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Alabama Shakes and 'Sound & Color' Becomes First Independent Release Atop Billboard 200 during 2015
Alabama Shakes and 'Sound & Color' brought an air of independence to the Billboard 200 this week, as the album became the first independent label (ATO) release to top the charts during 2015. It was easily the band's bestselling week ever, moving 96,000 equivalent copies during its first week. Yet it seemed almost inevitable: The band got to no. 6 with its previous release, 'Boys & Girls', but nearly a year after it debuted. Listeners caught on to the band just a hair too late, and made up for it this time around. -
Morrissey Struggling to Find Label after Harvest Fiasco, Rejects Kickstarter as 'Desperate'
Morrissey, not a man to get along with record labels, has discovered that music imprints aren't too excited to work with him either. Speaking with newspaper El Pais this week, he says that he's approached several labels to gather a supporting base for his next album, and has been turned down by all. -
Jack Ely, Kingsmen Vocalist Behind Legendary 'Louie, Louie,' Dead at Age 71 from Mystery Illness
Jack Ely, the vocalist made legendary by his appearance in the classic rock song "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen, has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed that he had passed away from an illness he had be suffering from for years, although his religious beliefs led to him never seeking out a diagnosis. -
Elvis Presley's Planes Staying at Graceland According to Estate Report; No Response from OKC Partnership
Good news for Elvis Presley fans and devotees, as the ever-continuing drama behind the icon's famous planes seems to have landed, at last, at Graceland to stay. The Associated Press, along with Presley's daughter Lisa Marie, reports that the aircraft will stay for good at Presley's home outside of Memphis, TN. -
Grooveshark Could be Fined $730 Million for Universal Music Group Lawsuit Damages
It's been five years since the Universal Music Group first brought its legal team against Grooveshark, a music streaming site. Now it looks like the defendant will pay a dramatic amount, approaching a billion dollars in fines. Universal had looked to make an example out of the relatively small site, claiming that it would unleash "legal jihad" on the company, and it looks as if they aim to follow through. -
Happy 40th Birthday Joey Jordison: 5 Great Drum Tracks from Former Slipknot Percussionist
Happy birthday to Joey Jordison, the longtime drummer for Slipknot and touring percussionist with Rob Zombie, who turned 40 today. Although his former band continues to go strong—.5: The Gray Chapter topped the Billboard 200, and the new guy (supposedly former Against Me! drummer Jay Weinberg) seems to be doing alright—yet fans can't help but miss Jordison, long considered to be the most instrumentally sound member of the metal collective. All we can do is hope for an anniversary in the future, but for the moment let's reflect on some of Jordison's more impressive tracks. -
Amy Winehouse's Father Mitch 'Furious' Over Documentary, Threatens Lawsuit Against Asif Kapadia
We've been hearing a lot about the forthcoming Amy Winehouse documentary 'Amy: The Girl Behind The Name,' but something that hasn't been brought to light: The vocalist's father Mitch Winehouse isn't a fan in the least. He's made statements now that suggest he and the family will bring a lawsuit against filmmaker Asif Kapadia after the film debuts at the Cannes Film Festival next week. -
KCON Expands to New York for 2015, Following Successful Tokyo Launch; What's The Lineup?
The KCON festival has expanded to the East Coast as Korean music and culture continue to find new footholds in the United States. The event, which has been held in Los Angeles for four years now, will make its debut in the New York City area during 2015. -
Eric Church, Amy Grant and...Richard Nixon? Nashville's Famous Venues and First Performers
Nashville didn't become known as "Music City" for no good reason: Apart from its role in the history of country, bluegrass and rock 'n' roll, the city hosts a number of iconic venues for traveling performers and tourists to swing by when in town. Eric Church will christen the newest, Ascend Amphitheater, when he plays a solo set to open the new 6,800-capacity venue in July. That got us thinking: Who were the other performers that played the first gigs at some of Nashville's other historic venues, such as Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House and The Blue Bird Cafe? -
8 Oasis No. 1 UK Hits: 'Don't Look Back In Anger,' 'The Hindu Times,' 'Lyla' and More
Oasis, the most essentially-British band of the last 30 years (by both their own reckoning and ours), finally topped the charts in the Gallagher brothers' beloved UK 20 years ago today, with the single "Some Might Say," the first song off of the band's beloved album (What's The Story) Morning Glory? The band ended up topping the UK singles charts seven more times throughout its career (and only getting as high as no. 8 on the U.S. charts). Here are those no. 1 singles...be prepared for a few surprises (in terms of what didn't make it, if anything). -
Calexico Continues Expansion of Sounds and Cultures in 'Edge of The Sun,' Follow-Up to 'Algiers'
Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Calexico and its continuing expansion of sound, inviting in influences beyond its traditional Southwestern fare. -
Independent Music Festivals Contribute $1.5 Billion to UK Economy; What Can American Promoters Learn?
The UK is home to some of the world's most acclaimed music festivals—from Glastonbury to Isle of Wight to Reading and Leeds—but it's independent festival scene is equally lucrative for the region's economy. A study from Association of Independent Festivals suggests that over the past five years, this collection of events has contributed more than $1.5 billion to the cause. -
Will John Mayer Tour With Bob Weir, Other Grateful Dead Members After 'Fare Thee Well' Shows?
We just got done reading about how the Fast and Furious franchise might come back with an eighth film despite the death of Paul Walker, due to the overwhelming sales success of the newest film. Now we see that the Grateful Dead, or some variation of the band, may continue touring later this year despite all the hype built up for the group's supposedly final five shows during July...and John Mayer might be involved. -
System of A Down Plays First Armenian Show to Mark 100th Anniversary of Genocide [WATCH]
System of A Down has preached about plenty of political issues over the years but one has always been close to their hearts: The band, comprised entirely of Armenian-American members, has always pushed for the recognition of the injustices against Armenians in Turkey during 1915 to be labelled as genocide. The band finally played its first show in Armenia as the nation prepares to mark the hundredth anniversary of the tragedy on April 24. -
NU'EST Announces First American Solo Show for Dallas, Immediately After Toronto Kpop Con
K-Pop act NU'EST has announced its first American solo show and fans of the quintet will need to head to Texas to check the band out. The group will play at Gilley's in Dallas, and so far no other American tour dates have been announced.
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