It’s time for our weekly edition of Music News Week in Review, where we share those music-related headlines that might have been missed during the week, but are still worth mentioning. While lots of times we spotlight the humorous and/or ridiculous in this feature, some of this week’s entries (as you’ll see) are actually pretty significant. Here goes…

BOBBY WOMACK IS CANCER-FREE

After a slew of reports about cancer-related deaths among musicians lately, here’s a bit of good news: Bobby Womack does NOT have cancer. An announcement on the soul legend’s Facebook page yesterday said that doctors had suspected colon cancer, but upon removing a suspicious tumor discovered it to be benign. Womack is currently recovering from surgery. His new album The Bravest Man in the Universe is slated for release next month.

ELTON JOHN HOSPITALIZED AND RELEASED, CANCELS CONCERT DATES

Elton John was briefly hospitalized for a respiratory infection this week in a Los Angeles hospital. He has since been released and is recovering with antibiotic medication, but the illness prompted the cancellation of three scheduled performances of his running Las Vegas show “The Million Dollar Piano.” Refunds and exchanges are being offered to ticket holders, and Elton John has expressed regret to the fans.

PHILLIP PHILLIPS IS THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL, BUT RATINGS TANK

Okay, so it’s not all THAT serious this week. The good news for 21-year-old singer Phillip Phillips is that he’s the next American Idol. Also good news is that he made it to the top without ever going into the Bottom Three. The bad news is that most of America doesn’t seem to care. This year’s American Idol suffered from the lowest ratings the show has had in years, and the finale was watched by 32 million fewer people than last year. It’s not just a drop in ratings; Sunday Night Football (of all things) has actually toppled Idol from its long-held pedestal as the most watched show in prime time. Of course, every year for the past several, speculation has been raised as to how long Idol can continue to last. This news is sure to fan the flames of discussion…

That’s it for this edition. Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

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About the Author

David Tillman on MUSIC IS MY OXYGEN WEEKLY.

David Tillman is an independent composer/arranger whose primary work involves writing jingles for commercials for radio and television, with several film and television placements to his credit as well. David has a fascination for all things related to the music business and the music industry in general, an obsession which his wife finds to be mildly unhealthy at times. His personal tastes in music are in electronica and industrial rock, and include The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk and Nine Inch Nails (he loves that Trent Reznor is writing soundtracks!). When not in his office or in his man-cave, David enjoys skiing, hiking, the occasional game of golf, and sometimes just lounging by the pool. David lives with his wife and three children in Los Angeles, CA.

Tagged: American Idol, Bobby Womack, Elton John, music industry, music news, Phillip Phillips
Posted in: Featured, Music Industry

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