Music Biz Headlines, Feb. 1, 2019

By Kerry Doole

Ticketmaster secret scalper program not illegal, Competition Bureau says

Watchdog says enforcement of consumer protection and unfair business practice legislation is up to provinces. –  CBC News

Junos 2019 nominations: the surprises and omissions

From NOW cover stars to London, Ontario, music heroes to a total lack of Drake and Shad – here's what's catching our eye so far.  –  Richard Trapunski, NOW

Debauchery behind it, Interpol still thriving as the band heads to Vancouver

Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino says the New York City–spawned band has survived so long thanks in large part to its us-against-the-world mentality.  – John Lucas, Georgia Straight

Moves like Roger behind Maroon 5 disappearing act in Super Bowl week

Time to ask the question that is on everybody’s minds: Are Maroon 5 cowards? A walking Google search for Mall Soundtrack Band, Maroon 5 are performing at the Super Bowl halftime show this year, because somebody has to. – Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star

Drake doesn’t care about the Canadian Grammys

Canadian rap ambassador Drake, who has worked with dozens of homegrown artists on his albums and regularly touts his native Toronto — and Canada overall — in his music and onstage banter, appears to be shunning the country’s biggest awards show, the Junos.  –  Karen Bliss, Variety

Unchained Melodies 

Songwriter and Wintersleep keyboardist Jon Samuel releases his second solo effort, Dead Melodies, this weekend.  –  Matthew Morgan, The Coast

Why I quit entertainment journalism

For ten years, I slaved away as a film critic and entertainment writer, hoping my hard work for little (or no) pay would result in a full-time job. It didn't. So now I'm done.  –  Phil Brown, NOW

With In Limbo, Vancouver's Chersea makes a triumphant statement about the importance of not giving up

Sometimes there’s a reward for persevering when things get heavy, that being true on multiple fronts for Vancouver’s Chersea. Spend a couple of hours talking to the unflinchingly forthright singer-songwriter, and you get a story that’s as inspirational as it is at times painfully dark.  –  Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight

Watching 'Leaving Neverland' after a lifetime of loving Michael Jackson

Roughly an hour into “Leaving Neverland,” it felt like my chest had caved in. It was the first full day of the Sundance Film Festival and Park City's Egyptian Theatre was packed for the premiere of the controversial documentary about two men who claim Michael Jackson abused them sexually as children."  –  Gerrick D. Kennedy, LA Times

Recording Academy says leaked Grammy winners list is fake  

There is no legitimacy to this," a Recording Academy spokesperson tells Billboard.  –  Rania Aniftos, Billboard

Apple Music customers can stream music for free over Wi-Fi on American Airlines soon

Good for Apple Music customers, bad for the bigger picture.   –  Dami Lee, The Verge

The Lord of the Ringos? Peter Jackson to direct a Beatles film

It's a little-known fact that in the 1960s, The Beatles tried to obtain the film rights to The Lord of the Rings. Now, in a strange twist of fate, a new Beatles film is being directed by Peter Jackson - who finally brought The Lord of the Rings to the big screen in 2001.  –  Mark Savage, BBC

Alanis Morissette’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’ musical heads to Broadway

Here’s some news you oughta know:  Jagged Little Pill is coming to Broadway. Producers said Monday that the musical, which uses the song catalog of Alanis Morissette to confront such contemporary issues as rape culture and addiction, will open next fall. They did not specify a theater or a date.  –  Michael Paulson, NY Times

Ace Frehley slams into Gene Simmons. The gloves are off

Frehley has responded following comments by Gene Simmons about the former guitarist's ability to perform more than a song or two on Kiss' upcoming End of the Road tour. Frehley referred to Simmons as an "asshole and a sex addict," and also accused the bassist of hitting on his wife last year.  –  Ultimate Classic Rock

Podcast: L.Z. Granderson connects the dots at Super Bowl LIII

New sports and culture columnist L.Z. Granderson discusses the controversies surrounding the musical acts performing at the Super Bowl, the effect this game might have on future generations of football fans and other topics the casual fan might not pick up on.  –  LA Times

Justin Bieber is selling smiley faces, corduroy and lethargy in new clothing line

The Biebs has nailed the “streetwear” look. You know, streetwear. The fashion that’s meant to look haphazard and hand-me-down, but is actually expensive and new.  –   Carly Mallenbaum, USA Today

Linda Perry, pioneering producer, becomes a pioneering Grammy contender

Linda Perry didn’t originally set out to be a music producer, but the singer who was focused on writing lyrics would hear noises in her head.  –  Meskin Fekadu, AP

Every Black Sabbath album – ranked!

Ozzy Osbourne may have just postponed his tour due to ill health, but to make up for that, take a look back at the satanic highs and tepid lows of his one-time band.  –  Michael Hann, The Guardian