Coldplay to give away live CD at gigs

British band Coldplay perform at the Brit Awards at Earls Court in London in this file photo from February 18, 2009.

Coldplay will give a live CD away for free to fans at gigs during their coming tour of North America, underlining the dwindling financial importance for successful groups of selling physical records.

The group, who had 2008's biggest-selling pop album with "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends," kick off their summer tour on May 15th.

The CD, called "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," will also be available as a free download through the band's website www.coldplay.com.

"Playing live is what we love," Coldplay said in a statement. "This album is a thank-you to our fans -- the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen."

Declining physical CD sales and Internet piracy have eaten away at bands' revenues from music sales, prompting acts to focus increasingly on live tours and merchandising.

In 2007, Prince gave away his album "Planet Earth" for free with copies of a weekly British newspaper, angering retailers and the record label which had a deal to distribute it.

But the publicity it generated was one factor behind his successful live run at the O2 Arena in London, where Michael Jackson plans to launch his comeback with 50 concerts starting later this year.

Coldplay denies copying 'Viva La Vida'

In this Feb. 8, 2009 file photo, Chris Martin, of Coldplay, accepts the award for best rock album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, as bandmates Guy Berryman, left, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion, right, look on.

Coldplay has denied in federal court that it copied parts of Joe Satriani's music for its hit song, "Viva La Vida."

In a response filed in Los Angeles on Monday, attorneys for Coldplay's band members also argued that any similarities between "Viva La Vida" and Satriani's "If I Could Fly" weren't enough to warrant damages.

Satriani's song "lacks originality," Coldplay's response claims, and shouldn't receive copyright protection.

Satriani sued Coldplay in December, claiming the British band used "substantial, original portions" of Satriani's "If I Could Fly," which was released in 2004.

Satriani's lawyer, Howard E. King, said Coldplay's response was typical for copyright infringement cases and he reiterated that he thought the matter could have been resolved without a lawsuit.

Plant & Krauss dominates Grammys by winning five awards

Former Led Zeppelin lead vocalist Robert Plant and his stage partner Alison Krauss dominated the 51st annual Grammy Awards Sunday night, earning five awards, including the most coveted album of the year and record of the year.

Robert Plant (L) and Alison Krauss pose with their awards backstage at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 8, 2009.

"I'd like to say I'm bewildered," Plant said as he accepted album of the year award, along with Krauss and the album's producer, T-Bone Burnett.

"I'd like to thank Alison Krauss for her kindness and patience, teaching me to sing in straight lines instead of doing all that twirly stuff," the 60-year-old rock legend said of his 37-year-oldpartner.

Krauss told the audience at the Staples Center that she was "thrilled and very grateful" to the duo's supporters.

In addition to winning album of the year, song "Rich Woman" won the award for best pop collaboration with vocals, while "Killing the Blues" won best country collaboration.

"Raising Sand" won album of the year, over top nominee Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III," Coldplay's "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends," Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman" and Radiohead's "In Rainbows."

Other big winners at the Grammys this year included British super group Coldplay, which won three awards, and rapper Lil Wayne, with four.

Coldplay won song of the year for "Viva La Vida" and the group's album won best rock album.

The band Coldplay arrives at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Feb. 8, 2009.

The song "Viva La Vida" also won the Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group, beating out the Eagles ("Waiting in the Weeds"), Gnarls Barkley ("Going On"), Maroon 5 ("Won't Go Home Without You") and One Republic ("Apologize").

With eight nominations, Lil Wayne led all nominations heading into the ceremony. Coldplay was a close second with seven.

Lil Wayne took home the best rap album Grammy for his album "Tha Carter III."

Lil Wayne, center, accepts the award for best rap album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.

His family joined him on stage as he accepted the award.

In the pre-telecast awards, Lil Wayne won best rap solo performance for "A Milli" and he shared the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group with Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye West for "Swagga Like Us." Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" was named best rap song.

But Plant and Krauss were unbeatable on Grammy night. They won in all five categories in which they were nominated.

Adele, a 20-year-old London native, was named best new artist, beating out Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum and Jazmine Sullivan, and the teen heartthrob Jonas Brothers. She also took home the Grammy for best female pop vocal performance for "Chasing Pavements."

Adele holds her awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'Chasing Pavements' while backstage at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 8, 2009.

Coldplay: "We'll never split up"

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Chris Martin has denied that Coldplay will split up in two years' time. Earlier quotes attributed to the singer suggested that the rock band will soon part ways.

British rock band Coldplay arrives at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, in this June 1, 2008 file photo. Chris Martin has denied that Coldplay will split up in two years' time.

"I'm 31 now and I don't think bands should keep going past 33," he told BANG Showbiz.

However, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Martin explained that he expects Coldplay to continue for some time.

"We're proceeding as if it's our last because it's the only way to proceed," he said of plans to record a follow-up to Viva La Vida.

"You've got to have deadlines, you know. What that means is we're going to pour everything we can into next year and not think beyond that. We always say that and we always mean it. But every time we say it, someone writes that it's over.

"I don't think we'll ever split up but we have to do a lot before we're 33."