News …

Elton John a Broadway hitmaker? Even Elton’s having trouble wrapping his brain around that one – Associated Press

Friends rush to defend Paula Goodspeed, the Paula Abdul fan who police believe committed suicide near the “American Idol” judge’s home – New York Daily News

Looking for personal financing tips? Maybe AC/DC can help you – SavingAdvice.com

How classy is Sarah Brightman? Classy enough to appear in a horror flick – Tampa Tribune

Uh? Bob Geldof charged $100,000 to give talk on poverty? What’s up with that? – The Advertiser / AdelaideNow

Catching up with Dido – The Sydney Morning Herald

Views …

AC/DC in NYC – “It was all, of course, glorious, in the way most uncomplicated pleasures are.” – The New York Times(registration may be required)

Girl Talk in Urbana, Illinois – “Girl Talk has a style unlike any other DJ, and can appeal to anyone and everyone.” – Daily Eastern News

Andre Rieu in Melbourne – “The flying Dutch musician and his $11 million Stradivarius violin led a dazzling, romantic show.” – Melbourne Herald Sun

Cliff Richard in Lonon – “Love him or loathe him, there is no denying the awesome staying power of Sir Cliff.” – The Times Online U.K.

Sarah Brightman in Dallas – “Her shows are elegant banquets for the ears, the eyes and the mind.” – The Dallas Morning News

Dolly Parton in Winnipeg – “moseyed right on in to our little ol’ hockey barn and she just swept us right off our feet with her li’l Backwoods Barbie tour.” – Winnipeg Free Press

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

Ellis Marsalis is 74

Buckwheat Zydeco is 61

James Young (Styx) is 59

Stephen Bishop is 57

Anson Funderburgh is 54

Yanni is 54

Reverend Run (Run-DMC) is 44

Nic Dalton is 44

Rockie Lynne is 44

Jeanette Jurado (Expose) is 43

Brian Yale is 40 (matchbox twenty)

Butch Walker is 39

Travis Barker is 33

Robby Shaffer is 33

Shyheim is 31

Tobin Esperance (Papa Roach) is 29