Music news and notes 2/17/07

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- We're back with a packed news update from the last week in the music world...

[Photo credit: KABC-TV]

-- Well, Britney Spears has really gone off the deep end. Who would've thought that in 2007 it would be Britney pulling off some insane shit while her ex-husband was not the one fucking up. A few days ago, at the urge of family and friends following an alleged intoxicating New Year's Eve for Spears, she checked into Eric Clapton's Crossroads rehab facility in Antigua only to check out one day later and head back to L.A. where she was spotted at a tattoo parlor sporting a Sinead O' Conner skinhead-type look. This chick's self-destruction is providing way more entertainment than her music.

-- Well it's quite the coincidence that Chris Cornell announces that he's leaving Audioslave just as Rage Against The Machine is reuniting for the Coachella Festival.... let the rumors begin~! This could give Rage more opportunity to cash-in on their reunion should they decide to extend it and record a new album, because the political climate these days are a lot more volatile then when they were an active band I think. Guitarist Tom Morello insists that the Rage reunion at Coachella will be a one-time thing but of course that can all change in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, Cornell will be releasing a solo album titled Carry On on 5/1 and even though he cited the usual "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences" reason for leaving he also said, "I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors," which is the usual P.C. press-release-type statement but I guess it's better than having a bunch of grown men bitching at each other in public.

-- Speaking of Coachella, the festival is sold out months before it takes place at the end of May and despite rumors floating around, organizers say the festival will stay put in its Indio, CA location.

-- Hank Williams Jr. and wife #4, Mary Jane are divorcing after 16 years of marriage the country singer announced on Friday. "Today is one of the toughest days in my life," the country singer said in a statement sent to The Associated Press by his publicist, Kirt Webster. "All families experience difficulties; I hope everyone will respect our privacy during this time." If you want privacy don't announce this shit to public.

-- Foxy Brown combined with hair salons seems to be a mix similar to that of a Molotov cocktail. Brown spent Thurday night in a jail in Penbroke Pines, FL after throwing hair glue at a salon employee and swatted an officer all of which got her charges of battery and resisting an officer with violence. Brown (real name: Inga Marchand) is already on probation for three years stemming from a salon incident in New York a few years ago where she was involved in a scuffle with salon employees over a payment dispute. Brown was released Friday afternoon following a $1,500 bond posted for her.

-- Ian Atsbury is leaving the "Jim Morrison postion" with the Doors to reunite The Cult, meanwhile Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, who perform under the moniker Riders On The Storm will seek out an new vocalist. Just fucking give it up already for Christ's sake.

-- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore announced a series of concerts to take place this July promoting awareness on climate change and its danger towards the environment and planet. Performers include Melissa Etheridge, the Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Duran Duran, Korn, the Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw with concerts planning to take place in Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; London and cities to be announced in Japan, Brazil and the United States and even Antarctica.

-- Former Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted of felony drug possession according to prosecutors earlier this week. Last month Anastasio pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor drug possession charges and DUI involving drugs but now that an indictment handed up includes felony possession of painkiller hydrocodone and misdemeanor charges for possessing heroin, oxycodone and alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug Anastasio could be up shit creek without a paddle.

-- Tickets for Roger Waters at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia are on sale here.

-- Jazz guitarist Pat Martino plays the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia on 3/16.

-- FBI Investigates Boy-Band Architect

-- Milli Vanilli film 'in pipeline'

-- MTV Cuts Staff, Focuses On Web Video Clips

-- Come for Liverpool, Stay for Louisville; 25,000 Beatles Fans 'Come Together' at Abbey Road on the River

-- Spector's Murder Trial To Be Televised

-- Gov't Mule, Randolph Hunker Down For Mountain Jam

-- Music greats share memories of Ertegun in PBS documentary

-- iTunes Cutting Off Music Lovers' Options

-- Yahoo Music might drop copy protection from some songs

-- Time to Face the Music on File Sharing
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