News …

Last night at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Looking back to the night the King of Rock & Roll reclaimed his crown – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

It’s true! Music critics love albums people hate – The Times Online U.K.

Catching up with Ben Vaughn – Philadelphia Weekly

Jimmy Buffett fans tailgate for charity – Sulphur Springs News-Telegram

Scam rips off Aussie mothers and concert goers – The Australian IT

Views …

Elton John in Newark – “With a large diamond-encrusted cross hanging from his neck, John pored through his songbook, giving his fans a guided tour through his career. ” – The News Journal / Delaware Online

Michael Buble in Memphis – “In the age of MTV, Bublé, just 32 years old, has built an unlikely chart-topping career on the shoulders of classic jazz vocalists like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.” – Memphis Commercial Appeal

Jill Scott in Boston – ” …held a sold-out crowd in thrall for more than two hours, showing off not only her poetic flair and jazzy inflections but also her expert comic timing and hard-won truths.” – The Boston Globe

Larry Carlton and Robben Ford in Seattle – “Just a couple of plugged-in pickers trading hot and sweet licks.” – The Seattle Times

The Breeders In Toronto – “The sober and drug-free Deal sisters haven’t sounded this together since Last Splash shot them into the main-stream in the early 1990s.” – The National Post

Dubai Desert Rock Festival with Velvet Revolver, Korn and Muse – “Music doesn’t get much louder and hotter than this.” – Bloomberg News

Keith Jarrett in San Francisco – “The 62-year-old Pennsylvania native ranks among the greatest pianists, improvisers and small-combo band-leaders in jazz history.” – San Jose Mercury News (registration may be required)

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

Flaco Jimenez is 69

Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge) is 61

Bobby McFerrin is 58

Jimmy Fortune (The Statler Brothers) is 53

Nina Hagen is 53

Cheryl Lynn is 51

Lisa Loeb is 40

Pete Droge is 39

Rami Jaffee (The Wallflowers) is 39

Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte are 29

LeToya Luckett (Destiny’s Child) is 27