Wednesday

iTunes Best Sellers of 2007

ITUNES BEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF 2007

1. Maroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before Long
2. Amy Winehouse Back To Black
3. Kanye West Graduation
4. Daughtry Daughtry
5. Colbie Caillat Coco
6. Linkin Park Minutes to Midnight
7. Various Artists High School Musical 2 (Original Soundtrack)
8. Timbaland Shock Value
9. John Mayer Continuum
10. Various Artists Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture)
- see the song list

Ripper Iced as Barlow Returns to Iced Earth

"When I heard several months ago that Matt [Barlow] was going to be doing a project in music again, I was thinking about contacting him and seeing what his intentions were. I didn't act on this because I was so focused on the writing of the new epic, and frankly, it just didn't seem realistic. Well, after getting out on the road and speaking with many of you directly, I decided to call Matt and see how he was doing and if he was interested in working together again. I am proud to say that he is coming back to ICED EARTH and we will be getting back to work in the studio very soon."

"Matt will be singing on Part 2 of the 'Something Wicked' concept CD and we will be looking forward to getting out on tour and delivering a series of ICED EARTH shows that will rival any in the history of the band. And there will be a proper DVD filmed from this period, something we've all been waiting for."
- more on this story

Tritt Sues Label for Fraud

Tritt, who released his latest album, "The Storm," this year on the new independent label Category 5 Records, seeks $10 million in damages. Filed in federal district court, the suit names Category 5 and its president and CEO, Ray Termini of Connecticut.

Tritt contends that Termini misrepresented Category 5's skill and competence as a record company, its financial resources and its ability to honor its financial obligations. He claims he was denied the complete creative control as promised, as well as money for promotional travel and royalty payments.
- Seems the Feds might have a case against Termini as well.

Latest Zeppelin Reunion Rumors

But they also have a rumored gig story that should get American fans excited with the possibilities. Apparently "Led Zeppelin have reportedly spoken privately about performing at Madison Square Garden in 2008." Of course, the source of this tidbit is The Sun so take it with a pound of salt. Then again it was unnamed sources that tipped this week's reunion gig. - Gigwise story

more stories including: Aerosmith Brawl- Tritt Sues Label for Fraud- Radiohead Remixed- Rage Against The Pinkpop- Built to Spill- Macca Honored- Iced Earth- Dr Dre- Iron Maiden- Melanie Dekker- Talking Megadeth- Hanne Hukkelberg- Down- Five Finger Death Punch- Ed Sanders- Mudvayne- Lamb of God- Soundtrack of a Down- more

Thursday

RIAA Say Ripping Your Own CDs a Crime?

CMJ reports: [One of the most popular stories from Thursday's report]Next time you want to import a CD onto your computer, think twice. According to a recent supplementary document filed by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) in support of its motion for summary judgment in the case Atlantic vs. Howell—where a couple is being sued for sharing songs over Kazaa—converting sound recordings from a legally bought record into an MP3 format is considered "unauthorized." 

"Each of these actual, unauthorized disseminations of Plaintiffs' copyrighted works violates Plaintiffs' exclusive distribution right," the document states, where in this case, Atlantic Records is the plaintiff. 

It is not clear whether personal use of the MP3 converted files goes under this claim, as the document states that the files were in a shared folder, one which defendant Jeffrey Howell used for himself and his wife.
- more on this story

Rosanne Cash Recovering from Brain Surgery

The 52-year-old Grammy-winning musician, the eldest of late country icon Johnny Cash's five children, is resting at her New York home, two weeks after her operation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, said a statement from Manhattan Records.

She was diagnosed with a Type 1 Chiari malformation, a rare structural defect that affects the part of the brain that controls balance.- more on this story

Fiddy Praises Filesharing

Speaking to Norwegian magazine Kjendis the rapper said that labels should be looking to manage "the 360 degrees around an artist". 

He added: "What is important for the music industry to understand is that file-sharing doesn't hurt artists." 

- more on this story

Ike Turner RIP

Here is the report from Jam!: Ike Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogrelike image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner, died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76. 

Turner died at his San Marcos home, Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's career, told The Associated Press. There was no immediate word on the cause of death, which was first reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.
- more on this story

Stoned Vehicle Pilot? Weiland Faces Year in Jail

Weiland faces a "maximum penalty of one year county jail and a $1,000 fine, and a minimum penalty eight days in jail," in light of his prior conviction and refusal to take a drug test, Los Angeles City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said in a statement, according to the site. He added that Weiland's car could be impounded for no more than 30 days. 

Earlier this month, the rock star's management issued a statement denying the driving-under-the-influence charge and said he had voluntarily taken a sobriety test. "Scott Weiland was recently involved in a minor accident in Los Angeles and denies he was driving under the influence," the statement read. "He voluntarily took a Breathalyzer test, which the defense believes registers well within the legal limit. He is anxious to get to court on December 13 and clear this matter up." 

Prior to the statement being released, TMZ.com posted a copy of the arrest report, which stated that Weiland was driving on a Los Angeles highway around 6:18 p.m. on November 21 when he was involved in a non-injury collision in which it was determined he was at fault. "While the police were investigating the traffic collision, Weiland exhibited signs of impairment," the report read. "The investigation officer administered a series of field sobriety tests to the driver, which he was unable to satisfactorily perform."
- more on this story

more stories including: Weiland Faces Year in Jail- Ike Turner RIP- Rosanne Cash Recovering from Brain Surgery- MTV on Strike- Groban Ties Elvis and Denies Keys Top Spot- Twisted Sister- Jay-Z- Britney Flakes- At The Throne Of Judgement Split- Mars Volta- Cellador- Billy Joel- 36 Crazyfists- (Pop) Punk Goes Crunk- Eagles- Slayer- more

Friday

Van Halen Add Dates

antiMusic reports: [One of the most popular stories from Friday's report]Van Halen have added 3 new dates to their 2008 itinerary. They will now make a stop in Little Rock, AR and have added additional dates in Dallas and Sunshine/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Alex will also be featured in a upcoming issue of Modern Drummer. 

The Van Halen camp sent over some info on that: Alex Van Halen talks in an exclusive interview with Modern Drummer magazine about helming the heavy artillery in the iconic band. The extensive 21-page story hits newsstands on February 5. 

"As the pounding, aggressive heartbeat of one of the greatest bands in rock history, ALEX VAN HALEN has inspired drummers the world over with his unique sound and style," says Modern Drummer magazine's Editor In Chief Bill Miller. 
- all the tour dates and onsale date info here

Twisted Sister Demand $50K NOT To Play for the Troops

"The group is the injured party here," Twisted Sister agent Steve Green said Thursday. "They're entitled the whole $50,000." 

Danny Peykoff, one half of the Newport Coast couple who organized the show, said he was "shocked, surprised and upset that a band … ya know, if this were a for-profit show I would totally understand, but this was a show for the troops. They're already out here (for a House of Blues show). The injured party here is the injured soldiers coming back from Iraq. Not the rock stars. They didn't spend a dime for this. That to me is un-American." 

[If you missed the story yesterday, the show was cancelled after pitiful ticket sales. It's really too bad that Twisted Sister is taking this stance but what were the organizers thinking booking TS for this? They could have probably gotten a lot bigger drawing band that would have donated their time and effort instead of charging. Disturbed flew themselves from Chicago to L.A. to appear for free at the Raven's Heart Benefit.- more on this story

Crock Hall of Fame Class of 08

For those that scratch their heads at the (c)Rock Hall and how they select nominees and inductees, Fox News columnist Roger Friedman pointed out in an editorial in October that Rolling Stone and Rock Hall founder Jann "Wenner's nominating committee consists largely of his current and former employees from Rolling Stone (Nathan Brackett, David Fricke, Jim Henke, Joe Levy, Brian Keizer, Toure, and Anthony DeCurtis)."

Of course, the sham nominees are voted on by mostly (clueless?) outsiders but all votes apparently are not equal as Friedman broke the story last year that Jane tossed out the inducting vote for Dave Clark Five and instead gave it to Grandmaster Flash. Read about Friedman's call for a boycott of Rolling Stone over their shame hall of fame
- here

Piles Coke Bust

Piles - real name David Lee Gay Jr. - was detained, along with several other associates, on Wednesday (12Dec07) after cops seized over 80 pounds (36 kilograms) of the drug from his property in Tampa, Florida. 

In addition to recovering the cocaine, police found a supply of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a handgun and almost $8,000 (GBP4,000) in cash in the master bedroom of Pile's residence, according AllHipHop.com.

- more on this story

Top Tours of 07

Far less hyped, Genesis put on a reunion tour this year as well which grossed $129 million beating out boybander Justin Timberlake's $126.8 million drawing FutureSex LoveShow tour. 

Here is how the rest of top 10 came out according to Billboard: Kenny Chesney ($71.2 million), Rod Stewart ($70 million), Cirque Du Soleil's Delirium ($59.4 million), Roger Waters ($53.2 million), Tim McGraw/Faith Hill ($52.3 million), Christina Aguilera ($48.1 million) and Rascal Flatts ($41.6 million).

But it's not all good news as US concert attendance is down almost 20% this year. Wonder how much outrageous ticket prices have to do with this? More on that trend and this year in tour grosses
- more on this story

more stories including:Piles Coke Bust- Top Tours of 07- Britney the Virgin Mary?- Spice Girl Goes Splat- Rush Plot 08 World Tour- Robert Plant Tour- Anthrax- Smashing New Year?- Jacko Tour?- Bullet For Headbangers Ball- Billy Talent- Langerado- Liars- Coldplay- Simple Plan- NiggyTardust- King Crimson, Primus Oxygene8- more

Top Reviews

....Keith Urban: Like A Rolling Stone

Keith Urban may possibly the preeminent live performer touring the arena circuit at this moment for reasons that extend beyond the high-spirited performances. His tickets are priced affordably and his stage set up is one of the best without being distracting in the least. - Read the full Keith Urban: Like A Rolling Stone review
 

....Alberta Cross - The Thief & The Heartbreaker

Just when I thought the enjoyment of music like The Black Crowes was as historic as Chris Robinson's Hollywood marriage, Alberta Cross appears with a similar, but less histrionic, soul. (4 stars) - Read the full Alberta Cross - The Thief & The Heartbreaker review
 

....Rock Reads: Clapton - The Autobiography

Eric Clapton's lifelong battle with drugs, booze and various other demons is another in a long line of rock and roll dysfunction stories. Every cliche' about the depths of addiction and the long road back peppers this memoir. (3.5 stars) - Read the full Rock Reads: Clapton - The Autobiography review

....We All Shine On: The Legacy of John Lennon and Dimebag Darrell

On December 8, 1980 the world lost John Lennon and twenty-four years later, Dimebag Darrell, guitarist for the legendary metal group Pantera. What makes the loss of these two musicians so inconceivable is the violent way they left this world. - Read the full We All Shine On: The Legacy of John Lennon and Dimebag Darrell review

....The Klezmonauts - Oy to the World: A Klezmer Christmas

Paul Libman has used his creative genius that is usually reserved for commercials and musical theatre and created a band known as The Klezmonauts to form a musical marriage of Christian Christmas music and Jewish music. - Read the full The Klezmonauts - Oy to the World: A Klezmer Christmas review

Read Day In Rock Reports From Other Days
 

Submit news or a press release to the Day In Rock report