A private memorial service for the Bee Gees' Maurice Gibb took place in Miami, Florida on January 15. The 53-year-old singer died on January 12 following emergency surgery for a blocked intestine. He suffered cardiac arrest shortly before the operation. Gibb's brothers Barry and Robin have asked for a full investigation into the cause of his death. Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, actors Henry Winkler and John Travolta, and former Sony Music Group chairman Tommy Mottola were among the celebrities who attended the service. The Bees Gees earned international fame for their contributions to the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack in 1977. The album sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and still stands as the best-selling movie soundtrack ever. The Bee Gees were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
The second season of Fox-TV's reality series American Idol will begin this week. Two 90-minute programs will air on January 21 and 22. Last season's winner, Texan Kelly Clarkson, is working on her debut album, due out this spring. She's currently in Miami filming her first movie that will also star Justin Guarini.
Recent anti-piracy raids in Holland and England turned up 500 reel-to-reel tapes containing rare original Beatles recordings. The tapes were recorded in 1969 during the band's "Let It Be" sessions. Charges against six suspects range from theft to handling stolen goods.
On January 22, Signature Sound Recording will release Respond II, a two-CD compilation to benefit families affected by domestic violence. The 32-song collection features tracks by Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, Suzanne Vega, the Indigo Girls, Aimee Mann, Sarah McLachlan and many others. The first Respond benefit CD was released in 1999. Referred to as "one of the most important and courageous records of the decade" by Billboard magazine's late editor-in-chief Timothy White, it raised more than $125,000.
Pop superstar Celine Dion will release a new album on the same day she kicks off her three-year engagement at Caesars Palace Coliseum in Las Vegas. Due out March 25, One Heart will include a version of I Drove All Night, which was first recorded by Roy Orbison in 1988 and covered by Cyndi Lauper for her 1989 album A Night To Remember. Celine's version of the song will be the first single released from One Heart. It's also being used in Chrysler's new advertising campaign. Last November, Celine signed a $10 million spokesperson deal with DaimlerChrylser, which will sponsor Dion's Las Vegas performances.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES / JANUARY 21:
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
The 29th annual People's Choice Awards were handed out on January 12 in Pasadena, California. In the music categories, Eminem was named Favorite Male Musical Performer, Faith Hill took home the Favorite Female Musical Performer trophy, and Creed and the Dixie Chicks tied for the Favorite Musical Group award.
On January 13, the 30th annual American Music Awards were presented in Los Angeles. Rapper Eminem, a no-show at the event, led the winners with four awards that included Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist and Favorite Male Hip-Hop/R&B Artist. He also received the Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Hip-Hop/R&B Album awards for The Eminem Show." Country trio the Dixie Chicks took home two awards. They were named Favorite Country Band and also won the Favorite Country Album award for Home. Creed also received two trophies. The band was named Favorite Alternative Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Band. Single winners included Sheryl Crow, Celine Dion, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Enrique Iglesias and Avalon. During the ceremony, Nelly was given with the Fan's Choice Award, Reba McEntire presented Alabama with this year's Award of Merit, and Madonna received the Michael Jackson International Artist of the Year Award.
The 2003 MTV Asia Awards will take place on January 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Nineteen awards will be handed out during the second annual event. Reggae artist Shaggy and Mandarin pop singer CoCo Lee will host the show, which will feature performances by Avril Lavigne, Missy Elliott, Nick Carter, Suede, and others.
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'N Sync's Justin Timberlake will team with Christina Aguilera for a summer concert tour. Although no dates are confirmed, Aguilera made the announcement at the American Music Awards ceremony. "It's going to be such an amazing thing. We're going to make it the tour of the year," she said.