108 - April 26, 2012: former Commodores leader Lionel Ritchie; The Rolling Stones; Taylor Swift as Joni Mitchell; Mexican rockers Man'a; Chris Cornell & Soundgarden; former Bee Gee Robin Gibb; Neil Diamond; Willie Nelson; Cheap Trick & Dave Mason; The Beach Boys; Ron Wood & Friends; Flying Burrito Brothers' Chris Ethridge; Bob Dylan on Levon Helm; Thee Midnighters - and more!

Lionel Ritchie’s first No. 1 CD in 26 years

Lionel Ritchie’s new country album, “Tuskegee,” is at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart. It’s his first No. 1 here in 26 years, since his quadruple-platinum album “Dancing on the Ceiling” went to the top of the pop album chart in 1986. It’s also No. 1 on the Country and the Digital album charts.

“Tuskegee” sees the smooth 62-year-old R&B and pop star re-record his hits country-style with help from the likes of Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Rascal Flatts, fellow crossover guy-former Hootie and The Blowfish leader Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and Kenny Rogers, who duets on the Ritchie-penned “Lady,” that Rogers took to No. 1 in 1980, a song Billboard lists at No. 47 on its All Time Top 100.

Surprisingly, Ritchie is not capitalizing on his hit album with a big tour. In fact, he doesn’t have a single upcoming U.S. concert scheduled for the remainder of the year. Instead, he’ll be in Britain and Europe touring, but not until September 24. That tour runs through December 6.

Film talk: The Stones & Taylor Swift as Joni Mitchell

Variety reports that Taylor Swift is actively engaged in talks to portray Joni Mitchell in the film version of Sheila Weil’s biography, “Girls Like Us,” that charts the lives and careers of Carole King, Carly Simon and Mitchell during the ‘70s.

The Rolling Stones will be the subject of a dramatic film based on Robert Greenfield’s 2008 book, “Exile on Main Street: A Season in Hell” to be produced by Richard Branson’s Virgin Produced film company, according to Deadline Hollywood.

The film and book are about the summer of 1971 when the band became tax exiles and fled Britain for a chateau in the south of France, which is where the lion’s share of their classic album, “Exile on Main Street,” was recorded. The film will shine its spotlight on the difficult relationship at the time between band leaders Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who began using heroin on a daily basis while there.

The band set up its recording studio in the chateau’s basement. Of this setup, Richards told Rolling Stone magazine, “It wasn’t a great environment for, like, breathing. It was very Hitler-esque – the last days of Berlin sort of thing.”

Urban newest Opry member

New Zealand-born and Australia raised Keith Urban is the newest country star to be inducted into Nashville’s hallowed Grand Ole Opry. Since his recording career began in 1990, the singer has lassoed six platinum and multi-platinum albums and nine gold singles. 

Of his induction, Urban said, “This is a responsibility I take deep to the heart of me. This once and for all shows the global popularity and reach of country music. I honor the history of country music, but I absolutely fully dedicate myself to the future of country music.”

Man’a breaks Staples record

Veteran Mexican rockers Man’a did something that Madonna, U2 and countless others haven’t. The four-time Grammy-winning quartet that formed in Guadalajara in 1986 just played eleven sold-out shows at the Staples Center in Downtown L.A., according to KABC-7.

Alex Gonzales, the 43-year-old drummer, who is al known as El Animal, said, “It’s a tremendous honor to say that this beautiful building is not only the home to the Lakers, but now it’s the Man’a house. We don’t have a huge marketing machine behind us. All we have is our music and our talent.”

The group’s latest album, “Drama y Luz,” that was released last April has gone double-platinum and won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Three singles from the album hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Tracks chart.

First Soundgarden single of new music in 15 years

Seattle grunge rock pioneers Soundgarden has released its first single of new music in 15 years (the band released two remixed singles of 20-year-old outtakes when they re-grouped in 2010). All four band members receive songwriting credit. “Live to Rise” will appear on the upcoming soundtrack album for “Marvel’s The Avengers.” It’s available exclusively for download on iTunes. The group’s last single, singer Chris Cornell’s “Bleed Together,” made it to No. 13 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1997, the year it broke up.

Robin Gibb awakens from coma

Former Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, 62, awakened for a coma after nearly two weeks. He fell into the coma after contracting pneumonia in a hospital in central London, reports the U.K.’s Daily Mail.

Shortly before he awakened, his fellow Bee Gees brother Barry, sang to him at his bedside, and he cried when his wife, Dwina, played him Roy Orbison’s 1961 tear-jerker ballad, “Crying.” His three kids were also playing him his favorite music. Eventually he awakened, opened his eyes, looked his 28-year-old son Robin-John and said, “Hello, RJ.”

“Robin is fully conscious, lucid and is able to speak to his loved ones. He is breathing on his own, with an oxygen mask,” his gastroenterologist, Andrew Thillainayagam, said in a statement.

He’s been battling colorectal cancer and received aggressive chemo for it. He also underwent two surgeries.

Neil Diamond ties knot; “I do,” he says.

In a ceremony in Los Angeles, Neil Diamond, 71, married his manager, Katie McNeil, 42, according to People. It was Diamond’s third marriage and McNeil’s first.

Diamond’s upcoming American tour kicks off June 1 in Sunrise, Florida, and includes five hot August nights at the Greek Theatre in L.A. from August 11-25, with stops at the Cricket Amphitheatre in Chula Vista on August 14 and the Honda Center in Anaheim on August 21 in between. At the Greek, Diamond will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his double-platinum live 2-LP, “Hot August Nights,” that he recorded at the venue.

Willie Nelson statue

Before a crowd that included his old friend Kris Kristofferson, Austin-area rancher and country music legend Willie Nelson helped to unveil an 8-foot statue of himself on Willie Nelson Blvd., in downtown Austin, reports the Associated Press. The bronze statue shows the singer sitting on a rock, thoughtful and smiling, resting his arm against his beloved beat-up old guitar, Trigger, that he’s used for decades.

To commemorate the event that coincidentally took place on 4/20, the unofficial but widely practiced Marijuana Appreciation Day, Nelson, who turns 79 next week, serenaded the adoring throng that included a woman on horseback with, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”

Mayor Lee Leffingwell said, “No one has done more to make Austin the Live Music Capitol of the World.”

New releases

Among the recent new albums, re-issues and deluxe box sets are the 2-CD, “New Blood Live in London” from Peter Gabriel; “Satchurated: Live in Montreal: from guitar wizard Joe Satriani; “Blues for the Modern Daze,” from former Canned Heat and John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers guitar great Walter Trout; “Nashville 1: Tear the Woodpile,” from Grand Ole Opry member Marty Stuart; Carole King’s “The Legendary  Demos”; and a 2-CD/1DVD set, “Live At The Moody Theater,” from The Warren Haynes Band.

There are two new Monkees releases out. A CD/DVD set, “Pool It!: The Deluxe Edition,” from The Monkees; and “The Bell Recordings 1971-72,” from Davy Jones’ immediate post-Monkees years.

New DVDs include Joe Jackson’s “Rockpalast” and a compilation, “The Story of Rock and Roll Comics.”

Earth Day in DC

Earth Day events were held around the world. In Washington DC, the Earth Day Network sponsored a free rain-dampened concert on the Mall headlined by Cheap Trick and former Traffic singer-guitarist Dave Mason. Up and coming teen popsters Kicking Daisies also performed.

Beach Boys album & singles release dates set

The as-yet-untitled album by The Beach Boys will be released June 5, according to a video announcement by the group and Capitol Records.

It’s the first album of new songs by the four main surviving members of The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston) since their self-titled album, simply called “The Beach Boys,” in 1985, and the first with original guitarist David Marks since the group’s fourth album, the platinum-selling, “Little Deuce Coupe,” came out in October 1963.

The album’s first single, “That’s Why God Made The Radio,” will also come out that day. Portions of the song, a slow dancing ‘50s doo-wop tune, can be heard on YouTube under “The Beach Boys – Single Sizzle Reel.”

The guys recorded a live in-studio performance with interviews that will air on May 26 on SiriusXM radio that saw them run through classic hits as well as songs from the new album.

The re-united band launched its first tour with Wilson in a couple decades this week in Tucson. The tour stops at the Hollywood Bowl on June 2 and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine on June 2.

Ron Wood & Friends in Atlantic City

Faces and Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood headlined a one-off concert billed as “Ron Wood and Friends” at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It was the guitarist’s first American solo gig, if you don’t count his 18 concerts in 1979 fronting The New Barbarians in which Keith Richards, fusion bass superstar Stanley Clarke and Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan, Stones saxman Bobby Keyes and drummer Ziggy Modeliste of The Meters; and a 1987-88 tour he co-headlined with Bo Diddley as The Gunslingers, that played, among other venues, Magic Mountain in Valencia. 

Wood and an unknown band ripped through a potpourri of songs from throughout a career that dates to 1968 when he was bassist in The Jeff Beck Group, including The Faces “Ooh La La,” “Stay With Me,” and a few Stones’ rarities, including the 1981 blues-rocker, “Black Limousine,” and “Pretty Beat Up,” from 1983’s “Undercover.” He also wailed through his biggest solo song, Bob Dylan’s “Seven Days.”

Wood was initially staying at the hotel in Atlantic City while his paintings were being shown at a NYC gallery.  The owner of the hotel is a friend of his and he said, “While you’re doing your artwork, how about playing the Golden Nugget?’ I (figured), why not? If I like it, maybe I’ll play (the Golden Nugget) in Vegas, too. I’m just putting my toe in the water.”

Wood’s newest composition, “Coming Together,” was featured on the season finale of “SCI: Miami.” Wood’s a nut for the show and wrote the song especially for the series. “Not only am I the biggest fan of ‘SCI: Miami,’ but I have made some great friends amongst the cast members. This song reflects their friendship and mine, and I hope it (was) a fitting comment for the season finale.”

Burrito Brothers’ Ethridge dies

Bassist Chris Ethridge, a founding member of the ‘60s country-rock pioneers, The Flying Burrito Brothers, with former Byrds Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman and steel pedal guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow, died in a hospital in Meridian, Mississippi, at 65, according to the Washington Post. No cause of death was given but he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last September.
After his Burrito Brothers gig ended in 1970, the bassist continued to collaborate on and off with Parsons until the mercurial singer-songwriter’s morphine and alcohol overdose death at 26 in 1973. Ethridge also worked with the likes of Judy Collins, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell, Randy Newman and blues-rocker Johnny Winter.

Ethridge later spent eight years as a member of Willie Nelson’s Family Band. Of Ethridge, Nelson tweeted, “(Willie Nelson and Family) are sad to hear of the passing of Family member and friend, Chris Ethridge he was a talented musician & we were honored to call him friend.”

Dylan responds to pal Helm’s death

Bob Dylan responded to the death of his former drummer and collaborator, Levon Helm of The Band, who passed away on April 19 in New York City at age 71.

“He was my bosom buddy friend to the end, one of the last true great spirits of my or any other generation. This is just so sad to talk about,” Dylan posted on his website. “I can still remember the first day I met him and the last day I saw him. We go back pretty far and had been through some trials together. I’m going to miss him, as I’m sure a whole lot of others will too.”

Now Playing

Classic acts from the `50s, `60s and `70s continue to perform. Here's what some of them are doing.

Chicano rockers Thee Midnighters scored mid-60’s hits with their take on “Land of a Thousand Dances” and with the instrumental, “Whittier Boulevard.” The band is still performing and have three concerts in the Los Angeles area set over the next few months.

They’ll celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet on, yes, May 5, before playing a gig on May 18 with ‘70s Latin R&B hitmakers Tierra at a secret venue in Studio City. Go to www.songkick.com/concerts for details. On July 7, Thee Midnighters will be at Nick’s Taste of Texas in Covina.

#107 - April 17, 2012: Nirvana's Kurt Cobain; Hole; Paul McCartney, Johnny Depp & Natalie Portman; Woody Guthrie; Ron Wood & The Rolling Stones; Levon Helm; Men at Work's Greg Ham; Bob Marley; Jimmy Buffett & Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder; The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert; Andrew Love of The Memphis Horns; Jimmie Rodgers - and more!

Did Nirvana’s Cobain record solo album?

During the last weeks of his life, Nirvana’s late leader Kurt Cobain laid down several tracks for a solo album, according to his friend Eric Erlandson, who was guitarist for Cobain’s wife, Courtney Love’s band, Hole. Erlandson made the revelation during an interview on the cable TV music network, Fuse, to promote his new book, “Letters to Kurt,” a collection of correspondences to his pal.

Erlandson divulged that Cobain, “was headed in a direction that was really cool. It would have been his ‘White Album.’ That’s really what he was going towards, a solo album but working with different people.” He added, “I got to see him play it in front of me. That’s why I was really sad when he died. He was cut short. Who knows where his music would have gone.”

In addition to the batch of his own compositions for the album, Cobain recorded a cover song, but Erlandson wouldn’t say what it was. Of the demos, he said he hoped that they’ll be released.

Cobain, who battled depression and heroin addiction, took his life at his home in Aberdeen, Washington, in February 1994 at age 27, joining the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, The Rolling Stones Brian Jones, Canned Heat’s Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson, Drifters lead singer Rudy Lewis, Grateful Dead keyboardist Ron “Pig Pen” McKernan, Badfinger leader Pete Ham, Minutemen singer-guitarist D. Boon, and most recently Amy Winehouse, to pass at that age.  

Speaking of Hole, the band’s most successful lineup, the 1994-95 contingent of Erlandson, Love, drummer Patty Schemel and bassist Melissa Auf der Maur, reunited last week in NYC for their first performance in 17 years. The occasion was the premiere of a documentary on Schemel, “Hit So Hard,” about her near-fatal drug addiction and her subsequent recovery. The band ran through ragged takes on “Miss World,” from 1994’s “Live Through This,” and “Over the Edge,” that appeared on their 1995 album, “Ask for It.”

In other Nirvana news, that band’s drummer Dave Grohl, who has led, sang and played guitar for The Foo Fighters since 1995, is back in the studio recording with Nirvana’s semi-retired bassist Krist Novoselic and Garbage drummer Butch Vig, who produced Nirvana’s blockbuster 1991 influential grunge masterwork, “Nevermind” album that has sold 30 million copies worldwide, according to NME.  It’s speculated that the trio are working on music for Grohl’s upcoming documentary on Sound City Studios, the Van Nuys recording  studio where “Nevermind” was produced. Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors,” Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush,” and “Damn the Torpedos” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers were recorded there.

To tie everything all together, Love, 47, who has clashed with the 43-year-old Grohl numerous times since Cobain’s death,  recently tweeted that he  attempted to seduce Love and Cobain’s 19-year-old daughter, Francis Bean Cobain. Later, she recanted her charge, tweeting to her estranged daughter, “Bean, sorry I believed the gossip…Mommy loves you.”

Woody Guthrie Square dedicated in L.A.

The intersection of 4^th and Main streets, four blocks south of city hall in Downtown Los Angeles has been named Woody Guthrie Square, after the late Dust Bowl-era folk music singer-songwriter, who lived in the area during the Depression-era 1930s. Guthrie’s daughter, Nora Guthrie, unveiled the sign designating the square. Nora is in charge of the Guthrie archives.

To celebrate Guthrie’s 100^th birthday, a Grammy Museum-produced concert was held at L.A’s Club Nokia with Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Kris Kristofferson, John Doe of X, singer-songwriter Joe Henry,  Brian Wilson’s collaborator Van Dyke Parks, Rage Against the Machine guitarist and political activist Tom Morello and 80-year-old New York folkie and close pal of Bob Dylan’s, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Billboard reports that the evening ended with audience and performers raising the roof by singing the best-known of Guthrie’s  3,000 compositions, “This Land is Your Land.”

Woody Guthrie, who inspired countless folk and rock artists, including Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, Phil Ochs, The Clash’s Joe Strummer, and especially Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, died in New York City in 1967 at age 55.

No Rolling Stones album yet

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, who last week was in Cleveland being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his other band, The Faces, is apologizing for jumping the guy when he suggested that The Stones would be entering a recording studio at the end of the month, “to just throw some ideas around,” which many in the media took as Gospel that the band would be recording a new album.

Wood told Billboard that when singer Mick Jagger heard this, he wasn’t pleased. “I heard from Jagger and he’s going, ‘What the hell? We don’t know anything yet!’ I said, ‘You know what (the media) are like. I just expressed my personal view: I would love t go into the studio.’ Then they took it all wrong. I didn’t mean to say things out of line.”

Former Band drummer Helm dead

Levon Helm, the former singing drummer and mandolin player for The Band whose Arkansas Mississippi Delta drawl added authenticity to songs like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” died at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City at 71.

Helm and the rest of the group’s members first formed in 1958 when they were rockabilly musician Ronnie Hawkins’ backup band. They called themselves The Hawks. They left Hawkins in 1964 and became Levon and The Hawks. In 1965, Bob Dylan recruited the group as his backup band. Dylan and the re-named Band toured the U.S in 1965 and embarked upon a world tour the following year. Dylan continued to use The Band on and off over the next several years, including on what was Dylan’s comeback tour in 1974.

The Band released its own debut LP, “Music from Big Pink” in 1968. They recorded and toured relentlessly until calling it a day with the legendary “Last Waltz” concert on Thanksgiving at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The concert saw the group joined by the likes of Dylan, Hawkins, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters and Paul Butterfield. For the finale, they were joined by the guest stars as well as Ron Wood and Ringo Starr on Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.”

But The Band, minus guitarist Robbie Robertson who had a falling out with Helm, regrouped seven years later, in 1983 and toured until they broke up for good in 1999 following the drug-related heart attack death of singer-bassist Rick Danko. The Band also recorded three more albums during the ‘90s.

Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer more than a dozen years ago. He recovered but his voice was severely damaged and it took hi years to regain it. In recent years he hosted his “Midnight Ramble” in the studio he called “the Barn” at his home in Woodstock, New York, where local musician friends and guests as varied as Elvis Costello, Donald Fagan of Steely Dan, Mississippi Delta blues pianist Pinetop Perkins, Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Emmylou Harris, Rickie Lee Jones, Gillian Welch and others.

Robertson posted on his Facebook page that he arranged a bedside visit with Helm a few days before his death.  It was reportedly the first time in decades the two had spoken much less seen each other.

“Last week, I was shocked and so saddened to hear that my old mate, Levon, was in the final stages of is battle with cancer. It hit me hard because I thought he had beaten throat cancer and had no idea that he was ill,” he wrote. “I sat with Levon for a good long while, and thought of the incredible and beautiful times we had together.”

“Levon is one of the most extraordinary talented people I’ve ever known and very much like an older brother to me. I am so grateful I got to see him one last time and will miss him and love him forever.”

Men At Work’s Ham dead

Greg Ham, whose flute playing provided ‘80s Aussie pop-rockers Men at Work with its signature, was found dead in his home in Melbourne, reports Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald. He was 58. No reason was cited, however, a large contingent of local police was at the scene and the scene was cordoned off.

Led by Ham and singer-guitarist Colin Hay, Men at Work sold more than 30 million records worldwide. They scored four Top 10 singles here, including their debut 45, “Who Can It Be Now” that hit No. 1. Its follow-up, “Down Under,” became their nation’s unofficial theme song and went to No. 1 in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., Ireland and the U.S.

The band broke up in 1986, but Ham and Hay reunited and toured the world as Men at Work from 1996-2000, and headlined the closing ceremony at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, performing “Down Under.”  The two men continued to perform on occasion since then.

Ham and Hay met in 1972 when they were seniors in high school in Melbourne. May released a statement, saying, “We played in a band and conquered the world together. I love him very much. He’s a beautiful man.”

In 2010, Ham was accused of stealing “Down Under’s” flute riff from a Australian children’s campfire song, “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.” The judge ruled against Ham and the band and they were ordered to turn over five percent of the song’s royalties dating back to 2002 as well that same figure for future royalties. According to friends and local Melbourne paper, The Age, the court decision devastated Ham.

On the album chart

Lionel Ritchie’s “Tuskegee,” is at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart. “Tuskegee” sees the smooth R&B and pop star re-record his hits country-style with help from the likes of Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Rascal Flatts, fellow crossover guy-former Hootie and The Blowfish leader Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and Kenny Rogers, who duets on the Ritchie-penned “Lady,” that Rogers took to No. 1 in 1980, a song Billboard lists at No. 47 on its All Time Top 100. If the album makes it to the top, it’ll be his first No. 1 album in the U.S. in 26 years.

New Orleans voodoo rocker Dr. John’s just released “Locked Up,” produced by Black Keys singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach, debuted at No. 33, his highest charting album in 39 years, since “In the Right Place” hit No. 24 in 1973.

Former or current (depending on who you believe) Jethro Tull leader Ian Anderson’s non-Tull solo album sequel to his classic 1971 Jethro Tull concept album, Thick as a Brick” is a hit. Anderson’s new concept album, “Thick as a Brick 2” is at No. 55 in its first week. No Tull or Anderson solo album has reached that number on the chart in a quarter century. The last time it happened was in 1987 when the Grammy-winning gold album, “Crest of a Knave” made it to No. 32.

New Bob Marley documentary

On April 20, a new documentary on the late Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley, titled, “Marley,” will be the first release ever to be made available for streaming on Facebook, according to a press release from the PR firm Rogers and Cowan. Marley’s Facebook page has more than 37 million fans. The documentary hits the theatres on April 20 as well.  The film can be streamed for $6.99 via PayPal or via credit card. A portion of the proceeds from Facebook will benefit Save the Children, a non-profit organization that helps kids in need.

Recent releases

Among the recently released albums, re-issues and deluxe box sets are Chicago bluesman Lurrie Bell’s “The Devil Ain’t Got No Music”; “Sweet, Sad & Salty” from actor-folk singer Burl Ives; a 2-CD, “The Essential Donovan,” from the new Rock Hall inductee; Johnny Cash’s “Unseen Cash From William Speer’s Studio”; “Older Than My Old Man Now” from folkie humorist Loudon Wainwright III; and a 2-CD, “Complete Hit Singles A’s & B’s,” from Cowboy Copas, the country western singer who was killed in the 1963 plane crash along with Patsy Cline;

“The Pearl Sessions” from Janis Joplin; “Secrets Of Flying: Expanded Edition” from Bahaman R&B singer Johnny Kemp; “Massey Hall Moments: All Live” from Gordon Lightfoot; “Here’s Little Richard”; “The Big Heat” from former Wall of Voodoo singer Stan Ridgeway; an import, “Travelling,” from veteran Swedish pop duo Roxette; “The Complete Bowdoin College Concert 1960,” a 2-CD from folk legend Pete Seeger; “Hidden Gems” from Luther Vandross; a 2-CD, “Marley: Original Soundtrack” to the new documentary on the Rastaman.

The Jesus & Mary Chain’s long out of print 1994 album, “Stoned & Dethroned,” with guest vocals from Shane McGowan, leader of The Pogues and Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, was just re-issued on vinyl. Among the new DVDs out is a 14-DVD box set from The Grateful Dead, “All the Years Combine: The DVD Collection.”   

Jimmy Buffett in, Eddie Vedder out

Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder was forced to postpone his 15-date solo tour because of nerve damage cause by a back injury last year. So, Jimmy Buffett is taking his slot at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on May 3.

Other performers at the famed fest that runs April 27 through May 6 at the Fairgrounds Racecourse include The Beach Boys; ‘60s “Chapel of Love” girl group The Dixie Cups; Little Anthony & The Imperials; Herbie Hancock; English reggae vets Steel Pulse; local Big Easy outfit Buckwheat Zydeco; Latin jazz and salsa conga player Poncho Sanchez; Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers and their band, The Texas Tornados; former Allman Brothers and current Rolling Stones touring keyboardist Chuck Leavell; “The Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas; Cajun vets BeauSoliel with Michael Doucet; ragtime jazz pianist and clarinetist Butch Thompson; Tom Perry and The Heartbreakers; Cee-Lo Green; jazz saxman Dave Koz; eight-member New Orleans group The Soul Rebels Brass Band; and My Morning Jacket.

Also, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band; Dr. John; Al Green; gospel singer Yolanda Adams; jazz singer Dianne Reeves; jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis, father of Wynton and Branford; Soul Asylum leader Dave Pirner; Cowsills singer Susan Cowsill; Florence & The Machine; Ani DiFranco; Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk; 76-year-old Mississippi bluesman James Cotton; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Zac Brown Band; original Wailers drummer Bunny Wailer; Mavis Staples; Bruce Hornsby; N.O. piano king Allen Toussaint; local treasure The Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Aaron Neville; New Orleans blues guitarist Guitar Slim, Jr.; The Foo Fighters; The Neville Brothers and another Neville-filled band, The Meters; Bonnie Raitt; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; jazz alto sax player David Sanborn; journeyman Texas swing group Asleep at the Wheel.

Buffett recently took a stage in Omaha for the first time since 1985. To commemorate the occasion, he was introduced by the man he refers to “Cousin Warren,” his un-related pal, billionaire Warren Buffett. The two have been friends for years, reports the Omaha World. Buffett then took a seat to the side of the stage where he cheered his “Cousin Jimmy” throughout the show.

Rock Hall puts on big time induction concert

All of the groups inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at this year’s ceremony and concert in Cleveland had members who for whatever reasons did not attend. This included The Faces frontman Rod Stewart; Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose and co-founding rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin; Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, who served two important terms in the band; and Adam Yauch from The Beastie Boys.

Traditionally, the inductees and a bunch of guest musicians hit the stage to jam on the new members hit songs, and this year’s bash was not different.

Among the highlights were ZZ Top’s bearded two-some, guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill baying tribute to blues guitarist Freddie King, who went in as an early influence, playing two King classics, “Hideaway” and “Goin’ Down.”

John Mellencamp gave Donovan’s induction speech and joined him on “Season of the Witch.” The Scottish psychedelic folk rock troubadour soloed on “Catch the Wind” and “Sunshine Superman.”

Bette Midler inducted the late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, followed by relative newby Sara Bareilles’ take on Nyro’s “Stoney End.”

Brill Building songwriter Carole King presented the late impresario Don Kirshner, before giving way to Phil Spector protégé Darlene Love who sang King and then-hubby Gerry Goffin’s 1960 Spector-produced smash, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.”

E Street Band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt did the induction honors for The Faces. With Stewart out ill with the flu, members guitarist Ron Wood, keyboardist Ian McLagan and drummer Kenny Jones and new bassist, former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock called in the group’s current singer, former Simply Red frontman, Mick Hucknall and together they ripped through “All or Nothing,” “Ooh La La” and “Stay With Me.”

Smokey Robinson inducted ‘50s rockers Bill Haley’s band, The Comets; Gene Vincent’s group,  The Blue Caps; Buddy Holly’s backups, The Crickets; James Brown’s support unit, The Famous Flames; Hank Ballard’s Midnighters; and his own backup singers, The Miracles.

Robbie Robertson, former guitarist for The Band gave the introductory speech for newly enshrined engineer-producers Tom Dowd, Glyn Johns and Cosimo Matassa.

Comic Chris Rock did the honors for The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The band then dug out a trio of tunes, ending their brief set with their 1991 hit, “Give It Away.”

LL Cool J  and Public enemy rapper Chuck D inducted The Beastie Boys before The Roots, Kid Rock and Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes performed a Beastie’s medley that included “What’cha Want.”

Green Day inducted Guns N’ Roses. With Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy doing a perfect Rose, Slash, Gilby Clarke, Matt Sorum and Steven Adler gave the throng a three-song show that included “Mr. Brownstone” with Green Day leader Billie Joe Armstrong joining in on guitar, followed by “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Paradise City.”

The evening ended when Ron Wood, Kenny Jones, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Armstrong, Slash, and P-Funk leader George Clinton, ran through Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs May 5 on HBO.

Depp & Portman in new McCartney vid

Paul McCartney turned director for the video of his new record, “My Valentine,” the song he wrote for his bride Nancy Shevell and debuted at their wedding reception last October. The song is from his latest album, “Kisses From the Bottom.” McCartney actually directed three videos, one with Johnny Depp, another with Natalie Portman and the third featuring both actors. The video can be seen on YouTube.

Tenor saxman Andrew Love dies

Memphis Horns tenor sax player Andrew Love did in Memphis at 70, according to AP. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s. He played on 53 No.1 hits as well as 83 gold and platinum records. The Memphis Horns backed up everyone from Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding to U2, Alicia Keys and Neil Diamond.

Now Playing

Classic acts from the `50s, `60s and `70s continue to perform. Here's what one of them is doing.

Beginning in 1957, velvet-voiced pop singer Jimmie Rodgers scored three Top Three hits over the next year, including his debit 45, “Honeycomb,” that hit No. 1. Months later, his follow-up single, “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,” that was written by Pete Seeger and the rest of his folk group, The Weavers, made it to No. 3.

In December 1967, shortly after “Child of Clay” became his final hit single, he was pulled over by an off-duty LAPD officer and badly beaten, sustaining a skull fracture and some loss of memory. He eventually sued the LAPD and received a $200,000 settlement. After a recuperation period of more than a year, he resumed his recording career and even hosted a summer variety show on ABC in 1969.

Several years ago he told me that a severe illness caused major damage to his vocal chords. This prompted his retirement from music. He was living happily in Palm Springs spending his days as a part-time golf pro on one of the local courses.

Since the, his voice has recovered to the point that he’s been making small appearances here and there. Rodgers, now 78, is headlining a benefit concert on Saturday at the First Church of Christ in Middletown, Connecticut.  

106 - April 10, 2012: The Steve Miller Band, Gregg Allman, Johnny Winter & Buddy; Ron Wood & The Rolling Stones; Journey, Pat Benatar & Loverboy; former Creedence Clearwater Revival leader John Fogerty; Davy Jones tribute concert; Queen & The Beatles; guitarist Ronnie Montrose; Robin Gibb; Madonna; The Animals leader Eric Burdon; The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - and more!

Steve Miller headlines Doheny Fest

The Steve Miller Band and The Allman Brothers Band leader Gregg Allman are headliners at this year’s Doheny Blues Festival 15, May 19-20 at the Doheny State Beach in Dana Point Harbor in southern Orange County. 

Other performers include blues great Buddy Guy; Texas blues rocker Johnny Winter; Joan Osborne and veterans, The Holmes Brothers; Texican rock trio Los Lonely Boys; the Big Easy’s Trombone Shorty, who performed last month at the White House’s blues night with Jeff Beck, B.B. King and Mick Jagger; roots and rockabilly rockers The Paladins; blues harp player-singer Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers; Otis Taylor, Louisiana swamp blues musicians Tab Benoit and Marcia Ball.

Woody says Stones to jam this month

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood says his band will begin jamming together later this month, according to the Associated Press.

The 64-year-old, who is also currently a member of the reformed Faces, said that he, drummer Charlie Watts, singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards will convene at an undisclosed recording studio, “to just throw some ideas around,” and “to get the feel again.” “It’s like working out for the Olympics of something. You’ve got to go into training. So we’re going to go into training.” Was this a reference to a new album or tour? Stay tuned.

Journey, Benatar, Loverboy tour

Journey, with opening acts Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo and Canadian rockers Loverboy will tour America over three months beginning July 21 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre in Devore, according to a release from Benatar’s publicist.

Fogerty goes country

Joining a seemingly endless of artists, John Fogerty is going country on his upcoming album, not that he had far to go. After all, the 66-year-old former Credence Clearwater Revival leader has been writing and performing songs with a hard country edge all his life, including “Lodi,” “Looking Out My Back Door,” and “Down on the Corner.”

The new CD, “Wrote a Song For Everyone,” set for a fall release, according to Billboard.  On the album, Fogerty will re-record a bunch of his hits with help from country stars Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and rockers Bob Seger and The Foo Fighters.

Davy Jones tribute concert

A tribute concert was held for Monkee Davy Jones, who died of a heart attack at age 66 at his Florida home on February 29, reports Britain’s Daily Mail. The tribute concert at B.B. King’s in Times Square in New York City was led by Jones’ bandmates Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork. Other performers included Shondells’ leader Tommy James and Jones’ close friend, cabaret singer Deana Martin (Dean’s daughter). The fourth Monkee, Mike Nesmith was absent. Jones’ daughters Talia, 43, and Annabel, 23, also attended.

Queen is king

Queen’s “Greatest Hits” LP has passed The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band” to become the best-selling album on the British album chart, according the U’K’s Official Chart Company. Since its release in 1981, “Greatest Hits” has sold 5.8 million copies to “Sgt. Pepper’s” 5 million.

Other albums in the Top 10 include Abba’s “Gold” (3), Oasis’ “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory” (4) Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”(5), Adele’s “21” (6), Dire Strait’s “Brothers in Arms” (7), Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” (8),another from Jackson, “Bad” (9) and the second Queen best-of CD, “Greatest Hits II” (10).

A couple other notable records to make the Top 20 are Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” (14), Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” (15), and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” (18).

In other Queen news, drummer Roger Taylor told Billboard that they’ll play four shows this summer with powerhouse “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert, including two shows at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, a June 30 date in Moscow and a show in Kiev on a bill with Elton John.

The group is also producing “The Queen Extravaganza,” a tribute concert with that celebrates the band’s music. That tour begins May 26 in Quebec and includes a stop on June 25 at L.A.’s Club Nokia.

Montrose death a suicide

It’s been revealed that guitarist Ronnie Montrose committed suicide, reports AP. Montrose, who battled prostrate cancer and depression, died from a self-inflicted gunshot last month. He was 64.

Gibb misses “Titanic” premiere

Robin Gibb remains in a London hospital, where the 62-year-old former Bee Gees singer is fighting a bout of pneumonia, according to Reuters. The illness forced him to miss the premiere of his first classical work, “The Titanic Requiem,” by the Royal Philharmonic at Westminster Central Hall.

Gibb’s older brother Barry had flown in from his home in Miami to attend the event, but also missed the event, opting to remain by his brother’s bedside.

New Releases

Among the new albums, re-releases and deluxe sets include a 2-CD from Alice Cooper, “No More Mr. Nice Guy Live”; country-folk singer-songwriter Nancy Griffith’s “Intersection”; a 2-CD set from Herman Brood & His Wild Romance, “Live At Rockpalast 1978 And 1990”; and a 2-CD import, “Dare: Deluxe Edition” from Human League.

Bonnie Raitt’s first album in seven years, “Slipstream”; The John Oates Band’s “Bluesville Sessions”; a 2-CD from Joe Jackson, “Live at Rockpalast”; Todd Rundgren’s “Live at Hammersmith Odeon ‘75”; an import from UFO, “Seven Deadly: Deluxe Edition Box”; an import from Madness, “Forever Young: Ska Collection”: and another import, “Complete Studio Recordings 1972-82” from Roxy Music.

Madonna tops, then drops

Madonna has set a record for the biggest second week sales drop in the history of American sales charts, according to Forbes.

Coming out the gate, the 53-year old superstar hit No. 1 with her new album, “MDNA,” selling 359,000 copies its first week. However, the Hollywood Reporter says that 185,000 copies were included with tickets to her upcoming tour, meaning that 179,000 copies of the album were actually sold.

Week two saw sales of approximately 46,000 copies, representing a drop from week one to two of a record 88 percent.

Madonna’s “MDNA” world tour stops at the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles for a couple nights, October 10 and 11.

Now Playing

Classic acts from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s continue to perform. Here’s what some of them are doing.

In the ‘60s, British Invasion legend Eric Burdon led two versions of The Animals. The first group was formed in Newcastle, England, in 1962. They were heavily blues-based rockers who scored hits with cover versions of songs like John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom.” The band’s hard-edged take on an American folk song, “House of the Rising Sun,” hit No. 1 in 1964 n many countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Finland and Sweden and was ranked No. 122 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Other hits include, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “It’s My Life” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.”

In 1966, Burdon left the original Animals and left England for the West Coast, where he formed his second Animals band. That group was rock oriented, especially psychedelic rock. From 1966-69, they produced another slew of hits, including the anti-Vietnam War anthem, “Sky Pilot”; “San Franciscan Nights,” another anti-war tune that was a love song to the hippie movement in the city by the bay; and “Monterey,” that detailed their experience at the iconic 1967 pop festival.

After disbanding that second Animals band in 1969, the following year Burdon scored another monster hit with Long Beach funksters War, the easy-going, jazzy “Spill the Wine.”

The 70-year-old Burdon, who was inducted with The Animals (both contingents) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, has a couple shows in Washington state this week with his latest version of The Animals before hooking up for a gig with John Kay and Steppenwolf n Thackerville, Oklahoma, on the 28^th. On June 20, he’ll play the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Country rockers, The New Riders of the Purple Sage came together in the late ‘60s in San Francisco. The band was comprised of The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh and Micky Hart; Big Brother and The Holding Company guitarist David Nelson; and sometime Dead session guitarist John Dawson. They scored an early FM radio hit, “Panama Red.”

Last month, the band, still led by Nelson, released its 17^th studio album, “17 Pine Avenue,” that features seven songs penned by Nelson and Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. The New Riders have nearly two dozen concerts on their schedule beginning in May and running through August. They’ve opted to play quite a few smaller, often quirkier festivals, including the Mighty High Mountain Fest in Tuxedo, New York, on May 20, when they’ll be joined onstage by Blues Traveler singer-harmonica player John Popper.  On June 8, they’ll headline the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the intimate club made famous by Bruce Springsteen.

In May 1966, Jackson Browne graduated from Sunny Hills High in Fullerton and became a founding member of country-folk rockers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He quit the band a few months later but not before they opened for The Lovin’ Spoonful at the legendary Huntington Beach club, the Golden Bear. Brown’s replacement, singer and multi-instrumentalist John McEuen, led the band in 1970 when they appeared in the Clint Eastwood-Lee Marvin western musical, “Paint Your Wagon” and then hit the Top 10 with Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Br. Bojangles.” He led the Dirt Band in 1972 when they traveled to Nashville, to record an album considered an American classic, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” with an array of famed country and bluegrass singers and players including Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs (who passed away two weeks ago at 88), Roy Acuff, violinist Vassar Clements, and Mother Maybelle Carter, June Carter Cash’s mom.

McEuen, 66, and his Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have seven gigs in Texas and Oklahoma during the remainder of the month. They have dozens of gigs throughout the U.S. and Canada from now until Halloween, including three tour-ending shows in northern California, but nothing set in southern California. 

#105 Apr. 3, 2012: The Beach Boys; The Bee Gees; Coldplay at the KROQ Weenie Roast; Elton John on Whitney Houston; David Bowie; Joe Jackson & Duke Ellington; Queen & Adam Lambert; George Jones; bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs; Gladys Knight; Joan Osborne; Jerry Lee Lewis; Duran Duran; Tower of Power & Weird Al Yankovic; former Byrds leader Roger McGuinn, French singing icon Charles Aznavour - and more!

Beach Boys perform at Dodgers Opening Day

The Beach Boys and Dodger Stadium are both celebrating their 50^th anniversaries this year, so the legendary band from Hawthorne and the team with its new owners are teaming up for a season-long celebration, according to the Dodgers.

It will all begin on Opening Day, Tuesday, April 10, at the Dodgers-Pirates game with a special pre-game one-song performance by the reunited Beach Boys that includes Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks. Then the group will sing the national anthem.

Throughout the year, merchandise featuring the band’s and the stadium’s 50^th anniversary logos will be available.  May 18 will be Beach Boys Night at the stadium when the group’s surf classics will be played on the PA systems throughout the game and a special fireworks show after the game will feature all-Beach Boys songs.

The Beach Boys reunion tour, the first with Wilson in more than two decades, begins on April 24 in Tucson and includes stops on June 2 at the Hollywood Bowl and June 3 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine.

Bee Gees to reunite

Robin Gibb, who only last week again underwent intestinal surgery, was told while recovering in a London hospital that his cancers are all in remission, reports Britain’s Daily Mail. Nonetheless, Gibb has cancelled almost all future events in order to recover from the surgery, with heavy emphasis on “almost.”

There are two exceptions. The first is the premiere of “Titanic Requiem” on April 10 at Westminster’s Central Hall, marking the 100^th anniversary of the launch and shortly thereafter, the ship’s tragic sinking. That night, the requiem, a classical piece composed by Gibb and his 29-year-old son RJ, will be performed by the Royal Philharmonic.

The project was the most ambitious of Gibb’s career, so as preparation, he had a chat with his old pal Paul McCartney, who has composed several classical pieces. McCartney told him, “Don’t feel you have to push it. Don’t go too far with your subject matter, because you don’t have to. Less is more.”

At the premiere, the 62-year-old has been preparing to sing one of the work’s corner stone songs, “Don’t Cry Alone,” which tells of “a male passenger who stands back so that his wife can be saved as the ship goes down,” knowing he’ll never see her again.

The other exception is a musical reunion in the studio with his older brother Barry. “We intend to record again and also work with The Bee Gee’s catalog as well. We want to make an album. That will be close to the end of the year.” The last Bee Gees album, “This is where I Came In,” was released in 2001, two years before the death of the third Bee Gee, Robin’s twin brother, Maurice. At the time of Maurice’s passing, Robin and Barry announced the end of The Bee Gees.

Coldplay heads KROQ Weenie Roast

Coldplay headlines SoCal radio station KROQ-FM’s 20^th Annual Weenie Roast Y Fiesta, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) at the Verizon Wireless amphitheatre. Other performers included Calabasas rockers Incubus, veteran Huntington Beach punks The Offspring, journeyman Hermosa Beach punk outfit Pennywise, and Wisconsin alt rockers Garbage, led by Scottish singer Shirley Manson. 

Elton relates to Whitney’s death

Elton John, who just celebrated his 65^th birthday, says his proudest achievement has nothing to do with his membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the more than 250 million records he’s sold, that his single, “Candle in the Wind 1997” has sold 33 million copies, making it the biggest selling 45 in Billboard history.

No, John considers getting clean and sober 22 years ago his proudest achievement, he tells E! News. He says that if he didn’t sober up and quit all the booze and drugs, he’d long ago have been a rock and roll casualty. “I could have so easily ended up like Whitney Houston. It’s a miracle I didn’t, because I’m sure I did as much cocaine as she ever did,” he says.

John also told E! that after he found fame he was bullied by three unnamed yet “very important people” in his professional life, even though he was a superstar. “It was about control and them being able to keep me under their thumb, and I was the perfect candidate for it. Even though I was famous and a big deal, it doesn’t matter. It’s who you are underneath that, and I was always kind of shy and intimidated. One was violent and the other two were mentally violent. They were very important people in my life.”

To others who are being bullied, he advises, “Speak out, speak out. Snitch on them. Try to defend yourself, not like me, who hid it.”

In other John news, he and his husband David Furnish have listed two luxury condos they own in the Sierra Towers just off the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, according to NBC New York. Both units offer spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles. The largest condo, one bedroom and one-and-a-half baths in 1,831 square feet listed at $3.5 million. The smaller also contains one bedroom and a one-and-a-half baths in 1,151 square feet cam be had for $1.6 million.

The family, that also includes John’s and Furnish’s son Zach, plan to move into a four-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom, 4,200-square-foot home in the 90210 zip code of Beverly Hills that was recently listed for $7.695 million.

On April 13, John returns to his on-going Million Dollar Piano gig at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. He’ll be there through the 18^th, before heading to Minnesota, Indiana and Canada for five shows. He’ll then be back in Vegas from May 4-27 before he hops the pond for a tour of the U.K. and Europe from June 1 through July 21 that included a high profile performance at Buckingham Palace on June 4 as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrating 60 years as monarch. Sir Elton will join Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Tom Jones, Squeeze founder and OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) recipient Jools Holland, Annie Lennox OBE, Aussie superstar Kylie Minogue OBE, English ska band Madness, Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang, Blackpool tenor Alfie Boe  and Yank Stevie Wonder.

Bowie’s Ziggy gets landmark

Forty years after David Bowie posed on Heddon Street in the Soho district of London in the guise of his space age persona Ziggy Stardust for a photo shoot for the cover of his iconic glam rock album, “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars,” a plaque was put up at the site noting the event, according to CBS News. Today the once-bleak and foreboding street is vibrant and bustling with outdoor cafes.

Bowie fan, Spandau Ballet singer Gary Kemp, unveiled the plaque at a ceremony that was also attended by former Spiders bassist Trevor Bolder and drummer Mick Woodmansey.

The third original Spider, guitarist Mick Ronson, who was named the 64^th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone, died on liver cancer in 1993 at 46, one year after making his final public appearance at the star-studded Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert before 72,000 at the Wembley Arena in London where he reunited with Bowie to perform “Heroes.” He and Bowie were also joined by Mott the Hoople leader Ian Hunter for “All the Young Dudes,” a song written by Bowie and made a classic by Mott.

The 65-year-old Bowie, who declined the Queen’s offer of a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honor in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003 and who has sold 250 million records, has pretty much retired from public life in 2006, choosing to live quietly and privately with his family in New York City.

Joe Jackson’s tribute to Duke

English singer-pianist Joe Jackson’s upcoming album is a tribute to the man many regard as jazz music’s greatest songwriter, the late big band leader Duke Ellington, according to a Jackson press release. Jackson’s album of his takes on Ellington classics, “The Duke,” comes out June 26, includes a duet with punk pioneer Iggy Pop on “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

Among those backing up Jackson, 57, are guitarist Steve Vai, The Roots drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and jazz violinist Regina Carter. Jackson also covers standards “Mood Indigo,” and “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)” and the Duke’s pianist, Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train,” that was a huge hit for Ellington and his band in 1941.

Queen with Adam Lambert gig cancelled

The one-off gig Queen had set with former “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert has been cancelled, but they weren’t the one that did it. The huge Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth Park that was could have accommodated 125,000, was cancelled by promoters who blamed the poor economy on the less than zesty ticket sales, according to a release posted on the festival’s website. 

Other acts on the mostly hard rock and heavy metal bill included Kiss, Marilyn Manson, Mastodon and San Francisco alt metal rockers Faith No More.

However in a post on Queen’s website, drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May said, “We are working to see if we can redress the situation at some other venue.”

In an unrelated story May, 64, told the British daily the Independent that would have loved to have been a member of AC/DC, “because it’s different from Queen. Queen were very eclectic, that’s the word, isn’t it? We just trampled over every boundary that there was, but AC/DC are in a sense the opposite. They know their style and it’s incredibly pure and I have great respect for that. And every single note they play is AC/DC completely.”

George Jones hospitalized

Country Music Hall of Famer George Jones, owner of more than 150 hit singles, was hospitalized in a Nashville hospital where, at press time, he continues to battle an upper respiratory infection, according to the Associated Press. The 80-year-old has cancelled all shows through April 20, when he’s still set to perform at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota and continue on with the other 28 concerts currently on his docket through the rest of the year.

Earl Scruggs dies

Legendary bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs, who many credit as a major figure who helped shape contemporary country music, died in Nashville of natural causes at 88, report AP.

Scruggs, who joined Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys in 1945, was best known for his 21 years, from 1948 -1969, with guitarist Lester Flatt. The duo’s best known songs were “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” that served as the theme song for “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” an instrument Scruggs wrote that they recorded in 1949 that found fame courtesy of its inclusion in the 1967 hit movie, “Bonnie & Clyde,” with Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

In 1985, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall if Fame, and in 2004, they were ranked together at No. 24 on CMT’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music. In 2003, he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2008, he received the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

With his banjo placed in its stand center-stage in front of his silver-colored casket, Scruggs was memorialized at his funeral before 2,300 family, friends and fans at the Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville.

Among those speaking and performing were Nitty Gritty Dirt Band leader John McEuen, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Bluegrass Hall of Famer Del McCoury, popular contemporary bluegrass banjo player Bela Fleck, country singer Jon Randall Stewart, and Patty Loveless.

Sitcom for Gladys Knight

Former front-woman for The Pips, Gladys Knight, is currently kicking up her heels as a contestant on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” This fall, the 67-year-old Motown legend will star in a syndicated sitcom, “First Family,” about an African-American family living in the White House, reports the Root. Producer Byron Allen says the series has an order for 104 initial episodes.

Among the veteran comedians and comic actors in the cast are Marla Gibbs, Paul Rodriguez, and Jackee Harry. Christopher B. Duncan from “The Jamie Foxx Show” plays the president, and Kellita Smith from “The Bernie Mac Show” plays the First Lady.

In addition to working on both shows, Knight has more than a dozen concerts on her schedule between now and early June.

Joan Osborne covers the blues

Joan Osborne covers the blues on her new album. The 49-year-old singer, who, in 2003 joined The Dead, the band featuring the surviving members of The Grateful Dead, and hit the Top 10 in nine countries in 1995 with “One of Us,” a ballad written by Eric Bazalian of Philly rockers The Hooters, just released “Bring It On Home.”

Included in the dozen tracks Osborne covers are Sonny Boy Williamson’s title song that Led Zeppelin brought to the attention of rock fans on its debut album in 1969; Ray Charles “I Don’t Need No Doctor” that Humble Pie received FM airplay with in 1971; Slim Harpo’s 1966 song, “Shake Your Hips” that The Rolling Stones covered in 1972 on “Exile on Main Street”; Al Green’s “Rhymes” and the Otis Redding song, “Champagne and Wine.”

New Releases

Among the recent new albums, re-issues and deluxe box CD sets include “Thick as a Brick2” by Jethro Tull leader Ian Anderson; “Dedicated,” from Wilson Phillips; “Changed” from Rascal Flatts; a 2-CD from Johnny Cash, “Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth”; “Number 1’s Volume 1” from veteran contemporary Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman; “The return of the Spectacular Spinning Wheel” from Elvis Costello; a 2-CD set, “With a Smile And A Song” from Doris Day; “Gibb: The Titanic Requiem” from Robin Gibb & The Royal Philharmonic; “Locked Down” from Dr. John; Live Dates II” from Wishbone Ash; an import, “Supercharged,” a re-issue of a 1980 LP from R&B soul funksters Tavares; “We’ll Never Forget You: Imperial Years 1963-1966,” an import from The O’Jays; and a 2-Cd from former Japan singer David Sylvain, “Victim of Stars 1982-2012.”

Jerry Lee’s Lucky #7

Jerry Lee Lewis has taken his seventh stroll down the aisle, reports People magazine. The 76-year-old rock and roller married Judith Brown, 62, in Natchez, Mississippi. The wedding plans were kept so secret that his daughter Phoebe, who lives with him, was unaware that they were going to get hitched.  Brown was previously wed to Lewis’ cousin, Rusty Brown, who was also the brother of Lewis’ third wife, Myra.  Myra, the daughter of Lewis’ cousin and band member J.W. Brown, was 13 when she married Lewis in 1957. Tom complicate things, Lewis and Myra had to marry a second time after it was discovered that the Wildman rocker hadn’t bothered to divorce his second wife when they got married the first time.

More more Duran Duran

Duran Duran keeps on adding dates to their American tour in support of their 13^th studio album, “All You Need Is Now” that actually came out last March. Included in the new dates is a stop on August 11 at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa.

Tower of Power & Weird Al sue

Tower of Power and Weird Al Yankovic are the latest in a seeming avalanche of recording stars to sue their labels over unpaid royalties for digital downloads and related items, reports Pollstar.

Yankovic is playing the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack on July 4; while Tower of Power is appearing with War at L.A.’s Greek Theatre on May 26, before returning to play the L.A. County Fair in Pomona on September 14. The soul and funk vets then head down the 5 freeway for a gig with The Average White Band the following night at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay in San Diego.

Now Playing

Classic acts from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s continue to perform. Here’s what some of them are doing.

Roger McGuinn, contributed many of the classic vocals and the jingle-jangle electric 12-string that gave Rock Hall of Famers The Byrds its distinctive sound on his and fellow Byrds’ David Crosby and Gene Clark’s “Eight Miles High”; Pete Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn,”; Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” and so many other classics. Next week, the 69-year-old folk rocker will be in Old Saybrook, Connecticut at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, before heading to Irvington, New York, for a gig at the Irvington Town Hall Theatre.

French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour is still dapper and continues to tour at age 87. The man called “France’s Frank Sinatra,” who, in fact, has recorded and performed with the late Chairman of the Board, performs a three-night stand in Montreal next week before headlining at the Gibson amphitheatre in Universal City on April 22. From there, he’s off to the Big Apple for three nights at the New York City Center.

#104 Mar. 27, 2012: Rock Hall inductees Rod Stewart & The Faces, The Red Hot Chili Peppers & Guns N' Roses; Barry Manilow; James Taylor & Mary Chapin Carpenter; Aerosmith & Cheap Trick; The Beatles; Eric Clapton; Aretha Franklin; El Debarge; Willie Nelson & his friends; Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommy & soul legend Bobby Womack; Gregg Allman; former King Crimson & ELP singer Greg Lake; Whitney Houston; former Vanilla Fudge bassist Tim Bogert; Martha Reeves - and more!

Will Rod/Faces, Chili Peppers or GNR reunite at Rock Hall induction?

Rod Stewart will perform in public with his old band, The Faces, for only the second time since they broke up in 1975 when they’re inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on April 14, reports Britain’s New Musical Express.  The surviving members last played in public at the Brit Awards in 1993 when Stewart was giving its Lifetime Achievement Award. 

In an interview with MusicRadar, Faces drummer Kenny Jones said, “We’re all still great mates and we’ve never said we wouldn’t play together again. We all had dinner about a month ago and decided that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be the perfect time and place.”

Jones also noted that Stewart and the band that also includes guitarist Ron Wood and keyboardist Ian McLagan, rehearsed in private three years ago, “just to see if the magic was still there – and it was.” but Stewart’s schedule, including an extensive long-term engagement in Las Vegas, wouldn’t allow for any concerts. So, over the past couple years The Faces have tour the U.K., Europe and Asia with former Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall and ex-Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers will be inducted without the presence or participation of former guitarist John Frusciante, an integral member who was in the band twice, from 1988-92 and again from 1998 to 2009. Both were periods of intense concert and studio activity, resulting in several hit albums.

Drummer Chad Smith told Billboard, “He didn’t feel comfortable, which we totally respect. We asked him.” Smith added, “He’s the kind of guy, I think, that once he’s finished with something he’s just on to the next phase of his life. The Chili Peppers are really not on his radar right now.”

Alas, it doesn’t appear that another band set to be inducted that night, Guns N’ Roses, will not reunite in performance at the ceremony, even though it does look as though all of the original members will attend. Original guitarist Slash, who just released a new solo single, “You’re a Lie,” tells the Canada’s QMI, “We’re not playing.” He says that group is in his past, saying, “it’s been so long since I had anything to do with Guns N’ Roses…I would imagine that they (the Hall braintrust) asked us to play, but I know that we’re not playing.” Slash and GNR frontman Axl Rose haven’t performed together since 1993.

In other GNR news, the band’s “Greatest Hits” CD found itself at No. 3 on the Billboard Album chart because Google Play and Amazon MP3 both offered the album for 25 cents. Billboard recently instituted a new rule disallowing any new album on its charts that sells for less than $3.99, but since this isn’t a new album, but rather an older catalog “product,” it counts.   

Manilow recoups & still performs in pain

Barry Manilow continues to recover from surgery to reattach his hip muscles to both of his 69-year-old hips, his second hip surgery in six years. However, he’s still performed half-a-dozen concerts.

In a Rolling Stone interview, the hip-swiveling “Copacabana” guy says of his painful recuperation, “It’s coming along slowly – too slowly for me. But I was able to get through six shows. (However) as soon as I finished, the curtain would close and I’d fall back into a wheelchair.”

When asked if there’s anyone he’d like to tour with, he listed a few. “There have only been a handful that make sense, like Elton John and Billy Joel make sense. The only other two artists I could think of would be Neil Diamond and Bette (Midler, for whom he served as pianist and music director early in her career). Other than that, I’ve never been able to come up with another name.”

For the past few years, Manilow mostly restricted his performing to his residency at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is headlining the big Fourth of July extravaganza, July 2-4, at the Hollywood Bowl that will see him backed by the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra. 

James Taylor joins Mary Chapin Carpenter

James Taylor joins country folk-rocker Mary Chapin Carpenter on her upcoming 12^th studio album, “Ashes and Roses,” that will be released June 12, according to the Boot.  Taylor joins the five-time Grammy-winning songstress, who has racked up more than 13 million album sales since 1987, on a new composition she wrote, “Soul Companion.”

At the end of April, Carpenter and her old friend Shawn Colvin will tour together for the first time as a duo. The brief eight-date tour takes place in venues across the country. On August 19, she’ll perform with Arlo Guthrie at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, the oldest music festival in the country (it began in 1911).

Taylor begins a European tour this week. His 20-concert jaunt ends May 18 in Reykjavik, Iceland. After taking a month off, he’ll then undertake a 22-date tour of America east of the Mississippi that kicks off on June 20 in Pittsburgh.

Aerosmith & Cheap Trick rock together

Aerosmith, having patched up their differences with singer-“American Idol” host Steven Tyler, will embark on it “Global Warming” summer tour of America with opening act Cheap Trick. So far, only the first leg of the tour has been announced. Included in the initial 18 shows is an August 6 gig at the Hollywood Bowl.

Beatles homes make news

Homes owned by The Beatles are making news. It’s well known that since the early ‘70s, George Harrison owned the fabled 120-room Victorian mansion and estate known as Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames, England, that features 34 acres of lakes and gardens. His widow Olivia and son Dhani continue to reside there.

It’s also well know that he owned a secluded mile-long, 63-acre beach-front enclave on the northern coast of east Maui in Hawaii.

Lesser known is his six-acre South Pacific compound on Hamilton Island in Australia, an island that his pal Grand Prix racer Jackie Stewart told him about. In 2007, Olivia told architectural Digest, “Jackie knew about Hamilton Island. It was underdeveloped, with only one bungalow on the entire island. It was pristine and stunning – just what George was looking for.” Of her intensely private husband who had long since tired of the crowds and adulation, “I had the feeling that he maxed the planet out, looking for solitude. It was ‘How far away can I get?’.”

What was known by very few is that in the months prior to his death in 2001, George and Olivia purchased a 1.6-acre estate with a palatial Romanesque mansion at the summit of Montagnola in Ticino, Switzerland with panoramic views of Lake Lugano and the Swiss Alps for approximately $15 million. This is where he underwent his last cancer treatments and spent most of the final months of his life. 

The six-bedroom, four-floor mansion has been put on the market. As Britain’s Daily Mail writes, “If you have to ask how much, you can’t afford it.” The paper says the estate has a “massive” wine cellar, a Roman-style swimming pool complete with fountains and classical-style statues.

The boyhood Liverpool homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney were listed as historically important British buildings and cannot be altered in any way without government permission, notes Huffington Post U.K. The residences are Lennon’s on Menlove Ave., where he first learned to play guitar, and the McCartney house on Forthlin Rd., where Sir Paul lived for nine years, and where The Beatles rehearsed. Both homes are now managed by the National Trust. The homes in which Harrison and Ringo Starr grew up were not listed.

Clapton buys a car – and what a car!

Eric Clapton has a new car. It’s a Ferrari, but not any Ferrari that can be acquired down at the local dealership. Clapton, who owns a well-known collection of some of the world’s most expensive Ferrari’s ever built, has added a one-of-a-kind model that the auto maker vows to never duplicate.

He paid a record $4.8 million for it; six times the cost of the previously most expensive car produced the Italian car company, according to Fox News. The 66-year-old guitar deity helped design it to his exact specifications, working with Ferrari’s Special Projects division.

Designed as a homage vehicle to ‘70s Ferrari 512 that is reportedly one of Clapton’s favorite models, his new toy has a license plate reading SP 12 EPC, for Special Projects, the year, and his initials (Patrick is his middle name)

Aretha celebrates 70^th with new deal

Aretha Franklin, who overcame life-threatening illness last year, celebrated her 70^th birthday by announcing that she is leaving her longtime record company, Atlantic, and will rejoin Clive Davis and his Arista Records, according to her hometown Detroit Free Press. Davis played a major role in her successful comeback in the ‘80s. The two will collaborate on a new album.

In other Franklin news, the First Lady of Soul says her doctors are still trying to figure out what’s been causing the painful leg spasms that made it impossible to attend and perform at Whitney Houston’s funeral. She told Access Hollywood that she is going to have an MRI and X-rays taken.

Also, Franklin told AP that her planned biopic is on hold. “It’s in a limbo position. It’s just a lot going on.” She hinted that Taylor Hackford might direct. Among those she thought could portray her is Jennifer Hudson. The singer has three concerts on her schedule in April and May in Cleveland, Kansas City and on Staten Island in New York City.

On April 14, she’ll receive TV Land’s Music Icon Award in New York City. It’s anticipated that she’ll perform on the show that will be broadcast on April 29. Previous awardees include Lionel Ritchie, Blondie, Hall & Oates and Earth, Wind and Fire.

El Debarge not charged

R&B idol El Debarge, 50, who has a history of drug abuse, will not be charged with possession of rock cocaine by the L.A. District Attorney, according to TMZ. The smooth singer known for his trademark falsetto was arrested in Encino and released on $30,000 bail.  According to reports, even though police caught Debarge selling the drugs to another man, it was decided that he wouldn’t be charged due to insufficient evidence.

Willie and friends

“Heroes,” the latest album from Willie Nelson, sees the 78-year-old joined by a diverse group of artists on a diverse song lineup, according to CMT. Among those helping out on the album that will be released on May 15 are Ray Price, Snoop Dogg, and fellow Outlaw Country greats Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Billy Joe Shaver. Nelson covers the ‘30s ballad, “My Window Faces the South,” and two ‘40s songs by Fred Rose, “Home in San Antone” and “Cold War With You” as well as Coldplay’s “The Scientist” and “Just Breathe,” from Pearl Jam.

In other Nelson news, the Texan rescued a pair of horses in South Carolina that were abused and neglected by its owner, reports the Summerville Patch. The horses were severely underweight and had kerosene burns from when the owner tried to cure a fungus on their backs. While both horses have regained weight and their wounds are healing, the pair won’t be transported to Nelson’ ranch in Texas until they’ve made a bit more progress.

Iommi & Womack cancer updates

In a post on his website, Black Sabbath guitarist Toni Iommi said he’s received his last dose of chemotherapy. “Hopefully my body will start to get back to normal soon, the steroids were the worst.”

However, the 64-year-old native of Birmingham, England, reports that he’s got three weeks of radiotherapy ahead. “I’m told (it) can be very tiring.” He notes that he and fellow Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler were able to continue to record Osbourne’s first Sabbath album since the ‘80s. “We managed to work most days and have some great new tracks.”

Another Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, 68-year-old soul great Bobby Womack, is battling stage 1 colon cancer, and was just released from a Houston hospital where he successfully overcame a bout of pneumonia, according to his friend, fellow Rock Hall member Bootsy Collins. 

Among his accomplishments, Womack wrote “It’s All Over Now,” that became the first No. 1 hit in England for The Rolling Stones in 1964. The Palm Beach Post reports that Womack is due to have surgery but the date wasn’t noted. Womack, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, will release his first album in a decade, “The Bravest Man in the Universe,” in June, the same month that he’s scheduled to perform in Houston and London.  

Gregg Allman’s bad back

Every year, The Allman Brothers stage a lengthy concert residency at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. During the ninth of the band’s ten Beacon shows, singer-organist Gregg Allman had to leave the stage. Thirty minutes before the show’s end, Allman experienced what was termed “excruciating pain” from a bulging disc in his back and was taken to the hospital. His back pain forced him to miss the tenth show as well. An Allman management spokesman said that Allman returned to his home in Savannah, Georgia, “for evaluation and treatment. His condition is day to day, and he expects to meet all his confirmed obligations.” Allman and band are set to play two sets at the Wanee Festival in Live Oak, Florida, on April 20 and 21.

Greg Lake’s “Songs for a Lifetime”

Former Emerson, Lake and Palmer singer-bassist-guitarist Greg Lake will undertake an intimate 24-date solo tour of America beginning on April 15 in Boston. The show, “Songs of a Lifetime,” follows the autobiographical storytelling format of last year’s tour with ELP mate Keith Emerson that will also include a question and answer segment. Lake promises an evening full of music from ELP and his first major band, King Crimson. His autobiography will be released in book format at the end of the year. Lake’s tour stops at the Ventura Theatre onMay17 and the Orpheum in Downtown L.A. on May 18, and the La Quinta Resort and Spa on May 26 that will end the tour.

Whitney Houston’s CDs chart

The late Whitney Houston has seven albums on the Billboard Hot 100 Album chart, including three in the Top 20. “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” is at No. 6; “I Look to You” is No. 17 and her soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” is at No. 20.

Tim Bogert retires

Veteran bassist Tim Bogert, whose five-decade career dates to his days with heavy metal forefathers Vanilla Fudge in 1967 and continued with the supergroup Cactus and Beck, Bogert & Appice that featured fellow Vanilla Fudge member Carmine Appice and British Invasion guitar great Jeff Beck, has retired, according to KHTS 1220AM.

Valencia resident Bogert, 67, called it a day with a free afternoon performance in the Courtyard at the Valencia Marriott that saw him joined by a local band that was dubbed Mojo & The Magnetics that featured another British Invasion star, guitarist-singer Spencer Davis, as well as members and former members of Santana, Foreigner, Supertramp, Jack Mack & The Heart Attack and Toad the Wet Sprocket.  

In 1967, Bogert and Vanilla Fudge produced a heavy, psychedelic version of The Supremes’ 1965 No. 1 hit “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” that they took to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also recorded and toured in 1981 with former McCoys leader Rick Derringer.  Of his valedictory performance, Bogert said, “I really enjoyed it.”

Recent CDs

Among the recently released new CDs and releases and deluxe releases are “Muscle Beach Party: The United Artists Sessions” from Frankie Avalon; “Great Gypsy Soul” from Tommy Bolin; The Cowboy Junkies’ “Wilderness”; a 2-CD, “En Vivo!,” from Iron Maiden; “Tuskegee,” Lionel Ritchie’s debut foray into country music; “Beginnings” from Rick Springfield” a 2-CD,

“Young & Rich/Now” from The Tubes; a 2-CD, “I Feel So Far Away: Anthology 1974-1998,” from former Velvet Underground drummer Moe Tucker, aka Maureen Tucker; “Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions,” from Billy Bragg & Wilco; “Hot Streets: Expanded Edition,” from Chicago; and “Sonik Kicks,” from former Jam and Style Council leader Paul Weller.

Now Playing

Classic acts from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s continue to perform. Here’s what some of them are doing.

Motown legend Martha Reeves was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. In the ‘60s, Reeves fronted The Vandellas and took them to the top with such classics as “Nowhere to Run,” “Dancing in the Street,” and “(Love is Like a) Heat Wave,” actually stopped performing between 2005-2009 because she was elected to the Detroit City Council.  In 2010, at the conclusion of her term, she was back, performing 50 shows. The 70-year-old soul belter will perform at Anthology in San Diego on April 6.