Adam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love': The Story Behind The Cover

Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman

<P>Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off <MTVNLINK type="url" id="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</MTVNLINK>'s 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."</P><P>That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on <I>Rolling Stone</i> magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.</P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> </div><p></P><P>The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album <I>Led Zeppelin II.</i> Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.</P><P>For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.</P><P>Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.</P><P><b>Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.</b></p>

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Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom: Vegas Bound!

Jetting off for a fun business trip, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom were seen arriving at LAX airport to catch a flight out of Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday (July 17).

The Hollywood reality couple wore somewhat matching ensembles as they both sported casual outfits of jeans and a t-shirt as they made their way past the awaiting shutterbugs and into the hectic terminal.

As for their recent trip, it looks like Khloe and Lamar are headed to Vegas, baby! The youngest Kardashian sister took to her Twitter page earlier today writing, "Vegas bound with my hubby!!!! Basketball training camp for him. Kardashian Khaos for me :)."

Though the couple are used to warmer weather while living in Dallas and Los Angeles, it looks like the heat is still getting to the 28-year-old beauty as she tweeted, "This heat is crazy ."

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Miley Cyrus’ Brother Braison Hospitalized Over The Weekend

The brother of actress and singer Miley Cyrus was hospitalized over the weekend after a minor scare where the eighteen year old would not stop bleeding. Miley Cyrus’ younger brother Braison Cyrus was admitted to the Providence Saint Joseph Hospital located in Los Angeles, California over the weekend where he was treated for severe bleeding. According to MTV, Braison’s medical issues stem from a previous surgery he had on his tonsils.  Before he first arrived at the hospital the younger Cyrus tweeted, “Just swallowed a ton of my own blood and now I feel sick.”  A tweet that alarmed his fans. Days later Braison was in good spirits and showing his appreciation to the staff of the hospital that helped him, and fans that shared their concerns.  “Thank you everyone for the twitter love. Ive made a full recovery. Y’all are good folks. Thanks for giving a damn,” he wrote. “Thanks to good doctors.” Billy Ray Cyrus also sent out his thanks after what was a hectic time for the famous family.  “Thanking God and all the fine doctors nurses and staff at Providence Saint Joseph hospital. Been a wild 24 hours but bringing my son home.” It was reported [...]

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Celebrity Breakups: Heidi Klum & Seal Divorce

Heidi Klum and Seal

They've shared one of the most passionate unions in Tinseltown, so it comes as sad and surprising news that Heidi Klum is getting divorced from husband Seal. Seal was the special guest during Monday's (January 23) taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show". With the episode set to air later this week, the 48-year-old British singer opened up about ending his marriage with wife of six and a half years, Heidi Klum, telling, “I think we were shocked. You go into these things with the greatest intentions when you say ‘I do’ and you say ’til death do us part.’ Those vows hold value. They are not just words… You try and you work through it and the thing that you quickly realize when you are married and you become a parent you do the best that you can." "It makes you actually appreciate your parents a lot more. The thing that I’m most proud about this great woman who married (and I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart), is that together she has given me four incredible gifts…four beautiful children [Leni, Henry, Johan, and Lou]. She still, in my opinion, the most wonderful woman in the world. I think our priority was to remain civil and do this thing with dignity. We still very much love each other,” Seal, who also performed “Let’s Stay Together” for the daytime talk show, added. “To say that neither of us were grieving would be an out and out lie (and I don’t mind telling you that). I think the operative here is that we are civil to each other and we both have a tremendous amount of respect and love and we try and do this with as much dignity as we possibly can.” Meanwhile, the "Kiss From a Rose" singer also commented on the fact that he was still sporting his wedding band, as he explained, “Yes, I am still wearing my ring. I think it’s just pretty much a token of how I feel about this woman. We have eight years. Eight wonderful years together. Just because we have decided to separate doesn’t necessarily mean you take off your ring and you’re no longer connected to that person. We will be connected in many ways ‘til the rest of our lives…. though our children and also through this tremendous admiration, respect and love that we have for each other. Will we wear the ring for the rest of our lives? Who knows? But right now it feels really comfortable on my hand so I have intentions of taking it off anytime soon.” [gallery=811]Heidi Klum and Seal

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Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him

'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris

<P>Former SoundgardenSoundgarden and AudioslaveAudioslave frontman Chris CornellChris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert PlantRobert Plant on a proposed Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham.</P><P>Cornell has been mentioned &#8212; along with Foo FightersFoo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van HalenVan Halen frontman Sammy HagarSammy Hagar, White StripesWhite Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter BridgeAlter Bridge's Myles Kennedy &#8212; as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour.</P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> </div><p></P><P>"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour."</P><P>Cornell's denial comes just a day after AerosmithAerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford confirmed reports that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert."</P><P>Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played a single reunion set last year at London's O2 Arena. Twisted SisterTwisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant.</P><P>According to Snider, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' "</P><P>"And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in."</P><P>In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there."</P><P>But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard."</P><P>Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming TimbalandTimbaland-produced solo LP, Scream, will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider <i>Scream</i> something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way.</P><P>"It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] <i>Euphoria Morning,</i> my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like.</P><P>"It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."</p>

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'Glee' Star Chris Colfer Teases Michael Jackson Tribute Episode

'I sing part of 'Black [or] White.' I'm the 'white' in 'Black [or] White,' ' actor reveals on the Golden Globes red carpet.
By Amy Wilkinson, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

<P>Fox's song-and-dance series "Glee" is no stranger to a star-studded cameo or two, with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, John Stamos and Kristin Chenoweth all walking the halls of McKinley High during the past two and a half seasons. And as the show returns from a month-long hiatus, Gleeks aren't the only ones anticipating a few more famous faces. As star Chris Colfer told MTV News on the Golden Globes red carpet, there's plenty to look forward to when New Directions warble again January 17.</P><P>"Well, the Michael Jackson episode ...," Colfer answered when asked about his most-anticipated upcoming episodes. "We have a Spanish episode coming up with Ricky Martin. We have a Valentine's Day episode coming up, so that's going to be fun."</P><P><CENTER></CENTER></P><P>Martin is slated to play "the hottest Spanish teacher ever in the history of Ohio," according to TVLine. The actor/singer recently tweeted a joyful picture from his first day on set.</P><P>As to how the King of Pop's prolific songbook will manifest itself in the January 31 tribute episode, Colfer explained, "Well, I sing part of 'Black [or] White.' I'm the 'White' in 'Black [or] White,' and I sing 'Ben,' that famous song he wrote for the rat."</P><P>The rodent in question is the pet of a young boy named Danny in the 1972 film "Ben." Jackson sang a version of the theme song that appeared in the movie's closing credits and was later included on his 1972 album also named <em>Ben</em>. The track "Black or White" was the first single off of Jackson's 1991 album <em>Dangerous</em>.</P><P><big><b>Stick with MTV News all night for the 2012 Golden Globes winners, and don't miss all the fashion from the Golden Globes red carpet!</b></big></p>

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