She has sold 100 million records in her native land and Vladimir Putin adores her. Now Valeriya – superstars don’t need surnames – wants to make it over here. But is Britain ready for Moscow’s favourite pop phenomenon? Shaun Walker joins her at her summer home on the shores of Lake Geneva to find out

Who wants new communities when thousands of existing houses stand empty? Even builders agree – government plans are potty

The prejudice has less to do with the music than the way its performer looks, or his views

She's had 17 number one hits in her homeland, but the so-called 'Russian Madonna' has remained unknown in the UK – until now

Sometimes a singer just can't resist unleashing an almighty, no-holds-barred, throat-scraping, take-no-prisoners scream. Anthony Quinn selects his favourite lung-busters

It's not all platinum discs and private jets. As executives at EMI discovered to their cost this week, the record industry can be a cruel mistress. But what of the other labels that made musical history? Rock's back catalogue is full of hits and misses... announced plans for 2,000 job losses. Does the digital revolution spell doom for the record labels that built rock 'n' roll?

Tony Blair gave a speech yesterday in which he insisted that civil servants must "learn from business". David Cameron, meanwhile, was accusing his own party of failing to appreciate the hard work done by public-sector employees. You know we are living in interesting times when a Labour Prime Minister comes to bury the public service ethos and a Conservative leader to praise it. And, as our poll of polls today confirms, the tectonic plates below British politics are indeed shifting. For the first time since 1992, the Conservative Party has a consistent lead in the key indicators of public opinion.

An unprepossessing 19th-century converted warehouse on Liverpool's Parr Street has long been the unlikely source of some of Britain's most memorable musical creations.

The rules of seduction and storytelling

As a founder member of the Bee Gees, Maurice Gibb was a vital part of one of the most successful groups in pop history. Together with his twin brother, Robin, and their older brother Barry, Maurice helped create a unique vocal sound that unleashed a string of influential hits, spanning four decades. As a singer and bass player, he made an important contribution to a remarkable musical enterprise that took the brothers from childhood “wannabe” entertainers to international stars.

CELINE DION WEMBLEY STADIUM LONDON

Alanis Morissette Arena, Newcastle Celine Dion Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield

AFTER EXTRICATING American troops from Vietnam and inaugurating the peace process in the Middle East, Henry Kissinger knows a thing or two about conflict resolution.

Rock & Pop: First, find your gimmick