The French duo released their fourth studio effort 'Random Access Memories' on Monday (May 20) and it has been shifting like hot cakes.

The Official Charts Company today (May 24) revealed that it has sold more than 133,000 units this week so far.

It is set to rack up even more sales before the charts are revealed on Sunday (May 26).

The Daft Punk album - which features the hit 'Get Lucky' - overtook the previous title holder Michael Bublé, whose 'To Be Loved' sold 121,000 copies in its first week.

'Get Lucky' meanwhile has spent the last four weeks at the top of the UK singles chart.

The status means that she has become the wealthiest member of her famous family, even outstripping her superstar brother Michael Jackson, who never reached billionaire wealth during his lifetime.

Over her career, Jackson boasts 27 top ten hits and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. She also successfully forayed into acting with films such as ‘Why Did I Get Married’ and ‘The Nutty Professor’. Her touring income also makes up a large part of her net worth.

Variety Magazine reports that Jackson has amassed $458 million from touring, $260 million from her albums, $81 million from sponsorship deals and her acting roles have given her $304 million.

Along with such celebrities as Oprah and J.K. Rowling, Jackson joins her husband Wissam Al Man in the elite billionaire’s club.

Check out Janet Jackson performing her hit ‘Rhythm Nation’ on Ellen DeGeneres in 2008 below:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/76542/ Thu, 23 May 2013 07:51:22 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/76542/ Another driver has backed up a claim that George Michael fell out of a moving car onto a motorway.

As previously reported, the iconic singer was taken to hospital recently for cuts and bruises following a crash on the M1.

An eyewitness previously came forward to say that she saw the singer lying on the motorway, adding that she was later told he fell out of the car at 70mph after trying to close a door.

Speaking to The Sun, another driver called Ben Quince said that he saw himself the singer fall out of a car, which he was the passenger of. The eyewitness said:

"I suddenly saw the back door on the driver's side open. A body appeared and went bounce, bounce, bounce. He was spinning as he came towards me."

Quince continued: "I had to swerve left. I could have killed him. In my mirror I saw trucks and cars swerving to avoid him."

July 2nd – Scala, London 

Wednesday 22nd May – Having just completed a successful tour of Japan and Australia, The Flamin' Groovies have returned in full force! The Cyril Jordan, Chris Wilson, George Alexander line-up that rocked the UK, Europe and the US from 1971 – 1980 are back in action. With the addition of Victor Penalosa on drums the band are set to return to British soil after more than 30 years to play a show at London’s Scala on the 2nd of July following a performance at Hard Rock Calling at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 30th June. The Flamin’ Groovies Scala tickets go on-sale 9am on Friday 24th May are available from www.livenation.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk. 

The Flamin’ Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California.  After a name change and a self-released 10 inch album called “Sneakers”, which sold amazingly well, the band caught the attention of Columbia who signed them up and sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first real album, “Supersnazz”, on the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra (home of their heroes, The Lovin' Spoonful): “Flamingo”, and the now revered classic “Teenage Head”.  Lead singer Roy Loney left the band right after that and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. 

They continued their style of straight ahead guitar driven rock n' roll but this time with a more 60's rather than 50's influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early '70s.  In '76 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: “Shake Some Action”, “Flamin' Groovies Now”, and “Jumpin' In The Night”.      

Another lineup change ensued in the next decade with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on thru the 80's and into the early '90s touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits.  Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian while Wilson released solo albums in Europe.  

Now in 2013, Jordan, Wilson and original founding member and bass player Geroge Alexander, have reunited for the first time since 1981. They're joined by drummer Victor Penalosa, a fine musician in his own right who faithfully recreates the style heard on the classic recordings while at the same time adding his own flavor.  The foursome has gone back into the studio to finish up long lost recordings as well as cutting brand new material.  They recently toured Japan and Australia, returning home to San Francisco to do a show that sold out in less than 24 hours.   Fans have been delighted with what is being called "a dream set list", including original songs the band has never performed before onstage.  Newcomers are asking, "Why haven't I ever heard of this group?"  It's hard to say just why the group hasn't gotten the attention they deserve (at least in the USA) but they're back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock n' roll bands ever.  

THE FLAMIN’ GROOVIES LIVE

SUNDAY 30TH JUNE 2013 – HARD ROCK CALLING AT QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK

TUESDAY 2ND JULY 2013 - LONDON SCALA 

For more information please contact:

Sam Corbett – Live Nation: sam.corbett@livenation.co.uk 

The Flamin’ Groovies Scala tickets go on-sale 9am on Friday 24th May priced at £22.50 (subject to booking fee) and are available from www.livenation.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk 

For accreditation please visit the Live Nation Press website http://press.livenation.co.uk/ and apply on line 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Live Nation Entertainment:

Live Nation Entertainment is the world’s leading live entertainment and ecommerce company, comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster.com, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation and Live Nation Network. Ticketmaster.com is the global event ticketing leader and one of the world’s top five ecommerce sites, with a database of over 119 million fans who visit our sites. Live Nation Concerts produces over 22,000 shows annually for more than 2,300 artists globally. Artist Nation is the world’s top artist management company, representing over 200 artists. These businesses power Live Nation Network, the leading provider of entertainment marketing solutions, enabling nearly 800 advertisers to tap into the 250 million consumers Live Nation delivers annually through its live event and digital platforms. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com/investors.

As previously reported, the iconic singer was taken to hospital recently for cuts and bruises following a crash on the M1.

An eyewitness previously came forward to say that she saw the singer lying on the motorway, adding that she was later told he fell out of the car at 70mph after trying to close a door.

Speaking to The Sun, another driver called Ben Quince said that he saw himself the singer fall out of a car, which he was the passenger of. The eyewitness said:

"I suddenly saw the back door on the driver's side open. A body appeared and went bounce, bounce, bounce. He was spinning as he came towards me."

Quince continued: "I had to swerve left. I could have killed him. In my mirror I saw trucks and cars swerving to avoid him."

It has since been revealed that the hitmaker fell out of a vehicle that was travelling at 70mph on the M1 and an eyewitness named Katherine Fox told Britain's The Sun newspaper that "he tried to open the car door and shut it again because it wasn't shut properly and apparently fell out at 70mph."

A spokesperson for the iconic musician told BBC News that he's "making good progress", but doctors want him to remain in hospital for the time being as a precaution:

"Following the traffic accident on Thursday, we can confirm that he is still in hospital. We are keen to stress it's purely as a precaution for observation. He did suffer a couple of bumps and bruises to the head and that's why they are keeping him in - to keep an eye on him."

Gary Sanderson, of the East of England Ambulance Service, added that Michael was laying on the road when paramedics arrived at the scene: "The patient was on the road when paramedics arrived. The patient required further assessments at a specialist trauma centre after he received a head injury. He was fully conscious throughout his treatment at the scene and flight to hospital and the injuries were deemed non life threatening."

Watch his music video for 'White Light' below:

As previously reported, the singer was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises after being involved in a collision on the M1.

Speaking to The Sun, crash witness Katherine Fox said that she could have run over the Wham! star as he lay on the road covered in blood.

She revealed that she was told passenger Michael had fallen out of his car whilst it was travelling at full speed. Fox said:

"I saw blood everywhere and a man on the ground. I thought someone had run across the road and been hit. I asked what had gone on and was told he tried to open the car door and shut it again because it wasn't shut properly and apparently fell out at 70mph.

"I was on the phone to the ambulance and said, 'You'd better come quick. This doesn't look good'. George was wearing a black and gold Adidas tracksuit that was ripped all down the arm and shoulder. He had no trainers on. I grabbed one from the second lane because cars were swerving to avoid it. His sunglasses were also in the road. I could hear the crunch as cars drove over them."

The witness added that the singer was in shock after the incident and stayed largely silent. Fox said:

"George didn't say anything, he just seemed in shock. He was sitting down against a car and in the arms of his friend. The guy holding him was quite scared. He kept saying to George, 'Are you all right mate?'. I think George was lucky he didn't die. If he'd landed in the second lane he would have been hit by a car without a doubt. He was in the middle of the M1. I could have run him over."

The singer was a passenger in a vehicle which crashed on the northbound M1 motorway yesterday evening (May 16) near its M25 junction.

Another man was flown to a trauma unit in London for treatment.

A spokesperson for the former Wham! man said: "George Michael was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic accident yesterday evening, no third party was involved. He is being treated for superficial cuts and bruises but is fine. We have no further comment at this time."

Ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson added: "A man who we believe to be in his 40s sustained a head injury and following treatment, stabilisation and immobilisation by land and air ambulance crews, he was flown to hospital for further care."

Richard Marx's 'Right Here Waiting' topped the poll, named Spotify's 101 greatest love songs, at No.1, but Adele's 'Someone Like You' came in at 10 and George Michael placed at 7 with 'Careless Whisper'.

Sir Elton John's classic 'Your Song' came in at No.3, the late Michael Jackson made an appearance at 6 with 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You', and Celine Dion's 'Titanic' theme, 'My Heart Will Go On', has been put at No.4.

The full Top 10 is as follow:

1. Richard Marx: 'Right Here Waiting'
2. Foreigner: 'I Want To Know What Love Is'
3. Elton John: 'Your Song'
4. Celine Dion: 'My Heart Will Go On'
5. Diana Ross: 'Endless Love'
6. Michael Jackson: 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You'
7. George Michael: 'Careless Whisper'
8. Ronan Keating: 'When You Say Nothing At All'
9. Sinead O'Connor: 'Nothing Compares 2 U'
10. Adele: 'Someone Like You'

Watch the video for Adele's 'Someone Like You' below:

Gallagher went to watch the 'Faith' hitmaker's 'Symphonica Tour' on October 13 but swiftly shunned the venue for the bar after being noticed by members of the crowd who disrupted his night, although the situation was reported by the press in a negative light.

Writing on his official Twitter page yesterday (October 16), Michael explained that he understands why Gallagher chose to leave and has a lot of respect for him:

"Oh and by the way, please don't hold it against Liam that he popped off to the bar at Saturdays show.... He's a lovely guy and has always been really friendly to me and very complimentary about my music."

Michael added: "And anyway he was getting a load hassle from people who spotted him so its not surprising he went for for a bevvy :) You know what the tabloids are like,they love love to have a go at him."

Watch Michael's video for 'White Light' here:

The 'Faith' sensation will put the items under the hammer in order to raise money for a London animal shelter called for Mayhew Animal Home and he told his 510,000 followers about the adorable lot on his official Twitter page earlier this afternoon (October 16):

"Just want to let you know we have a signed goodie up for auction on e-bay, the proceeds will go to a dog rescue charity.... It's a signed collection of all the pics we have called the "doggie wall" on the tour."

He added: "And there are three pics of my gorgeous Meg and Abbey on on there:)"

The bid currently stands at £100 and the auction is set to end on October 22 for those interested in making an offer. A message on the eBay lot reads:

"A plastic coated photo montage, "Dog Wall", of the dogs owned and loved by George Michael and the George Michael Symphonica touring personnel. Each photo of the Symphonica dogs is labelled with the dogs name and it's owner. The Dog Wall is hung up backstage at every show so the touring party could see their beloved pet everyday. George's dogs, Meg and Abbey appear three times on the wall and George has signed their photos as well as Diego and Ruby's pictures."

Watch Michael's video for 'White Light' below: