News …

Discontent in the Live Nation family? – Reuters

Boy George to do a free show for New York City sanitation workers – Associated Press

Does a deal between a concert promoter and an arena violate antitrust laws? Looks as if the folks in Michigan are going to find out – The Grand Rapids Press

London police charge a man and a women with giving drugs to Amy Winehouse – Associated Press

San Antonio music journalist resigns after allegations he had a ghostwriter write his columns for him – Corpus Christi Caller Times / Associated Press

Hand-painted bass drum skin featured on Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album expected to fetch £150,000 ($291,682 U.S.) at auction – The Times Online U.K.

Views …

Sheryl Crow at Denver’s Red Rocks – ” … proved to be much like your high school girlfriend: she’s knows all the old tricks to make you happy, she looks pretty on your arm, and your mom absolutely loves her.” – The Denver Post

R.E.M. in Raleigh, North Carolina – ” … after 26 years, R.E.M. has come full circle, treating the old and new with the same vigor and precision.” – The Independent Weekly

The Ting Tings in Seattle – ” … they had everybody moving, everybody grooving, as they pounded out loud and vibrant dance-floor rhythms, like updated Blondie meshed with The B-52’s, as imagined by LCD Soundsystem.” – The Seattle Times

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in Pittsburgh – “Petty’s hits-packed set kept the crowd singing, dancing and playing air guitar through every number except the few ballads.” – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kenny G in Columbus, Ohio – “The saxophonist ran through more than two hours with barely a pause for breath.” – The Columbus Dispatch

Alicia Keys in Boston – “What differentiates the Harlem native from the pack is her prowess behind the piano, and she was best when she was showing off her skills.” – Boston Herald

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

Vic Damone is 80

Jim Nabors is 78

Chick Corea is 67

Len Barry is 66

Reg Presley (The Troggs) is 65

John Wetton (Asia) is 59

Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) is 57

Junior Brown is 56

Rocky Burnette is 55

Meredith Brooks is 50

John Linnell (They Might Be Giants) is 49

Grandmaster Dee (Whodini) is 46

Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 31

Robyn is 29