Lisa Marie Presley: "He Knew"

A very touchy blog from Lisa Marie Presley, once married to Michael Jackson about his passing titled "He Knew".

"Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.

I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.

At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did."

I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.

14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.

A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.

The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.

All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.

I am going to say now what I have never said before because I want the truth out there for once.

Our relationship was not "a sham" as is being reported in the press. It was an unusual relationship yes, where two unusual people who did not live or know a "Normal life" found a connection, perhaps with some suspect timing on his part. Nonetheless, I do believe he loved me as much as he could love anyone and I loved him very much.

I wanted to "save him" I wanted to save him from the inevitable which is what has just happened.

His family and his loved ones also wanted to save him from this as well but didn't know how and this was 14 years ago. We all worried that this would be the outcome then.

At that time, In trying to save him, I almost lost myself.

He was an incredibly dynamic force and power that was not to be underestimated.

When he used it for something good, It was the best and when he used it for something bad, It was really, REALLY bad.

Mediocrity was not a concept that would even for a second enter Michael Jackson's being or actions.

I became very ill and emotionally/ spiritually exhausted in my quest to save him from certain self-destructive behavior and from the awful vampires and leeches he would always manage to magnetize around him.

I was in over my head while trying.

I had my children to care for, I had to make a decision.

The hardest decision I have ever had to make, which was to walk away and let his fate have him, even though I desperately loved him and tried to stop or reverse it somehow.

After the Divorce, I spent a few years obsessing about him and what I could have done different, in regret.

Then I spent some angry years at the whole situation.

At some point, I truly became Indifferent, until now.

As I sit here overwhelmed with sadness, reflection and confusion at what was my biggest failure to date, watching on the news almost play by play The exact Scenario I saw happen on August 16th, 1977 happening again right now with Michael (A sight I never wanted to see again) just as he predicted, I am truly, truly gutted.

Any ill experience or words I have felt towards him in the past has just died inside of me along with him.

He was an amazing person and I am lucky to have gotten as close to him as I did and to have had the many experiences and years that we had together.

I desperately hope that he can be relieved from his pain, pressure and turmoil now.

He deserves to be free from all of that and I hope he is in a better place or will be.

I also hope that anyone else who feels they have failed to help him can be set free because he hopefully finally is.

The World is in shock but somehow he knew exactly how his fate would be played out some day more than anyone else knew, and he was right.

I really needed to say this right now, thanks for listening.

~LMP"

Such a sad loss to the world of music...and the world in general. R.I.P. Michael.

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

The King of Pop has passed at the young age of 50 years old today. This is just so incredibly sad to lose such an important musician that will forever be remembered. Rest in peace MJ...

My thoughts go out to his 3 children and family on this sad sad day.

Likely Looks: Lily Allen - Fuck You

Surprisingly, Lily Allen and her record label managed to make a clean version of "Fuck You", which is quite impressive in itself...but a video too?! Now, that takes the cake...

The video itself doesn't actually feature Lily but its a day in the life with a little twist. Somehow she's got the ability to make people look like they do in crazy circus mirrors and other things courtesy of a green screen.

Check it out here:

Hole To Reform!

Well...sort of. it is more like the Smashing Pumpkins situation where the main person (because what would Hole be without Courtney Love?!) is in the band and there are some former familiar faces joining in with the project.

After failing to release her solo album "Nobody's Daughter" that has been set to come out for some time now, she will resurrect the name Hole and release and tour under it. The album should be out at the end of 2009 or early 2010...we have yet to find out.

Joining her is her new partner in crime and former Larrikin Love member Micko Larkin and former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Mar, who also added backing vocals on the record.

Get ready to add some 90's grunge back into your life...

Likely Listens: Deluka

World...meet Deluka! Hailing from Birmingham but spending a lot of time in Brooklyn, this female fronted 4 piece will knock you out with their gritty electro pop rock.

I was hooked after hearing their first single, "Cascade" where I caught myself singing along after my second listen. Plus, the other songs on the MySpace page are just as good...

They've already gotten love from NME and Dazed And Confused so it seems they are on their way to becoming the next buzz band both here and in the UK.

Download the MP3 for "Cascade" here:
Deluka - Cascade

I think you'll all dig it!

At The Drive In To Reform?!

It seems that it COULD be a possibility according to their former singer, Cedric Bixler-Zavala!

Spilling the beans to Drowned In Sound, Bixler-Zavala said, ""We've been making amends with a lot of the members and having some really good talks with them...I wouldn't mind it [a reformation]. It might happen, we just have to iron out a lot of personal things. A lot of it we've dealt with already and I've apologised for a lot of things I've said and the way it ended... we'll see what happens."

Now THIS would be amazing!

Thom Yorke To Play Solo Gig At Latitude Festival

Thom Yorke is ditching the other guys in Radiohead for one night this summer and playing a solo show at the Latitude Festival in the UK.

On Sunday, July 19, Yorke is set to take the main stage with a set that could be filled with either Radiohead tracks and/or songs from his acclaimed album "The Eraser". We will just have to wait and see.

Likely Looks: Chairlift - Bruises

Chairlift aka "The iPod Nano commercial song band" have taken their well known track "Bruises" and turned it into a video surveillance spectacular! Caroline even sports a plastic bag as her outfit of choice in several scenes.

Its definitely quite a unique video...

Likely Looks: MGMT - Kids

Ok...can someone PLEASE explain this MGMT video? First off, the kid is going to be traumatized for life. Secondly, what the hell is WRONG with that car seat and last but not least, is this ONE video or TWO???!!!! It seems like they couldn't choose a concept (whatever it was supposed to be anyway) so they decided to go for two and then make them all tie together by making the baby a cartoon in the end.

Just see for yourself...

Kid Cudi and Asher Roth Announce The Great Hangover Tour

Kid Cudi and Asher Roth have teamed up for what should be one of the best summer tours of 2009.

Calling it "The Great Hangover Tour", Cudi and Asher Roth will be kicking things off on July 14th in Boston, MA and touring the country for the next month straight.

Here are the tour dates:

July 14 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
July 15 - New York, NY - Nokia Theater
July 16 - Mariaville, NY - Indian Lookout
July 17 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
July 18 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak
July 20 - Kansas City, MO - Voodoo Lounge
July 21 - Denver, CO - Ogden
July 22 - Salt Lake City, UT - Harry O's
July 23 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
July 24 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Theatre
July 26 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues
July 27 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee
July 29 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
July 30 - Austin, TX - Stubbs
July 31 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
August 2 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
August 3 - Norfolk, VA - Norva
August 4 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head
August 5 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

Paul McCartney To Perform First Two Concerts Ever At Citi Field

In 1965, The Beatles played the first ever show at Shea Stadium.

In 2008, Paul McCartney played at Billy Joel's show for the last ever concert at Shea Stadium.

Now, in 2009, Paul will be playing the first ever shows at Citi Field, the new home to the Mets.

The shows will be on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18...rain or shine!

"I am really excited about playing Citi Field - The Beatles were the first to play at Shea Stadium and along with Billy Joel, I was the last to sing at the old Shea," said Paul McCartney. "So to be the first to play this stadium is incredible. I am really looking forward to a buzzing show."

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 15 at 10:00 A.M. ET online exclusively at www.507tixx.com and by phone at 718-507-TIXX.

If its anything like McCartney's set at Coachella then these could be THE shows of the year.

Exene Cervenka Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis

Exene Cervenka, singer for the legendary band X has just released a statement that she is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

"After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time.

Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it.

I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-1990's; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.

While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.

My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health–many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people."

What an amazing thing to put a positive spin on it. Here's to her feeling better as soon as possible...

Likely Looks: Solid Gold - Bible Thumper

Solid Gold are a band you may have heard of but just don't know...yet. Hailing from the Twin Cities (well, just Minneapolis actually...) the band have already made a splash in their hometown, practically selling out the legendary First Avenue club just a couple of weeks ago.

Now they've got a video for their single "Bible Thumper", which is a catchy psychedelic rock track which gets compared to a cross between Hot Chip and Fleetwood Mac (a very daring combination I must say) and is just fantastic overall.

Here is the video directed by John Carlucci:



If you want to catch them on tour then here are the dates:

June 7 - Grand Old Day - Minneapolis, MN
June 11 – Public Assembly - Brooklyn, NY
June 13 - Union Hall - Brooklyn, NY
June 14 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY
June 15 - Pianos - New York, NY
June 20 - Rock The Garden - Minneapolis, MN*
July 9 - Hultsfred Festival - Hultsfred, Sweden
July 11 - Lounge On The Farm - Kent, UK
July 12 - Loop Festival - Brighton, UK
July 31 - The Zoo - Minneapolis, MN

Glasvegas To Play MySpace Secret Show In...Vegas

Glasvegas and MySpace have teamed up to actually do something creative instead of the typical Secret Shows we are all used to these days in a certain city.

Clearly playing off the Vegas portion of their band name, Glasvegas are set to do a performance at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel on June 3 (tomorrow) in Las Vegas.

For more information or to possibly attend the show (if you get on line reeeeeeally early!) go to www.myspace.com/secretshows

Should be a good one!

Lady GaGa Creates A Mini Movie Masterpiece

Leave it to Jonas Akerlund to create an absolute masterpiece with Lady GaGa for her new single "Paparazzi". Its got everything...sex, tradegy, a fallen star and a great comeback. Not to mention its shot beautifully and will pretty much solidify a place for Lady GaGa forever in pop music.

Not to mention the track is great on its own...

On a side note, are the triplets that look like they were in Poison back in the day the 3 Swedish kids from Daisy Of Love?

You need to watch this video. A lot:

Amy Winehouse Cancels London Comeback Show

Well, surprise surprise...Amy Winehouse cancels yet another gig?! Who would have thought...

Amy was supposed to perform at Shepard's Bush Empire on May 31st as a part of Island Record's 50th birthday celebration.

This cancellation comes after a horrendous performance earlier in the month in St. Lucia, where she only performed for an hour and forgot the words to most of her songs. Oh, and did I mention she seemed wasted on stage?!

"Amy would like to apologise to her fans who bought tickets for the show," says a statement released from her record label.

Poor Amy...

If you missed the St. Lucia performance you can watch it here:

Jay Bennett Passes Away In His Sleep

Its a sad day in the music world with the passing of Jay Bennett, who has died at the age of 45.

A former member of Wilco, Bennett worked as a sound engineer and played instruments for the band from 1994 to 2001.

"We are profoundly saddened to report that our friend died in his sleep ... Jay was a beautiful human being who will be missed," read a statement from Bennett's record label, Undertow Music Collective.

You will be missed Jay...

Glastonbury 2009 Line-Up Revealed!

If you have the urge to make the trek to the UK (or were lucky enough to get a ticket), Glastonbury's 2009 lineup has been announced

American legends dominate the headliners for the year (Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen) but the Blur reunion is going to be the one to see more...

Here it is:

Pyramid Stage

Friday

Neil Young
The Specials
Lily Allen
Fleet Foxes
TBC
Regina Spektor
Gabrielle Cilmi
Bjorn Again
The Rakes
The View
Lady Gaga


Saturday

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Kasabian
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Dizzee Rascal
Spinal Tap
Tinariwen
Eagles Of Death metal
VV Brown


Sunday

Blur
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Madness
Tom Jones
Amadou & Mariam
Tony Christie
Status Quo
Easy Star Allstars

Other Stage

Friday

Bloc Party
Ting Tings
Antony & The Johnsons
White Lies
Friendly Fires
TBC
The Maccabees
The Whip
Mr Hudson


Saturday

Franz Ferdinand
Pendulum
Maximo Park
Paolo Nutini
Pete Doherty
The Script
Jason Mraz
Metric
Peter, Bjorn & John
Broken Family Band


Sunday

Prodigy
Glasvegas
Bon Iver
Bat For Lashes
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Enter Shikari
Brand New
Art Brut
Boxer Rebellion
In Case Of Fire

John Peel Stage

Friday

Doves
Jamie T
Jack Penate
Little Boots
Metronomy
VV Brown
The Virgins
F****d Up
Rumble Strips
Dan Black
General Fiasco


Saturday

Jarvis Cocker
White Lies
Florence & The Machine
Passion Pit
Gaslight Anthem
Hockey
Temper Trap
Esser
Big Pink
Baddies
The Nightingales


Sunday

Echo & The Bunnymen
The Wombats
Noisettes
Ladyhawke
The Soft Pack
Just Jack
Emmy The Great
Twisted Wheel
We Have Band
Wave Machines
Good Books


Jazz World Stage

Friday

Q Tip
De La Soul
The Streets
Steel Pulse
Lamb
Hot 8 Brass Band
Stephanie McKay
The Perceptions
Speed Caravan


Saturday

Rolf Harris
Warsaw Village Band
Playing For Change
Baaba Maal
Lonnie Liston Smith
Jamie Cullum
Rokia Traore
Erik Truffaz
Jamie Cullum


Sunday

Black Eyed Peas
Manu Dibango
Roots Manuva
Khaled
Orquesta Aragon
Linda Lewis
Abdullah Chhadeh and Syriana

Acoustic Stage

Friday

Ray Davies
Fairport Convention
Jason Mraz
Scott Matthews
No Crows
Hugh Cornwell
Ben Taylor
Sean Taylor
Karima Francis
John Smith


Saturday

Tindersticks
Kilfenora Ceili Band
Newton Faulkner
Lisa Hannigan
Gary Louris & Mark Olson (Jayhawks)
Lunasa
Bap Kennedy
Hope And Social
Stornoway
Cora Smyth Band


Sunday

Georgie Fame
Roger McGuinn
Sharon Corr
Beth Rowley
Imelda May
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Kate Walsh
Martin Harley Band
Lucy Wainwright Roche
London Community Gospel Choir

The Park

Friday

Animal Collective
The Horrors
Emiliana Torrini
Noah And The Whale
TBC
Special Guests
James Hunter
Golden Silvers
Bishi
Lay Low


Saturday

Bon Iver
M Ward
Special Guests
Shlomo & Guests
Horace Andy
Easy Star Allstars
The Memory Band
The Low Anthem
Bombay Bicycle Club
TBA
First Aid Kit


Sunday

Seun Kuti & Fela's Africa 80
Cold War Kids
Alela Diane
Terry Reid
The Rockingbirds
TBC
Alberta Cross
Chief
Micachu
Water Aid West Country Community Choir
Tunng & Tinariwen

Queens Head

Thursday

Metronomy
Kap Bambino
Ebony Bones
Golden Silvers
Alessi's Ark
Liz Green
The Gentle Good
Charlene Soraia
Stornoway
We Have Band
Maximo Park
Smash n' Grab


Friday

Jason Mraz
The Big Pink
The Rakes
Rumble Strips
The Virgins
Dan Le Sac Vs Scoobius Pip
Tommy Sparks
The Low Anthem
Team Waterpolo
Hope And Social
Dead Like Harry
Yr Ods
City Stereo
The Mojo Fins
Maura Kincaid
The Slips
Sub Universe
Glitterati


Saturday

Dan Black
The King Blues
The Shortwave Set
Special Guest
The Wombats
Official Secrets Act
Noah And The Whale
Emmy The Great
Broken Records
Special Guest
Peggy Sue & The Pirates
Marina & the Diamonds
Theoretical Girl
Blue Roses
Guilty Pleasures
Glitterati


Sunday

Robyn Hitchcock
Magic Numbers
The Aliens
Bombay Bicycle Club
Joe Gideon & The Sharks
Vagabond
Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong
Fight Like Apes
The Capitol Years
Soft Toy Emergency
Priscilla Ahn
Jersey Budd
Two Door Cinema Club
Major Major
Motown 50th Birthday

East Dance

Friday

David Guetta
Freeland Live
Layo & Bushwacka!
Easy Star Allstars
Mark Irration
Dreadzone
Tom Middleton
The Egg
Paul Woolford
Pama International


Saturday

2 Many Djs
Deadmau5
Pete Tong
La Roux
Wiley
Tinchy Stryder
Eric Prydz
Heartbreak
We Have Band


Sunday

Calvin Harris
Mr Scruff
VV Brown
Rob Da Bank
Frankmusik
Wonky Pop DJs
Kissy Sell Out
Wonky Pop DJs
Ou Est (Cote Ouest Big Band?)

West Dance

Friday

Erol Alkan
Crookers
The Whip
Annie Mac
Skream And Benga
Whomadewho
Joe Goddard (Hot Chip)
DeepGroove
Nathan Detroit


Saturday

Josh Wink
Yoda
DJ Food
Qemists
Timo Maas
The Japanese Popstars
Hudson Mohawke
NAPT
Emperor Machine
Jam The Channel


Sunday

Peaches
Jodie Harsh
Beat Torrent
Freq Nasty
Dirty Vegas
Quiver
Filthy Dukes
Don Diablo
Goldfish
Stuart Wilkinson
Transformers

Avalon

Friday

The Blockheads
British Sea Power
Orkestra Del Sol
Michael McGoldrick, Iain Fletcher
& Andy Dinan
The Puppini Sisters
3 Daft Monkeys
Baskery
The Mandibles


Saturday

The Wonder Stuff
Edward II
Eliza Carthy
Badly Drawn Boy
Solas
The King Blues
The Lancashire Hotpots
Wheeler Street
The Martin Harley Band


Sunday

Peatbog Fairies
Seth Lakeman
Dodgy
Will Young
Teddy Thompson
The Mummers
The Destroyers
6 Day Riot
Stornoway


The Glade

Friday

Clive Craske
Mum Suleiman
Outmode
Pathaan
Banco De Gaia
James Monro
Beardyman with The Bays
Tom Real

Saturday

Jinx
Nairobi
Sancho Panza
Rusko
Tayo
Dr Meaker
Don Letts
Dub Pistols
DJ Fresh
Stanton Warriors
Stereo MCs Sunday
Breakfast with Howard Marks
Hybrid Cinematic set
3 Daft Monkeys
Back to the Planet
Second Class Citizen
Richard 'Kid' Strange and the Party
Eatstatic
Steve Hillage Band
Gong

Likely Looks: The Kissing Party - King Graves Rd.

It can't get any sweeter than The Kissing Party!

Their new single, 'King Graves Rd' and the video to go along it is just a simple day in the life of the band (with a cool split screen effect) that captures the band as much as it can in the span of two minutes...

Their new release, 'The Hate Album', comes out this summer so stay tuned!

For now, here is the video:

Kissing Party - King Graves Rd. from Lee on Vimeo.

Jay-Z Confirms Leaving His Label, Island/Def Jam

Jay-Z is leaving the very place which launched his career, Def Jam Records. After securing a deal with Live Nation for a pretty penny (or more like a pretty set of millions) he's confirmed that he will not be recording another album for the label.

The deal with Live Nation is for touring, publishing and recording...something these days a label just can't do.

Next up, hopefully a new album...