Saturday, September 12, 2015

David Cassidy won't be coming back

Sad times for David Cassidy fans, as he's never, ever going to come back to the UK because... well, he he didn't make very much money last time:

Asked by [This Morning] if he would be touring the UK soon, Cassidy, 65, replied: “Probably not. The problem is there is a 20 per cent foreign entertainer’s tax, and with everything else that it costs to go there – no, I don’t think so.
“I’d love to, but I ended up making $630 (£408) last time I went there, so it didn’t make a lot of sense.”
It's true, there is a tax on foreign entertainers, but it only kicks in if you make more than the UK personal tax allowance. If Cassidy ended up with less than five hundred quid, it seems that was less because of the tax regime and more... well, that he didn't make enough money in the first place.

Cassidy also bristled when asked about being bankrupt:
Speaking from the five-bedroom Fort Lauderdale house via video link, Cassidy became irritated when asked about reports that he has filed for bankruptcy.

“Are you trying to rubbish me?” he demanded in response to Holmes’s questions.

“When you declare bankruptcy in this country, it's something you do in order to reorganise what you have, your assets, so I'm not going to discuss that.”

The house sale “has nothing to do with declaring bankruptcy, that was a totally separate issue. I’m doing it because I’m in the middle of a divorce,” he said.

When Langsford attempted to steer the chat into less choppy waters by asking if Cassidy was glad to have the support of his fans during a difficult period, he snapped: “Don’t interrupt me,” before telling her nine times to “wait” when she tried to speak.
What a shame that he won't be coming back to Britain. What a loss.


This isn't made up

Yes, it's true. With "the blessing" of her family, they're going to tour a hologram of Whitney Houston.

Obviously the equipment to create the vision of Whitney Houston performing is very delicate; experts say that even a little crack could destroy the illusion.


Friday, September 11, 2015

Wales versus the humanitarian crisis

Want to help the growing numbers of refugees, and - at the same time - grab some rare Welsh music?

Good news; you really can do both - lob a tenner in the hat, pick up (or rather download) the Welsh Rock For Refugees album, and do some good.

It's for download on Bandcamp, and it's a remarkable collection of Welsh musicians - Mike Peters via Charlotte Church to the Joy Formidable. If you can't find a couple of favourites on the collection, you SHOULD BUY IT ANYWAY OR JUST GIVE A TENNER. Because it's a good cause.


Speedy Ortiz versus the creepers

Speedy Ortiz are out on tour at the moment, and they're looking out for their fans:

You'd hope that bands didn't have to have helplines to stop their fans being groped. But until that moment comes, this is a step in the right direction.


Thursday, September 10, 2015

You may Ke$h the groom

Ke$ha, it turns out, is an ordained minster and has already carried out two weddings:

The pop star officiated the wedding of her hairstylist, Vittorio Masecchia, and his husband, Felipe Noqueira – the second time she's done so for a friend.
Now, surely this is a potentially much more lucrative sideline than merely playing rich people's weddings. How much could you make, Elton John, if you married them?


Tuesday, September 08, 2015

Suede: Filmstars

Four-fifths of me is very excited about this:

One-fifth of me is thinking 'Broadchurch: The Concept Album".


Sunday, September 06, 2015

Ed Sheeran makes money like he's a house in Kensington

Ed Sheeran. He makes money. Lots of it:

Ed Sheeran earns a staggering £15,000 a DAY, according to new figures filed at Companies House.

The flame-haired singer, who is listed as a director of Ed Sheeran Limited, made an eye-watering £5,679,456 in pre-tax profits last year - which works out as £15,560 a day. Now THAT is pretty impressive.
Business experts say that the last time something so inoffensive but ultimately pointless had such a huge earning potential compared to talent, it was when that puppy off the Andrex packets made it big.


Man loses hair as he gets older - front pages held; presses stopped

Somebody called Glenn Hadley has somehow squeezed an entire article out of a photo of Stevie Wonder where it looks like he might now have no hair.

But there's a twist in the story (if you can call it a story) as:

Even though Stevie Wonder appears bald from certain angles, he still has his locks in a ponytail towards the back of his head.
So in short, the article on The Inquisitr is:

Is Stevie Wonder bald?
Yes, if you don't look at his ponytail

Coming tomorrow:

Is there any point to The Inquisitr?
No, if you don't look at the mess of ads sold round its non-stories


Helping out Daddy Chester

Back in the 80s, Daddy Chester was doing alright - working with Adamski, building a DJ career. But things don't always run smoothly, and he's now struggling a bit. He's caught in that place where in order to access the services that can help you get back on track, you need an address; but you don't have an address because you need to get back on track to get one.

Some of his friends are trying to help out with a GoFundMe campaign.


This week just gone

The most-used devices by NoRock readers, based on visits this year:

1. iPad
2. iPhone
3. Blackberry Playbook
4. Nexus 7
5. Kindle Fire HD
6. Windows RT Tablet
7. Nexus 9
8. Galaxy Tab
9. Hudl2
10. Firefox for Android Tablet

This week's interesting new releases:


Yo La Tengo - Stuff Like That There


Download Stuff Like That There



Foals - What Went Down


Download What Went Down



Beach House - Depression Cherry


Download Depression Cherry



Georg Holm and Orri Páll Dýrason - Circe


Download Circe