Midge Ure, producer, was quoted by the BBC, as saying, "I'm building up a dream team. It's a pretty big line-up. Once you've got a handful of people like that, the rest of it will come. The phones are ringing off the hook right now."

The former Ultravox frontman has confirmed that all the stars will get together on Sunday, November 14, to remake the 1984 hit which included artists like Duran Duran, U2, Sting and George Michael and sold a record 3.5 million copies in the UK alone to raise money for the Ethiopia famine.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi has spent much of the last 15 years under arrest. She was detained again in May of last year and remains under house arrest by Myanmar's military rulers, who have held power in various guises since 1962.

"Aung San Suu Kyi is a real hero," said Bono, lead singer of Irish rock band U2, in a statement before Tuesday's release of the compilation album "For the Lady". It also features Peter Gabriel, Coldplay and Damien Rice.

The album includes previously unreleased material by R.E.M. and Pearl Jam, as well as the U2 song "Walk On", which was dedicated to Suu Kyi and banned in Myanmar, and a song written by a jailed student democracy activist.

"Any time anyone inside Burma listens to my music, I want them to know that they are listening to an artist that supports their freedom," Eric Clapton said in the statement.

Music industry execs are hammering out plans for a new mega-gig to take place next summer. Coldplay, The Darkness and Jamelia have already signed up for Band Aid III, where they will record an up-to-date version of Do They Know It's Christmas?

Tentative discussions about the concert originally took place earlier this year, with U2 frontman Bono the driving force. The plans were put on the back-burner at the time, but have now been rekindled, as the Band Aid III record takes shape.Instead of helping Ethiopia's hungry, the target of the new show will be famine-stricken Darfur and it is likely to be staged at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

A source revealed: "With the single taking place, the concert is likely to be the event of 2005."

Status Quo have been pencilled in to repeat their curtain-raising performance from July 13, 1985 at the marathon gig which wowed audiences at Wembley and in Philadelphia. Last night Quo manager Simon Porter said: "We'd do it if we were asked."

You can discuss this story here

Source: Sunday Mirror

Midge Ure has revealed he wants Coldplay's Chris Martin and Tom Chaplin of Keane to sing the opening lines of the Band Aid III single.

'I fancy getting Coldplay and Keane to sit at facing pianos across the studio to open the song,' said Midge last night. 'Wouldn't that sound amazing?'I spoke to Fran Healy of Travis yesterday and he's well up for taking part too.'

Other big names signed up for the new version of charity hit Do They Know It's Christmas? include Noel Gallagher, Jamelia, The Darkness, Dido and Blur's Damon Albarn.

Midge, who gave me a sneak preview of his dream for the new Band Aid project, said: 'I got in touch with Nigel Godrich, who is in Los Angeles working on Paul McCartney's new album, and he's agreed to produce the single. 'I'll oversee things and keep it within the realms of reasonable taste.'

Midge co-wrote the song with ex-Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof after being inspired by Michael Buerk's harrowing news report on the famine in Ethiopia for BBC news. They recorded the track - recruiting star pals such as Duran Duran, Sting, Paul Weller, George Michael, Paul Young, Phil Collins and Boy George - in just 24 hours in London.

It became the Christmas No.1 in 1984 and every penny from sales helped raise millions to buy supplies for starving children in Africa. Geldof even browbeat Margaret Thatcher to urge the Government to waive VAT on each single sold. At first she refused but the VAT cash was given as a donation to Band Aid after pressure from the public.

Do They Know It's Christmas? was a hit for a second time in 1989 when the song was covered Kylie Minogue, Bros, Jason Donovan, Cliff Richard, Lisa Stansfield and Wet Wet Wet. Midge hasn't yet worked out exactly who will be the featured vocalists on the third version But Bono of U2 will be asked to recreate his original line: 'Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you.'

Midge told me: 'There are only about 10 lines of lyrics that you can give to individual singers. It will just be very exciting to get all those different artists into the same room. That's what made the 1984 version so great. 'We could have recorded this new single without getting any of the bands together. When the BBC made their all-star version of Perfect Day each act recorded their parts separately.

'I'd rather not do that. There's something magical about the concept of Travis, Keane, Coldplay and The Darkness all being in the same room. 'That's what the fans want to see. Imagine being a fly-on-the-wall when Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn turn up.'

The first Band Aid single - Do They Know It's Christmas? - was recorded on November 25, 1984. #Paul Young got the honour of singing the famous opening line. Among the acts who featured were: Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Sting, Paul Weller, U2, Status Quo, Bananarama, Boy George, Phil Collins and Marilyn.

Band Aid II was produced by Pete Waterman - who cancelled his wedding to work on the project. He joined forces with Mick Stock and Matt Aitken to record the track on December 3, 1989. Stars on the track included Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Bros, Cliff Richard, Wet Wet Wet, Sonia and Jimmy Somerville.

You can discuss this story here

Source: Sunday Mail

"We're in the process of putting it together," says Grainge. "Logistically, it's an extraordinary event. Every four or five hours there's a new twist or turn."Long-time rivals Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn are also teaming up for Band Aid III.

Organiser Midge Ure, who co-wrote 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' with Sir Bob Geldof, has revealed the Oasis guitarist and Blur frontman have agreed to bury the hatchet for the first time in ten years to take part in the charity project. However, Damon is planning to take part under the guise of his animated band Gorillaz. Midge revealed: "Noel said he's going to do it and I heard Damon is as well, but as one of the Gorillaz."

Coldplay, The Darkness and Travis will also feature on the song, which will be produced by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, while Midge wants U2 frontman Bono to sing his famous line from the original 1984 version: "Tonight thank God it's them instead of you."

The Darkness star Justin Hawkins wanted to sing the line, but Midge thinks Bono should have the honour. He told BBC radio station 6Music: "Bono turned that line into his and I think it would be really difficult to replace him. I don't think it would suit Justin's falsetto voice."

The new version will mark the 20th anniversary of the original, which was a worldwide hit raising millions for Africa's famine victims.

Pop singer Jamelia has just signed up for Band Aid III's re-recording of Do They Know It's Christmas?, alongside Coldplay, The Darkness and Travis.

A William Hill spokesman said: "Were we to include Band Aid in the betting, it would be a red-hot favourite and would decimate the market." Organiser Midge Ure has said he doesn't want rock veterans like U2 on the new version of the charity track - he's after Robbie Williams, Keane and Radiohead.

Jamelia, 23, said: "I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to be part of it. It is important for my generation to realise we can try and change things. I was only three years old the first time around, so I'm really pleased I can help to bring awareness to a generation that missed it. I am happy to do what I can to help - I'd urge others to do the same."

Source: Sky News

Their cover of Chrissy Hynde's '2000 Miles' won them the award at the star-studded ceremony in London.

Coldplaying.com was in the running for 'People's Choice Award For Best Unofficial Music Award'. We'll let you know what position we came soon.

Frontmen Chris Martin, Justin Hawkins and Fran Healy have told Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure they will drop everything to make the charity track. Now Midge and Sir Bob are talking to Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, Jamelia, Blur and Dido about joining the stellar Band Aid III line-up.

Do They Know It’s Christmas? 2004 will be recorded in the next few weeks. The song is already odds-on favourite at bookies to be Christmas No1. Midge Ure, 51, is masterminding the third Band Aid line-up — backed by Geldof.

Chris Martin, 27, has told Midge: "I’m really up for it. I’m in the middle of recording a Coldplay album but I’ll be anywhere you want me to and sing a couple of lines."

You can discuss this story hereMidge and Geldof co-wrote the original in 1984 with legends including U2 and George Michael helping to raise £8million for Ethiopia.The pair teamed up again for Live Aid a year later and once more in 1989 for Band Aid II with acts like Rick Astley.

Last night Midge told The Sun: "It’s definitely going to happen. I’m very excited. This project is not just about raising money. It’s about putting the focus back on Africa and the problem of famine which has not gone away. The line-up proves that this country is brimming with talent and the big names approached seem very keen."

"Chris Martin actually contacted me. He reminds me of a young Bono. The great thing is we have real musicians in proper bands. Things are really snowballing. What’s frightening though is most of them were in nappies first time around!"

Travis star Fran Healy said: "This is a fantastic idea. I will be anywhere they want me to be at any time and I will cancel any engagement to take part."

Sir Bob, 53, added: "The money will be critical. There are severe famine conditions now and it will get worse in the next couple of months."

The single — with the original track on the B-side — comes as TWICE as many Ethiopians are starving now as in 1984. And Sudan’s Darfur region faces an “unprecedented food crisis”, according to the Red Cross yesterday. Tony Blair has demanded an end to genocide by warlords left unchecked by the government.

The ever-vigilant Breakfast Show listeners scoured the Celebrity Community for friendly famous folk to call into the show. Stars were spotted in the street, at bars, restaurants, and award ceremonies - even in their own homes! Hear the results for yourself and find out who won right here

Model and singer Rachel Stevens has revealed that she would love to work with Coldplay, if given an opportunity.

"They're good, they write amazing songs and I'd love to work with Chris Martin in the future," Ananova quoted Rachel as commenting on Coldplay.

Rachel also said that that the reason of Coldplay's success is that they create simple and soulful songs. "They are good - they write amazing songs, it's that simple," she added.

Source: Sify

Voting is now open here

You can hear Chris Martin's call online now - listen

The final days of the Bounty Hunter competition reached fever pitch with celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Ewan McGregor and Kate Winslet bombarding the studio with phone calls (listen to them here).

In fact, when Coldplay’s Chris Martin first phoned up, Xfm's Christian O'Connell had to put him on hold while he spoke to Angelina Jolie. Not that Chris seemed bothered (he hung up but rang back later) saying afterwards, "If I'd have had the choice between those two phone lines, I'd have made the same choice as you."

When asked about Coldplay’s new album, which the band are currently recording, Chris explained that, while it’s going well, it’s a stressful time. "We're trying to make something amazing you know?" he said, "And so what's coming up is a lot of panic and a lot of tension. Well, it's not coming up, we're in the middle of it at the moment, this is the most light-hearted conversation I've had for about four weeks."

"Yeah," he answered, when asked if things were tense for the band in the studio at the moment, "But it's gonna be worth it."

While rumours continue to circulate that Coldplay will be undertaking a handful of secret intimate UK dates later this year, Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland will be playing their only official live outing of 2004 so far at a benefit gig for Californian public radio station 89.9 FM KCRW at the 6,000 capacity Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on Saturday November 20.

You can listen to the interview You can hear Chris Martin's call online now - here

Source: XFM

They bought the $5.7m house from Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes and are currently renovating it before shifting in. But the neighbours have claimed that the house has a long history of supernatural activity.

"The house was stunning inside, even before Chris and Gwyneth started work, but there is an eerie feeling in there. Past occupants had bad luck in their families and were keen to sell. There were always rumours of unhappiness," ratethemusic quoted a neighbour as saying.

"Sam and Kate weren't in it for that long, so maybe they felt the same feelings. Hopefully, now the new owners have gutted it, the bad omens will have gone and they will enjoy happier times," he added.

X Factor winner 7/2 favourite, 7/1 Ronan Keating & Cat Stevens, 12/1 Bruce Forsyth, U2, Take That & Ice Cube, 16/1 Ricky Gervais with Noel Gallagher, Madonna, 20/1 Will Young, Westlife, The Darkness, Robbie Williams, Girls Aloud, 25/1 Busted, 33/1 Michelle McManus, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Gareth Gates, Coldplay, Atomic Kitten, Lemar, Paul Holt.

"What I call my baby is none of anyone's business,'' he tells Details in their October issue. "When we first told everyone we were Coldplay, they addressed us like we just said we bought a house on Mars. I think it's a cool name so why does it matter?''

The yoga devotee also tells the mag that being married to Gwynnie and fronting the hit Euro band is all it's cracked up to be. "My life is so bleeping privileged,'' he admits. I get so sad all the time that it has to end someday.''

Source: Boston Herald

The actress can sing, and even performed in the 2000 movie Duets, but she fears if their careers cross paths it could cause problems within the band and their marriage reports IMDb.com. Paltrow said: "People ask if I will sing with the band or do a duet, but always in the front of my mind is the Yoko effect. I don't want to be known as the girl who split up Coldplay.

"Music is one area that he doesn't give me advice on because that's starting to encroach on each other's career. The sure way for a marriage to start hitting problems is when you start sharing careers as well. We have an understanding that our careers must be kept apart."

Source: Ananova

James Leeds, who also writes the songs for city four-piece Cord, has spoken to his international icon, Chris Martin about the delay. A late decision by Coldplay to record three more songs for their third album put a spanner in the works for Cord because both bands are using the same producer, Danton Supple.

But despite a direct plea from James, two months later they are still waiting. "It's a bit of a pain in the backside," he said. "We were in the studio doing some work with Danton when Chris Martin came in to talk to him. So I said: 'Don't take our producer up for too long' and he said: 'Okay, I won't.'

"But here we are two months later. The Coldplay album should be finished next week, so hopefully we can get going fairly soon," said Leeds.

You can discuss this story hereCord had hoped to start recording in June, but after deciding against their first choice producer, they linked up with Mr Supple, only to see him 'stolen' until the autumn. "We're spending the extra time writing," said Leeds, speaking at his Norwich home. "When we were signed we had 21 songs. Now we've got 10 or 15 more.

"I'm hoping that rather than being a great album it will be an awesome album," he added.

Cord were signed by Island Records in April and are now bandmates with supergroup U2. The band's other members are drummer Phil Davison, bass player Andrew Walsh and Mike Jackson, described by James as "one of the world's best guitarists".

Recording is expected to start next month either in London or at a studio in Wales.

Source: EDP24

You can read the article here

Meanwhile, Sir Elton John has accused Madonna of cheating fans by miming on stage, while collecting a Q Award for songwriting. As he collected his Classic Songwriter prize in London on Monday, he criticised live award nominee Madonna. "Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay £75 to see them should be shot," Sir Elton said.

Muse won best live act while the Red Hot Chili Peppers won best act in the world and Roxy Music took the Lifetime Achievement award from Q magazine. Keane's Hopes and Fears was named best album, Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out won the best video prize and Razorlight were named best new act.Q Award winners 2004:

Best new act - Razorlight

Best producer - Mick Jones (for the Libertines)

Best live act - Muse

Best video - Franz Ferdinand (Take Me Out)

Q Merit Award - Shane McGowan

Best single - Jamelia (See It In A Boy's Eyes)

Q Innovation and Sound Award - Human League

Q Inspiration Award - Pet Shop Boys

Best Album - Keane (Hopes and Fears)

Best Act in the World Today - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Q Classic Songwriter award - Sir Elton John

Q Icon Award - U2

Q Lifetime Achievement Award - Roxy Music

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Chrish Martin tripped Alessandro Copetti when he tried to take a shot of him and wife Gwyneth Paltrow leaving a restaurant. The 27-year-old singer had claimed "aggressive" Copetti stumbled chasing their taxi. But after a five-month investigation he has owned up and accepted a police caution.

The photographer said Martin brought him down with a kick from behind as he photographed Gwyneth when she was pregnant with daughter Apple. Copetti injured his knee and broke his flash gun outside San Lorenzo in London's Knightsbridge, says The Sun.

He said: "At least he's accepted responsibility. The police said he apologised to them and was very helpful. But he has never apologised to me. He seems to think it is okay to be violent to photographers because he is a celebrity."

Police said: "A 27-year-old man was cautioned for common assault."

You can discuss this story here

Source: Ananova (more links to this story will be added shortly).

Coldplaying.com is also nominated in another category - The People's Choice Award for Best Music Website. Click here to vote for us. Tell your friends!

In his only magazine interview this year, Martin revealed details of the band’s hugely anticipated third album. He also spoke about his surprise appearance at last week’s Make Trade Fair show (September 14) where he appeared onstage with REM to sing 'Man On The Moon'.

Martin said that singer Michael Stipe has inspired him to write a song as good as their classic 'Losing My Religion', but the pressure inside the studio to follow-up the hugely successful second album ‘A Rush Of Blood To The Head’ is "immense".

You can discuss this story hereHe told nme.com: "We're under an immense amount of intense pressure in the studio… We’re working all the time because it’s so important. We can’t fuck it up. We’ll see, we’ll see, but I’m the last person to ask about our new record through because of the perspective I have."

Last year Martin famously told nme.com he was going to go away and "re-invent the wheel" for their next record. However, now recording is almost done, he is slightly more pragmatic about his ambitions.

He continued: "I think people will be a bit sick of us by the time we come back. By the way, that whole ‘wheel’ thing I said, that was just post-gig excitement! We’re just trying to redesign it, not reinvent it. We’re one receded inch away (from finishing). When my hair’s gone back another inch, I know we’ll have finished our album."

For the full interview, see this week's NME, out September 22.

Source: NME

The new album, snappily entitled ‘For the Lady: Dedicated to Freeing Aung San Suu Kyi and the Courageous People of Burma’ has been arranged to raise awareness of Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner who has been imprisoned (many times) by the Burmese government.

The record features previously released songs by Coldplay, Bright Eyes, Travis and (oddly) Avril Lavigne, alongside exclusive, unreleased live tracks from Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Damien Rice and Better Than Ezra.

You can discuss this story hereThere is also an exclusive track by Audioslave / Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello's solo incarnation, The Nightwatchman called ‘Let Freedom Ring’.

U2’s contribution, ‘Walk On’, was originally dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi on the album ‘All That You Can't Leave Behind’.

Proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the non-profit organization U.S. Campaign for Burma.

‘For the Lady: Dedicated to Freeing Aung San Suu Kyi and the Courageous People of Burma’ is due out on October 26.

The full tracklisting is:

Disc 1:

U2 ‘Walk On’

Pearl Jam ‘Betterman’ (live)

Coldplay ‘In My Place’

Ani DiFranco ‘In the Way’

Bright Eyes ‘No Lies, Just Love'

R.E.M. ‘Drive’ (live)

Avril Lavigne ‘Complicated’

Talib Kweli featuring John Legend ‘Around My Way’

Lili Haydn ‘Unfolding Grace’

Peter Gabriel ‘Here Comes the Flood’

Natalie Merchant ‘Motherland’

Maná ‘Cuando Los Angeles Lloran’

Rebecca Fanya ‘Paper Airplanes’

Ben Harper ‘Oppression’ (live)

Disc 2:

Paul McCartney ‘Freedom’ (live)

The Nightwatchman ‘Let Freedom Ring’

Eric Clapton ‘Wonderful Tonight’

Sting ‘Fragilidad’

Bonnie Raitt ‘Angel From Montgomery’ (live)

Damien Rice ‘Lonely Soldier’ (live)

Travis ‘The Cage’

Guster ‘Keep It Together’

Hour Cast ‘Memories and Lies’

Indigo Girls ‘Perfect World’ (live)

Better Than Ezra ‘Get You In’ (live)

Matchbox Twenty ‘So Sad, So Lonely’

Mun Awng ‘Tempest of Blood’

Source: XFM

The auction will feature a drum skin autographed by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Sting has donated a signed bass guitar and even Yoko Ono is helping the cause by giving away her "70th Birthday Bag" which she has inscribed "Imagine Peace! Love, Yoko Summer of 2004" and contains her book Grapefruit, War Is Over postcards and the Orange Factory remix of Open Your Box.

Other music artists contributing include Aerosmith, Norah Jones, Coldplay, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, Kid Rock, BB King and Shania Twain.

Actors Steve Buscimi, Aiden Quinn, Ray Romano, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman and Ellen DeGeneres have likewise added to items up for grabs.

Adopt-A-Minefield is a program of the United Nations to resolve the global landmine crisis.

Website: charityfolks.com

Source: undercover.com.au