Singer Scott Weiland said he learned that he'd been fired by the Stone Temple Pilots when the band released a one-sentence statement to the media Wednesday.
"I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press," he wrote in a statement. "Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out."
The statement by the band said: "Stone Temple Pilots have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland." No other information was provided.
Weiland said he's focusing on his solo tour, which kicks off Friday in Flint, Mich.
Stone Temple Pilots' 1992 debut, "Core," has sold more than 8 million units in the United States. Their hits include "Vasoline," ''Interstate Love Song" and "Plush," which won a Grammy in 1993 for best hard rock performance with vocal.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Dan Toler Former Allman Brothers Guitarist Dead at 65
Guitarist Dan Toler, best known for his work with the Allman Brothers, died today in Manatee County, Florida, according to Ticket Sarasota. Toler had been battling ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig's disease – and was unable to play guitar or speak for his last few months. He was 65.
Toler joined the Dickey Betts and Great Southern band in the late Seventies and moved to the Allman Brothers with his brother David "Frankie" Toler and Betts. Toler played with the Allman Brothers on their 1979 comeback album Enlightened Rogues and was in the band for their next two records, 1980's Reach for the Sky and 1981's Brothers of the Road.
Dan and Frankie Toler then spent much the 1980s playing with the Gregg Allman Band, touring and recording I'm No Angel in 1986 and Just Before the Bullets Fly in 1988. Toler rejoined Betts' Great Southern band in 2002 and later created the Townsend Toler Band with John Townsend. He then joined the Renegades of Southern Rock and wrapped his career with Toler Tucci Band, along with Chaz Trippy from the Gregg Allman Band.
Toler joined the Dickey Betts and Great Southern band in the late Seventies and moved to the Allman Brothers with his brother David "Frankie" Toler and Betts. Toler played with the Allman Brothers on their 1979 comeback album Enlightened Rogues and was in the band for their next two records, 1980's Reach for the Sky and 1981's Brothers of the Road.
Dan and Frankie Toler then spent much the 1980s playing with the Gregg Allman Band, touring and recording I'm No Angel in 1986 and Just Before the Bullets Fly in 1988. Toler rejoined Betts' Great Southern band in 2002 and later created the Townsend Toler Band with John Townsend. He then joined the Renegades of Southern Rock and wrapped his career with Toler Tucci Band, along with Chaz Trippy from the Gregg Allman Band.
Monday, February 25, 2013
26-year-old man named as suspect in Vegas shooting
The black SUV used as a getaway car in a pre-dawn shooting and crash that killed an aspiring rapper in a Maserati and two people in a taxi on the Las Vegas Strip was found Saturday as police named a 26-year-old man as the prime suspect.
Ammar Harris was being sought in connection with the shooting and six-vehicle chain-reaction carnage Thursday on the neon-lit boulevard near the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Bally's and Flamingo resorts, police said.
"His location is unknown," police Capt. Chris Jones said of Harris, who sometimes goes by the name Ammar Asim Faruq Harris. Police say he has been arrested for working as a pimp.
Police released a photo that was taken when Harris was arrested last year on pandering, kidnapping, sexual assault and coercion charges. The disposition of that case was not immediately known.
The photo shows Harris with tattoos on his right cheek and words on his neck above an image that appeared to depict an owl with blackened eyes. Jones warned that Harris should be considered armed and dangerous.
Ammar Harris was being sought in connection with the shooting and six-vehicle chain-reaction carnage Thursday on the neon-lit boulevard near the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Bally's and Flamingo resorts, police said.
"His location is unknown," police Capt. Chris Jones said of Harris, who sometimes goes by the name Ammar Asim Faruq Harris. Police say he has been arrested for working as a pimp.
Police released a photo that was taken when Harris was arrested last year on pandering, kidnapping, sexual assault and coercion charges. The disposition of that case was not immediately known.
The photo shows Harris with tattoos on his right cheek and words on his neck above an image that appeared to depict an owl with blackened eyes. Jones warned that Harris should be considered armed and dangerous.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Late Bloomer Charles Bradley Eager to Release Second Soul Album
Charles Bradley waited more than 60 years to tell his story on his debut album, 2011's No Time for Dreaming. Even as he was touring relentlessly to support that album with his backing group, Brooklyn's Menahan Street Band, he was impatient, itching to get back into the studio.
"All it did was open the first page of the first book," says Bradley, whose second album, Victim of Love (Dunham/Daptone), comes out April 2nd. "A lot of things inside me have not been told. They're crying for a chance to come forward."
Whether he's singing about his hungry heart or his deep despair over the world's inequities, Bradley has become known for his pleading brand of hard, classic soul. Though he's been billed for years as Black Velvet, appearing in a James Brown tribute show with another Brooklyn group, the AllStarz (whose members have toured with the Intruders, Clarence Carter and Brass Construction), he's not about smooth: Bradley, also tagged the Screaming Eagle of Soul, emotes like he's trying to be heard in a "Hurricane," to name one new song.
"All it did was open the first page of the first book," says Bradley, whose second album, Victim of Love (Dunham/Daptone), comes out April 2nd. "A lot of things inside me have not been told. They're crying for a chance to come forward."
Whether he's singing about his hungry heart or his deep despair over the world's inequities, Bradley has become known for his pleading brand of hard, classic soul. Though he's been billed for years as Black Velvet, appearing in a James Brown tribute show with another Brooklyn group, the AllStarz (whose members have toured with the Intruders, Clarence Carter and Brass Construction), he's not about smooth: Bradley, also tagged the Screaming Eagle of Soul, emotes like he's trying to be heard in a "Hurricane," to name one new song.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Adele among winners at Brit Awards
British music put on a brash, confident show at the Brit Awards on Wednesday, celebrating a resurgent industry whose bands and artists are topping charts around the globe.
Winners ranged from established acts such as Coldplay and Adele to world-conquering boy band One Direction, who won in the new Global Success category.
One Direction's Louis Tomlinson called the prize "absolutely mind-blowing."
American artists Frank Ocean and Lana Del Rey were among the non-British winners at a ceremony that embraced the mainstream while rewarding artists with distinctive personalities.
Surfing English folk singer Ben Howard and chanteuse Emeli Sande each won two awards.
Sande was named best British female artist and won the album of the year prize for her debut "Our Version of Events," which has been in the British charts for more than a year. Scotland-raised Sande got a big boost in 2012 when she performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
Winners ranged from established acts such as Coldplay and Adele to world-conquering boy band One Direction, who won in the new Global Success category.
One Direction's Louis Tomlinson called the prize "absolutely mind-blowing."
American artists Frank Ocean and Lana Del Rey were among the non-British winners at a ceremony that embraced the mainstream while rewarding artists with distinctive personalities.
Surfing English folk singer Ben Howard and chanteuse Emeli Sande each won two awards.
Sande was named best British female artist and won the album of the year prize for her debut "Our Version of Events," which has been in the British charts for more than a year. Scotland-raised Sande got a big boost in 2012 when she performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Mumford top eclectic Bonnaroo lineup
There will be a British invasion of the main stage at Bonnaroo this year.
Paul McCartney and Mumford & Sons are among the headliners for the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.
The four-day festival, held on a rural 700-acre farm, always features an eclectic roster, but the June 13-16 event is even more varied than usual.
Returnees Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers also hold down a headliner spot. Then things get a little crazy with R&B star R. Kelly, alternative queen Bjork and Wu-Tang Clan celebrating its 20th anniversary. Wilco, Pretty Lights, The Lumineers, The National, The xx, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Nas and ZZ Top also top the list announced Tuesday by "Weird Al" Yankovic via Bonnaroo's YouTube channel.
Paul McCartney and Mumford & Sons are among the headliners for the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.
The four-day festival, held on a rural 700-acre farm, always features an eclectic roster, but the June 13-16 event is even more varied than usual.
Returnees Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers also hold down a headliner spot. Then things get a little crazy with R&B star R. Kelly, alternative queen Bjork and Wu-Tang Clan celebrating its 20th anniversary. Wilco, Pretty Lights, The Lumineers, The National, The xx, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Nas and ZZ Top also top the list announced Tuesday by "Weird Al" Yankovic via Bonnaroo's YouTube channel.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Voice of China
The divergent opinions do not seem to disturb Wu, who is a sophomore studying pop singing at Shenyang Conservatory of Music.
"But that's me. I don't want to pretend to be humble or conservative," she says in her signature big voice during an interview.
"When I look at the mirror, I feel beautiful," she adds with a laugh.
She always wears her trademark red lipstick, thick false eyelashes, smoky eye makeup and even front bangs.
In the last seven months since she first performed in The Voice of China, Wu has been exposed to various shows, starred in films and modeled for fashion magazines.
"But that's me. I don't want to pretend to be humble or conservative," she says in her signature big voice during an interview.
"When I look at the mirror, I feel beautiful," she adds with a laugh.
She always wears her trademark red lipstick, thick false eyelashes, smoky eye makeup and even front bangs.
In the last seven months since she first performed in The Voice of China, Wu has been exposed to various shows, starred in films and modeled for fashion magazines.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Powell began working as a professional musician
Over six weeks, the American musician flew to Beijing twice for the program, which ended in the middle of January, when he had to head back to the US to perform with Diana Ross.
Powell began working as a professional musician immediately after high school, when his family moved to Los Angeles.
"Since I got out of high school, I looked in the city to see what bands were playing and who was famous and I wanted to play with them," he says.
"I went to them saying that I wanted to play in the band. Most of the time, they would say OK. Because I practiced a whole lot, I became very good soon."
Powell achieved his five-band high school dream, playing with Stevie Wonder among others.
Powell began working as a professional musician immediately after high school, when his family moved to Los Angeles.
"Since I got out of high school, I looked in the city to see what bands were playing and who was famous and I wanted to play with them," he says.
"I went to them saying that I wanted to play in the band. Most of the time, they would say OK. Because I practiced a whole lot, I became very good soon."
Powell achieved his five-band high school dream, playing with Stevie Wonder among others.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Brown Ocean inquiry will be closed
A sheriff's spokesman says an investigation into a fight between Chris Brown and Frank Ocean will soon be closed without any charges being sought.
Los Angeles sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says investigators will speak with Ocean before closing the case, but the agency is unlikely to pursue a misdemeanor battery charge against Brown.
Ocean has accused Brown of hitting him during an argument outside a West Hollywood recording studio last month, but wrote on the social media site Tumblr on Saturday that he wanted the matter closed. Ocean's post stated he did not want Brown prosecuted and he had no intentions of filing a civil lawsuit.
Brown remains on probation for the 2009 beating of Rihanna and is scheduled to appear in court for a progress hearing on Wednesday.
Los Angeles sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says investigators will speak with Ocean before closing the case, but the agency is unlikely to pursue a misdemeanor battery charge against Brown.
Ocean has accused Brown of hitting him during an argument outside a West Hollywood recording studio last month, but wrote on the social media site Tumblr on Saturday that he wanted the matter closed. Ocean's post stated he did not want Brown prosecuted and he had no intentions of filing a civil lawsuit.
Brown remains on probation for the 2009 beating of Rihanna and is scheduled to appear in court for a progress hearing on Wednesday.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Williams popped out on the gargantuan stage
The spotlight may have been on Beyoncé, but her set's biggest moment came when the singer reunited with her fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (the trio recently released their first single in nearly a decade, "Nuclear"). Rowland and Williams popped out on the gargantuan stage – constructed to resemble two Beyoncé faces gazing at one another – and launched into a rendition of their backside-glorifying anthem "Bootylicious" before cranking up the energy even higher with a take on "Independent Woman: Part 1," their smash hit from the Charlie's Angels soundtrack. The performance ended fittingly with the trio striking a pose in the form of the film's lead crime-fighting female characters.
"Kelly, Michelle, you want to help me sing this one?" Beyoncé asked her counterparts, moments before the threesome charged into her chart-topping hit "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." Then, as her former groupmates exited the stage, Beyoncé told the crowd, "I wanna feel your energy," before closing out her set with an emotional rendition of her power ballad "Halo." She rocked out, hair flailing and on her knees, at the lip of the stage, then collapsed on her back as the stadium lights went dark.
"Kelly, Michelle, you want to help me sing this one?" Beyoncé asked her counterparts, moments before the threesome charged into her chart-topping hit "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." Then, as her former groupmates exited the stage, Beyoncé told the crowd, "I wanna feel your energy," before closing out her set with an emotional rendition of her power ballad "Halo." She rocked out, hair flailing and on her knees, at the lip of the stage, then collapsed on her back as the stadium lights went dark.
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Night Journey from Wang Dexian
Many hua'er songs begin with metaphoric and symbolic depictions of scenery, before developing into the real theme, which may be young love, the hard work and weariness of the farming life, and the foibles of men and women.
Su learned The Night Journey from Wang Dexian, a 73-year-old farmer who lives in Helan county near Yinchuan.
"Hua'er is very contagious, and contains folklore and the emotions of Northwestern Chinese people," Wang says. "It is like a treasure house."
Wang began to sing hua'er in childhood, when he tended the sheep grazing in the mountains. He learned it from elder shepherds who often sang hua'er to whip away loneliness or flirt with girls.
Hua'er is also called yequ or "wild tune", since it is often sung in the wild. It is actually forbidden to sing hua'er within the family or in the village in most areas, because of its erotic content.
For outsiders, hua'er is hard to understand because of the high-pitched singing, local accent and the use of many empty words.
Su learned The Night Journey from Wang Dexian, a 73-year-old farmer who lives in Helan county near Yinchuan.
"Hua'er is very contagious, and contains folklore and the emotions of Northwestern Chinese people," Wang says. "It is like a treasure house."
Wang began to sing hua'er in childhood, when he tended the sheep grazing in the mountains. He learned it from elder shepherds who often sang hua'er to whip away loneliness or flirt with girls.
Hua'er is also called yequ or "wild tune", since it is often sung in the wild. It is actually forbidden to sing hua'er within the family or in the village in most areas, because of its erotic content.
For outsiders, hua'er is hard to understand because of the high-pitched singing, local accent and the use of many empty words.
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