Tragic End to a Long Decline

Moments ago I stepped into my friends car to hear the still unconfirmed news that Michael Jackson had died. Now, ten minutes later, I find myself online searching through hundreds of blogs and credible news sources that have already posted something about his death. As if the news of Farrah Fawcett's passing wasn't enough, this is going to be talked about by water coolers around the world for weeks. Let me just say now what everyone is thinking:

Wow.

First of all, I can't believe he was 50. That man's nose didn't look a day over 30. Second of all, I can't believe that he is actually dead. This is the king of pop we're talking about - the man who changed races before our very eyes, the man who hung a baby over a balcony in Germany, for heaven's sake - this is the man who sings the Free Willy theme song!!! The list of Jackson's accomplishments is probably longer than the bible. Millions of people around the world view him as a musical icon - because he is one. I can honestly say that he is one of the most talented and loved people in the world. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's more popular than the Pope. Just saying. 

TMZ.com was first to break the news of Jackson going to the hospital for cardiac arrest, just after 4pm today. It has now been confirmed that he was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home in Los Angeles. Since then they have been posting online like crazy with new findings. Jackson was just about to begin his series of comeback concerts in London - the 50 shows scheduled sold out in minutes last March. I am especially excited to see how this will be covered in the media over the next few weeks. I'm sure we can expect a celebrity tribute, maybe through a song or an album. Next thing we know, Jack White is playing him in a feature film.. but seriously - uncanny resemblance, no?

All jokes aside, Michael Jackson has left quite the impressive legacy. His style and work have inspired a number of artists and genres popular today. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he is one of the most successful artists of our time. I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and will always be reminded of my childhood when I hear any song of his. He will always be remembered through his music and the legacy that he has left behind. 

RIP MJ, you will be missed.

Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin and... Grace Potter

What I loved most about Bonnaroo was that there was always music playing on each of the seven stages throughout the day. With a lineup so incredible, it was hard figuring out where to spend my time - especially because so many great bands were playing at the same time. I was lucky enough to have wandered away from the people I was with and experience the festival all on my own. 

I got the chance to do my own thing; went to the front of the crowd for headliners like Portugal. The Man, Gomez and Galactic [which was awesome] and even took a nap during Animal Collective. While I was wandering around to some of the smaller tents, one band in particular caught my attention. I was buying a bottle of Sprite when I heard music that I can only explain as... hella groovy and full of funk. I almost thought some band had pulled out Stevie Nicks as a guest appearance - so I moved closer. 

I ended up staying at that tent for just over an hour. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals absolutely rocked the stage. I am so happy to see a band that is bringing back that sixties and seventies inspired sound that I love so much!!

Take That PCD!!

If you haven't heard yet - girl groups are the new black. They are popping up all over the place, and sadly enough all look the same. I would like to thank the Spice Girls and the Pussycat Dolls for setting the girl group standard. 

Recipe for a successful girl group:

1. ethnic diversity

2. at least 5 members

3. at least one with short hair, and one with super long

4. one or more members must have an accent

5. a dominant singer with blonde hair and one with brown

6. one member who does the speaking part/rap break

7. a first single with a credible rap artist(s)

This girl group is called Paradiso Girls. Not only do they fit the mold, but they also have a particular attribute that makes their girl group completely buzzworthy - one of the members is a fallen pussycat-wannabe. That's right! Chelsea Korke from "The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll" has finally found a group that accepts her lovely voice and lack of rhythm!! Chelsea was eliminated during the season finale for Asia - who obviously didn't get very far with the group. Well, at least Chelsea will get some airplay - she can thank Eve and Lil Jon for that.

Back from Bonnaroo

Can I just say that I have never had so much fun in Tennessee before?! Okay, so I've never even been to Tennessee before; but either way, I had the most incredible time at Bonnaroo 2009!! The atmosphere and the people were so interesting and friendly - and the lineup was absolutely unbelievable!! Some of my favorite festival moments are: Seeing Portugal. The Man start Friday morning off with an acoustic set, Beastie Boys bringing out special guest Nas, Snoop Dogg and Erica Badu playing some old school tracks, The Decemberists and Karen from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs sing Crazy On You, NIN playing their last North American tour and playing alongside Dillinger Escape Plan, the incredible 4+ hour sets that Phish played on both Friday AND Sunday - and even bringing Bruce Springsteen out for a few songs!!

Honestly, the list of highlights can go on and on. If I were to suggest anything to a music lover - it would be to go to a music festival at least once in your life. Even though Bonnaroo has come and gone there are plenty more festivals to look forward to this summer!! Some that I am particularly interested in include: Rothbury, Cutting Edge, and Lollapalooza.

A bunch of websites are starting to post live recordings from the festival.
You can download a bunch from HERE

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

Tomorrow morning at 6:00am I will be getting into a car packed with luggage, munchies and colourful wigs; and heading to Nashville, Tennessee for 10pm. The home stretch to Manchester will happen on Thursday - where I will have the most unbelievable 5 days. ever.

If that picture of Bonnaroo in 2006 doesn't make you jealous, I don't know what else to say other than: You used to be cool.

So, please excuse my absence - I'm an official Bonnarookie!
Check out the lineup below.

Bonnaroo 2009

Phish
Beastie Boys
Nine Inch Nails
David Byrne
Wilco
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Snoop Dogg
The Low Anthem
Delta Spirit
Ben Harper and Relentless7
Gov't Mule
Andrew Bird
Band Of Horses
Merle Haggard
MGMT
moe.
The Decemberists
Girl Talk
The Mars Volta
Bon Iver
Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabate
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Galactic
The Del McCoury Band
of Montreal
Allen Toussaint
Coheed and Cambria
Booker T & the DBTs
Al Green
David Grisman Quintet
Lucinda Williams
Animal Collective
Gomez
Neko Case
Down
Erykah Badu
Jenny Lewis
Santogold
Robert Earl Keen
Citizen Cope
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force
The Ting Tings
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Kaki King
Grizzly Bear
Elvis Costello Solo
King Sunny Adé
Okkervil River
St. Vincent
Zac Brown Band
Paul Oakenfold
Raphael Saadiq
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Crystal Castles
Tift Merritt
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Brett Dennen
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue
Toubab Krewe
People Under the Stairs
Alejandro Escovedo
Vieux Farka Touré
TV on the Radio
Elvis Perkins In Dearland
Cherryholmes
Yeasayer
Todd Snider
Chairlift
Portugal. The Man.
The SteelDrivers
Midnite
The Knux
A.A. Bondy
The Lovell Sisters
Alberta Cross

Brit's kids are better dancers than her

That's a video of Britney Spears' two boys dancing backstage at her show in London on the 4th.
How cute is that?
They are totally using Brit's moves!!

Wrong Clip.. Clipse!!!

Old music videos from the 90s and 2000s are awesome. When I came across this gem I couldn't believe that I didn't notice this before. I found a fault in the music video for Clipse's "When the Last Time"!! Watch the clip at 1:05 - the girl that Pharrell is singing to messes up the words when singing them. WRONG CLIP CLIPSE! This is probably going to be my new habit.

Happy Sgt. Pepper's Day!!

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the iconic Beatles album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. This album is known for the band's transition into a studio-based band. They experimented with a number of random instruments on the album; and integrated Indian culture into their sound with the use of a sitar - thank you George Harrison. Remember the "Paul is dead" hoax? The back cover of the album not only is the first to sport Beatles lyrics, but also has Paul with his back to the camera - which definitely fueled the dead McCartney fire. In 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine named this album the greatest of all time; even the packaging is Grammy Award-winning.

Fixing a Hole, Day in the Life, When I'm Sixty-Four, For the Benefit of Mr. Kite - the list of hits off this album go on and on. So happy Sgt. Pepper's Day!! Easy listening lovechilds!!