DJ Alan T (Sydney)

23/01/2025

In 1984 Tina Turner recorded a cover of John Paul Young’s 1980 single ‘Hot For You Baby’ but it didn’t make the ‘Private Dancer’ album … until now.
‘Hot For You Baby’ was written by Harry Vanda and George Young (The Easybeats). Vanda and Young had previously written John’s hits ‘Love Is In The Air’, ‘I Hate The Music’, ‘Standing in the Rain’, ‘Keep On Smilin’, ‘Pasadena’, ‘Yesterday’s Hero’ and ‘I Wanna Do It With You’.
‘Hot For You Baby’ was from John’s fifth album ‘Heaven Sent’ (1979). The song was released as the fourth single from the album but failed to chart.
Tina’s version was recorded at Capitol Records in Hollywood. The song was produced by John Carter who also produced ‘Steel Craw’ and the title track for the album
But it was ultimately jettisoned in favour of era-defining pop hits such What's Love Got To Do With It, Better Be Good To Me and the album's title track.
Presumed missing, the master tape was recently rediscovered as her record label compiled a 40th anniversary re-release of Private Dancer.
The 40th anniversary edition of ‘Private Dancer’ is a 5CD, 1 Blu-ray with b-sides, single edits, extended versions, previously unreleased and rare tracks added as well as two live albums. The live albums include Tina’s duets with David Bowie and Bryan Adams.
The album ‘Private Dancer’ reestablished Tina as a superstar. She had not had any real success since leaving Ike and going solo. ‘Private Dancer’ was her first hit album as a solo artist. It sold over 5 million copies in the USA, was certified 3x platinum in the UK and platinum in Australia.

Unearthed from the vaults, the previously unheard track Hot For You Baby. Written by Australian musicians George Young and Harry Vanda and produced by John C...

21/01/2025

“It’s sad to watch what has happened to the Village People brand,”
A former member of Village People has distanced himself from the band that performed at Donald Trump’s inauguration events, stating that the current group has “nothing to do with the group that I was a part of”.
Village People, whose song YMCA is widely considered a gay anthem and a favorite of the returning US president’s, performed at several of Trump’s inaugural events over the weekend and on Monday. However, only one original member, the lead singer and songwriter Victor Willis, 73, is still part of the band and participated in the performances.
Jim Newman, a former Village People band member, addressed his followers on Instagram last week ahead of the inauguration, and argued that the Village People that performed at Trump’s inaugural events was not the original group.
A former member of Village People has distanced himself from the band that performed at Donald Trump’s inauguration events, stating that the current group has “nothing to do with the group that I was a part of”.
By the way this is the only version I play

20/01/2025

Plagiarism Alert !!!
Söngvakeppnin is returning once again as the Nordic nation's Eurovision national final. And as in previous years, it's going to be a three-week search for Iceland's next Eurovision entry.
10 songs are going to be taking part in Söngvakeppnin 2025.
5 will participate in each semi-final, with 3 songs progressing from both, to give Icelandic TV viewers a 6-song final to vote on.
One of the song is RÓA by the group VÆB
In 2017, the song "Hatunat Hashana" (Wedding of the Year) fr by Itay Levi & Eyal
017 was released.
It should be disqualified for plagiarism

רשת הטלוויזיה האיסלנדית, RÚV, פירסמה אמש במשדר מיוחד בשם "Lögin í Söngvakeppninni" את עשרת האמנים והשירים שיתמודדו בקדם האירוויזיון האיסלנדי "Söngvakeppnin 2...

20/01/2025

Here you have it
SRG SSR, the Swiss national broadcaster, have revealed the hosts for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel.
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is set to be hosted by three talented women who embody Switzerland's adopted motto for Basel 2025 – 'Welcome Home'. Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer and Michelle Hunziker will present the Grand Final, which will take place on Saturday 17 May at St. Jakobshalle in Basel. And from the same venue, Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer will also host the First Semi-Final on Tuesday 13 May and the Second Semi-Final on Thursday 15 May.
According to Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, the choice of the host trio for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 symbolises the values that define Switzerland: openness, diversity, multilingualism and a sense of togetherness. In May, the trio will not only aim to celebrate Europe’s diversity, but also to bring the true values and spirit of Switzerland to the stage – a country known for its openness, integration and community.
As well as confirming the hosts of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, on Monday 20 January Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR also introduced us to two more faces that we're going to be seeing a lot of at Basel 2025. Mélanie Freymond and Sven Epiney will be presenting the pre-show party and public viewing in the Arena plus, the repurposed St. Jakob-Park football stadium. They will also be live on air during the Grand Final to announce the Swiss points during the eagerly-anticipated voting segment.

17/01/2025

FireAid Line-Up To Feature Some Of The Biggest Names On the Planet
Irving and Shelli Azoff’s FireAid benefit, for the victims of the California fires, will take place on January 30 in Los Angeles with the biggest names on the planet performance on the day across two venues.
Confirmed for the benefit are Sting, Green Day, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell and Stephen Stills along with Billie Eilish and Finneas, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Gracie Abrams, Gwen Stefani, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Pink and Tate McRae.
More artists will be announced.
The concert will take place from the new Intuit Dome in LA as well as The Forum. It will also streamed on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, exclusively on “LIFE with John Mayer,” Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

12/01/2025

Before the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel in May, some people are trying to make money by buying up tickets en masse. Hundreds of thousands of fake accounts have been used to pre-register for tickets for the shows. Thomas Pittino, head of marketing at the ESC, told Swiss public broadcaster, SRF.

Almost 500,000 registrations have been received. However, only around 50,000 to 60,000 seats are available for visitors at the nine planned shows. “You have to assume that between a third and half of the registrations are bots, i.e. fake accounts,” said Pittino. These will now be filtered out, he said.

The Eurovision Song Contest shows are in high demand, with the result that profiteers are hoping to make a quick franc by buying up lots of tickets.

10/01/2025

Annie Lennox, both on her own and as one-half of Eurythmics, owns 5% of the Official Album Downloads chart this week...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/01/02/two-eurythmics-albums-reach-new-chart-peaks-at-the-same-time/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2gexIF3Ro03q1ZBTbyP_YU9UpaTaqJ4CdUt4LriHrO7YFLBeOBWs1KCak_aem_hkfTrSWzDIzqhPdjEytYcw

Both of the Eurythmics' compilations return to the same chart this week—as do three albums by lead singer Annie Lennox.

10/01/2025

R I P Anita Bryant 😉😉 I loved the name Bryant, very camp!

I remember very well her crusade against g**s. Her involvement with the campaign was condemned by gay rights activists. They were assisted by many other prominent figures in music, film, and television, and retaliated by boycotting the orange juice that she promoted.

Bryant was Miss Oklahoma and Florida Citrus spokesperson before leading anti-LGBTQ+ ‘Save Our Children’ campaign
Anita Bryant, a multi-Grammy nominated singer and former Miss Oklahoma who later became a high-profile campaigner against gay rights in America, has died at the age of 84.

In an announcement on Thursday, Bryant’s family announced that Bryant died at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma, on 16 December 2024. “May Anita’s memory and her faith in eternal life through Christ comfort all who embraced her,” her family said.

Born on 25 March 1940 in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Bryant quickly rose to fame through her musical career with hit songs including Till There Was You, In My Little Corner of the World and Paper Roses. At the age of 18, Bryant was crowned Miss Oklahoma.

In addition to singing at the White House during Lyndon B Johnson’s presidency, Bryant sang at Republican and Democratic national conventions. She was also the spokesperson of Florida Citrus, at one point coining the phrase, “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”

In the 1970s, Bryant became politically involved by leading the anti-LGBTQ+ “Save Our Children” campaign, which sought to repeal an ordinance in Dade county, Florida, that prohibited discrimination based on s*xual orientation.

Speaking to Pl***oy in 1978, Bryant said: “I got involved only because they were asking for special privileges that violated the state law of Florida, not to mention God’s law.”

In response to Bryant’s anti-LGBTQ beliefs, gay right activists boycotted Florida orange juice, the Hollywood Reporter reported. It added that Bryant said she lost approximately half-a-million dollars in concert bookings.

Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show. July 23, 1960

10/01/2025

A reminder if you are wanting to purchase tickets for Eurovision 2025 (through the public sale) you will need to pre-register with the Swiss ticketing agency, TicketCorner.
Pre-registration closes tonight! (10 January 2025 23:59 CET)
The first wave of public ticket sales will go on sale on Wednesday 29 January at 10:00 CET but you’ll only be able to access the sale, and importantly any further waves, if you’ve pre-registered with TicketCorner.
Pre-registration is free. You are not committing to buy tickets by pre-registering but it you don't pre-register, you won’t be able to purchase tickets on the 29th.
https://www.ticketcorner.ch/.../eurovision-song-contest/...

09/01/2025

Despite having an endless amount of music to pair with their short, scrollable videos, TikTok users have been raiding the back catalogues of artists from yesteryear including Bronski Beat and Sade to soundtrack their posts.

This year set a new high for use of old tracks on British TikTok posts, with tunes more than five years old accounting for 19 out of its 50 top tracks this year. It is the highest proportion since TikTok started monitoring the trend in 2021, when just 8 out of the 50 tracks were from back catalogues.

Despite newer artists having viral moments, app users also enjoyed old school acts including Bronski Beat and Sade

08/01/2025

The Swiss Federal Railways have confirmed an additional 1,600 services ahead of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, as well as other upcoming events.
An additional 2,000 customer service personnel will be on duty, alongside these 1,600 services. During 2025, an additional 900,000 visitors are expected - 250,000 of which are estimated for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. What the additional services will look like during Contest week have yet to be announced.

08/01/2025

SRG SSR, the Swiss national broadcaster, have revealed when the hosts will be announced, for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel.

The hosts for the Contest in Basel will be revealed on Monday 20th January. The reveal will take place during a press conference from Frank O. Gehry Auditorium, at 14:00 GMT/15:00 CET. The press conference will also see more details around the public value projects and Arena Plus - the viewing party at the neighbouring football stadium.

Lundi 20 janvier 2025, 15 h 00 – 17 h 00
Auditorium Frank O. Gehry, Fabrikstrasse 15, Bâle (Campus Novartis)
Animation: Joel Grolimund, animateur de l’émission «Gesichter und Geschichten», SRF

Intervenant.es:
Reto Peritz & Moritz Stadler, Executive Producers
Henriette Engbersen & Diana Segantini, Public Value
Beat Läuchli, Project Lead Host City
Hosts ESC 2025
Programme:
14 h 30 – 15 h 00 Accueil au Campus Novartis, auditorium Frank O. Gehry
15 h 00 – 16 h 00 Présentation aux médias
16 h 00 – 17 h 00 Brèves interviews des intervenant.es

08/01/2025

R I P Peter Yarrow
Folk Music Great With Peter, Paul and Mary
Known for his political songs as well as Puff, the Magic Dragon, the group’s co-songwriter died of bladder cancer
In their 1960s heyday, the group had six US Top 10 singles and one No 1, a cover of John Denver’s Leaving on a Jet Plane, as well as five Top 10 albums.
They were also politically significant. In August 1963, the progressive trio joined the March on Washington and sang a cover of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, which cemented the song’s legacy as an anthem of the civil rights movement.
Yarrow’s songs were often political, telling the story of a war objector on hunger strike in The Great Mandella, from 1967, and suggesting to his son, on Day Is Done, that his generation could make a better world.
Peter, Paul and Mary gave their first NYC performance in 1961 and signed with Warner Brothers. Their first hit was a cover of If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song) by Pete Seeger, which reached No 10 in the US in 1962. That year they released their self-titled debut album, which spent 10 months in the US Top 10 and two years in the Top 20.
A year later, the trio popularised Blowin’ in the Wind; Dylan was also managed by Grossman. They also released Puff, the Magic Dragon, which became a staple of children’s music – and was not, contrary to popular opinion, about ma*****na but a loss of childhood innocence.
Leaving on a Jet Plane was their final US Top 40 hit in 1969. A year later, as a result of Yarrow’s conviction, the group split to pursue solo careers, but reunited in 1972 to support the presidential campaign of the Democratic nominee George McGovern, and in 1978 to protest against nuclear energy, and for a reunion tour. The group reunited for good in 1981. Travers died in 2009 of complications from chemotherapy while being treated for leukaemia.

Blowin' or Blowing in the Wind info:"Blowin' in the Wind" is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released on his album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan in 1963...

06/01/2025

La Poupée Monte Le Son by Laura Thorn in the Luxembourgian selection for Eurovision

I love “Poupée De Cire, Poupée Se Son”

I love France Gall, she was one of my top favourite French singer from the 60’s She ended up being massively successful including singing in German and Italian.

The lyrics are so clever! This is cultural commentary about where we are at as a society in 2025 as opposed to back in 1965 when Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son won Eurovision! Women have more of a voice now than they did back then in the music industry.

This is a feminist homage to France Gall and rewriting of the 1965 Eurovision winner and it hit all the marks for me. The strings make for an instantly catchy sound that transforms into a classy club beat by the time the chorus hits. It blurs the line perfectly between a bouncy, fluffy aesthetic and more serious content and this song is just too easy to love! It is such a fun song and who doesn't love a good dance banger sung in French? The French lyrics also add to the light, playful nature of this entry/

France other massive hit was "Ella, elle l'a" (French for "Ella, She's Got It") It was released as a single from her album Babacar, on 24 August 1987, and became a hit across Europe, the Americas (especially in Quebec and the Southern Cone) and Asia (especially in Japan). It was covered by Belgian and Eurovision singer singer Kate Ryan in a dance version in 2008.

It reached #1 in France, Austria and Germany, in addition, it reached the top ten in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Argentina.

Provided to YouTube by DistroKidLa poupée monte le son · Laura Thorn · Laura Thorn · Chirstophe Houssin · Julien Salvia · Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal · Maxime Gu...

05/01/2025

Thank you to Michael Steiner for finding this report on the Swiss German news (it is in dialekt!) but you will be able to see where and how the EuroClub will be like ... and start to learn Baseldytsch 😉😂😁🤣

Unter dem Motto «United By Music» werden beim «Eurovision Song Contest» in Basel ab dem 11. Mai insgesamt 38 Länder an den Start gehen. Die Vorbereitungen laufen bereits auf Hochtouren. Was es noch alles braucht, bis dieser Event der Superlative stattfinden kann – «Schweiz aktuell» fragt in...

05/01/2025

R I P The Vivienne

The Vivienne: Drag Race UK and Dancing On Ice star dies aged 32 as Michelle Visage leads tributes

Dancing On Ice and Ru Paul's Drag Race legend, The Vivienne has died aged just 32, with a spokesperson for the star confirming the devastating news
The star born James Lee Williams became a household name thanks to their charm and humour. The devastating news comes just a week after The Vivienne appeared on stage in the theatre production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
A spokesperson for the Ru Paul's Drag Race UK star took to social media on Sunday night to confirm the shattering news. In a statement, they said: "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.

"James was an incredibly loved, warm- hearted and amazing person. Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James's family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve."
The star who found fame on Ru Paul's Drag Race amassed a staggering following thanks to their quick wit and humour over the years. They first appeared on screens back in 2015 on the American series before later appearing on the UK edition just four years later. But it wasn't just her charm that they was known for – during their time on the show, The Vivienne entertained the judging panel and viewers at home with their impression of President Donald Trump and Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Away from their television career, The Vivienne also used their platform to raise awareness of charities, including Sahir House, a charity based in Liverpool, providing a safe space for those to speak freely without stigma, abuse, or exploitation related to HIV. Just three weeks ago, the late star was seen supporting the charity at an event as she impersonated Donald Trump once again.

Two drag queens, a trained s*x therapist and four unassuming patients. What could possibly go wrong? STARRING Monét X Change, The Vivienne, Charlene Douglas,...

04/01/2025

My FB friend Andy wrote about the new two-hour-long Netflix documentary, 'Avicii - I'm Tim', which honours the life, career and legacy of Swedish superstar DJ and producer Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, who tragically killed himself in 2018 at the age of only 28, after years of struggling with mental health issues and alcohol and substance addiction is worth watching.

Produced with the participation of Bergling’s family this highly emotional and powerfully produced film expertly uncovers the genius behind his music through exclusive and rare archival interviews with the star, plus, his manager, record label execs, David Guetta, Nile Rodgers, Wyclef Jean, Chris Martin of Coldplay and other of his professional collaborators, as well as showing never before seen footage. His masterpiece, ‘Levels’, is unquestionably one of the most stirring pieces of dance music ever created.

For Eurovision fans , there is some kind of connection. Tommy Körberg from Benny Anderssons Orkester) was his step dad.

Sweden was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 with the song "Judy, min vän", composed by Roger Wallis, with lyrics by Britt Lindeborg, and performed by Tommy Körberg.

The Swedish participating broadcaster, Sveriges Radio (SR), selected its entry through Melodifestivalen 1969. In the national final, a tie occurred between two songs, but after additional voting, the song "Judy, min vän" performed by Tommy Körberg, was selected over the other song, "Hej clown", written by Lasse Berghagen and later ABBA member Benny Andersson, and performed by Jan Malmsjö.

At the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Madrid, "Judy, min vän" finished 9th out of 16. Most points came from Sweden's neighbours, Norway and Finland. Sharing the 9th place was Germany, represented by the Swedish singer Siw Malmkvist, who had also represented Sweden in 1960. She did, however, not get any points from Sweden.

Regarding Avicii, don’t they always say that huge fame, adoration and wealth might appear to be the ultimate dream for many creatives and seems wondrous to the outside world, but that the reality is that such tremendous success and the pressures that go with it, can lead some to unimaginable lows. They never feel a sense of achievement or fulfilment and the fear of failure can leave them crippled with anxiety and addictions. Tim’s story is not unusual, many top stars have battled drugs and depression and taken their own lives. His story is especially tragic though because he was such an incredible talent who would almost certainly have gone on to even greater success, as both an artist and a producer.

if anyone reading this, who might be struggling with dark thoughts and feelings, that they seek the help of professionals and to not be afraid to do so. Help is there. Even in the darkest of moments and in the deepest despair, tomorrow will be a better day and the sun WILL shine again. Your mental health matters, if in Australia, pls contact Beyond Blue 131114

‘Avicii - I'm Tim’ is available to view now exclusively on Netflix.

This new documentary offers an intimate and personal look into Tim's life, told in his own words and featuring unique footage. Avicii - I’m Tim is now availa...