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Review: 'Motown' Musical Stuffed-full of Tunes But Let Down By the Tale
April 15, 2013 12:14 AM EDT There are 36 songs in the new Broadway show "Motown: The Musical." Actually, that's just in the first act - 36 songs, not including a reprise of "You're Nobody `til Somebody Loves You." It's like a jukebox went c ...
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Smokey Robinson Signs with Universal's Verve Label
March 29, 2013 7:12 PM EDT Motown icon Smokey Robinson has signed with Verve Music Group, the Universal label chaired by veteran producer David Foster. The legendary singer will release his 29th career album, a collection of duets, this coming fall. Jay Landers will A& ...
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Bobby Rogers, Member of Motown’s The Miracles, Dies At 73
March 03, 2013 11:16 PM EST Bobby Rogers, a founding member of Motown group The Miracles and a songwriting collaborator with Smokey Robinson, died Sunday at his suburban Detroit home. He was 73. Motown Museum board member Allen Rawls said Rogers died about 6 a.m. in Southfie ...
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Obama Inauguration Music Guide: Katy Perry to Q-Tip
January 20, 2013 6:39 PM EST Just as Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration drew stars from Beyonce to Aretha Franklin, the president's re-election has led to another can't-miss week for music fans. Some musicians, such as John Legend and Alicia Keys, will be all ove ...
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Beyonce, Katy Perry, More Head to D.C. for Packed Slate of Obama Inauguration Events
January 20, 2013 2:25 PM EST Kelly Clarkson is a multiple nominee at next month's Grammy Awards, but what she's really excited about is another event where she'll be joined by Beyonce, Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Usher and Brad Paisley. Oh, and the ...
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Ne-Yo, Reps Talk 'R.E.D.' Album & Universal Motown Gig
November 05, 2012 2:10 PM EST "I pride myself on being the type of artist who can work half in the R&B world and half in the pop world." That was one of Ne-Yo 's first messages to industry colleagues who attended his intimate showcase at New York's Joe� ...
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Gary Clark Jr., Reps Talk 'Blak And Blu' Debut & Career Start
October 23, 2012 2:30 PM EDT To an ignorant eye, it seemed to be a typical night inside Hollywood's live performance hub Hotel Cafe. The Austin guitar phenom/vocalist Gary Clark Jr. and his band exited the stage after figuratively shredding it to fractions, as they're ...
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Berry Gordy-Inspired 'Motown: The Musical' Comes to Broadway
October 11, 2012 5:00 PM EDT Motown is coming to Broadway. ' Motown: The Musical ,' opening on April 14, is bringing the legacy of Motown founder Berry Gordy to New York City's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Berry Gordy Starts Motown The musical will showcase interweavin ...
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6 Questions with Jackie Evancho
October 10, 2012 7:30 PM EDT Every 10 years or so, classical pop artists have a major crossover breakthrough like Josh Groban, Il Divo and Andrea Bocelli. Jackie Evancho is having one of those breakthroughs. Since finishing second on NBC's "America's Got Talent ...
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The Beat 10/8: Adele's 'SkyFall,' Cee Lo & Christina, James Franco
October 08, 2012 4:45 PM EDT The Beat 10/8: Adele's “SkyFall”, will.i.am and Sampson's single, Christina Aguilera and Cee-Lo's Christmas song, James Franco croons with Smokey Robinson. featuredVideo3 , James Franco , Will.I.Am , cee lo green , Adele , skyfall , C ...
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James Franco's Band Working on Full-Length Album
October 04, 2012 11:50 AM EDT Oscar-nominated actor describes working with Smokey Robinson on his band Daddy's first EP, 'MotorCity.' James Franco has been James Dean, Spider-Man pal Harry Osborn, Hugh Hefner, "127 Hours" climber Aron Ralston and, soon, ...
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Andy Williams, 'Moon River' Singer, Dead at 84
September 26, 2012 10:12 AM EDT With a string of gold albums, a hit TV series and the signature "Moon River," Andy Williams was a voice of the 1960s, although not the '60s we usually hear about. "The old cliche says that if you can remember the 1960s, you wer ...
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Andy Williams, 'Moon River' Crooner, Dies
September 26, 2012 10:05 AM EDT With a string of gold albums, a hit TV series and the signature "Moon River," Andy Williams was a voice of the 1960s, although not the '60s we usually hear about. "The old cliche says that if you can remember the 1960s, you weren ...
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The Beat 9/18: Rihanna's EMA Nominations, 'American Idol's' New Judges
September 18, 2012 2:25 PM EDT Welcome to the Tuesday, Sept. 18 edition of "The Beat," Billboard.com's daily music news show, featuring host Jonathan Brooks running down the latest music news -- who's making headlines and who's topping the charts. In toda ...
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The Beat 9/18: Rihanna and Taylor Swift Top EMA Noms, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban Join 'American Idol'
September 18, 2012 12:22 PM EDT The Beat 9/18: Rihanna and Taylor Swift Top EMA Noms, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban Join 'American Idol' smokey robinson , jonathan brooks , American Idol , Misfortune Teller , Billboard , Duquesne Whistle , 5 Minutes Alone , Bob Dylan , Ran ...
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Smokey Robinson Working on a 'Spanglish' Album
September 14, 2012 11:30 AM EDT 'I've been learning Spanish for about four or five years,' says the Motown legend. Smokey Robinson will second that emocion on his next album. The Motown legend tells Billboard that he's working on a "Spanglish" album f ...
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Bubbling Under: Jayme Dee Makes Steps With 'Tip Toes'
August 31, 2012 2:55 PM EDT Each Friday, Billboard presents "Bubbling Under," a weekly look at new and noteworthy acts making their way toward Billboard chart success. Up this week: Jayme Dee, Devlin, Jekalyn Carr and Los Cadillacs. Jayme Dee Southern California sing ...
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Bubbling Under: Jayme Dee 'Tip Toes' Up; Also Devlin, Jekalyn Carr, Los Cadillacs
August 30, 2012 12:42 PM EDT Each Friday, Billboard presents "Bubbling Under," a weekly look at new and noteworthy acts making their way toward Billboard chart success. Up this week: Jayme Dee, Devlin, Jekalyn Carr and Los Cadillacs Jayme Dee Southern California sin ...
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Berry Gordy-Inspired 'Motown' Musical to Hit Broadway Next Year
June 26, 2012 6:28 PM EDT A musical based on the life of legendary Motown Records founder Berry Gordy is set to open on Broadway next year. Producers said Tuesday that "Motown," with 81-year-old Gordy writing his own book, will open in the spring of 2013 at a Ned ...
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R. Kelly, 'Write Me Back': Track-By-Track Review
June 26, 2012 12:40 PM EDT R. Kelly is a man of many skills -- all of which he stretches on his 11th studio album, "Write Me Back." R. Kelly, who wrote and produced all but two songs, colors in his 12-track set with influences from nostalgic old-school soundscapes. ...
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Summer Music Preview: New Artists Are Hot In Here
May 24, 2012 6:50 PM EDT Chris Brown Album title: Fortune Label: RCA Management: Tina Davis, TDC/Phase Too Release date: July 3 Chris Brown continues down the comeback road he began paving with 2011's "F.A.M.E." That project's cache of hot singles ("D ...
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Dick Clark: His Life and Career in Photos
April 18, 2012 6:10 PM EDT Features Dick Clark Clark Richard Barbara James Clark Brown James James Brown King Barry Manilow Davis Clive Smokey Robinson Cyndi Lauper Michael Clark Michael Bolton Miss America Celine Dion Mötley Crüe Debbie Harry Britney Spears LL Cool J Gene Si ...
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Gavin DeGraw Booted From 'Dancing With The Stars'
April 18, 2012 10:55 AM EDT The sweetness is gone for Gavin DeGraw on "Dancing with the Stars." The singer-songwriter and his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, were bounced from the ABC show Tuesday after the judges' scores were combined with viewers' ...
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Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, Ron Wood, George Clinton: Behind the Scenes at the Rock Hall of Fame Ceremony
April 15, 2012 5:24 PM EDT Go behind the scenes of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction , held Saturday in Cleveland, with our roving roundup of chatter with the likes of Ron Wood, Questlove, Chuck D and Alice Cooper. Get our report from the ceremony here. 1. A sober Ro ...
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Rock Hall of Fame: 10 Things Seen & Heard Behind the Scenes
April 15, 2012 12:00 PM EDT Go behind the scenes of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction , held Saturday in Cleveland, with our roving roundup of chatter with the likes of Ron Wood, Questlove, Chuck D and Alice Cooper. Get our report from the ceremony here. 1. A sober Ronn ...
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Rock Hall of Fame Pre-Parties Light Up Cleveland: Bowling With Red Hot Chili Peppers; Old-School Jam
April 14, 2012 12:20 PM EDT Cleveland rocked on Friday night with private parties and public performances as the city geared up for its third Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Eric B. & Rakim, Guns N' Roses, The Cure, Joan Jett Nominated for Rock and Ro ...
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The Miracles Grateful of Effort to Get Them Into Rock Hall of Fame
April 13, 2012 10:00 PM EDT "I didn't think it would happen in my lifetime," Claudette Robinson tells Billboard Smokey Robinson got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Now the rest of his Motown group, the Miracles, are happy to be joining him at this y ...
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Rock Hall: Axl Rose Will Miss Faces Reunion, Chili Peppers + More
April 12, 2012 1:00 AM EDT Green Day Still Confirmed to Induct Guns N' Roses on April 14 G uns N' Roses will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this weekend, despite Axl Rose's bombshell decision on Wednesday to boycott the event due to various gri ...
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Smokey Robinson Studying Spanish For New Record
March 12, 2012 4:30 PM EDT Smokey Robinson started his music career with a song called "Got a Job," and rest assured the Motown legend even at 72, is working as hard as many of his younger proteges. Robinson tells Billboard.com that he has two albums in the works -- ...
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Bruce Springsteen Playing 'Intimate' SXSW Show
February 28, 2012 1:15 PM EST Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will play an intimate concert on March 15 at the South by Southwest Media Conference and Festival, the annual gathering of music, film and tech industry professionals. The festival, dubbed SXSW, announced the ...
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Backbeat: Paul McCartney Honored at MusiCares Grammy Event, Performs for a Galaxy of Stars and Execs
February 11, 2012 7:35 PM EST Sir Paul McCartney performing onstage during the 22nd Annual MusiCares Benefit Gala Honoring Paul McCartney at the Los Angeles Convention Center. (Photo: WireImage) Few events bring out more music industry executives than the annual MusiCares Pers ...
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MusiCares: Paul McCartney & His Songs Kick Off Grammy Weekend
February 11, 2012 11:45 AM EST Neil Young, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Katy Perry's Hat Chip In to Honor Macca, Raise Millions The Recording Academy's biggest MusiCares gala in the 22-year history of the event occurred Friday when Paul McCartney and a cast of stellar musicia ...
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Backbeat: Grammy Camp Jazz Sessions Celebrates 20th Anniversary,
February 10, 2012 11:00 AM EST Ron McCurdy, a professor at USC, and Grammy Camp student Ashley Levin from Augusta, Ga., prepare to listen to a recording of "Soul Fly," an original composition by McCurdy. (Photo: Justino Aguila) Paul McCartney was standing in the same ...
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Rock Hall Inducting Bands of 6 Iconic Members
February 09, 2012 9:35 AM EST Buddy Holly's Crickets, Smokey Robinson's Miracles Have Been Added to Class of 2012 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says six additional groups will be inducted this year after a committee determined they should be recognized with previously ...
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Rock Hall Adds Six Groups, Including Miracles, Crickets to List of Inductees
February 09, 2012 7:30 AM EST CLEVELAND (AP) - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says six additional groups will be inducted this year after a committee determined they should be recognized with previously enshrined original lead singers. The Blue Caps, the Comets, the Crickets, ...
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'Soul Train' Flash Mob Hits Times Square to Honor Don Cornelius
February 04, 2012 9:55 PM EST News Stevie Wonder Cornelius Soul Train Smokey Robinson Aretha Franklin Janet Jackson Tyrese Faith Hill Ice Cube Usher Michael Jackson Jessie Nick Cannon Soul Cannon Neil Dave Brubeck bbcom Media: 1571489-don-cornelius-smokey-robinson-stevie-wonder ...
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Ne-Yo Joins Motown Roster, Also Appointed Senior VP of A&R
January 24, 2012 9:25 PM EST Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo is moving from Def Jam to Motown Records, the company told Billboard.biz exclusively today. In addition, the Grammy Award-winning artist will bring his Compound Entertainment imprint to the venerable label and take on a creat ...
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Exclusive: Ne-Yo Joins Motown Roster, Also Appointed Senior VP of A&R
January 24, 2012 7:24 PM EST Left to right: Barry Weiss, Ne-Yo and Ethiopia Habtemariam Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo is moving from Def Jam to Motown Records, the company told Billboard.biz exclusively today. In addition, the Grammy Award-winning artist will bring his Compound Ent ...
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Gone But Not Forgotten: Music Stars We Lost in 2011
December 27, 2011 4:35 PM EST Photos Obits Gone Heavy D Forgotten Amy Winehouse Steve Jobs Charlie Louvin Thin Lizzy Gary Moore Alice in Chains Starr Nate Dogg Ferlin Husky Pinetop Perkins Loleatta Holloway Gerard Smith Poly Styrene Phoebe Snow Gil Scott-Heron Gardner Carl Clare ...
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Neil Diamond Prepping New Material: 'The Songs Are Just Coming'
December 07, 2011 3:00 PM EST After celebrating his past with an assortment of honors and the new retrospective "The Very Best of Neil Diamond -- The Original Studio Recordings," some new music awaits Diamond on the other side of a greatest hits tour slated for next su ...
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Bruce Springsteen to be SXSW 2012 Keynote Speaker
December 01, 2011 7:46 PM EST The South By Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival announced this morning that Bruce Springsteen will be keynote speaker for next year's event. The keynote will take place on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Convention Center in Aust ...
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Motown's Berry Gordy Proud of How His Offspring, LMFAO, Have Gone From 'Nothing to Everything'
November 21, 2011 4:25 PM EST It may sound like trivia, but Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records and longtime music industry veteran, is in fact related to the guys in LMFAO. That's right, the man who discovered and nurtured the Supremes, the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder ...
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Photos: 2011 American Music Awards
November 21, 2011 12:34 AM EST Photos Artist of the Year Taylor Swift Klum Heidi Katy Perry Justin Bieber Selena Gomez Nicki Minaj LMFAO Lady Antebellum Rock Smith Drake Female Pitbull Jennifer Lopez Little Girls The Band Perry Five Maroon Queen Latifah Mary J. Blige Daughtry Kel ...
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Soul Train Awards Adds New Roster of Performers
November 01, 2011 9:20 AM EDT The 2011 Soul Train Awards will have more surprises in store. The awards show, being taped on Thursday (Nov. 17) at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, will treat its audience and viewers to tribute performances to celebrate the achievements of the Legend A ...
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Report: Chris Brown Missed Michael Jackson Tribute For Tour Dates, Not UK Ban
October 10, 2011 8:31 PM EDT Chris Brown was not among the artists who paid tribute to Michael Jackson in Wales over the weekend, but the singer's rep reportedly claims it was a tour date conflict--not a UK ban over his past criminal record--that kept him from joining the ...
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Michael Jackson Tribute Concert Kicks Off in Wales
October 08, 2011 3:45 PM EDT News Michel Kids Michael Jackson Forever Gladys Knight Smokey Robinson Michael Knight Christina Aguilera Jamie Foxx Michael Lewis Leona Lewis Marlon Jackie Jackson Pixie Lott Diversity Michael David David Michael David Craig Craig David Alexandra Bu ...
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Michael Jackson Tribute 10,000 Short of a Sell-Out
October 07, 2011 8:00 PM EDT Organizers of Saturday's Michael Jackson tribute event in Cardiff, Wales announced they've sold 40,000 tickets ahead of the Millennium Stadium concert, short of a sellout. "I'm excited about tomorrow's event, especially with ...
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Black Eyed Peas Pull Out of Michael Jackson Tribute Concert
October 06, 2011 7:02 AM EDT The Black Eyed Peas have pulled out of this week's Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales. Organizers say the band, whose hits include "I Gotta Feeling," has withdrawn due to "unavoidable circumstances." Christina Aguilera ...
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Marv Tarplin, Miracles Guitarist, Dies at 70
October 05, 2011 9:55 AM EDT Marv Tarplin, the guitarist whose riffs and melodies helped frame the sound of one of Motown's biggest acts, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, died on Friday (Sept. 30) at home in Las Vegas. He was 70. A cause of death has not been determined, ...
