Rock News

Last Update on February 03, 2012 08:12 GMT

MADONNA PREPARES FOR SUPER BOWL

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Madonna is making a promise: "There will be no wardrobe malfunctions." She says great attention to detail has been paid to what she'll wear during her halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl. She's performing with a pulled hamstring from rehearsals and says she'll be as taped up as the players. Madonna admits she doesn't have much time to watch a lot of football or other sports. She says it's great to play the Super Bowl because she "can watch and not be bothered."

SOUND:

<<CUT ..014 (02/03/12)>> 00:30 ""

Margie Szaroleta (zar-oh-LEH'-tah) AP music correspondent

Madonna says she's never worked so hard on a concert as she has for her Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. AP music correspondent Margie Szaroleta has more. ((opens with music))

<<CUT ..015 (02/03/12)>> 00:18 "the Super Bowl"

Madonna

Madonna says even she's nervous about performing the Super Bowl halftime show.

<<CUT ..016 (02/03/12)>> 00:18 "and be bothered (laughs)"

Madonna

Madonna says she's not much for football, as a rule. ((note length of cut))

<<CUT ..017 (02/03/12)>> 00:06 "no wardrobe malfunctions"

Madonna

With an eye toward the past, Madonna promises nothing will happen to her clothes during her performance.

<<CUT ..018 (02/03/12)>> 00:16 "most excited about"

Madonna

Madonna says she's dedicating her Super Bowl performance to her father.

BILL WARD THREATENS TO QUIT BLACK SABBATH REUNION

UNDATED (AP) -- Drummer Bill Ward is threatening to hold up the Black Sabbath reunion until he gets a fair contract. Ward says he's waiting for a contract he says "reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band." He says he's in a holding pattern but he's packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England to start recording. He wants to play on the album and the tour. Ward says he's not holding out for money but he needs to stand up for his "rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician." He says he hopes fans don't hold him responsible if the Black Sabbath reunion falls apart. No word from the rest of the band.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WILL PLAY GRAMMYS

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at the Grammys. Other performers that night include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry, Nick Minaj, Coldplay with Rihanna, the Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Paul McCartney. The Grammys are February 12 in Los Angeles.

"AMERICAN IDOL" FINISHES UP AUDITIONS IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Hard-luck stories seemed to be winners during the St. Louis auditions of "American Idol." The judges said yes to the guy whose parents divorced when he was 3, the single mom who says her ex-husband stole her dreams, the kid who was bullied in high school and the guy with the alcoholic dad who dropped out of school to be a musician. The show didn't show many rejects. It did a silent movie of bad auditions so we never got to hear them. Forty-six tickets to Hollywood were given in St. Louis. That's it for the auditions. The Hollywood round starts next week.

SOUND:

<<CUT ..009 (02/03/12)>> 00:20 "in the house"

Johnny Keyser of Pompano Beach, Fla. and the "American Idol" judges

The judges are blown away by Johnny Keyser. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..010 (02/03/12)>> 00:15 "you sing great"

Rachelle (rah-SHEL') Lamb, from Mountain View, Mo. and and the "American Idol" judges

Single mom Rachelle Lamb gets to go to Hollywood. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..011 (02/03/12)>> 00:14 "made me cry"

Reis Kloeckener (REES KLOK'-en-er) of St. Louis and Steven Tyler, judge

Reis Kloeckener, who was bullied in high school, brings tears to Steve Tyler's eyes. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..012 (02/03/12)>> 00:14 "except the melody"

Mark Ingram, who works in the hotel, and and the "American Idol" judges

Mark Ingram, who's a hotel auditor at audition site, won't take no for answer. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..013 (02/03/12)>> 00:14 ""

Excerpt of Lauren Gray, from Hardy, Ark. performing "One and Only" and and the "American Idol" judges

Lauren Gray makes it to the next round. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

FREDDY "BOOM BOOM" CANNON RELEASES AUTOBIOGRAPHY

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon claims Elvis Presley climbed up a dozen floors on a fire escape to party with him. That's one of the stories Cannon tells in his autobiography, "Where The Action Is." Cannon says he almost became the king of "The Twist" before Chubby Checker. He also says he had the chance to take the cab that killed Eddie Cochran but opted out of it. "Where The Action Is" is out now.

BRITNEY SPEARS PLAYS TWISTER

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) -- Britney Spears is teaching dance moves through a version of Twister. She will be part of the "Twister Dance" game, which puts moveable Twister spots on the floor and players follow the spots with either hands or feet. A remix of Spears' song "Till The World Ends" is part of the soundtrack, along with songs by Kesha (KESH'-ah) and Willow Smith. The game comes out in the fall and will sell for about $35.

MACY GRAY COVERS METALLICA, RADIOHEAD

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- Macy Gray is putting her own spin on the Metallica song "Nothing Else Matters." It's one of the songs she covers for her new album, "Covered." She also tackles "Here Comes The Rain Again" by Eurythmics and Radiohead's "Creep." Nicole Scherzinger appears in a skit on the album. "Covered" comes out March 27. Gray will also appear in the film "The Paperboy," which hits film festivals in May and will be released to theaters in October.

Rock News

MADONNA PREPARES FOR SUPER BOWL

BILL WARD THREATENS TO QUIT BLACK SABBATH REUNION

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WILL PLAY GRAMMYS

"AMERICAN IDOL" FINISHES UP AUDITIONS IN ST. LOUIS

FREDDY "BOOM BOOM" CANNON RELEASES AUTOBIOGRAPHY

BRITNEY SPEARS PLAYS TWISTER

MACY GRAY COVERS METALLICA, RADIOHEAD

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