Merry Christmas!...

Merry christmas to all the Galaxy readers - thanks for visiting!

See you in 2013!!!

SOTD...

The always fabulous Alcazar with their version of the Wham classic "Last Christmas" (complete with a hilarious video, Alcazar style!)

Participants...

The EBU, European Broadcasting Union has revealed the list of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest participating countries. A total of 39 countries will compete at the forthcoming edition of Europe's favourite television show.  The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held in Malmö  on May 14, 16 and 18.

Eurovision 2013 Participating countries:

Albania (RTSH)

Austria (ORF)

Armenia (AMPTV)

Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)

Belarus (BTRC)

Belgium (RTBF)

Bulgaria (BNT)

Croatia (HRT)

Cyprus (CyBC)

Denmark (DR)

Estonia (ERR)

Finland (YLE)

France (France3)

Georgia (GPB)

Germany (NDR)

Greece (ERT)

Hungary (MTV)

Iceland (RÚV)

Ireland (RTÉ)

Israel (IBA)

Italy (RAI)

Latvia (LTV)

Lithuania (LRT)

FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)

Malta (PBS)

Moldova (TRM)

Montenegro (RTCG)

the Netherlands (TROS)

Norway (NRK)

Romania (TVR)

Russia (C1R)

San Marino (SMTV)

Serbia (RTS)

Slovenia (RTVSLO)

Spain (TVE)

Sweden (SVT)

Switzerland (SRG SSR)

Ukraine (NTU)

United Kingdom (BBC)

Thankfully, both Greece and Cyprus will take part after all! Missing in action will be Turkey, Bosnia Herzegovina, Portugal and Slovakia.

SOTD...

Time for some more tacky festiveness: enter Gunther and his Sunshine Girls!

SOTD...

Time now for a lovely little number I posted this time of year a couple of years ago. Let's revisit, shall we?

Queen Of The Year...

Once Billboard.com readers weighed in on their favorite artists, songs and albums of the year, Madonna emerged as the 2012 MVP and came out on top in four other categories.

Madonna’s achievements included earning the most votes for favorite Billboard 200 No. 1 album with her chart, nabbing favorite TV performance for her Super Bowl halftime show extravaganza last February; and even winning most memorable feud for her war of words with Lady Gaga. She also won Best Tour for her record breaking MDNA Tour, which has made more money this year then any other tour. For that incredible year, Madonna was handed the MVP crown from last year’s winner, Britney Spears.

2012 MVP
1. Madonna (26%)
2. Frank Ocean (12%)
3. One Direction (11%)

Favorite Billboard 200 No. 1
1. Madonna, “MDNA” (12%)
2. 2 Chainz, “Based on a T.R.U. Story” (11%)
3. Adam Lambert, “Trespassing” (9%)

Best Tour 
1. Madonna (43%)
2. One Direction (13%)
3. Justin Bieber (9%)

Best TV Performance
1. Madonna at the Super Bowl (38%)
2. Adele at the Grammys (20%)
3. One Direction on ‘The Today Show’ (9%)

Highest Grossing Tour
(stats for the last Madonna shows not included, as the list was compiled before the tour ended)


1. Madonna
Total Gross: $228,406,085
Number of Shows: 72
Total Attendance: 1,635,176
Number of Sell-Outs: 72

2. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Total Gross: $199,371,791
Number of Shows: 72
Total Attendance: 2,165,925
Number of Sell-Outs: 54

3. Roger Waters
Total Gross: $186,466,703
Number of Shows: 72
Total Attendance: 1,680,042
Number of Sell-Outs: 51

4. Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil
Total Gross: $147,310,505
Number of Shows: 183
Total Attendance: 1,374,482
Number of Sell-Outs: 9

5. Coldplay
Total Gross: $147,188,828
Number of Shows: 67
Total Attendance: 1,811,787
Number of Sell-Outs: 56

MDNA ranks #2 for the year on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Album Year End chart compilation,which are ranked by sales data as compiled by Nielsen Sounscan.

1) 'Sorry For The Party Rocking' / LMFAO

2) 'MDNA' / Madonna

3) 'Bangarang' (EP) / Skrillex

4) 'Born This Way' / Lady Gaga

5) 'Nothing But The Beat' / David Guetta

6) 'The Path of Totality' / Korn

7) 'Scary Monster and Nice Sprites (EP)' / Skrillex

8) 'Wild Ones' / Flo rida

9) 'Hurry,Were Dreaming' / M83

10)'4x4=12' / deadmus5

SOTD...

Written by Boy George (he also directed the video).

F**k Yeah!...

So, will the world end on December 21st? Not according to queen Madonna, who had something to say on the matter! Fuck yeah!

Tracks...

2012 will soon be over, and we will say goodbye to what I consider to be one of the worst music years in recent memory (at least when you look at the UK & US singles charts!). Thankfully there are always some treasures to be found, but I for one am hoping for a much more interesting music year in 2013.

Here is my last collection of tracks for 2012:

"You Don't Know If You Want To Hit Me Or Kiss Me"...

Dick Tracy has arrived on Blu-Ray in the US. Thankfully it is a region-free release, so no matter where you live you'll be able to enjoy Madonna as Breathless Mahoney!




The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three, including Best Song ("Sooner Or Later", performed by Madonna).



It is hard to believe it has been 22 years since the film was released in the summer of 1990. It did of course spawn one of Madonna's most underrated albums, the excellent I'm Breathless.



Have a look at Miss M singing "Sooner Or Later", taken from the new Blu-Ray:

"Kids" In London...

Kim Wilde stunned passengers on the London Underground this week by singing her hit single 'Kids In America' in an impromptu singalong.

The moment was recorded and uploaded to YouTube by passenger Katherine Eames.

Kim Wilde and Ricky Wilde serenade passengers on the train home after the MagicFM Christmas Party," Eames wrote.

"After a truly rubbish day, I got on the train home and couldn't get a seat, a man pulled out his guitar 'Oh here we go! I thought."

She added: "Then a drunken woman starts singing. Hang on a minute, I know that voice?! It really was KIM WILDE!

"This totally made my day. Thank you. She is an absolute legend! Merry Christmas everyone. Features 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' and 'Kids in America'."

Kim commented afterwards on Twitter: "Trending?You'll all think i've pegged it : 0"

Exile...

Hurts have announced details of their new album.

Exile marks the duo's second studio LP. It will be released on March 11, 2013.

The group have also released a teaser video for the record, which features new track 'The Road'.

Exile follows up their 2010 debut Happiness, which entered the UK album chart at number four and has sold over two million copies worldwide.

The LP spawned hit singles 'Better Than Love', 'Wonderful Life', 'Stay' and 'Sunday'.

Hurts announced details of a 12-date European tour earlier this week, which kicks off in London on February 7 before heading to Berlin, Munich and Prague.

Back In Mode...

Depeche Mode have confirmed that they will release their 13th studio album next year.

The follow-up to 2009's Sounds of the Universe will be released in March 2013 via Columbia Records.

Bandmember Martin Gore said: "I am very happy with how the album turned out.

"The music has a similar vibe to Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion, and I think the songs on the album are among some of the very best we've done."

Frontman Dave Gahan added: "The album has a very organic and direct feel to it. It's not a blues record, but it definitely has a soulful vibe.

"During the recording process we really tried to get the elements of performing and the live show into the album more."

The as-yet unnamed album will feature new songs written by Gore and Gahan.

Depeche Mode support the release with a European tour starting on May 7, which takes in 34 shows in 25 countries.

Girl Who Got Away...

Dido will release her fourth studio album on March 4th.

Girl Who Got Away serves as the follow-up to 2008's Safe Trip Home, which reached number two on the UK chart and 13 on the US Billboard 200.

Tracklist:

1. 'No Freedom'

2. 'Girl Who Got Away'

3. 'Let Us Move On' ft. Kendrick Lamar

4. 'Blackbird'

5. End of Night'

6. Sitting on the Roof of the World'

7. 'Love to Blame'

8. 'Go Dreaming'

9. 'Happy New Year'

10. Loveless Hearts'

11. 'Day Before We Went to War'

Always The Diva...

Singer Diana Ross is well known for her outlandish couture creations, and her appearance at U.S President Obama's annual TNT Christmas Special in Washington DC was no exception.

Veteran singer Diana, 68, wore a stunning white ballgown to sing at the concert, and she looked perfect enough to pop on top of the giant Christmas Tree on stage.

Diana's white dress took up plenty of room onstage, and the President appeared to have some difficulty getting near her as she threw open her arms for a hug.

Her appearance came as she recovered from breaking her ankle at a party thrown by Naomi Campbell in early November. Still recovering from her injury, the veteran singer dressed up in a long royal blue gown complete with oversized gold pendant and earrings for the festive show.

She later changed outfit to appear onstage with the President, his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha. Sporting the festive monochrome gown with silver embroidery, the star performed a duet with actress and singer Megan Hilty. And her floor length gowns successfully hid any sign of  a plaster cast on her ankle.

The 68-year-old proved she is as good as her word - after previously reassuring fans she would be at the celebration. Her spokesman told Mail Online earlier this month: 'Ms Ross accidentally slipped and broke her ankle at the end of a show in India in November. She is fine and has been recovering. She will be performing next week for the President in Washington DC.'

Apparently Ross opened the show with a medley of Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, then closed with the show with the rest of the cast with Amazing Grace.

The event will be shown on TNT on December 21st!

The Story...

Now, here is something I would love to hear!

The Story of The Supremes
BBC Radio 2
Wed December 12th 2012 
22:00

Highlighting the importance and influence of The Supremes, this documentary marks the 50th anniversary of their debut album Meet the Supremes, which was released on 9 December 1962.



The Supremes were founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan in 1959 and their repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco. They worked extremely hard to achieve success that took a long time to happen. Even with the assistance of some of the most successful songwriters and producers Motown had to offer - including Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson and Holland-Dozier-Holland -The Supremes were referred to at Motown HQ as the "no-hit Supremes" for several years until they achieve their first Number One hit in 1964. They went on to become the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and are America's most successful vocal group with 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.



This programme tells the story of The Supremes early years, how Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Betty McGlown - four teenage girls from suburban Detroit - were determined to become singing stars. After recording their first single, Betty left the group to be replaced by Barbara Martin. In the spring of 1962 Barbara also left the group and The Supremes continued as a trio, releasing their debut album Meet The Supremes in December 1962.

Featuring interviews with Motown founders Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson; songwriters Lamont Dozier and Janie Bradford; members Diana Ross and Mary Wilson; as well as archive of the late Florence Ballard; this programme highlights the driving ambition and raw talent that made The Supremes one of the most influential groups in pop history.

The Story Of The Supremes



Also, brand new Diana book has just been released.

In The Diva And Her Tribe - DIANA ROSS: The Ultimate Collection, the legendary Motown entertainer is viewed through the experiences of more than 40 of her most devoted fans. Celebrity friends and admirers like Berry Gordy, Patti LaBelle, Questlove, Whitney Houston, Paul Shaffer, Martha Reeves, and Smokey Robinson are quoted in this engaging oral history that captures the essence of one of the entertainment industry's most successful and most important figures. The book is filled with stories from fans from all over the world, who tell their stories of how and why Miss Ross became such a big part of their lives. A fun read I'm sure - I will buy it!

Electric Live...

Pet Shop Boys have announced the first dates of the brand new, 2013 world tour!

We are pleased to announce the first two UK tour dates for Pet Shop Boys' 2013 tour. Entitled "Electric", the tour will showcase PSBs' first new live stage production since the spectacular and highly acclaimed “Pandemonium” tour. “Electric” will highlight the duo’s electronic music and style and Pet Shop Boys will be working on the music with producer/DJ Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers, Take That) who recently remixed the new single, "Memory of the future".

The tour production will be created in collaboration with creative director and set designer Es Devlin (who has also worked with Take That, Lady Gaga, Kanye West & Jay Z, plus the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony), and stage director and choreographer Lynne Page, both of whom worked with Pet Shop Boys on the “Pandemonium” tour.

The dates are:

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013: 
The O2, London.

Thursday, June 20th: 2013
 MEN Arena, Manchester

Pre-sale for both shows starts this Friday, December 7th. The general on-sale
 for both shows is December 8th. European, Japanese and both North and South American dates will be announced soon on this site.

Pet Shop Boys Concert with the BBC Philharmonic and Johnny Marr is being recorded in Salford this evening and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 tomorrow evening, December 6th.

SOTD...

Just hilarious, as always!

AT LAST!...

Cher’s next studio album, her first since 2001's Living Proof, is due out in late March 2013.

The targeted release date was confirmed by Livia Tortella, Warner Bros. Records Co-President/COO, on the red carpet at Billboard's 2012 Women in Music event on Friday (Nov. 30). According to Tortella, Cher's forthcoming full-length is among a full slate of early 2013 album releases from the label, including new efforts from Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Goo Goo Dolls and Avenged Sevenfold.

Last month, Cher previewed her long-in-the-works album by releasing a new dance single, "Woman's World," online. On Twitter, the veteran pop star described the new album as "Eclectic! Lots of dance, but none [are] SAME KIND OF DANCE ! Have Big ass Choruses,Some HEART RIPPERS!" Cher has previously mentioned that P!nk and Lady Gaga have written songs for the upcoming LP.

Cher notched another No. 1 in 2011 when she topped the Dance/Club Play Songs chart with "You Haven't Seen the Last Of Me." The achievement made Cher the only act to have scored a No. 1 on a Billboard chart in each of the last six decades.

Here is a look at her previous solo albums - many which sadly still remain unreleased on CD.

Compilations:

Soundtracks:

Live:

DVD's:

And some of her many singles: