Pop Music News Weekly, March 15, 2011: R&R Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 'Idol' Contestant Recovers; Unknown Singer Goes Viral

Welcome once again to Pop Music News, a weekly wrap-up of some of the more noteworthy news items from the world of popular music. Here's the scoop:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Last night the 26^th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. This year's inductees included Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Darlene Love, Dr. John, and Leon Russell. Non-performers receiving the honors included Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman, and Specialty Records founder Art Rupe.

As is always the case with this show, the night was full of colorful appearances and impromptu, highly entertaining performances. Alice Cooper reached back into the past, appearing at his induction complete with a snake wrapped around his neck. Neil Diamond solicited the voices of Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Robertson to help out with the chorus of "Sweet Caroline" and the grand finale saw the likes of bandleader Paul Shaffer, Diamond, Cooper, Bette Midler, Elton John, Darlene Love and Leon Russell performing the classic "Da Doo Ron Ron."

The memorable ceremony will be aired on March 20^th on the FUSE Network.

Idol contestant Casey Abrams feeling better

20 year-old American Idol contestant Casey Abrams says he's "feeling better" after being hospitalized for the second time since the season began, forcing him to miss last Thursday's live elimination show. The singer suffers from ulcerative colitis, a disease that affects the large intestine, and had to be given two blood transfusions while in the hospital. The aspiring singer made it through the elimination round after being praised by the judges for his performance of "With a Little Help from My Friends." Fellow contestant Ashthon Jones was cast off.

Lady GaGa raises money for Japan

Pop singer Lady GaGa has been selling cool rubber bracelets emblazoned with "We Pray for Japan" (in both English and Japanese) on her official online store. The cost for each bracelet is $5 and all proceeds go to help relief efforts in the earthquake/tsunami stricken country. Click here to buy yours.
Obscure teenage singer Rebecca Black's "Friday" goes viral

Only in this day and age can an innocuous pop song by an ordinary teenager become so big, so fast, and from straight out of nowhere. On Friday, March 11^th, aspiring singer Rebecca Black debuted a song on YouTube, produced by L.A. based Ark Music Factory. After just four days, the song has received over 6 million hits and is shows no signs of slowing down. The reason: no one's really sure. The song is simple and very pop-sounding in a ridiculous and laughable way and maybe that's what's given it its go. Judge it for yourself right here.

Charting this week

Here's what's happening on the charts this week:

iTunes Top Ten Downloaded Singles

1- E.T. - Katy Perry, featuring Kanye West

2- On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez, featuring Pitbull

3- S&M - Rihanna

4- Born This Way - Lady GaGa

5- Blow - Ke$ha

6- Look at Me Now - Chris Brown, featuring Lil' Wayne

7- Coming Home - Diddy - Dirty Money & Skylar Grey

8- Till the World Ends - Britney Spears

9- F**kin Perfect - Pink

10- I Need a Doctor - Dr. Dre, featuring Eminem

iTunes Top Ten Downloaded Albums

1- Endgame - Rise Against

2- 21 - Adele

3- Lasers (Deluxe Edition) - Lupe Fiasco

4- Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons

5- Give the Drummer Some (Deluxe Edition) - Travis Barker

6- Glee: The Music, Vol. 5

7- Goodbye Lullaby (Deluxe Edition) - Avril Lavigne

8- Lasers - Lupe Fiasco

9- My World 2.0 - Justin Bieber

10- Loud - Rihanna

Billboard's Hot 100 Top Ten Singles

1- Born This Way - Lady GaGa

2- F**k You (Forget You) - Cee Lo Green

3- S&M - Rihanna

4- F**kin Perfect - Pink

5- On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez, featuring Pitbull

6- Grenade - Bruno Mars

7- Blow - Ke$ha

8- E.T. - Katy Perry, featuring Kanye West

9- Tonight (I'm Loving You) - Enrique Iglesias, featuring Pitbull

10- Firework - Katy Perry

Other Billboard #1's This Week:

#1 Album - 21 - Adele

#1 R&B/Hip Hop Song - Moment 4 Life - Nicki Minaj, featuring Drake

#1 Country Song - Don't You Wanna Stay? - Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

#1 Rock Song - Rope - Foo Fighters

#1 Dance/Club - Hold it Against Me - Britney Spears

For past issues in the series, click the links below:

March 8^th Edition

March 1^st Edition

February 21^st Edition

February 14^th Edition

February 7^th Edition

Sources:

Associated Press. "Rock Inducts Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits." Billboard 15 Mar 2011: n. pag. Wev. 15 Mar 2011. < http://www.billboard.com/#/news/rock-hall-inducts-neil-diamond-alice-cooper-1005074152.story>

Bruno, Mike. "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors 2011 inductees." CNN Entertainment 15 Mar 2011: n. pag. Web. 15 Mar 2011. .

Greene, Andy. "Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Neil Diamond Make for Unforgettable Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony." Rolling Stone 15 Mar 2011: n. pag. Web. 15 Mar 2011. < http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-cooper-darlene-love-neil-diamond-make-for-unforgettable-hall-of-fame-ceremony-20110315>

Lipshutz, Jason. "'Idol' Hopeful Casey Abrams 'Feeling Really Good' After Hospitalization." Billboard 15 Mar 2011: n. pag. Web. 15 Mar 2011. < http://www.billboard.com/#/news/idol-hopeful-casey-abrams-feeling-really-1005074202.story>

Lynch, Joseph Brannigan. "Rebecca Black's 'Friday': The Internet's latest bizarre music video obsession." Entertainment Weekly 14 Mar 2011: n. pag. Web. 15 Mar 2011. < http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/03/14/rebecca-black-friday-music-video/>