TORCH SINGERS
English soprano Sarah Brightman and Chinese singer Liu Huan will sing the official Olympic Theme at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Friday. The song has not been performed at the three rehearsals in order to keep it secret, and its title still has not been announced.
THEY GOT THEIR MTV
MTV Networks said Wednesday that it is launching an African version of its signature continent-specific music awards event. The inaugural MTV Africa Music Awards is set for Nov. 22 in Abuja, Nigeria.
GENERATIONAL SWINE
Motley Crue is looking for “the next generation’s great rock band.” The veteran metal act is partnering with Guitar Center On-Stage on Your Chance to Make Rock History, in which a young band will get to open for the Crue on its 2009 tour. More than 1,200 bands have made at least partial submissions at MakeRockHistory.com in the contest’s first week.
sweet soul music
Philadelphia International and Sony Legacy are teaming to release the box set “Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia” on Oct. 21. The four-disc, 71-track collection of Philly soul spans the years 1967-83 and ranges from No. 1 hits by the O’Jays, the Spinners and Billy Paul to such lesser-known acts as the Ebonys and Johnny Williams.
