Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys have announced plans to reunite for their 50th anniversary next year. The five-piece, which includes founding members Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine will embark upon a 50-date world tour and record a new album. Jardine said they will appear at the Grammy Awards on 12 February and "do something really exciting".

The surviving original Beach Boys will be joined by Bruce Johnston and David Marks, who have been associated with the group for decades. Wilson said: "This anniversary is special to me because I miss the boys, and it will be a thrill for me to make a new record and be on stage with them again." Love added: "Music has been the unifying and harmonising fact of life in our family since childhood. It has been a huge blessing that we have been able to share with the world."

Lifetime Achievement - Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis is to be presented with a lifetime achievement prize at the European Festival Awards in the Netherlands next month. The arts and music festival has been held on his Somerset farm since 1970. "After 41 years, to win something of this magnitude is something to be incredibly proud of," said the 76-year-old. Eavis was made a CBE in the Queen's 2007 birthday honours list.

"Glastonbury is the grandfather of the incredible festival market which Europe enjoys," said James Drury, managing director of the Festival Awards. "Michael is cited as an inspiration by almost every festival organiser I speak to across the world. This is why he is so deserving of this honour."

Business News - HMV has said it may sell its live music division to raise funds, as it battles with another drop in sales. Like-for-like sales, which strip out the effect of shop closures, were down 11.6% in the 26 weeks to October versus a year ago, the struggling music and electronics retailer reported on Monday. Including the cost of store closures, HMV made a pre-tax loss of £45.7m.

"The economic environment and trading circumstances create material uncertainties, which may cast significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in future," said the company. However the firm said it was making progress restructuring the group. It said that in order to strengthen the group's finances, its live music division, HMV Live, would now be subject to a strategic review, which may lead to a sale. The live music division made a profit of £3.4m in the 26 weeks to October, up from £1.5m during the same period last year.

(Jim Evans)


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