Rock 'n' Roll News

Rock 'n' Roll News

Everything’s comin’ up jurisprudence! So it is for the lovely Madonna, who—along with her manager, Fred DeMann, and record label, Sire—is being sued by Camille Barbone, who purports to have discovered Ms. Ciccone living in a rehearsal studio in 1980... after which she “set her up in an apartment, put her band on salary, clothed her, fed her... all the things you do.” Hmm, guess we’ll have to use our Rock V Roll News Imagination Desk to finish this. No, there’s more... Barbone contends that DeMann, without her consent, secured Madonna’s recording contract in July of ’82—while she was still under contract to Barbone. Consequently, the former manager is asking for damages of $5 million.

The Billy Desk Speaketh: ’Twas the legendary Les Paul’s 70th birthday, and the celebratory bash at the New York jazz club Fat Tuesdays included that Sultan of Sneer, Billy Idol. Billy, of course, owns a Les Paul, Jr., and asked the great man if he’d autograph his favorite guitar. Les is said to have turned to his entourage, pointed at Billy, and said: “I love him.” Not to be outsuperlatived, the Clenched One replied: “I think they made a mistake—Les Paul is the true king of rock ’n’ roll.” Darn those mistakes.

Joining such prestigious names as Philip Glass and—for that matter—Igor Stravinsky on the Columbia Masterworks label is Peter Gordon And The Love Of Life Orchestra. Composer/saxophonist Gordon will be joined by the likes of Laurie Anderson, David Van Tiegham and Ned Sublett on his debut disc, which will be produced by Gary Lucas, former guitarist for Captain Beefheart. Reserve your copy today.

It’s All Over Now: Hanoi Rocks have officially disbanded. Despite their intentions to continue after the death of drummer Razzle, Mike Monroe and Andy McCoy are going their own ways—McCoy getting a band together with Nasty Suicide and Monroe embarking on a solo career. “We had a great five years with Hanoi Rocks, but after Razzle’s death and Sammy (Yaffa’s) leaving, none of us felt completely happy with how it was working out,” the guys said in a joint statement.

Well, time to fulfill our most sacred oath and give you an update on Air Supply. The duo’s latest LP (titled—and here is marketing wisdom unsurpassed—Air Supply) includes a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Sandy.” And, in a statement slanted at changing—uh, make that creating—their image, lead tweeter Russell Hitchcock said this: “I want to do a movie where I pick up a magnum...and just blow somebody away.” At least we think he said “away.”

Retired schoolteacher Sting has, in addition to his worldwide tour, a couple of movies in his future: The Bride (with Jennifer Beals) and Plenty (with Meryl Streep).

Warner Bros, is reportedly interested in signing Husker Du, who continue to work on their latest LP for SST.

Latest rock musician to get pulled over for drunk driving is Rod Stewart. “If I were driving in an old Chevy instead of my Porsche, it wouldn’t have happened.” Hot Rod confessed. Yep, owning a Porsche has driven many a Rock ’n’ Roll News correspondent to the bottle, we must confess.

Morris Day, now living in L.A., is said to be working on a solo album for Warner Bros. In other tangential-to-Prince doings, Andre Cymone’s third Columbia disc is now out and features a tune written and co-produced by the man of many bodyguards.

We continue to follow the meaningful saga: let’s see, it was last month we reported that Jefferson Starship had changed their name to Starship because they were gettin’ sued for a hunk of mazuma, right? Well, this month we can relate that the group that refuses to die will have an album out in August...sans keyboardist David Freiberg, who’s split. As far as we care—uh, make that know—the album is untitled, but one of the lead tracks is an airy tune called “This City Is Built On Rock And Roll,” Next month: more on sewer-euphemisms.

A gunman recently walked into the California optometry office of Gavid Lee Roth’s dad, Nathan, and threatened to kill him unless a $25,000 ransom was paid. Fortunately, Dr. Roth escaped unharmed, fleeing to a nearby gas station where he phoned the local police. Unfortunately, the anonymous gunman escaped as well.

Allan David Passaro, who was acquitted of the stabbing death of a gun-wielding fan at the Stones’ infamous ’69 Altamont appearance, was found drowned in a California lake recently. Passaro had several thousands of dollars in cash strapped to his back when local authorities found his body—police are theorizing that he was fleeing from an assailant at the time of his death.

Paul Rodgers of the Firm injured his knee at the last concert of that band’s tour when he jumped off a drum riser, but went ahead and participated in the Willie & The Poor Boys’ video for “These Arms Of Mine”— despite the warnings of doctors! Talk about a real-life Rambol!

NRBQ continue to endear themselves to the civilized world by their zealous destruction of Cabbage Patch dolls everywhere. While performing on board a cruise ship near Baltimore, the righteous band made Patricia Suzanne Doll walk the plank, blindfolded! Good! Then, while driving from Seattle to Portland, they realized .they’d be awfully close to Mt. St. Helen’s—so they hired a helicopter and sacrificed their last doll to the still-active volcano. Phil Collins, beware!

Cyndl Lauper is recovering from a successful abdominal operation. “Don’t worry about me,” she chirped, as if we would. “The same doctor that treated Captain Lou Albano is treating me. The good thing about this doctor is that she gave me complete creative control.” Stanley Riverside would be appalled.

Where the heck’s Del Leppard been? In the studio—in Paris, we understand—finishing that darned album. Rick Allen will, indeed, appear on all tracks, using the special drum kit made to his specifications, and Mutt Lange has been producing. The album is scheduled to be released this winter.

Carly Simon, fresh from her dynamic role in the equallydynamic Perfect (she got to throw a drink in John Travolta’s face), has a new album and a new man in her wonderful life. The aibum’s first single, “Tired Of Being A Blonde”, is about a woman who’s grown tired of being a sex symbol. The man is drummer Russ Kunkol.

The flack from the Madonna, uh, spreads in Playboy and Penthouse has been considerable, but no cut went so deep as this: the city fathers of Bay City, Michigan (Ms. Ciccone’s birthplace) had planned on giving the eminently beautiful songstress the key to the city. Until they got a gander at the damaging photos, that is. In the words of Mayor Timothy Sullivan: “No key to the city for Madonna.” We like the way they talk in Bay City.

In the wake of tornadoes that killed over 60 people in northwestern Pennsylvania, Kenny Loggins turned his previously-scheduled concert in Erie into a benefit for local disaster victims. Loggins turned over the net proceeds from the date—about $30,000, including a donation from his tour sponsor, Levi Strauss— to the American Red Cross Relief Fund.

Phil Collins, who’d been touring the U.S. since February, was forced to cancel a performance in Clarkston, Michigan, when he lost his voice during the opening number. Unfortunately, it was only the second performance in 10 years Collins has missed.

Potor Case—ex-mastermind of the mighty hip Plimsouls— is working on a solo LP slated for a summer release on Geffen. Guest artists are said to include Elvis Costello and Ry Coodor; the legendary TBono Burnett is handling the production chores.

Police seized four grams of cocaine at Ike Turner’s house after Turner offered to sell the drugs to an undercover officer who was wired for sound. Turner, released on $50,000 bail, served a 30-day sentence last year for possession of cocaine.

Might As Well Jump: Which is apparently what David Lee Roth has done. Eddie Van Halen is reportedly scouting around for a new lead singer for his somewhat-popular band, and has also been writing songs with Pete Townshend and Scandal’s Patty Smyth. As has been reported elsewhere, Roth is ostensibly pursuing an acting career, but we also understand he wants to go on the road with a yet-unnamed (and possibly unformed) band of his own. The response to these rumors from those close to the band? “No comment.”

While shooting the first video for his solo LP, Stewart Copeland was frustrated by a bunch of do-nothing lions. Long Tall Stu was locked in a cage while the kings o’ the jungle were supposed to get excited by his drumming. No such luck, though: “They hated my music,” Copeland noted. “Complete Philistines, the lions are.” Well, somebody decided to hang some fresh meat on the cage and the hep cats ended up cooperating, after all. Get these beasts to a Smiths video.

Actor Mark Lindsay was fired from his job of playing John Lennon in the upcoming NBC TV-movie of the late Beatle’s life when the producers found out his real name is Mark Chapman...the same name as Lennon’s assassin. “Although purely coincidence, we feel it is in the best interests of this project that another actor be cast as John Lennon,” a spokesman for NBC said. “I mean, would you do the love story of John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis with an actor named Lee Harvey Oswald playing President Kennedy?”

If you saw D.A.R.Y.L you may have noticed the soundtrack included a tune from Rock ’n’ Roll News’ perennial faves, Keel. The song was “Back To The City” (also on Keel’s The Right To Rock LP), and was picked for the movie by Oscarwinning composer Marvin Hamllsch. “We guess Marvin has a metal heart after all,” quipped Ron Keel in a show of characteristic wit.