Briefly: Van Halen, George Michael, Bad Brains, Bjork
After weeks of speculation, it appears that Van Halen members Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar will be on hand for their band's March 12 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, according to Premiere Radio Networks.
It remains unknown if any of the band members plan to appear on stage to accept the honor; at last count, Hagar and Anthony are on the outs with the Van Halen brothers, and Roth's status is up in the air following recent news that a planned 2007 summer reunion tour featuring Roth, the Van Halen brothers and Eddie's 15-year-old son, Wolfgang Van Halen, on bass, has been indefinitely postponed.
As reported yesterday, Velvet Revolver is expected to perform during the ceremony in lieu of Van Halen; the move harkens to last year's ceremony, during which Metallica performed a tribute to 2006 inductees Black Sabbath.
In other Rock Hall 2007 news, Jay-Z has been tapped to induct Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder will induct R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha will induct Patti Smith and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will induct The Ronettes.
George Michael has announced plans for a 2007 stadium tour. Dubbed "25 Live," the outing is the continuation of the jaunt he started last year in support of "Twentyfive," a hits collection that documents that pop icon's 25 year career to date.
So far, Michael has unveiled confirmed dates for a European leg of shows. Details are posted at his website.
Punk-rockers Bad Brains have signed a new deal with Megaforce Records. The group is currently finishing up its yet-to-be-titled inaugural album for the label, which Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch is producing. The set is due out this spring, according to a press release.
Björk has settled on the title "Volta" for her follow-up to 2004's "Medulla," and has announced a May 7 release date for the set, which is her sixth studio collection. More information about the disc--which will feature 10 original cuts that the Icelandic singer/songwriter self-produced--is available at her website.
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