More news round-up: EMI, Beyonce, Clarence Clemons, $9800 Lollapalooza meet & greet, 'first ever poster' auction

The EMI Group, one of the world's largest music companies representing artists including Coldplay, Katy Perry and Damon Albarn's Gorillaz, has been put up for sale by its owner Citigroup, according to online reports today. EMI has been controlled by Citigroup since February after its previous private equity owner - Guy Hands' Terra Firma - defaulted on a loan.

The British company, which has signed artists including Tinie Tempah and The Beatles - as well as Mrs Russell Brand - was saddled with £3.2bn of debt following the credit crisis and because of the digitisation of the music industry. The EMI group could fetch between £1.5billion to £2.4billion. Possible bidders for the company include Universal Music group, Sony Corp and Warner Music Group, which itself has just been sold off. Warner Music, EMI's US rival, has previously approached the company with takeover bids.

Chris Martin played a role in securing Beyonce's headline appearance at this weekend's Glastonbury Festival, it has been revealed. Bey was wary of performing at the event after her husband Jay-Z experienced a public backlash before his appearance in 2008. Beyonce will top the bill on the final night of the festival, which runs from June 24-26th. Organiser Emily Eavis told the Radio Times Martin, whose band headline on Saturday (June 25), had become a key confidant when they were booking the festival's headliners. "Chris is a bit wary of people knowing he’s been so involved," Eavis said. "I don’t know why because it’s actually cool. Chris is as loyal as they come – he’ll do anything for Glastonbury. He’s really an unlikely frontman. Most people are a bit more all-consumed with their own thing." [thanks mimixxx]

A host of musicians have paid tribute to E Street Band saxophone player Clarence Clemons, who died at the end of last week (June 18th), including Coldplay. The longtime Bruce Springsteen collaborator had been in hospital since suffering a stroke at his Florida home last weekend (June 11-12) and died of complications relating to the illness. Coldplay called Clemons their "favourite saxophone player" in a brief statement in their Hypnofeed on their website, Coldplay.com, where they also posted a YouTube clip of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band track 'Jungleland'.

The bidding has now ended on the Coldplay meet and greet auction on eBay, in aid of the Joplin Tornado Relief efforts. Here's what someone has won for $9800: Two (2) x 3 day passes to Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 5th-7th 2011; Meet and greet for one plus guest with Coldplay at the venue on August 5th, 2011; Two domestic economy class tickets to/from Chicago; One double room for 4 nights (4th - 8th) at the Swissotel Hotel in Chicago. If that was you - well done!

If you're interested in Coldplay memorabilia, then this auction is for you. On eBay right now, is the first ever poster that Coldplay signed as a band. Here is the description: You are bidding for a piece of British Music History. This is the first ever signed poster by Coldplay (full band). All individual members have signed with Chris Martin adding to the poster: "This is our first ever signed poster, well done". I am the only person to have owned this, background to it below. I won a few prizes on Steve Lamacq's Evening Session on Tuesday 11th Jul 2000 (the week of Parachutes release). I received a signed promo cd of Parachutes and Steve sent me an extra gift seeing as I was pretty hooked on the band. This was the signed poster! Not only was it signed by the whole band, it also has a message from Chris saying " This is our first ever signed poster, Well Done!" I put this away about 10 years ago and have decided now it should go to a better home as I am not as passionate for the band as I was before. You will never get any Coldplay item as unique as this. Due to reasons beyond my control and the fact I feel it would have a better home with a bigger Coldplay fan, I am selling this one of a kind Coldplay collectable.