Music News
Music News
Jim Diamond has died at the age of 64.
The Scottish singer-songwriter - who was best known for hits including 'I Won't Let You Down', 'I Should Have Known Better' and 'Hi Ho Silver' - passed away at his London home, leaving his family "deeply shocked by his sudden death".
A statement added: "He was a devoted family man who loved his wife Chrissy and his children Sara and Lawrence, and the music that he continued to make.
"He dedicated a lot of time over recent years to the Cash for Kids charity appeal in Scotland with his friend Sir Tom Hunter and was still active and well respected on the music scene.
"He'll be much missed by all who knew him and everyone who loved his music and his unique voice and style."
Jim's passing comes just a few weeks after the death of his mother.
He wrote on Facebook on September 28: "Sad to say I lost my mum Sarah last week people say they have the best mum in the world, I did.
"If you look up tonight and see a couple dancing on a cloud to the sound of the Count Basie big band that's my mum and dad. As always peace to you all Jx (sic)"
Jim Diamond has died
Jim Diamond has died at the age of 64.
The Scottish singer-songwriter - who was best known for hits including 'I Won't Let You Down', 'I Should Have Known Better' and 'Hi Ho Silver' - passed away at his London home, leaving his family "deeply shocked by his sudden death".
A statement added: "He was a devoted family man who loved his wife Chrissy and his children Sara and Lawrence, and the music that he continued to make.
"He dedicated a lot of time over recent years to the Cash for Kids charity appeal in Scotland with his friend Sir Tom Hunter and was still active and well respected on the music scene.
"He'll be much missed by all who knew him and everyone who loved his music and his unique voice and style."
Jim's passing comes just a few weeks after the death of his mother.
He wrote on Facebook on September 28: "Sad to say I lost my mum Sarah last week people say they have the best mum in the world, I did.
"If you look up tonight and see a couple dancing on a cloud to the sound of the Count Basie big band that's my mum and dad. As always peace to you all Jx (sic)"
Music News
Florence Welch told Dave Grohl to eat broccoli to heal his broken leg.
The Florence + the Machine singer - who broke her foot jumping off stage at Coachella earlier this year - sought advice on calming her nerves ahead of headlining Glastonbury, a gig she was given after the Foo Fighters frontman's injury caused his group to pull out, and in return offered some health tips.
She wrote: "I'm so sorry you broke your leg. I know how that must feel. I broke my foot onstage too only a few weeks ago. What idiots we are!
"But let me recommend eating lots of broccoli as it aids the healing process. It's the iron.
"If you in turn could recommend something that would quell my outrageous nerves, that would be lovely."
In response, Dave wrote back and suggested Florence watch a performance of Freddie Mercury performing with Queen at Live Aid in 1985, insisting it was the right way to play on stage.
Florence noted: "So sweet. And so true! That really is how you do it."
The 'Spectrum' singer found one of the best ways she could prepare for the gig was to visualise it in her mind.
She admitted to Q magazine: "I played Imaginary Glastonbury about 17 hundred times. That helped.
"Rod [Ackroyd, guitarist] spent a lot of the time watching old Oasis at Glastonbury videos. Or maybe it was Blue. Always get those guys mixed up."
Florence Welch’s broccoli medicine
Florence Welch told Dave Grohl to eat broccoli to heal his broken leg.
The Florence + the Machine singer - who broke her foot jumping off stage at Coachella earlier this year - sought advice on calming her nerves ahead of headlining Glastonbury, a gig she was given after the Foo Fighters frontman's injury caused his group to pull out, and in return offered some health tips.
She wrote: "I'm so sorry you broke your leg. I know how that must feel. I broke my foot onstage too only a few weeks ago. What idiots we are!
"But let me recommend eating lots of broccoli as it aids the healing process. It's the iron.
"If you in turn could recommend something that would quell my outrageous nerves, that would be lovely."
In response, Dave wrote back and suggested Florence watch a performance of Freddie Mercury performing with Queen at Live Aid in 1985, insisting it was the right way to play on stage.
Florence noted: "So sweet. And so true! That really is how you do it."
The 'Spectrum' singer found one of the best ways she could prepare for the gig was to visualise it in her mind.
She admitted to Q magazine: "I played Imaginary Glastonbury about 17 hundred times. That helped.
"Rod [Ackroyd, guitarist] spent a lot of the time watching old Oasis at Glastonbury videos. Or maybe it was Blue. Always get those guys mixed up."
Music News
Ben Haenow wants to crack America.
The 'X Factor' winner is hoping to make it big in the USA and believes his new single 'Second Hand Heart' with Kelly Clarkson - released on Friday (16.10.15) - will help him to do so because she is so well known in the States.
Asked if he thinks he can break into the US market, he exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I'd like to think so. I think we've got a great start with Kelly being on board."
But the 30-year-old singer - whose eponymous debut album will be released on November 13 - confessed the track wasn't originally intended to be a duet and only turned into one when he returned to the UK after working on the track abroad.
He admitted: "It wasn't supposed to be a duet. We got back to the UK after recording it and Sonny, the head of the label, was kind of like, how do you feel about it being a duet?
"But I asked who he was thinking and he said Kelly Clarkson, so I toyed with the idea. But as soon as we got the track back with the vocals on it, for me that was it, it just sold it. It brought a new perspective to the song instead of it just being one."
Ben Haenow’s American dream
Ben Haenow wants to crack America.
The 'X Factor' winner is hoping to make it big in the USA and believes his new single 'Second Hand Heart' with Kelly Clarkson - released on Friday (16.10.15) - will help him to do so because she is so well known in the States.
Asked if he thinks he can break into the US market, he exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I'd like to think so. I think we've got a great start with Kelly being on board."
But the 30-year-old singer - whose eponymous debut album will be released on November 13 - confessed the track wasn't originally intended to be a duet and only turned into one when he returned to the UK after working on the track abroad.
He admitted: "It wasn't supposed to be a duet. We got back to the UK after recording it and Sonny, the head of the label, was kind of like, how do you feel about it being a duet?
"But I asked who he was thinking and he said Kelly Clarkson, so I toyed with the idea. But as soon as we got the track back with the vocals on it, for me that was it, it just sold it. It brought a new perspective to the song instead of it just being one."
Music News
Priscilla Presley has vowed never to "compromise" Elvis' voice.
The 70-year-old actress - who was married to the star from 1967 to 1973 - insists she would never take advantage of the late singer's legacy so doesn't think she should be criticised for backing a new album which features his vocals with backing from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
She said: "I hope people embrace it. I know there will probably be critics but I would never ever compromise his voice. Because, it was what it was and it was great.
"Don (Reedman) brought this idea to me in 2013 when I was here playing the mean queen in panto. It was music to my ears. I went, 'We have to do it.'"
Defending her choice to create 'If I Can Dream', she insisted the 'Jailhouse Rock' hitmaker would have loved the collection.
She explained: "Elvis loved bigness. This is the kind of thing he would have absolutely supported and would have done in a minute."
The record also features a duet between Elvis and Michael Buble, who Priscilla praised for doing justice to the track.
She gushed to The Sun newspaper: "The professionalism Michael showed on this is unbelievable. He is a perfectionist. I don't know how many times he rehearsed with Elvis but you feel they are in the same room.
"I can just see Elvis ... he had such a great sense of humour ... going, 'OK, you think that's good? Listen to this!' and Michael replying, 'Well, mmm, let me show you what I got!' It's really good and we are very proud of it."
Priscilla Presley vows not to ‘compromise’ Elvis
Priscilla Presley has vowed never to "compromise" Elvis' voice.
The 70-year-old actress - who was married to the star from 1967 to 1973 - insists she would never take advantage of the late singer's legacy so doesn't think she should be criticised for backing a new album which features his vocals with backing from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
She said: "I hope people embrace it. I know there will probably be critics but I would never ever compromise his voice. Because, it was what it was and it was great.
"Don (Reedman) brought this idea to me in 2013 when I was here playing the mean queen in panto. It was music to my ears. I went, 'We have to do it.'"
Defending her choice to create 'If I Can Dream', she insisted the 'Jailhouse Rock' hitmaker would have loved the collection.
She explained: "Elvis loved bigness. This is the kind of thing he would have absolutely supported and would have done in a minute."
The record also features a duet between Elvis and Michael Buble, who Priscilla praised for doing justice to the track.
She gushed to The Sun newspaper: "The professionalism Michael showed on this is unbelievable. He is a perfectionist. I don't know how many times he rehearsed with Elvis but you feel they are in the same room.
"I can just see Elvis ... he had such a great sense of humour ... going, 'OK, you think that's good? Listen to this!' and Michael replying, 'Well, mmm, let me show you what I got!' It's really good and we are very proud of it."
Music News
Hurts' third LP 'Surrender' is inspired by "paradise".
The synth-pop duo - comprised of singer Theo Hutchraft and synthesist Adam Anderson - have spent the past year enjoying "fun" destinations which have influenced their most "bold" pop album to date.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz about the record, which is available from today (09.10.15), singer Theo revealed: "We wanted to make a big pop album. you know? A big bold statement of an album.
"When you go to LA and Ibiza, and to New York as well, it's just non-stop. And those places are fun. It's just life's great and I think it's an interesting food to put in your music ... When we made it, it was just us enjoying ourselves. We set out with this plan of not wanting to make music in the rain in Manchester. So we said, 'What would happen, if we went to the sunshine, had a great time and just let the music come out?' We make music with aspirations. But the weirdest thing about it is that we're normal. We're not weird, we're fun. And those places brought it out in us."
But the peddlers of melodramatic pop stuck in a few darker tracks for good measure, including 'Police', and the 29-year-old 'Lights' singer insisted they haven't forgotten their Yorkshire roots.
He added: "Because of where we come from, I'm often drawn to people who've had tragedy, but a strong outlook. Where I grew up, it was difficult for people and it was hard to get out of that. So I like those stories and I like those stories, I like romanticising things."
Hurts make ‘paradise’ album
Hurts' third LP 'Surrender' is inspired by "paradise".
The synth-pop duo - comprised of singer Theo Hutchraft and synthesist Adam Anderson - have spent the past year enjoying "fun" destinations which have influenced their most "bold" pop album to date.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz about the record, which is available from today (09.10.15), singer Theo revealed: "We wanted to make a big pop album. you know? A big bold statement of an album.
"When you go to LA and Ibiza, and to New York as well, it's just non-stop. And those places are fun. It's just life's great and I think it's an interesting food to put in your music ... When we made it, it was just us enjoying ourselves. We set out with this plan of not wanting to make music in the rain in Manchester. So we said, 'What would happen, if we went to the sunshine, had a great time and just let the music come out?' We make music with aspirations. But the weirdest thing about it is that we're normal. We're not weird, we're fun. And those places brought it out in us."
But the peddlers of melodramatic pop stuck in a few darker tracks for good measure, including 'Police', and the 29-year-old 'Lights' singer insisted they haven't forgotten their Yorkshire roots.
He added: "Because of where we come from, I'm often drawn to people who've had tragedy, but a strong outlook. Where I grew up, it was difficult for people and it was hard to get out of that. So I like those stories and I like those stories, I like romanticising things."
Music News
Keith Richards has branded Led Zeppelin "hollow".
The Rolling Stones rocker has revealed he's never been a fan of the band and while he thinks Jimmy Page is a great guitarist he didn't like him performing with the other members of the band.
When an interviewer said he wasn't keen on Led Zeppelin, Jimmy agreed: "Me neither. I love Jimmy Page, but as a band, no, with John Bonham thundering down the highway in an uncontrolled 18-wheeler. He had cornered the market there. Jimmy is a brilliant player. But I always felt there was something a little hollow about it, you know?"
After bad-mouthing the 'Stairway To Heaven' hitmakers he decided to also lay in to The Who by writing Roger Daltrey off as "all flash" and describing the band as "crazy".
He explained: "I always thought [Roger] Daltrey was all flash. And I love Pete Townshend, but I always thought the Who were a crazy band, anyway. You would say to [Keith] Moon, if you were in a session with him, 'Just give me a swing,' and he [couldn't] ... He was an incredible drummer, but only with Pete Townshend."
While discussing other musicians though he praised Ed Sheeran and admitted he wishes Amy Winehouse had had the chance to reach her full potential before tragically dying from alcohol poisoning in 2011.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "What's interesting about him [Ed] is he's almost a one-man band, to start with, which is always very interesting. I don't know, I feel a very genuine feel from the music and what he's doing. And I love it when you meet people and you realize immediately that fame isn't the only thing on their mind. I mean sadly, now, Amy Winehouse could have been that. She already was, but she's sadly missed. To [think] what she could have done, what she would have done."
Keith Richards: Led Zeppelin are ‘hollow’
Keith Richards has branded Led Zeppelin "hollow".
The Rolling Stones rocker has revealed he's never been a fan of the band and while he thinks Jimmy Page is a great guitarist he didn't like him performing with the other members of the band.
When an interviewer said he wasn't keen on Led Zeppelin, Jimmy agreed: "Me neither. I love Jimmy Page, but as a band, no, with John Bonham thundering down the highway in an uncontrolled 18-wheeler. He had cornered the market there. Jimmy is a brilliant player. But I always felt there was something a little hollow about it, you know?"
After bad-mouthing the 'Stairway To Heaven' hitmakers he decided to also lay in to The Who by writing Roger Daltrey off as "all flash" and describing the band as "crazy".
He explained: "I always thought [Roger] Daltrey was all flash. And I love Pete Townshend, but I always thought the Who were a crazy band, anyway. You would say to [Keith] Moon, if you were in a session with him, 'Just give me a swing,' and he [couldn't] ... He was an incredible drummer, but only with Pete Townshend."
While discussing other musicians though he praised Ed Sheeran and admitted he wishes Amy Winehouse had had the chance to reach her full potential before tragically dying from alcohol poisoning in 2011.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: "What's interesting about him [Ed] is he's almost a one-man band, to start with, which is always very interesting. I don't know, I feel a very genuine feel from the music and what he's doing. And I love it when you meet people and you realize immediately that fame isn't the only thing on their mind. I mean sadly, now, Amy Winehouse could have been that. She already was, but she's sadly missed. To [think] what she could have done, what she would have done."
Music News
Enrique Iglesias was the big winner at the inaugural Latin American Music Awards.
The 40-year-old star scooped five awards at the ceremony, including Artist of the Year, Favourite Male Artist and three further awards for his collaboration with Nicky Jam, 'El Perdón'.
The track - which translates as 'Forgiveness' - won Song of the Year, Favourite Streaming Song and Favourite Collaboration.
Thanking his fans for voting for him on social media, he wrote: "Thank you all for voting for all the #LatinAMAs!!! (sic)"
The awards show was broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where Natalie La Rose, Paulina Rubio, Trevi, Fonseca and Yandel with Lil Jon all performed.
Other winners on the evening included J Balvin who picked up the New Artist of the Year gong, Ricky Martin who won in the Album of the Year category for 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar', and Gloria Trevi who took home the Favourite Female Artist title.
Meanwhile Demi Lovato picked up the Favourite Crossover Artist award and 'I Want You To Know' by Zedd featuring Selena Gomez was named Favourite Dance Song.
The complete list of winners from the Latin AMAs 2015 is as follows:
New Artist of the Year: J Balvin
Artist of the Year: Enrique Iglesias
Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - 'El Perdón'
Album of the Year: Ricky Martin - 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar'
Favourite Female Artist: Gloria Trevi
Favourite Male Artist - Pop/Rock: Enrique Iglesias
Favourite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock: Camila
Favourite Song - Pop/Rock: Ricky Martin feat. Yotuel - 'La Mordidita'
Favourite Male Artist - Regional Mexican: Luis Coronel
Favourite Duo or Group - Regional Mexican: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
Favourite Song - Regional Mexican: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda - 'Y Así Fue'
Favourite Male Artist - Urban: Daddy Yankee
Favourite Duo or Group - Urban: Gente de Zona
Favourite Song - Urban: Daddy Yankee - 'Sígueme y te Sigo'
Favourite Artist - Tropical: Romeo Santos
Favourite Song - Tropical: Gente de Zona feat. Marc Anthony - 'La Gozadera'
Favourite Collaboration: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - 'El Perdón'
Favourite Crossover Artist: Demi Lovato
Favourite Dance Song: Zedd feat. Selena Gomez - 'I Want You To Know'
Favourite Streaming Song: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - 'El Perdón'
Enrique Iglesias wins big at Latin AMAs
Enrique Iglesias was the big winner at the inaugural Latin American Music Awards.
The 40-year-old star scooped five awards at the ceremony, including Artist of the Year, Favourite Male Artist and three further awards for his collaboration with Nicky Jam, 'El Perdón'.
The track - which translates as 'Forgiveness' - won Song of the Year, Favourite Streaming Song and Favourite Collaboration.
Thanking his fans for voting for him on social media, he wrote: "Thank you all for voting for all the #LatinAMAs!!! (sic)"
The awards show was broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where Natalie La Rose, Paulina Rubio, Trevi, Fonseca and Yandel with Lil Jon all performed.
Other winners on the evening included J Balvin who picked up the New Artist of the Year gong, Ricky Martin who won in the Album of the Year category for 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar', and Gloria Trevi who took home the Favourite Female Artist title.
Meanwhile Demi Lovato picked up the Favourite Crossover Artist award and 'I Want You To Know' by Zedd featuring Selena Gomez was named Favourite Dance Song.
The complete list of winners from the Latin AMAs 2015 is as follows:
New Artist of the Year: J Balvin
Artist of the Year: Enrique Iglesias
Song of the Year: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - 'El Perdón'
Album of the Year: Ricky Martin - 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar'
Favourite Female Artist: Gloria Trevi
Favourite Male Artist - Pop/Rock: Enrique Iglesias
Favourite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock: Camila
Favourite Song - Pop/Rock: Ricky Martin feat. Yotuel - 'La Mordidita'
Favourite Male Artist - Regional Mexican: Luis Coronel
Favourite Duo or Group - Regional Mexican: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
Favourite Song - Regional Mexican: Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda - 'Y Así Fue'
Favourite Male Artist - Urban: Daddy Yankee
Favourite Duo or Group - Urban: Gente de Zona
Favourite Song - Urban: Daddy Yankee - 'Sígueme y te Sigo'
Favourite Artist - Tropical: Romeo Santos
Favourite Song - Tropical: Gente de Zona feat. Marc Anthony - 'La Gozadera'
Favourite Collaboration: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - 'El Perdón'
Favourite Crossover Artist: Demi Lovato
Favourite Dance Song: Zedd feat. Selena Gomez - 'I Want You To Know'
Favourite Streaming Song: Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias - 'El Perdón'
Music News
Major artists are changing their release dates to avoid clashing with Adele's new album.
A slew of acts including Ellie Goulding, Little Mix, One Direction and Justin Bieber are set to put out albums next month but they've moved their release dates forward so they aren't engaged in a chart battle with the superstar, whose third studio album is scheduled to be released on November 20.
A music industry insider said: "Adele's album is coming and it's likely to be an epic release.
"The major labels have realised it's essential they get out any big releases before then because from November 20, it's very likely to be about one woman only. She will dominate pre-Christmas sales.
"That's why Justin Bieber, Kylie Minogue and 1D are going head-to-head the week before - usually the record companies would want a No1 album with artists that big but in this case they simply want to get the album out there before Adele."
The album - tentatively titled '25' - will be the 'Rolling In The Deep' hitmaker's first album since 2011's '21', which went on to shift 30 million copies, meaning she's a real threat to other acts hoping to find chart success at the same time.
And her release means some artists have had their albums delayed until next year because record labels believe they would be easily overshadowed.
The source told The Sun newspaper: "It's still possible there might be a surprise release from Coldplay or Beyonce who would be confident to put music out at any time of the year.
"But Emeli Sandé and Michael Buble, who share the same market as Adele, are both delayed into next year for certain."
Artists changing release dates to avoid Adele
Major artists are changing their release dates to avoid clashing with Adele's new album.
A slew of acts including Ellie Goulding, Little Mix, One Direction and Justin Bieber are set to put out albums next month but they've moved their release dates forward so they aren't engaged in a chart battle with the superstar, whose third studio album is scheduled to be released on November 20.
A music industry insider said: "Adele's album is coming and it's likely to be an epic release.
"The major labels have realised it's essential they get out any big releases before then because from November 20, it's very likely to be about one woman only. She will dominate pre-Christmas sales.
"That's why Justin Bieber, Kylie Minogue and 1D are going head-to-head the week before - usually the record companies would want a No1 album with artists that big but in this case they simply want to get the album out there before Adele."
The album - tentatively titled '25' - will be the 'Rolling In The Deep' hitmaker's first album since 2011's '21', which went on to shift 30 million copies, meaning she's a real threat to other acts hoping to find chart success at the same time.
And her release means some artists have had their albums delayed until next year because record labels believe they would be easily overshadowed.
The source told The Sun newspaper: "It's still possible there might be a surprise release from Coldplay or Beyonce who would be confident to put music out at any time of the year.
"But Emeli Sandé and Michael Buble, who share the same market as Adele, are both delayed into next year for certain."
Music News
Britney Spears is back in the studio.
The 'Toxic' hitmaker has teased she is hard at work on her new record by posting photos from the studio on her Instagram with 29-year-old producer BURNS, who has previously worked with Pitbull and Calvin Harris.
Alongside one of the snaps, she wrote: "Making magic in the studio with @thisisburns4real yesterday! (sic)"
In another photo she posed with producer Mischke who has produced tracks for Gwen Stefani, Little Mix and Jennifer Lopez.
The 33-year-old star previously released her single 'Pretty Girls' from her ninth studio album and has been working on the collection in between her Las Vegas residency stints.
She's also been working with producers including DJ Mustard and Diplo on the record which she previously hinted is going to be an eclectic collection.
She said: "I have ballads and, of course, dance music -- fun cheeky sexy stuff."
However she is not expected to tour the collection as she recently signed on for another two years of her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, which she announced during one of her shows last month.
In a video of the announcement posted on Instagram, she said: "Okay I have some big news tonight. Usually I get you guys to help me count to three, but tonight I want you to help me count to two because I'm going to be in Vegas for two more years!"
Britney Spears back in the studio
Britney Spears is back in the studio.
The 'Toxic' hitmaker has teased she is hard at work on her new record by posting photos from the studio on her Instagram with 29-year-old producer BURNS, who has previously worked with Pitbull and Calvin Harris.
Alongside one of the snaps, she wrote: "Making magic in the studio with @thisisburns4real yesterday! (sic)"
In another photo she posed with producer Mischke who has produced tracks for Gwen Stefani, Little Mix and Jennifer Lopez.
The 33-year-old star previously released her single 'Pretty Girls' from her ninth studio album and has been working on the collection in between her Las Vegas residency stints.
She's also been working with producers including DJ Mustard and Diplo on the record which she previously hinted is going to be an eclectic collection.
She said: "I have ballads and, of course, dance music -- fun cheeky sexy stuff."
However she is not expected to tour the collection as she recently signed on for another two years of her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, which she announced during one of her shows last month.
In a video of the announcement posted on Instagram, she said: "Okay I have some big news tonight. Usually I get you guys to help me count to three, but tonight I want you to help me count to two because I'm going to be in Vegas for two more years!"