Link-O-Rama …

For some artists it’s either Wal-Mart or No-Mart – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Mainstream retailers giving vinyl a second chance – Associated Press

Just when you thought Amy Winehouse couldn’t possibly get into any more trouble … – News Of The World U.K.

Warnings about overexposure to loud music fall on, er, deaf ears – The Sydney Morning Herald / AAP

Alabama sues drummer for overpaid wages – Associated Press

Prince turned 50 on Saturday. Check out this pictorial tribute from The Guardian U.K.

Dates, Dates & More Dates …

You won’t find many bands capable of satisfying that polka / rock craving like Brave Combo does. New dates for The Combo include July 5 in Taos, NM; July 16 in Columbus, OH; August 1 in Somerville, MA; August 15 in Tulsa, OK; and October 5 in Memphis, TN.

We just posted lots of new July listings for Lifehouse. New dates on the schedule include July 4 in Itasca, IL; July 5 in Milwaukee, WI; and August 1 in Plymouth, MA. The band also plays a date in Manila, Philippines, on July 26.

The Finnish metal / cello band known as Apocalyptica adds December shows to their U.K. tour plans. New dates include December 4 in Nottingham, December 5 in Wolverhampton and December 10 in Portsmouth.

And we have a couple of new ones for The Hold Steady – August 7 in Baton Rouge, LA, at Chelsea’s, and August 14 in Washington, DC, at the 9:30 Club.

During the past couple of hours we also tweaked the schedules for The Locust, Saving Abel, Rush, Roller, Titus Andronicus, Zappa Plays Zappa, The Bo-Keys, Shinedown, UB40, Y & T and Toshi Reagon.

That’s the story so far at the halfway mark, and we’re expecting all kinds of Monday afternoon fun as we move intof the second half of what’s shaping up to be a beautiful day in concert data. Don’t miss Your Latest Update, scheduled for around 3 pm (PDT), from Pollstar.com!

This Day In Music History … (from Associated Press)

In 1969, guitarist Brian Jones said he was leaving The Rolling Stones because he said he no longer saw eye-to-eye with the band’s other members. He was replaced within a week by Mick Taylor, formerly with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Jones announced he’d form his own band, but was found dead less than a month later – on July 3rd, 1969 – in the swimming pool at his home. The coroner’s verdict was death by misadventure.

In 1970, Bob Dylan received an honorary doctorate of music degree from Princeton University. He was reported to be “very nervous and hesitant, and seemed appropriately out of place.”

In 1972, Bruce Springsteen signed a 10-album contract with Columbia Records. His first LP, Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey, appeared the following January.

In 1977, George Harrison divorced Patti Boyd after 11 years of marriage. Both later remarried – Boyd to Harrison’s close friend Eric Clapton.

In 1992, entertainer Ben Vereen was critically injured when struck by a car driven by Canadian-born producer and composer David Foster near Los Angeles. Vereen was walking along the Pacific Coast Highway when he was hit. No charges were filed against Foster. Vereen had crashed his car into a tree six hours earlier but passed sobriety tests. He recovered from his injuries and resumed his career.