GO-GO's: Belinda believes sexism or politics keeping band out of the Rock Hall
Belinda Carlisle believes either sexism or politics has kept The Go-Go's out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The band has been eligible for induction for 12 years but hasn't come close to making the cut. Carlisle tells New Now Next, "It bothers me a little bit because it’s so obvious. Come on. We were self-made. We had no idea what we were doing. We hired Charlotte [Caffey] because she knew how to plug in an amplifier and a guitar. We wrote our lyrics on masking tape. People freak out when it comes to the music."
And she does have a theory as to why they've never gotten close. "Somebody -- it could have been me -- offended somebody in some way. I’ve heard 'over my dead body will The Go-Go’s ever be in the Hall of Fame.' So it might be post-mortem or it might never happen."
THE WHO: Roger Daltrey tells a crowd he's "very, very deaf"
The Who Singer Roger Daltrey admitted to the crowd during his solo shows at The Joint in Las Vegas last week that he's 'very, very deaf" and relies on lip-reading (not lip-syncing) and large in-ear monitors to figure out what's happening on stage. The 74-year-old also warned concert-goers that they should take their "[effing] earplugs to the gigs" or risk ending up like him. "If only we had known when we were young," he told the audience.
Despite his hearing loss, Daltrey said he intends to keep gigging "for a long time," and thanked his fans for allowing him to continue doing so. His current solo tour comes to the Fox Theater in Oakland Thursday. (The Mirror)
Also Thursday, Daltrey will premiere his first solo single in 26 years on BBC-2's Chris Evans Breakfast Show. Roger will be on from the States to intro the song.
TOTO: Porcaro's widow files suit
The widow of Toto co-founder and drummer Jeff Porcaro has sued original members Steve Lukather and David Paich -- claiming that they've withheld royalties from his estate.
Susan Porcaro-Goings claimed unjust enrichment and fraud, and alleges that Luather and Paich put their interests ahead of those of Porcaro and the estate. The suit, which she filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks unspecified damages, an accounting of Toto-related revenues and an injunction preventing any "future acts of unfair competition."
Porcaro-Goings has been in charge of Jeff's estate since he died in 1992, and TMZ reports that she's made several requests for details on the band's revenue, but has been getting incomplete information. Jeff not only came up with Toto's name, he also co-wrote "Africa" with Paich.
Pat Benatar and her guitar playing husband Neil Giraldo start their Very Intimate Acoustic Eveningtour tomorrow (Thursday) in Cerritos, California. It runs through April 14th in Niagara Falls, New York and then the band tour starts up in June.
Astrophysicist Dr. Brian May of Queen has commented on the death of physicist Stephen Hawking. He says, “He was one of the bravest men I ever met - optimistic and caring. And all the way, although hampered by being able to communicate at the rate of only two words a minute, still managing to crack gentle jokes, and make incisive comments. He was without a doubt one of the greatest intellects the World has ever seen. RIP Stephen.” And
Grand Funk bassist Mel Schacher lost his wife of 37 years, Dena, Sunday night. The band issued a statement saying, “It was not unexpected, as Dena has been battling cancer for many years and recently entered Hospice. All of the GFR family appreciates your prayers for Mel during this difficult time. Dena, Rest In Peace. You are missed already. Love and peace always.”
Don McLean will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chamber of Commerce of his hometown New Rochelle, New York. The ceremony will take place on March 21st, two days before the release of his new album, Botanical Gardens.
Former Guns n' Roses drummer Matt Sorum has put up a website called Artbit, which he hopes will help artists get paid by displaying their talents on "virtual stages." He'll perform with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top at the Artbit launch party at South by Southwest Friday in Austin, Texas.
Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers will do a show -- billed as Benmont Tench & (Hopefully!) Friends -- April 28th at Largo in Los Angeles.
Deana Martin is continuing her late father Dean’s legacy. Her second annual Celebrity Roast will take place April 15th at South Point Showroom in Las Vegas. Criminal Minds actor Joe Mantegna will be the honoree (or is that victim?).
Claudia Fontaine, who sang backing vocals on songs like "Everyday I Write the Book" by Elvis Costello and "Things Can Only Get Better" by Howard Jones, and albums from Pink Floyd, Squeeze and The Eurythmics, died Tuesday at age 57. No cause of death was announced.