Singer Robin Gibb, Bee Gees co-founder, dies at 62
LONDON (Reuters) - Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who with brothers Barry and Maurice helped define the disco era with their falsetto harmonies and funky beats on hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "Jive Talkin'", died on Sunday after a long fight with cancer. He was 62. The singer had colon and liver cancer and, despite brief improvements in his health in recent months, passed away on Sunday evening. Gibb died at the London Clinic surrounded by his second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa. ...
Adele, LMFAO sweep tribute-filled Billboard awards
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Energetic performances and heart-felt tributes took center stage at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, as Adele, LMFAO, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift came away top awards. British Grammy-winning singer Adele won 12 awards from 18 nominations for her juggernaut album "21," including top artist, top female artist and top album. Her awards were not presented during the live show and the singer was not present. ...
Whitney Houston's last record released for "Sparkle"
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Whitney Houston's last recording - a new duet with "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks - was released on Monday ahead of the singer's upcoming film, "Sparkle." "Celebrate," produced by R. Kelly for "Sparkle" which will hit movie theaters on August 17, was recorded by Houston shortly before her sudden death aged 48 in February. The uptempo track features disco beats and a positive message, as Sparks and Houston sing lyrics such as "I'm going to celebrate, celebrate you." Sparks throws in "We love you Whitney" at the end of the song. ...
Adele notches up two Ivor Novello songwriting awards
LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Adele won two Ivor Novello awards for songwriting on Thursday, adding to a lengthening list of musical accolades, but she lost out in the best album and song categories. The 24-year-old chart queen picked up two coveted Ivor Novello prizes for the most performed song of 2011 ("Rolling in the Deep") and songwriter of the year. ...
George Clinton, Black Eyed Peas end song lawsuit
(Reuters) - The funk pioneer George Clinton has settled a lawsuit in which he accused the pop and hip hop group Black Eyed Peas of using part of one of his songs in remixes of its hit song "Shut Up" without permission. The settlement followed two weeks of mediation, and was revealed in filings this week in Los Angeles federal court. Terms were not disclosed, but the mediator Gail Killefer in a court filing said the settlement "fully" resolved the dispute. ...
Jack White attempts record for most metaphors
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jack White earned his musical stripes with his chart-topping debut solo album "Blunderbuss," and now the singer is attempting to add another accolade to his shelf - a Guinness World Record for most metaphors in a single concert. The eccentric former White Stripes frontman, who also has put "Blunderbuss" forward for the fastest named album in history, did not explain why he is attempting this feat of speech, but his record company is concerned about failure. ...