photo credit: Hobbes vs Boyle

In case you couldn’t keep up with all of the week’s top music news headlines, -we’ve rounded up some of the highlights from around the web, including:

*Bono’s Attack on Germany
*The week’s weirdest duets (Metallica & Lou Reed, Mick Jagger & Fergie, and more!)
*Breaking news on Slayer’s canceled tour
*And much more! (It’s been a busy week)

Find out what else made headlines this week:

[toplist]

[title]Zombie Rock Lawsuit[/title]

photo credit: yeowatzup

Much like Courtney Love, No Doubt is not happy about the video game company’s decision to allow players to use the band members’ likenesses to perform non-No Doubt songs. (Really, Gwen? We can’t imagine anything more embarrassing than singing a song like “Hollaback Girl.”)We’d rather see No Doubt involved in a game that would find Gwen Stefani running from brain-starved zombies, but if their lawyers don’t like this game, they certainly wouldn’t like that one.

Keep Reading: No Doubt Sues Band Hero Over Karaoke Act

[title]History Repeating[/title]

photo credit: The_Admiralty

This month, the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.Well, everyone except Irish rockers U2, that is.

Keep Reading: U2 Concert Celebrates Fall of Berlin Wall by Building New Wall

[title]Your Mom Was Right[/title]

photo credit: Victoria Morse | VICTORIAMORSE.NET

Devilish heavy metal icons Slayer released their 11th studio album earlier this week, but the band’s worldwide tour was canned when it was announced that singer/bassist Tom Araya needed emergency back surgery, “for a back injury, thought to be related to his on-stage activity.”So, your mom was right: head-banging to loud music is bad for you.

Tour dates and cancellation details: 2009 Slayer Tour Dates Canceled for Araya’s Health

[title]Rihanna Speaks Out[/title]

photo credit: MiKeARB

In her first interviews since Chris Brown violently attacked here, Rihanna reveals that in the aftermath of the assault she felt like her life had become that of Britney Spears, as she was being exploited by gossiping onlookers and paparazzi, and violated by the female police officers accused of leaking the photos of her injuries.

Keep reading: Rihanna on Assault: “I Felt Like Britney Spears”

[title]Another Rocker Arrested for Abuse[/title]

photo credit: scalleja

Sadly, just as Rihanna set to break her silence on domestic abuse by publicly discussing former boyfriend Chris Brown’s assault on her for the first time, another case of abuse is making headlines.In London earlier this week, police picked up a star of the ‘90s Brit-pop invasion on charges of domestic abuse.

Keep Reading: Another Rock Star Arrested for Domestic Violence

[title]Strange Bedfellows[/title]

photo credit: Ian Davis

]In honor of the R’n’R Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary, a series of “all-star” concerts were held in NYC featuring some top acts, and some not-so-top acts, all mixed together into a sometimes nightmarish pop culture stew.Some things just shouldn’t mix, as the concert’s list of duets proves:

U2 & Springsteen (ok)
Mick Jagger & Fergie (ick)
Metallica & the Kinks (why?)
Lou Reed & Metallica (seriously?!)
And things just get even weirder after that…

See videos from the strange pairings: Worst Duets: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More

[title]The Bitch is Back…Almost[/title]

photo credit: oldcockatoo

Earlier this week it was reported that Elton John was forced to cancel a string of tour dates due to being hospitalized for the flu and an e.coli bacterial infection. However, we’re happy to report that Sir Elton is feeling better and plans to resume touring shortly.

Keep Reading: Elton John Hospitalized, Cancels Tour Dates[/toplist]

photo credit: Patrik Hamberg

Otis Redding is undeniably one of the most famous voices in soul music—and deservingly so. In his short career, the ’60s singer created a legacy that has shaped rock bands and soul divas alike.

(The Rolling Stones scored a career-defining hit with their take on Redding’s “Satisfaction,” and Redding’s “Respect” is Aretha Franklin’s signature hit.)

However, when contemporary music stars turned out to pay tribute to the late Redding, the caliber of talent probably wasn’t quite as high as the legend deserved.

At a ceremony attended by Redding’s widow and children, stars such as Kanye West protégé Estelle and rapper-turned-actor Ludacris were among the biggest names in the room, Yahoo! News reports. The event, held at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, also included performances by Kenny Lattimore, Dexter Redding, Otis Redding III and others.

It’s not that we don’t appreciate the fact that these stars, including the (somehow) Grammy-winning Estelle b-list star, turned out to pay tribute to Redding, we’re just shocked that there weren’t more big-name stars involved in this tribute to someone so important to the music world—rock, pop, soul, r&b and beyond.

26-year-old Otis Redding died in a plane crash in 1967, just before the release of the song that would become his biggest hit, posthumously: “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.”

MORE Music News:
MUSIC: No Doubt Sues Band Hero Over Karaoke Act
CONCERTS: Free U2 Concert Celebrates Fall of Berlin Wall by Building New Wall
TV: Rihanna on Assault: “I Felt Like Britney Spears”
CONCERTS: 2009 Slayer Tour Dates Canceled for Araya’s Health
POLL: Worst Duets EVER: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More

photo credit: compulsiveprep_8

Although we’d much rather see No Doubt involved in a game that would find Gwen Stefani running from brain-starved zombies, the band is currenltly only slated to appear in the music themed Band Hero game—and that’s causing quite an uproar.

Much like Courtney Love, No Doubt is not happy about the video game company’s decision to allow players to use the band members’ likenesses to perform non-No Doubt songs. (Really, Gwen? We can’t imagine anything more embarrassing than singing a song like “Hollaback Girl.”)

(Read: Courtney Love to Sue Guitar Hero 5: “I Loathe it and Kurt Would, Too”)

Rolling Stone and Spinner report that Stefani and Co. are setting their lawyers loose on the makers of the videogame, alleging that “Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players.”

For its part, the Band Hero makers maintain that the band members knew the details of the contract, and the ways in which their likenesses would be used in the game, when they signed the deal.

We can’t help but think that these bands should’ve known what they were getting into when they signed this deal. Then again, they were probably just blinded by dollar signs. Greed is a tricky thing.

Do you think games like Guitar Hero and Band Hero encourage players to learn real instruments?

MORE Music News:
TV: Rihanna on Assault: “I Felt Like Britney Spears”
POLL: Worst Duets EVER: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More
MOVIES: Michael Jackson This is It: Is 3D Movie Next?
IDOL: Adam Lambert’s Blue Hair Album Cover a Gaga Disco Nightmare?

BELOW: No Doubt performs its own hit, “Hey Baby.“

photo credit: mike 23

In honor of the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, MTV has organized a massive, free concert by Irish pop-rock band U2 in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Strangely enough, the concert is being marred by the erection of a giant wall (reportedly a 12-foot-tall metal barrier) meant to keep viewers without tickets from seeing the show—the free show.

Celebrating the fall of the Berlin wall by building a wall?

Thanks, U2.

(Read: Bono’s Elvis Poem a Mess of Racial Slurs, Insults)

Portions of the concert are slated to air during the broadcast of the MTV Europe music awards ceremony.

MORE Music News:
TV: Rihanna on Assault: “I Felt Like Britney Spears”
CONCERTS: 2009 Slayer Tour Dates Canceled for Araya’s Health
POLL: Worst Duets EVER: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More
MOVIES: Michael Jackson This is It: Is 3D Movie Next?
IDOL: Adam Lambert’s Blue Hair Album Cover a Gaga Disco Nightmare?

Nothing says "rock" like an afternoon at the mall with Slayer...

Slayer’s massive tour in support of its new album has been canceled after singer/bassist Tom Araya announced plans to undergo immediate surgery, reports Spin.com (Tour Dates, below)

(Read: Marilyn Manson, Slayer 2009 Tour Dates Sponsored by Energy Drinks, Satan)

The band’s myspace page states that, “Slayer’s Tom Araya is currently under the care of a specialist for a back injury, thought to be related to his on-stage activity, and the physician has ordered an immediate surgical procedure to take place Tuesday [Nov.3].”

Related to his on-stage activity? Hmm…so your parents were right: head-banging really is bad for your health. Go figure.

The statement from guitarist Kerry King continues, “While all four of us are disappointed that we won’t be able to see through all of our commitments set for the next few weeks, the most important thing is Tom’s health,.”

Such a kind note from a band known for songs about blood, the devil, war, the devil, and serial killers (including a new single about female serial killers, “Beauty Through Order,” because, y’know, they’re modern guys).

Slayer’s “Canadian Carnage” tour with Megadeth was slated to begin November 8. Rescheduled dates for the postponed shows have yet to be announced.

Slayer’s latest effort, World Painted Blood, hit stores yesterday.The band has released a gruesome preview movie/animation for the album called Playing with Dolls (part 1 and part 2). (It’s rather bloody, and generally tasteless, if you’re into that sort of thing.)

2009 Slayer Tour Dates

4 Nov 2009 Hollywood & Highland Hot Topic         Los Angeles, California
8 Nov 2009 Moncton Coliseum - POSTPONED Moncton, New Brunswick
9 Nov 2009 Halifax Metro Center - POSTPONED Halifax, Nova Scotia
11 Nov 2009 Bell Centre - POSTPONED Montreal, Quebec
12 Nov 2009 Colisee Pepsi Arena - POSTPONED Quebec City, Quebec
13 Nov 2009 Air Canada Centre - POSTPONED Toronto, Ontario
18 Nov 2009 Rock City          Nottingham
19 Nov 2009 Academy           Birmingham
20 Nov 2009 Academy           Manchester
22 Nov 2009 Barrowland       Glasgow
23 Nov 2009 Academy           Leeds
25 Nov 2009 Forum    London
26 Nov 2009 Forum    London
28 Nov 2009 Docks    Hamburg
29 Nov 2009 Schlachthof       Weisbaden
30 Nov 2009 013 Tilburg
1 Dec 2009 013 Tilburg
3 Dec 2009 Tonhalle   Munich
4 Dec 2009 Alter Schlachthof            Dresden
5 Dec 2009 Columbiahalle      Berlin
7 Dec 2009 Gasometer Early Show    Vienna
8 Dec 2009 Volkshaus Late Show     Zurich
9 Dec 2009 Alcatraz   Milan
10 Dec 2009 Alcatraz             Milan
12 Dec 2009X             Herford
13 Dec 2009 Bataclan             Paris
15 Dec 2009 Brussels
16 Dec 2009 Cologne
17 Dec 2009 Ruhrcongress     Bochum

photo credit: carlo92

While Rihanna’s first TV interviews addressing former boyfriend Chris Brown’s violent attack on her won’t air until Thursday and Friday of this week (more details on that, here), the singer has already opened up about the assault in an interview online.

In her interview with Glamour, Rihanna reveals that in the aftermath of the attack she felt like her life had become that of Britney Spears, as she was being exploited by gossiping onlookers and paparazzi, and violated by the female police officers accused of leaking the photos of her injuries to the press.

After remaining silent on the headline-making incident since it occurred in February, Rihanna’s Glamour interview shows that she is finally stepping up and admitting that domestic abuse is an issue that shouldn’t be kept secret, adding that she hopes she can help teach women and girls that they can stand up for themselves.

Rihanna may only be speaking about the assault now because she’s making rounds to promote her new album, Rated R, and the subject is unavoidable, but we’re glad she’s at least trying to spread a positive message. It’s not the first time Rihanna has proven she’s more than your average shallow pop star:  in 2006, the singer founded her own charity, the Believe Foundation, dedicated to helping children in need.

More Music News:
POLL: Worst Duets EVER: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More
MOVIES: Michael Jackson This is It: Is 3D Movie Next?
IDOL: Adam Lambert’s Blue Hair Album Cover a Gaga Disco Nightmare?
POLL: Worse Apology: Kanye West or Chris Brown? (With Video)

photo credit: Sarah G…

Sadly, just as Rihanna set to break her silence on domestic abuse by publicly discussing former boyfriend Chris Brown’s assault on her for the first time, another case of abuse is making headlines.

In London earlier this week, police picked up former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown after his wife of nearly a decade, 37-year-old model Fabiola Quiroz, told authorities he had attacked her, Reuters reports.

The police had been alerted to the incident by concerned neighbors who had overheard the couple fighting.

Among the stars of the ’80s Manchester music scene and ’90s British rock invasion (alongside Blur and Oasis), the Stone Roses found success on U.S. airwaves in the mid-’90s thanks to songs such as “Love Spreads.”

The group dissolved in 1996, although rumors of a possible reunion persist.

MORE Music News:
TV: Interview: Rihanna Reveals Details of Assault
CONCERTS: Elton John Hospitalized, Cancels Tour Dates
MOVIES: Michael Jackson This is It: Is 3D Movie Next?

BELOW: The Stone Roses’ 1994 hit, “Love Spreads.“

photo credit: naydeeyah

After reportedly topping the box office and raking in over $100 million during its first week, Michael Jackson’s This Is It has been given an extended run in theaters around the world.

(Read: Michael Jackson This is It: Is 3D Movie Next?)

This news likely comes as a surprise to no one, except perhaps whatever poor souls lined up early to get tickets to this “limited run” back when Sony was still lying and saying it would only be in theaters for a few days.

Sure, the “limited time” tactic created a buzz, but we all knew it was dishonest—just like Disney’s “one weekend only” release of the Hannah Montana concert film that was eventually given a full run due to popular demand.

With a This Is It DVD release tentatively scheduled for early 2010, we’d guess you can plan on seeing cardboard cut-outs of MJ greeting you in the movie theater lobby for as long as this flick continues to rake in the cash.

More Music News:
POLL: Worst Duets EVER: Metallica and Lou Reed, U2 and Fergie, and More
IDOL: Adam Lambert’s Blue Hair Album Cover a Gaga Disco Nightmare?
NEWS: Weekly Music News Highlights: Dead, Undead (Really!) and More
TV: Interview: Rihanna Reveals Details of Assault

photo credit: gamerscoreblog

In the months since his attack on then-girlfriend Rihanna in February, Chris Brown has made numerous appearances attempting to vaguely apologize, elicit sympathy and make money.

(Read: Chris Brown Returns to Stage After Attack)

However, the person the world is most curious to hear from in this case, Rihanna, has remained silent on the matter—until now.

ABC is set to air an interview with the 21-year-old singer wherein she will speak about Brown’s violent attack on her for the first time.

We have to say, in the preview video clip provided by ABC, the news anchors promoting the interview seem ghoulishly interested in the details of the beating. The bloodthirsty pair repeatedly emphasizes that Rihanna is supposed to give all the gory details of the attack. It’s creepy.

Details of the interview are being kept under wraps, but ABC reports that Rihanna refers to Brown as her first love and admits, “…This happened to me…it can happen to anyone.”

Having already released a sneak preview of her provocative new single “Russian Roulette,” Rihanna has confirmed that her upcoming album, Rated R, will feature guest appearances by Young Jeezy, ex-Guns’n'Roses/Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash, and Black Eyed Peas troublemaker will.i.am, reports Rolling Stone.

The interview is scheduled to air on Good Morning America on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6, and on 20/20 on Friday, Nov. 6.

More Music News:
IDOL: Adam Lambert’s Blue Hair Album Cover a Gaga Disco Nightmare?
NEWS: Weekly Music News Highlights: Dead, Undead (Really!) and More
CRIME: Chris Brown’s Punishment: Clean Up After Police Horses.
POLL: Worse Apology: Kanye West or Chris Brown? (With Video)

photo credit: kylmis

Oh, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, why do you do this to us?

In honor of the R’n’R Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary, a series of “all-star” concerts were held in NYC featuring some top acts, and some not-so-top acts, all mixed together into a sometimes nightmarish pop culture stew.

Some things just shouldn’t mix, as the concert’s list of duets proves:

The night produced some strange duets:
U2 & Springsteen (ok)
Mick Jagger & Fergie (ick)
Metallica & the Kinks (why?)
And things just get even weirder after that…

Below: check out videos from some of the best and worst combos and tell us which you think is the best (or worst).
[toplist]