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Pick at the pops: 10 April 2007

Our weekly round-up of the weird and wonderful world of pop music...

We ordinary Joes should never be shocked at the bitchiness, cynicism and downright hypocrisy of the average pop star, but it’s often fun to pretend to be. The blinkers are really off this week.

Ricky Wilson of lovable Britpop revivalists Kaiser Chiefs has excelled himself, for a start. The chubby waistcoat-burster has had a right go at the fine, upstanding bands lined up to play the forthcoming Princess Diana Memorial Concert, declaring that it would be acceptable if these plucky stars had actually known the Queen Of All Our Hearts, like wot Elton did, but it seemed to him that some groups are “doing it to sell records”. The very THOUGHT.

In obviously unrelated news, it’s been announced that the Kaisers are to record a Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band track for a 40th anniversary special on Radio 2. All for purely altruistic reasons and because they, erm, knew The Beatles, of course. Other acts scheduled to join them are Oasis, The Killers, Travis, Razorlight and James Morrison. Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are said to be digging graves just so they can have a spin in them.

Our hearts go out to Michael Jackson, who’s been throwing a hissy fit since it emerged that a luggage transportation company (a car, then) is auctioning off a gold disc awarded to Jacko for sales of Thriller - and some handwritten lyrics for ‘ABC’ - at the end of May. Such musically and historically significant items should surely be returned to their author. So he can sell them himself.

Finally, a couple of deeply depressing scraps of news to send us on our way: sweaty cabaret singer Tony Hadley has “broken cover” to suggest that a Spandau Ballet reunion may be on the cards after all despite very public legal spats; and Police guitarist Andy Summers says there could be a new album from the trio if the upcoming shows do well. No world exists where any of this is necessary.

Matthew Horton

• 02/04/2007: Weller vs Sting in battle of the spittle >>
• 26/03/2007: Jagger and Trousersnake snubbed >>
• 19/03/2007: Ray Quinn and the death of pop >>
• 12/03/2007: The Jackson Five eye some filthy lucre >>
• 05/03/2007: George is on his way to Wembley >>
• 26/02/2007: Mel C holds up Spice reunion >>
• 19/02/2007: Joss Stone's big love >>
• 12/02/2007: Lily conquers America >>
• 05/02/2007: Oasis to meet Ringo at last >>
• 29/01/2007: Amy Winehouse wows the Savoy >>
• 22/01/2007: Chris Martin: the B-Boy >>
• 15/01/2007: Whitney auctions her belongings >>
• 08/01/2007: The Police to reform? >>
• 02/01/2007: James Brown RIP >>
• 18/12/2006: Girls Aloud v Lily Allen >>
• 04/12/2006: Potty Pete pays the penalty >>
• 27/11/2006: Nelly says no to Playboy >>
• 20/11/2006: Queen's greatest-selling hits >>
• 13/11/2006: Ms Dynamite's high speed crash >>
• 06/11/2006: Glastonbury to go "gay"? >>
• 30/10/2006: McFly hit top spot yet again >>
• 16/10/2006: Girls Aloud v All Saints in war of words >>
• 09/10/2006: Razorlight ready for world domination >>
• 02/10/2006: Madonna's record breaking millions >>
• 25/09/2006: When pop stars reunite >>
• 18/09/2006: Robbie's new footballing chum >>
• 11/09/2006: Monkeys' Mercury delight >>
• 04/09/2006: Foo Fighters save miners >>
• 28/08/2006: Britney gets banned in Asia >>
• 21/08/2006: Radiohead's grumpy greatest hits >>
• 14/08/2006: Natasha Bedingfield's Rocky return >>
• 07/08/2006: The heavyweight return of Meat Loaf >>