George Michael sounds off on gay marriage in US, says it's 'way overdue'

SAN DIEGO - George Michael is a most happy fellow these days: He's kicking off his first North American tour in 17 years and same-sex marriage has just been legalized in California.

"It's way overdue," the 44-year-old English pop star told The Associated Press. "It's something that happened ... almost without a whisper in England, but it was basically because we weren't that concerned about the word 'marriage."'

Michael, who is openly gay, said, "because this is a much more religious society, there are a huge number of people who want (their) unions to be part of something that they can place in their religion, so (marriage is) much more important here. I think that's why it's so long in arriving here, but I think it's fantastic, obviously."

Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples rushed to county clerks' offices throughout California this week to obtain marriage licenses and exchange vows as same-sex marriage became legal Monday afternoon.

The next day, Michael kicked off the multi-city "25 Live" tour at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Why so long between concerts here?

"The '90s were a bit of a disaster for me in so many ways. On a personal level, I don't think I could have toured. Also, I had some physical problems with my back that are now sorted and I just wasn't in the right state of mind," he told the AP.

Michael, who recently released his greatest-hits album, "Twenty Five," in the United States, has said this will be his last arena tour because he wants to lead a quieter life.

"I have got other interests than just making music. I would like to follow those interests through. You never know, in five years I might be back here begging you all to forgive me," he said. "But I really think I can do much more constructive work as an artist if I step out of this again."

Michael sang in the 1980s pop group Wham! before stepping out for a successful solo career. His hits include "Faith," "Father Figure" and "One More Try."

He has had several run-ins with the law, on charges ranging from drug possession to lewd conduct.

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On the Net:

http://www.georgemichael.com/

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Bond's new film set to fly Virgin

James Bond loves Aston Martin cars and when it comes to even higher flying it now seems that Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic is 007's airline of choice.
Virgin has announced that the airline will again feature in the new Bond film 'Quantum of Solace', starring Daniel Craig as 007.
"Virgin Atlantic and James Bond make a great partnership; slick, smooth and renowned the world over", said Branson.
The news follows the cameo appearance that Branson made in Craig's first outing as Bond in 'Casino Royale'. Virgin aircraft were also seen in that movie.
Virgin also announced that it would be a global partner for 'Quantum of Solace' and would be supporting the film's release with a series of promotional and marketing initiatives.
The Virgin Atlantic president added: "'Casino Royale' propelled Bond to greater success and we're certain that 'Quantum of Solace' will set an even higher standard."
Virgin's competitor British Airways cut out Branson and airbrushed the Virgin logo from the film when showing it on their in-flight entertainment system.
BA is later expected to comment on what their in-flight policy will be when the new Bond film comes out in November this year.
Visit our 'Quantum of Solace' photocall gallery here.

Williams breaks silence on Heath Ledger death

Actress Michelle Williams has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of her former partner Heath Ledger saying "my heart is broken."
In a short statement: Williams said: "Please respect our need to grieve privately. My heart is broken."
The mother of Ledger's two-year-old daughter Matilda added: "I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day.
"His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up in the best memories of him."
Australian star Ledger died in New York last month at the age of 28. Results of the toxicology tests, which will determine the cause of his death, are expected in the coming days.

Porcupine

   
Artist: Porcupine

   Genre(s): 
New Age
   

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Discography:


   
 Look, But Don't Touch

   Year: 1993   
Tracks: 9


   
 Porcupine

   Year: 1991   
Tracks: 9

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Blistered Earth

Cressida

   
Artist: Cressida

   Genre(s): 
Trance
   Rock
   

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Discography:


   
 Soda - Flowjob-Promo CDS-2007-TGX

   Year: 2007   
Tracks: 2


   
 Asylum

   Year: 1971   
Tracks: 1


   
 Cressida

   Year: 1970   
Tracks: 1

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Lionel gushes about Nicole's new baby

Lionel gushes about Nicole's new baby

Vocalist Lionel Richie has spoken about how "happy and proud" he feels on the parentage of his newly granddaughter Harlean Carpenter Winter.
The singer's daughter Nicole is celebrating the birth of her first child with her rocker boyfriend Book of Joel Madden.
Her father said in a statement: "Patch it may accept me a moment to adjust to being called granddad, I am highly happy and proud of Nicole and Book of Joel."
He continued: "Jean Harlow Winter Kate Madden, the newest and to the highest degree beautiful addition to the Richie tribe, is a lucky little girl."
He added: "She was surrounded by a great carry on of love at that infirmary as she entered the macrocosm. Nicole and Book of Joel are departure to be wonderful parents."




Tom Middleton

Pink Anderson

   
Artist: Pink Anderson

   Genre(s): 
Blues
   

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Discography:


   
 Carolina Blues Man, vol 1

   Year:    
Tracks: 11

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A good-natured finger-picking guitar player, Anderson played for around 30 eld as part of a practice of medicine show. He did make a couple of sides for Columbia in the late '20s with Simmie Dooley, but otherwise didn't record until a 1950 academic session, the results of which were issued on a Riverside LP that as well included tracks by Gary Davis. Anderson went on to make some albums on his own after the blues revivification commenced in the early '60s, establishing him as a nonaged only worthy advocator of the Pidemont school, versed in blues, ragtime, and sept songs. Anderson as well became an unusual footer in sway history when Syd Barrett, a young man in Cambridge, England, combined Pink's low gear call with the number one name of some other unnoticeable bluesman (Floyd Council) to diagnose his john Rock grouping, Pink Floyd, in the mid-'60s.