Briefly: Blink-182, Whitney Houston, Guns N' Roses, Oprah
Drummer Travis Barker of Blink-182 fell and broke his foot last week in Australia, forcing his band to call off its upcoming dates on that continent, as well as scheduled shows in Japan and Hawaii.
"I am seriously bummed that we couldn't play for our fans in Australia, Japan and Hawaii," Barker said in a statement. "It was just a freak accident. But it'll heal and we'll be back."
Barker is expected to recover in time for planned April 22 and 23 shows in Mexico.
Whitney Houston has checked herself into a drug rehabilitation facility, her publicist said in a statement issued on Tuesday (3/16).
"She thanks everyone for their support and prayers," Nancy Seltzer said in the statement. No other details were released.
It's not the first time Houston has admitted to having drug problems. In a 2002 "Primetime" interview, she told ABC-TV's Diane Sawyer that she had used alcohol, marijuana and pills, but had quit with the help of a spiritual adviser.
The Associated Press reports that a Los Angeles judge has denied Guns N' Roses ' request for a temporary restraining order, clearing the way for Geffen Records to issue GN'R's "Greatest Hits" on March 23.
LaShell Griffin, a 36-year-old stay-at-home mother of five from Detroit, has received an Epic Records contract after winning "Oprah's Pop Star Challenge." The contest's eight semi-finalists will have the opportunity to record tracks on a "Pop Star Challenge" compilation album, which will hit stores on March 30.
Guitarist's Return To NIN Surprises Guns N' Roses [April 2008]
Axl Rose Signs With New Management Team [March 2008]
Free Dr Pepper For "Chinese Democracy" [March 2008]
Briefly: Beyonce, KRS-One, Slash, Peter Criss [July 2007]
Briefly: Guns N' Roses, Snoop Dogg, Atlanta Jazz Fest [April 2007]
Briefly: Britney Spears, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Brad Paisley [February 2007]
Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" tour
The Duke Spirit on stage and in the studio
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Stevie Nicks
Metallica at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, CA
R.E.M. at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA
Herbie Hancock at the Sonoma Jazz Festival
Brad Paisley, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler
Dengue Fever at The Independent, San Francisco, CA

