CANADIAN LUKAS ROSSI IS “THE CHOSEN ONE” ON ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA

The winner was announced today after 11 weeks of intense competition for the position of lead singer for the newly formed rockband Supernova (Gilby Clarke – Gun’s & Roses, Jason Newsted – Metallica, Tommy Lee – Mötley Crüe).  

Wrapping an evening filled with intense emotions and great performances from all finalist, Canadian rocker Lukas Rossi was finally “confirmed” as the lead singer of Supernova of the Rockstar Supernova CBS reality show.

This win marks the second year in a row that a Canadian hailing from Toronto is chosen for the lead singer role. We all remember last year when an emotion JD Fortune had made the headlines when declared “roit” for INXS. The band members of INXS had made a worldwide search for a lead singer to replace Michael Hutchence who had died 10 years before. So that is 2 for 2 for Canada! As a proud Canadian myself, I couldn’t be more happy that our amazing talent niche is finally exposed to the world and recognized.

Tonight’s win will certainly ignite the now famous conspiracy theory that surfaced on the web when Hollywood gossip columnist Janet Charlton put on her blog that she knew who the winner was. The truth is, Miss Charlton did not know this for a fact! She, like the rest of the people with any amount of flair for talent deducted that Lukas Rossi was not only the best but the only possible fit for Supernova.

He may have been compared as a combination of Jeff Buckley meets Freddie Mercury but Lukas is more than that. Lukas is simply unique. A mesmerizing performer that captures you by letting you see through his soul. Colorful and captivating, each of his performances is like him, unique. Sometimes flamboyant and theatrical, sometimes simply transparent with emotions. You love him or you hate him. But he never leaves you indifferent or unmoved. He deserves every praise Supernova has given him.

Now let’s take a look back at what happened tonight.

Surprisingly the show started with a recap of the season that grabbed about 20 minutes out of the 1 hour ‘short’ finale. It then cut to the performances of the final 3 rockers. Magni was no where to be seen, which confirms he was in last night’s bottom 2 as voted by the public and was first to be eliminated.

Toby Rand was the next to go home, leaving Dilana and Lukas to face the Tommy Hawk. After the band pretended to need a moment, for show, Lukas was finally rewarded for his indescribable talent by become the official lead singer of Supernova!

Stay tuned for more!

ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA : THE RACE TO THE FINISH LINE

It started with 20,000 auditions from which 15 talented rockers from around the globe were selected for this year’s reality/audition show that is called Rockstar Supernova!

Of those, only 4 are left: one from Iceland, the second from Australia, the third from South Africa and the fourth from Canada. Kind of ironic if you think that this show is an American CBS television production. But hey, that only proves one thing. This show is not about politics: it’s about talent! And talent they have. Like them or not, it’s an undeniable fact. At this point, it’s no longer a question of who is the most talented. It’s a question of who is the best fir for THIS band.

No matter what the outcome is, this year they are all winners since; they all get a gig with the band. Well sort of. The winner will play with Supernova, while the remaining 3 as well as Storm Large that left the competition last week, will be playing with the “amazing” House Band which will be following Supernova on tour along with Dave Navarro’s “Panic Channel”. Should be interesting.

But I digress, again! Let’s not jump ahead just now. We still have 2 shows coming up: Tuesday’s performance show and the finale on Wednesday. So lets do a little recap of the last reality show of the season.

 

The mansion was filled with intense emotions again this week. But this tension did not originate from any kind of drama. The show starts with the rockers reminiscing about their own personal Rockstar experience and toasting “Storm Large” whose heart is larger than life (no pun intended, I’m sure). They all miss living with her. And then, the reality check: “one of us could be singing for Supernova in just 8 days from now” – Dilana. But not before Magni got “face caked” – a Rockstar 2 tradition it seems.

They also had a visit from Mig of the Rockstar INXS fame. Mig was there to give Toby the key to his brand new Honda Element , to plug his new album and also remind the remaining rockers that “One of you is going the lead singer of Supernova and also that 3 of you are not going to be the lead singer of Supernova” – Mig Ayesa

“He’s a funny little man with painted on jeans”. – Toby Rand

It was then that each of them went in this special place inside of them to reflect.

- “Right there my mind was going –beep- I didn’t hear anything else. I wouldn’t have come here if I wanted 3^rd place or 2^nd place. It’s not an option.” – Lukas Rossi

The rockers found a cool surprise in the song selection room in the form of performance pictures of each of them, placed on the wall along with the rest of the band.

A letter to the singers stated “This week, we want to hear your red-hot original songs once again and for your second song, choose anything you want from all of this season’s incredible Rockstar music library. Blow us away!” – Supernova

Dilana and Lukas had a short argument over “Comfortably numb” by Pink Floyd but neither of them ended up taking the song. Once Lukas decided on another one, Dilana also choose to let go of it.

At the rehearsal studio we saw Lukas re-arranging “Fix You” by Coldplay which he will dedicate to his father. It sounded amazing. Dilana working up her own stripped down arrangements to “Roxanne” by The Police and aiming to show Chris (Pierson) how to do this song… The House Band did not seem to care for it much, but from what I’ve heard, somehow, I think she will kill it!

Then it was packing time. The beginning of the end. But not only the rockers were sad. Millions of fan from around the globe will feel the void when the show ends this week.

What you will see on this coming Tuesday aside from Ryan Star doing an “Encore” performance of his original (voted by the public through Verizon):

 Toby –
Karma Police (Radiohead)
Throw It Away (original)  

Lukas –
Fix You (Coldplay)
Headspin (original) – acoustic 

Dilana –
Roxanne (The Police)
Supersoul (original) 

Magni –
Hush (Deep Purple)
When the Time Comes (original)  

Your votes this week will determine not a bottom 3, but a bottom 2.One will go home, the other will become part of the Top 3 to perform on the finale this coming Wednesday. Make sure you vote, vote and vote. It’s your last chance to show your favorite rocker your love and appreciation. The final decision is now in Supernova’s hands, heart and soul.

ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA: MAY THE BEST MAN WIN!

What we saw on this week’s Rockstar Supernova’s Elimination Show 

Well, for starters, a new Supernova track, a cool “encore” that came with a consolation prize, what happens when fans don’t do their homework, a star fade away and who’s left.

Warning: don’t read too much into what happened tonight!

After the usual recap of the night before, Jason Newsted announced that this week Magni would perform the Supernova song. Only fitting since they all had to do it at least once. It was a toss between Magni and Storm.

So Magni gets on stage with Supernova and sings “It’s all love”.
Sounded like a cute little pop song. No traffic stopper, nothing to write home about. This performance left me cold. As ice…land! I said it before, Magni has great vocals, but all his performances are the same and I easily get bored watching him. Sorry!

Next up is Toby doing an “encore” performance of Throw Away! Again Toby rocked the place. No doubt about it, the Aussie beefcake looks and sounds good on stage. The happy puppy is just that though: happy! Nothing wrong with that in general, but this is Tommy Lee’s band. He did get a consolation prize though in the form of a beautiful Honda Element. EVS.

Before I forget, it was announced that “The Panic Channel” – Dave’s band would be touring with Supernova along with the House Band and some competitors. I mean, it had to be expected. Unlike last year where INXS had tons of material ready for a show, Supernova is a new band and unless they do covers from other artists, they won’t have enough material to fill a concert. So we will get to see more of some of these great talents on the road for a while. Awesome.

And now the bottom 3: no surprises here either. Each and every one of them hit the bottom 3 at one point or another. The first one to hit the dreaded bottom 3 is Storm Large with a touching rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Wish you where here”. Throughout her performance, we saw a very affected Jason Newsted wipe a tear. It wouldn’t make things to come very easy I’m sure.

Next one to hit the bottom 3 was Dilana with a re-arrangement of Cheap Trick’s “I want you to want me”. One of my favorite song by that punk rock group. I simply hated it. She should have called Jacob Hoggard of Canadian Idol – Season 2 to give her a few pointers. Awful.

And then there was Lukas.

“Hi buddy. Wow, are you surprised man? I am” – Jason Newsted

“No man, it had to happen at one point” – Lukas Rossi

Having the chance to perform his original “Headspin” a second time, in front of the fans, the band and the world, for a guy used to performing in front of empty beer bottles and ashtrays was a bonus. And Lukas wasn’t going anywhere.

 

Unfortunately, the next rocker to go home was Storm Large. Not because her heart breaking performance wasn’t strong enough. Simply because she found herself in the middle of the top contender – Lukas Rossi – and the controversial Dilana. I don’t believe there is a chance in hell for Dilana to win this competition anymore. But with all the drama that the “devil editors” put out there in the last few weeks, they owe her some time for redemption. What they did to her (not to mention what she did to herself) could very well kill her career. So an extra week might put her back on track. You don’t hit people when they are down.

In brief, the only 2 people that did not hit the final bottom 3 where Toby and Magni. Toby deserved to be saved and move on to the finale next to Lukas. As for Magni, he was saved by Iceland who get to vote on a different server. If not for that, he probably would have been the one to leave this week. Oh well, his faith, like that of the others is in Supernova’s hands now.

Make sure you tune in next week. I know I will.

WIND OF CHANGE ON ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA!

I was so looking forward to last night’s show. I mean, we really are in the final stretch with only one week left before the boys officially announces the winner of this “audition”.  We all have our opinion on the matter and I respect that, so I won’t blow anyone’s balloon. At least I will try not too. But it’s no secret by now that my allegiance lies with Lukas Rossi. There is no doubt in my mind that Luke is the perfect fit for this band. A seamless fit. But that doesn’t mean the other rockers are not creative entertainers as well. And if we had any doubts on a few of them, it’s safe to say that the wind shifted tonight and showed their true colors.

 

As I mentioned yesterday, the rockers had a complete set to do. One cover song and an original. In between each song, they had to entertain the crowd and “make it count”. Mission accomplished. On most parts.

First up was Dilana

“Behind Blue Eyes”  - The Who

“Supersoul”  - Original

I haven’t been hiding in the closet about my feelings for Dilana. So normally I would be tempted to say that she carried the drama on her shoulders again as she had to be literally carried to the stage for her performance after hurting her calf muscle during rehearsal.  But I guess that one wasn’t her fault. And to kick start a show seconds after the dreaded reality show recaps that ended on Gilby pointing out her limited imagination and Paul Mirkovich saying that she had re-arranged the song from a position of ignorance, must not have given her the wings she needed to fly tonight.

As a result, although I can’t say that it was all that bad, “Behind blue Eyes” wasn’t all that either.  I was desperately hoping for redemption from Dilana tonight. For me, redemption would have been to “get on with it” and move on. Not going to happen! She explained that her composition was because of what had been happening to her lately, you know “her being under the microscope” (she went there all by herself) and all and that even if she didn’t win the gig, she would go on because she had a “SuperSoul”. The song was ok. Just ok. Dave, her number one fan praised her first performance but didn’t like her original as much. Tommy ‘loved’ the original and Gilby pointed again that her lyrics where too literal.

Next is Magni
”Back in the USSR” – The Beatles
”When the time comes” – Original

There is no doubt about it, Magni’s vocals are always solid. I really loved his vocal arrangements of Back in the USSR. It made me see this Beatles classic in a brand new way. It was cool. He looped into the next song that he had just translated from Icelandic. I liked the song but was by no means blown away. And when Tommy asked him why both performances where the same, he simply answered, “it’s because both of those songs where song by me”. Huh…okay…

If I were to sum up Magni in a sentence I would say he is a great singer but a rather average entertainer.

Third up is Storm

“Suffragette City” -David Bowie
”Ladylike” – Original

Oh boy! She sure pulled an Emeril and kicked it up a notch. I have no idea what she fueled on tonight, but it sure worked for her. No, it didn’t hurt that Dave Navarro joined her on stage. It may have added to the performance but it was clear to see that she was totally in control. And her original “Ladylike”?: a killer! If Storm was singing for her life last night, she saved it! She sure has my vote. 

Then enters Lukas Rossi
“Living On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi
“Headspin” – Original

 You can always count on Lukas to surprise you with his arrangements. No such thing as boring when it comes to Master Rossi. Each performance is a new adventure with a bonus makeover to please his audience.

He went into his first song with no band, no artifice, and no special effects. Just a guitar, a keyboard and a prayer. While some people hoped he would explode this song into a rock frenzy, he instead chose to transform this Bon Jovi classic into a sweet and poignant ballad. Introducing his original song “it’s about my mother, hard life growing up – there is a message in the song, nobody’s perfect”. Ironically, he was.  Mesmerizing, captivating, charismatic he took his song to another level of rock perfection.Again, the editing devil pulled some pretty heavy and compromising comments made by Tommy Lee from the show so as to make sure the voting process was not influenced. But overall, Dave loved him, Tommy loved him, heck, everyone loved him. That act would be hard to follow.  

The final performer of the night was Toby Rand
“Mr.Brightside” – The Killers
”Throw It Away” – Original 

Mr.Brighside didn’t do much for me. No surprises here. It was basically a copy of the original cover. But ‘his’ original on the other hand was really really fun to watch and listen too. You just have to give props to Toby. He really is a crowd pleaser and a fun entertainer. The perfect male cheerleader! And his song was indeed instantly memorable! Good on you Toby! You may just have bought yourself a ticket to the finale.  

Who will be in the bottom 3 tonight? Just about every one of them will hit it at some point. Who will go home? It’s a toss between Magni and Dilana. 

Stay tuned.

Rockstar Supernova: 5 for fighting

Reality Show – Week 10

On the weekly recap

After the usual recap of the previous week, the reality show start with yet another dose of Dilana’s self-pity theatrics.

Dilana – “I would have like this so much more if I didn’t screw up my song.   I hit a blank”
Lukas  - “You’re only human man, you know?”
Dilana -  “You did it on Celebrity Skin”
TLRC: oh please! Must you always point others fault to rise yourself above them? 

A food fight and a dressed-up pool party followed the Dilana ‘moment’.
Well, most of them were fully clothed. Must be part of the weekly activity schedule.

The remaining rockers where then given the new Supernova track on which they would be doing this week’s –one on one- song clinic the following day. They all love the track and this one got a unanimous vote.

On the song writing clinicGilby Clarke’s comments on each rocker after their individual clinic:

Storm: Storm is always a pleasure to work with. She’s “extremely professional”Magni: I was disappointed with Magni’s song, I just didn’t think his lyrics where exciting. Magni is a confusing one for me. Is he a creative musician? I don’t know yet!

Lukas: I thought Lukas’s song was very good. Melodically, it was ‘excellent’. He didn’t take the generic route. He came in with a chorus and a verse knowing he could get by, but that is kind of irritating. I had to do more writing with Lukas’s that anybody else’s. Lukas’s competition is himself. I believe he feels that this is “his to loose”.

Toby: Toby comes in with a fresh new approach, he’s younger, he’s got a lot of energy and it’s an energy that we need. I thought that Toby’s contribution was the most ‘complete’.

Dilana: We don’t think her writing is where we were hoping it would be. So I was curious to see what she would be coming in with.Dilana’s writing was a little cliché. Although I thought today’s lyrics where her best that we have seen so far, I could have almost predicted what she was going to say in the song. When it gets down to putting this into words, doesn’t seem like she has a big imagination.

“Any artist who is going to have a successful career is writing his own songs. These five people have gotten this far because they are who they are. Now it’s really what are you going to bring to us. So if you’re not bringing anything, then what the hell do I need you for? – Gilby Clarke”

On the song selection

This week, each rocker will perform their own set. On top of choosing a song from the board they will also perform an original.

“In between songs, the Rock Star Stage will be yours to keep the audience interested and entertained. Make it count! – Supernova”

Dilana and Lukas are both focused on the same song: “Behind blue eyes”.
Lukas wants it because it’s a cool song, Dilana want it because “it is so fitting with what is going on in her life right now” (here we go again).

But then Magni plays with Lukas’s sensitive chord. The “I dare you” to take it chord. We all know that our boy Lukas strives for challenges. There is nothing he likes better than to take on a challenge in an attempt to surpass himself. It’s on baby! It’s on! 

”I can’t wait to loose and then I can do my original and redeem myself”  - Lukas Rossi

“Lukas is going to take that song and re-work it. It’s now a blank canvas for whatever Lukas want to do to it. – Toby Rand“

One word  “Rockstar” (in a funny attempt to imitate Tommy Lee).

This week’s set will showcase the following song:

Dilana
Behind Blue Eyes (The Who)
Supersoul (original) Magni 
Back in the U.S.S.R. (The Beatles)
When the Time Comes (original)

Storm
Suffragette City (David Bowie)
Ladylike (original) Lukas
Livin’ On a Prayer (Bon Jovi)
Headspin (original)

  

Toby 
Mr. Brightside (The Killers)
Throw It Away (original)

I have a feeling this is going to be the best show yet! The five of them ‘are’ fighting for their lives tomorrow night.  The final 4 will be heading for the finale on September 13^th, 2006.The wait is almost over. Unfortunately! My prediction? Lukas. Of course. But I think he will have Toby in tow and not Dilana. The Aussie mate remained true to himself. Funny, friendly and a good entertainer! The question remains: does his style really suit Supernova? No it doesn’t. But the ladies love him and he ‘his’ quite a cheerleader. Oups, I meant crowd leader…. 

Don’t miss it! And make a difference: vote!