Paul McCartney has announced that the video for the first single from his upcoming album, Memory Almost Full, will make its premiere on YouTube. The clip of "Dance Tonight" was filmed in London. Seen with McCartney in the video are actors Mackenzie Crook and Natalie Portman. In other news, Apple will make McCartney's entire 25-album solo catalog available on iTunes this week. In addition, EMI Records is reportedly planning to make the Beatles' songs available as legal downloads.
On May 30 and May 31, Guernsey's auction house will put over 1,000 items once owned by the famous Jackson family up for bids. They include Michael Jackson's gold record for his 1981 album Thriller, an autographed program from the Jackson's "Victory" tour, handwritten lyrics and stage costumes. Michael hired attorneys to try to block the auction and have the items returned to him. The lawyers recently dropped that effort. The auction will take place at the Hard Rock hotel resort in Las Vegas.
Bassist Jack Bruce of the legendary rock band Cream told The Associated Press that he's reuniting with group members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker later this year. Personality conflicts between Bruce and Baker resurfaced in 2005, when Clapton organized a Cream reunion at Madison Square Garden. The show marked their first show in 37 years. No details are available about their upcoming reunion show/shows, but Bruce says it won't be for the July 7 "Live Earth" event.
On May 31, Aerosmith will perform for the first time in the United Arab Emirates. Also marking a first is the group's June 2 concert in Bangalore, India. The show will take place at the 10,000-seat Palace Grounds. The concerts are part of the legendary rock group's "Greatest Hits 2007 World Tour."
Mary Chapin Carpenter has cancelled all of her summer tour dates. The singer was hospitalized last month for a blood clot in her lung and is now recovering at her home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Carpenter's tour was to have supported her new CD, The Calling. A statement on her web site says she hopes to get back out on the road sometime in 2008.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on May 29 include: "Double Up" by R. Kelly, "Ultra Payloaded" by Satellite Party (new band founded by former Jane's Addiction lead singer Perry Farrell), "Sweet Warrior" by Richard Thompson and "Scarred" by Johnette Napolitano.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
Several artists are kicking off summer tours this week. They include the Police, who begin their first outing in 23 years on May 28 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The North American leg of their reunion tour will include stops in 30 cities, many with multiple performance dates. The tour will include an appearance at the July 7 Live Earth concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado's 17-city U.S. tour begins on May 30 in Hollywood, Florida. After wrapping up shows on June 23 in Las Vegas, she'll head to London to perform at the multi-artist "Concert For Diana," which will be held on July 1 at Wembley Stadium. Nelly's fourth studio album is expected to be out later this year.
John Mayer will support his Grammy-winning album Continuum with shows in 36 cities. The 45-date trek begins on June 1 in Ridgefield, Washington and is scheduled to wrap up in West Palm Beach, Florida on August 8. Ben Folds will open most shows on the tour.
On June 1, American Idol season five winner Taylor Hicks will kick off his U.S. summer tour in his home state of Alabama. He's currently scheduled to perform close to 40 shows through mid-October, but more dates are expected to be added.
