Odds & Ends: Michael Jackson, Pete Doherty and Who Tribute Performers

Building The Perfect Tribute Lineup

As mentioned above, Bettye Lavette and Jason Isbell have been added to the list of artists and bands performing at the all-star tribute to The Who scheduled for March 2 at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

In addition to Lavette and Isbell, the lineup now includes Bobby McFerrin, Bob Mould, Gaslight Anthem, Matt Nathanson, Sondre Lerche, The Postelles, Gov’t Mule, Living Colour, Robyn Hitchcock, The Smithereens and Mose Allison, whose song “Summertime Blues” became a Who concert standard thanks to the album Live At Leeds.

There’s still no word on whether Pete Townshend or Roger Daltrey will attend. At this time The Who frontman is scheduled to appear as Eric Clapton’s special guest in Tulsa on March 2.

For more information on the tribute to The Who, please click here for the concert’s Web site.

Police Feared Terrorist Attack After 2003 Jackson Arrest

Police were so worried that terrorists might strike after Michael Jackson was arrested on child molestation charges in 2003 that they requested federal aid.

According to documents obtained by the Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request, the Santa Maria Police Department in California asked for FBI involvement following Jackson’s arrest, believing the trial would be a “soft target” for terrorists seeking “worldwide media coverage.”

Although the FBI concluded there was no terrorist threat, it did note a court appearance by The Nation of Islam’s Fruits of Islam security unit. The FBI files also mentioned a “New Black Panther Party” member whose name was not included in the documents.

Click here to read the complete Associated Press article.

Another Day, Another Drug Possession Charge For Pete Doherty

Poor, poor Pete Doherty. No sooner does he leave a Gloucester, England, courtroom after facing charges including driving under the influence, driving without insurance and possession of heroin when he gets popped again for … wait for it … heroin possession!

Doherty appeared in court yesterday, but while passing through courthouse security something described as a plastic bag containing “blue crystals” dropped from his pocket, and police arrested him once again.

Now the troubled singer is charged with possessing heroin. Again. He was released on bail. Again.

But there is a shining light in all of this. While appearing in court yesterday, Doherty was banned from driving for 18 months – a punishment that should make U.K. highways a tad safer for the next year and a half.

Meanwhile, top Brit bookie Paddy Power has made Doherty the 8/11 favorite to be the first celeb arrested on drug charges in 2010. Troubled singer Amy Winehouse is second at 5/1 odds, while her ex hubby Blake Fielder places third at 6/1 odds, according to Click Lancashire. Just click here for more info.