Rihanna’s “S&M” has officially hit the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This achievement marks the R&B/pop singer’s 10th number 1 hit on the chart, and given the fact that her 1st #1 hit on the chart was May 2006’s “SOS”, Rihanna has achieved a record of having “the shortest span between a solo artist’s first and 10th No. 1s in the chart’s 52-year history.” The only artists who have gained 10 Hot 100 number 1’s faster than her are the Beatles and the Supremes. That’s not bad at all. If that’s not enough of an achievement, Rihanna has also become the youngest artist to land 10 number 1’s in the Hot 100 chart. Wow! Congratulations Rihanna!
He may only be just 16 years old but Justin Bieber already has his own 32-page biographic comic book called Fame: Justin Bieber. The comic by Bluewater Productions illustrates the pop singers sudden rise to fame, similar to the Beatles and New Kids on the Block. This kid is just everywhere and its obvious that theres no getting rid of him. If I was younger, I would have probably taken part in his fandom but right now, I just dont get it. You know hes not going to stay a little kid forever and when that voice of his breaks and his music changes, Im going to tell everyone I know thats a fan of his I told you so.
Paul McCartney sent a special message to the contestants of American Idol as they prepared to sing Lennon and McCartney songs.
“Hey there, Paul McCartney here,” the Beatles legend said in a message to the final contestants. “I’m very pleased that you’re singing the songs of Lennon and McCartney and I just want to say get out there, go for it – enjoy yourselves. Good luck!”
Meanwhile, new judge Ellen DeGeneres had a cheeky swipe at Simon Cowell, who recently got engaged. After one contestant sang Can’t Buy Me Love, Ellen said: “First of all, you can buy love” and, as all the judges looked towards mega-rich Cowell, she added: “Am I right, Simon?”
Even though Paul McCartney recently performed with X Factor winner Joe McElderry, the former Beatles member thinks it would be funny if Rage Against the Machine does beat out Simon Cowell?s artist. The band is trying to take Joe down in the top spot by urging fans to download their 1992 hit ?Killing in the Name?. Paul told Sky news that he would be pleased if the band does end up on top, explaining ?Because it’s out of leftfield you know. Everyone expects Joe to do it, and he certainly will sell a lot of records. And if he gets to Number One, good luck to him. But it would be kind of funny if a band like Rage Against The Machine got it, because it would prove a point.?
Sir Paul McCartney says he makes contact with those once dearest to him in music and in life whenever he performs.
“I’m sort of thinking about George,” he said of the late Beatle George Harrison. He went on to mention his late wife Linda and great collaborator John Lennon, when he said: “And similarly with John and Linda. In a way you’re kind of in contact with them again, you know. And it’s sad. It’s emotional.”
The ex-Beatle was in London to promote a new album and DVD. He was in a pub when he said:
“It’s a good thing to do. I couldn’t have done it when I was 18 because I would not have allowed myself to cry or go anywhere near that. Now it’s OK. I’m used to it.”
Sir Paul’s new song, Here Today, was written with Lennon in mind. He said: “It catches me out in this film version (of the song) where I realise I’m telling this man that I love him. I’m publicly declaring this in front of all these people I don’t know.”
His new album will be released in the UK on December 7.
Paul McCartney will sing his last on-stage song in a spectacular final tour next year.
A source said: “Paul wants to go out with a bang. He’s played countless stadiums over his 50-year career and is on the hunt for the most unusual locations he can find. He realises that the older he gets, the less his body will be able to cope with the demands of extended periods on the road.”
McCartney wants to go out in style, however, with a tour that takes in politically dynamic locations such as Tiananmen Square and the area around Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie.
The tour, planned for 2010, will run for a year as the ex-Beatle nudges 70.
And Sir Paul may step out of retirement from time to time, the source indicated.
“He might play the odd benefit gig if the likes of President Obama gives him a bell but other than that he’ll be putting his feet up and enjoying retirement.”
Sources have revealed the exact division of Michael Jackson?s assets, according to his will. The singer?s mother, Katherine Jackson, will get 40% of his assets. Michael?s three children will also be getting 40% and the remaining 20% will be divided up for several children?s charities. No specific charities were specified in the document, so the California state Attorney General, who is in charge and regulates the state?s charitable foundations, has filed legal papers to ensure that the funds actually go to charity. There?s still no word as to gets the 50% share holdings at Sony/ATV music publishing catalogue, which controls many of the songs from the Beatles.
Music hit maker David Foster has just released a memoir called ?Human?. He has worked with everyone from Madonna to Frank Sinatra so you know there?s going to be some juicy stuff in there. In one of Foster?s quips about former Beatle Paul McCartney, he said that collaborating with the rock icon was ?a little like being on a bad date. Ten bad dates, maybe.? He also said that Sir Paul was one of those artists who needed to be reminded of just how great they are. It?s hard of thinking about Paul being insecure considering he was in the group with the same guy who said that The Beatles were more famous than Jesus.
The Beatles? historic first record contract is up for auction.
The contract, signed in 1962 by the ‘Fab Four? ? John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, real name Richard Starkey, and George Harrison – tied them to manger Brian Epstein and promises the group one old English penny each for every record they sold.
In addition to the signatures of the band members, fathers James McCartney and Harold Hargreaves Harrison also had to sign their consent, as their sons were under 21 at the time.
The contract is being sold by a private collector at the ‘It?s More Than Rock ‘n? Roll? auction at the Idea Generation gallery in London on September 4.
Manager Epstein didn?t sign the contract himself until eight months later, as he didn?t want to tie the group down if he couldn?t deliver on his promise to get them to number one.
He eventually put his signature on the document – dated January 24 1962 ? after clinching a deal with record company EMI to release the band?s single ?Love Me Do?.
Under the contract, Epstein was entitled to a quarter of the band?s earnings if they made over $400 a week. If the figure dropped below $200, he would only take 15 per cent.
Epstein remained the Beatles manager as their worldwide fame increased and ‘Beatlemania? gripped the US and Europe until his accidental death in 1967 from an overdose of sleeping pills.
The contract originally sold for $250,000 when first sold by Epstein?s estate around seven years ago.
