Rockphiles Blog

THE POLICE TO REUNITE FOR THE GRAMMYS

As reported here, it is now confirmed that The Police are in rehearsal for the upcoming Grammy Awards.  This will be the first time they have reassembled since the 2003 Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.  The 80s supergroup are expected to then continue on with a schedule of concert dates. 

More presenters have been added to the roster, which now includes Joan Baez, Melissa Etheridge, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Stevie Wonder and Chris Rock. Performers so far: Beyonce, The Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood and the trio of John Mayer, John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae. (Trio? Hm.)

Blige leads the field with eight nominations, RHCP have six, and James Blunt, the Chicks, Danger Mouse and Prince have five each.

SEAN SAYS "OH NO" TO LOHAN'S INVOLVEMENT IN CHAPTER 27

Sean Lennon has expressed profound disappointment in Lindsay Lohan's involvement in the movie Chapter 27, which depicts the death of his father, John Lennon.  Pal Lindsay plays a friend of murderer Mark David Chapman - however, speculation is that Lindsay's rather minor participation might have damaged her friendship with Sean.  The movie struggled to find screening opportunities, finally showing at Sundance on January 23, where it was blasted by reviewers, who accuse director J.P. Schaefer of ripping off the storyline of J.D.  Salinger's classic novel of alienated youth, "Catcher In The Rye." 

B.B. KING HOSPITALIZED

B.B. King was hospitalized early Friday, but was in good condition, according to a hospital official from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.  The 81-year-old bluesman had been scheduled to perform at the Grand Opera House on Thursday night.

King had a low fever but was resting comfortably.  According to the hospital, King was expected to be discharged later Friday or Saturday.

King has a history of diabetes.

GOODBYE, DENNY DOHERTY

Denny Doherty, founding member of The Mamas and The Papas, passed on in his native Canada today, as a result of kidney failure.  He was 66.   

Denny was someone I knew back in the day, and so, goodbye, dear friend.  Thanks for all the great music and inspiration, (and to all Mamas and Papas and Carol Samuels for schlepping my guitar from London to L.A. in 1968 on the band's manifest!)   

More here from the International Tribune.

STAR LINE-UP TO PERFORM FOR THE BENEFIT OF MUSIC EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS

Very cool upcoming show for charity happening at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco tomorrow night (January 18) to benefit Bay Area music programs that support music education in  California schools. So many public schools are cutting budgets for music and the arts.

Performing live will be Rolling Stones’ keyboardist and music director Chuck Leavell, who will be joined on stage by his band The Werewolves.  Also performing with Leavell are such notable musicians as:

· Narada Michael Walden - drums/vocals (Sting, Jeff Beck, Grammy winning producer)

· Bob Weir – guitar/vocals (Grateful Dead, Ratdog) (the dude in the photo!)

· Norton Buffalo - harmonica (Steve Miller Band, Bonnie Raitt)

· Jimmy Dillon - guitar/vocals (John Lee Hooker, Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen)

· Mark Karan - guitar (Ratdog, The Rembrants)

· Ozzie Ahlers - keyboards (Van Morrison, Jerry Garcia Band)

          · Dewayne Pate - bass (Robben Ford Band) 

Lala.com will be streaming the show live at 8pm PST on January 18th and making the performance available online for several months after the show through this link: Lala.com   Lala will also continue to collect funds for the children’s charity.

NESMITH AND CALVIN

Michael Nesmith - the bobble-hatted, wry former member of the Monkees – has long been recognized as a media visionary. Pioneering music television via Elephant Parts, he also was involved in the production of cult films Repo Man and Tapeheads, and in the early 80s found ed the seminal home video company Pacific Arts Video.

A long-time resident of Carmel, Michael and Calvin (computer-aided live venue instrument) perform at the local Christian Science Church.  Not surprisingly, this project has met some resistance. Most of the Carmel congregation seems to appreciate Calvin (Nesmith says some wept during its first performance of the Adagio), but a few churchgoers have grumbled. Plus, the regular organist feels threatened. "I can't play like that," she told Nesmith after Calvin's inaugural show.
More from Wired.

SNEAKY PETE KLEINOW PASSES

"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, steel player extraordinaire, co-founder of The Flying Burrito Brothers, who also worked in film as an award-winning animator and special effects artist, died in Petaluma, California today.  He was 72.   

Kleinow's music was an essential element in the enormously successful blend of rock and country, and his influence can be heard in the music of Eagles, the Steve Miller Band and Poco.  He recorded with seminal artists such as John Lennon, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, The Bee Gees and Sly and the Family Stone.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ernestine, his daughters Anita and Tammy, and three sons, Martin, Aaron and Cosmo.

Services in Joshua Tree are pending.

More here.

RRHOF NAMES REM, VAN HALEN, THE RONETTES AND GRANDMASTER FLASH

R.E.M., Van Halen, Patti Smith, The Ronettes, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five will be the new inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place on March 12 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. To be eligible for induction, this year's class had to release their first single no later than 1981.

The Hall will also pay tribute to late Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, who served as the chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Story from Billboard.

Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes, is the ex-wife of producer Phil Spector, who is charged with murdering actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California mansion, and whose trial is now scheduled to begin January 16, 2007.   

THE POLICE TO REUNITE?

Speculation is running high that the 80s supergroup may reassemble for some UK/US concert dates this coming year.  Industry insiders are confirming the rumor, but will not comment on details or go on the record at this time.  While Sting has historically been reluctant, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland have kept the fires burning for a reunion, which would also be a dream come true for concert promoters and long-time fans of both Sting and The Police.  Speaking to Billboard last summer, Andy remained very optimistic that it would finally happen. 

Btw, Andy has a great memoir out - One Train Later.

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM CONTEST

Lindsey Buckingham, the guitar genius behind Fleetwood Mac, recently released a really fine new album, "Under My Skin." 

Now you can enter an exclusive contest to win an autographed poster and autographed copy of the CD. 

Contest Prizes:

One (1) Grand prize winner: Signed poster, signed CD

Two (2) Second Place Winners: Signed poster, regular CD

Three (3) Runners Up: each get a regular CD

Sign up here! (Contest page also features a streaming audio link to the first single from the album "Show You How.")