Eminem claims UK album chart record in ‘Kamikaze’ strike

Eminem overtook ABBA and Led Zeppelin on Friday to claim the record for the most consecutive chart-topping albums in Britain, with the release of “Kamikaze”.

It is the U.S. rapper’s ninth straight album release to hit number one, said the U.K. Official Charts Company.

“Does this mean I get to call myself Sir Eminem?”, asked the 45-year-old, real name Marshall Mathers III.


Alas, the Detroit rapper would have to receive a knighthood — and become one of Queen Elizabeth II’s subjects — to get the honorific sir prefix.

He shared the previous U.K. record of eight straight number one albums with Swedish pop quartet ABBA and Led Zeppelin.

The British rockers achieved the landmark in 1979, ABBA equalled the feat in 1982 and Eminem joined them in December last year.

His last album was panned by critics and snubbed by some fans, though it topped the British charts nonetheless.

Eminem caught the entertainment world off guard with the surprise release of “Kamikaze”, his 10th solo album, produced less than nine months after his last effort.

In it, he lashes out at his favorite targets: the critics, rappers who have shunned him and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Eminem is the international act with the most number one albums in Britain this century. British singer Robbie Williams is the only artist to have more, with 10.

Martin Talbot, the Official Charts Company’s chief executive, paid tribute to Eminem’s run.


“To release nine successful albums is an achievement in itself, but to reach the U.K.’s official albums chart summit with each of them, consecutively, without a break, across 18 years, is quite remarkable.”

“Kamikaze” dethroned the movie cast recording of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” from the album chart top spot. MKH

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

‘Stairway to Heaven’ plagiarism trial underway

LOS ANGELES, United States — Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant appeared in court Tuesday to defend “Stairway to Heaven,” one of the most iconic songs in rock history, from accusations of plagiarism.

The two artists, dressed in black suits, arrived to a throng of reporters at Los Angeles federal court, where a jury of four men and four women was selected ahead of opening arguments in the high-profile case.

Spirit, a psychedelic band from Los Angeles that enjoyed a niche following but never attained the superstardom of Zeppelin, claims the iconic melancholic guitar riff that opens “Stairway to Heaven” was lifted from its instrumental track “Taurus.”

Spirit’s guitarist Randy Wolfe — who went by the nickname Randy California — never took legal action and died in 1997, but a lawsuit was filed by his trustee Michael Skidmore, who was present in court Tuesday.

“It’s going to be a short trial. No foreplay. In and out,” said Skidmore’a attorney, Francis Malofiy.

Attorneys on both sides said they expect the trial to last about five days.

In a magazine interview just before his death, California said it was clear when one listens to the two songs that “Stairway to Heaven” was a “rip-off.”

“And the guys made millions of bucks on it and never said ‘Thank you,’ never said, ‘Can we pay you some money for it?’ It’s kind of a sore point with me,” he said in the interview, quoted in the lawsuit.

After two years of legal proceedings, a judge stopped short of agreeing that the song was copied, but said there was enough of a case for a jury trial in Los Angeles.

Spirit’s representative “failed to proffer evidence of striking similarity, but he has successfully created a triable issue of fact as to access and substantial similarity,” US District Court Judge Gary Klausner said in a ruling in May.

The judge said the two sides had “vehemently contested” the question of whether Led Zeppelin had access to 1967’s “Taurus” before recording “Stairway to Heaven” in London in December 1970 and January 1971.

‘Deep-rooted history’

Led Zeppelin was the opening act for Spirit when the hard British rockers — Plant, Page, John Paul Jones and the since deceased John Bonham — made their US debut on December 26, 1968 in Denver.

But surviving members of Led Zeppelin submitted testimony to the court that they never had substantive interaction with Spirit or listened to the band’s music.

Led Zeppelin argued that the opening of “Stairway to Heaven” — a descending sequence mostly in the A minor key — had been used in music for centuries and that the lawsuit ignored the rest of the song, which builds over eight minutes.

The judge disagreed, writing that the two songs had additional similarities, including the bass line.

Skidmore has not specified the total in damages he is seeking, but various stories in the music press have posited a possible settlement at anywhere between a symbolic $1 plus a writing credit to as much as $40 million.

The lawsuit, originally filed in Pennsylvania, speaks of Led Zeppelin’s “deep-rooted history of lifting composition from blues artists and other songwriters who they have repeatedly failed to credit.”

It lists disputes over 16 other Led Zeppelin songs, many of which were settled by giving the complainant a songwriting credit and royalties, including classics “Whole Lotta Love” and “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.”

“Randy California deserves writing credit for ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and to take his place as an author of rock’s greatest song,” the lawsuit asserts.

The case comes amid a rise in such copyright hearings, with the family of Marvin Gaye last year controversially winning more than $7 million from a jury over the song “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond bassist dies

Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman has died at the age of 70. He was still performing with the band who received the first-ever platinum disc for sales of their 1969 breakthrough album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. He’d also continued work with side-project Captain Beyond until the death of guitarist Larry ‘Rhino’ Reinhardt earlier this year. Dorman, who had suffered heart problems for many years, was found in his car. Police believed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Tony Iommi has reflected on his first year as a cancer victim. The guitarist announced he was suffering from lymphoma soon after Black Sabbath‘s reunion with Ozzy Osbourne was revealed in 2011. Iommi says: “What a year! Certainly not the one I was expecting. Thanks to you all for your massive help and support. It was very encouraging. I’m still working on the album and managed to play three shows – not bad given the news a year ago. I’m looking forward to next year, seeing what you think of the record and touring as much as we’re able.”

Led Zeppelin have reissued their catalogue via iTunes, remastered to make best use of the digital format. It’s a separate move from the band’s planned reissue series, expected in 2013. Meanwhile, Robert Plant has re-emphasised the thought processes behind refusing to take the band’s 2007 reunion any further. He says: “You have to be creative and imaginative and move on. The great essence of Led Zeppelin is the creativity and imagination that developed with each project. I don’t see us being a stadium act, going round and round making everyone feel great playing the hits.” [CBS]

Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has explained how the song Cut Me Some Slack was written with Paul McCartney. The grunge pioneers’ surviving members performed the track several times earlier this month alongside the ex-Beatle. Novoselic says in his blog: “Paul came in with this cigar-box guitar and started playing some mean slide on it. He said it was in D. Grunge instincts took over and I dropped the E on the bass to D. Pat and Dave got into it and the tune took shape. Paul flashed a riff and we picked it up. I busted another one out and everyone picked it up. Things started coming together. A new song was born! And that’s about it. That’s all it is – a new song by some players who have been doing it for a while.”

The last live Deep Purple album featuring Ritchie Blackmore will be re-released on January 29. Live In Paris 1975 features the iconic guitarist alongside David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice performing tracks including Stormbringer, Highway Star, Space Truckin’ and Smoke on the Water.

A 1969 vehicle registration document sent to Jimi Hendrix has sold on eBay for $2250. The enveloped item, addressed in type to Hendrix, was associated with a Corvette he owned at the time and is believed to have written off in an accident and replaced with a similar car. It comes with the standard California Department of Motor Vehicles statement which reads: “If you no longer own this vehicle destroy this card.” [Ultimate Classic Rock]




Classic Rock Presents Jimi Hendrix: People, Hell and Angels Fanpack is currently available for pre-order, containing the complete new Hendrix album due out next year. Find out more.

A group of scientific researchers believe successful musicians are more likely to die young than those who follow other career paths – but the chance of survival is worst among solo artists. The study was led by Mark Bellis, a UK expert of drug abuse and violence prevention. Researchers discovered that out of 1489 big-name artists famous between 1956 and 2006, 137 or 9.2% of them died young, with 39% of those deaths attributed to drink, drugs or violence. More solo artists died than those who worked in a band – In the US the rate was 23% for soloists versus 10% of band members, and in Europe it was 10% versus 5%. [New York Times]

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Obama’s Led Zeppelin tribute

US President Barack Obama hailed Led Zeppelin for “making us all feel young” as Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones received Kennedy Center Honors at the White House on Sunday.

The official video below shows Obama joking with the band about their rock’n'roll past, while acknowledging their contribution to popular culture.

The president said: “I’ve worked with the speechwriters – there’s no smooth transition from ballet to Led Zeppelin.

“When the Brits initially kept their distance Led Zeppelin grabbed the US. It’s been said a generation of young people survived teenage angst with a pair of headphones and a Zeppelin album.

“They redefined the rock’n'roll lifestyle. We do not have video of this, but there were some hotel rooms trashed. So it’s fitting we’re doing this in a room with windows three inches thick – and secret service all around. So, guys, just settle down. These paintings are valuable. They look very calm though, don’t they?

“Tonight we honour Led Zeppelin for making us all feel young.”

Meanwhile, Jason Bonham has revealed how he surprised his bandmates by appearing at the concert in their honour.

The drummer, who replaced his father John at the band’s 2007 reunion, performed with Heart as part of a tribute show that also featured Dave Grohl, Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz.

Bonham said: “It was so incredible to see their faces, sat there next to the president, and I walked on stage and played Stairway with an all-star band.

“The guys knew who was playing – but they didn’t know I would be on drums. Their faces lit up, and the smiles and tears… Well, you can see it on December 26. It was fantastic. What a way to close the show!”

The performance will be broadcast on US network CBS.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Win tickets to Led Zep’s Celebration Day premiere

We’ve got five pairs to give away for the shindig in London – which will be attended by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

Led Zeppelin have announced upcoming premieres in four countries for their Celebration Day movie, which documents the band’s 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena.


The film will debut in New York on October 9, in London on the 12th, in Berlin on the 15th and in Tokyo on the 16th.

We’ve got five pairs of tickets to give away for the London premiere, which will be held at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Go here to enter our competition. Please note: if you are one of our lucky winners, you will be given a link to a booking site to download tickets at home. You will not be sent tickets through the post, neither will you be able to pick them up at the venue’s box office.

Plant, Page and Jones will be at the Apollo in person for this special event and a limited number of tickets will be made available to fans for £20. More ticket info can be found here. Celebration Day will then be available in multiple video and audio formats on November 19.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Led Zeppelin’s Celebration Day confirmed

Led Zeppelin will release the movie of their 2007 reunion show under the title Celebration Day on DVD and as a cinema feature.









The 2hr4min production will play in selected theatres across the world on October 17 following premieres in London, New York, Los Angeles and other major cities. Tickets for the public screenings will be available on September 13 via LedZeppelin.com.
Celebration Day will then go on sale in video and audio formats on November 19.
Over 20 million people applied for 18,000 tickets when Led Zeppelin announced they’d play London’s O2 Arena to celebrate the life of Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ertegun.
Drummer John Bonham’s son Jason performed with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, leading to plans for further shows together, which then ground to a halt when frontman Plant decided not to remain involved.
The Celebration Day announcement came after Led Zeppelin spent five days teasing fans with online countdown images and teaser sound clips.
Meanwhile, the band have been named as recipients of the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors. The organisation says the band “transformed the sound of rock and roll with their lyricism and innovative song structures, infusing blues into the sound of rock and roll and laying the foundation for countless rock bands.”

Celebration Day tracklist

01. Good Times, Bad Times
02. Ramble On
03. Black Dog
04. In My Time Of Dying
05. For Your Life
06. Trampled Underfoot
07. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
08. No Quarter
09. Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You
10. Dazed And Confused
11. Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains the Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir
15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock And Roll

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Led Zeppelin, Buddy Guy, David Letterman to Receive Kennedy Center Awards

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced the seven recipients of the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors. Buddy Guy, Led Zeppelin, David Letterman, Dustin Hoffman and ballerina Natalia Makarova will be honored by the Kennedy Center. Though Led Zeppelin will receive honors as a band, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant will each receive Kennedy Center Honors.

"Buddy Guy is a titan of the blues and has been a tremendous influence on virtually everyone who has picked up an electric guitar in the last half century," said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein in a press release. "David Letterman is one of the most influential personalities in the history of television, entertaining an entire generation of late-night viewers with his unconventional wit and charm . . . and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant transformed the sound of rock & roll with their lyricism and innovative song structures, infusing blues into the sound of rock & roll and laying the foundation for countless rock bands."

The Kennedy Center Honors will be presented on December 1st, with the Honors Gala on December 2nd. The gala will air December 26th on CBS.

source: rollingstone.com

Jimmy Page Unearths Soundtrack Album

Jimmy Page's avant garde soundtrack music from the early Seventies will finally be released on March 20th. Lucifer Rising and Other Sound Tracks will collect several compositions that were recorded at the Led Zeppelin guitarist's home studio, including the title piece, which was intended for use in Kenneth Anger's short film Lucifer Rising. The music never made it into the picture, but Page did make a cameo in the film.

Page will release the record exclusively through his website. An LP edition will be issued on heavyweight vinyl, and a special run of numbered copies will be released as well. The first 93 copies of that set will be autographed by Page.





The track listing for Lucifer Rising and Other Sound Tracks is as follows:

Side One
"Lucifer Rising – Main Track"

Side Two
"Incubus"
"Damask"
"Unharmonics"
"Damask – Ambient"
"Lucifer Rising – Percussive Return"

source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jimmy-page-unearths-soundtrack-album-20120316

Week in Rock History: Whitney Houston Sets a Billboard Record

This week in rock history, Pink Floyd released their debut single, Led Zeppelin ran into some trouble with the von Zeppelin family, Janet Jackson launched her Rhythm Nation World Tour, Whitney Houston’s signature song set a Billboard record and President Obama gave Stevie Wonder the highest honor in American pop music.

February 27, 1967: Pink Floyd release their first single
Before they floated a pig over Battersea Station and constructed The Wall, Pink Floyd made a curious debut. Their first single, "Arnold Layne," was a messy, psychedelic preamble to their great career – and if the lyrics were any indication, it seemed to concern a roving transvestite underwear thief pillaging their native Cambridge, England.

The single cracked the U.K. Top 20 and the Netherlands Top 30, giving the group their first shot of fame – one of the many drugs that singer-guitarist Syd Barrett would soon come to endorse. In 1968, he was replaced by his school friend David Gilmour for all concert duties and was fired from the band two months later.


source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/week-in-rock-history-whitney-houston-sets-a-billboard-record-20120227

led zeppelin song

-Thank You- (Led Zeppelin)  -  If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me. Kind woman, I give you my all, Kind woman, nothing more. Little drops of rain whisper of the pain, tears of loves lost in the days gone by. My love is strong, with you there is no wrong, together we shall go until we die. My, my, my. An inspiration is what you are to me, inspiration, look... see. And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles, Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one. Happiness, no more be sad, happiness....I'm glad. If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

History's Legendary Guitarists

A guitar is nothing less than a magnificent piece of art for those who are its true lovers. People have played this instrument for many centuries. They play it casually for fun, entertainment purposes, to gain personal satisfaction and even to earn money. However, there are some guitar idols who have etched their names in bold handwriting in the history of legendary guitar players. These guitarists will never be forgotten by their fans and music lovers across the globe.
The list of these extra-ordinarily talented people includes some big names like Carlos Santana, Jimmy Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, Tom Morello and Bruce Springsteen. These names come from the new age and classical rock bands as well as solo talents who rocked the world while standing alone. These people have inspired hundreds of people around the world to follow their tunes and become skilled guitarists.
Carlos Santana, born as Carlos Augusto Alves Santana in the Mexico City has ruled the world of music with his hypnotising guitar tunes. The American Grammy Award winning talent has complete control over his Spanish guitar and he possesses perfection in playing the electric guitar. The hybridisation of these two brought by Mr. Santana totally mingles with one's ears. His super hit records include Shaman, Supernatural, Zebop, Abraxas and the self-titled album Santana which have all reached the top ten list of the Billboard 200 charts.
The legendary Kurt Cobain, also famous due to his controversial death, is also remembered as one of the very few guitarists who rocked the world to their feet. The guitarist and lead singer of Nirvana has been the primary reason for the band's huge success. His tracks like "Smells like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are" are still heard by millions around the world as their rock anthems.
When talking about hard rock bands who have revolutionized the metal genre, especially through the extraordinary talents of their guitarists, Metallica without any shadow of a doubt comes on top. Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist and songwriter for Metallica, is honoured as the 11th best guitar player in the Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Before joining Metallica, he rocked with the underground band Exodus. Joining Metallica polished his guitar playing talents to an unmatchable level. The crazy, but cool sounding strums of Kirk inspired millions around the world to play like him.
Jimmy Patrick Page, the guitarist of Led Zeppelin is another big name in the line-up of history's legendary guitarists. Due to his guitar wonders, Led Zeppelin was the most successful band of the 70's. Ranked at number 9 in the Rolling Stone's list, he was considered as one of the most influential and versatile guitarists of all time.
When talking about new age rock idols, Tom Morello is one name worth mentioning. Tom is the guitarist of the famous band, Audioslave, who have enjoyed a huge amount of success in the recent years. Their versatility is especially noticeable in the guitar works of Morello.

You can take professional help and tips to buy PRS Guitars [http://www.soundsgreatmusic.com/] and avail huge discounts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hussey_James

Led Zeppelin

Author: Jack Duckbird

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band, and is one of the most successful and influential groups in popular music history. Led Zeppelin consisted of four men: Jimmy Page (guitar), Robert Plant (lead vocals, harmonica), John Bonham (drums), and John Paul Jones (bass guitar and keyboards).



Formed in 1968, Led Zeppelin were innovators who never lost mainstream appeal. While the band is perhaps best known as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, they also drew inspiration from many other musical genres, including blues, rockabilly, reggae, soul, funk, jazz, Celtic, Indian, Arabic, folk, pop, Latin and country.



Over 25 years after disbanding in response to drummer John Bonham's death in 1980, Led Zeppelin continue to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements, commercial success, and broad influence. To date, the group is reported to have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide, including 109.5 million sales in the United States.



History:

The early days (1968-1970)

In 1968, while bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones still dominated the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, newer, heavier styles of rock and roll were being played by groups like The Who, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream. In that same year, a new British band, Led Zeppelin, began to form their own distinctly thunderous sound, and would play a critical role in the creation of a new musical genre, hard rock.



The formation/The New Yardbirds

The beginnings of Led Zeppelin can be traced to Jimmy Page, who had joined the rock band The Yardbirds in 1966, to play bass guitar after bassist Paul Samwell-Smith quit the group. Shortly thereafter, Page switched from bass to lead guitar creating a lineup that featured both Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck playing dual lead (Chris Dreja moved from rhythm guitar to take over on bass). Following the departure of Jeff Beck in October 1966, The Yardbirds, tired from constant touring and recording, were beginning to wind down. Page discussed forming a supergroup with himself and Beck on guitar, and The Who's Keith Moon and John Entwistle on drums and bass, respectively. Vocalists Donovan, Steve Winwood and Steve Marriott were also considered for the project. The group never formed, although Page, Beck and Moon did record a song together in 1966, "Beck's Bolero", which is featured on Beck's 1968 album, Truth. The recording session also included bassist John Paul Jones, who told Page that he would be interested in collaborating with him on future projects.



The Yardbirds played their final gig in July 1968, after which vocalist Keith Relf and drummer Jim McCarty left the band, wishing to pursue a shared interest in folk music. However, The Yardbirds were still committed to perform several concerts in Scandinavia, so McCarty and Relf authorised Page and Dreja to use the Yardbirds name to fulfil the band's obligations. Page and Dreja began putting a new line-up together. Page's first choice for lead singer, Terry Reid, declined the offer, but suggested a singer he knew of who played on the Birmingham scene called Robert Plant. Plant accepted the position, and also recommended John Bonham from nearby Redditch who also played regularly in Birmingham bands. Plant and Bonham had recently played in the Band of Joy together. When Dreja opted out of the project to become a photographer (he would later take the photograph that appeared on the back of Led Zeppelin's debut album), John Paul Jones contacted Page about the empty position. Page, being familiar with his credentials, gladly accepted him as the band's new bassist.



The band completed the Scandinavian tour as the New Yardbirds. After some discussion, the name "Led Zeppelin" was chosen as a new name, based upon a name (Lead Zeppelin) that Keith Moon had suggested during his discussions with Page about a possible supergroup. Moon got the name from John Entwistle's term for a bad gig, describing it as "going over" (some sources say "going down") "like a lead zeppelin". The group deliberately dropped the 'a' in Lead at the suggestion of their manager, Peter Grant, to prevent people from pronouncing it as "leed".



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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/led-zeppelin-282756.html

About the AuthorJack Duckbird is a freelance writer currently living in Texas.
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