Music News Page 1056

The so-called best British rock band Arctic Monkeys confirmed in a statement posted Monday June 19th, 2006 on their Website that bass player Andy Nicholson has left the group after pulling out of a North American tour last month.

"We are sad to tell everyone that Andy is no longer with the band," so the statement on www.arcticmonkeys.com read. "We have been mates with Andy for a long time and have been through some amazing things together that no one can take away. We all wish Andy the very best."

OutKast takes off in 2006 with two new projects all at once, the first of which happens to be a new album and the other one is a movie project. The Atlanta hip hop-duo set to hit hard the industry with the release of their highly anticipated set, titled "Idlewild", which will hit store shelves on Aug. 22.

The long-anticipated release will serve as the soundtrack for the Universal/HBO Films release of the same name, open August 25, as well. Also starring in the big-screen musical are Ving Rhames, Ben Vereen, Cicely Tyson, Patti LaBelle and Macy Gray.

History repeats itself. That works for such great person as world's great musician Luther Vandross. His death nearly one year ago, apparently, won't prevent you, especially his fanatics, to keep listening to his great vocal.

A trio of record labels, J, Epic and Legacy Records, are teaming up together to issue some previously unreleased songs by the singer. The set, dubbed "The Ultimate Luther Vandross", which was previously released in 2001, will consists of 18 songs, naming some are "Shine" and "Got You Home" among others.

What would happen if two American rock bands perform together on stage? Find the answer at the 27-date Route of All Evil Tour, during which Motley Crue and Aerosmith have committed to perform together.

Both bands have on Tuesday June 20th, 2006 released announcement on the plan of their Evil run, scheduled to kick off September 14 in Holmdel, New Jersey. Some stops will include outdoor amphitheatres in Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Dallas, before grinding to a halt in West Palm Beach, Florida, November 24.

When it comes to a duet for Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri does mean it. The record producer and rapper takes the project seriously as he's now developing an idea for the two divas to duet on a new song.

"It's gonna happen on this record," Dupri hinted on the possibility for Mariah and Janet collaboration. "Please believe that. I got a mean idea, so look for it. We definitely gonna do a repackage on [Janet's "20 Years Old"] once it comes out. Hopefully it's successful and people buy into it, then I'm going back in the studio," he added.

It seems the pop star is intended to make a total comeback to the industry. Christina Aguilera is all out for her coming-back music project, working on the very best for her next album.

The singer, who had premiered her new song, "Ain't No Other Man" with a sizzling performance on the MTV Movie Awards, will in the near future have the music video of the set hit the small screen.

The Grammy-nominated quartet, Audioslave will bring their "Revelations" to public September 5 later this year via Epic.

"Revelations", the multi-platinum rock band's third album, is 12-track set which was produced by Brendan O'Brien.

Justin Timberlake is back to the industry and on top of that he's ready to release his new album.

The pop singer is about to have his second solo effort, "FutureSex/LoveSounds", released September 12 later this year via Jive Records.

"If it didn't work for the Spice Girls, it won't work for Girls Aloud," so an insider told The People newspaper speaking on the possibility of the UK girl group to embark on solo careers.

"The Spices were 100 times bigger. That's why Girls Aloud will all stay together. That's how hard it is in the industry now", the source continued while adding "Polydor is not offering any of the girls a solo deal. If they split up, they split up. They won't be around forever."

The legendary rock band, The Rolling Stones, is confirmed to start their postponed "A Bigger Bang" tour on July 11th in Milan, Italy. This confirmation is a relief for the fans after the head injury Keith Richards got during his vacation in Fiji, and Ron Wood's alcohol-addiction.

The guitarist, Ron "Ronnie" was reported to enter the rehab clinic in South London early this week. Although the Stones' publicist, Fran Curtis, said Wood does need some breaks, he is positively ready to continue the band's European Tour.

Tom Petty and renowned producer Rick Rubin's American Recordings have both reached an agreement over a new recording contract which the American musician has signed. That being so, Petty will have his album "Highway Companion", his first solo album since 1994's Rick Rubin-produced "Wildflowers", released July 25.

The first single of the set, titled "Saving Grace," made its world premiere during ABC's telecast of the June 8 NBA Finals game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat. The song can be streamed from Petty's Web site (http://www.tompetty.com) and will be available July 4 via digital download retailers.

Aging but still agile, that's Madonna. The queen of pop music is still as charming as the way she used to be during her young age.

And now as she's close to 50, Madonna is still very productive. She will have her single "Get Together," which is the third in a string of dance hits from her number one album "Confessions On A Dance Floor", released on July 24th later this year.

Christina Milian has been dropped from her record label Island Def Jam, that's an unfortunate for the R&B singer after only a month releasing her third album "SO Amazin'."

Milian was reportedly dumped by the music label after angered Island Def Jam boss L.A. Reid due to poor album sales. In a further reports it is mentioned that Milian refused to record "S.O.S. (Rescue Me)" - which went on to be a huge hit for Milian's label mate Rihanna.

Backed up by two big-name musical talents, producer Thom Panunzio and singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, New Found Glory is ready to launch their new album.

New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert revealed all, saying "It's called Coming Home, and it's scheduled to come out on September 19".

Star-studded lineup have been slated to live up the soon to come 5th Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival which will be held in Manchester, Tennessee, beginning Thursday June 15th to Sunday June 18th, 2006.

In addition to such heavyweight headliners, as Radiohead, Tom Petty, and Phil Lesh, festivalgoers will also be treated with performances from Beck, Elvis Costello, Death Cab for Cutie, Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu and many more.