Documentaries produced in 2022 on '70s artists David Bowie and Leonard Cohen are among the 15 documentaries that were shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Documentary Film on Dec. 21. Moonage Daydream explore's the creative and musical journey of David Bowie, while Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, A Song looks at the life of Leonard Cohen through the prism of "Hallelujah," one of the most beloved songs of modern times. Although among the 144 films eligible, a film about Don McLean's "American Pie" failed to make the shortlist. Members of the documentary branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. Meanwhile, Star Wars composer John Williams made the shortlist of 15 original scores that are vying for Best Film Score. If nominated, Williams' score for the Steven Spielberg-directed The Fabelmans would be his record-extending 48th nomination in an Oscar scoring category, and should he win, the 90-year-old Williams would become the oldest winner in any competitive category. Nominations for the 95th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday Jan. 24, 2023. The telecast, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on March 12, 2023, airing live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. - Billboard, 12/21/22...... 
Ozzy Osbourne has earned four Grammy nominations for his 2022 album Patient Number 9, and tells Billboard that the nods were an unexpected, yet welcome, surprise. "The whole thing shocked me," Ozzy says. "I mean, if I won anything for the album I'll be floored. That's what I like about the business. It's never short of -- I love surprise." Osbourne has been nominated for Best Rock Album for Patient, which topped the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart in September. He's also nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance, for the LP's title track which features Jeff Beck, as well as Best Metal Performance for "Degradation Rules" with his former Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi. Although Ozzy admits he "isn't good at making speeches," he's "sure my wife (Sharon Osbourne) will have it worked out. Behind me is my wife. My wife pulls my strings." Speaking of Sharon, the 70-year-old music manager and TV personality has returned home after being hospitalized in Ventura, Calif. on Dec. 16. Sharon experienced an unspecified medical emergency while filming the family's Travel channel series The Osbournes: Night of Terror, according to an Instagram post by her son Jack Osbourne. "She has been given the all clear from her medical team and is now home," Jack wrote. "As to what happened to my mum -- I'm gonna leave it to her to share about when she is ready." Sharon revealed in Nov. 2012 that she had undergone a double mastectomy due to her predisposed risk for breast cancer. In 2002, she underwent surgery for colon cancer, and her health journey was featured on the family's MTV unscripted series, The Osbournes. - Billboard/The Hollywood Reporter, 12/21/22......Theodora Richards, the daughter of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and his wife, Patti Hansen, celebrated the 39th anniversary of her parents on Dec. 19 with a photo posted on Instagram from Keith and Patti's 1983 wedding alongside a photo taken in the present day in which they recreated a kiss from their nuptials. "My parents had a party where we celebrated my dad being another year older and that my parents have been married for 39 years," Theodora posted. "We've been through a lot but the love is so strong and powerful that it carries us forever forward on a cloud of compassion and courage. I love you mom and dad. You guys are my inspiration," she added, also wishing her dad, who turned 79 on Dec. 18, a happy birthday. Richards also took to Instagram to share a photo from his wedding to Hansen, which featured him serenading her with a guitar while she was in her gown. "Happy Anniversary, Patricia. Love, Keith. @pattihansen," the rocker captioned the sweet black-and-white picture. Richards and Hansen met in 1979 and tied the knot on his 40th birthday in 1983; they welcomed daughters Theodora and Alexandra Nicole in 1985 and 1986, respectively. In related news, Shirley Watts, the wife of late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, died on Dec. 16 at her home in Devon, UK, after a short illness. She was 84. "We will miss you so much, but take comfort that you are reunited with your beloved Charlie," Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood wrote on Facebook. While Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards all have had multiple wives and girlfriends, Charlie and Shirley Watts remained together for more than 50 years, until Charlie died in 2021. Their only known crisis happened in the mid-1980s, when Charlie struggled with heroin addiction, a time he would later say nearly cost him his marriage. He was otherwise regarded as so devoted to his wife, and daughter Seraphina, that journalists essentially left him alone. The London-born Shirley Ann Watts, a former art student and prominent breeder of Arabian horses who met drummer Charlie Watts well before he joined the Rolling Stones, reportedly "died peacefully surrounded by her family." - Billboard/AP, 12/19/22...... In a new rare interview with The Wall Street Journal, Bob Dylan hit out against modern TV, saying he only watches the British soap opera Coronation Street, the BBC One detective series Father Brown, and the classic TV series The Twilight Zone. When asked what form of technology he uses to relax, and whether he enjoys streaming on Netflix, Dylan said that even "two or three hours" of binge watching is too much for him. "Coronation Street, Father Brown, and some early Twilight Zones," Dylan named as shows he has enjoyed bingeing. "I know they're old-fashioned, but they make me feel at home. I'm no fan of packaged programs or news shows. I never watch anything foul-smelling or evil. Nothing disgusting, nothing dog ass." In the same interview, Dylan said he was a fan of fellow musicians Eminem and Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Royal Blood, Celeste, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave. Although he says he does listen to some music via online platforms, he much prefers vinyl, CDs, and radio. "Everything's too easy. Just one stroke of the ring finger, middle finger, one little click, that's all it takes. We've dropped the coin right into the slot," he said. "It's all too easy, too democratic. You need a solar X-ray detector just to find somebody's heart, see if they still have one." Dylan is currently promoting his new book The Philosophy Of Modern Song, which contains commentary on 66 songs by other artists. - New Musical Express/Music-News.com, 12/20/22...... 
Paul McCartney has shared new reflections on the "magical" experience of headlining the Saturday night edition of the UK's Glastonbury 2022 festival on the BBC's website. Sir Paul reflected on the experience and shared new backstage photos from the night, alongside footage of his band rehearsing ahead of the set. He wrote: "Festivals are special, but Glastonbury is particularly so and it's a big event in lots of people's year. Because it had been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, it became more important to pull it off. I'd asked Bruce Springsteen in 2020 if he'd be happy to come onboard and he said yes, and he kept his promise two years later. So that was very exciting, having him and Dave Grohl up on the stage." Of the Glastonbury atmosphere, he added: "It's a pretty impressive scene for people in the audience, but we get the whole view up on the stage with the flags and the hills going back forever, so it was quite a big deal that they said yes to joining me in that experience. Of course, up on stage I can't really see people's reactions but I love to hear them because I've found myself doing that at concerts. I went to see James Taylor once and started blubbing because it was just so lovely! I was thinking, 'Oh, I love this guy' -- I'm getting emotional even now! It's a magical thing, knowing music can do that to people." Macca continued, "We're the only animal on the planet that does that. Then you've got the spirituality of the place, knowing about the ley lines and everything else. When you have an event like Glastonbury and everyone comes together with good vibes and energy, I'm very happy to be part of that." Meanwhile, authors Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair have discovered unpublished contracts in the archives of a university in the United States which appear to show that the producers of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die wanted McCartney to sing the movie's theme song (which he also composed), despite McCartney and producer George Martin both telling the story that the film's producers wanted to replace Paul with a female singer on the track, assuming that the version presented to them was just a demo. "Martin wouldn't have been familiar with the terms of that contract, but Paul certainly would have," Kozinn says. "One of the things we discovered is that, if it's a good story, Paul will go with it. He didn't have any reason to assume that anybody would see that contract." - NME, 12/20/22...... While a number of musicians including Elton John, Trent Reznor, Moby, Jack White, Liz Phair and Toni Braxton have stepped away from Twitter since its takeover by controversial billionaire Elon Musk, Dionne Warwick says she wants to have a conversation with the new Twitter CEO to get an understanding of his intentions for the popular social media platform. "I have to meet him," Warwick, a beloved figure on Twitter who just celebrated her 82nd birthday, recently told People magazine. "I know a lot of people have walked away from Twitter. That's prior to knowing exactly what he's going to do. He's new to the game. His attitude is freedom of speech, which is mine as well. However, there's a way to do it," she added. "That's one of the conversations I'm going to have with him," said Warwick, whose documentary Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over will be aired on CNN on New Year's Day (and will be available on streamer HBO Max after that). "What is your true intent? I understand your freedom of speech attitude but how are you going to contain it, so it does not get out of hand?," Warwick added. On Dec. 18, Musk tweeted a poll, asking users to decide if he should step down as head of Twitter. "I will abide by the results of this poll," he wrote. The results: More than half (57.5%) of the 17.5 million people to respond voted that he should step down. In a back-and-forth with followers on Sunday, Musk commented that any prospective new CEO "must like pain a lot" to run Twitter, which "has been in the fast lane to bankruptcy." Rapper Snoop Dogg also polled Twitter on Dec. 18, musing whether he should be the one to take over the job of CEO. Over 2.3 million users responsed, with 81% -- or approximately 1.7 million users -- voting that the rap giant should be the new Twitter CEO. - Billboard, 12/19/22...... The musical stage adaptation of director Cameron Crowe's '70s-themed film Almost Famous will play its final Broadway performance on Jan. 8, the production announced on Dec. 19. The musical began previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Oct. 3 and opened on Nov. 3. The closing notices of "Almost Famous" as well as other productions including "KPOP" and "Ain't No Mo" come as tourism remains down in New York and as Broadway shows grapple with higher running costs and changing audience behavior. "Almost Famous" also received mixed to poor reviews, with The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney highlighting its "infectious energy" while asking, "Did it need to become a stage musical? Debatable." Grosses have been fairly average, with the musical bringing in $765,060 in the week ended Dec. 11, but while playing to theaters at 74% capacity. "'Almost Famous', like the music it celebrates, will endure," said producers Lia Vollack and Michael Cassel. "We look forward to the release of the cast recording on March 17, and to the many productions in communities across the country and world, for years to come," they added. The musical features a story based on a book by Crowe, a score by Tom Kitt, direction by Jeremy Herrin and choreography by Sarah O'Gleby. - The Hollywood Reporter, 12/19/22...... 
Stevie Wonder presented his annual House Full of Toys Benefit Concert at L.A.'s Microsoft Theater on Dec. 17 to a sold-out audience with special guests Trombone Shorty, Gregory Porter and Jody Watley. Now in its 24th year, the event featured Trombone Shorty who had attendees second-lining a la his native New Orleans when he joined Wonder onstage for an exuberant romp through Stevie's 1976 hit "Sir Duke." Prior to that, Jody Watley took fans on her own nostalgia tour, performing her 1989 R&B/pop hit "Real Love" before segueing into a classic from the traditional holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas, "Christmas Time Is Here." However the night belonged to Wonder, as the Motown legend gave as good as he got from an already enthusiastic audience that became more ecstatic each time he sat down at the keyboards or piano and simply sang. Early in the show, he boosted the festive spirit already resonating around the venue when he performed "What Christmas Means to Me," singing to the original instrumental track recorded back in the '60s. Wonder also celebrated the 50th anniversary of his 1972 album Talking Book. Beginning with "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," he then saluted his late ex-wife and co-writer Syreeta Wright ("Such a wonderful spirit") with the moving "Blame It on the Sun" before closing the Book suite with an emotional turn on "You and I (We Can Conquer the World)." Before walking offstage to "Another Star," a smiling Wonder said, "I wanted to give you all everything I could give you ... I love you; God bless you -- and we are done!" House Full of Toys, presented through Wonder's nonprofit We Are You Foundation, benefits children, people with disabilities and families in need with concertgoers donating an unwrapped toy. - Billboard, 12/18/22...... Billy Joel informed his fans on Twitter on Dec. 18 that he's been forced to cancel his last concert of 2022 due to sickness and has been advised to rest his voice. "I'm disappointed to share that I'm under doctor's orders for vocal rest due to a viral infection so unfortunately, I must postpone my Monday, December 19th concert at Madison Square Garden to June," Joel wrote on his Twitter and Instagram pages. "I'm so sorry to let you know so close to show day, but I was hoping to be closer to a full recovery by now," he added. "Sadly, that hasn't happened. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year." An additional update from a spokesperson for Joel that was posted on his official website confirms that the Dec. 19 concert is currently rescheduled for June 2, 2023, and is "subject to change if it conflicts with a playoff game." Joel's upcoming list of tour dates can also be viewed on his Twitter post. - Billboard, 12/18/22...... Pink Floyd have quietly uploaded 18 archival live albums from before the band's Dark Side Of The Moon era -- as well as a five-song EP of "alternative tracks" from 1972 -- to streaming services. All 18 of the live albums are pulled from concert recordings over the year of 1972, when the prog-rockers were touring in support of their sixth and seventh albums -- Meddle (1971) and Obscured By Clouds (1972), respectively -- and, most notably, road-testing and refining songs from the following year's seminal Dark Side Of The Moon album. Six of the concerts were performed in the UK -- the first at the Southampton Guildhall on January 23, 1972, then four back-to-back shows at London's Rainbow Theatre over Feb. 17-20, and finally another London show (this time at Empire Pool in Wembley) on Oct. 21. Elsewhere, three of the albums were tracked at shows that Pink Floyd played in the US (New York, Chicago and Los Angeles), another three come from shows in Japan, two each come from shows in France and Germany, and the last two come from the band's respective shows in Belgium and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the compilation EP -- titled simply Alternative Tracks 1972 -- comprises trance remixes of "Any Colour You Like" and a mash-up of"'Speak To Me" and "Breathe (In The Air)," a demo version of "On The Run," and "ultra rare alternative versions" of "Us And Them" and a reprisal mash-up of "Time" and "Breathe (In The Air)." Pink Floyd made a similar move exactly a year ago, uploading 12 rare concert recordings -- spanning January of 1970 to November of 1971 - to streaming services on Dec. 16, 2021. With these new 18 album going live recently, last year's batch were deleted from the band's streaming catalogue. It's unknown if they plan to have these be similarly limited -- none of the band's members have spoken publicly about the release. 2022 has been a busy year for Pink Floyd, starting with the release of their Ukraine benefit single, "Hey Hey Rise Up," back in April (with a subsequent CD and vinyl release). September then saw the long-awaited release of Pink Floyd's Animals remaster, four years after it was first announced. A month prior, it was reported that Pink Floyd would be selling their back-catalogue for £400 million. - NME, 12/18/22...... A private jet owned by Elvis Presley will be auctioned off in January. The King bought the 1962 Lockheed JetStar in 1976 for $840,000 -- the equivalent of $4.4 million in today's dollars. It seats nine and has a Kenmore microwave and a TV with a VCR on board. - People, 12/19/22...... 
Kim Simmonds, founder of the British blues-rock band Savoy Brown died on Dec. 13, according to a statement released by the band on Twitter. He was 75 years old. "Kim Simmonds passed away peacefully in the evening of December 13th -- may he rest in peace. You've gone away/ We'll get by somehow/ Just right now/ All we can do is cry," the group shared. "Please note one of Kim's last requests was to thank the fans of Savoy Brown -- your support was and shall always be immensely appreciated." While Simmonds initially formed The Savoy Brown Blues Band in 1965 with singer Brice Portius, bassist Ray Chappell, drummer Leo Mannings, keyboard player Trevor Jeavons and harmonica player John O'Leary, he remained the sole constant member of the band throughout nearly six decades of lineup changes. Throughout their career, the band released more than 40 studio albums -- with 1972's Hellbound Train their best seller in the US at No. 34 -- and their two most recent -- Ain't Done Yet and Taking the Blues Back Home: Live in America -- arrived in 2020. In August, Simmonds announced that he had been fighting stage 4 colon cancer -- specifically, a a rare form called signet cell colon cancer -- for more than a year. He noted that the chemotherapy he was receiving had made it difficult for him to play his instrument due to the side effect of "peripheral neuropathy which has now deadened the nerves in my fingers and hands (feet too)." At the time, Simmonds explained that his type of cancer "is rarely found early enough to provide a chance for cure, and occurs in less than one percent of cases." - Billboard, 12/19/22...... Rick Anderson, bassist and founding member of the San Francisco-based rock band The Tubes, died on Dec. 16, according to a statement shared by the band on Instagram. He was 75. "We lost our brother on 12/16/22," the band captioned a series of photos on Dec. 18. "Rick brought a steady and kind presence to the band for 50 years. His love came through his bass. RIP." The statement did not offer any additional details regarding Anderson's death, which comes eight months after the April passing of Tubes member Re Styles, who sang with the group. The Tubes formed on March 22, 1972, in San Francisco, and was the combined forces of two Phoenix bands that came from the city to California in 1969. The first band, called The Beans, included Anderson as well as other members Bill Spooner, Vince Welnick and Bob McIntosh. The second band, the Red White and Blues Band, featured members Prairie Prince, Roger Steen, and David Killingsworth. With The Tubes, Anderson opened for Led Zeppelin in 1973. Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman was instrumental in helping the band get signed, suggesting to the group's A&R to pitch to his own solo label, A&M Records. After getting signed, The Tubes released its self-titled debut album in 1975. Tracks "White Punks on Dope" and "What Do You Want From Life?" became staples in the band's catalogue, with the former being covered by Mötley Crüe in 2000. - Billboard, 12/20/22...... Terry Hall, the charismatic lead vocalist of British ska revivalists The Specials, has died at 63. The band announced Hall's death on Instagram on Dec. 19, revealing that the singer died after an undisclosed "brief illness." "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced, the band said in a statement. "Terry was a wonderful husband and father and one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated the very essence of life & the joy, the pain, the humour, the fight for justice, but mostly the love. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound humanity." One of the leading lights of the late '70s British ska revival, The Specials (originally billed as Special AKA) formed in Coventry, England, in 1977, with Hall replacing original singer Tim Strickland in the group notable for its multiracial makeup. Coinciding with the burgeoning "Rock Against Racism" movement in the U.K. at the time, the band members made a statement in their rude boy two-tone suits and porkpie hats and blasted out of the gate on their Elvis Costello-produced self-titled debut on their 2 Tone label, which featured their signature cover of Dandy Livingstone's 1967 single "A Message to You Rudy." Terence Edward Hall was born on March 19, 1959, in Coventry and began his singing career in local punk bands as a teenager before joining The Specials and splitting vocal duties with the excitable Neville Staple. Among those paying tribute to Hall on social media include Staple, Costello, Billy Bragg, Boy George, Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin. - Billboard, 12/20/22...... Charlie Gracie, an early rockabilly singer and guitarist best known for his 1957 No. 1 pop hit "Butterfly" and who influenced a generation of 1960s rock stars, died of as yet undisclosed causes on Dec. 16. He was 86. Mr. Gracie's death was confirmed by ABKCO Records, which is home to the catalog of Cameo Records, the Philadelphia label that Gracie recorded his biggest hits for. The South Philadelphia native, born Charles Antony Graci on May 14, 1936, was discovered by Cadillac Records owner Graham Prince after the then 15-year-old singer performed on a local radio show, leading to a series of early singles ("Rockin' n' Rollin'," "Boogie Woogie Blues," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" and a deal with Cameo, which released his breakthrough 1957 Billboard No. 1 pop chart hit and signature tune, the rockabilly burner "Butterfly." The song led to tours with Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley and Eddie Cochran, as well as a starring role in the 1957 musical romance Jamboree as himself. The hits continued apace, with late 1950s charting tracks including "Fabulous," "Ninety-Nine Ways" and "Cool Baby" charting in the U.S. and England, where Mr. Gracie would take his place as an early influence on a generation of soon-to-be global superstars. Following his run on Cameo, Mr. Gracie cycled through a series of smaller label homes and kept touring for the next 50+ years, including opening a handful of dates for Van Morrison on his 2000 U.S. West coast tour and releasing his last album, Angel on My Shoulder, in 2015. He was also the subject of a PBS documentary, Fabulous!, in 2007. - Billboard, 12/19/22...... 
NFL legend Franco Harris, the Pittsburgh Steeler eternally known for his "Immaculate Reception" during an AFC Divisional NFL football playoff game in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23, 1972, died on the morning of Dec. 21. He was 72, just two days before the 50th anniversary of his legendary catch. Harris' son, Dok, told the AP that his father died overnight, and no cause of death was given. Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972. "That play really represents our teams of the '70s," Harris said after the "Immaculate Reception" was voted the greatest play in the league's first 100 years in 2020. While the Steelers fell the next week to Miami in the AFC championship, Pittsburgh was on its way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 seasons. Born in Fort Dix, N.J., on March 7, 1950, Harris played collegiately at Penn State, where his primary job was to open holes for backfield mate Lydell Mitchell. The Steelers, in the final stages of a rebuild led by Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll, saw enough in Harris to make him the 13th overall pick in the 1972 draft. Despite all of his success, his time in Pittsburgh ended acrimoniously when the Steelers cut him after he held out during training camp before the 1984 season. Noll, who leaned on Harris so heavily for so long, famously answered "Franco who?" when asked about Harris' absence from the team's camp. Harris signed with Seattle, running for just 170 yards in eight games before being released in midseason. He retired as the NFL's third all-time leading rusher behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown. "I don't even think about that (anymore)," Harris said in 2006. "I'm still black and gold." Harris remained in Pittsburgh following his retirement, opening a bakery and becoming heavily involved in several charities, including serving as the chairman of "Pittsburgh Promise," which provides college scholarship opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students. "From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field. He never stopped giving back in so many ways. He touched so many, and he was loved by so many," team President Art Rooney II said in a statement. - AP, 12/20/22.
Elton John has shared his favorite music from 2022 on his Apple Music 1 Rocket Hour radio show, which airs live on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. GMT. Sir Elton included his best-of-the-year picks in a playlist as a way to round off the year, with tracks by Burna Boy, Let's Eat Grandma, Marcus Mumford, Stormzy, Oliver Slim, Cat Burns and The Linda Lindas making the list. "With the Rocket Hour we just try and give people exposure by playing and interviewing them. It's something I've been doing now for over six years. I haven't grown tired of it. I love it," John said. "The new music makes me feel fantastic. It inspires me. So I have to thank all the new artists, and all the old artists that we play on the show, because we don't just play new artists. But every week that I do the show is such a pleasure for me, so thank you," he added. Meanwhile, as the 75-year-old musician seeks new ways to connect with fans as he looks ahead to the end of his touring life in Sept. 2023, he has announced he's teamed up with Roblox for a 10-minute virtual live experience called "Elton John Presents: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road." Elton says he thinks the metaverse is "perfect" for the next stage of his career: "Throughout my career, I've always been interested in finding new ways to connect with my fans worldwide. As I finish touring, Roblox and the metaverse are perfect for this next stage of my life; it's a new, innovative way for me to express my love of music, fashion, and the limitless creativity that comes from both." Elton added he was introduced to the platform by his and husband David Furnish's young sons, Zachary, 11, and Elijah, nine, and he's very excited about what he can do with it. He told Hype Beast: "I was first introduced to the platform through my two sons and thought it was incredibly inspiring; I had never seen anything like it!" - New Musical Express/Music-News.com, 12/16/22...... 
Actress Daisy-Edgar Jones, who gained notoriety starring in the 2020 Irish romantic psychological drama Normal People, is set to play legendary singer-songwriter Carole King in a new King biopic titled Beautiful. "Daisy has a spirit and energy that I recognised as myself when I was younger," King told Variety of Edgar-Jones' casting in the film. "She's a tremendous talent and I know she's going to give a great performance." Beautiful features many of King's hits, including "One Fine Day," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "I Feel The Earth Move," "You've Got A Friend And More" among many others, and producer Sony has obtained rights to use both King's songs and life rights for the artist and others featured in the show. The film is set to be directed by Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are Alright, Laurel Canyon, Cavedweller), from a script by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg. Edgar-Jones most recently starred in Sony's Where The Crawdads Sing, based on the 2018 book by Delia Owens. - NME, 12/16/22...... Ozzy Osbourne has narrated the opening to a new holiday charity single by Evamore called "The Christmas Time." Ozzy speaks for the nearly three-minute long intro to the song, which features musical accompaniment from Pink Floyd and ex-Duran Duran members and has been shared on YouTube. Evamore is a concept band created by The Evamore Project "to record unique, atmospheric songs utilising narrative, lyrics and musicianship to convey true stories," and "The Christmas Time" is its latest work for the UK's Cancer Awareness Trust. The organization premiered the song on its website ahead of the song's release, and it has since been shared on the organisation's cancer resource website and app The Cancer Platform alongside information on how to show your support. "This Christmas Time" was recorded at Abbey Road, and features Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Andy Taylor (ex-Duran Duran), and Noddy Holder (Slade), among others. The Cancer Platform is a free-to-use global website and app for everyone affected by cancer that puts trusted information, services and products all in one place. The full platform will launch in 2023. - NME, 12/16/22...... The Rolling Stones announced on Dec. 16 that they'll be livestreaming a star-studded 2012 gig to celebrate the release of their forthcoming GRRR Live! concert album. The show, which took place in December 2012 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., was originally broadcast as the pay-per-view event The Rolling Stones: One More Shot. It has now been re-mixed and re-edited for a new release, which will be released as a double-album CD and a triple-album vinyl on Feb. 10. GRRR Live! will also be released on DVD and Blu-Ray. The show was notable for its long list of special guests, including Lady Gaga, The Black Keys, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer and Gary Clark, and on Feb. 2, 2023 the entire show will be broadcast online via live stream company Kiswe, marking the first time that it'll be available to watch in more than a decade. A trailer for GRRR Live! has been shared on YouTube. - NME, 12/16/22...... 
Rod Stewart, who was previously married to actress Alana Collins from 1979 to 1984 and to model Rachel Hunter between 1990 and 2006, has revealed his current wife, model and TV star Penny Lancaster, is his first spouse to go through menopause while still married to him. Stewart, who married Lancaster in 2007, told Reader's Digest that "I hadn't seen (the menopause) before because my marriages didn't last that long. So Penny was the first." Stewart, now 77, recalled how his 51-year-old current wife would get into "blinding fits of rage" while battling her symptoms. "One night she threw utensils, so me and the boys (Alastair, 17, and Aiden, 11) gave her a hug -- and since then she has worked to let people know what it is," he revealed. Rod, who supports Penny's Let's #ChatMenopause campaign to raise awareness of menopausal symptoms, went on to encourage other men to help their partners who are going through those hormonal changes. "Men have to understand, and not just go down the pub," he said. - Music-News.com, 12/14/22...... The Pretenders have announced a short, intimate UK tour for Independent Venues Week in early 2023. Chrissie Hynde & Co.'s run of gigs kicks off at The Deaf Institute in Manchester on Feb. 5, 2023 before stops in Newcastle (Feb. 6), London (Feb. 7), Brighton (Feb. 9) and Bristol (Feb. 10). On May 25, they'll play Stornoway's Lewis Castle. The Pretenders are due to release their 12th album, Relentless, also in 2023. No release date has been given for the follow-up to 2020's Hate For Sale. Hynde last released her own work in 2021 with Pretenders' lead guitarist James Walbourne. Standing In The Doorway is a cover album of Bob Dylan songs. - NME, 12/15/22...... Cher has provided more info on the death of her actress/singer mother, Georgia Holt, on Dec. 10. After posting that her mom wasn't able to "sleep very well," Cher tweeted that she had "The truth.... She's been Sick & rallying, she then got bad, She was in so much pain. Finally she coded on way to [the hospital]. By time we Got to Hosp....The Woman who Who Was MY KICK A- MOM was No [longer] Here." Cher, 76, did not reveal any additional details surrounding her mother's illness. Cher added that she isn't sad about mother's passing because it "set her free" from her pain. "I'm not sad.... We set her free. She is no longer crying out in Pain 24/7. She is her happy,funny, Insane, beautiful Self (sic)." Born Jackie Jean Crouch in 1926, Ms. Holt appeared in several TV shows and films in the 1950s, including an episode of I Love Lucy in 1956. Cher is the daughter of Holt and John Sarkisian, who died in 1985. - Billboard/Music-News.com, 12/14/22...... Speaking of Cher, the "Believe" singer and Bee Gee Barry Gibb are among those intrigued by ABBA's Voyage hologram show, currently showing at a purpose-built arena in Stratford, east London. The younger selves of Bjorn Ulvaeus and his bandmates, Agnetha Flatskog, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, have been turned into "Abba-tar"s (holograms) for the experience and some of their contemporaries including Cher and Gibb are now said to be considering having their own hologram show. "I know Barry Gibb has been to see it," Ulvaeus told Radio Times magazine. "I hear rumours about Metallica. I don't think Mick Jagger has been yet, but he has said something about it. Cher was going. So many of my contemporaries are now thinking, 'Is there a way we can do it?'" The 90-minute show features pre-recorded ABBA classics mixed with the band's new numbers such as "Don't Shut Me Down." ABBA played their last concert just over 41 years ago. - Music-News.com, 12/13/22...... Sting, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Dave Matthews, Brad Paisley, Susanna Hoffs and the Jonas Brothers are among the performers in an upcoming televised tribute to Paul Simon. The 81-year-old music legend and songwriting genius will be saluted by the Grammys and a star-studded bill of artists, who performed at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles back in April for the pre-recorded Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon. Special appearances included Simon himself, Sofia Carson, Herbie Hancock, Woody Harrelson, Dustin Hoffman, Elton John and Oprah Winfrey. The special will air on CBS on Dec. 21 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT and will also be available for live stream and on demand on Paramount+. - Music-News, 12/14/22...... 
'70s glam rocker Gary Glitter will reportedly be released from jail within the next few months after serving half of his 16-year sentence. Glitter, real name Paul Gadd and now 78 years old, who was imprisoned in England in 2015 for sex offences on three girls between the ages of eight and 13, is also set to be electronically tagged as part of his release conditions, according to Britain's The Sun newspaper. The Sun reported on Dec. 16 that Glitter may move back into his London apartment as he still has a fortune in the bank from his '70s glam rock hits. "[He] has kept his nose clean in prison and toed the line and now his sentence is almost over," a source told the paper. "The nature of his determinate sentence means the case won't go to the Parole Board. It simply means that as soon as his sentence is over, he is free to walk out of the prison gates," the source added. It is thought Glitter could be freed as early as February. "Sex offenders released from prison are closely monitored by the police and Probation Service and may be recalled to jail if they breach strict licence conditions," the UK Ministry of Justice was quoted in the paper. The publication said the Parole Board confirmed it would not be considering his case, but added Glitter will be forced to wear a tag on release. Glitter's offences range from 1975 to 1980 and included sex with a girl under 13, attempted rape of an eight-year-old, and repeatedly molesting a third girl. In 1999, he was jailed for four months for possessing 4,000 indecent images of children and in 2006 was put behind bars in Vietnam for three years after sex attacks in the country before being released in 2008. - Bang Showbiz/Canoe.com, 12/16/22...... Appearing on comedian Kevin Nealon's podcast Hiking With Kevin, John Lennon's eldest son Julian Lennon said while he loved the Beatles-themed film Yesterday, he thought the "weird" scene which showed John as an old man ruined the film for him. In the film, Lennon is played by Robert Carlyle and meets Himesh Patel's Jack in the remote countryside after he's taken a road trip. "I actually loved that film Yesterday, until they put that weird bit of an impression of what Dad would look like in his seventies and eighties or whatever, up on a Scottish or Irish island," Julian told Nealon. "It kind of threw the whole film off for me," he continued. "I didn't get [it]. It wasn't necessary for me, I don't think. And it was just weird." The entire interview can be viewed on YouTube. - NME, 12/13/22...... Peter Frampton and Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company will be among those celebrating A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss set for The Music Center's Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 2023. The show will feature performances by Rodgers, whose rock anthem "All Right Now" was a top five hit for Free on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, and Peter Frampton, whose double-live album Frampton Comes Alive! topped the Billboard 200 for 10 nonconsecutive weeks in 1976. "Jerry Moss has always been a music lover first," Frampton said in a statement. "If it weren't for him, Humble Pie and my own solo career might never have happened. Jerry has been a champion of mine my entire life and I treasure our friendship." The show will also feature performances by Dionne Warwick, who never recorded for A&M, but is forever linked to Burt Bacharach, who did; and Amy Grant, whose poppy smash "Baby Baby" topped the Hot 100 for two weeks in 1991. 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of A&M Records, the legendary label that Moss and Herb Alpert co-founded on a handshake and an investment of $200 from both men. Over 25 years, A&M grew into the world's largest independent record label, signing such iconic stars as The Police, Carpenters, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker. The Moss tribute was originally scheduled for February 2022 but postponed due to rising Covid-19 cases at that time. - Billboard, 12/12/22...... 
Iggy Pop has shared "Strung Out Johnny," the second single from his upcoming 19th solo album Every Loser, on YouTube. "Strung Out Johnny" paints an unflinching picture of life with addiction, detailing how seemingly innocent experiments turn into something more dangerous. "First time you do it with a friend, second time you do it in a bed, third time you can't get enough and a life gets all f---ed up," Pop sings. 'Every Loser' is due for release on January 6 and features contributions from a variety of big names, including members of Guns N' Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Iggy will be supporting Red Hot Chilli Peppers on select dates of their 2023 stadium tour. Meanwhile, Pop has recalled the time he was pranked by Elton John who donned a "huge" gorilla costume while he was "really out of it" and gave him a shock. "I was really out of it. I'd done too much on the downside the night before, so I had to be injected madly to get to the point where I could just barely stand up straight and hold the mike. And then I saw this gorilla. I realised it wasn't a real gorilla, but anyone who puts on a gorilla suit looks huge," Pop recently told Mojo magazine. He then went on to admit that he felt as if the "gorilla" could "kill" him as he had no clue that it was Elton. "You don't know who's in there. It could be Billy Bob and he's going to kill me." However, Iggy said he realised it was the Rocket Man himself playing a trick on him. "He just picked me up for a little bit and gave me a little carry around. It was very funny," Pop added. - NME/Music-News.com, 12/12/22...... Rare footage of a live-action Sega game featuring Michael Jackson that was believed to be lost has been rediscovered at a car boot sale. The 1993 game, called Scramble Training -- a mix between an arcade shooter and interactive ride created for Sega World theme parks -- featured Jackson as a narrator who guided players. Jackson had a long relationship with the Japanese game company, including his inspiration for the Moonwalker franchise created by Sega based on the singer's film of the same name. Now, footage from Scramble Training is available to watch on YouTube after a tape recording was discovered at a car boot sale in the UK, according to gaming blog Gaming Alexandria. It is reportedly the first-known copy of Scramble Training's game play, with the actual game itself still shrouded in mystery. Earlier in 2022, former Sonic Team head Yuji Naka also confirmed that Jackson created music for Sonic The Hedgehog 3. - NME, 12/13/22...... Shirley Eikhard, songwriter of Bonnie Raitt's 1991 hit "Something to Talk About," has died at 67, her publicist announced on Dec. 15. The musician passed away at the Orangeville Hospital in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by family. The New Brunswick born singer-songwriter first rose to prominence during the '70s. At age 15, Eikhard's song "It Takes Time" was recorded by country/pop singer Anne Murray in 1971, and later became a hit in her native Canada. Eikhard released her self-titled debut album the following year in 1972. Several songs of Eikhard's would go on to be covered by popular musicians, most notably Bonnie Raitt and Cher, and she struck gold after penning "Something to Talk About" in the '80s. Raitt released the song as the first single from her 1991 album, Luck of the Draw. The track was a hit and spent a total of 20 weeks on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the tally. The tune would ultimately win Raitt the best pop vocal performance, female award at the 1991 Grammy Awards, and was also nominated in the record of the year category. For Cher, Eikhard's track "Born With the Hunger" would be rerecorded and released for the singer's 2000 album Not Commercial. Eikhard also wrote "Lovers Forever" with Cher for the 1994 film Interview With the Vampire; the track is featured on Cher's 2013 studio album Closer to the Truth. Eikhard's songwriting ability earned her two JUNO Awards for best country female artist in 1973 and 1974. "Something to Talk About" led to her induction into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame in Oct. 2020. - Billboard, 12/15/22...... 
Drummer Dino Danelli, an original member of 1960s New Jersey rock group The Rascals, has died at 78. His death was confirmed by Rascals archivist and friend Joe Russo on Danelli's Facebook page. "To know Dino, you must understand that art was his life. Art, music and film consumed his mind and his heart," Russo wrote. "He was an insomniac, sometimes staying awake for days, because he was always writing, reading, painting, drawing, watching films. He was beyond private and for someone who many consider one of the greatest drummers of all time, humble to a fault," Russo added. Russo said the drummer who manned the kit for the Rascals from 1965-1971 -- and also performed with E Street Band member and solo rocker "Little" Steven Van Zandt's Disciples of Soul from 1982-1984 -- was the "most private person I knew." While he did not disclose a cause of death, Russo wrote that Danelli was "acutely disappointed" about the "abrupt" conclusion of the Rascals' 2013 "Once Upon a Dream" reunion tour and he noted that after it fell apart the drummer was "almost obsessed" with trying to find a way to "keep the ball rolling" as his health began to decline. Born in Jersey City on July 23, 1944 and formed the Young Rascals (as they were originally known) with singer Eddie Brigati, keyboardist Felix Cavaliere and guitarist Gene Cornish in 1964. Driven by Danelli's swinging, high-energy drum sound, the band scored nine Billboard Hot 100 singles, including their signature No. 1 1966 hit "Good Lovin'," as well as the 1967 No. 1 "Groovin'," and 1968's chart-topping civil rights anthem "People Got to Be Free," written by Brigati and Cavaliere, which touched a nerve in the wake of the assassinations that spring of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. The band -- who shortened their name to just The Rascals in 1968 as they moved away from their more eclectic garage soul vibe to a more psychedelic sound -- was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. After the departure of Brigati and Cornish in the early 1970s, Danelli and Cavaliere carried on and released two more albums to diminishing returns before breaking up in 1971. Danelli formed the group Bulldog with Cornish that year and the duo released a pair of albums before breaking up three years later. Danelli then bounced around, playing with Mountain's Leslie West and the short-lived power pop act Fotomaker before joining Van Zandt's band in the early 1980s and playing on the groups first two records, 1982's Men Without Women and 1984's Voice of America. The Rascals reformed in 1988 briefly, with all four original members on hand for their Rock Hall induction in 1997 and then again for a run of shows entitled "One Upon a Dream" in 2012-2013 -- which was co-produced and co-written by Van Zandt -- before taking that show on the road for a North American run. In a Facebook message, Cornish wrote, "It is with a broken heart that I must tell you of the passing of Dino Danelli. He was my brother and the greatest drummer I've ever seen. I am devastated at this moment. Rest In Peace Dino I love you brother." - Billboard, 12/16/22...... 
Actor Stuart Margolin, who won back-to-back Emmys for his recurring role as Evelyn "Angel" Martin in The Rockford Files and racked up more than 120 career screen credits, died on Dec. 12, his stepson Max Martini said on social media. He was 82. In an Instagram post, Martini said Mr. Margolin was a "profoundly gifted step-father that was always there with love and support for his family. RIP Pappy. Keep 'em cold." He did not provide a cause of death or other details, however it has been reported by other sources Mr. Margolin died of complications from pancreatic cancer. Mr. Margolin won Emmys in 1979 and 1980 for the respective fifth and sixth seasons of NBC's The Rockford Files, playing the former cellmate of Jim Rockford (James Garner). Appeared in more than three dozen episodes, including the series' first and last, his shady-but-endearing character constantly sought Rockford's help after getting mixed up with former criminal associates. He also appeared with Garner on the short-lived Western Nichols, which last one season on NBC in 1971-72. Mr. Margolin and Garner would also reteam for another NBC Western after Rockford, ended. Bret Maverick was based on Maverick, the 1957-62 series starring Garner -- who left in 1960 -- as a wisecracking, dapper ladies man and cardsharp. Mr. Margolin co-starred as Philo Sandine, an Indian scout-slash-con man that wasn't too far removed from his later Angel character. The series lasted one season in 1981-82 and aired in reruns on NBC in 1990. Mr. Margolin began his career in the early 1960s, doing guest shots on such popular series as The Fugitive, Ben Casey and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He continued to appear on TV throughout that decade in memorable and enduring shows including Ironside, The Virginian, The Monkees, Bewitched, The F.B.I. and The Partridge Family. He also became a familiar face on the randy anthology comedy Love, American Style, appearing in more than two dozen episodes from 1966-73. Mr. Margolin landed another 1980s series-regular role in the NBC sitcom Mr. Smith, playing the boss of a character who was charged with keeping track of the title character -- a talking orangutan who is America s latest secret weapon. The high-concept but low-rated show lasted a handful of episodes in fall 1983. After that, Mr. Margolin settled into mostly character-actor mode, guesting on such series as Hill Street Blues, Crazy Like a Fox and The Tracey Ullman Show. He did land one more regular role, on the Canadian dramedy Mom, P.I., playing a cynical private investigator who hires a widowed waitress (Rosemary Dunsmore) as an assistant. It aired two seasons from 1990-92. Mr. Margolin continued to work in TV for the next three decades, with guest credits on popular shows including Touched by an Angel, 30 Rock and NCIS, along with a recurring role on Beggars and Choosers. He also did some film work, mostly during the 2000s and 2010s. Among his final credits was a role in 2018 -- the revived Fox sci-fi drama The X Files. - Deadline.com, 12/12/22.
The cable sports network ESPN has announced it will air the Eagles' "Live From The Forum MMXVIII" concert on July 5 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Joined by special guest artists Vince Gill and late Eagles member Glenn Frey's son Deacon Frey, the L.A.-based rockers performed 26 songs at The Forum on Sept. 12, 14 and 15, 2018. Each of those nights that have now been compiled into a 
In related news, Peter Frampton has launched a new coronavirus-themed T-shirt on his merch store which plays on the title of his classic 1976 live double-album 
Ringo Starr has big plans to celebrate his milestone 80th birthday on July 7 with an "all-Starr" broadcast benefit called "Ringo's Big Birthday Show." This year Starr, who traditionally spreads peace and love outside of Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, Calif. for his birthday, has recruited his fellow surviving Beatles member Paul McCartney along with his All-Starr Band guitarist Joe Walsh, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Sheila E. and Ben Harper for at-home livestream performances, as well as never-before-seen concert footage. Proceeds raised during "Ringo's Big Birthday Show" will benefit the Black Lives Matter Global Network, the David Lynch Foundation, MusiCares and WaterAid. "As everyone knows I love gathering with fans for peace and love on my birthday," Ringo said in a press release. "But this year, I want everyone to be safe at home -- so I called up a few friends and we put this Big Birthday Show together so we could still celebrate my birthday with you all, with some great music for some great charities. I hope you will all join me! Peace and Love, Ringo." The bash will also premiere a guest star version of Starr's "Give More Love" featuring Willie Nelson, Jeff Bridges, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Peter Frampton, Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. "Ringo's Big Birthday Show" will air on his YouTube channel at 8:00 p.m. EDT on July 7. An update on the event has been shared on 
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour released "Yes, I Have Ghosts," his first new song in five years, on 
Veteran Emmy-winning TV personality Hugh Downs, whose career stretched back to the birth of television, died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, on July 1. He was 99. Mr. Downs' long TV run encompassed both news and entertainment. He hosted NBC's Today show from 1962 to 1971, was late-night host Jack Paar's longtime announcer/sidekick on The Tonight Show, appeared in dozens of commercials and even hosted the daytime quiz show Concentration for over a decade. Mr. Downs was perhaps best known as the co-host of ABCs newsmagazine 20/20, teaming with Barbara Walters, with whom he'd worked at Today. They also co-hosted the short-lived syndicated daytime show Not for Women Only. Mr. Downs began his TV career in 1950 as an announcer for the NBC soap Hawkins Falls and never seemed to stop until he retired in 1999. In 1985, Mr. Downs was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as holding the record for the most hours on network commercial television (over 15,000) -- a record that stood until it was broken by Regis Philbin in 2004. His wife, Ruth Shaheen Downs, died in 2017 at the age of 95. They were married for 73 years. Mr. Downs is survived by his daughter, Deirdre; his son, Hugh R. "H.R." Downs; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. - The New York Post, 7/2/20.
Elton John's ex-wife Renate Blauel has announced she is seeking an injunction against her former husband after he mentioned her during several sections of his 2018 autobiography Me. It is thought that Blauel and John had agreed on what would be detailed in Me after she reminded him of a non-disclosure agreement signed by the pair after their split in 1988 and their lawyers had reportedly came to an agreement, but now Blauel is now seeking a High Court ruling against the singer in the UK. In Me, Elton wrote that "I'd broken the heart of someone I loved and who loved me unconditionally, someone I couldn't fault in any way. Despite all the pain, there was no acrimony involved at all.... For years afterwards, whenever something happened to me, the press would turn up on her doorstep, looking for her to dish the dirt, and she never, ever has." Blauel's lawyer says his client hopes her current legal action against the pop star can be resolved "amicably." Meanwhile, John has recently participated in a "Project Angel Food" COVID-19 fundraiser in Los Angeles with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Annie Lennox, CeeLo Green, Billy Idol and others which raised more than $700,000 for the charity. Elton and his husband David Furnish also provided a fundraising message in which they said, "We have always worked to make sure the most vulnerable people in the world are protected and cared for with love and compassion... We have supported Project Angel Food through the (Elton John AIDS) foundation before, and we are proud to support Lead With Love. For those watching from home, Project Angel Food needs your help urgently to keep doing what they do: serve others." Project Angel Food was first launched in 1989 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and is continuing to serve medically-tailored meals to those with life-threatening illnesses who are shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic. - New Musical Express/Music-News.com, 6/26/20...... The family of Tom Petty shared a previously unreleased home recording of Petty's song "You Don't Know How it Feels" from his 1994 solo album Wildflowers 
Dion Dimucci, a rock & roll pioneer known for such classics as "The Wanderer" and "Runaround Sue," dropped a new solo album, 
On June 26, Sammy Hagar took to Facebook to clarify what he meant by the controversial "we all gotta die" coronavirus comments he made in a recent Rolling Stone interview. Hagar, 72, made headlines after speaking to the publication about how he'd feel touring during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he said: "I'd rather personally get sick and even die, if that's what it takes... There may be a time where we have to sacrifice. I mean, how many people die on the Earth every day? I have no idea. I'm sorry to say it, but we all gotta die, man." Now, "the Red Rocker" has set the record straight on his Facebook page: "I did that interview May 8th when we were already several weeks into the stay-at-home, which my family and I took very seriously, and things were starting to look up, the curve was beginning flattening. So when I was asked if I'd be comfortable enough to get back on stage before a vaccine was out, I was cautiously optimistic. I said, 'Yeah, not too soon. I want to make sure it's not escalating. When it's declining and seems to be going away. Big picture, it's about getting back to work in a safe and responsible way and getting this economy rolling again. I will do my part. I stand by that. I employ 200 people directly and when we tour even more. Like everything today, it's a watch and see over the next few months but we remain cautiously optimistic that with the right improvements and safety measures in place, we might be able to play shows this year. That said, as things change, for the better or worse, we will appropriately adjust our plans." - WENN/Canoe.com, 6/26/20...... On June 26, it was announced that a new live album recorded by David Bowie in 1995 in Dallas, Tex., Ouvrez Le Chien (Live Dallas 95), will be released in July. "Ouvrez Le Chien" -- French for "open the dog" -- was recorded during a performance at the Starplex Amphitheatre in Dallas, Tex., on Oct. 13, 1995. The show was part of Bowie's Outside tour with Nine Inch Nails in support. Ahead of the album's release, "Teenage Wildlife (Live Dallas 95)" from the album has been made available for streaming on 
Rock and soul singer/songwriter Benny Mardones, best known for the 1980s hit 
Milton Glaser, the groundbreaking graphic designer famous for designing the "I Love NY" logo, the "psychedelic hair" poster of Bob Dylan included in one of Dylan's greatest hits albums, and numerous other posters, logos, advertisements and book covers, died on June 26, his 91st birthday, of a stroke and renal failure. The bold "I (HEART) NY" logo -- cleverly using typewriter-style letters as the typeface -- was dreamed up as part of an ad campaign begun in 1977 to boost the state's image when crime and budget troubles dominated the headlines. Mr. Glaser did the design free of charge. Nearly a quarter-century later, just days after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, he revised it, adding a dark scar to the red heart and "more than ever" to the message. His 1966 illustration of Bob Dylan, his face a simple black silhouette but his hair sprouting in a riot of colors in curvilinear fashion, put in graphic form the 1960s philosophy that letting your hair fly free was a way to free your mind. (For him, though, it wasn't a drug-inspired image: He said he borrowed from Marcel Duchamp and Islamic art.) The poster was inserted in Dylan's Greatest Hits album, and made its way into the hands of millions of fans. "It was a new use of the poster -- a giveaway that was supposed to encourage people to buy the album," Mr. Glaser told The New York Times in 2001. "Then it took on a life of its own, showing up in films, magazines, whatever. It did not die, as such forms of ephemera usually do." Mr. Glaser was born in 1929 in the Bronx and studied at New York's Cooper Union art school and in Italy. In 1954, he co-founded the innovative graphic design firm Push Pin Studios with Seymour Chwast and others. He stayed with it 20 years before founding his own firm. The Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum awarded Mr. Glaser a lifetime achievement award in 2004. In 2009, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Mr. Glaser's pictorial sense was so profound, and his designs so influential, that his works in later years were preserved by collectors and studied as fine art. "I just like to do everything, and I was always interested in seeing how far I could go in stretching the boundaries," he once said. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Glaser. - AP, 6/28/20...... 
Carl Reiner an American comedy legend who came on the scene as a writer for television pioneer Sid Caesar, partner of Mel Brooks, and creator and co-star of the classic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, died at age 98 of natural causes on June 29 at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. Mr. Reiner's career spanned seven decades and every medium from theater and recordings to television and movies, including directing Oh, God!, three collaborations with Steve Martin and a role as an elderly con man in the revived Ocean's Eleven series. Mr. Reiner was still taking voice roles in his 90s and had a key role in If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast, a documentary about people who keep busy into their 90s. Encouraged by his wife to develop a TV show as his own, Mr. Reiner began work on a sitcom pilot loosely based on his experiences with the Caesar shows, titled Head of the Family, casting himself as a TV writer with a wife and two kids. After network executives were unhappy with Reiner as the lead character, CBS ultimately picked up the series in 1961, after it was recast with Dick Van Dyke and retitled for its new star, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Mr. Reiner, who earned several Emmys writing and producing the hit series, played the recurring role of Petrie's boss, the temperamental variety show host Alan Brady. Besides helping transform its creator and star into household names, The Dick Van Dyke Show launched the career of Mary Tyler Moore, who played Rob Petrie's wife. The series, considered a TV sitcom classic, ended its run in 1966. A reprisal of his Alan Brady role three decades later, for a guest spot on the 1990s sitcom Mad About You, earned Reiner yet another Emmy. Starting in 2001, Mr. Reiner made a big-screen comeback playing elder con artist Saul Bloom in the Oceans Eleven movie series. Mr. Reiner continued to make guest appearances on various shows such as Two and a Half Men and Hot in Cleveland well into his 90s, as well as keeping up a busy Twitter account. A 9-time Emmy winner, he was also the author of four volumes of memoirs, including I Just Remembered, in 2014, as well as children's books. Mr. Reiner is survived by three children, including Rob Reiner, director of several hit movies and known for playing Archie Bunker's son-in-law "Meathead" in the hit TV comedy All in the Family. Mr. Reiner's wife of 64 years, Estelle, died in 2008. - Reuters, 6/30/20.
Aerosmith delivered the first performance of their "Deuces Are Wild" Las Vegas residency at the Park MGM on Apr. 6 that saw the Boston-based rock veterans blast through their greatest hits while re-tracing the steps of their journey to rock legend status. Before taking the stage, fans were taken on a trip down memory lane as eight towering screens projected tons of never-before-seen photos, concert reels, TV spots and interviews, including Aerosmith's 1991 appearance in the animated series The Simpsons. Frontman Steven Tyler also chose to sport a T-shirt bearing the "Simpsonified" versions of himself and his bandmates for their first night of the Vegas run. Tyler was in top form throughout the concert, which kicked off with the band's cover of The Yardbirds' "Train Kept A-Rollin'," followed by "Mama Kin," "Back in the Saddle," "Kings And Queens" and "Sweet Emotion." They wrapped the 16-song set with the 1-2-3 punch of "Dude Looks Like a Lady," "Dream On" and "Walk This Way." - Billboard, 4/7/19...... A rep for Mick Jagger confirmed on Apr. 4 that the Rolling Stones frontman has successfully undergone a heart valve procedure in New York and is "expected to make a full recovery." Doctors were reportedly able to access Jagger's heart valve through his femoral artery, using a a catheter without opening the chest, and are now monitoring the musician for any complications that could arise from the procedure, including excess bleeding. The minimally invasive procedure is believed to have been carried out at New York-Presbyterian/Weill-Cornell Hospital, and although the 75-year-old singer could be up an moving in a few days, he will need some additional recovery time before returning to the stage. On Mar. 31, the Stones announced they were rescheduling their North American "No Filter Tour" so that Jagger could have the procedure. Orginally slated to begin in April, the tour will now begin in July with new dates to be announced in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Jagger became a great-grandfather for the second time on Mar. 31 after his 26-year-old grandaughter Assisi Jackson, whose mother is his 47-year-old daughter Jade, gave birth to her second daughter. Assisi and her chef boyfriend are already parents to a four-year-old daughter, Ezra, who was Mick's first great-grandchild. Jagger also has eight children, the youngest of whom, Deveraux, was born in 2016. - Billboard/WENN.com, 4/4/19...... In related news, Fleetwood Mac will be replacing the Rolling Stones at the upcoming 50th anniversary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May. Fleetwood Mac will take the stage on May 2, the day the Stones had been set to appear before being forced to postpone their tour due to Mick Jagger's health. New Orleans Jazz Fest lineup will also feature Tom Jones, Ziggy Marley, Mavis Staples and Regina Carter's Southern Comfort, along with many local artists. Fleetwood Mac was forced to postpone a show itself on April 2 at Boston's TD Garden due to a "band member illness," according to a post by the venue on Twitter. The band has also since postponed their April 5 show in Philadelphia. It is unclear which band member is sick. In November 2018, the group rescheduled their concert at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, right before the show was set to begin after Stevie Nicks became ill. Tickets for the original Boston concert will be honored at the rescheduled show, or fans have the option to refund their purchases. - Billboard, 4/4/19...... Michael Jackson's family has decided to speak out against the recent bombshell allegations of sexual abuse against the pop star made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. In a new 30-minute film posted online titled Investigating Neverland, journalist Liam McEwan interviews several of Jackson's relatives and inner circle, who vehemently defended him against numerous claims. MJ's 37-year-old niece, Brandi Jackson, details how she originally met Robson, when she was about nine years old in 1991. The two would go on to become best friends and dated for nearly a decade. "Everything was fine until he was about 17 or 18, when I noticed his behavior changed. That's when he began to cheat," she explained. "As I would confront him about these things, he would say, 'No these aren't true.' Constantly lying. He denied [the infedelities]." Brandi continues: "He has always been a bit of an opportunist. He knows how to position himself in different situations that will benefit him in a financial way. Once other jobs weren't coming through, this was his next outlet," Brandi continued. Her relationship with Robson was left out of Leaving Neverland. "It would discredit the things he's trying to claim. I find it fascinating that he thinks he's able to erase 10 years of life." If presented with the opportunity to confront Robson, Brandi says, "I would tell him to stop lying. I'm not curious as to why he's doing it, he needs to stop. I don't care what his reasoning is, as far as trying to be relevant, desperate for money. These lies need to stop. It's not okay. My uncle took care of him and did very well by his family." - Billboard, 4/5/19...... 
Queen drummer Roger Taylor has released a new politically-themed solo single, "Gangsters Are Running This World." The track -- his first new music in more than five years -- feature lyrics that address the state of the world. "There's blood in the streets / Panic in the air / The markets are trading up / In madness and fear," Taylor sings in the new song. It's not the first time that Taylor has made political statements in his material. In 1994 he released the single "Nazis" while his 1998 album Electric Fire featured a cover of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero." In 2011, Taylor re-released a protest song he wrote about media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. There were no details of a possible new album with the release of "Gangsters Are Running This World." - New Musical Express, 4/2/19...... Ozzy Osbourne announced on Apr. 5 that he has been forced to postpone all his 2019 North American and European as he recovers from an injury he sustained while recovering from a recent bout of pneumonia. "I can't believe I have to reschedule more tour dates," Osburne, 70, said in a statement. "Words cannot express how frustrated, angry and depressed I am not to be able to tour right now. I'm grateful for the love and support I'm getting from my family, my band, friends and fans, it's really what's keeping me going. Just know that I am getting better every day...I will fully recover... I will finish my tour... I will be back!" In the statement, Osbourne said he fell at his Los Angeles home and aggravated a years-old injury from a 2003 ATV accident, requiring an unspecified surgical procedure in March. He will reportedly remain under a doctor's care in L.A. as he recovers. On Feb. 19, Osbourne was forced to cancel shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan on his "No More Tours 2" as a result of developing pneumonia from the flu. The news came a week after wife/manager Sharon Osbourne revealed the rock star had been released from intensive care unit. In early March, Ozzy's song Jack Osbourne said in an interview that his dad was "back to his normal routine" following hospitalization for complications from the flu. According to the new statement, all of Ozzy's shows will be rescheduled beginning in February 2020, with ticketholders asked to hold onto their original tickets, which will be honored at the rescheduled dates. - Billboard, 4/4/19...... Former presidental candidate Hillary Clinton was spotted in the audience at the Cher-themed Broadway musical "The Cher Show" on Apr. 3. The former presidential candidate was happy to pose with the cast for snaps at the Neil Simon Theatre, which were shared wide on Twitter and Instagram. Cher and Clinton are friends from way back. The pop legend is a longtime - and vocal -- supporter of Clinton and in 2016 campaigned for the former First Lady at a string of campaign events. Cher will be on the road through much of the year with her "Here We Go Again" tour, which has just expanded with 14 new dates. "The Cher Show" traces the trailblazing singer, comedienne, actress's career. - Billboard, 4/4/19...... A full house congregated on Mar. 31 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church for the Los Angeles premiere of the Aretha Franklin concert documentary Amazing Grace, which chronicles the live, two-day recording of Franklin's best-selling gospel album of the same name. In the exact spot where the film and album were originally recorded 47 years ago, viewers clapped and cheered in the blue-upholstered pews as the late Franklin sang onscreen, echoing those who sat in her presence in 1972. Amazing Grace, which recently won the NAACP Image Award for best documentary film, was remastered and released on March 22 by the American film production and distribution company Neon. - The Hollywood Reporter, 4/3/19...... Tom Petty's widow and his two daughters are reportedly locked in a fierce legal battle as they feud over the late singer's will and the future of his unreleased music. According to the celebrity gossip site TMZ.com, Petty's wife Dana York Petty and his daughters Adria and Annakim Petty are feuding over the late music icon's estate. In a petition filed in Los Angeles County court, Dana states that she is in control of Petty's estate -- but Adria and Annakim, his daughters from a previous relationship, say that their father always intended for them to be involved too. Dana has also accused Tom's daughters of verbally attacking Petty's former bandmates and making it increasingly difficult for her to control the estate. The court filing also sees Dana accusing Petty's daughters of blocking the release of solo material he recorded 25 years ago. His widow reportedly wanted to include the tracks on a 25th anniversary box set reissue of his seminal 1994 album Wildflowers and expected the project to have pulled in more than $1 million in royalties. Petty died on October 2, 2017, of an accidental drug overdose. He was 66 years old. - NME, 4/3/19...... 
It has just been revealed that George Harrison once sent an angry telegram to then president Richard M. Nixon after being detained at a U.S. airport in March 1973 to discuss the Beatles' record company Apple and to work on Ringo Starr's album Ringo. Beatles researcher Chip Madinger, the co-author of Eight Arms to Hold You and Lennonology: Strange Days Indeed, says when he researched the latter book he did a Freedom of Information request and got John Lennon's INS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] file "and just went ahead and got George's at the same time." "[George] came in from Pakistan and was detained at the airport. And they went through some 'he said and she said' and but eventually was allowed to come into the States. And I believe he was given permission to stay until June 1 and he was looking for more time," Madinger says. "He'd supposedly gone to an INS office and gotten an OK to stay until the 30th of June. And he wanted more time beyond that. And that's when it was denied. So he and [wife] Pattie Boyd shipped back to the U.K. on, I believe it was, June 28th of '73. And he must have just gotten a bee in his bonnet or something about it and wrote this telegram." The telegram, addressed to "President Richard Nixon, White House DC," with misspellings, reads: "Sir, how can you bomb Cambonian (sic) citizens and worry about kicking me out of the country for smoking marijuana at the time. Your repressive emperaour (sic) war monger ways stop before too piece (cq) luv (cq). We will run the world Harry Krisher, Hare Hara Krishne Hare Hara Hare Hara Krishner. George Harrison." "I think it's clear that he dictated it because of the misspellings in it," Madinger says. John Lennon also famously had immigration problems with the U.S. government in the early '70s after the Nixon Administration feared he would galvanize young voters, so they then moved to deport him. Lennon's victory came in four steps in Federal Court. He and wife Yoko Ono were first approved as "outstanding artists" and then was given "non-priority status" to keep from being deported. Lennon also sued the government for "selective prosecution," and lastly won an appeal on the deportation order. The Lennon case became an important legal precedent in immigration law. - Billboard, 4/5/19...... In other Beatles-related news, Paul McCartney's 2019 tour of Latin America has broken the $100 million threshold, earning $17.8 million from four South American shows. Of that total, he has earned $21.5 million in Argentina (four shows) and $47.8 million in Brazil (10 shows). His recent shows in late March at Brazil's Allianz Parque were his first double-header in the country and as such, become his highest-grossing engagement there. - Billboard, 4/4/19...... Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown will embark on a nationwide U.K. tour in October 2019, playing Holmfirth on Oct. 24, Edinburgh on Oct. 25, Newcastle on Oct. 27, Birmingham on Oct. 28 and London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on Oct. 29. The three musicians have joined forces on a new album, United State of Mind, which will be released later in 2019. After a chance meeting at Brown's recording studio in Brixton, the unlikely duo of Trower and Priest hit it off. Both are directly influenced by soul and gospel music and still share a mutual passion for the genre. Robin, Maxi and Livingston went even further, striking up a very productive joint songwriting partnership, that quickly developed over a dozen new songs. In the 90's Brown played in Trower's band and co-produced his highly rated 20th Century Blues album. - Noble PR, 4/4/19...... Veteran British blues rockers Savoy Brown, with leader Kim Simmonds at the helm, will return with this summer with their 40th album, City Night, set for a June 7 release via Quarto Valley Records. The new 12-track album features Simmonds on vocals and searing lead guitar and includes such tracks as "Walking On Hot Stones," "Payback Time" and "Don't Hang Me Out To Dry." Savoy Brown was formed by guitarist Simmonds in 1965 in London. Simmonds has been the group's guiding hand from the first singles released in 1966 through the band's newest effort, their 40th album. Savoy Brown has announced five U.K. dates in which they will premiere songs from the new album. They will play Banham (4/11), London (4/12), Sheffield (4/14), Wolverhampton (4/15) and Edinburgh (4/15). - Noble PR, 4/5/19...... 
The Eagles announced on Apr. 2 they will perform their 1976 album 
The Rolling Stones are reportedly planning to return to the road by this July after after the band was forced to postpone its nine-week "No Filter" tour across the US and Canada when frontman Mick Jagger was told by his doctors that he needs to have a damaged heart valve replaced in early April. The 75-year-old Jagger, who follows a strict diet and exercise regime, is expected to make a complete recovery, as heart valve replacement surgery has a 95% success rate. The rock icon had undergone a routine scan that alerted doctors to an unexpected issue that could require hospital treatment. Despite being ordered to rest, Jagger is said to have told friends he "feels great" and that he is already "bored" of taking it easy. He was spotted on Mar. 31 playing with his youngest son on a beach in Miami and taking it easy ahead of the surgery. Jagger was seen enjoying some family time with two-year-old Deveraux, girlfriend Melanie Hamrick and daughter Georgia May after cancelling the sell-out North American tour which was due to start on Apr. 20. The postponed dates include the Stones' set at New Orlean's Jazz Festival on May 2, as well as the recently added show planned for Canada Day weekend on June 29 in Ontario. Jagger, a father of eight, apologized to fans on Twitter for the cancellation of the tour. "I really hate letting you down like this. I'm devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can. Once again, huge apologies everyone," he posted. In 2016, Jagger pulled out of a show in Las Vegas owing to what was described as "bad laryngitis." Two years earlier, the band cancelled the entire Australasia leg of their world tour due to Jagger's devastation over the suicide of his girlfriend L'Wren Scott. - Billboard/DailyMail.co.uk, 4/1/19...... The Who's long-shelved "Lifehouse" project is to be made into a graphic novel more than four decades after the ambitious rock opera was intended to be released, Who guitarist Pete Townshend announced on Apr. 1. "A graphic novel based on my very first 1970 concept for The Who's abandoned Lifehouse project is perhaps the most exciting creative development in my long career," Townshend said in a statement. "Lifehouse always had a strong and important visual story that was never even touched on. Even by 1971, when Lifehouse was written, it had to be treated as a film script, which was entirely beyond my skill set, and beyond the financial scope of The Who," Townshend continued. "If I had completed my art studies, instead of staying with The Who, I might have made my own graphic novels. I am excited then, with huge anticipation, that at last Lifehouse can be realised visually, and as a story -- part science fiction, part spiritual allegory." Townshend originally wrote the opera as a follow-up to the band's 1969 album Tommy, which was later adapted for stage and screen. But Lifehouse was abandoned in favour of the group's 1971 record, Who's Next. In March, Townshend announced the release of his debut novel, 
Stevie Nicks, Roxy Music, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, The Cure, Radiohead and The Zombies were formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Mar. 29 during an induction ceremony at Barclays Center in New York City. Nicks, already a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer as part of Fleetwood Mac, was inducted as a solo act, and opened the show with her pounding 1983 hit "Stand Back." "This is the original cape from 'Stand Back,'" Nicks pointed out to the crowd. "My frugal mother would've appreciated that." Well, at least eventually. "If she found out how much it cost in 1983 ($3,000), she would've grounded me, even though I was too old to ground." After a duet with the Eagles' Don Henley on "Leather and Lace," the pair's 1981 duet, Nicks welcomed another surprise guest, rising singer Harry Styles, for a duet of "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," originally recorded by Nicks and the late Tom Petty. Nicks closed her set with "Edge of Seventeen," after which Styles returned to the stage to induct her and praise her as the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock Hall for a second time. "She is forever current," Styles said. "'Dreams' was the first song I knew all the words to before I even knew what it meant -- I thought it was a song about the weather," he said to laughter. Also that evening, Bryan Ferry reunited with some of his Roxy Music bandmates including multi-instrumentalist Andy Mackay and guitarist Phil Manzanera for performances of such Roxy classics as "In Every Dream Home A Heartache," "Out Of The Blue," "Love Is The Drug," "More Than This," "Avalon" and "Editions Of You." Former Roxy members Brian Eno and Paul Thompson were not present due to other commitments, however a selection of musicians who have also played with Ferry and the band over the years accompanied Ferry, Mackay and Manzanera, including Chris Spedding, Neil Jason and Fonzi Thornton. "I'd like to thank everybody for this unexpected honor, especially our fans around the world, who've supported us through the years," said Ferry, after the band was inducted by Simon Le Bon and John Taylor of Duran Duran. Def Leppard led and all-star jam to close out the ceremony, which included an all-star jam of Mott the Hoople's 1972 David Bowie-penned song "All the Young Dudes" that included Queen's Brian May; the Zombies' Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent; the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs; "Little" Steven Van Zandt; and Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter. Earlier in the evening, Brian May gave the induction speech for Def Leppard, calling the pop-metal band a "magnificent rock group, in the classic tradition of what a rock group really is." - Billboard/New Musical Express, 3/30/19...... Speaking of Mott the Hoople, the veteran '70s rockers kicked off an 8-date tour of selected U.S. cities on Apr. 1 in Milwaukee. Other dates on the "Mott the Hoople '74" tour include Minneapolis (4/2), Chicago (4/3), Detroit (4/5), Cleveland, Oh. (4/6), Glenside, Penn. (4/8), and Boston (4/9) before wrapping at New York's Beacon Theatre on Apr. 10. Touring with Hunter will be two members of Mott's 1974 incarnation, keyboardist Morgan Fischer and guitarist Ariel Bender, however two key members -- bassist Pete Watts and drummer Dale "Buffin" Griffin -- have died in the last few years, and guitarist-songwriter Mick Ralphs can't appear due to complications from a stroke he suffered in 2017. Hunter was asked if he had any thoughts on turning 80, which happens two months after the tour ends. "I feel great about it! 80 sounds sunshiny and clear and lovely, and 79 sounded all murky. I didn't think I'd make 50, so this is all a bonus," he said. - Billboard, 4/1/19...... The Brach's candy company has announced the release of special "Purple Rain" jelly beans for Easter holiday this year in honor of the late Prince, who died three years ago on Apr. 21, also the date of Easter in 2019. The "Purple Rain Tiny Jelly Bird Eggs" will feature four flavors: berry, blueberry, blue raspberry and grape and be available in 3 oz and 11 oz bags. - Billboard, 3/29/19...... 
Original The Village People member, "cop" Victor Willis, has announced he plans on "rebooting" the famous '70s disco group after years of legal issues have been settled. The "YMCA" hitmakers began life back in 1977, created by French producers Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo. Appearing alongside Willis' policeman alter-ego were the GI, the builder, the cowboy, the biker, and the Native American. After original frontman Willis quit the band back in 1979, he is now looking to bring the Village People back as his own -- with years of legal issues surrounding royalties finally resolved. "There was nothing I could do about it until this legal stuff was straightened out," Willis told the BBC on Mar. 31 of returning to front the group. "And this just happened to be at the 40-year anniversary of Village People. Everything seemed to fall into place where I could say, 'OK, it's time for me to take over the group again.'" Willis added: "Not a reunion, but to reboot the group. To have to get new characters. Then I have to get a band like when Jacques and I first sat down and decided we're going to create this Village People thing." He went on to explain that the new incarnation of the group will be "something that's live" and "real." "And this what I came back to do," he said. Willis won a landmark royalties court case back in 2012, which gave him back partial ownership of a number of Village People tracks. In 2009, he sued a new version of the band for $1 million over image issues. He sought the damages after claiming that his image and voice had been used for new promotional purposes without his consent. Willis recently wrapped up his "40 Years of Disco UK" arena tour. - New Musical Express, 3/31/19...... Elton John is standing by actor George Clooney's call to boycott hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei after the country passed a law that would allow stoning LGBTQ people to death. He was referring to an op-ed Clooney penned for Deadline.com about the Asian nation's law and its Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is instituting the law and happens to be the owner of several luxury hotels around the world. ("On this particular April 3rd the nation of Brunei will begin stoning and whipping to death any of its citizens that are proved to be gay," Clooney wrote. "Let that sink in." "Our hearts go out to the good, hardworking employees of properties owned by the Sultan of Brunei, many of whom we know to be gay," John said. In another tweet, Sir Elton added: "We must send a message, however we can, that such treatment is unacceptable. That's why [my husband] David [Furnish] and I have long refused to stay at these hotels and will continue to do so. We hope you will join us in solidarity." John then provided a list of hotels he's urging others to boycott: The Dorchester in London, 45 Park Lane in London, Coworth Park in the U.K., the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Le Meurice in Paris, Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris, Hotel Eden in Rome and Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan. - Billboard, 3/30/19...... A museum in Tulsa, Okla., will soon open a new Bob Dylan exhibit that will showcase 12 pastel portraits painted by the iconic musician. Tulsa's Gilcrease Museum will display "Bob Dylan: Face Value and Beyond" from May 10 to Sept. 15. The exhibit is filled with pieces from the Bob Dylan Archives, which has more than 100,000 items from his 60-year career. It's the first major show from the archives since it was acquired by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and the University of Tulsa in 2016. The paintings highlight Dylan's multifaceted artistic capabilities, said Michael Chaiken, the archive's curator. "He's best known for his music, but Dylan is also a writer of prose, a filmmaker and someone who has been involved in the visual arts for decades," Chaiken said. "This show is an opportunity to explore all those different avenues of Dylan's creativity." The portraits were first shown in London in 2013. The only time they were on display in the U.S. was during a two-month exhibit in Ohio in 2016. The exhibit will also include handwritten song lyrics, a black leather jacket, an electric guitar and screen tests filmed by Andy Warhol. - AP, 3/30/19...... The Grateful Dead has announced it will reissue its 1969 album 
Motown Records released the previously unheard "lost" Marvin Gaye album,