The Police Plot One More U.S. Tour, Then Retirement

The Police reunion tour will make one more trip through North America this summer before the band calls it quits again. As opposed to last year, the group will stick to amphitheaters and arenas without any any stadium or festival stops during the thirty-odd date trek in May and July (with a fifteen date run in Europe sandwiched into June). The band also promises to play U.S. cities that were skipped over when the band first reunited last May. According to sources close to the Police, Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers plan to hang up the handcuffs forever after their run concludes in July. The Police reunion tour is estimated to be one of the top five highest-grossing tours of all-time, with the net profit somewhere in the range of $340 million when all is said and done. Related Stories: Police Tour Named Top Grossing of ‘07 Are The Police Planning a New Album? [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-02-13 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, The Police

Led Zeppelin Announce Reissues, Madonna Collabo Hits the Web, Police Say “Don’t Call It a Reunion”

Led Zeppelin will be putting out three reissues starting with a two-disc best-of collection called Mothership on November 13. A week later, their 1976 concert movie The Song Remains the Same will hit stores as a DVD, as will a repackaged version of its soundtrack bolstered with unreleased material. “Candy Shop,” the alleged first cut of the Madonna/Justin Timberlake/Timbaland super-collaboration, has found its way online. The Spice Girls have expanded their upcoming reunion tour following more than 3 million requests for tickets. The Police have added a fourth night in Toronto to their much discussed tour, though guitarist Andy Summers says the band hasn’t reunited, but come together “more like a new band.” Online punks have started a very DIY rumor: that Fugazi will reunite in September. Photo: Putland/ Retna

Published: 2007-07-28 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup

The Police Announce “Last Ever Concert”

The Police held a press conference in Times Square today to announce its “last ever concert” will be held in New York City this summer. Besides New York mayor Michael Bloomberg mentioning that the show will probably be held indoors, the remainder of the details were kept under wraps. The band also announced a $1 million donation to be directed towards the MillionTreesNYC tree-planting program (the mayor’s line about making “every breath we take cleaner and greener” was met with groans), which will be matched with an additional million in public funds. The concert itself will benefit New York public television. Mayor Bloomberg presented Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers with keys to the city and praised the band for “thirty years of staying at the top of your game” over its “long career.” Anyone with information on what the band was up to between 1986 and 2007 — which only Bloomberg seems to have — is encouraged to contact Rock and Roll Daily posthaste. [Photo: Jason Bergman]

Published: 2008-05-06 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

U2 Talk New “Trance”-Infused Album, Radiohead Halt Freebies December 10th, Pimp C Update

People will “feel the difference” when they hear the new U2 album, Bono tells The Independent. The album will find the Irish rockers taking on trance, metal and Moroccan influences. “Normally when you play a U2 tune, it clears the dance floor. And that may not be true of this. There’s some trance influences,” says Bono, forgetting his band’s own Pop album. “It’s not like anything we’ve ever done before, and we don’t think it sounds like anything anyone else has done either.” According to Bono, guitarist The Edge has “real molten metal” coming from his guitar, and that the band has recorded enough material to fit two CDs. On December 10th, Radiohead will close down InRainbows.com, thus preventing latecomers from downloading their new album for free and/or pay-whatever-you-want. The $80 discbox will still be on sale at merchandiser w.a.s.t.e., but only while supplies last. The physical CD hits stores on December 31st in the UK and January 1st in the States. According to authorities, rapper Pimp C, who was found dead yesterday in his L.A. hotel room, may have died of natural causes. Meanwhile, Lil Flip has recorded the first of what likely will be many of Pimp C tribute tracks. The Police drummer Stewart Copeland has apologized to Chilean president Michelle Bachelet after insinuating that she was less attractive than Argentina’s female president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Copeland also invited Bachelet to the Police’s concert in Santiago. MySpace, looking to stay fresh with Facebook on its tail, has created a new MTV’s Unplugged-like series where they post interviews and performances with artists on their site. First up: James Blunt. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2007-12-06 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup, Radiohead's "In Rainbows"

Are the Police Planning a New Album?

No one could have predicted the Police would have made it this far in their reunion tour without Stewart Copeland severely injuring Sting. If the band can make it the rest of the way without imploding, guitarist Andy Summers is hinting that the trio might have a new album left in them. “I would see it as a challenge, to make an absolutely brilliant pop album at this stage of our career, and that would be something quite remarkable,” Summers told the Associated Press (the band hasn’t released an album of new material since 1983’s Synchronicity). Summers went on to say the trio is more concerned with keeping things on-kilter on the road than exploring the possibility of recording new music, “Right now it is just the tour holding everything together mentally, physically and musically. The tour and the traveling and the playing and the tension you have to keep to do it every night is all-devouring. It is just too much.” So keep your fingers crossed that Copeland can play nice until the tour ends next year. Related Stories: Police Drummer Stewart Copeland Calls Reunion Show “Unbelievably Lame” Bullhorn: Sound Off On the Police Reunion Tour The Police’s First New York Show in Twenty-Four Years: A Trio Playing In Sync

Published: 2007-10-09 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

News Ticker: Abbey Road, Judas Priest, Jay-Z, Frank Lucas Jr.

Mary J. Blige, Panic at the Disco and Sheryl Crow will be among the artists that will perform on the second season of Sundance Channel series Live From Abbey Road. Metal icons Judas Priest will release their sixteenth album, a double-length entitled Nostradamus, on June 17th. The band’s first concept album will tell the story of the legendary sixteenth century prophet Michel de Nostradamus. Jay-Z will join Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine as a headliner at this year’s Roskilde Festival, to be held in July 3-6 in Denmark. Rapper Frank Lucas Jr., son of American Gangster focus Frank Lucas, is suing the NYPD for $25 million, claiming the police used excessive force and racially profiled him during an arrest in March.

Published: 2008-04-16 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup

Radiohead To Play Another London Free Show

Radiohead will perform another free concert on April 1st, this time within the more spacious confines of London’s BBC Radio Theatre. Unlike the band’s last first-come/first-served show in January — when thousands of fans mobbed the streets trying to get wristbands that would grant them access to a venue that was ultimately deemed too tiny by police, forcing it to a larger location — the BBC will give out tickets either by applying by phone or winning them over the airwaves. “You’d be a fool to miss the concert,” said Radio 2 head of music Jeff Smith, making reference to the concert’s scheduling on April Fools Day. The gig will serve as a warm-up for Radiohead before they begin the first leg of their U.S. tour in May. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-03-11 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Radiohead

News Ticker: Akon, Will.i.Am, Jennifer Lopez, Motley Crue

Eight people were arrested at a free Akon show at a Denmark mall on Wednesday after violence erupted when a fire alarm went off. Police were reportedly physically attacked as they tried to evacuate the 3,000 attendees. Will.i.am is working on another pro-Barack Obama track, called “We Are the Ones,” MTV reports. Jessica Alba, George Lopez and others will lend their voices to the song. Jennifer Lopez has given birth to twins, her manager confirmed to People. The boy and girl were born just after midnight this morning. Motley Crue will reportedly release their ninth album on July 8th. The Dirt is the band’s first studio record since 2000, and Crue is expected to begin a world tour after it hits stores. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-02-22 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup

News Ticker: Amy Winehouse, White Stripes, Jimmy Page

British police have interviewed Amy Winehouse in connection with last month’s video of Winehouse smoking what might be a crack pipe. She has not been arrested. A former Canadian radio host is suing the White Stripes over claims the band used a sample from her radio show in their song “De Stijl” without her permission. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru who famously taught the Beatles in the late ’60s, died Tuesday night. He was believed to be 91. Jimmy Page will sell a 24-foot-long tapestry and five stained glass windows at Sotheby’s on March 20th as a part of a British design auction.

Published: 2008-02-06 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup

Rewind: The Week in Rock Daily

Nearly 125,000 people rushed out to buy Britney Spears’ pretty solid new album Blackout this Tuesday. Jesus was not one of them. Axl Rose returned to our stereos, and by extension, our hearts. But we also learned he’s not so fond of constructive criticism. Led Zeppelin is touring the world (says some baseless rumors)! Led Zeppelin is pushing back their reunion show due to a busted finger (says the band)! Some people chuckled when unsuspecting Ozzy Osbourne fans got snagged in a clever but cruel police dragnet. Ozzy was not laughing (about that or illegal downloaders). Several fall festivals came and went, and Rock Daily has the proof: Photo galleries from Vegoose, Voodoo and the Bridge School Benefit.

Published: 2007-11-03 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Photo Gallery: The Police From the Inside

Our informal assessment: On top of being guitarist for the Police, a former member of the Animals and a surprisingly good writer, Andy Summers is also a pretty damned talented photographer. We caught up with Summers at New York’s Milk Gallery yesterday, where his photo exhibit “I’ll Be Watching You: Inside The Police 1980-1983″ — featuring lots of disarming black-and-white shots of the band at rest and backstage — is being displayed. When the Police reformed earlier this year for a world tour Summers brought his camera along for the ride, which may lead to a second collection. Click here to see a selection of shots from the exhibit, along with commentary from Summers himself.

Published: 2007-10-31 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Smiths Fans Ride Bikes To Save Manchester Landmark

Manchester’s loyal Smiths fans are coming to the rescue of the Salford Lad’s Club, which is featured on the cover of the Smith’s 1986 opus The Queen is Dead. The club is currently undergoing an expensive renovation, which has been threatened by a band of (neither sweet nor tender) hooligans who made off with expensive roofing materials. When word spread that the renovation might not proceed as a result, local fans decided to organize a bike tour of iconic Smiths-related Manchester area spots in order to raise awareness of the club’s plight and inspire people to contribute money for replacement materials. The bike ride is scheduled for September 30, pending police approval.

Published: 2007-08-07 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

The Ten Best Shows This Weekend

Yes, it’s the first official weekend of summer, which means there’s plenty of rock shows to go see. Here are the ten across the country you shouldn’t miss: LOS ANGELES Saturday: The Police, Foo Fighters and Fiction Plane at Dodger Stadium. NEW YORK Saturday: Jefferson Starship at the Whitney Museum CHICAGO Friday: Rick Springfield at the House of Blues Saturday: Piebald, Manchester Orchestra, Kaskade, The Snake The Cross The Crown at Metro NASHVILLE Friday: The Black Keys at City Hall SAN FRANCISCO Sunday: John Butler Trio at The Fillmore DENVER Friday: Les Claypool and Two Gallants at the Ogden Theatre Saturday: Elvis Perkins at Paramount Theatre ATLANTA Saturday: Steve Miller Band at Chastain Park BOSTON Sunday: Manu Chao at the Avalon Photo: Gentner/Getty

Published: 2007-06-22 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News

Tom Morello Welcomes Slash, Perry Farrell, Flea at All-Star “Justice Tour” Stop

Tom Morello kicked off his seven-city “Justice Tour” last night by calling every able-bodied rock legend in Los Angeles for a surreal night of music and social awareness at the Troubadour. “This is what happens when I go through my Blackberry,” Morello joked to the crowd before Stuart Copeland snuck behind the drums and Perry Farrell grabbed the mike for a thundering version of the Police’s “Message in a Bottle” just twenty minutes into the evening. It was the start of a marathon night that would showcase unforgettable collaborations by rock royalty for more than three and half hours. The concert featured early acoustic performances by Morello, Pete Yorn, Jerry Cantrell and the MC5’s Wayne Kramer. Morello — acting as master of ceremonies and orchestrating the chaos — then brought out what would serve as the nucleus of the evening’s house band: Travis Barker on drums, Flea playing bass and a rotating lineup of Steve Vai, Slash, Dave Navarro and Morello sharing guitar duties. The dream team backed up Cantrell for a version of Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” and rocked out covers such as Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” Throughout the evening Morello spoke about the tour’s goal of promoting local social activism and tackling problems endemic to each host city. While the activism is integral to the tour, Morello is quick to point out that the mood is celebratory and he views each night as “a freedom party.” Sen Dog and B-Real of Cypress Hill didn’t need any help celebrating as they arrived onstage (joint in hand) to knock out “Insane in the Brain” and “Rock Superstar.” Morello closed out the show with a poignant rendition of the Woody Guthrie classic “This Land is Your Land” (like he did at SXSW) that had every voice in the packed club singing backup. [Photos: Shinn/Retna]

Published: 2008-04-16 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Live Shows

Winehouse Video May Lead to Legal Trouble, Ringo Walks Out on “Regis,” Britney Battles for Custody and More

English police say they will “assess” the video of Amy Winehouse allegedly smoking a crack pipe to “ascertain whether any action needs to be taken.” Meanwhile, fans have bombarded Winehouse’s MySpace page to support the singer and encourage her to get help. Snoop Dogg has announced his sixth annual Snoop Bowl, which will feature his youth football team and take place February 2nd (the day before the Super Bowl) in Chandler, AZ. Ringo Starr abruptly cancelled an appearance on “Live with Regis and Kelly” yesterday morning after being told his performance had to be under three minutes. Starr’s rep said a miscommunication led to last-minute notice that his song, originally four minutes and fifteen seconds, had to be shortened. After offering deposition Monday, Britney Spears is due back in court today to fight for visitation rights with her two sons, TMZ reports. Spears lost custody earlier this month after failing to show up at court. The side project of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, Pinhead Gunpowder, has scheduled its first performances in seven years, MTV reports. The band will play February 3rd at the Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA and February 4th at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. [Photo: Getty]

Published: 2008-01-23 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup

Jay-Z & Winehouse Glastonbury Rumors, Morrissey to Package “Greatest” With Live EP, The Game Goes To Trial and More

The whispers about the headliner at this year’s Glastonbury Festival continue, as Jay-Z is now rumored to have the slot locked up. Organizer Michael Eavis hinted that a New York rapper would get top billing. Up until the “New York” statement, it was assumed that Kanye West would get the call, but then again maybe Eavis doesn’t know his U.S. geography. Eavis also hinted about “a great British female artist that’s going to support him,” leading to speculation that Amy Winehouse will take the festival stage as well. To entice fans into buying his Greatest Hits, Morrissey will bundle a eight-song live CD titled Live At the Hollywood Bowl for a limited-edition run. Morrissey is also recruiting fans to show off their Moz-inspired tattoos and graffiti to appear in advertisements plugging the album. West coast rapper The Game will go to trial starting February 4th to face gun charges stemming from a weapons-related incident that occurred during a basketball game at a youth recreation center. Kevin Baxter, drummer for British “folk metal” band Skyclad and late-nineties rockers 3 Colours Red, passed away last week from liver failure. He was thirty-six. An associate of Tony Yayo named Lawell Fletcher admitted to NYPD that it was he, and not Tony Yayo, who slapped the fourteen-year-old son of a rival music executive. Fletcher was positively identified by the victim in a police line-up.

Published: 2008-01-10 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Afternoon News Roundup