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Classic Whitney: Newsfile Reports


VH1 Examines The 80s...

VH1 will air a series of shows documenting the 80s and how music influenced everything from politics to technology to sex.   Whitney Houston will be featured in the show dedicated to R&B.

You can read the entire PRNewwire Report Here.


NEWSFILE: 31 OCTOBER 2001


German Fanclub...

Some German fans have set up an unofficial Whitney Houston fan club and their website is now open.

Apologies to Kathrin & Team for the delay in announcing the site at Classic Whitney.

 

NEWSFILE: 29 OCTOBER 2001


Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 3 November 2001:

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
Hot 100 Singles - Down to No.18 (from No.6) - 17 weeks on chart;
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Remains at No.1 (3rd week) - 15 weeks on chart;

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - Down to No.41 (from No.31) - 6 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Sales - Down to No.2 (from No.1) - 4 weeks on chart.

'The Star Spangled Banner' sold 58,239 copies last week (down from the prior week's 77,910).

[Sales Info Thanks Jim R.]


Confirmed: No 'Love, Whitney'...

Confirmation received: 'Love, Whitney' will not be released anywhere in the world.  There are no plans for any Whitney Houston albums/compilations to be released this year.  The next Whitney projected we're likely to see is the new album which is being worked on.



NEWSFILE: 25 OCTOBER 2001


Confused?  You Will Be...

Love, Whitney With word that a US release for 'Love, Whitney' is no longer likely to happen, other territories still feature the album on their release schedule with the cover art, as pictured, being confirmed.

BMG Russia and Poland have the album on schedule and Arista UK announced the release to Music Week last week.  CDNow & Tower Records website list the album as available for pre-order.

No official word on this album is available.


Bulletin Board...

Ezboard reports that the Classic Whitney Discussion Board will be offline until 14:30 PST (approx.) today - apologies for the inconvenience caused.


NEWSFILE: 24 OCTOBER 2001


Classic Whitney: News Archive Introduced...

New Classic Whitney Section Opened: Newsfile Reports

A project that has taken a year to complete is finally available on Classic Whitney.

Newsfile Reports is a comprehensive compilation of all the various news reports over the past few years, and some dating back further as the sections are developed.  Each of the sections in the News Archive have been sorted by category making it easy to find reports on almost anything to do with Whitney over recent years.

The archive compliments the vast array of archive information already available on Classic Whitney and further enhances this site as a research tool.

Questions/Comments and contributions welcome - Email Me.


NEWSFILE: 21 OCTOBER 2001


Chartbeat...

[From Billboard]

SONGS IN THE KEY OF OLD: If Alicia Keys is the youngest songwriter in the top 10 of The Billboard Hot 100, then it's no small coincidence that the oldest songwriter almost shares her last name. If he were still alive, Francis Scott Key would be 222. Of course, he would also be a medical miracle.

Key is in the top 10 of the Hot 100 for the first time, courtesy of Whitney Houston's 10-year-old recording of "The Star Spangled Banner" (Arista). With no decline in the wave of patriotism that has swept the country since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the commercial single maintains its No. 1 status on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart. Sales fuel a healthy 13-6 move on the main Hot 100. That makes "The Star Spangled Banner" the first complete 18th-century melody to reach the top 10 since February 1972, notes William Simpson of Los Angeles. (Although Key's lyrics weren't written until the war of 1812, John Stafford Smith's melody was published in 1780 in England.) The U.K. studio band known as Apollo 100 went to No. 6 with the instrumental "Joy," from a chorale melody originally titled "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" when it was composed by J.S. Bach in 1715.

Before you ask, "What about Walter Murphy's 'A Fifth of Beethoven'?", Beethoven composed his original Symphony No. 5 in 1807-08. "Amazing Grace" wasn't a top 10 hit, but came close, peaking at No. 11 in a rendition by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in 1972. But it doesn't matter, because while the lyrics to "Amazing Grace" were written in 1779, the melody wasn't composed until 1844.

Back to the 21st century, "The Star Spangled Banner," which peaked at No. 20 when it was first released, belatedly becomes
Whitney Houston's 23rd top 10 hit and her first since "My Love Is Your Love" peaked at No. 4 in January 2000.

WINGING IT: Technically, Paul McCartney extends his run on the Adult Contemporary chart to five decades with the debut of "From a Lover to a Friend" (MPL/Capitol) at No. 30. It's the first new McCartney recording to appear on the AC chart in slightly more than eight years, since "Off the Ground" went to No. 27 in June 1993. (McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" reached No. 29 in January 1996.)

As a solo artist, McCartney's first AC appearance was with "Another Day," a No. 4 hit in 1971. The Beatles had a mere six AC chart entries. "Let It Be" spent four weeks at No. 1 in 1970. The only Beatles single to chart AC in the '60s was "Something," which peaked at No. 17 in 1969. While "Something" was a George Harrison song, it was credited to the group, giving McCartney that five-decade AC span.

FENDER BENDER: After a 23-year absence, Texas-born Freddy Fender is back on Top Country Albums with "Forever Gold" (St. Clair), which debuts at No. 70. It's Fender's first appearance on this chart since "Swamp Gold" peaked at No. 44 in 1978.

--Fred Bronson

 

NEWSFILE: 19 OCTOBER 2001


Cancelled Release...

The planned 'Love Whitney' compilation album has been pulled from the Arista/BMG release schedule.

Further details as and when available.

[Thanks Alan M.]


Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 27 October 2001:

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
Hot 100 Singles - Up to No.6 (from No.13) with bullet - 16 weeks on chart;*
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Remains at No.1 (2nd week) with bullet - 14 weeks on chart;

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - Down to No.31 (from No.30) - 5 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Sales - Remains at No.1 (2nd week) - 3 weeks on chart.

* GREATEST GAINER/SALES AWARD


Strong Banner Week...

[From Billboard]

Ja Rule Finds 'Love' On Top Again

Ja Rule's "Pain Is Love" fends off a surging Enya and a No. 3 debut by Southern rapper Bubba Sparxxx to claim the No. 1 slot on The Billboard 200 for a second-straight week. The Murder Inc./Def Jam set was able to maintain its dominance despite suffering a 39% drop in sales to 221,000 units, according to SoundScan. "Pain Is Love" is also No. 1 for a second week on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks tally.

Ja Rule's dominance continues to stretch to The Billboard Hot 100, where Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real," featuring an appearance from the rapper, begins its fifth, non-consecutive week at No. 1. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks tally, his own "Livin' It Up" featuring Case is at No. 4, outperforming "I'm Real" in pure urban markets, which falls three spots to No. 8 this week.

Irish enchantress Enya sets another career peak on The Billboard 200 this week, following a 26% sales gain over last week to 162,000 units of her album "A Day Without Rain" (Reprise). The set scoots 3-2 and is now approaching the 3 million sales mark. In the past decade, Enya's best selling album was 1991's "Shepherd Moons," which has sold 4.3 million to date. Enya's previous best chart position was the No. 9 showing from 1995's "The Memory of Trees." Her single, "Only Time," glides 16-13 on the Hot 100.

The top debut on The Billboard 200, and the only entry in the top-10, comes from newcomer Bubba Sparxxx. The artist's Timbaland-produced "Dark Days, Bright Nights" (Beat Club/Interscope) sold 132,000 units to arrive at No. 3. The Georgia rapper has had tremendous success with his initial single, "Ugly," which is No. 20 on the Hot 100 and No. 9 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles survey. On the later chart, Petey Pablo's "Raise Up" begins its seventh week at No. 1.

The next highest debut on The Billboard 200 comes from Charlotte Church, whose "Enchantment" (Sony) arrives at No. 15 on the strength of 66,000 units sold, a career peak for the 15-year-old prodigy. Previously, her best first week came with "Voice of an Angel," which landed at No. 28 with 45,000 units in 1999. Last year, the classically trained singer scored a major hit with her Christmas release, "Dream a Dream," which has now sold more than 1 million copies.

Other notable debuts include Snoop Dogg's soundtrack to his film "Bones" (Doggystyle/Priority/Capitol) at No. 39; the patriotic compilation "Drew's Famous: Proud To Be an American" (Turn Up the Music) at No. 50; "For the Love..." (MCA ) from veteran R&B group the O'Jays at No. 53; "Chrome" (Capitol) by country singer Trace Adkins at No. 59; R&B crooner Kenny Lattimore's Weekend" (Arista) at No. 63; and "Is This It" (MCA), the first effort from New York buzz band the Strokes, which bows at a respectable No. 74.

Adkins' "Chrome" soars to No. 4 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, where the ever-durable soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" has once again rebounded to No. 1. This marks the 22nd non-consecutive week that the Mercury Nashville set has held the top spot. Meanwhile, Brooks & Dunn claim No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks tally with "Only in America."

The Hot 100's fastest-growing track at radio is Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair," which skips 4-3, while her album "No More Drama" (MCA) holds steady at No. 14 on The Billboard 200. The cut is No. 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks tally, where Ginuwine's "Differences" is No. 1 for a fourth-straight week. The later track climbs 7-4 on the Hot 100.

The Hot 100's fastest-growing track at retail is Whitney Houston's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner," rising 13-6. The cut, however, isn't quite as hot in urban markets, as it slips one slot to No. 31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks tally.


The strongest debut on the Hot 100 is Creed's "My Sacrifice," which enters at No. 50. Other noteworthy bows include Pink's "Get the Party Started" at No. 69, George Strait's "Run" at No. 70, David Ball's "Riding with Private Malone" at No. 71, Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever" at No. 74, Lonestar's "With Me" at No. 75, Garth Brooks' "Wrapped Up in You" at No. 77, and Fat Joe's "We Thuggin'" featuring R. Kelly at No. 82.

Nickelback maintains command of Billboard's rock airplay charts. The band's "How You Remind Me" enters its sixth straight week atop the Modern Rock Tracks tally and seventh in charge of the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The Roadrunner album from which it is drawn, "Silver Side Up," holds at No. 5 on The Billboard 200.


-- Todd Martens, L.A.

 

NEWSFILE: 18 OCTOBER 2001


Whitney's MJ Performance Is On...

[From Billboard]

CBS To Air Jackson Concert Special Nov. 13

CBS has set a Nov. 13 airdate for a two-hour special of highlights from Michael Jackson's star-studded concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden last month. The show, which will run from 9-11 p.m. ET, will open with Whitney Houston, Usher, and Mya's rendition of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."

Songs from Jackson's solo sets -- including his collaboration with 'N Sync on "Dancin' Machine" and his reunion with his brothers in the Jackson 5 -- will be the focus of the broadcast in favor of tributes by other artists, according to a network spokesperson.

Jackson's long-awaited new Epic album, "Invincible," is due Oct. 30 in North America and a day earlier internationally. First single "You Rock My World" is No. 22 on The Billboard Hot 100 this week and debuted at No. 2 on the U.K. singles chart last Sunday.

The album track "Butterflies" will be available for streaming from Jackson's official Web site beginning 5 p.m. ET tomorrow (Oct. 18). The newly refurbished site now includes a career timeline, chart history, and short films.

The artist will perform as part of the United We Stand - What More Can I Give? benefit, to be held Sunday (Oct. 21) at Washington, D.C.'s RFK Stadium.

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.


Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'...

Show: Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special
Episode: Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special
Network: (CBS) Columbia Broadcasting Service
Date: Tuesday - November 13, 2001
Time: 09:00 pm - 11:00 pm ET

Featured Artists
Whitney Houston, The Jackson 5, Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson, N Sync


About Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special

Global music superstar Michael Jackson will headline a new entertainment special, "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special", on the CBS Television Network. The special, which was taped at Jackson's recent Madison Square Garden concerts in New York City, celebrates the unparalleled success that Jackson has enjoyed as a solo recording artist over the past three decades. Jackson will also reunite with his brothers, The Jackson 5, marking their first performance together in almost 20 years.
Performing solo for the first time in more than 11 years, Michael Jackson will take to the stage with unforgettable performances of some of his greatest hits, including "Billie Jean," "Black or White" and "Beat It." He will also perform "You Rock My World," the first single from his upcoming album Invincible.

Turning back the clock, Michael will perform with his brothers, Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and Randy. Among the memorable hits The Jackson 5 will perform are the rhythmic "Can You Feel It," "I'll Be There" and "I Want You Back," their first number one single.

Among the artists paying tribute to Jackson are multiple Grammy Award-winning singing superstar Whitney Houston, who will open the special with a rocking solo performance of Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." Pop phenomenon 'N Sync will perform a rousing version of The Jackson 5 classic, "Dancing Machine," with the King of Pop himself.

[Thanks Tony L.]

 

NEWSFILE: 17 OCTOBER 2001


Love, Whitney...

BMG Germany have issued a tentative list of songs that will appear on the new Whitney Houston love songs collection reported titled 'Love Whitney':

1 Until You Come Back My Love Is Your Love
2 I Have Nothing The Bodyguard
3 Why Does It Hurt So Bad Waiting To Exhale
4 You Give Good Love Whitney Houston
5 All The Man That I Need I'm Your Baby Tonight
6 Where Do Broken Hearts Go Whitney
7 Just The Lonely Talking Again Whitney
8 Exhale (Shoop Shoop) Waiting To Exhale
9 Miracle I'm Your Baby Tonight
10 For The Love Of You Whitney
11 Saving All My Love For You Whitney Houston
12 Run To You The Bodyguard
13 I Believe In You And Me The Preacher's Wife
14 Didn't We Almost Have It All Whitney
15 All At Once Whitney Houston
16 I Will Always Love You The Bodyguard

[Thanks Daniel]

Sixteen Years...

'Saving All My Love For You' became Whitney's first ever US Hot 100 No.1 single sixteen years ago this week.


NEWSFILE: 15 OCTOBER 2001


The Love Songs Deal...

There are only rumours so far about the proposed Whitney Houston love songs compilation.  Arista are refusing to talk about it officially, Whitney's management have initial denied it is to happen and have since not discussed it. 

It is likely that some clarity around this project will be forthcoming sooner rather than later. 


NEWSFILE: 14 OCTOBER 2001


Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 20 October 2001:

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
Hot 100 Singles - Up to No.13 (from No.72) with bullet - 15 weeks on chart;*
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Up to No.1 (from No.2) with bullet - 13 weeks on chart;

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - Up to No.30 (from No.48) with bullet - 4 weeks on chart;*
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Sales - Up to No.1 (from No.3) with bullet - 2 weeks on chart.

*GREATEST GAINER/SALES AWARD

Chart Profile...

[From Billboard]

Banner Week: Whitney Houston's "The Star-Spangled Banner" rises 2-1 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart, scanning 59,500 units and more than tripling last issue's sales total. Re-released to benefit the uniformed victims of the World Trade Center disaster, "Banner" was shipped to retail as it was produced, leading to staggered arrivals at various accounts and disparate sales tallies over the past two tracking weeks. It is now certified platinum by the Recording Industry Assn. of America. While Houston ties with R. Kelly in third place for the number of charting singles she has had on the SoundScan-based singles sales chart (19), this is only her third chart-topper, following "I Will Always Love You" in 1992 and "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" in 1995. Madonna and Mariah Carey have hit the sales chart 22 times each since its inception in 1991. On The Billboard Hot 100, "Banner" is the Greatest Gainer/Sales winner. It rises 72-13, besting its No. 20 peak in March 1991.

Dawn's Early Light: More than a month after the terrorist attacks on the U.S., Americans continue to demonstrate their patriotism. There's evidence of this on the Hot 100, where Whitney Houston's "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Arista) reaches a new peak position of No. 13. When originally released in 1991, the live recording went as high as No. 20. Houston's rendition of the national anthem, recorded at the 1991 Super Bowl, is only the second version of the song to chart on the Hot 100. The first was a live recording by Jose Feliciano. Recorded at the fifth game of the World Series in 1968, his RCA single peaked at No. 50. Houston's single puts her back in the top 20 portion of the Hot 100 for the first time since the first quarter of 2000, when "My Love Is Your Love" sailed to No. 4. The star-spangled success of "Banner" is due to sales, as the single tops the Hot 100 Singles chart but is nowhere to be found on Hot 100 Airplay.

[Billboard Charts & Reports - Thanks Lisa D.]


NEWSFILE: 11 OCTOBER 2001


Platinum...

[From Whitney Houston Platinum Club]

WHITNEY HOUSTON's "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" IS THE #1 BEST-SELLING SONG IN THE COUNTRY!!! SINGLE IS CERTIFIED RIAA PLATINUM

MORE THAN $1 MILLION RAISED TO DATE TO BENEFIT NEW YORK CITY POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS' DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS

(October 10, 2001- New York, N.Y.) Arista recording artist Whitney Houston's soaring rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner," the first benefit single to be issued in the aftermath of the World Trade Center disaster of September 11th, is the #1 Soundscan single in the country this week and has been certified platinum for U.S. sales in excess of 1 million copies, it was announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, President and CEO, Arista Records. The commercial CD single couples the National Anthem with Whitney's version of "America the Beautiful". In an unprecedented arrangement, Whitney Houston, the Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, Inc. and Arista Records have agreed to donate royalties and net proceeds from all single sales to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and the New York fraternal Order of Police.

" When I first performed 'The Star Spangled Banner' in 1991, we were in the midst of the Gulf War and the country was united," said Ms. Houston. "This anthem has always been the musical symbol for the United States of America. I am proud to be able to participate in this way."

"Whitney's decision to utilize her extraordinary talent as a means to inspire and heal is only surpassed by her audience's eager desire to rise to the occasion," said Mr. Reid. "All of us are proud of the substantial contribution we will be able to make to the ongoing relief efforts as a result of the single."

This historic version of "The Star Spangled Banner" was first performed by Whitney at Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Last year, it became the climactic closing track of WHITNEY - THE GREATEST HITS, her career-spanning collection, which is double-platinum in the U.S. and has sold nearly 10 millions copies around the world. In the days after September 11th's events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, responding to the President's call to colors, many radio stations added Whitney's track as a rallying cry.


MJ Show...

Town talking TV as CBS preps 2-hour Jackson concert show

By ROBERT OSBORNE, The Hollywood Reporter


Something that has been garnering a lot of buzz around town, besides what's happening in the real world, is the upcoming TV version of Michael Jackson's recent 30th anniversary show at Madison Square Garden. The final cut was sneaked last week by its producer David Gest to several industry execs as well as the TV Guide powers, the latter of which is planning to give Jackson five different cover images during the week of the show's airing.  The show airs Nov. 13 on CBS.

Gest also gave a sneak screening at the Sony studios in Manhattan for several of the powerhouse talents in the show, including Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston (there with hubby Bobby Brown), Usher, Deborah Cox, Monica, Mya and the 98 Degrees foursome. To quote Liza M.: "The show moves at such a rapid pace that by the time it finishes, you wish it had lasted a few hours more." (Actual running time: two hours, though the European version will run three.) All this looks to mean a happy, and wildly profitable, ending for the show that has drawn the biggest money total in the history of concert stagings ( $14 million for two performances, plus a postshow party that had a $5,000 top ticket price).

That first MSG performance Sept. 7 drew an extraordinary amount of media attention but also a mixed critical reaction, while the second show, which followed Sept. 10, the night before you-know-what, was vastly sharpened up and drew unqualified raves. The TV version, co-produced by Gest and Michael Dempsey and directed by Bruce Gowers, consists mainly of footage taped the second night, including 61 minutes of Jackson in action, reunited for the first time in years with his brothers, and also performing with 'N Sync.

As TV Guide's Jennifer Graham tells me: "It seems like every big-name pop star in the industry is on the stage at one point or another. But by far the highlight is seeing Michael emerge, join the Jackson 5 and then do some of his solo material. He looks and sounds as good as he ever did." Many are predicting that this can be CBS' and Leslie Moonves' ratings topper for the year.

[Thanks Amit]


NEWSFILE: 10 OCTOBER 2001


Spar, Not Rehab...

The NY Post tried to report that Whitney was in rehab today. They were wrong:
Whitney Houston is not in rehab. She's at a spa, her rep Nancy Seltzer reports. "She went swimming this morning, she had a massage, she went horseback riding and on spiritual walks - this is just a spa," Seltzer says. On Sept. 14, we reported on rumors about Whitney's health and alleged hospitalization sparked by her skeletal appearance at Michael Jackson's Madison Square Garden self-tribute. Seltzer says that when Houston skipped a second Jackson show, she was merely home with her family.

[Thanks Lisa D.]

NEWSFILE: 8 OCTOBER 2001


Banner Debut Week Sales...

[From Billboard]

Maryland native Christina Milian climbs to No.1 on the Hot100 Singles Sales chart with her first solo single, "AM to PM."   "PM" scans 23,000 units and holds at a bulleted No.29 on The Billboard Hot 100.  Milian appeared on the Hot 100 a year ago as the featured artist on Ja Rule's "Between Me and You," which peaked at No.11 last November.  Milian, who co-wrote this new song, has had one prior Hot 100 writing credit under her belt, as she co-wrote Jennifer Lopez's No.18 hit, "Play."

Hot on Milian's heels is the reissue of Whitney Houston's "The Star Spangled Banner," which scans 18,500 units and re-enters Hot 100 Singles Sales at No.2.  The title was last on the sales chart in August 1991.  All proceeds from the sale of "Banner" will aid the families of the firefighters and police officers who perished in the World Trade Center attack.   Based on the sales tally, "Banner" flies 97-72 on the Hot 100 while climbing 99-48 on the Hot R&B Singles & Tracks.

 
No Bodyguard?...

US magazine Entertainment Weekly have listed what they feel are the Top 100 best Soundtracks of all time and omitted to include The Bodyguard, the most successful soundtrack in history.  The magazine does not list it's criteria in compiling this list.

Waiting To Exhale is listed at No.88:

"The problem withmost contemporary R&B is its click-track mechanization, its icy detachment from anything resembling "soul." That's why Waiting to Exhale feels like such a lush and stirring pop landmark. Studio pasha Babyface gathered a royal court of divas (Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Brandy, Toni Braxton and Mary J. Blige) and coaxed them all to dig *deep*.)

There is a reference to 'I Will Always Love You' in a section called Songs in a Major (Motion Picture). It lists 40 songs that are "indelible stand-alone songs" and that "rocked out moviegoing world." 'I Will Always Love You' isn't one of the 40, but here is the opening text before the 40 that are listed:

"Think back to how startling it was to hear Al Jolson break into 'My mammy' in the breakthrough sound film, 1927's The Jazz Singer. A little before your time? maybe Whitney's 'I Will Always Love You' rings a bell..."

[Thanks Jim R.]

 
Too Good To Miss...

[From New York Daily News]

Perhaps Whitney Houston was home watching Nick at Nite Tuesday when husband Bobby Brown arrived at a Spring St. party at midnight. The fete, at the NV club, was so good, apparently, that Brown sent his car back to pick up his wife. She arrived in a sweatsuit about 1 a.m. with a girlfriend, says a guest, joining actor Omar Epps, rapper Eve and others celebrating Ja Rule's new album, "Pain is Love."

As cosmopolitans were downed and Champagne flowed, rapper DMX arrived with four bodyguards, who were found — by the club's metal detector — to be carrying a total of four guns. After a loud debate with the manager, the lads agreed to park their heaters at the door. Maybe the club should build a neat little gun-check rack in the old hatcheck space. Just a thought.

 

NEWSFILE: 5 OCTOBER 2001

 
The Love Songs...

There are unconfirmed rumours that a Whitney Houston Love Songs collection is due for release on 20 November 2001 (19 November 2001 outside the US).  Details of the songs that are likely to feature have not been mentioned underscoring the tentative nature of the project.

[Thanks Alan M.]

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 13 October 2001:

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
Hot 100 Singles - Up to No.72 (from No.97) with bullet - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Re-Entry at No.2 - 12 weeks on chart;

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - Up to No.48 (from No.99) with bullet - 3 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Sales - New Entry at No.3 - 1 week on chart.


NEWSFILE: 4 OCTOBER 2001


Soundscan Preview...

In the Billboard Charts officially released tomorrow, The Star Spangled Banner will debut at No.2 on the Hot100 Singles Sales chart with 18,604 units scanned. 

Sales from last week are based on limited availability of the single which was issued at the end of the week.  It's first full week's sales will feature next week.

[Thanks Jim R.]


Troubled Times...

MTV wants to hear from music fans about the songs they have been playing to help them through the recent US attacks.

A lot of Whitney fans have found comfort in songs from her repertoire so please take a moment to visit the MTV Website and let them know.


Run To You...

Allan Rich (left), Whitney Houston and Jud Friedman (right) at the studio for the "Run To You" session The Songwriter Universe Magazine published a story a couple of years back that chronicled the history of the song 'Run To You' and how it was developed for 'The Bodyguard.' 

The song's writers, Jud Friedman and Allan Rich, talk in detail of how they persevered to ensure the song would make it onto the soundtrack event of the 90s.

You can read the entire interview specifically about the song here.

[Thanks Sabine W.]

NEWSFILE: 3 OCTOBER 2001


Q...

The November issue of Vibe Magazine features an interview with Quincy Jones.  In discussing Neo-Soul singers of today, he goes on to discuss singers that are 'Earth-shattering, innovative individuals' with a notable nod to Whitney Houston.  An extract of the article follows:

VIBE: What do you think about the whole Neo-Soul movement with artists like Jill Scott, Musiq Soul-Child, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Bilal.

QJ: Jill Scott’s wonderful. I love her and her band. They’ve got a little Earth, Wind, and Fire vibe, you know? I saw Jill at the L.A. House of Blues, and she was great, man. She talks to the audience, she communicates and identifies with the people. And that’s absolutely great, because that’s what music is, a part of the people.

VIBE: And the others?

QJ: Now, I came up with some bad people man, some awesome people. Earth-shattering, innovative individuals, and I’m never going to settle for less, because once you know what the highest is you can experience, something else has got to be higher to get your attention. God bless all the girl singers today, man. But you got to really sing your ass off to get me to forget about Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, & Dinah Washington. You really do. You got to really give it up in terms of individualism. Whitney sings her ass off, there's no doubt about it. Sings her ass off.

[Thanks Quent P.]


NEWSFILE: 2 OCTOBER 2001

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