Music News

David Bowie has offered to write a song for gospel singer Merry Clayton.
The 65-year-old star of Oscar-winning documentary '20 Feet From Stardom' - which tells the story of famous musician's backup singers - claims she received a phone call from the 'Fame' hitmaker just days before her film won the Academy Award.
Speaking to PageSix.com, she said: "I got a call from David Bowie out of the blue two days ago. He told me he wanted to write my next project. I couldn't believe it when I first heard his voice. We haven't seen each other in 20 years."
Merry has provided back-up vocals on songs by pop stars such as Tom Jones, Joe Cocker and Carole King but is best known for her duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones' hit 'Gimme Shelter'.
Opening up about her excitement over the success of '20 Feet From Stardom' Merry admitted she won't let David, 67, go back on his word.
She said: "This is bringing so many gifts back from my past. I am not sure what my next project will be... but I will definitely hold David to his promise."
Bowie won the Best Male Solo Artist prize at the BRIT Awards in London last month.

Gary Barlow has teamed up with Gary Lineker for the official England 2014 FIFA World Cup song.
The Take That singer will record the track at Sarm Studios in West London alongside former England soccer stars and other musicians.
Lineker wrote on Twitter: "I'm getting together one hell of a group for England's official FIFA World Cup song for @sportrelief . Teaching @GaryBarlow a thing or 2. (sic)"
Before he added: "The boy @GaryBarlow done good for @sportrelief (sic)".
The 'Match of the Day' presenter then attached an image of the pair of them sitting side-by-side in the studio holding a model of the World Cup trophy.
Mel C and Emma Bunton - who found fame with the Spice Girls - and former Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh will be among the stars contributing to the track with the help of sportsmen Michael Owen, Martin Keown and David Seaman.
The official Sport Relief Twitter account wrote: "Ultimate Phoenix from the Flames - Sir Geoff, @MelanieCmusic @EmmaBunton @KimberleyJWalsh & a pineapple #srworldcup (sic)", and attached an image of the females with former England international footballer Sir Geoff Hurst.
The video will make its debut on Sport Relief night on BBC One on March 21, months before the games kick off in Brazil in June.

R. Kelly is working on a sequel to his album 'Black Panties'.
The 'Ignition' hitmaker will name the record 'White Panties', following the success of his 2013 album, and has told fans to "expect a whole other level" when the new music is released.
Talking about the album name, he told V magazine: "I always follow what my spirit tells me to do. When I get into the studio I write from my heart. I try to write life and not songs.
"People live life, and when you write life, you're going to mess around touch somebody's heart, and they'll relate to you and what you're singing about."
The 47-year-old star is also collaborating with Mary J Blige on a song for the album and the singer will join him on tour to promote the record in coming months.
He gushed: "It's a very exciting thing when two people like Mary and me come together. It's never been done, but it kind of makes sense and you're like 'Wow!', and this is very exciting for me because I'm a fan of hers."
R. Kelly has already been in the studio working on their track and plans to approach the 'No More Drama' singer about recoding more material together.
He said: "I'm even looking forward to proposing that we do a whole album together. But this is the first I've mentioned it. The 'King and Queen' album."

Professor Green's Puma clothing line has been axed.
The 'Remedy' rapper, who has launched two seasons of clothing and accessories with the sportswear brand, has been left disappointed after they pulled the plug on his Honey Badger range for 2014 last month.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Pro had been chatting about a new range for a while, but after a few months of delays, it was finally taken off the table.
"It's frustrating for everybody, because there had been a lot of time invested in it, but now just isn't the right time."
The 30-year-old star was dealt the blow during a difficult time after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving in November last year, before being re-arrested and bailed for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
A Puma spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that Puma and Professor Green haven't extended the agreement to produce a new collection for 2014.
"While there will be no specific collection this year, despite former plans, but that isn't to say the relationship is truly over.
"Both sides would like to work together in the future."
Last year the star said he was proud of the collaboration after the small capsule grew into a full range and included satin bomber jackets and leopard print t-shirts for both men and women.
He said: "What's cool about the honey badger is a lot of people don't know quite what it is. It's not got 'Professor Green and Puma' across the chest. That's why honey badger came into things. It had to have an identity."

Pharrell Williams thinks Miley Cyrus and Daft Punk were "gracious" for agreeing to collaborate with him.
The 'Happy' hitmaker worked with the 'Wrecking Ball' singer and French duo, along with Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys, on his new album 'G I R L', and feels blessed he managed to get so many stars to feature on the record.
He told Entertainment Tonight: "Yeah, you call them and say, 'Hey, I need you', and they were all very nice and gracious enough to do it.
"I wanted people who emoted when they do what they do, it needed to be more than just their great voice and how it sounds."
The 40-year-old star, who was nominated for an Oscar for his track 'Happy' from the film 'Despicable Me 2', knew he wanted the new record to be "visceral and urgent".
He explained: "I knew I wanted it to be celebratory and festive. It's the album I've always dreamt of making. It's a love story, and that's why the album is made for human beings, it's made for everyone. It's just that my muse were women."
The singer is pleased his fans have reacted well to the solo record and feels lucky to have had so much support.
He added: "It's pretty awesome and I have the people to thank, because they lifted me this high."

Sarah Harding won't take solo career advice from Girls Aloud.
The 32-year-old singer has revealed she is so strong-willed that she is unlikely to listen to musical tips from her former bandmates Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, who have all released solo albums in the past.
She explained to the latest issue of new! magazine: "They've all done solo work but there's nothing they can say. I don't take advice - I'm not good at listening. I just learn my own way. I've always been stubborn."
The 'Promise' hitmaker says her solo music is more mature than the pop records she performed with Girls Aloud.
She teased of her new music: "It's a bit more grown-up. I've co-written quite a bit of it and a lot of the songs reflect who I am as a person. I can connect with them."
However, Sarah admits she has butterflies about putting her own music out there as she it is so personal.
She added: "I'm really excited, but nervous too. I'll be putting my soul out there for everyone to see."

Ricky Gervais has announced two new David Brent concerts.
The comedian will take to the stage as his fictional 'The Office' character, cringe-inducing office manager David Brent, at London's Hammersmith Apollo and Oxford New Theatre this May.
Demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale this Friday (07.03.14) at 9am since tickets for Ricky's first ever musical shows last October sold out within 60 seconds of going on sale.
The 52-year-old comedian performed as David Brent & Foregone Conclusion at London's Bloomsbury Theatre and Bristol's Colston Hall, with a backing band including former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.
Future gigs were hinted at earlier this year by the musician, and the duo were said to be working on a humorous concept album together.
A source previously said: "Ricky has written nearly all the material himself but he wanted a helping hand with some specific tracks. He and Andy first met in 2008 on 'The Jonathan Ross Show' and they have stayed in touch ever since.
"Although Ricky's performances are all slightly cringe-worthy, they are extremely tongue-in-cheek and actually, lyrically, very clever. Andy was keen to get involved in the new album as soon as the idea was put to him."
The actor revived his hapless, wannabe rock star alter-ego last year for a 'Comic Relief' sketch.

Courtney Love has announced UK tour dates.
The 49-year-old singer hasn't played in Britain since Hole - which she formed in 1989 with Eric Erlandson - toured in 2010 and has thanked fans for their "patience" before announcing the eight dates on which she'll take to the stage in May.
She wrote on Facebook: "UK, Thanks for your patience! Here we go!!!"
The blonde beauty will kick off the series of gigs with two shows at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 11 and 12 before taking to the stage in Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Nottingham and will be supported by White Miles on all dates.
The tour comes after Courtney, who struggled with drug addiction in the past, admitted she wants a "second chance" after seeing how stars including 'Sherlock Holmes' actor Robert Downey Jr. and 'Orange is the New Black' actress Natasha Lyonne have put their problems behind them to enjoy further career success.
She previously said: "Listen, if Natasha Lyonne can burn down a house and Robert can go to prison for two years, I deserve a second chance. I know there is hope for me."

Courtney's tour dates are as follows:

London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - May 11, 12
Manchester Academy - May 13
Glasgow O2 Academy - May 15
Leeds O2 Academy - May 16
Birmingham O2 Academy - May 18
Bristol O2 Academy - May 19
Nottingham Rock City - May 20

Kurt Cobain's former roommate is selling his belongings on the internet.
Items belonging to the Nirvana frontman, who committed suicide and was found dead in his home in Seattle, Washington in 1994, are being sold on Craigslist by a man claiming to have lived with the star in Capitol Hill in Washington.
Kurt's belongings include skis, a phone and video game, which range between $25 and $80, and the old roommate had kept hold of them for a number of years.
He wrote on the site: "I have been holding on to a bunch of stuff that he left in a box when he moved out.
"He owed us rent and said he would get the box when he came back and gave us the money but he never came back, then when he was famous he never really talked to any of us again because Courtney [Love] never liked us."
But the roommate, who was a bass player in Seattle rock band Gruntruck, insists he's not a fan of the Hole singer, who was married to Kurt, so there are "no hard feelings" and he plans to sell more of the star's belongings.
He added: "i also have a lot more stuff of kurts, like magazine and clothes that i will be selling off soon. thank you for looking (sic)."
Meanwhile, a weeping statue of Kurt was unveiled in Aberdeen in Washington last month, the star's hometown.
The city celebrated Kurt Cobain Day on February 20, which would have been the singer's 47th birthday.