Joe Kavanagh's Music News

Bob Geldof was left red-faced last week when a police investigation aimed at breaking up an alleged celebrity drug-dealing operation led right to his daughter, Peaches, (yes, I know it's a stupid name but consider the fact that her siblings are called Fifi Trixibelle and Pixie). London police believe that couple, Jonnny Blagrove and Cara Burton, are behind an operation that deals drugs to the city's celebrity set and authorities discovered an incriminating video file on the couple's computer that shows them selling drugs to the young Geldof. On the file, Geldof is seen paying $380 for what is believed to be a package of cocaine, upon receipt of which she says: "I'm going to need some valium tomorrow after this!" Police intend to question Peaches but I would imagine that they might have a job getting a word in edgewise around her old man. There is a certain gloat factor in this for some people given the fact that Peaches has gone around berating other celebrities for their drug use but it could be a lonely road for her to travel, considering it is the same road that ultimately killed her mother, Paula Yates. Incidentally, the video that police uncovered also showed Amy Winehouse smoking crack but that's not even really news any more. Half the video phones in Camden probably have that...

One of the more quirky stories that emerged last week was the revelation in a Spanish newspaper that Spain rigged the Eurovision Song Contest in 1968, cheating Cliff Richard out of the number one spot. Quoting several of the people involved, Spanish newspaper, 20 Minutos, claims that General Franco, believed that a win in the Eurovision would improve the international image of his fascist regime. Witnesses claim that Spanish officials were then dispatched around Europe where they secured votes by simply buying them or by pledging business to other countries. The ploy worked as Spanish entrant, Massiel, beat out Cliff Richards' Congratulations thanks to a curious last minute surge of votes for Spain's entry. It is almost quaint to think that a fascist regime could have seriously believed that winning the camp-fest that is the Eurovision, would improve their international standing. And to think that Ireland is sending a turkey to represent us this year. Also, I don't care if it did involve mobilizing the entire force of a state, anything that keeps Cliff Richard off the airwaves can only be a good thing...

While we are on the subject of crimes against music, Irish band Boyzone may have to scrap their upcoming reunion tour due to illness. Keith Duffy has apparently contracted blood poisoning after getting a new tattoo, casting doubt over the band's upcoming appearance in Belfast, later this month. The illness can actually be fatal and fellow Bozone (sic) member, Shane Lynch claims that Duffy currently looks like "the Elephant Man", due to the swelling. Lynch also spoke to the media, offering his reasons for the band's breakup almost a decade ago, saying: "I found myself drinking through the day just to find some sort of happiness - but I couldn't find it. That's not a good place to be in. We hated it, we hated each other and we were overworked." I'll bet that even during their absolute worst moments on the road, when the infighting reached fever pitch and they absolutely hated the band with a murderous intensity; I still hated Boyzone more than they did...

UB40 have managed to find a new vocalist for the band after singer of 30 years, Ali Campbell, walked out under acrimonious circumstances and they've even managed to find him in the same gene pool. Duncan Campbell claims that he does not really speak to his brother but he did contact Ali to inform him that he was taking over singing responsibilities in the band, and was given his blessing. UB40 bassist, Robin Campbell is also a sibling and given the fact that he does not talk to Ali either, I think we have a suspect for which brother is being the ass***e in all of this...

Pete Doherty will be released from prison today after being jailed for 14 weeks on April 8. The troubled rocker is being released due to his good behavior, as part of a scheme designed to cut back on the chronic overcrowding in Britain's prisons. I really don't understand why the hell they locked him up in the first place and we wish him luck in his next steps... as long as they're not the steps into a crack-house...

Zutons singer, Dave McCabe, has offered his two cents on Liverpool's current year long celebration as European Capital of Culture. Speaking to the local media last week, McCabe - who is from Knowsley in the city - said: "I think that it's just money, that's all it's about, just pure money. People with money just want to come in and put green glass buildings up. If you're going to make somewhere the Capital of Culture, I don't think money is the answer. I just think it's a load of bulls*** to be honest. Liverpool is Liverpool, you can't change it. I don't think it's necessarily a bad place but I don't think it's got loads of culture." I don't think that there's a job waiting for Dave on the local tourist board should the whole rock star thing fall on its face...

Nicole Kidman has been chosen to play the part of Dusty Springfield in a major biopic chronicling the singer's incredible life as one of the biggest stars of the 1960s. Born Mary O'Brien to Irish parents in Ealing London, Springfield went on to enjoy 18 hits on the Billboard chart, still a record for a solo British female artist, including I Only Want To Be With You and All Cried Out. Sadly, she died of breast cancer at 59-years-old in 1999. Kidman, who is 40-years-old, is due to play Springfield as she was in her early 20s, so I'm guessing that Nicole's plastic surgeon is going to be going full tilt for the next few months... she might even have to draft in Demi Moore's and Cher's too because that's a big ask...

Former Simply Red front man, and full time buffoon, Mick Hucknall recently opened up rehearsals to fans - for a whopping $80 a ticket, which is made all the more alarming considering the fact that tickets for the shows are only $70. Imagine that, pay a small fortune to go to a hall and listen to some dude walk around saying: "Mic check, one, two, one, two." It's no wonder the guy is worth almost $100 million and if I was to live another 10,000 years I would still never get what people see in a guy who is manages to remain preternaturally arrogant despite being one of the ugliest beasts in creation, exuding the personality of cockroach eggs.