December 23, 2004

Queen will headline a second Aids benefit concert in South Africa, which is being backed by former president Nelson Mandela. The 46664 South Africa show will raise awareness of the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s continued fight against the disease.

The full line-up of international and South African artists will be unveiled early next year. The first concert, in November 2003, starred Bono and Beyonce Knowles.

The 2005 concert will focus on the plight of women in sub-Saharan Africa, who are most affected by Aids.

Last year’s five-hour gig took place at the Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town and featured appearances by the Eurythmics, Ms Dynamite, Peter Gabriel, The Corrs and Queen. It attracted more than 30,000 people.

Next year’s event will take place at the Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate on 19 March.

Source: bbc

Kings of Leon have announced a short tour of the US. The band wrapped up a club tour on the East coast this autumn, and now will take their set out to the West Coast beginning on January 25 in Seattle.

The band will be supporting their second album A Ha Shake Heartbreak, which is released in North America on February 22.

Kings Of Leon

Grammy Award winner Freddie Perren, who produced records for Gloria Gaynor, the Jackson Five and the “Saturday Night Fever” album, has died. He was 61.

Perren, who lived in Chatsworth, died December 16 after a long illness, said his wife, Christine Yarian Perren. He suffered a major stroke 11 years ago, she said. Perren shared an Album of the Year Grammy in 1978 for producing two songs on the “Saturday Night Fever” album.

With Dino Fekaris, Perren produced “I Will Survive,” sung by Gaynor, which won the Grammy for best disco recording in 1979.

Source: cnn.com

The Office’s Ricky Gervais is writing an episode of hit US cartoon The Simpsons, following an invitation from its creator Matt Groening. Gervais has already begun writing the script but is keeping its subject matter a closely guarded secret. He will also write a part for himself in the episode.

“I’ve got the rough idea but this is the most intimidating project of my career. The Simpsons is the greatest TV show of all time,” he said.

Groening recently heaped praise on The Office, saying: “Everybody on The Simpsons is a fan of The Office – it’s one of the best shows on TV in the last decade.”

Gervais has already said he would not guest star in the show as his Office character David, having left him behind for good in the Christmas specials.

The Office became a surprise US success when it was screened on cable channel BBC America.

The first series won two Golden Globes in 2004 for best comedy and best TV actor for Gervais.

Source: bbc