newsmakers
newsmakers
The Band’s Helm in ‘final stages’ of cancer
WOODSTOCK, N.Y.
Levon Helm, a former member of The Band, is in the final stages of his long battle with cancer.
A message posted Tuesday on the 71-year-old musician’s website by his family says “Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer.”
Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, and the illness reduced his voice to a whisper. But he still continued to sing on albums and at rollicking concerts at his Woodstock home.
Helm was a key member of The Band and lent his distinctive Southern voice to classics such as “The Weight” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”
Original members of The Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Guitars stolen from Petty and band found
CULVER CITY, Calif.
It was a heartbreaker for Tom Petty and the band when someone stole five of their precious guitars from a soundstage, but it was music to their ears when police in Southern California announced Tuesday that the instruments had been recovered.
One person was arrested in the theft, police Lt. Ron Iizuka said. He declined to provide other details pending an afternoon press conference.
A message seeking comment from the band’s publicist, Jim Merlis, was not immediately returned.
The instruments were reported stolen last Thursday from The Culver Studios, a sprawling complex of soundstages west of downtown Los Angeles where Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had been rehearsing for an upcoming tour.
The instruments were Petty’s blond 1967 maple 12-string Rickenbacker and his Gibson SGTV Junior, Mike Campbell’s blue Dusenberg, Ron Blair’s Fender Broadcaster and Scott Thurston’s 1967 Epiphone Sheridan.
On its website, the band offered a “no questions asked” $7,500 reward for information leading to the return of the instruments.
Their return comes as the band prepared to kick off their tour today in Broomfield, Colo.
The band is known for a string of hit singles, including “American Girl”, “Don’t Do Me Like That” and “Breakdown.”
Jonas records ‘How to Succeed’ cast album
NEW YORK
Nick Jonas has turned his gig on Broadway in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” into a mini-album.
Producers of the show said Tuesday a five-song EP will be released May 8 featuring the youngest of the three heartthrob Jonas Brothers singer-songwriting siblings.
Jonas currently is playing amoral corporate climber J. Pierrepont Finch, having taken over the part from Darren Criss of Fox’s hit show “Glee,” who briefly assumed the role from Daniel Radcliffe.
Jones postpones shows due to health
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
George Jones needs more time to recover from a recent upper-respiratory infection.
The 80-year-old country music singer is postponing his upcoming shows Friday and Saturday in Minnesota and South Dakota. A statement from Jones’ publicist, Kirt Webster, says doctors have advised Jones to continue resting at his Tennessee home for another week. The shows will be rescheduled.
Associated Press