Music News
Music News
Sam Smith "refuses" to listen to Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down'.
The 23-year-old singer was previously ordered to pay the songwriter royalties because of similarities between the track and his own song 'Stay With Me', but he insists it is just an unfortunate coincidence because he had never even heard the 1989 composition.
He told GQ magazine: "It's never going to be fair to me because I sat in a room with two guys and wrote a song.
"One guy played some beautiful chords and I started singing and wrote a song about a one-night stand. That is genuinely how it was.
"I am 23 years old - Tom Petty's song came out way before I was born and still to this day - people don't know this - I actually haven't listened to the song.
"I refuse to listen to it. Even now I won't listen to it."
Sam insists it was just an "unfortunate" mistake, and though Tom was gracious about the row, he will never agree with the ruling.
He added: "There are only so many notes on a piano... We were just unfortunate that it happened, but there was no bad intention.
"Tom Petty wrote me a really nice letter, which I thought was really kind, but I am never going to be happy about it as it's still my song to me."
Tom has previously described the similarities between the two songs as a "musical accident" and insisted he bears no ill-will towards Sam.
He wrote on his official website: "About the Sam Smith thing. Let me say I have never had any hard feelings toward Sam. All my years of songwriting have shown me these things can happen. Most times you catch it before it gets out the studio door but in this case it got by.
"Sam's people were very understanding of our predicament and we easily came to an agreement. The word lawsuit was never even said and was never my intention. And no more was to be said about it.
"How it got out to the press is beyond Sam or myself. Sam did the right thing and I have thought no more about this. A musical accident no more no less. In these times we live in this is hardly news.
"I wish Sam all the best for his ongoing career. Peace and love to all."
Sam Smith won’t listen to Tom Petty ‘I Won’t Back Down’
Sam Smith "refuses" to listen to Tom Petty's 'I Won't Back Down'.
The 23-year-old singer was previously ordered to pay the songwriter royalties because of similarities between the track and his own song 'Stay With Me', but he insists it is just an unfortunate coincidence because he had never even heard the 1989 composition.
He told GQ magazine: "It's never going to be fair to me because I sat in a room with two guys and wrote a song.
"One guy played some beautiful chords and I started singing and wrote a song about a one-night stand. That is genuinely how it was.
"I am 23 years old - Tom Petty's song came out way before I was born and still to this day - people don't know this - I actually haven't listened to the song.
"I refuse to listen to it. Even now I won't listen to it."
Sam insists it was just an "unfortunate" mistake, and though Tom was gracious about the row, he will never agree with the ruling.
He added: "There are only so many notes on a piano... We were just unfortunate that it happened, but there was no bad intention.
"Tom Petty wrote me a really nice letter, which I thought was really kind, but I am never going to be happy about it as it's still my song to me."
Tom has previously described the similarities between the two songs as a "musical accident" and insisted he bears no ill-will towards Sam.
He wrote on his official website: "About the Sam Smith thing. Let me say I have never had any hard feelings toward Sam. All my years of songwriting have shown me these things can happen. Most times you catch it before it gets out the studio door but in this case it got by.
"Sam's people were very understanding of our predicament and we easily came to an agreement. The word lawsuit was never even said and was never my intention. And no more was to be said about it.
"How it got out to the press is beyond Sam or myself. Sam did the right thing and I have thought no more about this. A musical accident no more no less. In these times we live in this is hardly news.
"I wish Sam all the best for his ongoing career. Peace and love to all."
Music News
Blur have never wanted to be the "biggest band in the world".
The 'Girls and Boys' hitmakers - who released their first album since 2003, 'The Magic Whip', earlier this year - think they have been able to continue working together for so long because they never experienced enough success to become "weird".
Frontman Damon Albarn said: "We never became so big and bloated that something weird happened.
"We've always maintained our relationship. I don't think we've ever really been motivated by being the biggest band in the world."
The quartet - Damon, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree - think life on the road is much more chilled out now than the early days of their career, over 20 years ago.
Graham told GQ magazine: "I wouldn't say everyone has grown up a lot, but everyone is more laid-back about things. We don't feel too much under pressure."
Alex recently admitted he is interested in making a new Blur album.
He said: "Oof give it a while. I'm up for it but ... That relationship we have of being able to make music together so easily, that's been there right since our first rehearsal that we wrote our first single at, is a really nice thing to be able to tap into."
Blur didn’t want to be the biggest band in the world
Blur have never wanted to be the "biggest band in the world".
The 'Girls and Boys' hitmakers - who released their first album since 2003, 'The Magic Whip', earlier this year - think they have been able to continue working together for so long because they never experienced enough success to become "weird".
Frontman Damon Albarn said: "We never became so big and bloated that something weird happened.
"We've always maintained our relationship. I don't think we've ever really been motivated by being the biggest band in the world."
The quartet - Damon, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree - think life on the road is much more chilled out now than the early days of their career, over 20 years ago.
Graham told GQ magazine: "I wouldn't say everyone has grown up a lot, but everyone is more laid-back about things. We don't feel too much under pressure."
Alex recently admitted he is interested in making a new Blur album.
He said: "Oof give it a while. I'm up for it but ... That relationship we have of being able to make music together so easily, that's been there right since our first rehearsal that we wrote our first single at, is a really nice thing to be able to tap into."
Music News
Keith Richards doesn't think Sir Mick Jagger's solo material is any good.
The 71-year-old rocker is always disappointed by his Rolling Stones bandmate's work away from the group and thinks he should just stick with being their frontman.
He said: "I've got to say, when Mick goes out on his own, solo, I'm always expecting something and he just does not deliver by himself.
"Maybe this is one of the things that gets right up his snoot.
"Listen Mick, you're the greatest in the world, as long as you've got the Rolling Stones behind you. I think that rankles him.
"But it's just something I accept about the man. It's a point of jocularity among the band."
And Keith is always amused by Mick's muted responses to his own solo work.
He told GQ magazine: "Whatever he says I will then translate it to know what he really means. He'll go, 'Mmm, not bad.' He'll play it like that."
Speaking about Mick's response to one of his previous solo tracks, 'You Don't Move Me' - which was about Keith's relationship with the singer - he added: "Mick's got this incredible ability to blank it out. I never got any more feedback. Like it didn't exist...
"If he gives me a blank silence, I'll know he's heard [the new record]."
Keith Richards blasts Mick Jagger’s solo material
Keith Richards doesn't think Sir Mick Jagger's solo material is any good.
The 71-year-old rocker is always disappointed by his Rolling Stones bandmate's work away from the group and thinks he should just stick with being their frontman.
He said: "I've got to say, when Mick goes out on his own, solo, I'm always expecting something and he just does not deliver by himself.
"Maybe this is one of the things that gets right up his snoot.
"Listen Mick, you're the greatest in the world, as long as you've got the Rolling Stones behind you. I think that rankles him.
"But it's just something I accept about the man. It's a point of jocularity among the band."
And Keith is always amused by Mick's muted responses to his own solo work.
He told GQ magazine: "Whatever he says I will then translate it to know what he really means. He'll go, 'Mmm, not bad.' He'll play it like that."
Speaking about Mick's response to one of his previous solo tracks, 'You Don't Move Me' - which was about Keith's relationship with the singer - he added: "Mick's got this incredible ability to blank it out. I never got any more feedback. Like it didn't exist...
"If he gives me a blank silence, I'll know he's heard [the new record]."
Music News
Example would not "hesitate" about working with Kanye West.
The 'Changed The Way You Kissed Me' hitmaker has revealed he would love to collaborate with his "hero" but is worried the chances will be slim as he doesn't think Kanye knows who he is.
He told BANG Showbiz: "There's lots of artists out there I'd like to work with but I don't have, like, a list. I've got heroes. If Kanye came to me or Dave Grohl approached me then obviously I wouldn't hesitate to work with them, but I doubt whether I'm on their radar!
"I think Kanye is unique, he's the most exciting artist in the world, he's constantly surprising people and keeping people second guessing. I watched his show at Glastonbury and I did think, 'You know it would be nice if he just thanked the audience, or endeared himself to the crowd,' but then he wouldn't be Kanye. There is a part of him that does respect the audience but the fact that he splits people and divides people is great because the best artists in history always do that."
The 33-year-old musician also hit back at Kanye's critics, who label him in a certain way because of his marriage to reality television star Kim Kardashian West.
When asked if he thinks the criticism affects Kanye, Example added: "I don't think so, I think he's too good, too powerful, too talented for that to be an issue. He could be married to whoever he wanted to and still be the f***ing most talented artist in the world.
"I'm a massive fan of his, even when he does something weird or annoying or s**t, I'm like, 'He's still a genius.' He's not obsessed with just having hits, hits, hits, he's like, 'I'm going to go and do this for a bit, I'm going to go and do something weird. I'm gonna dress weird.' He's got that up and down that keeps him interesting."
Example: Kanye West is my ‘hero’
Example would not "hesitate" about working with Kanye West.
The 'Changed The Way You Kissed Me' hitmaker has revealed he would love to collaborate with his "hero" but is worried the chances will be slim as he doesn't think Kanye knows who he is.
He told BANG Showbiz: "There's lots of artists out there I'd like to work with but I don't have, like, a list. I've got heroes. If Kanye came to me or Dave Grohl approached me then obviously I wouldn't hesitate to work with them, but I doubt whether I'm on their radar!
"I think Kanye is unique, he's the most exciting artist in the world, he's constantly surprising people and keeping people second guessing. I watched his show at Glastonbury and I did think, 'You know it would be nice if he just thanked the audience, or endeared himself to the crowd,' but then he wouldn't be Kanye. There is a part of him that does respect the audience but the fact that he splits people and divides people is great because the best artists in history always do that."
The 33-year-old musician also hit back at Kanye's critics, who label him in a certain way because of his marriage to reality television star Kim Kardashian West.
When asked if he thinks the criticism affects Kanye, Example added: "I don't think so, I think he's too good, too powerful, too talented for that to be an issue. He could be married to whoever he wanted to and still be the f***ing most talented artist in the world.
"I'm a massive fan of his, even when he does something weird or annoying or s**t, I'm like, 'He's still a genius.' He's not obsessed with just having hits, hits, hits, he's like, 'I'm going to go and do this for a bit, I'm going to go and do something weird. I'm gonna dress weird.' He's got that up and down that keeps him interesting."
Music News
Keith Richards wants to live for "another 25 years".
The 71-year-old guitarist has no plans to slow down anytime soon and would like to make at least one more Rolling Stones album, but other than that he just wants to continue "growing" because not matter how old he is as long as he is "physically robust" he'll keep going.
Asked if he still has life goals, he said: "And apart from that, [Rolling Stones LP] I'd like to live another 25 years or something. I could handle that. I mean, I'm blessed with being sort of physically robust. And what you realise when you get older is, you never stop growing up."
When he's not writing solo music - such as his latest LP 'Crosseyed Heart' - the 'Satisfaction' hitmaker admitted he leads a "normal life" and enjoys watching his wife tend to their garden and spending time with his grandchildren.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "I watch the wife garden. She loves to prune things sometimes, and I sort of sit there and go: 'Oh, you missed a bit.' I might get the hose out, do a bit of watering. God, I just do what any other old bloke does.
"I make sure the dogs are fed, I try to live as normally as possible. Actually, I love my old lady, and she can make me do anything. And, hopefully, I'm a pretty good grandad, because they also seem to like me. Fascinating to watch the grandkids, because there's five of them and they're all various ages: the oldest is 19, the youngest is two."
Keith Richards’ life goal
Keith Richards wants to live for "another 25 years".
The 71-year-old guitarist has no plans to slow down anytime soon and would like to make at least one more Rolling Stones album, but other than that he just wants to continue "growing" because not matter how old he is as long as he is "physically robust" he'll keep going.
Asked if he still has life goals, he said: "And apart from that, [Rolling Stones LP] I'd like to live another 25 years or something. I could handle that. I mean, I'm blessed with being sort of physically robust. And what you realise when you get older is, you never stop growing up."
When he's not writing solo music - such as his latest LP 'Crosseyed Heart' - the 'Satisfaction' hitmaker admitted he leads a "normal life" and enjoys watching his wife tend to their garden and spending time with his grandchildren.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "I watch the wife garden. She loves to prune things sometimes, and I sort of sit there and go: 'Oh, you missed a bit.' I might get the hose out, do a bit of watering. God, I just do what any other old bloke does.
"I make sure the dogs are fed, I try to live as normally as possible. Actually, I love my old lady, and she can make me do anything. And, hopefully, I'm a pretty good grandad, because they also seem to like me. Fascinating to watch the grandkids, because there's five of them and they're all various ages: the oldest is 19, the youngest is two."
Music News
Sister Sledge are set to perform for Pope Francis.
The iconic music group will sing at global gathering 'The World Meeting of Families 2015' in Philadelphia, America on Saturday (26.09.15) to mark the religious leader's first official visit to the U.S.
The 'Thinking of You' hitmakers will play a special rendition of their hit single 'We Are Family' as the song has become a mantra for peace around the world.
In a statement, they said: "We are truly honoured to have been asked to perform for His Holiness Pope Francis. The World Meeting of Families is such a special and unique event, which will bring together families from all over the world in a bond of unity, love and solidarity.
"We were thrilled to learn that His Holiness chose our hometown, Philadelphia, to show the entire world the significance of Family, Faith and Love. We firmly stand for and believe in the ideals that Pope Francis will be speaking about, particularly the vital importance of the family, human rights and equality for all."
The group also believe in the world standing in "unity".
The statement continued: "Our group's legacy of love stems from the expression of sisterhood so triumphantly voiced in one of our most famous songs 'We Are Family'. This message is now as important and fresh as ever. Through life experience we have come to realise that we are all family. Together we must stand in unity as sisters and brothers for the betterment of humankind. Every woman, man and child has the right to receive love."
The sisters - Debbie, Joni, Kathy and Kim Sledge - are looking forward to being a part of the star-studded event and will be joined by an array of performers that include host Mark Wahlberg, Aretha Franklin, Jim Gaffigan, The Fray and Andrea Bocelli.
Sister Sledge to perform for Pope Francis
Sister Sledge are set to perform for Pope Francis.
The iconic music group will sing at global gathering 'The World Meeting of Families 2015' in Philadelphia, America on Saturday (26.09.15) to mark the religious leader's first official visit to the U.S.
The 'Thinking of You' hitmakers will play a special rendition of their hit single 'We Are Family' as the song has become a mantra for peace around the world.
In a statement, they said: "We are truly honoured to have been asked to perform for His Holiness Pope Francis. The World Meeting of Families is such a special and unique event, which will bring together families from all over the world in a bond of unity, love and solidarity.
"We were thrilled to learn that His Holiness chose our hometown, Philadelphia, to show the entire world the significance of Family, Faith and Love. We firmly stand for and believe in the ideals that Pope Francis will be speaking about, particularly the vital importance of the family, human rights and equality for all."
The group also believe in the world standing in "unity".
The statement continued: "Our group's legacy of love stems from the expression of sisterhood so triumphantly voiced in one of our most famous songs 'We Are Family'. This message is now as important and fresh as ever. Through life experience we have come to realise that we are all family. Together we must stand in unity as sisters and brothers for the betterment of humankind. Every woman, man and child has the right to receive love."
The sisters - Debbie, Joni, Kathy and Kim Sledge - are looking forward to being a part of the star-studded event and will be joined by an array of performers that include host Mark Wahlberg, Aretha Franklin, Jim Gaffigan, The Fray and Andrea Bocelli.
Music News
Biffy Clyro have announced their only concert of 2015.
The Scottish rockers - Simon Neil, James Johnstone and Ben Johnston - will headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens on New Year's Eve (31.12.15) and have vowed to make a "musical" comeback in 2016.
They said in a statement: "We are so happy to come out of musical hibernation to kick off 2016 with the show on Hogmanay. We want to rock off the cobwebs and prepare for the year of da biff! Nothing can compete with Edinburgh's celebrations and we hope to make it a special night for everyone!"
The 'Many of Horror' hitmakers headlined Edinburgh's Hogmanay event in 2010 and five years on they will be bringing their explosive live show to their home country for what promises to be an unforgettable night to welcome in 2016.
This will be the band's one and only UK performance of 2015 and will be the stage from which they will kick off 2016 and what is being lined up to be a huge year for them.
Tickets for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens will go on general sale from 10.00am on Friday 25 September at www.edinburghshogmanay.com.
Biffy Clyro announce one off 2015 concert
Biffy Clyro have announced their only concert of 2015.
The Scottish rockers - Simon Neil, James Johnstone and Ben Johnston - will headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens on New Year's Eve (31.12.15) and have vowed to make a "musical" comeback in 2016.
They said in a statement: "We are so happy to come out of musical hibernation to kick off 2016 with the show on Hogmanay. We want to rock off the cobwebs and prepare for the year of da biff! Nothing can compete with Edinburgh's celebrations and we hope to make it a special night for everyone!"
The 'Many of Horror' hitmakers headlined Edinburgh's Hogmanay event in 2010 and five years on they will be bringing their explosive live show to their home country for what promises to be an unforgettable night to welcome in 2016.
This will be the band's one and only UK performance of 2015 and will be the stage from which they will kick off 2016 and what is being lined up to be a huge year for them.
Tickets for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens will go on general sale from 10.00am on Friday 25 September at www.edinburghshogmanay.com.
Music News
The Libertines have announced seven UK arena shows for January 2016.
Despite the chaos frontman Pete Doherty caused on their recent mini run of shows, after going missing when he was due to perform at London's Electric Ballroom in Camden last week - on the release day of their first LP in a decade 'Anthem For Doomed Youth' - the band have committed themselves to play one of their biggest tours to date.
Among the stops will be nights at The O2 in London, Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena and Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.
The 'Can't Stand Me Now' hitmakers previously issued a statement following the disappearance Pete assuring fans it wouldn't effect any "other commitments".
They wrote: "Due to unforeseen circumstances The Libertines have had to postpone their sold out shows at the Electric Ballroom in Camden and at the Ritz in Manchester. Peter, Carl, John and Gary apologise whole heartedly to their fans and will reschedule both shows as soon as possible. This will not affect any of The Libertines other commitments. HQ (sic)."
The Libertines January 2016 UK tour dates:
Thursday 21st Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena
Saturday 23rd Manchester Arena
Monday 25th Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Tuesday 26th Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Wednesday 27th Birmingham Barclaycard Arena
Friday 29th Bournemouth BIC
Saturday 30th London The O2
Tickets go on sale on Friday 25 September at www.axs.com/thelibertines
The Libertines announce UK arena shows
The Libertines have announced seven UK arena shows for January 2016.
Despite the chaos frontman Pete Doherty caused on their recent mini run of shows, after going missing when he was due to perform at London's Electric Ballroom in Camden last week - on the release day of their first LP in a decade 'Anthem For Doomed Youth' - the band have committed themselves to play one of their biggest tours to date.
Among the stops will be nights at The O2 in London, Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena and Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.
The 'Can't Stand Me Now' hitmakers previously issued a statement following the disappearance Pete assuring fans it wouldn't effect any "other commitments".
They wrote: "Due to unforeseen circumstances The Libertines have had to postpone their sold out shows at the Electric Ballroom in Camden and at the Ritz in Manchester. Peter, Carl, John and Gary apologise whole heartedly to their fans and will reschedule both shows as soon as possible. This will not affect any of The Libertines other commitments. HQ (sic)."
The Libertines January 2016 UK tour dates:
Thursday 21st Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena
Saturday 23rd Manchester Arena
Monday 25th Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Tuesday 26th Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Wednesday 27th Birmingham Barclaycard Arena
Friday 29th Bournemouth BIC
Saturday 30th London The O2
Tickets go on sale on Friday 25 September at www.axs.com/thelibertines
Music News
David Gilmour has dedicated a song to late Pink Floyd keyboard player Rick Wright on his new solo album.
The 69-year-old guitarist - who has just released 'Rattle That Lock', his first individual release since 2006 - recorded 'A Boat Lies Waiting' for his former bandmate who sadly passed away from cancer in 2008 and was reminded during the making of his LP of the "great loss" of a talented musician and friend.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It was a great loss and we're still very sad about it. There have been moments during making this album where I've had other keyboard players around who are very, very good and we've got on very well but one is constantly reminded of what one has lost."
The track itself was written 18 years ago but, Gilmour reveals, it didn't "reveal itself" for a long time.
He explained: "The piece of music at the heart of 'A Boat Lies Waiting' was recorded at home on a piano to a mini disc player 18 years ago ... sometimes it takes a while for a piece of music to reveal itself in its entirety and I'm still baffled by the process."
Although Pink Floyd - also comprised of Nick Mason and previously Roger Waters and Syd Barrett - will not tour again or release new music following 2014's 'The Endless River', Gilmour will always be proud of the band and will never let the "memories" fade.
He said: "Pink Floyd is a big part of my life and something that I'm extraordinarily proud of. It gave me a lot of joy and fun.
"I'm in no way closing the door to my memories and times we had and all those things. I'm just saying that I won't be going back to something that's got that title."
David Gilmour dedicates song to late Rick Wright
David Gilmour has dedicated a song to late Pink Floyd keyboard player Rick Wright on his new solo album.
The 69-year-old guitarist - who has just released 'Rattle That Lock', his first individual release since 2006 - recorded 'A Boat Lies Waiting' for his former bandmate who sadly passed away from cancer in 2008 and was reminded during the making of his LP of the "great loss" of a talented musician and friend.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It was a great loss and we're still very sad about it. There have been moments during making this album where I've had other keyboard players around who are very, very good and we've got on very well but one is constantly reminded of what one has lost."
The track itself was written 18 years ago but, Gilmour reveals, it didn't "reveal itself" for a long time.
He explained: "The piece of music at the heart of 'A Boat Lies Waiting' was recorded at home on a piano to a mini disc player 18 years ago ... sometimes it takes a while for a piece of music to reveal itself in its entirety and I'm still baffled by the process."
Although Pink Floyd - also comprised of Nick Mason and previously Roger Waters and Syd Barrett - will not tour again or release new music following 2014's 'The Endless River', Gilmour will always be proud of the band and will never let the "memories" fade.
He said: "Pink Floyd is a big part of my life and something that I'm extraordinarily proud of. It gave me a lot of joy and fun.
"I'm in no way closing the door to my memories and times we had and all those things. I'm just saying that I won't be going back to something that's got that title."