Playlist

Warped Tour bands to hit Denny's on Sunday

2009-07-02T18:33:52Z

After the big Vans Warped Tour show on Sunday, some of the bands are scheduled to greet fans and maybe even have an impromptu jam session at Denny's. Yes, really.

Participating groups include A Skylit Drive, Dance Gavin Dance, Therefore I Am, Hit the Lights and InnerPartySystem. They're scheduled to be at the Denny's at 4400 N. Central Expressway on Sunday from 9 to midnight. (Denny's is a tour sponsor.)

London not too happy with Anschutz

2009-07-01T13:24:16Z

LONDON -- The Anschutz Entertainment Group, the commercial monolith that promoted the 50 Michael Jackson concerts here that will never happen, pretty much had the whole town riled up by Wednesday morning. AEG, which is part of the same Philip Anschutz empire that brought "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" to the Dallas Museum of Art (and which owns the Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie), came up with a no-refund alternative to Jackson's ill-fated concert series that provoked a Fleet Street frenzy of angry headlines. AEG Live says that anyone who wants a full refund to Jackson's ill-fated series of 50 concerts at the O2 (the London arena and exhibition enclave where the King Tut show played before coming to Dallas) can get one, but, if you're willing to consider a no-refund alternative, have they got a deal for you! Fans can have their very own souvenir ticket, to a concert that will never happen! And, claims AEG, it's one that Jackson himself designed shortly before his death! (Please click below to read on.)

Photo: Michael Jackson performing during halftime of the Jan. 31, 1993 Super Bowl, won by the Dallas Cowboys 52-17

]]> The tickets feature a hologram of Jackson performing his famous dance moves. The London Paper reported that the cancellation of the Jackson concerts may cost AEG as much as 50 million pounds (by Wednesday, that added up to about $82.5 million). Corey Francis, 22, a software expert from Greenford, west London, was quoted by The London Paper as saying, "This is exploitation. I am a die-hard fan and so upset I'm not even thinking about the money. They are worrying about the money and trying to cash in on fans' emotions -- it's just not right." Francis told The London Paper that he paid 170 pounds (or about $280) for two tickets. You have to give AEG credit -- they certainly know how to make a buck, or at least how not to lose one. The Dallas Museum of Art incurred criticism from the start for agreeing to partner with this for-profit enterprise in presenting Tut. The DMA steadfastly refused to reveal financial figures but fell far short of its goal of attracting 1 million visitors to the Tut exhibition. As for Jackson, the whole thing is such a tragedy. His last hurrah, by my estimation, was his halftime performance at the Jan. 31, 1993 Super Bowl, the first won by the Dallas Cowboys won under Jimmy Johnson (a 52-17 thrashing of the Buffalo Bills). Soon after, Jackson was linked to an allegation of child abuse, and his career was never again the same. At that moment during the Super Bowl (see photo), he was truly on top of the world.

Carly Patterson to perform at Fair Park Fourth

2009-06-29T21:42:47Z

Adorable gymnast-turned-singer Carly Patterson (who's from Allen) was just added to the musical lineup at Fair Park Fourth. The program will also feature the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Hellcats bugle and drum ensemble from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and baritone Alvy Powell. It's July 4 at 8 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park before the fireworks and the whole thing's free.

Let Michael Jackson rest; just enjoy his music

2009-06-29T21:13:37Z

I know I'm probably being extremely naive, and doing way too much positive wishful thinking, but why can't we just let Michael Jackson rest peacefully? And to remember him, those that wish to remember him, we should all play his music. This guy was a polarizing artist-celebrity-tabloid-magnet-superstar. Got it. But he's dead now. No amount of reporting, analyzing, fuming, name-calling or finger-pointing is going to bring him back. For those who have a stake in his life, whether it be family, business associates, lawyers, doctors, etc., go ahead and cross all the T's and dot all the I's in regards to his estate, death, financial obligations. I'll read those stories with interest, as I have been doing. For everybody else, just chill out and pop in a Michael Jackson disc. I've been playing the Dangerous CD from 1991 and the Number Ones compilation from 2003. When all is said and done, after all the turmoil surrounding his death settles, all we have left is Michael's music. That is his legacy.

Photo: MJJ performing in 2001 (Kevin Mazur/WireImage).

Stung by criticism, London mourns Michael

2009-06-29T15:21:18Z

LONDON -- This city may come to be known as the beginning of the end for Michael Jackson. That certainly appeared to be the conclusion of the London Evening Standard on Friday night, when the blaring headline read: "JACKSON FAMILY BLAMES LONDON." The story quoted family lawyer Brian Oxman as accusing "enablers" of "pushing Jackson too hard physically in preparation for the 50 comeback concerts in London" that were scheduled to begin July 13. And where were those shows supposed to take place? The O2, the sprawling arena and exhibition enclave in East London where "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" took place before heading to the Dallas Museum of Art last October. The O2 has welcomed through its doors Celine Dion, the Eagles and Tut. Its owner is the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which, of course, is headed up by reclusive Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, who also owns Arts and Exhibitions International, which, along with the Egyptian government, staged the Tut show at the DMA. MTV reported that the Anschutz Entertainment Group faced the "daunting task" of having to refund $85 million in ticket sales for 50 sold-out concerts and that Jackson had passed a physical to obtain insurance for the 50 concerts. The Los Angeles Times reported that AEG had invested a reported $20 million in production costs for the "This Is It" concerts with an expected profit of about $115 million and a three-year worldwide tour that could have grossed $450 million. By Monday, the focus had shifted a bit, with the London papers quoting Joe Jackson, the singer's father, about allegations of foul play, almost as though London itself were getting a reprieve when it came to the blame game. (Please click below to read on.)

Photo: Michael Jackson

]]> Blame notwithstanding, London has reacted with an outpouring of grief for Jackson, 50, whose death by heart attack has left many here in shock. On Sunday night, fans by the hundreds stood outside the Lyric Theatre, where Thriller Live, a multimedia stage and video production celebrating Jackson's music, is suddenly playing to sold-out crowds. The London Examiner says the West End musical features 18 cast members representing Jackson at different points in his career, performing more than 30 songs ranging from "I Want You Back" to "Bad." Thriller Live has been touring in smaller productions throughout Europe since 2007 and premiered in London on Jan. 2. Popular demand has now extended the show through Sept. 27. Laura Clarke, 28, who works in a television store in London, was attending Sunday night's performance of Thriller Live with Joanna Thompson, 25, who hails from Sydney, Australia, but who's working in London. Standing outside during intermission, they called the first act of the show "incredible" and said it was highly emotional, with much of the crowd singing and dancing. "It's music that's been around for such a long time," Clarke said. "You listened to it as a small child ... it's music that brings so much energy and life and was loved by so many people." Leo King, 28, a journalist from London, came to the makeshift shrine for Jackson that began building at the entrance to the Lyric Theatre soon after his death. Hundreds of admirers have left bouquets of flowers, photographs, album covers, stuffed animals and handwritten notes. King and his girlfriend, who also attended a remembrance for Jackson at Trafalgar Square, knelt in front of the makeshift shrine for several minutes. "We're devastated," King said, "which seems strange since we didn't know Michael Jackson. But like most people, we grew up with his music. And we never expected to be living without him or his music. We thought we'd be old people before something like this happened. It's very sad but slightly confusing, as though it hasn't really happened. I feel as though I'm missing a part of myself, since his music was such a part of my life."

Click below to watch the press conference where Jackson announced that these would be the last shows he would ever perform in London:

Remembering Michael Jackson: links and videos

2009-06-26T15:48:03Z

We've rounded up some links for all you Michael Jackson fans - places to check out online that are honoring the pop star. Keep checking in as I add throughout the day.
This video is a find from Todd Davis on the Cowboys blog: "Entertainer Michael Jackson, who died Thursday night, had a few connections to the Dallas Cowboys. When the Jackson Five reunited in the 1980s, Texas Stadium was one of the stops on tour. But one of Jackson's biggest moments was when he shared the same stage as the Cowboys in the Rose Bowl as the halftime show for Super Bowl XXVII."

Continue reading for a list of links to check out and more videos.

]]> Guestbook: Share your memories

Photos: Jackson through the decades | Remember the King of Pop | Michael Jackson in D-FW

Audio slideshows:
• His life and times
• Number 1 hits
• Fans react

Timeline

DMN Archives:
• 1984 Texas Stadium performance
• '88 Reunion Arena concert review
• Dallasites pay tribute at bars and churches
• Mario Tarradell: 10 unforgettable hits by Michael Jackson
• James Ragland: Memories of MJ
• Mark Davis: Remembering all sides of Michael Jackson

From The Associated Press:
• King of Pop Michael Jackson dead at 50
• Autopsy set after Michael Jackson's death
• Police tow car, seek clues in Jackson death
• Quotes about the death of Michael Jackson
• Producer: BET Awards will honor Michael Jackson
• Michael Jackson, King of Pop, reigned in TV land
• Police focus on medical treatment in Jackson death
• 911 call in Michael Jackson death released

KHOU: Houston doctor with Michael Jackson when he collapsed

Michael Jackson talk on Twitter

Official site - Sony comments on the pop singer's passing

Michael Jackson on MTV.com

Frontburner: Michael Jackson's Dallas rhinoplasties

LA Times: Front pages from around the world

LA Times: Map: Significant locations in the life and death of Michael Jackson

LA Times: La Toya Jackson scene removed from 'Bruno'

Billboard: AEG facing $85 million refund for Michael Jackson shows

Audio: Listen to Michael Jackson's hits online

Audio: Listen to the 911 call

Videos: Yahoo's playlist of Michael Jackson music videos | YouTube channel | 'Thriller' on YouTube

Video: 'American Idol' hopefuls at Cowboys Stadium remember Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson dead

2009-06-25T21:27:25Z

UPDATE: LA Times reports. Michael Jackson is dead.

====

UPDATE: Oh geez, now LA Times is reporting he's in a coma.:
"Pop star Michael Jackson is in a coma and his family is arriving at his bedside, a law enforcement source told The Times. Jackson was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics. Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took him to the hospital, Ruda told The Times.]"

====

UPDATE: From TMZ:

We've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.
Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.
Jackson had 13 number one hits during his solo career.

====

UPDATE: This LA Times story reports "Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home around 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The parademics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told The Times."

=====

TMZ.com reports that King of Pop Michael Jackson has been taken to a Los Angeles hospital in an ambulance.

"We've just learned Michael Jackson was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Los Angeles ... and we're told it was cardiac arrest and that paramedics administered CPR in the ambulance ... and it's looking bad. The 911 call came in at 12:21PM at his Holmby Hills home in L.A. ... A Jackson family member tells TMZ Michael is in "really bad shape" and the brothers are headed to UCLA. ... We just got off the phone with Joe Jackson, Michael's dad, who says "he is not doing well."

Twitter Poll: Best boy band

2009-06-23T18:29:40Z

I understand that this question would gain feedback from only a certain audience (and maybe that's why so few responded), but in light of the Jonas Brothers concert at Cowboys Stadium last weekend, I thought it was appropriate. This past weekend-ish GuideLiveMusic asked our Twitter followers: Who's your fave boy band ever & why? I can't really say I have a favorite, or even a preference, but my high school days were in the era of 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees. If I can, I'd like to throw Boyz II Men in here as fave. (See them at Bass Performance Hall next Wednesday! Info here.) And yeah, I know that the word "band" implies instruments, but you know what I mean. See what our followers said below, and tell us who your favorite boy band/group is. Menudo anyone?

]]> jackiepry: the back street boys... nick carter, if your reading this... will you marry me :]

negeddywife: I'm a child of the 80s and 90s. It was all NKOTB - New Kids on the Block.

jstjohn83: Do the eagles count? I can listen to their music for hours and it never gets old. Love those harmonies.

2letters2words: "Favorite" and "boy band" are not two words that I would ever use in a single sentence.

We were there: Jonas Brothers at Cowboys Stadium

2009-06-21T07:15:00Z

Yes, I was there. Yes, the JoBros put on a cool show Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Read what I thought of the concert, which opened the Westlake-based sibling trio's 2009 world tour, here. I also want to once again mention how impressed I was with Jordin Sparks, who came off so full of talent, earthiness and sexy sass without being all sexed-up. She did it with class. Honor Society, the unsigned New York City band that have been plucked out of obscurity by the Jonas Brothers and given a head-spinning golden opportunity, were fun, too.

Were you there? What did you think of the gig?

PHOTO: The JoBros in action Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium (Tom Fox/DMN).

Santigold's concert tomorrow goes (RED)

2009-06-17T21:18:13Z

Here's a concert with a cause. Thursday's Santigold show at House of Blues is presented by Bono's (RED)NIGHTS campaign and Live Nation. What that means is that a portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Global Fund. This concert is just one of 26 in the U.S. helping fight AIDS in Africa. Other artists who will turn one of their upcoming concerts (RED) include Katy Perry, Gomez, O.A.R., Fall Out Boy, Lisa Hannigan, The Veronicas, Matisyahu and The All-American Rejects. So far, Santigold's show is the only D-FW one, but the (RED)NIGHTS concert series Web site hasn't listed a date or location for Fall Out Boy and The All-American Rejects yet, so that might change.

'American Idol' auditions next week at Cowboys Stadium

2009-06-17T19:36:36Z

Break out those karaoke tapes and get your gimmicks ready, Bikini Girl 2.0: American Idol auditions are making their way to Dallas. Well, actually, Arlington, at Cowboys Stadium.

Registration will be on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, at the stadium. You can find more details here: American Idol official site and Audtion FAQ

We'll be out there with you on Friday, standing in line, praying for a sudden cold front, staring in awe at the new stadium. But don't think you have to miss out if you won't be there. Thanks to the power of the Internet, you can follow along @guidelive_goes and on the breaking news blog.

And if you ARE trying out, you can play along, too. E-mail us to be part of our Tweet Street Team and share your experiences during the day.

Photo: Angela Crisci, 17, wipes a tear as she texts her boyfriend that she was not selected to go onto the next round at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (AP)

Concert announcements

2009-06-16T20:11:50Z

Brad Paisley and his American Saturday Night tour will stop at Superpages.com Center On Sept. 12. Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne will also be on the tour date.

Tickets can be bought at Live Nation and go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. They are $26 for the lawn, and $31 and $55.75 for reserved seats.

Get ready for some new House of Blues shows, just announced today.

Here's your list:

Kiki Melendez's Hot Tamales Live on Sunday, Aug. 2
Atmosphere on Thursday, Aug. 6
The Footprint in Hip-Hop Tour featuring Method Man & Redman and Ghostface Killa on Saturday, Aug. 8
Collective Soul, Wednesday Sept. 2
Mitchell Musso, Tuesday Sept. 22
The Airborne Toxic Event, Wednesday Sept. 30

See ya at The Footprint in Hip-Hop Tour show.

The Wiyos join Dylan-Nelson-Mellencamp tour

2009-06-16T19:39:21Z

Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp are touring minor-league ballparks this summer, and the tour stops Aug. 7 at Quik Trip Park in Grand Prairie, home of the AirHogs.

And now, we get news that the Wiyos will join the fun for 28 dates of the tour. The purveyors of traditional American music have been consistently touring for six years now.

And then they got the invite to join the legends on tour. It's a good day to be a member of the Wiyos, huh? The group's new CD, Broken Land Bell, will be released on July 13.

Willie also plans to release a CD this summer. It'll be filled with standards and called American Classic.

All tickets are general admission and $67.50. All children under the age of 14, though, can get in free. To quote John, "Ain't that America"?

(Photo by Bill Waugh)

]]> Tour itinerary:

7.2: Sauget, IL. (outside St. Louis), GCS Ballpark
7.4: South Bend, IN (outside Chicago), Coveleski Stadium
7.8: Louisville, KY, Louisville Slugger Field
7.13: Washington, PA (outside Pittsburgh), Consol Energy Park
7.14: Allentown, PA, Coca-Cola Park
7.15: New Britain, CT, New Britain Stadium
7.17: Essex Junction, VT, Champlain Valley Exposition
7.18: Bethel Woods, NY, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7.19: Syracuse, NY, Alliance Bank Stadium
7.21: Pawtucket, RI, (outside Providence), McCoy Stadium
7.23: Lakewood, NJ, First Energy Park
7.24: Aberdeen, MD (outside Baltimore), Ripken Stadium
7.25: Norfolk, VA, Harbor Park
7.28: Durham, NC, Durham Bulls Athletic Park
7.29: TBA
7.30: Alpharetta, GA (outside Atlanta), Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8.2: Houston, TX, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

8.4: Round Rock, TX (outside Austin), The Dell Diamond
8.5: Corpus Christi, TC, Whataburger Field
8.7: Grand Prairie, TX, (outside Dallas) Quik Trip Park
8.8: Texas Tech University, Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX

8.9: Albuquerque, NM, Journal Pavilion
8.11: Glendale, AZ, Camelback Ranch
8.12: Las Vegas, NV, Cashman Field
8.14: Fresno, CA, Chuckchansi Park
8.15: Stockton, CA, Banner Island Ballpark
8.16: Stateline, NV, Harvey's Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena

Jackson Browne kicks off a Soundstage summer

2009-06-16T18:21:14Z

Whenever a CD surfaces in this office with the name Jackson Browne on it, I'm usually the one who ends up with it. I've been an ardent fan of Jackson's since 1972, when he released his debut album Jackson Browne. No, its title is not Saturate Before Using, even though everyone seems to think so. (I have him to back me up.) So, a DVD screener ended up in my mailbox this week of the upcoming episode of Soundstage on PBS. Soundstage booked Browne to be the inaugural guest of its summer season, which debuts on KERA-TV (Channel 13) at 10 p.m. Thursday and in high definition. Fans hoping to hear a bunch of old stuff might walk away disappointed (though he does sing "Doctor My Eyes"). He sings a bunch of tunes from his fine new album Time the Conqueror, which makes lavish use of his terrific backup band: Mark Goldenberg on lead guitar, Mauricio Lewak on drums, Jeff Young on keyboards and Kevin McCormick on bass. But the two newest additions to Browne's band are what make his current national tour and the summer debut of Soundstage so memorable. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: Jackson Browne performing in 2004 at Music City Texas Theater in Linden

]]> He sings the brilliant anti-war anthem "Lives in the Balance," which, incredibly, was not written in response to Vietnam or Iraq but, rather, appeared as the title track on an album released in 1986, when the raging issue was U.S. involvement in Central America. He has added a moving stanza of new lyrics and turned over much of the vocal work in this version to his fantastic backup singers Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills, women in their early 20s who graduated from Washington Preparatory High School, a remarkable enclave in inner-city Los Angeles that brims with artistic talent. They alone make Thursday's Soundstage a can't-miss experience.

Lil Wayne at Superpages.com Center Aug. 23

2009-06-15T19:16:54Z

Lil Wayne seems to be on track to become a touring moneymaker purely through sheer volume, this time stopping at Superpages.com Center on Aug. 23.

He's bringing along Drake, Soulja Boy, Young Jeezy, Jeremih and Pleasure P. No R&B softening the mood this time. Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30, with the show beginning at 6:30.

Tickets, priced from $29.75 for the lawn and $59.75 and $79.75 reserved, go on sale Saturday at 10 through Live Nation. Get in there quick: A four-pack of lawn seats cost only $99 while supplies last.

(Photo of Lil Wayne performing at American Airlines Center in December 2008 by Mike Fuentes/Special Contributor)