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.

This is the discussion topic for: Poison drummer arrested on rape charge Ricki Rockett, drummer with Poison, was arrested on rape charges after disembarking from a plane in Los Angeles on Monday (March 24). According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Rockett, born Richard Ream, was arrested after an alleged incident that occurred in Neshoba County, Mississippi, and has since been released from police custody.

This is the discussion topic for: Beatles manager Aspinall dies Neil Aspinall, the one time Beatles road manager and boyhood friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, has died after a battle with cancer. Aspinall, 66, stepped down last year from his post as chief executive of Apple Corps, during which time he was the exetutive producer of the Beatles Anthology and the Beatles 1 albums.

This is the discussion topic for: REM premiere new album in the UK REM showcased new album 'Accelerate' during their first UK performance since 2005 at London's Royal Albert Hall. The band, making their first ever appearance at the venue, played nine songs from the record, out next Monday. These included set opener 'Living Well Is The Best Revenge', the title track and new single 'Supernatural Superserious'. The full set was: 'Living Well Is The Best Revenge' 'Accelerate' 'Drive' 'Man Sized Wreath' 'Electrolite' 'Houston' 'Hollow Man' 'Supernatural Superserious' 'Final Straw' 'Losing My Religion' 'The Great Beyond' 'I'm Gonna DJ' 'Horse To Water' 'Imitation Of Life' 'Until The Day Is Done' 'Man On The Moon'

This is the discussion topic for: Mambo creator 'Cachao' dies Cuban musician Israel López, more commonly known as Cachao, has died in Miami at the age of 89. López is credited with creating the mambo. He was born into a musical family in Havana in 1918 and began his career playing music for silent films. He began playing with Havana's Symphony Orchestra while still a teenager. By the 1930s he was well-known as a Latin jazz virtuoso along with his brother Orestes López. He was a prolific composer, writing many songs based on the Cuban Son style. Cachao left Cuba for Spain in 1962 but later moved to the United States. He performed with numerous other Latin musicians including Tito Puente and Gloria Estefan. He and his brother won Grammy awards in 1995 and 2005 and Cachao was honoured with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 2003.

This is the discussion topic for: Queens Of The Stone Age to release limited album in Canada NME reports that Queens Of The Stone Age are set to release a limited edition version of their latest ‘Era Vulgaris’ LP. The band are putting out a limited tour edition of the album to coincide with their forthcoming tour of Canda, and the album will feature covers of Billy Idol’s ‘White Wedding’, ’s ‘Christian Brothers’ and ‘Needle In The Camel’s Eye’ by Brian Eno. In addition, a bonus disc is included which will feature 9 live tracks form a performance at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. The album goes on sale in Canada on April 15.

This is the discussion topic for: Madonna releases album via mobile Madonna's new album "Hard Candy" will be available on mobile phones before it hits Video of the day - Floods by Fightstar the shops. According to RollingStone.com, she's making it downloadable to European owners of Vodafone phones a week before the album is due in stores on April 29th. It seems Madonna has finally embraced the digital age. She has previously keep her songs off iTunes, but added she got tired of not being able to download her own music. She'll be the first artist to release an album via mobile phone before the actual release date.

This is the discussion topic for: Abba drummer found dead in Spain Ola Brunkert ex-session drummer with ABBA, has been found dead (March 17). Brunkert was discovered by a neighbour yesterday, after apparently falling from a window at his home in Majorca, Spain. The drummer who toured extensively with group and was also the only session musician to appear on all of ABBA’s albums, reports BBC News.

This is the discussion topic for: Muse to stop making albums Muse have revealed that they are to stop recording albums. Frontman Matt Bellamy said: "I don't think we're going to approach the next album like we're making an album... we're just gonna make a load of music." Speaking to NME Bellamy said: "I like the idea of releasing a series of songs, every month or every couple of months - just putting songs out there. "Almost like making the single a more prominent format and then every few years doing a 'best of' from that period and that would be the album. "So in other words, throw out songs every couple of months and see how people like them, and whichever ones people like, stick that on a record of 11 tracks." He added that Warners still had to approve the plans.

This is the discussion topic for: REM release album early R.E.M are to release 'Accelerate’ a week early via the social networking application iLike. The full studio album will be available to stream on platforms such as Facebook and iTunes along with a video of the band. "It was one of those ideas that was presented to us and it seemed like a good one so we ran for it," R.E.M’s frontman Michael Stipe told Billboard. He added 'I think you can either go with it or sit back and watch it happen, and I would rather be out on the field than in the bleachers,' he said. 'Accelerate’ is formally launched March 31st.

This is the discussion topic for: Paul McCartney set for £200m digital deal Paul McCartney is close to signing a deal with EMI Records which could net the ex-Beatle and the band's estate over £200m in future earnings. According to reports, McCartney is planning to release the band's legacy for the first time on iTunes and other digital music services in part to help pay for his looming multi-million-pound divorce from Heather Mills. However, the deal isn't expected to be confirmed until later this year after the divorce pay-out is finalised, a figure which is expected to see 40-year-old Mills walk away with between £20 million and £30 million in an all-cash settlement after four years of marriage to 65-year-old McCartney. McCartney had told US industry magazine Billboard recently, "It's all happening soon. The whole thing is primed, ready to go - there's maybe one little sticking point left and I think it's being cleared up as we speak so it shouldn't be too long."