By David Byrne with Tony Peregrin
Pictured Backstreet Boys. RuPaul, Billy Idol and Olive's CD.
Are Madonna and actor Stephen Dorff playing cat and mouse? Although they both appeared in videos with Britney Spears, Madonna is going to play Candy Darling in an upcoming film per The Sun. Dorff landed on the cover of Out magazine back in 1996 for his portrayal of Darling in I Shot Andy Warhol. This is a role Madonna has been longing for, she is even rumored to take this part on gratis, her payback might be landing on the good graces of the critics.
First a Supermodel then a toy doll, the extraordinary RuPaul unveiled a well-tucked doll version of himself courtesy of Integrity Toys at the American International Toy Fair. At 13 inches, RuPaul's figurine boasts a couture sense of fashion, but just like a good design, this doll will be out in a limited edition. Ru is still doing live shows and is planning on being part of Milwaukee's Pridefest this summer.
Cher is finally ending her three-year 'Never Can Say Goodbye' Farewell Tour on April 30 in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl with one last scheduled stop in Chicago April 16. The diva is insistent that this is the last of her performing to large crowds live, instead of going into faux-retirement like Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne have. What does Cher have under her wig and head pieces for once her tour is over? Per a fan site, Cher will be working with DJ Jr. Vasquez on remixing some of material, possibly for a remix album, and she is adamant about continuing working in the industry, whether in film, writing or performing in more intimate cabaret-like venues.
What has the music industry been missing? Boy bands. After a long break, the Backstreet Boys are back. On the vocal quintet's agenda are a reality show looking for a new bodyguard appropriately titled Bodyguard, a new mature-sounding album and a tour. The boys are planning on stopping off in Chicago at the House of Blues March 28. In the process of making a new album, the BSBs have teamed with Boyz II Men, Take 6 and Darren Hayes, formerly of Savage Garden. Since the boys released their greatest-hits package, Nick Carter released a solo album, Brian Littrell is now a father and is planning on working on a Christian album, while Kevin Richardson performed both on Broadway and in the West End in the musical Chicago. But we will have to wait to find out if there will still be dancing in their music videos.
Do that to me one more time—for his next project, Herbie Hancock is hoping to repeat the successful formula behind Genius Loves Company by Ray Charles per Billboard magazine. The jazz mastermind is working on a new album consisting of a series of collaborations highlighted by Sting, Carlos Santana and Annie Lennox. The album is due out in September.
Is that my rubberband girl running up the hill? Yes, according to her Web site Kate Bush is rising out of hiding with a new CD. Despite rumors, she will not be working with Marc Almond of Soft Cell, rather with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.
A live CD seems like the most logical step considering his comeback after a hiatus, Morrissey is also planning on releasing an accompanying live DVD, Who Put the M in Manchester. The CD Live From Earl's Court will use material from the final dates of his world tour in the U.K., which promoted last year's studio album You are the Quarry. On this Sanctuary release, Morrissey also dusts off some classics by the Smiths. The outspoken Brit with sideburns just signed a 2 million pound deal with Penguin books to write an autobiography.
Queer rockers rejoice—still with spiked hair and a curled lip, Billy Idol reunites with his longtime collaborator and guitarist Stevie Stephens for his latest album The Devil's Playground, due March 22. The former Generation X front man confidently adds, 'we got rock and roll, we got punk, it's got energy, it's gonna kick somebody's ass!' Although Idol tours regularly and released a greatest-hits collection followed by a live album, his last disc of new material was the poorly received Cyberpunk back in 1993.
Slipped Disc
Upon finding a new home on Madonna's label Maverick, Olive released its second album Trickle in 2000. Despite the record company's push and the electronic cover of 10cc's 'I'm Not in Love' being featured in Madge's movie The Next Best Thing, Trickle remains a slipped disc. After the band's premiere single 'You're Not Alone' crossed over, founding member Robin Taylor-Firth left the group prior to working on Trickle, fearing a sophomore slump. Trickle is laden with melancholy accented songs and vocalist Ruth-Ann's trademark raspy vocals. Olive finds balance here between being an experimental electronic act yet pop by having consistent themes, catchy songs, unique instrumentations and clever vocal arrangements. Ruth-Ann contributed on the two most recent Enigma albums, as well as with the French outfit Kojak. Although she says Olive has not broken up, Ruth-Ann is working with Michael Cretu of Enigma again for her debut, which is due out later this year.
