Keep a Child Alive, the charity run by Alicia Keys, will pay tribute to the late-George Harrison on November 3 at the Hammersmith Ballroom in New York. Also on the bill is Usher, Norah Jones and will.i.am. Harrison is being honored for his "philanthropic contributions to India."
Weird Al Yankovic has said that he was offered a spot on ABC's Dancing With the Stars but turned it down. He told Billboard "They asked me, and I said no. It's not my thing, you know? It wouldn't be a pleasant experience for me. I'm frankly not a big fan of reality TV -- I know there's a zillion people who watch the show, and it would probably be 'good for my career,' but I don't know, it's just not my thing."
Davy Kirkwood, an audio engineer who has worked with many of the greats including Stevie Wonder, Daryl Hall, Ozzy Osbourne, the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple, passed away last week at the age of 63.
Jody Allen of Warrant said "For the past 20-plus years I have had the sincere pleasure of having Davy as a dear friend. His wit, kind demeanor, life knowledge and ability to mix any type music were equal to no one I have ever met in my life. He will be greatly missed."
Forty years ago Tuesday and Wednesday, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention played at New York's Carnegie Hall. Those shows will be released sometime around Halloween by the Zappa Family Trust. Warner Brothers originally recorded the shows but put them in their vaults. They've now been digitally restored by Zappa's widow, Gail, and will be put on four-CDs.
