ELTON JOHN: Autobiography is coming
Elton John says his autobiography is coming along, but unlike some other artists -- most recently Robbie Robertson and Phil Collins -- Elton is not putting pen to paper:
"Someone's interviewing me and it's much easier to do it like that. I've had a lot of help from people who were around at the time, you know, because you forget so much. It's very funny. I'm very happy with it.
The book, the title of which has yet to be announced, will be published next year. He's used to writing songs with Bernie Taupin, so working with a co-author shouldn't be an issue for Elton.
BARRY WHITE: Reissues on the way this spring
Universal Music will begin a series of Barry White reissues on April 13th -- the 45th anniversary of the release of his first hit single "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby."
First out will be a three-CD Complete 20th Century Records Singles (1973-1979) and a cheaper single-disc compilation. A week later, vinyl fans get their turn with The 20th Century Records Singles (1973-1975), a box set of 10 seven-inch vinyl singles replicating White's original hit single releases.
DIRE STRAITS: Rock Hall enshrinement brings reissues this year
Get ready for a big shot of Dire Straits music.
In recognition of their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their catalog is being remastered and re-released.
The six-CD set, titled Studio Albums 1978-1991, bundles Dire Straits (1978), Communique (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982), Brothers in Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991). The set will also be available on eight vinyl discs.
The vinyl will be out on March 30th; the CD on April 13th, one day before the induction ceremony in Cleveland.
THREE DOG NIGHT: Fans remain loyal to the iconic band
Danny Hutton says fans remain loyal to Three Dog Night because of their songs. The band deliberately steers clear of controversy.
Danny says, "The songs don't then, or don't now, get into politics. All those songs are about emotions, a lot of them about love or just having a party, you know, like 'Mama Told Me Not to Come.' And I think that stuff doesn't get dated."
Fans who hear Three Dog Night Thursday at B.B. King's in New York or Saturday at the Civic Theater in Akron, Ohio will still hear the harmonies they made famous. Hutton learned the art of song arrangement from Brian Wilson, a friend since the '60s, and the man Danny considers his hero.
Danny Hutton is proud to call himself a protege of Brian Wilson:
"I became friends with Brian Wilson and I was at all... all of the Pet Sounds sessions, so that's where I got my schooling. I thought I knew how to work in a studio and then I learned a lot from Brian. I was there when he did the 'God Only Knows' session, which, you know, I think Paul McCartney says that's his favorite record in the world."
The guys are still close friends -- Danny was Brian's best man when he married Melinda in 1995.