Late News

Rip It Up, Issue 22, 1 May 1979, Page 6

Late News

The Rolling Stones played two concerts tor the blind in Oshawa, Ontario on April 22. These concerts fulfilled the terms of Keith Richards’ sentence imposed in Toronto last year when he was found guilty of heroin possession. However it appears that very few blind people attended the concert at the 5000 seater ice hockey arena. As one commented “I think many were put off by the thought of a rock Concert. Its quite an ordeal for a blind person”. Instead ticket touts, who were commanding $l5O a ticket, benefitted. Nor were the concerts a success as fund raisers the promoters reported that ticket sales would barely cover costs, despite the fact that the Stones played for free. Meanwhile the Canadian Government has given official notice of its appeal against the alleged leniency of Richards’ sentence. However the appeal procedure could take more than a year and Richards has already left Canada. .. David Bowie’s next LP is set for late May release overseas. Titled Lodger, the album was recorded in Switzerland and New York and includes all of Bowie's touring band as well as Brian Eno on synthesisers. First single from the LP is "Boys Keep Swinging”/”Fantastic Voyage". Lodger was produced by Bowie with Tony Visconti. It’s also rumoured that Eno will replace synthesiser player Roger Powell on Bowie’s forthcoming US tour...the group backing Ron Wood on his 17 date US tour goes under the title of the New Barbarians, and is now confirmed as including Keith Richards, bassist Stanley Clarke, pianist lan McLagen, saxist Bobby Keyes and exMeters drummer Joseph "Ziggy” Modeliste. Neil Young is not now listed as a member although, along with other celebrities, be is expected to drop in along the course of the tour... Marty Balin has announced that he has left Jefferson Starship. Replacement will likely be one-time Elvin Bishop Group singer, Mickey Thomas...bass player Ed Gagliardi has, quit Foreigner and will be replaced by Rick Wills, who most recently was a member of the reformed Small Faces. The third Foreigner album is currently being recorded under the supervision of producer Roy Thomas Baker ... Chicago is to use producer Phil Ramone on its next LP...the US Navy has decided against using the Village People’s "In the Navy” as a recruiting anthem, due to the group’s "gay connection". ..Doobie Brothers’ current hit "What a Fool Believes” was written by Mike McDonald together with ex-Loggins and Messina man, Kenny Loggins...drummer Stan Lynch has rejoined Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. . the next Osmonds LP is to be produced by Maurice Gibb...while Rod Stewart has begun work on his next with Tom Dowd producing once again. And Brazilian composer Jorge Ben has withdrawn his complaint that the melody for “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” (as written by Carmine Apice) was stolen from his song "Taj Mahal”... Crawdaddy Magazine, which recently changed its name to Feature, has suspended publication. However the magazine may be bought out. .. Lou Reed’s forthcoming LP, The Bells, features three songs co-written with Nils Lofgren...the double album Bob Dylan Live at the Budokan is set for New Zealand and Australian release. CBS Records have it scheduled for late June at a retail price of $14.99 complete with full packaging...also note that the next pressing of Split Enz’s Frenzy will include their current single “I See Red”. ..Bob Dylan is reported to have co-opted the services of Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers of Dire Straits to play on his next album... Aussie group Sherbet have changed their name to Highway. The name change has been brought on by RSO Records decision to push the group to the adult rock market in the United States. It was felt the name Sherbet was too “immature" for such an audience...it’s now predicted that Springsteen’s next will be a double live set released in order to head off the ever proliferating number of bootlegs. .. Elton John’s next 45 release will be a maxi-single of three tracks recorded with Philly-soul producer Thom Bell in Seattle in 1977. .. The Clash are to release a four track EP featuring previously unreleased material. The EP includes the Bobby Fuller Four’s “I Fought the Law”, "Groovy Times” and "Gates of the West’’(out takes from the Give 'Em Enough Rope sessions) and "Capital Radio”... ex-Deep Purple basist Roger Glover has joined Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow . Public Image have yet another new drummer. New skinsman is Dave Humphrey. ..Ry Cooder is reported to be working on an R & B album ...