Music News Page 1063

Inspired by their 2004 trip to South Africa, Grammy Award-winning artist Black Eyed Peas has unveiled their next step to headline a benefit concert in Johannesburg aiming to raise awareness for their charity foundation in the region. The first major event for their Peapod Foundation, the show will be held on May 28 at Johannesburg Stadium in which the group will perform with a number of South African artists and dancers.

"Two years ago we played to commemorate 10 Years of Freedom in South Africa and I made a promise that we would return to give a free show for the people who may never have the chance to get down and celebrate with the Black Eyed Peas, in the true spirit of the Peapod," so said will.i.am, one of the group's members, in a statement issued on Monday, April 24. Seems it will be one of the memorable events the city ever has then.

Several Latino artists, including the likes of Gloria Trevi, Puerto Rican reggaeton Ivy Queen and Tito El Bambino, are recording a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", to show support for migrants in the United States.

The release of the new version of the anthem reportedly will coincide with the U.S. Senate's debate on immigration legislation next week, the Latino-oriented record label Urban Box Office (UBO) revealed Saturday April 22nd, 2006. The song will be primarily in Spanish with a few words sung in English.

Starting from April 28 fans of Neil Young can log onto the singer's Web site, www.neilyoung.com, and listen to his newly recorded protest album "Living With War," containing 10-track collection in its entirety, free of charge. That's according to Bill Bentley, a spokesman for Warner Music Group's Reprise Records.

The album, moreover, will first become commercially available as a digital download beginning May 2, "and we plan to get it into retail stores as soon after that as we can get them manufactured," Bentley added. And as Neil Young wants the set to hit the market as soon as possible, the label consequently anticipates getting the album into retail outlets between May 5 and May 15.

With the help of friends and guests, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are ready to hit the road, plan to kick off a summer North American tour June 9 in Charlotte, N.C. The first eight shows of the trek will be opened by former Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio before then followed by six double-bills with Pearl Jam through July 2-3 in Denver.

As of the second leg, held in July and August, it will among others feature The Allman Brothers Band and Derek Trucks Band. Click on the singer's official site for a complete tour dates.

As for Ben Harper there won't be time for relaxing in the coming days for the singer/songwriter has lots of things to do. First on his schedule, he is slated to serve as the musical guest for an entire week's worth of "Last Call With Carson Daly."

Harper will tape his performances next week in Los Angeles and will have the set aired May 2-5 on NBC. In the meantime, he also will headline an 11-date October tour of France in support of his album "Both Sides of the Gun". Kicked of on Wednesday at Jack Johnson's Kokua Festival in Hawaii, the trek will run through September 15 in Atlanta with Damian Marley about to support on the North American dates.

Give applause to Korn who after five years hiatus manages to resurrect their Family Values tour. The music act reportedly are getting ready to go on a summer tour around USA with the help from the likes of Deftones, Stone Stour, Felyleaf and some Japanese new-comers to the rock scene, all of whom to join them on the trek.

The "new" Family Values tour will be begun on July 27th at Virginia Beach with tickets worth for $9.99. Aside from the main stage, where Korn and the already onboard supporting performers will play, there will also be a second stage with bands to be announced soon.

While there are ups and downs on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, Daniel Powter stands firm, remaining still on his top position on the chart. The Canadian singer/songwriter's "Bad Day" again leads the singles chart by Thursday April 20th, 2006 making it the 4th straight week for the star to do so.

Held at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively are Sean Paul's "Temperature" and rapper T.I.'s "What You Know". Meanwhile, hip-hop artist LL Cool J's "Control Myself" reenters the chart at No. 4, ahead of Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten" which ups two places to No. 5.

Pearl Jam and Tom Petty have agreed to add Milwaukee dates to their summer run. The two music acts have set a June 29-30 stand in Milwaukee at Summerfest, an annual 11-day event also featuring Nine Inch Nails and Mary J. Blige among others.

As for members of Pearl Jam's Ten Club fan organization, they can get a special presale for the Marcus Amphitheater event beginning April 19th, 2006 at $203 for a pair of tickets for each night.

Having their album "Me and My Gang" sold nearly 345,000 copies in the week ended April 16, country trio Rascal Flatts hold strong their No. 1 position on the Billboard 200, to be on top of the pop album chart for a second week Wednesday April 19th, 2006. After such tough challenge, Keith Urban's "White Trash With Money" finally only secures the 2nd place on the chart with about 330,000 units.

At No. 3 is "Now That's What I Call Music! 21" by various artists which is sold 293,000 copies, followed by the "High School Musical" soundtrack which holds at No. 4 for a second week with 256,000. Rapper T.I.'s "King", in the meantime, slips two to No. 5 with 136,000, ahead of LL Cool J's "Todd Smith" at No. 6, sold 116,000 copies and Tim McGraw's "Greatest Hits Vol. 2 -- Reflected" at No. 7.

Michael Jackson really is willing to live a brand new life. Not long after he was cleared from a molestation charge, the King of Pop announced Tuesday April 18th, 2006 his planning to make a comeback to music scene.

Jacko said he has teamed up with Seas Records, a Bahraini music label owned by Bahrain royal family member Abdulla Hamad Al-Khalifa, to record a new album and is eyeing a late 2007 release. Moreover, it is also reported that British music exec Guy Holmes has been named CEO of the joint project.

It's been more than three decades that The Stooges broke up. But it is still possible for the band to reunite with punk icon Iggy Pop. To bring the reunion into life, both sides are making a reunion record.

The as-yet-untitled set reportedly is due out next year via Virgin and will be produced by Steve Albini. In addition, it will also feature several tracks produced by Jack White.

Hard rock band Tool unveils a North American tour plans, beginning May 2 in Seattle, the same day they have their first album in five years, "10,000 Days" released. But, prior to the tour, the band will first of all headline appearance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival held April 30th in southern California.

Subsequent to the dates, Tool will play the European festival circuit, with dates on tap through July 9 at Finland's Turku Festival. The first single of "10,000 Days", tentatively titled "Vicarious" was officially released to radio Monday. Click on Tool's official site for a complete dates on their North American tour.

As an attempt to support his new album, "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" which will marry the street next Tuesday April 28th, Bruce Springsteen has announced an 18 U.S. tour dates, beginning May 27 in Boston. After that the trek will follow a previously announced 10-date European tour that gets underway May 5 in Dublin.

The tour, in addition, will also include new dates in several outdoor amphitheatres. Besides, Springsteen is planning his first appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30 as well. The singer will soon thereafter play a series of four shows in Asbury Park, N.J., on April 20 and 24-26. For Springsteen's U.S. tour dates in complete click on the singer's official site.

Veteran rocker Neil Young is expressing truly what he's feeling inside in his upcoming album. The singer apparently has recorded an anti-war protest album on which he lashes out at George W Bush in a song titled "Impeach the President."

The 10-track set, called "Living with War," was recorded earlier in April and features a 100-strong choir, the Canadian-born musician announced on his Web site. As of the title track it includes lyrics such as: "On the flat-screen we kill and we're killed again. And when the night falls, I pray for peace."

In a poll conducted by music channel VH1, Irish rock band U2 has its 1992 song "One" credited as Britain's Favorite Lyric thanks to its line "One life, with each other, sisters, brothers". Elsewhere, chosen as the 2nd Britain's Favorite Lyric is The Smiths' "How Soon is Now" of which line reading "So you go and you stand on your own, and you leave on your own, and you go home, and you cry, and you want to die".

Debut at No. 3 on the poll is Nirvana's "I feel stupid and contagious, here we are now, entertain us" from its "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Take the 4th place is Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", while Coldplay's "Yellow" secures the 5th place. Rounding out the Top 10 on the poll is Robbie Williams' uplifting "Angels" and Radiohead's sour "Creep."