SEEING funk soul legend Prince perform to a crowd of just 200 people at Hollywood's swish Roosevelt Hotel was definitely priceless. Fans waited more than two hours in the lush Blossom Room before Prince finally hit the stage with a 10-piece band around 1.40am last Monday.
But waiting didn't seem to be a problem for those who had forked out up to $3500 for front-row seats - leather couches - or $380 for the cheap tix. Prince's first half-hour was slower jazz including covers of Wonderful World and Over The Rainbow, before he moved into a full rock set. He then pulled out some amazing bass lines before sitting down with a female guitarist and playing acoustic versions of some of his biggest songs, including Purple Rain and 1999.
Prince, who has a new album out on July 14 called Planet Earth, also played some tunes from that. And it wouldn't be Hollywood without an A-list crowd, which included Tommy Lee, Sean ``Diddy'' Combs, Hilary Swank, Rob Thomas, Kelis, Penelope Cruz and Topher Grace. After a 90-minute set, Prince took his band to the hotel lobby and jammed until after 6am - not something you'd expect from one of the most famous musos on the planet.
WHILE Robbie Williams is best known for his chart-topping hits, the Los Angeles-based Brit is also making a name for himself in Hollywood with his soccer skills. Williams set up the LA Vale team in 2005 and they're currently ranked number one in the amateur LA premiere league. Insider spotted Williams at the exclusive Chateau Marmont last Sunday, drinking with Brit actor Max Beesley, who made a surprise guest appearance on the field during an LA Vale match against Penmar last week.
Dressed casually in a red sweater and jeans, Williams partied with a bunch of mates before leaving with a bevy of leggy blondes. IT was an amazing treat for Insider to catch the Foo Fighters playing a secret show at the legendary Paladinos last week. Supported by an all-female AC/DC cover band, The Foo Fighters played to the crowd of fewer than 300 fans - who all got to get up close - although the subdued mosh pit left a little to the imagination.
We made a new record. It's pretty darn good, said frontman Dave Grohl, who will visit Australia this month to talk up the as-yet untitled album. We figured we'd shake off some of the cobwebs.
We've been in the studio for a while. There were no big US names in the audience, although Aussie rocker Shannon Noll was seen having a few drinks. Noll has been in LA working on his third studio album, due out September.
HOLLYWOOD'S Record Plant Recording Studios were living up to their reputation as a magnet for big names when Insider rocked up for a sneak peek at Alicia Keys' new material. Artists who have worked at the studios include Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen. While Keys was in one room belting out new tunes You'll Never See Me Again and Superwoman from her upcoming album, As I Am, rapper Pharrell Williams was in the studio booth next door and manufactured pop singer Ashlee Simpson was in another one down the hall.
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us Post to Newsvine still the ace of bass. Also in Insider Aussie John's shrinking act Guru adds rap to jazz Prince still the ace of bass Spice reunion bad taste SEEING funk soul legend Prince perform to a crowd of just 200 people at Hollywood's swish Roosevelt Hotel was definitely priceless.
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