If you thought the death of Maurice Gibb spelled the end of The Bee Gees, you’d be mistaken. Robin revealed that he and Barry are planning to reform the band, six years after their brother’s death.
“The two of us are getting back together again. I was with Barry in Miami a couple of days ago. It was an emotional thing because Maurice wasn’t just a brother, he was a comrade in arms really,” Robin Gibb told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. “We have got through the breakwater of the emotions and now we can go forward.”
Hopefully when the reunion happens, the band will return to where it all began for some Australian shows!
It’s a rare week in Australia, with Aussies taking the top spots on both the albums and singles ARIA charts.
Rock veteran Jimmy Barnes earned his ninth solo number one album this week with The Rhythm and the Blues. That surpasses John Farnham’s eight solo number ones, making Barnesy our most successful solo male artist. But was there ever any doubt this album would be a hit? It doesn’t take a genius to work out that an album of old school rock and roll covers released just before Father’s Day is going to sell by the truckload. The real test for this CD will be how it does next week, and the week after.
Keeping Jimmy company on the albums charts we’ve got Kate Miller-Heidke’sCuriouser sitting at number five, up one possie from the week before. They’ve slipped three places, but Jet are still hanging in there with Shaka Rock. Their third album sits at number eight.
Meanwhile Guy Sebastian is sitting at the top of the singles charts with his infectious single “Like It Like That.” It’s taken Guy four weeks to achieve the position. It’s somewhat of a return to form for Guy, who hasn’t released a number one single since 2004’s “Out With My Baby.”
Kate Miller-Heidke’s making her presence felt on the singles charts too with “The last Day on Earth” inching ever closer to the top spot. It’s sitting at number three this week, one better than the week before.
Adam Brand has shown his skills extend beyond singing. The country artist has taken home this year’s Dancing with the Stars trophy. He edged out Channel Seven TV personalities Kylie Gillies and Matt White to claim the title.
Adam, who said he was surprised by his success in the competition, dedicated the win to his late nephew who succumbed to cancer at age two. All money raised by his appearance on the show benefited children’s cancer research.
“At the start of this competition, I said it doesn’t matter what they do. They can put me in high heels and a ballerina dress for all I care because the reason we started this was for where the money went – charity,” he said.
“So every step, every awkward move that I’ve done here doesn’t matter because he’s up there watching it. This is for little Harry.”
The pointy end of Australian Idol kicked off tonight with the first final. But before the performances, we learned that Toby Moulton and Hayley Warner (audience choice) and Casey Barnes and Tim Johnston (judges’ choice) would join our top 12.
Ashleigh Toole kicked off the night with Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent.” It wasn’t a break-out performance, but it was a solid one. While she didn’t wow me, there’s something incredibly likable about her.
Scott Newnham is a bit of a crowd favourite, and he showed why with his version of “Come Together.” He performed the pants off it, and kept the vocals right where they should be. That’s an achievement. He’s such a raw talent, and he’s only going to grow through this competition.
Casey Barnes was up next with Powderfinger’s “On My Mind.” It was great to see him rocking a little bit harder. I also really liked seeing him with his guitar. He seems much more comfortable with it, and he’s got some serious skills. I was surprised he got a wildcard spot over Lauren Street, but performances like this show he deserves a place in our top 12.
Watching Hayley Warner perform “Light Surrounding You” was the first time I was wowed tonight. There’s an incredible honesty about her. She’s an open performer, and while she doesn’t sound the prettiest she makes me feel. That’s much more powerful.
After a few days off, I was having Australian Idol withdrawals. Tonight’s show didn’t disappoint, with some of the best talent getting a second chance. But first up it was time to announce our newest finalists. After Thursday’s show Kim Cooper and James Johnston were voted through to the top 12. After some rapid-fire wildcard contestant announcements it was time for the performances.
Lucie Johnson started the show with “Boogie Wonderland.” I really liked her song choice, and I thought the introduction was sublime. But I think when she started to move, she lost it a little bit. Of course you need to dance in “Boogie Wonderland,” but it’s when a few breath and pitch issues crept in. Even with those flaws, she sounds better than most people, but those little flaws distracted me a little. I see a lot of potential in Lucie, but this is going to be one tough night.
Casey Barnes was up next with “Never Say Never (Don’t Let Me Go)” by The Fray. It was an interesting song choice, not so commercial approachable but a lot more believable. The falsetto wasn’t the greatest, but his voice is solid. It was definitely an improvement on last week, but he still feels a little middle-of-the-road.
Aliqua Mao was up next with “The Power of Love.” It was an incredibly dumb choice. If the judges slam you for singing big ballads that are beyond your capabilities one week, you don’t front up and do the same thing for the wildcard night. Celine and Whitney both share the space, and it’s one far above what Aliqua can do. What a wasted wildcard opportunity.
Lauren Street was already on the right path, although she turned down the volume a little tonight. “Low” by Kelly Clarkson was a smart choice. By showing a more vulnerable side, she might just have scored the votes of the people scared off by the Alanis act! Another solid performance that makes me pretty certain the judges will put her through even if the judges don’t.
Darren Hayes is coming home to record a brand new album. He will return to next month after signing a new deal with Sony/ATV Publishing, which includes the rights to the entire Savage Garden back catalogue and future solo works.
“When the catalogue was sold to Sony ATV Australia I was assured that the songs had found a great new home and now that I’ve spent time working with the Australian and UK team, I am certain they have,” he explained. “It’s a great period in my life and career and I feel encouraged and flattered that Sony ATV have shown such commitment to my future solo material.”
It’s been a while since we’ve heard a new Darren Hayes, but he certainly hasn’t been sitting idly. Instead, he’s become one with the most sought after songwriters in the UK after working with Universal, Parlophone and Syco (Simon Cowell’s label) on tracks for their artists. Now he’s back doing his own thing, and after songwriting with the the likes of Phil Thornally (Pixie Lott, Natalie Imbruglia), Brian West (Nelly Furtado), and Rami (Britney Spears, Pink) he’s coming home to lay some tracks down.
“I’m so excited that I’ll be able to come home to Australia and record some of my new music there and involve some familiar talent on my record that I haven’t worked with since the debut Savage Garden album. I’m keen to get this new album finished and get out on the road in Australia and say thank you to everyone who has stood by me over the years.”
As one of those early Savage Garden fans, I’m pretty keen to hear it!
We’re halfway towards having our top 12, with Sabrina Batshon and Scott Newnham joining the fray. Despite my reservations about him, I figured Scott would coast through. I’m pleasantly surprised that the public embraced Sabrina though.
Kim Cooper kicked off the night with a searing rendition of Katy Perry’s “Waking Up in Vegas.” I really, really like her. So few women do straight up pop in Australia, and she does it really well. She’s a lot of fun, and I can imagine her bringing a really different flavour to the competition. It’s not one with a lot of depth, but don’t we all just want to sing in a hairbrush every now and then?
Boy it’s shaping up to be some show. Ed Zaidan was up next with a blistering take on Eskimo Joe’s “Foreign Land.” It showed an intensity we haven’t seen before from him, and I’m really enjoying seeing all the sides. I heard the vocal flaws too, but I also think you can get away with that in the rock genre. I really hope we see him in the top 12, because he’s one of those fascinating figures.
Lucie Johnson got her Beyonce on with “Sweet Dreams.” I thought she sang it well and performed it well, but it didn’t really lift into the stratosphere. I think that may be down to song choice: while it’s a very popular and current song it’s also not a very dynamic one. Coming after two such strong performances, I think she may get a little lost in the crowd.
Hoodoo Gurus guitarist Brad Shepherd has revealed he’s recovering from surgery for cancer.
“It has been said that chicks dig scars – so I’m hoping that’s true,” he joked.
The Aussie rock legend says the operation to remove cancerous cells was a success, and he will be “knee-dropping and windmilling better than ever” at the band’s next show.
That performance will be the first iTunes Aussie Legends concert at Sydney’s Apple store on September 4. The band promises to play some of their old favourites, and a few new tunes. Hoodoo Gurus will release their ninth studio album early next year. The concert is free to attend, but as access is limited fans are encouraged to get their early for the 9 pm start. Or you could win a special double pass by e-mailing comps.au@sonymusic.com and telling them why you love the band in 25 words or less!
The Hoodoo Gurus show is the first in a series of shows featuring some of Australia’s most enduring talents. Mental as Anything, Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, and Ian Moss will also take the stage during September. The shows are on every Friday. Each live performance will be recorded and made available as an exclusive EP available through iTunes.
Many have challenged the late great Michael Jackson, but it’s taken a bunch of Central Coast teens to bring his reign on the charts to an end. Short Stack have knocked Jacko off the ARIA charts top spot this week with their debut album Stack is the New Black.
It was another impressive debut for Paul Dempsey, who’s sitting at number five with his sophomore solo effort Everything is True. Meanwhile Lisa Mitchell has slipped down a couple of notches with her debut effort Wonder. It’s sitting at number eight.
Kate Miller-Heidke is leading the Aussie charge in the singles charts. Her latest track, “The Last Day on Earth”, is holding steady at number three. She’s just edged out Guy Sebastian, who jumps two places to sit at number four with “Like it Like That.”
Magic Dirt bass guitarist Dean Turner has lost his battle with tissue cancer. He was just 37 years old when he passed away on Friday night.
Dean formed the indie rock outfit in 1992 with his then-girlfriend Adalita Srsen. Their albums What Are Rockstars Doing Today and Tough Love both gained top 20 status on the ARIA charts thanks to singles “Dirty Jeans” and “Plastic Loveless Letter.”
Dean Turner is survived by his wife Linda Bosidas and their two daughters, Charlie and Evie.
The band was on tour at the time of Dean’s death. A spokeswoman for the band says they are unsure whether two Sydney concerts, scheduled for next weekend, will go ahead.
