Tag Archives: sydney-morning

‘Australian Idol’ Judge Jay Dee Springbett Found Dead

Sony exec’s cause of death has not yet been established. By Jocelyn Vena Jay Dee Springbett Photo: Brendon Thorne/ Getty Images “Australian Idol” judge Jay Dee Springbett was found dead at his home in Sydney on Thursday. He was 36. He was discovered after friends called authorities when they couldn’t contact the former “Idol” judge. He was already dead when authorities arrived at his Woolloomooloo apartment, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. As of press time, nothing else was known about the cause of death, although authorities believe nothing suspicious happened. The U.K. native moved to Australia in 2004. He worked for Sony Music and joined “Idol” down under during the show’s final season in 2009, replacing Kyle Sandilands. He was known as the show’s resident “nice guy” judge. That year, Stan Walker was crowned the champ and later went on to become a successful artist in Australia and New Zealand. The show aired on Network Ten in Australia, and a spokesperson for the network released this statement: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jay Dee’s family at this very difficult time. Jay Dee was an asset to the final season of ‘Australian Idol,’ [and] we feel honored to have worked with him.” As a record executive, Springbett helped shape the careers of artists including Guy Sebastian, Human Nature, Rogue Traders and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. “Jay Dee was so very enthusiastic and passionate about his family, his music projects and his plans for the future,” Sony Music Entertainment Australian and New Zealand CEO Denis Handlin said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “[He] was a great friend and larger-than-life charismatic character who will be missed enormously.” Fremantle, which produces the “Idol” shows, also expressed condolences in a statement. “The ‘Australian Idol’ family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jay Dee,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts are with his family and all at Sony Music.”

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‘Australian Idol’ Judge Jay Dee Springbett Found Dead

Jimmy Buffett ‘Doing Well’ After Sydney Concert Fall

Website message says doctors expect singer to leave hospital soon. By Mawuse Ziegbe Jimmy Buffet Photo: Rick Diamond/ Getty Images Jimmy Buffett has been hospitalized after falling off the stage during a concert in Sydney on Wednesday night (January 26) local time. The singer took a spill while strumming “Lovely Cruise,” sustaining a head injury after tumbling off the stage mid-performance, according to the Daily Telegraph. Fans were forced to exit the Hordern Pavilion after the accident, and Buffett was rushed to St. Vincent Hospital about 30 minutes after the fall. The Margaritaville mogul was knocked unconscious, the Sydney Morning Herald reported . An audience member described the incident to the Telegraph : “We were in the 10th row, and it looked like he did a massive face-plant after his encore and pretty much didn’t get up,” concertgoer Dan Bateman said. “We were told to leave the premises. No one really wanted to leave because everyone was anxious to know if he survived the fall. Everyone was pretty horrified.” According to a message posted on Buffett’s website , the singer is recovering and is expected to leave the hospital soon. “As you probably already know, Jimmy had an accident while performing in Sydney last night and was taken to the hospital,” the statement says. “The doctors say he is doing well and will be released tomorrow. More info as we get it, and thank you for all of your well-wishes!” The set was one of Buffett’s first performances in Australia in two decades. Wednesday night’s show was a late addition after the singer capped off two sell-out dates at the Sydney Opera House. The event occurred on Australia Day, which commemorates the founding of the nation, and Buffett reportedly packed the set with tributes to the festive occasion. Share your get-well wishes for Jimmy Buffett in the comments! Related Artists Jimmy Buffett

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Jimmy Buffett ‘Doing Well’ After Sydney Concert Fall

Quote of the Day: British Energy Expert Blasts Gizmo Green Design

Green Gizmos on London’s “Green” Strata Tower Stephen Del Percio discusses a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald , where British energy and building expert Roderic Bunn of Building Services Research and Information Association criticizes the Gizmo Green approach to green building:

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Quote of the Day: British Energy Expert Blasts Gizmo Green Design

Australian School Ditches Bottled Water, While Another Becomes First Carbon Neutral School

Claudia Saunders tests water bubbler. Photo: Marina Neil. Sydney Morning Herald While no longer breaking news, the endeavours of students and staff at two different Australian schools still merits attention. One school went bottled water free, whilst another became what they believe is the world’s first Carbon Neutral School. In the first instance, a student-led initiative at Monte Santʼ Angelo Mercy College, in North Sydney will see the school install six wa… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Australian School Ditches Bottled Water, While Another Becomes First Carbon Neutral School

Publicist Claims: Whitney Houston is Just Fine, Thanks

These days, Whitney Houston sounds like Britney Spears and looks like Courtney Love. We wish this singer the best, but watch her sing in Australia. She’s an absolute mess. But that’s actually not true, publicist Kristen Foster somehow claims. She told E! News yesterday: “Whitney is in great health and having a terrific time on her tour and with her fans. There were over 9,000 people at her show in Brisbane, and there were over 12,000 at Acer Arena last night in Sydney. Her fans were dancing and singing along with her and Whitney appreciates their support.” But with Whitney stopping mid-song to take water breaks, and actually having back-up singers hit the high notes on “I Will Always Love You,” many concert-goers have been anything but supportive. One audience member told Asiancorrespondent.com that Houston “couldn’t entertain a dead rat,” which may be our favorite quote of the decade. The Sydney Morning Herald tried to offer Whitney a few props, citing her “incoherence,” but saying those in attendance eventually “warmed to her.” Sadly, at this point in her once-incredible career, this passes for high praise for Houston.

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Publicist Claims: Whitney Houston is Just Fine, Thanks

Jared Leto’s So-Called Life

Jordan Catalano, where have you been all this time?? We snapped teen heartthrob Jared Leto directing a music video for his band ’30 seconds to Mars’ in Santa Monica.

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Jared Leto’s So-Called Life

Robert Pattinson Can’t Find A Date?

Everywhere he goes, girls are screaming his name…Well, kinda.