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Michael Jackson Plotting London Comeback Concerts?

Photo: COP/FilmMagic Michael Jackson comeback rumors pop up monthly like clockwork, but the buzz on today’s stories on possible MJ concerts is a bit louder than usual. Billboard is reporting that Jackson may appear at a news conference at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday, March 5th, to announce a run of shows there. Guess those other Jackson rumors about the pop star’s impending death were a little premature. From what we can gather, the Jacko rumors started when paparazzi put a video camera in front of designer Christian Audigier, who was filmed earlier in the night walking with Jackson. The designer opened up about the fact he had just designed an outfit for Jackson. “He is going on tour in July, so he’s going to be… for three months, maybe more, and it’s going to be a big comeback,” Audigier told Hollywood.tv. “He’s traveling to U.K., London, on Monday. He’s going to be, on Thursday, doing the press conference…” Audigier is one of a small number of people who can draw Jackson out into public; MJ was photographed at the Ed Hardy boss’ 50th birthday party last May. Jackson hasn’t performed in London since the 2006 World Music Awards, when he sang a few lines of his hit “We Are the World.” If there’s anyone in need of a comeback, and perhaps the millions of dollars that would come with it, it’s Jackson. It’s been a rough few years for Jackson’s accounting department, as the singer saw his ever-growing debt shuffled around, was forced to auction memorabilia and countless other artifacts he’d acquired over the years and finally said goodbye to his Neverland Ranch. There were also those Jackson 5 reunion rumors that were obviously false and that report that Jackson was close to death, which would be proven false if this run of concerts at the O2 Arena do in fact happen. We’ll find out Thursday. Related Stories: • Biographer Claims Michael Jackson Seriously Ill, MJ’s Reps Deny It • Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Is Broadway Bound • Michael Jackson at 50: His Four-Decade C

Published: 2009-03-03
Provider: Rolling Stone
Keywords: Rock News

Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Billy Powell Dead at 56

Photo: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Billy Powell, the only keyboardist Lynyrd Skynyrd ever had, died last night at his home near Jacksonville, Florida. He was 56. No cause of death has been announced, and a post on the official Synyrd Website reads, “A Great Loss — Beloved Pianist for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, Billy Powell, passed away last night. We will post more info shortly. The family and band request your respect and understanding during this difficult time. Thank you.” The band is canceling upcoming shows and directing fans to its Website for tour updates. Powell first joined Skynyrd in 1973 after serving as the band’s roadie for a year. His keyboard work features prominently on the band’s debut (pronounced ‘leh-’nerd ’skin-’nerd), with Powell credited for crafting the intro for their epic anthem “Free Bird” (Number 191 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All Time). After impressing Ronnie Van Zant with his work on the song, Powell was officially invited to join the band, and remained a member from their debut album until 1977’s Street Survivors. Powell survived the 1977 plane crash that took the lives of singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines and other crew members. Despite suffering injuries including facial lacerations and nearly losing his nose, Powell was the first to be discharged from the hospital and was the only member to attend his bandmates’ funerals. After Skynyrd, Powell joined the Christian rock band Vision, but reunited with Skynyrd after a decade-long hiatus for some concerts in 1989, and ultimately remained with the band until now. In May, Skynyrd played their first-ever gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden with Kid Rock. Powell and the rest of his Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. With Powell’s death, guitarist Gary Rossington becomes the lone surviving original Skynyrd member touring with the band. Related Stories: • Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington on

Published: 2009-01-28
Provider: Rolling Stone
Keywords: Rock News