With Led Zeppelin celebrating the 50th anniversary today of the release of its classic 1971 untitled studio album, better known as Led Zeppelin IV, comes news that the record has just been certified 24 times Platinum by the RIAA for notching 24 million equivalent album unit sales in the U.S.
This moves Led Zeppelin IV into a tie with The Beatles‘ White Album for the fifth-best-selling album ever in the States.
The only albums ahead of Zeppelin IV are the Eagles‘ Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, at 38-times platinum; Michael Jackson‘s Thriller, at 34-times platinum; the Eagles’ Hotel California, at 26-times platinum; and AC/DC‘s Back in Black, at 25-times platinum.
Led Zeppelin recorded most of Led Zeppelin IV‘s basic tracks while staying at a country house called Headley Grange in Hampshire, England, using The Rolling Stones‘ mobile studio.
Led Zeppelin IV featured several of the band’s best-known tunes, including perhaps their most famous song of all, the epic rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven.”
Robert Plant recalls that he was at Headley Grange when he began writing the lyrics for “Stairway to Heaven.”
“I was sitting next to Jimmy [Page] in front of the fire…He’d written this chord sequence and was playing it to me,” Plant remembers. “I was holding a pencil and paper and suddenly my hand is writing the words ‘There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold…’ I sat there, looked at the words and almost leaped out from my seat. Looking back, I suppose I sat down at the right moment.”
Late drummer John Bonham said around the time of Led Zeppelin IV‘s release that he felt it was the best album the band had made up till that time.
Fortune Feimster was about to embark on a new stage in her stand-up career in 2020, when the COVID pandemic hit.
The former co-star of Chelsea Lately explains, “It was jarring because I had just finished my Netflix special, Sweet and Salty. It had just come out. We put up a whole new tour. We had, like six months of shows sell out immediately. It was this huge like celebratory feeling of like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m making this big jump to theaters, and going from like being so busy’ to — nothing.”
She laughs, “You certainly don’t realize what a workaholic you are — especially in my case — you know, until I had to stop…And once I…I stopped being antsy and I let myself just chill, those ideas and jokes just started coming to me like in a way that I haven’t experienced in so long. I wrote a whole new hour in a couple of months.”
ABC Audio wondered if she’s finding her line of work tougher in the days of cancel culture. However, she steers away from social commentary in her stand-up. “I want to make people laugh, my stuff is very silly. I want people to leave my show feeling better than when they got there,” she replies.
And one thing that’s got Fortune feeling pretty good lately is the relationship that blossomed between her Chelsea Lately co-stars Chelsea Handler and comic Jo Koi. “[I]nstead of her yelling at him now she’s kissing on him, so, times you know…it’s come full circle. They just had to tease each other all these years to finally start smooching,” Fortune says with a laugh.
Tony Award winner James Corden has starred in the big-screen adaptations of the musicals Into the Woods, and, notoriously, CATS, but it seems some people have had enough.
His Late Late Show’s “Carpool Karaoke” and “Crosswalk: The Musical” segments may go viral, but so has a Change.org petition that was just created to keep the chat show host from a appearing in a big-screen version of Wicked, which will star Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
“James Corden in no way shape or form should be in or near the production of Wicked the movie. that’s pretty much it,” the petition explains.
The petition organizers are looking for 50,000 signatures, and they’re getting close: Nearly 40,000 had signed as of mid-afternoon Monday.
L-Dua Lipa, R-Idris Elba attend Adele’s TV special taping; Ricky Vigil M/GC Images
Adele recorded her upcoming special for British TV over the weekend at the London Palladium, and of course, it attracted quite the star-studded crowd.
The British tabloid The Sun reports that the audience included Harry Potter star Emma Watson, Oscar-winner Emma Thompson, Idris Elba, Spice Girl Mel B, Dua Lipa, Boy George, Naomi Campbell and British rapper Stormzy, in addition to a group of “superfans.” Of course, Adele’s boyfriend Rich Paul was also in attendance.
According to The Sun, Adele was very emotional, telling the audience how nervous she was, and even crying at one point. But she also laughed and joked with the audience during a Q&A session.
One attendee told the paper, “Adele was really emotional to be back up on stage again and performing these new songs which are incredibly raw. She sang one track called ‘Hold On,’ which she said had helped her through the toughest times of her divorce.”
The fan added. “She said it makes her feel really proud now when she listens to it because she’s come such a long way to feel happy again.”
The special, An Audience with Adele, will air November 21. According to The Sun, in addition to “Hold On,” Adele sang the new songs “Easy On Me,” “Love Is a Game” and “I Drink Wine,” as well as past hits like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Hello.”
Adele also sang one tune that wasn’t part of the setlist for her upcoming CBS TV special: the London-inspired “Hometown Glory,” which was the first song she ever wrote.
The teaser for the Yellowstone prequel 1883, starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, is finally here.
A preview of the spin-off series debuted Sunday during the Yellowstone season 4 premiere, giving fans a first look at the Grammy-winning country music couple as James and Margaret Dutton.
“I heard a thousand stories, but none could describe this place,” a voiceover says in the minute-long clip. “The road west is filled with failures. It was a dream, and the dream is coming true. We are in the land of no mercy now.”
Tim and Faith, both 54, are joined in the show’s cast by Sam Elliott, Billy Bob Thornton, Isabel May and LaMonica Garrett.
1883 is described as “a stark retelling of Western expansion” and will follow “the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America … fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land — Montana.”
Tim has previously starred in films such as Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side, while Faith starred in The Stepford Wives and Dixieland.
(LOS ANGELES) — Los Angeles’ sweeping new vaccine mandate goes into effect Monday, which requires proof of vaccination in order for patrons to enter most public indoor spaces in the second most populous city in the U.S.
Believed to be among the most far-reaching vaccination requirements in the nation, the ordinance from the Los Angeles City Council was signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in October but took effect Monday morning, covering everyone who is eligible for a coronavirus vaccine (or people ages 12 and up).
The mandate requires proof of vaccination to enter the indoor portions of any establishment where food or beverages are served (such as restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc), gyms and fitness venues, entertainment and recreation venues (including movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums and shopping centers), personal care establishments (like spas and nail salons), and any facilities or buildings owned or operated by the City of Los Angeles.
Effective November 8, 2021, @LACity will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter most public indoor places. pic.twitter.com/4ctWBMv71C
It will also require proof of vaccination for large outdoor events with 5,000 or more attendees.
To demonstrate proof of vaccination, people can use their CDC-issued vaccination card or a similar document issued by a foreign government agency, a photo of both sides of their vaccination card, documentation of vaccination from a licensed health care provider or a personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California or similar entities (such as the State of California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, which can be downloaded onto a smartphone and show proof of vaccine via a QR code).
The mandate has exemptions for those who are not vaccinated due to a medical condition or religious belief, but still requires those individuals to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was administered within 72 hours prior to seeking entry to an indoor facility or large outdoor event.
“Vaccinating more Angelenos is our only way out of this pandemic, and we must do everything in our power to keep pushing those numbers up,” Garcetti said in a statement last month when he signed the ordinance.
Garcetti added that the rules will help encourage more people to get the shot and make businesses “safer for workers and customers.”
Operators of indoor locations or large outdoor events are asked to check for patrons’ vaccination statuses under the new rules and may be issued a citation for non-compliance. On first offense, the operator will receive a warning and notice to correct. The operator of the venue could then face a fine of $1,000 for a second violation, $2,000 for a third violation and $5,000 for a fourth and each subsequent violation.
While the mandate kicks in on Monday, enforcement — through inspectors from the city’s Department of Building and Safety — will begin starting on Nov. 29.
Los Angeles County data indicate that some 80.2% of residents ages 12 and older have received at least one does of a COVID-19 vaccine as of last week and 72% are fully vaccinated.
Los Angeles joins a growing number of municipalities mandating the coronavirus vaccine for indoor venues. A similar indoor vaccine requirement went into effect in New York City in August, though its rollout sparked backlash.
Despite a small yet vocal faction of Americans opposing the shot, health officials have reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at reducing hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.
The CMA Awards have unveiled a star-studded list of presenters including Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line and American Idol judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
The lineup boasts a wide variety of singers, actors and major names in country music including Lady A, Russell Dickerson, Scotty McCreery, Ingrid Andress, Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert‘s “Drunk And I Don’t Wanna Go Home” duet partner Elle King, along with country icons Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Amy Grant and “Strawberry Wine” singer Deana Carter.
Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon is also set to present, along with The Goldbergs’ actress-turned-country singer Hayley Orrantia,The West Wing star Dulé Hill, Chuck actor ZacharyLevi and Tony Award-nominated Broadway performer Saycon Sengbloh.
“You Say” singer Lauren Daigle, social activist Faith Fennidy,MLB player Freddie Freeman and former NFL quarterback KurtWarner round out the presenters.
Luke Bryan hosts the 2021 CMA Awards live from Nashville on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, were accused of being members of one of New York City’s most dangerous gangs during his sexual assault trial.
Petty, who is married to the “Anaconda” rapper, is on trial for allegedly threatening and attempting to bribe Jennifer Hough, who accused him of raping her in 1994. During court testimony, Hough’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, said Minaj, born Onika Maraj, and her husband, belonged to the Makk Balla Brims gang, according to court documents obtained by AllHipHop.com.
“[Kenneth] Petty and Maraj were both in this district, in Jamaica, Queens, New York. As seen on an Instagram Live video currently up on Maraj’s Instagram page, both Maraj and Petty were seen associating with members of the Makk Ballers set of the Bloods Gang. Petty and Maraj are both members of this gang,” Blackburn told Judge Eric Vitaliano.
“Shortly after Petty and Maraj are spotted with their gangster colleagues, a member of the gang posted a death threat to Ms. Hough on Twitter, stating: ‘Jennifer if you see this, the Makks are coming to get you,’” Blackburn added.
As previously reported, Hough filed a $20 million civil suit against Petty. She accused him, and his wife, of threatening her to retract her allegations that he raped her in 1994. Hough also says in her lawsuit that Petty and Minaj offered up $500,000 to recant her story.
Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in the case in April 1995 and sentenced to 18 to 54 months in prison. In January 2020, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender when he moved to Los Angeles. In August, Petty plead guilty to the charge. His sentencing is set for January 24, 2022.
(HOUSTON) — All eight of the victims have been identified in the deadly stage surge at the Astroworld Festival concert.
23-year-old Arturo Sanchez, an attendee, said his heart literally stopped as he was trampled by the crowd, and he believed he was going to die himself.
Bruised and battered, Sanchez told ABC News from his hospital bed on Sunday about the panic and chaos that erupted during the opening song of rapper Travis Scott’s performance.
He said that as soon as Scott began to sing, the crowd surged forward, knocking him off balance and causing him to fall to the ground near the front of the stage.
“I was on the floor screaming for help and trying to reach for people’s hands so they could see me and no one could see me,” Sanchez said. “I just kind of accepted the fact that I was going to die and I did for a little bit. My heart stopped, apparently.”
Sanchez said doctors told him he suffered a heart attack and had briefly flatlined.
He said he remembered a large man falling on him and sitting on his chest as he struggled to breathe and then passed out.
Sanchez said a registered nurse attending the concert performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him and helped get him to an ambulance.
“She saved my life, honestly,” Sanchez said.
Last victim identified
The medical examiner was able to identify the last of the eight victims who died on Sunday after asking for the public’s help in identifying the man.
Oscar Acosta confirmed to ABC station KTRK in Houston that his son, Axel Acosta, died at Memorial Hermann Hospital. He said his son traveled from Washington to see Scott perform.
Acosta identified his son after the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences released a post-mortem photo of the 6-foot-2, nearly 500-pound man, and asked the public for help in identifying him.
Axel Acosta, 21, was among the concertgoers killed when throngs in the estimated crowd of 50,000 packed into NRG Park — which is next to NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans NFL football team — suddenly surged toward the stage, authorities said. Another 25 people were injured, one just 10 years old, officials said.
Five other people killed were identified by either their families or the schools they attended.
‘An innocent young soul’
Danish Baig, 27, of Dallas was killed while trying to save his fiancee, Olivia Swingle, who had fallen and was reportedly about to be trampled by concert-goers pushing forward, his brother Basil Baig told ABC News.
“He was an innocent young soul who would always put others before him,” Basil Baig said in a statement. “He was a hardworking man who loved his family and took care of us. He was there in a heartbeat for anything. He always had a solution to everything.”
Basil Baig said in a Facebook post that he also was at the concert, promoted and organized by Live Nation, and described it as being “poorly” managed and supervised. He alleged that Scott provoked the crowd to move toward the stage.
“Travis Scott and his team and everyone associated in the event should and will be held responsible,” Basil Baig said in his statement to ABC News.
In videos Scott posted on Instagram Saturday, he said he tried to spot people in the crowd having physical problems and paused during the show to try to get help to fans that appeared in need.
“I could just never imagine the severity of the situation,” Scott said in one of the videos.
In a separate statement, Live Nation said, “We will continue working to provide as much information and assistance as possible to the local authorities as they investigate the situation.”
The youngest victim
The youngest victim who died was 14-year-old John Hilgert, a freshman at Memorial High School in Houston, according to a letter the school’s principal sent to parents.
“Our hearts go out to the student’s family and to his friends and our staff at Memorial,” principal Lisa Weir wrote in the letter. “This is a terrible loss, and the entire MHS family is grieving today.”
One victim had passion for dance
Also killed was 16-year-old Brianna Rodriguez, a junior at Heights High School in Houston, her aunt, Iris Rodriguez, told ABC News.
Iris Rodriguez said her niece had a passion for dance.
“Now she’s dancing her way to heaven’s pearly gates,” the Rodriguez family wrote on a GoFundMe page that included a series of photos of Brianna.
College senior dies
Franco Patiño, 21, a senior at the University of Dayton in Ohio, was identified by the school as one of the concertgoers killed.
In a letter addressed to members of the university’s campus community, the school’s president, Eric Spina, said Patiño was from Naperville, Illinois, and was majoring in mechanical engineering technology with a minor in human movement biomechanics.
Patiño was also a member of Alpha Psi Lambda, a Hispanic-interest fraternity, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Spina wrote. Patiño had been working in an engineering coop program in Mason, Ohio, according to Spina.
‘Huge hole in our lives’
The family of Jacob “Jake” E. Jurinek said in a statement Sunday that he was among those killed. Jurinek was a junior at Southern Illinois University and was majoring in art and media, his family said.
“We are all devastated and are left with a huge hole in our lives,” said Jurinek’s father, Ron Jurinek.
Rodolfo Pena, 23, from Laredo, Texas, and Madison Dubiski, 23, from Cypress, Texas were also killed.
Bedlam ensues
The concert bedlam unfolded around 9:30 p.m. local time Friday when the “the crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage,” Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña told reporters during a news conference Friday night.
“That caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries,” Peña said.
At least 13 people injured remain hospitalized, including five under the age of 18, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters during a briefing.
As of Sunday night, at least one lawsuit has been filed against Scott.
What triggered the surge is under investigation by the Houston Police Department. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he has ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to make state resources available to support the investigation.
Scott has history of issues at concerts
Problems have previously occurred at other Travis Scott concerts. In 2015, the rapper was arrested on charges of inciting a crowd to jump barriers at a Lollapalooza concert in Chicago. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid a fine, according to officials.
In 2017, Scott was arrested again after he invited more people to come closer to the stage, prompting fans at the Walmart Music Pavilion in Rogers, Arkansas, to breach barricades and overrun security. In that case, he also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and paid a fine.
Prior to the fatal surge at Scott’s concert on Friday night, some 300 people had been treated throughout the day at the music festival by on-site medical personnel, authorities said. There were “many instances” where they had to administer Narcan, which is used to treat a narcotic overdose, said Peña, who did not have an exact number.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said that during the pandemonium, a private security guard working at the festival was possibly injected in the neck with drugs as he was attempting to grab or restrain someone.
“When he was examined, he went unconscious,” Finner said during a Saturday afternoon briefing. “(Medical staff) administered Narcan. He was revived, and the medical staff did notice a prick that was similar to a prick that you would get if someone was trying to inject.”
ABC News’ Meredith Deliso, Jenna Harrison, Kendall Coughlin, Darren Reynolds and Marcus Moore
Van Morrison is being sued for libel by Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann after the singer called the politician “dangerous” in a series of recent outbursts criticizing Swann over his policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sunday Life newspaper reports.
According to the paper, Swann has hired libel lawyer Paul Tweed, who has represented such high-profile clients as Harrison Ford, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez, and is preparing for a High Court showdown with Morrison this coming February, unless the case can be settled before that.
Swann’s lawyers claim that Van’s public comments were equivalent to accusing the minister of misusing his office and endangering the public, and maintain that the singer falsely suggested that Swann had misrepresented facts regarding the pandemic.
The lawsuit stems from three separate incidents where Morrison verbally attacked Swann. The first occurred at a June concert in Belfast where Morrison, angered that some of his upcoming concerts had been canceled because of the pandemic, attempted to lead the audience in a chant of “Robin Swann is very dangerous.”
The second incident occurred when a Sunday Life reporter asked Van to comment about whether he regretted his remarks about Swann at his Belfast show and Morrison responded, “No, no I don’t regret it…Of course he’s dangerous.”
The third instance cited was a pair of videos Van posted on his YouTubechannel in which he explains why he feels Swann is dangerous, while also expressing disdain for the politician over a then-recent op-ed piece Swann wrote for Rolling Stone in which he criticized Van’s anti-lockdown views and his series of recent protest songs he’d released in which he expressed those views.
Starting last year, Morrison began releasing songs protesting U.K.-imposed regulations meant to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Van believes the regulations are taking away people’s freedoms and destroying musicians’ livelihoods.
