MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC...

MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC...

Crushing all hope that the Who just might reform for the heck of it, all three original members are reportedly hard at work on some more of their famous solo projects. According to former Who manager Bill Curbishley (who still represents the dudes), “Pete Townshend is getting new material together at his London studio and he’s deciding on the producer—he’s got a couple of top-name guys in mind.” Curbishley added that Cyrano is “keen” to make a “dance-oriented” record. Our Heee Desk says it sounds more like he’s keen to recoup some bucks after White City.

As for Roger Daltrey, the manager says: “He’s basically through with pre-production and he’s working with Alan Shacklock again.” Are you listening, mom? And John Entwistle has formed a band of his very own, including Henry Small (vocals), Andy Nye (keyboards, ex-Michael Schenker Group) and Zak Starkey (drums, ex-Beatle spermatozoa). Their LP is nearly finished and is— according to Curbishey—“getting a lot of interest from the majors.”

Having purchased the Chess catalog in 1985, MCA will continue to reissue original Chess albums, as well as a series of previously unreleased recordings. Among those slated for an August release: Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, the Moonglows, Memphis Slim and Big Bill Broonzy & Washboard Sam.

And The Children Shall Suffer Dept.: Leaving MTV are original VJ’s Nina Blackwood and J.J. Jackson. Their contributions to the world of arts will be sorely missed, once they’ve been reliably identified.

Our He’p Desk refuses to report on Michael Jackson’s $15 million dollar deal with Pepsi, insisting that the real news is a line of seven different dolls to be marketed as “Michael’s Pets.” “Jackson personally had a hand (in) designing the initial line of plush toys,” said one spokesman. Even more exciting, the critters will become stars unto themselves, as a half-hour cartoon series dealing with their adventures is slated for production. In the words of our He’p Desk: Who says Rock ’n’ Roll News has degenerated beyond all possible redemption? Huh??

Notes From The Netherworld O’ Petroleum By-Products: Tina Turner’s follow-up to Private Dancer is slated for a September release. Among those helping out are Bryan Adams, on at least two songs, and Mark Knopfler, who Tina is also not having an affair with...Billy Squier’s next album should be out in August, Peter Collins producing...John Parr’s second Atlantic album due out in September...Ready For The World...zzzz...both parties deny rumors of romance...

Mark E. Smith and his wife/guitarist Brix of the Fall will be seen in a televised “dance fantasy” titled Hail The New Puritan, based on a fictionalized day in the life of avant-garde dancer Michael Clarke. The program features lotsa Fall music and will be aired in the U.S. in the...autumn? Nope, next year! Be sure to watch for the part where Clarke "explains the importance of the Fall’s music to his dancing.” He speaks for us all.

Bob Dylan, the world’s oldest living mammal, has been signed to star in an upcoming Lorimar film, Hearts Of Fire. Also reportedly ready to try the big screen again is Mick Jagger. More ennui as it’s reported...

THIS MONTH’S HOME TAPING PROSPECTS!

In order “to compensate American creators and producers of music for a portion of the income they lose due to home taping,” a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee has approved legislation that will place a royalty on audio recording equipment. The legislation doesn’t include a royalty that the recording industry also wanted levied on blank tapes but life, of course, isn’t perfect.

“Today’s vote is a victory for American creators, producers and copyright owners,” said Stanley M. Gortikov, who holds the seemingly mutually exclusive positions of President of the Recording Industry Association of America and spokesman for the Coalition To Save America’s Music. “It is a clear recognition by the Congress that technology should not be permitted to trample on the rights of the American music community.” The bill must now go before the full Senate Judiciary Committee.

ROCK N ROLL NEWS

Even More Notes From The Netherworld O’...Heck, You Know: John Fogerty is recording his next LP with the help of John Robinson (drums, ex-Rufus), and Neil Stubenhaus (bass). A late summer release is anticipated, with a tour to follow...Ginger. Baker, famous drummer, is recording an LP: Bill Laswell (who worked with Baker on the last PiL album) be producing...Looking for a label, but writing songs with Huey Lewis, famous human, is Roy Orbison, who hasn’t had an album out in over six years...Huey’s own disc—the follow-up to Sports—should be out in August...and, as for the “next” Def Leppard album, which we tired of writing about back in ’63, don’t expect to see it until the end of this year or early next year.

TAYLORUNMADE

In the tradition of such magical moments as Dynasty season-enders, the Duran Duran enigma continues to grip the very souls of music-lovers and, in fact, all sentient life. Both Roger Taylor (drums) and Andy Taylor (guitar) have been “widely rumored’’ to be quits with their wonderful band, and both have issued denials. Taylor is, according to a band spokesman, “suffering from mental and physical exhaustion,” and will be replaced by drummer Steve Ferrone on their upcoming album, while Taylor, on the other hand, is merely recording a solo album as a tremendously creative time-killer. Said Taylor: “I have to maintain a double musical life. For a person with the sort of ambitions I have, it would be impossible to stay in Duran Duran without pursuing other musical interests.” As for Taylor, he plans to “fulfill his lifelong ambition of running a farm.” Everybody clear on this?

LAW 1, STRUMMER O

Going Sammy Hagar 55 mph better, Joe Strummer cafpt drive at all\ Howcum? ’Cause he was apprehended by the police, who’ve evidently gotten back together, driving—make that swerving—-above the legal speed limit over in Merrie Olde. The gendarmes then ascertained that Strumbo’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit and have pulled his license for 18 months.

Next month: robbing people with a six-gun and the consequences thereof. In response to a suit by coplaintiffs ABKCO Music and ABKCO Records, Volvo and its ad agency have dropped the “opening and distinctive choral portions” of the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” from a TV commercial. Always the sporting ones, the Stones have dropped the “distinctive anything” from the entirety of their recorded music henceforth.

Indie label Enigma Records has signed an exclusive production and distribution agreement with Capitol Records. The arrangement calls for certain artists to be jointly produced, marketed and promoted by both labels. The world is a better place.

Congratulations to Detroit’s Urbations on their recent signing to Moving Target/Celluloid Records.

Look for their premeire release, Hot Foot, which should be out by the time you read this.

Scientists report their astonishment that Miranda, one of the icy major moons of Uranus, shows evidence of considerable tectonic activity...Meanwhile, mathematicians still agree there is no proof available for Fermat’s Lost Theorem...our He’p Desk be workin’ on that one, by the way...And, in the world o’ physics, expect a Unified Field Theory by the middle of the next century, or about the same time that Def Leppard album comes out.

Righteous fans of heavy metal can still enjoy their genre on MTV, which is offering "MTV’s Metal Shop” throughout the summer. The half-hour program, formerly hosted by Dee Snider, is shown daily, Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. Eastern.