Chuck D is down with
Napster. In an April 29 column in the New York Times,
the MP3-cheerleading rapper claims that Napster and similar
companies are "creating new fan interest and establishing a
new infrastructure for unknown artists to attract an
audience." Mista Chuck plans to issue a more thorough
statement on his Napster stance in an upcoming issue of
"Terrordome," his newsletter on www.public-enemy.com.
Meanwhile, D's Rapstation.com has joined Napster for a
songwriting contest. The gist of the contest is that aspiring
writers must write a set of lyrics on the topic of Napster
support to the tune of Chuck D's "Power to the People and the
Beats." Contestants must download the music to the track, rap
over it and then load it onto Rapstation.com. Entries
must be received by May 14 at midnight (EST) and online voting
will determine the winner, to be announced on May 26. The
winning track will receive free MP3 posting and a cool five
grand . . .
SUGAR RAY's MARK MCGRATH trades in his rocker
duds for scrubs when he takes on a guest role on NBC's
top-rated series ER. McGrath has already filmed his
part as Dr. Nadio, and the episode looks to air during sweeps
on May 11. Two days later, McGrath meets up with his band at
KIIS FM's Wango-Tango concert at Dodgers' Stadium in Los
Angeles, joining Marc Anthony, 'N Sync, and Enrique Iglesias
on May 13 . . .
JOHN LEE HOOKER cancelled his first visit to Europe
in ten years for medical reasons. The eighty-two-year-old
bluesman was scheduled to perform at the Bishopstock Festival
in Devon, England, on May 29, but his doctors cautioned
against it when they found a vascular condition that may
require surgery. "It is a significant problem, but with an
operation he could be better than he was before," explained
Hooker's manager, Mike Kappas. "It's not a cancer situation,
not a heart situation. But it is a vascular situation which
means it has to do with his veins, his blood vessels." The
Hook could undergo surgery as early as this week. So far he
has canceled dates for the next two months, but Kappas said
that he would likely return to the stage by mid-year . . .
GAVIN ROSSDALE seems to be suffering no ill effects
after passing out on stage in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on April
13. After a battery of tests, it was determined that he was
suffering from an electrolyte imbalance -- something he's
vowed to rectify. In an interview with the British press, the
BUSH frontman sheepishly admitted that there was
something in the water in Michigan -- Vodka. "I just lost a
little bit of fluids and carbohydrates. Dehydration and
electrolyte loss, all that stuff," he said. "It was a little
strange, but I didn't slow down at all. I haven't had a chance
to. But I did learn to eat a little better, and rest a little
more. Vodka and water doesn't replace salts in the body." . .
.
It looks like a HEART revival is in the making.
Sofia Coppola tapped the two Wilson sister tracks for her
Virgin Suicides and VH1 is currently developing a movie
about the Seattle band. And Sony execs will meet with Ann and
Nancy later this week to begin talks about putting together a
box set of Heart's biggest hits. According to Sony Legacy's
Randy Haecker, the Wilsons haven't even started going through
the vaults, but did promise that the package -- which will
contain three CDs -- will include some never released stuff
(B-sides, outtakes and live performances) from the
Seattle-based band: "That's why we're going to meet with them,
to decide what we're exactly going to put on the discs,"
Haecker says. The set is tentatively scheduled for release
this September . . .
After complaints from both SARAH MCLACHLAN and
CHERYL WHEELER, Jefferson County, Colo., officials have
removed the soundtrack from a videotape documenting the
Columbine High School massacre. Though the tapes will still be
made available to the public for a fee of $25, they will no
longer include McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" or Wheeler's
"If It Were Up to Me." "We have not violated any copyright
laws," Jefferson County attorney Frank Hutfless said in a
statement released Friday. "I feel that we would have a very
strong case if we were forced to go to court to defend alleged
copyright violations. However, to avoid any unnecessary legal
wrangling, we will remove the [songs] . . . We regret any
anguish that has been caused to the victims and their families
and to the community." Authorities also plan to exchange
soundtrack versions with soundless ones at the request of
those who have purchased the videotape. More than 100 copies
of the tape have already been sold . . .
ANDREW DANSBY, CHRISTINA SARACENO, JAAN UHELSZKI, JENNIFER
VINEYARD
(May 2, 2000)
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