What a way to spend an anniversary.

Earlier this week, former American Idol champ Jordin Sparks spent time tweeting from, of all places, her hospital bed.

“Was struck w/ acute appendicitis…took out that appendix last night. Recovering today & the next week or so,” the 19-year-old wrote yesterday on her Twitter account.

A tour bus carrying lighting crew members of Miley Cyrus’ tour overturned this morning, killing the driver.

The bus - one of four traveling near Richmond, Virginia - for some reason went off the side of I-85 before hitting an embankment and falling on its side. The victim, who was pronounced dead on the scene, has not yet been identified. Of the 14 passengers on-board (including the driver), 9 others reportedly sustained relatively minor injuries.

The circumstances of the 8:15 a.m. accident are still being investigated. It’s not known whether rain may have played a role.

The 16-year-old singer, who is set for a Sunday concert in Greenboro, N.C., was not traveling with any part of that caravan. At this time, she is still scheduled to perform this weekend.

Read More | MSNBC

As if we needed any more reason to admire the talent of Lady Gaga, we just came across this video of her from her pre-Gaga (and pre-blonde) days. Here, she is performing at the annual NYU talent show as Stefani Germanotta, performing Captivated and Electric Kiss while playing piano.

We also like what she says at the 5:48 mark in the video posted after the break. She is definitely cognizant about her surroundings, and her role in the music business. Listen to her comments about her album, The Fame, as well as Princess Diana.

Beyonce Knowles definitely knows how to put herself out there.

At a London concert earlier this week, Beyonce surprised fans with a rock star move during her performance of “Halo.” (Cue the video to the :20 mark to see the singer dive into the crowd.) Not only does she entrust the attendees to carry her around, she manages to simultaneously carry a tune.

See, Britney? It is possible to sing live and entertain your audience at the same time.

Read More | Perez Hilton

Liam Gallagher says his songs with his new band are better than before. The 37-year-old singer has been working with every member of Oasis, except brother Noel who quit the group in August, on fresh material and plans to have an album out by July.

He told MTV Italy:

“We’ve been demoing some songs that we’ve had about, that we’ve had for a while. Just doing that, on the quiet, not making a big fuss about it. After Christmas we might go in the studio and record them and hopefully have an album out in July. We’ll do it in a different kind of way now. I’ll try and reconnect with a new band, new songs, and I’m feeling confident about the songs. I’m feeling a million percent confident that they could be better than Oasis.”

Janet Jackson has confirmed she has split from boyfriend Jermaine Dupri.

The singer - who was first rumored to have separated from the music executive in July - admitted she didn’t keep in touch with any of her ex-lovers apart from Jermaine during a US radio interview.

Speaking on Atlanta’s “Bert Show,” Jackson said: “I’m not the type of girl that stays in touch with your ex like that. But Jermaine is one of my best friends. I love him to death. We’re still connected. We’re still good friends. We still talk.”

Janet, 43, reportedly ended her seven-year relationship with Jermaine, 37, in the wake of Michael Jackson‘s shocking death. At the time, it was claimed the “All For You” singer decided to call time on the romance because she felt suffocated by her lover.

The Strokes’ Is This It has been named album of the decade.

The American rockers’ 2001 debut LP topped a list compiled by British music magazine NME made up of votes from record producers, label bosses and musicians, including members of Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys who both rank highly.

NME Editor Krissi Murison said: “This is the definitive word on the greatest albums of the ‘00s - as voted for by everyone who helped make music brilliant this decade.”

Read More | NME magazine

Nicole Scherzinger always thought she was ugly.

The singer - who is currently working alone since the Pussycat Dolls decided to take a temporary break - said she only started to feel attractive once she joined the group in 2003.

“Growing up, I was incredibly shy. And awkward. And lanky! I always thought I was an ugly duckling. I guess it worked out OK in the end. Ultimately though, true beauty shines from within,” the 31-year-old claims. “I know joining the group helped me to find out who I am - and I love the message that any woman can be strong, confident and sexy.”

Scherzinger said performing with the band helped her feel confident. “I consider myself sexy when I’m dancing with the Dolls. It brings out an inner strength, a bolder attitude and a fiery, fearless spirit,” Nicole added to Britain’s Cosmopolitan magazine. “But away from the stage I can be a different person. I’m either shy or goofy, depending on my mood.”

It should go without saying that any music video involving Lady Gaga will probably be…unusual. But who expected this from Beyoncé?

The minute you see the Reservoir Dogs-style open, you know “Video Phone” will be a wild ride. (It is directed by Hype Williams after all.) Men with cameras as heads? Sasha Fierce armed with futuristic outfits, a Bettie page haircut…and guns? Gaga looking…normal?

I can only imagine what other projects these two ladies have collaborated on. Well, actually - I probably can’t.

Read More | MTV

Keith Urban is astonished by how much his life changed when wife Nicole Kidman gave birth to their first child, daughter Sunday Rose, 17 months ago.

When asked how life changed when he became a father, the country artist said: “I think, as Nicole has said, it’s just the stretching of the heart. It is an indescribable feeling. It was much like the first time Sunday cried, when she came into the world. There are certain things in life you have to experience, otherwise, it’s just a vague concept of what it would be like. It’s had such a big impact on my life.”

The 42-year-old singer has even altered his musical career so he can spend more time with his family. “I structured the tour so I would do three shows in a row, then take about three or four days off. Now we have Sunday, it is about enjoying the simple pleasures - just being able to say ‘Goodnight’ to my girls and not be on the phone doing it,” he added. “It’s the real normal things like that that have brought such a grounding to my life. It’s a wonderful experience.”

The Who is already played three nights a week on CBS, so why not make it a fourth?

The rock band behind “Who Are You”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Baba O’Riley” (a.k.a. the three different CSI theme songs) is now rumored to be Super Bowl XLIV’s halftime act.

Although the report has not yet been confirmed by the NFL, it would be just like that network to milk a series - or band - to death.

The championship game will be played February 7, 2010 in Miami.

Read More | Billboard

Janet Jackson is set to open the upcoming American Music Awards (AMAs).

The “All For You” hitmaker will sing a medley to start the November 22 ceremony, which sees her late brother Michael Jackson nominated in five categories.

“We’re thrilled about having Janet Jackson open this year’s show,” American Music Awards producer Larry Klein said. “She is an incredibly dynamic performer and I think the audience will be excited to see what she has in store.”

This will be the fourth AMAs performance for the Janet, who has won nine of the awards in previous years, and follows her moving tribute to her brother at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September. On November 18, Jackson will also be featured in a primetime interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts.

Other stars to perform at this year’s AMAs at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre include Lady Gaga, Eminem, Jay-Z, Shakira, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Green Day, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

“Man, she’s gonna be like Justin [Timberlake]. She comes from that same musical background, where she’s just got it. Her voice is just there. The best way to put it is she’s special. When I worked with her, I was very impressed. I was like, ‘Whoa.’”

-Timbaland on Miley Cyrus, one of the singers he worked with for his upcoming album, Shock Value II.

(Make sure to check out our other notable quotes.)

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

Sir Paul McCartney inspired his own son to make music.

The Beatles legend is a massive influence on James, 32, who has formed The Light with pals Bryan Johnson on drums and bassist Charlie Turner, who grew up in Allerton, the same area of Liverpool where Paul spent his childhood and inspired many of the group’s later hits.

James - who plays a cherry-red Fender Stratocaster guitar given to him by the international star - said: “I have been playing music since I was nine and writing along the way. I met my band about a year ago. Producer David Kahne introduced us and my dad helped.”

Read More |

“I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me.”

Should Taylor Swift start packing her bags and call it a career? One week after wowing critics with her humor on Saturday Night Live, the 19-year-old reached a professional high when she perfected a clean sweep at last night’s CMA Awards.

After collecting wins for Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Love Story”) and Album of the Year, she ended the evening with the event’s biggest award: Entertainer of the Year. Swift is now the youngest person to ever win that prize and the first solo woman since Shania Twain in 1999 to do so.

You can see a full list of winners after the jump.

Read More | CMT

Fall Out Boy have decided not to continue performing “Beat It” - a rendition they recorded with John Mayer last year - in light of Michael Jackson‘s death.

“We never got the chance to meet him. I don’t even know if he heard it. We kind of recorded it on a whim, like, nine months before he passed away,” bassist Pete Wentz revealed. “We’ve decided not to play it anymore. It’s his song, you know? We put it on the record because we did a video for it, but it’s definitely his song.”

Wentz - who writes most of the group’s lyrics - also admitted that he takes great care when choosing the band’s infamously long song titles, but never reveals them until the last minute.

“Lyrics are just like spring cleaning; it just dumps out of my head and leaves Patrick to put it together. Song titles are all inside jokes or references to the songs. They’re not random,” he revealed. “I choose them at the last minute before the record goes to print and then it just pisses everybody off.”

He may have an interest in doing solo projects, but that doesn’t mean Steven Tyler‘s quitting his day job. In fact, the lead singer made certain everyone knew that last night.

After surprising an audience at a Joe Perry gig, the 61-year-old lead singer told the crowd that he isn’t going anywhere. “New York, I want you to know I’m not leaving Aerosmith,” Tyler claimed. Following his announcement, Tyler fronted a peformance of “Walk This Way.”

That declaration was seconded by Perry on Twitter earlier in the day. “Aerosmith is definetly NOT breaking up. One of the members is doing his own thing and said so in the press. That’s all I know,” he wrote.

Read More | Reuters

Jay-Z is preparing to give The Ting Tings a career boost in the US. The “That’s Not My Name” duo have just signed with rap superstar’s record label, Roc Nation, for their second album.

“Jay is hoping to lend his production skills to some of the new material,” a source told Britain’s Daily Star. “The Staccato rhythmic style of The Ting Tings sits well with what he does best, so that was the attraction. Jay can make them one of the biggest bands across the pond.”

While the duo are thrilled with their deal, they are unlikely to be happy with the amount of time they will have to spend in America.

The group - made up of singer and guitarist Katie White and drummer and programmer Jules de Martino - recently said despite their huge success, they have been homesick since they started touring the world in support of their debut album We Started Nothing in May 2008.

Read More | Daily Star

I wasn’t sure I’d ever see a weirder music video than Lady Gaga‘s Paparazzi, but never one to rest on her laurels, the artist has topped herself with the video for her new track Bad Romance. The imagery alone is WTF-worthy, but when it’s all said and done, you’ll be a better person for having experienced it.

We’ll be taking a look at all the gadgetry hidden in Bad Romance, including an oddly placed Wii Nunchuk, over on Gear Live.

EDIT: Okay, be sure to check out the 10 gadget sightings in Bad Romance over on Gear Live!

John Mayer has defended Britney Spears for lip-synching in Australia.

The “Gravity” singer - who is also in Australia promoting his latest album - blasted fans who had called for a refund after the “Womanizer” star’s show in Perth after she sparked outrage by not singing live for her whole performance.

“If you’re shocked that Britney was lip-synching at her concert and want your money back, life may continue to be hard for you,” Mayer wrote on Twitter.

Britney, 27, was said to have hid in her hotel room on Saturday following her performance on Friday night. “Britney is aware of all this and she’s extremely upset by it,” a rep for the star said.

This is way worse than the split between Ken and Barbie.

Rumors are circulating that Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler might be thinking of leaving the band to pursue his own personal musical interests. Tyler, a success without Joe Perry? Dream on!

Read More | E! Online

Mark Feehily says he’s fed up of people criticizing Westlife for doing cover songs. The 29-year-old vocalist said he was annoyed his group - who have had 14 number one hits and sold more than 43 million records sold worldwide - were “misunderstood.”

“Our record company, they don’t want to take risks, so they are happier to do more covers,” the “Flying Without Wings” vocalist claimed. “To anyone who criticizes what we do, we actually do a lot of original pop songs and a lot of our best songs, a lot of our number one singles are actually original pop songs.”

Although Feehily did admit the group has done “too many covers,” their newest single, “What About Now,” is actually a song originally done by Daughtry, the American Idol contestant. “It’s a cover in the way that it’s been recorded by another artist but it’s not a cover in the way ‘Mandy’ was, in that it’s been a massive hit already,” Mark explained.

Westlife’s upcoming album, Where We Are, will be released in a few weeks.

Not only was Taylor Swift divinely funny during her Saturday Night Live appearance, she delivered musically as well.

Watch the video above to see Swift’s live performance of her popular “You Belong With Me.”

Read More | YouTube

Pay attention, kids. This is what living inside the Disney bubble might do to you. Miley Cyrus is so out-of-touch with her own music and her own image, she doesn’t even think she’s a pop singer.

Uhhh…what? Watch the interview above, where Miley Cyrus admits she’s “never heard a Jay-Z” song, despite the lyrics of her popular joint “Party in the U.S.A.” The Disney darling goes on to say she’s not a pop singer - it’s “not even my style.” Somebody, let this child get in touch with reality.

Read More | TMZ

Even though Britney Spears isn’t exactly known for her live vocal talents, someone wants to make sure those Down Under know what they’re paying for.

Australia’s Minister for Fair Trading for New South Wales is tossing around the idea of including a disclaimer of sorts in concert-related materials. “It is Britney’s ‘prerogative’ to lip-sync, and it is my job to make sure consumers know what they are paying for up front,” Virginia Judge said in a statement.

Judge doesn’t necessarily believe Britney’s upcoming performance will be a disappointment, she just wants fans entering with their eyes wide open. “Personally I would rather see a live set from a local artist,” the government employee said, “but I am sure Britney’s fans will be treated to a spectacular show.”

Read More | People

No Doubt are suing the makers of a music video game.

The American rock group agreed to have their name and likenesses used in Band Hero, but the band’s manager, Jim Guerinot, said they were “mortified” to find out that players could use singer Gwen Stefani to perform other artists’ songs. “They’re just like, ‘What? We didn’t sign up for this,’ ” Guerinot said.

No Doubt - whose hits include “Don’t Speak” and “Just A Girl” - are suing the game’s manufacturers Activision for breach of contract and fraudulent inducement. Activision said it “believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band.”

I’m not sure how a date change would really make a difference in Chris Brown‘s life at this point, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt for him to try.

Although the 20-year-old singer’s upcoming album was originally set for release on December 15, it will now be made available one week earlier.

Why would Chris want Graffiti dropped closer to Rihanna’s own release date (Nov. 23)? Closer to the unveiling of his ex’s 20/20 interview? Who knows? Maybe Jive Records figures it’s best to take advantage of any publicity - good or bad?

Whatever the reason, the CD comes shortly after Brown kicks off a list of performances. He’ll kick off his Fan Appreciation tour in Houston on November 14 and wrap up in New York on December 15.

Read More | People

The Rolling Stones may be about to tour again.

Ronnie Wood confirmed he had been in touch with band members Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts just last week and everything was “great” - hinting the group could hit the road again soon. He added that he was confident the band could do a follow up tour to 2007’s Bigger Bang.

Earlier this week, Wood picked up the Outstanding Contribution award at the Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards. The rocker, who was at the event with his 20-year-old Russian girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova, also said there could be a reunion with his other band, Faces. “Well, we just had one, and there will definitely be more,” he stated.

Commenting on rock stars wearing makeup, Ronnie said: “It’s like KISS - they’re people you don’t recognize in the street, then they take makeup off, I’ve always worn it, but I’ve not got any on tonight.”

There are yet to be any dates confirmed for either a Faces or Rolling Stones tour.

Boyzone may be too distraught over Stephen Gately’s death to tour.

The group confirmed earlier this week they are planning to use vocals recorded by Stephen before his sudden and unexpected death last month on their new album, but frontman Ronan Keating said their grief may prevent them from taking the new material on tour.

“We’ve got his vocals for several tracks, thank God. But as for going on the road, we may tour, we may not. I keep remembering things and I get emotional,” Ronan said. The singer also revealed he thinks the band’s next single - which will feature Stephen’s voice and was written by British pop star Mika - will have a huge impact.

Gavin Rossdale is going to perform with his three-year-old son.

The “Swallowed” singer says Kingston - his eldest child with wife Gwen Stefani - is already displaying signs of wanting to follow in the footsteps of his rocker parents and has promised him he can join them one day.

“At the last benefit we were at, he wanted to get on stage with me and sing,” Rossdale revealed. “I told him we can, but we have to practice a bit first.”

Gavin added Kingston particularly loves the drums and always wants to help out in sound checks. “He always wants to come now. During the show, he loves to be on stage on the side. But he loves to play the drums during the sound checks and play with my guitar pedals. He likes to check the mic,” he told Popeater.

Kingston and his brother, 14-month-old Zuma, often go on tour with Gavin and with Gwen’s band No Doubt, and Stefani said she valued the quality time with her children. Speaking about a recent trip to Russia with Zuma, Gwen, 40, recently said: “It has been perfect. I knew I couldn’t be without him.”

Read More | Popeater