ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

BYE, BYE, BE’O

Although we’re not an overly sentimental bunch, we are sad to relate that this is Bill Holdship’s last issue as an editor of CREEM. After seven years of service, during which he helped forge the very persona of this magazine, Bill is moving on to the editorial staff at Radio & Records, who haven’t had much in-depth Velvet Underground coverage of late.

Ho’ship’s departure will certainly be felt here at CREEM in that we’ll probably go months on end without mentioning Elvis Presley', Lou Reed and the Beatles. Other than that, though, we’re kinda glad to get rid of him.

For the many miHions who’ve requested we put the Holdshipian face in our mag, here’s a photo of Be’o doing whatever the hell it was he used to do. As you can see, his legendary handsomeness was never exaggerated or anything.

Heee.

The long sedate Beer Desk tells us that the Replacements, en route to the wedding of Paul Westerberg in Michigan, stopped off to open an Ann Arbor show for their erstwhile touring pals, the Young Fresh Fellows. Our congratulations to Westerberg and his wife, Lori, while we’re at it.

Rumor in the music industry is that Billy Sheehan has been fired from the David Lee Roth Band. Maybe Sheehan was worried about covering all those Village People medleys we speculated over awhile back...

Filmmaker Kenneth Anger, who authored, directed and produced the Lucifer Rising thing—-best known for featuring a Jimmy Page soundtrack—has filed suit against Boleskine House Records, who’ve been peddling the soundtrack lately. Since the 28-minute LP is, perhaps, the single most boring collection of music this Bureau’s had the privilege to sleep through, we take no stance on this legal sticky wicket.

The latest to be inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Fame—this very month—are the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Drifters and Bob Dylan. The incredible omission of Poison strikes this service as unforgivable.

The lawsuit against Boy George, which originally charged that he had “actively participated in Michael Rudetsky being injected with a lethal quantity of heroin,” was dismissed in New York’s courts. The plaintiffs had reduced their claim from $44 million to $20 million before the judge threw the whole thing out.

Scurrilous rumors! Everyone from the New Musical Express to Billboard have printed bad, erroneous reports that New Order are splitting up. As a matter of fact, the band is readying for a return to the States, although their manager did state that singer/guitarist Bernard Sumner “is doing some things on his own.” But everybody knows that sort of thing never precedes a band breaking up.

Here’s a happy quote from Keith Richards, who used to play in that band with Bill Wyman, from the British daily, The Sun: “It’s all down to CBS and their president, Walter Yetnlkofff, in particular. He signed the band for over $25 million and then concentrated on Mick’s solo career. CBS thinks Mick Jagger is the Rolling Stones. The sad thing is Mick’s believed it all and just become too big for his boots.” For Jagger’s angle, see the feature in this very magazine.

Signing Notes: Camper Van Beethoven have inked with Virgin, although they’ll release another indie before getting on board... That Petrol Emotion have also signed with Virgin, album out soon... and the metalcrazed I.R.S. label has taken on the Detroit band Seduce. Our congratulations to everyone on everything.

Rock ’n’ Roll News is always happy to report on songs being turned into advertisements to brainwash hapless people into buying stuff they don’t need, so be prepared for L’eggs products—they’re the people who manufacture pantyhose—to run TV spots featuring ZZ Top’s “Legs promoting the fabulous Sheer Elegance line. The ZZ’ers were reportedly paid something in the range of seven figures for use of the song, and their manager,

Bill Ham, deadpanned:

“Our motivation wasn’t strictly financial.”

Doings Of The Rich, Famous & Wonderful: Mick Jagger, who used to be in that band with Charlie Watts, astonished most of the hemisphere by making a surprise appearance at The Country Club in Reseda, California. Mjck and pals Jeff Beck, Terry Bozzio, Phil Ashley and Doug Wimbish ‘not only shot a video there, but played stuff like “Miss You,” “Carol,” “Just Another Night” and “Little Red Rooster”.. .Little Steven, playing at New York’s Ritz Club, was joined onstage by Bruce Springsteen. The Boss helped out on “Native Sun” and “Sun City,” and the show was videotaped... we’ve got a copy if anyone wants one... Bob Dylan failed to show for the London premiere of his Hearts Of Fire film, but co-stars Fiona Flanagan and Rupert Everett showed, as well as Sting and Ron Wood. The Utterly Fascinating Desk better be expandin’, we reckon.

Here’s some great news: the Soviet Union, better known as the Evil Empire, is cooling its opposition to heavy metal! That according to the Los Angeles Times, who also report that the Russkies will release the comradely rockin’ LP of Cruise, who, we were pleased to learn, count the U.S.S.R.’s top guitarist among their members. His name is Valeri. We love him, Valeri. C’mon. Alright. Wow! Despite all this, we still believe the Russians hate their children and stick their hands in hot borscht and other stuff.

POISON FIGHTS WITH GIRL!

tist relation^^^» Geffen Records, has , filed Suit against Bobby Bali and Michaels of Poison, as well as Potson’^Bhe managers, charging themt^ii(;l^sauHs;The action stems from an episode at the Forum Club in Los Angeles after a part®plotloy Crue: Dali regain Brtpenth^ over a story that appeared in (no ktdding)M? Parad^m that, in the story, the fellows in Geffen’s own Roses describe^,IpoisorSas poseurs and, in general, wimps Who simply don’t do mu^’proud. You know,: stop the presses stuff. £ wSt ■'L

Although.'Ji® Bridenthal attempted to reason with Dali, the bassist threw a beer in her face. Then, after cleanto| herself up, Dali and fellow philosopher king Bret Michaels ii^appecbteiWrew another beer igtelace and dumped a bucket pf ice water oyer Bridenthal’s head; sounds like %’ pee# News has got to get otBbore. Anyway, .protect rock stars ft|||pe0ple BroflR'he denouement? Well, EdRosenblatt* president of Geffen, called Poison’s ao»' tiorj^gabsolutelv inexcusablelltthey want to pick on somebody, theVbakstart 11 may be on the wrong side of 50, put it’ll he a lot more tarami fight m^tjattacking seen^Bvoman who’d|&!'been out of the hospital for a month;"* Bobby dhd Bret’s publicists issued this statement, after Bobby called Ms. Bridenthat to not l^ogize: “BrVn misunderstood the gesture.’’ Hey, that expfain$ Itl The statementV went on to explain that the Poisoners had see® :basebalt players spray each other with champagne and reckoned ft was a friertd^esture.^j It’s all so plausible,

The double-platinum band, a manly bunch Iby any standard, as yotfcan feey^ieduce by the phOtoaceompanying this iterrSan tell , if to the judge. Bfidenth^jfeskihg $100,(31^8 in actual damages and $1 million in punitive