Ozzy Charts In Top Ten In Seven Nations
Ozzy Osbourne's "Scream" is charting well around the globe. Ultimate-Guitar.com reported on Thursday that The Prince of Darkness' latest LP's made the top ten in seven nations. The album hit number one in Greece, number four in the United States, number three in Finland, number four on Japan's international chart, number five in Norway, number four in Canada, and number seven in Germany. "Scream" has yet to break into the top ten in the rocker's home nation of England, where it's at number 12. In advance of "Scream's" release, Ozzy debuted an advance single -- "Let Me Hear You Scream." The video for that track is out now as well.
In related news, Osbourne is kicking off OZZFest 2010 next month. The six-city trek will launch in Devore, California on August 14th.
Louisiana Bass Player Harold Cowart Dead At 66
Harold Cowart, the bassist who helped make "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" a hit for John Fred and His Playboy Band, has died. Louisiana's 2TheAdvocate.com reports that Cowart passed away at his Baton Rouge home on Sunday, June 27th, at age 66. Cowart's work outside of John Fred and His Playboy Band included recording and touring with the Bee Gees and the youngest Gibb brother, Andy. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Cowart's studio collaborations included work with Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Frankie Valli, and Jay Ferguson.
In Cowart's final years, he managed a recording studio near his home. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Beatles Breakup Dissected In A New Book
A new book is dissecting the breakup of music's Fab Four. BusinessWeek.com reports that Peter Doggett's "You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After The Breakup" looks at he group's parting and the losses that followed. Doggett examines theories on "the end" for one of the world's most beloved bands. Doggett writes about the impact that John Lennon's second wife, Yoko Ono, had on the Beatles while presenting a look at Ono's desire to stay close to her husband. The writer then presents theory two, that the band's lawyer Allen Klein pitted George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Lennon against Paul McCartney. Doggett suggests that Klein did so in part because McCartney wanted his father-in-law, who was also an attorney, to look after his business affairs. Doggett also writes that the Beatles' immense wealth may have been a factor, citing The Rolling Stones' need to "go along to get along" despite the occasional infighting.
Harper Collins new book, "You Never Give Me Your Money: The Beatles After The Breakup" by Peter Doggett, is available now.
Def Leppard's Guitarist Trying Out Country Music
Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen has decided that he's "a little bit country." Gibson.com reports that Collen is venturing into the genre after years as a hard rocker. The 52-year-old says he never imagined writing country songs, calling it "trippy." Collen's been spotted around Nashville recently, collaborating with session veteran C.J. Vanston and working with the likes of Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift. Def Leppard collaborated with Swift on Country Music Television's "Crossroads" in 2008, performing songs such as Swift's "Our Song" and Def Leppard's own "Pour Some Sugar On Me." Collen says his interest in country dates back to the early 1980s when Def Leppard was working with super-producer "Mutt" Lange on their albums "High 'N' Dry" and "Pyromania." He says Lange, the ex-husband of country star Shania Twain, always enjoyed country music, and that his enthusiasm piqued Collen's own interest in the genre.
Collen added that the guitar sound of groups like Def Leppard and the Eagles shaped what country music is today. He and Vanston performed at the Tin Pan South festival earlier this year.
Collen will be staying busy over the next month. The English-born axeman hopes to record 20 songs written for his alternative rock band, Man Raze, while working with his Def Leppard bandmates for the group's 11th album.
Austin's Posted "Willie Nelson Boulevard" Signs, Plans Statue
The city of Austin, Texas is honoring Willie Nelson's contribution to the community's music scene. News8Austin.com reports that the Austin's installed several "Willie Nelson Boulevard" signs which are now visible throughout the city's downtown. The decision to rename West Second Street was approved by the Austin City Council in May. On the horizon, the Texas city plans to honor the country singer-songwriter with a bronze statue of his likeness near the New Austin City Limits Studio. The statue's expected to be completed next year. Nelson relocated to Austin in the 1970s, where he performed live -- often at the Armadillo World Headquarters -- fueling the area's image as an artistic Mecca.
Nelson's own crossover appeal includes his multi-platinum selling 1978 LP, "Stardust." "Stardust" featured Nelson putting his touches on American standards like "All Of Me," "On The Sunny Side Of The Street," and "Moonlight In Vermont."
Iron Maiden's Dave Murray Talks About "The Final Frontier"
Iron Maiden's Dave Murray says the band's upcoming album "The Final Frontier" was a breeze. In an interview with "Billboard," the guitarist comments, "We actually finished it in six weeks. We were getting down a track a day -- all playing together as a band, Bruce (Dickinson) singing, all in the same room, so there's a very live-in-the-studio feel to it. Once we finished a track we'd jump straight into doing some extra guitar bits. It was very quick for us." The metal band released an advance single -- "El Dorado" -- off the LP for free to fans. The entire 10-track album is due this August.
In related news, Maiden is continuing its North American trek. The band will play north of the border tomorrow night at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre.
Metallica, Van Halen To Compete At Golden Joysticks
Metallica and Van Halen are squaring off at an awards show celebrating video games this fall. Blabbermouth.net reports that games based on both band's material are up for "Music Game Of The Year" at the Golden Joysticks in London this October 2nd. The "Joysticks" is a high-profile annual ceremony in the video gaming industry. "Guitar Hero: Van Halen" and "Guitar Hero: Metallica" will appear on the "Music Game" ballot along with eight other nominees. The combined sales for both games is one-million-750 thousand copies.
Today's Birthdays
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan is 61
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger's ex-wife Jerry Hall is 54
Today In History
In 1956
Buddy Holly released his first single, "Love Me," backed with "Blue Days, Black Nights."
Elvis Presley recorded "Don't Be Cruel" at the RCA Records? New York studios. The session marked the first time Elvis used the gospel trio the Jordanaires as his backup group.
In 1958
Elvis Presley's movie "King Creole" opened in theaters across the country.
In 1964
The Rolling Stones released the single "It's All Over Now."
In 1966
The Capitols' "Cool Jerk" peaked at number seven on the pop singles chart.
The Animals' "Don't Bring Me Down" peaked at number 12 on the pop singles chart.
The Swingin' Medallions' "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)" peaked at number 17 on the pop singles chart.
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs' "Little Red Riding Hood" broke into the Top 40.
In 1969
The Jimi Hendrix Experience broke up.
Jerry Lee Lewis performed at the Schaefer Music Festival in New York's Central Park. Pacific Gas & Electric was the opening act.
Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air" hit number one on the UK pop singles chart.
In 1973
Brian Eno left Roxy Music.
In 1977
Crosby, Stills, and Nash's "Just A Song Before I Go" broke into the Top 40.
In 1980
Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart and manager Danny Rifken were picked up for suspicion of inciting a riot at the San Diego Sports Arena. They reportedly tried to interfere in a drug related arrest.
In 1981
Bruce Springsteen played the first shows ever at the 21-thousand-seat Brendan Byrne Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey. The six-concert run sold out in an hour. Springsteen said of the audiences' screams, quote, "When we got onstage, I couldn't hear the band. We felt like the Beatles."
In 1991
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers released "Into The Great Wide Open."
In 1992
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger became a grandfather when his daughter Jade gave birth to a baby girl.
In 1995
Around 35-hundred Grateful Dead fans rioted outside a Noblesville, Indiana venue, tearing down gates and throwing rocks. Seventeen people were arrested.
In 2002
The album "Party at the Palace," featuring numerous artists including Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, and Tom Jones performing as part of Britain's Queen Elizabeth the Second's Jubilee, was released.
In 2004
David Crosby entered a guilty plea in a New York court to a charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. The case related to his arrest three months earlier in which a maid at a Times Square hotel found a gun, knife, and marijuana in luggage he left behind after checking out. Authorities dropped the marijuana possession charge since Crosby pled guilty to the weapons violation.
In 2005
Live 8 took place across the world to promote international aid for developing African nations. Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof was behind the event, which featured concerts in the G-8 nations in conjunction with the world leaders' annual summit. Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Pink Floyd were among the numerous stars who participated in the global event. Pink Floyd's performance marked the first time Roger Waters, Rick Wright, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason had performed together in nearly 25 years.
The Peter Gabriel-organized Africa Calling concert, featuring a variety of African performers, was staged in conjunction with Live 8.
In 2006
The Who was the headliner on the second night of the Calling Festival in London. The event served as the launch of the Hard Rock Cafe's 35th anniversary Ambassadors of Rock Tour. The Who offered a webcast of the show, charging 99-cents per download and donating the money to charity.
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