Songs For Japan has been released on Friday, March 25 - a compilation album to benefit the ongoing disaster relief efforts in Japan. The album is available for purchase worldwide on iTunes for $9.99, and 100 per cent of the proceeds go to benefiting the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Lady Gaga, Eminem, Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry are among the many artists that appear on the album. In total, 38 artists lent songs to the album, including every and all types of music from country to rock to pop and jazz.

All acts appearing on Songs for Japan – and their labels and music publishers – have waived their royalties and proceeds from the worldwide sales to the Japanese Red Cross Society. The Japanese Red Cross Society will use funds from the album to support its ongoing relief efforts and recovery assistance to Japan’s most affected areas by the earthquake and tsunamis.

Here’s the track list for Songs for Japan, according to Apple:

1. John Lennon, “Imagine”
2. U2, “Walk On”
3. Bob Dylan, “Shelter From the Storm”
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Around the World”
5. Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
6. Beyoncé, “Irreplaceable”
7. Bruno Mars, “Talking to the Moon”
8. Katy Perry, “Firework”
9. Rihanna, “Only Girl (In the World)”
10. Justin Timberlake, “Like I Love You”
11. Madonna, “Miles Away”
12. David Guetta, “When Love Takes Over”
13. Eminem (featuring Rihanna), “Love the Way You Lie”
14. Bruce Springsteen, “Human Touch”
15. Josh Groban, “Awake”
16. Keith Urban, “Better Life”
17. Black Eyed Peas, “One Tribe”
18. Pink, “Sober”
19. Cee Lo Green, “It’s OK”
20. Lady Antebellum, “I Run to You”
21. Bon Jovi, “What Do You Got?”
22. Foo Fighters, “My Hero”
23. R.E.M., “Man on the Moon”
24. Nicki Minaj, “Save Me”
25. Sade, “By Your Side”
26. Michael Bublé, “Hold On”
27. Justin Bieber, “Pray”
28. Adele, “Make You Feel My Love”
29. Enya, “If I Could Be Where You Are”
30. Elton John, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”
31. John Mayer, “Waiting on the World to Change”
32. Queen, “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)”
33. Kings of Leon, “Use Somebody”
34. Sting, “Fragile”
35. Leona Lewis, “Better in Time”
36. Ne-Yo, “One in a Million”
37. Shakira, “Whenever, Wherever”
38. Norah Jones, “Sunrise”

The great thing about today’s technology is that it can be combined with charity efforts on a global scale. I think this is a great cause and great concept – iTunes is one of the hottest markets right now, so why not use it for good? I know many young people who don’t exactly have the money to donate, but I’m pretty sure we all have money on our iTunes account, so this little bit can help in a major way.

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That Justin Bieber kid, that you may have heard of, has beat out the late King of Pop at the box-office.

Less than a year after Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ became the most successful concert-film in U.S. history, Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’ concert fan-tastic film has snatched the title.

On Monday, the Hollwood Reporter published figures that show ‘Never Say Never’ has raked in $72.2 million (U.S. dollar) at the box office since its January release, where as Jackson’s 2009 concert film ‘This Is It’ has $72.1 million. Although Bieber has taken in those impressive numbers, he has to work some magic before he tops the MJ global intake.

With a global total of $261.2 million, ‘This Is It’ has crippled Bieber’s doc that has a modest $83 million globally so far. However, Paramount executives predict the film cashing in at least $10 million more internationally.

The U.S. numbers for Bieber were clearly impacted by the film’s re-release with an additional 40 minutes of bonus footage from director Jon M. Chu.

Bieber will likely continue to duel Jackson’s milestones throughout the next few years, in fact he checked another off a few weeks ago when he posed with his new wax figure at London’s Madame Tussauds. He is also among the artists to be featured on a Universal Music digital-only album to raise funds for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. Funding will go toward the Japanese Red Cross. Alongside Bieber for the project are U2, Rihanna, Bon Jovi and Nicki Minaj. What an eclectic group.

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Jon Bon Jovi was performing in New Meadowlands, New Jersey when he injured his calf muscle on stage. However the New Jersey native wasn’t prepared to cancel the show, and let his fans down. Jon finished off the show despite his injury, and still brings the house down.

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Hey Bon Jovi fans! We’ve got an incredible contest running for the next 3 weeks. We’re going to be giving away 1 pair of tickets for 4 of Bon Jovi’s Canadian shows. If you live in or close to the following Canadian cities, make sure to enter the contest by completed the form below.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 – Commonwealth Stadium – Edmonton, AB
Saturday, July 17, 2010 – Canad Inns Stadium – Winnipeg, MB
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ONT
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 – Mosaic Stadium – Regina, SK

The Circle Tour will make stops in 30 countries, playing 135 shows including several stops across Canada and will feature special guest Kid Rock at most of their performances (including the 4 shows we’re giving away tickets for).

For more information about The Circle  Tour, click here.

For complete tour dates and to purchase tickets, click here.

This contest has expired.

Contest ends June 27th, 2010 at 11:59PM. One entry per person. Winners will be randomly selected and show tickets will be held at will call on the evening of the show.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance

Rock-and-roller Bon Jovi’s latest undertaking won’t be a new CD. Instead, the singer announced on Thursday that he has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to restore 15 decaying homes in Philadelphia. And he’s got former President Bill Clinton backing him too.

Clinton stood by Bon Jovi when he announced the Phase V Homeownership Project in Philadelphia. Bon Jovi told the Associated Press that Clinton “was intrigued enough that he offered his services, and said, ‘If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate.’” Also involved with the project are the Saturn automobile company and a local charity.

Bon Jovi, a native of New Jersey, is highly involved in the city of Philadelphia – he is co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.

The rock star was presented with the City of Brotherly Love Award by Mayor John F. Street on Thursday at the National Constitution Center. The presentation was made after the Liberty Medal ceremony, which honoured former presidents George H.W. Bush and Clinton.

“We are all, in fact, connected,” Bon Jovi said. “We can make a difference.”

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Bon Jovi is the first rock band to make it to the top of a country music chart.

“Who Says You Can’t Go Home”, a duet with Jennifer Nettles, lead singer of country band Sugarland, has also won a Country Music Television award.

The track from Bon Jovi’s album Have A Nice Day was inspired by the group’s work with US homeless charity Habitat.

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Members of Bon Jovi had a bit of a rough landing in Canada early Saturday. The Boeing 707 carrying the rockers and its touring staff skidded off the runway at Hamilton International Airport, due to severe weather.

The plane overshot the runway but none of its 14 passengers nor flight crew were injured. A spokeswoman said the flight was coming in from Buffalo, N.Y., where the band played a show on Friday night at HSBC Arena.

Bon Jovi was enroute to Toronto for concerts scheduled at the Air Canada Centre that Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. The shows are expected to proceed as planned.

Read more at andPOP. andPOP - POP Culture with Substance