New Led Zeppelin On The Way? Jason Bonham Hints At 'Jam' Sessions With Jimmy Page -- But Not Robert Plant

Drummer admits he doesn't know what will come of 'new material.'
By Chris Harris


Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.

Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."

It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.

Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.

"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."

He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."

Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.

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Michael Jackson Doctor Ordered Hundreds Of Bottles Of Propofol

Also during the preliminary hearing Monday, judge rules that evidence from Dr. Conrad Murray's phone can be used.
By Gil Kaufman


Dr. Conrad Murray (file)
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

One thing became clear during testimony in the preliminary hearing of Dr. Conrad Murray on Monday (January 10) in Los Angeles: The cardiologist ordered a lot of the powerful anesthetic propofol in the months before his client Michael Jackson's death.

Los Angeles County Coroner's officials determined that the pop star died of a lethal dose of the surgical anesthetic in June 2009. Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, has admitted that he administered propofol to the singer in the hours before Jackson's passing.

And while Murray's lawyers have said that their client did not do anything that "should have" caused Jackson's death and may be preparing a defense in which they will claim that it was Jackson himself that administered the fatal dose, during continuing testimony in the second week of Murray's pretrial hearing on involuntary manslaughter charges, it became clear that there was plenty of propofol around.

According to TMZ, pharmacist Tim Lopez of Las Vegas Applied Pharmacy Services — Murray has offices and a home in Las Vegas — testified that Murray ordered more than 250 vials of propofol in the two months before Jackson's death. The drug is intended for use in a clinical setting during surgery where equipment is on hand to monitor blood pressure and oxygen levels.

Investigators executed search warrants on Murray's Las Vegas home and office, as well as Applied Pharmacy, in summer 2009 in search of evidence connected to an investigation into Jackson's death. The coroner's investigation reported that 12 vials of propofol were found in the bedroom and closet of Jackson's rented mansion after his death, and last week, one of the singer's bodyguards testified that in the moments before a 911 call was placed, Murray asked him to help put medical evidence in a bag, including vials that appeared to contain a milky substance that resembled propofol.

Jackson, a chronic insomniac, allegedly used propofol as a sleep aid, and according to Lopez's testimony, from the time Murray came onboard as Jackson's physician in April until the singer's death, the doctor ordered 130 vials of propofol in 100-millileter doses and another 125 in 20-millileter vials, as well as more than 40 vials of the sedative Versed and the anti-anxiety drug Ativan, which, like the propofol, was sent to Murray's girlfriend's home in Santa Monica, California, where he was staying while caring for Jackson. According to The Associated Press, Murray told Lopez the Santa Monica address was for one of the doctor's clinics.

Also on Monday, the judge in the case, Michael Pastor, ruled that recently obtained data from Murray's iPhone can be admitted as evidence in the case. The evidence reportedly includes a handful of voicemails and 12 screenshots.

The AP reported that a retired federal investigator testified on Monday that he retrieved e-mail from Murray's cell phone that included an exchange between the doctor and a London insurance broker who was handling the policy for Jackson's planned series of "This Is It" comeback shows. On the morning of Jackson's death, the broker asked Murray to respond to reports that the 50-year-old singer was in poor health. "As far as the statements of his health published by the press, let me say they're all malicious to the best of my knowledge," Murray replied.

So far, prosecutors have used phone records and testimony from police and Murray's current and former girlfriends to create a timeline that shows that the doctor was on the phone throughout the morning of Jackson's death, including the time after he administered the last of several doses that morning of propofol to the pop star. Previous testimony has focused on Murray's botched attempts to deliver CPR to Jackson, the delay in calling 911 and the belief by paramedics that the "Thriller" singer was already dead when they transported him to a local hospital.

The preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to bring Murray to trial is expected to last around two weeks. Murray has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter, which could land him in prison for up to four years.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655621/michael-jackson-doctor.jhtml

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Ronald Isley, Anita Baker Honored At Soul Train Awards

Rihanna, Eminem, Usher, B.o.B, Alicia Keys among winners at event celebrating 40th anniversary of classic music show.
By Joel Hanek and Gil Kaufman


Anita Baker at the 2010 Soul Train Awards
Photo: Moses Robinson/ Getty Images

Only at the Soul Train Awards could you have a tribute to R&B icons such as Anita Baker and Ronald Isley alongside a segment in which rap legend Doug E. Fresh attempts to teach CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer how to do the Dougie.

It was that kind of night at the 2010 Soul Train Awards, as rookies, veterans and legends came together in Atlanta for the second annual event — which was taped November 10 and aired Sunday night on BET. The show, hosted once again by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, featured a night of performances from some of the biggest names in soul and R&B.

Host Howard told MTV News that the show is meant to be an extension of the long-running and legendary '70s TV series that brought soul, disco, R&B and rap stars into viewers' living rooms. "It reminds me of the advancement black people have made over the years because 'Soul Train' really was the beginning of that Black Power movement when we could actually see ourselves — and to have an awards show based upon that 'Soul Train' — it's headed somewhere," Howard said. "We have a black president now. The country seems to be more tolerant towards the diversity inside of it so it seems like the train is moving well down the tracks."

The awards show marked the 40th anniversary of the classic music showcase hosted by Don Cornelius, and celebrated the careers of Baker and Isley, while handing out trophies to such contemporary stars as B.o.B (Song of the Year for "Nothing on You"), Melanie Fiona (Best New Artist), Eminem and Rihanna (Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "Love the Way You Lie"), Usher (Album of the Year for Raymond vs. Raymond) and Alicia Keys (Record of the Year for "Unthinkable [I'm Ready]" and Best Female R&B Soul Artist).

Though top winners such as Trey Songz, Usher, Ciara, Eminem and Rihanna were not in the house, Blitzer graciously agreed to accept Slim Shady's award for him, joking, "Who better to accept this award on behalf of Eminem ... I know he's thrilled."

Weaving through a series of skits involving magic tricks and jovial bickering by the hosts, the performance-heavy program delivered on talent. R. Kelly opened by teasing the crowd with his classic "Bump n' Grind," then diving into his new single "When a Woman Loves" — transforming the song from a slow jam into an all-out '50s rock-and-roll epic. Ne-Yo kept the show moving with a showcase of his singles from this year, including "Champagne Life" and "One in a Million."

The tribute to Baker featured an all-star cast, with artists like Chrisette Michele, Goapele, Lalah Hathaway, Dionne Farris, Kem, Tamia, Faith Evans and El DeBarge covering a medley of the singer's greatest hits. Baker told the crowd that the biggest honor of the night for her was that real musicians were performing live with an actual band. "It's amazing because you've got children behind you singing 'Rapture' — it's lovely," she said, adding, "Let's do it again!"

Ronald Isley, co-founder and lead singer of the Isley Brothers, also received a special homage that featured Jeffrey Osborne, Freddy Jackson, DeBarge, Tank, Eric Benet, Bilal and Peabo Bryson. Isley also came out to perform his own medley of hits and was joined onstage by Chanté Moore and R. Kelly for a rendition of "Contagious," their 2002 single that featured the Isleys. In addition, Cee Lo Green closed the show with a duet on the Isleys' classic 1959 hit, "Shout."

Among the event's other highlights was Cee Lo's performance of his smash "Forget You," which took place on a golden stage that resembled a cross between Kanye's Egyptian fusion and an OK Go video, and found the singer gliding down conveyor belts while belting his number.

Erykah Badu delivered a stripped-down version of her 2010 breakout "Window Seat" that featured the singer perched on the floor over a web of lights while appearing to orchestrate the vibrations of light flickers with her hands.

Soul singer Eric Benet performed "Sometimes a Cry" — a song that Lil Wayne cited as one of his favorites while in prison — bringing down the house with a soaring falsetto that bested his studio rendition of the track.

The evening's other performers included Bruno Mars, who sang his new hit "Grenade," and Jazmine Sullivan, who did a medley of "10 Seconds" and "Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)."

Did you watch the 2010 Soul Train Awards? Tell us about your favorite highlights in the comments.

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Lady Gaga To Preview New Song At Paris Fashion Show

Gaga tweets that she'll give a sneak peek of song at Wednesday's Thierry Mugler show.
By Gil Kaufman


Lady Gaga
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

Lady Gaga has found the perfect forum to unleash some of her new music. The singer, who has made outrageous fashion a huge part of her identity, tweeted on Monday that she plans to preview some material from her upcoming Born This Way album on Wednesday at a Paris fashion show by Thierry Mugler.

"I'm the musical director for the MUGLER fashion show," she told her little monsters. "I'm remixing/previewing a record on Born This Way, tailored for the show + garments." She did not specify which song she would be previewing.

The news is the latest tease of information about the eagerly awaited album, which is due out on May 23. According to Women's Wear Daily, Gaga got the gig because Mugler's new creative director is Nicola Formichetti, the designer who came up with Gaga's infamous "meat dress" for the MTV VMAs last year.

Formichetti told WWD that Gaga will serve as musical director for one of the most anticipated debuts of Men's Fashion Week, which runs through Sunday. This isn't the first time she's used a Paris runway to launch new music: Gaga premiered "Bad Romance" at Alexander McQueen's show in 2009.

Gaga also tweeted photos of her two 2010 Grammys, which she said were just delivered to her house by her dad. The awards, for Best Electronic/Dance Album (The Fame) and Best Dance Recording ("Poker Face"), immediately took up residence in an important space in the singer's home. "Look what just arrived from last year!" she wrote. "My dad put them on the piano I studied on for 14yrs."

The 24-year-old singer is up for six Grammys at next month's awards show, which will air on February 13, the same day she is set to release the first single from her new album. She is also performing on the program, along with Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656112/lady-gaga-preview-new-song-at-paris-fashion-show.jhtml

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Lady Gaga, Cee Lo, Katy Perry To Perform At Grammys

Eminem and Arcade Fire previously announced as performers on February 13 show.
By Gil Kaufman


Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The first slate of performers for the 53rd annual Grammy Awards were revealed Thursday morning (January 13), and the roster reads like a pop-music all-star lineup. MTV already broke the news on Wednesday that Eminem will cement one of the best professional years of his career by taking the stage on February 13 at the Staples Center, where he's also up for 10 awards. And he'll have plenty of chart-smashing company.

Among the other nominees on the list to perform are Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Cee Lo Green, Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert. It will be the first Grammy performance ever for Lambert and Arcade Fire, while Cee Lo, Eminem, Gaga and Perry are making return engagements.

Click here for photos of the Grammy Awards performers.

For Eminem, the performance is the latest in a line of accomplishments tied to his career-renaissance album, Recovery, which is nominated for Album of the Year. The Detroit lyricist scored a pair of #1 singles from the album with "Not Afraid" and "Love the Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna. With the most nominations for the night, he's also likely to go home with a few more awards than he did at the 2009 Grammys, when his tepidly received Relapse snagged Best Rap Album.

Eminem has already been featured in the show's promotional campaign. A touching 30-second spot showcases Em's musical legacy, from the loss of his friend Proof to his struggles through drug dependency and his rise back to the top of the hip-hop game.

Joining him in the Grammy promo campaign on Wednesday were indie upstarts Arcade Fire, who are up for three awards for their album The Suburbs. Their "Music Is Life Is Music" ad was revealed on Wednesday, showing singer Win Butler singing passionately amid a collage of images that include a casket, a barn, roses, wedding rings and dripping chocolate bars.

While 11-time Grammy winner Eminem leads the pack in nominations this year, Gaga is not far behind with six nods for The Fame Monster, while Perry and Green are each up for four, and Arcade Fire and Lambert are vying for three awards.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced soon.

Which Grammy performance are you most looking forward to? Talk about it in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655841/lady-gaga-cee-lo-katy-perry-perform-at-grammys.jhtml

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