-Will BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN make a surprise appearance at Live Earth? 

There's a Live Earth concert in Jersey...he lives in Jersey

(Chances are SO SO)

   

  

1. Soweto Gospel Choir: Sure, there's great music on every stage at Live Earth, but if one act rises above all the others — sorry, Sting — it's the Soweto Gospel Choir. This South African group is that rarity among performers, a showcase of fantastic musicians and a cultural event in itself. Listening to the SGC is an experience of hope's triumph over oppression, and of courage trumping cynicism. These ambassadors of joy are performing on the Johannesburg stage of Live Earth. Tune in to get your mind blown, your heart warmed and your spirits lifted.

2. Smashing Pumpkins: You remember him: arrogant, nasally, silly. All true, but Billy Corgan, the brain and heart behind Smashing Pumpkins, was also a rock 'n' roll groundbreaker, fusing the psychedelic metal-swirl of Jane's Addiction with the instinct of a jazzy, late-night crooner, and in turn producing some of the catchiest, hardest-rocking music of the '90s. Records such as "Gish" and "Siamese Dream" still possess a romantic blast, a bracing combination of light and dark. Not to mention that Corgan, no matter who's behind him as the rest of Smashing Pumpkins, is a fine showman, and will be in full effect at Giants Stadium.

3. Wolfmother: Sometimes irony can be a good thing. Wolfmother sound like they've been time-ported in from the mid-'70s, with a sludgy stew of unforgettable riffs and singing that sounds like a melodious cat in heat. They blast and caterwaul through mid-tempo songs overdriven with the sound of Marshall Stacks, rumbling bass and thuddy drums. Their lyrics are a cornucopia of Middle-earth good times, chronicling damsels in distress, nasty witches, furry gnomes and one very white unicorn. Currently taking the rock world by the elf-boots with their self-titled debut, Wolfmother will be playing on Live Earth's Sydney stage, in their native Australia.

4. Yellow Magic Orchestra: The wild card on this list, Yellow Magic Orchestra is the best band you never knew you were familiar with. Though only around from 1978 to 1983, and hailing from Japan — not a country known for exporting new music to Western audiences — YMO revolutionized the use of synthesizers in pop. On albums such as 1981's "Technodelic," this trio from Tokyo laid the groundwork for the evolution of electronic music in the '90s and beyond. Slated for the Live Earth stage in Kyoto, this is a show you definitely want to tune in for.

5. The Parlotones: Have you ever wanted to say that you saw a world-famous band play before they were world-famous? Envy that older brother of yours who saw the Police in 1979? Well, you may not be able to say you were in the crowd at Johannesburg, but if you catch the Parlotones on TV, it'll be the next best thing. This South African quartet is set to blow up, and blow up big. Their last record, "Radiocontrolledrobot," was a huge hit in their native country, and music presses far from home have rightfully acclaimed their pop-rock sounds.

6. Michael Nyman: Michael who? You've heard the music of composer Michael Nyman numerous times without knowing it. In more than 50 movies, ranging from "The Piano" to "Gattaca," Nyman has crafted scores with a sweeping beauty matched only by Ennio Morricone. He also has composed for television and video games, and has written operas, concertos and librettos. Performing on the Live Earth Kyoto stage, Nyman is sure to have a large cast of top-notch musicians to help him re-create his massive yet minimalist compositions on stage, compositions that echo the work of Steve Reich and Philip Glass in their simple majesty.

7. Roger Waters: The former leader of Pink Floyd has been busy of late, continuing with the impressive solo career he began more than 20 years ago. His latest record, 2005's "Ça Ira," is an opera — no small thing — and in 2006 Waters staged and performed a concert version of the work in Rome and Poznan, Poland. Though his Live Earth show at Giants Stadium isn't the natural buzz-generator that the Pink Floyd reunion at Live 8 was, his upcoming performance promises to remind us that he still very much merits our attention.

8. Snoop Dogg: Though not exactly his home turf, the Hamburg stage of Live Earth will sway and swing with the rolling grooves of Snoop Dogg, musician, actor and producer. The great thing about Snoop is that he's not the godfather of hip-hop. Instead, Snoop, born with the amazing name of Calvin Cordozar Broadus, is more like its cool uncle: approachable, funny and dirty, a good time but not a person you'd ever cross. Lately he's been busy acting, touring to support his new record, "Boss' Life," from his "Blue Carpet Treatment" album, and generally acting like a pirate. Fo' shizzle.

9. Beastie Boys: A highlight of Live Earth's London stage, the Beastie Boys' appearance is part of a hectic year for the trio from the Big Apple, whose new album, "The Mix-Up," will be released June 26. And here's the kicker: It's all instrumental. Still, you can be sure that when the band takes the stage at Wembley Stadium, they'll be playing all manner of legendary tracks from totemic albums such as 1992's "Check Your Head" and 1998's "Hello Nasty." It is records such as these that established the band as the missing link between hip-hop and rock; their influence on modern music cannot be overstated.

10. Spinal Tap: Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls — played by actor-musicians Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, respectively — are back where they belong: at Wembley Stadium, where they will run through all the hits (and plenty of misses, too) from their hilarious oeuvre. And yes, they really can play.

 

Here at WorldSpace, we've seen most of those bands perform and we know they will rock (especially Soweto Gospel Choir and Yellow Magic Orchestra).  But we'd like to add 5 more acts to the list.  Each of these may be lesser known, but they each put on shows that you don't want to miss...

 

1. Zola: As a poet, actor, and musician, Zola has emerged as the superstar of Kwaito and is a man blessed with many talents.  Zola grew up in Soweto, in the ghetto called Zola, hence the name.  Though he is standing on the brink of greatness, he is under no misconception of his past or future.

2. Reamonn: The German-based band already has a multi-platinum resumé, conquering new territories with every release, but their fourth studio album 'Wish' is one we're likely to look back on soon as the staging post to a new level of creative and commercial achievement.

 

3. Babba Maal: Senegalese artist Baaba Maal is a giant of world music, blowing away audiences all over the globe and achieving legendary status on his home continent. His high, uplifting vocals, powerfully plaintive wails and twisting melodies can send shivers down your spine and raise the hair on the back of your neck.

 

4. Mana: Jamaica had Bob Marley and the Wailers. Ireland has U2. America has Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Mexico has Maná!

 

5. Blue King Brown: Underscored by the fiery vocals and political lyrics of Natalie Paapaa, you can hear the afro-beat, reggae, world and Latin influence, but the band has created a distinctly original sound. A refreshing take on roots music, uniquely Australian yet with an unquestionable international feel. 

 

 

 

We're coming to the home stretch.  Over the next several days, we'll talk more about what we are going to do to bring you coverage from around the world the day of Live Earth.  We'll also tell you how you can help us cover this incredible event.

 

 

 

 

THE WORLDSPACE BLOGGER here...we are just one week away from our all day coverage of Live Earth on WORLDSPACE SATELLITE RADIO . Over the next week, make sure to check back to this space for details about what concerts can be heard on what channels.  Our guest blogger today is Mike Kaufman from  RADIO VOYAGER 11.  He is going to tell us why Brazil will be the perfect place to be to see Live Earth!  

 
“Finally, we’ve got the schedule for the Brazil leg of Live Earth. It’s appropriate that the concert will take place in Brazil, South America’s largest country (and the world’s alternative fuel pioneer) and in Rio de Janeiro, the home of Antonio Carlos Jobim and bossa nova. The all-day concert will take place on famed Copacabana Beach and unlike it’s sister Live Earth concerts around the world, it will be entirely free to the public. The lineup boasts some of the best in Brazilian and American pop, hip hop, rock and neo-soul.  There’s Marcelo D2,…a former vocalist of the band Planet Hemp who recently appeared as a guest performer on two tracks of Sergio Mendes album Timeless.  There’s Xuxa…the most popular children TV star in Brazil.  There’s O Rappa, a fantastic Brazillian reggae / rock band.   Then there’s pop / rock band Jota Quest… the band's original name was Johnny Quest before some legal issues with Hanna-Barbera.  Also performaing is the legend, Jorge Ben Jor, the composer of such Brazilian anthems as "Mas, Que Nada,""Chove Chuva,""Que Pena", and "Pais Tropical".  Other Brazillian acts include Vanessa Da Matta & MV Bill.  International superstars like Lenny Kravitz, Macy Gray, and Pharrell Williams join the bill. Kravitz will close the show (rumored but not confirmed at press time: Guns N’ Roses, Nelly and Jay-Z).  As they say in Brasil, ‘Tudo bem!’”

Thanks Tom.  Tomorrow, Mike Kaufman from  RADIO VOYAGER 11 will join us and tell us why Brazil will be the perfect place to be to see Live Earth!

 

 

 

I'm THE WORLDSPACE BLOGGER.  Over the past several weeks, we've looked closely at a lot of the superstars playing the various Live Earth concerts...and we've supplied info about some of the international bands that you may not yet know about.  One band that can fit into both of those catagories is a band from Japan called YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA.  Many around the world may not be that familiar with YMO...but they are legends in Japan.  Here's more on them from the official press release...

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Big news on the Live Earth front today! Hot on the heels of the announcement that Metallica would be playing the UK concert in London, a whole other concert has been revealed! Shanghai will now play host to a Live Earth gig in China. It features various Chinese and Taiwanese pop idols, such as Eason Chan, Evonne Hsu, and Winnie Shin. While I, personally, am not familiar with some of these artists, I think you owe it to yourself to check them out. Chan's stuff is pretty damn catchy (ie. "King Kong". Seriously, look it up on YouTube). Also, actors-come-singers like Huang Xiao Ming and Anthony Wong are perfoming. Anthony Wong you may recognize from films like "Hard Boiled", in which he plays a badass bad guy, and "Internal Affairs", where he's a badass good guy. Using a delicate process of deduction, I have concluded that he must also be a badass singer. Anyway, I'm excited to hear some music from the far side of the world." ~ Xander Crews / Billionaire Intern

Thanks to Regina and "X"...we'll here more from them in the weeks to come. Untill next time...

THE WORLDSPACE BLOGGER
worldspaceondemand.com

 
"’I get the feeling you're trying to tell me; Is there something I should know?  What excuses are you trying to sell me?  Should I be reading stop or go?  I don't know...’  You could write those same lines about the global warming problem in 2007.  There are signals everywhere...trying to tell us something's wrong...but most of what we've heard in response has been excuses people are trying to sell us about their failure to act and react...or...no reply at all. Actually...those first few lines come from the Genesis song, "No Reply at All."  But you knew that already!  The newly-reunited trio of Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford will be part of the performance line-up for the Live Earth Concerts on July 7.  Reacting to a global crisis isn't a new trick for Genesis.  Back in 1985, the band performed at both Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on the same day for the Live AID concerts.  The boys used the Concorde to get back and forth in time to make both shows!  This year, Genesis will stick to just one location, joining fellow Orbit Rock artists Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters in London.  Although...they WILL play TWO shows that day...performing at Old Trafford Football Stadium in Manchester before arriving in London.  Genesis will have played the first 19 dates of their "Turn it On" again world tour by the time they hit the Live Earth stage in London.  Fans can get more information on the new Genesis web site at www.genesis-music.com.”  -Eric Phillips / Orbit Rock

Thanks Eric...you are the man. 

That's it for today.  Check us out again tomorrow.

Later,
THE WORLDSPACE BLOGGER
worldspaceondemand.com

I am THE WORLDSPACE BLOGGER...this is the WorldSpace LIVE EARTH 2007 COUNTDOWN.  Today our guest blogger is Rich Rudel.  Rich is the Program Director on BOB 177.  He can also be heard as a DJ on ORBIT ROCK 176.  Rich is a rock guy!  He grew up with it...is excited by it.  He's really fired up about the Smashing Pumpkins reunion...and since he's going to be at the New York Live Earth concert as part of the WorldSpace coverage team...he's particularly fired up about their performance at Live Earth...

 
“When I first heard the Smashing Pumpkins would be getting back together, I was skeptical about how it would work and what would happen. In my heart I wanted this band to come back and sound strong and light a fire under rock music much like they did back in the early 90's when I fell in love with their music in the first place . After hearing the new single, Tarantula, I know they are back and they are creating great music.  I cannot wait to see for myself and for the world to hear them live at Live Earth.”  - Rich Rudel / BOB & ORBIT ROCK

The Countdown continues again tomorrow.

Later,
THE WORLDSPACE BLOGGER
worldspaceondemand.com