Author: Staff

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Nirvana’s naked-baby artwork for Nevermind constitutes child sexual exploitation. The surviving members of Nirvana (Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic), the estate of Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, photographer Kirk Weddle, and the labels that released Nevermind were all named as defendants in the lawsuit.

The baby in question — Spencer Elden, who is now 30 — claimed he suffered “lifelong damages,” including loss of wages, as a result of the album cover, and described the enterprise as a “sex trafficking venture.” Last month, a lawyer for the defendants filed to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Elden’s claim “is, on its face, not serious” and adding that the statute of limitations on the claims had expired in 2011.  In addition, the motion to dismiss said that long before the statute of limitations expired, “Elden knew about the photograph, and knew that he (and not someone else) was the baby in the photograph.  For years, Elden had participated in paid campaigns recreating the cover image, in addition to getting the album’s titled tattooed on his chest. If Elden’s claim were true, everybody who owned the album cover would be “guilty of felony possession of child pornography.”

Elden’s team had until December 30 to respond to the motion to dismiss, but missed the deadline.  Elden has until January 13 to refile the case with appropriate changes.

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Halsey is kicking off 2022 with an extended edition of her album “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power”. The extended edition features two new tracks – ‘Nightmare Reprise” and “People Disappear Here” in addition to the original 16-tracks.

Halsey shared on Twitter: “The extended version of IICHLIWP is out now featuring the new and moody ethereal goodness that is People Disappear Here plus a Nine Inch Nails reimagined version of Nightmare.” 

If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power  was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and dropped in August. Halsey also released an IMAX film of the same name alongside the album. The film featured Halsey — who was pregnant at the time of filming — incorporating themes of motherhood and mysticism into its storyline.

Listen to the extended album in full – here.

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Grateful Dead drummer and founding member Bill Kreutzmann announced on Monday that he has pulled out of Dead and Company’s upcoming Playing in the Sand concerts in Mexico, citing health concerns.

Kreutzmann wrote on Twitter: “Playing in the Sand has become my favorite tour stop in recent years and there’s so much about it that’s just so great. And thus, it is with a heavy and still recovering heart that I have to relay a note that I received from my doctor this morning ordering me to sit this one out.  After a lifetime of playing special beats, it’s almost no wonder that my heart came up with its own idea of rhythm. All jokes aside, my doctor has ordered me to take it easy (and stay safe) through the end of January so that I can continue to drum and play for you for many tours to come. I have a lot of music left in me and there’s no stopping me from playing it. I’ve never been one to obey orders or play by the rules but in the interest of longevity, I hope you’ll understand. I wish my brothers in the band the best these next two weeks and I look forward to meeting back up with them — and with you — before you know it. Please stay safe out there so that we can do it all again.”

Kreutzmann had to miss several Dead and Company shows last fall, with Jay Lane filling in for him. Lane is expected to fill in for Kreutzmann in Mexico as well.

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On Monday (January 3), David Bowie’s estate announced that the entire David Bowie catalog, which includes hundreds of songs, including massive hits like “Fame” and “Under Pressure,” is set to be sold to Warner Chappell in one of the largest music publishing deals. The deal is rumored to be worth around $250 million, and is the latest in a string of big catalog sales from the likes of Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, Bruce Springsteen, and others.

According to a statement from Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot: “All of us at Warner Chappell are immensely proud that the David Bowie estate has chosen us to be the caretakers of one of the most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring catalogs in music history. These are not only extraordinary songs but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever. Bowie’s vision and creative genius drove him to push the envelope, lyrically and musically—writing songs that challenged convention, changed the conversation, and have become part of the canon of global culture. His work spanned massive pop hits and experimental adventures that have inspired millions of fans and countless innovators, not only in music, but across all the arts, fashion, and media. We are looking forward to tending his unparalleled body of songs with passion and care as we strive to build on the legacy of this most extraordinary human being.”

Speaking for the Bowie Estate, entertainment lawyer Allen Grubman said: “We are truly gratified that David Bowie’s body of music will now be in the capable hands of Warner Chappell Music Publishing. We are sure they will cherish it and take care of it with the greatest level of dignity.”

Bowie’s estate is expected to release a posthumous album on Friday, January 7, in honor of what would have been his 75th birthday on January 8th. Bowie died of cancer in 2016.

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Cheap Trick is coming back to Las Vegas for a residency at The Strat Theater, running Feb. 25-26, and March 4-5.  Brad Goldberg, senior vice president of marketing and entertainment for hotel owner Golden Entertainment Inc. said:  “We aren’t just bringing rock ‘n’ roll to the Las Vegas Strip, we’re throwing a party. We’re thrilled to add Cheap Trick to our lineup of legendary rock residencies at The Strat for what will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their fans.”

Cheap Trick will be busy this year; their European tour set for February had been pushed from ‘21 to this year, as well as the band’s appearance at the Under The Stars festival in Australia. Cheap Trick’s co-headlining tour with ZZ Top in Canada has been moved to this spring; and a series with Rod Stewart has been moved to this summer.

Tickets start at $75, running to $300 for VIP packages, onsale at 10 a.m. Monday at: https://thestrat.com/entertainment/featured/cheap-trick.

All attendees will be required to receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72-hours prior to event entry, or have vaccination cards showing they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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