Music News Roundup - August 1, 2011
30 Years of Music Television
Thirty years ago today, MTV launched, and it didn’t take long for it to become one of the biggest forces in pop culture. Although the network has abandoned its focus of airing music videos in favor of other types of programming—most notably, reality—it has recently been harkening back to the past with plans to air new episodes of Bevis and Butthead and 120 Minutes. The first video played, fittingly, was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star”. Other highlights from MTV’s first 30 years can be found here:
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0„20355856_20514441,00.html
Kings of Leon Cancel U.S. Leg of Tour
Following lead singer Caleb Followill’s ‘meltdown’ at a Dallas concert, in which he exited the stage because of supposed dehydration without returning, Kings of Leon just announced that they would be canceling their remaining tour dates in the U.S. The other band members apologized profusely for Caleb’s behavior, indicating that there are some problems plaguing the band. There are however plans to continue with the international legs of the tour. Fans will be fully reimbursed for the canceled concerts.
http://www.billboard.com/events/update-kings-of-leon-cancel-entire-u-s-tour-1005299592.story
Katy Perry Sets ‘Pop Songs’ Record
“Last Friday Night” becomes Perry’s fifth single from her sophomore album “Teenage Dream” to top Billboard’s Pop Songs chart (also known as the Mainstream Top 40). It is the first album in the chart’s 19 year history to yield 5 No. 1 singles, surpassing the record formerly held by Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, and herself with four each from “FutureSex/LoveSounds”, “The Fame”, and “Dream”, respectively. “Friday” also sets the record for the most plays on the radio stations surveyed for the Pop Chart with 12,468 in one week. Five of the top six positions on that list are held by Perry’s five singles from “Dream”— “California Gurls”, “Teenage Dream”, “Firework”, “E.T.”, and “Friday”. “Friday” currently ranks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. If it reaches No. 1, “Teenage Dream” would tie the record held by Michael Jackson’s “Bad” to yield the chart-topping singles—five—from one album.
