Yikes! My Rolling Stones are having some trouble today. They released a new single for downloading on iTunes today. And it’s only made it to number 76. When Adele released “Skyfall” last week it also immediately vaulted to number 1. Same for Taylor Swift’s last four disposable concoctions. But the Stones did things a little strangely. They released “Doom and Gloom” for release at 3:15am Eastern Time with very little advance notice. It’s also not what you’d call a consumer friendly song. It’s not a big ballad, it’s not sentimental, it’s not for a 2012 crowd. It’s rough and raunchy. It has the word ‘fracking’ in it. It has no memorable chorus. The confluence of all these things has meant a blunted impact. But the Rolling Stones will always run counter to expectations. That’s what’s so cool about them. And “Doom and Gloom” is a more interesting, sophisticated take than anything on radio right now. Unfortunately, this is not the generation for interesting and sophisticated.
Source: New ‘Variety’ Not Aiming to Become Gossip-Entertainment Mag
Well, well. It’s very fluid in the whole Variety-Deadline/Penske story. Yesterday Jay Penske met with the Variety to reassure them no immediate changes would be made except that the ridiculous internet pay wall was coming down. The other big news is that he didn’t allow Dominic Patten, a reporter for Deadline, which Penske owns, into the meeting. Nikki Finke and Patten then reported this on the Deadline site. Wow. Who knows what that’s all about? Also, Nikki only announced a few days ago she was going on vacation. But since no one ever sees her, how would you know?
More: my sources now tell me that the scenario I floated–of Bonnie Fuller taking over as editor of Variety–are off base. As much as Bonnie has made HollywoodLife.com, another Penske site, a success, she’s not in the running for Tim Gray’s job. Neither is Nikki Finke, from what I’m told. “Why does anyone think it would be someone from inside and not an entirely new person?” was the question posed to me. So there.
Frankly, Tim Gray has been a great editor of Variety. The paywall was what was killing him. So maybe without it, and some added resources, Gray will just stay the course. But one thing’s for certain: says my source, “Variety is not going to become a gossip-entertainment magazine.” Got that?
Tom Hanks Officially Starring in Broadway Play by Nora Ephron
I feel like deja vu all over again. I’ve written this before, but today they sent out the official release about Tom Hanks in the play “Lucky Guy.” This was Nora Ephron’s final play and/or work, and it will be directed by George C. Wolfe. “Lucky Guy” opens April 1st. Hanks plays late New York Post reporter Mike McAlary. The announcement says casting will be announced shortly for the other roles. I told you exclusively already who those characters would be: http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/09/28/nora-ephrons-mike-mcalary-play-stars-tom-hanks-features-lots-of-real-new-york-characters. It’s unclear who will stand in for Nora during rehearsal and rewrites. But you can bet this is the main event of the coming theater season, at least in plays. In musicals, it will be Barry Levinson’s adaptation of his movie, “Diner,” with music by Sheryl Crow. I’m also looking forward to “Hands on a Hard Body.”
Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson Documentary Coming to Theaters This Month
Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson documentary, “Bad 25,” is getting a short theatrical run before its airing on ABC. “Bad 25” will play for one week in New York beginning October 19th, and one week in Los Angeles starting October 26th. These will be qualifying runs for the Academy Awards. The TV date is Thanksgiving. The New York theater is AMC at 66 Third Avenue. The LA venue is Chinese 6 in Hollywood. The film is another part of the “Bad 25” campaign that already includes the boxed set and the various CD/DVD configurations. If you don’t have the “Bad 25” double CD with the remastered original album and the demos album, you’re really missing something. And then the DVD of the Wembley Stadium show is a rare Jackson live performance. The “Bad25” has been nicely done by the Jackson estate but a little under-marketed by Sony. The demos are particularly great–something Sony has not capitalized on for some reason.
Streisand Returns to Brooklyn Tonight–Some People Paid $22K for Tickets
Barbra Streisand returns to Brooklyn tonight. She’s playing the first of two shows at the new Barclays Center. Are the shows sold out? Let me put it this way: People who like people who like Barbra have stripped the place to the walls. There are a meager 750 tickets left on Stubhub.com, the secondary ticket seller (aka scalper). Most everything decent is gone. Prices are through the roof. For the front sections, people are paying thousands of dollars. For Saturday night’ shows, Stubhub is selling a few seats in Section Floor 1, right in front of the stage, for $22,000. That’s twenty two thousand dollars per ticket. And they will sell. They sold out for tonight. On Saturday Stubhub does have some cheaper seats for around $10,000.
A note on the secondary market: it is a strange place. Streisand is not doing this, but in some instances acts have been accused of collaborating with the scalpers, and taking kickbacks. There’s a fascinating piece of work done by a Nashville TV correspondent, Phil Williams, about Justin Bieber scalping his own tickets. http://www.newschannel5.com/story/19616981/documents-show-bieber-is-scalping-his-own-tickets. If you take time to read the documents Williams uncovered, it’s mindblowing. I am told there’s a distinct possibility that when the Rolling Stones tickets go on sale, they’re going straight to the secondary market. And the prices will be high.
Paul Newman Suit Mystery Solved: It Was a Costume from “The Color of Money”
A young man named Peter Gamlen found a Henry Stewart custom suit in a New Haven basement this week. A name tag inside of it said “Paul Newman, 1986.” No one could figure it out. Newman lived in Westport, 30 miles southwest of New Haven. He also didn’t wear a lot of fancy clothes. News reports I read were dumbfounded. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/man-stumbles-paul-newman-suit-connecticut-basement-article-1.1179101
How could this have happened? Duh! Here’s my exclusive: Newman shot Martin Scorsese’s “The Color of Money” in 1986. Stewart made him the clothes for the film. How they wound up in New Haven is anyone’s guess–someone bought them from a movie prop auction probably.
http://tinyurl.com/8fwqmjr
In a 1997 New York Magazine article, Stewart’s protege, Frank Shattuck, says Newman loved the “Color of Money” clothes so much he gave Stewart a $2000 tip.
Listen: in the 1980s people really had money and burned through it without thinking twice. It was the height of the Reagan era. The late Steven Greenberg, my friend and boss who owned Fame magazine, lived in Henry Stewart suits. They cost $3,500 for the standard blue pinstripe. This was the “Bonfire of the Vanities” era. People were living it up. Then came the stock market crash in 1987 and it was back to sample sales.
Newman had quite a lovely wardrobe from “The Color of Money.” Here’s a photo example. It’s not the same suit Gamlen found, but looks just as nice if not better.
Shattuck is still in business. http://www.fshattuck.com/home.html His suits start at $5,800. Stewart is dead. So is the the costume designer for “The Color of Money.” But nowadays, you go to Saint Laurie on West 32nd St. for suits like this–they make all the custom clothes for period piece movies like “Revolutionary Road” and “The Great Gatsby.” Check ’em out. And their suits start around $1,700.
Henry Stewart/Paul Newman photo courtesy of AP.
Rolling Stones: New Punk-Like Single “Doom and Gloom” Watch Here
Here’s the new single from the Rolling Stones, “Doom and Gloom”–look below on this home page for the video. The song has the word ‘fracking’ in it! “D&G” debuted at 3:15am Eastern time on BBC Radio 2. It’s written by Mick Jagger. It has a hot guitar riff from Keith Richards. Basically, it’s a stomp, with Jagger doing a blues shout. The other single the group approved for its upcoming retrospective “Grrrr…” album of hits is a Richards song, called “One More Shot,” which will come with the album. The songs were produced by Don Was. A melody or an actual song would have been nice, but this at least has a lot of youthful energy. It’s actually a little punk.
Also: the venues and cities for the Stones dates in our prior item are correct. The dates come straight from the horses’ mouths. So if one or two of them is off by a day, we’re doing our best. The Stones have had uneasy negotiations with all venues. But the tickets are going on sale, everything is happening. And no matter what you’ve read, we scooped the dates, the places, and the cities before anyone. Rock on!
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/10/11/rolling-stones-update-new-single-doom-and-gloom-a-jagger-original
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/10/05/exclusive-rolling-stones-will-play-prudential-center-in-newark
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/08/30/exclusive-rolling-stones-will-get-25mil-for-four-shows
http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/08/30/exclusive-rolling-stones-dates-in-new-york-and-london
Exclusive Update: Rolling Stones Concert Tix Will Go on Sale Next Week
Exclusive UPDATE: The Rolling Stones will indeed play a few 50th anniversary concerts. And I am told they will go on sale next week— a press release will go out on Monday I am told. Ticketmaster will handle the sales. All hell is going to break loose, too. This is an update from my earlier post about sales this weekend. What’s the hold up? “Not everything is done,” my source says. Even the documentary, “Crossfire Hurricane,” is not completely ready for the London Film Festival debut next week. So be patient.
read also: http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/10/11/rolling-stones-update-new-single-doom-and-gloom-a-jagger-original
What I’m told: confirmed dates are the last week of November at the O2 Arena in London. Approximately December 15th and 16th– or thereabouts– are set for the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The dates for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn are coming, but not agreed to yet.
This column was first to break the Prudential Center news two weeks ago. We were also first to tell you about Barclays and O2.
So what’s been the delay? Money, money, money. The Stones want it. Richard Branson is putting up $25 million to make all this happen with the concert promoter Paul Dainty.
Once all the London-New York shows are sold, look for more dates. You know that Los Angeles and a few other big cities are guaranteed in 2013. It’s only rock and roll, but we like it!
Meantime, HBO has a premiere scheduled for the Stones documentary “Crossfire Hurricane” by Brett Morgan set for November 13th in New York.
Keep refreshing, stay tuned…And PS, everyone is very healthy…
Songwriters Hall of Fame Ballot: Elvis Costello, Fleetwood Mac, Linda Perry Among Contenders
The Songwriters Hall of Fame has sent its ballot to the general membership. Voters can choose two performing songwriters and three non performers from quite an illustrious group. Performers include BB King, Elvis Costello, Fleetwood Mac, Ray Davies of the Kinks, Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffett, the Eurythmics, Vince Gill, Bobby Womack, and Foreigner.
For non performers: “Chain of Fools” songwriter Don Covay, country music songwriter Bobby Braddock and Holly Knight, who co-wrote Pat Benatar’s “Love Is a Battlefield” and Tina Turner’s “Better Be Good to Me,” plus Linda Perry, the writer behind Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” is also nominated alongside Bob McDill, Rick Nowels, Randy Goodrum, Tony Hatch, and JD Souther plus writing teams Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, and P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri.
Look at this carefully. Everyone is so talented, it’s a shame they can’t all get in. My personal choices: Don Covay, J.D. Souther, and Tony Hatch in non performers. Elvis Costello and Vince Gill in performers. Ray Davies is a strong runner up.
Non-Performer Songwriters
Bobby Braddock – * Would You Catch A Falling Star? * D-I-V-O-R-C-E * Golden Ring * He Stopped Loving Her Today * Time Marches On
Don Covay – * Chain Of Fools * Sookie, Sookie * Mercy, Mercy * Tonight’s The Night * Seesaw
Randy Goodrum – * You Needed Me * Bluer Than Blue * I’ll Be Over You * Foolish Heart * Oh Sherrie
Tony Hatch ‑ * Downtown * Don’t Sleep In The Subway * I Know A Place * My Love * Sign Of The Times
Holly Knight - * Love Is A Battlefield * Simply The Best * Better Be Good To Me * Obsession * The Warrior
Dennis Lambert/Brian Potter – * Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got) * Don’t Pull Your Love * It Only Takes A Minute * One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack) * Country Boy (You’ve Got Your Feet In L.A.)
Bob McDill – * Amanda * Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On * Gone Country * It Must Be Love * Song of the South
Rick Nowels– * Heaven Is a Place on Earth * White Flag * The Power of Good-Bye * Standing Still * Fallin’ for You
Linda Perry– * Get the Party Started * Beautiful * Hurt * What You Waiting For? * What’s Up?
P.F. Sloan/Steve Barri ‑ * Secret Agent Man * Eve Of Destruction * Where Were You When I Needed You * You Baby (Nobody but You) * A Must To Avoid
JD Souther – * Faithless Love * Best of My Love * You’re Only Lonely * Heartache Tonight * New Kid in Town
Rod Temperton – * Always and Forever * Give Me the Night * Rock with You * Yah Mo B There * Boogie Nights
Performer/Songwriters
Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie/Stevie Nicks (p/k/a Fleetwood Mac) – * Go Your Own Way * Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow * Rhiannon * Over My Head * Dreams
Jimmy Buffett – * (Wastin’ Away in) Margaritaville * Cheeseburger in Paradise * Come Monday
* Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes * Fins
Elvis Costello – * Accidents Will Happen * Alison * Veronica * Pump It Up * Watching The Detectives
Ray Davies – * Lola * Tired of Waiting * Well-Respected Man * Waterloo Sunset * You Really Got Me
Vince Gill – * Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away * I Still Believe in You * One More Last Chance * If You Ever Have Forever in Mind * Never Knew Lonely
Mick Jones/Lou Gramm (p/k/a Foreigner) – * Juke Box Hero * Waiting For A Girl Like You * Cold As Ice
* Hot Blooded * Double Vision
BB King – * Bad Luck * Lucille * Rock Me Baby * Woke Up This Morning * Sweet Sixteen
Annie Lennox/Dave Stewart – * Here Comes The Rain Again * Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
* Would I Lie To You * Missionary Man * Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves
Jeff Lynne – * Evil Woman * Do Ya * Don’t Bring Me Down * Mr. Blue Sky * Strange Magic
Steven Tyler/Joe Perry (p/k/a Aerosmith) – * Dream On * Dude (Looks Like A Lady) * Love In An Elevator * Sweet Emotion * Walk This Way
Steve Winwood – * Gimme Some Lovin’ * Back In The High Life Again * Dear Mr. Fantasy * Can’t Find My Way Home * Higher Love
Bobby Womack – * Across 110th Street * It’s All Over Now * That’s the Way I Feel About Cha * Breezin’
* I’m In Love
American Music Awards Nominations: The Culture is Pretty Much Dead
Here they are. Sift through this rubble if you dare. Dick Clark Productions, now owned by the people who own the Hollywood Reporter and who also produce the Golden Globes, are in charge of this. Nostradamus predicted the end of the world this year, didn’t he? He was right.I’ve bold faced my choices, but they mean absolutely nothing except that there was a squirt gun pointed at my head. The winners will be informed before the show so no one will be embarrassed. Except us.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
Drake
Maroon 5
Katy Perry
Rihanna
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
J. Cole
fun.
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
One Direction
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST POP/ROCK
Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP POP/ROCK
fun.
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted
FAVORITE ALBUM POP/ROCK*
Justin Bieber, Believe
Maroon 5, Overexposed
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
One Direction, Up All Night
*no choice here. ridiculous
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST COUNTRY
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST COUNTRY
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP COUNTRY
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
FAVORITE ALBUM COUNTRY
Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie, Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
FAVORITE ARTIST RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga
FAVORITE ALBUM RAP/HIP-HOP
J. Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story
Drake, Take Care
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST SOUL/R&B
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna
FAVORITE ALBUM SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown, Fortune
Rihanna, Talk That Talk
Usher, Looking 4 Myself
FAVORITE ARTIST ALTERNATIVE ROCK
The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park
FAVORITE ARTIST ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train
FAVORITE ARTIST LATIN
Don Omar
Pitbull
Shakira
FAVORITE ARTIST CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Jeremy Camp
Newsboys
tobyMac
FAVORITE ARTIST ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
David Guetta
Calvin Harris
Skrillex