Music dies

Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan died on December 28, 2009 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol, Orange County Deputy Coroner Mitchell Sigal told Rolling Stone. Toxicology reports indicate that Sullivan suffered “acute polydrug intoxication due to combined effects of Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Diazepam/Nordiazepam and ethanol.” Oxycodone is painkiller that substitutes for Codeine, Oxymorphone is a painkiller similar to Morphine, Diazepam/Nordiazepam are anxiety medications and ethanol is the intoxicant in alcohol. Actor Heath Ledger similarly died from acute polydrug intoxication on January 22, 2008. Sigal added that Sullivan also had cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart), which was marked in the coroner’s report as a “significant condition” that may have played a role in the drummer’s death. The Coroner’s Department conducted “five or six” different tests to verify the cause of death, Sigal added. “To all of us who loved Jimmy, the only … [Read more...] about Avenged Sevenfold Drummer Died of Accidental Overdose

Bert Fields , the relentlessly loyal powerhouse entertainment lawyer who repped clients including Harvey and Bob Weinstein, Tom Cruise , George Lucas , the Beatles, Michael Jackson and many others in myriad headline-making cases in Hollywood, has died, TMZ reports . He was 93. A partner at Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP, Fields tried many of the landmark cases in the entertainment and communications industries during the past several decades. He represented most major Hollywood studios and talent agencies during his singular career and such other bold-faced names as Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen, James Cameron, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Mike Nichols, Jerry Bruckheimer, Joel Silver, Madonna and writers Mario Puzo, James Clavell, Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler. Harvey Weinstein , told The New York Times in 2005, ”In the entertainment business, walking into litigation without Bert Fields is like walking into the Arctic without a … [Read more...] about Bert Fields Dies: Powerhouse Showbiz Lawyer For Tom Cruise, Weinsteins, George Lucas, Michael Jackson, Beatles & Many Others Was 93

Olivia Newton-John , the hitmaking “Physical” and “I Honestly Love You” singer who went on to star in the beloved film musical Grease and later Xanadu, died today at her Southern California ranch, according to her official Facebook page . She was 73. No cause of death was given, but Newton-John had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. She later recovered but the cancer recurred in 2013 and had metastasized to her lower back within four years.. A UK native who was raised in Australia, Newton-John began her career as a country singer but quickly crossed over to pop with the the late-1973 hit “Let Me Be There.” It was the first of 15 Top 10 U.S. singles, including five No. 1s: “I Honestly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” “You’re the One That I Want” — with John Travolta, from, Grease — “Magic” and her biggest smash, “Physical.” The latter topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks and was the biggest single of 1981. She is best known to movie fans … [Read more...] about Olivia Newton-John Dies: ‘Grease’ Star & Hitmaking ‘Physical’ Singer Was 73

When Eric Clapton first heard the Band , he knew he was done with Cream. “I’m in the wrong place with the wrong people doing the wrong thing,” the guitarist later recalled thinking, and he wasn’t the only one left stunned by the group’s laid-back revolution. Synthesizing R&B, country, blues and early rock with chops seasoned by years on the road with Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan , Canadians Robbie Robertson , Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson , along with their Arkansas-born drummer-singer Levon Helm — once collectively known as the Hawks, and, later on, the Crackers — made everything old-timey, rural and ramshackle seem profoundly cool. For the next eight years, they would craft some of rock’s earthiest, grooviest and most yearning sounds. Here’s our comprehensive guide to their legacy on record, from Big Pink to The Basement Tapes and beyond. Must Have Music From Big Pink (1968) “We were rebelling against the rebellion,” Robbie … [Read more...] about The Band’s Essential Albums

Jay Z and Timbaland have won a lawsuit alleging that they infringed on the rights to a sample used in the former’s 2000 hit “Big Pimpin’.” A judge ruled Wednesday that the nephew of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, whose “Khosara, Khosara” birthed the hip-hop tune’s funky flute hook, did not have standing to pursue his claim against the rapper and producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter . The composer’s relative, Osama Fahmy, claimed the musicians had continued to distribute the song without regard for Egypt’s moral rights laws. “Fahmy lacked standing to pursue his claim,” Judge Christina Snyder ruled. “In light of that decision, it will not be necessary to submit to the jury whether ‘Big Pimpin” infringed ‘Khosara, Khosara.’ I had to hear the testimony of Egyptian law experts in order to reach that decision.” The composer’s nephew filed the lawsuit in 2007. Although Timbaland , who used the hook believing it to be public domain, paid $100,000 to EMI when he … [Read more...] about Jay Z, Timbaland Win ‘Big Pimpin” Sample Trial

Avenged Sevenfold landed their first Number One album on the Billboard 200 this week , knocking Eminem from his five-week reign on the chart. The group’s latest set Nightmare debuted with 163,000 copies sold, besting their last chart high with 2007’s self-titled disc, which sold 94,000 copies its first week. (Get the story behind the album here .) This is the band’s first album since the tragic 2009 death of drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, who died of an accidental overdose . Eminem settled for Number Two in his sixth week, selling 159,000 copies of Recovery — just 4,000 units shy of Avenged’s sales figures. Eminem did have another Number One victory this week, though: his single “Love the Way You Lie,” featuring Rihanna, remained Number One on the Digital Songs chart for a sixth straight week, racking up another 300,000 downloads. Other than Avenged Sevenfold’s chart-topping entry, no other debuts managed to break into the Top 10. Rick Ross’ Teflon Don … [Read more...] about Avenged Sevenfold Knock Eminem Out of Number One

The Grease scene where Olivia Newton-John transforms into a cigarette-smoking, leather-clad badass and sings “ You’re the One That I Want ” is so iconic that it often overshadows the rest of her moments in the 1978 film. As new kid in town Sandy Olsson, Newton-John cheerleads, skips around the Rydell High campus with a carton of milk, and duets repeatedly with John Travolta’s Danny Zuko. But none of those highlights capture the pure, sweet, heartbroken essence of pop’s original Queen Olivia than the solo turn she takes at a Pink Ladies sleepover, where she belts “Hopelessly Devoted to You” — one of the greatest lovesick ballads of our time. The slumber party is a bit awkward for Sandy. She sits uncomfortably as Jan sings to the “Brusha Brusha Brusha” commercial, Rizzo passes around a bottle of wine, and Frenchy teaches her how to properly smoke a cigarette (minutes before piercing her ears). She steps outside to take a breather and write a letter to Danny, the summer … [Read more...] about No ‘Grease’ Song Was More Iconically Olivia Newton-John Than ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’

Olivia Newton-John , the celebrated pop culture icon known for her performances in Grease and Xanadu , as well as her Grammy-winning hits like “I Honestly Love You” and “Physical,” died Monday, Aug. 8. She was 73. Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, confirmed her death on Instagram , writing that she “passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends.” No exact cause of death was given. The statement continued, “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation [Olivia Newton-John Foundation].” View this post on Instagram A post … [Read more...] about Olivia Newton-John, Iconic Film Star and Pop Hitmaker, Dead at 73