Much-maligned pop star Lana Del Rey has something to smile about three weeks after she was blasted for her performance on "Saturday Night Live" - she has scored a number one album in Britain.

The New Yorker debuted "Born To Die" at the top of the charts on Sunday - one spot ahead of Leonard Cohen's new album "Old Ideas."

The chart news comes a day after Del Rey was defended in a skit on SNL, during which comedienne Kristen Wiig - portraying the singer - attempted to explain her odd performance on the program last month.

Meanwhile, David Guetta's "Titanium" has hit the top of the U.K. sin...

A lawyer has ended a dispute with Leonard Cohen after agreeing to sell off footage of the legendary folk singer shot in the 1970s.

Showbiz attorney Steven Machat is handing over 294 film reels, which follow the Hallelujah singer on stage and behind-the-scenes of his 1972 European tour.

The tapes had been missing since 1980, but Machat rediscovered them in 2009 and they were used to create a documentary about the Canadian rocker, entitled Bird on a Wire.

Now Machat, who once represented Cohen, has settled his feud with the star by offering up the reels to fans for $1,500.

Machat tells Lo...

Susan Boyle has missed out on another reality show performance after reportedly arriving late for her flight to Los Angeles.

The Scottish singing sensation, who shot to fame after her own turn on a British talent show, was billed to sing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" on Tuesday's episode of "Dancing With The Stars" - but she has pulled out.

The news comes just weeks after Boyle stormed off the set of "America's Got Talent" after learning she would not be able to sing Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" on the program.

The singer reportedly burst into tears when she learned a licensing issue had forc...

R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts is the song most likely to make men sob, according to a new British survey.

The tune beat Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton's heartfelt tribute to his dead son - to top a new poll conducted by PRS for Music, an organization which collects royalties.

Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah was third and Sinead O'Connor was the only woman on the list at four with Prince-penned song Nothing Compares 2 U.

Also making the top 10: With or Without You by U2, The Verve's The Drugs Don't Work and Candle in the Wind by Elton John.

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Veteran rocker Phil Collins was left dumbfounded when he learned he would be receiving the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest honor this year - because he was convinced he was not "qualified."

The former Genesis frontman will be presented with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award, in recognition of his lyrical prowess on classics such as "Against All Odds" and "In the Air Tonight," at a ceremony in New York on Thursday.

Collins admits he was taken aback by the honor - and initially assumed he was simply being called on to present the prize to another artist.

He tells the Associated Press,...

Elvis Costello has pulled out of two planned concerts in Israel this summer in protest at the government's alleged treatment of Palestinians.

The rocker was slated to play gigs in Tel Aviv on June 30th and July 1st, but has axed the shows as "a matter of instinct and conscience" due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine over the Gaza strip.

On his blog, he writes, "It is after considerable contemplation that I have lately arrived at the decision that I must withdraw from the two performances scheduled in Israel on the 30th of June and the 1st of July. I must believe that ...

Atlantic recording artist Jason Castro has unveiled details of his much-anticipated debut LP. "Jason Castro" arrives in stores and at all online retailers on April 13th.

The self-titled album will be preceded by the new single, "That's What I'm Here For." The track hit Hot AC radio outlets nationwide on March 8th. That same day would also see "That's What I'm Here For" - coupled with an exclusive rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," one of the songs that helped earn him a third-runner up finish on the 2008 season of Fox's "American Idol" - go on sale at digital retailers everywher...

Canadian rock icon Neil Young will be honored at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver as part of an all-star tribute concert.

Members of Broken Social Scene and Iron & Wine will join singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith among the artists confirmed to appear at the celebration of Canada's favorite son in February.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre event will be produced by Hal Willner, who recently won acclaim for organizing a concert tribute to another Canadian, Leonard Cohen, in Australia. The concert footage went on to become a big part of 2005 documentary Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man.

...

Multi-Grammy award winning Michael Buble is scheduled to release a new DVD/CD Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden on June 16, it was confirmed today by 143/Reprise Records. The DVD/CD documentary will include a masterful Buble performance, which breathlessly captures all the elements surrounding the show including an intimate and complex portrayal of the Canadian singing sensation in the days, minutes and seconds leading up to this historic event.

Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden also shows footage of Buble's emotional visit to the famed Blue Note Club where he first p...

Atlantic Records has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Jason Castro. The Texas-based tunesmith - best known as the third runner-up on the 2008 season of Fox's American Idol - is currently hard at work on his debut album, set for release later this year. Among his creative collaborators are Grammy Award-winning producer John Fields (Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Soul Asylum) and a number of acclaimed songwriters, including Kara Dioguardi (Kelly Clarkson, Jewel, Santana), Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, K.T. Tunstall), Sacha Skarbek (James Blunt, Jason Mraz), Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams), an...

The organizers of Record Store Day have been happily overwhelmed by a steady flurry of support and activity from artists, record labels and retailers wishing to participate in the annual event in salutation of the independent music store. This year Record Store Day is set to feature a number of exciting new products made especially for the event from such well-known artists as Radiohead, Wilco, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams and the Flight of the Conchords, just to name a few.

Wilco plan to release their upcoming DVD as an exclusive release to indie stores and on the band's website on...

Columbia Records is proud to announce the release of Leonard Cohen's Live In London, a musical chronicle of the legendary singer-songwriter-musician-painter-poet's historic 2008 concert -- available as either a DVD or 2 CD set -- on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.

Recorded live on July 17, 2008 at London's 02 Arena, one of Europe's largest indoor venues during Cohen's phenomenal 2008 World Tour, Live In London offers definitive performances of classic songs drawn from the artist's 40-year repertory.

Beginning today, Friday, February 13, Live In London is available for pre-order on Amazon...

Singer Natalie Imbruglia is eager to set up a fundraising concert with fellow Aussie stars Kylie and Dannii Minogue to help raise money for the victims of the Australian bushfires.

The last week has seen flames sweep across the state of Victoria, claiming over 180 lives and destroying thousands of homes. Imbruglia, who originally hails from New South Wales, Australia, is shocked by the devastation and is currently putting plans together to help raise funds for those affected by the disaster.

She says, "I think me, Dannii and Kylie should talk about setting up a fundraiser. I thi...

The music video for My Chemical Romance's "Desolation Row" has finally made its North American debut. The song, a reinterpretation of the Bob Dylan classic, was recorded specifically for the upcoming feature film Watchmen. Watchmen: Music From the Motion Picture, which contains the song, is due from Warner Sunset/Reprise Records on March 3rd, three days before the film hits theaters nationwide.

The video, which was helmed by Watchmen director Zack Snyder, transports the viewer into the world of Watchmen in an alternate 1985. My Chemical Romance is performing at a dive bar, reigning as...

The mother of cult singer Jeff Buckley is convinced her son would have been amused that music mogul Simon Cowell has given him a boost up the pop charts - years after his death.

Fans of the late rocker, who died in a swimming accident in 1997, are campaigning to take his recording of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah to the top of the U.K. charts this Christmas in a bid to beat another cover version of the song by singer Alexandra Burke.

Burke was awarded a $1.5 million record deal with Syco Records, Cowell's division of Sony BMG, when she took home the crown on Cowell's TV competition T...

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has decided she wants to write her own songs for the follow-up to her album of Tom Waits covers.

The Lost In Translation star released Anywhere I Lay My Head in May this year which featured her versions of some of Waits' classic hits. However the 24-year-old is determined to have more of a creative influence on her next LP and has announced she will be producing her original compositions.

She tells NME.com, "I don't think I'd do covers, so it'd be a project that I have to dedicate myself to. I feel like that's something for the future."

...

Legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor will perform live on Good Morning America on Monday, September 15. Taylor's performance kicks off the unprecedented "50 States in 50 Days" initiative that will take ABC News and USA Today reporters to every state in the union in the days leading up to the Presidential election in November. GMA's "Whistle Stop '08" tour begins with James Taylor's performance in his home state of Massachusetts on the porch of the historic Red Lion Inn. Taylor will perform material from his forthcoming release Covers, which will be available on Hear Music on Septembe...

Surly Lou Reed admonished a fan when his cell phone rang during the rocker's keynote speech at the South By Southwest Festival in Texas on Thursday.

The former Velvet Underground star, who inducted Leonard Cohen into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, lost his patience before a packed Austin Convention Center when he heard the ringtone.

He barked, "What does 'Turn off your cellphone' mean in Texas? Do you have to say it differently, like 'Howdy?' Shove it in a cow."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Rocker Joan Jett will pay a musical tribute to the Dave Clark Five when the British group is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next week. According to a source at the Hall of Fame, Jett will join Iggy Pop & The Stooges, John Mellencamp, Damien Rice and Patti LaBelle among the performers at Monday's New York City gala.

As previously announced, Dave Clark Five superfan Tom Hanks will officially induct the band into the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

The "Glad All Over" hitmakers recently suffered the tragic death of singer Mike Smith, who passed away last week, while prep...

Lou Reed, Billy Joel and Ben Harper will join Justin Timberlake as presenters at next month's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

As previously reported by WENN, Madonna has asked Timberlake to honor her at the March 10 ceremony in New York, while Reed will induct Leonard Cohen, Joel will pay tribute to John Mellencamp and Ben Harper will induct Little Walter.

Meanwhile, Tom Hanks will induct the Dave Clark Five, soul great-turned-politician Jerry Butler will honor hitmakers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, with Creedence Clearwater Revival star John Fogerty introducing The ...

Madonna has asked Justin Timberlake to honor her when she's inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next month. Each inductee is asked to invite a fellow celebrity or a family member to the New York gala to pay tribute to the artist's work - and Madonna felt her most recent collaborator, Timberlake, would be the perfect choice, according to In Touch Weekly.

This year's induction ceremony will take place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on March 10.

Joining Madonna will be Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five, John Mellencamp and The Ventures, who will make up the cla...

"Take Johnny Cash's last CD, I couldn't even play it. He just sounded so frail... If I was ever down, tough, I'd put on Leonard Cohen. Then you know you aren't that down." Former Beatle Ringo Starr found Cash's American V: A Hundred Highways a difficult listen.

"I'm a pop enigma. I live and breathe every element in life... As a tastemaker, I find the best of everything." Rapper Kanye West believes in himself.

"It would be horrible for me to be out in the dating pool because I'm not very flirty." Former Friends star Lisa Kudrow has no regrets about marrying husband Michael Stern be...

The actual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio will host its own induction ceremony in 2009 after a decade of New York shows.

Next year's induction ceremony, which will see Leonard Cohen and Madonna among those honored, will be held in the Big Apple, but then the show will rotate between the hall itself and other New York venues.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson announced the news on Wednesday, revealing that the induction ceremony will be held in Cleveland every three years - if the 2009 event is a success.

The ceremony has only been held once in Cleveland, in 1997, ...

The British record company that handles David Bowie, Billy Idol, Blondie and Leonard Cohen's back catalogues is up for sale for a staggering $300 million.

The independent Chrysalis Group, courted in the past by major labels including Warner Music, has hired an investment bank to help it attract a prominent buyer.

Chrysalis' publishing division manages the libraries of Bowie, Idol, Blondie, Leonard Cohen and Gnarls Barkley. It also owns a record label called Echo, which boasts an artists roster including Feeder, Morcheeba, Bat For Lashes and Ray Lamontagne.

Warner Music and S...

Depending on the day, Herbie Hancock might perform any number of roles. He's the nation's first-call jazz ambassador, a futuristic technology advocate, a dedicated educator, and of course, an American music luminary.

Most of all, like all great artists he makes things new again. He did it for us with The New Standard, when he found the swing and the meaning in pop classics. He did it with his kaleidoscopic take on Gershwin's World—and took home three Grammy® awards for it.

Yet for all Hancock's accomplishments both in and out of music, there's one thing he'd never done. "I had n...

Madonna, Beastie Boys, Leonard Cohen and disco supergroup Chic are among the acts on the ballot for next year's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction.

The quartet will join The Dave Clark Five, Afrika Bambaataa, John Mellencamp, The Ventures and Donna Summer, among others, after they were announced as nominees on Thursday.

Five acts will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Madonna and Beastie Boys are on the ballot on their first year of eligibility.

To be eligible for induction, nominees must have released their first single no later than 1982. ...

Happy Birthday to "Lost" actress Maggie Grace (1983), socialite Nicole Richie (1981), Indian actress Kareena Kapoor (1980), Korn drummer David Silveria (1972), Oasis singer Liam Gallagher (1972), "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" actor Alfonso Ribeiro (1971), "Idiocracy" actor Luke Wilson (1971), talk show host Ricki Lake (1968), Barenaked Ladies drummer Tyler Stewart (1967), country singer Faith Hill (1967), "RV" actress Cheryl Hines (1965), "Cradle Will Rock" actor Angus Macfadyen (1963), "Numb3rs" actor Rob Morrow (1962), "Becker" actress Nancy Travis (1961), "JAG" star David James Elliot (1...

September 4, 2007 - With the end of summer comes different weather, different colors, and the need to unwind, relax and do things a little differently. Herbie Hancock (www.herbiehancock.com), a master of doing things differently, will release his latest album, River: The Joni Letters on September 25.

The disc showcases a very different take on the music of folk-rock poet Joni Mitchell. Hancock teams with chanteuse Norah Jones for a rendition of Mitchell's beloved Court & Spark, offering a perfect soundtrack for settling into the fall.

While 'River' exemplifies Hancock's inspira...

"I wanted to make a record that would be accessible yet truthful," Luciana Souza says of The New Bossa Nova, her seventh album and her Verve debut. "The world is so loud and noisy and overwhelming now that it can be a challenge to get people to sit and listen to something that's quiet. But I have faith that they will."

The New Bossa Nova marks an exciting new chapter for the Brazilian-born vocalist and three-time Grammy® nominee, who's already widely acknowledged as one of jazz's most respected and accomplished vocalists. The 11-song album finds the artist crafting a fresh and highl...

Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae and Leonard Cohen are among the stars who'll join jazz great Herbie Hancock on his upcoming Joni Mitchell tribute album. Hancock has reworked a handful of Mitchell classics on "River: The Joni Letters," and he's asked his famous friends to join him in the studio.

Mitchell herself joins Hancock for one track, "The Tea Leaf Prophecy," while semi-retired Turner sings on "Edith & The Kingpin." Other singers featured include Norah Jones and Luciana Souza.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)