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Rock News Two: The week in pop music

By PENNY NELSON BARTHOLOMEW, United Press International
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THE BEATLES

The British Broadcasting Corp. has come up with a rare audio recording of The Beatles appearing on a 1963 radio show, trying their hand at predicting whether newly released singles would make it or not.

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The tape turned up in response to "Treasure Hunt" -- an appeal by the BBC for old radio and TV programs. In all, the BBC reported it had collected more than 100 programs, including The Beatles' turn on "Juke Box Jury."

The BBC announced the "Treasure Hunt" last May after a missing episode of the comedy, "The Likely Lads," turned up unexpectedly -- suggesting that their might be other hidden treasures out there somewhere.

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)


ARTISTS AGAINST AIDS WORLDWIDE

Thirty-five pop stars are calling on President Bush and Congress to provide $1.2 billion in emergency funds to combat the global scourges of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

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Bono, Destiny's Child, 'N Sync, Nelly Furtado, Christina Aguilera, Ja Rule, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Alicia Keyes, Wyclef Jean and Mary J Blige are among those who wrote to senators and representatives this week to urge them to sign the letters to the president. These artists, in partnership with Artists Against AIDS Worldwide (AAAW), have re-recorded several new mixes of Marvin Gaye's hit "What's Going On" in order to raise funds for AIDS programs in Africa as well as the September 11th Fund.

"'What's Going On' is a wake up call to President Bush and our Congress," said actress and singer Nona Gaye, the daughter of Marvin Gaye. "As a first step, we want $1.2 billion in emergency funds to stop AIDS in Africa this year."


CELEBRITY BENEFIT AUCTION

Lace-up faded blue jeans signed by Britney Spears, black pants checkered with miniature Busta Rhymes album covers and a patriotic camo-themed leather skirt and jacket by Destiny's Child are among the items for sale during a star-studded auction at oldnavy.com.

More than 40 unique items will be on the block through Nov 18. Other artists taking part include 'N Sync and Joni Mitchell. All proceeds will benefit P.S. Arts, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the arts to public education in under-served areas.

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SHORTLIST CONCERT, AWARDS

Sigur Ros, Nikka Costa, Talib Kweli, Bilal and the Dandy Warhols will perform at the first annual Shortlist Concert and Award Ceremony. The event will take place Nov. 19 at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles.

The five artists are among the 10 finalists for the Virgin Megastore Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement in Music, which carries a $10,000 cash prize. The other five finalists are Air, Jay Dee, PJ Harvey, Gorillaz, and Ryan Adams.

These ten artists were chosen by 15 "Listmakers" -- including Beck, Macy Gray, Trent Reznor, Aimee Mann, Mos Def, Dave Grohl, Lucinda Williams, and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots. The winner will be announced following the concert.


CREED

Creed is AOL's Artist of the Month for November. The Internet Service Provider is collaborating with Wind-up Records to bring AOL members the first chance to hear Creed's new album, "Weathered," beginning Nov. 19 (at 9 p.m. EST). That's when AOL Music will host Creed's exclusive Global Listening Party for AOL members and Web music fans on Radio@AOL and on the Web at www.spinner.com.

Also, all month Creed fans can download the band's new single "My Sacrifice" for free.

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"Weathered" hits stores Nov. 20.


LENNY KRAVITZ

Lenny Kravitz's new music video, "Dig In," is now available online to download and burn onto a CD. The rocker is the first artist whose material is available through a new agreement between digital music company Roxio, Inc., and Virgin Records America.

Fans who own Roxio's best-selling Easy CD Creator software can visit MTV.com or VH1.com and burn the music video to CD. Those who don't own the Roxio software will still be allowed to download the Kravitz video to their PC, but the license and video will expire and won't be playable after 30 days.

"Dig In" is the first single from "Lenny," Kravitz's first album of new material in nearly three years. The CD was released Oct. 30.


MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson made his first-ever in-store appearance this week. Jackson was at the Virgin Megastore in New York City's Times Square on Wednesday to celebrate his new album, "Invincible," which was released Oct. 30.

"Invincible" is Jackson's first studio album in six years. It has topped the charts in countries around the world -- including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

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Meanwhile, GetMusic.com says Jackson's Oct. 26 cyberchat marked the Web site's most successful online event to date -- shattering the previous record held by Eminem in August 2000. The pop singer logged on for a live audio chat -- his only one since 1995 -- that drew tens of thousands of questions from fans from around the world including Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Iran, Australia, India, Italy, France, and more.


TONY BENNETT

Tony Bennett is making a rare in-store autograph appearance Saturday at Spin Street in Uncasville, Conn. The legendary performer will meet fans and sign autographs (beginning at 2 p.m. ET).

Bennett's latest album, "Playin' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues," is being released Tuesday. It's a collection of 15 classic blues songs, many featuring duets with special guest artists including Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and others.


KISS

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS are making a very rare in-store appearance Nov. 20 to meet their fans and sign their newly released box set.

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The event is being held at the Tower Record store on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles (7-9 p.m. PST). It marks the release on the same day of "KISS: The Box Set," featuring 94 career-spanning tracks -- including 30 previously unreleased band and solo demos, outtakes and live recordings.


NEW ALBUM NEWS

-- Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes and Bubba Sparxxx are featured on the soundtrack album for the motion picture "The Wash" (on the Aftermath / Doggystyle / Interscope Record label). The action-comedy stars Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and George Wallace. The album hit stores Tuesday.

-- Boyz II Men have a great hits album coming out Nov. 13. "Legacy" (The Greatest Hit Collection) contains 14 tracks from the band's four Universal/Motown multi-platinum albums, including the No.1 hits "End Of the Road," "One Sweet Day" (with Mariah Carey) "I'll Make Love To You," and "4 Seasons of Loneliness" as well as "On Bended Knee," "Pass You By," "Hey Lover" (with LL Cool J) and "Motownphilly."

-- R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and Everlast are among the artists featured on "Ali, the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack." The movie --- starring rapper-turned-actor Will Smith as boxing champ Muhammad Ali --- opens nationwide Dec. 25. The CD is due out Nov. 27.

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-- Moby, Fatboy Slim, Weezer, Coldplay, P.O.D. and Disturbed are among the artists featured on a 19-song compilation album that's the result of a collaboration between Virgin Records, Warner Music Group and Spin Magazine. "Spin This!" is due out Dec. 4. It also includes new singles from The Chemical Brothers, Gorillaz and New Order.


CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & BLACK?

Country's Clint Black will join Crosby, Stills & Nash on the debut of a new monthly series, "CMT Crossroads," Dec. 16 (at 9 p.m. ET). Stan Lynch, drummer for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, will host the show. The series will pair country artists with other genres to show the influence of country music. Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock are scheduled for a future episode.


NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

During their long career the Everly Brothers have been given nearly every award that country and pop music has to offer -- including being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and country's similar venue.

But, until this week, one accolade escaped the pair. Now Don and Phil have been honored for their country songwriting prowess by being officially brought into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Ironically, the two canceled much of their road tour this year. The Web site everly.net explains that touring was "no longer what the Everly Brothers wanted to do."

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(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

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