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50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) and The Massacre (2005). Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified 8 times platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. His album The Massacre has been certified 5 times platinum by the RIAA and has sold 11 million copies worldwide.
http://wn.com/50_Cent -
5ive
http://wn.com/5ive -
Akon
Akon (born Aliaune Badara Akon Thiam), (), is a Senegalese-American R&B; singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist.
http://wn.com/Akon -
All Saints
'''All Saints' Day (in the Roman Catholic Church officially the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows or Hallowmas), often shortened to All Saints''', is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November in Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown.
http://wn.com/All_Saints -
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. (born November 15, 1988), also known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American musician and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both the U.S. and the U.K. "Airplanes", B.o.B's second single, emulated this success, peaking at number one and number two in the U.K. and the U.S. respectively. His third single, "Magic" recently became B.o.B's third consecutive top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
http://wn.com/BoB -
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees
http://wn.com/Bee_Gees -
Ben Lummis
Ben Lummis (born Benjamin Lummis on June 1, 1978) is a New Zealand R&B;/Pop recording artist who rose to musical fame as the winner of the First season of New Zealand Idol in 2004. He is of Māori (Ngati Porou) and Pākehā (European) descent and his father is Tongan. He is very close to his family, his mother, father, stepfather and five siblings.
http://wn.com/Ben_Lummis -
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (born September 4, 1981), often known simply as Beyoncé ( ), is an American Pop/R&B; singer, songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B; girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.
http://wn.com/Beyoncé_Knowles -
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album in 1999. During her first decade within the music industry, she became a prominent figure in mainstream popular music and popular culture, followed by a much-publicized personal life. Her first two albums established her as a pop icon and broke sales records, while title tracks "...Baby One More Time" and "Oops!... I Did It Again" became international number-one hits. Spears was credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s.
http://wn.com/Britney_Spears -
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known as Busta Rhymes (born May 20, 1972), is an American rapper, songwriter, and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the name Busta Rhymes (from former NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes).
http://wn.com/Busta_Rhymes -
Cher
Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian on May 20, 1946) is an American recording artist, actress, director and record producer. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes, a Cannes Film Festival Award and a People's Choice Award for her work in film, music and television.
http://wn.com/Cher -
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken (né Grissom; born November 30, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released in October 2003. He released four more albums on the RCA label: Merry Christmas with Love (2004), A Thousand Different Ways (2006), and the Christmas EP, All is Well (2006). His fourth studio album (the first album of original material since 2003's Measure of a Man), On My Way Here was released on May 6, 2008.
http://wn.com/Clay_Aiken -
Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship is an American pop punk/synthpop band created by former Midtown bassist and lead vocalist Gabe Saporta in 2005 in New York City, New York. Other members are guitarist Ryland Blackinton, bassist Alex Suarez, drummer Nate Novarro, and keytarist Victoria Asher, all of whom provide backing vocals. The group released their debut album, While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets in 2006, which they followed with ¡Viva la Cobra! in 2007. They most recently released Hot Mess in 2009. The group is currently perhaps best known for their hit singles "Good Girls Go Bad" and "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)".
http://wn.com/Cobra_Starship -
David Guetta
David Pierre Guetta (; born 7 November 1967) is a French house producer, and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2001. Later, he released Guetta Blaster (2004) and Pop Life (2007). His 2009 album One Love included the hit singles "When Love Takes Over" (featuring Kelly Rowland), "Gettin' Over You" (featuring Chris Willis, Fergie & LMFAO) and "Sexy Bitch" (featuring Akon), the latter becoming a top five hit in the US and all three reached #1 in the UK. Guetta is currently one of the most sought-after music producers, having worked with a variety of pop and hip-hop artists including Rihanna, Akon, Chris Willis, Kelly Rowland, Lil' Wayne,Kylie Minogue, Kelis, Madonna, Kid Cudi, Estelle, Fergie, Amy Palmer, K'naan, will.i.am, LMFAO, Soraya Arnelas, Dane Bowers, Martha Mancera, Flo Rida, Julie Mcknight and apl.de.ap.
http://wn.com/David_Guetta -
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer-songwriter, composer and pianist. He has worked with his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date.
http://wn.com/Elton_John -
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage name Eminem, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The following album, The Marshall Mathers LP, became the fastest-selling solo album in United States history. It brought Eminem increased popularity, including his own record label, Shady Records, and brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition.
http://wn.com/Eminem -
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans (born June 10, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and author. Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Evans moved to Los Angeles in 1993 for a career in the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B. Sure, and Christopher Williams, she became the first female artist to be signed to Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label in 1994, on which she released three platinum-certified studio albums between the years of 1995 and 2001. In 2003, she left the label to sign with Capitol Records.She released one studio album and a christmas compilation on the label before leaving and signing with E1 Entertainment in 2009.
http://wn.com/Faith_Evans -
Fergie (singer)
Stacy Ann Ferguson (born March 27, 1975), better known by her stage name Fergie, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, fashion designer and actress. She was a member of the children's television series Kids Incorporated, and the girl group Wild Orchid. She is the female vocalist for the hip hop group the The Black Eyed Peas with whom she has attained much charting success worldwide. Her own debut album spawned four Billboard Hot 100 top five singles, three of which went to number one.
http://wn.com/Fergie_(singer) -
Five (band)
Five (also known as 5ive) were an English boyband put together in 1997 by the same team that formed the Spice Girls. The five members were Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville, J Brown, Abz Love and Sean Conlon. Signed by Simon Cowell, they enjoyed great success worldwide, but particularly in the UK, parts of Europe and Asia, Russia, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. They split up on 27 September 2001, after selling almost 20 million records, and having eleven top ten singles and four top ten albums in the UK. Four of the five original members, Scott, Abs, Ritchie and J briefly reformed the group without Sean on 27 September 2006, with a new management team headed by music manager Richard Beck. Seven months later, having secured a lucrative tour, but failing to gain enough record company interest, Five made an announcement via their official website they would again disband.
http://wn.com/Five_(band) -
Freddy Fender
Freddy Fender (June 4, 1937 – October 14, 2006), born Baldemar Garza Huerta in San Benito, Texas, United States, was an American Tejano, country and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados. He is best known for his 1975 hits "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and the subsequent remake of his own "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights".
http://wn.com/Freddy_Fender -
Geri Halliwell
Geraldine Estelle "Geri" Halliwell (born 6 August 1972) is an English pop singer-songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. After coming to international prominence as a member of the girl group, the Spice Girls, Halliwell launched her solo career and released her debut album Schizophonic. Since then she has released two more studio albums — Scream If You Wanna Go Faster and Passion — and four number one singles at the UK Singles Chart, "Mi Chico Latino", "Lift Me Up", "Bag It Up" and "It's Raining Men". In 2008 Halliwell published a book series named Ugenia Lavender. As a solo artist Halliwell has sold 12 million records worldwide and been nominated for Brit Awards in both 2000 and 2002.
http://wn.com/Geri_Halliwell -
Gin Wigmore
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore (born 6 June 1986) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. In 2009, she featured in the song "Brother" by Smashproof, which reached #1 on the official RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks.
http://wn.com/Gin_Wigmore -
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian (born 26 October 1981) is an Australian pop, R&B;, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is now also a judge on the Australian version of The X-Factor. Sebastian has released five top 10 albums including a No.1 and 2, which have all achieved either platinum or multi platinum accreditation. He has also released six top 10 singles which includes four No. 1's, and three other top 15 singles. He is the only Australian male vocalist in ARIA Chart history to achieve four No. 1 singles. With over 1.6 million CD sales in Australia alone and 21 platinum and 2 gold ARIA accreditations, Sebastian has the highest sales and accreditations of any Australian Idol contestant.
http://wn.com/Guy_Sebastian -
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), often nicknamed J.Lo, is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, fashion designer and television producer. She is the richest person of Latin American descent in Hollywood according to Forbes, and the most influential Hispanic entertainer in the U.S. according to People en Españols list of "100 Most Influential Hispanics". She her media fame into a fashion line and various perfumes with her celebrity endorsement. Outside of her work in the entertainment industry, Lopez advocates human rights, vaccinations and is a supporter of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
http://wn.com/Jennifer_Lopez -
Jessie J
http://wn.com/Jessie_J -
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks (born December 22, 1989) is an American pop/R&B; singer, songwriter, humanitarian, and actress from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner. She followed her American Idol victory with the release of her self-titled debut album in 2007, which has gone platinum and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Sparks' second single, "No Air", which features Chris Brown, is the song with the most paid downloads by any American Idol contestant, selling about 4 million digital copies worldwide. Due to the success of her debut album and its four top 20 singles, she has won an American Music Award in 2008 and received her first Grammy nomination in 2009.
http://wn.com/Jordin_Sparks -
Katy Perry
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress. Perry was born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents; she grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a music career. She released a self-titled gospel album in 2001 as Katy Hudson which failed with the closing of its record label that year. She recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed most of a solo album from 2004–2005, neither of which was released.
http://wn.com/Katy_Perry -
Kiki Dee
Kiki Dee (born Pauline Matthews, 6 March 1947, Little Horton, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England) is a singer-songwriter, with a career spanning more than 40 years.
http://wn.com/Kiki_Dee -
Lady Gaga
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), better known by the stage name Lady Gaga, is an American recording artist. She began performing in the rock music scene of New York City's Lower East Side in 2003 and enrolled at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She soon signed with Streamline Records, an imprint of Interscope Records. During her early time at Interscope, she worked as a songwriter for fellow label artists and captured the attention of Akon, who recognized her vocal abilities, and signed her to his own label, Kon Live Distribution.
http://wn.com/Lady_Gaga -
Lou Bega
David Lubega (born April 13, 1975), also known as Lou Bega, is a German musician of Italian and Ugandan descent, and is famous for his song "Mambo No. 5". This song is a remake of the Perez Prado instrumental from 1949. Bega added his own words to the song and sampled the original version extensively.
http://wn.com/Lou_Bega -
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is an American R&B; singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. She made her recording debut, in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following her marriage to Mottola, in 1993, a series of hit records established her position as Columbia's highest-selling act. In 1998, Carey received the World Music Awards for becoming the "World's Best Selling Recording Artist of the 1990's" as well as the award for "World's Best Selling R&B; Artist."
http://wn.com/Mariah_Carey -
Matthew Saunoa
Matthew Saunoa (born 1986) is a New Zealand Pop/R&B; singer who won the third season of NZ Idol, in 2006.
http://wn.com/Matthew_Saunoa -
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and philanthropist. Referred to as the King of Pop, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contribution to music, dance and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in the mid-1960s, and began his solo career in 1971.
http://wn.com/Michael_Jackson -
Mýa
Mýa Marie Harrison (born October 10, 1979), who performs under the mononym Mýa is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, actress, and model. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Harrison's eponymous debut album with Interscope Records was released in April 1998, and sold over one million copies in the United States, producing the gold-certified top ten single "It's All About Me" featuring Sisqo.
http://wn.com/Mýa -
Neil Finn
Neil (christened Cornelius ) Mullane Finn, OBE (born 27 May 1958) is a pop recording artist and one of New Zealand's foremost popular musicians. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House. He has also recorded several successful solo albums and assembled diverse musicians for the 7 Worlds Collide projects.
http://wn.com/Neil_Finn -
P-Money
Peter Wadams, better known by his stage name P-Money, is a New Zealand hip-hop DJ and producer. His most notable work is on the hit song "Everything" featuring New Zealand R&B; singer Vince Harder, which reached number one on the RIANZ Singles Charts for three weeks in 2008.
http://wn.com/P-Money -
Puff Daddy
http://wn.com/Puff_Daddy -
R Kelly
http://wn.com/R_Kelly -
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating (born 3 March 1977) is an Irish singer-songwriter, occasional actor, composer, musician, and television-radio personality. Keating made his debut, alongside with Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and resulted in 7 studio albums. Keating gained worldwide attention when his single "When You Say Nothing at All" was featured in the film Notting Hill and peaked at number one in several charts.
http://wn.com/Ronan_Keating -
Rosita Vai
Rosita Vai (born June 4, 1981 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a singer who rose to popularity after winning the second season of NZ Idol. Prior to her win, Rosita managed to stay out of the 'bottom 3' for the entire competition. She also appeared on TV2's Pop's Ultimate Star, which featured various winners from New Zealand Idol and PopStars, however she was voted out in the second week.
http://wn.com/Rosita_Vai -
Sean Kingston
Sean Kingston (born Kisean Anderson on February 3, 1990) is an Jamaican-American singer and rapper. Kingston was born in Miami in the United States and spent part of his childhood in Jamaica. He returned to the U.S. to pursue a music career and debuted in 2007 with Sean Kingston.
http://wn.com/Sean_Kingston -
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), known professionally as Shakira (, or ), is a Colombian singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, and philanthropist who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira revealed many of her talents in school as a live performer, demonstrating her vocal ability with rock and roll, Latin and Middle Eastern influences with her own original twist on belly dancing. Shakira is a native Spanish speaker and also speaks fluent English and Portuguese and is proficient in Italian.
http://wn.com/Shakira -
Shania Twain
Shania Twain, OC (; born Eilleen Regina Edwards; August 28, 1965) is a Canadian country pop singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in the mid 1990s with her album The Woman In Me (1995), and achieved worldwide success with her 1997 album Come On Over, which became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician, and the best selling country album of all time. The album Come on Over has sold over 39 million copies worldwide. Come on Over is also the 9th bestselling album in the U.S.
http://wn.com/Shania_Twain -
Smashproof
Smashproof is a New Zealand R&B;/Rap male group. Smashproof consists of Young Sid, Tyree and Deach. They are known for the song "Brother" which has spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart in 2009. The song "Brother" features Gin Wigmore.
http://wn.com/Smashproof -
Stan Walker
Stan Roto Walker (born 23 October 1990), is an Australian/New Zealand pop-R&B; recording artist. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Walker auditioned for the seventh series of Australian Idol (2009) and became the winner. After Idol he subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. His debut single, "Black Box" was released in November 2009 and became Walker's first number one single in New Zealand and gained double platinum accreditations in both Australia and New Zealand. It was followed by the release of his debut album, Introducing... Stan Walker which gained four platinum accreditations, including three from New Zealand. His second studio album, From the Inside Out was released in August 2010 and debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart and gained a gold accreditation. It also debuted in Australia at number two.
http://wn.com/Stan_Walker -
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm (born September 30, 1985), better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor. He began his career as a rapper in the group Nappy Headz. In 2005, he became a singer and released his debut album Rappa Ternt Sanga. Throughout his career as a singer, T-Pain has extensively used the Auto-Tune pitch correction effect. Since the release of his debut album, T-Pain has produced numerous hits of his own and for other rappers and R&B; singers. In 2008, he won a Grammy with rapper Kanye West for the single "Good Life". In 2010, he won another Grammy with Jamie Foxx for the single "Blame It". T-Pain is also the founder of the record label Nappy Boy Entertainment, established in 2005.
http://wn.com/T-Pain -
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (born August 9, 1963) is an American R&B;/Pop singer, actress, and former fashion model. A relative of several soul singers, including her mother Cissy Houston, cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and close family friend Aretha Franklin, Houston began singing at her New Jersey church as a member of a junior gospel choir at age eleven. After she began performing alongside her mother at night clubs in the New York City area, she was discovered by Arista Records label head Clive Davis. Houston has released studio albums and movie soundtrack albums throughout her career, all of which have had diamond, multi-platinum, platinum, or gold certification.
http://wn.com/Whitney_Houston
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Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area (commonly ), in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with a population approaching 1.4 million residents, percent of the country's population. Demographic trends indicate that it will continue to grow faster than the rest of the country. Increasingly cosmopolitan, Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world, and has seen many people of Asian ethnicity move there in the last two decades. In Māori Auckland's name is Tāmaki-makau-rau, or the transliterated version of Auckland, Ākarana.
http://wn.com/Auckland -
New Zealand
{{Infobox Country
http://wn.com/New_Zealand -
Penny Lane
"Penny Lane" is a song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon/McCartney. Recorded during the Sgt. Pepper sessions, "Penny Lane" was released in February 1967 as one side of a double A-sided single, along with "Strawberry Fields Forever". The song was later included on the Magical Mystery Tour LP (1967). The single was the result of the record company wanting a new release after several months of no new Beatles releases. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #449 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
http://wn.com/Penny_Lane
- 5ive
- 65 Roses
- ABBA
- Akon
- All I Ask
- All Saints
- All You Need Is Love
- Angel of Harlem
- Aqua (band)
- Auckland
- Avalanche City
- Avril Lavigne
- Axel F
- B*Witched
- B.o.B
- Barbie Girl
- Bardot (band)
- Beat It
- Beautiful Liar
- Bee Gees
- Believe (Cher song)
- Ben Lummis
- Beyoncé Knowles
- Billie Jean
- Black Box (song)
- Black Eyed Peas
- Black Or White
- Boney M.
- Boom Boom Boom Boom
- Born This Way (song)
- Boyband
- Boyz II Men
- Boyzone
- Break My Stride
- Britney Spears
- Busta Rhymes
- California Gurls
- Can You Hear Us?
- Candle in the Wind
- Cher
- Chiquitita
- Clay Aiken
- Cobra Starship
- Come Together
- Crazy Frog
- Crocodile Rock
- Dancing Queen
- David Guetta
- Desire (U2 song)
- Discotheque
- Discothèque (song)
- Don't Cha
- Don't Matter
- E.T. (song)
- Eleanor Rigby
- Elton John
- EMI Music
- Eminem
- Endless Love (song)
- Everybody Get Up
- Faith Evans
- Fergie (singer)
- Fernando (song)
- Firework (song)
- Five (band)
- Freddy Fender
- Geri Halliwell
- Get Back
- Gin Wigmore
- Give In To Me
- Guy Sebastian
- Gwen Stefani
- Hanson (band)
- Hello, Goodbye
- Hey Jude
- Hold It Against Me
- I Believe I Can Fly
- I Gotta Feeling
- I Kissed A Girl
- I Shot the Sheriff
- I Started A Joke
- I'll Be Missing You
- If Ya Gettin' Down
- If You Had My Love
- In da Club
- Jay-Z
- Jennifer Lopez
- Jessie J
- Jordin Sparks
- Just Lose It
- K-Ci and JoJo
- Katy Perry
- Kiki Dee
- Lady Gaga
- Lady Madonna
- Let It Be
- LMFAO (group)
- London Bridge (song)
- Lonely (Akon song)
- Lose Yourself
- Lou Bega
- Love the Way You Lie
- Lovefool
- Mambo No. 5
- Mariah Carey
- Matthew Saunoa
- Michael Jackson
- Michelle (song)
- Mississippi (song)
- MMMBop
- Mo Thugs
- Money, Money, Money
- Music industry
- musician
- My Band
- My Humps
- Mýa
- Neil Finn
- New Zealand
- Nikita (song)
- No Air
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- Ol' Dirty Bastard
- One Sweet Day
- One Tree Hill (song)
- P-Money
- Paperback Writer
- Party Rock Anthem
- Penny Lane
- Poison (Bardot song)
- PPNZ
- Pras Michel
- Price Tag
- Puff Daddy
- Pussycat Dolls
- R Kelly
- record label
- record producers
- Remember the Time
- Revolution (song)
- Rihanna
- Rivers of Babylon
- Ronan Keating
- Rosita Vai
- Run It!
- S Club 7
- Savage (rapper)
- Scream/Childhood
- Screaming Meemees
- Scribe
- Scribe (rapper)
- Sean Kingston
- See Me Go
- Sexy Bitch
- Shakira
- Shalala Lala
- Shania Twain
- Smack That
- Smashproof
- So Damn Beautiful
- Something
- Sony Music
- SOS (ABBA song)
- Spice Girls
- Stan Walker
- Stayin' Alive
- Stop the Music
- T-Pain
- Teenage Dream (song)
- The Beatles
- The Black Eyed Peas
- The Cardigans
- The Fly (U2 song)
- The Naked and Famous
- The Sweet Escape
- The Time (Dirty Bit)
- Thug Devotion
- Tony Orlando & Dawn
- Too Much Heaven
- Touch It
- Tragedy (song)
- TrueBliss
- Two in a Million
- U2
- UB40
- Unique II
- various
- Vengaboys
- Vision of Love
- Viva Forever
- Warner Music
- Warren G
- We Are the World
- We Made You
- Where Is the Love?
- Whitney Houston
- Without Me
- Wolverines
- Yeah 3x
- You Are Not Alone
- You Make Me Feel...
- You Really Got Me
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Penchak " Irama Lagu Melayu - Remix & Jem By Rianz
This is just the draft remix & composition i will bring to Japan.Changers will be made soon when pacticing and performing live with the orchestra.Thx for listening.
http://wn.com/Penchak__Irama_Lagu_Melayu__Remix_Jem_By_Rianz
![RIA- Strictly for RIANZ ONLY!!! [Roadshow HAI-HOTFM 21/12/08 Summit USJ] RIZ NADIA](http://web.archive.org./web/20120216000237im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jN_yRXLXwfo/0.jpg "RIA- Strictly for RIANZ ONLY!!! [Roadshow HAI-HOTFM 21/12/08 Summit USJ] RIZ NADIA")
RIA- Strictly for RIANZ ONLY!!! [Roadshow HAI-HOTFM 21/12/08 Summit USJ] RIZ NADIA
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:44
- Published: 10 Jan 2009
- Uploaded: 26 Aug 2010
- Author: riachannel
Ahaks!! This is what happens when the camera rolled behind the scenes. Sorry for any inconvenience.. hehehe.. Met with kak Nienalyza (dress in turquoise), she was supposed to join us for the Riz b'day bash but couldn't make it becoz of personal reason.. Credit to co-vidcam gal of the day, Hanee for the capture. Originally the scene length is about 25 mins but cut short to 10 mins..SO ENJOY & KEEP VOTING FOR THEM!
http://wn.com/RIA_Strictly_for_RIANZ_ONLY!!!_ Roadshow_HAI-HOTFM_21/12/08_Summit_USJ _RIZ_NADIA
Lagu Ciptaan Sendiri - Never Say Die - By Rianz
My original composition on my Telecaster R1 Signature Series...Thx for listening
http://wn.com/Lagu_Ciptaan_Sendiri__Never_Say_Die__By_Rianz
RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010 featuring J Williams and The Naked and Famous
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:18
- Published: 17 Jun 2010
- Uploaded: 27 Aug 2010
- Author: lovemusicnz
Check out a video from the RIANZ Create, Protect, Respect - Artist to Schools Tour 2010. Featuring J Williams and the Naked and Famous.
http://wn.com/RIANZ_Artist_to_Schools_Tour_2010_featuring_J_Williams_and_The_Naked_and_Famous
Rajat Tokas World presents second issue of magazine (Muah), (The-Rianz)
second issue of magazine (Muah), (The-Rianz) to fans Rajat Tokas rajattokasworld Many subjects News Rajat Tokas, Art News, Facts, kitchen, Fashion, etc. ..........
http://wn.com/Rajat_Tokas_World_presents_second_issue_of_magazine_Muah,_The-Rianz
Keiko Matsui - The Garden - Jem By Rianz
Well...just jemin'
http://wn.com/Keiko_Matsui__The_Garden__Jem_By_Rianz
Speed Metal - Jem By Rianz ( Backtrack )
Juz jem on one of the backtrack in youtube...thx for listening
http://wn.com/Speed_Metal__Jem_By_Rianz__Backtrack_
ESP Tiger Sunburst George Lynch - Jem by Rianz
Jem on my Esp Tiger Burst Guitar.Just for fun. . Thx for viewing and rock on.
http://wn.com/ESP_Tiger_Sunburst_George_Lynch__Jem_by_Rianz
Journey - Separate Ways - Jem by Rianz
Juz jemin...thx for viewing.. :)
http://wn.com/Journey__Separate_Ways__Jem_by_Rianz
Jazz Jam - By Rianz On Gibson Les Paul
Btw just jem on jazz...my simple playing...thx for listening.
http://wn.com/Jazz_Jam__By_Rianz_On_Gibson_Les_Paul
Rajat Tokas World presents Third issue of magazine (Muah), (The-Rianz.avi
Rajat Tokas World presents Third issue of magazine (Muah), (The-Rianz. ,Happy Valentine ,holi
http://wn.com/Rajat_Tokas_World_presents_Third_issue_of_magazine_Muah,_The-Rianzavi
ENDLESS NITE with RIZ&NADIA; - Rianz Post Party
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:16
- Published: 23 Aug 2008
- Uploaded: 10 May 2011
- Author: riachannel
SUITE 602 15/08/08 Hotel Singgahsana, PJ CHECK OUT THE (FULL VERSION) VCD SOON!! "When the impossible becomes reality!!" The very first dinner show organized by RIZ & NADIA's fans. This is a history in the making as this would be the very first time individual fans group together to organize a dinner show for all fans to be entertained by their favorite singers.
http://wn.com/ENDLESS_NITE_with_RIZ&NADIA;__Rianz_Post_Party
Holy Diver - Just My Inspiration & Tribute To Ronnie James Dio - Jem By Rianz
Just jem on one of the legendary , The Legend " Late Ronnie James Dio " - Holy Diver...thx for listening.
http://wn.com/Holy_Diver__Just_My_Inspiration_Tribute_To_Ronnie_James_Dio__Jem_By_Rianz
rianz designz
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:36
- Published: 26 Apr 2007
- Uploaded: 09 Sep 2008
- Author: RIANZDESIGNZ
me nd my pics
http://wn.com/rianz_designz
Rajat Tokas World presents Fourth issue of magazine (Muah), (The-Rianz.)
This is video announcement magazine (Muah) and (The-Rianz) Fourth Edition,Movie
http://wn.com/Rajat_Tokas_World_presents_Fourth_issue_of_magazine_Muah,_The-Rianz
Where did you learn to play the keyboard and sampler? - RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:40
- Published: 30 Jun 2010
- Uploaded: 01 Jul 2010
- Author: lovemusicnz
The Naked and Famous answer the question "Where did you learn to play the keyboard and sampler?" during a question and answer session at the RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010.
http://wn.com/Where_did_you_learn_to_play_the_keyboard_and_sampler?__RIANZ_Artist_to_Schools_Tour_2010
Blue Bug By Milan Polak T-Rex - Jem Just For Fun By Rianz
Just jemin for fun on Milan Palok's backtrack..Thx for listening
http://wn.com/Blue_Bug_By_Milan_Polak_T-Rex__Jem_Just_For_Fun_By_Rianz
Still Of The Night - Whitesnake Cover & Jem By Rianz.
Juz jeming on one of the legendary band from Whitesnake...thx for listening.
http://wn.com/Still_Of_The_Night__Whitesnake_Cover_Jem_By_Rianz
Warmoth Telecaster - Just Jemin - By Rianz
Just jemin my Warmoth Telecaster
http://wn.com/Warmoth_Telecaster__Just_Jemin__By_Rianz
How does an underground New Zealand artist get noticed? - RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:39
- Published: 30 Jun 2010
- Uploaded: 02 Aug 2010
- Author: lovemusicnz
The Naked and Famous answer the question "How does an underground New Zealand artist get noticed?" during a question and answer session at the RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010.
http://wn.com/How_does_an_underground_New_Zealand_artist_get_noticed?__RIANZ_Artist_to_Schools_Tour_2010
Tribute To Def Lepard - Pour Some Sugar On Me - Jem & Improved By Rianz
Juz a tribute to Def Lepard at my own style simple demo...Thx for listening
http://wn.com/Tribute_To_Def_Lepard__Pour_Some_Sugar_On_Me__Jem_Improved_By_Rianz
Lagu Ciptaan Sendiri - Poker - By Rianz.
My simple original composition on my guitar...thx for listening
http://wn.com/Lagu_Ciptaan_Sendiri__Poker__By_Rianz
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RIANZ Announces Technical Awards Finalists
15 Aug 2011
Scoop
Monday, 15 August 2011, 10:57 am Press Release: Pead PR News release technical – 1 August 15, 2011 RIANZ Announces Technical Awards Finalists NZ artists show they are just as good behind the scenes as they are on stage The first round of finalists in the 46th Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards...(size: 4.6Kb)
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15 Feb 2011
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RIANZ chief moves on
02 Feb 2011
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23 Jul 2010
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04 Apr 2007
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RIANZ and NZFA©T Sign Landmark Agreement
23 Apr 2006
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| Coordinates | 55°45′06″N37°37′04″N |
|---|---|
| non-profit name | Recording Industry Association of New Zealand |
| non-profit logo | |
| location | Auckland, New Zealand |
| key people | Adam Holt, President; Campbell Smith, CEO |
| homepage | rianz.org.nz |
| footnotes | }} |
Piracy
The RIANZ was instrumental in attempting to introduce a possible version of Section 92A Copyright Act. The amendment would have required ISPs in New Zealand to disconnect users ''accused'' but not convicted of downloading copyrighted material - the first law of its type in the world. The amendment and consequently the RIANZ's actions have been widely criticised. ISPs described the law as "a deeply flawed law that undermines the fundamental rights and simply will not work", while thousands of artists have joined the Campaign for Fair Copyright voicing their "disappointment" at the RIANZ stance. However, the version was ultimately dropped, and a new s92A has subsequently been proposed.
Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards are conferred annually by RIANZ for outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording field. The awards are one of the biggest awards that a group or artist can receive in music in New Zealand. The awards have been presented every year since 1965 and a precise history of the event can be found here.
Sales charts
RIANZ releases the official New Zealand singles and album charts. The Top 40 Singles Chart consists of data from both singles sales figures and radio play (''airplay'') information gathered by radio data collection agency Radioscope; sales (including downloads) take up 75%, with airplay taking up the other 25%.Prior to 2004, RIANZ also published an annual ranking chart of singles and albums released in New Zealand. Position is awarded by a simple scoring system whereby a number one in one week gets 50 points, a number two gets 49 points and so on, then all weeks are added together. From 2004 onwards, however, the annual charts have songs positioned based on the number of sales for that year.
Since April 2007, the charts are displayed and archived at the website radioscope.net.nz which lists 13 different charts, most notably RadioScope100 and NZ40 Airplay Chart.
RIANZ certifications
A music single or album qualifies for a platinum certification if it exceeds 15,000 copies shipped to retailers and a gold certification for 7,500 copies shipped.For music DVDs (formerly videos), a gold accreditation originally represented 2,500 copies shipped, with a platinum accreditation representing 5,000 units shipped.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;" border="1" |+ Shipping thresholds for RIANZ accreditations, by format ! scope="col"| Format / product ! scope="col"| Gold ! scope="col"| Platinum |- ! scope="row"| Albums and singles | 7,500 | 15,000 |- ! scope="row"| Music DVDs | 2,500 | 5,000 |}
Performance rights
The public performance and broadcast rights of RIANZ members (which are restricted rights under New Zealand law) is administered on those members' behalf by the not-for-profit licensing company PPNZ. PPNZ administers the rights of local and international record labels, recording artists and sound recording distributors within the New Zealand territory.PPNZ is responsible for licensing and collecting income from the broadcasting and public performance of sound and video recordings, and distributing this income back to rights owners (including, but not limited to, RIANZ members). PPNZ can grant licences to any individual or business playing or using recorded music in the public arena (i.e. non domestic) such as bars, cafes, retail shops, salons, telephone "on-hold" systems, sports grounds, broadcasters, gyms, function centres and many other premises where performance of recorded music takes place.
Other activities
RIANZ is the New Zealand International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) national agency, and allocates the Country and First Owner Codes to members for encoding on all audio and audio-visual recordings, as a method of identification.RIANZ is a member of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and is affiliated with, other national recording industry groups like the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
RIANZ works closely with the NZ Federation Against Copyright Theft (NZFACT) which represents film producers. NZFACT is affiliated with the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
Chart records
===Artists with the most number-one hits=== :1. The Beatles (15) :2. Michael Jackson (10) :3. U2 (8) :4. Akon (7) (tie) :4. Bee Gees (7) (tie) :4. Eminem (7) (tie) :4. Mariah Carey (7) (tie) :8. ABBA (6) (tie) :8. The Black Eyed Peas (6) (tie) :8. Chris Brown (6) (tie) :8. Elton John (6) (tie) :8. Katy Perry (6) (tie)
Number-one debuts
Singles with most weeks at #1
; 14 weeks; 10 weeks
References
External links
Category:Record charts Category:New Zealand music Category:Non-profit organisations based in New Zealand
az:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand cs:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand da:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand es:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand fr:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand hr:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand id:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand it:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand lt:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand mk:Музичка Индустриска Асоцијација на Нов Зеланд pt:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand ru:Новозеландская ассоциация звукозаписывающих компаний simple:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand sh:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand sv:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand tr:Recording Industry Association of New Zealand uk:Новозеландська асоціація компаній звукозапису vi:Hiệp hội Công nghiệp ghi âm New ZealandThis text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
| Coordinates | 55°45′06″N37°37′04″N |
|---|---|
| name | Rajat Tokas |
| birth date | July 19, 1993 |
| birth place | Munirka, Delhi |
| years active | 2006 – present |
| occupation | Actor |
| death date | |
| known for | ''Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan''. }} |
Early life and education
Rajat Tokas was born in Munirka, South Delhi to Ramvir and Pramila Tokas. He studied in the Hope Hall Foundation School , R. K. Puram, Delhi. Due to his hectic schedule as an actor, he began studying through correspondence. His Father encouraged him to pursue acting as his career.
Early Career
Rajat was earlier seen in some of the movies like Prerna, Godh Liye Dada Ji, Sajiv-Nirjiv, Kathputali, W.H.O, and Stumped.
Career breakthrough
When Rajat started showing some interest in Acting field. His father Ramvir Tokas left his job for his son's career. He was 15 when he went along with his dad to Mumbai to give auditions for Sagar Arts ''Sai Baba''. He got casted in the auditions and went to Baroda. He played the role of Tantya (Sai Baba's brother). The Sagar's then decided to launch their new serial - Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan on STAR Plus. They had decided that Rajat Tokas would play the role of Teen Prithviraj Chauhan for only a few episodes. But the ex - vice president of India - Shree Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was really impressed by this kid. The Sagar's then decided to increase his role. Rajat had aimed for a long inning. He played the role for more than 1 year, 200 episodes. He has a huge fan following. He learnt Sword Fighting and Karate especially for his role as Prithviraj Chauhan.He love's playing football, swimming and horse riding.
After Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan he worked in NDTV Imagine serial produced by Sagar Arts called ‘Dharam Veer’ where he plays the role of Veer. He appeared for a short Cameo as ‘Madhav Shastri’ (young Keshav Pandit) in Zee TV's show Keshav Pandit. His latest venture was in Ekta Kapoors star plus's show ‘Tere Liye’ where he played the role of Robindo Ganguly/ Robbie. The character portrayed grey and Chic shades.
The on screen Jodi (Pair) of Rajat Tokas and Mugdha Chaphekar created waves in the Hindi Television industry when they were paired together in the successful historical on Star Plus, Prithviraj Chauhan and Dharam Veer. The latest buzz is that the popular Jodi is apparently back again on the small screen with 24 Frames' show on Colors.
His main works are Jadui Chiraag, Light House For Children, Bongo, Mera Dost, Rahul, Ek Nazar Ki Tamanna, Hey Hawain, Khoj Khajane Ki, Abhivyakti and Saibaba.
TV Shows
Awards
References
External links
Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Indian television actors Category:People from Delhi Category:Jat people
hi:रजत टोकसThis text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
| Coordinates | 55°45′06″N37°37′04″N |
|---|---|
| background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| birth name | Lester William Polsfuss |
| born | June 09, 1915Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States |
| died | August 12, 2009White Plains, New York, United States |
| genre | Jazz, country, blues, rock and roll |
| occupation | Innovator, Inventor, Musician, Songwriter |
| instrument | Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica |
| years active | 1928–2009 |
| website | lespaulonline.com |
| notable instruments | Gibson Les Paul }} |
His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many guitarists of the present day. He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s, and they sold millions of records.
Among his many honors, Paul is one of a handful of artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is prominently named by the music museum on its website as an "architect" and a "key inductee" along with Sam Phillips and Alan Freed.
Biography
Early life
Les Paul was born Lester William Polsfuss outside Milwaukee, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to George and Evelyn (1888–1989) (née Stutz) Polsfus. His family was of German ancestry. Paul's mother was related to the founders of Milwaukee's Valentin Blatz Brewing Company and the makers of the Stutz automobile. His parents divorced when he was a child. The Prussia family name was first simplified by his mother to Polfuss before he took his stage name of Les Paul. He also used the nicknames Red Hot Red and Rhubarb Red.While living in Wisconsin, he first became interested in music at age eight when he began playing the harmonica. After an attempt at learning the banjo, he began to play the guitar. It was during this time that he invented a neck-worn harmonica holder, which allowed him to play the harmonica hands-free while accompanying himself on the guitar. Paul's device is still manufactured using his basic design. By age thirteen, Paul was performing semi-professionally as a country-music singer, guitarist and harmonica player. While playing at the Waukesha area drive-ins and roadhouses, Paul began his first experiment with sound. Wanting to make himself heard by more people at the local venues, he wired a phonograph needle to a radio speaker, using that to amplify his acoustic guitar. At age seventeen, Paul played with Rube Tronson's Texas Cowboys, and soon after he dropped out of high school to join Wolverton's Radio Band in St. Louis, Missouri, on KMOX.
Early career
Paul migrated to Chicago in 1934, where he continued to perform on radio. His first two records were released in 1936. One was credited to "Rhubarb Red", Paul's hillbilly ''alter ego'', and the other was as an accompanist for blues-artist Georgia White. It was during this time that he began playing jazz and adopted his stage name.Paul's jazz-guitar style was strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, whom he greatly admired. Following World War II, Paul sought out and befriended Reinhardt. After Reinhardt's death in 1953, Paul furnished his headstone. One of Paul's prize possessions was a Selmer Maccaferri acoustic guitar given to him by Reinhardt's widow.
Paul formed a trio in 1937 with singer/rhythm guitarist Jim Atkins (older half-brother of guitarist Chet Atkins) and bassist/percussionist Ernie "Darius" Newton. They left Chicago for New York in 1939, landing a featured spot with ''Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians'' radio show. Chet Atkins later wrote that his brother, home on a family visit, presented the younger Atkins with an expensive Gibson archtop guitar that had been given to Jim Atkins by Les Paul. Chet recalled that it was the first professional-quality instrument he ever owned.
Paul was dissatisfied with acoustic-electric guitars and began experimenting at his apartment in Queens, NY with a few designs of his own. Famously, he created several versions of "The Log", which was nothing more than a length of common 4x4 lumber with a bridge, guitar neck and pickup attached. For the sake of appearance, he attached the body of an Epiphone hollow-body guitar, sawn lengthwise with The Log in the middle. This solved his two main problems: feedback, as the acoustic body no longer resonated with the amplified sound, and sustain, as the energy of the strings was not dissipated in generating sound through the guitar body. These instruments were constantly being improved and modified over the years, and Paul continued to use them in his recordings long after the development of his eponymous Gibson model.
While experimenting in his apartment in 1940, Paul nearly succumbed to electrocution. During two years of recuperation, he relocated to Hollywood, supporting himself by producing radio music and forming a new trio. He was drafted into the US Army shortly after the beginning of World War II, where he served in the Armed Forces Network, backing such artists as Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, and performing in his own right. As a last-minute replacement for Oscar Moore, Paul played with Nat King Cole and other artists in the inaugural Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in Los Angeles, California, on July 2, 1944. The recording, still available as Jazz at the Philharmonic- the first concert- shows Paul at the top of his game, both in his solid four to the bar comping in the style of Freddie Green and for the originality of his solo lines. Paul's solo on 'Blues' is an astonishing tour de force and represents a memorable contest between himself and Nat 'King' Cole. Much later in his career, Paul declared that he had been the victor and that this had been conceded by Cole. His solo on Body and Soul is a fine demonstration both of his admiration for and emulation of the playing of Django Reinhardt, as well as his development of some very original lines.
Also that year, Paul's trio appeared on Bing Crosby's radio show. Crosby went on to sponsor Paul's recording experiments. The two also recorded together several times, including a 1945 number-one hit, "It's Been a Long, Long Time." In addition to backing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters and other artists, Paul's trio also recorded a few albums of their own on the Decca label in the late 1940s.
In January 1948, Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal automobile accident on an icy Route 66 just west of Davenport, Oklahoma. Mary Ford was driving the Buick convertible, which rolled several times down a creekbed; they were on their way back from Wisconsin to Los Angeles after performing at the opening of a restaurant owned by Paul's father. Doctors at Oklahoma City's Wesley Presbyterian Hospital told him that they could not rebuild his elbow so that he would regain movement; his arm would remain permanently in whatever position they placed it in. Their other option was amputation. Paul instructed surgeons, brought in from Los Angeles, to set his arm at an angle—just under 90 degrees—that would allow him to cradle and pick the guitar. It took him nearly a year and a half to recover.
Guitar builder
Paul's innovative guitar, "The Log", built after-hours in the Epiphone guitar factory in 1940, a 4" × 4" chunk of pine with strings and a pickup, was one of the first solid-body electric guitars. Paul Tutmarc of Audiovox Manufacturing Co. built a solid body electric bass in 1935 and Adolph Rickenbacker had marketed a solid-body guitar in the 1930s and Paul A. Bigsby had built one for Merle Travis in 1948 and Leo Fender also independently created his own in 1949. Although Paul approached the Gibson Guitar Corporation with his idea of a solid body electric guitar, they showed no interest until Fender began marketing its Esquire which later became known as the Telecaster models.The arrangement persisted until 1961, when declining sales prompted Gibson to change the design without Paul's knowledge, creating a much thinner, lighter and more aggressive-looking instrument with two cutaway "horns" instead of one. Paul said he first saw the "new" Gibson Les Paul in a music-store window, and disliked it. Although his contract required him to pose with the guitar, he said it was not "his" instrument and asked Gibson to remove his name from the headstock. Others claimed that Paul ended his endorsement contract with Gibson during his divorce to avoid having his wife get his endorsement money. Gibson renamed the guitar "Gibson SG", which stands for "Solid Guitar", and it also became one of the company's best sellers.
The original Gibson Les Paul-guitar design regained popularity when Eric Clapton began playing the instrument a few years later, although he also played an SG and an ES-335. Paul resumed his relationship with Gibson and endorsed the original Gibson Les Paul guitar from that point onwards. His personal Gibson Les Pauls were much modified by him—Paul always used his own self-wound pickups and customized methods of switching between pickups on his guitars. To this day, various models of Gibson Les Paul guitars are used all over the world by both novice and professional guitarists. A less-expensive version of the Gibson Les Paul guitar is also manufactured for Gibson's lower-priced Epiphone brand.
On January 30, 1962, the US Patent and Trademark Office issued Paul a patent, Patent No. 3,018,680, for an "Electrical Music Instrument."
Multitrack-recording innovations
Paul had never been happy with the way his records sounded. During a post-recording session talk with Bing Crosby, the crooner suggested Paul try building his own recording studio so he might be able to get the sound he wanted. At first Paul discounted the idea only to give it a few more minutes thought before deciding Crosby was right. Paul started his own studio in the garage of his home on Hollywood's North Curson Street. The studio drew many other famous vocalists and musicians who wanted the benefit of Paul's expertise. The home and studio are still standing, but both had been moved to Pasadena at some point after Paul no longer owned the home.In 1948, Les Paul was given one of the first Ampex Model 200A reel-to-reel audio tape recording decks by Crosby and went on to use Ampex's eight track "Sel-Sync" machines for Multitrack recording. Capitol Records released a recording that had begun as an experiment in Paul's garage, entitled "Lover (When You're Near Me)", which featured Paul playing eight different parts on electric guitar, some of them recorded at half-speed, hence "double-fast" when played back at normal speed for the master. ("Brazil", similarly recorded, was the B-side.) This was the first time that Les Paul used multitracking in a recording (Paul had been shopping his multitracking technique, unsuccessfully, since the '30s. Much to his dismay, Sidney Bechet used it in 1941 to play half a dozen instruments on "Sheik of Araby"). These recordings were made not with magnetic tape, but with acetate discs. Paul would record a track onto a disk, then record himself playing another part with the first. He built the multitrack recording with overlaid tracks, rather than parallel ones as he did later. By the time he had a result he was satisfied with, he had discarded some five hundred recording disks.
Paul even built his own disc-cutter assembly, based on automobile parts. He favored the flywheel from a Cadillac for its weight and flatness. Even in these early days, he used the acetate-disk setup to record parts at different speeds and with delay, resulting in his signature sound with echoes and birdsong-like guitar riffs. When he later began using magnetic tape, the major change was that he could take his recording rig on tour with him, even making episodes for his fifteen-minute radio show in his hotel room. He later worked with Ross Snyder in the design of the first eight-track recording deck (built for him by Ampex for his home studio.)
Electronics engineer Jack Mullin had been assigned to a U.S. Army Signal Corps unit stationed in France during World War II. On a mission in Germany near the end of the war, he acquired and later shipped home a German Magnetophon (tape recorder) and fifty reels of I.G. Farben plastic recording tape. Back in the U.S., Mullin rebuilt and developed the machine with the intention of selling it to the film industry, and held a series of demonstrations which quickly became the talk of the American audio industry.
Within a short time, Crosby had hired Mullin to record and produce his radio shows and master his studio recordings on tape, and he invested US$50,000 in a Northern California electronics firm, Ampex. With Crosby's backing, Mullin and Ampex created the Ampex Model 200, the world's first commercially produced reel-to-reel audio tape recorder. Crosby gave Les Paul the second Model 200 to be produced. Using this machine, Paul placed an additional playback head, located before the conventional erase/record/playback heads. This allowed Paul to play along with a previously recorded track, both of which were mixed together on to a new track. This was a mono tape recorder with just one track across the entire width of quarter-inch tape; thus, the recording was "destructive" in the sense that the original recording was permanently replaced with the new, mixed recording.
Paul's re-invention of the Ampex 200 inspired Ampex to develop two-track and three-track recorders, which allowed him to record as many tracks on one tape without erasing previous takes. These machines were the backbone of professional recording, radio and television studios in the 1950s and early 1960s. In 1954, Paul continued to develop this technology by commissioning Ampex to build the first 8-track (multitrack) tape recorder, at his own expense. His design became known as "Sel-Sync" (Selective Synchronization), in which specially modified electronics could either record or play back from the record head, which was not optimized for playback but which had acceptable sound quality for musicians to listen to for the purposes of recording an "overdub" (OD) in sync with the original recording. This is the core technology behind multitrack recording.
Les Paul & Mary Ford
Paul met country-western singer Colleen Summers in 1945. They began working together in 1948, at which time she adopted the stage name Mary Ford. They were married in 1949. The couple's hits included "How High the Moon", "Bye Bye Blues", "Song in Blue", "Don'cha Hear Them Bells", "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise", and "Vaya con Dios". These songs featured Ford harmonizing with herself.Like Crosby, Paul and Ford used the now-ubiquitous recording technique known as close miking, where the microphone is less than from the singer's mouth. This produces a more-intimate, less-reverberant sound than is heard when a singer is or more from the microphone. When implemented using a cardioid-patterned microphone, it emphasizes low-frequency sounds in the voice due to a cardioid microphone's proximity effect and can give a more relaxed feel because the performer isn't working so hard. The result is a singing style which diverged strongly from unamplified theater-style singing, as might be heard in musical comedies of the 1930s and 1940s.
Radio and television programs
Paul had hosted a fifteen-minute radio program, ''The Les Paul Show'', on NBC radio in 1950, featuring his trio (himself, Ford and rhythm player Eddie Stapleton) and his electronics, recorded from their home and with gentle humor between Paul and Ford bridging musical selections, some of which had already been successful on records, some of which anticipated the couple's recordings, and many of which presented re-interpretations of such jazz and pop selections as "In the Mood", "Little Rock Getaway", "Brazil" and "Tiger Rag". Over ten of these shows survive among old-time radio collectors today.The show also appeared on television a few years later with the same format, but excluding the trio and retitled ''The Les Paul & Mary Ford Show'' (also known as ''Les Paul & Mary Ford at Home'') with "Vaya Con Dios" as a theme song. Sponsored by Warner Lambert's Listerine mouthwash, it was widely syndicated during 1954–1955, and was only five minutes (one or two songs) long on film, therefore used as a brief interlude or fill-in in programming schedules. Since Paul created the entire show himself, including audio and video, he maintained the original recordings and was in the process of restoring them to current quality standards up until his death.
During his radio shows, Paul introduced the fictional "Les Paulverizer" device, which multiplies anything fed into it, like a guitar sound or a voice. Paul has stated that the idea was to explain to the audience how his single guitar could be multiplied to become a group of guitars. The device even became the subject of comedy, with Ford multiplying herself and her vacuum cleaner with it so she could finish the housework faster.
Later career
In 1965, Paul went into semi-retirement, although he did return to the studio occasionally. He and Ford had divorced in December 1962, as she could no longer cope with the traveling lifestyle their act required of them. Paul's most-recognizable recordings from then through the mid-1970s were an album for London Records/Phase 4 Stereo, ''Les Paul Now'' (1968), on which he updated some of his earlier hits; and, backed by some of Nashville's celebrated studio musicians, a meld of jazz and country improvisation with fellow guitar virtuoso Chet Atkins, ''Chester and Lester'' (1976), for RCA Victor.By the late 1980s, Paul had returned to active live performance, continuing into his 80s even though he often found it painful to play the guitar because of arthritis in his hands. In 2006, at age 90, he won two Grammys at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards for his album ''Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played''. He also performed every Monday night, accompanied by a trio which included guitarist Lou Pallo, bassist Paul Nowinksi (and later, Nicki Parrott) and pianist John Colianni, originally at Fat Tuesdays, and later at the Iridium Jazz Club on Broadway in the Times Square area of New York City.
Composer Richard Stein (1909–1992) sued Paul for plagiarism, charging that Paul's "Johnny (Is the Boy for Me)" was taken from Stein's 1937 song "Sanie cu zurgălăi" (Romanian for "Sledge with Bells"). A 2000 cover version of "Johnny" by Belgian musical group Vaya Con Dios that credited Paul prompted another action by the Romanian Musical Performing and Mechanical Rights Society.
For many years Les Paul would sometimes surprise radio hosts Steve King and Johnnie Putman with a call to the "Life After Dark Show" on WGN (AM) in Chicago. These calls would take place in the wee hours of Tuesday Morning following his show at the Iridium Jazz Club. Steve and Johnnie continue to honor Les on Tuesday Mornings at 2:35 AM with their segment "A Little More Les" drawing from around 30 hours of recorded conversations with Les.
Death
On August 12, 2009, Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. His family and friends were by his side. Paul is survived by his four children and his companion Arlene Palmer. His attorney told the media Paul had been "in and out of the hospital" because of illness. His last concert took place a few weeks before his death.Upon learning of his death many artists and popular musicians paid tribute by publicly expressing their sorrow. After learning of Paul's death, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash called him "vibrant and full of positive energy.", while Richie Sambora, lead guitarist of Bon Jovi, referred to him as "revolutionary in the music business". U2 guitarist The Edge said, "His legacy as a musician and inventor will live on and his influence on rock and roll will never be forgotten."
On August 21, 2009, he was buried near Milwaukee in Waukesha, Wisconsin at Prairie Home Cemetery which indicated that his plot would be in an area where visitors can easily view it. Like his funeral in New York on August 19, the burial was private, but earlier in the day a public memorial viewing of the closed casket was held in Milwaukee at Discovery World with 1,500 attendees who were offered free admission to the Les Paul House of Sound exhibit for the day.
Awards and honors
Paul was initiated into the Gamma Delta chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at the University of Miami in 1952. He has earned the Presidential award from the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.In 1979, Paul and Ford's 1951 recording of "How High the Moon" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Paul received a Grammy Trustees Award for his lifetime achievements in 1983.
In 1988, Paul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Jeff Beck, who said, "I've copied more licks from Les Paul than I'd like to admit." In 1991, the Mix Foundation established an annual award in his name; the Les Paul Award which honors "individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio technology". In 2005, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his development of the solid-body electric guitar. In 2006, Paul was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was named an honorary member of the Audio Engineering Society. In 2007, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
A one-hour biographical documentary film ''The Wizard of Waukesha'' was shown at the Los Angeles International Film Exposition (FILMEX) March 4–21, 1980, and later on PBS television. A biographical, feature-length documentary titled ''Chasing Sound: Les Paul at 90'' made its world première on May 9, 2007, at the Downer Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Paul appeared at the event and spoke briefly to the enthusiastic crowd. The film is distributed by Koch Entertainment and was broadcast on PBS on July 11, 2007, as part of its American Masters series and was broadcast on October 17, 2008, on BBC Four as part of its Guitar Night. The première coincided with the final part of a three-part documentary by the BBC broadcast on BBC ONE ''The Story of the Guitar''.
In June 2008, an exhibit showcasing his legacy and featuring items from his personal collection opened at Discovery World in Milwaukee. The exhibit was facilitated by a group of local musicians under the name Partnership for the Arts and Creative Excellence (PACE). Paul played a concert in Milwaukee to coincide with the opening of the exhibit.
Paul's hometown of Waukesha is planning a permanent exhibit to be called "The Les Paul experience."
In July 2005, a 90th-birthday tribute concert was held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. After performances by Steve Miller, Peter Frampton, Jose Feliciano and a number of other contemporary guitarists and vocalists, Paul was presented with a commemorative guitar from the Gibson Guitar Corporation.
On November 15, 2008, he received the American Music Masters award through the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a tribute concert at the State Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. Among the many guest performers were Duane Eddy, Eric Carmen, Lonnie Mack, Jennifer Batten, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Dennis Coffey, James Burton, Billy Gibbons, Lenny Kaye, Steve Lukather, Barbara Lynn, Katy Moffatt, Alannah Myles, Richie Sambora, The Ventures and Slash.
In February 2009, only months prior to his death, Les Paul sat down with Scott Vollweiler of Broken Records Magazine, in which would be one of Les Paul's final interviews. His candid answers were direct and emotional. Broken Records Magazine had planned to run that cover feature the following month but due to delays was held until the summer. 3 days before the release, Les Paul died. The issue would be his final cover feature of his storied career.
In August, 2009, Paul was named one of the ten best electric guitar players of all-time by ''Time'' magazine.
On June 9, 2010, which would have been Les Paul's 95th birthday, a tribute concert featuring Jeff Beck, Imelda May, Gary U.S. Bonds and Brian Setzer among others, was held at the Iridium Jazz Club where Les Paul played nearly every week almost to the end of his life. The concert was released on the live album Rock 'n' Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul) in 2011.
On June 9–10, 2011 Google celebrated what would have been Paul's 96th birthday with a Google doodle of an interactive guitar.
Personal life
Paul married Virginia Webb in 1938. They had two children, Gene (Lester Jr.), born in 1941 and named after actor-songwriter Gene Lockhart, and Russell (Rusty), born 1944, before divorcing in 1949. Later that year, Paul and Mary Ford (born Iris Colleen Summers) were married. They adopted a girl, Colleen, in 1958 and their son Robert (Bobby) was born the following year. They had also lost a child, who was born prematurely and died only four days old. Les Paul and Mary Ford divorced in 1963.Paul was the instructor of rock guitarist Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band, to whom Paul gave his first guitar lesson. Miller's father was best man at Paul's 1949 wedding to Mary Ford.
Paul resided for many years in Mahwah, New Jersey.
Discography
Hit singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |||
| ! style="width:35px;" | ! style="width:35px;" | ! style="width:35px;" | ! style="width:35px;" | ||
| 1945 | 1 | ||||
| 1946 | 4 | ||||
| 21 | |||||
| 22 | |||||
| 11 | |||||
| 9 | |||||
| 21 | |||||
| 18 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 23 | |||||
| 2 | 7 | ||||
| 1 | 2 | ||||
| 12 | |||||
| 18 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 10 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 13 | |||||
| 14 | |||||
| 15 | |||||
| 14 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 15 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 10 | |||||
| 21 | |||||
| style="text-align:left;" | 1 | 7 | |||
| 15 | |||||
| 25 | |||||
| 13 | |||||
| 11 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 10 | |||||
| 19 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 38 | |||||
| 96 | |||||
| 91 | |||||
| 49 | |||||
| 91 | |||||
| 1957 | 35 | ||||
| 1958 | 32 | ||||
| 37 | |||||
| 105 | |||||
Albums
Singles
Compositions
Les Paul was also a prolific composer. Some of the songs he wrote were "Song in Blue", "Cryin'", "Hip-billy Boogie", "Suspicion", "Mandolino", "Magic Melody", "Don'cha Hear Them Bells", "The Kangaroo", "Big-Eyed Gal", "All I Need is You", "Mammy's Boogie", and "Walkin' and Whistlin' Blues".
See also
References
External links
Category:American jazz guitarists Category:American musical instrument makers Category:American radio personalities Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Columbia Records artists Category:Deaths from pneumonia Category:Decca Records artists Category:American musicians of German descent Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Guitar makers Category:Infectious disease deaths in New York Category:Inventors of musical instruments Category:Lead guitarists Category:Musicians from New Jersey Category:Musicians from Wisconsin Category:National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees Category:People from Mahwah, New Jersey Category:People from Waukesha, Wisconsin Category:RCA Victor artists Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Category:United States National Medal of Arts recipients Category:1915 births Category:2009 deaths Category:American rock guitarists Category:American inventors Category:American blues guitarists
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| Coordinates | 55°45′06″N37°37′04″N |
|---|---|
| Name | Ronnie James Dio |
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Ronald James Padavona |
| Birth date | July 10, 1942Portsmouth, New Hampshire, |
| Death date | May 16, 2010Los Angeles, California, |
| Genre | Heavy metal, doom metal, power metal, hard rock, blues rock |
| Occupation | Musician, singer-songwriter, producer |
| Years active | 1957–2010 |
| Instrument | Vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, trumpet, french horn |
| Associated acts | Dio, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Elf, Hear 'n Aid |
| Website | }} |
Early years, education and musical training
Ronnie James Dio was born Ronald James Padavona in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the only child of Italian parents. They lived in Portsmouth until the family moved to Cortland, New York early in his life.He initially played the trumpet and French horn and even recorded several singles with various rockabilly bands when he was a boy. When he was in high school, he joined a band called The Vegas Kings, in which he played the bass guitar. He eventually became the lead singer of this band, which changed its name to Ronnie & The Rumblers and finally to Ronnie And The Red Caps. Their first 7-inch single was released in 1958 on Reb Records under the name Ronnie & The Redcaps. Its A-side, 'Lover' still had Billy DeWolfe on vocals but Dio's voice can be heard clearly in the back. The B-side, 'Conquest' is an instrumental in the style of the Ventures, featuring Dio on trumpet.
Dio graduated from the Cortland City School in 1960, and was inducted to the Cortland City School Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also honored on November 15, 1988 by his hometown naming a street after him, Dio Way.
During a performance at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien, NY (near Buffalo, NY) on September 19, 2007, Dio revealed that he had attended the University at Buffalo, majoring in pharmacy. He attended from 1960 to 1961 but did not graduate. He formed one of his early bands during his freshman year.
He was offered a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music but did not pursue it due to his interest in rock music. Despite being known for his powerful singing voice, Dio claimed never to have taken any vocal training. He attributed his singing ability to the correct breathing techniques he learned when playing the French horn as a child.
Career
Early career
Dio's musical career began in 1957 when several Cortland, New York musicians formed the band The Vegas Kings, which soon changed their name to Ronnie and the Rumblers. This band's lineup had Padavona on the bass guitar, along with singer Billy DeWolfe, guitarist Nick Pantas, drummer Tom Rogers, and saxophone player Jack Musci.
In 1958, the band again changed their name, along with a few changes of personnel. The band was now known as Ronnie and the Redcaps. At this point, Padavona began singing, replacing DeWolfe. Musci also left the band, and a new guitarist, Dick Botoff, joined. The Redcaps lineup released two singles: "Lover" b/w "Conquest" (with DeWolfe on vocals on the A-side) on the Reb label, and on Seneca (S 178-102, USA), "An Angel Is Missing" with "What'd I Say" on the B side (both songs featuring Padavona on vocals).
In 1961, they changed their name to Ronnie Dio and The Prophets. The Prophets lineup lasted for quite a long time and produced several singles and one album. Some sources state that some of the single releases were made by Ronnie James Dio solo, but others, such as Dio himself, state that all of the singles were made as a band.
Padavona took up the name "Dio" after mafia member Johnny Dio, and first used it professionally in 1961, when he added it to the band's second release on Seneca. Soon after that the band changed their name to Ronnie Dio and the Prophets. The group released several singles during the following years, until 1967.
Ronnie Dio and the Prophets disbanded in 1967, but he and Prophets guitarist Nick Pantas started a new band called the Electric Elves. They shortened their name to Elf in 1969, and went on to become an opening act for Deep Purple.
Rainbow
Dio's vocals caught the ear of Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, and when Blackmore left the band, he recruited Dio and other members of Elf to form Rainbow. Rainbow released its debut as ''Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow'' in 1975. Dio recorded two more classic albums (''Rising'' and ''Long Live Rock 'n' Roll'') and the live album ''On Stage'' with Rainbow, but he left the band due to creative differences: Blackmore had wanted to take the band in a more commercial direction.
Black Sabbath
In 1979, after leaving Rainbow, Dio joined Black Sabbath, replacing Ozzy Osbourne. That line-up released the highly successful ''Heaven and Hell'' album in 1980, which revitalized the band's career. They then went on to record ''Mob Rules'' with Vinny Appice on drums. Vinnie replaced original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward during the tour for ''Heaven and Hell'' due to familial problems at the time. The album proved less successful than its predecessor, but still a hit. In 1982, disagreements over the mixing of ''Live Evil'' led to Ronnie Dio and Vinny Appice quitting the band to form the band Dio. In 1992, Dio briefly returned to Black Sabbath to record ''Dehumanizer''. The album was a minor hit, reaching the Top 40 in the United Kingdom, and #44 on the ''Billboard'' 200.
Dio
Wanting to continue together as a band, Ronnie James Dio and Vinnie Appice formed Dio, the band, in 1982. On guitar played Vivian Campbell and on bass Jimmy Bain, the latter whom he had known since the old Rainbow days. Their debut album, ''Holy Diver'', included the hit singles, "Rainbow in the Dark" and the title track, "Holy Diver". As the band changed members over the years, Dio was the only original member. Except a few breaks, Dio, the band, was always touring or recording. They released ten albums, with ''Master of the Moon'' being the last one, recorded in 2004. During September 2005, Dio toured Siberia and Russia's far east, kicking off in Khabarovsk. In 2000, Century Media released ''Holy Dio: Tribute to Ronnie James Dio'', an album featuring a number of covers by mainly power metal bands. The last song he recorded with his band was titled "Electra".
Heaven & Hell
In October 2006, it was confirmed that Dio would be joining Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and former Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice to tour under the moniker Heaven & Hell, the title of the first Dio era Black Sabbath album. They chose the name Heaven & Hell as Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler were still in Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne and felt it was best to use a different moniker for the Dio version of the band. Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward was to be involved in this project, but he later withdrew. In 2008 the band completed a 98-date world tour. The band released one album under the Heaven & Hell name, ''The Devil You Know'', to critical and commercial acclaim. They also had planned to release a follow-up in 2010.
Other projects involved
In 1974, Dio sang on the Roger Glover conducted and produced concept album ''The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast''. Along other guest-singers, the album featured Deep Purple alumni Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale. Dio provided vocals for the songs "Homeward", "Sitting in a Dream" and the UK single "Love is All".In 1980, Dio sang the tracks "To Live for the King" and "Mask of the Great Deceiver" on Kerry Livgren's solo album ''Seeds of Change''. Dio, who was between stints as singer for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and Black Sabbath, later proved somewhat controversial among Livgren's Christian fans, as Black Sabbath and Dio were then perceived as "satanic" by many Christians. Dio said in an interview that he did not consider the album to be a "Christian" album and had performed on it as a favor to Livgren.
In 1985, Dio contributed to the metal world's answer to Band Aid and USA for Africa with the Hear'n Aid project. With a heavy metal all-star ensemble, which was the brainchild of his fellow Dio band mates Vivian Campbell & Jimmy Bain, he sang some of the vocals on the single "Stars" and an album full of songs from other artists given to charity.
The project raised $1 million within a year.
In 1997, Dio made a cameo on Pat Boone's ''In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy'', an album of famous heavy metal songs played in big band style. Dio can be heard singing backup on Boone's take of "Holy Diver".
Tenacious D included a tribute song entitled "Dio" that appeared on their self-titled album. The song explains how he has to "pass the torch" for a new generation. Reportedly, Dio approved of it, and had Tenacious D appear in his video "Push" from ''Killing the Dragon'' in 2002. He also appeared in the film ''Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny'', playing himself.
In 2005, Dio was revealed to be the voice behind Dr. X in ''Operation: Mindcrime II'', the sequel to Queensrÿche's seminal concept album ''Operation: Mindcrime''. His part was shown in a prerecorded video on the subsequent tour, and Ronnie appeared onstage to sing the part live on at least one occasion (both shown on the ''Mindcrime at the Moore'' DVD).
On January 17, 2007, he was inducted into the Rock Walk of Fame at Guitar Center on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard.
Dio is thanked in the end credits of the 2011 film ''Atlas Shrugged: Part I'', due to his being "one of the people who kept the project alive."
Personal life
Dio and his first wife, Loretta Berardi (born 1941), adopted a son, Dan Padavona.
After divorcing Berardi, he married Wendy Galaxiola (born 1945), who also served as his manager. In the 1980s she managed the Los Angeles rock bands Rough Cutt, Nuhaven (with drummer Doug Simpson), and Hellion. She is the chair of the privately sponsored organization, Children of the Night, dedicated to rescuing America's children from prostitution. Dio remained married legally to Galaxiola until his death.
Illness and death
On November 25, 2009, Wendy announced that Dio had been diagnosed as having stomach cancer:"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans. Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio. Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."
On March 14, 2010, Wendy posted an online update on his condition:
"It has been Ronnie's 7th chemo, another cat scan and another endoscopy, and the results are good – the main tumor has shrunk considerably, and our visits to Houston (cancer clinic in Texas) are now every three weeks instead of every two weeks."
On May 4, 2010, Heaven & Hell announced they were canceling all summer dates as a result of Dio's ill health.
Dio died at 7:45 am (CDT) on May 16, 2010, of metastasized stomach cancer, according to official sources. Wendy said on Dio's official site:
"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us. Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. at The Hall Of Liberty, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive in Los Angeles. The hall was filled with over 1,500 people, so the remainder of the fans had to sit outside of the hall and watch from a live screen. Friends, family, and former and current band mates of Dio's gave speeches and performed, including Rudy Sarzo, John Payne, Glenn Hughes, Joey Belladonna & Dio/Heaven & Hell keyboard player Scott Warren. On the screen was an accompanying documentary covering Dio's career, from his beginnings in Elf to his final project Heaven & Hell. Everybody who attended had the opportunity to view Dio's coffin. The Westboro Baptist Church held a small rally, denouncing Dio as a Satan worshiper. Wendy Dio urged those attending the funeral to ignore the protest, saying:
"Ronnie hates prejudice and violence. We need to turn the other cheek on these people that only know how to hate someone they didn't know. We only know how to love someone we know!"
Legacy
Dio's career spanned over five decades, from 1957 to 2010. During this period, and particularly in the 21st century, he received a number of distinctions and awards. He was inducted into the Cortland City Hall of Fame in 2004, and has a street named after him there called Dio Way. In his post-Elf band Rainbow, Ronnie wrote some of the first Power Metal lyrics. ''Classic Rock Magazine'' awarded Dio with the "Metal Guru Award" at their yearly "Roll Of Honour" awards ceremony in 2006. On January 17, 2007, Dio was inducted into Guitar Center's Rock Walk of Fame in Hollywood, CA. Dio was named "Best Metal Singer" at the ''Revolver'' Golden Gods Awards in April 2010 for his work on ''The Devil You Know'', making him the oldest recipient of this award at age 67. He accepted the award in person at what was to be his final public appearance, less than one month before his death. The main stage of Bloodstock Open Air is also named after him in tribute after Heaven and Hell pulled out upon his death. A Dio monument has been unveiled in Kavarna, Bulgaria.''Rolling Stone'' magazine eulogized Dio with these words: "It wasn't just his mighty pipes that made him Ronnie James Dio — it was his moral fervor...what always stood out was Dio's raging compassion for the lost rock & roll children in his audience. Dio never pretended to be one of the kids — he sang as an adult assuring us that we weren't alone in our suffering, and some day we might even be proud of conquering it".
On July 10, 2011 in parallel to Ronnie Dio's birthday in Cortland, NY was held a day-long event featuring many central New York local bands and talent for a benefit to the Stand Up and Shout Cancer foundation for cancer research and Dio Memorial concert. Part of the proceeds from the event went to fund a memorial music scholarship for the local city high-school in his name.
Band timeline
Discography
References
External links
Category:1942 births Category:2010 deaths Category:American rock singers Category:American heavy metal singers Category:American male singers Category:American rock bass guitarists Category:American musicians of Italian descent Category:American tenors Category:Rainbow members Category:Black Sabbath members Category:Dio (band) members Category:Cancer deaths in Texas Category:Deaths from stomach cancer Category:People from Cortland, New York Category:People from Portsmouth, New Hampshire Category:American fantasy writers
an:Ronnie James Dio az:Ronni Ceyms Dio be-x-old:Роні Джэймз Дыё bg:Рони Джеймс Дио ca:Ronnie James Dio cs:Ronnie James Dio da:Ronnie James Dio de:Ronnie James Dio et:Ronnie James Dio el:Ρόνι Τζέιμς Ντίο es:Ronnie James Dio fa:رانی جیمز دیو fr:Ronnie James Dio gl:Ronnie James Dio ko:로니 제임스 디오 hr:Ronnie James Dio id:Ronnie James Dio is:Ronnie James Dio it:Ronnie James Dio he:רוני ג'יימס דיו ka:რონი ჯეიმზ დიო lv:Ronijs Džeimss Dio hu:Ronnie James Dio nl:Ronnie James Dio ja:ロニー・ジェイムス・ディオ no:Ronnie James Dio pl:Ronnie James Dio pt:Ronnie James Dio ro:Ronnie James Dio ru:Ронни Джеймс Дио sq:Ronnie James Dio simple:Ronnie James Dio sk:Ronnie James Dio fi:Ronnie James Dio sv:Ronnie James Dio tr:Ronnie James Dio uk:Ронні Джеймс ДіоThis text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
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Where did you learn to play the keyboard and sampler? - RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010
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Where did you learn to play the keyboard and sampler? - RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010
The Naked and Famous answer the question "Where did you learn to play the keyboard and sampler?" during a question and answer session at the RIANZ Artist to Schools Tour 2010....
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