Behind The Scenes At The 2010 VMAs
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1647442
Julia Roberts Julia Stiles Justin Chambers Kate Beckinsale Kate Hudson
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Heidi Montag: living the island life
Lacey Chabert Laetitia Casta Laura Linney Lea Thompson Leah Remini
Stone Temple Pilots Reunited In Hopes Of Opening For Led Zeppelin, Bassist Says
'If time allows, there will definitely be new music,' Robert DeLeo adds of STP's future.
By Chris Harris
Stone Temple Pilots' Robert DeLeo and Scott Weiland
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images
There are a number of reasons why Stone Temple Pilots decided to reunite after nearly five years apart — some are obvious, and others, not so much.
Of course, the financial windfall of reviving the grunge stalwarts for an extensive U.S. tour was too good to pass up, and bassist Robert DeLeo readily admits as much. And then there are the fans, the ones who had been with STP since the very beginning as well as those who discovered the band only after it first split back in 2003 and who, woefully, have yet to catch the Pilots live.
On a more personal level, though, Stone Temple Pilots' resurrection was purely selfish, and very much an anticipatory (not to mention optimistic) move on the band's part: If, after the months and months of rumors and denials, there ever is a full-on Led Zeppelin reunion tour, STP wanted to be ready to offer their services as an opening act.
"Believe me, that was one of the reasons," laughed DeLeo. "We thought, 'We should get together now, in case Zeppelin does tour.' I'm serious, man. That would be one hell of a bill: STP and Led Zeppelin. I mean, we could play a doghouse, out in the middle of the ocean, and if I got to play with Zeppelin, that would be a highlight of my life."
Yes, DeLeo — and the rest of the band — had several reservations about raising STP from the dead — a feat DeLeo jokingly referred to as "Mission Impossible." For the band's members, the idea of regrouping was terrifying at first, but with time, the boys settled their differences and tried to think positive.
"For me, it was about putting down some of the things that I was used to getting bitten by," explained the bassist — who, with guitar-playing brother Dean DeLeo, has been collaborating with Peter Frampton on material for his next LP. "After you get bitten, it's hard to go back. I wanted to go into this with an open frame of mind and a positive attitude and just have fun with it. We should have fun with it, which God knows we didn't always have with our career when we were younger. If that's all I can say, and that's what I can get out of this reunion, great.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say there's a lot of unfinished business that we didn't get around to the first go," he continued. "Enough time has gone by, and it feels really good to be back. I don't really want to put too much thought into how it feels — I'm just kind of going with it and keeping a good positive attitude about it. I just needed to get over the things that we all needed to get over, and that's been working so far. If everyone shows up and does this thing, I think it's going to be really amazing."
DeLeo claims that during recent rehearsals, STP were "sounding as good as ever," and he credits sobriety as part of the reason the band's in tip-top shape.
"My brother's going on four years of sobriety," he said. "We have a lot more clarity in the band now, and I think with clarity comes appreciation. I saw that the other night, when we played [a secret gig in Los Angeles]. I saw it in my eyes, and in the eyes of the rest of the band. There's a lot more rock in this band now."
As for an STP record, DeLeo is not 100 percent sure that's going to happen. The goal for STP over the next few weeks, he said, is to reacquaint themselves with their songbook and prepare for their return to the road. Once the band is back in that mindset, the bassist said new STP material is very possible.
"I've always got stuff written, and there's always a long list of songs that are always there — it's a matter of timing," DeLeo said. "If time allows, there will definitely be new music. I think it would be silly not to release new music. I'd like to believe we still have a writing relationship, but the first step is getting reacquainted with what we know."
While STP were on hiatus, frontman Scott Weiland teamed up with Velvet Revolver, and the DeLeo brothers joined forces with Filter's Richard Patrick for Army of Anyone — who are now on hiatus after releasing a poorly received self-titled LP. Does DeLeo foresee an AOA reunion somewhere down the line?
"You never know," he said. "It's just like STP — I didn't know if I was going to return. Whether we get back together and do anything, I think we made a great record, bottom line. That's all that matters to me. If we make another one, I want to make sure it's great, and that applies to STP and anything I do. But I was pretty heartbroken over [the feeble response to AOA's album]."
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1586020/20080422/stone_temple_pilots.jhtml
Lacey Chabert Laetitia Casta Laura Linney Lea Thompson Leah Remini
Lady Gaga Now Subject Of College Course
Class at the University of South Carolina is called 'Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame.'
By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: Amy Sussman/ Getty Images
Fame is so hard to define these days. How does a star know when she's truly made it? Is it when the hosts of "Today" dress up as you for Halloween? When you reach 1 billion views on YouTube? Are multiplatinum album sales and sold-out tours still a good barometer?
Or does one only reach true icon status when a college professor decides that person is important enough to base a university-level course around?
If so, welcome to the club, Lady Gaga!
According to the New York Times, University of South Carolina sociology professor Mathieu Deflem is planning to offer a course next semester entitled "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame."
Deflem plans to delve into what makes a person famous and what it means to be famous in today's society. "The central objective is to unravel some of the sociologically relevant dimensions of the fame of Lady Gaga," Deflem states in the course description for the class, which he says is the first of its kind in the nation.
Deflem said that after being smitten with Gaga during a "Tonight" appearance last January, he attended a concert of hers in Atlanta and went on to catch 28 Gaga shows all over the globe. He's since become a superfan, collecting more than 300 CDs and records and launching the fan site gagafrontrow.net.
He's also met Mother Monster five times. Does that mean she'll swing by for a lecture sometime? "I will get the word out to her that I'm doing the course," he said when asked if he'd like her to drop in. "But it might be logistically too difficult for her to come because she will be on tour for most of the spring semester."
Gaga joins a venerable list of courses that will likely elicit a call from parents asking just what their money is going toward, including Georgetown University's "Philosophy and Star Trek," the University of California-Irvine's "The Science of Superheroes," Frostburg State University's "The Science of Harry Potter" and University of California-Berkeley's "Simpsons and Philosophy."
What do you think of a university teaching a course on Gaga? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651116/20101029/lady_gaga.jhtml
Shannon Elizabeth Sharon Stone Sigourney Weaver Steve Martin T.R. Knight
Usher Dazzles On The VMA Stage With 'DJ' And 'OMG'
Ush combined his legendary dance skills with spectacular special effects.
By Rochell D. Thomas
Usher performs at the 2010 VMAs
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Call it what you will: talent, swag, skills. But one thing's true about Usher Terry Raymond IV: When he steps on the dance floor, some mysterious thing comes out of him and puts the G in groove. After he was tapped to perform at the 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards, executive producer Dave Sirulnick challenged Usher to "show why you're king," and the 31-year-old Grammy winner didn't disappoint.
As predicted by the lucky few who got a peek at Thursday's practice performance for his hit "OMG," Ush pulled off moves that would make the late great Michael Jackson jealous in a mammoth stage production that included more special-effects bells and whistles than a summer blockbuster.
Usher opened the performance with "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," perched two flights above the stage on a ledge surrounded by blinding green laser lights. Then he slid, with the help of barely visible wires and mounts, down a flight, all the while popping and locking. When the father of two finally ticked his way down to stage level, he was surrounded by an army of dancers also clad in black suits with white stripes designed to toss and catch special effect lights.
Directed by Anthony Mandler, Usher's "OMG" clip earned Best Male Video, Best Dance Music Video and Best Choreography Moonman nominations. During the pre-show, Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" beat it in the Best Dance category, where Raymond was, for many, the lead contender.
If Usher was disappointed, he didn't let it show. When he launched the "OMG" portion of his performance, the stage seemed to disappear, as red laser lights moved forward in blinding configurations spelling out O.M.G. and Usher's name. More dancers lowered from the ceiling on Cirque du Soleil-esque contraptions, dipping in and out of the red beams. Such a 3-D light display could probably have been seen from the moon, if it weren't for the roof of the Nokia Theatre.
Usher ended his set standing, head back, with his arms outstretched in the Jesus pose. He didn't say a word. Didn't need to.
The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there's plenty of 2010 MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647658/20100912/usher.jhtml
'Today' Show Hosts Dress As Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber For Halloween
Segment also featured cameos from Will Ferrell and Tina Fey as their 'Megamind' characters.
By Jocelyn Vena
Meredith Vieira as Lady Gaga on the "Today" show
Photo: NBC
This year's "Today" show Halloween segment may have been short on Matt Lauer, but the show made up for it thanks to cameos from Will Ferrell and Tina Fey as their "Megamind" characters. But even those superstars were upstaged by some crafty costumes worn by the "Today" show hosts Friday morning (October 29).
In what turned out to be one complex segment, the Halloween fun started with Lauer and Roker looking at "Megamind" footage in a pretaped segment. Then the story went a bit zany. As Roker escorted a Clark Kent-looking Lauer out of the building, Lauer used his highly sensitive hearing to sense that Fey was in trouble.
In order to become Superman, he entered a phone booth to call Ferrell's Megamind to meet up with him, and out came Roker, in Lauer's place, as Superman. Ferrell and Roker then rushed to the side of Fey (dressed as "Megamind" reporter Roxanne Ritchi) to save her and toss to an old-timey newsreel, in which Ann Curry made her entrance as Amelia Earhart, who apparently had been hiding out in 30 Rock for the better part of a century.
Once she reemerged in the modern world, Earhart said she'd noticed that a lot has changed. Like what? Well, music. With that, Natalie Morales came out playing a convincing Justin Bieber, all the way down to the dance moves during "Baby."
But it was Meredith Vieira as the "monster of all monsters," Lady Gaga, dressed in the Armani orbit gown the singer wore to the Grammy Awards earlier this year, that really upped the production value. She sang the pop star's hit "Bad Romance," complete with backup dancers.
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651074/20101029/lady_gaga.jhtml
Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Silverman Scarlett Johansson Shakira Shannon Elizabeth
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Usher's VMA-Nominated 'OMG' Inspired By '80s Sci-Fi Character
Director Anthony Mandler wanted to let R&B superstar take viewers 'on a journey, not a ride.'
By Jayson Rodriguez
Usher in "OMG"
For a video as forward-thinking as Usher's "OMG" -- with its laser beams and light flashes -- director Anthony Mandler actually looked back for inspiration.
"The original idea was kind of Max Headroom," Mandler told MTV News, citing the animated science-fiction character from '80s British TV. "That's where it came from — the TV flickering on and there's this character. We just wanted to bring it up to date."
"Max Headroom was always in his room," he continued, "this unidentifiable room, '80s shapes. I used that for inspiration."
The formula worked: "OMG" is among the Best Male Video nominees for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The clip is up against Drake's "Find Your Love," Jason Derülo's "In My Head," Eminem's "Not Afraid" and B.o.B's "Airplanes." Mandler is a multiple nominee, having also helmed Drake's video.
"OMG" is the first time Usher and Mandler — who has worked with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna — collaborated on a project.
Usher said he knew the video would be a challenge and wanted to make sure the director was up to the task.
"When I first shot the song to him, I was like, 'Are you sure you're gonna be able to catch this one?' And he said, 'I got it,' " Usher explained.
"We wanted to bring Will.I.Am (the song's producer) into my world," he continued. "Obviously, the international sound and look and feel has already been set, but we wanted to do something theatrical, fun and energetic to show us working off of each other and playing off of each other as artists, but the cinematography would be artistic and incredible."
Mandler described the visuals as "Hitchcock-ian." Though the style of the shot was important to the director, he had a simpler goal in mind: to capture Usher in his element. He said the key to the clip was simply letting Usher's talent take over.
"The concept was to create a world where we put Usher in a space where he does what I think he does better than anyone else in the world, which is perform at a level and magnitude of a superstar and take us, the viewer, whether audible or visually, on a journey, not a ride," the director said. "And, in that, I wanted to create an unpredictability, so one set leads to another and another, and you never know what's gonna happen. Along the way, Usher becomes our guide. We're so focused on him, we don't notice the change. The thing is unfolding little by little, and you can't quite see far enough ahead to know what's gonna come next."
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647093/20100902/usher.jhtml
Vin Diesel Virginia Madsen Will Smith William Shatner Yasmine Bleeth
Lady Gaga Opens Up About Born This Way In Concert
During Oslo show, Gaga talks about recording her still-in-the-works next album.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga (file)
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images
Lady Gaga's forthcoming album Born This Way is apparently her "bold and beautiful" "freedom album." During a Monster Ball concert stop in Oslo, the singer opened up a bit more about the record, which she's still working on.
"I am this week in the studio in Norway. ... The guys that ran the studio, they were all from Oslo and they were so nice to me," she told the crowd while sitting at her piano before "Speechless."
Describing the record as "really a very special thing," the singer talked a bit more about why she was working on it while on tour. She said, "People say to me, 'Why don't you wait until the tour is over to finish your album?' and I'll say, 'First off, all my fans are not going to wait that long. I have to keep my fans happy. But secondly, I get so much inspiration every night when I get to be here with you.' And then after the show I drink a bottle of Jameson."
She's been active on Twitter as well, posting a photo of her at a piano that is captioned: "Miss you so little monsters. Been working so hard for you. I can't wait for u to hear the new music." Another tweet included a photo of the singer wearing boots, pants and a skimpy top while sitting on a mixing board, a notebook and a pen in hand. The caption: "I'm on a heater, but this record ain't about poker."
Gaga announced the title of Born This Way during the Video Music Awards in September.
What are you expecting from Born This Way? Let us know in the comments!
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650315/20101019/lady_gaga.jhtml
Virginia Madsen Will Smith William Shatner Yasmine Bleeth Zachary Quinto
Beyoncé - Ego
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson, Sheryl Murakami
- Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition]
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=391548
Kelly Ripa Keri Russell Kiley Dean Kim Basinger Kirsten Dunst
Lady Gaga, Elton John Record Duet For 'Gnomeo & Juliet'
'Hello, Hello' will appear on the animated Disney film's soundtrack, reports 'Entertainment Weekly.'
By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga and Elton John
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
Elton John and Lady Gaga have been carrying on a torrid mutual-admiration affair for much of the past year. The two pop icons have shared the stage several times and often have spoken highly of each other, but now they're ready to take it to the next level.
According to "Entertainment Weekly," the dynamic piano duo are planning on releasing a duet called "Hello, Hello" on the soundtrack to the forthcoming animated Disney film "Gnomeo & Juliet." The magazine describes the tune as "a charming pop track," and reports that it will be heard when the movie's two lead characters — lawn ornaments voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, respectively — first meet.
"Gnomeo & Juliet," produced by Sir Elton and his longtime partner, David Furnish, is slated to premiere on February 11, 2011.
While John has hinted that he'd love to appear on Gaga's upcoming Born This Way album, even if he doesn't, he's already given it his glittering stamp of approval.
"I've already heard [Gaga's new album], so I think it's more or less done," he told "EW" earlier this month. "Her record — it's f---ing amazing." He added that he was particularly enamored with one tune, saying, " 'Born This Way,' which is the title song, will completely get rid of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive.' This is the new 'I Will Survive.' That was the gay anthem. This is the new gay anthem. Actually, it's not a gay anthem — it can apply to anybody."
While John is an old hand at movie soundtracks — including his Oscar-winning work on "The Lion King," as well as music for "The Road to El Dorado" — the "Gnomeo" song will be Gaga's first original contribution to a film.
Are you excited about Lady Gaga and Elton John's upcoming collaboration? Tell us in the comments.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650603/20101022/lady_gaga.jhtml
Photos | Mariah Carey, Usher, More Stars Scheduled To Appear At Michael Jackson's Memorial
Friday, October 29, 2010
Beyoncé - Diva
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Melina
- Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=333569
Hilary Swank Isaiah Washington Jaime Pressly James Pickens Jr Jenna Fischer
Source: http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com/celebrities/paris-hilton-celebrities/4505/
Evangeline Lilly Faith Hill Felicity Huffman Fergie Gabrielle Union
Does Lady Gaga Guest Star On Rihanna's Loud?
Image of forthcoming album's back cover allegedly leaks online, contains collaboration called "Broken Heels."
By James Montgomery
Lady Gaga
Photo: Chris Gordon/ WireImage
Separately, Rihanna and Lady Gaga have tallied more #1s on the Billboard Pop Songs chart than any other artists, so you can probably imagine what would happen if they were ever to team up on a track.
Well, forget about the imagine part. From the looks of things, RiRi and Gaga are joining forces on Rihanna's upcoming album Loud.
This is according to what appears to be the official track listing for Loud, which was revealed in a scan of its back cover that began making the rounds Wednesday (October 13).
That track listing contains a song called "Broken Heels," on which Gaga is featured. Other cameos on the album include Rihanna's almost-tourmate Nicki Minaj (on a track called "Raining Men"), will.i.am ("Bubble Pop") and — confirming earlier reports — Drake, who guests on "What's My Name?"
It's all very exciting. But is any of it actually real? Well, it bears noting that all of the tracks mentioned in Just Jared's early review of the album ("S&M," "Cheers," "Man Down," "California King (Bed)," "Fading Away" and "Raining Men") do show up on the back cover in question ... but it also bears noting that the ballad "Straight Up Beautiful," which Rihanna herself mentioned just last week, does not.
Fans will have to wait until November 16, when Loud hits stores, to find out for sure. At press time, a spokesperson for Rihanna had not responded to MTV News' request for comment on the Gaga collaboration.
Are you excited about the possibility of Rihanna collaborating with Lady Gaga? Let us know in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1649962/20101014/lady_gaga.jhtml
Brooke Burns Brooke Shields Bruce Willis Cameron Diaz Carrie Anne Moss
Lady Gaga Not Appearing On Rihanna's Loud
Rihanna's rep says, rumors of the two collaborating on a song called 'Broken Heels' are 'not true.'
By James Montgomery
Lady Gaga
Photo: Getty Images
Sad news for anyone eager to hear that rumored Rihanna/Lady Gaga collaboration: It's not happening.
That's according to a rep for RiRi, who told MTV News on Friday (October 15) that a story about a team-up between the two artists — reportedly on a song called "Broken Heels" — was "not true."
Earlier this week, reports began circulating that the two talents — who, between them, have more #1s on Billboard's Pop Chart than any other artist — would be joining forces on "Heels," which was set to be featured on Rihanna's forthcoming album Loud. The source for those reports was an alleged scan of the album's back cover, which listed the song as "featuring Lady Gaga."
The rep didn't say anything about that image to MTV, but Just Jared quotes a rep for Rihanna as saying that it's a fake. A spokesperson for Rihanna's label, Island/Def Jam, did not respond to MTV News' request for comment on the matter.
Loud is scheduled to hit stores on November 16, and it does feature confirmed guest appearances from Drake (on a remix of "What's My Name?") and Nicki Minaj (on a "fun ... quirky" song called "Raining Men"). On Wednesday (October 13), Rihanna premiered the video for "Only Girl (in the World)," the official first single from the album. "Only Girl" is in its fifth week on the Billboard Hot 100, where it sits at #6.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650087/20101015/lady_gaga.jhtml
Tommy Lee Jones Tori Spelling Tricia Helfer Uma Thurman Valerie Bertinelli
Jessica Simpson Pregnant, Tabloid Claims
Jessica Simpson might be pregnant.
That's the brilliant deduction of the National Enquirer, after one of the star’s friends came to them and told them Simpson and her BF are about to become parents.
"Jessica is crazy in love with [Eric Johnson], so they’ve decided to make a baby. She always said she wanted to be pregnant by the time she was 30," said this pal.
Is Jessica Simpson pregnant? Or just gaining weight again?
The compelling testimony continues: "Her priorities have changed. All she can think of is motherhood. She’s happily eating for two and not the least embarrassed.”
Simpson’s pregnancy would certainly explain her putting on some weight in the last couple of months, however she's been through that cycle naturally in the past.
Still, another friend said: "A pregnancy explains her sudden weight gain. Two months ago, she bragged she was in the best shape of her life on Eric’s vegan diet."
Coincidence? The friend also notes that "the biggest tipoff is that Jess has been hinting to friends that there will be some big news any day from her and Eric.”
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson, a former NFL player, have been dating since May, and recently, the couple went to Italy to celebrate Jessica’s 30th birthday.
They seem to spend a lot of their time together and give the impression of a healthy and happy relationship. She gushes about him at every opportunity.
Then, at the beginning of this month, Simpson vomited during a show, which led everyone to the conclusion that rumors about her pregnancy might be true.
A few days ago she stated that she is eager to start a family with her boyfriend Eric and would want to give birth to a baby. Could it be happening next year?
We doubt it, highly. But it makes for fun speculation.
Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2010/10/jessica-simpson-pregnant-tabloid-claims/
Drea De Matteo Drew Barrymore* Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku Elizabeth Hurley
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Beyoncé - Sweet Dreams
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Adria Petty
- Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=404504
Sara Paxton Sara Ramirez Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Silverman
Stone Temple Pilots Reunited In Hopes Of Opening For Led Zeppelin, Bassist Says
'If time allows, there will definitely be new music,' Robert DeLeo adds of STP's future.
By Chris Harris
Stone Temple Pilots' Robert DeLeo and Scott Weiland
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images
There are a number of reasons why Stone Temple Pilots decided to reunite after nearly five years apart — some are obvious, and others, not so much.
Of course, the financial windfall of reviving the grunge stalwarts for an extensive U.S. tour was too good to pass up, and bassist Robert DeLeo readily admits as much. And then there are the fans, the ones who had been with STP since the very beginning as well as those who discovered the band only after it first split back in 2003 and who, woefully, have yet to catch the Pilots live.
On a more personal level, though, Stone Temple Pilots' resurrection was purely selfish, and very much an anticipatory (not to mention optimistic) move on the band's part: If, after the months and months of rumors and denials, there ever is a full-on Led Zeppelin reunion tour, STP wanted to be ready to offer their services as an opening act.
"Believe me, that was one of the reasons," laughed DeLeo. "We thought, 'We should get together now, in case Zeppelin does tour.' I'm serious, man. That would be one hell of a bill: STP and Led Zeppelin. I mean, we could play a doghouse, out in the middle of the ocean, and if I got to play with Zeppelin, that would be a highlight of my life."
Yes, DeLeo — and the rest of the band — had several reservations about raising STP from the dead — a feat DeLeo jokingly referred to as "Mission Impossible." For the band's members, the idea of regrouping was terrifying at first, but with time, the boys settled their differences and tried to think positive.
"For me, it was about putting down some of the things that I was used to getting bitten by," explained the bassist — who, with guitar-playing brother Dean DeLeo, has been collaborating with Peter Frampton on material for his next LP. "After you get bitten, it's hard to go back. I wanted to go into this with an open frame of mind and a positive attitude and just have fun with it. We should have fun with it, which God knows we didn't always have with our career when we were younger. If that's all I can say, and that's what I can get out of this reunion, great.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say there's a lot of unfinished business that we didn't get around to the first go," he continued. "Enough time has gone by, and it feels really good to be back. I don't really want to put too much thought into how it feels — I'm just kind of going with it and keeping a good positive attitude about it. I just needed to get over the things that we all needed to get over, and that's been working so far. If everyone shows up and does this thing, I think it's going to be really amazing."
DeLeo claims that during recent rehearsals, STP were "sounding as good as ever," and he credits sobriety as part of the reason the band's in tip-top shape.
"My brother's going on four years of sobriety," he said. "We have a lot more clarity in the band now, and I think with clarity comes appreciation. I saw that the other night, when we played [a secret gig in Los Angeles]. I saw it in my eyes, and in the eyes of the rest of the band. There's a lot more rock in this band now."
As for an STP record, DeLeo is not 100 percent sure that's going to happen. The goal for STP over the next few weeks, he said, is to reacquaint themselves with their songbook and prepare for their return to the road. Once the band is back in that mindset, the bassist said new STP material is very possible.
"I've always got stuff written, and there's always a long list of songs that are always there — it's a matter of timing," DeLeo said. "If time allows, there will definitely be new music. I think it would be silly not to release new music. I'd like to believe we still have a writing relationship, but the first step is getting reacquainted with what we know."
While STP were on hiatus, frontman Scott Weiland teamed up with Velvet Revolver, and the DeLeo brothers joined forces with Filter's Richard Patrick for Army of Anyone — who are now on hiatus after releasing a poorly received self-titled LP. Does DeLeo foresee an AOA reunion somewhere down the line?
"You never know," he said. "It's just like STP — I didn't know if I was going to return. Whether we get back together and do anything, I think we made a great record, bottom line. That's all that matters to me. If we make another one, I want to make sure it's great, and that applies to STP and anything I do. But I was pretty heartbroken over [the feeble response to AOA's album]."
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1586020/20080422/stone_temple_pilots.jhtml
Erica Durance Estella Warren Eva Longoria Eva Mendes Evangeline Lilly
Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him
'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris
Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News
Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert Plant on a proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham.
Cornell has been mentioned — along with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, White Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy — as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour.
"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour."
Cornell's denial comes just a day after Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford confirmed reports that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert."
Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played a single reunion set last year at London's O2 Arena. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant.
According to Snider, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' "
"And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in."
In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there."
But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard."
Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming Timbaland-produced solo LP, Scream, will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider Scream something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way.
"It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] Euphoria Morning, my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like.
"It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598367/20081031/cornell_chris.jhtml
Katee Sackhoff Katherine Heigl Katie Holmes Keira Knightley Kelly Carlson
Lady Gaga Buys Back Auction Items
Demo CDs and DVDs of old performances are pulled from auction of music memorabilia.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Uriel Sinai/ Getty Images
Sorry, little monsters — your opportunity to own a relic from Lady Gaga's early days is no longer an option. Gaga's former manager, Bob Leone, and the memorabilia house Gotta Have It! are pulling the CDs and DVDs from Gaga's pre-The Fame career that were part of their "Rock & Roll Pop Culture Auction."
According to a press release, Gaga's management will buy the items for an undisclosed sum; a visit to the auction's website shows the lots have been removed.
Items up for auction included a demo CD from 2002, a copy of the 2005 CD "Stefani Germanotta," another CD from 2005 titled "Stefani Germanotta Band, Words," an original Lady Gaga disc from 2006, a 2006 CD called "Stefani Red and Blue" and a DVD containing a 2006 Gaga performance at the On Stage Italian Artists showcase.
"She was painfully shy — very different from who she is now," Leone said earlier this month in an interview with People. "She came to the open mics with her mother twice before she built up the courage to go onstage. ... She was prodigy-like. She was clearly a very good songwriter and keyboard player."
Leone, who worked with Gaga in the early years of her career, recalled that the superstar went through one very important transformation in 2006. "It was a very important six months because going into it, she was Stefani, and she was still writing pop music. By the end of that six-month period, she was officially Lady Gaga.
Even four years ago, Gaga knew exactly what she wanted. "Whenever someone asked her, 'what is your goal?' she would always give the same two-word answer: 'world domination,' " he remembered. "She's got it [now]!"
Are you bummed that rare Lady Gaga items were removed from the auction? Tell us in the comments!
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1649980/20101014/lady_gaga.jhtml
Brittany Murphy Brittany Snow Brooke Burns Brooke Shields Bruce Willis
Usher - OMG
- Artist: Usher
- Label: LaFace Records, JLG
- Director: Anthony Mandler
- Album: Raymond V Raymond
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=551930
Kim Basinger Kirsten Dunst Krista Allen Kristanna Loken Kristen Bell
Lady GaGa at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
Mandy Moore Marcy Rylan Marg Helgenberger Mariah Carey Marisa Miller*
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year
Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery with MTV News staff
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."
He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.
You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.
Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.
And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.
And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.
To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.
"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604582/20090209/plant_robert.jhtml
Alana De La Garza Ali Landry Ali Larter Alicia Silverstone Alyson Hannigan
Lady Gaga's 'Sopranos' Cameo Surfaces
Gaga appeared on season three of the hit HBO show in an episode called 'The Telltale Moozadell.'
By Eric Ditzian
Lady Gaga on "The Sopranos"
Photo: HBO
The sunken treasure that is Lady Gaga's pop-culture past continues to reap Internet gold. In January, we hauled out a clip from the pop star's nearly forgotten appearance on "The Hills," when she popped up in a vinyl bodysuit and required some zipper assistance from Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port.
Now, further proving the point that the Internet never forgets, Gaga's 2001 appearance on "The Sopranos" has shown up online. The episode, called "The Telltale Moozadell," is from the third season of the hit HBO show.
Mob boss Tony Soprano's son, A.J., is acting out while at the school pool with friends. Wearing a black top and jeans, Gaga is one of three girls hanging out, smoking cigarettes and watching the boys swim. One of A.J.'s friends then gets the idea to chuck a desk into the water. From there it's a free-for-all, as Gaga and her pals toss equipment and sports trophies into the pool. A.J. ends up getting probation. Gaga, alas, is never heard from again. The episode aired when the future superstar was just 15 years old.
Her gig as an extra on "The Sopranos," though, was not the only time Gaga ended up on TV before she took on her famous moniker. As previously revealed, she once appeared on an episode of MTV's "Boiling Points," a hidden-camera show in which unwitting contestants had to keep their cool as various undercover actors tried to annoy them. Gaga didn't do so well, unleashing a bleep-worthy word after a waitress brought her a soiled salad.
"Who puts that in their mouth? Would you put that in your mouth?" she said. "It has sh-- all over it!"
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1649702/20101011/lady_gaga.jhtml
Vanessa Angel Vanessa Anne Hudgens Vanessa Ferlito Vanessa Paradis Vanessa Williams
No hay más Led Zeppelin
A pesar de lo dicho ayer, Peter Mensch, manager del guitarrista Jimmy Page, se retractó totalmente en eso que la banda buscaría un reemplazo al ultragenial Robert Plant para seguir rockeando y toureándola por el mundo tras su show de 2007 en el O2 Arena de Londres por el poder de la música más sexual de la historia. No habrá más Led Zeppelin, no hay planes de que lo haya.
Mensch comentó: "Led Zeppelin se acabó. Si no los vieron en el 2007, se los perdieron. Probaron reemplazantes a Robert Plant, pero nada funcionó. Se acabó. No hay planes para continuar. Francamente, ojalá todos dejaran de hablar al respecto."
Los fans no están nada contentos, especialmente los británicos, considerando los precios delirantes de las entradas del show reunión.
¿Y a ti? ¿Qué te parece todo esto?
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602369/20090109/led_zeppelin.jhtml
Rebecca Saint James Reese Witherspoon Renee Zellweger Robin Williams Roselyn Sanchez
Katy Perry: 2011 European tour dates
Source: http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com/celebrities/katy-perry/katy-perry-2011-european-tour-dates/
Ashley Scott Ashley Tisdale Autumn Reeser Avril Lavigne Beyonce Knowles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)