surgery in August. The return of a granuloma in his throat following an earlier surgery had forced him to postpone his tour and left him unable to sing for months.

"She was so patient," he said. "[She took time] to continue to get know me and love me."

He also called Perry "my face to call home."

Mayer's tour kicked off two days after Perry posted a July 4 picture of the reunited duo on Instagram wearing matching patriotic outfits with the message, "Whose broad stripes & bright stars?!"

Perry and Mayer were first spotted together in August before reportedly breaking up in March.

During the concert at Milwaukee's Marcus Amphitheatre, Mayer also debuted four new songs. His new album, Paradise Valley, is due out Aug. 13.

source : www.hollywoodreporter.com

The Doors Reunion Concert

From left: John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger

Robby Krieger, guitarist for The Doors, has announced that he and fellow surviving member John Densmore will reunite for at least one last time. This long awaited reunion will be to honor former keyboardist for The Doors, Ray Manzarek, who died from cancer in May at the age of 74.

This is a major step forward for the duo who have been feuding since 2002 when Krieger and Manzarek started to tour again under the name The Doors of the 21st Century. What followed was a lawsuit over the rights to the use of The Doors name and a $40 million counter-suit against drummer Densmore. "That's what you do -- if someone sues you, you sue them twice as hard back and hope that they drop the suit," Krieger explained to Rolling Stone. "It was a very stupid idea. We had the worst lawyers."

This reconciliation seems to signify that all that litigation could be water under the bridge. "I can't hate him forever," said Krieger. "I just wish he [Densmore] had wanted to play with Ray and I before this all started."

This, of course, begs the question: What about a reunion tour? Krieger lets it be known that nothing is for certain. "We are going to do at least one show for Ray and have a big send off. That's either the start of it or the end of it, I don't know."

source : www.hollywoodreporter.com

Rolling Stones Glastonbury Festival Debut Draws Rave Reviews From Critics

Courtesy Universal Music

LONDON – The Rolling Stones on Saturday night played their long-awaited first-ever headline set at giant U.K. music festival Glastonbury, drawing rave reviews from critics.

The BBC reported Sunday that the rock legends' set lasted two hours and 12 minutes and featured 20 songs in front of a crowd of more than 100,000.

The Telegraph's critic said that the Stones "blew the stage apart" as they "thrilled festival goers," pulling off "one of the greatest rock and roll sets that Glastonbury has ever seen."

The Guardian's review used the headline: "Rolling Stones steal Glastonbury from other debutantes." Said the paper: "The Stones have enough sense of occasion to know that this is a show they can't phone in."

And The Independent wrote: "The notion that this is a Glastonbury moment to compare to Jay-Z's momentous 2008 showing, or Radiohead's famous 1997 is helped by the vast, vast swathes of people."

It added: "The Rolling Stones prove you can always get what you want...Glastonbury 2013 has been, and will be, defined as the year that the Stones finally, finally made it to [festival location] Worthy Farm. Everywhere you look on site a pair of the band's famous lips stares out from a T-shirt -- usually being worn by someone barely old enough to remember Bridges to Babylon."

"The atmosphere was brilliant, and everybody around me loved it," one fan posted in a social forum after the show. Compared to a gig the fan saw in 1990, the Stones' Glastonbury set "didn't quite have the drama that they gave to some of the numbers back then," the post said. "However, it was still very exciting, and Jagger really worked each song."

Mumford & Sons will headline the last night of Glastonbury on Sunday night.

"It's great to be here doing this show," Stones frontman Mick Jagger told the Glastonbury crowd Saturday night, according to NME. "You all look amazing, after all these years they finally got around to asking us." The Stones have been celebrating their 50th anniversary.

The Stones set opened with "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and ended with an encore made up of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."

Despite speculation that a big-name guest, such as Adele, may provide guest vocals for "Gimme Shelter," backing vocalist Lisa Fischer sang with the band during the song.

Here is the complete set list, according to NME:

Jumpin' Jack Flash

It's Only Rock 'N Roll (But I Like It)

Paint It, Black

Gimme Shelter

Glastonbury Girl

Wild Horses

Doom And Gloom

Can't You Hear Me Knocking

Honky Tonk Woman

You Got The Silver

Happy

Miss You

Midnight Rambler

2000 Light Years From Home

Sympathy For The Devil

Start Me Up

Tumbling Dice

Brown Sugar

Encore:

You Can't Always Get What You Want

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

artikel by @georgszalai

'Glee' Star Matthew Morrison is Engaged

Matthew Morrison is engaged to Renee Puente, his girlfriend of more than two years. A first marriage for both, the news arrived in style: at the Elton John White Tie and Tierra Ball in London on June 27, where the legendary singer and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin dedicated John's classic "Your Song" to the happy couple and sang it as a duet.

Morrison and Puente are semi-regulars at the bash hosted John and partner David Furnish. In fact, they were first reported to be dating at the same event in 2011. Around that time, they were also spotted making out at a Coldplay concert, so it seems all has come full circle. 

Of his relationship with Puente, a model, Morrison has said, "I'm very happy ... Renee's not in the industry -- I need that normality. We like to stay home and cook, we're not that Hollywood."

Morrison is currently in the U.K. promoting his just-released album, Where It All Began., which features such classics as "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Lady is a Tramp" sung by the veteran actor and singer.

No word yet on when or where their future wedding might take place.

Article by The Hollywood Reporter

American Idol Season 13: Ray Chew Will Return

Ray Chew by Michael Becker / Fox

American Idol might be making many changes next season, but one thing remains consistent: Ray Chew will return. “That’s my plan,” Chew told The Hollywood Reporter at Tuesday night's Recording Academy Honors in New York City. “We’ve had some wonderful talks so everything is pointing in the right direction.”

Chew’s band returning to the fold is good news for female viewers because it means more airtime for 27-year-old guitarist Brady Cohan. 

“Oh, he’ll be back. If he’s in my band, he’ll be playing,” Chew said of the guitarist, whose credits include touring with Cee-Lo Green, Queen Latifah and Natalie Cole. “Plus, he’s such a great musician. That’s the reason he’s come into my fold, because he’s such a tremendous musician.”

At the Recording Academy Honors, Chew -- who backed Melissa Etheridge, Joan Osborne, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush and Valerie Simpson onstage -- said that he will miss departing producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick.

VIDEO: 'American Idol' Season 12 Exit Interviews

“Ken and Nigel did such a great job over the last 12 seasons, and they set the standard for all the other shows,” he said. “I think in tribute to all of the work that they’ve done, they turned it over to the next set of producers to try to build on what they did. If you can’t do anything better, try to do something different. “

He said he is looking to the future with new executive producer Per Blankens, formerly of Swedish Idol. With Blankens in place, can viewers expect a Max Martin- or ABBA-themed evening?

“You never know, it could happen,” Chew said. “I know that all of the song selections will be vetted through an executive committee and Fox. Everybody chimes in on that stuff. I’ll have my hand in there and make sure he has my full support for the next 10 years.”

STORY: 'American Idol' Winners, Alums Share Randy Jackson Memories

As for last season’s crop of singers, Chew said he believes that the top three finalists -- Candice Glover, Kree Harrison and Angie Miller -- are all primed for “good careers.”

“People love all of them, and they are different,” he said. “It’s not like they are all the same fabric.”

In the Idol offseason, Chew said he is going to be a very busy man. He is set to serve as director of the BET Awards this Sunday, and he is working with two future recording artists, including a 19-year-old singer named Stnaj.

“You are going to hear a lot about him,” Chew says.

Story by Michele Amabile Angermiller.

Rolling Stones Sign Publishing Deal With BMG

BMG has been appointed to represent the Rolling Stones' music publishing catalogue.

Beginning July 1, 2013 BMG will take on direct responsibility for publishing all of the songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards since 1983. 

Additionally it will be responsible for handling Jagger and Richards's shares of their pre-1983 copyrights which are represented by ABKCO (1963-1971) and EMI Music Publishing (1971-1983).

BMG’s responsibilities will range from marketing and licensing the songs to the film, TV and advertising sectors, to ensuring that the writers are paid promptly and accurately for their use on the fast-growing number of digital music services.

BMG Chrysalis SVP Alexi Cory-Smith, said, “Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are among the greatest songwriters in rock ‘n’ roll history. It’s a huge honour that they have chosen us to represent their interests. Beginning July 1, we will be working alongside all of our offices around the world to give them the very best BMG can offer.”

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both commented, “We look forward to a fresh and fruitful long-term business relationship with all the team at BMG.”

The songs to be directly published by BMG span the albums Dirty Work (1986), Steel Wheels (1989), Voodoo Lounge (1994), Bridges To Babylon (1997) and A Bigger Bang (2005) as well as future compositions. They include classic Stones tracks such as ‘Mixed Emotions’, ‘Love Is Strong’, ‘You Got Me Rocking’ and ‘Doom And Gloom’.

Meanwhile BMG will also administer Jagger and Richards’s interests in all of their Rolling Stones hits dating back to 1963 including ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’, ‘Brown Sugar’ and ‘Angie’.

BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said that winning the opportunity to work with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards was a significant milestone for the 'new' BMG company, less than five years after it was founded.

“This deal is incredibly important for BMG,” he said. “Keith and Mick have clearly created one of the most outstanding song collections in rock 'n' roll history. They have not only created the soundtrack of all of our lives, they have been a dynamic and constant force for cultural change. They could sign to any company they wanted to. The fact that they have chosen to sign with BMG is a significant vote of confidence in our team and in our creative and administration services. We will justify their trust in us.”

The Rolling Stones are currently in the midst of the US-leg of their 50 & Counting Tour before playing the Glastonbury Festival this Saturday (June 29) and two dates in London’s Hyde Park on July 6 and July 13.

Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Welcomes Guns N' Roses

If it's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, then drama is as much a prerequisite as loud guitars, receding hairlines and a night-ending all-star jam on a golden oldie.