Queen have overtaken the Beatles as the
most successful act of all time on the UK charts. According to research
by the team behind 'The Book of British Hit Singles & Albums', Queen
have spent an incredible 1,322 weeks on the UK albums chart (29 weeks
more than the Beatles). With sales figures notoriously unreliable in
the 50s, 60s and 70s, the 'weeks on chart' figure represents the fairest,
most accurate method of ranking acts. The book's editor David Roberts
says, "Given that Queen's chart career has been much shorter than
those of The Beatles and Elvis, this is an incredible achievement.
They've long been written about with reverence in the pages of 'The
Book of British Hit Singles and Albums', and this just serves to cement
their legendary status." The band hold a number of records officially
recognised by Guinness World Records. They include: the biggest selling
Greatest Hits album in the UK with 'Greatest Hits 1' (now over 4 million)
and the record for the only act to top the chart with the same single
twice with 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The single, which celebrates its 30th
anniversary later this year, was also voted favourite single of all
time in a poll conducted by readers of the book and is also the biggest
selling non-charity single of all time. The Top 10 Most Successful Acts
of All Time on the UK Albums Chart according to the book are:
1. Queen (1,322 weeks on chart)
2. The Beatles (1,293 weeks)
3. Elvis Presley (1,280 weeks)
4. U2 (1,150 weeks)
5. Dire Straits (1,136 weeks)
6. Simon and Garfunkel (1,114 weeks)
7. Madonna (1,032 weeks)
8. David Bowie (1,005 weeks)
9. Elton John (989 weeks)
10. Michael Jackson (966 weeks)
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ROADRUNNER SIGN NEW YORK DOLLS
Seminal punk rock outfit the New York Dolls have
just signed a deal with Roadrunner Records - much to everyone's surprise.
Even Roadrunner Records Director of A&R David Bason was shocked.
He says, "I can't believe I just signed the most dangerous band
in the history of Rock'n'Roll! I've heard all about the legendary first
few years, bought the records, read the books, saw the photographs.
From what I can tell the first time was just a dress rehearsal. Watch
yer back!" The band will soon head into the studio to record their
first album for the label. Fans can expect a release sometime in 2006.
ROLLING STONE'S DJ DAUGHTER
Jade Jagger, daughter of Rolling Stone frontman
Mick, has made her DJ debut on the latest 'Renaissance presents Pacha
Ibiza' compilation. The reformed wild child is one of three DJs that
feature on the 3CD set - the others being David Morales and Trevor
Nelson. Jagger apparently has thousands of 12-inches, albums and
CDs that fill up the walls of her house with a vast glitter ball dangling
from the ceiling. She says, "Music is my single, most important
habit. It's in my house, in my car; it's in the office. I've pretty
much always got it going on." She also has it going on in the mix
where she mixes blues with R&B, soul and hip-hop. The 44-track compilation
is out now.
RED HOT FINN
The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The
Finn Brothers have been presented with newly created Mushroom
Music Publishing awards in recognition of their songwriting
success. Mushroom Music Publishing's founder and director
Michael Gudinski recently flew to Las Vegas to present the
Red Hot Chili Peppers with their award and was back in Sydney
11 days later to present the Finn Brothers with theirs. He
says, "It is with great pride that we are presenting
these awards to some of the songwriters which have become
the backbone of Mushroom Publishing for their outstanding
writing achievements." The first local award was also
presented recently to Western Australia's Eskimo Joe.
The award has been designed by hot young Melbourne sculptor
Luke Rogers and is based on the classic Mushroom logo from
the early 70's. It is intended to link the spirit of those
heady early days to the equally strong spirit of today's Mushroom
Music writers. Congratulations to all of the recipients.
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EMI UNLEASHED: Part 1
EMI are dusting off the cobwebs this month to unleash some of the most
influential music of the past four decades. First off is a career-spanning
anthology from the legendary Iggy Pop. The man, who's been kicking
the world's collective posterior since his first band The Stooges
searched and destroyed its way to iconic heights in the late 1960s and
70s, has just had two new packages released. The first, 'A Million In
Prizes: The Iggy Pop Anthology', is a chronologically-sequenced 2-CD
collection of Iggy's most exciting recorded moments with the Stooges
and as a solo artist. The second is a never-before-released concert
DVD, 'Iggy Pop: Live At The Avenue B'. The film was recorded live in
Belgium with a 6-camera shoot during Pop's tour to support his 1999
album 'Avenue B'.
EMI UNLEASHED: Part 2
Also just released is a 2CD live set ('Minimum-Maximum')
by one of the most influential bands in pop history - Kraftwerk.
In a career spanning more than 35 years, the German electro pioneers
have been endlessly saluted and mimicked by each new generation of innovators.
The release contains 22 of the band's classics recorded throughout Europe,
Japan and the US during the band's 2004 World Tour. And finally, the
Dave Mustaine led metal masters Megadeth have just released their
own anthology - 'Greatest Hits: Back To the Start'. Fans should also
watch out for a 2-DVD set in late 2005 ('Arsenal Of Megadeth'), which
will include the band's videos, live performances, interviews and home
videos.
One of the most controversial and influential groups in hip-hop
history, Public Enemy, have had their upcoming 'Rebirth
Of A Nation' album withdrawn from release until next year.
Originally slated for an August 29 release, the album now
won't be available until 2006. 'Rebirth Of A Nation' was to
be their first studio album in more than two years with guest
appearances from Dead Prez, Kam, Immortal Technique, MC
Ren (NWA) and The Conscious Daughters and produced
by political rapper Paris. With albums such as 'It
Takes A Million To Hold Us Back' and 'Fear Of A Black Planet',
Public Enemy rewrote the rules of hip-hop and pioneered a
variation of hardcore hip-hop that was musically and politically
revolutionary. The new album will be an exercise in controlled
chaos when it is finally unleashed next year.
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SUPERGRASS NO LONGER COCO
Ten years after re-inventing buzzsaw pop with 'I Should
Coco', Supergrass have announced their plans to release a new
album later this month. 'Road To Rouen' will be the band's 5th and according
to Baz from the band, the album signals the beginning of a new chapter
for Supergrass. He says, "We've had some trying times over the
last couple of years and it changes the way you do things. It changed
the way I wrote songs." Road to Rouen' demonstrates an amazing
development of their sound, firmly shaking off the old frivolous and
cheeky image. It hits the stores on August 21st.
ROADRUNNER ALL-STARS
To celebrate their 25th anniversary as a label, Roadrunner
Records are compiling an all-star album that will contain original musical
collaborations between past and present Roadrunner artists. The groundbreaking
'Roadrunner All-Stars' record will feature approximately 50 musicians
with four central musicians producing and writing all the songs. They
are Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory/Brujeria),
Robert Flynn (Machine Head) and 19 year-old metal prodigy Matt
Heafy (TRIVIUM). In order to cover as wide a spectrum as possible,
no musician will play for more than one writer/producer and each song
will feature a different vocalist. Various artists have contributed
so far including members of Sepultura, Malevolant Creation, Vision
Of Disorder, Sadus, Chimaira, Soulfly, 36 Crazyfists, Obituary, Gruntruck,
Type O Negative, Life Of Agony, Deicide, and many more. The album
will be released later this year.
After blowing audiences away on their previous
three visits, experimental supergroup Fantômas
have just announced that they're coming back for their fourth
tour of the country this September. The foursome made up of
Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Tomahawk), Buzz
Osborne (Melvins), Trevor Dunn (Mr Bungle),
and Dave Lombardo (Slayer) will be here to promote
their latest album - the insanely epileptic 'Suspended Animation'.
The band who repeatedly stun both critics and fans alike with
their musical creativity and ingenuity will be unleashing
their sonic mayhem at the Tivoli (Brisbane) on September 10th,
Enmore Theatre (Sydney) on September 11th, The Palace (Melbourne)
on September 13th, and Metropolis (Fremantle) on September
15th. Get your tickets now!
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GET PHUNKY WITH BEP
Also hitting the country this September will be phunk
masters The Black Eyed Peas with their 'Monkey Business' tour.
Transcending their hip-hop roots, The Black Eyed Peas have become a
global phenomenon with their infectious hooks, groovy beats and an all-round
stellar sound. According to MC Will.I.Am, the group's live show is all
about bringing music to the people and making it fun in the process.
He says, "In going on the road for so long, we got an idea of the
kind of music we wanted to play and make. 'Monkey Business' is very
much about the types of songs we play live. It's about a party…
very much about us and the crowd." Indeed, 'Monkey Business' is
the perfect soundtrack to what is sure to be the ultimate concert tour.
Will.I.Am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo will perform at the Entertainment
Centre (Brisbane) on September 23rd, Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne) on
September 25th, Entertainment Centre (Adelaide) on September 30th, and
the Superdome (Sydney) on October 3rd. Support act for all shows (except
Brisbane) will be one of R&B's finest - John Legend. Tickets
are on sale now.
HONOURABLE FOO
With the longest running #1 album of 2005 on
the ARIA Albums chart with 'In Your Honour', it's no secret
that tickets for the upcoming Foo Fighters tour of
Australia will be a hot commodity. That's right; Dave Grohl
and cohorts are coming back downunder for another batch of
unforgettable live shows. With Leeds act Kaiser Chiefs on
support, the upcoming tour will be a must for any self-respecting
rock fan. The lads will be performing at the Entertainment
Centre (Brisbane) on November 28th, the Superdome (Sydney)
on December 1st, Perth RockIt Festival on December 4th, and
Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne) on December 6th. Tickets are on
sale now.
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SISTERS DOWNUNDER
Canada's most lovely rockin' sisters Tegan and Sara
are coming back to Australia for their 2nd visit this month and they're
taking WA's Little Birdy and Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell
of Jebediah) along with them for the ride. The duo will be here
to promote their latest album 'So Jealous' which has been receiving
some rave reviews of late. Little Birdy have also had an amazing year
with their debut album 'bigbiglove' reaching Gold status and the band
receiving an ARIA nomination. The band have written a bunch of new songs
which they will be playing during the shows along with the older favourites.
You can catch them at Heaven in Adelaide on August 12th, Wrest Point
Casino in Hobart on the 13th, Saloon Bar in Launceston on the 14th,
Bar On The Hill in Newcastle on the 17th, The Roadhouse in Wollongong
on the 18th, Tivoli Theatre in Brisbane on the 19th, Sands Tavern in
Maroochydore on the 20th, Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay on the 21st,
Southport RSL in the Gold Coast on the 23rd, The Metro in Sydney on
the 25th, HI-FI Bar in Melbourne on the 26th and the ANU Bar in Canberra
on the 27th.
Danny Canak
