• 5 Biggest UK Acts That Have Never Headlined at Glastonbury

    The final headliner of the Glastonbury Music Festival was confirmed today, as rock legends The Who declared they'd be performing on the Pyramid Stage during late June, along with other headliners Kanye West and the Foo Fighters. The inclusion of the band continues the attempts of the Eavis family to book the biggest acts in British history, such as the Rolling Stones during 2013. It makes us wonder: What are the biggest bands in UK music history that haven't graced the big stage yet? There are several that still seem ripe for a headlining gig, such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and more.

  • 5 Bad Vocalist Solo Debuts, from David Lee Roth to Nearly All of The Beatles

    On this date 30 years ago, Freddie Mercury of Queen released his first solo album, Mr. Bad Guy...and it failed drastically, at least from a commercial standpoint. It seems odd now—when a solo album from Brandon Flowers or other vocalists attached to a big-name band can release an album by themselves and land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 without breaking a sweat—that one of the liveliest frontmen in rock history couldn't get into the Top 150 of the album sales charts with his first solo release. That said (and despite the cheesy image of Mercury in shades on the album cover), Mr. Bad Guy ain't a bad record. That can't be said about the solo debuts of these other famous vocalists, from The Beatles' members to David Lee Roth.

  • Freddie Mercury Movie: Sacha Baron Cohen WON'T Be Playing Queen Frontman, According to Brian May

    Queen guitarist Brian May revealed Sunday night to crestfallen film fans that Sacha Baron Cohen would not be playing frontman Freddie Mercury in a biopic after all, despite earlier reports that he had returned to the project. Multiple media outlets, including Music Times, were thrown for a loop when the band's manager, Jim Beach, reportedly reported the news. The longtime band member clarified that Beach's quote at the Artist & Management Awards in London was that Cohen would play "all four major roles," obviously a bit of jest that the original reporting outlet either failed to understand or ignored.

  • Freddie Mercury Biopic: Sacha Baron Cohen Will Write, Direct and Star in Film About Queen Singer

    Queen's manager, Jim Beach, recently confirmed that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen will not only portray deceased frontman Freddie Mercury in a biopic, but he will also write and direct the film. Cohen and the surviving members -- guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor -- have sorted out their differences and will move forward with the movie. Beach made the announcement during a speech at the Artist and Manager Awards earlier this week.

  • Kim Kardashian's Family, Friends Have Abandoned Her Because of Ungratefulness

    Kim Kardashian appears to have the life she has always wanted. She has buckets of cash, a powerful husband and a baby who will help to keep him on the hook. But in all of Kardashian's selfish behavior, she seems to have driven a wedge between herself and her family and friends. Sure, Kardashian pops up on the family's reality shows looking totally invested, but sources say that away from the cameras she claims she is responsible for the success of those around her. According to a report by Radar Online, Kardashian has radically changed since getting together with Kanye West, and she has morphed into the kind of person whom none of her former friends want to have to deal with.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 Best Auditions from Jennifer Lopez's Hometown and Adam Lambert's Return

    The gang headed to Jennifer Lopez's native New York City for the fourth auditions episode of American Idol Season 14. Jenny from the Block ...As an added bonus, former runner-up and current Queen frontman Adam Lambert stopped by to fill in for Keith Urban, effectively putting the country star's bromance with Harry Connick Jr. on hiatus (Urban was thankfully on tour during the shooting).

  • Queen, Adam Lambert to Stream NYE London Show via BBC Music

    Queen + Adam Lambert ringing in the New Year in London with a small show that you are now invited to watch. The group will stream its Westminister Central Hall gig via BBC Music so fans with an Internet connection can join in on the festivities. The band dropped a trailer for the show Wednesday, Dec. 24, featuring Lambert leading the group on Freddie Mercury's solo tune "I Was Born to Love You," Ultimate Classic Rock notes. "I never imagined we would be around to usher in the year of 2015," drummer Roger Taylor said previously. "What a thrill! We promise you a great night." The stream will go live at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 31 as England prepares to ring in the New Year. Watch the show here. The concert will be followed by a fireworks display.

  • Best Original Holiday Songs That Fit an Artist's Style: Mariah Carey, Joni Mitchell, Queen, More [LISTEN]

    I wonder if when Irving Berlin finished writing "White Christmas" he knew he had created a timeless classic. Holiday music has become its own little business, with artists often taking time out of their recording schedule to put together an album of covers and originals. It has become a bloated industry — every pop star and washed-up rock band has a holiday record. Sometimes they are really just mailing it in for a payday. Other times, though, they create something special. Mariah Carey, Tom Petty and Queen all have original Christmas tunes that fit right into their musical styles. You have to give props to those artists who dare to pen a Christmas tune. It is easy to just put a signature spin on something like "Blue Christmas" or "The Christmas Song." Those are already accepted by throngs of holiday shoppers who hear them every year. But what about Billy Squier thumping on "Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'"? Or Joni Mitchell's heartbreaking anthem "River"? You certainly hear those ones less than Frank Sinatra singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" while you are driving to work in December. These tunes are significantly younger than most holiday standards, so perhaps one day they will be thought of as classics. Until then, we will just call them good songs.

  • Adam Lambert or Freddie Mercury? Brian May Says 'American Idol' Alum Has Better Range

    You know those people who say they were "born in the wrong era" and wish they could have been a teenager in the 1960s or '70s? That is basically Adam Lambert, who rose to pop fame with "American Idol" at the turn of the decade. He was as close to late Queen singer Freddie Mercury as a new star could get, but he could not nail down a perfect fit in the music world. Until Queen came calling in 2011, that is. Then the pieces fell into place immediately. One of the world's most storied rock bands got a third wind — after a forgettable era with Paul Rodgers — and Lambert got his chance to eschew pop for the coolest cover gig ever. Now — get this — Brian May is throwing out some serious compliments. "They're difficult songs to sing, Queen songs," he told Japan's Universal Music, via "Billboard." "There's too much range. So many people can't sing them in the original key — even if they are good singers, Adam comes along, [and] he can do it easy. He can do it in his sleep! He can sing higher than even Freddie could in a live situation. So I think Freddie would look at this guy and think, 'Hmm ... Yeah. OK.' There would be a kind of, 'Hmm ... You bastard. You can do this.'"

  • Grimes Explains Story of Stage Name: Claire Boucher Used MySpace for Help

    Grimes, aka Claire Boucher, took to Twitter recently to give fans the lowdown on how she got her name. Previously, the singer told journalists that the name was inspired by artist Ken Grimes and cartoon character Frank Grimes from "The Simpsons." Turns out the name actually originated as a misunderstanding on MySpace, "Consequence of Sound" notes. Here is how Grimes explains Grimes: "On myspace ur genre could be grime and u could have 3 genres so i was plural grime, b4 knowing what grime was," she tweeted. "I was originally too embarased of this story so i told journalists i was named after frank grimes, who is also very cool. Or wait, no i said i was named after someone else named grimes argh, -- see this is why you shouldnt lie to journalists." i was originally too embarased of this story so i told journalists i was named after frank grimes, who is also very cool — Clear Butcher (@Grimezsz) December 20, 2014 i was very please to discover that i actually loved grime music — Clear Butcher (@Grimezsz) December 20, 2014

  • 'SOA' Finale: 6 Best Musical Moments by Forest Rangers, Curtis Stigers, Paul Brady [LISTEN]

    "Music Times" had the chance to speak with Bob Thiele Jr., music supervisor of FX's "Sons of Anarchy," a few weeks ago about his journey in music in television so far. He created another character on the hit show, which was the episode-ending montages that were often some of contemporary music's most-beloved songs. Well, that never scared Thiele, The Forest Rangers or vocal guests like Curtis Stigers and Paul Brady away. They reworked the tunes to complement scenes of graphic violence and inner turmoil. The question is, what is in store for tonight's finale? Here is a look back at some of the finer musical moments from the show:

  • [LIVE STREAM]: The Boss, U2, Carrie Underwood, Yeezy to Play 'A (RED) Thank You' Concert for World AIDS Day

    Kanye West, Carrie Underwood and a special configuration of U2 will all be playing the A (RED) Thank You concert tonight, Dec. 1, for World AIDS Day. Bono's organization planned the event in Times Square, but because of his recent bike accident, the iconic frontman will have to sit this one out. Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay's Chris Martin will take turns fronting the Irish rock outfit, which will be billed as "U2 Minus 1." The festivities, presented by Bank of America, start at 7:30 p.m. and we have a live stream of the concert below. (RED) was founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver. The organization has raised more than $275 million since its inception for the fight against AIDS. According to (RED)'s website, the world is closer to raising its first AIDS-free generation with special treatments that prevent the disease from spreading from a mother to her child. Tonight's concert is to celebrate the work that has been done so far and promote the cause in order to eradicate the disease. "This year is a World AIDS Day like no other," Bono said in a statement. "The world reached a tipping point in the fight against AIDS — more people were newly added to life-saving treatment than were newly infected with the virus." According to U2's website, Springsteen and Martin "graciously donated their time and talents to save the World AIDS Day event from cancellation."

  • Sinead O'Connor Backs 'Do They Know It's Christmas?," Tells Critics to 'Shut the F--k Up'

    Last week, on Nov. 17, the latest version of Band Aid's classic charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was released online to raise money for the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and though it went straight to the top of the U.K. charts and is supporting an undoubtedly good cause, the song has been the subject of plenty of criticism, particularly for its lyrics. According to two British newspapers, Emeli Sandé, who actually appears on the latest version, said the lyrics need "changing," while Lily Allen called the song "a bit smug" and said she would prefer "donating actual money." One artist who is vigorously defending the song, however, is the famously outspoken Sinead O'Connor, who also appears on the song. "I think everyone should shut the f--k up," O'Connor told "Broadsheet," via "Billboard." "If you didn't like the lyrics you shouldn't have agreed to sing the song. I think it's smug of Lily Allen to say it's smug."
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