New Jersey rock band Bon Jovi earns its third consecutive Number One debut on the chart this week with . Since 1986, the group has reached the top spot five times. Landing on the list at Number 2 is David Bowie’s . This marks the British rock legend’s highest-charting album ever. also gave Bowie his first Number One album in the United Kingdom in 20 years. Also posting Top 10 debuts on this week’s are by Passion (Number 4), by Mindless Behavior (Number 6),by Eric Clapton (Number 7) and the soundtrack to Dave Grohl’s (Number 8).
R&B singer Bobby Brown reported to a Los Angeles jail on March 20 to begin serving a 55-day sentence for a DUI charge and driving on a suspended license. Due to California’s jail overcrowding, the 44-year-old was released eight hours after his arrival. Brown will instead be monitored through an electronic ankle bracelet, be on probation for four years and is required to attend an 18-month alcohol rehab program.
On March 25, NBC will premiere the fourth season of its popular reality singing competition . Two new music stars join Blake Shelton and Adam Levine to judge the contestants this season. Latin pop singer Shakira replaces Christina Aguilera and R&B star Usher takes over for Cee Lo Green. Guest mentors include Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott (Team Adam), Sheryl Crow (Team Blake), Pharrell Williams (Team Usher) and Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden (Team Shakira).
Paul Jolley, 23, said goodbye to his fellow contestants on March 21. The week’s other bottom three vote-getters included Amber Holcomb and Devin Velez. Following his elimination, Jolley said, “Now that I’ve been on Idol, I’m moving forward in my journey through life. And having all these fans means I’m not alone anymore. They’re going to be there for me 100 percent.” The final eight “American Idol” contestants will perform classic Motown tunes on this week’s competition (March 27).
Republic Records will hold its “Music For Newtown” online auction March 25-27 to benefit the “Sandy Hook School Support Fund.” The fund is providing support to those affected by the shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last December. Up for sale are two tickets to Tim McGraw’s June 30 concert in Holmdel, New Jersey and autographed items from The Eagles, Florence + The Machine, Elton John, John Mayer, Gotye, One Direction and others.
The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. recently added 25 recordings to its audio registry. The oldest is 1918’s “After You’ve Gone” by cabaret star Marion Harris. Other additions includes Chubby Checker’s 1960 hit “The Twist,” Simon & Garfunkel’s 1966 album “Sounds of Silence,” former Voice of America host Leo Sarkisian’s July 29, 1973 “Music Time in Africa” program, Pink Floyd’s 1973 album “Dark Side of the Moon,” and the 1977 soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever.” (Full list is available at www.loc.gov.)
“Girl Who Got Away” by Dido
“Precious Memories II” by Alan Jackson
“Based On A True Story” by Blake Shelton
“No Matter How Far” by David Archuleta
“Lines” by Julian Lynch
“All That For This” by Crystal Bowersox
“Native” by OneRepublic
“Black Out of the Sun” by Sevendust
“Comedown Machine” by The Strokes
“Change Becomes Us” by Wire
“Carry On” (4-CD box set) by Stephen Stills