Andy Bull Blogs About Michael Jackson’s Death, Joe’s Reaction

Andy Bull before a torn backdrop

Andy Bull updated fans on his blog at MySpace (@andybull) on Wednesday (July 1), talking about the death of Michael Jackson and the aftermath from the family, notably his father Joe, and the media. The Australian singer songwriter tells readers:

Now that Michael has died, the swarms are left to pick over his carrion. The wreckage of his once enviable life seems to me like a giant junkyard. The Black Entertainment Awards was distinguished by Janet Jackson appearing to say a few words, representing a family that were “too upset” to appear themselves. Since then we’ve seen footage, pictures and quotes of Michael’s father looking not like a man broken by the loss of a son, but like a business man who’s business deal has just fallen through. A mild disappointment, rather than a tragic grief, is about all we get from Jackson Snr. His words of mourning seem rather hollow… compounded by the product spruiking epilogue of his official statement, that went along the lines of “in conclusion, the next product I want to show you is this terrific blue-ray disc player”. It becomes pretty clear that Mr Jackson Snr was the ultimate stage parent, a salesman who ultimately sold out his own children. Michael Jackson, like a whatever the hell Joe is selling now, was pimped from the beginning, and, like a girl who’s only ever felt good when people tell her she’s pretty, Michael relied completely on that song and dance for any sense of worth or connection. It filled the place, rather poorly, of real familial relationships (particularly paternal)…

Did Kara DioGuardi & Perez Hilton Cause Adam Lambert’s ‘Idol’ Finale Loss?

Ramin Setoodeh of Newsweek is offering a list of reasons why Kris Allen was able to defeat Adam Lambert on Wednesday night’s ‘American Idol’ finale, despite most people believing Adam had wrapped up the singing competition. Setoodeh said the judges’ bias in favor of Adam made his voters lazy, adding that the Kara DioGuardi co-written song ‘No Boundaries’ was “the worst coronation song ever” that neither singer could pull off worked to Kris’ advantage. Kris also being a devout Christian while Adam hasn’t spoken about his religious beliefs aided Allen among conservatives, as no doubt did the Perez Hilton fueled speculation about Adam’s sexuality.

Setoodeh writes: “This shouldn’t be an issue in 2009. But if you’ve read any of online chatter about Idol this year, you know that sadly, there’s still plenty of hate out there. Adam has millions of fans, and it looked like he could strike an emphatic blow against homophobia, much the same way that Obama broke through the race barrier when he became the country’s first black president. But his ambiguous sexuality still cost Adam votes.”

The article at thedailybeast.com has since been removed.

Lindsay Lohan’s Dad Defends Decision To Launch Web Site

Lindsay Lohan’s father Michael is reacting to those critical of his decision to launch a web site, notably the snarky gossip site/TV show TMZ, after they wrote that “on the ‘sane scale’, Sam Ronson seems to register at a respectable level … Michael seems to be off the charts, and not in a good way.” The elder Lohan writes:

Being that the “Topic of the Week” is how the media, press and public opinion effect those in the spotlight, if you visit TMZ, you will see exactly what I talking about, with their snide comments, which only adds fuel to the fire. For them to measure any one’s sanity or competency level, and say mine is off the charts, all anyone has to do is look at some of the trash that they print and how a large part of the facts are left out, to see how hypocritical THEY are. Not saying that there aren’t some good people working there, which there are, but with Harvey Levin being “on the other side of the fence,” I expect his opposition.

The Roman playwright, Terrence, once said that “There are as many opinions as there are people.”

The entire post at mikelohanonline.com has since been removed after Lohan shut down the web site.

Pal Says Lindsay Lohan’s MySpace Blogs Aren’t Written By Samantha

A friend of Lindsay Lohan is denying claims made by her father Michael that the person actually posting her MySpace blogs, including the one claiming Michael had fathered a child with another woman while married to Dina, was girlfriend Samantha Ronson. “Lindsay loves her MySpace blogs,” the Lohan friend tells People magazine, “and everything on there comes directly from her.”

Michael Lohan Reaches A Truce With Lindsay

Lindsay Lohan’s father Michael checked in with fans on his official web site at mikelohanonline.com on Monday (December 29), revealing he’s reached a truce with his daughter after she alleged to have learned she had a half sister fathered by Michael when he was still married to Dina. Mike tells readers:

There is a truce between Lindsay and I, so please stop adding any fuel to the fire. I respectfully ask that all sources, so called friends and mouthpieces refrain from any more comments or suggestions on her blog.

Lindsay Lohan’s Dad Launches Official Site

Lindsay Lohan’s father Michael has started up an official web site, MikeLohanOnline.com. In his first posting, Lohan said the blog “is NOT about Lindsay or Samantha” and that he has “no intention of disclosing any information or feelings I may have about either one of them unless it is in defense of what they or one of their ‘mouthpieces’ might say about me.” Lohan also posted a video message discussing the purpose of the site.

Video at Kyte.tv has since been removed.

What If You Were Earth?

Jason Reeves checked in with fans on his blog at MySpace (@jasonreeves) on Sunday (December 7), talking metaphorically about the post industrial era world. The Iowa City singer songwriter asks readers:

What if tiny little beings began building miniature metropolises on your body? Multiplying into millions. Sticking structures into your skin. Painting you with pavement. Posting signs and sins. Drawing lines to trap themselves within. Trash that’s spit into the sky until it sinks and spills again. What if they laid freeways connecting like strange exterior veins? Littered them with modern machines. Meant to translate the pending pain. Turned the ride into a race and pushed it till it went insane. Would you sit serene and still beneath? Or would you shake the ground with rage? Would you leave them to their self-destruction… even if it spread beyond into your blood? Brought with breathing through your lungs? What if when their souls were dead and gone the rubble wiped away like dust..? If the only evidence of their existence were the rusted remnants of their lonely love? Floating like spirits in the sky above…

Mckie: Britney’s A Space Cadet Diva Without The Voice To Back It Up

John Mckie of the Glasgow Daily Record weighed in on Britney Spears singing along to her new single ‘Womanizer’ on ‘The X Factor’ over the weekend, unimpressed with her miming and mediocre choreography. Mentioning that Spears turns 27 on Tuesday, Mckie writes:

At 27, Paul McCartney was making ‘Abbey Road’, Joni Mitchell released ‘Blue’, Keith Richards was writing and recording ‘Exile on Main Street’ and Adam Rickitt was approved as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservative Party.

So it’s all to play for, but Saturday suggested someone so poorly advised that she couldn’t even be bothered watching the show on which she made her big comeback.

In a decade, Britters has gone from a happy-go-lucky popstrel to space cadet diva.

Unlike most divas, she doesn’t have the voice to back up big-time behavior.

The full story at dailyrecord.co.uk has since been removed.

Don’t Blame Diddy For Danity Kane Turmoil, Dream’s Demise

Debbie Hammond, CEO of ClockWork Entertainment, Dream’s former co-label that entered into a joint venture with Bad Boy, issued a statement with her thoughts on those reacting to the turmoil in Danity Kane and blaming it on their boss, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of Bad Boy Records. Hammond writes on the reformed Dream MySpace blog (@thedreamsite):

It would be really easy for me to say Diddy is the reason DREAM broke up too! Jump on the bandwagon and take no responsibility for my act’s behavior. But it’s just not true. Sean Combs, and Bad Boy are the most supportive, generous and kindness people I have ever worked with in any industry. They have PASSION FOR THE MUSIC and entertainment. They respect the buyers of their product and hate to disappoint. This is the truth from a platinum girl group that broke up while on Bad Boy. Sean “Diddy” Combs (CEO), Harve Pierre (President) and Gwen Niles (Vice President) treated us with respect, expected the best out of us to ENTERTAIN OUR MARKET WITH QUALITY MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES because that is what they truly believe the public deserves. They provided support in every capacity, and have NEVER lied to us on even 1 occasion. Good, bad or indifferent, they always told us the truth.

It’s sad when groups break up. But let’s put the blame where is belongs. I’m glad that there are still business executives that care enough about our impressionable youth to stop illicit behavior instead of just making money off of it. Danity’s buyers are young girls and women, primarily. Danity has an obligation to show decency and respect to their buyer. They were warned and disregarded the warnings completely. Bad Boy was pumping MILLIONS OF DOLLARS into giving them a chance.

The same goes for Dream. They quit. Diddy generously gave us a huge advance to do an album. We did it, and Dream quit, after they took his money. They didn’t follow through with their promises, and neither did Danity.

Fans React To Clay Aiken Announcing He’s Gay

Clay Aiken in a black shirt

Several fans on the popular Clay Aiken forum Clay World are reacting to news the ‘American Idol’ season two runner-up announced he’s gay in a cover story with People magazine. “I wish him well and hope he gets some peace of mind now BUT I feel he lied to everyone-especially us fans,” NJ4ClayA said. “He should have just said so years ago. I feel like we were “used”. I still love to hear him sing but I also feel he has now become like a Michael Jackson and it’s a bit too weird!”

But others voiced support. “Clay is still the same Clay we fell in love with,” annieg9 writes. “He is still the same charismatic, gorgeous, ultratalented, humanitarian. I love him more now than ever!”

The thread at theclayboard.yuku.com has since been removed.

Christina Aguilera Ripping Off Lady GaGa? Not So Say Fans

Fans of Christina Aguilera are jumping to the singer’s defense after her performance at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards prompted some to say she was ripping off Lady GaGa’s style. A clip posted at YouTube indicates that Aguilera was inspired by comic book superheroes and villains, including the Spider-Man character Black Cat and Storm from X-Men.

Update: The case being laid out at YouTube has since been removed.

Mandi Perkins: Don’t Forget About The Supreme Court In November

Mandi Perkins updated fans on her blog at MySpace (@mandiperkins) on Friday (September 5), focusing on the November U.S. election. Perkins writes:

It always surprises me when I hear from friends that they have decided not to exercise their right to vote. Being Canadian, I cannot vote in the U.S, but I have made the choice to become educated on what is going on in the upcoming election.

In all the hype and sensationalism of the 08′ presidency campaigns, some may forget that the political platforms dictate much more then just who wins the presidency; they also determine how the judicial system in the U.S. is run. By this I mean that the future president does have a lot of power, including the ability to pick the justices who sit on the bench of the Supreme Court. When one judge leaves the bench, another is then appointed (for life) by the current President.

Judges are supposed to be free from outside encumbrances when making decisions. It is supposed to be reason without passion after all. But it would be erroneous to assume that judges are free from the same influences that impact us all. A “right,” or “left,” leaning judge does not stay on an equilibrium because they put a robe on. They tend to have certain ideals that they apply to the law. This is not unfair, nor is it unethical. It is what it is.

I hope that everyone who gets the gift of voting this year uses that gift. The repercussions of the decision have far more impact then we could ever imagine, especially on the Supreme Court of the United States. (For a very specific example of the roles judges play, check out Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000).

Mp

p.s. Don’t forget to VOTE!!!

Music Matters To Taio Cruz

Taio Cruz checked in with fans on his blog at MySpace (@taiocruzmusic) on Tuesday (August 5). The London based singer, songwriter and producer offered the following thoughts:

Music Matters

Even in situations down and out, your favorite song can lift you out, it puts a smile onto your face. Music matters.

It helps us feel in some sort of sense that someone relates to our experience.
It helps us to not to feel alone. Music matters.

I’ve loved it since before I was given a name, and I’ll love it till I need a Zimmer frame. It makes me who I am today. Music Matters.

For me I couldn’t live a day, without my voice, guitar, or a piano to play.

So for me it’s truest when I say. Music matters.

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