Williams takes stand in ‘Blurred Lines’ case
Pharrell Williams told a jury Wednesday he was trying to evoke the feel of Marvin Gaye’s music but did not copy the late singer’s work when he crafted the 2013 hit “Blurred Lines.”
Williams said he grew up listening to Gaye’s music and was familiar with his song “Got to Give It Up,” but did not use it as a basis for “Blurred Lines,” which was a hit for him and collaborators Robin Thicke and T.I.
“He’s one of the ones we look up to,” Williams said. “This is the last place I want to be.”
Williams, Thicke and T.I. are being sued by Gaye’s children who claim “Blurred Lines” infringes their father’s copyrights for 1977’s “Got to Give It Up,” but Williams’ testimony is crucial because he wrote the song’s music and most of its lyrics. Although Thicke received a songwriting credit on the song, he acknowledged earlier in the trial that he didn’t do much work on the song.
T.I.’s rap track was added later, and Williams said he wasn’t involved in its inclusion in “Blurred Lines,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Williams’ career as an artist-producer has been booming in recent years, with the singer performing his hit “Happy” at the 2014 Oscars just weeks after winning three Grammy Awards for his work with Daft Punk.
Twain’s final tour to begin in Seattle
Shania Twain will launch her final tour this summer. The singer announced Wednesday she would kick off her Rock This Country Tour on June 5 in Seattle. She will perform 48 shows and wrap the tour Aug. 23 in Fresno, California.
It is her first North American tour in more than a decade.
Twain will perform in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. She also will visit Canada for shows in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Twain completed a two-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Willis to be in ‘Misery’ on Broadway
Bruce Willis will make his Broadway debut this fall in a tale of torture and suspense – a stage adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Misery.”
Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures said Wednesday the “Die Hard” star will star opposite Elizabeth Marvel in the story of a murderous fan united with her beloved romance novelist.
William Goldman has once again adapted the book. His previous film adaptation was directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1990, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, who won an Academy Award.
The birthday bunch
Actor James B. Sikking is 81. Actor Dean Stockwell is 79. Actress Samantha Eggar is 76. Actor Michael Warren is 69. Actress-comedian Marsha Warfield is 61. Magician Penn Jillette is 60. Actress Eva Mendes is 40.