More Top Stories: Rihanna, John Lennon, Jimmy Page
Rihanna‘s New Single “Only Girl” Due August 31
Less than a year after the release of Rated R, Rihanna will reportedly unveil her new single “Only Girl,” a dancefloor-geared track bound for the singer’s upcoming album, on August 31st. [ Los Angeles Times ]
John Lennon Books Announced
On October 9th of this year — what would have been John Lennon‘s 70th birthday — the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will plant a time capsule that includes a package of three new books called The Lennon Box of Vision. The books gather all the original artwork from Lennon’s studio albums, the full art from John and Yoko Ono‘s Wedding Album, and a Lennon discography with reproductions of John’s handwritten studio notes and a new essay by Bruce Spizer. You can buy the set yourself here.
Sean Penn Writes Op-Ed Wyclef Jean, Haiti Law
Sean Penn, who was opposed to Jean’s candidacy, has written an op-ed piece explaining that stance — as well as arguing against the constitutional law that prevented Wyclef from running. “It should be said that laws that put limitation on the contribution by Haitians returning to their own country following an education abroad are worthy of review. And it would have been a valuable contribution had Wyclef Jean drawn attention to it in another moment, or in a less divisive ambition,” Penn wrote. “However, the only attention that Haiti seems to be getting today is on a presidential campaign of personality that threatens to create a new swell of social unrest in a plagued country. I would caution Mr. Jean against research, or prospective policy, by sound bite.” [The Huffington Post]
Big Price for Jimmy Page Book
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page will release his first official autobiography, titled Jimmy Page, on September 27th. The limited edition book tells the visual history of Page’s career with over 650 photographs — and costs £445. [Genesis Publications]
Swell Season Offer Fans Counseling
The Swell Season have promised to pay for counseling for any fans who wish to have it after witnessing a concertgoer commit suicide during the Swell Season’s Saratoga, California concert last week. The band has already paid an undisclosed sum of money to Palo Alto-based Kara counseling center in case any people in the crowd of 1,900 seek counseling. [AP]
‘Def Jam Rapstar’ Details Revealed
The music of Lil Wayne, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Kanye West and others will be featured on the upcoming video game Def Jam Rapstar, a karaoke-style title due out on all major consoles this autumn. [All Hip Hop]
Sufjan Stevens Announces New Album The Age of Adz
Five years after his tour supporting Illinois, Sufjan Stevens will finally release his new album The Age of Adz on October 12th. Artist Royal Robertson inspired the album title and packaging. Sufjan’s announcement comes days after he released his brand new EP All Delighted People. [Asthmatic Kitty]
La Roux Plan U.S. Tour
With “Bulletproof” approaching smash single status in the U.S., British electropop group La Roux have plotted out a 17-day tour of the States this fall. [MTV]
See Linkin Park’s Video for “The Catalyst”
Linkin Park have unveiled the new music video for their song “The Catalyst,” the first single off their upcoming album A Thousand Suns [VH1].
General Petraeus: Enya Fan
U.S. General David Petraeus, the military man placed in charge of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan after Rolling Stone’s article “The Runaway General” led to the ouster of General Stanley McChrystal, has revealed that he’s a fan of Celtic music and a self-proclaimed “Enya guy.” [The Daily Swarm]
Wyclef Records Protest Song in Creole
Wyclef Jean has recorded a new track, “Pou Kepa,” firing back at the electoral commission that rejected his presidential bid. [Wyclef Jean Twitter]
Ray Davies Adds Billy Corgan, Spoon to Kinks Duet Album
Ray Davies has added artists like Frank Black, Spoon and Billy Corgan to his upcoming duets album featuring the music of The Kinks. Davies and Corgan recently recorded the Kinks’ “Destroyer” for the collection, due out later this year. As previously reported, Bruce Springsteen and Davies will tackle “Better Things,” and Jon Bon Jovi and Davies perform “Celluloid Heroes.” [Twenty Four Bit]
Usher, Paramore, Robyn Added to VMAs; Timberlake Presenting
Usher and Paramore have been added to this year’s slate of VMAs performers, joining Eminem, Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Drake. Robyn will also perform a new version of her “Dancing in the Dark” with house DJ Deadmau5. Justin Timberlake and his The Social Network co-stars were also named as presenters. The ceremony will air live on September 12th. [MTV]
Plus: Bono’s lunch with the Russian president, the Libertines reunite and more.