The book, titled ‘Brunette Ambition’, has been described as a combination style guide, advice book and memoir and has been commissioned by Harmony Books.

In a statement about her plans, Michele said: "There wasn't a guidebook when I was growing up, that detailed everything I would need to do, and know, to get where I am today.

“But I believe I can write one of sorts: not a how-to-make-it-in-show-business book, but a guide to harnessing tenacity, passion, enthusiasm and hard work to make your dreams come true."

The title will be released in the US and Canada in print and digital formats.  She will join ‘Glee’ co-stars Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer and Jenna Ushkowitz who have all published books previously.

Watch Lea Michele singing in tribute to her onscreen and off-screen idol Barbra Streisand here:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/76462/ Wed, 22 May 2013 10:58:22 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/londonnewsdesk/view/76462/ Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards owes library fines dating back some 50 years.

The 69-year-old icon told The Sun that he used to frequent his local library in Dartford many years ago.

However, the paper says he owes the book lending service around £20,000 after not paying back old fines.

Speaking about the Kent library, Richards said:

"It was a place where you get a hint there was a place called civilisation."

However, he added: "I still owe fines from about 50 years ago."

The Rolling Stones are currently on their 50 And Counting tour in North America, which will later take them to the UK for shows at the Glastonbury Festival and London's Hyde Park.

The news was announced earlier today (May 21) and the official book will be titled, 'One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story'. While it isn't due to be released for several months, pre-order has begun for around $15 (£10) on Amazon.

The message on the 'Little Things' heartthrobs' newsletter explains: "Calling all One Direction fans! This is the only official book from 1D charting their journey over the last year and a half—from the places they've visited and fans they've met, to their thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, highs and lows. It has been a phenomenal year—and this is a phenomenal story."

The publication, for which the cover photo can be seen below, also promises to include "exclusive beautiful photos, backstage snapshots, hand-written annotations and brand new insights into the boys’ world."

Watch One Direction answer fans' questions during a recent concert here:

Launched 40 years ago with the largely instrumental Tubular Bells (a 48-minute suite conceived by 19-year-old guitar prodigy Mike Oldfield that went on to sell 15 million copies), Virgin Records has staked its reputation on doing the unexpected. Since its early days the label has emphasised and supported the maverick, creative drive of its artists; whilst along the way, it has achieved global success in breaking some of the biggest and most influential acts of the past four decades.

Virgin and its artists have been at the forefront of almost every key musical movement of the past forty years. It was the underdog label that signed the Sex Pistols when they had been rejected by the rest of the music establishment and forged ahead to enjoy great critical acclaim in the post-punk era with the likes of Simple Minds, PiL, Magazine, Devo and XTC.

By the Eighties it was spearheading a colourful new wave of British pop acts, helping to steer Boy George's Culture Club and The Human League to the top of the charts. Then through London's Soul II Soul and Bristol's Massive Attack it helped to push DJ and sound system culture into the mainstream.

In the Nineties the label set a vibrant new benchmark for pop music with the rise of the Spice Girls, oversaw the birth of new, electronic dance genres with Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers before changing the post-Britpop landscape with The Verve's, Urban Hymns.

The pace has barely slackened in recent years with Virgin signing the superstar DJs Swedish House Mafia, nurturing the huge talent of critically acclaimed female singer-songwriters Laura Marling and Emeli Sandé as well as launching the career of indie pop newcomers Bastille.

It’s this desire to think creatively, challenge conceptions and take risks that has established Virgin Records as one of the most innovative record companies of the past four decades.  Founder Richard Branson said,

“Virgin Records is where it all started for Virgin and 40 years later it's great to see we are still being innovative. This exciting series of events is the perfect way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Virgin Records and the artists, from Mike Oldfield to Emeli Sandé, who continue to disrupt the status quo."

Taking place in the autumn and including artists past and present, the events to celebrate Virgin Records ‘40 years of disruptions’ will be supporting the charity, War Child. War Child protects children from the brutal effects of war and received the Special Recognition Award at this year’s BRIT Awards.

Events are as follows

1) Exhibition
The creative direction for the exhibition will be overseen by Adrian Shaughnessy, George Lee and the team at This Is Real Art. It will include photos (seen and unseen), seminal videos (including props) and memorabilia that capture the symbiotic collaborations between the cultural icons of the day. The location will be an exclusive venue in Mornington Crescent.
 
2) Book
A beautiful art book will be edited by leading music journalist Adrian Thrills. Adrian began his career editing the punk fanzine 48 Thrills before becoming one of the main feature writers for NME in the Eighties. He contributed fifty cover stories for the paper championing the 2-Tone movement and many of the post-punk, reggae and dance acts of the era; as well as writing the first ever cover story for iconic style magazine The Face featuring The Specials. The book will be designed by Adrian Shaughnessy.

3) Documentary  
A film produced by Leopard Films, one of the UK’s leading production companies, and directed by Paul Tilzey, the director of many award winning documentaries for BBC and Channel 4 including ‘The 70s’. Executive producer Todd Austin and Fiona Morris' projects include ‘Do it Yourself; The Story of Rough Trade’ (BBC Four) and ‘Imagine: Damon and Jamie’s Excellent Adventure’ (BBC One) respectively.
 
4) Events    
A series of live events. Virgin Records will be taking over legendary Camden venue KOKO in October. The shows will celebrate four decades of disruptions involving icons and luminaries from Virgin’s roster past and present.    
 
5) Compilations     

A compilation CD with 2 x Cd set; one disc with current Virgin artists covering Virgin classics, another disc with original Virgin classics. There will also be a series of Virgin 40 compilation CDs spanning the four decades.

Virgin Records four decades of artists include: Mike Oldfield, Sex Pistols, Neneh Cherry, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, N.E.R.D, The Human League, Public Image Ltd., Spice Girls, George Michael, The Rolling Stones, Culture Club, Massive Attack, Swedish House Mafia, Kelis, The Kooks, KT Tunstall, Bastille, Heaven 17, The Verve, Genesis, Iggy Pop, Tangerine Dream, Lenny Kravitz, MeatLoaf, Simple Minds, Laura Marling, Phil Collins, Professor Green, The Smashing Pumpkins, Janet Jackson, XTC, UB40, Malcolm McLaren, Emeli Sandé, Soul II Soul, Air, Peter Gabriel, Inner City, David Guetta, Daft Punk, Everything But The Girl, The Chemical Brothers.

http://www.virgin40.com/

The book, titled ‘Brunette Ambition’, has been described as a combination style guide, advice book and memoir and has been commissioned by Harmony Books.

In a statement about her plans, Michele said: "There wasn't a guidebook when I was growing up, that detailed everything I would need to do, and know, to get where I am today.

“But I believe I can write one of sorts: not a how-to-make-it-in-show-business book, but a guide to harnessing tenacity, passion, enthusiasm and hard work to make your dreams come true."

The title will be released in the US and Canada in print and digital formats.  She will join ‘Glee’ co-stars Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer and Jenna Ushkowitz who have all published books previously.

Watch Lea Michele singing in tribute to her onscreen and off-screen idol Barbra Streisand here:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/OneDirection/view/76384/ Tue, 21 May 2013 19:54:16 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/OneDirection/view/76384/ UK based boyband One Direction have confirmed that August 27 will see the release of a brand new book that details their "journey over the last year and a half—from the places they've visited and fans they've met."

The news was announced earlier today (May 21) and the official book will be titled, 'One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story'. While it isn't due to be released for several months, pre-order has begun for around $15 (£10) on Amazon.

The message on the 'Little Things' heartthrobs' newsletter explains: "Calling all One Direction fans! This is the only official book from 1D charting their journey over the last year and a half—from the places they've visited and fans they've met, to their thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, highs and lows. It has been a phenomenal year—and this is a phenomenal story."

The publication, for which the cover photo can be seen below, also promises to include "exclusive beautiful photos, backstage snapshots, hand-written annotations and brand new insights into the boys’ world."

Watch One Direction answer fans' questions during a recent concert here:

The X Factor 2012 semi-finalists premiered the promo clip for their maiden single 'Carry You' this morning (April 29).

The track is the lead single from their forthcoming debut album, which is expected to be released later this year.

Fans seemed to love the video, with one Twitter user saying: "Eeeeekkk!!!! Annoying me dad cause a can't stop jumping and screaming :P xxxxxxxxxx <3."

As previously reported, Union J are also set to release their first ever book this year.

The former X Factor contestants are releasing the track 'Carry You' as their first single since leaving the show last year.

The track will hit the radio on Monday (April 22) before getting its full release on June 2.

The group have now released images from the filming of their single's video, with the lads seen on a bike and having a right good time.

As previously reported, Union J have also recently signed a book deal to publish their debut autobiography.

The Girls Aloud singer will follow bandmate Cheryl Cole in selling an autobiography full of her life stories.

Walsh revealed the news via Twitter on Tuesday (April 9), telling her followers:

"Also I am very excited to announce that I will be releasing my official autobiography in September! #aaarrgghh."

The book will be published by Headline, with no exact release date yet forthcoming.

The star has previously gone on record to dismiss the idea of writing a book, stating:

"I really don't feel it's something I would ever want to do...I always wanted to keep a bit of myself back and I think I've managed to find that balance. I'd never want to feel like I was exposed."

The X Factor 2012 contestants will unleash the track 'Carry You' on June 2 as they launch their post-show careers.

The group said in a webchat that fans could expect to hear the song in a "few weeks".

Speaking about the prospect of listening to their own music, Jaymi Hensley said:

"It's going to be totally crazy to hear it on the radio."

Union J penned a contract with Sony's RCA in the aftermath of the X Factor and have also secured a book deal.

The group were eliminated from the show at the semi-final stage, with James Arthur ultimately winning the series.

The book, which will document the lives of the group's four members, will be released in the autumn before their debut album hits the shelves.

The band featured on last year's X Factor and dropped out the show in the semi-final stage before James Arthur eventually won.

Speaking about the new book deal, Penguin Editorial Director Daniel Bunyard said:

"I'm over the moon to be working with Union J on their first book. They have huge talent, a great chemistry together and a genuine passion towards what they're doing. This will be a massive title for later this year, packed full of exclusive, beautifully-shot photography."

Union J meanwhile added: "We are very excited to be working with Penguin on our first book and are looking forward to the chance to tell our stories, of how we came together and where we came from, as well as the journey we've taken since X Factor."

In a serialisation of her new book The Power of Positive Drinking published in the Sunday Times, Rocos revealed that she, Mercury and Kenny Everett went pubbing with the late Princess in the 80s.

She said, however, that to get Diana into the South London pub took a bit of cunning disguise. Rocos said:

"Scrutinising her in the half light we decided that the most famous icon of the modern world might just - just - pass for a rather eccentrically dressed gay male model."

She continued: "The place was full. It took an absolute eon to edge our way to the bar, with person after person cheerfully greeting us. It was fabulously outrageous and so bizarrely exciting. Our hearts pounded with every new leather-clad hairy body that approached, but no one, absolutely no-one, recognised Diana. 

"On we inched, through the leather throngs and thongs, until finally we reached the bar. We were nudging each other like naughty schoolchildren. Diana and Freddie were giggling, but she did order a white wine and a beer. Once the transaction was completed, we looked at one another, united in our triumphant quest. We did it!"

The boyband are releasing a new official publication and yesterday (March 28) they revealed its title.

The book will be called One Direction, Where We Are: Our Band Our Story.

The team behind the 'Live While We're Young' stars meanwhile have asked fans to contribute special drawings for the book.

They are asking fans to draw, paint or create on a computer a One Direction inspired version of their own national flag.

As previously reported, One Direction star Zayn Malik recently overtook bandmate Harry Styles as the male with the most searched for style online.

Brandi Glanville has a history of exchanging verbal blows with Rimes after she allegedly had an affair with Cibrain whilst she was married to him.

Recently, Glanville called Rimes "insane", with the singer admitting that she was getting fed up of the jibes.

Speaking at a Hollywood Q&A for her book Drinking and Tweeting, Glanville went on the offensive again, saying about Rimes:

"She can go f*** herself. Well, she has to, because who would want to?"

Speaking about her failed marriage to Cibrian, she added:

"I did everything I could do for him and the boys and to make him not want to stray. So, when it happened, especially with someone as attractive as her, [it was tough]. When a man cheats on you it's not about you. It's about notoriety. They want to be with you but they want their cake and eat it too."