HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — The University of Southern Mississippi plans to put up a marker where Jimmy Buffett first met Coral Reefer Band harmonica player Greg “Fingers” Taylor in the early 1970s. Buffett had already graduated and was playing outside the student center between night classes. Taylor was a student and asked if he could join in. Taylor joined the Coral Reefer Band in 1974 and has retired after coming down with Alzheimer’s disease. A Taylor relative will attend the ceremony. Buffett is not expected to attend.
Archives for November 2015
Music Events in Paris Cancelled
NEW YORK (AP) — U2 were supposed to play in Paris on Saturday for a concert that would be shown on HBO. They called it off out of respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks the night before. U2 say they will reschedule the show “at the appropriate time.” Foo Fighters were supposed to play in Paris tonight, but they’ve called off the rest of their European tour. Motorhead could not get into France in time to play a scheduled show in Paris last night. Brantley Gilbert has called off the rest of his European tour. Simple Plan were set to play a private event in Paris tonight but canceled. Former Vice President Al Gore had planned to host a Live Earth webcast from Paris over the weekend that featured music performances from around the world, but canceled it out of respect for the victims. The “24 Hours of Reality” webcast was supposed to feature Elton John, Pharrell Williams, Mumford and Sons, Walk The Moon, Duran Duran, Vance Joy, Florence and the Machine, Neil Young and Bon Jovi, among others.
Board Approves Settlement Over Neal Schon’s Wedding
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A committee of San Francisco supervisors is recommending that the city pay a $290,000 settlement to Journey guitarist Neal Schon over his wedding. Schon married “Real Housewives of D.C.” star Michaele Salahi in December 2013. Schon says he agreed to pay the city $58,000 for the use of the Palace of Fine Arts and an adjacent building, but the price went up to $240,000 a few days before the wedding when the city found out the couple was broadcasting it on pay-per-view. The couple sued. The measure must go before the full board of supervisors in December, and then Mayor Ed Lee must approve it.
Rainn Wilson Says “Mr. Blue Sky” was Supposed to be “The Office” Theme Song
LOS ANGELES (AP) — If things had gone differently, the Electric Light Orchestra song “Mr. Blue Sky” would have been the theme song for the TV show “The Office.” Actor Rainn Wilson tells Billboard magazine that producer Greg Daniels sent a list of potential songs to the cast and let them vote. Among the songs under consideration were “Better Things” by The Kinks and “Float On” by Modest Mouse. Wilson says the cast all wanted “Mr. Blue Sky,” but the show “LAX” was already using it. “LAX” was canceled after one season. “The Office” ended up using a song by Jay Ferguson, famous for the 1978 hit “Thunder Island.”
Paul McCartney Gives Insight into “Hey Jude”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s common knowledge around Beatles fans that Paul McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” about John Lennon’s son, Julian. What they may not know is that it’s not entirely about Julian. McCartney tells Billboard magazine, “The only thing about Julian in the song is the first lines.” John Lennon thought the song was about him and Yoko Ono. Is it? McCartney won’t say what the rest of the song is about.
Wynton Marsalis Honored
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Wynton Marsalis has reunited with his original septet for the first time in 20 years. Marsalis performed Tuesday in Philadelphia after being awarded the Marian Anderson Award, given to critically-acclaimed artists who have impacted society in a positive way. Marsalis has nine Grammys and a Pulitzer Prize, and his humanitarian work includes The Children’s Defense Fund and helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Journey’s Neal Schon Could Get Payout Over Wedding Dispute
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will consider a measure today that could mean a $290,000 settlement paid to Journey guitarist Neal Schon. Schon married “Real Housewives of D.C.” star Michaele Salahi (mih-KEL’ sah-LAH’-hee) in December 2013 at the Palace of Fine Arts and a reception at an adjacent building. Schon says he agreed to pay the city $58,000 for the use of the buildings, but days before the wedding, the price went up to $240,000. Schon paid it anyway and sued the city, saying officials jacked up the fee when they found out the couple were offering their wedding as a pay-per-view event.
Gwen Stefani, Coldplay, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Added to AMAs
NEW YORK (AP) — Will Gwen Stefani get as choked up performing “Used to Love You” as she did in the video? Stefani will perform that song on the American Music Awards. Coldplay will debut a new single, and so will Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Other performers include One Direction, Carrie Underwood, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, 5 Seconds of Summer, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, Demi Lovato and Walk the Moon. Jennifer Lopez will host. The AMAs are November 22 and will be shown on ABC.
John Mayer Thanks Deadheads for Giving Him a Try
UNDATED (AP) — John Mayer is thanking Grateful Dead fans for accepting him. Mayer writes on Instagram he’s grateful that Dead fans are letting him help “take you to that place” with the Dead and Company tour. Mayer says when someone mentions they went to one of the shows, he doesn’t think, “How was I?” but “how were you?” Mayer says the shows have been “a beautiful, intense and all-encompassing ride.”
Beatles Session Drummer Andy White Dies
NEW YORK (AP) — The drummer who played on the single version of “Love Me Do” and on “P.S. I Love You” by The Beatles has died. Andy White died Monday in Caldwell, New Jersey, following a stroke, according to his wife. He was 85. White was paid about $7.50 for three hours of work and received no royalties. Producer George Martin used White because he was not confident in Ringo Starr’s abilities. White also played drums on the Tom Jones song “It’s Not Unusual” and on several Herman’s Hermits hits.