Thousands of fans who had tickets to Phish [ tickets ]'s two-day farewell festival at Vermont's Newport State Airport reportedly weren't able to attend the show because heavy rains flooded much of the area designated for parking.

Vermont police set up roadblocks on Saturday morning (8/14), and told fans that they would get refunds for their tickets, but that they would not be admitted to the event.

Many fans abandoned their cars and hiked at least two miles to the concert entrance. Organizers said about 70,000 tickets were sold; local newspapers reported that about 65,000 fans made it inside.

Charlie Watts, drummer for The Rolling Stones [ tickets ], is undergoing treatments for throat cancer at a London hospital, according to British press accounts.

"Having been diagnosed with throat cancer following a minor operation in June, Charlie Watts is reaching the end of radiotherapy treatment," a spokesman for Watts said. "He is expecting to make a full recovery and start work with the rest of the band later in the year."

Musician Ruben Blades [ tickets ], who has long been active politically in his native country of Panama, has been appointed Panama's new tourism minister. President-elect Martin Torrijos said the tourism minister position will be elevated to a cabinet-level job when he and Blades take office on Sept. 1.

Veteran pianist/accordionist Geraint Watkins [ tickets ], who has toured and recorded with Paul McCartney, Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler, among others, issues his U.S. solo debut album, "Dial W for Watkins," on Aug. 24.

Watkins will open for--and play with--fellow U.K. native Lowe on Lowe's upcoming U.S. dates; the itinerary is posted on Yep Roc's website.