Who needs bathrooms? ([email protected])
Sun, 20 Dec 1998 10:24:45 -0700
"It's a commissioning editor's prerogative to say yes or no to a project;
that's why they're there. However, I think that the business of trying to
work in quality television (which is expensive) is very, very difficult.
It's difficult everywhere and it's a very stressful business. There is no
pension. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. It's on a
project-by-project basis and it's all by dint of belief in something that
you do it at all."
ANY performer takes a considerable risk by appearing in a film. By putting
his or herself in the hands of people who may not be particularly musically
aware, the finished product might well be an embarrassment and a disaster.
Because of this, any programme-maker with whom a musician can develop a
trust is a valued presence. This is precisely how people like Philip King
manages to work on such wonderful projects such as the forthcoming film with
Elvis and Burt. With Elvis literally on the way up the stairs, King is
hoping that, above all, it is the actual subject of the film who will be
most happy with the end result.
"I make films about music, but what I bring to it is the sensibility of a
performer. It's almost like making the films from the inside out and it's a
real privilege. It's a trust to be allowed into the confidence of musicians
and it's a trust I would never abuse. Some film-making can be very invasive.
But the camera can also be the instrument which enables you to get to the
moment that matters in the music. That's why what Elvis feels about the film
is extremely important. He is the performer, and I am the person who
documents his performance and can give an aspect to that performance. I will
be led by him in all musical senses. "What I'm trying to give is a visual
context to what is essentially an aural sensation. A lot of music television
involves taking cameras into a concert and trying to capture the atmosphere
that's there. But I think what the small screen can do for the individual is
make a connection or a conduit from the individual like Elvis to you and you
alone. It's an exclusive thing. I think if it's done right then you can
fully relate to the person. And if the film allows Elvis and Burt's music to
walk down that line to one person, then it succeeds."
-------------
Thanks to [email protected] for the following:
Information Society (known to fans as "INSOC") will be releasing a cover of
the U2 classic �One� at some point this coming year on the indie industrial
label Cleopatra. It will be part of a tribute album from Cleopatra featuring
other artists (most likely of the same calibre). Information Society is most
notable for their string of technopop hits in the late eighties such as
"What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy),� "Walking Away,� "Repetition,� �Think,�
and �Running.� The electronic band released three albums as a dance
quartet/trio until their breakup in 1993. In 1996, lead singer Kurt Harland
took the fate of the band into his own hands and reinvented the franchise as
an industrial goth San Francisco-based act. Also on the InSoc horizon is a
rendering of �Express Yourself� for a Madonna tribute, a greatest hits double
CD (one CD of remixed classics, another of videos), and a long awaited
Brasillian/US tour.
Official Website: http://InSoc.org
-------------
Part I of the Muse interview is online at http://www.muse.ie .
-------------
>From Wall of Sound:
Top-Grossing Tours Announced
Were you one of the many who caught the Rolling Stones Bridges
to Babylon tour in 1998? If so, you helped put the aging rockers at
the top of the list of biggest-grossing tours. According to the year-
end issue of Amusement Business, Mick, Keith, and their mates
brought in almost $200 million in 1998�a figure made more remarkable
by the fact that their closest competition, U2's PopMart tour, didn't
even cross the $50 million line. The Stones are set to return to the
road in 1999, in support of No Security, the live album recorded
during the Bridges to Babylon road trip.
It's no surprise that country music tends to dominate the charts
these days, but the appearance of three country superstars in the
Top 10 is sure to make promoter's eyelids raise across the country.
Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Shania Twain were all present,
collectively roping in almost $100 million.
Top 10 Grossing Tours of 1998
1. The Rolling Stones ($193,351,265)
2. U2 ($45,086,058)
3. Elton John ($40,040,779)
4. Yanni ($38,185,482)
5. Garth Brooks ($34,883,676)
6. George Strait ($32,948,832)
7. Janet Jackson ($32,279,900)
8. Eric Clapton ($29,877,575)
9. Celine Dion ($29,781,703)
10. Shania Twain ($27,083,481)
-------------
>From dotmusic:
U2 and George Micheal lead Xmas album sales
The greatest hits packages from U2 and George Michael are gearing
up to be the biggest albums this Christmas, according to a survey
by dotmusic's sister title fono.
fono's snapshot survey involves looking at chart information from
accross 15 European territories. Micheal's album figures in Top
10s across 14 territories, while U2 is at number one in eight
markets and Top 10 in four others.
Following closely behind are Mariah Carey's Ones and Celine Dion's
Christmas themed These Are Special Times.
-------------
Thanks to Allison for the following:
CELTIC REJECT CONSORTIUM PLANS
By Simon Buckland, PA Sport.
Celtic rejected the proposals of the consortium led by Kenny
Dalglish and Jim Kerr insisting the expression of interest
was not "in the best interests" of the Parkhead club.
At a news conference called at short notice on Friday
evening, Celtic vice-chairman Brian Quinn and managing
director Fergus McCann stressed the Celtic board were
united in their stance on the projected takeover, emphasising
what was mooted by the consortium was below the club's
market value.
Quinn said: "We acknowledge the consortium's expression
of interest in the company.
"We have considered the consortium's proposals and, after
discussion with our advisors, are unanimous in our view that
this approach is not in the best interests of Celtic, its
supporters and shareholders.
"Celtic is much more than a business. The Celtic board has
always been mindful of the need to reconcile its
responsibility to shareholders with its wider role of
representing the Celtic community.
"Fergus McCann's plans of enhancing the participation of
ordinary Celtic supporters in the club are intended to
maintain that balance.
"Turning to the proposals themselves, the board believes that
they do not satisfy the criteria against which the board
would assess this approach and accordingly they do not
represent fair value to the Celtic shareholders."
� PA Sporting Life
-------------
Condensed from CNN:
(Prarit's note: This really is more of an ad for Music Boulevard,
but it's still a news item...)
Music Boulevard Offers Solutions for Last-Minute Gift-Givers;
Twenty-Five Music Gifts Guaranteed to Be under The...
PRNewswire 17-DEC-98
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/-- Christmas is only eight days
away and holiday shoppers are scrambling to find the perfect last-
minute gift. Music Boulevard, the world's #1 online music superstore
(www.musicblvd.com) is offering a solution: twenty-five music gifts
guaranteed to be under the tree on Christmas Day. All you have to
do is order by 5:00 p.m. on December 22nd and select Fed
Ex Overnight shipping and your gift will reach its destination in time.
U2-- Best Of 1980-1990 [Limited Edition 2-CD Set]
Our Price: $21.22
The band of the '80's brings you a 2-CD set with their greatest
hits from that period like "Pride (In The Name Of Love)," "With
Or Without You," "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," "I Will Follow" and
many more. The second CD, a limited edition, contains rare
B-sides.
-------------
The www.muse.ie interview will go live by midnight GMT this
evening(December 18th), and the second part should be live
midnight GMT on January 1, 1999.
The interview is rumoured to be in The Clarence Hotel.
Thanks to Derek Mark McCallister for this information!
-------------
Condensed from The Belfast Telegraph:
Celine set to bloom at Botanic
By Gail Walker
SINGING superstar Celine Dion is to perform a
massive open air concert in Belfast next year, it
was confirmed today.
The Canadian singer currently the biggest selling
artist in the world is bringing what could be her
farewell tour to the city's Botanic Gardens on
May 29.
And music industry insiders predict the 40,000
tickets to see Celine, who is more popular than
even Garth Brooks and U2 in Ireland, will be
snapped up within days when they go on sale
tomorrow at �35.50 each.
Delighted promoter Eamonn McCann, of
Wonderland Promotions, said today: "This will
surely be the biggest and most spectacular
concert to be staged in Belfast in 1999.
"In fact I can promise with complete confidence
that it will rival the now legendary U2 concert in
August 1997."Celine Dion, arguably the greatest
vocalist of her generation in popular music, has a
huge catalogue of hits, including Think Twice,
Falling Into You, and It's All Coming Back To Me
Now.
Put it like this. U2 were at the top of the tree ten
years ago with The Joshua Tree and yet they still
did the business when I brought them to Belfast
last year.
"This time round people here can see the biggest
artist in the world when she is truly at the peak of
her career."
-------------
Thanks to Elizabeth Platt for the following:
Cash Boost For Irish Millennium Body
PA 12/15/98 15:11
Copyright 1998 PA News
By Chris Parkin, PA News
A committee to oversee Ireland's Millennium celebrations
that includes Boyzone's Ronan Keating and U2 manager Paul
McGuinness is to get IR 30 million funding from the Dublin
government.
Government Chief Whip Seamus Brennan, who chairs the group,
said tonight that the cash, being made available over the next
two years, was planned to act as a lever on other sources of
funding from both the private and public sectors.
He added: "I am confident the committee will ensure that
Ireland marks the millennium in a fashion that will make it
truly memorable.
-------------
Thanks to Pierluigi for the following:
Italian Charts:
Albums:
1. Bluesugar - Zucchero [was at 1]
2. Best Of... (2 cd) - U2 [was at 2]
The 1cd version is at # 14 [down from 7]
Singles:
Sweetest Thing at # 5 [was at 5]
Next saturday (Dec 19) Italian Radio Rai Due will broadcast an exclusive
interview with U2 (recorded just some hours before, I've been told).
There'll be also a live concert from the most famous Italian U2 cover band,
Achtung Babies. The program is called Hit Parade Live Show, starting at 15
PM (GMT +1). Unfortunately Rai doesn't broadcast online:-(
-------------
Thanks to Sherry for the following:
Copyright 1998, BPI Communications Inc.
The following charts are compiled by the London-based Music &
Media magazine, a BPI publication, and appear in the issue dated
Dec. 26.
Top Albums in Europe
1. ``The Best Of 1980-1990/B Sides,'' U2. Island.< 2. ``Ladies & Gentlemen,
The Best of George Michael,'' George Michael. Epic.< 3. ``These Are Special
Times,'' Celine Dion. Epic/Columbia.< 4. ``Hits,'' Phil Collins. Virgin/WEA.<
5. ``Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie,'' Alanis Morissette. Maverick.< 6.
``(NU)1's,'' Mariah Carey. Columbia.< 7. ``Ray Of Light,'' Madonna.
Maverick/Warner Bros.< 8. ``Believe,'' Cher. WEA.< 9. ``Where We Belong,''
Boyzone. Polydor.< 10. ``Garage Inc.,'' Metallica. Vertigo.
-------------
Thanks to Sherry for the following:
Tour '98: Stones, country roll
By MARC POLLACK
The Hollywood Reporter
LOS ANGELES (BPI) _ Grossing nearly $200 million, the Rolling Stones dominated
the 1998 concert scene, but country artists were able to rope in three of the
10 top-grossing tours.
Garth Brooks, George Strait and Shania Twain all logged spots on the year-end
chart compiled by concert industry trade paper Amusement Business, sharing
space with the likes of Janet Jackson, Elton John, U2 and New Age musician
Yanni.
But the Stones dominated the year as the Bridges to Babylon tour grossed
$193,351,265 on 69 sellouts. The jaunt saw the aging rockers travel to Russia
for the first time in their 35-year career.
Superstars U2 were next on the list. The Popmart stadium tour grossed
$45,086,058 with 13 sellouts. Bono and the boys, who make the year-end top 10
whenever they tour, took their mirrored lemon worldwide.
John, who never seems to stop touring, brought in $40,040,779 on 48 sellouts
to land at No. 3.
The biggest surprise was Yanni, who finished fourth by grossing an outstanding
$38,185,482 on 49 sellouts. Ticket prices for his performances are typically
higher because his average concertgoer tends to fall in the lucrative older
demographic.
Brooks, the best-selling solo artist in history, was fifth. His 1998 tour
grossed $34,883,676 on 101 sellouts, the largest number of sold-out shows on
the list. Fellow country performer Strait, whose Country Music Festival
featured multiple acts, grossed $32,948,832 with 18 sellouts.
Jackson's the Velvet Rope tour lassoed $32,279.900 on 15 sellouts to come in
seventh, and Eric Clapton picked his way to No. 8 with $29,877,575 on 34
sellouts.
Riding the strength of two 25 million-selling albums and the hit ``My Heart
Will Go On'' from the ``Titanic'' soundtrack, Celine Dion cruised into ninth,
grossing $29,781,703 on 26 sellouts.
Country songbird Twain rounds out the top 10, grossing $27,083,481 with 40
sellouts.
-------------
Thanks to Derek McCallister for the following:
Bono and the Edge will do an exclusive interview on the net
tommorow(December 18th) with telecom eireann new music
magazine "Muse".
The address of the site is http://www.muse.ie, but I can't seem to find
anything at the site which says that the interview will be online. :(
What I did find was :
"NEXT WEEK ON MUSE - WORLD EXCLUSIVE (We always
wanted to say that!) - BONO & THE EDGE GO DANCING WITH
MUSE! U2 LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE! PART
ONE OF THE MUSE BIG-UP IN-YER-FACE ROUND-THE-HOUSES
-AND-MIND-THE-DRESSER XMAS INTERVIEW! WE CAN'T WAIT!
CAN YOU? "
-------------
>From JAM!:
Holiday spirit gooses CD sales
By JOHN SAKAMOTO
Executive Producer, JAM!
Despite widespread reports of sluggish pre-Christmas business among
Canadian retailers, music sales across the country took off last week, as
every single one of the Top 20 titles on the SoundScan Canada albums chart
notched increases over the week before.
In fact, you have to go all the way down to the No. 30 entry, Pearl Jam's
"Live On Two Legs", to find an album whose sales declined over the previous
week.
The remarkable seasonal charge was led by volume three of the
various-artists juggernaut known as "Big Shiny Tunes". That hits-heavy
pastiche sold a hefty 116,500 copies and held the No. 1 spot for the second
week in a row, benefitting greatly from typically aggressive promotion on
MuchMusic.
In the No. 2 slot, Celine Dion's "These Are Special Times" was up by almost
10,000 copies over the week before, to 64,100 copies sold.
Recording a similar increase was "MuchDance 1999", another hits compilation,
which held the No. 3 position on sales of 52,220 copies.
It was followed by yet another collection, "Women & Songs 2", which debuted
at No. 4 on sales of 38,050 copies.
The rest of the Top 10 was rounded out by Garth Brooks, U2, Offspring,
Jewel, the indefatigable "Armageddon" soundtrack, and Shania Twain.
The only other new entry in the Top 100 belonged to Redman, whose "Doc's The
Name" bowed at No. 35.
-------------
There's a brief U2 mention in NME's "Win Beer" contest:
9.Which two rock stars are said to be part of a consortium aiming to
buy Celtic Football Club?
Answer: Jim Kerr and Bono
-------------
Condensed from Addicted To Noise:
Chemical Brothers Among DJs Giving to Hurricane Relief LP
Trip-hop and dance artists such as Fatboy Slim and Massive
Attack are included in two-CD benefit compilation.
The resulting double-disc LP, Protection, set for a Jan. 18
release in the U.K., features top trip-hop and dance artists such
as Massive Attack, Fatboy Slim, Beth Orton and the Chemical
Brothers, as well as the always-charitable Irish superstar
rockers, U2.
Once [composer Kenny] Young decided to assist the countries
hardest hit by the October hurricane -- Honduras, Nicaragua,
Guatemala and El Salvador -- he relied on his previous
experience to piece together the album: As trustee for the
Earth Love Fund, Young helped spearhead the 1992 benefit
LP Earthrise: The Rainforest Album, proceeds of which helped
efforts to save the rainforest from industrialization. The album
featured supergroups U2 and R.E.M. and legendary singers/
songwriters Paul McCartney and Paul Simon.
-------------
>From Rocknews:
Peace Together
U2 didn't perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo,
Norway, Friday, but frontman Bono appeared via video to say
he felt "blessed" Northern Ireland peace negotiators John Hume
and David Trimble won the prize. Alanis Morissette looked directly
at Hume and Trimble while performing "Thank U."
Thanks to Cindy Trickel for the above.
-------------
>From The Irish Times:
Judgment reserved in Lansdowne concert case
By Mary Carolan
Judgment was reserved by the Supreme Court yesterday
on a challenge by the trustees of the Irish Rugby Football
Union to a High Court decision that planning permission is
required for pop concerts at Lansdowne Road.
Mr Colm Allen SC, with Mr Garrett Simons, for the
trustees, said it was the first case in which the application
of planning legislation to pop concerts was fully before the
Supreme Court.
Mr Allen invited the five-judge court, presided over by the
Chief Justice, Mr Hamilton, to consider the question of the
very applicability of planning legislation to transient events
such as pop concerts.
Counsel rejected the submission by Dublin Corporation
that each pop concert represents a discrete act of
development for which permission is required. Planning
permission was never intended, he said, to regulate
transient events.
Last February the President of the High Court, Mr Justice
Morris, granted a declaration in favour of Dublin
Corporation to the effect that planning permission is
required for pop concerts.
Some local residents had objected to the concerts taking
place but, eventually, the Supreme Court decided the
concerts could be held on a once-off basis and they went
ahead on August 30th and 31st, 1997. Experts monitored
the noise levels and presented their conclusions to the
High Court.
In his judgment on the trustees' challenge last February,
Mr Justice Morris said he was satisfied the alteration in the
level and duration of noise during the U2 concerts
represented a material change of use from the holding of
sporting fixtures in the stadium.
He noted the accepted standard of 75 decibels was
exceeded at all stages of the U2 concert on August 30th.
The judge also accepted the evidence of two residents that
the noise levels caused them great distress. One woman
was moved by the promoters to a hotel for the night. He
also accepted the amplified noise was such that one could
not read, and that the television picture would jump so one
could not watch it.
The judge said that when one looked at the entire history of
the Lansdowne stadium from 1876, or took the five years
to June 1997 or any other period in between, one must
conclude the grounds were used only on rare occasions
for staging musical events.
In their appeal yesterday to the Supreme Court against Mr
Justice Morris's decision and subsequent declaration that
planning permission is required for pop concerts at
Lansdowne Road, Mr Allen submitted that the staging of
the concerts must be seen in the context of the use made
of Lansdowne Road.
The stadium was regularly used for large-scale sporting
events which had a significant impact on the surrounding
area in terms of traffic noise, pedestrian movement and
litter. That impact was similar to a pop concert.
Any difference in noise levels could not, of itself, amount to
a material change in use of the lands, Mr Allen argued.
Mr George Brady SC, with Ms Carol O'Farrell, for the
Corporation, rejected those arguments. While he accepted
there could be different uses of the Lansdowne Road
grounds, he said that was not the issue before the court.
There was no established use of Lansdowne Road for pop
concerts or musical events and the use of the stadium for
such events constituted a material change of use for
which permission was required, he said.
The Corporation also argued that the use of the stadium
for pop concerts does not constitute an occasional use of
the grounds under the planning acts. It said the established
and normal use of Lansdowne Road is for the playing of
football matches and the holding of pop concerts there
was not part of that normal use.
The argument by the IRFU that the character of the use of
land can be established only over a period of time was
also rejected.
The characteristics of land use would be apparent within a
short period, the Corporation submitted. The use history of
Lansdowne Road did not establish a recurring use for
concerts, or for other non-sporting events.
At the conclusion of the appeal yesterday, the Chief
Justice said the court would reserve judgment. He trusted
there would be no pop concerts at Lansdowne Road in the
meantime.
-------------
Condensed from My(Prarit's!) Launch:
Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks Top 1998 Tours
(12/15/98, 1 p.m. PST) - Concert industry trade Amusement
Business has compiled its list of 1998's top tours, and there
are a few surprises. Chief among them: the large number of
country acts ranking in the year's listing of top 10 tours.
In fact, Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Shania Twain all
logged spots on the year-end chart, sharing space with the
likes of Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, and--another
chart surprise--New Age musician Yanni.
The year's top 10 tours and their total grosses and number of
sellouts are:
1. The Rolling Stones - $193,351,265 (69 sellouts)
2. U2 - $45,086,058 (13)
3. Elton John - $40,040,779 (48)
4. Yanni - $38,185,482 (49)
5. Garth Brooks - $34,883,676 (101)
6. George Strait Country Music Fest - $32,948,832 (18)
7. Janet Jackson - $32,279,900 (15)
8. Eric Clapton - $29,877,575 (34)
9. Celine Dion - $29,781,703 (26)
10. Shania Twain - $27,083,481 (40)
-- Prarit....[email protected] U2 news: http://www.members.home.net/u2-news/u2.html U2 NEWS is MOVING -- AGAIN!!!!
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Sun Dec 20 1998 - 09:27:36 PST