News …

RNC parties turn into charity events – Minnesota Public Radio

London museum buys Rolling Stones’ “lip” logo for $92,500 – Associated Press

Johnny Rotten turns his back on disrespect – The Times Online U.K.

Nokia taking its “Comes With Music” / free music promotion to Britain – Reuters

HD Radio still trying to find an audience – Baltimore Sun

Reliving those crazy, hazy ’80s days of Duran Duran – Daily Mail U.K.

Views …

Gomez in the U.K. – “This was a strong band, one which took to the stage as a group, and performed as an equal collective, bouncing off each other with a natural ease.” The Evening Chronicle / Chronicle U.K.

Bonnie Raitt at Britt Festival – “Some musicians are musician’s musicians, others are stars. Raitt is both. It’s weird now to remember that she spent almost two decades toiling as a semi-famous blueswoman before she broke through to mainstream stardom.” – Mail Tribune

LL Cool J in Richmond, Virginia – “In his baggy jeans, purple T-shirt, shades and that omnipresent Yankees baseball cap, LL belied his 40 years of age, his fitness as impressive as his tireless performing.” – Richmond Times-Dispatch / InRich.com

The Chemical Brothers in London – “Wearing the uniform of the modern sound boffin -jeans, T-shirts and trainers – and unlit for the whole of the performance, they could hardly have presented a more united and anonymous front.” – The Times Online U.K.

Oasis in Edmonton – “For their first Edmonton appearance, the lads delivered a fantastic rock ‘n’ roll show for 11,400 fans.” – Edmonton Sun

Nine Inch Nails in Louisville – “Reznor was full of many surprises last night.” – Lexington Herald-Leader / Kentucky.com

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

Horace Silver is 80

Sam Gooden (The Impressions) is 69

Jimmy Clanton is 68

Joe Simon is 65

Rosalind Ashford (Martha & The Vandellas) is 65

Jerry Augustyniak (10,000 Maniacs) is 50

Paul Deakin (The Mavericks) is 49

K-Ci (K-Ci & Jojo) is 39

Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit) is 31

Spencer Smith (Panic at the Disco) is 21