Cliff Richard: Young Pop Stars Need More Support

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Industry News, Pop,

Cliff Richard doesn't think young artists are getting enough support in the music industry.

The 73-year-old singer believes pop stars coming onto the market in their teens and early twenties should be given more help to maintain their success, instead of being dropped by record companies when they fail to achieve a number one: "I don't think the new groups and young singers have the same support system. Today you can have a number one, [but] if your next record's not number one sometimes they won't re-sign. It's because they don't have the same faith in the artists that my producer and manager, Norrie Paramour and Peter Gormley, had."

However, the "Living Doll" hitmaker, who has recently released his 100th album, has praised the emerging new talent and believes even people who don't achieve success from shows such as The X Factor are still going on to achieve global success. "When you think about it, even the losers on The X Factor are good. I mean, they're really good singers these days. When you think of One Direction, five of them, they all lost. None of them won The X Factor and they're the biggest boyband in the world at the moment," he explained.

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Simon Cowell: One Direction Will “Probably” Split Up Eventually

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Rumors, Pop,

Simon Cowell thinks One Direction will probably break up "eventually."

The boy band were put together on the media mogul's talent show The X Factor in 2010, and he has suggested while they are "really enjoying" being a group, he wouldn't be too surprised if the five members - Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne - wanted to go solo in the future.

"Eventually they probably will split up and maybe want to have their own careers. The choice is theirs, we've got the opportunity to do both. But from what I hear, they're really enjoying what they're doing. We don't feel there's anything wrong. They're getting more time off, I hope they stay a band for a long time," he told Billboard.

Fans will be hoping the "Story of My Life" hitmakers don't decide to go their separate ways - and Harry has previously claimed they want to keep singing together "for a long time." He recently said, "I think we're just so busy at the moment that there's no way we would have time anyway, but I think we just have so much fun, doing this and we want to all be doing this for a long time. So I just think we'll keep working hard and having fun and see what happens."

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Mix Tape: George Michael and The X Factor, George Clinton vs. Black Eyed Peas

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Rumors, The Charts, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul, iTunes,

-Will singer George Michael have a new career as a reality show judge? The former Wham singer was reportedly offered a deal by Simon Cowell to appear on the U.S. version of The X Factor.

-Aretha Franklin returned home earlier this week after undergoing surgery in Detroit. According to her cousin, the Queen of Soul -- who is rumored to have pancreatic cancer -- is hoping to be back "on stage, late spring or early summer."

-Train's "Soul Sister" was iTunes' best-selling single of the year. Katy Perry's "California Gurls" ended 2010 in second place while Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie" placed third on the list.

-Funk legend George Clinton has accused the Black Eyed Peas of illegal sampling. He is suing the group for using "(Not Just) Knee Deep" in remixed versions of their song "Shut Up."

Gallery: Mix Tape: George Michael and The X Factor, George Clinton vs. Black Eyed Peas

VIDEO: Justin Bieber on The X Factor

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Performances, Videos, Pop,

Justin Bieber recently stopped by The X Factor stage to perform “Somebody to Love” and his anthem “Baby.”

Watch the video above to see both performances!

Read More | Perez Hilton

Gallery: VIDEO: Justin Bieber on The X Factor

Fans Upset by Steep Bon Jovi Prices

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Rock,

Bon Jovi has been blasted for “ludicrous” ticket prices for their London tour.

The “We Weren’t Born to Follow” rockers are set to play a string of dates at the city’s O2 Arena starting June 7, but fans are upset they will have to pay up to a staggering $2100 to see their idols.

General admission to the shows costs $73 for the cheapest seats, rising to $327, while the price of the highest-banded premium tickets has led angry fans to call for a boycott of the concerts.

One wrote on the group’s website: “I am going to stand up for what I believe in and use my earnings to feed my kids rather than lining some fat cat’s pockets.” Another added: “After writing an album about the world’s problems with the recession the prices are just a mockery.”

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VIDEO: Whitney Houston Sings Right Out of Her Dress

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Gossip, Performances, Pop,

Although Whitney Houston is not set to tour the UK until April, television audiences got a preview of what to expect last night.

During last night’s X Factor, the singer performed the song “Million Dollar Bill”...and nearly gave viewers quite a show.

At approximately the 2:15 mark of her number, part of Houston’s silver gown came undone. Whitney had been so concerned with the bottom part of her dress, she didn’t realize the back was really the issue.

The professional, of course, didn’t let the malfunction interrupt her performance and even acknowledged the mishap at the end. “I sang myself out of my clothes,” she joked.

Read More | E! Online

Gallery: VIDEO: Whitney Houston Sings Right Out of Her Dress

Whitney Houston Touring the UK

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, R&B / Soul,

Whitney Houston is planning to tour the UK for the first time in over a decade.

The “I Look to You” singer will play five arena dates starting next April in venues across England and Scotland.

“This is my first full tour since the My Love Is Your Love tour in 1999 and I am so excited to be performing for my fans around the world after all this time,” Whitney said. “I am putting together a great show and cannot wait to perform the songs from my new album Look to You along with some of your favorites.”

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Simon Cowell Points Out Beatles’ Weak Spot

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip,

Simon Cowell has blasted The Beatles, claiming they would have failed auditions on The X Factor.

The music mogul - who once rejected the Spice Girls, the best-selling girl group of all time - says he would have kicked the iconic band off his British TV talent show unless they fired drummer Ringo Starr. “If The Beatles came on the show we would have said, ‘We’ll take those three - Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison - but probably lose the drummer,’” the 49-year-old said. “With Ringo, I’m afraid, we would have said ‘bad news’.”

Speaking in a US television interview with his Britain’s Got Talent co-star Amanda Holden, Simon also revealed what drives him. “I like winning, Amanda. That’s what excites me,” Cowell admitted.

Simon is now focusing on the career of Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle, who will perform on the final of America’s Got Talent next week. Her debut album is due for release in November, and is expected to shoot to the top of the charts in America and Britain.

Gallery: Simon Cowell Points Out Beatles’ Weak Spot

Leona Lewis finishing up album, planning two-year tour

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Concerts / Tours, Upcoming Releases, Pop,

Leona Lewis is planning a two-year tour. The singer wants to hit the road for her first ever solo tour as soon as she finishes recording her second album in Los Angeles. She said: “I’ll be touring in 2010 and through to the year after. I just can’t wait.” Leona - who shot to fame after winning UK TV talent show The X Factor - is really excited about her upcoming LP, the follow-up to her hit 2007 debut Spirit. The album is rumoured to be packed with several star guests, including Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo and super-producer Timbaland, and Leona insists fans will be surprised by her new sound.

The 24-year-old star told Britain’s Daily Star newspaper: “I’ve recorded about 20 songs so far. I’d say it was about halfway there. I’ve been flying back and forth to Los Angeles to record it. The music has a different feel this time. It’s more of a live, heavier sound with a lot of real instruments. It’s something I’ll be able to perform live.”

Jordin Sparks - a former winner of talent show ‘American Idol’ - recently revealed she is keen to collaborate with Leona. She previously said: “I want to work with Leona Lewis. I love her, she’s so sweet! I’d love to do a nice powerful female duet with her. I think our voices would blend together really well.”

Gallery: Leona Lewis finishing up album, planning two-year tour

Simon Cowell was a difficult, competitive child says Mom

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Industry News,

Simon Cowell has always been “difficult”, says his mother. The music mogul - who is nicknamed ‘Mr. Nasty’ for his harsh criticisms of contestants on reality TV shows including Americal Idol and Britain’s The X Factor, had an extremely competitive nature and refused to take no for an answer, reveals Julie Cowell.

Julie, 82, said: “He was a difficult child, he knew what he wanted and sent you crazy getting it. He was one of those children who made up their mind from an early age and was very competitive as a child.” The 49-year-old star also showed a devious streak from a young age, allowing his mother take the blame when he crashed his father’s car!

Brother Nicholas Cowell told British TV documentary Where Did It All Go Right?: “Simon once reversed into the driveway and smashed into my dad’s car, breaking the glass. He picked up the glass and dropped it at the front of the house. He then let off the handbrake of my dad’s car and rolled it up to the glass and drove off in his own. Mum was the last person to have used the car so Simon suggested mum had left the handbreak off. We were always in trouble, always doing something.”

Gallery: Simon Cowell was a difficult, competitive child says Mom