Friday, June 24, 2011

Rock News

-- On Saturday rock-and-roll hall-of-famer Clarence Clemons, of the E-Street Band, passed away due to complications from a recent stroke. As we reported last week, Clemons suffered a stroke on June 12th, but was, at the time, making a steady recovery. However Clemons took a turn for the worse on Saturday, passing away that afternoon. In a statement, Bruce Springsteen said of Clemons... "Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

--La Toya Jackson is making claims in her up coming book, Starting Over, that her brother Michael was murdered. According to La Toya, Michael Jackson had expressed being "afraid for his life", further stating that he was killed by "the people controlling him." La Toya was light on details, encouraging people to purchase the book which hits shelves on Thursday.
--Country music legend Glen Campbell has announced that his upcoming fall tour will be his "swan song," publicly stating that he is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Campbell, 75, has decided to go public with his disease because he wants his fans to understand why he is taking to the stage for one last hurrah. According to Campbell's wife, Kim, "Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer...But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?' " Campbell's career has earned him 7 Grammy Awards, as well as eight Country Music Awards and several Dove awards.
--Reclusive funk singer Sly Stone has pleaded not guilty to drug possession charges. Stone, who has a long history with drug abuse problems, was arrested in April when a search of the van he was riding in turned up rocks of cocaine in Stone's clothing, as well as clothing owned by the van's driver. Stone's lawyer maintains that the drugs did not belong to the Sly and The Family Stone frontman, saying "A lot of musicians hang out with people who have drugs. How are they supposed to know?"
--Two men have been arrested in Cullompton, England, for plotting to rob and murder soul singer Joss Stone. The men, who were stopped and questioned after police received calls of a suspicious vehicle, were reportedly carrying swords, a body bag, detailed maps and areal photographs of Stone's estate. There appears to be no personal animosity towards the singer, the two men claim they were simply after her money. The men are still being questioned by police.
--The London crosswalk made famous on The Beatles' Abbey Road album cover has been declared a "site of national importance," meaning the site can not be altered in any way without approval of local authorities. In a statement, England's Minister for Tourism and Heritage said, "This London zebra crossing is no castle or cathedral but, thanks to The Beatles and a 10-minute photo shoot one August morning in 1969, it has just as strong a claim as any to be seen as part of our heritage." The crosswalk, which is situated just outside of Abbey Road Studios, attracts a large number of tourists every year who attempt to recreate the famous album cover.

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