In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Barack Obama discussed his musical preferences and the artists whose work he has on his iPod. Obama says that although he loves rap music, he feels that it is inaccessible to his daughters, limiting the selection to which he can expose them. Obama also named Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, and Bob Dylan as some of his favorite musicians.
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain shared his love of the band, ABBA; he says that although ABBA has enjoyed unparalleled success, people still view their fans as tasteless.
David Archuleta, the American Idol runner-up, spoke with the ladies of The View about his life after the show. He says he’s been too busy with music to pursue a romantic relationship; the only rumors that persist are those about his cloying father, Jeff, who was banned from the American Idol backstage area for assuming too much control over the show.
Archuleta cites Eva Cassidy as one of his greatest musical influences; he also performed “Stand By Me” on the show.
He will join winner David Cook and the other 8 finalists on the American Idols Live tour, which begins on July 1.
David Cook, who won the most recent season of American Idol says that he has been incredibly busy since the season finale; aside from recording his first post-Idol album, Cook is also preparing to tour with the other finalists from the show.
Cook performed his debut single “The Time Of My Life” for the Las Vegas audience; he will sing the song in over 50 cities on the American Idols Live tour.
R&B sensation Rihanna visited The View to chat with the co-hosts about her rise to fame. Her ambition has garnered her a Grammy Award for her hit song, “Umbrella,” and has fueled rumors about her involvement with singer Chris Brown. Rihanna denied the gossip, saying that she and Brown are good friends, but are not dating.
Rihanna’s hit CD, Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded was recently released as a CD/DVD combination; the CD includes some new songs, including “Take A Bow,” which she performed for the audience this morning.
Although Gibson maintains that he is simply trying to help the fallen singer back to her feet, gossip circulates about whether he is even capable of lending a helping hand.
Joy feels that Gibson is in no position to give advice to anyone, while Whoopi and Sherri contend that perhaps the best person to help another is someone who has seen their own share of difficulties.
Alanis Morissette says she would be a writer, a therapist, or a comedian if she were not a singer and songwriter. Fortunately for her fans, Morissette has found success with several of her albums; the latest, Flavors of Entanglement promises to be popular as well.
Although Morissette says that she considers retiring after every tour, she finds rejuvenation in the music and the energy of the fans.
Bret Michaels, of the popular band Poison, flew in to chat about his latest work called Rock My World. He performed a new track from the album, followed by the classic, “Something To Believe In.”
He also discussed hosting Rock of Love, his reality show on VH1.
Guitarist and songwriter Bo Diddley died on Monday, June 2 at 79 years old. The musician, who has influenced countless other performers, succumbed to heart failure after suffering heart failure and a stroke last year.
According to Whoopi, he “has his own beat” that has made itself a mainstay in popular music.
Congratulations to David Cook, who became the newest American Idol last night with 97 million votes. Cook beat David Archuleta in a tightly contested match-up that had much of America on its toes.
In another unprecedented Idol moment, Simon Cowell apologized for his crassness, and for his insinuation that Cook did not have the wherewithal to become the seventh American Idol.
Despite finishing in second place on season two of American Idol, Clay Aiken has enjoyed great success. He performed “On My Way Here,” the title track from his latest CD release, to the delight of all the “Clay-mates” in the audience.
Rising pop star Kate Nash performed her song “Foundations” on the show. Although she began cultivating a fan base on myspace.com, Nash is becoming widely known in the United States, as well as in her native England, as she travels to promote her album, Made of Bricks.
One of Whoopi’s favorites is here to sing Love Song by Sara Bareilles, a top selling artist on iTunes.
Whoopi asks her if her album Little Voices was what she expected, and she replied that it was much better than expected. Sherri showed a clip of the first time Sara heard her song on the radio, and she was very excited bouncing up and down in the car. Sara grew up in the Redwoods, and has been making up music singing to the trees as long as she can remember as she wrote her first song at 6 years old, Star Sweeper. Sara grew up listening to Broadway music and theater, and loves that the music has such a great story.
Elisabeth thinks last night was the best American Idol yet, and show a clip of David Cook’s rendition of “Billy Jean”, and rocked the house. Elisabeth thinks he’s a frontrunner to win, and Whoopi hopes that he does fantastic!
Sherri brought up Kristy Lee Cook, and the judges thought she was boring with her singing “I’m Proud to be an American”.
From her new album Pocketful of Sunshine, Natasha Bedingfield sings the title track.
Here’s the the music video for “Pocketfull of Sunshine”
Elisabeth asks Natasha what has changed in her life since her first album? Natasha said her first album was a blank page, while this album is more of an experience of her life. Her and her brother set a Guinness Book of World Records, but they didn’t say for what! I’ll sure find out!
eta. Ha! I found it! Natasha and her brother are the only siblings to each have number 1 hits in the UK.
Elisabeth fast forwards to the end of American Idol, as elimination night drags out forever.
Amanda Overmyer got voted out, and none of the ladies understand why any of them are doing talking back to the judges, as they used to take criticism well and say thank you. Brooke was another in the bottom three who wouldn’t shut up when receiving reviews.
Check out Amanda’s last performance.
Jennifer Lopez’s babies were on the cover of People magazine. Barbara wants to know which is harder to raise, boys or girls. The response is overwhelming that girls are harder to raise.
Barbara mentions that yesterday Dick Cheney was interviewed and called the Iraq War a “major success”, and went on to say that he doesn’t care what the general population of the United States says when asked if the cost is too great. Joy thinks that going to war in the first place was a mistake.
Sherri’s mad because last night on American Idol that the contestants didn’t know the Beatles, and that they destroyed the songs, especially Brooke White and her rendition of “Here Comes the Sun”. (They called her by the wrong name though, they showed the video of Brooke White, but referenced Kristy Lee Cook.) None of them understand why the contestants are spouting off to the judges. They then criticized Carly Hennessy for her playing the victim card when Simon didn’t like the her choice of song.