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Best British album of the past 60 years revealed…

The Beatles are the most popular artists of the past 60 years, according to an HMV survey to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. But an album by a hard-as-nails young girl has been voted the ‘Best British Album’ of the Queen’s reign.

Find out what it is…

Disco star Donna Summer dies at 63

US singer Donna Summer has died at the age of 63, following a battle with cancer. She helped to define the 1970s disco era with hits like ‘I Feel Love’ (UK No. 1, 1976), ‘Love To Love You Baby’ (UK No. 4, 1975) and 'Love's Unkind' (UK No. 3, 1977).

Cited by Billboard as one of the ten most successful female artists of all time, she won five Grammy Awards and influenced stars like Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Quincy Jones described her voice as "the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade".

Kenny Rogers recording new album

Kenny Rogers fans can look forward to a brand new studio album from the 73-year-old country music star later this year. He has just signed a new “long-term” recording deal with Warner Music Nashville and is reportedly in the studio recording new songs with award-winning producer Dann Huff.

Dionne Warwick to perform at Royal Albert Hall charity gala

Dionne Warwick, 71, is to perform at a gala evening at the Royal Albert Hall on May 28 to mark World Hunger Day. Other stars appearing include Sir Cliff Richard, Sandie Shaw, Boy George and Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley.

The concert is in aid of The Hunger Project, a charity that helps to combat international famine and poverty. Ticket details HERE...

Paul McCartney unveils videos for ‘My Valentine’

Paul McCartney has produced three new self-directed videos of his song ‘My Valentine’ featuring Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman. The track includes a guest appearance by Eric Clapton and is one of two original songs on McCartney’s new studio album Kisses on the Bottom.

SH-BOOM! has the official videos HERE…

New collection of Northern Soul rarities

Fans of Northern Soul are being offered a new collection of rare stompers with the release of Northern Soul: 20 Original Classics, Volume 2. Tracks include ‘Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)’ by The Temptations (pictured). Find out more and watch a VIDEO…

New Tom Jones album in May

Tom Jones, 71, is to follow up his acclaimed 2010 album Praise and Blame with a 10-track collection of cover versions, titled Spirit In The Room. Released on May 21, the album will include his take on classic songs by Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon, amongst others. A Deluxe Edition will contain three extra tracks.

Burt Bacharach to publish “up close and personal” memoirs

A new book about Burt Bacharach, 83, will be published in November. Anyone Who Had a Heart by award-winning journalist Robert Greenfield will tell the legendary songwriter’s complex life story “in Bacharach's own words", including the inside story about the bitter breakup of his long-running songwriting partnership with Hal David.

Those Were the Days ... May 29, 1963

Del Shannon's version of The Beatles' ‘From Me to You’ becomes the first Lennon & McCartney song to enter the US charts. Shannon decided to record the song after appearing with The Beatles on the BBC’s Swingin' Sound '63 at the Royal Albert Hall six weeks earlier.

UK No. 1 single on this day: ‘From Me to You’ by The Beatles.

The Searchers mark 50th anniversary with 4CD box set

The Searchers are set to mark their 50^th anniversary this year with the release of a 121-track 4CD box set titled Hearts In Their Eyes – Celebrating 50 Years of Harmony ‘n’ Jangle.

Released on June 25, it is the first Searchers collection to feature a complete retrospective of the group’s career.

Find out more and watch a VIDEO…

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb dies

Bee Gees co-founder Robin Gibb died on May 20 2012 following a long battle with cancer. He was 62.

He formed the Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in Australia in 1958. The trio went on to become one of the most successful groups of all time, with hits spanning six decades.

His voice featured prominently on the group's earliest hits, including ‘New York Mining Disaster 1941’, ‘I Started a Joke’, ‘Massachusetts’ and ‘I've Gotta Get a Message to You’.

New Beach Boys studio album to be released in June

To mark the Beach Boys’ 50^th anniversary this year, the band’s founding members - Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks - have reunited to record an all-new studio album titled That's Why God Made The Radio. It will be released on June 5.

The title track is also the first single from the Brian Wilson-produced album.

Find out more and watch the VIDEO for the first single…

Pete Townshend memoir ‘Who I Am’ to be published in October

The Who’s Pete Townshend is set to release his long awaited autobiography, titled Who I Am - A Memoir, in both hardcover and eBook form on October 11 2012.

According to publisher HarperCollins, the book will reveal Townshend’s “most intimate memories”.

"This book is not a vanity for me,” says Townshend. “It’s an essential rite of passage."

Find out more and watch a VIDEO about the book…

Status Quo to star in action movie

Status Quo’s Francis Rossi, 62, and Rick Parfitt, 63, are launching a new career … on the silver screen.

The veteran rockers are currently in Fiji shooting their first feature film, titled Bula Quo!. It is described as “a 90-minute action caper” in which the pair play themselves. The film will include 12 of the band's songs.

Find out more and watch a VIDEO…

Bruce Forsyth to make music festival debut at age 84

After a 70-year career, Sir Bruce Forsyth, 84, is set to make his first-ever appearance at a rock festival. He will be performing with his big band at this year's Hop Farm Music Festival which takes place between Friday June 29 and Sunday July 1. Brucie will be headlining alongside Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, and Suede. Other performers will include Patti Smith, The Stranglers, Joan Armatrading, and Billy Ocean.

Ultravox release first new studio album for 28 years

Ultravox’s Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross and Warren Cann – the band's ‘classic’ 1980s line-up - have recorded their first studio album together since Lament in 1984.

Released on May 28, the new album, titled Brilliant, features 12 brand new songs.

It will be followed by a 27-date UK and European tour in September and October.

New West End show to mark The Beatles’ 50th anniversary

The 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ first hit ‘Love Me Do’ in October 1962 is to be marked with a new West End show celebrating their career.

Titled Let It Be, the new production will tell the story of The Beatles’ rise to fame using historical video footage and live cast performances of more than 20 of the Fab Four’s greatest hits.

READ THE FULL STORY …

Digitally restored Yellow Submarine to resurface

The Beatles’ classic 1968 animated film Yellow Submarine is to be re-issued on DVD and Blu-ray on May 28 after experts spent four months digitally restoring the original animation artwork by hand.

The Yellow Submarine Songtrack album, first issued in 1999, will also be re-released on CD on the same day. The album was produced as an alternative to the original 1968 film soundtrack album.

FIND OUT MORE AND WATCH A VIDEO…

Acclaimed Phil Lynott exhibition at London's O2

Thin Lizzy’s iconic frontman Phil Lynott is to be celebrated in a new exhibition at London’s O2 arena.

Described as “a veritable treasure trove of Philo and Thin Lizzy memorabilia”, Still In Love With You: The Philip Lynott Exhibition will be staged in the O2’s British Music Experience space between April 5 and June 24.

READ THE FULL STORY AND WATCH A VIDEO…

Tommy Roe to release first studio album for 20 years

Tommy Roe – often described as "the father of Sixties bubblegum music" - is planning to release his first new studio album for more than two decades.

The 69-year-old ‘Dizzy’, ‘Everybody’ and ‘Sheila’ star says the album is likely to be called Devil’s Soul Pile, and is expected to be available by the end of April.

Read more and WATCH A VIDEO here…

Rolling Stones to publish 50th anniversary photo book

The Rolling Stones plan to publish a deluxe ‘photographic autobiography’ as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

Titled The Rolling Stones: 50, the photo book will be released on July 12 - exactly 50 years to the day after the band performed their first gig at London’s Marquee Club in 1962.

Read the full story HERE…

Deluxe editions of classic Small Faces albums in May

The Small Faces’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 14 April 2012 is being celebrated with the release of deluxe editions of all four of the albums that the group recorded between 1965 and 1969. Also included is a 3CD version of their classic psychedelic pop album from 1968, Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake.