‘Today’ concert lineup: No Doubt, Hudson, more

‘Today’ concert lineup: No Doubt, Hudson, more

NEW YORK — Jennifer Hudson, Gwen Stefani and Dave Matthews all have early wake-up calls for “Today” show concerts over the warm weather months.

Stefani’s reunion show with her band No Doubt begins the Friday morning concert series May 1. Hudson is scheduled for May 15.

The Dave Matthews Band is signed up for June 5. Later in June: the Jonas Brothers, another act sure to draw a big crowd to Rockefeller Plaza.

Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy, Black Eyed Peas, the Fray, Kings of Leon and Katy Perry are also on the schedule, which runs through August.

Apollo to mark its 75th by inducting Jones, LaBelle

NEW YORK — The Apollo Theater will celebrate its 75th anniversary by inducting music impresario Quincy Jones and R&B artist Patti LaBelle into its Hall of Fame.

The June 8 anniversary gala concert will benefit the landmark Harlem theater.

The Apollo also will present its arts and humanitarian award to Bill Cosby and his wife, Camille. Previous recipients have included Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta; and Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee.

The lineup of performers for the evening include actor/comedian Jamie Foxx, singers Mariah Carey and Anita Baker, and the R&B group O’Jays.

Neeson to star as Zeus in remake of ‘Titans’

LOS ANGELES — Liam Neeson is set to begin work on his first film since the death of wife Natasha Richardson.

Neeson, 56, will play Zeus in a remake of “Clash of the Titans” opposite Ralph Fiennes.

Louis Leterrier will direct the film, which is scheduled to begin production in the United Kingdom later this month.

The original “Clash of the Titans” from 1981 starred Laurence Olivier as Zeus.

This marks the first project for Neeson since Richardson’s death in a skiing accident. The 45-year-old actress died March 18 after falling and hitting her head during a lesson in Quebec on March 16. He signed on to star in the movie before her death.

Colin Powell to appear on ‘Makeover’ show

NEW YORK — Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will appear on prime time to thank a Gulf War veteran who is disabled for his service.

Powell will be shown meeting with former Army combat medic Jeff Cooper and his family as part of an episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” airing in May.

Cooper, of Jamesville, N.C. suffers from multiple sclerosis, immune disorders, a collection of symptoms commonly called Gulf War illness and uses a wheelchair.

Despite his pain, Cooper devotes his time to making sure veterans are recognized and has lobbied to have all vets who served in the Gulf War get a special license plate of recognition.

The Cooper family is shown living in a decaying mobile home with bad electrical wiring, a sinking roof and a rotting wheelchair ramp. The show decides to rebuild their home in just a week.

The Coopers are sent on vacation to Washington, D.C., where they meet with Powell, who presents Cooper with a gift.

The episode, which was taped in March, will air on ABC on May 3.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Charles Napier is 73. Musician Herbie Hancock is 69. Musician John Kay of Steppenwolf is 65. Actor Ed O’Neill (“Married ...With Children”) is 63. Actor Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”) is 62. Talk-show host David Letterman is 62. Singer-actor David Cassidy is 59. Singer Pat Travers is 55. Actor Andy Garcia is 53. Country singer Vince Gill is 52. Singer Art Alexakis of Everclear is 47. Actress Shannen Doherty is 38. Actress Claire Danes is 30. Singer-guitarist Brendon Urie of Panic At The Disco is 22.