Old News - Engelbert Humperdinck is to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The 75-year-oldis best known for his 1967 hit Release Me, which kept The Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever off the number one spot. The singer said it was "an absolute honour" to be taking part and was "excited and raring to go". This year's competition will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 26 May. The song Humperdinck will perform has yet to be announced but the BBC said it will be written by Grammy award-winning producer Martin Terefe and Ivor Novello winner Sacha Skarbek, who co-wrote James Blunt hit You're Beautiful.
Brighton Rock - Live Nation has confirmed it hopes to submit a planning application to turn Brighton's Hippodrome into on e of the city's main live music venues. The proposal, which would cost more than £9m would see the 105-year-old Grade II listed building transformed into a 2,000 capacity live music venue. The Hippodrome has stood empty since 2007 and has previously been used as a ice rink, bingo hall and circus venue, but most famously played host to The Beatles in the Sixties. A council spokesman told The Argus, "We would like to see this iconic building brought back into use. But we would emphasise that there are both licensing and planning issues which would have to be overcome if Live Nation's vision for the building is to become reality."
Hair Today... - The upcoming UK tour of Hair starring Gareth Gates has been cancelled after its producers filed for bankruptcy, according to a statement released by the show's general managers. The production, which was also due to feature Zoe Birkett and Amy Diamond, was due to open at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on 10 April and tour to venues including Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre and Manchester Opera House.
A statement issued by the Booking Office, the general managers of the show, reads: "We would like to make it clear the sole reason for the cancellation of the UK tour was that the producers, EJB Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy and therefore they were not in a position to fulfil their responsibilities. Whilst every effort was made to secure another producer, sadly it was to no avail. All the cast, their agents and ancillary companies working on the production remained, until the end, 100% committed to the UK tour of Hair."
Web News - A Japanese researcher has used thousands of strands of spider silk to spin a set of violin strings. The strings are said to have a "soft and profound timbre" relative to traditional gut or steel strings.
Social Networks - Lady Gaga has become the first Twitter user to reach 20m followers. The singer tops the microblogging site's most popular list ahead of fellow pop stars Justin Bieber (18m), Katy Perry (15.7m) and Shakira (14.5m). Gaga's massive following is in addition to 48m fans on Facebook and more than 800,000 'circles' on Google+. Unlike some other stars, the best-selling singer has said she personally updates her account. Last month, she revealed she was preparing to launch her own social network, Little Monsters.
(Jim Evan
