News …

Led Zep to tour next summer? So claims an unidentified source – The Sun U.K.

After running afoul of the copyright patrol, mixtape site Muxtape keeps name, changes everything else – The Washington Post / TechCrunch.com

Remembering the Velvet Underground’s Nico – The Times Online U.K.

What do they say about karma, Jack? Remember Jack Thompson, the prosecutor who chased 2 Live Crew around Florida 18 years ago and successfully prosecuted the group on obscenity charges? He was disbarred yesterday – GameSpot

Looking for pictures of Sir Paul’s Israel adventure? Check out The Mail on Sunday U.K.

Academia finds its Muse as band members receive honorary doctorate degrees – Plymouth Evening Herald U.K.

Views …

Paul McCartney in Tel Aviv – ” … served up a balanced two-hour set of one Beatles song followed by one from his solo years.” – Sky News

Rascal Flatts in Tulsa – ” … wowed more than 15,000 screaming fans with impressive showmanship, energy and musical prowess. ” – The Oklahoman

Weezer in NYC – “Its show at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday was a controlled experiment, and Rivers Cuomo, the band’s singer, guitarist and leader, ran the lab.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Beck in El Paso – “It was a noisy ecstasy that filled the nearly sold-out, sombrero-shaped Chavez Theater on Thursday as Beck Hansen brought his musical blender to town.” – El Paso Times

Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson in Winnipeg – “You wouldn’t necessarily think to put the two together, but once you do, you can’t deny their compatibility.” – Winnipeg Sun

Porter – Batiste – Stoltz in Troy, New York – “A mightier, funkier groove than the veritable super-group of Porter Batiste Stoltz may be impossible to find.” – Albany Times Union

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

David Frizzell is 67

Bryan Ferry is 63

Lynn Anderson is 61

Olivia Newton-John is 60

Cesar Rosas (Los Lobos) is 54

Carlene Carter is 53

Doug Supernaw is 48

Cindy Herron (En Vogue) is 47

Tracey Thorn (Everything But The Girl) is 46

Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) is 36

Nicholas Payton is 35