4/7: Acts whose songs have never been on
"Idol"

post from American Idol Blog on 06 April 2008 09:40:58 PM. © American Idol Blog

I’m prepping a story for the print edition about Michael Johns and his time here in Atlanta circa 1999 to 2005 and one of his favorite acts to cover was Pearl Jam (above). He even spent one night at his old haunt Cj’s’s Landing, I’m told, doing all Pearl Jam covers. That made me think: there’s a less than zero percent chance Eddie Vedder & his bandmates would EVER clear a song for “Idol.”

Besides Pearl Jam, a huge number of big bands and singers have never been heard on “Idol.” The ones I’ve listed come primarily from the rock world, where I’m sure there are still credibility issues related to the show, even after all these years and the success of the likes of Daughtry. (Most hip-hop acts haven’t been heard on the show either but that’s probably because there isn’t a lot of rapping on the show.)

Here’s a list of some big acts we have never heard on “Idol” ( in the competition round, that is.)

Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, Nirvana, Talking Heads, Radiohead, the Who, Bob Dyland, Stone Temple Pilots, Coldplay, Jimi Hendrex, David Bowie, the Cars, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, the Clash, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., the Kinks, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Depeche Mode, Prince, U2, INXS (though they had their own “Rock Star: INXS” realty show on CBS in 2005).

Has there ever been a Madonna song on the show? I can’t remember one!

Feel free to add your own or correct me. I’m certain I’m wrong on at least a couple of acts on the above list.

In other Idol news:

I’m watching the top 4 episode on “American Idol Rewind.” I actually was amused watching Clay Aiken sing “Grease” in a ridiculous red leather jacket and hip thrust a couple of times. That was definitely a memorable moment from that season that Randy & Paula loved but Simon called “horrible.”
That taping of Chris Brown & Jordin Sparks “No Air” last week will air this Thursday during the results show.
Stats courtesy of “Idol Chatter” Jordin is the top Idol seller on the Billboard charts last week, ranking No. 25 and selling 17K and now past 612K. She’s now five weeks away from passing Taylor Hicks’ sales. Daughtry is just behind her at No. 27 selling 17K and 3.92 million and just five weeks or so away from 4 million. Carrie’s “Carnival Ride” sold 15K and is just 22K from 2 million copies sold. “Some Hearts” moved another 10K and is up to 6.35 million. Kellie Pickler sold 3,700 and is up to 738K and is the second-biggest selling act from season five. Randy’s album fell off the charts after three weeks and has moved just 22K. Kelly’s “Breakaway” is up to 5.97 million and will eventually hit 6 million. “My December”: 759K. “Thankful”: 2.7 mil. Blake is at 284K. Bucky is at 333K. Elliott: 502K. Kimberley Locke, despite an appearance on “Idol,” sold only 900 copies of her latest album and is up to 19K. Mandisa: 75K. Fantasia: 510K. Bo: 43K. Kat: 369K. Clay’s latest: 524K. Taylor: 701K. Ruben: 237K. Constantine: 25K.
He had downloads, too. Jordin/Chris’ ‘No Air” is up to 972K sold and will surpass 1 million this week. “Tattoo” is up to 1.48 million. Carrie’s “All American Girl”: 377K. Before He Cheats: 2.35 million. Daughtry’s “Feels Like Tonight”: 275K total. Paula’s “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” has sold 237K. Chris Cornell’s “Billie Jean” sold 15K. “Hallelujah” (Jeff Buckley edition) has sold another 18K. (We don’t know the exact sales of the “Idol” songs themselves this season. iTunes is withholding those numbers on purpose.)
Not surprisingly, the top 2 on this gambling Web site is the two Davids. A distant third is Michael Johns, then Carly and Brooke. Syesha is way way back and Jason Castro is even behind her now! Kristy Lee Cook is rock bottom on the odds to win the competition.
Crying girl Ashley Ferl, who was sobbin’ for Sanjaya last year, is now burblin’ for Jason!
I’ll update this blog Monday morning with inside info on tonight’s part one taping of “Idol Gives Back.”

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