Odds & Ends: Neil Young, ZZ Top, Kings Of Leon, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies

Neil and Pegi Young are splitting up after 36 years of marriage.   

Rolling Stone reports that Young filed a petition for dissolution of marriage July 29 in the couple’s hometown of San Mateo, Calif.

The couple’s love story is chronicled in several of Young’s songs. The 1992 tune “Unknown Legend” describes how they met when she was working as a waitress in a diner.

After singing backup for Neil at 1994’s Academy Awards, Pegi pursued a career of her own and Neil has returned the favor by accompanying her on guitar on tour.

The Youngs co-founded the Bridge School, which helps educate children with severe speech and physical impairments, after their son was born with cerebral palsy. All proceeds from the annual acoustic Bridge School Benefit concerts go to the non-profit organization.

Rolling Stone points out that although the Youngs were both scheduled to play Farm Aid Sept. 13, Pegi’s name is no longer listed on the lineup.

The ZZ Top/Jeff Beck co-headline tour is on hold while Dusty Hill receives medical attention.            

A statement explains the ZZ Top bassist slipped and fell on his hip while on the band’s tour bus Tuesday evening.

The tour was supposed to play DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., tonight. According to an announcement sent out from the venue, Wednesday’s gig along with dates booked through Sept. 13 “have been temporarily suspended while he recovers.”

Refunds are available at point of purchase. Or, if you’d rather go to an event this week, DTE Energy Music Theatre are inviting fans to trade in their tickets to attend one of the following gigs at the venue: Queensrÿche Aug. 28 or the Oddball Comedy Festival Aug. 29.

ZZ Top’s next scheduled show is a Sept. 25 appearnce at the Bloomsburg Fair in Pennsylvania.

Kings Of Leon drummer Nathan Followill needs more time to recover from broken ribs, an injury he sustained from a tour bus accident earlier this month. The bus was returning to the band’s hotel after the Aug. 9 show in Mansfield, Mass., when a pedestrian jumped in front of the vehicle, forcing the driver to stop short.

The band put out an announcement this week saying Followill’s doctor has ordered the drummer to remain on rest for an additional week.

That means that on top of the nine dates the band has already canceled, the act is calling off its Aug. 28 show at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., and Aug. 29 gig at First Niagara Pavilion in Pittsburgh, Pa. Refunds are available at point of purchase.

Kings Of Leon are due back on stage Aug. 31 at the Budweiser Made In America Festival in Philadelphia.

Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Frank Bello are making special appearances next month to celebrate the band’s new film, “Chile On Hell,” which showcases the act’s set at Santiago, Chile’s Teatro Caupolican May 10.  

Ian, along with the film’s producer, Jay Rustin, will be take part in a Q&A at the Los Angeles premiere at the Downtown Independent Theatre while Bello answers questions at the New York premiere at Cinema Village. Both screenings are scheduled Sept. 15, the day before the DVD’s release.

Fans who preorder “Chile On Hell” from either Vintage Vinyl in Fords, N.J.; Looney Tunes in West Babylon, N.Y.; or Amoeba Records in Los Angeles will receive a wristband to get into the premiere.

Check out the trailer for the flick below.

“Santiago was the perfect place to film the show for this,” Anthrax’s Charlie Benante said. “When we’d played there in the past, we’d finish our set, play our encore and go back to the dressing room. But every time, the fans would continue to scream and cheer and clap. I mean, they went on and on, they wouldn’t stop. One time Scott and I walked out to the side of the stage just to watch what was going on in the audience, it was intense. Why wouldn’t we want to film a DVD in front of an audience like that?”

Suicidal Tendencies announced Tuesday evening that Tim “Rawbiz” Williams had died.

The following statement was posted on the band’s Facebook page:

“It’s with complete sadness that we have to announce the passing of bassists Tim ‘Rawbiz’ Williams. Tim played bass for Suicidal Tendencies for almost four years until recently.

Tim was a monster on bass, running around on stage in the pit, giving his all, even when his body wasn’t at its best.

“We will always remember him and appreciate all the kind words by those that were touched by his bass playing and him personally.”

The band didn’t mention his age or cause of death.

Blabbermouth points out that Williams’ resume also features work with acts including Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men and Keyshia Cole.