P Funk mothership commander George Clinton kicks off his European tour today in Bergen, Norway. The man with the multi-hued hair and a load of funk in the trunk turns 65 on July 22, but don't expect Clinton to sink into retirement oblivion anytime soon. He's featured in the current issue of ESPN Magazine's "The Hook-Up" in a freewheeling interview conducted by fan and Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion.
By RICHARD L. ELDREDGE | Tuesday, July 4, 2006, 03:37 AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alpharetta’s most esteemed resident, Bobby Brown, was back with New Edition over the weekend in Houston — and here’s a shocker: His bizarre behavior inspired the crowd to boo him off the stage.
Brown, who left the old school boy band in the 1980s for a solo career, reunited with the band Sunday night for two songs at the Essence Music Festival.
As the other five members moved to slick choreography Sunday, Brown ran around the stage wildly and performed raunchy dance moves.
The men brought the crowd to its feet with their performance of the 1985 hit “Mr. Telephone Man.”
Brown then left the stage, and the remainder of the group — original members Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe, plus Johnny Gill, who replaced Brown — performed several ballads.
Brown followed with a solo set that started with “Don’t Be Cruel,” then quickly turned to more raunchy dancing and talk about his sex life with wife Whitney Houston.
By the time he finished with “My Prerogative,” Brown was shirtless, and many in the audience were screaming for him to get off the stage.
Dallas Austin sentenced To 4 Years Dubai Drug case ..
by TFSnewsRoom/Reuters.com
Dallas Austin Gets 4 Years Dubai Drug case ..
Tue Jul 4, 2:26 AM ET
DUBAI (Reuters) - A United Arab Emirates court sentenced U.S. music producer Dallas Austin on Tuesday to four years in jail after convicting him of possessing narcotics.
Austin, who has worked with stars including Madonna and Michael Jackson, was not in the courtroom when the sentence was passed.
Lawyers said Austin had the right to appeal within 15 days against the ruling, which also stipulates that Austin be deported after serving the jail term.
Local newspapers said on Monday Austin had pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine during the trial at the Dubai Court of First Instance.
The Gulf News said Austin was arrested at Dubai airport on May 19 when police found at least 1.26 grams of the drug and other illegal substances in his possession.
Austin was reportedly flying into Dubai to attend a birthday party for supermodel Naomi Campbell.
"I'm guilty, but it was a mistake," he was quoted as telling the court. "I didn't realize I had the drugs with me and I didn't intend to use them here in the UAE."
Drug trafficking in the UAE carries the death penalty, but in practice, executions are rare. Drug smuggling convictions of foreigners often result in a jail term followed by deportation.
Diplomats say Dubai, one of seven emirates that make up the UAE and the Gulf region's trade and tourism hub, is a busy route for drug trafficking between Asia and Europe.
**StopThePress..LOL!** Dallas Austin Receives Pardon On Four Year Sentence, To Be Deported
by TFSnewsRoom/AllHipHop.com
Dallas Austin Receives Pardon On Four Year Sentence, To Be Deported From Dubai ..
Grammy Award winning producer Dallas Austin has received a pardon for possession of cocaine for personal use by a Dubai court yesterday (July 3).
Austin, 34, was convicted and sentenced to four years in a Dubai prison, where he had been incarcerated since May 19, when he was caught with 1.26 grams and five-and-a-half capsules of cocaine when he was arrested.
Just hours after the conviction, a pardon was issued, followed by a deportation order.
Austin, who was in the country to attend a three-day private party for supermodel Naomi Campbell, appeared briefly in court on Sunday (July 2) and told judges he made a mistake and had unintentionally violated the laws of Dubai, a member of the United Arab Emirates.
Austin has produced hit records for Aretha Franklin, Brandy, Boyz II Men, Madonna, Monica, TLC, Lenny Kravitz and others.
DALLAS AUSTIN pleads guilty to cocaine charge ....
by TFSnewsRoom/AJC.com
Austin pleads guilty to cocaine charge
By DON MELVIN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/02/06
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Atlanta music producer Dallas Austin pleaded guilty in Dubai Sunday morning to bringing cocaine into the Persian Gulf city-state.
He will be sentenced on Tuesday. He faces the possibility of four years in prison.
After the charge of possessing 1.26 grams of cocaine was read to him in English, Austin replied in a calm voice, "I'm pleading guilty but by mistake. I had no knowledge and no intention of violating the laws of the U.A.E."
The U.A.E. is the Islamic nation of which Dubai is a part.
Speculation among journalists in Dubai is that Austin's lawyers will seek a pardon. One newspaper, the Gulf News, has reported that the lawyers have already requested a pardon, but the newspaper did not cite any source for its information. Legal experts here say an admission of guilt is a necessary prelude to a pardon.
Four lawyers representing Austin appeared in court on Sunday: A U.A.E. lawyer named Mohammad Al Reda, a Bahraini lawyer named Qays Hatem Al Zu'bi, Atlanta lawyer Joel A. Katz of Greenberg Traurig, and another American lawyer who declined to give his name.
None of the lawyers would comment on the case.
Also present was an American supporter and friend of Austin's who would not give her name.
Austin, 35, was arrested May 19 at the Dubai airport and charged with possessing cocaine for personal use. The Grammy-winning producer was on his way to attend a three-day birthday party for the supermodel Naomi Campbell at a lavish Dubai Hotel.
He has been held without bail at Al Rashidiya Police Station in Dubai ever since.
His hearing Sunday was in a small courtroom, with seating for about 55 people, which was very much in the American style. People rose when the black-robed judge entered and sat himself in an elevated area behind a classic wood-paneled half-wall or bench. Two assistants sat on either side of him.
One defendant after another was brought in to be arraigned or enter a plea, their cases usually lasting less than a minute. Austin's hearing lasted 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
He was brought into the courtroom by a side door. He wore jeans and a white, long-sleeved dress shirt, open at the neck. He appeared confident and at one point winked at his lawyers.
Four officers in green uniforms and berets stood around the defendant's box - an area enclosed by a wood-paneled wall that was less than waist-high.
After Austin's brief statement, Al Reda addressed the judge in Arabic. According to local reporters, Al Reda repeated Austin's statement and added that the defendant was well known in the United States and had done a great deal to help young people through his charitable foundation.
In 2003, Austin founded the Dallas Austin Foundation, which works to train youths for careers in the music and entertainment industries.
For first time, Dallas Austin in serious trouble .....
by TFSnewsRoom/AJC.com
For first time, Dallas Austin in serious trouble
By SONIA MURRAY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
He goes by the name on his birth certificate. He rarely shows up in a music video or on a red carpet. On the music he's produced for such big-name clients as Michael Jackson, Madonna and TLC, he doesn't announce his credits at the start of the record and talk throughout so you don't forget.
If Grammy-winning Atlanta entertainment mogul Dallas Austin was more like high-profile peers Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jermaine Dupri, then BET Awards host Damon Wayans probably would have taken a jab at him at last week's show for his current predicament: under arrest in Dubai for alleged drug possession.
But Austin isn't, and Wayans didn't. Instead, Austin's legal trouble has been met by friends and associates much the same way Austin has lived: privately, with caution and respect.
If they offer any comment about Austin — and many hesitated to do so after news of his arrest broke June 23 — it usually begins the same way.
"I love Dallas, so I don't want to say anything," replied Atlanta rapper and actor Ludacris.
"I love Dallas, and all I'm going to say about this is when I hang up with you, I'm going to make calls to see how I can help," said Island Def Jam Music Group chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid, for whom Austin produced millions-selling R&B female group TLC.
"I love Dallas. I hope he comes home soon," was all TLC member and longtime friend Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins would say.
Austin, 35, pleaded guilty Sunday to possessing 1.26 grams of cocaine at Dubai International Airport on May 19.
"I'm pleading guilty but by mistake," Austin said in a brief court appearance. "I had no knowledge and no intention of violating the laws of the [United Arab Emirates]."
His sentencing on Tuesday could get him up to four years in prison.
A check of Georgia and federal records showed no previous criminal convictions for Austin.
He was reportedly on the way to a $1.8 million, three-day birthday party for friend and supermodel Naomi Campbell at a Dubai hotel when he was arrested.
He has been held at the Alrashidiya Police Station without bail.
Prasad Bidapa, an Indian fashion designer held there after being arrested for possession of marijuana last year, described it as "like a very good hostel" in an interview last year with a newspaper in India. He said he was served three meals a day, with unlimited salad and white rice. He was allowed afternoon naps. And in the evenings he watched movies or satellite TV with 70 channels.
Austin's attorneys, in Dubai and here in the United States, have been closemouthed about the case. Austin also hasn't talked.
Interviews with friends and associates and an examination of Austin's life reveal that his Dubai misadventure is probably the first time he's been in serious trouble.
Dallas Austin was born in Columbus. His mother — whom everyone calls Ma Bell — sold the family's soul food restaurant and moved to Atlanta to nurture her son's interest in music.
He enrolled in what were then Lakeshore and M.D. Collins high schools but dropped out in the 11th grade. At that point he had already worked his way up from a technical assistant (basically working the lights) to keyboard player for local club band Princess and Starbreeze.
He also had managed to scrounge together a demo for Joyce Irby, a former member of the all-girl R&B and funk band Klymaxx ("The Men All Pause.") Irby signed him to her production company, for which he came up with her lone solo single, "Hey Mr D.J.", with rapper Doug E. Fresh.
News of fresh new talent spread quickly. New Edition member Michael Bivins asked him to work on the debut albums for a local kid rap group called Another Bad Creation and a young male R&B group named Boyz II Men. Then the co-founders of Atlanta-based LaFace Records asked him to work on the first record for a female R&B/rap trio named TLC — not knowing that he had dated one of them, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, with whom he would later have a son.
Each of those debut albums sold millions.
Based on that success, in 1992 Arista gave the then-21-year-old Austin his own label, Rowdy Records. That same year, revered industry publication Billboard magazine named him top pop producer of 1991.
A year later he had 40 employees, a new, $2.5 million studio off Northside Drive called DARP (Dallas Austin Recording Projects), and none of the bravado you would expect from a young guy with so much.
"I don't think it's real important to have my face everywhere," he said in his first in-depth interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in June 1993. "It's no big thing that people can't look at me and see I've helped sell 8 million records. I mean, I know it's something, I guess. But it's really only the beginning. And it will never be anything to trip off of."
Aerosmith, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Natalie Cole and George Clinton all have knocked on DARP's door for hits. The TLC record he co-produced, "CrazySexyCool," propelled them to the position of top-selling female group at that time. And the next TLC album, "FanMail," earned him his first Grammy. Still, six years after that first AJC profile, Austin sang the same tune. "I'm very, very happy being in the background, " Austin told the newspaper in May 1999. "If I have to be noticed at all.
"See, to me, the fun is taking the drive to get to your destination," he continued. "I love what Puff Daddy and David Geffen have done, and the level they've gotten to in this business. But I feel like at a certain point consumers can assume you're too big and untouchable."
"He's still just a good ole country boy," says V-103 afternoon announcer Ryan Cameron. "Dallas has always been about the music, never the notoriety."
Cameron has known Austin most of his 16 years on the radio, and their kids now attend one another's birthday parties. "He drives a [Rolls-Royce] Phantom...hangs out with Lenny Kravitz and Denzel Washington and still doesn't have that flash about him," Cameron said.
"He could go into the food court at Lenox [Square] right now, and no one may recognize him. He's just real cool. Very genuine. Very approachable. All-around nice guy. And always, always about the music."
Well, not always. In 2002 he made his debut as a film producer, releasing a surprise hit loosely based on his early years in high school bands called "Drumline." Earlier this year he was back in theaters with "ATL," a movie centered around a skating rink, where he met Watkins, who would become a TLC member and "ATL" co-producer.
Austin has also taken on the role of unofficial ambassador for the city — carrying the Olympic torch during its relay through town. He took part in the G-8 Summit at Sea Island. He's hosted parties at his home for Mercedes-Benz (attended by Gov. Sonny Perdue) and Adidas' Y-3 line, helping convince the latter to later open its first free-standing boutique here. He's donated recording studios to J.E. Brown Middle School, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Southside High School.
And at Mayor Shirley Franklin's request, he donated his musical services to come up with a new theme song for the city, called "The ATL."
"Dallas is young and hip," Franklin said in late 2005 when the song was unveiled. "And he's one of the good guys."
The promotional campaign that included "The ATL" even featured Austin in a print ad.
"That's not usually my kind of deal," Austin said then. "But I'm proud of my city. And I hope to continue to make my city proud."
— Staff writer Don Melvin contributed to this article.
Crafted Hits for Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler
By Chris Morris
NEW YORK (June 26) - Producer Arif Mardin, whose career stretched from classic productions for Atlantic Records to a late-career triumph with Norah Jones , died Sunday in New York after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 74.
During nearly 30 years with Atlantic, Mardin's sleek, jazz-savvy producing and arranging skills were applied to hit recordings by, among others, the Bee Gees, the Average White Band, Bette Midler , Willie Nelson , Aretha Franklin , Dusty Springfield, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.
Over the years, he collected 11 Grammy Awards, including album of the year, record of the year and producer of the year honors for his work on Jones' debut, "Come Away With Me," in 2003.
Born March 15, 1932, in Istanbul, Turkey, Mardin graduated from Istanbul University and studied at the London School of Economics. A devoted jazz fan, he met trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and arranger Quincy Jones in 1956, and two years later received the first Quincy Jones Scholarship from Boston's Berklee College of Music.
After graduating from Berklee in 1961 and teaching there, Mardin joined Atlantic in 1963 as an assistant to label executive Nesuhi Ertegun, brother of co-founder Ahmet Ertegun and a fellow Turk and jazz devotee. Mardin rose through the company, eventually becoming senior vice president.
Mardin brought his jazz-honed skills to such hit singles as "Pick Up the Pieces" by the Average White Band, "Groovin"' by the Young Rascals, "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins and "Jive Talkin"' by the Bee Gees. He arranged or produced such key Aretha Franklin albums as "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You," "Lady Soul," "Spirit in the Dark" and the live gospel session "Amazing Grace." But he could also shift gears, helming albums by such folk and roots talents as John Prine, Willie Nelson and Doug Sahm.
Mardin also released two instrumental albums in his own name on Atlantic: "Glass Onion" (1970) and "Journey" (1975). Often working outside Atlantic's auspices, Mardin later produced such artists as Rod Stewart , George Benson , Barbra Streisand , Patti LaBelle and Diana Ross .
Over the years, Mardin dabbled in theater and TV productions: He produced the music for Bette Midler's 1992 TV production of "Gypsy" and worked on Whitney Houston 's 1997 remake of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella." He won a Grammy for his production of the cast album for "Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller," and received a nomination for the original cast album of "Rent."
Mardin retired from Atlantic in May 2001. Later that year, he became co-vp/general manager at EMI's Manhattan Records. His first production there was Jones' bestselling debut; he also produced albums by singers Melissa Errico and Dianne Reeves.
Mardin is survived by wife Latife, son Joe and daughter Julie.
Harriet Tubman performs in Harlem, NY at URB ALT Festival July 1st
by Tuklb1
NEW YORK - URB ALT Festival: URB ALT Comes To Harlem continues July 1, 2006 with a special performance by jazz/rock musicians, Harriet Tubman, joined by a young liar from Brooklyn's Indie Rock experimentalist scene. This incredible collaboration occurs at the beautiful Faison Firehouse Theater, creative home of Tony award winning choreographer of the Wiz, George Faison. Also performing are the Monika H. Band, Tenderhead, Boston Fielder, Nerdkween and Shaka Zulu Overdrive with Grisha Coleman.
Harriet Tubman was formed in 1998 when drummer J.T. Lewis, guitarist Brandon Ross and bassist Melvin Gibbs came together in homage to the heroic African-American who helped more than 300 slaves escape bondage. Individually these avant rockers have propelled the work of diverse artists such as Sting, Meshell N'degeocello, Butch Morris, Living Colour, Dead Prez, Cassandra Wilson and Henry Rollins. Together as Harriet Tubman they create improvised music that signifies the universality of the American cultural experience.
July 1, 2006 at 8 pm. 7pm doors open.
Faison Firehouse Theater
6 Hancock Place Harlem, NY
A,C,D,B trains to 125th Street
Harriet Tubman with very special guest, headliner - www.harriettubmanmusic.com
with
Monika H. Band
Tenderhead
Shaka Zulu Overdrive with Grisha Coleman
Nerdkween
Boston Fielder(MuthaWit)
$20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door.
www.urbalt.net
Tickets online: www.ticketalternative.com and search "urb alt"
Tickets by phone: 877-725-8849
URB ALT Festival hotline at 866.206.9068 x5378 or text "URBALT" to 30364 for URB ALT updates directly to your phone.
Dallas Austin Arrested In Dubai For Drugs
By Remmie Fresh
Revered R&B and Hip-Hop producer Dallas Austin has been detained in a Dubai prison for allegedly transporting illegal drugs into the Arab country.
According to the New York Daily News, the producer was traveling to model Naomi Campbell's birthday party last month when he was incarcerated.
The report did not indicate what illicit drugs the producer was accused of holding.
Austin has crafted beats for the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Brandy, TLC, Aretha Franklin, the Indigo Girls and Boyz II Men, Fishbone and owns Rowdy Records.
Campbell's celebration was held over the course of three-days at the Burj Al Arab hotel. Dubai has very little tolerance for illicit drugs.
According to the Dubai government's official website, penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal substances can result in jail sentences for the offender.
In extreme cases, the death sentence for convicted drug traffickers is imposed, while possession of small quantities of various drugs can result in length jail sentences.
Representatives for Austin weren't available for comment at press time.
Yesterday, I was begged, "please do not say what's happening to Dallas Austin. For fear of his life." But then Rush & Molloy broke the news in their gossip column today. Here's what I know.
Dallas Austin, the Atlanta R&B/hip-hop/rap producer of TLC and other major recording groups, got nabbed in Dubai a month ago for drug possession. It was serious. They found coke and a miscellaneous assortment of goodies on him. Austin, as reported, was arriving for Naomi Campbell's birthday party.
Since then, Austin has foundered in a Dubai prison waiting for something to happen. I'm told he has a trial set for the first week of July.
His lawyers, including Atlanta record biz heavyweight Joel Katz, have been trying to settle the case and spring him before that. Of course, the fear is that should a trial go badly, Austin could wind up lost in a Middle Eastern judicial system a la the infamous story told in the film "Midnight Express."
Obviously, no country should be lenient about drugs, but wouldn't it make more sense for Dubai — which is struggling to become the Las Vegas of the Middle East — to extradite Austin back here for trial and punishment?
Dubai, by all accounts, is dying to have Western celebrities and entertainers at its resorts, casinos and nightclubs. The specter of arrest and incarceration isn't going to make that country so appealing, I feel. Tolerance and rational behavior as responses should do the trick.
By the way, didn't Naomi party with the Prince of Dubai over New Year's? He's rumored to be courting her with all kinds of diamonds. Certainly the Prince must have some sway with local authorities. I'm surprised Naomi hasn't used her substantial powers of persuasion to secure Austin's release yet.
[UpDate#2] ... R&B music producer faces drug trial ....
by TFSnewsRoom/APmusic.com
R&B music producer faces drug trial
By ANJAN SUNDARAM,
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - American R&B music producer Dallas Austin is to go on trial in Dubai on cocaine possession charges, his lawyer and police said Monday.
The 34-year-old producer who crafted beats for Michael Jackson, Madonna, TLC and others was arrested in possession of the banned drug at Dubai's airport May 19, Austin's lawyer Qays Hatem al-Zu'bi told The Associated Press in Dubai.
Dubai's police did not release details of Austin's arrest, which only emerged after Austin's first hearing last week at the Dubai Court of First Instance. Austin is due to appear at the court again on July 2, al-Zu'bi said.
Al-Zu'bi said the producer is charged with possessing illegal drugs for personal use, not with smuggling or trafficking in narcotics.
A police official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Austin was caught with an unspecified amount of cocaine in his possession.
Press reports in Dubai indicate that Austin was traveling to British model Naomi Campbell's birthday party at Dubai's flashy Burj al-Arab hotel when he was arrested at the airport. But al-Zu'bi disputed those reports, saying Austin came to Dubai to attend music concerts.
The Emirates has in the past has sentenced people to several years in prison for drug possession.
According to an Internet profile on the producer, Austin hails from Atlanta, where he founded the Dallas Austin Foundation, which aims to train urban youths for careers in the music and entertainment industries. Georgia Gov. Sunny Perdue asked Austin to sit on a special commission that sought to lure entertainment businesses to the state.
One of the signature silver wigs of pop artist Andy Warhol, Brought $10,800 when put up on the block at Christie's Auction House in New York.
By Larry Mcshane, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK — Bidders flipped their wigs Thursday at a Manhattan auction where one of pop art icon Andy Warhol's signature silver hairpieces sold for $10,800.
The wig, complete with three strips of toupee tape inside, was worn by Warhol during the early 1980s. Warhol began wearing the hairpieces in the early 1960s, and they eventually turned into fashion accessories more than a cover-up for his baldness. Presale estimates for the hairpiece were $4,000 to $6,000.
It was one of several lots put up at Christie's auction house by Jeffrey Warhola, the artist's nephew. A 1977 Polaroid photo of Muhammad Ali, signed by Warhol, sold for $19,200. And a Warhol Polaroid of Mick Jagger from 1975 went for $15,600.
The top items in the celebrity sale belonged to Marilyn Monroe. A black cocktail dress worn during filming of The Misfits sold for $66,000, while a full-length ermine coat worn by Monroe in 1957 sold for $50,400.
An address and telephone book belonging to Monroe in the early 1960s sold for $31,200, more than double the pre-sale estimate. Many of the entries were written in by the movie goddess' personal assistant, but there were notations in Monroe's own writing for well-known friends like Susan Strasberg, Dean Martin and Sam Goldwyn Jr.
There was also a page in the back of the book with a listing of doctor's numbers, including Monroe's personal physician, her psychiatrist and her psychoanalyst.
A bracelet presented to the late Gone With the Wind star Clark Gable by his future wife, actress Carole Lombard, sold for $7,800. The gold-linked bracelet had Gable's initials on the clasp, and bore the message, I Love You CL. It was accompanied by two black-and-white photos of Gable wearing the jewelry.
A copy of the book Gone With the Wind, inscribed to Gable by the film's producer, David O. Selznick, sold for $10,200.
Claydes X.Smith , Kool and the Gang Guitarist, RIP ....
by TFSnewsRoom/AP.com
Claydes X.Smith, Kool and the Gang, RIP
Claydes Charles Smith
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, died Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J. after a long illness, his publicist said. He was 57.
Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. After a downturn, the group enjoyed a return to stardom in the '80s.
Smith wrote the hits "Joanna" and "Take My Heart," and was a co-writer of others, including "Celebration," "Hollywood Swinging" and "Jungle Boogie."
Born on Sept. 6, 1948, in Jersey City, N.J., he was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early 1960s.
Later in that decade he was in a group of New Jersey jazz musicians, including Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan), Robert "Kool" Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert "Spike" Mickens, who became Kool & the Gang. Other members would include lead singer James "JT" Taylor
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Little Richard and Joe Cocker joined hundreds of friends and relatives of Billy Preston in celebrating his musical legacy during an upbeat funeral Tuesday.
A brass band played "Amazing Grace" during a service filled with tributes to the prolific songwriter and musician who played with the Beatles so often he was sometimes called the fifth member of the band.
Preston died June 6 in a hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz., at age 59. He battled chronic kidney failure, received a kidney transplant in 2002 and had been in a coma since November.
"He made that piano walk and talk," Little Richard, who toured with Preston in the early 1960s, told the crowd that filled Faithful Central Bible Church's Tabernacle Worship Center. "There's nobody in this world who could play the piano like Billy Preston."
Cocker sang the ballad "You Are So Beautiful," which Preston wrote but was made famous by the raspy-voiced singer.
The mourners also heard letters written by Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and others who toured with Preston.
"I am deeply saddened to lose such a wonderful friend," McCartney wrote. "I love you Billy."
Bonnie Raitt, also in a letter, said Preston was "one of the most soulful artists I ever knew."
In addition to his healthy solo career, Preston toured and recorded with the Rolling Stones and performed in recording sessions with Aretha Franklin, Sly and the Family Stone and Bob Dylan.
A teen prodigy on the piano and organ, Preston lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles' "Get Back" and the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?"
He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," and scoring other hits with "Will It Go 'Round In Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing."
His duet with Syreeta Wright, "With You I'm Born Again," became a favorite at weddings.
In 1975, Preston sang on the debut of "Saturday Night Live."
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A year after Michael Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges, a lawsuit by a former associate is headed for a trial that will put Jackson's chaotic financial dealings in the spotlight. The pop star is not expected in court but he will be seen through videotaped depositions.
"To my knowledge, he's not scheduled for any court appearances," said Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain. She said that Jackson, who has been living in Bahrain, is traveling in Europe. He answered questions twice in depositions in London.
Jackson is being sued by F. Marc Schaffel for $3.8 million in what Schaffel says are unrepaid loans and expenses, unpaid salary for work on a charity record and his share of proceeds from two TV specials that were produced to bolster Jackson's battered reputation after child molestation allegations surfaced.
Facts involved in Jackson's criminal trial last year are likely to be revisited when Schaffel testifies about his role in attending to the family of a boy who claimed he was molested by Jackson.
But most of the witnesses called by Schaffel will be money managers and business advisers. Jury selection is set for July 26.
Bitter feelings between Jackson and Schaffel are evident in pretrial briefs.
Schaffel's attorney, Howard King, portrayed the singer as an incurable spendthrift who sought financial guidance from advisers, then ignored it.
"Jackson carried no credit cards, wrote no checks, carried no `walking around money' and had people attending to his every need," said King's trial brief. "Jackson hired competent advisers to make business decisions then frequently ignored the decisions being made and ... incurred expenses without regard to any rational limits or accountability, as though funds were endless..."
For his part, Jackson claims that Schaffel defrauded him and hid the facts of his allegedly shady past
Warner Bros. Records plots encore for Ostin
By Chris Morris
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Former Warner Bros. Records chairman Mo Ostin may be close to returning to the label in a consulting capacity after months of discussions driven by current Warner chairman and CEO Tom Whalley, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Ostin, who joined Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records in 1963 as an accountant, went on to helm Warner Bros. for three decades during its years as the music business leader.
The universally respected executive exited the company in 1995 during a period of management turmoil; with former Warner Bros. president Lenny Waronker, he went on to head DreamWorks Records until its purchase by Universal Music Group in 2004.
The talks about a possible encore by Ostin commenced after a private February 7 ceremony at which Warner Bros.' Burbank headquarters was renamed the Mo Ostin Building. Ostin also was honored by the Recording Academy at a post- Grammys fete the following day.
It remains unclear exactly what role the retired 79-year-old executive would play at the label, but his presence in even a consulting function would add luster to the executive roster at Warner Bros., currently the No. 3 U.S. label group.
Many of the architects of Warner Music's glory years remain on board at the company. Ahmet Ertegun continues to serve as founding chairman of Atlantic Records; Seymour Stein is in place as CEO of Sire Records; and Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman heads WMG's online label Cordless Recordings.
A WMG spokesman declined comment. Ostin could not be reached.
N.Y. Judge Issues Warrant for Boy George
Jun 16 7:00 PM US/Eastern
By SAMUEL MAULL
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK
A clearly annoyed Manhattan judge issued an arrest warrant Friday for Boy George after the former Culture Club singer failed to appear in court to explain why he wants to change his sentence for falsely reporting a burglary.
Judge Anthony Ferrara also ridiculed the singer's suggestions for serving community service, which included a proposal to hold a fashion-and-makeup workshop. But he said he would not order an arrest until a June 26 hearing on whether Boy George violated the terms of his sentence.
The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, pleaded guilty in March to false reporting of a burglary at his Manhattan apartment, where police found cocaine.
Under his plea deal, O'Dowd was to enter a drug-treatment program in England and do five days of community service in Manhattan. He was also fined $1,000.
But the judge angrily complained that O'Dowd had not paid the fine and had never reported to the office that assigns community service work.
"I put people in jail who don't pay fines," the judge told O'Dowd's lawyer, Louis Freeman. "Why shouldn't I do that?"
Freeman said he had told O'Dowd, who was in England, that he did not have to appear Friday but that he should be ready to fly to New York on a moment's notice. He said the singer would be present for his next court date.
Assistant District Attorney Craig Ortner called O'Dowd's absence "audacious" and told the judge he opposed any modification of the sentence.
"The defendant got a good deal. He got a fair deal," Ortner said.
O'Dowd's drug woes reportedly led to the collapse of Culture Club, which scored the hit 1980s singles "Karma Chameleon" and "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"
The judge ridiculed Freeman's community service proposals, which included helping teenagers make a public-service announcement, holding a fashion-and-makeup workshop, and serving as D.J. at an HIV/AIDS benefit.
His lawyer said O'Dowd hoped to do something more worthwhile than sweeping streets and sidewalks.
"There's nothing wrong with that if that's part of his punishment, but it will turn into a media circus, and the press will be following him every day," Freeman said.
The judge said he understood the objection to street cleaning: "It's humiliation." However, he said, O'Dowd "got out from under a felony, and he took a (misdemeanor) deal that had an element of humiliation. And he doesn't serve himself well by not paying the fine. We know he has the means."
CHICAGO - A judge will allow the public and the media to view a videotape in court that prosecutors allege shows singer R. Kelly having sex with an underage girl.
In his ruling Thursday, Judge Vincent Gaughan said he saw no "overarching interest" in banning the tape from public view.
"This is the whole crux and linchpin of the case," Gaughan said. "If there was no tape, we wouldn't have a case."
Kelly has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography. Prosecutors claim the videotape was made sometime during a nearly three-year span between January 1998 and October 2000, when the girl may have been as young as 13.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys had asked Gaughan to limit the viewing of the video to only jurors, attorneys and the judge himself. They argued that the video is so lewd it would embarrass the girl, who is now 21.
Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Shauna Boliker said prosecutors do not plan to call the girl as a witness.
Lula Hardaway, mother of Stevie Wonder, dies at 76 ..
by TFSnewsRoom/APmusic.com
Lula Hardaway, mother of Stevie Wonder, dies at 76
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lula Mae Hardaway, mother of singer Stevie Wonder, has died. She was 76.
Hardaway died May 31 in Los Angeles, Wonder's publicist Shelley Selover said Thursday.
She did not know the cause of death.
"To us you are and always will be our everything! God blessed us with our only living angel," said a memorial comment from Wonder and other family members included in an obituary for Hardaway's Thursday funeral in Los Angeles.
Hardaway is credited as a co-writer on several of Wonder's songs, including the hits I Was Made to Love Her and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours.
Hardaway was born Jan. 11, 1930, to a sharecropper in Eufaula, Ala. Her life was marked by poverty and abuse, according to interviews she gave for a 2002 biography, Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder's Mother.
"She had a very, very rough upbringing. She went from house to house as a child, from relative to relative. Her parents didn't want her," said Stacy Brown, who co-wrote the book.
At 15, she and her father moved to Indiana, where she went to work in a sewing factory. She married a much older man, Calvin Judkins, father of her children, who drank, beat her and eventually forced her into prostitution to support the family, according to the book.
She eventually fled to Detroit, divorced and got work. It was in Detroit that her blind 10-year-old son, Stevie, began singing on street corners. His talent caught the eye of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr., who signed him to a record contract and nicknamed him Little Stevie Wonder.
His mother negotiated his first contract, Brown said.
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1975, where Hardaway was known for her barbecue sauce and peach cobbler. She was a religious woman who kept Bibles on the bed, dresser and couch, according to the obituary from her family.
Pupils Say They Saw Teachers Have Sex
By JOSH POLTILOVE The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jun 8, 2006
TAMPA - Two Hillsborough County middle school teachers have resigned after students saw them having sex in a classroom, a report released Wednesday states.
Foreign language teacher Frances J. Sepulveda, 30, and physical education teacher Bryant J. Wilburn, 29, quit two days after the May 22 incident at Coleman Middle School, 1724 S. Manhattan Ave.
Sepulveda's classroom door was locked and paper covered its window, but a boy and a girl saw the teachers through the window, the report states.
Hillsborough school district spokesman Steve Hegarty said information about the incident will be sent to the state Department of Education.
"These teachers showed appallingly bad judgment," he said. "We dealt with it quickly, and the teachers are no longer welcome in the Hillsborough County classroom."
According to the report, the boy told a school district investigator Sepulveda appeared tired when she opened the classroom door and was stressed during class.
The girl told Principal Mike Hoskinson that "Ms. Sepulveda had pulled her out of her next period class and told her to keep quiet and not to say what she saw," the report states. Hoskinson told the investigator he interviewed the teachers and they denied having sex.
Wilburn told the investigator he was eating lunch and doing a crossword puzzle in Sepulveda's class while she worked.
Sepulveda initially said she and Wilburn were just friends but later acknowledged twice having sex with him in the classroom, the report states. Wilburn said they had sex in the room during work hours "on one or two occasions."
The two teachers could not be reached for comment.
Sepulveda joined the district in 2000 and started at Coleman in July. Wilburn had been at the south Tampa middle school since being hired by the district in 2001.
In 2005, Wilburn received an outstanding mark for establishing and maintaining standards for student behavior.
In a 2002 evaluation while teaching Spanish at Jefferson High School, Sepulveda was commended for working well with students.
Coleman parent Ari FitzGerald said her son, who wasn't a witness to the incident, thought Sepulveda was a good teacher.
"Obviously [the incident] reflects bad judgment," FitzGerald said.
'Fifth Beatle' Billy Preston dead at 59
Jun 06 3:09 PM US/Eastern
US blues and rock giant Billy Preston, dubbed the "Fifth Beatle" following his collaboration with the Fab Four, has died at the age of 59, a US television network reported.
Preston's representatives could not immediately be reached for comment and the hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona where he reportedly died could not confirm the passing of the legendary musician.
Fox News said the musician and songwriter died of "malignant hypertension" that resulted in kidney failure and other complications following a long illness.
Preston was dubbed the Fifth Beatle after taking to the keyboard on The Beatles classic song "Let It Be," as well as on their "The White Album" and "Abbey Road."
Preston also played with musical superstars such as soul genius Ray Charles and rocker Little Richard, and collaborated with The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, The Jackson Five, Sly and the Family Stone and diva Barbra Streisand.
Preston also produced hits on his own, including "Nothing From Nothing," "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "You Are So Beautiful," which became a major hit for British blues singer Joe Cocker.
Grateful Dead's last keyboardist dies
By JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES - Vince Welnick, the Grateful Dead's last keyboard player and a veteran of other bands, including the Tubes and Missing Man Formation, has died, the Grateful Dead's longtime publicist said Saturday.
Welnick died Friday, said Dennis McNally, who would not release the cause. The Sonoma County coroner's office said an autopsy would be performed next week.
He lived in the northern California town of Forestville, but McNally said he didn't know whether he died at home or in a hospital.
McNally said Welnick was 51. The musician's Web site gives two ages for him, 51 and 55, but several other sources list his age as 55.
With long, frizzy hair and tie-dyed clothes, Welnick clearly looked the part of a member of a band that had been born in 1965 in San Francisco, then the cradle of the country's emerging psychedelic counterculture.
But he was largely unfamiliar with the band's music when he joined in 1990, and he recalled years later that he was so nervous he could barely play at his first show. He was quickly put at ease when the Cleveland audience gave him a warm welcome.
"The big thing about Vince was that he had that fearlessness to be able to go and just jump into our madness and just operate on it like it was a normal, everyday procedure," Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart recalled Saturday. "A lot of people can play, but with us they just don't know how to navigate. Our music is different."
Hart recalled Welnick as not only a "nimble" keyboard player but also a fine background singer whose vocals added much to the group's songs.
"He had this real high harmony. He could go where others couldn't," Hart said.
The musician, who grew up in Phoenix, moved to San Francisco in the early 1970s with the Beans, which soon renamed itself the Tubes. After the group temporarily disbanded in the mid-1980s, he worked with Todd Rundgren before joining the Grateful Dead.
"His service to and love for the Grateful Dead were heartfelt and essential. He had a loving soul and a joy in music that we were lucky to share," the group said in a statement on its Web site. "Our Grateful Dead prayer for the repose of his spirit: May the four winds blow him safely home."
Welnick was the last in a long line of Grateful Dead keyboardists, several of whom died prematurely, leading some of the group's fans to conclude that the position came with a curse.
Welnick had replaced Brent Mydland, who died of a drug overdose in 1990. Mydland had succeeded Keith Godchaux, who died in a car crash shortly after leaving the band. And Godchaux had replaced the band's original keyboard player, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, who died at 27 in 1973.
Two other Grateful Dead keyboardists, Bruce Hornsby and Tom Constanten, survived the supposed curse just fine. Constanten worked with McKernan in the late 1960s, and Hornsby and Welnick played alongside one another for 18 months in the early 1990s.
The band retired the name Grateful Dead and quit touring after lead guitarist Jerry Garcia died of a heart attack in 1995. The death of the group's unofficial leader hit Welnick particularly hard, McNally recalled Saturday.
"When he joined the Grateful Dead he really embraced the opportunity, both musically and emotionally," McNally recalled. "And to lose it within five years hurt him maybe worse than anybody else in the band."
In the years following Garcia's death the group's other longtime members have occasionally toured as The Other Ones or The Dead.
Welnick, who formed his own group, Missing Man Formation, occasionally went on the road himself and had been scheduled to perform later this month, according to his Web site.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Accused Of Plagiarism
Of a Tom Petty Track...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been accused of plagiarism by a radio station in America.
The station, WGMD in Delaware, has produced pretty damning evidence that the bands last single ‘Dani California’ is a rip off of a Tom Petty track.
The song in question is Petty’s 90’s hit ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’ and the radio stations Morning Show presenter and producer have alleged the plagiarism.
Producer Jared Morris said: “The chord progression, the melody, the tempo, the key, the lyrical theme… they’re identical.”
Show presenter Dan Gaffney has produced this MP3 to show up the similarities and help people make their own decisions.
Welcome to all the new people who signed up to join the BRC e-mail list. This
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All respects due…
KATHERINE DUNHAM
(1910-2006)
Legendary dancer, choreographer, matron of the arts,
company founder, freedom fighter.
_____________________________________________________
BRC ON MYSPACE.COM
Check us out at www.myspace.com/blackrockcoalition.
SELECT EPISODES OF THE BRC RADIO SHOWS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR
"MYSPACE" PAGE!
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BRC RADIO ON THE INTERNET
The Black Rock Coalition hosts two (2) Internet radio shows:
For all the latest Black rock music (major, indie, DIY), check out "BRC@WPS1"
on www.wps1.org.
NEW SHOW STARTING 5/29 – Unreleased finalist tracks from the BRC CD
compilation, "Rock ‘n Roll Reparations: Volume 1," including tracks from D’Extreme,
Jungli, X is X, Juneteenth, The Ace Annihilation, Rahj, Monique Dubose, Dominick
Marcano, Hanifah Walidah, Soma Mestizo, Gordon Hayden and Demolition Pit!
For all-time Black rock standards and hallmark performers, check out "BRC
Classics" on www.soul-patrol.net.
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TWIBR is now and forever on Urban Voyeur, the most comprehensive online
archive of the progressive Black music scene. Log on at: www.urbanvoyeur.com.
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WORLDEATER RECORDINGS
The Black Rock Coalition’s studio and production partner for our fifth band
compilation, "Rock ‘N Roll Reparations: Volume 1," is open to all musicians.
World Eater Recordings-Bed Stuy, NYC
Jared Hassan, engineer
Email: worldeatermusic@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.worldeaterrecordings.xbuild.com
Engineer's page: http://www.myspace.com/jaredhassan
Phone: (718) 443-8126
Rehearsals: $10 per hour
Recording: $35 per hour-$200 for 8 hour block
Mixing/Mastering/Live Sound/Rentals/Bookings and Promotions/Consultations
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KEEP FOLLOWING TWIBR FOR DETAILS!
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Faith/Keziah Jones/Moisturizer/Cincopath at Fontana’s, NYC
WHAT: Urban alternative superstar showcase. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: $8. INFO:
fontanasnyc.com or (212) 334-6740. WHERE: 105 Eldridge Street between Broome and
Grand Streets, Lower East Side. ARTIST SITE: www.faithny.com,
www.keziahjones.com.
Maritri/Tantra at Triad, NYC
WHAT: Soul sisters join forces at Triad. WHEN: 7PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO:
(212) 362-2590. WHERE: 158 West 72nd Street between Columbus and
Broadway/Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side.
Steve Coleman’s Five Elements at Jazz Gallery, NYC (through 5/27)
WHAT: M-Base co-founder and sax virtuoso brings his band in for three nights
at Jazz Gallery. WHEN: Two sets each night, 9PM and 10:30PM. HOW MUCH: $15.
INFO: jazzgallery.org or (212) 242-1063. WHERE: 290 Hudson Street below Spring
Street in West Soho.
Don Byron/John Abercrombie/Eddie Gomez/Lenny White at Birdland,
NYC (through 5/27)
WHAT: Super group plays the week at Birdland. WHEN: Two sets, 9PM and 11PM.
HOW MUCH: $30 (plus minimum at tables). INFO: birdlandjazz.com or (212)
581-3080. WHERE: 158 West 72nd Street between Columbus and Broadway/Amsterdam Avenue,
Upper West Side. ARTIST SITE: www.donbyron.com.
Taj Mahal at The Blue Note, NYC (through 5/28)
WHAT: Roots rock legend returns to The Blue Note. HOW MUCH: $35 at bar; $45
at tables. WHEN: Two sets, 8PM and 10:30PM. INFO: (212) 475-8592 or
bluenotejazz.com. WHERE: 131 West Third Street between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal,
Greenwich Village.
Robert Glasper Trio at The Village Vanguard, NYC (through 5/28)
WHAT: Young lion jazz pianist returns to Village Vanguard. WHEN: Two sets
each night, 9PM and 11PM; 12:30AM set on Saturday. HOW MUCH: $30, Sunday through
Thursday; $35, Friday and Saturday. INFO: villagevanguard.com or (212)
255-4037. WHERE: 178 Seventh Avenue South, Greenwich Village.
FRIDAY, MAY 26
The Reese Band at Knitting Factory, NYC
WHAT: Eclectic soul brother plays Emergenza Festival. WHEN: 8:30PM doors. HOW
MUCH: $12 advance/$18 door. INFO: (212) 219-3132 or knittingfactory.com.
WHERE: 74 Leonard Street between Broadway and Church Street, Tribeca.
Chris "Daddy" Dave and Friends at The Blue Note, NYC
Featuring Stokley (Mint Condition)
WHAT: Award-winning drummer/percussionist returns to The Blue Note with MC
bandmate/vocalist Stokley. HOW MUCH: $15. WHEN: 12:30AM. INFO: (212) 475-8592 or
bluenotejazz.com. WHERE: 131 West Third Street between Sixth Avenue and
MacDougal, Greenwich Village.
Melvin Van Peebles’ "Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death" at T New York,
NYC (Thursdays-Saturdays)
WHAT: Longtime radical renaissance brother presents a new stage work. Debuts
tonight and runs weekends starting 5/4. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: CONTACT VENUE.
INFO: tnewyorkcity.com or (212) 489-7656. WHERE: 240 West 52nd Street between
Broadway and Eighth Avenue.
"Bridge and Tunnel" at The Helen Hayes Theater, NYC (through 7/9)
Featuring Sarah Jones
WHAT: Revolutionary poet/actress brings her award-winning one-woman show to
Broadway. WHEN: 8PM doors/9PM show. HOW MUCH: $86.25. DISCOUNT TICKETS
AVAILABLE: This special discount makes select tickets available for $46.25. Just type
in code BTDLZ37 at broadwayoffers.com or call Telecharge at (212) 947-8844 and
mention the same code, BTDLZ37. INFO: (212) 944-9450. WHERE: 240 West 44th
Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.sarahjonesonline.com
.
Year Of The Dragon at McDuffy’s, Tempe, AZ
Featuring Spacey-T and Dirty Walt
WHAT: Legendary L.A. hardcore rockers head south for an AZ one-off. WHEN:
8PM. HOW MUCH: $12. INFO: (480) 966-5600 or mcduffys.com/tempe. WHERE: 230 West
Fifth Street.
The Family Stand at The Jazz Café, London, UK (through 5/27)
The BellRays at Teatre Lloseta, Mallorca, SPA
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 27
Funkface at Sin-é, NYC
With Jerome Jordan, Honeychild, Remi Sammy, Constant Bernard, Lisa Mquade,
Kristen Murphy, Agnes Jawein, Alex Curran, Ryan Cunningham, Dave Barry;
Dustbin Brothers on decks
WHAT: Noted punk funk combo celebrates CD release. WHEN: 7PM. HOW MUCH: $10.
INFO: (718) 388-0077. WHERE: 150 Attorney Street between Stanton and East
Houston Streets, Lower East Side.
Melvin Gibbs’ Geechee Seminoles at Tonic, NYC
WHAT: Eye and I/Rollins Band/Harriet Tubman bassist unveils his new bag at
Tonic. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: $12. INFO: tonicnyc.com or (212) 358-7501. WHERE:
107 Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets, Lower East Side.
"Philadelphia Black Heritage Festival" at Clark Park, Philadelphia, PA
(through 5/28)
WHAT: Two-day festival celebrating Black culture. WHEN: 10AM-6PM, Thursday;
10AM-8PM, Friday; 11AM-8PM, Saturday. HOW MUCH: FREE. INFO: (215) 552-8186 or
clarkpark.info. WHERE: 43rd and Baltimore.
Leon Ware at NXNW, Philadelphia, PA
WHAT: Legendary soul songwriter plays a rare East Coast gig in Philly. WHEN:
10PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: (215) 248-1000 or nxnwphl.com. WHERE: 7165
Germantown Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.leonware.com.
TV On The Radio at Amphitheater at Clark County, Ridgefield, WA
With Nine Inch Nails
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi eclectophiles tour the States with NIN. WHEN: 8PM. HOW
MUCH: $24-$49.50, depending on seating. INFO: (360) 816-7000. WHERE: 17200 NE
Delfel Road. ARTIST SITE: www.tvontheradio.com.
The BellRays at Loco Club, Valencia, SPA
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 28
Afropunk Liberation Sessions at The Delancey, NYC
Featuring Phil Moore Browne, Charge, Lights and Sirens and DJ Wildcat
WHAT: Afropunk Delancey takeover. WHEN: 7:30PM doors. HOW MUCH: $10. INFO:
thedelancey.com or (212) 254-9920. WHERE: 168 Delancey Street at Clinton Street
at the mouth of the Williamsburg Bridge, Lower East Side. ARTIST SITE:
www.afropunk.com.
TV On The Radio at Idaho Center, Nampa, ID
With Nine Inch Nails
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi eclectophiles tour the States with NIN. WHEN: 6PM
doors/7PM show. HOW MUCH: $29.50-$39.50, depending on seating. INFO: (208) 468-1000
or idahocenter.com. WHERE: 16200 Can Ada Road. ARTIST SITE:
www.tvontheradio.com.
Ben Harper at Deer Lake Park, Burnaby, BC
INFO: www.benharper.com.
MONDAY, MAY 29 (MEMORIAL DAY)
Bernie Worrell and The WOO Warriors at Tonic, NYC
WHAT: P-Funk keyboard wizard and band return to Tonic. WHEN: Two sets, 8PM
and 10PM. HOW MUCH: $12. INFO: tonicnyc.com or (212) 358-7501. WHERE: 107
Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets, Lower East Side. ARTIST SITE:
www.bernieworrell.com.
Rich Medina’s Kindred Spirits at Joe’s Pub, NYC
Featuring Lady Alma, Maya Azucena and Sy Smith
WHAT: Premier Philly DJ showcases original material with live talent. HOW
MUCH: $15. WHEN: 9:30PM. INFO: (212) 539-8778 or joespub.com. WHERE: 425
Lafayette Street near Astor Place.
Agent M Residence at The Delancey, NYC
Chewbacca; Mudville, Red Lotus and Aldenbarton
WHAT: Agent M (Maya) continues her alt-rock residence at The Delancey. WHEN:
7:30PM. HOW MUCH: $5. INFO: thedelancey.com or (212) 254-9920. WHERE: 168
Delancey Street at Clinton Street at the mouth of the Williamsburg Bridge, Lower
East Side.
"Steve Coleman Presents" at Jazz Gallery, NYC
WHAT: M-Base co-founder and sax virtuoso takes residence at Jazz Gallery.
WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: jazzgallery.org or (212) 242-1063. WHERE: 290
Hudson Street below Spring in West Soho.
The BellRays at "Primavera Sound Festival" (Barcelona Forum), Barcelona, SPA
(Early)
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
The BellRays at Apollo 2, Barcelona, SPA (Late)
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
The Family Stand at Paradiso, Amsterdam, HLD
TUESDAY, MAY 30
Kim Hill/Alice Smith at Joe’s Pub, NYC
WHAT: Ex-Black Eye Pea and outstanding soulstress share the bill at Joe’s.
HOW MUCH: $15. WHEN: 7PM. INFO: (212) 539-8778 or joespub.com. WHERE: 425
Lafayette Street near Astor Place.
Yellowman at B.B. King’s, NYC
With Dub Trio
WHAT: The king of dancehall returns to B.B. King’s. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: $25
advance/$27 door. INFO: bbkingblues.com or (212) 997-4144. WHERE: 237 West
42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue, Times Square.
Burnt Sugar at Zebulon Café, Brooklyn, NY
WHAT: Davisian/Sun Ra-based improv ensemble returns to Zebulon. WHEN: 8PM.
HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 218-6934 or zebuloncafeconcert.com. WHERE: 258
Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg. ARTIST SITE: www.burntsugarindex.com.
"Soul Acoustic Tuesdays" at Kili, Brooklyn, NY
Hosted by Tasneem, Ranjit, Shae Fiol and others
WHAT: Weekly downtown open mic. DJ trademark spins funk and soul classics.
WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 855-5574. WHERE: 81 Hoyt Street
between State Street and Atlantic Avenue, downtown.
TV On The Radio at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
With Nine Inch Nails
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi eclectophiles tour the States with NIN. WHEN: 7PM. HOW
MUCH: $45. INFO: (303) 295-4444. WHERE: 1400 Market Street. ARTIST SITE:
www.tvontheradio.com.
The BellRays at El Sol, Madrid, SPA
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31
Rachelle Farrell at S.O.B.’S, NYC
WHAT: Renown soul-jazz vocalist returns to S.O.B.’s. WHEN: Two sets, 10PM
doors/11PM show. HOW MUCH: $20. INFO: (212) 243-4940 or sobs.com. WHERE: 204
Varick Street at West Houston, Soho.
"Shut Up Wednesdays" at The Alligator Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
Hosted by Tasneem, Bess Rogers, Ellie Lawson and Dave Harewood
WHAT: Weekly Billyburg open mic. DJ LP spins rock classics and soul. WHEN:
8PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 599-4440. WHERE: 600 Metropolitan Avenue.
TV On The Radio at Journal Pavilion, Albuquerque, NM
With Nine Inch Nails
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi eclectophiles tour the States with NIN. WHEN: 7PM. HOW
MUCH: $25-$50. INFO: (505) 452-5100. WHERE: 5601 University Boulevard SE.
ARTIST SITE: www.tvontheradio.com.
The BellRays at Kafé Antzokia, Bilbao, SPA
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
THURSDAY, JUNE 1
A Band Called Pain/Coal Pitts Wash at Red Devil Lounge, San Francisco,
CA
WHAT: Bay Area hardcore quartet plays the Red Devil. WHEN: 9:30PM. HOW MUCH:
$6 advance/$8 door. INFO: (415) 921-1695 or reddevillounge.com. WHERE: 1695
Polk Street at Clay. ARTIST SITE: www.abandcalledpain.com.
The BellRays at Tropicana, Sontona, SPA
INFO: www.thebellrays.com.
FRIDAY, JUNE 2
Imagenation Soul Cinema Fest at The Apollo Theater, NYC
With Burnt Sugar, Martin Luther, Imani Uzuri and others; hosted by Michaela
Angela Davis and M1 (dead prez)
WHAT: Annual alternative Black film festival opening night gala. WHEN: 7PM
doors/8PM show. HOW MUCH: $35, 50, depending on seating. INFO: (212) 531-5300 or
apollotheater.com. WHERE: 253 West 125th Street between Frederick Douglass
and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevards. EVENT SITE: www.imagenation.us.
Gordon Chambers at B.B. King’s, NYC (Early)
Opening for Stephanie Mills
WHAT: Grammy-winning songwriter/singer plays B.B.’s, opening for renown
soulstress Mills. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: $68.50 advance/$72 door. INFO:
bbkingblues.com or (212) 997-4144. WHERE: 237 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth
Avenue, Times Square. ARTIST SITE: www.gordonchambers.com.
Rebirth Brass Band at B.B. King’s, NYC (Late)
WHAT: Renown New Orleans line troupe returns to B.B.’s. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH:
$17 advance/$20 door. INFO: bbkingblues.com or (212) 997-4144. WHERE: 237 West
42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue, Times Square.
TV On The Radio at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Selma, TX
With Nine Inch Nails
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi eclectophiles tour the States with NIN. WHEN: 8PM. HOW
MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (210) 657-8300. WHERE: 16765 Lookout Road. ARTIST SITE:
www.tvontheradio.com.
RHYTHM REPUBLIK AT MAKOR, NYC, 6/3
With The Citizens
LITTLE RICHARD AT THE APOLLO THEATER, NYC, 6/3
TV ON THE RADIO AT SMIRNOFF MUSIC CENTRE, DALLAS, TX, 6/3
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT FESTIVAL, SKABAZAC, FR, 6/3
BEN HARPER AT ZEPP, TOKYO, JPN, 6/3
GREGORY ISAACS AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/4
"BROOKLYN BEST FEST" AT VON KING PARK, BROOKLYN, NY, 6/4
Featuring Tamar-kali, blakBüshé, G*A*M*E Rebellion, Traciana Graves and
others
TV ON THE RADIO AT C.W. MITCHELL PAVILION, THE WOODLANDS, TX, 6/4
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT FUZZ YON, LA ROCHE, FR, 6/4
ANGIE STONE AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/5
SISTA FACTORY PRESENTS DANNY SADOWNICK AT JOE'S PUB, NYC,
6/5
With Morley, Lisala and Sophia Ramos
BEN HARPER AT DRUM LOGOS, FUKUOKA, JPN, 6/5
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS MUSIC CENTER, PELHAM, AL, 6/6
With Nine Inch Nails
BEN HARPER AT CLUB QUATTRO, HIROSHIMA, JPN, 6/6
THE BELLRAYS AT MAROQUINERIE, PARIS, FR, 6/6
THE BELLRAYS AT FESTIVAL, SKABAZAC, FR, 6/6
TV ON THE RADIO AT HIFI BUYS AMPHITHEATRE, ATLANTA, GA, 6/7
With Nine Inch Nails
BERNIE WORRELL AND WOO WARRIORS AT HIGH NOON SALOON,
MADISON, WI, 6/7
BEN HARPER AT NAMBA HATCH, OSAKA, JPN, 6/7
THE COUP AT BOWERY BALLROOM, NYC, 6/8
RAKIM/COMMON AT RUMSEY PLAYFIELD (CENTRAL PARK), NYC, 6/8
JAMES BROWN AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/8-9
EASY STAR ALL-STARS BAM RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL AT METROTECH PLAZA,
BROOKLYN, NY, 6/8
THE DIRTBOMBS AT THE DUCK ROOM AT BLUEBERRY HILL, ST. LOUIS, MO, 6/8
TV ON THE RADIO AT ALLTEL PAVILION AT WALNUT CREEK, RALEIGH, NC, 6/9
With Nine Inch Nails
THE DIRTBOMBS AT LITTLE BROTHER'S, COLUMBUS, OH, 6/9
FISHBONE AT "DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL" DONINGTON PARK, DONINGTON, UK, 6/9
BEN HARPER AT DIAMOND HALL, NAGOYA, JPN, 6/9
TAMAR-KALI AT SIN-É, NYC, 6/10
URB ALT FESTIVAL AT THE SCHOMBURG CENTER, NYC, 6/10
Featuring Dionne Farris, Muthawit Orchestra, Tenderhead, Blackbeard and
Secretary
BURNT SUGAR AT REAL ART WAYS, HARTFORD, CT, 6/10
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE-CHARLOTTE, CHARLOTTE, NC,
6/10
With Nine Inch Nails
BERNIE WORRELL AND WOO WARRIORS AT WAKARUSA,
LAWRENCE, KS, 6/10-11
THE DIRTBOMBS AT THE UNDERGROUND, TOLEDO, OH, 6/10
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE-VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
BEACH, VA, 6/11
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT JOE'S PUB, NYC, 6/11-12
TV ON THE RADIO AT NISSAN PAVILION, BRISTOW, VA, 6/13
With Nine Inch Nails
MACEO PARKER AT IRVING PLAZA, NYC, 6/14
THE BELLRAYS AT BUG JAR, ROCHESTER, NY, 6/14
TV ON THE RADIO AT TWEETER CENTER AT THE WATERFRONT, CAMDEN, NJ, 6/14
With Nine Inch Nails
GROOVE COLLECTIVE AT IRVING PLAZA, NYC, 6/15
With Avishai Cohen Trio and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
BLAKBÜSHÉ/PILLOW THEORY/SHAKA ZULU OVERDRIVE AT
GALAPAGOS, BROOKLYN, NY, 6/15
MACEO PARKER AT PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL, BROOKLYN, NY, 6/15
SPECIAL GUEST TBA BAM RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL AT METROTECH, 6/15
SOULIVE AT SQUARE CONCERT SERIES, BUFFALO, NY, 6/15
THE BELLRAYS AT ZAPHOD BEEBLEBROX, OTTAWA, CAN, 6/15
CHUCK BERRY AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/16
MARCUS MILLER BAND/ROY HARGROVE’S RH FACTOR AT IRVING PLAZA, NYC, 6/16
BERNIE WORRELL AND WOO WARRIORS AT MISHAWAKA, FORT
COLLINS, CO, 6/16
THE BELLRAYS AT LEGENDARY HORSESHOE, TORONTO, CAN, 6/16
SOULIVE AT "INDY JAZZ FEST" MILITARY PARK, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 6/17
THE BELLRAYS AT SMALL'S, HAMTRAMCK, MI, 6/17
THE BELLRAYS AT ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME FESTIVAL, CLEVELAND, OH, 6/18
(Early)
THE BELLRAYS AT BEACHLAND TAVERN, CLEVELAND, OH, 6/18 (Late)
SOULIVE AT "BONNAROO MUSIC FESTIVAL" MANCHESTER, TN, 6/18
ME’SHELL NDEGEOCELLO AT MADISON SQUARE PARK, NEW YORK,
NY, 6/21
SISTA FACTORY PRESENTS LISA SHAW AT JOE'S PUB, NYC, 6/21
POETS’ HOUSE 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT ROCKEFELLER PARK, NY, 6/21
With Special Guests The Persuasions
ODETTA AND CATHERINE RUSSELL BAM R&B FESTIVAL AT METROTECH, 6/22
THE BELLRAYS AT EMPTY BOTTLE, CHICAGO, IL, 6/22
BEN HARPER AT HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL, AMSTERDAM, NET, 6/22
MARTHA REDBONE AT JOE’S PUB, NYC, 6/23
THE BELLRAYS AT HIGH NOON SALOON, MADISON, WI, 6/23
BEN HARPER AT HURRICANE FESTIVAL, SCHEESEL, GER, 6/23
AMEL LARRIEUX AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/24
SAVION GLOVER AND FRIENDS/ROBERT GLASPER TRIO AT PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL,
BROOKLYN, NY, 6/24
THE BELLRAYS AT KDHX 88.1 FM ON-AIR, ST. LOUIS, MO, 6/24
BEN HARPER AT SOUTHSIDE FESTIVAL, NEUHASEN, GER, 6/24
THE BELLRAYS AT GABE’S OASIS, IOWA CITY, IA, 6/26
BEN HARPER AT OLYMPIA, PARIS, FRA, 6/26-30
DR. JOHN AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE JOHNNY MERCER AT ROCKEFELLER PARK, NY, 6/28
With Steve Tyrell and other special guests
THE BELLRAYS AT DUFFY'S TAVERN, LINCOLN, NE, 6/28
SALIF KEITA AT BAM R&B FESTIVAL AT METROTECH, 6/29
AFROPUNK FESTIVAL AT BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC, NYC, 6/30-7/4
SALIF KEITA AT APOLLO THEATER, NYC, 6/30
TV ON THE RADIO AT PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL, BROOKLYN, NY, 6/30
THE BELLRAYS AT LARIMER LOUNGE, DENVER, CO, 6/30
____________________________________________________
CONTACT:
Here's how you can reach us here at the B.R.C.:
SNAIL MAIL: Black Rock Coalition
P.O. Box 1054
Cooper Station
NYC, NY 10276
WEBSITE: www.blackrockcoalition.org
HOTLINE: (212) 713-5097
TO E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR T.W.I.B.R.: BRCMembersInfo@aol.com
Gas prices give touring acts the highway blues ...
by TFSnewsRoom/Reuters.com
Gas prices give touring acts the highway blues
By Ray Waddell
Sun May 28, 11:56 PM ET
NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Even as gas costs have virtually doubled during the past two years, the show must go on. Music acts, unwilling to relinquish a vital revenue stream, are touring as much as ever. It's just costing them more to do it.
"From our standpoint, we've seen virtually no change," says Trent Hemphill, president/CEO of Hemphill Bros. Coach Co., which has buses out with such tours as Madonna and Tim McGraw/ Faith Hill. "We've had a huge first half of the year."
Other tour bus and support companies report similarly strong business. But there is little question that touring is more expensive in 2006.
Up-and-coming acts feel the pinch most. Seattle electro-pop dance outfit U.S.E. spent about $10,000 for gas on its tour last winter -- nearly double the cost for a similar-size 2004 trek, the band's publicist says.
Most tour buses have a 250-gallon tank, which takes $500-$600 to fill, compared with $250-$300 a couple of years ago.
"We used to budget tours at about 30 cents a mile for gas, and now we're up to about 60 cents a mile," says music business manager Jamie Cheek, certified public accountant at Flood, Bumstead, McCready, McCarthy. "If I have an act that's about to go on a 40-day tour and they've got five trucks and five buses, and a 40-day tour could be over 20,000 miles, that's almost an additional cost of $6,000 a vehicle. So if I have 10 vehicles, that's an additional $60,000."
That money comes directly out of the artist's bottom line, Cheek says. "But the flip side of that is, if it's five trucks and five buses, that's a big tour, and chances are if I look at the overall budget, fuel is maybe 2 percent to 3 percent of my overall costs," he points out. "If your overall expenses are $5 million for the tour, $60,000 -- though I don't want it to be there -- is not going to stop me from touring."
The rising costs have not been passed on to consumers via ticket prices -- yet. With tours planned months -- if not a year or more -- in advance, including budgeting, guarantees and ticket prices, such increases likely would not be seen until 2007.
COUNTING PENNIES
For now, these increased costs have the greatest impact on the tours of developing acts, for whom every penny counts.
Daniel Smith, who leads indie pop/gospel outfit Danielson, just left for a tour in support of his recently released Secretly Canadian effort "Ships." Speaking from a cell phone on his way to Louisville, Ky., he says he looked into purchasing a diesel van for the current tour but opted for a lighter haul instead.
"In the past, we've had a van with a trailer," he says. "This time, we just went with a 15-passenger to save on gas, and it's eating up gas real good. There's very little you can do. You put out a record, and you have to support it, so we're hoping we can make it up on merchandising."
Xander Smith, leader of Los Angeles-based shoegazer act Run Run Run, is plotting his band's first East Coast tour in support of "Endless Winter" (Song and Dance) and says gas has become "an obsession."
"A lot of bands finish shows and chase women, but we're hustling merch and figuring out new places to stay," Smith says, adding that the band's lighting director has taken to sleeping in the van to make sure no one steals the gas.
"The only reason we just completed a West Coast tour was to raise enough money for gas to actually get to New York."
NEW YORK (AP) — Rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent have dissed Oprah Winfrey. Now, Ice Cube has a beef with the talk show queen.
"I've been involved in three projects pitched to her, but I've never been asked to participate," the rapper-actor tells FHM magazine in its July issue, on newsstands June 6.
"For Barbershop, she had Cedric the Entertainer and Eve on, but I wasn't invited," says the 36-year-old rapper, referring to his 2002 movie. "Maybe she's got a problem with hip-hop."
Cube adds: "She's had damn rapists, child molesters and lying authors on her show. And if I'm not a rags-to-riches story for her, who is?"
A call by The Associated Press to Winfrey's spokeswoman at her production company, Harpo, was not immediately returned Friday.
Last month, 50 complained that Winfrey rarely invites rappers on her talk show: "I think she caters to older white women." Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges, told GQ magazine that the media mogul was "unfair" to him during a show he appeared on last October with co-stars from best-picture Oscar winner Crash.
Earlier this month, Winfrey defended herself in a surprise appearance on New York City-based radio station Power 105.1.
"I listen to some hip-hop," she told DJ Ed Lover. "You know, I've been accused of not liking hip-hop and that's just not true. I got a little 50 (Cent) on my iPod. I really do. Love In Da Club. ... Love that, and you know, love Jay-Z, love Kanye (West), love Mary J. (Blige)."
Ice Cube, whose other films include Friday and Three Kings, will release his latest album, Laugh Now, Cry Later, on June 6.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Michael Jackson cheered in Tokyo in rare appearance
By David Dolan
TOKYO (Reuters) - Pop star Michael Jackson appeared in public in Tokyo on Saturday for the first time since his acquittal on sex-abuse charges last year, accepting a music award and thanking "all the people who believed in me."
Introduced to an adoring crowd at a Tokyo stadium as "the king of pop, the king of rock and the king of soul," Jackson flashed a quick "peace" sign as he walked onstage to the sound of one of his biggest hits, "Thriller."
"I'd like to say to the Japanese people from the bottom of my heart, 'I love you very, very much'," the 47-year-old entertainer said.
Receiving a "Legend Award" at MTV's Japan Video Music Awards ceremony, Jackson said, "I thank the fans around the world and I thank the fans in Japan.
"I promised myself I wouldn't be emotional when I got up here," he continued, as his voice cracked and trailed off. Then he added, "I think you are very sweet, generous and kind people.
"I thank all the people who believed in me. I believe in you.
"I thank my children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, who have been there for me," he added. "I love them very much."
In a brief appearance backstage with reporters after the ceremony, Jackson was asked if he had a message for his fans.
"I love you and thank you for your loyalty," he said, making a light bow and putting his hand to his heart.
A steady rain pelted Tokyo on Saturday, but neither the weather nor scandal could prevent several hundred fans from flocking to catch a glimpse of Jackson as he arrived to receive the award.
"WE LOVE YOU, MICHAEL"
The crowd held up signs that read "We love you, Michael" and "Welcome to Japan" and some sported his trademark glitter glove as Jackson stepped out of a black limousine, surrounded by several bodyguards.
Wearing sunglasses, a jewellery-embroidered black blazer and tight black trousers with a simple white T-shirt, Jackson did not speak but waved and raised a forefinger to acknowledge a group of reporters before he was whisked inside along a red carpet.
Jackson has remained largely in seclusion since his trial on child molestation charges.
He will also spend time in Tokyo touring the city, visiting orphanages and meeting with Asian business leaders, spokeswoman Raymone Bain said, adding that his trip kicks off the first in a series of planned visits to Asia.
"I look forward to my visit to Japan because I have so many fond memories of my visits there," Jackson said in a statement.
Jackson moved to Bahrain shortly after a jury cleared him last June of charges that he had sexually abused a young boy at his Neverland Valley Ranch in central California.
Although keeping largely out of public view since then, the performer continued to make headlines in a dispute with the state of California for his failure to pay employees at Neverland and maintain proper workers compensation insurance.
Last month, Jackson reached agreement with creditors and Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news). to refinance some $270 million in loans, and avoid default, by giving up half of his prized stake in the Beatles' song catalog.
Days later, a Bahrain-based music label announced it had teamed up with Jackson to produce a new album by the singer, his first studio collection since the release of "Invincible" in 2001.
STDs Running Rampant In Retirement Community
Doctor Blames Viagra, Lack Of Sex Education
Doctors said sexually transmitted diseases among senior citizens are running rampant at a popular Central Florida retirement community, according to a Local 6 News report.
A gynecologist at The Villages community near Orlando, Fla., said she treats more cases of herpes and the human papilloma virus in the retirement community than she did in the city of Miami.
"Yeah, they are very shocked (to hear the diagnosis)," gynecologist Dr. Colleen McQuade said. "I had a patient in her 80s."
"More and more senior citizens are ending up in the gynecologist office, and their diagnosis is a sexually transmitted disease," Local 6 reporter Vanessa Medina said.
Local 6 featured Louis Franklin, who used to date in the community at least three times a week.
"I have had a better dating life since I have been here than I have ever had," Franklin said. "I know there are things going around."
A doctor blamed Viagra, a lack of sex education and no risk for pregnancy for the spike in sexually transmitted diseases at The Villages.
"All I can repeat are the things I have heard which are things like, 'Should I bring the little blue pills over tonight?'" community singles group president Richard Matwyshen said.
A man claiming to be Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' illegitimate son allegedly tried to extort $9 million from the Grammy-winning singer- producer by threatening to go public with the story, authorities said Monday.
John T. Clark, 23, of Indianapolis, was arrested Friday after accepting a bogus $9 million check from one of Edmonds' attorneys and signing what turned out to be fake nondisclosure agreement.
Clark, who faces one count each of felony theft and misdemeanor intimidation, is accused of contacting attorney William Briggs and demanding millions of dollars from Edmonds to "keep his mouth shut," according to court documents.
"The story was that he was going to ruin Babyface's reputation by claiming to be Babyface's illegitimate baby," Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said.
Clark was being held without bond at the Marion County Jail pending an initial hearing Tuesday. Brizzi said Clark recently had been released from jail after completing a sentence for robbery.
Brizzi said Clark made several calls to Briggs at his Los Angeles office. In the first, on May 1, he allegedly requested $20 million from Edmonds, who was born and raised in Indianapolis.
He threatened to go to the media with his allegations that Edmonds, 48, had an affair with his mother and that he was their child, Brizzi said.
Edmonds' business partner, Ken Christmas, called the allegations "completely and utterly false."
"The key for us is that this individual has a criminal background and the statements that he made were perceived by us to be a credible and a real threat to Kenny and his family," he said.
Briggs, after contacting Brizzi's office, offered to meet Clark in Indianapolis. On May 11, Clark lowered his demand to $9 million and agreed to meet Briggs in Indianapolis on May 19, according to a probable cause affidavit.
During their meeting at a restaurant, Clark read and signed a fake, but detailed 8-page nondisclosure statement the attorney had drawn up. He then accepted a bogus check for $9 million and was arrested as he left, Brizzi said.
Although Briggs maintains that he is Edmonds' son and claimed to have documents proving his parentage, Brizzi said the man has not produced such documents.
Even if Clark were the singer's son, Brizzi said attempted extortion is illegal.
Besides his career as the top-selling singer of "Whip Appeal" and "Change the World," Edmonds has also written hits for Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Bobby Brown and others.
GUNFIRE AT WAFFLE HOUSE AFTER WHITES, HISPANICS ARGUE OVER CITIZENSHIP ...
by TFSnewsRoom/DrudgeReport.com
GUNFIRE AT WAFFLE HOUSE AFTER WHITES, HISPANICS ARGUE OVER CITIZENSHIP
A parting gunshot from a vehicle leaving Waffle House in West Asheville, NC shattered a window and caused a minor injury, police said.
The shooting happened around 3:00 a.m. Saturday after a group of whites argued with a group of Hispanics at the 24-hour restaurant on Smokey Park Highway, Asheville police Lt. Wallace Welch said
“The two groups were jawing back and forth with each other over citizenship issues and whatnot,” Welch said.
As the Hispanic group drove off, someone in the vehicle fired at least once into a large window near the front door, he said.
Whether from a ricocheted bullet or flying glass, Welch said, one man’s arm was bleeding when police arrived.
Police were looking for a white Dodge Intrepid that left the restaurant going west.
The CITIZEN-TIMES newspaper first reported the incident, and is currently streaming the 9-11 calls from the Waffle House on its website.
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. He shouted "It's time to die" before ripping off his backpack and reaching inside it at an upstate airport.
Now, a teenager faces disorderly conduct charges after causing a disturbance at Buffalo Niagara International Airport last night.
Authorities say the 16-year-old boy (Alif Chowdhury) from Garden City, Long Island was with his father (Ehsan Chowdhury) waiting outside a terminal prior to their flight to J-F-K Airport.
Passers-by became suspicious of the youth's behavior and alerted airport police. The teen -- who was dressed in a white robe-like garment -- became agitated while officers questioned his father.
Officials say he said he wasn't afraid to die and tried to pull something out of his backpack.
The officers subdued the youth, who was carrying cell phones in the backpack but nothing dangerous.
The teen was taken to a Buffalo hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
'Baby Makin' Music' Is Seductive R&B
By OLIVIA MUNOZ, Associated Press Writer
Tue May 16, 11:41 AM ET
The Isley Brothers, "Baby Makin' Music" (Def Soul Classics)
The Isley Brothers' songs have been called baby makin' music for so long, it's hard to believe none of their albums has carried the title officially before.
With their new album, "Baby Makin' Music," you hear the classic sound of their rich past, craftily updated by some of pop and R&B's hottest producers.
The first single, "Just Came Here to Chill," is a slow R&B song with Ron Isley singing some of the most wholesome lyrics on the album: "No need to put your makeup on. I'm not Mr. Biggs — tonight I'm just Ron," Isley sings of his musical alter-ego, the cane-carrying Mr. Biggs. The song is charming but not as enticing as some of the Isley Brothers racier tracks.
But then, this album isn't just about gettin' it on. There are a few genuinely sweet ballads, namely "Heaven Hooked Us Up." Younger brother Ernie Isley plays the electric guitar while Ron Isley sings, "You never judge me for my past, my player ways from way back. You still gave me a chance and I'm glad just to be your man."
Once again, the group has linked with R. Kelly for this album. Kelly, largely responsible the Isley Brothers' recent resurgence thanks to his collaborations and hit songs he penned for them, appears with the band on "Blast Off." But the beat sounds too much like Kelly's song "Step in the Name of Love," and is a disappointment.
Thankfully, "Baby Makin' Music" features a mix of writers and producers, including Jermaine Dupri on three tracks.
One of those, "Gotta Be With You," features rock 'n' roll guitar riffs mixed with a slow bass line and breathy back-up singers. The song has an old-school feel but with updated slang in the lyrics. It's spoiled only by Dupri's need to break in with unnecessary dialogue and interrupt an otherwise fine song.
For years — make that decades — fellas have used the Isley Brothers' velvety R&B songs to get their seduction game on. "Baby Makin' Music" continues in that tradition.
STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) -- An east Georgia man landed in jail after photographing his healthy plants and going to the drug store to have the pictures developed.
Police say his bumper crop was marijuana; officers arrested him as he went to pick up the photos. Statesboro Police Captain L-C Williams says officers charged 21-year-old Byron Charles Mattheeussen on Tuesday with manufacturing marijuana, manufacturing marijuana within one-thousand feet of a housing project, and possession of drug-related objects.
Williams says a photo lab technician called police after seeing the subject of the photos. He says officers confirmed the plants were marijuana.
He says officers obtained a search warrant and found 42 suspected marijuana plants growing in and around the residence, along with tools, literature on growing marijuana and pot-smoking paraphernalia.
Mattheeussen was taken to the Bulloch County Jail and issued an eight-thousand-dollar property bond.
NEW YORK — Natalie Maines says one of the death threats she received after criticizing President Bush three years ago was "definitely scary" because the sender "had a plan."
Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, told a London audience during a March 10, 2003, concert: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." The comment was made as war was looming with Iraq, and Maines later apologized for the phrasing of her remark.
Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks takes part in a concert on Oct. 11, 2004 in Washington. Maines says she was the target of a 'scary' death threat in the summer of 2003 after she criticized President Bush at a London concert. She says in an interview on CBS' '60 Minutes' to air Sunday, May 14, 2006, 'It was somebody who obviously thought they had a plan.'
In an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" to air Sunday (7 p.m. EDT), Maines says one threat she received in the summer of 2003 was different from the others.
"It was definitely scary because it seemed so — it wasn't just somebody wanting to write a hate letter," she says. "It was somebody who obviously thought they had a plan."
Emily Robison, who plays banjo and guitar in the Texas trio, says, "There was one specific death threat on Natalie. (It) had a time, had a place, had a weapon. I mean, everything. ...`You will be shot dead at your show in Dallas.'"
The band flew into Dallas, "went straight from the police cars to the stage and straight from the stage back to the police cars and back to the plane," Maines says. "So, you know, it was all surreal. But at that stage, everything was surreal."
Her London comment angered many country music fans and caused radio stations to pull Dixie Chicks music from their playlists. The Chicks said they received death threats, leading them to install metal detectors at their shows.
Today, the Chicks refuse to apologize to fans who were upset by Maines' comment.
"We don't make decisions based on that," Maines says. "We don't go, `OK, our fans are in the red states, so I'm going to play a red, white and blue guitar and put on my I Love Bush T-shirt.
"We're not like that because we're not politicians. We're musicians."
The band, which also includes fiddle and mandolin player Martie Maguire, echoes that sentiment in the song "Not Ready to Make Nice" on their latest album, "Taking the Long Way," slated for release May 23.
NEW YORK — The co-host of a syndicated morning radio show was fired Wednesday for making racial and sexual remarks on the air about a rival's wife and 4-year-old daughter.
Troi Torain, known as Star on the "Star & Buc Wild Morning Show" on Power 105 FM, lost his job after protests by a City Council member and other elected officials.
His remarks about DJ Envy, a DJ for rival hip-hop station Hot 97, and his family included "I will come for your kids" and a desire to "do an R. Kelly ... on your little baby girl."
Videotapes in 2002 showed a man resembling singer R. Kelly having sex with someone who appeared to be an underage girl, then urinating on her.
Torain's comments, made between May 3 and Monday, also included an offer of $500 to any listener who could provide information about the rival DJ's daughter's school, and used racial slurs when talking about his wife, who is part Asian.
Torain, through his manager, Wyatt Cheek, declined to comment.
Councilman John Liu and DJ Envy's wife, Gia Casey, appeared at City Hall on Wednesday to denounce Torain's remarks.
"He threatened to molest my little baby girl," Casey said.
The station's owner, Clear Channel, said it found Torain's statements "wholly unacceptable."
The show airs in markets including Philadelphia, Miami and Richmond, Va. Clear Channel is a unit of Clear Channel Communications Inc.
DJ arrested after threatening child on air
Fri May 12, 2006 7:47pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York hip-hop disc jockey was arrested on Friday for endangering the welfare of a child, two days after he was fired for racist and sexually threatening comments about a rival's wife and 4-year-old daughter.
Prosecutors and police said Troi Torain, who goes by the name DJ Star, had surrendered and been arrested by detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit. He was also ordered to surrender his gun license and a handgun.
Torain, 42, was fired by Clear Channel Radio's Power 105.1 station on Wednesday for what Clear Channel said were "wholly unacceptable" comments.
The remarks were made in several broadcasts since May 3. Torain used racial slurs about Gia Casey, the part-Asian wife of a disc jockey at another radio station, Raashaun Casey, known as DJ Envy, who works for Hot 97.
He also offered listeners $500 for information on the whereabouts of the couple's child and implied he wanted to sexually abuse and urinate on the child.
Benjamin Brafman, Torain's lawyer, said his client had been charged with aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors that could potentially incur a maximum sentence of a year in jail if he is convicted.
Brafman said Torain had apologized for the comments but said they were the culmination of a long-running verbal battle that had "spiralled out of control."
"For days prior to the statements attributed to DJ Star, DJs at Hot 97 were threatening him, taunting him and making offensive remarks about members of his family, even going so far as calling his mother a prostitute," Brafman told Reuters.
"In a moment of frustration and annoyance he obviously said things that are inappropriate," Brafman said, adding that Torain never intended to actually harm anybody.
"It's my expectation that when cooler heads prevail and all of the facts are looked at by the District Attorney's office, a decision will be made to dismiss charges," he said.
A spokesman for Hot 97 declined to make any comment on the case or to respond to Brafman's charge that DJs there had made threatening comments to Torain in recent weeks.
Clear Channel Radio said the case was now a matter for New York law enforcement authorities and declined to expand on its statement on Wednesday when it announced Torain had been fired.
"We sincerely apologize to those who may have been offended by his remarks," Rob Williams of Clear Channel said in Wednesday's statement. Three other staff members who worked with Torain on the "Star & Buc Wild Morning Show" have also been dismissed, Clear Channel said.
Great White Tour manager imprisoned for deadly RI club fire ..
by TFSnewsRoom/Reuters
Tour manager imprisoned for deadly RI club fire
By Richard C. Lewis
Wed May 10, 6:32 PM ET
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Reuters) - A rock band tour manager who set off fireworks inside a Rhode Island nightclub and started a blaze that killed 100 people was sentenced on Wednesday to 15 years in prison but 11 years were immediately suspended.
People gasped in the courtroom when Judge Francis Darigan sentenced Daniel Biechele, 29, who set off the pyrotechnics when the heavy metal band Great White played at The Station nightclub in nearby West Warwick on February 20, 2003.
Biechele had pleaded guilty in February to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter. In addition to the prison sentence, the judge sentenced him to three years of probation.
"How do you feel now?" Patricia Belanger, who lost her daughter in the blaze, shouted to Biechele's sobbing mother as her son was handcuffed and led away.
Calling the judge's ruling "a joke," Belanger said, "She will get her son back in four years, and they'll go back to being a happy family. What will we have? Nothing."
Sparks from the fireworks ignited the club's soundproofing foam and many patrons, overcome by toxic fumes, were trapped at the door as the wooden roadside club burned to the ground.
Two hundred people were injured.
Before hearing his punishment, Biechele wept uncontrollably as he apologized over and over to the court for his role in the blaze, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history.
"I know I will never forgive myself for what happened that night," said Biechele, who wrote personal letters to each victim's survivors over the last months.
Biechele is the first person to be sentenced for the fire. His lawyers asked for community service while prosecutors asked for a 10 year prison term under the plea deal. The brothers who owned the club are awaiting trial on manslaughter charges.
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said he thought Biechele should pay a higher price for 100 lives lost in America's smallest state where many of the 1 million residents knew someone who died.
"But you can see how the judge struggled to reach the decision," Lynch said after the judge noted that Biechele, who recently married and was taking accounting classes at night, had no criminal history and showed true remorse for his crime.
The sentence came after two days of heart wrenching testimony from relatives who described their shattered lives. Many said they can no longer work and take medication. Some said they considered killing themselves.
And one sister said she called her dead brother's and sister-in-law's cell phone again and again only to hear their voices one more time.
Snoop Dogg Back to London to Face Police
Wed May 10, 1:39 PM ET
LONDON - Snoop Dogg flew into London Wednesday for a meeting with police after getting involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport last month.
The 34-year-old rapper and five other men were arrested on charges of violent disorder and starting a brawl, and spent the night in jail, after trouble flared when some of Snoop's party were denied entry to British Airways' first-class lounge.
The group had been en route to Johannesburg, South Africa, where Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, was due to perform. They clashed with officials after some were told they didn't have the correct tickets to enter the lounge.
Police released the six, all U.S. citizens in their 30s, saying they had not been charged with any offenses. The men were told they had to return after further investigations had been carried out.
Snoop was to meet officers at Heathrow police station to see whether any action would be brought against him. Police said seven officers were injured in the brawl.
A spokesman for British Airways said Snoop has been banned from future travel on the airline.
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WHAT: African jazz unit plays Harlem. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO:
(212) 283-9728. WHERE: 773 St. Nicholas Avenue at West 149th Street, Harlem.
Melvin Van Peebles’ "Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death" at T New York,
NYC (Thursdays-Saturdays)
WHAT: Longtime radical renaissance brother presents a new stage work. Debuts
tonight and runs weekends starting 5/4. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: CONTACT VENUE.
INFO: tnewyorkcity.com or (212) 489-7656. WHERE: 240 West 52nd Street between
Broadway and Eighth Avenue.
"Bridge and Tunnel" at The Helen Hayes Theater, NYC (through 7/9)
Featuring Sarah Jones
WHAT: Revolutionary poet/actress brings her award-winning one-woman show to
Broadway. WHEN: 8PM doors/9PM show. HOW MUCH: $86.25. DISCOUNT TICKETS
AVAILABLE: This special discount makes select tickets available for $46.25. Just type
in code BTDLZ37 at broadwayoffers.com or call Telecharge at (212) 947-8844 and
mention the same code, BTDLZ37. INFO: (212) 944-9450. WHERE: 240 West 44th
Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.sarahjonesonline.com
.
King’s X at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN: 10PM. HOW
MUCH: $22. INFO: (303) 297-1772 or cervantesmasterpiece.com. WHERE: 2637 Welton
Street. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
Pyeng Threadgill at 12 Galaxies, San Francisco, CA
Opening for J.P. Cutler and David Jacobs Strain
WHAT: Soul-jazz chanteuse and band play Galaxies. WHEN: 8PM doors/9PM show.
HOW MUCH: $10. INFO: 12galaxies.com or (415) 970-9777. WHERE: 2565 Mission
Street between 21st and 22nd Streets.
The BellRays at The Blue Lamp, Sacramento, CA
WHAT: L.A. soul-punk quartet hits the road. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: $12. INFO:
(916) 455-3400 or bluelamp.com. WHERE: 1400 Alhambra Boulevard at N Street.
ARTIST SITE: www.thebellrays.com.
Pillow Theory at The Whiskey Bar, West Hollywood, CA
WHAT: New York pop-punk-grunge quartet debuts at The Whiskey. HOW MUCH:
CONTACT VENUE. INFO: (310) 657-1333. WHERE: 1200 Alta Loma Road, between Sunset
Boulevard and Holloway Drive. ARTIST SITE: www.pillowtheory.net.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
DJ Spooky at Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, NYC
WHAT: That Subliminal Kid spins a two-hour set of his own re-mixes and
productions. WHEN: 7:30PM. HOW MUCH: FREE. INFO: rmanyc.org or (212) 620-5000.
WHERE: 150 West 17th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. ARTIST SITE:
www.djspooky.com.
Renee Neufville Group at Jazz Gallery, NYC
WHAT: Former Zhane singer/songwriter steps out with her jazz group. WHEN: Two
sets, 9PM and 10:30PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: jazzgallery.org or (212)
242-1063. WHERE: 290 Hudson Street below Spring in West Soho.
SISTA Factory at BAMCafé, Brooklyn, NY (through 4/6)
Featuring The Square Egg, Antonia Janae
WHAT: SISTA Factory returns to BAMCafé with hip-hop, funk ensemble. WHEN:
9PM. HOW MUCH: FREE ($10 minimum at the tables). INFO: (718) 636-1400 or bam.org.
WHERE: 30 Lafayette Avenue between St. Felix and Ashland Place. ARTIST SITE:
www.thesquareegg.com.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA (through 5/7)
WHAT: Annual two-weekend music celebration takes over the entire city. This
year's fest has special poignance during the Big Easy's slow recovery after
Hurricane Katrina. MULTIPLE ACTS OVER MULTIPLE LOCATIONS; SEE EVENT WEBSITE FOR
SPECIFIC INFORMATION. INFO: nojazzfest.com.
King’s X at The Hurricane, Kansas City, MO
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN/HOW MUCH:
CONTACT VENUE. INFO: (816) 753-0884 or hurricanekc.com. WHERE: 4048 Broadway.
ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
TV On The Radio at Showbox, Seattle, WA
With Celebration
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi quintet does tune up dates before joining Nine Inch
Nails on tour. WHEN: HOW MUCH: $13.50 advance/$15 door. INFO: showboxonline.com
or (206) 628-3151. WHERE: 1426 First Avenue at Pike Street.ARTIST SITE:
www.tvontheradio.com.
The BellRays at Bottom of The Hill, San Francisco, CA
WHAT: L.A. soul-punk quartet hits the road. WHEN: 8:30PM doors/10PM show. HOW
MUCH: $10. INFO: (415) 621-4455 or bottomofthehill.com. WHERE: 1233 17th
Street at Missouri. ARTIST SITE: www.thebellrays.com.
bloodsugar/Pillow Theory at Club Bingo, Los Angeles, CA
WHAT: Xavier’s L.A. pop-punk combo teams up with New York pop-punk-grunge
quartet. WHEN: Midnight. HOW MUCH: $5. WHERE: 4151 South Main Street-Unit XY.
ARTIST SITE: www.blackballuniverse.com, www.pillowtheory.net.
SATURDAY, MAY 6
David Gilmore Group at Jazz Gallery, NYC
With Ravi Coltrane, Luis Perdomo, Brad Jones and Donald Edwards
WHAT: Noted space jazz guitarist returns with his group to The Gallery. WHEN:
Two sets, 9PM and 10:30PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: jazzgallery.org or (212)
242-1063. WHERE: 290 Hudson Street below Spring in West Soho. ARTIST SITE:
www.davidgilmore.net.
SISTA Factory at BAMCafé, Brooklyn, NY
Featuring Sparlha Swa
WHAT: SISTA Factory returns to BAMCafé with hip-hop, funk ensemble. WHEN:
9PM. HOW MUCH: FREE ($10 minimum at the tables). INFO: (718) 636-1400 or bam.org.
WHERE: 30 Lafayette Avenue between St. Felix and Ashland Place.
Henry Grimes Trio Workshop and Concert at School of Improvisational
Music-Gowanus Art Building, Brooklyn, NY
WHAT: Noted jazz bassist shares the gift of music in instructional and
performance form. WHEN: 1:30PM-5:30PM (minus lunch break, performance at 8PM. HOW
MUCH: Workshop, $60; performance $12. INFO: schoolforimprov.org or (718)
631-5882. WHERE: 295 Douglass Street between Third and Fourth Avenue, Gowanus.
King’s X at Dibbo’s, Hudson, WI
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN/HOW MUCH:
CONTACT VENUE. INFO: (715) 386-2782 or tcmusic.net. WHERE: 517 Second Avenue.
ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
The BellRays at The Blank Club, San Jose, CA
WHAT: L.A. soul-punk quartet hits the road. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: $8. INFO:
(408) 292-5265 or theblankclub. WHERE: 44 South Alamaden Avenue. ARTIST SITE:
www.thebellrays.com.
SUNDAY, MAY 7
David Fiucynski's KiF at CODA, NYC
Opening for Project Object
WHAT: Interstellar guitarist's trio debuts at CODA. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: $18
advance/$20 door. INFO: (212) 685-3434 or coda34.com. WHERE: 34 East 34th
Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. ARTIST SITE: www.torsos.com.
Public Enemy at B.B. King’s, NYC
With Ice-T
WHAT: Legendary firebrand agitprop hip-hop crew returns to B.B.’s. WHEN: 8PM.
HOW MUCH: $25 advance/$30 door. INFO: (212) 997-4144 or bbkingblues.com.
WHERE: 237 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue, Times Square.
Fro at Groove, NYC
WHAT: Jazz-rock-funk guitar fusionist returns to Groove. WHEN: Two sets at
7PM and 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (212) 254-9393. WHERE: 125 MacDougal
Street at West Third Street, Greenwich Village. ARTIST SITE: www.in-fro-mation.com
.
King’s X at The Annex, Madison, WI
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN: 6PM doors/7PM
show. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: (608) 280-8869 or intheannex.com. WHERE: 1206
Regent Street. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
MONDAY, MAY 8
Van Hunt at Canal Room, NYC (4/7 Tickets Honored!)
WHAT: Cali soul rock brother plays the Canal Room. WHEN: 7:30PM doors/8PM
show. HOW MUCH: $15 advance/$18 door. INFO: (212) 941-8400 or canalroom.com.
WHERE: 285 West Broadway at Canal Street, Tribeca. ARTIST SITE: www.vanhunt.com.
"Steve Coleman Presents" at Jazz Gallery, NYC
WHAT: M-Base co-founder and sax virtuoso takes residence at Jazz Gallery.
WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: jazzgallery.org or (212) 242-1063. WHERE: 290
Hudson Street below Spring in West Soho.
David Fiucynski's KiF at Harper's Ferry, Allston, MA
WHAT: Interstellar guitarist's trio plays Harper's. WHEN: 9:30PM. HOW MUCH:
$10. INFO: (617) 254-9743 or harpersferryboston.com. WHERE: 158 Brighton
Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.torsos.com.
The Roots at The Norva, Norfolk, VA
With Common
WHAT: Premier hip-hop live band tunes up before their two-night stand at
Radio City. WHEN: 8PM doors/9PM show. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: thenorva.com or (757)
627-4547. WHERE: 317 Monticello Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.okayplayer.com.
Ben Harper at Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, AUS
INFO: www.benharper.com.
TUESDAY, MAY 9
McCoy Tyner/Savion Glover at The Blue Note, NYC (through 5/14)
WHAT: Acclaimed pianist and superstar dancer/choreographer continue their
collaboration returning to the Blue Note. WHEN: Two sets per night, 8PM and
10:30PM. HOW MUCH: $40 table (plus $10 minimum); $30 bar. INFO: bluenotejazz.com or
(212) 475-8592. WHERE: 131 West Third Street between Sixth Avenue and
MacDougal Street.
"Soul Acoustic Tuesdays" at Kili, Brooklyn, NY
Hosted by Tasneem, Ranjit, Shae Fiol and others
WHAT: Weekly downtown open mic. DJ trademark spins funk and soul classics.
WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 855-5574. WHERE: 81 Hoyt Street
between State Street and Atlantic Avenue, downtown.
King’s X at The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN: 7PM doors/8PM
show. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: (314) 726-6161 or thepageant.com. WHERE: 6161
Delmar Boulevard. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
Jonesbones at Arlene’s Grocery, NYC
WHAT: Nef Jones and Billy Bones' downtown rock quartet returns to The
Grocery. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (212) 995-1652 or arlenesgrocery.net.
WHERE: 95 Stanton Street between Ludlow and Orchard Streets, Lower East Side.
"Shut Up Wednesdays" at The Alligator Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
Hosted by Tasneem, Bess Rogers, Ellie Lawson and Dave Harewood
WHAT: Weekly Billyburg open mic. DJ LP spins rock classics and soul. WHEN:
8PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 599-4440. WHERE: 600 Metropolitan Avenue.
Ben Harper at Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, AUS
INFO: www.benharper.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 11
DBR and The Mission at The Kitchen, NYC (through 5/12)
WHAT: Renown violinist and band play two nights at The Kitchen. WHEN: 8PM.
HOW MUCH: $10. INFO: (212) 255-5793 or thekitchen.org. WHERE: 512 West 19th
Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenue, Chelsea. ARTIST SITE: www.dbrmusic.com.
Azouhouni and Afroyorkers at St. Nick's Pub, NYC
WHAT: African jazz unit plays Harlem. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO:
(212) 283-9728. WHERE: 773 St. Nicholas Avenue at West 149th Street, Harlem.
King’s X at Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN: 7:30PM
doors/8:30PM show. HOW MUCH: $18. INFO: (248) 544-3030 or themagicbag.com. WHERE:
22920 Woodward Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
The BellRays at Mercury Lounge, Goleta, CA
WHAT: L.A. soul-punk quartet hits the road. WHEN: CONTACT VENUE. HOW MUCH:
$8. INFO: (805) 967-0907. WHERE: 115871 Hollister Avenue. ARTIST SITE:
www.thebellrays.com.
Ben Harper at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AUS
INFO: www.benharper.com.
FRIDAY, MAY 12
King’s X at The Pearl Room, Mokena, IL
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN: 8PM show. HOW
MUCH: $20. INFO: (708) 479-5356 or pearlroomconcerts.com. WHERE: 19081 South
LaGrange Road. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
The BellRays at Safari Sam's, Los Angeles, CA
CD Release Party
WHAT: L.A. soul-punk quartet plays a hometown hit to unveil their latest
"Have A Little Faith,’ before heading out on an international and US tour. WHEN:
CONTACT VENUE. HOW MUCH: $10 advance/$12 door. INFO: (323) 666-7267 or
safari-sams.com. WHERE: 5214 Sunset Boulevard. ARTIST SITE: www.thebellrays.com.
________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING DATES
AZOUHOUNI AND AFROYORKERS AT SUGAR BAR, NYC, 5/13
KING’S X AT AL ROSA VILLA, COLUMBUS, OH, 5/13
THE BELLRAYS AT THE CASBAH, SAN DIEGO, CA, SAN DIEGO, CA, 5/13
TV ON THE RADIO AT CAMBER SANDS HOLIDAY CENTRE, CAMBER SANDS, UK, 5/13
BEN HARPER AT SUPREME COURT GARDENS, PERTH, AUS, 5/13
ME’SHELL NDEGEOCELLO, PARCO DELLA MUSICA AUDIITORIUM,
ROME, ITA, 5/13
DBR WITH THE CHICAGO SINFONIETTA AT DOMINICAN
UNIVERSITY, RIVER FOREST, IL, 5/14
KING’S X AT SATELLITE BALLROOM, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, 5/15
DBR WITH THE CHICAGO SINFONIETTA AT ORCHESTRA HALL-
SYMPHONY CENTER, CHICAGO, IL, 5/15
BEN HARPER AT SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, SYDNEY, AUS, 5/16
KING’S X AT AWFUL ARTHUR’S, ROANOKE, VA, 5/17
THE ROOTS AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NYC, 5/18-19
BLAKBÜSHÉ AT THE HOOK, BROOKLYN, NY, 5/18
"BEYOND BEATS AND RHYMES" SCREENINGS, BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC, BROOKLYN,
NYC, 5/18-20
Part of BAM Sundance Film Festival
KING’S X AT ZIGGY'S, WINSTON-SALEM, NC, 5/18
CHILTON AND TEXBUK SEX AT THE LOFT, ATLANTA, GA, 5/18
THE BELLRAYS AT DANTE'S, PORTLAND, OR, 5/18
BEN HARPER AT WOLLONGONG ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, WOLLONGONG, AUS, 5/18
RHYTHM REPUBLIK AT BLUE NOTE, NYC, 5/19
G*A*M*E REBELLION/SPARLHA SWA AT SPEAK, NYC, 5/19
THE DIRTBOMBS AT THE TEMPLE CLUB, LANSING, MI, 5/19
THE BELLRAYS AT SUNSET TAVERN, SEATTLE, WA, 5/19
SOULIVE AT THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA, 5/19-20
GROOVE COLLECTIVE AT JOE’S PUB, NYC, 5/20
G*A*M*E REBELLION AT THE HOOK, BROOKLYN, NY, 5/20
KING’S X AT THE NICK, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 5/20
ME’SHELL NDEGEOCELLO AT LONG BEACH PRIDE FESTIVAL,
LONG BEACH, CA, 5/20
POPERRATIC AT B.B. KING’S-UNIVERSAL CITY WALK,
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, 5/20
THE BELLRAYS AT THE RED ROOM, VANCOUVER, BC, 5/20
BEN HARPER AT RIVER STAGE, BRISBANE, AUS, 5/20
KING’S X AT AMOS' SOUTHEND, CHARLOTTE, NC, 5/21
THE BELLRAYS AT THE NIGHTLIGHT LOUNGE, BELLINGHAM, WA, 5/21
SUN RA RADIO MARATHON ON WKCR-FM (COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY RADIO), NYC, 5/22-23
THE DEARS AT MAJOR HILL'S PARK, OTTAWA, ON, 5/22
TAJ MAHAL/GUY DAVIS AT THE BLUE NOTE, NYC, 5/23-28
OPUS AKOBEN AT MIRRORS, WASHINGTON, DC, 5/23
KING’S X AT SMITH'S OLDE BAR, ATLANTA, GA, 5/23
KELLI SAE AT JOE’S PUB, NYC, 5/24
"WHO KILLED BOB MARLEY?" AT AARON DAVIS HALL, NYC, 5/24
Featuring Roger Guenveur Smith and Marc Anthony Thompson; hosted by Ruby Dee
KING’S X AT EXIT/IN, NASHVILLE, TN, 5/24
LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 5/25
FUNKFACE AT SIN-É, NYC, 5/26
BEN HARPER AT LES SCHWAB AMPHITHEATER, BEND, OR, 5/26
YEAR OF THE DRAGON AT McDUFFY’S, TEMPE, AZ, 5/26
Featuring Spacey-T and Dirty Walt
THE FAMILY STAND AT THE JAZZ CAFÉ, LONDON, UK, 5/26-27
THE BELLRAYS AT TEATRE LLOSETA, MALLORCA, SPA, 5/26
BEN HARPER AT "SASQUATCH MUSIC FESTIVAL" THE GORGE, GEORGE, WA, 5/27
TV ON THE RADIO AT AMPHITHEATER AT CLARK COUNTY, RIDGEFIELD, WA, 5/27
With Nine Inch Nails
PYENG THREADGILL AT THE JAZZSCHOOL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 5/27
THE BELLRAYS AT LOCO CLUB, VALENCIA, SPA, 5/27
TV ON THE RADIO AT IDAHO CENTER, NAMPA, ID, 5/28
With Nine Inch Nails
BEN HARPER AT DEER LAKE PARK, BURNABY, BC, 5/28
PYENG THREADGILL AT ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL, ATLANTA, GA, 5/29
THE BELLRAYS AT "PRIMAVERA SOUND FESTIVAL" (BARCELONA FORUM), BARCELONA, SPA,
5/29
THE BELLRAYS AT APOLLO 2, BARCELONA, SPA, 5/29
THE FAMILY STAND AT PARADISO, AMSTERDAM, 5/29
YELLOWMAN AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 5/30
TV ON THE RADIO AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE, MORRISON, CO, 5/30
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT EL SOL, MADRID, SPA, 5/30
RACHELLE FARRELL AT S.O.B.’S, NYC, 5/31
TV ON THE RADIO AT JOURNAL PAVILION, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 5/31
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT KAFE ANTZOKIA, BILBAO, SPA, 5/31
THE BELLRAYS AT TROPICANA, SONTONA, SPA, 6/1
REBIRTH BRASS BAND AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/2
SOULIVE AT BROWN'S ISLAND, RICHMOND, VA, 6/2
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE, SELMA, TX, 6/2
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT 4 SANS, BORDEAUX, FR, 6/2
BEN HARPER AT BLITZ, YOKOHAMA, JPN, 6/2
TV ON THE RADIO AT SMIRNOFF MUSIC CENTRE, DALLAS, TX, 6/3
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT FESTIVAL, SKABAZAC, FR, 6/3
BEN HARPER AT ZEPP, TOKYO, JPN, 6/3
GREGORY ISAACS AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/4
TV ON THE RADIO AT C.W. MITCHELL PAVILION, THE WOODLANDS, TX, 6/4
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT FUZZ YON, LA ROCHE, FR, 6/4
ANGIE STONE AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/5
SISTA FACTORY PRESENTS DANNY SADOWNICK AT JOE'S PUB,
NYC, 6/5
With Morley, Lisala and Sophia Ramos
BEN HARPER AT DRUM LOGOS, FUKUOKA, JPN, 6/5
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS MUSIC CENTER, PELHAM, AL, 6/6
With Nine Inch Nails
BEN HARPER AT CLUB QUATTRO, HIROSHIMA, JPN, 6/6
THE BELLRAYS AT MAROQUINERIE, PARIS, FR, 6/6
THE BELLRAYS AT FESTIVAL, SKABAZAC, FR, 6/6
TV ON THE RADIO AT HIFI BUYS AMPHITHEATRE, ATLANTA, GA, 6/7
With Nine Inch Nails
BERNIE WORRELL AND WOO WARRIORS AT HIGH NOON SALOON, MADISON, WI, 6/7
BEN HARPER AT NAMBA HATCH, OSAKA, JPN, 6/7
JAMES BROWN AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/8-9
THE DIRTBOMBS AT THE DUCK ROOM AT BLUEBERRY HILL, ST. LOUIS, MO, 6/8
TV ON THE RADIO AT ALLTEL PAVILION AT WALNUT CREEK, RALEIGH, NC, 6/9
With Nine Inch Nails
THE DIRTBOMBS AT LITTLE BROTHER'S, COLUMBUS, OH, 6/9
FISHBONE AT "DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL" DONINGTON PARK, DONINGTON, UK, 6/9
BEN HARPER AT DIAMOND HALL, NAGOYA, JPN, 6/9
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE-CHARLOTTE, CHARLOTTE, NC,
6/10
With Nine Inch Nails
BERNIE WORRELL AND WOO WARRIORS AT WAKARUSA,
LAWRENCE, KS, 6/10-11
THE DIRTBOMBS AT THE UNDERGROUND, TOLEDO, OH, 6/10
TV ON THE RADIO AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE-VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
BEACH, VA, 6/11
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT JOE'S PUB, NYC, 6/11-12
TV ON THE RADIO AT NISSAN PAVILION, BRISTOW, VA, 6/13
With Nine Inch Nails
THE BELLRAYS AT BUG JAR, ROCHESTER, NY, 6/14
TV ON THE RADIO AT TWEETER CENTER AT THE WATERFRONT, CAMDEN, NJ, 6/14
With Nine Inch Nails
SOULIVE AT SQUARE CONCERT SERIES, BUFFALO, NY, 6/15
THE BELLRAYS AT ZAPHOD BEEBLEBROX, OTTAWA, CAN, 6/15
CHUCK BERRY AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 6/16
BERNIE WORRELL AND WOO WARRIORS AT MISHAWAKA,
FORT COLLINS, CO, 6/16
THE BELLRAYS AT LEGENDARY HORSESHOE, TORONTO, CAN, 6/16
SOULIVE AT "INDY JAZZ FEST" MILITARY PARK, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 6/17
THE BELLRAYS AT SMALL'S, HAMTRAMCK, MI, 6/17
THE BELLRAYS AT ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME FESTIVAL, CLEVELAND, OH, 6/18
(Early)
THE BELLRAYS AT BEACHLAND TAVERN, CLEVELAND, OH, 6/18 (Late)
SOULIVE AT "BONNAROO MUSIC FESTIVAL" MANCHESTER, TN, 6/18
ME’SHELL NDEGEOCELLO AT MADISON SQUARE PARK, NYC, 6/21
SISTA FACTORY PRESENTS LISA SHAW AT JOE'S PUB, NYC, 6/21
THE BELLRAYS AT EMPTY BOTTLE, CHICAGO, IL, 6/22
BEN HARPER AT HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL, AMSTERDAM, NET, 6/22
THE BELLRAYS AT HIGH NOON SALOON, MADISON, WI, 6/23
BEN HARPER AT HURRICANE FESTIVAL, SCHEESEL, GER, 6/23
THE BELLRAYS AT KDHX 88.1 FM ON-AIR, ST. LOUIS, MO, 6/24
BEN HARPER AT SOUTHSIDE FESTIVAL, NEUHASEN, GER, 6/24
THE BELLRAYS AT GABE’S OASIS, IOWA CITY, IA, 6/26
BEN HARPER AT OLYMPIA, PARIS, FRA, 6/26-30
THE BELLRAYS AT DUFFY'S TAVERN, LINCOLN, NE, 6/28
THE BELLRAYS AT LARIMER LOUNGE, DENVER, CO, 6/30
____________________________________________________
CONTACT:
Here's how you can reach us here at the B.R.C.:
SNAIL MAIL: Black Rock Coalition
P.O. Box 1054
Cooper Station
NYC, NY 10276
WEBSITE: www.blackrockcoalition.org
HOTLINE: (212) 713-5097
TO E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR T.W.I.B.R.: BRCMembersInfo@aol.com
Rap music mogul claims no monthly income, $137 million in debts
MAY 5--Dogged by $12 million in tax liens and other legal judgments, rap music titan Marion "Suge" Knight is down to $11 in his checking accounts and the bling on his back, according to a bankruptcy court filing. The Death Row Records founder, who filed for Chapter 11 protection last month, claims that his $4.4 million in assets is dwarfed by $137.4 million in debt. He filed for bankruptcy shortly after being hit with a $100 million judgment in a lawsuit brought by a woman who claims she was instrumental in the founding of Death Row. According to schedules filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles (excerpts of which you'll find below), the 41-year-old Knight has no monthly income and meager asssets, including $25,000 in jewelry and clothing worth $1000. He also lists monthly expenses of about $30,000, the majority of which ($24,700) is earmarked for "alimony, maintenance, and support paid to others." While Knight's plight seems dire, his court filing lists as "unknown" the value of his interest in ten companies, including Death Row, Getto Records, and Blood Money Entertainment. We're not sure how Suge plans to emerge from bankruptcy, but perhaps the Bloods-affiliated producer could once again hang Vanilla Ice by his feet off a hotel balcony--only this time, he'll have to see if any change falls from the wack rapper's pockets.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A fast-food worker tossed a cup of hot grease on a customer, giving the woman second- and third-degree burns on her arms and chest, authorities said.
"My skin was cooking," said Vouncile Lambert, 44, who was treated at a hospital.
The 17-year-old worker was charged with aggravated assault. The employee, who had worked at the Checkers restaurant in West Philadelphia for about two months, will be fired, a restaurant manager said Wednesday.
Lambert's 36-year-old niece had spit on the employee, a police report said.
Shaji Joseph, an area manager for the hamburger chain, said the customers were upset when the employee closed the walk-up window on them Sunday afternoon.
"Nobody would just throw grease at somebody without provoking," Joseph said. "(But) we totally understand she can't throw grease on her."
Welcome to all the new people who signed up to join the BRC e-mail list. This
is your prime location to find out what's going on with the BRC and things
related to Black rock in all of its forms.
As always, the good people at the multi-national corporate conglomerate known
as America Online have graciously asked my infinitesimal Black behind to
remind you, if you wish NOT to be a member of the BRC weekly e-mails, simply reply
to info@blackrockcoalition.org with the word "unsubscribe." WE ADAMANTLY
DISCOURAGE SPAM, BUT… we won't get mad if you choose to forward this list, but only
if it's to parties with genuine interest in BRC activities. Please ask
permission first!
REMINDER: The deadline for getting listings in This Week In Black Rock is
every Tuesday at noon. T.W.I.B.R. gets sent out Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
E-mail listings to: BRCMembersInfo@aol.com.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE INCLUDE SHOW TIMES, ADMISSION PRICES AND CONTACT
INFORMATION! (And if you're playing outside the New York metropolitan area, please
include city and state).
DO NOT SEND ANONYMOUS/UNIDENTIFIABLE ATTACHMENTS! THEY WILL BE DELETED
UNOPENED!
TWIBR HAS ADS, CLASSIFIEDS AND ARTIST LINKS! For info about taking out ads in
TWIBR, contact Darrell McNeill at BRCMembersInfo@aol.com.
Darrell M. McNeill
BRC Director of Operations
_____________________________________________________
FAMILY MUST HELP FAMILY…
The BRC is no different.
SPECIAL EMERGENCY MONETARY EFFORT FOR BEVERLY MILNER, BRC L.A. EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Bev Milner has had an unfortunate break-in at her bungalow. The back door
was kicked in and the thieves (suspected crack-heads) made off with some cash,
some of her prescription drugs and some jewelry, all while Bev was at work.
Luckily none of her musical instruments were stolen nor her computer that
houses all the BRC documentation.
Now she needs to have window bars and a security door installed. Even though
the police were called in and known local drug traffickers and users are
starting to frequent the area, Bev's landlord has refused to pay for this!
Unfortunately, a Los Angeles Tenants Rights Bureau informed Bev that the landlord in
fact is only responsible for replacing what was already existing (i.e, a
weak entry door and a flimsy mesh screen door").
The installation of a security gate and window bars is very costly. We all
love Bev and fear for her safety, so she must have security bars, because she
lives alone!
We are taking up a collection here at BRC-LA as well as hoping BRC-National
members can make a small donation to help off set the costs. Any amount is fine!
Those that wish to contribute may make checks or money orders payable to:
BEVERLY MILNER, and mail to BRC LOS ANGELES, PO BOX 841, HOLLYWOOD, CA 90078.
I will be gathering all the checks and giving them to Bev as well as sending
thank you notes out to the members.
Check us out at www.myspace.com/blackrockcoalition.
___________________________________________________
BRC RADIO ON THE INTERNET
The Black Rock Coalition hosts two (2) Internet radio shows:
For all the latest Black rock music (major, indie, DIY), check out "BRC@WPS1"
on www.wps1.org.
For all-time Black rock standards and hallmark performers, check out "BRC
Classics" on www.soul-patrol.net.
____________________________________________________
TWIBR is now and forever on Urban Voyeur, the most comprehensive online
archive of the progressive Black music scene. Log on at: www.urbanvoyeur.com.
____________________________________________________
WORLDEATER RECORDINGS
The Black Rock Coalition’s studio and production partner for our fifth band
compilation, "Rock ‘N Roll Reparations: Volume 1," is open to all musicians.
World Eater Recordings-Bed Stuy, NYC
Jared Hassan, engineer
Email: worldeatermusic@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.worldeaterrecordings.xbuild.com
Engineer's page: http://www.myspace.com/jaredhassan
Phone: (718) 443-8126
Rehearsals: $10 per hour
Recording: $35 per hour-$200 for 8 hour block
Mixing/Mastering/Live Sound/Rentals/Bookings and Promotions/Consultations
____________________________________________________
COMING IN JUNE 2006!
THE BLACK ROCK COALITION
INTRODUCES ITS NEW AND IMPROVED MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS PACKAGE
ÿ A new jobs/gigs e-mail newsletter
ÿ Low cost health insurance referrals
ÿ Discount studio time package deals at select recording studios (NYC only)
ÿ And many, many other goodies!
KEEP FOLLOWING TWIBR FOR DETAILS!
_______________________________________________
"American Underground" at Sputnik, Brooklyn, NY
Featuring Shrine for the Black Madonna, Faith, Roughstars, Moisturizer and
The Dustbin Brothers
WHAT: New concert series devoted to building community between audiences and
artists. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: $7. INFO: barsputnik.com or (718) 398-6666.
WHERE: 262 Taaffe Place between Dekalb and Willoughby Avenues, Clinton Hill,
Brooklyn.
The Screening at Sputnik, Brooklyn, NY
WHAT: Monthly showcase of cutting edge shorts at Sputnik. WHEN: 7PM. HOW
MUCH: FREE. INFO: barsputnik.com or (718) 398-6666. WHERE: 262 Taaffe Place
between Dekalb and Willoughby Avenues, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. ARTIST SITE:
www.flatfootfete.com.
Ubiquita’s Orchestra of DJs at Sutra Lounge, NYC (Thursdays)
WHAT: Weekly Ubiquita extravaganza of queens and kings on the decks. WHEN:
8PM. HOW MUCH: FREE before 10PM; $5 after 10PM. INFO: (212) 677-9477 or
sutralounge.com. WHERE: 16 First Avenue between East Houston and East First Streets.
Melvin Van Peebles’ "Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death" at T New York,
NYC (Thursdays-Saturdays)
WHAT: Longtime radical renaissance brother presents a new stage work. Debuts
tonight and runs weekends starting 5/4. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: CONTACT VENUE.
INFO: (212) 489-7656 or tnewyorkcity.com. WHERE: 240 West 52nd Street between
Broadway and Eighth Avenue.
"Bridge and Tunnel" at The Helen Hayes Theater, NYC (through 7/9)
Featuring Sarah Jones
WHAT: Revolutionary poet/actress brings her award-winning one-woman show to
Broadway. WHEN: 8PM doors/9PM show. HOW MUCH: $86.25. DISCOUNT TICKETS
AVAILABLE: This special discount makes select tickets available for $46.25. Just type
in code BTDLZ37 at broadwayoffers.com or call Telecharge at (212) 947-8844 and
mention the same code, BTDLZ37. INFO: (212) 944-9450. WHERE: 240 West 44th
Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.sarahjonesonline.com
.
TV On The Radio at Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi quintet does tune up dates before joining Nine Inch
Nails on tour. WHEN: 6:30PM. HOW MUCH: $27. INFO: marqueetheatre.ticketforce.com
or (480) 829-0707. WHERE: 730 Mill Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.tvontheradio.com.
Demolition Pit at The Whiskey Bar, West Hollywood, CA
WHAT: L.A. monsters of metal return to The Whiskey. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH:
CONTACT VENUE. INFO: (310) 657-1333. WHERE: 1200 Alta Loma Road, between Sunset
Boulevard and Holloway Drive.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Steve Wallace at Blue Note, NYC
WHAT: Soul-hip-hop ambassador returns to the Blue Note late night. HOW MUCH:
$8. WHEN: 12:30AM. INFO: bluenotejazz.com or (212) 475-8592. WHERE: 131 West
Third Street between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village.
E-Moves at Aaron Davis Hall, NYC (through 4/30)
WHAT: New York’s premier contemporary dance troupe. PROGRAMS VARY, CHECK WITH
VENUE. WHEN: 7:30PM, Friday and Saturday; 3PM Sunday. HOW MUCH: $18 for
Program I; $26 for Program I and II. INFO: (212) 650-7100 or aarondavishall.org.
WHERE: Southeast corner of West 135th Street and Convent Avenue (City College
campus), Harlem.
"Peaches" at The Apollo Theater, NYC (through 4/29)
Performed by The Progress Theater Ensemble
WHAT: Cristal Chanelle Truscott’s staged essay/dream sequence inspired by
Nina Simone’s infamous "Four Women." HOW MUCH: $15. WHEN: 8PM. INFO:
apollotheater.com or (212) 531-5305. WHERE: 131 West Third Street between Sixth Avenue and
MacDougal, Greenwich Village.
WreckWood Jazz Night at Brooklyn Wreck Room, Brooklyn, NY
Featuring Da Phatfunk Clique, Hagus Magagus, PVD, The Fisherman and Blues
Devils
WHAT: Frank Wood’s Bushwick jazz and blues showcase. WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH:
CONTACT VENUE. INFO: (718) 418-6347. WHERE: 940 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick.
Brooklyn Sax Quartet at St. John's Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY
WHAT: Noted reed ensemble plays St. John’s. WHEN: 8PM. HOW MUCH: FREE. INFO:
(212) 760-4980. WHERE: 155 Milton Street, Greenpoint.
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA (through 4/30)
WHAT: Annual two-weekend music celebration takes over the entire city. This
year's fest has special poignance during the Big Easy's slow recovery after
Hurricane Katrina. MULTIPLE ACTS OVER MULTIPLE LOCATIONS; SEE EVENT WEBSITE FOR
SPECIFIC INFORMATION. INFO: nojazzfest.com.
Austin Willacy Band at Rockit Room, San Francisco, CA
With Gabriel Mann and Megan Slankard
WHAT: Bay Area pop-soul brother returns to Rockit Room. WHEN: 9PM (Austin
Willacy band at 11PM). HOW MUCH: $12. INFO: (415) 387-6343 or rock-it-room.com.
WHERE: 406 Clement Street between Fifth and Sixth. ARTIST SITE:
www.austinwillacy.com.
King’s X at The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA
With Martyr, Fear The Days, Spiritual Octane and Rogue
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio continues a national tour. WHEN: 7:30PM
doors/8:30PM show. HOW MUCH: $20. INFO: (916) 988-9247 or boardwalkrocks.com. WHERE:
9426 Greenback Lane at Main Avenue. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
Daniel Bernard Roumain at Chelsea Art Museum, NYC
With St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble and Joan Tower
WHAT: Noted violinist/composer and band perform at CAM as part of artist in
residence program. WHEN: 2PM. HOW MUCH: $6 adults; $3 students and seniors.
INFO: (212) 255-0719 or chelseaartmuseum.org. WHERE: 556 West 22nd Street between
Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, Chelsea. ARTIST SITE: www.dbrmusic.com.
Queen Esther at Tower Records, NYC
WHAT: New Blues chanteuese plays Saturday in-store music series at Tower.
WHEN: 1PM. HOW MUCH: FREE. INFO: (212) 799-2500 or towerrecords.com. WHERE: 1961
Broadway at West 66th Street, Lincoln Center.
"Fela Fresh From Africa" (African Film Festival) at Walter Reade Theatre
(Lincoln Center), NYC
WHAT: Documentary of The Godfather of Afrobeat’s first tour of New York City
after a 17-year prison sentence. WHEN: 9:30PM. HOW MUCH: CONTACT VENUE. INFO:
(212) 875-5600 or lincolncenter.org. WHERE: 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, West 65th
Street between Broadway/Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue, Lincoln Center.
Post-Screening Reception for "Fela Fresh From Africa" at Sahara South, NYC
WHAT: After-party/mixer for Fela documentary. WHEN/HOW MUCH: CONTACT
ORGANIZERS. INFO: (646) 281-5257 or (646) 320-8143; Kalakuta3000@yahoo.com. WHERE: 523
West 45th Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen.
Children of Uganda "Tour of Light 2006" at NJPAC, Newark, NJ
WHAT: Singing troupe of orphaned Ugandan children (ages 4-18) had been
performing to raise AIDS awareness and funds for Uganda’s 1.5 million orphaned
children. WHEN: 2PM. HOW MUCH: $19 adults; $10 children. INFO: (888) GO-NJPAC or
njpac.org. WHERE: One Center Street.
"Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival" Empire Polo Field, Indio, CA,
(through 4/30)
With TV On The Radio, Gnarls Barkley, Bloc Party, Common, Damian Marley,
Lady Sovereign, Lyrics Born, Amadou and Mariam, Digable Planets, Little Louie
Vega, Los Amigos Invisibles, Massive Attack, The Dears and others
WHAT: Premier California outdoor music, film and arts festival. WHEN/HOW
MUCH: CONTACT VENUE. INFO: coachella.com.
SugarBitch at The Venice Disaster Expo, Venice, CA
Also Spring Groove, Madame Chocolat, Di Acoustic, Stobo and Cristina Williams
WHAT: L.A. rock ‘n funk quartet plays Venice Beach. WHEN: 10AM-4PM
(SugarBitch plays 2:30PM). HOW MUCH: FREE. WHERE: Electric Avenue and California.
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
"When Fried Eggs Fly" Screening at Sony IMAC Theater, NYC
WHAT: Documentary about music education (our own Bruce Mack and his music
program at The Door are featured). WHEN: 2:30PM. HOW MUCH: $18. INFO: (212)
336-5000. WHERE: 1998 Broadway at West 68th Street, Upper West Side near Lincoln
Center. FILM SITE: www.whenfriedeggsfly.com.
"Reggae Sundays" at BKNY, Brooklyn, NY (Sundays)
WHAT: Weekly punky reggae party returns after relocation. HOW MUCH: CONTACT
VENUE. WHEN: 8PM. INFO: info@ReggaeSundays.com or (718) 930-1316. WHERE: 887
Fulton Street at Vanderbilt Avenue, Clinton Hill.
Daniel Bernard Roumain at Dia:Beacon, Beacon, NYC
With St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble and Joan Tower
WHAT: Noted violinist/composer and band perform at Dia:Beacon. WHEN: 2PM. HOW
MUCH: $15 general admission; $10 students. INFO: (845) 440-0100 and
diacenter.org. WHERE: Three Beekman Street.
King’s X at House of Blues-Sunset, West Hollywood, CA
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio launches a national tour. WHEN: 7:30PM
doors/8PM show. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: (323) 848-5100 or hob.com. WHERE: 8430 Sunset
Boulevard. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
MONDAY, MAY 1
Tinawiren at Joe's Pub, NYC
WHAT: Mali blues-rock guitar ensemble returns to Joe's. HOW MUCH: $20. WHEN:
Two sets, 7:30PM and 9:30PM (11:30PM SET CANCELLED; 11:30PM TICKETS HONORED AT
7:30PM SET). INFO: (212) 539-8778 or joespub.com. WHERE: 425 Lafayette Street
near Astor Place.
"Steve Coleman Presents" at Jazz Gallery, NYC
WHAT: M-Base co-founder and sax virtuoso takes residence at Jazz Gallery.
WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: $15. INFO: jazzgallery.org or (212) 242-1063. WHERE: 290
Hudson Street below Spring in West Soho.
TV On The Radio At The Independent, San Francisco, CA (through 5/2) - SOLD
OUT!
TUESDAY, MAY 2
Imani Uzuri Rock Quartet/Maya Azucena at Nublu, NYC
WHAT: Future soul sisters rock intimate sets at Nublu. WHEN: 10PM. HOW MUCH:
$5. INFO: nublu.net or (212) 979-9925. WHERE: 62 Avenue C between East Fourth
and Fifth Streets, East Village.
Brand New Heavies at The Bowery Ballroom, NYC
Featuring N’Dea Davenport
WHAT: Brit retro-funk-soul combo returns for another go ‘round. WHEN: 8PM
doors/9PM show. HOW MUCH: $25. INFO: (212) 533-2111 or boweryballroom.com. WHERE:
6 Delancey Street at Bowery, Lower East Side.
"Soul Acoustic Tuesdays" at Kili, Brooklyn, NY
Hosted by Tasneem, Ranjit, Shae Fiol and others
WHAT: Weekly downtown open mic. DJ trademark spins funk and soul classics.
WHEN: 9PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 855-5574. WHERE: 81 Hoyt Street
between State Street and Atlantic Avenue, downtown.
King’s X at Brick by Brick, San Diego, CA
WHAT: Pop-metal-punk-funk trio launches a national tour. WHEN: 8:30PM. HOW
MUCH: $15. INFO: (850) 425-2697 or thebetabar.com. WHERE: 809 Railroad Avenue at
West Gaines Street. ARTIST SITE: www.kingsxonline.com.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
"Shut Up Wednesdays" at The Alligator Lounge, Brooklyn, NY
Hosted by Tasneem, Bess Rogers, Ellie Lawson and Dave Harewood
WHAT: Weekly Billyburg open mic. DJ LP spins rock classics and soul. WHEN:
8PM. HOW MUCH: NO COVER. INFO: (718) 599-4440. WHERE: 600 Metropolitan Avenue.
THURSDAY, MAY 4
Pillow Theory at The Whiskey Bar, West Hollywood, CA
WHAT: New York pop-punk-grunge quartet debuts at The Whiskey. HOW MUCH:
CONTACT VENUE. INFO: (310) 657-1333. WHERE: 1200 Alta Loma Road, between Sunset
Boulevard and Holloway Drive. ARTIST SITE: www.pillowtheory.net.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
SISTA Factory at BAMCafé, Brooklyn, NY (through 4/6)
Featuring The Square Egg and Antonia Janae
WHAT: SISTA Factory returns to BAMCafé with hip-hop, funk ensemble. WHEN:
9PM. HOW MUCH: FREE ($10 minimum at the tables). INFO: (718) 636-1400 or bam.org.
WHERE: 30 Lafayette Avenue between St. Felix and Ashland Place. ARTIST SITE:
www.thesquareegg.com.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA (through 5/7)
WHAT: Annual two-weekend music celebration takes over the entire city. This
year's fest has special poignance during the Big Easy's slow recovery after
Hurricane Katrina. MULTIPLE ACTS OVER MULTIPLE LOCATIONS; SEE EVENT WEBSITE FOR
SPECIFIC INFORMATION. INFO: nojazzfest.com.
TV On The Radio at Showbox, Seattle, WA
With Celebration
WHAT: Billyburg lo-fi quintet does tune up dates before joining Nine Inch
Nails on tour. WHEN: HOW MUCH: $13.50 advance/$15 door. INFO: showboxonline.com
or (206) 628-3151. WHERE: 1426 First Avenue at Pike Street.ARTIST SITE:
www.tvontheradio.com.
bloodsugar/Pillow Theory at Club Bingo, Los Angeles, CA
WHAT: Xavier’s L.A. pop-punk combo teams up with New York pop-punk-grunge
quartet. WHEN: Midnight. HOW MUCH: $5. WHERE: 4151 South Main Street-Unit XY.
__________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING DATES
SISTA FACTORY AT BAMCAFÉ, BROOKLYN, NY, 5/6
Featuring Sparlha Swa
PUBLIC ENEMY AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 5/7
FRO AT GROOVE, NYC, 5/7
VAN HUNT AT CANAL ROOM, NYC (4/7 TICKETS HONORED!)
THE ROOTS AT THE NORVA, NORFOLK, VA, 5/8
BEN HARPER AT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, NEWCASTLE, AUS, 5/8
McCOY TYNER/SAVION GLOVER AT THE BLUE NOTE, NYC, 5/9-14
KING’S X AT THE PAGEANT, ST. LOUIS, MO, 5/9
JONESBONES AT ARLENE’S GROCERY, NYC, 5/10
BEN HARPER AT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, ADELAIDE, AUS, 5/10
BEN HARPER AT ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE, AUS, 5/11
KING’S X AT THE PEARL ROOM, MOKENA, IL, 5/12
KING’S X AT ALROSA VILLA, COLUMBUS, OH, 5/13
TV ON THE RADIO AT CAMBER SANDS HOLIDAY CENTRE, CAMBER SANDS, UK, 5/13
BEN HARPER AT SUPREME COURT GARDENS, PERTH, AUS, 5/13
BEN HARPER AT SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, SYDNEY, AUS, 5/16
THE ROOTS AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NYC, 5/18-19
BLAKBÜSHÉ AT THE HOOK, BROOKLYN, NY, 5/18
BEN HARPER AT WOLLONGONG ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, WOLLONGONG, AUS, 5/18
RHYTHM REPUBLIK AT BLUE NOTE, NYC, 5/19
SOULIVE AT THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA, 5/19-20
GROOVE COLLECTIVE AT JOE’S PUB, NYC, 5/20
BEN HARPER AT RIVER STAGE, BRISBANE, AUS, 5/20
SUN RA RADIO MARATHON ON WKCR-FM (COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY RADIO), NNYC, 5/22-23
TAJ MAHAL/GUY DAVIS AT THE BLUE NOTE, NYC, 5/23-28
OPUS AKOBEN AT MIRRORS, WASHINGTON, DC, 5/23
KELLI SAE AT JOE’S PUB, NYC, 5/24
DON BYRON AT BIRDLAND, NYC, 5/24-27
"WHO KILLED BOB MARLEY?" AT AARON DAVIS HALL, NYC, 5/24
Featuring Roger Guenveur Smith and Marc Anthony Thompson; hosted by Ruby Dee
LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY AT B.B. KING’S, NYC, 5/25
BEN HARPER AT LES SCHWAB AMPHITHEATER, BEND, OR, 5/26
THE FAMILY STAND AT THE JAZZ CAFÉ, LONDON, UK, 5/26-27
BEN HARPER AT "SASQUATCH MUSIC FESTIVAL" THE GORGE, GEORGE, WA, 5/27
TV ON THE RADIO AT AMPHITHEATER AT CLARK COUNTY, RIDGEFIELD, WA, 5/27
TV ON THE RADIO AT IDAHO CENTER, NAMPA, ID, 5/28
BEN HARPER AT DEER LAKE PARK, BURNABY, BC, 5/28
THE FAMILY STAND AT PARADISO, AMSTERDAM, 5/29
TV ON THE RADIO AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE, MORRISON, CO, 5/30
RACHELLE FARRELL AT S.O.B.’S, NYC, 5/31
TV ON THE RADIO AT JOURNAL PAVILION, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 5/31
_____________________________________________________
CONTACT:
Here's how you can reach us here at the B.R.C.:
SNAIL MAIL: Black Rock Coalition
P.O. Box 1054
Cooper Station
NYC, NY 10276
WEBSITE: www.blackrockcoalition.org.
HOTLINE: (212) 713-5097
TO E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR T.W.I.B.R.: BRCMembersInfo@aol.com.
Bobby Brown Confronts 'Lying' Media, Joins New Edition Onstage ...
by TFSnewsRoom/Viacom.com
Bobby Brown Confronts 'Lying' Media, Joins New Edition Onstage
Singer celebrates new single with haircut and surprise
Bobby Brown is still looking for the truth and a label to call home, but fortunately, he's finally found a barber.
When MTV News last hooked up with Brown in January, the singer explained the unkempt afro he was rocking as a way of keeping a
promise to himself: He said he wouldn't cut his hair until he put out a single (see "Bobby Brown Is Back, All Right: Calls Usher, Omarion 'Little Mini-Me's' ").
Somebody tell former pro-wrestling great Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake to dust off his shears. Brown is back to getting his hair cut regularly thanks to his new single, "Lying Eyes."
The record finds the singer questioning and chastising what appears to be his girl: "Can it really be what I think I see or am I going out of my mind?/ All my family , they see what I see/ We all can't be that blind/ Who you looking at with those lying eyes .../ Don't you know they're the windows to your soul?"
On Tuesday (May 2), Brown's representative spoke on the singer's behalf, clarifying that the song is not actually about a woman — especially not Mrs. Brown herself, Whitney Houston. Rather, the singer is addressing his love/hate relationship with the media and its portrayal of his family.
Brown's single is being released via his own Brown Skin record label. The singer says he still wants to put his album out via a major label and is continuing to field offers. As was the case in January, Brown is looking for a hefty pay day for his music. Brown is also in talks with G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid to spearhead a remix featuring Lloyd Banks.
On Friday, Brown was sporting his new hairdo, a dark Caesar cut, as a surprise onstage guest during a New Edition concert. With Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe and Johnny Gill all in, New Edition electrified the Beacon Theater for approximately two hours. Brown joined the group for "Mr. Telephone Man," "Jealous Girl" and his own "My Prerogative" and also helped out on "Do Me," singing background vocals for the Bell Biv DeVoe hit. He also performed with New Edition on Saturday in Washington D.C.
All six members of New Edition will be performing at the Essence Music Festival, scheduled for July 1-3 in Houston.
50 Cent Sounds Off About Oprah Winfrey
By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - He usually saves his beefs for other rappers; this time, 50 Cent is going after Oprah Winfrey.
In an interview with The Associated Press, 50 complained that Winfrey rarely invites rappers on her talk show: "I think she caters to older white women."
"Oprah's audience is my audience's parents," the 29-year-old rapper said. "So, I could care less about Oprah or her show."
He's not alone in his resentment toward the talk show host cum media mogul.
Rapper-actor Ludacris, aka Chris Bridges, said in the May issue of GQ magazine that Winfrey was "unfair" during a show he appeared on last October with co-stars from best-picture Oscar winner "Crash."
"She edited out a lot of my comments while keeping her own in," he said. "Of course, it's her show, but we were doing a show on racial discrimination, and she gave me a hard time as a rapper, when I came on there as an actor."
Winfrey's representative at her production company, Harpo, told the AP that Winfrey was unavailable for comment.
But, as 50 Cent said, Winfrey's purported disapproval might enhance a rap star's street cred.
"I'm actually better off having friction with her," he said.
The crack-dealer-turned-rapper has sold millions of records gleefully flaunting his gangsta image, explicit lyrics and bulletproof vest (he was famously shot nine times). He has his own record label, G-Unit, the G-Unit clothing line, his own sneaker line with Reebok and a videogame, "Bulletproof."
And he wears his rough-and-tumble reputation proudly: "I don't mind it. I've actually accepted it."
The rapper, who's signed to close pal Eminem's Shady/Aftermath label under Interscope Records, said he recently attended Proof's wake with Eminem. Proof, a friend of Eminem's, was shot and killed earlier this month during a dispute in a Detroit nightclub.
"He's coming along," he said of Eminem. "He's gonna be all right. I mean, it was definitely a big loss for him. Proof was actually his best friend in the world from forever."
On the heels of Proof's death, a study released last week by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation — a nonprofit public health research group — suggested that young people who listen to rap music are more prone to alcohol and drug use and aggressive behavior.
But 50's not buying it.
He points a finger at parents, who he thinks should explain to their children that his music is a form of entertainment, not a license to break the law.
"I think that the violence that happened to Proof and the violence that's happening across America right now has nothing to do with hip-hop," he said. "It has something to do with the people — the state of them — and the music doesn't alter that."
LOS ANGELES - Singer Chaka Khan said her son is a kind, gentle man who she believes accidentally killed his friend nearly two years ago in her home.
Khan, whose real name is Yvette Stevens, testified Thursday in the murder trial of her son, 27-year-old Damien Patrick Holland.
Holland is charged with killing Christopher Bailey, 17, an aspiring rapper who was staying at the home Holland shares with his mother, girlfriend and five-year-old daughter.
Holland testified earlier this week that he never intended to kill Bailey when he poked at him with an M-16 assault rifle. The two were discussing an affair the younger man claimed to have had with Holland's girlfriend when Holland pointed the gun at his friend.
"Pow! I heard a shot," Holland said.
He cried in court as he recalled how Bailey fell to the floor, bleeding from his face.
Khan described Bailey as "bright," "talented" and "full of life," adding that the boy could have survived the shooting had police permitted emergency medical workers to enter her home sooner.
"It was like something out of a nightmare," Khan testified.
During questioning by his attorney, Milton Grimes, Holland admitted he made up a story about the gun going off amid a struggle with Bailey. Holland also said he persuaded friends to lie to the police and had a friend punch him in the face to make it appear he had fought with Bailey.
"I didn't see any way out of the situation," Holland said. "I felt terrible. I felt sick."
Khan, who is known for such hits as "Tell Me Something Good" and "I Feel For You," returns to court Monday for cross-examination.
Capricorn Records Founder Dies
By DOUG GROSS, Associated Press Writer
ATLANTA - Phil Walden, the Capricorn Records founder who launched the careers of Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band, has died after a long battle with cancer, a family friend said Monday. He was 66.
Walden died at his home Sunday, said Leon Jones, law partner of Walden's son, Philip Walden Jr.
The Macon, Ga.-based record label was influential in creating the Southern rock sound of the 1970s.
"Phil was a visionary," said Chuck Leavell, who joined the Allman Brothers on keyboards in 1972 and now plays with the Rolling Stones. "He just had a great vision and a true, deep passion for the music."
Over a long career, Walden also promoted groups including the Charlie Daniels Band and Wet Willie.
Walden's two most famous artists, Redding and guitarist Duane Allman, both died tragically, Redding in a plane crash in 1967 at 26 and Allman in a motorcycle accident in 1971 at age 24.
The Allman Brothers Band, the quintessential Southern rock band which the guitarist founded with brother Gregg and others, continued after Duane Allman's death.
"They weren't trendy," Walden said in a 1996 interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"You had all these British groups dressed up in Edwardian finery," Walden continued. "But there was never any attempt by the Allmans to be a show band. They played music. On occasions, when they were allowed to, for hours."
Earlier, Walden met Redding in Macon in the 1950s, when both were teenagers. Redding became a top rhythm and blues star in the 1960s and was on the brink of wider acclaim when he died.
He had recorded his "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" just days earlier. It became a smash hit in 1968.
"His legend is really sans-hype," Walden said in a 1997 Associated Press interview. "It has made it to this point purely on the magnificence of his music."
During the 1970s, Walden was an early backer of then-Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter. He helped Carter's upstart bid for the presidency financially, as did the Allmans and other Capricorn groups, who played benefit shows.
Carter said Monday in a statement that he and wife Rosalynn were sad to hear of Walden's death. "Phil was one of the pre-eminent producers of great music in America," Carter said. "His many performing partners, including Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers, helped to put Macon and Georgia on the musical map of the world."
Redding and Walden's close friendship made them outcasts in the segregated South, Redding's widow, Zelma Redding, recalled in 1997. She said Walden's passion for black music made him "the little white boy who everybody was wanting to beat up on."
(AP) A short-circuit at a jail in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, caused a fire that killed at least 90...
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SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (AP) - An early morning fire at an overcrowded prison in northern Honduras on Monday consumed a cellblock housing gang members, killing 103, many as they slept, and injuring 25 others.
The 1:30 a.m. fire was sparked by an air conditioner short-circuit in a cellblock occupied by 186 prisoners, Police Commissioner Wilmer Torres said. Some prisoners burned to death while others died from smoke inhalation.
"We woke up with our clothes and our beds in flames," prisoner Jose Mauricio Lopez told a radio station from his hospital bed.
Another prisoner, identified as Antonio Flores, said he heard an explosion "and then the cell block caught immediately on fire."
(AP) The bodies of several inmates lie in the ground of the state penitentiary in San Pedro Sula, 180...
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Firefighters brought the blaze under control quickly, but it already consumed a large part of the jail in San Pedro Sula, 110 miles north of the capital, Tegucigalpa, by the time they arrived. There were no reports of any escapes, Torres said.
Officials said 103 prisoners died and 25 others were injured.
It was the second deadly prison fire in Honduras in a little over a year, and Vice President Vicente Williams promised to find funds to improve the overcrowded system.
"Honduras' jails are a time bomb," Williams said at the damaged prison in San Pedro Sula, 110 miles north of the capital, Tegucigalpa.
Many gang members started attacking firefighters, prompting guards to fire in the air "to prevent a massive prisoner escape," said prison spokesman Jose Bustillo.
(AP) The bodies of several inmates lie in the ground of the state penitentiary in San Pedro Sula, 180...
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But one prisoner, Pablo Cardona, said the guards "fired at us repeatedly from outside the cell block to stop us from leaving, despite our cries for help."
Hundreds of concerned relatives rushed to the prison seeking information as officials lined up victims' bodies in rows on the ground, their elaborate tattoos visible on exposed chests and arms.
The bodies later were taken away in refrigerator trucks, and San Pedro Sula Mayor Oscar Kilgore said the city would donate coffins for the dead.
Officials initially said the fire was caused by an overheated refrigerator because inmates said they heard the appliance explode. But firefighters later said an air conditioner short circuit was to blame.
Many of the imprisoned gang members were detained during the country's recent crackdown on gang violence. In August, Honduras passed legislation outlawing gangs and establishing minimum sentences of 12 years for gang members.
(AP) The bodies of several inmates lie in the ground of the state penitentiary in San Pedro Sula, 180...
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There are more than 100,000 gang members belonging to 500 different gangs in Honduras. All the prisoners in the destroyed cell block belonged to the Mara Salvatrucha, one of the most violent of Central America's gangs.
The new law exacerbated the country's prison overcrowding problem. Honduras' penitentiaries consist of 27 old buildings housing 13,000 prisoners, twice their capacity.
The prison in San Pedro has a capacity of 800 prisoners but held 1,960, Torres said.
"This is a horrible tragedy," Monsignor Romulo Emiliani, the area's auxiliary Roman Catholic archbishop, said upon arriving. "And the situation is worse because there are too many people in a single cell. ... This shouldn't happen."
Human rights groups who have pushed for alternatives to jail terms for young gang members demanded a serious investigation.
"What happened in the San Pedro Sula jail is painful and terrible," said Jose Manuel Capellin, of the humanitarian group Casa Alianza. "There is repression against the gang members. The government only offers them jail."
President Ricardo Maduro, who cut short a European state trip to return home, acknowledged an overcrowding problem and said his administration was working to improve it.
"At the beginning of our fight against crime was a decision: Do we capture more criminals or do we let them free in the streets?" Maduro said. "We decided that obviously we must protect our citizens and capture them."
In April 2003, some prisoners were locked in their cells, doused with gasoline, and set on fire during an uprising at El Porvenir prison. Nearly 70 people - including guards and visitors - died.
SHOUT TO ALL MY HOMEGIRLS IN EAST L.A. THAT SUCKS ABOUT THE INMATES THAT GOT BURNED, ALSO SHOUTOUTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD FLORAL DR. **** THE HATERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He smoked 20 joints a day Too stoned to make music Drugs have harmed career
By Martin Fricker
GEORGE Michael's career has gone up in smoke because he would rather puff joints than record new songs, a former musician pal claimed yesterday.
Toby Bourke, who dueted with George on the 1997 single Waltz Away Dreaming, claimed: "Drugs have turned him into a stoned waster and made him depressed. Dope is his poison."
Toby, who says he watched George chain-smoke 20 super-strength skunk joints a day, added: "Dope destroyed his will to work. When you smoke as much as George has done you simply cease to function. Cannabis has wrecked his career. All that dope put paid to it."
George, 42, has not released an album since Patience in March 2004. And he has not done a world tour for 15 years, although one is said to be in the pipeline.
But Toby said: "I don't think you'll see much more work from him. He is basically lazy - and it is all the cannabis he's smoked that has made him like that."
Toby, who recorded with George when the ex-Wham! star was in his heyday in the mid 1990s, said it was clear even back then that the singer had a serious drug problem.
He added: "He was stoned all the time. It was pretty much a haze of dope the whole way through the recording sessions.
"He would smoke skunk joints in the studio when we were meant to be working. He was easily getting through 20 joints a day. The joints were in a Marlboro box and had been rolled by one of George's lackies. He would smoke one, take a break, then spark another one up.
"I remember how smelly and pungent it was when he was smoking them. But nobody was allowed to complain."
Toby said George regularly had a joint for breakfast and arrived at the studio in a stupor.
Often he walked out without having sung a note because he was too stoned to work, Toby claimed.
Toby, 41, was one of the first acts signed to the doomed Aegean record label that George set up in the wake of his acrimonious bust-up with Sony.
He fell in love with Toby's ballad Waltz Away Dreaming and asked him to rewrite it so they could release it as a duet.
Toby said: "He told me he played it in his car just hours after his mother died and knew that he wanted to release it as a single. I did a small re-write and agreed to let George sing on it. Everything seemed to be rosy."
But things began to go wrong when it came to recording the track. Toby said: "George would turn up stoned out of his mind. It was pretty much impossible to work with him.
"He wouldn't put the work in. He was so lethargic. He often wouldn't talk to me at all. He wasn't crazy when he was high, he was just odd. During that time, occasionally something would get him going.
"But 99 per cent of the time he was out of it. Some days he wouldn't turn up at all. Another time he was so stoned he forgot he had left his dog Hippy in the car outside the studio. Fortunately, someone told us and we went and rescued the poor thing."
Waltz Away Dreaming was eventually released in June 1997 and became a Top Ten hit.
Toby claims George's devotion to cannabis made him paranoid. The star had not then revealed he was gay - and was scared the truth would leak out.
Toby, from Fulham, West London, said: "There was deep-seated paranoia even back then. He was terrified his big secret was going to come out." Toby said George tried in vain to give up smoking at one stage with the help of television hypnotist Paul McKenna.
He added: "George got Paul McKenna to hypnotise him but it was a disaster. He told me it just didn't work."
The singer also became obsessed with feng shui - the ancient oriental art of arranging items in a room to allow the flow of "positive energy." Toby said: "George had a big thing for feng shui for a while. It was as though he thought that V would solve all of his problems, which was ridiculous.
"I hadn't heard a dickie bird from anyone on George's label for two months, then the manager rang out of the blue and sounded really excited. I was hoping he was going to say that George was ready to get back in the studio. But instead he told me things would soon start going again - because they had feng shui'd the office."
George's fledgling record label Aegean, overseen by his cousin Andreas Georgiou, also allegedly suffered because of his drug-induced lethargy. Toby said: "The waste of young talent that went through Aegean was a disgrace.
"It was almost as though George could not be bothered any more. We could do nothing without getting the okay from George, but he was too hammered to give us that okay.
"The label was wasn't doing to great but George didn't seem bothered. He was too off his face to care."
Toby said the only time anything seemed to get done was when the recording studio had VIP visitors. He added: "If that happened they wanted to make the place look professional.
"You could always tell when they were visiting, because it was the only time the place wasn't full of dope smoke.
"I was paid to go in and twiddle knobs on the mixing desk. Basically I was pretending to work. They put a cassette on so it looked like I was doing something."
After two years on Aegean, Toby finally got a phone call to say it was closing and he was being dropped. He added: "To be honest, it was a relief. But it was a sad way to end."
Toby, who now runs a successful telecoms business, says he looks back on his time with George with a mixture of joy and sadness. He said: "It was a good experience to be a part of a big hit single. But at the same time it was heartbreaking to see someone as talented as George in such a state.
"And it is even more heartbreaking to see how much worse he has got in recent years. I fear he's putting his life at risk. He needs to get professional help before it is too late."
Yesterday George was questioned by police at his home in north London after he allegedly hit three cars at the weekend.
And he faces a further grilling on Saturday when he comes face to face with chat show host Michael Parkinson. Friends say he will announce plans for a world tour - and answer questions about the bizarre car crash incident.
George is certainly no stranger to embarrassing scrapes.
In 1998 he was arrested for lewd conduct after propositioning an undercover policeman in a Los Angeles public toilet.
And in February he was arrested after being found slumped behind the wheel of his Mercedes near Hyde Park in London.
Police found a small amount of cannabis and also sex toys and bondage gear when they searched the car. George later accepted a police caution for having cannabis.
According to his official website, the singer is now "recording tracks" for a new album.
LOS ANGELES - Grammy-winning singer-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against singer Anita Baker, claiming she owes him more than $250,000.
According to the lawsuit, filed Thursday in Superior Court, Baker broke two oral agreements with Edmonds, who co-wrote, produced and performed on the song "Like You Used to Do" on Baker's 2004 album "My Everything."
The lawsuit claims Baker refused to pay Edmonds producer's royalties equaling at least $100,000 from an estimated more than 500,000 albums sold.
Edmonds, 47, also alleges that he and Baker had an agreement to play four concerts together, but that Baker canceled two shows and refused to pay $150,000 for those dates.
"Artists are used to working with producers, making the albums and doing the paperwork later ... It's always an oral agreement in this business," Edmonds' attorney Howard King said Friday.
Spokesman Cem Kurosman from Baker's label, Blue Note, declined to comment Friday, saying the label had no knowledge of the lawsuit.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - June Pointer, youngest of the four Pointer Sisters who went from teenage gospel singers to the top of the pop charts with such hits as "Fire," "Slow Hand" and "I'm So Excited," has died of cancer at age 52, a family spokesman said on Wednesday.
Two sisters, Ruth and Anita, and two brothers, Aaron and Fritz, were at her side at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica when she died, the spokesman said.
Her third sister, Bonnie, was unable to be present, the spokesman added. The type of cancer was not disclosed.
The sisters learned to sing in the choir of a church in West Oakland, California, where their parents were ministers. They began as a quartet in the 1970s and become a trio when their sister Bonnie left to pursue a solo career.
"The Pointer Sisters," their first album, was issued in 1973 with what turned out to be their first hit, "Yes We Can Can," a cover of an Allen Toussaint song. Two years later they topped the R&B charts with "How Long (Betcha' Got A Chick on the Side)."
Their second album, "That's A Plenty" in 1974, included a country and western tune "Fairytale," which led to their winning the first of their three Grammys, this one for best country vocal performance by a group.
Thanks to that song, they became the first black female group to sing at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. "Fairytale" was later covered by Elvis Presley.
Bonnie left the group in the late 1970s to sign with Motown and follow a solo career, and the sisters became a trio making several successful albums, most notably 1984's "Break Out," which won two Grammy awards and contained the hit "Neutron Dance," featured in the film "Beverly Hills Cop."
It was not the first time that a Pointer Sisters song made the movies -- in 1976 they appeared with Richard Pryor in the movie "Car Wash," which had their singing "You Gotta Believe" on the soundtrack.
The sisters' 1979 cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" also was a major hit as the group moved in a more contemporary direction as a trio, hitting the singles charts with such tunes as "He's So Shy" (1980), "Slow Hand" (1981) and "I'm So Excited" (1982).
In 2004, June Pointer, who made two albums as a solo artist, was charged with cocaine possession and placed in a rehabilitation program.
As Billy Preston Clings to Life, his Sisters Fight White Couple for His Estate
Date: Sunday, April 09, 2006
By: Betty Pleasant
Billy Preston, the musical wunderkind of pop and gospel musics and the universally acknowledged "Fifth Beatle," is fighting for his life in an Arizona hospital while his sisters are fighting a white couple in a Los Angeles court for conservatorship of Billy's "person and estate."
The matter of the conservatorship of William Everett Preston landed in the Los Angeles Superior Court in January when his sister, Rodena Preston, petitioned for and was granted temporary conservatorship over her gravely ill 59-year-old brother.
In her petition, Rodena told the court Billy was in a near coma, was unable to attend to his own business affairs and was virtually being held captive by his new business manager, Joyce Moore, and her husband, Samuel Moore.
Rodena said Billy had undergone a kidney transplant, which failed, and had also "undergone several serious surgical procedures in the last three months prior to this [January] filing." She stated further that Billy "suffers from heart disease and is on a and off a ventilator."
Rodena also informed the court that Billy, who has been a Los Angeles resident since he was a young child, moved temporarily to Scottsdale, Arizona a year ago to be treated at the Mayo Clinic there, but noted that "his condition worsened to its current state." Rodena said she and another Preston sister, Gwendolyn Gooden, are Billy's only blood relatives in California and that there are no family members in Arizona to care for him.
Rodena stated in her petition that she "is informed, believes and alleges that [Billy] is being unduly influenced by business associates who have assumed control over, or are attempting to assume control over all of [his] assets."
Billy's youngest sister, Lettie Preston, who lives in Houston, is more blunt. She said Joyce Moore, whom her brother acquired as a business manager within the past two years, is isolating him from his family, and she has joined her two sisters in taking legal action to wrest control of him from Moore and her husband.
"I've made three trips from Houston to Arizona just to be at my brother's bedside," Lettie said, "but I have been refused by the hospital's administration, saying his business manager has given them a 'medical power of attorney' with a clause that prohibits family members from being at his bedside. This is ludicrous. My brother would never make a decision not to see his family at a critical time such as this.
"My brother is critically ill," Lettie continued. "There are reports that he is either brain-dead or severely brain damaged. We don't know for certain, but we heard he had an episode in which his heart stopped, and he was revived. I know he cannot talk. Neither the hospital nor his business manager will let us see him, see his medical records or discuss his condition with us.
"Billy has abused drugs since he was a teenager," Lettie said. "He has made decisions in his life that were not in his best interest, because they were drug-driven. In these such times, the family has always gone to his aid to help in those weak moments. I believe his manager has manipulated my brother, knowing he is a drug addict, extremely ill and depressed after the death of his mother [last year]."
Rodena Preston, a well-known pianist and choir director in her own right, was especially close to Billy, who is the youngest of the four Preston children. She and Billy had often participated in music and business projects together and, at one point during his career, she traveled with his band as a keyboardist and served as his road manager.
Rodena shares Lettie's assessment of Moore's role in Billy's life, and added in her petition that Moore deceived the Preston family about Billy's health to the extent that the sisters only gained a true picture of the severity of his condition when Gwendolyn and Lettie visited Billy's Arizona hospital together and inadvertently learned that Moore was making funeral arrangements for him.
"Even though she is supposed to be his business manager, none of his bills are being paid; not even his delinquent taxes," Rodena charged in her petition. "It is interesting to note, however, that my brother has two expensive cars (a Rolls Royce and a Cadillac Catera) that appear to have been placed in her name," Rodena said.
The court granted Rodena temporary conservatorship and assigned Marc L. Sallus as Billy's personal attorney on March 8. Judge Michael Levanes ordered that Billy's family and his attorney be allowed access to him and his medical records.
Then, Rodena filed for permanent conservatorship, and the Moores filed a petition on March 24 objecting to Rodena getting permanent control over her brother. In their petition to the court, the Moores objected to the permanent conservatorship for three reasons which, when stripped of their legalese, boils down to:
1. Billy is a resident of Arizona and is none of California's business.
2. Billy filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 1, 2005, the bankruptcy court is in charge of his affairs and they are none of the Los Angeles Superior Court's business, and
3. Billy does not want Rodena conserving him.
The Moores' Beverly Hills attorney, Cara Blake, did not return messages requesting comment.
Things appear to have gone awry for the Moores at a March 28 court appearance, as both Rodena and Sallus maintained that they still had been refused access to Billy's person and medical records. Judge Levanes affirmed his March 8 order awarding access, and then set an "order to show cause" on the Moores' failure to comply. He ordered the couple to "personally present themselves" before his bench for a hearing on April 12.
Billy Preston is an extraordinary organist who began playing the piano while sitting on his mother Robbie's lap at age three. He has collaborated with some of the greatest names in the music industry, including the Beatles, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Sammy Davis Jr., Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin, James Cleveland, George Harrrison, the Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, the Rolling Stones and Michael McDonald.
He is probably best known for his work with the Beatles and is the only artist to receive label credit on a Beatles single: "Get Back." $$$$$
While growing up in Los Angeles, Billy sing with Andrae Crouch's extremely popular COGICS gospel group and played the organ on Sundays at the Rev. T.M. Chambers Jr.'s "very happening" New Greater Harvest Baptist Church, where the late legendary James Cleveland served as minister of music. Billy was somebody -- in night clubs, on concert stages, in recording studios and in the church.
"And all we want to do now is take care of him," Rodena said, "like we always have."
Bill Cosby Slammed for Comments in New Orleans ...
by TFSnewsRoom/PostChronical.com
Bill Cosby Slammed for Comments in New Orleans
by Jim Kouri
Apr 6, 2006
At a rally attended by Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton on Saturday, comedian and actor Bill Cosby urged residents of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, Louisiana, to "cleanse" themselves from the city's history of crime, violence, drugs and teen pregnancies.
Cosby has come under fire by the civil-rights establishment for comments made across the U.S., in which he's told young blacks to turn away from influences in rap music, stop violence and underage sex, and focus more on education and morality.
Cosby told the crowd, "It's painful, but we can't cleanse ourselves unless we look at the wound. Ladies and gentlemen, you had the highest murder rate, unto each other. You were dealing drugs to each other. You were impregnating our 13-, 12-, 11-year-old children. What kind of a village is that?"
At the rally in N.O. -- a city devastated by Hurricane Katrina last August --- Cosby told 2,000 people in front of the Convention Center of his desire for the city's society to have an "extreme make-over."
As is usual, Cosby is being slammed by most civil-rights leaders and black pundits who claim his comments hurt "the cause." They've attacked his speeches as being insensitive and wrong.
"They don't like it when [Cosby] puts the blame on pathological behavior in the black community, rather than the shop-worn tactic of blaming "whitey" for the problems in black neighborhoods," claims Mike Baker, a political analyst.
"The crowd and the speakers expected the usual 'George Bush' bashing and racism allegations. Cosby gave them a mirror and they didn't like what they saw."
According to the latest crime statistics for the embattled city, violent crime is on the rise once again. Some can be attributed to illegal aliens coming to New Orleans for jobs or outsiders looking to exploit the still chaotic environment, but much of the crime is occurring within the black community.
While people such as Rev. Jesse Jackson have voiced concerns over Cosby's speeches, in the past Jackson himself has chastised African-Americans in poor neighborhoods for what came to be known as "black-on-black crime."
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance.
LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65.
Pitney was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said the death did not appear suspicious.
"We don't have a cause of death at the moment but looks like it was a very peaceful passing," said Pitney's tour manager, James Kelly.
"He was found fully clothed, on his back, as if he had gone for a lie down. It looks as if there was no pain whatsoever."
He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the show."
Born in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 17, 1941, Pitney had his first success as a songwriter with "Rubber Ball," a Top 10 hit for Bobby Vee in 1961. Later that year, Ricky Nelson had a hit with Pitney's "Hello Mary Lou."
As a performer, Pitney had his first success that same year with "Love My Life Away."
But Burt Bacharach and Hal David provided the songs that put Pitney in the Top 10: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Only Love Can Break a Heart."
"Only Love Can Break a Heart" was Pitney's biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 2 on the charts in 1962. The No. 1 song at the time was The Crystals' "He's a Rebel," written by Pitney.
He had more than a dozen Top 40 hits and even contributed to an early Rolling Stones recording session.
Pitney waited until 1990 for his first British No. 1 — he rerecorded "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" with Marc Almond.
Pitney also had some success as a country singer, pairing with George Jones to record "I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night" and "Louisiana Man."
He recorded in Italian and Spanish, and twice took second place at the San Remo Song Festival in Italy. He also had a regional hit with "Nessuno Mi Puo' Giudicare."
Pitney was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Talk show host fired after on-air racial slur
By Jake Wagman
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/22/2006
David Lenihan
A radio personality at 550 KTRS was fired on the spot this morning after using the word “coon” on the air in a conversation about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Dave Lenihan was dismissed after what he called an inadvertent slip of the tongue. Within 20 minutes, station CEO Tim Dorsey apologized on the air to listeners and announced that Lenihan, who had been with the station for less than two weeks, had been let go.
“I don’t know what was in Mr. Lenihan’s mind,” Dorsey said in an interview. “I know what I heard. I know it was reprehensible.”
Lenihan’s comment was made during a discussion about Rice’s credentials to become commissioner of the National Football League, a topic that has been fodder for sports talk radio since the current commissioner announced he would retire later this year.
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Lenihan was listing what assets Rice could bring to the league, including her tenure as a top academic officer at Stanford University and the fact that she is African-American.
“She’s just got a patent resume, of somebody that’s got such serious skill,” Linehan said on the air. “She loves football, she’s African-American, which would kind of be a big coon, a big coon – oh my God, I am totally, totally, totally, totally, totally sorry for that, OK? I didn’t mean that. That was just a slip of the tongue.” Lenihan later said he meant to use the word "coup."
Reached at home, Lenihan said he was still trying to figure out what happened, and was drafting a letter of apology to Rice.
"I was trying to say 'quite a coup' but it came out 'coon,"' he said. "I caught myself and apologized. It wasn't anything I was meaning to say. I never use that word.
"I think she's a fantastic woman. I was even talking about if she ran for president, I'd work on her campaign."
He said his biggest fear is that his choice of words tarnished the image of St. Louis and the baseball team, which is a part-owner of the station.
"It was my dream job," he said. "Ratings were going well. It kind of stinks."
Lenihan, who had previously been with radio station WGNU, was part of the recently reshuffled lineup at KTRS since half of the station was acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a morning talk show.
The Associated Press contributed information for this story.
NAACP BACKS JOCK FIRED OVER LEEZZY COMMENT: St. Louis Chapter says ‘coon’ remark was ‘blown out of proportion’ by press.
April 3, 2006
David Lenihan
*The St. Louis Chapter of the NAACP held a press conference last week to support David Lenihan, the former radio host who was fired on the spot from KTRS after the word "coon" fell from his lips during a discussion about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"This is an event that the press has blown out of proportion," said NAACP chapter president Harold Crumpton at the press conference, which also featured the organization's newest members, Lenihan and his wife, Karen, according to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"He doesn't even say those words," Karen Lenihan said of her husband. "We're just trying to find a way to make a positive out of this.”
As previously reported, Lenihan was discussing the possibility of Rice living out her dream of becoming the new NFL Commissioner. While discussing her qualifications, Lenihan said: “She's African-American, which would kind of be a big coon. A big coon. Oh my God. I am totally, totally, totally, totally, totally sorry for that."
Lenihan later said he meant to say “coup,” but station GM Tim Dorsey fired him nonetheless, stating the alleged slip-up was "unacceptable, reprehensible and unforgivable. There can be no excuse for what was said. Dave Lenihan has been let go. ... There is enough hate. We certainly are not going to fan those flames."
NAACP member Sam Moore said some folks may be surprised that the civil rights organization is reaching out to help Lenihan.
"We're going to take some hits," he said. "People are going to wonder why we are sticking up for my new-found friend here. But I am in the forgiving business."
Following the meeting, there was talk that Lenihan and the station have reached a settlement deal over the firing—but it was unclear if that meant he would return to his old job. It was announced that he was being replaced by returning host McGraw Milhaven.
Russell Simmons and Kimora split Fri Mar 31, 9:17 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hip-hop power couple Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons, a model and head of the Baby Phat fashion label, have separated after seven years of marriage, Russell Simmons' agent said on Friday.
"Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other," Simmons, 48, said in a statement issued by his agent.
The statement said the couple, who have two daughters, had been separated for some time, although they had continued living under the same roof.
Simmons, the founder of Def Jam Records, which produced many of the top names in hip hop, married Kimora Lee in 1998 after meeting her when she was modeling at New York Fashion Week.
The two are partners in various business ventures and Simmons -- whose empire ranges from music to fashion, yoga and beverages -- said they would still work together.
"We will ... continue to work side by side on a daily basis as partners in all of our businesses," he said.
Considered a hip-hop pioneer, he started Def Jam with Rick Rubin in Rubin's dorm room at New York University in 1984. Def Jam was the original home to some of the first mainstream rap stars: Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.
He sold Def Jam in 1999 for $100 million and it is now part of the Universal Music Group, part of French media conglomerate Vivendi Universal.
