Music News & Notes

Crimson and Cl- Oooops

Tommy James has had a wonder pop-rock career but there is one thing he regrets; that he and the Shondells didn't accept an invitation to play at Woodstock.

"I was in Hawaii at the time and we got asked to do the festival. Artie Kornfeld was one of the principals of the festival and a friend of mine, and we got asked to go.

"I said, 'Wait a minute, you're asking me to leave paradise and fly 6,000 miles to a pig farm? Did I just hear you right?' I said, 'If we're not there, start without us,' and they did and they called it Woodstock.

"By Thursday of that week, we knew we screwed up really bad."

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ELO Bass Player Dies

Kelly Groucutt, who was bassist for the Electric Light Orchestra, from 1974 to 1983, has passed away at the age of 63. The official announcement from the website:

"It is with great sadness that I have to inform the fans that Kelly Groucutt died on the afternoon of 19th February 2009 of a heart attack.

"Our hearts and thoughts go out to Anna and Kelly's family. He touched all of our lives with his love, kindness and generosity as well as his talent for music and song.

"He was a true and wonderful friend who loved every second of life and he will be greatly missed by us all".

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B.B. On The Radio

Sirius XM Radio has announced the February 20 premier of You and Me with B.B. King. The weekly hour long show will be heard on Channel 74 on both the Sirius and XM service, also known as B.B. King's Bluesville.

Each week, B.B. King will personally select a broad range of blues music featuring his favorite songs by peers from the past and today's artists. The blues legend will also share personal anecdotes and stories about the artists who inspire him as well as offer commentary on music that has made him a musical inspiration for generations of musicians. Sirius XM listeners will also hear from special guests including Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Albert Cummings and Keb' Mo who have worked with and have been influenced by King. King will also answer email questions from fans in a weekly "B.B. King's Mailbag" feature.

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Simon & Garfunkel To Tour

According to Art Garfunkel, he and Paul Simon will be going out on the road again, although a date and locations have not been set. He told the BBC news “Our plan to work together coming together but it doesn’t go through England this time.”