By Hans Fink
On April 16, TYPE O NEGATIVE singer and bassist PETER STEELE was found dead of heart failure. Aside from his imposing 6-foot, 8-inch frame and monstrous baritone voice, Steele was also known for his wit, sarcasm and often self-deprecating sense of humor. Type O Negative broke into mainstream awareness with 1993’s Bloody Kisses, which featured singles such as “Christian Woman” and “Black No. 1.” The album would go on to be the first gold album for Roadrunner Records. The band’s official website stated that Steele’s recent passing was “ironic” since the artist, whose career was at times marked by depression and substance abuse, had been “enjoying a long period of sobriety and improved health.” Steele will be missed.
Pop punk outfit GREEN DAY has successfully had their 2004 hit album American Idiot turned into a Broadway musical. The 95-minute musical, which tells the story of three friends trying to escape their suburban lives, has little dialogue and instead relies more on musical numbers to tell the story. Critical and fan reception thus far has been surprisingly positive.
More news on the forthcoming and oft-delayed new album by THE ROOTS: The hip-hop quintet has enlisted the likes of JOHN LEGEND and MY MORNING JACKET frontman Jim James for How I Got Over. Between gigs as Jimmy Fallon’s house band, and as the backing band on new albums for Legend and soul great BOOKER T., it’s a wonder they have any time at all to work on their own album. As such, no release date has been confirmed for How I Got Over, but 2010 is, with any luck, the year it will happen.
And in news relating to young artists who I’m not sure if I care about or not, hip hop artist B.O.B. has hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts with his debut single “Nothin’ On You,” featuring BRUNO MARS. Adding to his successful charting, his song “Airplanes” which features Hayley Williams of PARAMORE, landed at No. 12. Regardless of whatever opinion I have yet to form, clearly the boy is on fire, and quite possibly a better alternative to yawn-inducing NE-YO or girlfriend-beating CHRIS BROWN.
