I'm walkin' down that long, lonesome road, babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
But goodbye's too good a word, gal
So I'll just say fare thee well
Bob Dylan and Suze Rotolo on the cover of the former's Freewheelin' Bob Dylan represent the archetype of young, bohemian love. The two of them walking arm and arm down a wintry Greenwhich Village street is one of the most romantic images I can think of.
Source: http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-rip-suze-rotolo/?eref=RSS
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News
You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.
In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.
But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.
"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."
Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.
"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml
Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2011/02/22/rosie-odonnell-splits-from-girlfriend-tracy-kachtick-anders/
Special guests break down Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" music video.
Photo: Jive
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Melissa Howard Shannon Elizabeth Danneel Harris Jennifer Scholle
'Inception' nabs four awards, one more than early awards-season fave 'Social Network.'
By Eric Ditzian
Colin Firth poses with his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in "The King's Speech"
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
"The King's Speech" entered the biggest night in Hollywood as the clear front-runner to win top honors and did not stumble at the 83rd Academy Awards, nabbing four wins out of 12 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Colin Firth and Best Director for Tom Hooper.
"Inception" ended up roping in four wins as well, one better than "The Social Network," which lost out in all the major categories after beginning awards season as a potential dominant Oscar presence yet losing momentum over the past month. The evening, in fact, unfolded without a single upset in the major categories, from Melissa Leo's ("The Fighter") early Supporting Actress win to the Best Picture triumph for "King's Speech."
Firth could have begun penning his Best Actor acceptance speech months ago. When he finally got the chance late in the night, he began, "I have a feeling my career has just peaked" and ended, again self-deprecatingly, "And now, if you'll excuse me, I have some impulses I have to attend to backstage."
Check out backstage photos of the big Oscar winners.
A very pregnant Natalie Portman ("Black Swan") swept aside six-time nominee Annette Bening ("The Kids Are All Right") for Best Actress. Entirely more serious than she was at the Golden Globes, when she laughed about getting to sleep with baby-daddy Benjamin Millepied, Portman instead ran through a dizzying list of thank-yous, acknowledging everyone from her parents to her publicists to director Darren Aronofsky, to whom she said, "You are fearless and a visionary."
Up until the minute the directing award was handed out, no one could decide if Hooper or David Fincher ("The Social Network") would end up the champ. In the end, Hooper soared on the strength of what he dubbed the "triangle of man love," whose points apparently include Firth, Geoffrey Rush and the director himself.
The show kicked off with a high-concept, "Inception"-inspired cold open as hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway entered into the worlds of the Best Picture nominees and some beloved past films — from the boxing ring of "The Fighter" to the rehearsal studio of "Black Swan" to the time-traveling DeLorean from "Back to the Future." The duo then sauntered out onto the stage at the Kodak Theatre and segued into a short, shared monologue in which Hathaway congratulated Franco on his Best Actor nomination and lamented that she wasn't honored for her work in "Love & Other Drugs." "It used to be, you get naked, you get nominated," she joked. "Not anymore!"
Wearing a tuxedo and high heels, Hathaway popped up later for a musical number, riffing on "On My Own" from "Les Misérables" and accusing Hugh Jackman of bailing on a planned duet (following their song-and-dance number from the 2009 Oscars). Franco then joined her, in a blond wig and hot-pink ball gown, because, well, does Franco really need an excuse to be weird?
The first major award of the night went to Leo, who bested some stiff competition for Best Supporting Actress but might have been upstaged by the presenter bestowing her award. The 94-year-old Kirk Douglas commandeered the stage, haltingly telling jokes and clearly enjoying his moment in the spotlight, before announcing the winner. When she finally accepted the award, Leo struggled to keep her composure, unleashed a naughty word that the censors bleeped and profusely thanked the Academy for respecting her work.
Long the heavy favorite for Best Supporting Actor, Christian Bale surprised no one when he collected a win for "The Fighter." More surprising, however, was how the often-reserved star fought off tears as he thanked his wife and daughter. Bale also shouted out the film's cast and crew, saying of Leo, "Melissa, I'm not going to drop the F-bomb like she did. I've done that enough already!"
The writing awards went to two first-time nominees, with Aaron Sorkin nabbing Adapted Screenplay for "The Social Network" and David Seidler taking home Original Screenplay for "The King's Speech." Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross nabbed Original Score for "The Social Network," and Original Song went to 20-time nominee Randy Newman for "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3," which also won Animated Feature Film. Honorary Oscars went to Eli Wallach, Francis Ford Coppola, Kevin Brownlow and Jean-Luc Godard, who did not attend the ceremony.
In the evening's funniest moment, Hathaway and Franco presented a series of faux-music numbers courtesy of the magic of Auto-Tune. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson unwittingly found themselves taking part in a song called "Tiny Ball of Light," culled from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" footage, and "Eclipse" star Robert Pattinson ended up crooning a little ditty alongside Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner titled "He Doesn't Own a Shirt."
Did the Oscars get it right? Let us know in the comments!
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658818/oscar-winners-recap.jhtml
Source: http://perezhilton.com/2011-02-28-platrow-wants-jay-z-collab
Gretchen Mol has a baby girl! Plus, see more stars who welcomed new bundles of joy
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/2009-celebrity-babies/1-b-16266
Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2011/02/21/justin-bieber-sends-truckloads-of-flowers-to-selena-gomez/
Jennifer Aniston Magdalena Wróbel Natalie Portman Ashley Greene
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/02/28/drive-angry-3d-patrick-lussier/
'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris
Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News
Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert Plant on a proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham.
Cornell has been mentioned — along with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, White Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy — as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour.
"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour."
Cornell's denial comes just a day after Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford confirmed reports that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert."
Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played a single reunion set last year at London's O2 Arena. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant.
According to Snider, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' "
"And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in."
In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there."
But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard."
Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming Timbaland-produced solo LP, Scream, will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider Scream something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way.
"It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] Euphoria Morning, my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like.
"It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598367/chris-cornell-debunks-led-zeppelin-rumors.jhtml
Vanity Fair pulled off another star-studded Oscars party last night. Some stars, like Jon Hamm, Jennifer Westfeldt, Emma Stone, Anna Paquin, and Stephen Moyer, arrived earlier to eat dinner and watch the show on TV, while others turned up after attending the big event hosted by Anne Hathaway and James Franco in person. Reese Witherspoon, who wowed in a Giorgi Armani gown, was solo on the red carpet before the show, but once at the bash she met up with her fianc�, Jim Toth. Cameron Diaz and one of the evening's performers, Gwyneth Paltrow, made it a ladies night as they caught up in a corner, but young lovers Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez hardly left each other's sides. Natalie Portman and Colin Firth, the best actor and actress winners, walked inside with the best accessory possible, their Academy Award. She stuck close by her fianc�, Benjamin Millepied, following her stint in the press room talking about their baby, while Colin was finally able to get in some dancing with his wife.
Plenty of other Hollywood couples were able to sneak in PDA, as Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel cuddled up on a couch. Madonna chose to make things a family affair, showing skin in a lacy black dress alongside her daughter Lourdes. For others, it was about catching up with old friends. Jake Gyllenhaal had a nice chat with 50 Cent, and newly single stars Jude Law and Scarlett Johansson shared a moment documented in pictures. Michelle Williams, who was nominated for the best actress honor that ultimately went to Natalie, spent the whole evening with her friend and date Busy Philipps. Selena momentarily left Justin Bieber to catch up with her friend Taylor Swift, who managed to not be photographed anywhere near her ex Jake. He also had another former love, Reese, to avoid as well. There are plenty of other big bashes from last night, so stay tuned to see lots more photos and make sure to check out all of our fashion and beauty coverage!
To see more photos from the bash, just read more.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3213641&vid=487452
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Last fall, when reality star Bethenny Frankel chose to compete on ABC's Skating With the Stars, she chalked the decision up to her love of skating. "Most things I do are business decisions," she told People magazine. "But when I heard about this I thought, 'I just want to do this.' It's so awesome."
No doubt this was true. But she clearly had some business-related motives as well. Cameras for her reality show, Bethenny Ever After (Bravo, Mondays, 10 p.m. ET) were rolling, and there's no doubt that this Type A+ businesswoman wanted to squeeze in as much drama -- and from as many directions -- as possible.
Judging by this preview clip of the upcoming season, she got what she wanted. While the first installment of her show, Bethenny Getting Married?, chronicled her nuptials to salesman Jason Hoppy (and the birth of their baby, Bryn), this season delves into her life as a wife, mother and insanely overextended businesswoman.
It's to Frankel's credit that despite the cameras, and despite the numerous and hard-won professional accomplishments, she still comes across as relatable and real. She fights with her husband -- wittily. She obsesses over the well being of her adorable baby. She handles issues with her in-laws. No, she isn't just like us. But she comes across like a heightened version of us. And that makes her dynamic drive all the more appealing.
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/bethenny-frankel-bethenny-ever-after-bravo/1-a-327114
Jamie Chung Karolína Kurková Michelle Rodriguez Rebecca Mader
Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman
Adam Lambert performs "Whole Lotta Love" on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: R. Mickshaw/Getty Images/ Fox
Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off Led Zeppelin's 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."
That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.
The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album Led Zeppelin II. Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.
For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.
Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Sanaa Lathan Yvonne Strzechowski Freida Pinto Kate Beckinsale
Randy Newman nabs Best Original Song for 'We Belong Together' from 'Toy Story 3.'
By Aly Semigran
Gwyneth Paltrow performs at the 2011 Oscars on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Sunday night (February 27) marked the 83rd annual Academy Awards, but there were some moments when the ceremony was more reminiscent of a Grammy stage.
Gwyneth Paltrow, who has gone from Oscar-winning actress to singing awards-show mainstay — having performed "Forget You" alongside Cee Lo Green and puppets at the Grammys — was one of the featured performers in the Best Original Song category.
Paltrow, who joked to MTV News on the red carpet that she'd calmed her pre-Oscar nerves with a beer, called the ceremony "so, like, freaking serious" as compared to her previous stints on both the Grammys and the Country Music Awards.
After being introduced by Jennifer Hudson, a calmer Paltrow (who Hudson described as "a singing sensation and country music's new star") donning a sleek, off-the-shoulder nude and bejeweled gown, sang some of "Coming Home" for the Kodak Theater and millions of Oscar viewers around the globe.
With a starry stage set-up behind her, Paltrow crooned the chorus, "After all of my running/ I'm finally coming home/ The world tried to break me/ I found a road to take me home."
But Paltrow wasn't the only familiar face to appear as a performer during the ceremony. Fellow singer/actress Mandy Moore, wearing a flowing blue gown, sang the nominated "I See the Light" from her hit animated film "Tangled" alongside her co-star Zachary Levi, with Alan Menken accompanying them on piano.
Later in the telecast, Florence Welch, frontwoman for 2010 breakout act Florence and the Machine, helped Oscar winner A.R. Rahman perform "If I Rise" from "127 Hours" while images from the Best Picture nominee appeared in the background.
Welch, who wore a striking burnt-sienna gown, showcased her beautiful, moody voice as she stepped in for Dido (who co-wrote the song, as well as sang on the film's original track).
However, those were the only moments those songs and their performers had any Oscar glory on Sunday, as perennial nominee Randy Newman walked away the winner in the Best Original Song category.
Newman, who had performed "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3" at the piano on the Oscar stage, won his second career Academy Award, besting the songs from "Country Strong," "Tangled" and "127 Hours."
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
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'She outdoes herself each time,' one Gaga fan tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" music video premieres on Monday (February 28), and the star's dedicated legion of Little Monsters cannot wait to see what their Mother Monster has up her sleeve in the Nick Knight-directed music video.
When MTV News spoke to a small grouping of Gaga's loyal fans, they revealed what they think might make the final cut of the video, which was a collaboration between Knight, the singer's Haus of Gaga creative team and choreographer Laurieann Gibson.
A fan named Emily guessed that the clip might seek some inspiration from Gaga's stark, egg-y Grammy Awards spectacle earlier this month. "Maybe kind of like her Grammy performance," she pondered. "I don't know. I have no idea. You never know what the hell she's gonna come up with."
"She outdoes herself each time and each time she uses a different director," Leslie Perkins said. "And each time is beyond the last one. I'm expecting nothing less than fabulous."
Cayley couldn't quite put her finger on what the video might look like. She explained, "I don't know! I can only imagine!"
Mon Cherie and her pal, Pam Kitten, figure that something somewhat shocking will probably come of it all. "There's not much more of an egg, hon!" Mon Cherie joked. "She comes out of an elephant poop! I don't know! Nothing shocks me. Lady Gaga — whatever she do is fantastic."
Some of those same fans recently dished to MTV News about what the song "Born This Way" means to them as Gaga ushers in a new phase of her career. "Do what you want to do!" Mon Cherie previously noted. "I mean, keep it real, keep it safe and keep it legal, but you got to do you, hon."
Lisa explained that the tune "means no matter what you are, who you are, who you want to be, you just can't help it, because you were born this way."
Meanwhile, Gaga revealed during a recent visit to "The Gayle King Show" that she also plans to put out a second "Born This Way" video. The singer said that clip, which will accompany a stripped-down version of the song, "will be released on iTunes." She added that "a portion of the money raised selling the song [will] go towards an anti-bully charity."
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658763/lady-gaga-born-this-way-video.jhtml
'It's tremendous,' Best Actor nominee says of the highly secretive script.
By By Rick Marshall, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Jeremy Renner attends the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Getty Images
With "The Avengers" hitting theaters in 2012, all eyes are on Marvel's heroes as we get closer to the day when Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and a host of other comic book characters (and the actors who play them) will appear together on the same screen.
One of the superheroes who won't be debuting in his own solo movie is Clint Barton, the expert archer known as Hawkeye. Played by "Hurt Locker" actor Jeremy Renner, Hawkeye will likely make his official debut in "The Avengers" — though recent rumors have pegged him for a cameo in "Thor."
MTV News caught up with Renner on the red carpet at this year's Academy Awards and pressed him for details about his debut as the bow-wielding marksman.
"Yes, I have [read the 'Avengers' script]," Renner said. "It's tremendous. I can't tell you anything about it."
Calling the film a "massive undertaking," Renner praised the ambition of "Avengers" director Joss Whedon, who's tasked with putting all of Marvel's biggest stars in the same film and making sure there's enough spotlight to go around.
"He [will need to] pull all of those characters off and have it make sense," the actor said.
Little is known about the plot of "Avengers" at this point, other than that it will bring together a long list of high-profile actors and the larger-than-life characters they play in Marvel's movie universe. During last year's Comic-Con in San Diego, Marvel unveiled the core "Avengers" cast of Renner, Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) and Clark Gregg (S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Coulson).
In order to prepare for the role, Renner said archery lessons are indeed on his to-do list — though he has yet to see the costume he'll don as Hawkeye.
As for that rumor about Hawkeye making a cameo in "Thor," Renner would neither confirm nor deny the possibility of fans getting an early peek at his take on the Avengers' marksman.
"I might [have a cameo in 'Thor']," he teased. "Go see it. Check it out."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
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Murray faces manslaughter charges in the singer's death; his medical license has also been suspended.
By Kara Warner
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images
Dr. Conrad Murray has been ordered to stand trial for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
According to The Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor made the decision after a six-day preliminary hearing during which witnesses testified that the Houston cardiologist administered a dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives then left the pop star unmonitored.
During the course of the hearing, testimony was given that Murray ordered hundreds of bottles of propofol in the months before Jackson's death. The AP report also cited the fact that the prosecutors concluded their case with testimony from two doctors who said Murray acted outside the standard of medical care when he administered propofol and failed to provide proper care.
Other damning testimony included that of Jackson's bodyguard, who said that on the morning of the singer's death, it appeared that Murray didn't know how to administer CPR to his dying patient.
Judge Pastor also granted a request by the California Medical Board to suspend Murray's license to practice medicine in the state. Pastor said he made the decision in the interest of public safety and ordered Murray to notify every district in which he practices of the decision within 24 hours. Murray has clinics in Houston and Las Vegas.
Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have argued that he did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him. Murray faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
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Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery
Dave Grohl (file)
Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Officially, Lollapalooza ended Sunday night in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from the Killers and Jane's Addiction. Unofficially, it ended very early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures.
To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of Foo Fighters frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere.
According to some reports, the Vultures actually turned down Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town.
Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called Never Deserved the Future, and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans).
The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Jim DeRogatis.
It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October.
Early Monday, a Crooked Vultures Twitter account, which had previously posted links to the band's official-looking Web site and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a Deserve the Future T-shirt. Cost: $30.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSee who shined (Natalie! Anne!) and who fell short on Hollywood's biggest night!
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/best-and-worst-dressed-2011-oscars/1-b-327041
She?s made the transition from actress to singer look effortless, and Gwyneth Paltrow's performance at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards was one of the night?s memorable moments.
The ?Shakespeare In Love? actress gave a heartfelt rendition of ?Coming Home? from her hit movie ?Country Strong.?
Gwyneth?s song was nominated for Best Song from a Motion Picture, though Randy Newman?s ?We Belong Together? from ?Toy Story 3? ended up winning.
The Oscars were hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway, both of whom did stellar jobs with the gig.
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'When the song comes, it's a very emotional moment,' Florence Welch says of 'If I Rise' before live performance.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Florence Welch attends the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Getty Images
Florence Welch wasn't a nominee at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday (February 27), but the breakout music star approached the evening as if she were up for a trophy.
Welch, who stepped in to help sing Dido's portion of Best Original Song nominee "If I Rise" (from "127 Hours"), talked to MTV News on the Oscar red carpet about her responsibility to do the song from the Best Picture nominee justice.
"When the song comes, it's a very emotional moment," said the Florence and the Machine frontwoman, who was making her Academy Awards debut. "It's the moment when James Franco's ... character realizes what he has to do."
Best Picture nominee "127 Hours" chronicles real-life hiker Aron Ralston's harrowing story of survival, including his decision to amputate his own arm when faced with possible death on a hiking trip. Clearly a fan of the film, Welch recalled her experience of watching the film.
"You know what's going to happen, but you're with him from the very beginning," the red-haired songstress said of Franco's portrayal, which also earned the Oscar host a nod for Best Actor.
In spite of the not-easy-to-watch moments in director Danny Boyle's film, Welch described the scene in which "If I Rise" begins to play "actually, a very calm moment."
Drawing inspiration from the movie and that particular moment scene, Welch told us she prepared to perform live alongside Oscar winner A.R. Rahman — he penned the song with Dido and Rollo Armstrong — by telling herself to "try and be calm."
As for Florence and the Machine fans, the singer told us they can expect new music very soon. "Right now, I'm just working on my second album," she said. But while many are still hoping Florence and the Machine will wind up on the upcoming "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack (they appeared on the "Eclipse" soundtrack), Welch confirmed that she hasn't been called to contribute to the project yet.
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
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Vanessa Hudgens Emma Heming Emmanuelle Chriqui Melissa Howard
Opting to hit the parties rather than the show itself, Kim Kardashian was on hand for the 19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing shindig in Los Angeles on Sunday evening (February 27).
Held at the Pacific Design Center, the E! reality beauty looked stunning in a J Mendel dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewels as she posed in the arrivals area before joining the many celebs in attendance.
Meanwhile, Miss Kardashian also took to her Twitter account to lend support to her mom, Kris Jenner, and her Oscar night endeavors.
Kim tweeted, "Good luck mom! RT @KeepinUpWKris About to go live on E! Countdown!! With @hollymadison happy Oscar Day twitterdolls!'
Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/kim-kardashian/kim-kardashian-glams-elton-johns-oscar-party-481003
Murray to head to trial in death of Jackson following Tuesday hearing.
By Gil Kaufman
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images
Cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray, the only person charged in the June 2009 death of Michael Jackson, will be arraigned on Tuesday morning (January 25) on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Murray, who was serving as the 50-year-old pop icon's personal physician at the time, is expected to plead not guilty in the case.
According to CNN, the hearing in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, is only slated to last a few minutes. While Murray has the right to demand a trial within 60 days, it is not expected that a date will be set for one on Tuesday.
After more than a week of testimony, Pastor ruled during a preliminary hearing in early January that there was enough evidence to bring Murray's case to trial. In the meantime, Murray remains free on $75,000 bond, but Pastor blocked the doctor from using his California medical license until the trial is completed.
"Michael is not with us today because of an utterly inept, incompetent, reckless doctor — the defendant Conrad Murray," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said in his final arguments in the preliminary hearing, where a series of witnesses recounted Murray's actions during the minutes and hours before and after Jackson's death. The King of Pop died as a result of what the Los Angeles County coroner's office called acute propofol poisoning, a reference to a powerful surgical anesthetic that the singer reportedly requested as a sleep aid to combat chronic insomnia.
While prosecutors appear to be building a case that Murray acted recklessly in attending to Jackson in the singer's final hours, CNN reported that the doctor's lawyers appeared satisfied with the results of the preliminary hearing thanks to some testimony they got from prosecution witnesses that might help raise some reasonable doubt about their client's guilt at trial.
"I think the prosecution is going to change their tactics in this case," defense lawyer J. Michael Flanagan said after the preliminary hearing. "It's not the same as what they gave in opening statements." The defense reportedly is set to argue that it was Jackson himself who administered the final, fatal dose of propofol after waking in a panic from a fitful night of sleep. One of the prosecution's expert witnesses in the case admitted under cross-examination that he made a math mistake and that the recalculation supports the defense theory that Jackson may have given himself the dose of propofol that killed him.
CNN reported that Dr. Richard Ruffalo, an anesthesiologist hired by the prosecution, was the last witness to take the stand and his admission about making a mistake on the calculation of the level of propofol in Jackson's stomach fluid reportedly elicited gasps from the members of Jackson's family who were sitting in the hearing room.
Murray's lawyers have suggested that a frustrated Jackson may have poured the anesthetic — which is administered intravenously — into his juice bottle while the doctor was out of his bedroom. "Now it doesn't make sense unless he ingested it orally in a huge amount," Ruffalo testified. The anesthesiologist added that Murray could still be at fault for leaving dangerous drugs near a patient who was allegedly addicted to sedatives and sleep aids.
"It's like leaving a syringe next to a heroin addict," Ruffalo stated. "If he's not getting what he wants, when you leave the room he might reach for it himself ... Either way, it doesn't matter. He abandoned his patient and didn't resuscitate appropriately." Ruffalo said Murray should have anticipated that Jackson, who had previously asked to inject himself with the drug, might potentially administer it to himself. "He gets upset if he doesn't get his milk," he said, explaining that Jackson often referred to propofol as his "milk."
In addition, the pathologist who conducted Jackson's autopsy acknowledged it was possible, though improbable, that the singer gave himself the fatal propofol dose. Speaking to police two days after Jackson's death, Murray told investigators that a sleepless Jackson had begged him for more propofol on the day he died. The King of Pop was in the midst of a grueling series of rehearsals for his planned "This Is It" comeback shows at London's O2 Arena at the time of his death.
A civil lawsuit filed last year by Jackson's mother against the producer of the concerts, AEG Live, alleged that the company had warned the entertainer several weeks before he died that if he missed any more rehearsals they were going to "pull the plug" on the gigs, which the cash-strapped Jackson was depending on to revive his stalled career.
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Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman
Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.
"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."
According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.
On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.
The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."
Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.
"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."
Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.
What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.
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