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Aerosmith’s latest best-of package, Greatest Hits, debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart dated Sept. 2.
In the Aug. 18-24 tracking week, Greatest Hits earned 19,000 equivalent album units in the U.S., according to Luminate. That sum includes 10,000 units from album sales. (Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums [TEA] and streaming equivalent albums [SEA]. Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.)
Released Aug. 18, Greatest Hits is the band’s first such compilation that spans Aerosmith’s full discography since its entire catalog was collected at Capitol/UMe. Previously, the group’s catalog was housed at two labels — Sony’s Columbia and Universal’s Geffen. Columbia released the act’s studio albums from its debut in the 1970s through 1982, and again from 1997 through 2012. Geffen released Aerosmith’s studio sets from 1985 through 1993.
The new Greatest Hits is easily confused with the band’s first best-of set, Columbia’s Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits, released in 1980. The latter covered the rockers’ biggest hits to that point, followed by a reissue in 1997 that added more material through 1988.
The newest Greatest Hits is available in multiple iterations, including a standard 10-track edition (on vinyl), an 18-track edition (on CD, vinyl and digital download), a 20-track edition (on vinyl) and a 44-track edition (on CD, vinyl, digital download and streaming services). All versions are combined for tracking and charting purposes. On the 44-track edition, 23 of the band’s 28 Billboard Hot 100 hits are represented, including all eight of its top 10s.
Greatest Hits is Aerosmith’s second Top Hard Rock Albums No. 1 since the chart’s 2007 inception, following Music From Another Dimension, which reigned for a week in November 2012. It’s the band’s final album of new material to date.
The new compilation also starts at Nos. 4 and 7 on Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative Albums, respectively.
On the all-format Billboard 200, Greatest Hits bows at No. 36. It’s Aerosmith’s 31st entry on the ranking, dating to its first, its self-titled debut, which started at No. 190 in October 1973 and peaked at No. 21 in April 1976.
It’s also Aerosmith’s 21st top 40 on the Billboard 200. Of those, Big Ones (1994, No. 6 peak), O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (2002, No. 4) and Devil’s Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith (2006, No. 33) were also best-of compilations.
Concurrently, “Dream On,” one of the 44 songs featured on Greatest Hits, jumps 7-5 on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart with 4.2 million official U.S. streams, up 3%, according to Luminate. The song was Aerosmith’s first chart hit, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1976.
Billboard unveils today (Aug. 30) the schedule of live shows taking place during Latin Music Week 2023, which returns to the Faena Forum in Miami Oct. 2-6.
The En Vivo concert series will feature performances by Fonseca, Greeicy, Mike Bahía, Myke Towers, Nathy Peluso and Young Miko.
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Colombian power couple Greeicy and Mike Bahía will take the stage on Monday, Oct. 2 for an intimate performance at the Faena Theater presented by Michelob ULTRA. It will be a private show, available only to Billboard Latin Music Week pass holders (21+).
That same day, Venesti, Maffio, Nacho, Bernier, Gonza, and Alejo will help turn on the Official Billboard Latin Music Week Kickoff Party, hosted by DJ Alex Sensation and presented by AP Global Music. This event is open to the public and free to all Latin Music Week pass holders (21+).
On Wednesday, Oct. 3, Argentine-Spanish singer and songwriter Nathy Peluso will grace the stage at Oasis Wynwood with special guest Young Miko. Latin Music Week pass holders will receive free access, but the show is open to the general public with tickets starting at $35 (already available here.)
Two big stars will be taking the stage on Friday, Oct. 6. During the day, Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter Myke Towers will give a special performance at Wynwood Marketplace, as part of the Billboard Latin Music Week Block Party presented by Cheetos. The event is free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.
And for a grand finale, there will be Friday Night with Fonseca. Sponsored by Michelob ULTRA, the Colombian singer will close the week of En Vivo performances at Oasis Wynwood — with tickets also starting at $35 and Latin Music Week pass holders (21+) receiving free access.
Celebrated for over 30 years, Billboard Latin Music Week is the longest-running and biggest Latin music industry gathering in the world. After a sold-out 2022 edition that featured live performances by Maluma, Camilo and GALE, to name a few, the event returns, coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month.
Billboard Latin Music Week will also coincide with the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, Oct. 5 from the Watsco Center in Miami. The show will be available simultaneously on Spanish entertainment cable network Universo, Peacock, Telemundo’s App, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
This year’s Latin Music Week partners include Cheetos, Delta Air Lines, Michelob ULTRA and more.
Registration for the 2023 Billboard Latin Music Week is now open at BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.
Got spandex? Tick. Got pyrotechnics? Tick. Got your vote? Wait and see.
Steel Panther isn’t the type of group to simply perform on a stage. When they appeared live on America’s Got Talent on Tuesday night (Aug. 29), they rocked it.
Led by Ralph “Michael Starr” Saenz, the throwback heavy metal band from Hollywood, CA isn’t everyone’s favorite flavor, but here they are, crashing the live qualifiers alongside dance troupes, magicians, comedians, acrobats, singers and more.
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For their latest performance, the four-piece blasted “Death to All But Metal” from 2009’s Feel the Steel — and admittedly tweaked some of its provocative lyrics.
Formed in 2000, the band has landed six titles on the Billboard 200 chart, and they’re using their run on AGT to drum-up excitement for their sixth and most recent full-length album On the Prowl, which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Comedy Albums chart in March of this year.
The big hair, the heavy makeup, the loud everything, it was a hit with the AGT audience – and the judges.
“Look at this room — everyone on their feet, everyone screaming,” Heidi Klum told the band afterwards. “I love how you rocked the stage,” she added, “you sound amazing, especially the high note. Everyone was on it. Well done.”
Sofia Vergara remarked, “I’m super excited for you guys. I think America is going to love you”.
Simon Cowell pulled out his old familiar tune: “I didn’t like it, I loved it.” He then took a more serious tone, remarking, “you take yourselves seriously because you’ve done this for a long time and it shows, and you don’t take yourselves seriously which is what I like (about you).” The Brit continued, “I know we’re early on in the season, this has been my favorite live show act so far.”
Steel Panther was the 10th performer on the night. Only two can progress. It’s a tough equation to crack. Howie Mandel is a fan. “In my books, you guys are top 10.”
Watch below.
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Harold Childs, who broke through industry barriers in the ‘70s as a Black man overseeing pop music promotion at A&M Records, died of leukemia in Los Angeles on Sunday, Aug. 27. He was 80 years old. Childs’ death follows that of A&M co-founder Jerry Moss, who died Aug. 16.
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Known for his innate business savvy, vibrant personality and dapper style, Childs spent more than 50 years in a music career that included tenures with RCA Victor, Qwest Records and Warner Bros. Records.
“He was a consummate ‘Record Man,’” Direct Management co-founder Martin Kirkup tells Billboard of Childs, a longtime friend and fellow A&M alumnus. “I was vp of artist development from 1975-85 and worked with Harold for most of that decade. He was passionate about the wide range of music that A&M embraced, with great instincts for the tactics and strategy of breaking records. But what really made him special was his personal warmth, good humor and his endless interest in other people. That’s why people were so devoted to him.”
Ray Harris, founder and chairman emeritus of the Living Legends Foundation, worked with Childs at Warner Bros. where the former served as the label’s senior vp of Black music promotion. Sharing his memories of Childs with Billboard, Harris says, “They say your name and reputation will reach a stranger’s door before you do. It was such with Harold Childs. When I entered the music business in the ‘70s, Harold was one of the people I would constantly hear about. He worked at one of the hottest independent labels [A&M] as vp of promotion in charge of the pop department as well as other genres of music.
“That was unique,” adds Harris, “because Harold was an African American male navigating through a pop world normally carved out for our white counterparts. There was very few African Americans moving in that world during that period. Childs not only moved in it, he was a dominant part of that company’s success. I got to know Harold and found him to be classy, fashion-forward, professional and a nice guy. Sleep well my friend, you’ve made your mark.”
Born May 8, 1943 in Philadelphia, Childs was a student at the city’s Dobbins High School when he began working in the stock room at Marnel Record Distributors. He later segued to RCA Victor as regional promotion manager where he worked with artists such as Peter Nero and Henry Mancini. Then in 1969 he joined A&M as national sales and promotion director for its CTI (Creed Taylor International) imprint, based in New York.
Relocating to Los Angeles in 1971, Childs retained his same role for A&M solely after CTI became independent. During his subsequent appointments as vp of promotion in 1974 and senior vp of promotion and sales in 1978, Childs played an integral role in A&M’s evolution as one of the industry’s leading independent labels in the ‘70s and ‘80s. He and his team broke projects from the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Captain & Tennille, Peter Frampton, Supertramp, the Brothers Johnson, Styx, Joe Jackson, the Police, the Human League and George Harrison’s A&M-distributed Dark Horse label.
Leaving A&M in 1984, Childs joined PolyGram as senior vp and then served as president of Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records at the latter’s request. During a later stint at Warner Bros. Records, Childs headed the label’s jazz promotion department, working with a roster that included Al Jarreau, David Sanborn and George Benson, who began his career at CTI.
Ed Eckstein, former president of Mercury Records, described being mentored by Childs as “a godsend and a blessing to say the least. I got to see firsthand — during my years working with Quincy Jones — [Childs’] unique field general, fearless-leader style of leadership; the level of respect he received from his troops and associates, coupled with the results he accrued, was awe inspiring. Harold was smart, incisive, sharp, demanding, funny, fair and the Essence of Sartorial Splendor at all times.”
Childs’ resumé includes serving as senior consultant for Soundboard Marketing. The Los Angeles-based company has collaborated with brands such as Paul Mitchell Salons as well as Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles, Ray Parker Jr. and producer Patrick Leonard. Childs was also a consultant for Japanese-based Alpha Records, working as its U.S. liaison in a sales and promotion capacity. The Living Legends Foundation presented Childs with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.
Donations in memory of Harold Childs may be made to The United Negro College Fund.
Till Lindemann, frontman of incendiary German metal act Rammstein, is a free man after the Berlin public prosecutor’s office dropped its sexual assault investigation, citing a lack of evidence.
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The probe was initiated in June, when several women came forward with claims they were plied with substances at pre- or after-show parties, and recruited to engage in sexual activity.
One of those accusers, Shelby Lynn, from Northern Ireland, told the BBC she was recruited and “groomed” for sex with the singer after a May concert in Vilnius, Lithuania. Lynn claimed her drink was spiked at the show, but says she wasn’t sexually assaulted.
Lindemann always denied the allegations, and lawyers for the 60-year-old singer called them “without exception untrue”.
Now, Lindemann has been cleared on suspicion of committing sexual offenses and violations of German’s Narcotics Act.
“The statements made by witnesses in the press reports have not been confirmed by the investigations,” reads a press release issued Tuesday (Aug. 29) by the public prosecutor’s office.
Afterwards, Lindemann posted a brief message to his social channels, reading: “I thank all those who have waited impartially for the end of the investigation.”
When the allegations emerged earlier this month, the band members issued a statement to say they took them “extremely seriously” and condemn all forms of abuse, adding that fans should feel safe “in front and behind the stage” at shows. Also, the rockers asked that they “not be pre-judged.”
Politicians weighed in. German Families Minister Lisa Paus called for an “alliance against sexism” and safety from abusive behavior, telling the AFP news agency, “young people in particular need to be better protected from attacks here.”
Formed in 1994, Rammstein has consistently been one of Germany’s most popular — and controversial — rock music exports.
The band’s explosive concerts have landed them on festival headline slots around the world, and, at times, put them at loggerheads with health and safety. A planned 2001 concert at former London venue Astoria was scrapped “due to significant restrictions to their stageshow and pyrotechnics” — in other words, authorities were worried the inner-city venue would light up.
The group has also courted controversy with its lyrical content and music videos, which have included a hardcore pornographic promo for the 2009 single “Pussy”, and the clip for 2019’s “Deutschland” which was blasted as tasteless and unacceptable by Jewish organizations for its depiction of band members as concentration camp inmates.
Their success as a touring juggernaut and record-seller is in no doubt. In 2019, Rammstein’s untitled seventh studio LP debuted at No. 1 on the album charts in 14 countries, according to Universal Music.
Duran Duran wave in their new era with the release of “Danse Macabre,” a fresh cut with shades of darkness.
Teased earlier this month, “Danse Macabre” (which translates to the Dance of Death) is the title track from the Rock And Roll Hall of Famers’ forthcoming 16th studio album, due out Oct. 27 via Tape Modern/BMG.
The legendary ‘80s band welcome on board some familiar guests for the forthcoming LP, including former guitarists Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo, Paper Gods collaborator Mr. Hudson, longtime producer Nile Rodgers, and Måneskin’s Victoria De Angelis.
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Announced in March as a “special new music project,” Danse Macabre is a Halloween concept album, “catalyzed by one special live performance” in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, 2022, reads a statement from the band’s reps.
It’s “the soundtrack to their ultimate Halloween party,” and contains three new compositions, including the first release, plus reworked songs, and covers of songs by Billie Eilish, Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones, Siouxsie And The Banshees and more.
Spanning 13 songs, Duran Duran “unearth bright melodies from the darkness, threading together new songs, themed covers, and newly reimagined versions of their own ‘spooky’ classics,” reads the official statement.
Opening with a fog horn and a synth riff reminiscent of “All She Wants Is,” “Danse Macabre” is like no Duran Duran song that came before it. Cuccurullo and Hudson assist on “Danse Macabre”, over which Simon Le Bon raps out the opening verse. Joshua Blair produces.
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The song “celebrates the joy and madness of Halloween,” says founding band member and keyboardist Nick Rhodes. The idea for the album, he continues, was born out of that Sin City show. “We had decided to seize the moment to create a unique, special event…the temptation of using glorious gothic visuals set to a dark soundtrack of horror and humor was simply irresistible.”
After all these years, says founding member and bass player John Taylor, “Danse Macabre offers an interesting insight into the personality of the band. The music packs a real punch.”
Danse Macabre follows a dizzying spell of activity for the band, which included their 2022 induction into the Rock Hall at a ceremony in Los Angeles, where the band members revealed for the first time Andy Taylor’s cancer diagnosis. Also, DD headlined London’s Hyde Park, performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, closed the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on their home soil of Birmingham, and worked their way across North America for a headline tour which included sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden, three nights at the Hollywood Bowl, and a special Cancer Awareness Trust fundraiser Aug. 19 at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, CA.
North America dates continue Thursday, Aug. 31 at Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, MN.
The English act’s last album, 2021’s Future Past, debuted at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, their highest-charting effort since the classic lineup reunited in 2004 for Astronaut, which also peaked at No. 3.
“Danse Macabre” tracklistNightboatBlack MoonlightLove VoudouBury A FriendSupernatureDanse MacabreSecret Oktober 31stGhost TownPaint It BlackSuper Lonely FreakSpellboundPsycho Killer (feat. Victoria De Angelis)Confession in the Afterlife
Los Angeles singer-songwriter August 08 has died at age 31.
“The entire Def Jam family mourns the tragic loss of Ray’ August 08′ Jacobs,” Def Jam said in a statement to Billboard on Tuesday (Aug. 29). “A brilliant songwriter, an accomplished musician and a singular artist, August will remain in our memory as a beloved colleague and friend. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
Born Ray Jacobs, August was the first signee to Jhene Aiko’s Allel Sound label and released his first EP under her imprint in July 2022. Titled Towards the Moon, August’s project was anchored by his song “Water Sign” with Aiko. Towards the Moon was the follow-up to his April 2022 EP Towards the Sun.
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“August is an incredible writer, singer and artist whose music speaks to me on so many levels… As a fellow Los Angeles native, I am so proud of him,” Aiko told Variety last year upon signing him. “August’s talent, love for songwriting and hands on approach with his art is something I can relate to and have a great amount of respect for. It was a natural evolution of our friendship and musical collaboration to have him become the first artist signed to Allel Sound. I couldn’t be more excited to work with August.”
Before August teamed with Def Jam and Aiko’s label, he previously aligned with 88rising, where he worked with Joji on his Seasick album cut “What We Used To Be.” He also paired himself with ScHoolboy Q on “Cutlass” on the aforementioned project.
“RIP August the kindest and most talented genius you will be missed beyond words,” 88rising shared on Instagram. “Thank you for being an amazing mentor and a steadfast friend through all these years. We are forever grateful to you and the joy you brought in every room, through every song. Your energy, guidance and care gave so much inspiration and strength that will be carried on always.”
In June, August 08 released “Bruises,” which he called “an expression of love through all.” “Been through a lot of heartache in my love life but I’ve always been able to put the pieces back together and move forward. ‘Bruises’ speaks to love and how it may waiver but never completely abandons us,” he said after the release. “This video represents love in all forms and how no matter our difference we can love through all. I love how music can connect people from all over allowing for freedom of express. I wanted to pay homage with love and respect to the art and the community.”
On the songwriting side, August collaborated with Ty Dolla $ign, Duckwrth, Kyle and more. He also co-wrote DJ Khaled’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “I’m the One,” featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne.
HYBE & Geffen give an update on their new global girl group competition. Selena Gomez responds after rumors swirl that her new track “Single Soon” is about her ex The Weeknd. Nicki Minaj teases her new single “Last Time I Saw You.” Cardi B gives an update on her new music. Victoria Monét reveals she […]
In its second week on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart, Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” rises to No. 1 on the Sept. 2-dated survey. In the Aug. 18-24 tracking week, “Rich Men North of Richmond” earned 22.9 million official U.S. streams, a 31% boost, according to Luminate. It debuted on the Aug. 26-dated […]
Grimes is among the first wave of featured speakers for the 2024 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, an event which promises to lean into AI-focused programming.
Announced today (Aug. 29), the multidisciplinary artist will join a session dubbed “AI and the Independent Artist,” which will explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way artists create and market their music, engage with their fans, and, of course, the challenges and responsibilities for the music industry that come with it.
The Canadian artist is known for pushing boundaries in the creative space. She enhanced that reputation by unveiling her Elf.Tech project earlier in the year, an open-source software program which encourages fans to make music (and money) with replications of her voice.
TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson and CreateSafe CEO Daouda Leonard are also confirmed for the panel, on which they will “present principles for companies to consider” and share results and lessons learned from early AI pilot programs, according to a SXSW statement.
The conversation on AI is only getting started. Just last week, streaming giant YouTube and Universal Music Group, the world’s biggest music company, announced a new initiative with artists and producers for an “AI Music Incubator,” and YT unveiled its own set of principals as it promised to “embrace” AI “responsibly together” with its music partners.
Other SXSW daytime discussions will drill into “AI and Humanity’s Co-evolution,”” with speakers venture partner at SignalFire Josh Constine and OpenAI’s VP of consumer product and head of ChatGPT Peter Deng; “Building the Next Era of the Internet” with author, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, and founder/managing partner at a16z crypto Chris Dixon; and a conversation with creator, host, and executive producer of the podcast Call Her Daddy Alex Cooper and founder and CEO of ACE Entertainment Matt Kaplan.
Also slated for the conference schedule, CEO of the Future Today Institute and professor at NYU Stern School of Business Amy Webb will launch the 2024 Emerging Tech Trend Report.
SXSW 2024 will take place March 8–16 in Austin, TX.
Established in 1987, SXSW celebrates the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture and is recognized as an important destination for professionals who play in those spaces.
SXSW 2024 is sponsored by Porsche, C4 Energy, and The Austin Chronicle.
Visit sxsw.com for more.