NEW YORK (AP) — Roger Daltrey’s health has forced The Who to make a pit stop — before its road tour begins. The singer has come down with viral meningitis. He’s doing better — but his doctor wants him to rest. And that means the group’s tour will be delayed until early next year. The start of “The Who Hits 50!” had been set for this month. At first the band postponed the first four shows because Daltrey was ill. But once it turned out the 71-year-old singer had meningitis, the whole tour was put off until next spring.
Archives for September 2015
First Beatles Contract Sold
NEW YORK (AP) — A part of Beatles history has been sold at auction. Heritage Auctions says the first contract ever signed by the group fetched more than $90,000. The deal was for the group to record a rock version of “My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean.” The single was done at a recording session in Germany. It led to the Beatles being discovered by manager Brian Epstein. The deal was also signed before Ringo Starr joined the group, replacing original drummer Pete Best.
Jewel’s Memoir
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — For many artists, it’s a struggle to make it to the point of becoming famous. Jewel has made that journey — going from being a homeless teenager to a platinum artist with her very first album. But as she notes in her new memoir and album — the struggle didn’t end there. She notes in the book that she ended up in debt after her mom ran her finances into the ground — and that led to a falling out between them. There was also Jewel’s relationship with rodeo star Ty Murray. They married in 2008 and had a son before divorcing last year. The book is titled “Never Broken” and a companion album is titled “Picking Up the Pieces.”
Quincy Jones Hospitalized
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A rep for Quincy Jones says the musician and producer will be fine — after a health scare yesterday. Publicist Arnold Robinson says Jones complained of shortness of breath — and when he was taken to the hospital, he was kept for observation. Says Robinson: “Quincy is fine.” Jones is 82 — and has won 27 Grammys during his long career. He produced the Michael Jackson album “Thriller” and also worked with Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.
Rolling Stones – New Music
NEW YORK CITY (AP) — The Rolling Stones haven’t done a studio album since 2005. But Keith Richards says that’s about to change. He says the band has “definite plans” to record next year after a tour of South America — and that the new project was discussed with lead singer Mick Jagger as well as drummer Charlie Watts and fellow guitarist Ronnie Wood. Richards made the comments during a broadcast from New York on iHeartRadio ICONS. The South America tour is set for early next year.
Elton John – Your Prank
MOSCOW (AP) — A spokesman for Russia’s president says a couple of pranksters owe Elton John an apology. The singer thought he was speaking to Vladimir Putin about gay rights on Tuesday — but now it appears it was a hoax. The comedians say John was easily fooled into thinking he was on the line with Putin — and even threw up an Instagram post about what turned out to be a bogus call. After the post, the Russian government denied Putin spoke with Elton John and the pranksters’ admission seems to solve the mystery why the two sides disagreed on what happened. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Elton John is a person who deserves respect and that the prank was “not very nice.”
Janis Joplin’s Old Car Up for Sale
CLEVELAND (AP) — A car once owned by Janice Joplin us up for sale. It’s a 1965 Porsche 356C Cabriolet. It was pearly white when Joplin bought it in September, 1968 — but she gave it one of those crazy psychedelic paint jobs that were all the rage back then. The car will be auctioned this winter by Sotheby’s in New York — and is expected to fetch more than $400,000. Joplin drove the car regularly until she died of a drug overdose in 1970. The car has been featured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland the past two decades.
Elton John – Vladimir Putin
LONDON (AP) — A case of musical diplomacy? Or musical delusion? Depends on who you ask when it comes to Elton John and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The singer says he had a phone chat with the Russian leader to chew the fat over that country’s attitude toward gays. In his Instagram post, John thanked Putin for the call and said he looked forward to meeting him in person to discuss Russia’s treatment of gays. So far, so good, right? Only trouble: Russia says it didn’t happen. A rep for Putin says there was no call — though the government spokesman says the Russian president is open to chatting with Elton John — even if it’s to discuss gay rights issues.
Singers Set to Perform at Papal Events
NEW YORK (AP) — A number of popular singers are turning up for the pope. Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estefan and Andrea Bocelli will be performing at various events during Pope Francis’ visit to New York City and Philadelphia. Hudson and Estefan will perform at a Madison Square Garden concert before an evening mass. And Franklin will perform for the pontiff during an outdoor festival on Sept. 26.
DWTS Season Premiere
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Backstreet Boy Nick Carter says he’s never been much of a dancer. That’s why he decided to do “Dancing With the Stars.” So far, he’s off to a good start on season 21 of the ABC show. He tied for highest score on last night’s season premiere. Carter had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction when the button on his pants popped. Among other musicians on the show, Tamar Braxton was just a point off the leaders’ pace and Andy Grammer scored in the middle of the pack. But Chaka Khan faces possible elimination. She was second-to-last on the judges’ leaderboard with her cha cha. The first eliminations of the season will come on next Monday’s show.