NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Rock hall of fame honors Chuck Berry

CLEVELAND

Still rockin’ at 86, music legend Chuck Berry promised a comeback Saturday with six new songs, some written 16 years ago.

“And as soon as I can get someone to guide me — and I do know a little about the business — I want to push them out,” he told reporters at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which honored him with an award and tribute concert.

Berry, a rock pioneer with early hits that included “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Johnny B. Goode,” wouldn’t tip his hand in detail about the new songs.

The lineup for Saturday night’s tribute concert honoring Berry at the State Theater included Ernie Isley and Darryl DMC McDaniels, Joe Bonamassa, Rick Derringer, Rosie Flores, John Fullbright, David Johansen, Ronnie Hawkins, Steve Jordan and Merle Haggard.

To mark the American Music Masters award presentation, the rock hall has mounted an exhibit with items including Berry’s stage clothes, a guitar and his 1958 Chess Records recording contract.

Berry, the museum’s first inductee in 1986, called the award and enshrinement in the rock hall a great honor. “You can’t get any higher in my profession than this building or this reason for this building,” he said.

Billy Idol plays fan’s birthday party

SEATTLE

A Seattle man says that having Billy Idol play his 26th birthday party made for the greatest night of his life.

Michael Henrichsen spent two years persuading the British rock icon to play his party, and it paid off Friday at the packed Showbox SoDo club.

Idol guitarist Steve Stevens played him “Happy Birthday” in the middle of a solo. Then Idol called Henrichsen onto the stage for a rendition of the song.

Henrichsen’s ’80s cover band opened for the show.

Idol says Henrichsen’s effort stood out from other fan requests because his campaign involved four “Billy Idol Aid” charity concerts that raised $13,000 for the Northwest Harvest food bank and the American Red Cross.

Lil Wayne out of hospital, thanks fans

NEW YORK

Lil Wayne is thanking fans who prayed for him while he was hospitalized after a severe migraine and dehydration.

The rapper’s management team says he’s on “mandated rest.” The Blueprint Group said Friday he was released from the hospital treatment and will return to work soon. It says the New Orleans-based rapper appreciates his fans’ support and love.

Lil Wayne tweeted Saturday he’s “good.” He says, “Thanx for all the prayers!”

The 30-year-old multi-platinum performer is working on a follow-up to his last album, last year’s “Tha Carter IV.”

Associated Press