ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

Iggy Pop is announcing to any and all who’ll listen that he’s going to change his name for his next album, to avoid the prejudice his name causes among the satin jacket FM radio brigade. That’s what the man says...

The Stings are expecting another little almost-blond...

The now 33-year-old Canadian crooner Burton Cummings went and got married in September to a sprightly young lass from Toronto, Cheryl DeLuca (28). -No truth to the report that the couple pledged to “share the land,” continue the people’s struggle against war machines and ghetto scenes, and renounce sugar in all forms*

Yes, Raymond Douglas Davies is the “jealous boyfriend” Chrissie Hynde has referred to in the past year, and of course you read it here ftr$t; a p/hole year ago * “Killer” Dave Davies told us over Thai food (as reported in CREEM) that Chrissieswas rapidly becoming “like a member of the band,” she was around sp much...

The Rolling Stones caused disruptions in several American cities before their tour even officially opened. The boys played a small, unnanounced gig as the ’“Cockroaches” for 300 fans at a small club in Worcester, , Massachusetts. A Boston radio station, upset that a competitor had distributed tickets, broadcast the location', and four thousand fans stormed the club. A small riot ensued outside, and 11 people were arrested/Meanwhile, two Detroit law students filed suit against Micpig^n’s Brass Ring Production®, which is promoting the two Stones shows at the 80,000-seat Pontiac Silverdome. The suit asked that the promoters switch the concert from general admission to a reserved-seat policy, citing the 1979 general admission Who concert in Cincinnati where 11 people were killed. !

Could the scant press attention to Peter Frampton’s first album since I’m In You in 1978 be.due to the fact that it wasn’t mailed out to critics? From our doghouse perch it seems too bad; right pow sentiment would be with old Petey fo make a “comeback.” At the time of I’m In You, live album-sickened critics wanted to kill him; time has indeed mellowed this rage...

We heard at pressiime that a musical based on the “Stars On 45” medleys was to open at NY’s Palladium, truly an om nous turn of events for music fans everywhere... More cheering news: MCA has signed Soapy Sales, so expect “new product” from the Whipped Cream Pie King this month: Still Soupy After All These Years.

“John Lennon—Bag One,” a collection of 14 drawings created by John Lennon in 1969 to depict, scenes from his marriage to Yoko Ono, is currently touring major American cities. The exhibit was recently b&nned in Providence, Rhode Island because it was considered obscene by police. The same drawings Were confiscated for "indecency” by Scotland Yard in 1970 when they were on exhibition in London. A

In the wake of his C&W album Almost Blue, Elvis Costello is supposedly only touring tf he can, snag pedal steel player John McFee...

Record titans Island and WEA are swapping blows qver the release of a Bob Mavley compilation album planned by WEA.. Island prez Chris Blackwell said in a statement: “The tracks on the album are a mixture of Marley’s early material and song demos, all of which have been recently overdubbed in New York. None of. the Wallers, Bob’s band, were involved in the overdubbing, which was done after Marley’s death. The WEA album is being released against the wishes of Rob’s widow, Rita Marley, and the rest of the family." WEA countered that the songs weren't demos, but full recordings made by Marley, coming from "one of Marley's most sensitive and creative periods as a songwriter." Oh well. Blackwefl is in the midst of filming a Bob Marley documentary, which should be out next year...

After glomming on Sophisticated Ladies, the Broadway musical tribute to Duke E1lington, Sidney Poitier has announced plans to lens a biopic on the Duke. Strange it hasn't been done before...

Was (Not Was) honcho Din "Was" Fagenson, who buys his lettuce at Chatham's in B'ham, MI, caught Legionnaire's disease after. staying ata hotel in Philadelphia the source of the original L's D.), and lived to laugh about it, we're happy to report...

In The Studio

Los Angeles, CA-Artisan Sound: Pat Benatar, Rick Springfield, REO Speedwagon, the Chipmunks, the Babys, Steve Martin, Eddie Rabbit, Sarah Vaughan & Count Basie, Dixon House, Fluffo, Joe Ely with producer Al Kooper; Sunset Sound: Toto, Neil Diamond, Earth, Wind & Fire, Leo Sayer; A&M Studios: Joni Mitchell; Philadelphia, PA - Sigma Sound: Teddy Pendergrass and Patti Labelle; Richmond, VA -Alpha Recording: Single Bullet Theory; New York-Kingdom: Joan Jett& the Blackhearts; Manchaca, TXReelsound Recording: Ted Nugent; Detroit, MI-Blatant.Sound: the Seatbelts.

CREEM Dreem Bebe Bnett and Psychedelic Fnr Richard Batter are reportedly a “hot item.”

Congratulations to Long John Baldry, the man who introduced Elton John and Rod Stewart to the music world in his blues band. Long John recently celebrated 25 years in the musk: business by becoming a Canadian citizen. We have absolutely no comment on the subject, and never will.

Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof has been signed by director Alan (Midnight Express! Parker for the leading role (of “Pink”) In his next film, Pink Floyd—The Wall. The film, of course, is based on Pink Floyd's best-selling album of the same name.

Rick Derringer and his band had more than $60,000 worth of equipment stolen from their truck following a show at New York’s Lone Star Cafe. Several weeks later, a benefit was staged at the Palladium to help Rick replace some of the stolen items. Among those taking part were Todd Rundgren, Sonthside Johnny, flail & Dates, Dr||| John, Ellen Foley, Ian Hunter and Edgar Winter. The concert netted close to $15,000.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited in New York for their first official concert in 11 years on September 19. The dynamic duo gave a one-shot free-concert in Central Park, with proceeds from t-shirts and posters going to benefit New York's Park’s Department. Simon and Garfunkel .have I reunited a number of times for political events over the years, but never for a complete concert.

Just as their first single-to-breakinto-the-Top 40, “Tempted," happened, Squeeze lost new addition (and former Ace) Paul Carrack to Nick Lowe and Jake Riviera, who were rounding up talent for Carlene Carter’s new band, Word is the Squeeze boys are hopping mad that their “sometime” manager Jake raided one of his own bands to create another. Carlene and Paul have a new single out as “Carlene Carter and Paul Carrack," “Do Me Lover?' on F-Beat...

Alice Cooper and his wife, Cheryl, recently became toe proud mama and papa of a baby girl named Caittco.

Due to alack of substantial evidence, the cocaine possession charges against Sly Stone and George Clinton have been dropped.

Sara Lee, former bass player with Robert Fripp’s League Of Gentlemen, has joined the Gang Of FOOT. After GQF bassist Dave Alien left the band, Busta Jones filled in temporarily, but it looks like the lovely Sara’s firmly ensconced with the Anglos. Fripp, of course, is touring with King Crimson. Dave Allen has joined Barry Andrews (former XTC and Fripp keyboards player) to form a new band called Shriekback.

Guy Stevens, legendary London rock producer and record fanatic, died of an apparent heart attackun early September Stevens, who was in his late 30’s, will be best remembered for his work With Mott The Hoople, Spooky Tooth, Free and ffajpahash & The Coloured Coat. Stevens' final effort was producing London, Calling for the Claah, for whom he also produced several pm-CBsH demo tapes. At the time of his death, Stevens was plannmg to work on a new album with Jerry Lee Lewis.

Speaking of Jerry Lee, we received a note from Myra Gale;. Lewis, Jtfs ex-wife, informing us that that the Killer was released from a Memphis hospital in late August, 61 days after he was admitted for emergency' sio:mach surgery. According to Myra, Jerry was advised to rest for 30 days (Was that a cigar we saw him with on the Tomorrow program?), before beginning a. national. tour in Mesquite, Texas on September 29. Myra is working on an "authorized" biography of Jerry Lee which will be published by William Morrow next year. A feature length film, based on the book, is expected to follow.

John Cale has. left A&M Records, after his maiden release on that label, Honi Solt.

Those wacky. NRBQ guys have just finished recording a new album with country star Skeeter Davis, which should be out now.

Lou Reed has dropped his suit against RCA...

Killing Joke had to cancel the last part of their American tour when drummer Paul injured his right hand. Seems Paul was "playing around" with a switchblade knife when the, blade. accidentally wentthrough his thumb. The drummer reportedly lost a lot of blood and required surgery.

On Tour

Duran Duran, the English Beat, icehouse, Echo & the Bunnymen, Mink Villa, Was (Not Was), Peter Tosh, Devo, Loverboy, Ian Hunter. Rick James, Torn Verlaine, Chris Speddiag, Fluffo, the Rolling Stones, King Crimson, Kinks, Journey, Alice Cooper, George Thorogood, the Pretenders, Meat Loaf, J. Geils Band.