Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.
Foo Fighters Unleash New Album Teaser
Foo Fighters have hinted at the sound of their seventh studio album with a 30-second online teaser of a new song. The intense cut features a sharp guitar riff and frontman Dave Grohl singing the line, “These are my famous last words!” The Foos announced that they had finished recording the 11-track album earlier this month and are expected to release the album this spring. (Foo Fighters teaser)
Halle Berry Likely Out of Aretha Franklin Biopic
Although Halle Berry has been rumored to play Aretha Franklin in an upcoming biopic of the legendary soul singer, the actress says that she is not right for the part. “I can’t sing!” Berry told E! “If I could carry a tune, I’d consider it.” ( Spinner)
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Snoop Dogg Announces New Album, “Doggumentary”
Snoop Dogg will unleash his 11th studio offering, “Doggumentary,” on March 29 through Doggystyle/Priority Records. The gangster rap vet will precede the release with his “Get Wet” tour, which kicks off tonight (Jan. 18) in San Francisco.
Australian Rock Musicians Harvey James, Steve Prestwich Die
Harvey James, the 58-year-old former guitarist with chart-topping Australian ’70s pop group Sherbet, lost his battle with lung cancer in Melbourne on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Steve Prestwich, founding drummer with Australian rock icons Cold Chisel, died Sunday following surgery to remove a brain tumor. He was 56.
Travis Barker reveals ‘Drummer’ Cover, First Single
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has unveiled the cover art and announced the details to his first solo album, “Give the Drummer Some,” due out March 15 on Interscope. First single “Can a Drummer Get Some” willf eater the Game, Swizz Beatz, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, while Ludacris, Kid Cudi and Tom Morello will also appear on the album. Album cuts “Jump Down” and “Carry It” are currently available on iTunes.
John Leguizamo One-Man Show Receives Fania Records Soundtrack
“Ghetto Klown,” the new John Leguizamo one-man show, will start its run at the Lyceum theater in Manhattan March 22, the same day legendary Latin music label Fania Records releases “Ghetto Klown-Music From My Hood.” The album features 12 tracks from Fania archives, hand-picked by Leguizamo. Many of the tracks will be used during the actual Broadway show, whose promotional art work will be reflected in the album cover art. The CD will be available at the show and at traditional music retailers.
(Reporting by Jason Lipshutz, Leila Cobo and Lars Brandle)