Odds & Ends: Rolling Stones, Carole King, Radiohead, A$AP Rocky And Asia

The star of Pollstar’s April 6 HotStar is making news today. A$AP Rocky has reportedly pleaded guilty to an attempted grand larceny charge.

TMZ reports that Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was arrested after getting into a dust-up with two men who were taking photos of him while he was arguing with a third man.

Apparently Rocky grabbed one of the men’s cameras, resulting in the larceny charge.

But it could have been worse for the up-and-coming artist. Rocky was originally charged with second degree attempted robbery and assault, but those charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea, according to TMZ, which sez the rapper was sentenced to three days of community service, fined $250 and ordered to stay out of trouble until he goes back to court in February.

Radiohead’s management is denying that guitarist Johnny Greenwood is sitting in a Brazilian hotel while awaiting for the end of the world.

According to London’s Telegraph, Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo recently reported that Greenwood checked into the hotel located 50 miles outside Sao Paulo one month ago to await the Dec. 21 apocalypse as allegedly foretold by the Mayan calendar.

What’s more, the Brazilian newspaper reportedly cites Sao Paulo’s secretary of tourism, Eduardo Coelho de Oliveira, as saying Greenwood would soon be joined by his Radiohead comrades.

As to why Greenwood chose the Hotel Fazenda Catucaba – known for growing its own fruit and vegetables and maintaining its own dairy herd of cows – owner Rengade said “The reason he’s here is to get away.”

Evidently Greenwood plans a long getaway. That is, if the Mayans were wrong and the planet is still in one piece come Dec. 22. Brazilian media reports indicate the guitarist might remain in Brazil for up to eight months and is currently doing volunteer work, “such as teaching music to local residents.”

But Radiohead’s management is calling b.s. on those reports, saying Greenwood isn’t even in Brazil and that everything you’ve just read is bogus.

But you gotta admit, that story would make for a great Radiohead song.

Carole King has another award to add to the shelf. The Library of Congress named the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member as the recipient of the 2013 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

King will receive the price during a luncheon and musical performance in the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium in spring 2013. Past recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

The Rolling Stones have hosted special guests during the band’s “50 and Counting” anniversary run of shows in England and the U.S., and tonight’s gig at the Prudential Center is no exception.

The Stones were joined by past members Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman during the band’s November gigs at the O2 London, and by Mary J. Blige in London Nov. 25 and at the Dec. 8 concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Eric Clapton, Florence Welch and Gary Clark Jr., have also joined the band during its “50 and Counting” concerts.

But the Stones still have two U.S. shows yet to play this year – tonight (Dec. 13) and Dec. 15 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Tonight will be John Mayer’s turn to shine a little light. The Stones announced Mayer’s guest status on the band’s official website today.

But Mayer’s appearance isn’t the only addition to The Rolling Stones’ guest list. The band says Mick Taylor will appear, not only tonight but at Saturday night’s concert as well. Already announced to appear Dec. 15 are Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen and The Black Keys.

The Dec. 15 show will beam around the world as a pay-per-view. Visit RollingStones.com for more information.

A dose of E. coli has forced Asia to cancel its 30th anniversary tour of the U.K.