Many members of Whitney Houston’s friends and family were able to pay their respects to the late singer during her “home going” service in Newark, New Jersey this morning. Unfortunately, Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown and godmother Aretha Franklin were not able to fully participate. Though initial reports indicated that Brown was not welcome at the… More »
The shadow cast by Whitney Houston’s death made the 2012 Grammy Awards feel a little colder, and the pop world at large a little darker. And though that tragedy loomed largest this week, there were other big developments too, and we’ve charted the ups and downs of Madonna, Usher, Nicki Minaj and others on our… More »
This Saturday, Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin will reportedly pay tribute to Whitney Houston by singing at the late music star’s funeral in Newark, New Jersey. (Also said to be on tap for vocal duties at the service are BeBe and CeCe Winans.) Not only was 69-year-old Franklin the godmother of Whitney, the pair also… More »
Plans are underway for Whitney Houston’s funeral, which will take place this Saturday in New Jersey. Aretha Franklin (who recently covered “I Will Always Love You” in tribute to her goddaughter) will sing during the memorial, in a performance that will be streamed live online. Other attendees at Saturday’s invitation-only event include Whitney’s friend and… More »
Whitney Houston may be gone, but her musical legacy grows stronger as those who loved her — both as an artist and a person — honor her memory. The day following Jennifer Hudson’s moving performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the Grammy Awards, Aretha Franklin paid tribute to her goddaughter by performing a… More »
Did You Hear?
:: Things are starting to look up for Britney Spears and her fiancé, Jason Trawick. The conservatorship that was placed on the singer’s finances in 2008 will soon be lifted, and it’s rumored that her wedding will take place in Maui on Valentine’s Day. C’est romantique! [Pop Crush]
::… More »
We’ve survived the Rapture, we’ve enjoyed Alpocolypse, but it seems our day of judgment has finally arrived. Carmageddon, as it’s been nicknamed due to the closure of the vital 405 freeway, will be descending upon LA at midnight tonight and lasting for the next 53 painful hours. As Los Angelenos prepare for the worst traffic in… More »
Elle magazine’s Women In Music issue hits stands on April 12. Whether you opt for the Robyn or Gwen Stefani cover, inside both special editions are some fab photos of a few of our favorite women in pop, as well as music legends Stevie Nicks and Aretha Franklin. Flip through to check out “21st Century Girl”… More »
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards aren’t just about who wins what or what everyone’s wearing — or incubating inside of — it’s about the performances. Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, and several other talented ladies kicked off the night with a diva-tastic tribute to Aretha Franklin, and no, no one rearranged the Queen of… More »
The day of the 53rd Grammy Awards is finally here, and we’re live-blogging all the pop action, spectacular performances and general musical mayhem below the jump. Give yourself a refresh on the nominees up for golden statues this time around right here. All week long we threw out our thoughts on who will win and… More »
Did You Hear?
:: Christina Aguilera will allegedly open the Grammys (alongside Jennifer Hudson) with a tribute to Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul, who recently suffered an unspecificied illness and underwent surgery, will appear in a pre-recorded segment from her home in Detroit. Xtina, you may want to give the lyrics one… More »
Although she didn’t specify what ailments she had, Aretha Franklin told Access Hollywood that the reports of her having pancreatic cancer, or any type of cancer at all, are false. “I went through a number of procedures before I knew what was wrong,” said the Queen of Soul. “I was sitting there reading the newspaper… More »
After undergoing an unspecified surgery last week, it has been announced that the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has cancer. According to Fox News, a close relative of the legendary singer says her family is very concerned, though they also say she is doing “OK.” The National Enquirer reports that Franklin has pancreatic cancer, though… More »
The return of UK band OMD—aka Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark—just might be one of the best bits of news we’ve heard in Music Land in months! Sure, we’ve all geeked out to their classic Pretty In Pink soundtrack jam “If You Leave,” but these guys were also responsible for at least a dozen other… More »
The word “diva” gets thrown around a lot when describing female songstresses like Mariah Carey, Celin Dion and Beyoncé, but there can only be one true commanding prima donna that upstages them all. Using categories such as “Taking The Listener On An Emotional Journey”, “Iconic Song/Moment”, and “Hand Gestures”, The Awl got all scientific in… More »
It’s been 25 years since The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame began enshrining rock stars, and inspiring many arguments from people who are just as conflicted about their favorite bands being snubbed by the museum’s higher-ups as they are about the idea of a museum honoring an allegedly still-vital artform. So clearly it’s time… More »
The 33 1/3 book series, in which one album is given a book-length treatment by a writer, has finally narrowed its latest shortlist down to 11 titles. The list of approved albums–and the authors who will be taking the albums on–for the 2010-2011 roster of books after the jump: … More »
The Queen Of Soul had her star on the Hollywood… More »
My post on James Brown’s “Living In America” reminded me of a sorta-sketched-out theory I have about the evolution, and devolution, of recent years’ musical landscape: There are few musical icons from the glory days of rock and pop who didn’t make at least one indescribably awful career choice during the 1980s. (Some of the… More »
Apparently, Aretha Franklin was some $500 under on payments for her $700,000 mansion–spending money for the Queen of Soul, surely. Apparently, Franklin was unaware of the inconsistency, with the singer emailing her local daily that it would be “taken care of immediately.” More »
