Ahead of their Download performance on Sunday 10 June, Black Sabbath are to record their first album with their original line-up for 33 years. The 1968 incarnation of the band, which also includes guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward, will record new material with producer Rick Rubin. Black Sabbath have released 18 albums since 1969, when they formed in Birmingham.
Music Business - EMI has said it will sell its recorded music unit for £1.2bn ($1.9bn) to Universal Music. Reports have suggested that the other half of EMI's business - the lucrative music publishing unit - will go to a Sony-led consortium for more than $2bn. EMI, with a history dating back to 1897, is home to artists including Coldplay, the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Citigroup seized ownership of EMI in February after previous owner Terra Firma failed a solvency test. "I particularly welcome the fact that EMI will once again be owned by people who really do have music in their blood," said Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger.
All Join In - The sing-along version of the film musical Grease has announced a major UK tour for 2012, which will visit 80 theatres across the country. Sing-a-long-a Grease will launch its tour in Swindon on 13 January and will mark the 40th anniversary of the original stage show when it is screened in Leicester on 14 February.
"Sing-a-long-a Grease is the show that audiences have been asking for since we first presented a singalong show back in 1999," said producer Ben Freedman, who has previously presented Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music and Sing-a-long-a Abba.
Final Cut - Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is to transfer into the West End from Chichester, it has been confirmed. The musical, which was directed by Jonathan Kent for Chichester Festival Theatre, will run at the Adelphi Theatre from 10 March 2012 for a limited season. Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton will reprise their roles as Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett for the West End run.
(Jim Evans)
