|
Shish, we are trying to listen
The Sun, May 31, 2002
You're considering signing a deal with V2 records so you ring up the boss and arrange a secret late-night meet at your favourite kebab shop. The boss insists on a sneak preview of the CD so you play it on your car stereo while munching a doner.
That's exactly what GEORGE MICHAEL and RICHARD BRANSON did the other night in Bayswater, West London. But unfortunately for them my snapper happened to be queuing for a shish at the Halepi takeaway. George is yet to decide who to sign his album with after his single Freeek! - a one-song deal with Polydor - limped into the charts at a disappointing No7. After buying lamb in pitta, the pair retreated to George's Range Rover to listen to the singer's offerings. An onlooker said: "George put the CD in the stereo and turned the volume right up. Richard seemed to like what he heard and they chatted for 15 minutes." A spokesman for George said: "He's still not signed to anyone yet but his album is due out at the end of the year."
Britpop not bubbling under but drowning
The Times, by Adam Sherwin, May 27 2002
THE Government has called a top-level meeting in an effort to reverse a dramatic slump in the popularity of British pop artists in the $10 billion (L6.86 billion) US market.
Music industry chiefs and government advisers will thrash out new initiatives to reinvent Britpop for American listeners after home-grown acts dropped out of the US Top 100 singles charts for the first time in nearly 40 years. Music has been a major contributor to British exports but a report commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to be presented at Tuesday’s meeting, found that British market share in the US has plummeted from a record of 32 per cent in 1986 to 0.2 per cent.
Eminem, the controversial American rapper, returned to the top of the British singles charts last night but the cultural traffic has become one-way. From Beatlemania, through to David Bowie and George Michael, British music has been welcomed by American buyers. But Robbie Williams and Oasis have failed to charm audiences in the US. Williams’s multimillion international seller Swing When You’re Winning was not even given a release in America by his record company, EMI.
Stereophonics, Britain’s biggest-selling rock act last year, shifted just 57,000 copies of their Just Enough Education To Perform in the US. The report, entitled Make or Break — Supporting UK Music in the USA, recommends the opening of a British music “embassy” in New York to help new acts. The Government will be asked to co-fund the “embassy”, following the success of a British Film Office in Hollywood set up in 1998.
However, American critics have sneered at the idea, blaming the British industy for producing parochial rock bands and manufactured pop pap. The British Council is hosting the meeting, which will be attended by the head of the British Phonographic Industry as well as leading record company chairmen, artists, managers and music publishers.
The “Britflop” slump became stark last month when the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart contained no British act for the first time since October 1963. Exactly 20 years ago there were 40 British singles in the Top 100. British acts have enjoyed a strong presence ever since the Beatles took the top five places in April 1964. In recent years American listeners have turned inward, buying vast quantities of native rap, R&B and “nu-metal” albums, genres in which British artists struggle to compete. The report cites Dido, who has sold six million records in the States, as the successful model to emulate.
Robbie voted Greatest Man In Music
Ananova, May 27 2002
Robbie Williams has beaten Elvis, Bowie and Lennon to be voted the most important man in music. More than half a million votes were cast in the survey for VH1. The music channel will count down the top 100 throughout this week. Robbie was more than 77,000 votes ahead of his nearest rival Michael Jackson. Rolling Stone Mick Jagger could manage only 51st place. Robbie is reported to be currently dating Rachel Hunter, the estranged wife of Rod Stewart, who managed 35th place. Other unusual results include former Savage Garden star Darren Hayes coming in at number 42 - a full 52 places ahead of songwriter Burt Bacharach. Jamiroquai's Jay Kay comes in at 50, while Beach Boys supremo Brian Wilson manages only 100. The channel is broadcasting the countdown with 20 acts each day, with the top 20 placings on Friday. The full chart will be aired on both Saturday and Sunday.
The top 20 is as follows:
1. Robbie Williams
2. Michael Jackson
3. Elvis Presley
4. John Lennon
5. Freddie Mercury
6. Bono
7. Elton John
8. George Michael
9. David Bowie
10. Sting
George isn't a happy bunny
NOW mag, May 22, 2002
Friends fear that George Michael is slipping into a depression as his career fails to re-ignite. The recent death of his beloved pet dog has only made matters worse.
It was nearly 10 years ago that the multi-millionaire singer launched a bitter legal battle against his old record company Sony. The row dragged on for two years, but George was eventually able to free himself from his contract.
But now it seems things aren't much rosier with his new label Polydor, with whom George has signed a one single, one album deal. His single Freeek! didn't make No 1 in the UK chart and got lost amid the hype over Gareth Gates and Will Young.
Meanwhile, George has halted work on his album and plans to take time off to think about matters further, which means that a planned July release date will not be met. Insiders say that George isnt happy with the way he being promoted and feels the single should have performed better.
Executives at Polydor argue that it's impossible to promote an artist who refuses to do any press or television. George did just one radio interview, in which he attacked his old friend Geri Haliwell. Fans of the superstar, who've already waited thee years for a new album, are just going to have to wait a little longer.
Bizarre 20th anniversary
The Sun, May 15, 2002
Scoops 'n drugs 'n rock 'n roll
THERE’S one good reason why Bizarre has been the World’s No1 Showbiz Column for 20 years — because we bring you the biggest exclusives. The ROLLING STONES, MADONNA, SPICE GIRLS, TAKE THAT, BROS, WHAM!, MICHAEL JACKSON and many others have tried but none have been able to hide from Bizarre. Putting together a list of Bizarre’s greatest hits over the past two decades is a bit like trying to make a compilation of the 20 greatest songs of all time — so much to choose from with so little space. But here, to celebrate our anniversary, we bring you some of the biggest highlights of the biggest showbiz column since it was launched on May 17, 1982.
Split ... George and Andrew
In 1986 we delivered the earth-shattering news that Wham! were to split, with GEORGE MICHAEL and ANDREW RIDGELEY bowing out with a huge gig at Wembley that would net them millions.
George Michael - 1983
I took this at his parents house in Bushey, Herts. He invited me round after he had to cance l a Wham! gig because he had a sore throat. He was in his dressing gown showing knobbly knees, with hair sprouting from everywhere and all these cuddly toys on his lap. I cant see him doing this picture these days.
UK Favourite Singles of All times
May 9, 2002
Rock band Queen's enduring and record-breaking hit Bohemian Rhapsody was today named the nation's favourite single of all time in a poll organised by the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles book. More than 31,000 people voted in the poll of readers of the reference book. The 15th edition, containing the poll, is published on May 24.
George Michael's CARELESS WHISPER at no 33...
Top of the pops - the first ten:
1. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY - Queen
2. IMAGINE- John Lennon
3. HEY JUDE - The Beatles
4. DANCING QUEEN - Abba
5. LIKE A PRAYER - Madonna
6. ANGELS - Robbie Williams
7. PENNY LANE/ STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER - The Beatles
8. WANNABE - Spice Girls
9. YESTERDAY -The Beatles
10. LET IT BE - The Beatles
Mel's diss and tell
BBC, May 7, 2002
Oh, how we feel for Mel B. With her TV and music career in tatters, "Scary" yesterday tried her hand at being a radio DJ. But the Leeds-born lass couldn't even do that properly - she turned up 20 minutes late to present Capital FM's Breakfast Show with Dr Fox. And she didn't even bother to apologise, declaring: "You know what I'm like." Yeah, we do Mel.
Ms Brown then spent the next few hours doing what she loves best - slagging everyone off. When asked what she thinks of Kylie Minogue, she declared: "She's very sexy, but she's got a good plastic surgeon. Kylie has had everything done. I should know, we were there together." And she was scathing about ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's eating disorders.
She said: "Geri talks about her eating disorders in her book and there's a lot of women out there who suffer. I've never experienced anything like that, but from her point of view she's gone a little too far. It's bad representation. She fell out with George Michael because of food. He had filled his fridge with a load of stuff from this really posh place when she went to stay at his house. But she got rid of all the food and he went ballistic and they haven't talked since. She doesn't eat food... she just looks at it. She just drinks water."
The publicity-mad lass also announced plans to head to the States in a laughable bid to crack America. Unfortunately, she doesn't intend to depart for another two years. But 3am are keen to help her out. How about us having a whip-round for a one-way ticket for you love, on condition that you leave the country immediately?
Single Review: George Michael - Freeek!
May 2002
Courtesy of Universal Music Singapore, by Lui Yu Ming
Listen without prejudice¥George Michael is back with a wicked new single "Freeek". Trust the King Of Camp to create an extravaganza after a 3-year hiatus. The King of Modern Soul has abandoned his mellow jazz-R&B sound cultivated in past years. Instead, he's become the Queen Bee of Showgirl Pizzazz. Dark and erotic, "Freeek" pumps and grinds with campy aplomb. It's made in the vein of "Too Funky" but speeded up with beeps and hums of a fax machine running under shrieks of "Sexual Freeek" and some really heavy breathing. Daft Punk-ish driving beats and electronic pop reverb pulsate along George Michael's sexy vocals. No less than a deliciously racy video to herald in a new era of his career, futuristic goth and bondage make the look and feel of the "Freeek" video. Think PVC leather, writhing bodies and slick techno props. Rumour has it that this video cost a cool £1 million to make. Decked out in pervy black leather and a kinky red alien costume, George Michael looks absolutely fabulous. Still gorgeous after all these years, he's got a fire in his belly that maintains his superstardom status. Naughty and risques, this hot new single in a nutshell is freeeking fantastic.
http://www.fridae.com
George Michael is back with a randy new single, Freek, with “enough heavy breathing and moaning to make even the Bel-Ami boys blush”, so says Fridae’s new entertainment writer, Phin Wong. After the release of his Ladies and Gentlemen, The Best of George Michael album, the man with the impeccably maintained goatee said in an interview that he really wanted to record a storming dance album while his legs still worked. Unfortunately, the twit went and released a very so-so collection of jazz covers instead. The world yawned in all that excitement. Ok, at least I did. But everyone’s favourite toilet sex celebrity is back, and something tells me the guy hasn’t lost his mojo quite yet. Woo hah! Freeek (no, it’s not a typo) is the mucho randy new single from George Michael, who clearly isn’t ready to pull up his pants until he’s good and done. Now the guy could have easily gone in the same euro-trash direction as the ancient relic known as Cher, or he could have pranced down the fluffy dance floor path like Sophie Ellis Baxter. Instead, the guy showed he had more balls and teamed up with mystery electronica collaborators only known as Moogymen (who have a sound suspiciously similar to Daft Punk. Hmm…). To a sexy, pounding beat and the buzz of a modem connecting, Georgie gets naughty online, singing about wanting to be “your sexual freeek of the week”, wanting to “come on in” and be “your one fuck fantasy”. Oh yes, and there’s also enough heavy breathing and moaning to make even the Bel-Ami boys blush. And we thought the Brits were shy about these things. Freeek is a great change in the right direction for Michael, replacing his great but now predictable smooth grooves for a harder, thumping electronic sound. But don’t you worry, it’s not a completely different George Michael sound. It still sounds very much like him, except beefed-up, souped-up, and most definitely sexed-up. And if the rumours are true, it’s not just the music that’s getting the naughty treatment - Mr Michael himself might be naked in the video.
I dont know about you, but personally, I’d rather see him in a Gucci suit than his birthday suit. At this point, it’s all hearsay though. The Sun reported that the Freeek video cost £1 million to make, and features the singer as a macho fighter, while Sunday People insist the video cost £2 million, and features him dressed as a dentist. Go figure. Details of the album are just as sketchy with everything still very hush-hush. In fact, the album currently has no fixed release date. In a landmark agreement with a certain record company, the 37-year-old signed a one-single deal. If the record company promotes Freeek well, Michael gets to decide if they get the entire album or not. It’s never happened before, but as we all know, divas always get their way. In the meantime, go get your hands on this brilliant new single. It’s due out in stores on March 18. But don’t wear it out too quickly at home, because I’m pretty darn sure you’ll be shaking your gym-toned booty to it in clubs very soon.
Freddie Mercury tribute concert to be released on DVD
Ananova, May 3, 2002
A DVD of the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert is set to be released on May 13. The concert took place at Wembley Stadium, and featured stars such as David Bowie, George Michael, and the surviving members of Queen. Footage from Queen's reunion concert in Amsterdam earlier this week has been posted on the internet. It can be seen at http://www.queen-fip.com.
The tribute concert DVD will include rehearsal footage, a documentary on the show, videos and a fan photo section. The second half of the show has been re-mastered, and includes surround sound. Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor, scriptwriter Ben Elton and members of the cast of the Queen musical We Will Rock You will be appearing on Parkinson on May 18.
Mercury remembered
Dotmusic, 3 May 2002
Footage of the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert is to be released on DVD this month. The concert, which took place at Wembley Stadium ten years ago, featured performances from artists including David Bowie, George Michael and the remaining members of Queen. The DVD will feature re-mastered surround sound footage of the show, in addition to rehearsal footage, a documentary on the concert, videos and a fan photo section.
Show: Here, There and Everywhere
ROCK ON TV guide to music on television, May 3, 2002
Network: (BBCA) BBC America
Date: Saturday - June 08, 2002
Time: 10:00 pm - 12:00 am ET
Featured Artists: Elvis Costello, Des'ree, Marianne Faithfull, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Sinead O'Connor, The Pretenders
About:
An all-star line-up from the world of pop contribute their voices to celebrate Linda McCartney in a special tribute organized by Linda's friend Chrissie Hynde. Hosted by British comedian Eddie Izzard, this unique musical event includes performances from George Michael, Tom Jones, Sinead O'Connor, Elvis Costello, Des'ree, Marianne Faithful and Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders.
Wicked Whispers
Daily Mail, May 2, 2002
STEPPING into the footprints of Mick Jagger and Elton John, George Michael is allowing a documentary crew to follow him around for his warts-and-all moments.'The BBC and ITV are in a bidding war,' my source whispers.'The BBC is offering less money but more prestige.' The filmmakers will no doubt be grateful that the singer has sworn off public lavatories after his arrest in one for lewd behaviour not long ago.
BOOK REVIEWS: Black Vinyl, White Powder - Simon Napier-Bell
www.stuff.co.nz, reviewed by Nick Gormack, May 1, 2002
The basic premise of this amusing, entertaining, and largely accurate account of the British music biz is that drugs and drug culture have been "absolutely central" to the industry's development – hence the title. Napier-Bell should know, having been involved in the business since the 1960s when he managed white r'n'b merchants The Yardbirds (and co-wrote Dusty Springfield's huge hit You Don't Have to Say You Love Me), through to the '90s managing mega- popsters Wham and the group's star George Michael. In between times, among other projects, he also discovered Marc Bolan, and managed early '80s new- wavers, Japan. So it's as good an inside account as you could find. The other tenet of the music industry that Napier- Bell identifies, and a key factor in its development in Britain, is the influence of gay culture – from early '60s managers and excutives, through to the likes of Elton John, Boy George, and, well, George Michael. Again it's a theme that he demonstrates amply and clearly, and with a good deal of accuracy. If boys join bands to get girls, as the cliche goes, managers sign bands to get boys.
The drugs issue is more obvious – he takes us through marijuana, amphetamines – (comparing the original laid-back recording of Hound Dog by Big Mama Thornton to Evis's fired-up version he makes the salient point "same song, different drug") – heroine, LSD, cocaine, and, of course, more recently, Ecstasy and its derivatives, and their influence on dance culture. While none of that's at all new, the interesting stuff as he relates it, is how the industry, company executives, etc, base their decisions on what's happening in the community on the drug front. As he says the music biz is one of the few businesses around where "executives are almost expected to be fully conversant with, and have a working knowledge of, what's happening in the recreational drug world". Napier-Bell covers the full gamut of British music – he's good on punk and what it meant, and on the much maligned new romantics of the early '80s. (As he says if "the stars of '70s glam rock were children of the '60s making it late, the new romantics were babies of the '70s making it early"). And he's also great at identifying over-all trends in music, the business, and where it's all heading.
Napier-Bell doesn't pretend to be exhaustive in his approach, relying very much on his recollection of events and snippets from others. His writing style is rapid-fire, and anecdotal, which, if sometimes repititious, makes it all the more readable – he's had an interesting life and written a fascinating book.
- Nick Gormack is a writer on rock music for The Press.
|
