Duffy

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Simon Cowell Lives Large as Musicians Lose Millions in Downturn

Originally posted 04/24/2009 08:30AM

Ubiquitous talent spotter Simon Cowell has seen his fortune rise as traditional rock stars lose out in the recession.

Cowell, who judges American Idol and the U.K's X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, is seven percent richer than last year, with a net worth of at $175.2 million, according to Ian Coxon, editor of The Sunday Times Rich List.

And he's nearly alone on this one. His rise comes as others fare poorly in the struggling economy.

Ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, 66, holds onto his third-place position in the list of British music millionaires, but his wealth has fallen from $730 million to $642.4 million – a drop of 12 percent. The decrease is attributed to "falling property and share values [that] have wiped $87.6 million off Sir Paul McCartney's fortune," The Sunday Times says.

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Music News

FIRST LOOK: Duffy's Stripped-Down Studio Performance

Originally posted 05/20/2008 06:45PM

After releasing her album Rockferry in America last week, Welsh soul singer Duffy strips down her single "Mercy" in a new performance video on Yahoo! Music – and PEOPLE.com has an exclusive first-look at the session.

"I would describe my sound as something organic and – I know it's a big word to use – classic," Duffy, 23, tells PEOPLE.

Although often described as reminiscent of early Motown or '60s soul singers Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark – or more recent fellow U.K. imports Amy Winehouse and Adele – Duffy says she hates the comparisons. "Everything that's been said, I feel that it's completely untrue. It's like someone telling you every day that you look like somebody, and you're like, 'But I really don't!'" she says.

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