SHERYL CROW: Hopeful March for Our Lives can sway gun control debate
Sheryl Crow, who's been an outspoken supporter of gun control, thinks Saturday's March for Our Lives might sway the debate about the issue.
She believes that the march will have more influence because it was started by the survivors of the Parkland shooting, but she still worries about what happens afterward. She tells Billboard, "The concern over them losing their momentum is one that we all have. The fact that it’s become an everyday thing and we move past it is always a concern. I’m not sure this group is going to be that group...that moves past it. I believe we’re seeing the birth of real leadership and the birth of a movement conducted by kids who were there."
Crow, who'll attend the Nashville march with her 10-year-old son Wyatt, adds that she's really frustrated with Congress over the issue. She calls and E-mails her representative "almost daily" but has gotten no response. "I’ve gotten two recordings and a stock E-mail that my E-mails have been delivered, but I’ve not heard from anyone."
DIRE STRAITS: Only one from original lineup will attend Rock Hall induction
Original Dire Straits guitarist David Knopfler will no longer attend next month's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
A source close to the younger of the two Knopfler brothers tells us he changed his mind after being told the Rock Hall would "only pay certain expenses after telling him it was all covered."
So, this only leaves bassist John Illsley as the lone attendee of the original four-piece band. Singer, guitarist and band leader Mark Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers have already declined the invitation. Illsley will be joined at the ceremony by later Straits members Guy Fletcher and Alan Clarke.
This year's ceremony is April 14th in Cleveland, and the other inductees are The Moody Blues, Nina Simone, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Cars and Bon Jovi.
BRUCE SPINGSTEEN: Art piece up for bids for charity
Bruce Springsteen is the subject of a one-of-a-kind art piece up for bids on eBay, with all the proceeds benefiting Connecting to Cure Crohn's and Colitis.
The seven-foot image of Bruce is a collaboration between street pop artist Mr. Brainwash and Springsteen's ex-girlfriend, photographer Lynn Goldsmith. She says, "Mr. Brainwash contacted me about wanting to do something with one of my photographs of Bruce that he wanted to make out of vinyl records. I let him create this piece from my photo, knowing that it would be used to raise money and awareness for a great cause -- I know people who suffer greatly from these diseases."
She adds that the 1978 photo is "covered entirely with broken vinyl records and mounted onto wood...meticulously cut and carved with hundreds of records and CDs."
Bidding starts at $4000, and the auction runs through Monday.
CELINE DION: Will undergo ear surgery
Céline Dion has cancelled several Vegas shows so that she can undergo surgery to correct an inner ear condition.
Celine suffers from a condition that causes intermittent hearing and singing difficulties. Her reps announced on Facebook yesterday, "She has been experiencing this condition for the past 12 to 18 months, but it has been successfully treated with various ear drop medications. During the past couple of weeks, these medications have no longer been working to treat the condition, so she will undergo a minimally invasive surgical procedure to correct the problem."
Céline's shows at Caesars Palace March 27th to April 18th have been canceled. Her residency will resume on May 22nd.