News …

News Flash! Live Nation released five dates for Janet Jackson this morning. There will be more dates, but right now the official word is September 10 (Vancouver), September 29 (Montreal), October 13 (Toronto), October 15 (Washington, DC) and October 17 (E. Rutherford, NJ). We’ll post a special item about Janet’s tour (Ms. Jackson, if you’re nasty), coming up as soon as we can crank it out.

Amy Winehouse added to Glastonbury – Virgin Media Music

Pink Floyd wins Sweden’s annual Polar Music Prize – Reuters U.K.

The Police, Stone Temple Pilots, Van Halen – What’s up with all the reunions? – Associated Press

Musicians saved instruments from burning Berlin Philharmonic – The Times Online U.K.

Pre-teen band, Population 5, attracts fans the world over, including Juliette Lewis and Dave Grohl – The Californian

Colin Hay does the ol’ Q&A – The Santa Barbara Independent

Views …

Santana at San Francisco’s Fillmore – The band came out of the gate really cooking.” – San Jose Mercury News (registration may be required)

Rush in the Heartland – ” … the Canadian threesome strengthened their fandom and likely added some new followers Tuesday night at the i wireless Center in Moline.” – Quad-City Times

Duran Duran in Orlando – ” … leaner, louder and utterly joyous fun.” – Orlando Sentinel

The Hives in Winnipeg – “Clad in their trademark black-and-white suits, Almqvist and his bandmates opened with ‘Hey Little World’ … unleashing a torrent of retro-flavoured guitar licks and uber-catchy rhythms on the assembled crowd of 1,100.” – Winnipeg Sun

Diana Ross in Edmonton – ” … taps her deep well of hits to wow fans with her talent, and undeniable charisma.” – Edmonton Journal

Extra! When artists step outside the comfort zone …

The Carly Simon penned opera , “Romulus Hunt,”… she mines her own musical vein of melodic pop, lyrical vocal lines alternating with an urban-flavored sensibility.” – The Miami Herald

Dennis DeYoung’s “Hunchback” – “Though far better known as the ace singer-keyboardist of Styx than as a Broadway aspirant, composer-lyricist-book writer DeYoung has a first-rate feel for the musical theater form.” – Chicago Sun-Times (registration may be required)

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

Ron Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 67

Bill Champlin (Chicago) is 61

Leo Sayer is 60

Stan Lynch (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) is 53

Havoc (Mobb Deep) is 34