Rock ’n’ Roll News

Rock ’n’ Roll News

Dio stands tall! Yep, Jimmy Bain and Vivian Campbell, both of Dio, have organized Hear ’N’ Aid, a heavy metal aggregate ala USA For Africa. Tracks have already been recorded for a song called “Stars"—written by Dio, the man— and those slated to contribute via overdubs are Lita Ford, Judas Priest, the Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Ratt, Y & T, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, Black Sabbath, Queensryche and Spinal Tap. The project will include the inevitable video and distribution of monies will be coordinated with USA For Africa.

Fee Waybill has stated that his current tour with the Tubes will be his last. He was quoted as saying: “I’m fed up with this business and want to do something else for a living/’

So say we all, Fee.

The Everly Brothers have returned to the studio to record their follow-up to EB 84. Dave Edmunds is again producing and the bro’s are recording material contributed by “some' of the biggest names in showbiz,” including one by versatile warbler Steve Perry. The Everlys will also launch an American tour in mid-July.

Diminutive newsmaker Prince continues to enjoy public scrutiny. FBI officials are now trying to trace a reported $1.6 million in monies from his most recent tour that have seemingly/ vanished. May we suggest they try the ladder? In other news, attorneys for the deeply religious star have written the Prince Spaghetti Company, asking that they discontinue a commercial showing their product “in concert.” Joseph Pellegrino, president of the company, says: “We wrote back that we had been using and advertising our name since 1912 and have spent literally millions of dollars doing it,” * adding that they have no intention of stopping their whimsical ad. Which Rock ’n’ Roll News figures is using the old noodle.

With U.S. sales now topping 6.5 million, Bruce Springsteen’s Bom In The U.S.A'. 'has become Columbia’s best-selling UP of all time, surpassing their previous biggies (Journey’s Escape and Billy Joel’s The Stranger).

A film based on the life of Sam Cooke, entitled A Change Is Gonna Come, is in preproduction. That announcement from Allen Klein, president of ABKCO Films/and Cooke’s former manager. The film purports to “reveal for the first time the true circumstances of Cooke’s untimely death in-1964.”

Kudos to Michael Davis for sending on this tasty item: Stottlemyers Delicatessen in Pasadena, California are offering diners the Van Halen platter. Let’s let the menu do the talkin’: “All the beef you can eat, an unbelievable amount of ham and enough tongue for anyone...served on something very rye...way overpriced and not for beginners.” Prepared especially for Stottlemyers by that gargantuan of gastronomy, David Lee Roth, the whole mess goes for a measly $5,951 And includes potato salad! Yum!!

This in from our Billy Desk: with new Billy Idol product still just a wistful dream of the entire Western World, Chrysalis is planning a British release of a seven-cut LP, Vital Idol. The disc will include extended-play dance mixes of "Dancing With Myself,’’/’White Wedding,”

“Hot In The City,"“Flesh For Fantasy,” and.“Horse Latitudes. ||Whoops,scrateh that last one, we msant||Mony Mony.” At presstime, Chrysalis is undecided on an American release of Vital Idol.

Born to wed\ Yes, undoubtedly shamed that Billy “Uptown Groom” Joel beat him to the altar, Bruce Springsteen recently married 25-year-old Julienne Phillips, a model originally from Portland,

Oregon. The blissful couple met a mere six months ago at a concert in L.A. and—after what we can presume was a whirlwind courtship—vowed dem vows in the middle of the night in a private candlelight ceremony. By all reports, the new Mrs. Springsteen’s parents are pleased with her choice.

Pat Benatar—who was fprced lb forego “We Are The World*’ j when her first child decided to debut about the time of the session^t^ announced that she’ll be donating the proceeds from her hit, “We Belong/* to USA For Africa.

Spandau Ballet were forced to cancel the final leg of their sevenimonth tour when saxophonist SteveaBB^PPI^i a ligament during a show at . L.A.’s Untvefsal Amphitheater And we were forced to print it'

Harry Nilsson is working on an album scheduled for release in the fall, but—more interestingly—is also planning a live show in London. Nilsson. has never performed a live concert in his long career,

Springsteen Go Bragh-iess? A planned concert by the Boss in County Meath, Ireland, had previously beep—;uh, scotched by officials tihecs, who claimed that “80,000 people converging on us simply cannot work.” Now, having received guarantees of security-coupled with the promoter’s promise to pay elderly residents of the area $25 per night and also contribute $10,000 to local charities—the authorities have relented and the show will go on.

Being marketed for fall syndication is a music video Show called Deja View, Which will ostensibly feature “specially produced concept videos” of ’60$ hits. Thp show will be hosted by John Sebastian and producers hope to enlist original artists* input on the videos.

Speaking of the 60s, Country Joe McDonald has revived his -career—and.. his |g§pjf|d independent label, Rag Baby— with the recent release of his album Peace On Barth. Joe’s new group, Country Joe & Friends, includes three members of the original Fish, as well.

We Are the Known Universe: A children’s version of “We Are The Wodd”— a project organized by L.A disc jockey Bonny Melendrez—has been recorded. The song features our faves, Ricky Schroeder and Usa Bonet, plus 40 real kids (out of over 1000 who auditioned for the never-to-berepeated event).

When Eltdn John's “In Neon” cracked the Top 40, it marked the 16th year in a row that E.J. j has had at least one single in that prestigious list. World record holder Paul McCartney turned the trick 17 consecutive years, ending his string in 1981 Let's keep an. eye on Wham!

Challenging the policies of President Reagan in Nicaragua are Jackson Browne, Darryl Hannah and Steve Van Zandt, who were all in the Central American country recently to demonstrate against U S. involvement.

Browne led 100 Americans in a march through the streets of Managua and has also been producing albums for two Nicaraguan artists. Meanwhile, Sammy Hagar was recently invited to the White House for lunch. Face it, this country’s happening.

Latest to promote Honda’s motor scooters on the tube is Lou Reed, cleverly using “Walk On The Wild Side” to warn the viewer: “Don’t get cSMSht walkin'.” This man’s life ts/an artistic statement.

Haying released Marvin Dane’s Dream Of A Lifetime— bulled from the album Gaye was working on at the time of hi death—Columbia is planning on releasing a collection of Gaye’s interpretations of such classic ballads as “The Shadow Of Your Smile,” “Maria,” and “t Worrt Cry Anymore.”

“The Billy Desk reports: it’s off to the Himalayan nation of Nepal for dancin’ machine Billy Sguleir. According to everybody’s favorite Billy: “I love the thrill of the unknown.” Well, that explains his videos, then. His further motivation?

“I want to get there before David Lee Roth." Great wit and great music—it’s an unbeatable combo!

Bubblin’ crude? Guitarist Grisha Dimont, an emigrant from the Soviet Union, is collaborating with—now hang on, here—Buddy Ebsen (!) on a multi-lingual peace song, “We’re All Riding On The Same Spaceship.” Jed, we salute you!

Everybody’s talkin’ Queen! Here’s why: in addition to Freddie Mercury releasing his solo album, Mr. Bad Guy, drummer Roger Taylor has produced singles for three acts in London (Jimmy Nail, Sideway Look and Fergal Sharkey, ex of the Undertones), the group has been touring the lucrative New Zealand/Australia/Japan axis and bassist John Deacon— the last member of the band without a solo project to call his own—has signed with EMI, anticipating an LP in early 1986. Taylor and Deacon also played on two tracks on the forthcoming Elton John album, slated for a fall release.

Lotsa movie news: Leslie West of Mountain is set to star in The Money Pit (Steven Spielberg producing, Richard Benjamin directing)—West will play a wealthy rock star. Here’s I hoping he knows how to act. Elsewhere, Huey Lewis &

The News are scheduled to|S record two songs for Spielberg’s Back To The Future (a summer release is planned) end David Byrne is said to be busy working on Talking Heads’ next film,

True Stories.

In the midst of recording his next album, everybody—with the exception of guitarist Jake E. Lee—has left Ozzy Osbourne’s band. No word on whether or not Qzzy will also leave.

Another installment in the Hall & Oates serial: the dynamic duo were the first act to headline a public performance at the refurbished Apotio Theater in late May, kicking off New York’s/‘Apollo Week/’ which celebrates the completion of the legendary venue’s $10 million renovation. Among those who appeared at the Apol|p;dn amateur night ip bygone years were Sarah Vaughan, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson and Janies Brown. So to H & O we say: cheerio, guys.