Daily Digest: INXS, Rihanna, Kings of Leon, American Music Awards
INXS no longer exists on the road…
Rihanna teases GQ…
KOL returns to road shows…
Gaga turns down Madonna…
These are just some of the music headlines on Nov. 13
INXS Calls It Quits
After thirty-five years of “original sin,” Australian band INXS is announcing the unfortunate end of their journey…as a touring band.
The band performed their last shows with matchbox twenty while on tour, where they announced on Sunday that it would be their last show. Surprising news to some, since band songwriter and keyboardist Andrew Farriss told Billboard magazine back in October that they were working on new music for a forthcoming album.
“We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody, but all things must eventually come to an end,” founding members Tim, Andrew and Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers said in a press statement found on their website. “We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it’s time to step away from the touring arena. Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey.”
The band went through a similiar meltdown when original lead singer Michael Hutchence died from suicide in 1997.
Rihanna Strips Down for GQ
On the ‘Man of the Year’ cover of GQ to be issued in December, Rihanna pushes Channing Tatum and Ben Affleck out the way for the official cover shot, wearing only a biker’s mini-jacket and her statement tattoos. She posted the cover on Instagram on Monday, saying “GQ‘s man of the year?! When will your fave? #histoRih #GQ.” Ri happens to be the only female in GQ history to ever embrace the front cover of the annual Man of the Year’ issue.
Kings of Leon Gets Back On the Road
Since the turbulent meltdown of lead singer Caleb Followill at a Dallas concert and the marriage of Jared Followill to model Martha Patterson last year, Kings of Leon are hoping to get back into the swing of things. On their Facebook page, they announced their first set of tour dates in the UK, where they are slated to perform at the 02 (London), Manchester Arena and at the LG Arena in Birmingham during the months of June and July. They will also headline the Optimus Alive and Bilbao BBK festivals.
No word if the band plans to release any new material in 2013. Still, it’s a start.
Gaga Scraps Madonna Duet Idea
Madonna recently extended an olive branch to Lady Gaga on her MDNA tour, but was rejected. “I have the best fans in the whole world, so take that, Lady Gaga!,” the “Material Girl” told the crowd at her concert in St. Paul, Minn., before revealing that she had reached out to Gaga. “You know, I invited her onstage to sing with me. But, she turned me down. It’s okay. I’ve been rejected before. It builds a little character.”
Of course, Madonna’s fixation with Gaga stems from the “Born This Way” singer meshing “Express Yourself” into her 2010 hit single. Gaga has even said on several occasions that she looked to Madonna as a musical inspiratrion. Throughout the MDNA tour, Madonna has even injected “Bron This Way” into her show, usuaully performing it with the 1989 pop hit.
Gaga’s camp has not responded to Madonna’s request., not has commented about a future duet. But Madonna remains highly optimistic about her chances. “You wanna know something? I love her,” she said to a crowd. “I do love her. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. But one day, very soon, we’re going to be on stage together. Just you wait.”
American Music Awards Turns 40
2012 marks the fortieth anniversary of the American Music Awards.
This will be the first year the AMA’s will take place without its beloved creator around. Dick Clark, who passed away in April, founded the American Music Awards back in 1973 to create an national award show that reflected a populist response from music lovers and not from a field of music professionals. It also was the first show created for ABC after the network’s contract with the Grammys expired.
Performances by Justin Bieber, PSY, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Wanted, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Christina Aguilera have been outlined for this year’s festivities. It will broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Sunday, Nov. 18 starting at 8:00 p.m. PT on ABC.
DAILY DIGEST is a roundup recap of current events and headlines that involves the music industry. Although HiFi Magazine reports news throughout the week, the stories compiled for the Daily Digest column are usually deemed as being events “bubbling under the radar.”