Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.
Charice Returning to ‘Glee’ for 5-7 Episodes
After making her “Glee” debut as Sunshine Corazon during the season 2 premiere, Charice has announced that she will reprise the role in 5 to 7 episodes later this season. The singer, who made the announcement at a concert earlier this week, is expected to next appear in the “Glee” episode that follows the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. ( Oh No They Didn’t!)
Aretha Franklin: “I Never Had Pancreatic Cancer”
Although Aretha Franklin underwent surgery last month for an undisclosed illness, the legendary singer has confirmed that she was not suffering from pancreatic cancer, as was widely reported. “I was sitting there reading the newspaper and it was saying someone in my family said that,” Franklin told Access Hollywood. “No one in my family ever said that to anybody.” The singer would only say that she was hospitalized after experience an extreme pain in her left side. ( Us)
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Susan Boyle Working on New Album
It’s been two months since the release of Susan Boyle‘s sophomore album “The Gift,” but the “Britain’s Got Talent” sensation is reportedly working on her follow-up already. Boyle is teaming up with Steve Mac (JLS, Leona Lewis) for what may be her third album in as many years. ( The Sun)
Soundgarden Releasing First Live Album
Reunited rock group Soundgarden will follow last year’s career retrospective “Telephanatasm” with their first-ever live album. “Live on I5,” set for a March 22 release, will include fan favorites “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman” as well as covers of Beatles and Stooges tracks.
Panda Bear Announces “Tomboy” Release Date
Animal Collective singer Panda Bear has announced an April 19 release date for his long-in-the-works third album, “Tomboy.” The full-length, which follows 2007’s acclaimed “Person Pitch,” was preceded by a string of vinyl singles on Paw Tracks.
(Reporting by Jason Lipshutz)