30 June 1972: The much-maligned Alice Cooper band is about to perform at the Empire Pool, Wembley. At the weekend their bandwagon rolled into Pittsburgh and Michael White flew over to hear them

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you a great American success story. If not from log cabin to White House, then at least from modest beginnings in Phoenix, Arizona, whence also sprang Jenny Jerome and Barry Goldwater, to Greenwich, Connecticut, home of some of the Republic’s super-rich. Ladies and gentlemen I give you the Alice Cooper rock band.

There’s no point in pretending it’s a conventional success story, not on the surface anyway. Media penetration in the United States reached what must have been a high point last week with an Alice Cooper item in the Wall Street Journal. Over here there’s a feeling among the cognoscenti that what Billboard has described as “the best theatrical rock ‘n’ roll show since the Stones” needs more than the one previous live airing it got at the Rainbow Theatre last year to make its full impact. Hence Alice’s concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley, this evening.

Related: Alice Cooper: 'Rock music was looking for a villain'

Related: How to access the Guardian and Observer digital archive

25 April 1985: The new taste is said to be smoother, rounder and bolder, not to mention more harmonious

The hard-nosed men of the New York Stock Exchange yesterday made a snap judgment on the most sensational news in the mighty American soft drinks industry for 99 years. Without even trying the new, sweeter formula Coca-Cola, they backed the initial shock reaction of the amateurs: it tastes more like Pepsi.

By lunchtime yesterday Coca-Cola shares had taken another 1.50 cent pounding on top of the 1.60 they sustained in late trading after the new formula was officially unveiled on Monday, despite the assurances of Coke’s chairman, Mr Roberto Goizueta, that the new taste is smoother, rounder and bolder, not to mention more harmonious. Reporters disagreed.

Related: Milk Coke: another classic from the nation that invented Cheeky Vimto

Comics Curmudgeon readers! Do you love this blog and yearn for a novel written by its creator? Well, good news: Josh Fruhlinger's The Enthusiast is that novel! It's even about newspaper comic strips, partly. Check it out! Rex Morgan, M.D., 5/10/20 Hey, everyone! Were you worried that Buck was going to be inconvenienced, even briefly, […]

It is that day when we celebrate motherhood, mothers, their unmatched love and every small and big thing they do for us. Bollywood celebrities have been sharing heart-warming photos and posts on social media, to mark the day. For Shilpa Shetty, however, it is an extra special day since her surrogate daughter Samisha came home a few months back, and she gets to celebrate the day with her two children now!

During a recent interview, Shilpa reveald that she always wanted two kids since she knows how impactful having a sibling can be, and did not want son Viaan to grow up alone. However, she developed an auto-immune condition called APLA which caused her miscarriages every time she got pregnant.

Before she decided to opt for surrogacy, Shilpa revealed she had also considered adoption as an option and put her name with an organisation for the same. However, it got pushed due to internal disputes and after waiting for four years, her patience got over and she and husband Raj Kundra decided to have a surrogate baby.

On Instagram, we keep coming across photos of the happy family, and Viaan always looks excited to have been promoted to a big brother.

Happy Mother's Day to you, Shilpa!

Actor Dipika Chikhlia, who was seen playing the role of Sita in Ramayan, was introduced to an unmatched popularity that has not faded even today. In an earlier interview, she had revealed how people in the villages would still refer to her as Sita and would even try touching her feet! However, given a choice today, Sita would not be the character she would like to play.

In a recent conversation, Dipika revealed she had evolved as an actor, and would rather be interested to play Kaikeyi, lord Ram's stepmother who insisted her husband Dashratha to send Ram, Lakshman and Sita to an exile for 14 years. Dipika added that playing a negative career was an entirely different experience and she was fond of playing roles that let her explore herself as an artist.

Actor Sunil Lahiri, who played Lakshman's character, said he'd still pick the same role, but if he had another choice, he would like to get into the shoes of Ravana as the character had many shades and would give an actor many varieties to perform.

As the nationwide lock-down began, Doordarshan started re-airing some of its most popular TV shows, Ramayan being the first one. On April 16, it became the world's most watched TV show, with 7.7 crore viewers.

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> It is in fact surprising to find a soundtrack for <em>Sonchiriya</em>. Yes, director Abhishek Chaubey has incorporated music in his earlier films like <em>Ishqiya</em>, <em>Dedh Ishqiya</em> and <em>Udta Punjab</em>. Still, with the Chambal setting of <em>Sonchiriya</em>, you don't quite expect music in there. However, Abhishek has done that by bringing on board composer Vishal Bhardwaj and lyricist Varun Grover. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-956952 size-full" title="Music Review: Sonchiriya" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Music-Review-Sonchiriya.jpg" alt="Music Review: Sonchiriya" width="720" height="405" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> It is a Western country music beginning for <em>Sonchiriya</em> as Mame Khan brings on an 'alaap' for <strong><em>'Baaghi Re'</em></strong> even as a guitar plays in the background. This one has a haunting feel to it which goes well with the theme of the film. Moreover, there is this distinct Vishal Bhardwaj element that comes into play for <em>'Baaghi Re'</em> which sets it apart from the other soundtracks that you hear in Bollywood. Not that this one, or its 'remix version' that follows, would be a chartbuster but in the context of the film it plays its part well. Rekha Bhardwaj, who definitely comes up with a song or two whenever Vishal Bhardwaj is the composer, goes solo for the title song <strong><em>'Sonchiraiya'</em></strong> which is later heard in the 'reprise version' as well. This one is a slow moving soft number and has a vintage 70s feel to it which is in line with the kind of songs that were created by Gulzar back then. This time around though it is Varun Grover as the lyricist. While yet again there isn't any commercial value that the song comes with, it should play well as a part of the film. Arijit Singh comes on board for <strong><em>'Ruan Ruan'</em></strong> and pretty much sings this one in a style that is actually synonymous with that of Vishal Bhardwaj himself. The sound of the whistle that accompanies the song is again in line with the Western country music and you like the intoxicating feel that comes with the core of <em>‘Ruan Ruan'</em>. Had this song been promoted smartly and aggressively, it could well have covered some kind of distance. That said, despite Arijit on board, this one too is basically quite niche and for a select audience. Next to arrive is the traditional number <strong><em>'Naina Na Maar'</em></strong> which has its lyrics recreated by Ashok Mizaj Badr. First upbeat number of the soundtrack, this one has Sukhwinder Singh at the helm of affairs and his free flow mode of singing does aid in bringing good vibrancy into the proceedings. He is supported by Rekha Bhardwaj and while there is some kind of energy that comes in when the song is being played, one waits to see how it is picturised for the big screen. Last to arrive is an out and out situational number <strong><em>'Saanp Khavega'</em></strong> which is basically about the 'survival of the fittest'. A kind of number which is basically put together for the purpose of aiding the storytelling instead of playing a part where the commercial aspect of the soundtrack is enhanced, this Sukhwinder Singh sung number just about passes muster. <strong>OVERALL</strong> Strictly situational with no real commercial appeal. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘Ruan Ruan’</em>, <em>‘Baaghi Re’</em>

<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> The promo of <em>Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota</em> candidly admits that it doesn't wish to be slotted as a festival film. That is pretty apparent when it comes to the soundtrack as well since there are as many as eight songs in there, albeit pretty offbeat in nature. Newcomer Karan Kulkarni puts together the entire album with Garima Obrah writing maximum songs. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-966210 size-full" title="Music Review Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Music-Review-Mard-Ko-Dard-Nahi-Hota.jpg" alt="Music Review Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota" width="720" height="450" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> Benny Dayal goes all energetic in <strong><em>'Rappan Rappi Rap'</em></strong> which has quirky lyrics in there right through the song's four minute duration. A fun track that has a peppy appeal to it, this one is unique in its own way as you have never heard something like this before at least in the Bollywood scheme of things, courtesy lyricist Garima Obrah. Karan joins hands with lyricist Garima Obrah and also comes behind the mike for <strong><em>'Kitthon Da Tu Superstar'</em></strong> which has Sanj V taking the lead. A Punjabi number which has just the kind of musical ingredients that you expect in a song belonging to this genre and setting, this one has a foot tapping appeal to it. Before the album concludes though, there is a shorter <em>'Shooter Version'</em> too which is Sanj V show all the way with Dipanjan Guha joining Karan Kulkarni for the music. Guest composer Shantanu Ghatak comes up with <strong><em>'Tere Liye'</em></strong> which starts with the sound of a piano. This one has Vishal Mishra beginning the proceedings with newcomer Kamakshi Rai joining him behind the mike along with Karan Kulkarni himself. A song based in night, this one tries to be all serene and cool though eventually turns out to be just about decent. Karan Kulkarni takes lead as a singer along with Saba Azad for <strong><em>'Nakhrewaali'</em></strong>. This one has a different kind of a sound to it when compared with the kind of Bollywood numbers that one has been exposed to. That said, the final impact is not really the kind that makes you root for it. Written by Garima Obrah and Hussain Haidry, this one just about passes muster. What catches your attention at the very onset of the title of the song that goes as <strong><em>'Life Mein Fair Chance Kiska'</em></strong> (Jimmy Mani Song). The lead singer here is Suresh Triveni who sings in a style similar to that of S.P. Balasubramaniam, and that too rather intentionally. However, even though this Garima Obrah written number tries to be all cool and funny, it doesn't really manage to make much of an impression. Moreover, the manner in which Suresh Triveni sings this one along with Surya Ragunaathan and Veera Fauzia Saxena, you can hardly comprehend it. Kamakshi Rai returns, this time for an English number <strong><em>'Dreamtime'</em></strong>. Written by Karan Kulkarni, this one has an out and out Western base to it with a club setting to it. One waits to see how this one is picturized on screen and so is the case with <em>'Shaolin Sky'</em> which follows next. This one has Karan Kulkarni playing the triple role of composer, lyricist and singer, even as he tries to bring back the theme of <em>'Rappan Rappi Rap'</em> intermittently. <strong>OVERALL</strong> The music of <em>Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota</em> is too niche and certain portions of some of the songs may probably make an impression during the film's storytelling, but that's about it. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘Rappan Rappi Rap’</em>, <em>‘Kitthon Da Tu Superstar’</em>

Shah Rukh Khan’s last film, Zero, released in December 2018 after which he went on a long sabbatical. He has been reading scripts and even shortlisted a few of them. Meanwhile, the names of a lot of filmmakers did the rounds with whom the superstar was supposedly working with. However, of late, it has come to light that SRK is working with blockbuster filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani in his next directorial flick. Recently, while answering a fan question, he also let out a strong hint that he has indeed given his nod to Rajkumar Hirani’s flick. And naturally, it led to a lot of excitement among fans.

While not much is known about the film and its subject, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that for this venture, Rajkumar Hirani and his frequent collaborator writer Abhijat Joshi have been joined by Kanika Dhillon. She has become quite well known of late thanks to her work in films like Manmarziyaan (2018), Kedarnath (2018), Judgmentall Hai Kya (2019) and the web film Guilty (2020). Interestingly, in the beginning of her career, she had extensively worked with SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment. She worked as an assistant director on SRK’s 2007 blockbuster Om Shanti Om. She wrote the screenplay of Ra.One (2011) and additional screenplay of Always Kabhi Kabhi (2011). Rajkumar Hirani’s next hence marks Kanika’s reunion with Shah Rukh and Red Chillies Entertainment after almost 9 years.

A source close to the project says, “Kanika Dhillon has come on-board and she along with Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi are busy scripting the film. Kanika is mainly scripting while Rajkumar and Abhijat are helping her with inputs. They are hoping to finish in a month or two. The film was to go on floors in August but due to the lockdown, it seems that the shoot will be pushed ahead.”

Rajkumar Hirani’s last film, Sanju, released in 2018 and was based on the controversial life of actor Sanjay Dutt. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, this flick emerged as the biggest hit of that year, earning Rs. 342.53 crores. Hirani, in fact, holds the envious record of not giving a single flop as a director. The source assures, “His film with Shah Rukh Khan too seems to be shaping up well, at the writing stage. And Rajkumar-Abhijat-Kanika collaboration has added a lot to the script and it’ll be something to watch out for.”

Also Read: Post Manmarziyaan, Taapsee Pannu and Kanika Dhillon reunite for Haseen Dillruba

Yeh Saali Aashiqui is the story of love gone wrong. Sahil Mehra (Vardhan Puri) falls head over heels in love with Mittee Deora (Shivaleeka Oberoi) when they first meet in their classroom. Their love story hits a roadblock when he sees her flirting with another boy in the class. But Sahil forgives her when she asks him to give her one chance. One day, Mittee is caught copying in the examination hall and she feels, Sahil is responsible for her being caught. Hell hath no fury like a woman caught copying. She decides to teach Sahil a lesson. She accuses him of trying to rape her. Sahil is arrested but instead of being sent to prison, he is sent to a mental asylum as it is revealed that he had killed his own father in a fit of fury some years ago and so he is assumed to be of unsound mind. Sahil pleads innocence and maintains in court that Mittee is playing games with him but the court does not heed his pleas. What happens thereafter? Is Sahil able to avenge his humiliation? Even as Sahil is in the mental asylum, Mittee hooks up with a rich boy, Anuj (Ruslaan Mumtaz). Also, Sahil’s past catches up with him. What is that? Does Mittee marry Sahil or Anuj?

The investor confidence shot up in RIL because of the back-to-back strategic investments in its telecom subsidiary in the last three weeks

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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton leads her Republican rival Donald Trump by 4% points, a latest national opinion poll said on Sunday, two days ahead of the crucial US general elections.

Indian-American Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi today won the Congressional election from Illinois, defeating Republican former Elmhurst Mayor Peter DiCianni.

California's Attorney General Kamala Harris on Wednesday scripted history as she won the U.S. Senate seat from the state, becoming the first Indian-American to reach the feat.

Want to use you fashionizta class talent to make some profit? That's good. You find the right place, Hi, John. Hi, John. Here, I will teach you some basic knowledge from the clothing store. Why a