Whitney Houston Launches New Album; Michael Jackson Autopsy Report Delayed

The Los Angeles County coroner's office reports that Michael Jackson's autopsy report will not be released this week as first expected. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter didn't give a reason for the delay, but said the report will now likely be completed the last week of July. The report will include toxicology information that shows what drugs were in Jackson's system when he died on June 25 and whether they caused his death.

On July 22, Los Angeles detectives, federal drug agents and Houston police raided the offices of Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician who was present with Michael Jackson when the singer went into cardiac arrest last month. The investigation is focusing on the drug Propofol, a powerful anesthesia that may have been administered to Jackson before his death. According the Murray's attorney, the doctor plans to continue cooperating with officials.


Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine traveled to Austria on July 24 to perform at the Save the World Awards. He sang Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," which he also performed at Michael's public memorial on July 7. Jermaine received the Save the World Award on behalf of his late brother. Prior to the ceremony, Jermaine said, "I thank all the fans in Europe and around the world who loved and admired Michael for their support in these difficult times. At the Save the World Awards we all will be able to remember a very special person as well as celebrate a truly unique artist."


Madonna's July 19 concert in Marseille, France was cancelled after one worker was killed and seven others injured when the stage they were building for the concert collapsed. Madonna was in Italy at the time of the accident. She was reportedly devastated by the news and issued a statement that said, "My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news." After arriving in France, Madonna paid her respects by visiting the families of the workers. The European dates on her "Sticky and Sweet" tour run through September 1.


R&B singer Kelis, best-known for her 2003 hit single, "Milkshake", gave birth to a baby boy, Knight Jones, in a New York hospital July 22. The father is Kelis' soon-to-be-ex husband, rapper Nas (real name Nasir Jones.) Kelis filed for divorce from Nas in April. A spokesperson for Kelis said, "The beautiful baby boy and his mother are doing wonderful."


Gordon Waller, one-half of the 1960s British pop duo, Peter and Gordon, died Friday (July 17) in Norwich, Connecticut, of cardiovascular disease. He was 64. Waller and Peter Asher hit No. 1 on music charts around the world in 1964 with their debut single "A World Without Love." McCartney, who at the time was dating Asher's sister, actress Jane Asher, wrote the song. According to Asher's website, the duo had nine Top 20 hits between 1964 and 1968, when they split. Among Peter and Gordon's other hits were: "Nobody I Know"; "I Don't Want To See You Again"; and "Lady Godiva."


Whitney Houston was in London on July 14 for the world premiere of her new album, I Look To You. She described the long-awaited album as "a labor of love" and said, "I hope that these songs stay with you for a lifetime." Arista Records will release I Look To You in the U.S. on September 1. Whitney collaborated with some of today's top songwriters and producers, including Diane Warren, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly and Akon.


Bruce Springsteen has extended his "Working On A Dream" tour. Springsteen and his E Street Band will wrap up their current European shows on August 2 in Santiago, Spain. Seven new dates have been added to the band's next round of North American shows, which begins on August 19 in Hartford, Connecticut.




This year's Farm Aid concert will be held on October 4 in St. Louis, Missouri. Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young held their first Farm Aid concert in 1985. Since then, the benefits have raised close to $35 million to help family farmers. Dave Matthews became a regular in the concert lineup in 2001.


Argentina's Premios Gardel (Gardel Awards) ceremony has been cancelled due to the country's H1N1 flu fears. The awards were to be presented on July 27 at Teatro Avenida in Buenos Aires. Winners in 42 categories were announced early in a July 22 press release.



"Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival" tour will begin on July 27 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The 22-city North American outing will feature Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy and Drake. The final show will take place on August 23 in Dallas, Texas.

On July 30, Country star Martina McBride will perform the first of seven European concerts to support her new album Shine. The show will take place in London. She'll then head to Ireland for concerts in Belfast, Letterkenny, Dublin, Killarney, Ballybunion and Castlebar. Martina says, "It's been a long time since I've been over there - probably [19]94 was the last time. I'm looking forward to it. We made so many great memories last time I was there."

Daughtry will kick off a 13-date club tour on August 1 in support of their new album Leave This Town. Concerts begin in St. Petersburg, Florida. Lead singer Chris Daughtry told Billboard, "All I ever wanted to do was be in a successful rock band and play shows, so we really feel at home in [the clubs]."

Pollstar has released its 2009 mid-year list of Top 100 North American tours. Britney Spears holds the Number One spot with nearly 615,000 tickets sold. Rounding out the Top 5 are Fleetwood Mac, Elton John/Billy Joel, the Eagles and Celine Dion. The only Country artist in the Top 10 is Kenny Chesney, who placed at Number 7.