Saturday, December 20, 2008

Music News & Notes

May Says He Didn't Know Mercury Was Gay

Brian May has told Britain's Daily Express that he didn't realize that Freddie Mercury was gay for years.

"You're talking to someone who shared rooms with Fred on the first couple of tours, so I knew him pretty well. I knew a lot of his girlfriends and he certainly didn't have boyfriends, that's for sure. I think there was a slight suspicion, but it never occurred to me that he was gay."

"I know that all through his life Fred didn't think that whether he was gay or not was important. He loved music, he love his work, and he didn't want anything to get in the way. Anyone who portrays Fred as purely a gay story is missing a lot of the point."

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McCartney Says Don't Get Too Excited

Paul McCartney is quoted as saying for everyone not to get too excited about "Carnival of Light," the Beatles' 14-minute unreleased experimental song. "People are thinking there's another "Strawberry Fields" somewhere... this is more plinky-plonky. I mean, I like it, but it's not to everyone's taste."

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Sing With Elvis


If you've always wanted to sing with Elvis Presley, now you have the chance. Sony has a new site up (www.singwiththeking.com) where you can duet on Blue Christmas. The site launched December 5th and it is free to enjoy.

"Someone in our digital area came up with the concept," explained JJ Rosen, executive vice president of Sony BMG Music Entertainment Commercial Music Group. "It fits the duets concept of the album so well."

Because the campaign leans heavily on technology, Rosen said that it helps to bring Presely and his music to a younger generation, stating that "We're always trying to keep the Elvis brand alive."

So far, the site has drawn over 30,000 people from over nine countries and it is scheduled to end sometime in January. In fact, the promotion has proved to be so successful, that Sony plans a similar one for mariah Carey's upcoming release "The Ballads" for Valentine's Day.

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Joe Perry's Christmas Performance

For those who would like a free download of Aerosmith's Joe Perry performing Chuck Berry's "Run, Rudolph, Run," check it out at YouTube:

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