A Few More Things: Foo Fighters, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Michael Franti

Dave Grohl & Co. are going to be arriving at New York’s Citi Field a little earlier than planned. Foo Fighters just booked a July 15 gig at the venue to go along with its previously announced July 16 show.

An announcement notes that the second performance was added because tickets for the first concert sold out and were “fetching exorbitant sums on the secondary market.” As you all know, the Foos are not fans of scalpers. The band held a “Beat the Bots” presale for its North American tour with tickets available at venue box offices. 

Tickets for July 15 go on sale tomorrow – that’s Jan. 30 – at 10 a.m. EST. Visit FooFighters.com for more Foo info.

Earlier this week the news came out that Tom Petty and Full Moon Fever co-writer Jeff Lynne had earned a writing credit on Sam Smith’s hit “Stay With Me” because of the similarities between the tune and Petty’s 1989 single “I Won’t Back Down.”  

Smith wrote “Stay With Me,” which is included on his debut, 2014’s In The Lonely Hour, with James Napier and William Phillips.

The following statement was posted on Petty’s website:

“About the Sam Smith thing. Let me say I have never had any hard feelings toward Sam.  All my years of songwriting have shown me these things can happen.  Most times you catch it before it gets out the studio door but in this case it got by.  Sam’s people were very understanding of our predicament and we easily came to an agreement.  The word lawsuit was never even said and was never my intention.  And no more was to be said about it. How it got out to the press is beyond Sam or myself.  Sam did the right thing and I have thought no more about this.  A musical accident no more no less. In these times we live in this is hardly news. I wish Sam all the best for his ongoing career. Peace and love to all.”

In its report on the story, the Associated Press pointed out that although “Stay With Me” is nominated for Grammys for record of the year and best pop solo performance, Petty and Lynn won’t be added to the nominations list. The Recording Academy’s senior vice president of awards, Bill Freimuth, explained that because Lynne and Petty didn’t do any new writing for the song, if “Stay With Me” wins Petty and Lynn would be given certificates to honor their work. That’s how the matter is handled for other writers of sampled or interpolated work.

Following this morning’s announcement about new Billy Joel dates in Houston, Baltimore, Charlotte and New York, the Piano Man has added a gig in Denver.

Joel will play the Mile-High City Sept. 16 with a gig at the Pepsi Center. The show marks the musician’s first show in Denver in more than five years.

An American Express card member presale begins Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. MST. The general onsale is scheduled Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. MST. Visit BillyJoel.com for more details.  

Michael Franti paid a trip to UCSF Medical Center this week to undergo an MRI that revealed he has a torn meniscus in his left knee.

The roots/reggae singer/songwriter told fans on Facebook that he injured himself while performing last weekend on Rock Boat. Unfortunately, he’s due back to the hospital in February for surgery, which means next month’s tour is postponed. 

“I’m sad to report that I need to postpone my plans for my tour Feb 9-20,” Franti said. “I’m so grateful to all of you who bought tickets. I apologize to everyone who was looking forward to the shows as much as I was, but we will see you later in the year!”

Nearly a dozen dates are postponed including stops in Tarrytown, N.Y.; Asheville, N.C.; and Jacksonville, Fla. The new gigs have not been announced yet.

Franti still has shows scheduled Jan. 30 in Oakland, Calif.; Jan. 31 in Park City, Utah; and Feb. 5 in Aspen, Colo.; as well as a Feb. 3 appearance at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship in Vail, Colo. Visit MichaelFranti.com for more information.