Prince - Welcome 2 Canada Tour

It was officially announced yesterday that Prince and the NPG will be touring accross Canada in November and December. Finally, after 9 years, Prince will return to Canada! Being a huge Prince myself, this was about the best news I could hear yesterday. I personally, look forward to going to one of the Toronto concerts, I can't wait and still can't believe that it's actually going to happen. All I have to do is take the subway, go right downtown Toronto and I'll see Prince perform, how great is that! The last time and only time I saw Prince in concert was in London, in 2007. It was quite difficult getting there, but after two flights and 8 hours of traveling, I was finally able to see him. This time though I'm going for the VIP tickets, this is going to be a night to remember!

Welcome 2 Canada tour dates:

November 25 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

November 26 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

November 30 – Halifax, NS – Metro Center – ON SALE: Nov 5 @ 9am

December 02 – Montreal, PQ – Bell Centre – ON SALE: Nov 5 @ 10am

December 03 – Ottawa, ON – Scotiabank Place – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 11am

December 05 – London, ON – John Labatt Centre – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

December 08 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Center – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

December 11 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Center – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

December 13 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

December 16 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

December 17 – Victoria, BC – Save on Center – ON SALE: Nov 4 @ 10am

Purchase your tickets on Ticketmaster

I wonder who the opening acts and special guests will be, any guesses anyone?

Nick Ashford Passes Away

Nick Ashford, who with Valerie Simpson, his songwriting partner and later wife, wrote some of Motown’s biggest hits, like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough“ and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and later recorded their own hits and toured as a duo, died Monday at a hospital in New York City. He was 70 and lived in Manhattan.

Nick Ashford had throat cancer and was undergoing treatment, but the cause of his death was not immediately known. His death was announced by Liz Rosenberg, a friend who is a longtime music publicist.

One of the primary songwriting and producing teams of Motown, Ashford & Simpson specialized in romantic duets of the most dramatic kind, professing the power of true love and the comforts of sweet talk. In “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” from 1967, their first of several hits for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, lovers in close harmony proclaim their determination that “no wind, no rain, no winter’s cold, can stop me, baby,” but also make cuter promises: “If you’re ever in trouble, I’ll be there on the double.”

Gaye and Terrell also sang the duo’s songs “Your Precious Love,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.” Diana Ross sang their “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” and when she rerecorded “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough“ in 1970, it became the former Supreme’s first No. 1 hit as a solo artist.

“They had magic, and that’s what creates those wonderful hits, that magic,” Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire told The Associated Press after learning of his friend’s death. “Without those songs, those artists wouldn’t have been able to go to the next level.”

Ashford & Simpson wrote for virtually every major act on the label, including Gladys Knight and the Pips (“Didn’t You Know You’d Have to Cry Sometime”) and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (“Who’s Gonna Take the Blame”).

While writing for Motown, Ashford & Simpson nursed a desire to perform, which Berry Gordy Jr., the founder and patriarch of the label, discouraged. They left the label in 1973 and married in 1974.

Ashford & Simpson’s initial collaborations sold poorly, but by the late ‘70s, songs like “Don’t Cost You Nothing,” “It Seems to Hang On” and “Found a Cure” became hits on the R&B charts. Their biggest hit as a solo act was “Solid,” which reached No. 12 on the pop chart and No. 1 on the R&B chart in 1984.

They also continued to write hits for other people. “I’m Every Woman“ was a hit for Chaka Khan in 1978, and later for Whitney Houston on the soundtrack to the 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” In 1996, they opened the Sugar Bar on West 72nd Street in Manhattan, where they often presided over open mic nights. Recently, they received a songwriting credit on Amy Winehouse’s song “Tears Dry on Their Own,” which contains a sample from “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Besides his wife, Mr. Ashford is survived by two daughters, Nicole and Asia; his brothers Paul, Albert and Frank; and his mother, Alice Ashford.

Andy Allo and Prince Pay Tribute to Amy Winehouse

In a tribute to Amy Winehouse, Andy Allo and Prince have recorded an accoustic version of "Love Is A Losing Game". It's a beautiful piece and such a respectful way of showing their love and appreciation for our beloved Amy Winehouse.

Prince, Andy Allo, and the rest of the NPG will be performing at the Melkweg in Amsterdam tonight. The impromptu show will start in half an hour, perhaps Andy and Prince will sing a live tribute for Amy Winehouse. It would certainly be a beautiful gesture...

The Tragic Loss of Amy Winehouse

Music fans the world over are mourning the tragic death of Amy Winehouse, who died Saturday at theage of 27. She joins the tragic club of the 27 with Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Janis Joplin.

Amy Winehouse came to fame in 2006 with the album "Back to Black," whose blend of jazz, soul, rock and classic pop was a global hit. It won five Grammys and made Winehouse - with her black beehive hairdo and old-fashioned sailor tattoos - one of music's most recognizable stars. But her personal life, with its drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and destructive relationships, soon took over her career.

Police confirmed that a 27-year-old female was pronounced dead at the home in Camden Square northern London; the cause of death was not immediately known. London Ambulance Services said Winehouse had died before the two ambulance crews it sent arrived at the scene.

Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch Winehouse, had arrived in New York this weekend to prepare for his U.S. performing debut Monday night at the Blue Note jazz club, but upon receiving news of his daughter's death was heading back home to London to be with his family, his publicist Don Lucoff said.

She was last publicly seen on at a London concert on Wednesday when she joined her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield on stage. In that impromptu appearance, Winehouse danced with Bromfield and encouraged the audience to buy her album, before leaving the stage.

"I didn't go out looking to be famous," Winehouse told the Associated Press when "Back to Black" was released. "I'm just a musician." But in the end, the music was overshadowed by fame, and by Winehouse's demons. Tabloids lapped up the erratic stage appearances, drunken fights, stints in hospital and rehab clinics. Performances became shambling, stumbling train wrecks, watched around the world on the Internet.

Released in Britain in the fall of 2006, "Back to Black" brought Winehouse global fame. Working with producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi and soul-funk group the Dap-Kings, Winehouse fused soul, jazz, doo-wop and, above all, a love of the girl-groups of the early 1960s with lyrical tales of romantic obsession and emotional excess.

"Back to Black" was released in the United States in March 2007, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in March 2008 and spending 78 total weeks on the chart. The album has sold 2.3 million to-date, according to Nielsen SoundScan and went on to win five Grammy awards, including song and record of the year for "Rehab," her single which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2007 and has sold 1.7 million downloads. "Rehab" biggest at adult alternative radio, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard's Triple A airplay chart in 2007; it also rose to No. 13 on Pop Songs and No. 14 on Adult Pop Songs.

Amy Winehouse will be greatly missed, it always seemed that it was only a matter of time until she would get her act back together. Let's all remember her for the tremeandous talent that she was...

New Sade Video - Love Is Found

Currently on an extensive world tour with supporting act John Legend, legendary British R&B group Sade has released a performance video of their latest single "Love Is Found".

In the captivating black-and-white video, which appears to have been filmed during their current tour, enigmatic frontwoman Sade Adu dances in silhouette with a male figure, while her band backs her up, shrouded in shadow. Engaging in a seductive dance with the dancer, before taking the dark stage, Sade suddenly appears in the spotlight, dressed in black, swaying her hips to the moody, rocking track, as male dancers continue to move on a white screen in the background.

The previously-unreleased song was taken from Sade's new two-disc compilation album 'The Ultimate Collection,' which was released on May 3, debuting at No. 7 on Billboard's Hot 200.

The Sade Live tour is currently traveling across North America, and continuing on through September, before returning to Europe.

Alicia Keys Launches YouTube Fan Promotion

Alicia's been reliving her iconic careerwith the intimate "Key'sMoments" posts. Now she wants YOU to join the "songs in A minor" 10thanniversary celebration! Alicia is asking fans to upload cover songs, dance routines, testimonials and more. Show Alicia what "songs in A minor" means to you!

Watch Alicia's video announcement below and post yourvideo response today!

Originally released in June 2001, songs in A minor sold more than 11million albums worldwide and earned Keys with her first five, of 14total, Grammy® Awards including Best New Artist, Best Song of theYear for "Fallin," and Best R&B Album.

Keys will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of her debut by performing anintimate concert for her fans at New York City's historic BeaconTheatre on June 30. The show, titled "Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys," will feature Keys accompanied only by her piano.

Songs In A Minor - 10th Anniversary Edition (Deluxe Edition)

Songs In A Minor - 10th Anniversary Edition (Collectors Edition) (2CD/1DVD)

Michael Jackson - Two Years Have Passed...

Michael Jackson tragically died two years ago on Saturday due to a prescription drug overdose. Time has passed, but his untimely death still resonates in the hearts of his fans.

Beginning in his childhood with his brothers in the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson's talent stood out and quickly captured the ears and hearts of music lovers worldwide. Striking out on his own, he began a decade of unparalleled success, selling tens of millions of albums as he redefined what music and entertainment could be.

"Thriller" is THE album that most captures the beginning of the high arc of fame of Michael Jackson. Produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, the 1982 album would go on to become the greatest selling record of all time with a reported 65 to 110 million copies being sold. Michael Jackson still continued to work with his brothers – now named The Jacksons – and became a touring and recording machine. Big budget videos and lavish tours followed, thus growing Michael Jackson’s fame to unprecedented heights.

Many artists in the music industry have sampled Michael Jackson's music. These include Nas, De La Soul, Q-Tip and Snoop Dogg. Producers still chop vocal samples and grooves from the deep archives of Jackson’s recorded material. Singers such as Usher and Chris Brown count Jackson as a heavy influence and it certainly shows with their acrobatic dance moves and electrifying live performances. Michael also has recorded with Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.

Today, let's celebrate Michael's life and remember all the amazing contributions he gave to the music industry!

 

Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin Something Live by mjsuperfan