Oklahoma country singer plans benefit for tornado victims
LOS ANGELES - Oklahoma country singer Blake Shelton is planning a televised benefit to raise money for victims of the massive tornado that swept through Moore, Oklahoma, this week, music magazine Billboard reported Wednesday.
Singer Aretha Franklin postpones three more concerts
LOS ANGELES - Soul music legend Aretha Franklin postponed three June concerts, the singer's spokesman said on Wednesday, a week after health issues caused her to cancel two shows in May.
Indie rockers Vampire Weekend top Billboard album chart
LOS ANGELES - Indie rock band Vampire Weekend on Wednesday grabbed the top spot on the weekly Billboard 200 album chart, besting new albums from country legend George Strait and pop singer Demi Lovato.
A Minute With: Pitbull on music, Jennifer Lopez and 'Epic'
LOS ANGELES - Rapper Pitbull has taken his blend of American pop music fused with Latin beats from the clubs of Miami to international pop charts, but he now is crossing into film with his first acting role as an animated character in the upcoming movie, "Epic."
Hungary Wagner festival will not "Ring" in composer's birthday
BUDAPEST - Opera companies throughout the world are staging Richard Wagner's "Ring" cycle this year to fete his 200th birthday on May 22, but Hungarian conductor Adam Fischer is having no part of it during his "Wagner Days" festival in June.
China's Ai Weiwei launches musical career with heavy metal "Dumbass" single
BEIJING - Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei made his first foray into the musical world on Wednesday with the release of the top single from his debut album, a song called "Dumbass" that takes inspiration from his detention in 2011.
Singer George Michael under observation for head injuries
LONDON - British singer George Michael remains in hospital under observation for head injuries, five days after a car accident, his publicist said on Tuesday.
Justin Bieber's monkey 'Mally' becomes German state property
BERLIN - A monkey which belonged to popstar Justin Bieber has become German national property after the singer failed to provide authorities with the documents needed to reclaim the pet seized by customs officials.
Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors dies at age 74
LOS ANGELES - Ray Manzarek, a founding member and keyboardist of 1960s rock group The Doors, died on Monday at a medical clinic in Germany at age 74 following a battle with cancer, the group's manager Tom Vitorino said.
Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio join U.S. 'X Factor' judges panel
LOS ANGELES - Pop singer Kelly Rowland and Mexican singer-actress Paulina Rubio have signed onto "The X Factor" judging panel replacing Britney Spears and music mogul L.A. Reid, the Fox television talent competition produced by Simon Cowell said on Monday.
Short story writer Lydia Davis wins major fiction prize
LONDON - American short story writer Lydia Davis won the fifth Man Booker International Prize for fiction on Wednesday for a body of work that includes some of the briefest tales ever published.
First lady likes Obama’s voice; rates Romney singing ‘beautiful’
"It's beautiful," Michelle Obama says of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's singing.
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