MUSIC NEWS FOR THOSE WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER
Heck, it's awards month, let's throw in a few Recording Industry Association of America certifications, shall we? Among those the RIAA bestowed Platinum honors on this month were critics' fave David Gray for "White Ladder" and Radiohead's "Kid A." Jill Scott and Crazy Town reached Platinum status earlier this month. Jennifer Lopez's "J. Lo" received Gold and Platinum honors this month. Moby's "Play" was certified for sales of two million, B.B. King got his first multi-Platinum award for "Riding' With The King," featuring Eric Clapton and reggae popster Shaggy is now at four times Platinum for "Hot Shot." New kids on the block, J Records group O-Town, received their Gold and Platinum awards for "Liquid Dreams," the first for Clive Davis' new BMG-distribbed label, while Lifehouse, Fear Factory and Dream got the Gold. All albums are available, at least until tomorrow, and much to RIAA boss Hilary Rosen's chagrin, on Napster.
JANE'S ADDICTION ARE GONNA KICK TOMORROW
Jane's Addiction will reunite as part of the latest Coachella Fest lineup. Sources say withdrawal symptoms prompted them to do the gig, as well as to pay for Perry Farrell's upcoming tribute to Ariel Sharon. The rockers will join Iggy Pop, Orb, Chemical Brothers, the Roots, Mos Def, the Dandy Warhols and a host of others for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 28. Tickets for the all-day Los Angeles area event go on sale this Saturday.
BATTLE-SCARRED METALLICA
In their final interview as a four-piece, in the April issue of Playboy, Metallica spoke about the band's conflicts within and the group's major beef with controversial file-swapping service, Napster. In the interview, which hits newsstands Monday (3/5), drummer Lars Ulrich and lead singer/guitarist James Hetfield commented on the Metallica fans that sided with Napster. Ulrich denounces the "greedy rock stars" concept that they've been portrayed as, saying, "The real issue, for me, is choice. I want to choose what happens to my music." Hetfield says that fans sided with Napster "because they're lazy bastards and they want everything for free." Hey, just like hitsdailydouble.com readers...
CELEBS ADDED TO BATON TWIRLING TALENT
In hopes of attracting a larger audience to its parade of women, the 50th Miss USA competition will feature performances from recording artists Evan & Jaron, Lara Fabian and The Warren Brothers. The contest of beauty and brains (yeah, right) airs tomorrow, March 2. In keeping with the spirit of the competition, Donald Trump and other pageant officials have asked country stars The Warren Brothers to perform in one-pieces (provided they wear heels) and that Evan & Jaron and Fabian call for world peace before going on stage. The show will cut off before sunset so orthodox Jews Evan & Jaron can observe the Sabbath by overdosing on challah.
ROCKIN' ROBIN UPPED AT MTV
MTV executive Robin "Red Breast" Reinhardt has been promoted to the newly created position of Vice President of Celebrity Talent And Studio Relations at the channel, though the entire talent will take two business cards to list. Reinhardt will now oversee talent aspects for the music channel and coordinate programming between movie studios and MTV. Reinhardt will continue to be responsible for tagging A-list celebs and personalities who agree to set themsleves on fire for MTV shows and events.
ROSEN TECHS THE HIGH ROAD
For the Kagan Streaming Broadband Summit, RIAA President/CEO Hilary Rosen, fresh off her triumph over Napster, spoke confidently about the ambitious goals of the organization. "I envision a day when digital music is a seamless experience for fans—from the tops of their desks to the palms of their hands to the dashboards of their cars and beyond," she says, adding that the best way to achieve such goals is through a legal framework of licensing agreements. Rosen said that the RIAA's campaign for respect for intellectual property, led to fighting to protect it and that its effort "will enable, not encumber, technology to flourish." Copies of the speech were available within 72 hours by carrier pigeon.
