Posted by Administrator on July 13th, 2014
A new reality series featuring members of Michael Jackson's extended family is set to debut on the cable channel Reelz on November 18. The six-episode show will focus on Alejandra Jackson, the ex-wife of Michael's brother Jermaine Jackson, and her five children. After Michael's death five years ago, they left the Jackson family home in suburban Encino, Calif., a move that a preview clip from the show suggests wasn't their idea. Alejandra Jackson had two children with Randy Jackson -- Genevieve and Randy Jr. -- and then married Randy's brother Jermaine, having sons Jaafar and Jermajesty. Alejandra has raised Donte since he was 2 after he was adopted by Katherine and Joe Jackson. "It's a long story," Alejandra said about her love life. - AP, 7/9/14.
A 50th anniversary Beatles special called The Beatles: The Night That Changed America which was broadcast on CBS in February has scored six Emmy Awards nominations. The special, produced by CBS and AEG Ehrlich Ventures, is up for Outstanding Variety Special and in the categories of direction (Gregg Gelfand), music direction (Don Was), writing (Ken Ehrlich, David Wild), lighting design and sound mixing. In other Beatles-related news, Oscar-winning composer Ken Thorne, who earned a Grammy nomination for writing the incidental score to the 1965 Beatles film Help!, died on July 8 at age 90. Mr. Thorne also won an Oscar for scoring the 1966 musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and went on to receive an Emmy nomination for the 1995 CBS TV movie A Season Of Hope. Mr. Thorne, who was born in England and lived in West Hills, Calif., began playing piano at age five and was a professional musician by 15. His other credits include Superman II, Superman III and The Monkees' comedy Head. - Billboard, 7/10/14.
Charlie Haden, one of the most influential bass players of his generation, died on July 13 after a prolonged illness, according to his family and his record label, ECM. He was 76. Haden made essential recordings with Ornette Coleman's iconic free jazz quartet, trumpeter Don Cherry and drummer Billy Higgins, including albums The Shape of Jazz To Come and Change Of The Century. His solos on tunes like "Lonely Woman" and "Ramblin'" are still remembered, and he also played on the influential Coleman LP, This Is Our Music. In 1997, Haden released a Grammy-winning duet album with Pat Metheny, Beyond The Missouri Sky, and he released over twenty albums as a band leader and appeared on approximately 150 other recordings. - Billboard...... Teenie Hodges, a Memphis, Tennessee musician best known for his work as rhythm and lead guitarist and songwriter on many of Al Green's popular soul hits of the '70s, has died at age 68. Two of his compositions "Take Me to the River" and "Love and Happiness," both co-written with Green, have been covered by numerous other international artists, including Talking Heads, Al Jarreau, Amazing Rhythm Aces, Canned Heat, Foghat, Levon Helm, Tom Jones, and others. He also co-wrote several other popular hits with songwriters like Isaac Hayes, Willie Mitchell, and Green, including "I Take What I Want," "Oh Me, Oh My," "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" and "Full of Fire." In March 2014, Hodges was taken to a Dallas hospital for pneumonia, following an appearance at Austin's South by Southwest music festival. He died there on June 22, 2014, from complications of emphysema. - Wikipedia.com...... John Seigenthaler, a veteran journalist and publisher who was also known as a strong defender of the First Amendment and civil rights, died on July 11 at his home in Nashville, Tenn. He was 86. In his wide-ranging career, Mr. Seigenthaler also served on Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign, founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, edited and then published The Nashville Tennessean newspaper, and helped shaped the pioneering national newspaper USA Today. After he retired from The Tennessean in 1991, Mr. Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt, which aims to "create national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment issues." He was also the father of broadcast journalist John Seigenthaler Jr., who survives him along with his wife, the former Dolores Watson, a professional singer. - AP
On July 3, the director of the beleaguered Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider, along with two of the film's producers, were indicted by a Georgia grand jury on involuntary manslaughter charges following a fatal train crash on the film's set in that state in February, which led to the death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. Producer Jody Savin and executive producer Jay Sedrish are charged with involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass and could face 10 years in prison, according to a statement from the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office. Filming on Midnight Rider, which was being made by Uunclaimed Freight Productions, was suspended in the aftermath of the train tragedy, and actor William Hurt -- who was due to play Allman -- pulled out of the production. Seven other crew members were also injured in the incident, which is reported to have taken place while filming a dream sequence that involved a bed being placed on the railway tracks. - Billboard, 7/4/14.
In the July 3 episode of the popular game show Jeopardy! an entire category was devoted to Bruce Springsteen. The Springsteen-related themes included "Born in the U.S.A.," "Glory Days," "Cover Me," "The Ghost of Tom Joad," and "The 'E' Street Band," and one category dealt exclusively with the singer himself. While Springsteen has no live shows scheduled for the immediate future, on July 9 he will release Hunter of Invisible Game, a short film he co-directed with longtime collaborator Thom Zinny. He recently paused his vacation in Portugal to appear with the Rolling Stones for a rendition of "Tumbling Dice." - Rolling Stone, 7/4/14.
Blondie have announced two UK shows this summer, at the Bristol O2 Academy on Aug. 19 and the Leicester O2 Academy on Aug. 20. The gigs will follow the release of the recent two-disc Blondie 4(0) Ever which is made up of a greatest hits album alongside the band's new LP Ghosts Of Download. It was their first release since 2011's Panic Of Girls. Blondie recently played UK dates in London and Sheffield at the end of June, and also co-headlined the legendary Glastonbury Festival. In February, the band was honoured at the NME Awards with Austin, Tex. They were named Godlike Genius at this year's event, which took place on Feb. 26, where they performed a career-spanning set. - New Musical Express, 7/5/14.
The Who announced on June 30 they'll kick off a "Hits 50" anniversary tour of the UK on Nov. 26 in Dublin, Ireland. "It's an 'Amazing Journey' through their entire career from the days of the 'High Numbers' to classic albums such as Who's Next, Tommy, Quadrophenia, My Generation, Live at Leeds up to the present day," reads the official announcement. "We cannot keep going on doing these month after month-long, extended tours," vocalist Roger Daltrey said in an interview with Billboard. "It's extremely hard, hard work," the 70-year-old Daltrey added. "When we take civilians, as I call them, on the road with us they usually last about 10 days and they're exhausted, just by the grind of it. So we have to be realistic. The band got better reviews on their last tour (2012-13's Quadrophenia & More) than we had for years. It was incredibly enjoyable. But it was incredibly exhausting, and we have to be realistic about our age." Guitarist Pete Townshend, who promised the trek will include hits, picks, mixes and misses" from the group's history, noted that he's also "under no illusions" about the Who's elder statesman status in rock: "We are what we are, and extremely good at it, but we're lucky to be alive and still touring. If I had enough hairs to split I would say that, for 13 years since 1964, the Who didn't really exist, so we are really only 37." And while Daltrey hints it may be the final Who tour, he says "it's not going to be the last things the Who will do." "We're going to be doing events. We're going to be doing shows. We've always been there for charity shows; when people are in trouble and need a band for a charity show, we can do it. That's not going to change. But it won't be those long, extended tours." The Who's Dublin date will be followed by shows in Belfast (11/28), Glasgow (11/30), Leeds (12/2), Nottingham (12/5), Birmingham (12/7), Newcastle (12/9), Liverpool (12/11), Manchester (12/13) and Cardiff (12/15), before wrapping in London's O2 Arena on Dec. 17. A North American tour is expected during 2015, and Townshend and Daltrey are reportedly working on new material, which could be finished and out even before this year's dates. - Billboard, 7/1/14.
After recently issuing a stamp honoring guitar god Jimi Hendrix, the United States Postal Service has unveiled details of a new stamp honoring Janis Joplin. According to the stamp news website Linns.com, the Joplin stamp will be released this August and will feature the iconic blues-rock singer smiling and wearing shades surrounded by a psychedelic background and lettering evoking the popular font of the 1960s. "Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was a groundbreaking singer whose powerful, bluesy voice propelled her to the pinnacle of rock stardom," a biographical description of the 16-stamp sheet says. "An icon of the 1960s, she was known for her uninhibited and soulful performances. Joplin is now recognized as one of the greatest rock singers of all time, as well as a pioneer who paved the way for other women in rock music." No information on the specific date in August and location of the stamp issue has been announced. Joplin, who was born in Port Arthur, Tex., and would have turned 71 this year, and Hendrix are the latest subjects to join the USPS's "Music Icons" series, which had previously honored Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Tejano songstress Lydia Mendoza in 2012. The USPS has also revealed that it may issue stamps honoring such famous musicians as John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Bill Monroe, Sarah Vaughan and Tammy Wynette. A James Brown stamp and a re-release of the immensely popular 1993 Elvis Presley will be released in 2015. - Rolling Stone, 6/30/14.
As he plans to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin in November to discuss Russia's oppressive policies toward gay people, Elton John told Britain's Sky News on June 30 that "Jesus Christ would approve of gay marriage." "If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him -- as the Christian person that he was and the great person that he was -- saying this could not happen," said John. "He was all about love, compassion, forgiveness and trying to bring people together. That's what the church should be about." Discussing how organised religion had improved its attitudes to homosexuality, John said he saw "signs of hope" in the more tolerant views expressed by Pope Francis and Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. But he said the Church of England's refusal to allow gay clergy to marry was "old and stupid." Elton added that he isn't sure if his meeting with Pres. Putin will do any good, "but unless you build a bridge, it's no good putting up a wall and saying 'I'm not talking to these people.' The only thing that gets solved is by talking to people." John and his partner David Furnish had a civil rights ceremony in 2005, and Elton has announced they may get married in 2015. "It'll be very quiet and off the cuff," he said. "We had our big shebang when we had our civil union," said John, who kicks off a mainland European tour in Spain on July 4. - New Musical Express, 6/30/14.
Ozzy Osbourne is currently at the center of a campaign to get him knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and the Black Sabbath singer says that he "can't imagine anything better" than receiving the honor. "I've heard about that. Getting knighted? I can't imagine anything better," the 65-year-old Osbourne told London's Time Out magazine. "And my wife [Sharon Osbourne] would become a Lady, which would be pretty cool. But I'm not gonna get upset if it doesn't happen. I never thought I'd get further than Aston [in Birmingham, England, where he was born]." Ozzy fan Helen Maidiotis, who created the The Knighthood of Ozz' campaign, argues a knighthood is "well deserved and long overdue" for Osbourne. Osbourne also revealed to the mag that he's shocked his career has managed to last almost half a century, admitting he believed it would only go on for a "couple of years" at best: "I don't [look back], but I guess I should a bit more. Because I know when I had my first successful album with Sabbath I thought, 'Oh this is great, this will last a couple of years. I'll just get drunk every night and have a few chicks in my room'. And here I am, 45 years down the road and I'm doing better than ever. I haven't always been on top of the world " there have been bad times as well " but you don't just give up at the first sign of choppy waters: you carry on rowing." In June, Osbourne said during a press conference that there is a possibility of a new Black Sabbath album, saying that the band "just wanna finish this tour and then we'll see." - New Musical Express, 6/29/14.
The Beatles' acclaimed 1964 movie A Hard Day's Night is returning to American theaters on the first weekend in July, starting July 4 and continuing throughout the summer. In June, a 
Two boxes of rare Bob Dylan acetates from around 1969-70 have been discovered in a New York City apartment building at 124 W. Houston St. in Greenwich Village that was once used by the rock 'n' roll legend. Jeff Gold, proprietor of Recordmecca and a longtime collector/dealer/historian, took to his website on July 1 to detail this once-in-a-lifetime find -- two boxes containing 149 acetates from Dylan's Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait and New Morning albums, all produced by Bob Johnston between 1969-1970 for Columbia Records. Gold says he purchased the trove of unreleased mixes, recordings and sequences (some with Dylan-written notes on them) from the executor of the estate of the late owner of a NYC building being prepared for sale. While doing a final scan of the building, the man found boxes labeled "Old Records" in a closet in a semi-hidden loft above the bedroom. A source close to Dylan's camp says that, "While it's unknown how those actetates came to be in the hands of others, everything that is on them definitely also exists in original form on reel-to-reel tape and is securely held in the vaults. Most of that material in fact, was released on Another Self-Portrait last year." Gold says he has provided transfers of all the discovered music to Dylan's representatives. He has also made a few of the acetates, including an alternate version of Skyline, available for sale on recordmecca.com. - Billboard, 7/2/14.
Jeff Beck has been forced to cancel his European tour in order to receive "emergency medical attention." The legendary rock guitarist was scheduled to begin the second leg of his tour in Austria on June 27, but now says he has been advised by his doctors not to perform for the next six weeks. "It is with the greatest regret that Jeff Beck has been forced to cancel the forthcoming European dates of his worldwide tour, set to begin in Austria on 27 June," reads the statement on Beck's official website. "Following many months of international touring and after seeking emergency medical attention, Jeff will now undertake a short hospital procedure and his doctors have instructed a complete break from performance for a total of six weeks. Following the treatment, Jeff will fulfil his US tour commitments beginning in Missoula MT on 8 August. He sends his profound apologies to those fans who had bought tickets for the European concerts and very much looks forward to playing for his American audiences after he has completed his treatment." The musician will begin his month-long co-headlining US tour with ZZ Top in Missoula, Montana, on August 8, where the band will perform a collaboration at the end of each night's show. In related news, Neil Young and Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot suffered a mild stroke in late June and will not be able to perform with the band on their upcoming European tour. "Talbot's doctors expect him to make a full recovery," the group said in a statement. "They have advised Talbot to sit this tour out and recover his strength." Neil Young's longtime bassist Rick Rosas will play in his place. Talbot is a founding member of Crazy Horse and hasn't missed a single gig with the group since their formation in 1968. Young and Crazy Horse begin their European tour July 7th in Reykjavik, Iceland. They currently have no North American dates scheduled. - New Musical Express/Rolling Stone, 6/29/14.
Mick Jagger's son James Jagger is set to star in a new HBO drama series co-produced by his famous rocker dad and acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese. The as-yet-untitled series will focus on the New York music scene of the 1970s, showcasing the development of punk and disco through the eyes of fictional record company executive Richie. The cocaine-addicted exec will be played by Bobby Cannavale, who portrayed gangster Gyp Rosetti in the Scorsese-produced HBO series Boardwalk Empire. James Jagger will play the singer of fictional punk band Nasty Bits. Jagger attended the same high-school drama class in New York as Twilight actor Robert Pattinson. His previous acting roles include parts in Ian Dury biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and Howard Marks biopic Mr Nice. In other Stones-related news, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts have filmed a sketch mocking the Rolling Stones as part of Monty Python's press conference ahead of their "Monty Python Live (Mostly)" shows. The surviving members of Monty Python started their 10 shows at London's O2 on July 1. They announced at the press conference in central London that astrophysicists Stephen Hawking and Brian Cox will appear in filmed new sketches as part of the show. - New Musical Express, 6/30/14.
Former 
Innovative and versatile director Paul Mazursky, known for such films as Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, 
Soul legend Bobby Womack, known for hits including "Lookin' for a Love," "That's The Way I Feel About Cha," "Woman's Gotta Have It," "Harry Hippie" and "Across 110th Street," died on June 26 while battling colon cancer and diabetes. He was 70. The son of two musicians, Womack began his career as a member of the gospel group Curtis Womack and The Womack Brothers with his siblings Curtis, Harry, Cecil and Friendly Jr. After leaving the group in 1965, Womack became a session musician, playing guitar on several albums, including Aretha Franklin's landmark Lady Soul before releasing his debut album, Fly Me to the Moon, in 1968. A string of successful R&B albums would follow, including Understanding and Across 110th Street, both released in 1972, 1973's Facts of Life and 1974's Lookin for a Love Again. In 1989, Womack sang on Todd Rundgren's "For the Want of a Nail" on his album Nearly Human and in 1998, performed George Gershwin's "Summertime" with The Roots for the Red Hot Organization's Red Hot + Rhapsody benefit album. Womack enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, appearing on the band Gorillaz' track "Stylo" from their third album, Plastic Beach. This association with Damon Albarn led to him producing Womack's acclaimed 2012 album The Bravest Man In The Universe, which his first release in over a decade. Womack toured extensively with Gorillaz and appeared at Glastonbury Festival in 2013, and was in the process of recording the follow-up, tentatively titled The Best Is Yet to Come, reportedly featuring contributions by Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart and Snoop Dogg, at the time of his death. Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Womack's health had suffered in recent years; he'd been treated for colon cancer and in 2013 told fans he had "signs of Alzheimers." The Rolling Stones, whose association with Womack dates back to 1964 when they released a cover of the Womack song "It's All Over Now," posted a message on their website in honor of Womack. "Bobby Womack was a huge influence on us. He was a true pioneer of soul and R&B, whose voice and songwriting touched millions. On stage, his presence was formidable. His talents put him up there with the greats. We will remember him, first and foremost, as a friend." - Rolling Stone/The Hollywood Reporter, 6/27/14.
In a new interview with Uncut magazine, Eric Clapton hints at retirement, saying "the road has become unbearable." "It's become unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere. It's hostile -- everywhere: getting in and out of airports, traveling on planes and in cars," the legendary 69-year-old guitarist says. Clapton also suggested he is likely to spend more time in the studio in the coming years. "There are tons of things I'd like to do, but I'm looking at retirement too," he said. "What I'll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio. I don't want to go off the boil to the point where I'm embarrassing myself." When asked if he plans to stop playing guitar altogether, Clapton replied, "Maybe. It might be that I can't, if it hurts too much. I have odd ailments." Clapton also discussed the possibility of a Cream reunion with the magazine, but from his comments, the prospect of getting the band back together seems highly unlikely. "I haven't spoken to Jack [Bruce] or Ginger [Baker] for quite a time," he said. "I don't think there's been any line of dialogue between any of us -- or between me and them, that is to say -- since the American affair [the trio's Madison Square Garden shows in 2005]. "After that I was pretty convinced that we had gone as far as we could without someone getting killed," he continued. "At this time in my life, I don't want blood on my hands! I don't want to be part of some kind of tragic confrontation." Clapton's latest remarks come after an interview with Rolling Stone in 2013, when he told the magazine: "When I'm 70, I'll stop. I won't stop playing or doing one-offs, but I'll stop touring, I think." - Rolling Stone, 6/27/14.
As Genesis is apparently planning to temporarily reunite in 2016 for a new documentary for the BBC, former member Phil Collins has just donated his massive collection of The Battle of the Alamo artifacts to the historic site in San Antonio, Texas. "I've had a love affair with this place since I was about 5 years old," Collins said in an interview with the AP at the site, noting his fascination with the famous battle where 1,500 Mexican troops laid siege to 200 Texans began with the Walt Disney miniseries Davy Crockett. "It was something that I used to go and play in the garden with my soldiers." Collins will pay to have the items shipped to San Antonio, and while some of them will be on display as soon as October, a new building to house much of the collection will be constructed in the near future. Among the items in Collins' collection are a rifle and leather shot pouch owned by Davy Crockett, as well as a pair of powder horns the folk hero supposedly gave to a a Mexican officer before his death. Collins said that his favorite item was a receipt for a saddle bought by John W. Smith, a messenger who rode through Mexican lines in hopes of securing reinforcements. The musician also promised to keep collecting, adding "once I've lived with whatever I buy for a month, I'll ship it over here." In 2012, Collins even authored a book about his fascination with the Alamo, The Alamo and Beyond: A Collector's Journey. - Rollng Stone, 6/26/14.
Crosby, Stills & Nash have announced they will revive their "covers project" album soon after they finish third leg of their 36-date concert tour, which concludes Oct. 4 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. The project, begun in 2010 with producer Rick Rubin, came to an abrupt halt in the summer of 2012 after they had finished recording seven songs. The trio has since reconvened and re-recorded five of the songs. The trio loved the idea of a covers album when it was pitched to them by Sony A&R executive Jay Landers, and among the songs that made the cut were Lennon & McCartney's "Norwegian Wood," Bob Dylan's "Girl From North Country," and Tim Hardin's "Reason to Believe." "We did seven songs and none of them excited us," says Nash, 72. "Sony owns those seven songs that they have no right to release. We went back to the studio in Santa Monica and started over and we've got five we really like." The trio, along with sometime bandmate Neil Young, will release 
Robert Plant has just announced details of a new album with his band The Sensational Shape Shifters. Titled 
Paul McCartney released a video statement concerning his recent illness and hospitalization on June 24, telling fans "I feel great" in the wake of his recent illness. "Everybody's been asking how I'm feeling " I feel great, thank you very much for asking| feeling great, rocking and rolling", said the former Beatles member in the video. Ringo Starr also recently offered a health update on McCartney. Speaking to Access Hollywood, Starr confirmed that his Beatles bandmate was recovering at home having been discharged from hospital. "I spoke to him in the hospital," said Starr. "He picked up and said 'hi.' He's doing OK. He was in hospital but now he's out and getting fit and ready to rock. He's doing good. I text him and he texts me back." Earlier in June, McCartney was struck down by a virus which saw him hospitalised in Tokyo, Japan. He subsequently postponed a series of shows in Lubbock, Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Nashville and Louisville on his "Out There" tour, which have now been rearranged for October. - New Musical Express, 6/25/14.
A draft of Bob Dylan's lyrics for his groundbreaking 1965 song "Like a Rolling Stone" sold for $2.045 million at auction on June 24. The lyrics were sold to an unidentified bidder at auction house Sotheby's, who called the sale a "world record for a popular music manuscript." Written in pencil on four sheets of hotel stationary, Sotheby's described the item as "the only known surviving draft of the final lyrics for this transformative rock anthem." Still, the sheets do feature some lyrics that didn't make the final cut, including the phrase, "dry vermouth/You'll tell the truth" and an abandoned line about Al Capone. The lyrics also show Dylan's various attempts to build a rhyme off of the "How does it feel" line with phrases like, "it feels real," "does it feel real," "get down and kneel," "raw deal" and "shut up and deal." The draft -- written at the Roger Smith Hotel in Washington D.C. -- also boasts some of Dylan's stray thoughts and doodles. The item was already expected to fetch between $1 million and $2 million at Sotheby's rock and pop sale, dubbed, "History of Rock and Roll From Presley to Punk." While the seller was not identified, the auction house called him a "longtime fan from California" who bought the manuscript directly from Dylan. - Rolling Stone, 6/24/14.
Former U.S. senator Howard Baker, a one-time towering political figure in Washington who also served several presidents and famously asked during the 
In related news, veteran actor Eli Wallach passed away on June 24 at age 98 due to causes unknown. Mr. Wallach is best known to a generation of moviegoers from two iconic roles: Calvera, the leader of the frontier thugs who terrorize a Mexican village in The Magnificent Seven (1960); and Tuco, the "ugly" of Sergio Leone's epic "spaghetti Western" The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). A Brooklynite and son of Polish immigrants who graduated from the University of Texas and later studied at the Actors Studio beside a host of heavy-hitter theater actors and movie stars including Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Paul Newman, Mr. Wallach made over 90 films and was one of the last living links to the single most fertile period of American acting. After serving as a medic in World War II, the 5-foot-7 Mr. Wallach returned to New York and landed his first Broadway part in 1945. Within the next few years, he rose to become a fixture on the New York stage and began doing live TV. His other notable film credits include Baby Doll (1956), The Misfits, opposite Monroe and Clark Gable (1961), Lord Jim (1965), How to Steal a Million (1966), 
"We hadn't taken the next step, which is to reach out to the Beatles. The proposal is still on the table." Earlier in June, it was reported that Michael Hirst, who has previously acted as executive producer on The Tudors, will produce a series on The Fab Four for NBC, but Bandier says "NBC couldn't produce a show without the songs, and we can't produce a show without approaching the Beatles for their likeness rights." Meanwhile a competing project called The Fifth Beatle, about Beatles manager Brian Epstein, has been in development for years and has been granted access to the Lennon/ McCartney archives. In related news, a company named Epic Rights has just secured a worldwide licensing, global branding and rights management agreement with John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono to develop a worldwide initiative encompassing the career of her late husband. 
Epic Rights will develop two new programs for the John Lennon legacy: the John Lennon Classic brand for products featuring the artist's name, likeness and signature; and the Bag One Arts brand based on drawings by John Lennon from rare archival sketches. These drawings encompass the years 1964 through 1980 and celebrate human love and communication, including his iconic and instantly recognizable self-portrait. Meanwhile John Lennon's eldest son Julian Lennon is set to release his first-ever box set with Everything Changes (Music from Another Room) on Sept. 10. The four-disc set includes three editions of his recent studio release, Everything Changes, including studio, acoustic and instrumental versions as well as the documentary, Through the Picture Window. It will also include a 36-page booklet and a two-picture vinyl disc set, as well as a limited edition run of 1000, which will be numbered and include a signed certificate from Lennon. - Billboard/Beatlesradio.com/The Hollywood Reporter, 6/21/14.
Elton John paid tribute to Casey Kasem on the final night of the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn., on June 15 by dedicating his performance of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to the late radio legend, who passed away earlier in the day. "I'm a British guy who came to America in 1970 and just loved every second of it. And there was one guy on the radio I used to listen to all the time who passed away today," Elton told a near-capacity crowd before launching into his soulful classic from his 1974 LP Caribou. "So I want to dedicate this song to Casey Kasem. Travel safely, my angel." John's many hit singles were a fixture on Kasem's weekly Top 40 countdown show; in fact, Kasem and John both saw their careers rise together as Kasem's America's Top 40 show debuted in July 1970, two months before Elton released his first major single "Your Song." Kasem was laid to rest in a private memorial in Los Angeles on June 21, with around 100 of his family and close friends in attendance. Radio broadcasts were played during the ceremony, which also featured speeches from his children. Pop music arranger David Campbell brought the mourners to tears with an emotional performance of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns" on violin. Kasem died of complications from dementia at age 82 on June 15. - Rolling Stone/WENN.com 6/22/14.
In a new interview with the UK's Daily Mail newspaper, former Police frontman Sting opened up about the inspiration of his latest solo album, The Last Ship, and the last conversation he had with his dying father -- while also reflecting on his own mortality and how that manifests in his art. "I have lived more of my life than is to come: That is an interesting place for an artist -- more interesting than writing about your first girlfriend," he says. "It is kind of serious... In our sixties, how do we face this imponderable idea that we are not going to exist anymore? We make art. We tell stories. We have to face it, to tell it. I am certainly not ready for death. Do I fear it? Well, I fear sudden death. I want to die consciously. I want to see the process. I suppose I already do." Sting also revealed that he smokes marijuana occasionally as a creative catalyst. "If I'm feeling stuck on a lyric or an idea isn't quite gelling, sometimes a puff of weed will free it up," but notes that he "rarely smoke(s) it socially." Sting says he's also adamant the his six kids -- Eliot, Joe, Mickey, Jake, Fuchsia, and Giacomo -- won't inherit his estate, which is worth an estimated $288 million. "I told them there won't be much money left because we are spending it! We have a lot of commitments. What comes in we spend, and there isn't much left," he said, adding that trust funds would be like "albatrosses round their necks." "They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate," he said. - Rolling Stone/WENN.com, 6/23/14.
Grand Ole Opry legend Jimmy C. Newman, known for such Cajun-influenced country hits as "Alligator Man," died on June 21 in a Nashville hospital following a brief illness. He was 86. Starting his career as a mainstream country performer, Mr. Newman moved to a Cajun direction in the 1970s, becoming one of the most respected artists in the genre. Born Aug. 29, 1927 in Mamou, La., Mr. Newman grew up listening to the Cajun music of his area, but was also enamored with cowboy music and what was known as "Hillbilly Music." He started playing music during his teenage years, cutting some sides for the Future label in the 1940s. With the support of legendary songwriter Fred Rose, Mr. Newman signed a contract with Dot Records in 1953, and the following year his No. 4 country song "Cry, Cry, Darling" established him as a hit-maker and became the first of 33 country chart singles over the next 17 years. He became a member of the Louisiana Hayride on KWKH, staying there until the Grand Ole Opry beckoned with an invitation of membership in 1956. With the WSM and Nashville promotional machine firmly behind him as an Opry member, Mr. Newman notched his biggest hit in 1957 with "A Fallen Star," which peaked at No. 2 on the country chart and crossed over to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Mr. Newman continued to play to his devoted fans -- both on the road and at the Grand Ole Opry -- for the rest of his life, celebrating his golden anniversary as an Opry member in 2006. His final album, Jimmy C. Newman Sings Swamp Country, was released in 2012. - Billboard, 6/22/14.
A holographic image of Michael Jackson performing onstage during the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nev., has triggered a new lawsuit. In the days leading up to the spectacle, Hologram USA, owned by firebrand entrepreneur Alki David, attempted to stop it by claiming it infringed patented hologram technology that he had exclusively licensed. The Billboard Awards performance was allowed to happen, but the dispute is hardly over after Pulse Evolution, whose animators and technicians spent many months preparing the show, filed a $10 million lawsuit on June 19. In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Pulse attacked Alki David as a "charlatan who had no involvement whatsoever in the development of the Michael Jackson animation." The move follows David's own lawsuit, which originally named Prometheus Global Media, parent of Billboard Music Awards producer Dick Clark Productions, among the defendants. In other Jackson-related news, a 3D musical movie starring the late King of Pop called Captain EO has temporarily closed at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and might be gone for good. Disney has said that EO is "expected to return at a later date," though some Disney fan blogs -- including DlandLive and Mice Chat -- are speculating this could be the end of EO. The Tokyo Disneyland equivalent of the show recently announced the permanent closure of their Captain EO Tribute, which will close on June 30. - The Hollywood Reporter/Billboard, 6/20/14.
The condition of Glen Campbell has reportedly deteriorated to the point where the country/pop icon needs full-time professional care, according to his wife Kim. Kim Campbell has decided to place her husband in a long-term care facility and on June 20 responded publicly for the first time to criticism from Campbell's eldest daughter Debby. In an email to The Associated Press, Kim Campbell wrote that doctors persuaded her earlier this spring to discontinue care at the family's home, which drew criticism from Debby. "It is crushingly sad to see him afflicted with Alzheimer's but indulging those feelings does not help him," Campbell wrote, adding, "I am his wife and no one wants him home more than me but I must do what is in his best interest." Debby Campbell told Country Weekly magazine in mid-June that she objected to the move and that she and Campbell's eldest children heard about it through news media reports. She also said she did not believe family members in Nashville, where the Country Music Hall of Fame member now lives, were spending enough time with him. Campbell, 78, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011. He issued two albums and went on a world tour following the diagnosis. At the time, Kim Campbell said the tour was a way to help her husband combat the brain-ravaging disease and spend time with his family members, including Debby, who made up his band and traveled with him. Glen Campbell has eight children, including three with Kim Campbell, his wife of 32 years. She says she spends time with her husband every day and that two of his children who live in Nashville visit weekly. Beyond that, she says she organizes activities for the Grammy Award-winning singer of such hits as 
Merry Clayton, the "Gimme Shelter" backup singer whose story was featured in the documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, was badly injured in a major car accident in Los Angeles on June 16. "Merry sustained severe injuries to her lower body, including major trauma to her lower extremities. We are truly grateful that our dear Merry is still with us," reads a statement posted on her official website. The statement continues: "She has a long road of recovery ahead and we thank you all for your prayers as we link arms together with faith and the Lord's strength for her rapid healing. For all that know her personally, and those that have been blessed by her God-given talents, please know that her spirit is very strong and her faith unwavering. Her voice is not silenced and His praises continue to be on her lips." Clayton's powerhouse vocals have made an impact on a wide variety of musicians, from Ray Charles (whom she supported as a teenaged Raelette) to Carole King, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young. The most famous use of her voice came on her contribution to the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter," where she sings the line, "Rape! Murder! It's just a shot away." The success of the Academy Award-winning 20 Feet From Stardom brought renewed attention to Clayton's talents, and a compilation of her 1970s solo work called The Best Of Merry Clayton came out in June 2013. - Rolling Stone, 6/22/14.
AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson posted a message on his website on June 19 thanking his fans for supporting his new TV series, Cars That Rock (which airs on the Quest channel in the UK.) The post also casually drops that it "looks very likely" that AC/DC will be touring sometime this year. This follows an appearance on a Palm Beach, Florida radio station back in February, in which Johnson said the band was hoping to play a series of 40 shows to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Johnson's offhand announcement didn't mention whether rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young would be joining the tour. Back in April, Young announced that he was in "ill health" and taking a break from AC/DC. While Young doesn't have the iconic stature of Johnson or his brother Angus Young, his unflashy, rock-solid rhythm playing is an essential element of the group's sound -- and along with Angus, he's one of the only two members of the band who's been a member through all four decades. - Entertainment Weekly, 6/19/14.