Odds & Ends: Possible Who Tribute, Gathering Of The Vibes and Little Richard

An all-star tribute to The Who is apparently being planned for March in NYC. Meanwhile, announces hotel deals and Little Richard asks for your prayers.

Details are sketchy about a tribute to The Who scheduled to take place March 2nd at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The venue’s Web site lists the event as “The Music Of The Who” and notes “artists to be announced.”

However, a Pollstar.com reader active in the East Coast music scene e-mailed us today, saying he was at a Smithereens gig over the weekend where the band played several Who songs.

Photo: Owen Sweeney III / Baltimoremusic.org
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.

Our source also tells us Pat DiNizio said The Smithereens are one of 20 or so bands and artists scheduled for the tribute and that Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend would attend the show.

Click here for the Carnegie Hall Web site

Shall We Gather Up The Vibes?

You can never plan too early for the next Gathering of the Vibes. The four-day festival founded in 1996 as a celebration of The Grateful Dead returns to Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Conn., July 29 through Aug. 1.

A limited number of early bird weekend passes go on sale this Friday for $135. Borrowing a page from the retail world that refers to the day after Thanksgiving as “Black Friday,” the festival has dubbed this Friday “Tie-Dye Friday” and says the passes are “in time for a distinctive holiday gift.”

Photo: Adam McCullough / Gathering Of The Vibes
Gathering of The Vibes, Seaside Park Bridgeport, Conn.

The festival has also made an arrangement with the Ramada Inn of Stratford, Conn., to offer rooms with one king-size bed or two double beds for $60 a night. Shuttle bus service will be provided to transport fans from the Ramada to the festival.

For more information on Gathering of the Vibes, please click here for the festival’s Web site.

Little Richard Wants Your Prayers

Rock ‘n’ roll legend Little Richard has put the word out to fans, asking them to pray for his speedy recovery from hip surgery.

Richard, whose real name is Richard Wayne Penniman, should know a little about prayers. Along with being an early rock pioneer, the 76-year-old artist is also an evangelical minister.

Photo: AP Photo
New Orleans Arena, La.

A buddy of Richard – The Rev. Bill Minson – says the performer asked him to tell fans “to get ready to rock ‘n’ roll with him in the new year because he’s coming back strong.

One Final Note

Someone pointed out to us that it’s been way too long since we’ve posted the embedded video code depicting The Muppets performing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Oh, well. Better late than never.