Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll

Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.

In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.

"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."

Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.

"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.

Related Artists

• Mary J. Blige
• Led Zeppelin
• Travis Barker

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml

QUANTA COMPUTER RESEARCH IN MOTION ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS

Keith Urban Accused Of Attacking Paparazzo

A paparazzo by the name of Willem Pieterson has accused Australian country singer Keith Urban of going on the attack. Get the latest here on Urban’s run in last Wednesday in Nashville. Out and about having dinner with his actress wife, Nicole Kidman, in Nashville, Tennessee last Wednesday, Keith Urban allegedly became angry after a photographer, Willem Pieterson, began snapping pictures of the two celebrities as they were leaving a restaurant by the name of Giovanni?s. In a statement issued by Don Aaron of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to Gossip Cop, Urban (per Pieterson’s filed report) got into his car with Nicole Kidman and then proceeded to pull up to the photographer’s “vehicle in the wrong lane. Pieterson alleges that Urban yelled at him, and banged on his window” before getting out and then banging on Pieterson?s “car with his fist and kicked the rear passenger door.? The Nashville Police did however check out the paparazzi’s car and “observed that it was not damaged.” After reportedly going crazy on Pieterson’s vehicle you would think there would be some visible marks? After looking into the matter though it seems the authorities are now labeling it as an incident that “bears [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RightCelebrity/~3/cgx9mMLABc8/

EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS

Michael Jackson Family Announces Tribute Concert

Lineup for October show in Cardiff, Wales, will be revealed August 3.
By Gil Kaufman

Siblings LaToya, Tito, Jackie and Marlon Jackson after announcing 'Michael Forever,' in Beverly Hills July 25, 2011.
Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Michael Jackson's family has announced a tribute concert to the late King of Pop that is slated to take place on October 8 in Cardiff, Wales. The four-hour show at the 75,000-capacity Millennium Stadium will be broadcast via satellite on pay-per-view and into movie theaters with a cast of big-name performers whose identities have not yet been revealed.

At the Beverly Hills press conference on Monday revealing the details of the "Michael Forever" show, Jackson family matriarch Katherine was joined by sons Tito, Jackie and Marlon and daughter LaToya; siblings Jermaine, Randy, Janet and estranged husband Joe were not in attendance.

"When I was told some of the names of the artists performing, I knew it would be fit for a king. If my son was here today he would feel the same way, and so I'd like to say thank you very much for helping to keep my son's legacy alive," Katherine Jackson said of Michael, who died in June 2009 of a heart attack caused by a prescription drug overdose.

According to Wales Online, the show will feature artists Jackson admired and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the start of his solo career.

"I will be there along with as many members of my family that can make it," Katherine said. "It is intended to be the biggest and best concert in the world for many years to come." LaToya added, "This event is far, far overdue. He was an entertainer who I feel no one can ever stand up to or hold a candle to as far as his talent is concerned. This tribute will be something spectacular and I know that he would approve."

One of the show's producers said that despite taking place in a large stadium, the event will have a more intimate atmosphere with the building's roof closed. Proceeds from the show will benefit three charities Jackson supported: the Prince's Trust, AIDS Project Los Angeles and a cancer charity. The show's lineup will be announced on August 3.

As with many things related to MJ's legacy, there was controversy, as brothers Randy and Jermaine said they thought the timing of the show was inappropriate. In a statement, the two said, "While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death. As everyone knows, those proceedings commence September 20."

That date is when Jackson's former doctor, Conrad Murray, is slated to go on trial for manslaughter charges in the singer's death.

Jermaine attempted to put on a tribute concert to his late brother in September 2009, but the show fell apart after many of the top acts were unable to commit to the event.

Related Photos

• Michael Jackson's 'Michael' Cover Decoded

Related Artists

• Michael Jackson
• Randy Jackson
• Marlon Jackson
• Jermaine Jackson
• Janet Jackson

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667905/michael-jackson-family-tribute-concert.jhtml

AMAZONCOM AMERICA MOVIL AMKOR TECHNOLOGY

Usher - Spotlight

Spotlight

• Artist: Usher
• Label: Warner Bros. Records, Asylum, Mizay Ent
• Director: Benny Boom
• Album: The State vs. Radric Davis

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=454171

ORACLE POWERCHIP SEMICONDUCTOR PRICELINECOM

Claire Danes: Showtime?s Summer TCA Promotions

She?s always up for a high-profile event, and earlier today (August 4) Claire Danes was spotted at Showtime?s 2011 Summer TCA shindig.

The ?My So-Called Life? actress looked fabulous in a low-cut graphite-colored dress as she fielded questions at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Danes stars in the new cable TV series ?Homeland? and she said everything about the gig was to her liking, even the nudity and foul language.

Claire explained, ?I think that?s more appealing than the relatively moderate work hours [of broadcast television].?

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/claire-danes/claire-danes-showtime%E2%80%99s-summer-tca-promotions-530936

TAKETWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE SYNTEL SYNTAXBRILLIAN

Lady Gaga Finally Confirms 'You And I' As Her Next Single

Gaga performed the song twice on Thursday, on 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Photo: ABC

Perhaps it wasn't that big of a secret to begin with, but on Thursday night when Lady Gaga stopped by "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" the singer finally confirmed what everybody already presumed: "You and I" will be her next single from Born This Way.

When asked what she planned to perform that night in addition to "The Edge of Glory," Gaga replied, "I'm going to sing my brand-new single 'You and I.' " She recently shot the video for the track in Nebraska.

Gaga also performed those two tracks on "So You Think You Can Dance" on Thursday night, following her appearance on the show the day before as a guest judge.

Before taking the "Kimmel" stage and pounding the keys on her piano for the track, she joked around with the host about her killer cooking skills, her five Emmy nods for her HBO special and, of course, her nomination for the Bowling Hall of Fame.

"I am a good bowler pre-Budweiser," she laughed. "And then once the beers start loading up, I become worse and worse, which is really great for whoever takes me out on the date, 'cause I'm a good, cheap date and a terrible bowler."

So, does Gaga ever don bowling shoes? "Absolutely not!" she said. "What if one of my fans walked into the bowling alley and saw me in flats? They'd have a heart attack."

When Kimmel asked if one day she planned on actually creating any Little Monsters of her own, the always forthright Gaga shared that she does plan on starting a family someday. "Do I want to have kids? Someday ... long, long day from now," she said. She joked about whether or not she'd love her kids even if they didn't turn out to be gay, telling Kimmel, "No, I actually don't even like you 'cause you're not."

Gaga also just announced the planned release of a coffee-table book, called "Lady Gaga," the photos for which are by fashion photographer Terry Richardson. The book is due out in November.

Related Artists

• Lady Gaga

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668141/lady-gaga-you-and-i-single-confirm.jhtml

DLINK DIGITAL CHINA HOLDINGS DIRECTV GROUP

Justin Bieber Vintage Video: His First Meeting With Usher

Justin Timberlake also wanted to sign Bieber, 'Never Say Never' star said in 2009.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber
Photo: Brian Phares/MTV News

Just as the world was learning who Justin Bieber was, MTV News caught up with the shaggy-haired singer in September 2009. He was gearing up to release his debut album, My World, and plotting his pop-world domination. In the year and a half since that interview, Bieber has done the nearly impossible, launching himself into the pop mega-sphere.

In the chat, Bieber recalled how he and his manager, Scooter Braun, met and eventually got big names interested in signing the teen.

"My manager found me on YouTube. He flew me out to Atlanta for the first time — I'd never actually been on a plane before. He flew me to Atlanta where i was going to the studio to meet some people," he recalled.

"And Usher happened to roll up in his Range Rover. I ran up to him, and I was like, 'Usher, I love your songs. Want me to sing you one?' The politest possible way he could say no, he did. ... I took the hint. I didn't get to sing for him: He had to run into a studio session."

But later, Usher was beckoning the teen back to the ATL. "He actually watched my videos — after my manager got to talking to him — and was like, 'I should have let this kid sing,' and flew me back to Atlanta where I got to sing for him in a proper setting. A week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake, who also wanted to sign me, so they both kind of wanted me."

As the story goes, Bieber went with Usher, and the two never looked back.

"As far as Usher being my mentor, he's definitely given me words of wisdom. I hear it from everybody, but definitely to hear it from Usher is great, just to stay humble and grounded is very important," he explained.

"There's a lot of people, especially young stars, that have gone down the wrong path, and I definitely plan to stay humble and stay grounded and keep my family first, because that stuff really is important in life."

On Friday, Justin Bieber's 3-D documentary, "Never Say Never," opens. The film takes a look at how the teen star worked to hit it big. MTV News has been chatting with him along the way, from the time he first burst on the scene in 2009 until now, as he embarks on a huge 2011 that will include a tour and more new music.

Related Videos

• Discovering Justin Bieber
• MTV Rough Cut: Justin Bieber

Related Photos

• Photos From Justin Bieber's Interview With Sway

Related Artists

• Justin Bieber
• Usher

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657425/justin-bieber-usher-video.jhtml

FISERV FIRST SOLAR FINISAR

Links for 2008-11-10 [del.icio.us]

• U-Turn USA Powered Paragliding

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stupidcelebrities/~3/v8t7QF4azYE/blacke30

SUN MICROSYSTEMS STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS SRA INTERNATIONAL

PEOPLE COVER: Bachelorette Ashley Hebert ?I?ve Never Looked Back for a Second?

She had to endure months of tears, lies and betrayals on�The Bachelorette, but after getting engaged in glorious, romantic fashion to J.P. Rosenbaum, Ashley Hebert says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ve never even looked back for a second on my decision,” Hebert tells PEOPLE in the latest cover story. In fact, Hebert, [...]

Source: http://www.celebritymound.com/people-cover-bachelorette-ashley-hebert-ive-never-looked-back-for-a-second/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=people-cover-bachelorette-ashley-hebert-ive-never-looked-back-for-a-second

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC GAMES SANDISK

Photos | Celebs Bid Farewell To Oprah Winfrey At Her Final Show Tapings

Celebs Bid Farewell To Oprah Winfrey At Her Final Show Tapings

Related Artists

• Usher
• Beyoncé

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1664079

NOVELLUS SYSTEMS NOVELL NETWORK APPLIANCE

Photos | Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

Chris Brown And Usher Perform In Jamaica

Related Artists

• Chris Brown
• Usher

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1644415

ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL APPLE COMPUTER APPLIED MATERIALS

Jason Segel in GQ

He graduated from high school sitcoms to the Hollywood A-list and a role as a 3-D supervillain in Despicable Me, but the resolutely down-to-earth Jason Segel remains both freak and geek.  He talks to Alex Pappademas about marriage, fame, and Muppets, in the July issue of GQ.

Jason Segel on if he’ll ever get married:

“For me it's much more about meeting the right person. I don't have that thing that women have—'I've gotta be married by the time I'm 33, gotta have a kid by the time I'm 35.’ Let's see where life takes me, you know? If I met the girl, I'd marry her tomorrow.”

...on being famous and having bus loads of tourists yell at him:

“I think it's hilarious. And I think our group, the Judd Apatow circle—our ‘thing’ is that we're normal dudes. All our movies are just us kind of sitting around smoking pot and just hanging out, and people tend to treat us like that, like [hey-brah dude voice] ‘Oh, shit, what's up? Can I buy you a shot?’ And we are those dudes. When we started out—when I got Freaks and Geeks, I was like 18, Seth was 16. Judd wasn't who Judd is now. And we would sit around and just wax poetic about how we'd take over Hollywood someday. And then it happened, that's the weird part of it—but I think in our minds, we're still those dudes, sitting around like, ‘We're gonna show 'em all!’”

I’ve attached a photo for your review.  Read the full GQ article HERE.

Photo credit: Martin Schoeller/GQ

Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres Around The World

'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres Around The World

Related Artists

• Michael Jackson
• T-Pain
• Ice-T

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1624985

RADISYS RACKABLE SYSTEMS QUEST SOFTWARE

The 100 Most Powerful Celebrities

Forbes has released a new list of the most powerful celebrities in the world. Oprah Winfrey reigns as number one; and Lady Gaga has catapulted to the number four spot. Here's the top 10 actors, actresses, musicians, and personalities. These hotshots are huge in Hollywood. See the full list HERE.

1 - Oprah Winfrey: 5 M

2 - Beyonce Knowles: M

3 - James Cameron: 0 M

4 - Lady Gaga: M

5 - Tiger Woods: 5 M

6 - Britney Spears: M

7 - U2: 0 M

8 - Sandra Bullock: M

9 - Johnny Depp: M

10 - Madonna: M

*Getty

Robert Pattinson's Edward 'Becomes A Man' In 'Breaking Dawn'

Director Bill Condon says 'Twilight' star deftly tackles finale's most emotional scenes.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Robert Pattinson
Photo: Summit Entertainment

"Twilight" fans who've already read the best-selling books upon which the films are based have a sense of what to expect from the final two films when they hit theaters. Specifically, what emotional ups and downs will unfold onscreen, and which characters will be most impacted.

"Breaking Dawn" director Bill Condon recently revealed to MTV News what he predicts will be the most emotional moments in the final installments. He also opened up about how stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have tackled the acting challenges presented to their characters, Bella and Edward. (Spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the books.)

"There's this really quiet moment when Bella discovers that she's pregnant and Edward leaves the room having said, 'Carlisle will get that thing out of you,' " Condon recalled, "and she realizes, 'Oh my god, I've got trouble ahead.'

"Edward, the person she's been longing for all this time is actually on the other side of this very basic issue about this baby that's growing inside of her, and she puts all that aside and she turns and she has a moment where she catches herself in this mirror. It's actually a scene, just Kristen alone, where she falls in love with the idea of being a mother and it's just simple, but I think it's very moving."

Condon went on to say that Pattinson's work in the film is equally moving, noting how much he has evolved as an actor. "[Edward] really becomes an adult [in this film]," Condon said. "In the beginning, he has this beautiful toast to [Bella] where he talks about, 'You're so lucky if you find that one person who can see you for who you are and still accept you and allow you to move beyond who you've been.' And that's what Rob does in this movie," the director added, "He sort of puts aside Edward's self-loathing and all that stuff and actually becomes a man.

"So at the end, when Bella's given birth and she's died and he's trying to bring her back, there is stuff in there where the camera just holds him for a long time where he's just doing everything he can think of to make her live and to beg her to live," Condon revealed. "It's just really powerful."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Related Videos

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Breaking Dawn' Director Bill Condon

Related Photos

• 'Breaking Dawn' Stars Take Over San Diego Comic-Con

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668061/twilight-breaking-dawn-robert-pattinson.jhtml

EASTMAN KODAK CO EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS

Ke$ha - Tik Tok

Tik Tok

• Artist: Ke$ha
• Label: RCA
• Director: Syndrome
• Album: Animal [Clean]

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3213641&vid=445445

IRON MOUNTAIN INORATED IOMEGA INTUIT

Gwyneth Paltrow on the Cover of Vogue

Gwyneth Paltrow returns to Vogue on the cover of the upcoming August age issue. The actress and lifestyle blogger takes her star power to the kitchen and invites Contributing Editor Jonathan Van Meter to a personal cooking lesson.

Paltrow’s cookbook, My Father’s Daughter, will be published next spring by Grand Central Publishing. It is meant to “channel the ethos of my father by sharing the greatest gifts that he imparted to me. Invest in what is real. Drink while you cook. Make it fun.”

See the article HERE.

*Photo Courtesy of Mario Testino for Vogue

The Box-Office Beat: Inception Takes the Top Spot

Leonardo DiCaprio wows the crowd in Inception, the number one movie at the box office this weekend. See what other movies made the big bucks...

1 - Inception: .4 M

2 - Despicable Me: .7 M

3 - The Scorcerer's Apprentice: .4 M

4 - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: .5 M

5 - Toy Story 3: .7 M

6 - Grown Ups: M

7 - The Last Airbender: .5 M

8 - Predators: .8 M

9 - Knight & Day: .7 M

10 - The Karate Kid: .2 M

Chuckie Will Debut Michael Jackson Remix In Miami

Official 'Hollywood Tonight' remix coming to Miami Music Week.
By Akshay Bhansali

Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions

Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.

"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."

"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.

"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."

So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.

"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."

Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.

Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!

Related Artists

• Chuckie
• Michael Jackson

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660345/michael-jackson-chuckie-remix.jhtml

INGRAM MICRO INFORMATICA INFOCUS

The Box-Office Beat

Not even a blonde-turned-brunette Angelina could top Leonardo at the box office this weekend. Inception was the top flick yet again. See what other movies made the big bucks...

1 - Inception: .5 M

2 - Salt: .5 M

3 - Despicable Me: .1 M

4 - The Sorcerer's Apprentice: .7 M

5 - Toy Story 3: M

6 - Ramona and Beezus: M

7 - Grown Ups: .6 M

8 - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: M

9 - The Last Airbender: .2 M

10 - Predators: .9 M