QUEEN: Movie is in the works
The film about Freddie Mercury and Queen is finally close to "actually happening."
Brian May tells Rolling Stone, "We've been 12 years on this trail, but I think we're very close now to an announcement, which will signify that Fox has given the green light to actually supply the money. So yes, I think we're very close."
But he says he and his bandmates' involvement is limited basically to the soundtrack. "We'll be taking care of the music, supervising the way it's done, which is another great project. But we're not really making the film. We've stayed with it for the last 12 years to shepherd it to the right place where we feel it would do Freddie justice. We only get one shot at this, and that's it."
This is the third attempt at the film after Sacha Baron Cohen left the project in 2013 over creative differences with May and Roger Taylor, who are serving as producers along with Queen manager Jim Beech. Later there were discussions with Ben Whishaw, known for playing Q in the James Bond films since 2012, to take over. Remi Malek -- best known for the TV series Mr. Robot -- is now on board, and May says he thinks Malek "will be incredible."
EDDIE MONEY: Lawsuit filed by former drummer heading to trial later this year
Eddie Money isn't getting out of the lawsuit filed by his former drummer anytime soon.
He plans to appeal after a California judge rejected his attorneys' motion to dismiss some aspects of the wrongful termination and age discrimination suit filed against him by drummer Glenn Symmonds.
Symmonds claims Money made fun of him onstage for having to urinate frequently -- a problem caused by bladder cancer. His wife, who used to run the star's merchandise booth, claims Eddie tried to force himself on her in a restroom stall.
Symmonds was his drummer from 1974 until October 2015, when Eddie replaced his longtime band with his kids.
Eddie's lawyer, Dina LaPolt, who has also represented Steven Tyler, says, "Last I checked, this was still America and artists have the right to decide who plays in their faceless back-up band. To force well-respected, seasoned artists to retain specific support musicians would strike an unacceptable blow to artistic integrity and we will not stand for it. Eddie is fighting for the rights of all musicians to have the freedom to choose how they want to express themselves."
Another one of his lawyers, Lincoln Bandlow, says, "Glenn Symmonds showed his true colors: he is a vindictive, ungrateful and awful person. That is why Eddie chose not have him back. Everything alleged in this lawsuit is a pack of lies.”
Money has called the allegations “downright evil.” The trial will get under way in November.
RINGO STARR: New album on the way in September
Ringo Starr is making news beyond his annual Peace & Love birthday event today (Friday). He'll release a new album on September 15th.
Give More Love promises 10 new tracks -- with plenty of help from his friends.
- "We're on the Road Again" features contributions from Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Edgar Winter and Toto's Steve Lukather.
- "Laughable" was co-written and performed with Peter Frampton, as well as Benmont Tench, Timothy B. Schmit, Richard Page and Amy Keys.
- "Show Me the Way," co-written and performed with Steve Lukather, again features Paul McCartney.
- "Speed of Sound," co-written with Richard Marx, features Steve Lukather, Peter Frampton and Nathan East.
- "Standing Still" was co-written with Gary Burr, who has recorded with Kenny Loggins in Blue Sky Riders).
- "King of the Kingdom" includes performances by Gary Burr and Edgar Winter.
- "Electricity," co-written with Glen Ballard, features Joe Walsh and Don Was.
- "So Wrong for So Long" was co-written and performed with Dave Stewart.
- "Shake It Up" was co-written and performed with Gary Nicholson and includes Don Was and Edgar Winter.
- "Give More Love," co-written with Gary Nicholson, includes Timothy B. Schmit and All Starr Band members Richard Page and Gregg Bissonette. Here's the track, the first song to be released from the album.
There are also four bonus bonus tracks:
- A version of "Back Off Booglaloo" is based on Ringo's original 1970s recording -- the tape was recently discovered when Ringo moved between houses.
- "You Can’t Fight Lightning," "Photograph" and "Don’t Pass Me By" are inspired by performances at Starr’s 2016 Peace & Love Birthday event. Alberta Cross performed "You Can’t Fight Lightning" and Vandaveerperformed "Photograph" and "Don’t Pass Me By." Ringo was so impressed that he asked asked the artists to record them with him for Give Me Love.
The album will also be released on vinyl on September 22nd.