Odds & Ends: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Knotfest, iHeartRadio Latina, Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute & More

Back in 1986 it was a guest appearance on Paul Simon’s groundbreaking album Graceland that helped bring Ladysmith Black Mambazo to audiences throughout the world.

So when the South African vocal group booked an Oct. 18 gig at Carnegie Hall, it arranged for Simon to be on the evening’s lineup.

But not everything goes according to plan and two days before the show Ladysmith Black Mambazo found itself going to Carnegie Hall without Simon.  What do you do when your tier-A artist drops off of the ticket?  You book another star and turn to Twitter to publicize the change in plans.

Also appearing will be Thokoza, Bakithi Kumalo Band, Shabalala Rhythm and Maqhinga Radebe.  Click here for more information.

Fans attending the 72-hour metal extravaganza known as Knotfest might see a familiar face walking around the San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore, Calif., near San Bernardino Oct. 24-26.  Baseball pitching legend Randy Johnson will be snapping photos for RollingStone.com.

Johnson, who majored in photojournalism while a student at the University Of So. California, has built an impressive portfolio that includes images of NASCAR and X Games.  A veteran of seven USO tours, Johnson’s post-MLB photography career was recently featured on ESPN’s “E:60.”

Johnson will have plenty of opportunities to put his photographic skills to good use, including Slipknot’s two headlining sets planned for Saturday and Sunday as well as the Slipknot Museum, flaming carnival rides, a zipline and a carnival-like side attractions that sound as if they were lifted from TV’s current “American Horror Story” storyline.

Also appearing at Knotfest are Danzig, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, Of Mice & Men, Anthrax and lots more.  Check it out at Knotfest.com and be sure to read Pollstar’s interview with the folks behind the event.

Pitbull, J. Balvin and Becky G have joined the lineup for the first-ever iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina.  Presented by Sprint, the event planned for Nov. 22 at the Forum in Los Angeles also has Ricky Martin, Roberto Tapia, Alejandra Guzmán, Prince Royce, La Original Banda El Limón plus guest appearances by Voz A Voz, Daddy Yankee, Jesse & Joy and others. Click here for more details.

O.A.R., Randy Houser and Al Kooper have joined the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Concert happening Nov. 12 at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre.

The addition of rock vet Kooper is especially noteworthy considering he is credited with discovering the band. The man who, as a session musician, improvised the organ riff on Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” also played on Lynyrd Skynyrd hits “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Freebird” and “Saturday Night Special.”

The Fox may need a bigger stage by the time Nov. 12 rolls around. Already booked for “One More For The Fans! – Celebrating The Songs & Music Of Lynyrd Skynyrd” are Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Jason Isbell, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis, moe, Gov’t Mule, Robert Randolph, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Donnie Van Zant, and, of course, Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Throw in the house band led by Don Was and featuring Toto’s Steve Lukather and it all adds up to one incredibly special evening.

The concert will be filmed for distribution across several platforms.

What’s cookin’ for New Year’s Eve in Long Beach, California?  The event ailed as one of the largest West Coast NYE street celebrations, features headliner Fitz And The Tantrums along with three live music stages and 12 (count ’em!) 12 bars.

Sponsored and produced by Downtown Long Beach Associates, the fun begins at 8 p.m. PST and includes the traditional countdown to midnight plus a party and dancing until 2 a.m.

Knitting Factory Concerts is building a lineup that so far includes Youngblood Hawke, Mystery Skulls, Prima Donna, The Knitts, The New Electric Sound, Jessica Childress and DJ Media4.  Click here for the skinny.