INXS denies it left J.D. Fortune in the lurch
Rock band INXS has disputed Canadian J.D. Fortune's version of how he came to part ways with the Australian band.
Fortune was chosen as lead singer for the band in a reality TV show, Rock Star: INXS in 2005.
He recently told Entertainment Tonight Canada that his bandmates dumped him at a Hong Kong airport after a 23-month tour, leaving him broke and living out of his truck.
The band's creative director Chris Murphy, however, says Fortune was never dumped as lead singer — though he won't be invited back now that he's spread this story.
"The band have always stated to me that Fortune's services could potentially be contracted again when INXS next tour," he said.
"In fact, he was next on my list to call regarding a very big recording project I am putting together for INXS at present. I have no reason to call him now."
The band says it is shocked to hear what Fortune has said about them.
"Not only are we shocked by the claims, even the place the supposed incident was to have taken place is a mystery," said a statement issued by the group.
Fortune, who hails from New Glasgow, N.S., helped bring a new young audience to INXS with the reality TV show and subsequent tour.
He wrote the song Pretty Vegas, and worked with the group to record their album, Switch.
Fortune admits sudden fame went to his head and he had a problem with substance abuse while on tour. He said he has had no contact with the band for more than a year.
"I found myself really alone, because I had travelled with these guys for 23 months," he told Entertainment Tonight Canada.
"I don't know where I am going, from sofa to sofa, from night to night. I am trying to get through my life."
INXS, whose earlier hits include Need You Tonight and Never Tear Us Apart, lost its charismatic lead singer, Michael Hutchence, in 1997 to suicide.
Since then the group has had a series of lead singers, including Terence Trent D'Arby and Jon Stevens.
New CD Releases, February 24th: Jonas Brothers, Van Morrison, Lamb of God, Chris Isaak, K'Naan and more
Jonas Brothers "Music from the 3D Concert Experience" (Hollywood)
These Disney darlings are set to have a huge week. The trio's new film, "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience," will hit theaters on Friday (2/27), just days after the movie's soundtrack reaches stores.
The film and soundtrack were recorded during two shows in Anaheim, CA, last July. "Music from the 3D Concert Experience" features such songs as "Burnin' Up," "I'm Gonna Getcha Good" and "That's Just the Way We Roll."
The Jonas Brothers had a very busy 2008, a year that saw them star in the Disney film "Camp Rock," release the album "A Little Bit Longer" and conduct a highly successful summer tour of amphitheaters.
For their efforts, the Jonas Brothers were nominated for Best New Artist at the 51st Grammy Awards earlier this month. The band ended up losing in that category to Adele, but it did make an impression on TV viewers, for better or worse, with its performance at the show with the legendary Stevie Wonder.
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Van Morrison "Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl" (Listen to the Lion)
By most reports, Van the Man thrilled fans when he performed his 1968 album "Astral Weeks" in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl in November. Now, the rest of us can hear this performance as well.
"Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl" is being issued on Listen to the Lion Records, Morrison's own label under a new deal with EMI Music. The 10-track offering includes such fan favorites as the title track and "Sweet Thing."
"Astral Weeks," which was heralded as groundbreaking when it was originally released, has been ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time by several publications, including Mojo and Rolling Stone.
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Lamb of God "Wrath" (Sony)
The hard-rock troupe will unleash its "Wrath" on listeners, the Virginia-based band's fifth studio effort in a recording career that dates back to 2000's "New American Gospel."
After recently touring as the main opening act for Metallica, Lamb of God will support "Wrath" with a spring headlining trek. The tour, sponsored by No Fear Energy Drink, kicks off April 2 in Phoenix, AZ. As I Lay Dying and Children of Bodom will provide main support for the outing, with the opening slot rotating between God Forbid and Municipal Waste.
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Chris Isaak "Mr. Lucky" (Reprise)
The Northern California vocalist/guitarist's last two releases were a concert album (last year's "Live in Australia") and a holiday offering (2004's "Christmas"). Now, Isaak finally returns with his first batch of new studio tracks since 2002's "Always Got Tonight." "Mr. Lucky" features duets with both Trisha Yearwood and Michelle Branch.
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K'Naan "Troubadour" (A&M)
The Somali rapper recorded his latest set mainly in Kingston, Jamaica, working at Bob Marley's original home studio at 56 Hope Road and the legendary Tuff Gong studios. "Troubadour" features Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett on the tune "If Rap Gets Jealous" and Maroon 5 vocalist Adam Levine on the track "Bang Bang." Rapper Mos Def and reggae star Damian Marley also make guest appearances.
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More new releases:
Joe Bonamassa, "The Ballad of John Henry" (Premier Artists)
J.J. Cale, "Roll On" (Rounder)
Shemekia Copeland, "Never Going Back" (Telarc)
Erasure, "Total Pop! The First 40 Hits" (101)
God Forbid, "Earth's Blood" (Century Media)
Jeff Kashiwa, "Back in the Day" (Shanachie)
Barry Manilow, "Manilow" (SBME)
Jake Owen, "Easy Does It" (RCA)
Pieces of A Dream, "Soul Intent" (Heads Up)
Tom Rush, "What I Know" (Appleseed)
Various Artists, "War Child Presents Heroes" (Astralwerks)
Steven Wilson, "Insurgentes" (Kscope)
Yes, "Symphonic Live" (Eagle)
Soundtracks and scores:
"The Wrestler" (Koch)
John Cusack, Rob Corddry Dip Into 'Hot Tub Time Machine'
The star of classic '80s teen films "Say Anything..." and "One Crazy Summer" will pair with Rob Corddry for "Hot Tub Time Machine," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The plot follows four buddies who, missing their wild high-school days, stumble upon the titular device and revisit 1987.
Craig Robinson ("Pineapple Express") and Clark Duke ("Sex Drive") are in talks to round out the group.
Cusack, 42, can be seen this November in end-of-the-world flick "2012." Corddry, 38, co-starred in 2008's "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay."
Richter, O'Brien to reunite on `Tonight Show'
LOS ANGELES – NBC says Andy Richter and Conan O'Brien will be back together again on late-night TV.
Richter, who worked with O'Brien for seven years on NBC's "Late Night," will become the "Tonight" show announcer when O'Brien takes over from Jay Leno as host in June. NBC said Richter also will take part in comedy bits.
O'Brien called Richter a friend and one of the funniest people he knows, but couldn't resist a joke: O'Brien said he's looking forward to their reunion because Richter owes him $300.
After leaving "Late Night" in 2000, Richter starred in the TV series "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" and "Andy Barker, P.I.," and appeared in "Talladega Nights," "Blades of Glory" and other movies.