Ziggy the Comment Bot

This is the discussion topic for: Paul McCartney survives landmark Israel gig Sir Paul McCartney has survived his landmark gig in Israel unscathed, much to the delight of an audience of thousands. The ex-Beatles man told reporters he was "not nervous, but excited" ahead of his two-hour performance in Tel Aviv last night, during which the 66-year-old played Hello Goodbye, Eleanor Rigby and Back in the USSR before a crowd of 40,000. His choice of Let It Be to close the show was a poignant one given the circumstances surrounding his performance. The Beatles were banned from performing in Israel in 1965 because the government was worried about the potentially corrupting effect "Beatlemania" might have on young fans. The current government lifted the ban earlier this year, presumably less worried now about the ability of the surviving members of the group to induce mass hysteria in the Israeli public.

This is the discussion topic for: Paul Newman dies at 83 Paul Newman has died at the age of 83 after losing a long battle against cancer. Newman died yesterday at his farmhouse near Westport, Connecticut, said his publicist, Jeff Sanderson. He was surrounded by family and close friends.

This is the discussion topic for: Thievery Corporation set for 5th album release For all those that said that Thievery Corporation were done, this came in our mailbox today: Thievery Corporation are set to drop their 5th studio album, entitled Radio Retaliation on September 23rd, 2008. Along with longtime microphone co-conspirators like Sleepy Wonder, Lou Lou, and Notch, Eric and Rob are joined this time by a new cast of musical collaborators including Nigeria’s afro-beat heir Femi Kuti, Brazilian star vocalist and guitarist Seu Jorge, Indian sitar virtuoso Anushka Shankar, Slovakian chanteuse and violinist Jana Andevska, and Washington DC’s own godfather of go-go Chuck Brown. With an uncompromising socio-political agenda and richly layered production touching upon the eclectic sounds of Jamaica, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Radio Retaliation is Thievery Corporation’s broadest and most progressive album yet. A pre-release will be available on iTunes on September 9th which will feature an exclusive non- album track available for two weeks leading up to the full release! Samples can be found here.

This is the discussion topic for: Dave Matthews Band founder dies LeRoi Moore, a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, has died aged 46, his publicist has said. The versatile saxophonist died after suffering complications from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in June on his Virginia farm. Publicist Ambrosia Healy said he died on Tuesday at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, in Los Angeles. A statement announcing the star's unexpected death on the band's website said: "We are deeply saddened".

Smashing Pumpkins plan 20th anniversary shows The Smashing Pumpkins will play a host of shows in the coming months to celebrate their 20th anniversary. According to the group's Web site (http://www.smashingpumpkins.com), the Billy Corgan-fronted band will visit "mostly smaller-sized venues" during an August run featuring "unique sets and songs." So far the only date announced is August 9 at the Venue in Hammond, Ind. Come November, the Pumpkins will anniversary shows at bigger venues in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and additional cities to be announced.

The Verve Unveil New Video The Verve’s first single in ten years is finally available for all to view. You can find a link to their clip for the new single ‘Love Is Noise’ on their official website; www.theverve.co.uk. The song is promising and should keep old fans of the band happy. Singer Richard Ashcroft’s voice is as strong as ever.

This is the discussion topic for: Sydney Pollack dies

This is the discussion topic for: U2 ditch new album U2 are to restart work on their new album ditching a years worth of material. The band, working on the follow up to 2004 LP How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, said that they are unhappy with the results and have decided to scrap the last 12 months in order to start afresh. The Edge told to CMUMusic.com, "We went into this project allowing ourselves the indulgence of making music without thinking about where it was going to end up. We're starting to get serious now".

This is the discussion topic for: Radiohead turn down US trip because of global warming Radiohead have decided not to travel to the US for a promotional performance because of concerns over global warming. The band isdue to appear on a special edition of NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The band opted to record a live version of House Of Cards in London rather than fly over to the US for the one-off performance. Radiohead will appear on the show on Wednesday as part of NBC's Green Week. The band have been long time campaigners on green issues with Yorke recently guest editing The Observer Magazine to promote climate change awareness. "If we don't get stuck in now, in 20 years' time it will be worse and things will be more extreme," Yorke said.

This is the discussion topic for: Pete Doherty jailed Pete Doherty is todays behind bars after a judge jailed the singer over drug offences. Pete, 29, saw his luck finally run out as he was handed a 14 week in prison sentence after being jailed for charges originally brought against him after being stopped and searched while driving in May last year. The sentence was heard at West London Magistrates' Court after the Babyshambles singer breached the terms of his probation order. During a 30-minute hearing at West London Magistrates Court this afternoon, Doherty was told his sentence was for "breach of time keeping, non-compliance of his order and using different drugs." The decision custodial sentence comes after a number of occasions in which authorities have been criticised being too lenient.

This is the discussion topic for: Radiohead launch social networking site Radiohead have launched their own social networking site at waste-central.com. Much like existing networking sites users can add their own profile, photos and personal info, comment on other users' pages and photos, and obviously view exclusive Radiohead photos and videos. It will also give users a platform to discuss Radiohead's 2008 tour dates and talk about upcoming events with other fans.

This is the discussion topic for: Influential musician Klaus Dinger dies German musician Klaus Dinger, who played drums in the early days of Kraftwerk and went on to co-found Neu!, died March 21 of heart failure. He was 61. The news was not widely publicized until Neu!'s label, Gronland, announced it Wednesday. Dinger and guitarist Michael Rother played with Kraftwerk in the early 1970s before opting to leave and form Neu! The group released three albums in rapid succession: a self-titled effort in 1972, "Neu! 2" the following year and "Neu! '75" in 1975.

This is the discussion topic for: New Kids on the Block to reunite Yes. Who cares if they are 40 years old? New Kids On The Block are back. "The fan response to this has been incredible," band member Donnie Wahlberg told the Boston Herald. Wahlberg said he was persuaded to get back together with his former bandmates — Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood — when they decided to record new music. Wahlberg said he wrote 80 percent of the new material with McIntyre and Jordan Knight. "I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material," said Wahlberg, 38. But he added: "We absolutely will do the old songs for sure." Woot!

This is the discussion topic for: Mr. T brought boy out of coma Mr. T once stunned a sick child's family by bringing him out of a coma after doctors begged the actor for help. The kid fell unconscious in Detroit, Michigan in the mid 80s, and the only physical movement he made was in response to hearing Mr. T's name. When the mohawked star was in town, he stopped by the hospital to visit the ill boy - with miraculous results. He told Empire magazine, "His family put toys around him and one of them was a Mr. T doll. And whenever my name came up, the boy moved his arm. Somebody told the doctors I was in town, so they called me down there. I closed the curtains and prayed. Then, as I was walking down the hall, the kid suddenly came out of the coma and hollered out. That was my supernatural moment." He pitied that fool!

This is the discussion topic for: Original 007 Sean Connery wants to be a James Bond Villain The Daily Mail reports that Sean Connery, who played James Bond in seven of the Bond movies, has a sudden taste for a comeback - as a villain. Discussions are said to have taken place between the 77-year-old actor and Bond producers since Daniel Craig reinvigorated the 007 role two years ago with Casino Royale. "I wouldn't mind coming back as a Bond villain," he said. "But I don't think they would pay me enough money." He has been so impressed by Daniel Craig's debut that he wants to be pitched against him. "I think Daniel Craig is a terrific choice," said Connery. "I think they're going back to a more realistic type of Bond movie as I don't think they could have gone much further with the special effects." "They don't pay the money for the other parts, only for the Bond character, although that wasn't the case when I was doing it." Connery earned just £50,000 to play James Bond for the first time.