Odds & Ends: E Street, Axl Rose, Bieber & Timberlake

With Steven Van Zandt busy with film commitments, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band have once again called Tom Morello to temporarily lend his talents to the band. According to the Brisbane Times, the Rage Against the Machine guitarist is filling in on the Australian tour, which kicked off March 14 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall and closes with two nights March 30-31 in Woodend.

Morello, along with Eddie Vedder, previously appeared with E Street at the band’s Wrigley Field shows in Chicago last September. Morello also joined the band earlier in 2012 on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

When Axl Rose threw his cordless microphone into the crowd, it hit Darren Wright in the mouth, cutting his lip and damaging his two front teeth, according to the West Australian. One tooth was chipped and the other “lost a chunk, painfully exposing the nerve.”  

Wright told the newspaper that when the microphone hit him, he initially didn’t realize what was going on and thought he had been punched. Since the show he’s contacted a law firm to start proceedings against Axl, as well as a dentist, who told him the dental work will take months and cost a minimum of $5000 (U.S. $5,192).

Tour promoter Andrew McManus reportedly contacted the fan, leaving a message on his cell phone apologizing and offering to make it up to him by giving Wright a microphone signed by Axl.

“In reality I don’t think the microphone is going to fix my teeth or pay for the dentist,” Wright told the West Australian. “I’m a father of four on a single income doing it hard in Perth.”

After Justin Bieber’s worst week ever he says he wants fans to know firsthand how he feels “rather than having these [stories in the press] linger.”

The 19-year-old star posted a long statement on Instagram today (which was also posted to Twitter), starting off by saying that although his team says he should “keep the press happy” he’s had enough of “all the countless lies” the media is reporting.  

“Saying I’m going to rehab and how my family is disappointed in me. My family is beyond proud … And rehab, c’mon. if Anyone believes i need rehab thats their own stupidity lol”

Maybe his haters are just jealous? Bieber added that he’s only 19 but he’s racked up five number one albums and seen the whole world.

“I’m 19 and it must be scary to some people to think that this is just the beginning. I know my talent level and i know i got my head on straight. i know who i am and i know who I’m not.”

To read Bieber’s full statement click here.

According to Rolling Stone, Bieber posted an earlier version of the statement (which has since been deleted) that ended with, “And to those comparing me to Lindsay Lohan, look at her 2012 tax statements ;)”

And just for fun, check out the video below of not one, not two – but three Michael McDonalds, featuring Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon and the former Doobie Brothers singer himself singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”