#WhatsHappening for December 27, 2017

Happy hump day, homeys. Hope you're all enjoying this last week of the year.

Speaking of, don't forget to join us for the last ever Saturday Night Karaoke of 2017- this weekend at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross.

After announcing the cancellation of her European tour due to strained vocals, Shakira has announced new dates for her El Dorado world tour.

"I wanted to write one more letter to express my gratitude to all of you for the immeasurable love and support that you have sent me these past few weeks. Thankfully, I am so relieved and happy to share with you that I will be getting back on the road in June 2018 with my El Dorado World Tour in Europe, and the US, with Latin America dates to be announced soon."

MTV Unplugged co-creator Jim Burns died Tuesday after being struck by a cab near his home in New York City.

Burns, who suffered from vision problems, was walking with his seeing-eye dog in Manhattan when he was injured. Police told the AP that the driver remained on the scene and the accident would likely not result in charges.

A spokesperson for MTV said the network "was deeply saddened to learn of Jim Burns' passing. As co-creator of the beloved Unplugged franchise, his groundbreaking work continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones."

After criticism by activists encouraging boycotts of the country, Lorde has announced that she has cancelled her concert that was scheduled for June 5th in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The announcement, made on the singer's social media accounts, reads:

"hey guys, so about this israel show – i’ve received an overwhelming number of messages & letters and have had a lot of discussions with people holding many views, and i think the right decision at this time is to cancel the show. i pride myself on being an informed young citizen, and i had done a lot of reading and sought a lot of opinions before deciding to book a show in tel aviv, but I’m not too proud to admit i didn’t make the right call on this one. tel aviv, it’s been a dream of mine to visit this beautiful part of the world for many years, and i’m truly sorry to reverse my commitment to come play for you. i hope one day we can all dance. L x"

Israeli culture minister Miri Regev responded that he hoped the singer would "be a 'pure heroine,' like the title of your first album, be a heroine of pure culture, free from any foreign – and ridiculous – political considerations."

The Creative Community for Peace released a statement signed by several dozen musicians and music industry executives saying, "Artists should never become beholden to the political views of a small but loud minority. … Lorde became the target of that wrath, and we’re deeply disappointed that rather than rebuff the boycott movement and follow in the footsteps of Radiohead, Nick Cave, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and many other artists who have chosen to build #BridgesNotBoycotts, she canceled her show."

Despite cancelling the Israel show, two Russian cities remain on the singer's schedule- despite the country's anti-LGBT "Gay Propaganda Law."

Birthdays today include: Matt Slocum of Sixpence None The Richer (45); Karla Bonoff (65); David Knopfler of Dire Straits (66); Terry Bozzio of Missing Persons (67); Larry Byrom of Steppenwolf (69); Mick Jones of Foreigner (73); Pete Quaife of The Kinks (74); and Mike Pinder of Moody Blues (76). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for December 24, 2017

Hey, hi, howdy kids. Hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Merry Christmas.

I gotta be honest with you- we had a much better turnout for Saturday Night Karaoke last night than I expected, what with it being Christmas weekend and all- especially when the place was kind of a ghost town at 10 when we kicked off.

Anyway, thanks- and we hope to see you all again soon.

Despite last year's much ridiculed audio "malfunction," Mariah Carey will be performing again for this year's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

In a statement released along with the announcement of Carey's appearance, the singer and Dick Clark Productions said they agreed "that last year didn't go exactly as planned and we are thrilled to move forward together to provide America with an incredible night of music and celebration..."

I'm not sure how having a screeching harpy provides viewers with "an incredible night" blah, blah, blah- but, whatever.

The next time you're in Dayton, Ohio, make sure you stop by the Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center.

The museum is in the process of receiving its final approvals from the city and is taking reservations for private tours and events- with a grand opening expected in either January or February. And admission is just $5.

The city- once referred to as the Land of Funk- was home to the Ohio Players, Zapp, Faze-O, Heatwave, Sun, Slave and Lakeside.

Bob Marley and The Wailers' Legend: The Best Of… sits at number 170 on the Billboard Albums Chart this week- it's 500th (nonconsecutive) week there. It's nonconsecutive because- from 1991 until 2009- catalog titles weren't eligible for chart inclusion for some reason known only to the idiots who made up the restriction.

Legend remains the album with the second most weeks on the list, behind Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (with 934). 

Lady Gaga confirmed on Twitter earlier this week that she'd be doing a Las Vegas residency beginning next December. 

Her post said "The rumours are true! I will have my own residency at MGM’s Park Theater. Get ready for a brand new show! It’s been my lifelong dream to be a Las Vegas girl, I’m so overjoyed!"

Variety reports the run will begin with 74 dates, but could extend to more, with the singer earning over $1 million per show.

Gaga will share the theater's 2018 concert calendar with Bruno Mars and Cher, among others.

Birthdays today include: Ricky Martin (46); Neil Turbin of Anthrax (53); Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs (54); Ian Burden of Human League (60). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for December 21, 2017

Hey, hi, howdy kids. Hope you're all having a good week.

Don't forget to join us this week for all the fun of Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern in Historic Downtown Norcross.

Naughty or nice- we don't judge.

Never having seen the original, I have to wonder- did we really need a Jumanji remake?

The UCLA School of Law and Vicky Cornell have joined together to create a Chris Cornell Scholarship in honor of the  late Soundgarden and Audioslave singer, who died earlier this year.

Cornell's widow says the scholarship will honor her late husband's "eternal commitment to justice," while UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said the scholarship "honors an influential musical artist who cared about human rights and enables others the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world."

Vicky Cornell went on to say "my husband and I agreed that given the opportunity of education, people have the power to change the world. UCLA School of Law is an institution known for its academic excellence and we are proud the Chris Cornell Scholarship will provide funding for future students and future leaders of the world under the leadership of Dean Mnookin and Chancellor Block."

Britney Spears has joined the lineup for this year's edition of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018, performing from her residency stage in the Axis at Planet Hollywood as in Las Vegas.

Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas, and Sugarland will perform live in Times Square, while Kane Brown, BTS, Kelly Clarkson, Fitz & The Tantrums, Shawn Mendes, Charlie Puth, and Portugal. The Man will play the Los Angeles show. For the Central Time Zone countdown, Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon will be performing in New Orleans.

Birthdays today include: Brett Scallions of Fuel (46); Gabrielle Glaser of Luscious Jackson (52); and Betty Wright (64). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for December 18, 2017

Good Monday evening, kids. Hope you all had a good weekend. I'm still fighting the damned sinus crud- which is trying to make it's way into my chest. Then again, that's how I know the holidays are coming, even without a calendar.

Tickets for Time and Time Again: A Celebration of Pat DiNizio sold out within minutes of going on sale this morning. 

The show be held at the Basie Performing Arts Academy on January 13th, and benefit the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship at the school.

The show, hosted by Steven Van Zandt, had been scheduled before DiNizio's death last week- with the Smithereens as one of the headliners.

"I was set to host this Smithereens and Patty Smyth and Scandal show as part of Citi’s Underground Garage at the Basie series," Van Zandt said. "With the sudden, tragic passing of Pat DiNizio, I think it’s appropriate that we take this moment to pay tribute to him. I will be honored to sing a few of his songs with the band, and I’m asking any friends of mine if they can make themselves available for a song or two.  We’ll see who’s around and announce them shortly."

Jazz vocalist Keely Smith, one-time musical partner and wife of Louis Prima, died over the weekend at her home in Palm Springs.

Smith began performing with Prima's band when she was a teenager, and married him in 1953. Together, they won a Grammy in 1959 for That Old Black Magic, and had three records hit the Billboard pop charts.

Smith was 89.

Two-hundred-twenty million dollars. That's how much Star Wars: The Last Jedi made at the box office over the weekend.

Fox's latest foray into live television, A Christmas Story Live was the lowest rated and least watched of all of the recent efforts in the live musical genre, averaging just a 1.5 rating in Nielsen's overnight rating- though that number did show a 25% improvement over Fox’s typical Sunday night.

Personally, I wouldn't have watched it if you'd stapled my eyes open and sewed me to a chair.

I can't be the only person on the planet who just figured it was only a matter of time before Gene Simmons was accused of sexual assault, can I?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the names of the 70 songs in contention for nominations in the best original song category. Voting members of the Academy’s music branch will be asked to vote, in order of preference, for up to five picks. The five songs with the most votes will then go out as nominees for general voting.

Final nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 23.

The list of selections, in alphabetical order by film:

U.N.I (You And I) from And the Winner Isn’t

Love And Lies from Band Aid

If I Dare from Battle of the Sexes

Evermore and How Does A Moment Last Forever from Beauty and the Beast

Now Or Never from Bloodline: Now or Never

She from Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

Your Hand I Will Never Let It Go from The Book of Henry

Buddy’s Business from Brawl in Cell Block 99

The Crown Sleeps from The Breadwinner

World Gone Mad from Bright

Mystery Of Love and Visions Of Gideon from Call Me by Your Name

Captain Underpants Theme Song from Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

Ride and Run That Race from Cars 3

Tell Me How Long from Chasing Coral

Broken Wings from City of Ghosts

Remember Me from Coco

Prayers For This World from Cries from Syria

There’s Something Special from Despicable Me 3

It Ain’t Fair from Detroit

A Little Change In The Weather from Downsizing

Stars In My Eyes (Theme From Drawing Home) from Drawing Home

All In My Head; Dying For Ya and Green from Elizabeth Blue

Can’t Hold Out On Love from Father Figures

Home from Ferdinand

I Don’t Wanna Live Forever from Fifty Shades Darker

You Shouldn’t Look At Me That Way from Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

This Is How You Walk On from Gifted

Summer Storm from The Glass Castle

The Pure And The Damned from Good Time

This Is Me from The Greatest Showman

The Hero from The Hero

How Shall A Sparrow Fly from Hostiles

Just Getting Started from If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast

Truth To Power from An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

Next Stop, The Stars from Kepler’s Dream

The Devil & The Huntsman from King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Have You Ever Wondered; I’ll Be Gone and We’ll Party All Night from Lake of Fire

Friends Are Family from The Lego Batman Movie

Found My Place from The Lego Ninjago Movie

Stand Up For Something from Marshall

Rain from Mary and the Witch’s Flower

Myron/Byron from The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

Longing For Summer from Moomins and the Winter Wonderland

Mighty River from Mudbound

Never Forget from Murder on the Orient Express

Hold The Light from Only the Brave

PBNJ and Tuff Love (Finale) from Patti Cake$

Lost Souls from The Pirates of Somalia

How A Heart Unbreaks from Pitch Perfect 3

The Promise from The Promise

Kaadanayum Kaalchilambe and Maanathe Maarikurumbe from Pulimurugan

Stubborn Angel from Same Kind of Different as Me

Dancing Through The Wreckage from Served Like a Girl

Keep Your Eyes On Me from The Shack

On The Music Goes from Slipaway

The Star from The Star

Jump from Step

Tickling Giants from Tickling Giants

Fly Away from Trafficked

Speak To Me from Voice from the Stone

Walk On Faith from Year by the Sea

Birthdays today include: Christina Aguilera (37); Sia (42); DJ Lethal of Limp Bizkit (45); DMX (47); Elliot Easton of The Cars (64); and Keith Richards of Rolling Stones (895 or 74, depending on what you believe). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Hey kids. Happy Hump Day.

I can't be the only one who's done no shopping at all, can I? Thank goodness for Amazon Prime.

Don't forget to join us for all the fun of Saturday Night Karaoke, coming up this weekend at the Iron Horse Tavern.

Smithereens' singer Pat DiNizio died yesterday. 

The band announced his death on their web site. No cause of death was given, but health problems plagued him in recent years. In 2015 he lost use of his right arm following a pair of falls and the band had canceled three tour dates earlier this year after he injured his back and neck. Rescheduled dates were coming in January.

DiNizio was 62.

U2's Songs of Experience set has kicked Taylor Swift’s Reputation from the top of the Billboard album charts- giving them their eighth chart-topper. 

The only other bands in history have had more chart topping albums are The Beatles, with 19, and The Rolling Stones with nine. U2 also gained the distinction of becoming the only in chart history to have reached the top spot in four successive decades- in the ’80s with The Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum, in the ’90s with Achtung Baby, Zooropa, , and Pop, in the 2000s with How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and No Line on the Horizon, and the 2010s with this release.

FYI- Bruce Springsteen, Janet Jackson, and Barbra Streisand also have had #1 albums in each of the past four decades as solo artists, and Babs has them all beat with chart-topping albums in each of the past six decades. 

The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled some of subjects of their 2018 stamp program, with Lena Horne, John Lennon and Sally Ride tapped to appear on Forever stamps next year.

The 2018 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was announced today. They are:

- Dire Straits

- The Moody Blues

- The Cars

- Bon Jovi

- Nina Simone

- Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Birthdays today include: Taylor Swift (28); Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 (42); Berton Averre of The Knack (63); and Randy Owen of Alabama (68). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for December 10, 2017

I've been wrong before.

Hey kids. Hope everyone in the area managed to survive the snow over the weekend. I have to tell you- there was a lot more of it than I expected. Then again, I get so sick of the Panicky-Pete weather forecasters that I pretty much tune out whatever they say- and believe even less of it.

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler was in Douglasville this week to help open up Janie's House for abused and neglected girls at Youth Villages' Inner Harbour campus.

Tyler said he knew he wanted to help young women who had been abused back when he wrote Janie's Got A Gun.

Tyler met with residents and toured the facility after the ceremony. He told CNN it's hard for him to grasp what many of them have been through.

"You can see in their faces and hear in their voices how broken they are," he said. He added that his own stay in a rehab facility introduced him to many women who were there partly because of struggles resulting from abuse.

"While I was in (rehab), I found out most of women in there were battered and beaten and abused verbally and sexually in huge numbers," he said. "It was like seven out of 10, eight out of 10."

Tyler started Janie's Fund in 2015 to help at-risk girls, partnering with Youth Villages. He said he has high hopes for the residents.

Tech Crunch is reporting that Apple and Shazam will sign a deal tomorrow that will give the pretentious label rights to the music-identifying app. 

The deal is worth somewhere between $400 million and $1 billion.

A Minnesota judge has approved a deal for a documentary about the life of Prince.

The project was championed by Spotify’s Troy Carter- who serves as an advisor to Comerica Bank, the estate's personal representative, Comerica Bank & Trust- and won approval despite objections from the heirs.

In a court filing Friday, the judge wrote that Carter should have creative input and a degree of control over the project to protect the estate’s interests, finding the court would "be remiss in its fiduciary responsibility if it did not approve the transaction as presented."

I'll watch it.

One thing I'm not digging about the weather is the way my head is hurting. 

Alice Cooper has been cast as King Herod in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live! 

"Alice Cooper, whose theatricality is the stuff of legend, is the perfect rock star to play Herod in our live production," said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment. "Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote a showstopping musical number for Herod, and we all look forward to the ‘King of Shock Rock’ taking on the King of Judea. As the casting for Superstar ramps up, we can feel the excitement building for this brand new concert experience of what has long been considered the original rock musical."

The show will air on Easter Sunday, April 1.

Birthdays today include: Meg White of The White Stripes (43); Scot Alexander of Dishwalla (46); Timothy Christian Riley of Tony! Toni! Tone! (51); Joseph Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. (52); and Ralph Tavares of Tavares (69). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for December 4, 2017

Hey kids- how goes? I hope you've all been well why I've been slacking off.

If you missed Saturday Night Karaoke last weekend, you missed a great time- so don't forget to join us this week for another round of karaoke shenanigans.

Bohemian Rhapsody, the oft-delayed Freddie Mercury biopic, is on hold again after Fox halted production and fired director Bryan Singer.

The studio's short, but direct, statement today says "Bryan Singer is no longer the director of Bohemian Rhapsody."

Singer was let go under the "pay-or-play" provision in his deal because of a pattern of behavior.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Singer failed to return to set after the Thanksgiving holiday break. A rep for Singer told the BBC that the director's absence was due to "a personal health matter concerning Bryan and his family" while "unidentified sources" told the magazine that producers of the film- along with star Rami Malek- had "grown tired of Singer's behavior," which is said to include showing up late to the set, along with other absences.

It's unclear when filming will resume, or who the director will be. 

Lady Gaga spent her Sunday afternoon in Houston helping make repairs at a home that had been damaged by Hurricane Harvey. 

Before the #JoanneWorldTourHouston tonight me and @btwfoundation teamed up with @teamrubicon to do some demolition due to water damage and mold remediation in Pamela’s house from Hurricane Harvey. We want to help make #HoustonStrong. And we love Pamela! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yWhfkrCPn4

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 4, 2017

Gaga then spent her evening entertaining a sold out crowd in the city.

New Stone Temple Pilots' singer Jeff Gutt says he's "going back to the gym with my personal trainer" ahead of the band's upcoming tour that kicks off next March.

The band has a new album in the works for the spring, as well, but no release date or title has been announced- even though their first single with Gutt, Meadow, has already been released.

Guitarist Dean DeLeo said "if there wasn't new music I don't know that we'd really have a leg to stand on, but we're sitting on 14 new songs right now. We wanted to have that ability to create new music and to go on and make more records and more music that we can just pile into the STP canon."

He also says the new album "is very STP. It goes from acoustic-based, beautiful things to really hard-hitting, heavy moments. We just have that ability to not be in one place, musically. So this record is just like any other STP record in that regard."

Birthdays today include: Dionne Farris (49); Andy Hess of Black Crowes (51); Vinnie Dombroski of Sponge (55); Bob Griffin of the BoDeans (58); Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd (66); Southside Johnny Lyon of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (69); Chris Hillman of The Byrds (72); Bob Mosley of Moby Grape (75); and Freddy Cannon (80). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for November 28, 2017

Hey-o, kids. How goes? Yes, I've been lazy. Let's get to it.

Because, evidently, their isn't enough fucktardedness in the world, MTV announced yesterday that the douche canoes of the Jersey Shore will be returning with Jersey Shore Family Vacation in 2018.

Flipping through channels, and there's a show on GPTV called How Not To Die. Huh... if they aren't giving us the secret to immortality, what a stupid fucking name for a show.

It's life, folks- nobody gets out alive.

Speaking of dying, AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young was laid to rest in Sydney, Australia, today in a private funeral attended by family, friends and band mates. 

Reuters reports that his younger brother, Angus- who's now the only surviving original member of the band, put a guitar on the casket as fans lined the streets outside the cathedral where the funeral was held.

A pipe band led the funeral procession from the church with the traditional Australian ballad Waltzing Matilda.

NBC and Dick Clark Productions have signed a multi-year contract that will bring the Billboard Music Awards to the network, beginning next year.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with the Billboard Music Awards and Dick Clark Productions to bring our mutual love of music and live programming together to showcase spectacular performances with the biggest names in music," said Paul Telegdy of NBC. "The Billboard charts have long been the industry standard of greatness, making this show the #1 destination for music artists."

The awards' show previously aired on ABC.

Rapper Meek Mill will remain in prison for now, after his emergency motion to be released on bail from his two to four-year prison sentence was denied by Pennsylvania's Superior Court today. 

Philadelphia radio station KYW Newsradio reports that the rapper's legal team filed the motion November 16, but the presiding judge in the original case had not rendered a decision, so the court denied the request and sent the motion to a lower court.

The rapper is currently serving time for a parole violation stemming from a 2008 drug and gun charge.

The Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival has announced its lineup for its 2018 edition. Tickets are on sale now through the festival's web site.

Goddamned hiccups!

Even though the man himself didn't allow alcohol to be served at public events at Paisley Park, the current operators of his former home and recording complex are seeking a special permit to do so during the week of the Super Bowl.

KMSP-TV reports the site- which was turned into a museum following Prince's death last year- wants to host events for between 500 and 1,000 guests next February, when the Super Bowl will be held at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis- just over 20 miles from Paisley Park.

Birthdays today include: Trey Songz (33); Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees; Dawn Robinson of En Vogue (49); Matt Cameron of Soundgarden (55); the extremely annoying Paul Shaffer (68); Beeb Birtles of Little River Band (69); Randy Newman (74); and Bruce Channel (77). #MusicaBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for November 24, 2017

Before we join the normal frivolity, I'd like to break in for a moment and urge you to contact your representatives in Washington- no matter their party- and demand that they listen to "We the People" and block the FCC from rolling back Net Neutrality.
If the plan to roll back restrictions goes through, you're going to regret it. I'm going to regret it. We're all going to regret it. Don't believe me? Ask the people of Portugal.
If there's one thing that's been proven- time and time again- it's that corporations do not have the best interests of the people in mind when they make policy, except the people who own their stock.
More info here and here. Petitions here,and here.
#netneutrality 

Now, back to our regularly scheduled stupidity...

Good Friday morning, homies. Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving yesterday (and for those of you reading from other nations, your Thursday). And, for those of you who got stuck working yesterday- or are stuck dealing with the rude, screaming assholes today- you have my sympathies.

The wonderfully weird Liō from Mark Tatulli.

We'll be around tomorrow night to let you belt out your sympathies at Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross. And there's booze!

Noel Gallagher is adamant that there will never be an Oasis reunion, despite his brother's supposed willingness to join him onstage.

The elder Gallagher told Yahoo! Music that he thinks "Liam knows very well that there isn’t going to be a reunion. So, it gives him absolute immunity to play his fans by saying, 'I'll do it!' He knows it’s not going to happen. So, he can do the little fucking dance and play to the gallery all he fucking likes. I can assure you of this: He doesn’t want no reunion either, but he wants everybody to think that he does."

My question: Does anyone actually want them to reunite? I'd think the market for music from petulant drunkard and pretentious, condescending asshole really all that big?

The list of men being accused of sexual harassment seems to get longer every day, so let's get this out of the way: It's reprehensible no matter who does it- and political party, race, and age don't make one fucking bit of difference. 
Personally, I always thought there was something "off" about Kevin Spacey- something I could never quite put my finger on. If the allegations (including a new investigation by London police) against him are true, I guess I was right?
Same thing for Al Franken, though my experience with him ended when I quit watching Saturday Night Live- back in the 80s. He always struck me as... I dunno... lizard-like. And creepy. And I'm not surprised in the least about the allegations.
Much like I'm not surprised by the allegations against Alabama senate wannabe Roy Moore. If he behaved in an ethically irresponsible manner on the bench, why would anyone think his private life would be any less disgusting?
Nor am I surprised by recent comments from party leaders that electing Moore was preferable to putting a Democrat in office. You know, instead of putting in the best person for the job? Putting party over people is the ultimate betrayal of the public's trust.
Again, though, it's not a political issue- it's a people issue. A sense of right and wrong should have fuck-all to do with what party ticket you vote.

KC & The Sunshine Band have released a Christmas CD. And now you know.

One-time teen heartthrob David Cassidy has died, days after being hospitalized for organ failure.
Best known for his role on The Partridge Family, Cassidy also enjoyed a brief career as a hit singer.
"On behalf of the entire Cassidy family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, our uncle, and our dear brother, David Cassidy," a statement to The Hollywood Reporter read. "David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long. Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years."
Cassidy had been suffering from dementia. He was 67.

A "new" Mythbusters? I've said it before, but- no thanks.

It was on this day in 1991 that we lost the incredible Freddie Mercury.

Birthdays today include: Julieta Venegas (47); Chad Taylor of Live (47); Dawn Robinson of En Vogue (51); John Squire of Stone Roses (55); Clem Burke of Blondie (62); Bev Bevan of ELO (72); Lee Michaels (72); and Tommy Allsup (85). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for November 21, 2017

Hey-yo, kids. Happy Tuesday. Hope you're enjoying what's going to be a short week for most of you.

Warren "Pete" Moore- one of the founding members of the Miracles- died Sunday.

Moore's passing was confirmed by Motown Records' founder Berry Gordy in a statement to Rolling Stone.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Warren 'Pete' Moore, a fine human being and valued member of the Motown family. Pete was an original member of my very first group, the Miracles. He was a quiet spirit with a wonderful Bass voice behind Smokey Robinson’s soft, distinctive lead vocals, and was co-writer on several of the Miracles hits."

Moore remained with the group until their break-up in 1978, and co-wrote Love Machine, The Tears Of A Clown, The Tracks of My Tears and Ooo Baby Baby for them. Outside the group, Moore wrote songs for the Temptations and Marvin Gaye.

Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Miracles in 2012. 

Singer/actress Della Reese passed away Sunday at her home in California, her manager confirmed.

Best known to younger audiences for her nearly decade-long stint as a heavenly messenger on Touched by an Angel, Reece began her time in the spotlight with the 1957 hit And That Reminds Me, and soon began popping up on TV variety shows of the era. Her biggest hit on the charts was Don't You Know- which hit #2 in 1959.

Reese said her move to acting wasn't really a career switch, because she wasn't sad "Every time I sang the blues... I was already acting."

She was 86.

Donald Fagen has filed suit against the estate of his late Steely Dan bandmate Walter Becker.

Fagen claims that a 1972 Buy/Sell Agreement the original band members signed gives remaining members (basically, him) the right to purchase all of the shares of any member who quits the group or dies.

"By the 2010s, Fagen and Becker were the only remaining shareholders and signatories to the Buy/Sell Agreement," wrote Fagen's lawyer in the complaint. "Four days after Becker’s death, on September 7, 2017, the Becker Defendants sent Fagen a letter stating that 'We wanted to put you on notice that the Buy/Sell Agreement dated as of October 31, 1972 is of no force or effect.'"

The letter also sought to appoint Becker's widow as an officer of Steely Dan and demanded 50% ownership of the rights, according to the complaint. Fagen also says the Becker defendants currently operate the band's website and refuse to relinquish or share control of it.

The group's business management firm has also been named in the suit.

I freaking love the Eagles. I have since I was a kid and my big sister and brother would play their music. Ya wanna know how the band can guaran-fucking-tee I wouldn't want to seetheir show?  Make Jimmy Buffett the opening act, as they have for part of their 2018 tour.

Birthdays today include: Carly Rae Jepsen (32); Kelsi Osborn of SheDaisy (43); Alex James of Blur (49); Margret Ornolfsdottir of The Sugarcubes (50); Björk (52); Steven Curtis Chapman (55); Peter Koppes of The Church (62); Lonnie Jordan of War (69); and Dr. John (77). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 19, 2017

Good morning, kids. Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

'Twas a blustery, rainy night last night for Saturday Night Karaoke- and it felt like the longest three hours I've ever spent hosting.

It's not that things were slow last night- I had a steady flow, though it tailed off- or that the wedding party was all that bad (just fucking loud- even before the music started), it just seemed like time was dragging. Normally it's only like that when there's no one there. Of course, it could also have had something to do with my still-sore back, or the tickle I was starting to feel in my throat from that ever-lingering sinus crap I deal with.

Que sera, sera- no?

One thing that did manage to work on my nerves last night was the shitfaced-even-before-10pm fellow who seemed to not care for the way I run the show. 

Now, those of you who have been to one of our shows (or just know me) realize that zero is the number of fucks I give in this regard. You can't make everyone happy and ya know I don't try. What I'm shooting for is keeping things as fair as possible and giving everyone a chance to sing.

Still, (and I've said this before) I do have some rules. I really don't want to have to run through 'em every week (maybe I should, though), so here they are:

A) There are 20,000 plus songs in the songbook. Said songbook is current. That means if the song you're looking for isn't there, we don't have it. It doesn't matter that you think it's the best song ever written. This can be particularly true if it's a new song, or a song that wasn't particularly successful (karaoke is usually Top 40 based- the songs will normally need to be a big seller to be available).

If there's a song you're looking for that's not in the book, we don't mind you requesting it. Just let us know the name of the song and the artist and we'll look at whether it's available from one of the manufacturers we get songs from. Just keep in mind that this isn't going to happen during the show (open networks and hackers and all that preclude us buying anything online).

A1) No, we will not play a YouTube video for you to sing with, or for our fill-in music. It's not really legal to do that. The same goes for the MIDI you brought in on a thumb drive. 

2) One- we repeat- ONE slip per person, per rotation. This includes duets, trios, groups, whatever. This goes back to the whole "we're-trying-to-be-fair-and-give-everyone-a-chance-to-sing" thing. Someone who's been waiting half an hour (or more) to sing one song is getting shafted if there's someone who's grabbing the mic during every song.

C) We don't allow you to have smokes (not a problem in no-smoking venues, but I do like to remind folks), food, or drinks while performing because accidents happen. We speak from the experience of dumping a full fucking beer into a laptop because it was sitting next to said laptop. Don't argue. I 100% do not care that the KJ at the other karaoke allows it. I don't. End of story. If you insist on doing it after being asked not to, your song will be cut off- or we'll just flat out refuse to allow you to sing.

4) Don't be a dick and ruin someone else's fun by trying to sing along with someone who hasn't invited you to share the mic. It's not fair to them, or, really, to anyone else who's waiting for their turn to sing (see 2). This includes getting right next to them and singing, or coming up to us and saying "give me a mic."

This is an ass clown.

If we see it, we're going to intervene as politely as possible to dissuade you. How things progress from that point is entirely up to you. If we don't notice it, you might "get away" with it, but if the actual singer complains to us about it, then we have to mention it to the venue's manager. Either of these outcomes is particularly necessary if it's obvious that you're shitfaced and confrontational.

E) We operate on a "three strikes" policy. As in, we'll call a singer's name for their turn three times during the fill-in music, at something like 30 seconds intervals. If you aren't there after the third one, your turn is skipped. If you come in from off the patio, or you were in the bathroom, and you let us know- we'll work you back in (but it might not be next). Act like a jackass after we explain that and it's quite possible you never get to sing. 

6) If you use some "clever" alias to sign up for a spot, though, it's your obligation to remember it- not ours. If you did and you come up just because we called what happens to be your actual name (which is a pretty goddamned common name), then start acting like a jackass because we say "no, it's their turn to sing- you didn't write down (actual name), you wrote down (some stupid shit that you think is funniest fucking joke ever, but no one else in the bar is privy- or cares- about your goddamned reference), then- yeah, your chances of getting to sing drop rapidly.

G) And I can't even believe I actually have to mention this one again: Do not threaten us. We can assure you, the end results will not be to your liking, or go according to your drunken plan. At the very least, we're going to make sure you're asked to not return for the rest of that gig or any future gigs.

As Isaac Hayes said, "can ya dig it?"

Anyway, despite this (initially just shitfaced) fellow falling into my #6 rule up there, I kept him in the queue- and called the made up name. Three times. Like usual. He didn't remember. So E is in effect. 

Then, I hear a complaint about him being guilty of breaking rule #4. Which means I then have to go to the manager on duty and mention it to them. How it's handled after that is up to them. In this case, apparently, it was a suggestion that they do not approach me- or any of my singers- again. Then comes the belligerence. And he crosses the line into G territory.

Understand, then, why my nerves were being worked on?

The big news in music, of course, is that AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young passed away yesterday after a long battle with dementia. 

The band announced his death on its website and their social media pages, saying "it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young." The post went on to call him "the driving force behind the band."

Malcolm Young's last show with the band was in Spain in 2010 and he officially left the group in 2014. He co-wrote the majority of the songs in the band's catalog up until their Rock Or Bust release that year.

Publicist JoAnn Geffen confirmed yesterday that David Cassidy is in a Florida hospital, suffering from organ failure.

Cassidy announced earlier this year that he, like AC/DC's Malcolm Young, was suffering from dementia.

Reports say Cassidy is in critical condition.

Birthdays today include:  Tamika Scott of Xscape (42); Tony Rich (46); Justin Chancellor of Tool (46); Billy Currington (47); Travis McNabb of Better Than Ezra (47); Vincent Herring, who's played with Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, and Wynton Marsalis (53); Crystal Waters (54); Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses (57); and Fred Lipsius of Blood Sweat & Tears (74). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for November 15, 2017

Hey, hey- whaddaya say? Happy Hump Day! (Look, if I can't be excited for the approaching weekend- then what the hell can I be excited for?)

The lineup for the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony has been announced, with Lorde, Harry Styles, John Legend, Haim, OneRepublic, and Keith Urban giving their dues to headliner and award recipients Fleetwood Mac.

MusiCares said the band will "be celebrated for their extraordinary creative accomplish-ments and significant charitable work." Fleetwood Mac is the first group honored by the organization. Previous recipients include Tony Bennett, Bono, Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Carole King, Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, and Stevie Wonder.

The show will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on January 26th.

Tyler, the Creator's fall tour is wrapping up and he's already announced winter dates with Vince Staples and Taco Bennett in support. 

The new dates begin January 26 at the PNE Forum in Vancouver and include stops in San Francisco, Dallas and Atlanta before wrapping up March 4th in Milwaukee.

Ed O’Brien of Radiohead told Esquire he has a solo album on the way. O’Brien says he's about three weeks into recording.
"I've started working on my own solo project. I go back into the studio next week. We’ve only done three or four weeks and I’m very excited about it." He added that he was inspired by "living in Brazil.: He says the music isn't "overtly Brazilian but there are definite themes. Without getting into it too much, going to Carnival in Rio was very inspiring. Rhythm and groove were a big part of it."

The album should be done late next year or early in 2019.

Don't forget to join us for the Pre-Turkey Day edition of Saturday Night Karaoke- live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern this week.

Birthdays today include: Joe Leeway of Thompson Twins (60); Alexander O'Neal (64); Michael Cooper of Con Funk Shun (65); Steve Fossen of Heart (68); Frida of ABBA (72); and Petula Clark (85). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for November 12, 2017

Good Sunday afternoon, kids. Hope you're enjoying the hell out of your weekend.

Me, I took a pill and went to watch Ringo Starr and the All Starr Band at the Fox last night- aching back be damned. Totally worth it.

The line up for the band:

Todd Rundgren: Guitar and vocals

Richard Page (Mr. Mister): Bass and vocals

Steve Lukather (Toto): Lead guitar and vocals

Gregg Rolie (Santana/Journey): Keyboards and vocals

Warren Ham: Saxophone and vocals

Gregg Bissonette (Maynard Ferguson Band/David Lee Roth): Drums

And, of course, Ringo Starr.

The show opened up with a rousing rendition of It Don't Come Easy and proceeded to rock through favorites- not just from Ringo, but from the All Starr Band's work, as well. There was an eight minute of so version of Rosanna, some blistering guitar work on Black Magic Woman (plus, a shout out to writer Peter Green), an inspiring version of Kyrie, and a lot more.

In fact, the one song I didn't care for was Rundgren's Bang The Drum All Day- mainly, because I never liked the damned song to begin with.

Oh, and there were Beatles' songs, of course- and great stage patter from everyone, including Ringo's jokes about his "other band."

Other than the three minutes of Bang The Drum, the only real disappointment was that the show didn't last a little longer, with the whole thing clocking in at just about two hours on the nose. With such an incredible lineup, you'd think they might go a little longer. Then again, most of them are in their 60s or 70s, so I guess it's understandable.

It also makes me sad, because George and John aren't around any more- and I'd really love to see them.

A guitar played by Bob Dylan in the 70s sold at auction yesterday for nearly $400,000.

Heritage Auctions of Dallas says the buyer- who requested anonymity- paid $396,500 1963 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar. Dylan played the guitar through his set at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh in New York City in 1971 and during his Rolling Thunder Revue tour from October 1975 to May 1976.

Dylan’s guitar repairman, Larry Cragg, sold the instrument and his 1977 receipt showing that he bought the guitar from Dylan.

Guns N’ Roses has announced that their Not In This Lifetime Tour will continue through at least next summer, as 18 additional dates across Europe have been added. That will put the tour's length at 27 months (unless more dates are added).

The new dates include stops in Germany, Denmark, the UK, Belgium, and Russia.

Birthdays today include: Omarion of B2K (32); Tevin Campbell (41); David Ellefson of Megadth (53); Leslie McKeown of Bay City Rollers (62); Barbara Fairchild (67); Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate (69); Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult (70); Arthur Tavares of the Tavares (71); Neil Young (72); Booker T. Jones (73); and Brian Hyland (73). #MusicalBirthdays