Guns N' Roses [ tickets ], who were due to launch a world tour in Japan on Saturday (4/14), have postponed the kick-off due to an injury, the group announced today (4/11).

"I feel so bad right now," bassist Tommy Stinson said in a statement posted at the group's website. "I accidentally fell down a flight of stairs. I put my hand down to break my fall and heard a loud 'pop.' The next morning my hand looked like a balloon. I went to see my doctor and while the good news is that it’s not broken, the bad is news is it's severely sprained and I may have done some ligament damage. We had our last rehearsal a few days ago and shipped the gear to Japan and then this happened. I feel horrible.

"I'd like to apologize to our Japanese fans that were looking forward to seeing us and know that we will we see you all soon. Again, we'd like to sincerely thank our fans worldwide for their patience and support."

The group plans to reschedule the Japanese dates, and expects to perform its late-April South African concerts as scheduled.

Snoop Dogg [ tickets ]--real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr.--today (4/11) was sentenced to five years probation after pleading no-contest to felony gun and drug charges, according to published reports.

The Southern California-based rapper--who also took on 800 hours of community service as part of his plea deal--was arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank last fall on suspicion of transporting marijuana. The incident later led police to a gun at his home. He reportedly could have faced up to four years in prison if convicted at trial.

Under the conditions of his probation, Broadus is not allowed to have any gang members in his entourage and must notify the probation department before leaving the state of California.

Broadus' attorney reportedly said outside the courtroom that Broadus has a medical permit to smoke marijuana as a treatment for migraines.

George Benson [ tickets ], Al Jarreau [ tickets ], Joe Sample [ tickets ], Randy Crawford, Frankie Beverly & Maze, and Aretha Franklin make up the roster of acts who will headline the Soulful Sounds of The City Concert Series, part of this year's annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. Benson and Jarreau will team for an April 14 concert; Sample and Crawford take the stage May 12; Frankie Beverly & Maze are booked for June 16; and Franklin has sole billing on Sept. 1.

All shows take place at Atlanta's Chastain Amphitheater. Additional details, including ticket information, are available at the Atlanta Jazz Festival's website.