Music
Related Photos
-
Peter Kramer
Tools
KELLY CLARKSON: Five things you might not have known
Five things you might not have known about ... Kelly Clarkson
1 It was a long, low-wage road to “American Idol:” Clarkson was acknowledged for her singing talents at a young age, but growing up with a single mother left no money for voice training. Instead, Clarkson mowed lawns, took movie tickets and held down jobs at Subway, Starbucks and Papa John’s — she later worked as a door-to-door vacuum cleaner saleswoman.
2 About that last album ... The short version of the story behind “My December” is that record label head Clive Davis asked Clarkson to make major revisions and nix some of its darker themes. Clarkson, however, refused to back down, leading to hasty release, a canceled tour and, so far, lower overall sales. On the flip side, the album has garnered slightly more positive reviews than any of her previous efforts.
3 Weird indie semi-credibility: It might be a stretch to say Clarkson is the most punk of the “Idol” set, but then again, maybe not. She’s actually compared “My December” in press interviews with Bruce Springsteen’s dark personal epic “Nebraska” — a stretch, but a nice show of rock knowledge — and declined to move to New York City or Los Angeles after her big “Idol” win, staying on a 60-acre farm with her brother. And “My December” even features a guest appearance by punk icon Mike Watt, whose work, it can be assumed, Sanjaya is not all that familiar with.
4 She’s an inspiration to STEVE CARELL: During the infamous chest-waxing scene in the hit comedy film “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Kelly Clarkson!” is one of the more intelligible ad-libbed — and G-rated — screams issued by Carell.
5 She might need a little inspiration herself: Just a few quotes from a recent interview with Elle magazine: “My point of view is that I shouldn’t be a mother at all, because I’d be horrible ... I’m not willing to be that selfless.” And: “I’ve sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and still nobody listens to what I have to say because I’m 25 and a woman.” Finally, heavy with sarcasm: “I am a good singer, so I can’t possibly be a good writer ... Women can’t possibly be good at two things.”
— Kevin Purdy
- Music
-
-
NT-based jam band Aqueous looks to ride the wave to musical stardom
Speaking during a recent interview in the News office, the members of Aqueous discussed the difficulties in achieving musical stardom and the downfall of much of modern music.
-
NIGHT & DAY: Flaming Lips bringing oddball antics to Artpark
The Lips will bring what’s sure to be an odd-looking playlist — among the band’s songs are “Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber)” and “Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles” — to Lewiston this summer for a dynamic and lavish stage show to Artpark on July 22. Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
-
LIFESTYLE: TSO brings holiday magic back to Buffalo
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra might have a name that implies chilly conditions, but the musical group has been red hot as of late.
-
MUSIC: Best of the Decade
No industry changed more this decade than the music industry.
-
MUSIC: Solo pianist George Winston visits Buffalo
At this rate, George Winston reckons he’ll be back in Buffalo, by, oh, 2022. So if you want to see him perform live, Friday night’s your chance.
-
MUSIC: The songs (and paintings) of Ron Hawkins
A lot of things have changed since Ron Hawkins was on the stage at Gateway Harbor in North Tonawanda in 2006.
-
MUSIC: Wojick set for 'Storytellers' show at NU
In a career that’s featured nearly as many bands as years, Bruce Wojick has amassed more than his fair share of stories.
-
MUSIC: Wilco comes to Artpark
When it’s remarked to Jeff Tweedy while walking backstage at the recent Bonnaroo Music Festival that it’s a shame he won’t have time to catch most of the festival’s other acts, he turns and smiles.
-
MUSIC: When superstars die young
Jackson’s death, at the young age of 50, got us thinking about the untimely deaths of other stars, as well.
-
MUSIC: Michael Jackson’s lyrics tell a hard story
In the brief, electric prime of Michael Jackson, millions danced to “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and other songs so propulsive it almost didn’t matter what they actually said.
- More Music Headlines
-
NT-based jam band Aqueous looks to ride the wave to musical stardom
