News & Views

News …

Digital music sales top $1 billion mark for 2008, a first for the music industry – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

EMI to shutter London’s famed Olympic Studios – Daily Mail U.K.

Look out, Ticketmaster. Live Nation thinks it has a better way to sell tickets – Toronto Star / Canadian Press

You say your suffering from neck pains? Maybe you’re rocking out too much – WTOP

Views …

Collin Raye, Restless Heart in Northern California – “Christmas is a time for giving, and Collin Raye and Restless Heart did not disappoint Saturday night as they gave the audience familiar songs and holiday favorites.” – Chico Enterprise-Record

Elton John in Liverpool – “The Red Piano Tour brought an electric burst of Las Vegas pizzazz to Liverpool.” – Liverpool Daily Post U.K.

Alicia Keys in Melbourne – “In a bells-and-whistles pop show, Keys rolled through the best of her three albums with a perfunctory pop show.” – The Age (Australia)

Tony Bennett in New York City – “You don’t look at his face for clues of what the song’s about, you look at his hands and gauge the timbre of his voice.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Wu-Tang Clan in Chicago – “Enhanced by his animated movements, Ghostface’s towering physique and hard-core delivery made him seem like hip-hop’s version of a heavyweight boxer. Not to be outdone, Raekwon entertained with criminal-themed narratives.” – The Chicago Tribune

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Lonnie Brooks is 75
Keith Richards is 65

Rod Piazza is 61
Elliot Easton (The Cars) is 55
Ron White is 52
Alejandro Sanz is 40
Cowboy Troy is 38
DMX is 38
DJ Lethal (Limp Bizkit) is 36
Christina Aguilera is 28

Dave Luetkenhoelter (Kutless) is 26