Colors: Red Color

Musicians and songwriters in the UK received a record amount of money last year, but the loss of live performances has posed a major threat to income for this year.

The warning was issued by the PRS for Music, the body that makes sure that 145,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in the United Kingdom are paid when their music is played or performed throughout the world.

The organisation collected a record £810 million last year, which was a rise of 8.7%.

However, it did say that Covid-19 would most likely result in an “inevitable decline” in 2020 and 2021.

Chief executive, Andrea Martin, said: “Even though we had a record-breaking year, we know very well that we are in unprecedented times”.

She said that revenues from “live music and public performance will be hit” not just in 2020 but also in 2021, as international payments often takes time to trickle down.

She added: “There will be a downfall, but by how much and by what per cent … your guess is as good as mine”.

The situation will hit smaller acts, many of whom were already struggling before the coronavirus pandemic, the hardest.

 

Wartime Sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn, has become the oldest singer to score a UK top 40 album, beating her own record.

The 103-year-old star’s greatest hits collection, titled 100, had only recently re-entered the charts at number 30.

Dame Vera became the first centenarian to chart when it was first released in 2017, where it reached number three.

The upsurge in popularity for the album coincided with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of World War Two in Europe.

“Forces’ Sweetheart”, Dame Vera, called that for her entertaining the troops during World War II, also sent a message that while people may be forced to live apart during the lockdown, “hope remains even in the most difficult of times”.

Dame Vera Lynn’s record-breaking achievement follows that of Captain Tom Moore, who became the oldest person to reach No.1 in the singles charts last month.

A host of stars, including Chaka Khan, John Legend and Snoop Dogg have paid tribute to soul and R&B star Betty Wright.

The Grammy-winning star, whose hits include; ‘Clear Up Woman’, which was released when she was 18-years-old, in 1971, ‘Where Is The Love’, ‘No Pain, No Gain’ and ‘Tonight Is The Night’, had been facing a long battle against cancer.

A powerful and soulful vocalist, she was one of the first singers to use the “whistle register”, which was later utilised by the likes of Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande.

In the 1980’s she became the first Black female artist to have a gold record on her own label when she released her single; ‘Mother With’.

Modern-day soul legend, Mary J. Blige, sampled her 1971 track ‘Clean Up Woman’ on her hit ‘Real Love’.

She was a vocal coach for fellow award-winning soul diva, Beyoncé Knowles, as well as singing backing vocals herself for Mowtown legend, Stevie Wonder and Talking Heads’ David Byrne.

As a writer and producer, she also created a line of hits for internationally-renowned artists including Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan and Britain’s own soulful songbird, Joss Stone.

Paying tribute to her auntie on Twitter, her niece posted; ‘My auntie was a legend… R.I.P. Betty Wright.’

She was 66.

Hollywood star, Tom Cruise, is working with NASA in making plans to shoot the first action movie in space.

He has partnered with NASA and Space founder, Elon Musk, to take the venture to the International Space Station.

It was shortly after a report claimed that the actor was looking to take his next movie to space that NASA director, Jim Bridenstine, confirmed the news on Twitter, stating: “NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station! We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASA’s ambitious plans a reality.

Musk replied: “Should be a lot of fun!”

It is said that the movie is set to be the next instalment in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise.

 

Pioneer rock ‘n’ roll superstar, Little Richard has died at the age of 87.

The singer, who was born in Georgia, Alabama, as Richard Wayne Penniman, was one of the four original ‘founder members’ of rock ‘n’ roll music - along with Chuck Berry
Fats Domino and Chubby Checker and his hits include; ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ - which originally made the UK charts in 1958 – ‘Tuti-Fruiti’, ‘Send Me Some Lovin’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’ before being one of the stars who would influence a fledgling The Beatles.

With his suggestive lyrics and blood-pumping piano riffs a ‘staple diet; throughout his career, the four ‘pioneers’ would influence the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, before this ‘new’ musical genre would become ‘real music’ a global entity.

As his success soared to dizzy heights, Little Richard, fuelled by his influence of the church, when, in 1957, he publicly announced that he was quitting rock ‘n’ roll to devote his life to the ministry. He would then start to record gospel songs.

His first gospel album: ‘God Is Real’, was released in 1959. But, a year later, he returned to rock ‘n’ roll – performing live and recording from then on.

His importance into the music’s development would never be questioned.

He was among the group of into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science in 1993 and an honour from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, who presented him with its prestigious Pioneer Award, a year later.

A deeply religious music icon, having suffered life-threatening illnesses, especially throughout more recent decades, he attributed his life (and staying alive) to a higher power when he said: “Jesus always had something or me.

“He always brought me through”.

He was 87.

Highly acclaimed UK rapper, Ty, has died after contracting coronavirus.

The Nigerian-born Mercury-nominated star was known for his witty, mature style that owed much to the old-school US rappers, as opposed to the now established grime-influenced street sounds of today’s British urban music.

Broadcaster, Jasmine Dotiwala confirmed the news of his death on social media in a tribute to the star.

Alongside a picture of the pair alongside the likes of actor/director Noel Clarke and DJ/Producer Naughty Boy she wrote; ‘It breaks my heart to have to share this. I had been waiting for @tymusic to recover before using this pic of our crew celebrating him.

‘It’s now a tribute photo on a devastating day. We are all in shock and trying to process this news. Ty was our boy our whole lives. RIEP.’

She added: ‘He always had any live music audience eating out of his hands but @tymusic was always a UK hip hop pioneer who supported new, young musicians.

‘A community activist who spoke up for communities all around him, he was a neuclius of talent and love and the culture loved him.’

In 2004, his second album, ‘Upwards’, was nominated for the much-respected Mercury Prize – where he was up against the late Amy Winehouse, The Streets and the eventual winners, Franz Ferdinand.

A.K.A. Ben Chijioke, his death was mourned by fellow stars including Roots Man and Ghets.

He was 47.

Singing sensation, Millie Small, has died after suffering a stroke.

The Jamaican-born star was most famous for her hit single ‘My Boy Lollypop’ which reached No.2 in both the UK and US pop charts in 1964. And, it was her country’s first ever million-selling hit.

It remains one of the biggest-selling ska songs of all times, with well over seven million record sales.

Chris Blackwood, the founder of Island Records, announced her passing and said that she will always remember her as “a sweet person…really special”.

He (Blackwood) brought Millie to the UK in 1963 before producing her childlike voice on the hit single. Chris said: “The single became a hit pretty soon and pretty much everywhere in the world.

“I went with her around the world because all of the territories wanted her there to do TV shows and the likes.

“She was so sweet, with a sweet personality. She was a very special person”.

‘My Boy Lollipop’ also featured in the 2012 London Olympic Games’ opening ceremony.
Millie was 73.

Best known for his hits which include ‘Walk The Dinosaur’ and ‘Spy In The Hose Of Love’, the fedora-wearing lead vocalist of the band, Was (Not Was) it has been reported that Hillard ‘Sweet Pea’ Atkinson has passed away.

The singer, who also performed with the likes of Bonnie Raitts, Iggy Pop and Bob Dylon, “had the voice I always wished I had”, according to band member Don Was.

“When I was writing songs, I was always writing with Sweet Pea in mind”.

Atkinson died of a heart attack in Los Angeles where he lived.

He was 74.

 

The Stranglers keyboard player, Dave Greenfield, has died after testing positive for Coronavirus.

He died after having contracted the virus after he spent a prolonged period of time in hospital for heart problems.

He penned one of the punk band’s biggest commercial hits, Golden Brown, a song about heroin, which went to No.2 in the UK charts in 1982.

The Stranglers bass player Jean-Jacque “JJ” Burnel paid tribute to his colleague by calling him “a musical genius”.

He was 71.

 

Idris Elba and wife after coronavirus in Africa

Screen superstar, Idris Elba OBE, is looking for the ultimate tonic, after the coronavirus pandemic is cleared worldwide, with plans for creating a

The multi-award winning actor and star of stage, small screen and big’, is looking to launch a luxury eco-friendly resort in the birth-land of his father, Sierra Leone, with would be lined with hotels, restaurants and bars, and he is already said to be in the process of seeking investment opportunities.

The East London-born star of movies and TV shows, which include; The Wire, Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, Star Trek Beyond and Luther, has said that the idea of the grand project, although on his mind for some time, came to fruition, after he, and his wife, Sabrina, were in isolation after contracting the Covid-19 virus whilst out of the UK.

Following a meeting with the wife of Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Sophie – who, herself (with her husband), tested positive for coronavirus –

After falling in love with the land of his father, after first visiting the country’s capital, Freetown, the 49-year-old screen idle was set on putting down some sort of roots in the land of his father, Winston, and as such, the idea of investing in the country has borne fruit.

The fact that he also gained citizenship there - he called it “the biggest ever honour in my life” - it has made him doubly-determined to pull it off.

He said: “America and the UK can’t house my ambition - Only Africa can house my ambitions.

“I can create Africa’s own Disney right here…in Sierra Leone”.

The son of a Sierra Leone father and mother from Ghana, he declared: “The son of the soil is coming home to fertilize the soil”.

A star if American Gangster, Thor: The Dark World (and Thor: Ragnarak), Avengers: Age of Ultron (and Infinity War), Yardie and much more, Hackney-born Idris Elba is also making a massive splash as in the music scene.

Under the guise of DJ Big Driis, he’s also making waves in world of Hip-Hop, holding his own against the best there is on the scene.

After his time in quarantine, whilst filming in Mexico, Elba declared himself (and wife, Sabrina) “OK and raring to get things going back home”.

 

Disney has been accused of trying to claim media ownership of the popular hashtag ‘MayThe4th’ on Twitter.

The company’s streaming service, Disney Plus, encouraged fans to share their favourite Star Wars memories using the hashtag on Monday.

It follows up with a legal warning suggesting that any user who tweeted that hashtag was agreeing to Disney’s terms and letting it use their content.

It backtracked after a huge protest by fans and widespread mockery.

The hashtag – a play on the franchise’s phrase ‘May the force be with you’, has been used for years to coincide with the made-up fan holiday.

The tweet said; ‘Reply with your favourite #Star Wars memory and you may see it somewhere special #MayThe4th.

‘By sharing your message with us during #MayThe4th, you agree to our use of your message and account name in all media and our terms of use’.

Many fans rushed to share their confusion over Disney’s tweet.

Aaron Wood, IP lawyer at Keystone Law, said that due to the popularity of the hashtag, it was unlikely that Disney’s tweet would have been seen by everyone who used it

Twitter’s policy states that users own the unique content that they post on the social media service.

Wood said: “A user can give permission to someone else to use their tweet. However, Disney’s risk is whether users who simply use the hashtag are really giving them that permission”.

 

The governing body behind the Oscars has changed its rules so that films that debut on streaming services or video on demand serves are to be made eligible for next year’s awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’ current rules say that films can only enter if they have been shown in a LA cinema for at least a week.

But with picture houses closed during the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have said that a “temporary” exception was necessary.

Many films that are due for releases have been delayed, with others going straight to digidal.

In a joint statement, Academy president, David Rubin and chief executive, Dawn Hudson, said: “The Academy firmly believes that there is no great way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theatre.

“Nonetheless, the historically tragic Covid-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules”.

The Academy said the exemption would end when cinemas reopen.

In recent years, the Oscars have admitted films made by streaming services like Netflix and Amazon – but only if they have also had a cinema release.

He was due to be welcomed to the Utilita Arena Birmingham for their big launch night *wipes tears from eyes*, however, with safety the priority, the good news for his fans is that British pop singer-songwriter and actor, Harry Styles will be back next year.

Well-known as a member of the insanely popular boy-band One Direction, the Redditch, Worcestershire-born star was due to perform on 15 April 2020, but he sent out an open, personal letter to his hordes of fans:

“Anyone who knows me knows that performing has always been my favourite part of working in music. However, during times like these, the safety and protection of touring crew, fans, and everyone else around the world is an immediate priority.

For obvious reasons, the upcoming tour in the UK and Europe will be rescheduled to 2021.

Tickets already purchased will be valid for these shows. In the meantime, we will be closely monitoring the situation around the world and will continue updating you in the months to come.

For the safety of yourself and others, please self-isolate. We’re all in this together.
I can’t wait to see you out on the road as soon as it’s safe to do so. Until then, treat people with kindness.

H”

Harry Styles will now be performing 1 event in Birmingham on Thursday 11th March 2021 at the Arena Birmingham.

All existing tickets will remain. If you purchased your tickets through their official box office,
The Ticket Factory, please see their FAQs or contact your point of purchase directly.

 

BBC hospital drama series, Holby City and Casualty have both donated fully working ventilators from its set in Elstree to be used in London’s new Nightingale Hospital.

The British-led Corporation shared the news in a tweet, with a photo of workers unloading equipment from a van.

The Holby City’s executive producer, Simon Harper, said: “We are only too willing and we wanted to help the courageous and selfless real-life medics”.

NHS staffs are still worried about the lack protective equipment they need to treat coronavirus patients.

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said that there was enough kit for everyone before he unveiled a plan for addressing shortages.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, made a sort of an apologised for the lack of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), during a coronavirus press conference at No.10 Downing Street.

After twice being asked if she was sorry, she said: “I am sorry if people feel that thy have been failed.

“But, at the same time we are in an unprecedented global health pandemic right now”.

“it is inevitable that the demand and pressure on PPE are going to be incredibly high.

“And of course we are trying to address that as a government”.

The government was slammed or not providing health workers with enough personal protection equipment, putting the lives of key workers at risk as they treated patients infected with coronavirus.

The BBC said that they were only too happy to donate the ventilators from the sets to help the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Set in a fictional city in the Wet Country, multi-award winning Holby City, and Casualty, have both paused their respective productions during the coronavirus crisis.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is set to auction items from his personal collection to raise money in aid of the NHS in the UK during the present coronavirus crisis.

Amid the personal items up for sale is one of the legend’s prise possession; a guitar which will be signed by the Sabbath frontman.

With healthcare staff struggling as the Covid-19 pandemic is believed to yet peak, he said that he will also be auctioning CDs, vinyl disks and DVD box sets.

The money raised by the auction will go straight to the University Hospital Birmingham in Iomi’s home town.

The 72-year-old said: “Coronavirus was difficult for everyone but it has shown the great work being varied out by our NHS”.

Iommi, who is a patron of the specialist cancer ward at the city’s Heartlands Hospital, came up with the idea whilst he was clearing out his studio whilst he was self-isolating during the lockdown.

“It’s about realising what we have in this country with the NHS”, the Birmingham-born star said. “It’s horrible but, in some ways, it’s bringing people together more”.

The guitar has attracted almost US$4,940 in buds since the auction went live at the start of the week.

Head of fundraising at the healthcare organisation, Justin Davy, said: “The NHS was incredibly grateful for Tony’s support at this extremely difficult time”.

Global superstar, Lady Gaga has announced that she will be heading a special concert for health workers.

The multi-award winning singer is set to perform alongside Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and Sir Elton John in a TV concert which will celebrate health workers amidst the coronavirus crisis.

She revealed that she was hard at working contacting prominent business people that she knows to ‘dip their hands into their pockets for a good cause’.

She said: “I’ve been making lots of phone calls and contacts helping to fundraise with the World Health Organisation and Global Citizens and we are really excited about the show because we didn’t want it to be a fundraiser.

“We wanted everyone to put wallets back and enjoy the show and we have already raised $35million for the solidarity response”.

Along with the group Global Citizen, Gaga has already raised $35m (£28m) for the World Health Organisation. The funds will allow the organisation to buy protective equipment for health workers and to support the efforts to develop drugs and vaccines.

Lady Gaga has also announced that she has co-curated a concert to recognise the efforts of health workers in the fight against Covid-19