Last week, Michael Jackson created a new web site, http://www.mjnews.us, to issue a statement about the child molestation allegations made against him on November 20. Jackson wrote, "As you know, the charges recently directed at me are terribly serious. They are, however, predicated on a big lie. This will be shown in court, and we will be able to put this horrible time behind us." He added, "We will not provide running commentary on every new development or allegation du jour. We intend to try our case in the courtroom, not in the public or the media." Fans around the world have rallied behind the pop icon by staging numerous candlelight vigils. In other news, Jackson's new CD, Number Ones, debuted at Number One in the United Kingdom. This week, it entered the U.S. chart at Number 13. The collection includes one new track, One More Chance.
November 30, the WB network will air Christina Aguilera's one-hour television special, Stripped…Live In The U.K. The performance, which was taped in early November at London's Wembley Arena, will be released on DVD January 13, 2004. This week, Aguilera will continue her world tour in Japan with shows in Tokyo on December 2 and Osaka on December 5. She'll then head to Australia, where she'll perform in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide through December 17.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, David Crosby and Graham Nash will record together as a duo. They'll go into the studio in January and are hopeful the collection will be released in mid-2004. Their last album as a duo was 1976's Whistling Down The Wire.
Meat Loaf is recovering from heart surgery in a London hospital. The 52-year-old rock singer collapsed during a performance at London's Wembley Arena on November 17. He was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkison-White syndrome, which causes an irregular heartbeat and causes dizziness and fainting.
Country singer Glen Campbell is in trouble with the law. On November 24, he struck a car while allegedly driving drunk in Phoenix, Arizona. He left the scene of the accident, but a witness gave information to police officers that led to his arrest. Campbell was charged with extreme drunken driving and hit and run. While he was at the station, he allegedly kneed a police officer in the thigh, which added an assault charge. Later that night, he appeared in court and was released on $2,000 bail.
Country singer Wynonna Judd, 39, married her bodyguard D. R. Roach on November 22. The private ceremony took place in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee and was attended by 60 of the couple's friends and family. It's the second marriage for both Roach and Judd. Wynonna divorced her first husband, businessman Arch Kelley, in 1999. She has primary custody of their two children, an 8-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. Just nine days before her marriage to Roach, Wynonna was arrested in Nashville and charged with drunken driving. She posted a message on her web site that said in part, "I know there is never a situation where drinking and driving is acceptable and I take full responsibility for my error in judgement. I had been out celebrating my upcoming wedding and a girlfriend's birthday and clearly let my excitement get the best of me."
NEW ALBUM RELEASES/DEC. 2:
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:
New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen will perform three benefit concerts December 5-7 in his hometown of Asbury Park. He'll be backed by The Max Weinberg 7, a group led by the drummer of Springsteen's E Street Band. Proceeds will go to various local charities.
LOOK WHO'S GOING ON TOUR!
On December 3, 'N Sync's JC Chasez will begin a five-city club tour in San Diego, California. Other scheduled stops include Anaheim, California on December 4, West Hollywood, California on December 5, New York City on December 19 and Boston, Massachusetts on December 20. Chasez will be promoting his upcoming solo debut album, Schizophrenic, which is due out on January 27.
David Bowie wrapped up his sold-out European concert tour on November 28. On December 6, he's scheduled to begin the North American leg of his "A Reality" world tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He'll perform 29 shows through February 7. One week later, Bowie will perform throughout Australia and Southeast Asia. Macy Gray will open all of Bowie's North American concerts.