Odds & Ends: Roger Waters, John Legend, Beyoncé, George Michael

After successfully convincing Stevie Wonder to call off an appearance at a gala raising funds for the Israeli Defense Force, Roger Waters is now urging Alicia Keys not to play Israel this summer.

Waters says Keys should cancel to make a stand “against racism, colonialism, segregation and apartheid.”

In an open letter posted May 29 on the website for the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, he writes, “I am a fellow musician, my name is Roger Waters, I used to be in a band called Pink Floyd, and, believe it or not, I still work. … Please, Alicia, do not lend your name to give legitimacy to the Israeli government policies of illegal, apartheid, occupation of the homelands of the indigenous people of Palestine.

“Others may try to persuade you that by playing in Israel you may magically effect some change; we know that this is not true, appeasement didn’t work with South Africa and it has not worked in Israel. I know I tried it ten years ago, things have only got worse.”

Keys’ concert is scheduled July 4 in Tel Aviv.

Speaking of Stevie Wonder, he’s going to be at the Opening Night at the Holly Bowl June 22 to induct John Legend into the Los Angeles venue’s Hall of Fame.

The Hollywood Bowl of Fame pays tribute to artists “who, through their talent and effort, have established themselves as true superstars – with appearances on screen, stage, recordings, and at the Bowl – whose contributions to the arts have made them part of the fabric of American culture.”

Along with Legend, this year’s inductees include Patti Austin and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

Proceeds from the annual benefit concert go to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs.  

Tickets are on sale now.

Gucci’s new global campaign has lined up performances from Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Jennifer Lopez and more for Saturday’s “Sound of Change Live” concert at London’s Twickenham Stadium.

The Chime For Change campaign aims to “raise funds and awareness for girls’ and women’s empowerment,” focusing on the key areas of education, health and justice.  

After attending the June 1 show, ticketholders will receive a voucher June 2 to support a project improving the lives of girls and women. If all tickets are sold, at least 120 project in more than 70 nations will be funded, according to Reuters.

Saturday’s lineup also includes Iggy Azalea, John Legend, Laura Pausini, Rita Ora, Haim and Timbaland. Musicians, public figures, activists, film directors and actors will appear as presenters including Madonna, activist Gloria Steinem and Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Reuters reports the four-hour event is being broadcast live to 150 countries. In the United States NBC will air the concert June 2 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

“I have always felt strongly about equal opportunity for women,” said Beyoncé, who is a member of Chime For Change’s founding committee. “Girls have to be taught from early on that they are strong and capable of being anything they want to be. It’s up to us to change the statistics for women around the world. I’m honored to be in the company of women who live fearlessly and set an example for the next generation.”

For more information visit ChimeForChange.org.

George Michael announced May 28 that he had checked out of the hospital after being injured in a May 16 car accident.

A statement on his website says, “We can confirm that George Michael has been discharged from hospital and continues to rest and recuperate. He is well and thanks everyone for all the messages of support.”

His spokeswoman had told the BBC in a statement last week that the singer had suffered “a couple of bumps and bruises to the head.”

The accident, in which Michael was a passenger in a Range Rover, occurred on England’s M1 motorway near St. Albans, Hertfordshire. The BBC reported he was airlifted to a specialist trauma center after being found on the road by paramedics. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.