Be the first to comment It was a busy week in the music world—did you miss any of this week’s big music news?
Don’t worry! We’ve rounded up the week’s top stories to help you get caught up.
In this edition find out:
Which rock legend unleashed a four-letter word on fans
Which pop royalty got snubbed by the Grammys
Which icon wears a Jennifer Aniston wig and brawls with Santa
And More! Continue reading »
News of Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton’s death is still making waves among rock fans around the world, but music fans are in for more bad news today as belated reports are surfacing regarding the death of a Motown legend.
Robert Ward passed away December 25 at age 70, according to a report posted earlier today by Billboard. While the name may not immediately ring a bell, the music this guitarist helped create will be remembered for years to come.
A founding member of the Ohio Players, Ward was behind well-known songs such as “Fire” and “Love Rollercoaster,” the latter a funk hit that found renewed success thanks to a popular version recorded by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ward’s colorful, vibrato-drenched guitar tone was an instantly recognizable part of most of the songs he played on. Continue reading »
While Microsoft’s Zune mp3 player doesn’t have the same panache as the ubiquitous iPod, the player is making some pretty creative changes lately.
While iPods ordered directly from the Apple website give users the option of having a personalized message laser-engraved on the player’s metal shell, Zune is offering customers of its website the option of engraving personalized messages and elaborate images.
This one-up of the Apple engraving is nice—and sure to be a hit during the holidays. The only downside is that users are not allowed to upload their own artwork to the site for engraving. Instead, customers select from an array of artwork from the Zune engraving gallery. While some of the psychedelic, animal-themed, zodiac-inspired images are cool, it would’ve been awesome to be able to add your own custom image. Continue reading »
This is the time of year that television stations start rolling the holiday classics.
It doesn’t matter how many times we see Frosty the Snowman return each Christmas, we’re still a little sad when he starts to melt.
These animated specials have also provided some classic Christmas songs. So, in honor of Frosty, Rudolph, the Chipmunks and all the other holiday characters, we’re offering our list of the best songs from Christmas cartoons.
Top Cartoon Christmas Songs
7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)—“What’s This”
One of the newer Christmas flicks, this story of the mayor of Halloween Town discovering the magic of Christmas is largely a hit with the teenage set and fans of Tim Burton’s unusual visual style.
6. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)—“The Heat Miser Song”
Like the Grinch, the Heat Miser hates Christmas. Only instead of stealing the holiday cheer, the Heat Miser plans to melt all the snowy fun. This year, NBC is showing a new live-action version with John Goodman and Delta Burke, but we’ll stick with the classic 1974 animated version, thank you very much.
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)—“Christmastime is Here”
The Vince Guaraldi Trio provides the classic soundtrack for this holiday favorite.
4. A Chipmunk Christmas (1981)—“Christmas Don’t Be Late (Chipmunk Song)”
The Chipmunks debuted with this song in 1958, but it wasn’t until 1981 that the songwriter’s son created an animated special inspired by the furry little singers. The result was a hit, and inspired a tv cartoon series, albums and, in 2007, a film version of Alvin and the Chipmunks starring Jason Lee.
3. Frosty the Snowman (1969)—“Frosty the Snowman”
Performed by theatre legend, Jimmy Durante.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1965)—“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
The story is narrated by the master of horror, Boris Karloff, but this famous song is actually performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, also known as the voice of Tony the Tiger (frosted flakes cereal).
1. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (1964)—“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
This one is full of great songs, but the title track is the one everybody loves best.
Did we forget your favorite holiday cartoon tune? Leave a comment and let us know Who’s On Your List!
Every year, shopping malls and radio stations bombard listeners with the same awful Christmas songs. By the time New Year’s rolls around, you’ll have heard “Frosty the Snowman” about 40 zillion times, not to mention all the awful holiday goo being spewed by Celine Dion and Josh Groban.
But, this holiday season, instead of complaining about the songs you do hear, maybe you should be thankful for the songs you don’t have to hear.
For further proof, check out today’s list:
Top 10 Most Unnecessary Christmas Records EVER
10. Ringo Starr—I Wanna Be Santa Claus
Wow, 12 Christmas songs with Ringo? Even Starr’s family doesn’t want to spend this much time with him at Christmas.
9. NSYNC—Home for Christmas
Hey ladies, here’s your chance to spend Christmas with Justin Timberlake…and some other guys. Mistletoe sold separately.
8. 98 degress—This Christmas
In case NSYNC is too cool for you, here’s the poor man’s boyband, Cincinnati’s 98 degrees. Sorry, no gift receipt.
7. George Thorogood and the Destroyers—Rock and Roll Christmas
Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone,” except when Santa is looking.
6. Carnie and Wendy Wilson—Hey Santa
This boring Christmas album featuring 2/3 of Wilson Philips is even more embarrassing when you remember that their father is Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys—a band that released some classic rock albums, along with a couple of fairly tolerable holiday discs. Thanks, kids. From now on, you’re getting coal. And Beach Boys records.
5. White Stripes—Candy Cane Children
Merry Christmas, indie-rock fans: Gather ‘round and uncle Jack White’s gonna read you some of the gospel and aunt Meg’s gonna mumble her way through a creepy version of “Silent Night.” Next year, just get us socks instead.
4. Cyndi Lauper—Merry Christmas, Have a Nice Life
She’s recorded many Christmas songs over the years, but the whole disaster can be summed up in two words: “Christmas Conga.”
3. Bryan Adams—Reggae Christmas
You probably never thought Bryan Adams could write something that would actually make you wish we were listening to “Summer of ‘69” instead, but, well, here it is. Let’s call it a Christmas miracle.
2. AC/DC—Mistress for Christmas
AC/DC usually writes songs like “Highway to Hell” and “Hell’s Bells,” so hearing rock’n’roll’s favorite hell-raisers singing for Santa seems a little strange. Until you listen to the lyrics and find out the boys really want. Classy.
1. Billy Idol—A Very Special Christmas Album
Finally, folks can hear the “White Wedding” howler belt out a version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” The title says it all: This album is very, very special.
Harold Melvin and the Blue NotesPerhaps instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa and his helpers, Rolling Stones guitarist/legendary wildman, Keith Richards, leaves out a big bottle of something that’ll really cut through the winter chill.
Regardless of what culinary delights he leaves for St. Nick, this year Richards is unveiling a gift for his fans…sort of.
Just in time for the holidays, Richards is teaming up with iTunes to re-release his 1978 single, “Run Rudolph Run.” The lively holiday tune (a cover of Chuck Berry’s Christmas classic) was recorded without his fellow Stones, and has been somewhat difficult to track down—until now.
Of course, Richards isn’t the first rocker to release a Christmas song. See if any of your favorites made my list of the top Christmas songs by rock bands.
Top 15 Christmas Rock Songs
15. “Jingle Bell Rock”—Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
14. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”—Brenda Lee
13. “Please Come Home for Christmas”—Bon Jovi
12. “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”—John Lennon
11. “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”—Bruce Springsteen
10. “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas”—Blink 182
9. “Christmas at the Zoo”—Flaming Lips
8. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight)”—The Ramones
7. “Run, Rudolph, Run”—Chuck Berry
6. “Merry Xmas Everybody”—Slade
5. “If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home”—Reigning Sound
4. “Frosty the Snowman”—The Ronettes
3. “Blue Christmas”—Elvis
2. “Father Christmas”—the Kinks
1. “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”—Darlene Love
For 19 days the lights on Broadway have been off due to a stagehand strike, but today the strike ended. Crews are rushing to re-open dozens of Broadway shows that have been closed - and we bet lots of folks planning their Christmas vacations are thrilled!
So, in honor of the return of Broadway, here are my top 10 Broadway shows you should see for Christmas. Some of them feature great Christmas songs, but some of them are just cool shows that are worth checking out.
Check - em out, then let me know who’s on your list of faves!
Top 10 Broadway Shows for Christmas
10. Hairspray - The most unlikely musical ever, this surprisingly sweet story is based on a cult classic flick by love-him-or-hate-him super-freak film director, John Waters.
9. Legally Blonde - Based on the popular films starring Reese Witherspoon, the Broadway hit features all your favorite characters - including the spunky little
Chihuahua, Bruiser.
8. Lion King - Disney sure knows how to make a mega-hit. This beautiful stage adaptation of the animated classic features elaborate costumes and musical favorites such as, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
7. Little Mermaid - The latest in a long line of Disney cartoons to make the leap to Broadway. Kids will love it, and parents will enjoy the flashback to a childhood favorite.
6. Avenue Q - Fun musical featuring an entertaining mix of actors and puppets.
5. Mamma Mia - This upbeat show appeals to fans of all ages with it’s heartwarming story and fun sing-along soundtrack featuring popular songs by Abba, including “Mamma Mia - and “Dancing Queen”.
4. Rock’n'Roll - New work by Tom Stoppard, renowned author of the witty Shakespearean spin-off, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Takes a look at the connection between music and revolution beginning in the 1960s, with music from the Rolling Stones and others.
3. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Personally, I prefer the animated version with Boris Karloff and Thurl Ravenscroft, but this is a good bet for folks with kids.
2. Radio City Christmas Spectacular - A New York holiday tradition! This is the 75th year for this Christmas classic featuring the world famous Rockettes.
1. A Christmas Carol - No matter how many times you’ve read Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale, you’ll never get tired of seeing Ebenezer Scrooge’s heartwarming transformation.
