Saturday, December 22, 2007
Bon Jovi formed in 1983 with lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Alec John Such, and drummer Tico Torres. Other than the departure of Alec John Such in 1994 (which pared the lineup down to a quartet), the lineup has remained the same for the past 23 years.
After two moderately successful albums in 1984 and 1985, the band scored big with Slippery When Wet (1986) and New Jersey (1988), which sold a combined 19 million copies in the U.S. alone, charted eight Top Ten hits, and launched the band into global superstardom. After non-stop touring, the band went on hiatus after the New Jersey Tour in 1990, during which time Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora both released successful solo albums. In 1992, the band returned with the double platinum Keep the Faith and has since created a string of platinum albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, also expanding their musical horizons, combining rock with such genres as pop, adult contemporary, and country. The band has also been credited with inspiring the MTV Unplugged series with their famous sit-down acoustic performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.
Shakur was initially a roadie and backup dancer for the alternative hip hop group Digital Underground. Shakur's debut album, 2Pacalypse Now, gained critical recognition and backlash for its controversial lyrics. Shakur became the target of lawsuits and experienced other legal problems. Later, he was shot five times and robbed in a recording studio lobby in Manhattan, New York City, New York. Following the occurrence, Shakur grew suspicious that other figures in the rap industry had prior knowledge of the incident and did not warn him; the controversy helped spark the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry. After serving eleven months of his sentence for sexual abuse, Shakur was released from prison on an appeal financed by Marion "Suge" Knight, the CEO of Death Row Records. In exchange for Knight's assistance, Shakur agreed to release three records under the Death Row label. Shakur's fifth record, the first double-disc release in hip hop history All Eyez on Me, counted as two albums.
On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and died six days later of respiratory failure and cardiac arrest at the University Medical Center.
1993: Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
1995: Me Against the World
1996: All Eyez on Me
1996: The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
He was a founding member of the influential rap group N.W.A., which popularized the use of explicit lyrics in rap detailing the violence of street life (also known as Gangsta rap). He has also produced albums for and overseen the careers of some of the biggest stars in (mostly) rap music, including 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, G-Unit, The Game, Nate Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Eve. With tens of millions of records he has produced sold worldwide (including over 65 million with Eminem alone), he is widely regarded as one of the most popular and powerful figures in rap music of all time.
1999: 2001
2008: Detox
Friday, December 7, 2007
Tarkan Tevetoğlu (born October 17, 1972), popularly known as Tarkan, is a successful World Music award-winning pop music singer in Turkey. He has released several platinum-selling albums during his career, with an estimated 15 million albums sold, and is also involved in producing music through his own music company HITT Music, which he established in 1997. Noted for his live stage performances, the Washington Post has compared Tarkan's effect on Turkey as analogous to Elvis in America circa 1957, and Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegün described him as one of the best live performers he had ever seen.
Tarkan is one of a few European singers that have managed to span chart success over three continents without singing in English. Often cited as the Turkish Prince of Pop,the singer has charted in Russia, Europe and in the Americas with the song "Şımarık" (Spoilt/Kiss Kiss/Chanson Du Bisou/Besos). As a result of its widespread success, Tarkan was listed by Rhapsody as a key artist in the history of European pop music, with his signature song as a keystone track that moved the genre forward.
Immediately recognisable with Tarkan's kisses on the track, "Şımarık" was reincarnated in English as "Kiss Kiss" by Stella Soleil and later Holly Valance, after the composer Sezen Aksu sold the music rights, and has been covered by various artists across the world in various languages. Another successful Aksu collaboration was the hit single "Şıkıdım" (Shake).
Yine Sensiz (1993)
Aacayipsin (1995)
Ölürüm Sana (1997)
Tarkan (1999)
Karma (2001)
Come Closer (2006)
*NSYNC (also stylized 'N Sync) were an American boy band, widely regarded as one of the most successful pop acts of the late '90s and early 2000s, selling over 56 million records worldwide.Formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995, the group consisted of Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Justin Timberlake. After heavily publicized legal battles with their former manager Lou Pearlman and Sony BMG, the group's 2000 album No Strings Attached sold 1.1 million copies in one day and 2.4 million copies in one week, giving it the highest first week album sales in music history. Their 2001 album, Celebrity, holds the record for the second-highest first full week of sales, trumped only by the group's previous record.
1998 - *NSYNC
1998 - Home for Christmas
2000 - No Strings Attached
2001 - Celebrity
2005 - Greatest Hits
Metallica is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. Metallica rose to fame with its 1991 self titled album, and the 1986 release Master of Puppets has been said by critics to be one of the most influential and "heaviest" thrash metal albums. The band has released eight studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, nine videos, and are working on a ninth studio album
Formed by drummer Lars Ulrich posting an advertisement in the local paper – The Recycler – Metallica's first line-up consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, and bassist Ron McGovney. McGovney and Mustaine were kicked out of the band, and guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Cliff Burton replaced them. The ejection of Mustaine resulted in a long-running feud between Metallica and his band Megadeth. In 1986 Metallica's tour bus skidded out of control, and Burton was crushed under the bus resulting in his death. Jason Newsted replaced him, although he left the band in 2001 and was replaced by Robert Trujillo in 2003.
Metallica has become one of the most commercially successful and influential musical acts of recent decades. The band has sold more than 90 million records worldwide, including 57 million in the United States. The band's 1991 Metallica album has sold over 14 million copies making it the 25th highest selling album in the United States. The band has won seven Grammy Awards, and have topped the Billboard 200 four times.
Kill 'Em All (1983)
Ride the Lightning (1984)
Master of Puppets (1986)
...And Justice for All (1988)
Metallica (1991)
Load (1996)
ReLoad (1997)
St. Anger (2003)
Pink Floyd are an English rock band that initially earned recognition for their psychedelic rock music, and, as they evolved, for their progressive rock music. They are known for philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative cover art, and elaborate live shows. One of rock music's most successful acts, the group has sold over 300 million albums worldwide and an estimated 74.5 million albums in the United States alone
Pink Floyd had moderate mainstream success and were one of the most popular bands in the London underground music scene in the late 1960s . The band recorded several albums, achieving worldwide success with The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), and The Wall (1979). In 1985, Waters declared Pink Floyd defunct, but the remaining members, led by Gilmour, sued Waters for rights to the name; they continued recording and touring as Pink Floyd and enjoyed commercial success with A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994), eventually reaching a settlement with Waters over the use of the name.
1967 - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
1968 - A Saucerful of Secrets
1969 - Music from the Film More
1969 - Ummagumma
1970 - Atom Heart Mother
1971 - Meddle
1972 - Obscured by Clouds
1973 - The Dark Side of the Moon
1975 - Wish You Were Here
1977 - Animals
1979 - The Wall
1983 - The Final Cut
1987 - A Momentary Lapse of Reason
1994 - The Division Bell
The Beatles were an English rock group from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music.
In the United Kingdom, The Beatles released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries: their record company, EMI, estimated that by 1985 they had sold over one billion discs and tapes worldwide. The Beatles are the best-selling musical act of all time in the United States, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles #1 on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.According to that same magazine, their innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s, and their influence on pop culture is still evident today.
The Beatles led the mid-1960s musical "British Invasion" into the United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in 1950s rock and roll and homegrown skiffle, the group explored genres ranging from Tin Pan Alley to psychedelic rock. Their clothes, styles, and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.
In March 1957, while attending Quarry Bank Grammar School in Liverpool, John Lennon formed a skiffle group called The Quarrymen.Lennon and the Quarrymen met guitarist Paul McCartney at the Woolton Garden Fête held at St. Peter's Church on 6 July 1957 and added him to the group a few days later.On 6 February 1958, the young guitarist George Harrison was invited to watch the group (who played under a variety of names) at Wilson Hall, Garston, Liverpool.McCartney had become acquainted with Harrison on the morning school bus ride to the Liverpool Institute, as they both lived in Speke. At McCartney's insistence, Harrison joined the Quarrymen as lead guitarist after a rehearsal in March 1958, overcoming Lennon's initial reluctance because of Harrison's young age. Members continually joined and left the lineup during that period, and in January 1960 Lennon's art school friend Stuart Sutcliffe joined on bass.Lennon and McCartney both played rhythm guitar and the group had a high turnover of drummers.
the beatles discography is a bit too long to write it here so check out :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_discography#RIAA_and_Soundscan_albums
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band that formed in September 1968. Led Zeppelin consisted of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin are regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands.Their rock-infused interpretation of the blues, and folk genres also incorporated rockabilly,reggae,soul,funk,jazz,classical, Celtic, Indian, Arabic, pop, Latin, and country. The band did not release the popular songs from their albums as singles in the UK, as they preferred to develop the concept of album-oriented rock.
Over 25 years after disbanding following Bonham's death in 1980, Led Zeppelin continue to be held in high regard for their artistic achievements, commercial success, and broad influence. The band have sold more than 300 million albums worldwide,including 109.5 million sales in the United States,and they are the only band to have had all their albums reach the U.S. Billboard Top 10.Led Zeppelin are ranked No. 1 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
On September 12, 2007, it was confirmed during a press conference by promoter Harvey Goldsmith that the surviving members of Led Zeppelin will reunite for the Ahmet Ertegün tribute show at The O2 in London on December 10, 2007.
Year Album (RIAA Certification)
1969 Led Zeppelin (8x Platinum )
1969 Led Zeppelin II 912x Platinum )
1970 Led Zeppelin III (6x Platinum )
1971 Led Zeppelin IV (23x Platinum )
1973 Houses of the Holy (11x Platinum )
1975 Physical Graffiti (16x Platinum )
1976 Presence (3x Platinum )
1979 In Through the Out Door (6x Platinum)
The Black Eyed Peas are an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, who have enjoyed worldwide pop success. The group is currently composed of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie. Since their breakout album Elephunk in 2003, they have seen international fame for their pop/dance-oriented style of hip hop music. The Black Eyed Peas have sold an estimated twenty-seven million albums and singles worldwide
The Black Eyed Peas got their start in 1988 when will.i.am (born William James Adams Jr.) and apl.de.ap (born Allan Pineda) began rapping and performing together around Los Angeles
1998: Behind the Front
2000: Bridging the Gap
2003: Elephunk
2005: Monkey Business
2005: Maximum Black Eyed Peas
2006: Renegotiations: The Remixes
2008: The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)
Blue were a successful English pop boy band consisting of four members: Lee Ryan, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Simon Webbe. Together the band sold over 11 million records. Currently all the members of the band have gone to pursue solo careers, however, on September 12, 2007, The Sun (newspaper) reported that the boys were planning a reunion tour and album, possibly in time for the Christmas season.
All Rise (2001)
One Love (2002)
Guilty (2003)
Remixes-Japan Tour Mini Album(2004)
Best of Blue(2004)
4Ever Blue(2005)
The Platinum Collection(2006)
Christina María Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American pop singer, songwriter and record producer. She was signed to RCA Records after recording "Reflection" for the film Mulan. She came to prominence following her debut album Christina Aguilera (1999), which was a critical and commercial success. A Latin pop album Mi Reflejo,and a Christmas album, My Kind of Christmas, followed during this period and also sold very well.
Aguilera took creative control over her second studio album Stripped (2002),which received mixed reviews and produced substantial sales. The overtly sexual image Aguilera displayed during the promotion of the album became the subject of intense criticism and ridicule.
Aguilera's third studio album Back to Basics (2006) included elements of soul, jazz, and blues music. Mainly produced by DJ Premier, it was released to strong sales and positive critical reception. Aguilera's work has earned her numerous awards including five Grammy Awards amongst eighteen nominations. She has sold 30 million albums worldwide.
Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York, to Fausto Wagner Xavier Aguilera, a Sergeant in the U.S. Army at the time and Shelly Loraine Fidler, a Spanish teacher. Aguilera's father was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, while her mother is of Irish descent (Christina's maternal grandparents emigrated from County Clare)
As a child, Aguilera aspired to be a singer. Her musical influences included Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, and Madonna.She also cites the musical The Sound of Music as an early inspiration for singing and performing. As a child, she was known locally as "the little girl with the big voice", singing in local talent shows and competitions
1999: Christina Aguilera
2000: Mi Reflejo
2000: My Kind of Christmas
2001: Just Be Free
2002: Stripped
2006: Back to Basics
Bryan Adams OC, OBC, (born 5 November 1959) is a Canadian rock singer, guitarist, songwriter and photographer. Some of his best-known albums are Reckless, 18 til I Die, and Waking Up the Neighbours.
Adams was awarded the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia for his contribution to popular music and his philanthropic work. He was also inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998, and more recently inducted into the Music Hall of Fame at Canada's Juno Awards in April 2006. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards for songwriting, and was recently nominated for his fifth Golden Globe (2007) for his songwriting in the film Bobby.
His 16 consecutive weeks spent on top of the UK Singles Charts (for (Everything I Do) I Do It For You) remains a record.
Adams was born in Kingston, Ontario to English parents, but also has Maltese ancestry, his grandmother and great-grandmother being from Malta.
During the 1960s, Adams' diplomat father brought his family to various countries England, Canada, Israel, France, Portugal, and Austria, periodically returned to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Adams settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1973 and began his musical career after dropping out of school, aged 15.
Bryan Adams (1980)
You Want It You Got It (1981) #118 US #78 UK
Cuts Like a Knife (1983) #8 US Platinum, #6 UK #21 UK
Reckless (1984) #1 US 5xPlatinum, #7 UK
Into the Fire (1987) #7 US Platinum, #10 UK
Live! Live! Live! (1988, released in U.S. 1994) #17 UK
Waking Up the Neighbours (1991) #6 US 4xPlatinum, #1 UK
So Far So Good (1993) #6 US 5xPlatinum, #1 UK
18 til I Die (1996) #31 US Platinum, #1 UK
MTV Unplugged (1997) #88 US #19 UK
On a Day Like Today (1998) #103 US, #11 UK
The Best of Me released worldwide (1999) released in the U.S. in (2002) #12 UK
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (film soundtrack) (2002) #40 US #8 UK
Room Service (2004) #134 US, #1 Europe #4 UK
Anthology (2005) #65 US #30 UK