Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Taylor Swift And Kenny Chesney Garner American Country Music Award Nominations

It?s a big day for country music today?the 47th American Country Music Award nominations were announced.� That?s right, the news you?ve been waiting for all month has finally arrived.� Which sleeveless T-shirt/Wrangler enthusiast was nominated for Entertainer of the Year?� Which album you?ve never, ever heard of was nominated for Album of the Year?� How [...]

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Daniel Radcliffe Never Dreams As Harry Potter

'Woman in Black' star opens up to MTV News about his 'really weird' dreams — and his constant anxiety too.
By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Daniel Radcliffe

After finally facing off against Voldemort and then going head-to-head with the Woman in Black, Daniel Radcliffe shouldn't have much to worry about. But at the age of 22, he has already become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, and with that amount of recognition comes some worries.

When the actor spoke with MTV News' Josh Horowitz, he opened up about his anxiety. Radcliffe's energy comes across clearly during interviews, speaking quickly throughout and touching on many topics in a short amount of time, something the actor's aware of. "Anxiety, yeah, a lot just because you've met me and you know what I'm like," Radcliffe told Horowitz. "I'm a pretty anxious, high-energy person. I think that goes along with it."

It should come as no surprise that Radcliffe has more than a busy schedule, which factors into his anxiety. "I'll always worry about something, and if I don't have something to worry about, I'll worry about that," he said.

Radcliffe also talked for a while about his dreams. He said he doesn't dream often, but that when he does, they're often pretty strange. "I very rarely remember dreams anymore. Over the last year, I haven't had one that I remembered," Radcliffe said. "My dreams are always really weird. I remember I was talking to someone a while ago who was telling me about their dream. They said it was mental. 'I was at work. All this stuff needed getting done. I couldn't do it all in time.' I was like, 'That is the most mundane dream in the whole world.' "

When he does dream, however, his subconscious takes on appropriately epic proportions. "My dreams are always, like, I have to save something or save the world or something," Radcliffe said. "It's pretty exciting, but it only happens about once a year."

Even if he is dreaming about saving the world, it's not as his most famous character, a fact he's grateful for.

"Before I did the run of ['How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,'] I was dreaming about being Finch and what it would be onstage and those kind of anxiety things," he said. "No, I've never dreamed as Harry, thank God. If I had said 'yes' to that question, there would be a lot of people all over the Internet going, 'Oh, my God, he needs therapy.' "

Check out everything we've got on "The Woman in Black."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Neil Young and Crazy Horse Are Working Together On A New Album

Neil Young is reuniting with longtime backing band Crazy Horse for another album. According to Young’s fansite Thrasher’s Wheat, the singer announced the news over the weekend at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. But, to Young, making a record doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be releasing it. In 2000, Young and Crazy [...]

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Will Beyonce Join The Ranks Of Celebrity Mommy Moguls?

Celebrity mom Kimora Lee Simmons and other experts discuss balancing motherhood and business.
By Jocelyn Vena



Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

<P>Now that <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyonc&#233;</a> has added a new job to her r&#233;sum&#233; &#8212; mom &#8212; there's a slew of potential new projects the pop-star mogul might add to her ever-growing empire. Gwen Stefani, Madonna and Victoria Beckham are just a sampling of pop stars who have managed to write a whole new chapter into their careers thanks to motherhood. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:724613.id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div><p> These celebs have expanded their personal brands to include children's clothing lines, books, songs and movies and have even revitalized themselves in their image as super-glam supermoms. As Beyonc&#233; looks to the future and her role as <a href="/news/articles/1676906/beyonce-jay-z-baby-born-ivy-blue.jhtml">Blue Ivy</a>'s mama, mommy mogul Kimora Lee Simmons and Christopher Gavigan, who works with Jessica Alba on her Honest brand, talked to MTV News about the balance between parenthood and the business world. "I always tell people I'm not the glamorous Hollywood mom," said Simmons, who continues to expand her own fashion brand to include the Shinto Clinical skin-care line. "I'm not the kind of celebrity that lives in the spotlight. I'm famous from work that I do. I've always been in the business and raised my family in the business so it's like a second nature for me. I think that's the key is striking a balance. For me it's always about prioritizing." What's Simmons' advice for new celeb moms looking to follow her lead? "I think it's about choosing what you want and going after that. Do the best you can, but you don't have to be Superwoman." And Simmons isn't the only Hollywood A-lister trying to do it all. Alba launched Honest with Gavigan to give moms a place to find eco-friendly products for their babies. "Jessica is like every other mom. Every other mom is a major multi-tasker," Gavigan said of working with the star. "Jessica was very in line with everyone, the average mom and dad out there." "Find what you're passionate about and go do that," he advised to any future mom moguls. "You articulate that in a brand or in a way you feel from a business perspective that you feel you get your focus articulated in some meaningful or special way. A lot of it is partnerships and leveraging the greatest assets of each other." With all that advice in mind, some celebrity experts weighed in on what B just might do now that she is a mom. "I think it's going to come very naturally for Beyonc&#233; to emerge as this celebrity mom, just given all the current existing brand extensions she has," said David Caplan, who has worked at <i>Star</i> and <i>People</i> magazines. "Having a child will give her legitimacy, obviously, to the moms, and clearly there's lots and lots of money to be had there. So, I think you will see her lend her hand in the baby arena, whether it's her brand extensions intentionally or just emerging as some sort of Hollywood celebrity mom icon, which happens sometimes with these celebrity mothers. "Whether it's intentional or not, I think she's definitely going to emerge as a celebrity mother icon," he continued. "And I'm sure she'll take advantage of that and invest in her brand." A suggestion from another expert fits right in line with the first move her hubby, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a>, made when he dropped his track <a href="/news/articles/1676945/blue-ivy-carter-new-jay-z-song-glory.jhtml">"Glory"</a> just says after Blue's birth, which features his <a href="/news/articles/1677033/blue-ivy-beyonce-jay-z-leaves-hospital.jhtml">baby girl</a>. "I think that this is a woman that has tried terribly hard to keep her private life private," HuffPost celebrity columnist Rob Shuter said. "I think it'll be the same with her baby. I can't imagine her doing a Bethenny Frankel move." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:728285/cp~vid%3D728285%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A728285" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center> <i>How do you think motherhood will affect Beyonc&#233;'s career? Share your thoughts below!</i></p>

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Ke$ha Drops Lil Wayne, T.I., Wiz Khalifa 'Sleazy' Remix

Remix also features Andre 3000 and is a bit racier than the original track.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ke$ha performs at Bayfront Park Amphitheater on August 7, 2011 in Miami, Florida.
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

<P>As promised, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/kesha_/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a> and her boys Lil Wayne, T.I., Wiz Khalifa and Andre 3000 dropped a new <a href="/news/articles/1672529/lil-wayne-kesha-ti-wiz-khalifa-remix.jhtml">remix of "Sleazy"</a> on Tuesday (December 13). </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1661961" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The Bangladesh-produced song originally appeared on K-Dollar's 2010 <a href="/news/articles/1651081/keha-gets-sleazy-on-new-cannibal-track.jhtml"><i>Cannibal</i> album</a> before a <a href="/news/articles/1656039/andre-3000-pops-up-on-kehas-sleazy-remix.jhtml">remix featuring Andre</a> popped up earlier this year. The latest version of the song is available for purchase and is all over blogs like <a href="http://www.rap-up.com/2011/12/12/new-music-kesha-f-wiz-khalifa-andre-3000-ti-lil-wayne-sleazy-remix/" target="_blank">Rap-Up.com</a>. The song gets a bit dirtier and introspective thanks to verses from the guys that play up the track's bumping beat. Wiz kicks it off, rapping about designer clothes and his lady love, Amber Rose. "OK, I'm young and I'm tatted/ I get them bucks like an addict/ Rocking this Christian Dior/ I spend so much on my fabric/ I got a wifey at home/ And what she wants she can have it," he spits before going on about chilling on the beach, being rich and his prowess in the bedroom. Sitting in between Wiz and Tip is Andre's recycled verse, before T.I. gets his shot and gets sexy, asking Ke$ha, "Do you know what to do with me?" before he launches into a verse all about how good he is to the ladies. "Bad bitches know me/ So don't bother introducing me/ They want me more than diamonds," he brags before explaining that it has a lot to do with his impressive anatomy. Wayne closes it out, adding his own signature flair. "We be on that sh-- that no one be on/ That's what we on/ Smoke that neon, Kings of Leon/ Dynamite, Napoleon/ Got some skinnies and a tee on/ And some Vans," he rhymes about his famous sense of Weezy-fied style before the song circles back to the funky chorus, where Ke$ha declares that she doesn't "need you or your brand-new Benz/ Or your bougie friends/ I don't need love lookin' like diamonds/ Lookin' like diamonds." If any of K's fans or critics were wondering if she has the swagger to chill with the guys, she displayed some of her sass when she <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/KESHASUXX" target="_blank">tweeted</a> about the remix. "Question ANIMALS ... who can say they got with Lil Wayne, T.I., Andre 3000 and Wiz Khalifa on a f---ing hot track??" she asked. "ill give u one clue ... Its $." <i>What do you think of the "Sleazy" remix? Tell us in the comments!</i></p>

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'Avengers' Villain An Infinite Mystery

MTV News speculates on which Marvel Comics baddie will be joining forces with Loki when 'Marvel's The Avengers' assembles this summer.
By Josh Wigler


Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth in "The Avengers"
Photo: Paramount

"Marvel's The Avengers" promises to pit Earth's Mightiest Heroes — Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, in case you've somehow forgotten — against the trickster god Loki, as well as another nemesis that remains unidentified. Popular theories have long pegged the Skrulls, Marvel's shape-shifting alien menace, as the likeliest group to join forces with the disenfranchised Asgardian prince. Many fans are also expecting to see another possible foe, "Captain America" villain Red Skull, based on his inclusion in an upcoming "Avengers" action figure line.

But leave it to Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, to bust both rumors. Speaking with Empire magazine last week, he revealed that the still-unknown secondary baddies are "not Skrulls." Additionally, while it would be nice to see Hugo Weaving's villainous visage at some point down the line, "he's not in this one."

So, no Skrulls. No Red Skull. It's Loki, and it's ... someone or something else. But who or what?

Feige promised that while Marvel wants to hide the identity of "the alien race" that's confronting our favorite superheroes, their identity is "not impactful," even though they exist in the comic books. One imagines, then, that the Kree are out along with the Skrulls. Perhaps it's as simple as a return of the Jotunheim, last seen in 2011's "Thor." Maybe it's just arbitrary and the identity of these aliens truly does not matter.

That doesn't mean the mystery isn't important. And that doesn't mean the aliens are the mystery villain, either.

The < i>Latino Review once put forth a report — one that's unverified by all accounts — stating that Thanos, the hulking purple-skinned alien that's frequently dusted up with the Avengers and other Marvel heroes, is the secret villain we've all been wondering about. It's a rumor to be sure, but it's one I'm inclined to believe for a couple of reasons ... and it all goes back to Comic-Con.

In July 2010, the Marvel booth at Comic-Con featured a display case filled with items from the studio's upcoming comic book movies. Among them: Thor's hammer Mjolnir, Captain America's mighty shield and the bejeweled Infinity Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is one of the more prominent items in the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe, one that's virtually synonymous with Thanos. Indeed, its inclusion in the Marvel display case felt like an unspoken promise that Thanos would someday have a part to play in the company's cinematic future.

Cut to "Thor" almost a year later, and the Gauntlet appeared as a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Easter egg that came and went when Jotunheim thieves infiltrated Asgard to reclaim their long-lost prize, the Casket of Ancient Winters. Could it be that the Gauntlet only existed as a wink and nod to the fans back home? Entirely possible. But what if Loki, who clearly knows the history and value of the Casket, has information on the other items contained in Asgard — including what the Gauntlet is, and who would do anything to have it? For someone mightily pissed off at his brother and the Earth-dwellers he's become so fond of, that's very powerful information indeed.

Consider also that Feige, the same man who kiboshed the Skrulls and Skull, has long said that the cosmic side of Marvel is a big priority for him. In fact, just a few months ago, he revealed that movies based on the "Inhumans" and "Guardians of the Galaxy" were on the docket at Marvel Studios. Fantastic reads both of them, no question, but obscure beyond belief to the non-comic book reader. If Feige is looking ahead at "phase two" of the Marvel plan, as he's called it in the past, are "Inhumans" and "Guardians" really the best places to start?

Perhaps they are ... if someone huge, someone massive, someone like Thanos, makes his first appearance in "Avengers," and lives on to stalk the stars (and the screen) another day.

It's not the meatiest theory out there. It's based on a rumor, on a taste of what Marvel has given us both on and off the screen, and on a desire to see someone important occupy this oh-so-secretive role. For Feige to come out and say the movie's second villainous force is not the Skrulls and not Red Skull, and that Loki's alien army is "not impactful" in identity ... either he's not telling the full story on who or what this unseen enemy represents, or the big reveal is going to be a massive letdown. Given how Marvel has operated in recent years, and given the importance of "Avengers" to their brand and plans, I just don't see it being the latter option.

Here's what I do see. Loki aside, "The Avengers" will have another deeply meaningful foe to fight come May 4, 2012. And my considerably sized gut tells me it's going to be Thanos.

Who do you think the secret "Avengers" villain will be? Tell us in the comments section.

Check out everything we've got on "Marvel's The Avengers."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Madonna Explains Cutting Lourdes' 'W.E.' Cameo

'I just kind of dragged her in at the last minute,' Madge explains to MTV News of her daughter's short-lived role.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Madonna
Photo: MTV News

Madonna worked with a number of skilled thespians on "W.E.," but when it came to one smaller role in the film, which opens Friday, the pop star/director knew of one up-and-comer she felt would be perfect for the role: her daughter, Lourdes.

"There was a scene where she played Wally as a young girl," she told MTV News about her daughter's role as the teen version of Abbie Cornish's character, a modern-day American obsessed with the romance between American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII. "And I just kind of dragged her in at the last minute. It was quite unfair of me what I did and what I asked her to do."

Cornish teased Lourdes' appearance to us back in March 2011, but, as it sometimes happens in Hollywood, Lourdes' bit part will remain unseen. "But she was really great and then I ended up cutting her out of the film. Ruthless, I know," Madge teased. "I said, 'Sorry babe, you're on the cutting room floor.' She took it like a champ."

Making the choice to not include Lourdes was one of the many decisions the Queen of Pop had to make while shooting the film. But, hard decisions come easy to Madonna and the experience of shooting this film has only heightened her desire to direct more in the future.

"Yes, watch out Visconti!" she laughed. "No, I'm not a blockbuster kind of a girl, I don't think. But I do love the idea of making a sweeping epic romance. And now that I know how to make a film in three different countries, with several different time periods and lots of different accents; I think I'm qualified."

Do you plan on seeing "W.E." in theaters? Let us know in the comments section!

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2011 Billboard Music Awards

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Monday, January 30, 2012

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Coldplay, Led Zeppelin Album Covers Featured On New British Stamps

Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery



Photo: Royal Mail

<P>On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years. The albums featured in the new series are the <a href="/music/artist/rolling_stones/artist.jhtml">Rolling Stones</a>' <i>Let It Bleed,</i> <a href="/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>'s <i>IV,</i> <a href="/music/artist/bowie_david/artist.jhtml">David Bowie</a>'s <i>The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars,</i> <a href="/music/artist/mike_oldfield/artist.jhtml">Mike Oldfield</a>'s <i>Tubular Bells,</i> <a href="/music/artist/clash/artist.jhtml">The Clash</a>'s <i>London Calling,</i> <a href="/music/artist/new_order/artist.jhtml">New Order</a>'s <i>Power, Corruption and Lies,</i> <a href="/music/artist/primal_scream/artist.jhtml">Primal Scream</a>'s <i>Screamadelica,</i> <a href="/music/artist/pink_floyd/artist.jhtml">Pink Floyd</a>'s <i>The Division Bell,</i> <a href="/music/artist/blur/artist.jhtml">Blur</a>'s <i>Parklife</i> and &#8212; the most recent album on to make the cut &#8212; <a href="/music/artist/coldplay/artist.jhtml">Coldplay</a>'s <i>A Rush of Blood to the Head.</i> Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design. Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page &#8212; who helped design the cover for <i>IV</i> &#8212; was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery. "Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time." Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their <i>Rush of Blood</i> stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date." "We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."</p>

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Robert Pattinson 'A Really Cool Guy,' Reese Witherspoon Says

Don't miss 'MTV First: This Means War' at 7:56 p.m. ET Tuesday on MTV, followed by an in-depth chat on MTV.com.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Reese Witherspoon
Photo: MTV News

In addition to her successes as an actress and her respectable reputation, Reese Witherspoon is the envy of millions of Twilighters after working alongside superstar heartthrob Robert Pattinson in not one, but two films — not to mention the fact that she's kissed him too.

When MTV News caught up with Witherspoon recently as part of "MTV First: This Means War," we asked her the first thing that comes to mind when she thinks of her "Water for Elephants" and "Vanity Fair" co-star.

"I would say [he is] the hardest-working person I've ever worked with, honestly," she said. "[He's] professional, hard-working, so appreciative, more grateful than I've ever seen anyone for where he is in life."

Pattinson dished details on how he prepped for his shirtless scene! Kristen Stewart got super embarrassed when looking back at her first MTV interview! Take a look back at the classic "MTV First: Breaking Dawn."

Given the fact that Witherspoon has been in the business for decades and experienced every facet of being famous, we asked her to weigh in on the current fan frenzy that surrounds Pattinson wherever he goes and how it may or may not affect a person.

"I've never experienced what he has — going to premieres and there's just millions of people waiting for him to touch them," she said. "I think it must be strange, but I don't even know how to process what he deals with and Kristen [Stewart] deals with. I don't know."

Justin Bieber revealed the secrets behind his "Mistletoe" music video and why his fans are perfect just the way they are in "MTV First: Justin Bieber."

The Oscar-winning actress said Pattinson handles his fame very well, despite the sometimes-chaotic circumstances. "[He's]a really cool guy," she said.

Don't miss our exclusive sit-down with Witherspoon during Tuesday's "MTV First: Reese Witherspoon." Tune in to MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, when the actress will premiere a previously unseen clip from her upcoming film "This Means War," followed by an in-depth interview on MTV.com.

Before "MTV First: This Means War" hits MTV on Tuesday at 7:56 p.m. ET, check out Reese's first-ever, totally adorable MTV interview, when she opened up in 1991 at the age of 14 about what drew her to Hollywood. And make sure to stick with Reese's chat when it moves to MTV.com after an exclusive "This Means War" clip premieres Tuesday on MTV!

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Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him

'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris


Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News

<P>Former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/soundgarden/artist.jhtml">Soundgarden</a>Soundgarden and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/audioslave/artist.jhtml">Audioslave</a>Audioslave frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cornell_chris/artist.jhtml">Chris Cornell</a>Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/plant_robert/artist.jhtml">Robert Plant</a>Robert Plant on a proposed <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham. Cornell has been mentioned &#8212; along with <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml">Foo Fighters</a>Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/van_halen/artist.jhtml">Van Halen</a>Van Halen frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/hagar_sammy/artist.jhtml">Sammy Hagar</a>Sammy Hagar, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/white_stripes/artist.jhtml">White Stripes</a>White Stripes mastermind Jack White and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/alter_bridge/artist.jhtml">Alter Bridge</a>Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy &#8212; as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour. </p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:314096" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D314096" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> "I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour." Cornell's denial comes just a day after <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/aerosmith/artist.jhtml">Aerosmith</a>Aerosmith guitarist <a href="http://aeronewsdaily.com/blog/2008/10/31/aerosmith-guitarist-says-page-trying-to-motivate-plant-to-return-to-zeppelin/" target="_blank">Brad Whitford confirmed reports</a> that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert." Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played <a href="/news/articles/1576186/led-zeppelin-give-fans-a-whole-lotta-love-at-reunion-show.jhtml">a single reunion set</a> last year at London's O2 Arena. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/twisted_sister/artist.jhtml">Twisted Sister</a>Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant. <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/10/13/another-led-zeppelin-rumor-almost-debunked/">According to Snider</a>, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' " "And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in." In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there." But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard." Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/timbaland/artist.jhtml">Timbaland</a>Timbaland-produced solo LP, <a href="/news/articles/1596730/chris-cornell-debuts-timbaland-produced-track-on-tv-show.jhtml"><i>Scream,</i></a> will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider <i>Scream</i> something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way. "It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] <i>Euphoria Morning,</i> my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rage_against_the_machine/artist.jhtml">Rage Against the Machine</a>Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like. "It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."</p>

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Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, &amp; More News That Rules, In Metal File

'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris


Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast

<P>On October 14, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/borgir_dimmu/artist.jhtml">Dimmu Borgir</a>Dimmu Borgir &#8212; who just happen to be <a href="/news/articles/1593780/demi-lovato-metalhead-metal-file.jhtml">Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band</a> &#8212; will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said. "It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told <i>Metal File</i> last week, after <a href="/news/articles/1596201/in-this-moment-make-the-dream-a-reality-metal-file.jhtml">dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records</a>. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically." Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour &#8212; which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/moonspell/artist.jhtml">Moonspell</a>Moonspell, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/winds_of_plague/artist.jhtml">Winds of Plague</a>Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch &#8212; to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP. "It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- <i>is</i> this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be." Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled <i>In Sorte Diaboli.</i> "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon &#8212; he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring. "I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band &#8212; I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation." While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings. "And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write &#8212; we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula." Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older &#8212; guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/susperia/artist.jhtml">Susperia's</a>Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/vader/artist.jhtml">Vader</a>Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake. "We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it &#8212; we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that." The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco. The rest of the week's metal news: Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, <b>Winds of Plague</b>, have announced ex-<b>Azusa</b> drummer <b>Art Cruz</b> has joined their ranks &#8212; he replaced <b>Jeff Tenney</b>. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ... What the world really needs is another <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml"><b>Led Zeppelin</b></a><b>Led Zeppelin</b> box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the <i>Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD</i> box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's <i>Led Zeppelin,</i> 1969's <i>Led Zeppelin II,</i> 1970's <i>Led Zeppelin III,</i> 1971's <i>Led Zeppelin IV,</i> 1973's <i>Houses of the Holy,</i> 1975's <i>Physical Graffiti,</i> 1976's <i>Presence,</i> 1976's <i>The Song Remains the Same,</i> 1979's <i>In Through the Out Door</i> and 1982's <i>Coda,</i> as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ... Former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/killswitch_engage/artist.jhtml"><b>Killswitch Engage</b></a><b>Killswitch Engage</b> frontman <b>Jesse Leach</b> and current Killswitch Engage guitarist <b>Adam Dutkiewicz</b> have teamed up for a new project they're calling <b>Times of Grace</b>, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic &#8212; we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect &#8212; we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ... <b>The Funeral Pyre</b> and <b>Early Graves</b> will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ... The latest incarnation of <b>Brujeria</b>, which features <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/carcass/artist.jhtml"><b>Carcass</b></a><b>Carcass</b> frontman <b>Jeff Walker</b> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/napalm_death/artist.jhtml"><b>Napalm Death's</b></a><b>Napalm Carcass's</b> <b>Shane Embury</b>, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/demiricous/artist.jhtml"><b>Demiricous</b></a><b>Demiricous</b> will be touring with the <b>Gates of Slumber</b> starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ... Nearly three years after <a href="/news/articles/1518428/roadrunner-holds-all-star-anniversary-bash.jhtml">Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert</a>, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/life_of_agony/artist.jhtml"><b>Life of Agony's</b></a><b>Life of Agony's</b> "River Runs Red," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/king_diamond/artist.jhtml"><b>King Diamond's</b></a><b>King Diamond's</b> "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/type_o_negative/artist.jhtml"><b>Type O Negative's</b></a><b>Type O</p>

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Conrad Murray Sentence 'Not Enough,' MJ Fans Say

But other Michael Jackson supporters outside L.A. courthouse tell MTV News 'justice has been served.'
By Katie Byrne, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf


Conrad Murray looks on during the final stage of Conrad Murray's defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 1, 2011
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

<P><b>LOS ANGELES</b> &#8212; During the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, <a href="/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml">Michael Jackson</a>'s fans have been as much a fixture at the courthouse as the <a href="/news/articles/1675068/conrad-murray-sentencing.jhtml">Jackson family</a>. When <a href="/news/articles/1675062/conrad-murray-sentence.jhtml">Murray was sentenced to four years</a> in jail Tuesday (November 29), MTV News spoke with those loyal fans outside the court to see if the maximum sentence was an apt punishment. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:715142.id:1673923" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "Four years &#8212; not enough, but at least something," said one fan, sporting a red jacket in tribute to MJ. "And where I come from, a little something is always better than nothing." One pair of friends might have been wearing matching <i>Thriller</i> T-shirts, but their opinions on Murray's sentence certainly didn't match. "If four years is the maximum and he got the maximum &#8212; I know she's not happy, but I'm happy," one of the women said, gesturing to her less-than-pleased companion. "I feel like justice was served and that L.A. can now be proud and stand tall." "It's better than nothing, but it's not even close to justice," said another fan, wearing Jackson's trademark fedora and sequined glove. "Not only was [Murray] negligent; he let the man die. It's unconscionable. He didn't even try. How would a heart doctor not know how to give CPR? It's insane." The cardiologist, who was found guilty of one felony count of involuntary manslaughter November 7, was facing up to four years in state prison in the death of the pop icon, but due to recent changes to alleviate overcrowding in California prisons, the judge in the case said he was unable to send the doctor to state prison for his crime. On top of that, <a href="/news/articles/1675080/conrad-murray-sentence-four-years-experts.jhtml">legal expert Mike Cavalluzzi told MTV News</a> that Murray will likely serve less than half of his four-year sentence. Those legal loopholes concerned a female fan outside the courthouse, but she was also happy that the maximum punishment was doled out. "The only thing I'm worried about now, with the overcrowding of the jails, he might get one year and house arrest," she told MTV News. "I'm just hoping it'll be four years, that's what I'm praying. I'm just glad that justice has been served today, and I'm glad justice can be served to the family and to the fans, and everybody around today will be happy and celebrate that justice has been served. And I'm sure Michael's looking from heaven right now."</p>

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Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year

Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery with MTV News staff



Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

<P>"I'm bewildered," <a href="/music/artist/plant_robert/artist.jhtml">Robert Plant</a> said onstage as he accepted the <MTVNLINK type="news" id="1604580">Grammy Album of the Year award</MTVNLINK> with <a href="/music/artist/krauss_alison/artist.jhtml">Alison Krauss</a> on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday." He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because <i>Raising Sand,</i> which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys/">Grammy</a> album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.</p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:338316" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D338316" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his <a href="/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a> days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history. Really, she's the key to <i>Sand</i>'s success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music &#8212; so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, <i>Sand</i> was released. And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain. And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on <i>Sand.</i> His arrangements are sparse &#8212; giving the two voices ample room to breathe &#8212; yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified. To date, <i>Sand</i> has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year &#8212; "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album. "At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" <i>New York Times</i> music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really <i>good</i> record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards." </p>

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'Man On A Ledge': A Man, A Ledge And 'So Much More'

Stars of the film talk to MTV News about the thriller surrounding 'a desperate man in a desperate situation.'
By Kara Warner


Sam Worthington and Jamie Bell in "Man on a Ledge"
Photo: Summit Entertainment

While some filmmakers go the mysterious or fanciful route with their titles, there are just as many who tell their prospective audiences exactly what they're going to see. "Man on a Ledge," which opened Friday (January 27), is about as literal a film title as you can get.

When MTV News caught up with the cast recently, we asked them to explain the inherent intrigue in the title, as well as why the film has so much more going for it than just a man and a ledge.

"[The film is about] a desperate man in a desperate situation," star Sam Worthington said of his character and the man on a ledge himself, Nick Cassidy. "As the movie goes on, we get to see why he's there and how's he's going to get out of it."

Worthington went on to say that "Man on a Ledge" takes a few cues from action films like "The Negotiator" and "Phone Booth."

"I like those movies. I've always said I like doing movies that I would go and see and this is in the same vein as those movies," Worthington said. "It's exciting, thrilling and interesting for the audience because they've got a lead character who they're wondering, 'What's going to happen next?' "

"The basic premise of the movie is that there is a man on a ledge, and the great thing is that there is so much more behind that basic premise," added co-star Elizabeth Banks, who plays determined hostage negotiator Lydia Mercer. "Why is he there? What is he there for? What's really happening? Those are all the questions that my character has and I get to sort of be the surrogate for the audience.

"The whole time we're watching the movie we're learning more about what's going on. I'm the truth-seeker of the movie, I'm really interested in understanding why he's there in the first place," she explained. "Sam's character says to me at one point, 'You need to listen, I'm prepared to die' and what he's really saying is 'Even if I die, I need you to carry on and tell everyone what happened,' and that's the great mystery of the movie. The action that drives the movie is, 'What the heck is going on here?' "

Jamie Bell, who plays the man on the ledge's younger brother, conceded that the title basically sells the film. "It's quite literal," he said.

"I think that's what throws people off," offered Genesis Rodriguez, who plays the girlfriend of Bell's character. "They're like, 'Oh, it's a movie about a man on a ledge.' It really isn't. There's more to it.' You should check it out because you don't know it all."

Are you planning on seeing "Man on a Ledge" this weekend? Leave your comment below!

Check out everything we've got on "Man on a Ledge."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him

'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris


Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News

<P>Former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/soundgarden/artist.jhtml">Soundgarden</a>Soundgarden and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/audioslave/artist.jhtml">Audioslave</a>Audioslave frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/cornell_chris/artist.jhtml">Chris Cornell</a>Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/plant_robert/artist.jhtml">Robert Plant</a>Robert Plant on a proposed <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham. Cornell has been mentioned &#8212; along with <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml">Foo Fighters</a>Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/van_halen/artist.jhtml">Van Halen</a>Van Halen frontman <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/hagar_sammy/artist.jhtml">Sammy Hagar</a>Sammy Hagar, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/white_stripes/artist.jhtml">White Stripes</a>White Stripes mastermind Jack White and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/alter_bridge/artist.jhtml">Alter Bridge</a>Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy &#8212; as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour. </p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> <embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:314096" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D314096" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> "I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour." Cornell's denial comes just a day after <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/aerosmith/artist.jhtml">Aerosmith</a>Aerosmith guitarist <a href="http://aeronewsdaily.com/blog/2008/10/31/aerosmith-guitarist-says-page-trying-to-motivate-plant-to-return-to-zeppelin/" target="_blank">Brad Whitford confirmed reports</a> that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert." Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played <a href="/news/articles/1576186/led-zeppelin-give-fans-a-whole-lotta-love-at-reunion-show.jhtml">a single reunion set</a> last year at London's O2 Arena. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/twisted_sister/artist.jhtml">Twisted Sister</a>Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant. <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/10/13/another-led-zeppelin-rumor-almost-debunked/">According to Snider</a>, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' " "And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in." In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there." But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard." Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/timbaland/artist.jhtml">Timbaland</a>Timbaland-produced solo LP, <a href="/news/articles/1596730/chris-cornell-debuts-timbaland-produced-track-on-tv-show.jhtml"><i>Scream,</i></a> will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider <i>Scream</i> something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way. "It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] <i>Euphoria Morning,</i> my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rage_against_the_machine/artist.jhtml">Rage Against the Machine</a>Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like. "It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."</p>

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Justin Timberlake Is 'Perfect' In Coen Brothers Flick

'Inside Llewyn Davis' actor Oscar Isaac has been recording music with Timberlake for the '60s folk flick.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Timberlake
Photo: Getty Images

"W.E." star Oscar Isaac is deep in musical preparations for the next Coen Brothers film, "Inside Llewyn Davis," in which he'll play the title character. In a couple weeks, Isaac and his castmates, including Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan and Garrett Hedlund, will be on set, but until then they are in the recording studio putting the finishing touches on the film's musical elements.

"Right now I'm gearing up for the Coen Brothers film, which is all music-based," he told MTV News at the New York premiere of the Madonna-directed "W.E." "So that's actually taking up a lot of the musical creative energy. So excited."

Isaac, much like his co-stars, has dabbled in music, having put off recording his own music to focus on the film. And with some assistance from some big-name musical heavyweights, the music is destined to shine. The actor said the cast is currently in the studio with Timberlake, the Punch Brothers, T-Bone Burnett and Mulligan's fiancé, Marcus Mumford — what he called an "amazing group of musicians."

"It's folk from the '60s — old songs passed down for many generations — but new takes on them," he said of the songs being used in the film, which follows the life of a New York City folk singer in the 1960s. "Obviously we have the hindsight of now and so we kind of revisit these old songs. They're hopeful and beautiful and in contrast [to] the life of a folk singer, which is not very beautiful at all. It's very drab and dire. It's a screwball comedy."

As for Timberlake, the pop star best known for his bouncing beats can sing folk too. "He's perfect, really pure," Isaac said.

How do you think Justin Timberlake will do with folk music? Sound off in the comments.

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