U.K. Music Hall announces inductees
LONDON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Brian Wilson and the late Dusty Springfield were announced Tuesday as inductees to the U.K. Music Hall of Fame.
Beatles' producer George Martin will receive special recognition for "his exceptional contribution to British music" during the Nov. 14 ceremony at Alexandria Palace in London, the BBC reported Tuesday.
The U.K. Music Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to honor musicians from all nations who have had an impact on the British music scene.
California's Wilson, who has released seven solo albums and is best known for his work with the Beach Boys, is scheduled to perform during the ceremony. Wolfmother will also play a tribute to Led Zeppelin while Joss Stone and Patti LaBelle will sing two hits of Springfield's, who died at age 59 in 1999.
Highlights of the ceremony will be aired on Britain's Channel 4 Nov. 16 and for U.S. music fans Nov. 25 on cable's VH1.
U2 begins production on new album
DUBLIN, Ireland, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Irish rockers U2 are starting to put together a new album with super-producer Rick Rubin, the band announced on its Web site.
Rubin is known for his work with Slayer, Public Enemy, Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys, as well as being credited with resurrecting Johnny Cash's career, DotMusic reported Tuesday.
U2 also said it was getting together with California rockers Green Day to record a cover of the Skids' 1976 track "The Saints Are Coming."
Green Day has said the single will benefit the Music Rising charity, a Hurricane Katrina relief fund started by U2 guitarist The Edge, which seeks to assist musicians who lost their instruments.
"One year later, the devastation is still fresh in our minds and we'd like to keep it in yours," the Web site said. "New Orleans has always been a special city to us, being a hotbed of music and creativity, and it's hard to believe parts of the Gulf region still remain devastated. We feel that it's important to continue to raise awareness."
Barenaked Ladies do it themselves
TORONTO, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Barenaked Ladies are taking an independent course on their new album, "Barenaked Ladies are Me."
After 15 years with Warner Bros. Records, the Canadian pop group has stripped down its business operation and has released the new album on its own Desperation Records label.
"It's totally empowering and liberating and all those great things. It really feels like we're in charge of our own destiny," says singer-guitarist Steven Page.
"It's also totally terrifying. Is anybody watching? Do people know? The (major label) machine we're used to isn't there anymore, so do people outside our core fan base know the things we used to be able to communicate?"
In addition to the 13 tracks on "Barenaked Ladies are Me," the group has made two special packages available at its Web site -- one with two bonus tracks and a 27-song deluxe edition. The 14 extra songs will be released in January as "Barenaked Ladies are Men."
Animated film features Rollings Stones
LONDON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The new animated film, "Ruby Tuesday," set to begin production in Britain in late 2006, will feature 12 songs by the Rolling Stones.
The film co-produced by EuropaCorp. and Mick Jagger's Jagged Films will be written and directed by Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, Billboard.com reported Tuesday.
The animated epic's story is described as "a Faustian tale of a single mother searching for happiness in New York."
The Brizzis most famous works are the French family adventure "Asterix vs. Caesar" and the "Firebird Suite" segment of "Fantasia 2000."
