More Top Stories: John Lennon, Justin Timberlake
In honor of John Lennon‘s 70th birthday on October 9th, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Yoko Ono will plant a time capsule filled with Lennon’s solo recordings and fan contributions in Cleveland. The capsules will be preserved and stored until a ceremonial presentation on October 9th, 2040. “I am delighted to support this effort to help share John’s music and messages of peace and love with the children of today and tomorrow,” Ono said in a statement. “I know that John’s work, life and dreams will help inspire them to bring a better world for everyone. Children Power!”
Smashing Pumpkins raised $80,000 to help alleviate Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone’s medical bills at a sold-out benefit Tuesday in Chicago. Leon suffered brain trauma when he was assaulted after helping a beating victim on the street. “I was blown away by the Chicago community coming together to put this benefit on so quickly,” Corgan said. “It put an emotional charge into our show that was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.” Corgan auctioned off his guitar for $10,000 at the show.
Add Jessica Simpson to the list of rumored American Idol judges. Producers have reportedly met with the singer to discuss her replacing Simon Cowell for the show’s tenth season. Chris Isaak and Harry Connick, Jr. have also been approached as possible replacements, while Justin Timberlake and Elton John have both denied rumors that they are in the running for the job. [TMZ]
Justin Timberlake is reportedly in talks to play the lead role in the sci-fi movie Im.mortal. Actress Amanda Seyfried is already on-board for the picture, which is set to go into production this fall. [EW]
Check out R&B singer O’Neal McKnight’s club-banging tribute to the Jersey Shore‘s Snooki. [US]
After sharing a bill with Rage Against the Machine to protest Arizona’s anti-immigration bill, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst will play another protest show in his homestate of Nebraska on July 31st. Oberst is opposing a Nebraska city’s plan to pass similar anti-immigration legislation. [ New York Times ]
Check out an amazing video interview with two Canadian hip-hop heroes: Drake and Narduwar the Human Serviette. [Rap Radar]
The Frank Sinatra musical Come Fly Away will end its run at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre on September 5th. The show, which opened in March 2010, will embark on a national tour in May 2011. [Billboard]
Belgian singer Plastic Bertrand has admitted that he did not in fact sing on his 1978 hit “Ca Plane Pour Moi” after a legal battle uncovered that the song’s producer, Lou Deprijck, was the real singer. [BBC]
Check out a hilarious shot-for-shot remake of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” which transplants the New York-centric tune to Newport, Wales. [YouTube]
A musical version of the cult ’80s black comedy Heathers will make its New York debut on September 13th at Joe’s Pub. [Broadway.com]
Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison revealed that the band would continue to make music together following the death of bassist Paul Gray in May. However, when Slipknot do reassemble in the studio—Jordison doesn’t anticipate a new album until at least 2012—they will not hire a new bassist, leaving bass duties to guitarists Jim Root and Mick Thomson and Jordison. [Blabbermouth]
Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager has been pushed back from September 14th, the rumored release date of Kanye West’s new album, to October 26th. With news of the postponed release comes another new single from the album, “Mojo So Dope.” [Hypetrak]