News …

$30 million for 30 nights of Michael Jackson? – Fox News

Google to enter China’s online music biz – Reuters

Sudbury, Ontario, mayor apologizes for letting city council members buy “so many” tickets for Elton John concert – The Sudbury Star

European Union considering boosting life of copyright for performing artists to 95 years – International Herald Tribune / Reuters

The Cheetah Girls and “Hollywood accounting” – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Judge orders Paul McCartney and Heather Mills to keep their mouths shut about ongoing divorce negotiations – The Times Online U.K.

Views …

Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings – “It was all good, faultlessly played foot-tapping stuff” – Evening Post / This Is Nottingham.co.uk

Blue Rodeo in London, Ontario – “Blue Rodeo massages us with ageless songs and a brand of music that has stood the test of time as the group continues producing hits in their 25th year together.” – The London Free Press

Babyshambles in Scotland – “While Doherty may have garnered headlines for his off-stage antics, as a live performer he still has a captivating presence” – Glasgow Evening Times

John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett in Toronto – “they delighted an audience that clearly hung on every nuance of their intimate exchanges, on Lovett’s elegant finger work and polished vignettes and on Hiatt’s throbbing, complex R&B-drenched strumming and howling, guttural voice” – Toronto Star

Linkin Park in the Twin Cities – “So much for the rumors that Linkin Park has mellowed out.” – Minneapolis – St. Paul Star Tribune (registration may be required)

Tom Jones in El Paso – “Jones, filling the place with the rich, booming baritone voice he’s famous for, belted out hit after hit from his vast repertoire of music.” – El Paso Times

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Razzy Bailey is 69

Maceo Parker is 65

Teller (Penn & Teller) is 60

Dwayne Wiggins (Tony! Toni! Tone’!) is 47

Ricky Wolking (The Nixons) is 42

Kevin Baldes (Lit) is 36

Rob Thomas (matchbox twenty) is 36