Have You Heard: Guns N’ Roses, TLC, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Megadeth, Aretha Franklin

Guns N’ Roses’ “Not In This Lifetime Tour” is headed to New Zealand in February.

The reunited classic lineup of Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan play Wellington’s Westpac Stadium Feb. 2 and Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium Feb. 4.

A NightTrain presale begins Aug. 24. Tickets go on sale to the general public Aug. 31.

Last week Guns N’ Roses announced dates in Australia and Japan. For more GNR news visit GunsNRoses.com.

TLC books its first-ever shows in New Zealand, along with a handful of gigs in Australia.  

Special guest Montell Jordan will accompany the R&B duo in Adelaide, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.

Here’s the routing:

Nov. 10 – Wellington, New Zealand, Michael Fowler Centre
Nov. 12 – Tauranga, New Zealand, ASB Arena       
Nov. 16 – Newtown, Australia, Enmore Theatre
Nov. 22 – Adelaide, Australia, Thebarton Theatre    
Nov. 23 – Melbourne, Australia, Palais Theatre
Nov. 26 – Auckland, New Zealand, Vector Arena

A Frontier member presale begins Aug. 24, followed by general onsales Aug. 29.

Tionne T-Boz Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas launched a Kickstarter project in January 2015 to finance TLC’s final album. A release date hasn’t been announced.  

Visit TLC’s Facebook page for more updates.

Since the news first broke in March 2015 than Joni Mitchell was found unconscious in her home, fans have been anxious for updates about the acclaimed singer/songwriter’s health.  

Over the weekend her website posted a photo of Mitchell posing with Chick Corea, Gayle Moran Corea and Herbie Hancock and proclaimed, “We are thrilled to see Joni out and about again! Last night she attended a Chick Corea concert at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Los Angeles.”

Although the post doesn’t mention her health, one can assume that if Mitchell is feeling well enough to attend a concert that’s got to be a positive thing!

JoniMitchell.com confirmed in June 2015 that she had suffered an aneurysm. The most recent update on her health came from Chaka Khan who told the Washington Post, “We’re good friends and she’s doing very well, by the way. I want everyone to know that she’s getting better and better every day.” That interview was posted in late December.

Jackson Browne has added a benefit concert in Ventura, Calif., to his previously announced solo acoustic routing.

The gig is scheduled Oct. 4 at the Majestic Venture Theatre, with proceeds going to Safety Harbor Kids.

The nonprofit’s mission is “to enrich the lives of orphans, foster and homeless children through education in the areas of college, career, music and the arts.”

Tickets go on sale Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. PDT.

Visit JacksonBrowne.com and SafetyHarborKids.org for more details.

Megadeth’s Aug. 20 concert in Asuncion, Paraguay, at the Jockey Club del Paraguay concluded early with both fans and crew injured.

Agence France-Presse reports that several fans were crushed when hundreds of people broke through security barricades around the stage. AFP notes that the rowdy crowd had already been throwing glass bottles onto the stage.

The show came to an end after just seven songs, according to Blabbermouth.

Here’s the story from frontman Dave Mustaine:

“Dear Paraguay, after all three barricades broke and hundreds of fans crushed three security guards, almost killing one female fan, we regretfully had to cancel the show,” he tweeted. “Please understand that your safety is just as important as ours and after all the security went in the pit someone ran onto the stage, a bottle was thrown, and we’ll let you know as soon as we can reschedule and come back. Lo siento this is out of our hands and we will make sure when we return to use a different venue, security, and promoter. Again, Lo siento mucho.”

Mustaine then tweeted a photo of a barricade along with the caption, “Barricade held by a string at Asuncion. Two crew hit by broken glass thrown by persons in audience. Disappointed” and an emoji of a thumbs down.

Although he said the Paraguay show would be rescheduled, he added, “Sadly, I don’t think we will be coming back to Paraguay for a very long time.”

Megadeth’s next show is Aug. 23 in Buenos Aires.

An ailing Aretha Franklin has nixed a run of dates in August and September.

The Queen of Soul says she is canceling “due to doctor’s orders” and is expected back on stage in November.

The canceled performances include an Aug. 26 show in Vienna, Va., two nights at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, and her appearance at “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.”