Friday, December 9, 2011

GET YOUR BEATLES FOR FREE

This just in from EMI and iTunes...


Exclusive Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' Book Available Free On Apple's iBookstore Starting Today




Following the recent first anniversary of The Beatles catalog's worldwide digital exclusivity on the iTunes Store® (www.iTunes.com), an exclusive Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' book that lets readers tap their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to immerse themselves in the legendary film's colorful sights and sounds is available for free download on Apple's iBookstore worldwide starting today. The iBookstore is available via the free iBooks App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and at www.iTunes.com/iBookstore.

The iBookstore's exclusive 'Yellow Submarine' book takes the reader on a kaleidoscopic, music-filled journey with The Beatles to an underwater dreamland featuring animated illustrations and text from the 2004 book, 14 full-color video clips from the original 1968 film, audio clips of classic Beatles hits and Sir George Martin's original score, original dialogue from the film, "read aloud" functionality to follow along as actor Dean Lennox Kelly narrates, as well as interactive features that let you tap the story's wild array of butterflies, starfish and sea monsters to make them come alive. A video trailer for the book is available for free streaming starting today at www.iTunes.com/TheBeatles.

The vibrantly illustrated book was designed by Fiona Andreanelli using Heinz Edelmann's original artwork from the film, and its story has been adapted by Charlie Gardner from the film’s original screenplay, co-written by Lee Minoff, Al Brodax, Jack Mendelsohn and Eric Segal.  

Inspired by The Beatles’ song of the same name, ‘Yellow Submarine’ dives 80,000 leagues beneath the sea to Pepperland, a musical paradise where Sergeant Pepper’s band plays on until the music-hating Blue Meanies invade, sealing the band inside a music-proof bubble and leaving it a silent wasteland.  But Old Fred, captain of the Yellow Submarine, escapes to Liverpool and persuades Ringo - with a little help from his friends John, Paul and George - to join him on a magical adventure to return music and love to Pepperland.

Since first launching worldwide on November 16, 2010, The Beatles’ exclusive digital releases on iTunes now include the band’s 13 legendary remastered studio albums, a special digital edition of the GRAMMY®-winning ‘Beatles Stereo Box Set,’ the two-volume ‘Past Masters’ compilation, the classic ‘1962-1966’ (‘Red’) and ‘1967-1970’ (‘Blue’) collections, the GRAMMY-winning ‘LOVE’ album and ‘All Together Now,’ the feature-length documentary about the making of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil®, the band’s remastered 'Anthology' music collections, and the record-breaking ‘1' hits collection.

The Beatles have now sold over ten million songs and over 1.8 million albums on the iTunes Store worldwide.

Friday, November 11, 2011

For Immediate Release 

November 11, 2011



Vivendi and Universal Music Group (UMG) to Purchase EMI Music 

London, Paris, New York -- Vivendi and its subsidiary, Universal Music Group (UMG), announced today that they have signed with Citigroup Inc. (“Citi”) a definitive agreement to purchase EMI’s recorded music division for a total consideration of £1.2 billion representing 7 x EBITDA prior to synergies.

EMI Group is one of the world’s most prominent music companies, possessing a rich musical legacy. Its recorded music division, EMI Music, operates around the world and represents artists spanning all musical tastes and genres through record labels including Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Latin, Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Classics, EMI CMG, EMI Records, EMI Records Nashville, Manhattan, Parlophone, Virgin Classics and Virgin Records.

Jean-Bernard Lévy, CEO of Vivendi, stated: “We are very proud to welcome EMI into the Vivendi family. We all respect the labels within EMI as well as the artists and employees who contribute to its success. They will find within our Group a safe, long-term home, headquartered in Europe.” He then added: “We plan to acquire EMI’s recorded music division on attractive terms, adhering to our principle of total financial discipline. We are confident that we will be able to create additional value for our shareholders thanks to our
knowledge of the industry and our proven track record of successful integration. Lucian Grainge’s personal experience and heritage will be a major asset in making the combined entity a great success.”

Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, added: "This is a historic acquisition for UMG and an important step in preserving the legacy of EMI Music. For me, as an Englishman, EMI was the  reeminent music company that I grew up with. Its artists and their music provided the soundtrack to my teenage years. Therefore, UMG is committed to both preserving EMI's cultural heritage and artistic diversity and also investing in its artists and people to grow the company's assets for the future. As a result, we will be
better positioned to fully capitalize on the many new and exciting opportunities in the current marketplace, and also able to better serve our artists, songwriters and business partners, while offering fans even more choice.”

Stephen Volk, Chairman of the Board of EMI Group and Vice Chairman of Citigroup, added: “We believe that this transaction accomplishes Citi's objective of maximizing the value of EMI, giving EMI Music a partner in Universal Music that appreciates EMI’s rich cultural legacy, its incredible stable of musical talent, and its employees who work so hard to deliver successful outcomes for the artists they represent. We are grateful to Roger Faxon, his management team and all of EMI’s staff for the continued success of this business during Citi's ownership."

The transaction has been approved both by the Management Board and the Supervisory Board of Vivendi. Closing of the agreement remains subject to a number of conditions, including approvals of regulatory authorities in the countries and continents concerned.

Vivendi will finance the transaction from its existing credit lines. Concurrently, Vivendi and UMG will also sell 500 million euros worth of non core UMG assets.

Vivendi and UMG have been advised by Allen & Co. and SJ Berwin on this transaction. Citi Global Banking acted as financial advisor to Citi and EMI. Clifford Chance LLP, Shearman & Sterling LLP and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP acted as legal advisors to Citi and EMI.

About Vivendi 

The best emotions, digitally

Vivendi is at the heart of the worlds of content, platforms and interactive networks.

Vivendi combines the world leader in video games (Activision Blizzard), the world leader in music (Universal Music Group), the French leader in alternative telecoms (SFR), the Moroccan leader in telecoms (Maroc Telecom Group), the leading alternative telecoms provider in Brazil (GVT) and the French leader in pay-TV (Canal+ Group).

In 2010, Vivendi achieved revenues of €28.9 billion and adjusted net income of €2.7 billion. The Group has over 51,300 employees.

www.vivendi.com

About Universal Music Group 

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 59 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Motown, Universal Music Latino, Universal Republic and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic

Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

About Citi 

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube:
www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

Important disclaimer

Disclaimer Forward Looking Statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to Vivendi`s financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy and plans. Although Vivendi believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including but not limited to the risks regarding antitrust and regulatory approvals as well as the risks described in the documents Vivendi has filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (French securities regulator) and which are also available in English on our web site (www.vivendi.com). Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by Vivendi with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers at www.amf-france.org, or directly from Vivendi. The present forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Vivendi disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Forgotten Stars Friday: Strongheart

Strongheart was the screen name of Etzel von Oeringen (October 1, 1917–June 24, 1929), a German Shepherd that became one of the earliest animal film stars. He was brought to the United States by husband and wife filmmakers Laurence Trimble and Jane Murfin, who had previously worked with Jean, the Vitagraph Dog. Strongheart was three years old when he came to Hollywood and had been trained in Germany as a police attack dog. He appeared in several movies, including a 1925 adaptation of White Fang.

Strongheart came from a carefully bred, highly efficient, family of dogs. He was powerfully built, utterly fearless and weighed 125 pounds. The major problem Laurence Trimble faced was that as a trained police dog Strongheart had not socialized much with human beings. It took Trimble months to train the dog in order to de-emphasize his harsh police dog-style training. Trimble had the dog by his side virtually non-stop for months, continually rewarding him for good behavior. Eventually Strongheart's prior police habits were broke but certain aspects of his past remained with him. He had an astonishing level of instinct regarding the character of strangers, both good and bad. It was reported that Strongheart would often suddenly pursue passersbys who long after were found to have been embezzlers, frauds or spousal abusers.
  
Strongheart was a natural in front of the camera and despite his training as an attack dog he never harmed another person. Laurence Trimble said "His human counterparts on screen were pleased with Strongheart, for even though he tore their clothes to shreds, he never left a mark of fang or nail on any actor." After his first movie, "The Silent Call" (1921), Strongheart became a favorite of moviegoers of all ages. He traveled by train across the country making personal appearances, at every stop crowds of people were on hand to see this marvelous animal. 

Tragedy struck down Strongheart at the height of his career, when he slipped and was burned by a studio light. The burn rapidly turned into a tumor and eventually claimed Strongheart's life. Strongheart died the next year in peace. "God bless you Strongheart, God bless you", were the words of the eminent dog's eulogist and former trainer, Henri Potts.

His popularity lead to the production of Strongheart Dog Food, which is still available today.

His star can be found at can be found at 1724 Vine Street.

Filmography

• The Silent Call (1921)
• Brawn of the North (1922)
• The Love Master (1924)
• North Star (1925)
• White Fang (1925)
• The Return of Boston Blackie (1927) - thought to be the only Strongheart movie still in existence





Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Breaking News: Katy Perry


KATY PERRY BECOMES FIRST FEMALE ARTIST AND ONLY SECOND ARTIST IN HISTORY TO SCORE FIVE NO. 1 SINGLES ON BILLBOARD’S HOT 100 CHART FROM THE SAME ALBUM



TEENAGE DREAM IS ALSO FIRST ALBUM EVER TO NOTCH FIVE NO. 1’S ON BILLBOARD’S POP SONGS CHART

KATY’S “CALIFORNIA DREAMS” 2011 WORLD TOUR IS SOLD-OUT

August 17, 2011 — New York, NY — With her current single “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” ascending to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this week, global pop superstar Katy Perry ties with Michael Jackson to become the second artist in the 53-year-history of the Hot 100 chart to produce five No. 1 singles off the same album. Katy is the first female, and only living artist to accomplish this feat.


The achievement follows shortly after Katy’s 2010 sophomore album Teenage Dream became the first album in the nearly 19-year history of Billboard’s Pop Songs chart to generate five No. 1 singles. Katy has dominated at Pop radio over the past year, with “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” accounting for five of the top six titles with the chart’s highest ever weekly spin totals. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)” bests “E.T.” to become the song with the most weekly plays in the chart’s history.

In addition, on August 1st, Katy became the second artist in modern-day BDS chart monitoring to notch six consecutive No. 1 singles: “Waking Up in Vegas,” (from 2009’s One of the Boys), “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.).”

Currently in the middle of the sold-out California Dreams World Tour that runs through fall and began earlier this year with stops in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Katy’s remaining  U.S. tour dates are as follows:

August 17      Kansas City, MO                              Sprint Center**
August 19      Nashville, TN                                   Bridgestone Arena**
August 20      St. Louis, MO                                    Scottrade Center**
August 21      Chicago, IL                                       Allstate Arena#
August 23      St. Paul, MN                                     Xcel Energy Center#
Sept 7             San Antonio, TX                              AT&T Center**
Sept 8             New Orleans, LA                             New Orleans Arena**
Sept 10          Louisville, KY                                    KFC Yum! Arena**
Sept 11          Grand Rapids, MI                             Van Andel Arena**
Sept 13          Columbus, OH                                 Schottenstein Arena**
Sept 14          Indianapolis, IN                                Conseco Fieldhouse**
Sept 16          Omaha, NE                                       Qwest Center**
Sept 17          Tulsa, OK                                           BOK Center**
Nov 15           Hartford, CT                                       XL Center##
Nov 16           New York, NY                                   Madison Square Garden##
Nov 19           Las Vegas, NV                                  Mandalay Bay Events Center##
Nov 21           Oakland, CA                                     Oracle Arena##
Nov 22           Los Angeles, CA                              Staples Center##

*denotes show with Robyn
**denotes show with Janelle Monae
# denotes show with Natalia Kills
## denotes show with Jessie J
^ denotes show with Oh Land


###


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Singles, Albums & Videos for Aug 16, 2011


Top ten tracks as reported by iTunes










1. Moves Like Jagger (Studio Recording from "The Voice" Performance) [feat. Christina Aguilera]
Maroon 5
2. Pumped Up Kicks
Foster the People
3. Party Rock Anthem (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock)
LMFAO
4. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Katy Perry
5. Tonight Tonight
Hot Chelle Rae
6. How to Love
Lil Wayne
7. I Wanna Go
Britney Spears
8. Good Life
OneRepublic
9. Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine)
Gym Class Heroes
10. If I Die Young
The Band Perry

Top ten albums as reported by iTunes










1. 21
ADELE
2. Tailgates & Tanlines
Luke Bryan
3. Torches
Foster the People
4. NOW That's What I Call Music, Vol. 39
Various Artists
5. Any Man In America
Blue October
6. Life At Best
Eli Young Band
7. Sigh No More
Mumford & Sons
8. Chief
Eric Church
9. Hands All Over (Deluxe Version)
Maroon 5
10. Young Love
Mat Kearney

Top ten videos as reported by YouTube


1. Super Bass
Nicki Minaj
2. Party Rock Anthem
LMFAO
3. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Katy Perry
4. The Lazy Song
Bruno Mars
5. On the Floor
Jennifer Lopez ft. Pit...
6. Danza Kuduro
Don Omar ft. Lucenzo
7. Rain Over Me
Pitbull
8. Rolling in the Deep
Adele
9. Give Me Everything
Pitbull
10. Moves Like Jagger
Maroon 5

Monday, August 15, 2011

New Music For Monday: Blue October “Any Man in America”


Any Man in America is the sixth studio album and seventh full length by Blue October. The songs on the album are largely about Justin Furstenfeld's divorce and custody battle over his daughter. The album was produced by Tim Palmer, who has previously worked with artists such as David Bowie, Robert Plant, The Cure, U2 and Pearl Jam.  The artwork on the album cover is a drawing of Justin Furstenfeld drawn by Tim Palmer's daughter Bluebell, who was three years old at the time.

The album was recorded at Matchbox Studios in Austin, Texas between Summer of 2010 and March of 2011, and is scheduled to be released August 16, 2011 via RED Distribution, a Sony imprint for independent artists.  Their former label, Universal Motown had offered them a 360 deal, which the band rejected, opting instead to become independent and form their own label, Up/Down Records. 

You can listen to the album today on AOL at http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds#/4 or by clicking here.

Track listing-

1.            "Everything (A.M. Limbo)" 
2.            "The Feel Again (Stay)" 
3.            "The Money Tree" 
4.            "For The Love"                 
5.            "Drama Everything"       
6.            "The Chills" 
7.            "The Flight (Lincoln to Minneapolis)" 
8.            "Any Man In America" 
9.            "You Waited Too Long" 
10.          "The Honesty"                 
11.          "The Getting Over It Part"           
12.          "Worry List"       
13.          "The Follow Through"  


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Top Albums for the Week


Here are the top selling albums for the week ending 04/10/2011

THIS WEEK RANK
ARTIST
TITLE
THIS WEEK SALES
1
Adele
21
88,233
2
Britney Spears
Femme Fatale
75,166
3
Radiohead
King Of Limbs
66,877
4
Hollywood Undead
American Tragedy
66,032
5
Wiz Khalifa
Rolling Papers
59,291
6
Chris Brown
F.A.M.E.
51,098
7
Various
Songs For Japan
50,940
8
Mumford & Sons
Sigh No More
34,472
9
Asking Alexandria
Reckless & Relentless
31,239
10
Kirk Franklin
Hello Fear
31,129


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Top Albums for the Week


Here are the top selling albums for the week ending 04/03/2011

THIS WEEK RANK
ARTIST
TITLE
THIS WEEK SALES
1
Britney Spears
Femme Fatale
276,446
2
Wiz Khalifa
Rolling Papers
197,307
3
Adele
21
94,265
4
Chris Brown
F.A.M.E.
91,205
5
Various
Songs For Japan
71,420
6
Radiohead
King Of Limbs
68,727
7
Jennifer Hudson
I Remember Me
56,279
8
Snoop Dogg
Doggumentary
50,479
9
Kirk Franklin
Hello Fear
46,194
10
Mary Mary
Something Big
42,390