News …

Five things no one knew about R. Kelly. Until now – The Chicago Tribune

Record labels look forward to a summer of big album releases – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Judge vacates $1.5 million lawsuit judgement against DMX, saying the rapper wasn’t properly served papers – Chicago Sun-Times / Associated Press

Trey Anastasio gets probation for 2006 painkillers without prescription case – Associated Press

Jimmy Page’s daughter, Scarlet, definitely “gets the picture” – The Independent U.K.

Riding the bus with Paul Weller – The Times Online U.K.

Views …

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss in London – “What the pair of them have cooked up is a glorious mish-mash of American and British roots music of every persuasion.” – The Evening Standard U.K.

The Police in Dallas – ” … Sting probably could have sung the ingredients on a candy-bar wrapper and had complete audience control, but he and his bandmates weren’t coasting.” – Fort Worth Star Telegram

The Hives in Calgary – “Leave it to the Swedes to remind us that rock music, at its most primal, is a fist-pumping, high-fiving, beer-guzzling celebration of life.” – Calgary Herald

Kanye West in Detroit – “Kanye West doesn’t need to be told how good he is, but we’re going to go ahead and talk about it anyway. ” – The Detroit News

William Parker in Santa Cruz – “William Parker plays the bass the way Charles Mingus played the bass, or the way Charlie Haden plays the bass: He sets up a burly pulse and is always ready to shift gears.” – San Jose Mercury News

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

General Johnson (Chairmen of the Board) is 65

Judy Rodman is 76

Luka Bloom is 53

Drew Carey is 50

Phil Selway (Radiohead) is 41

Matt Flynn (Maroon 5) is 38

Brian McComas is 36

Maxwell is 35

Jewel is 34