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Briefly: Dick Clark, Ashlee Simpson, Elton John, Bob Marley
TV and radio personality Dick Clark remains hospitalized a week after suffering a mild stroke, and, for the first time in 32 years, won't be hosting ABC-TV's "New Year's Rockin' Eve."
Regis Philbin has been tapped to fill in for Clark, who suffered the stroke on Dec. 6.
"It'll feel strange watching it on TV but my doctors felt it was too soon," Clark, 75, said in a statement. "I'm sure Regis will do a great job and I'm thankful that he was able to step in on such short notice."
Ashlee Simpson will host the West Coast portion of the Dec. 31 special. Other scheduled performers include Big & Rich, Good Charlotte, Ciara, Earth, Wind & Fire and Billy Idol.
Elton John is suffering from a throat infection, and has canceled two U.K dates in the last week.
"I've been doing all that I can to try to get my voice back and I've seen a throat specialist again today and he's advised that it would be foolish to go ahead with [Sunday's 12/12] show," John said in a statement.
A Feb. 6 concert in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia marking the 60th anniversary of Bob Marley 's birth will feature performances by Quincy Jones , Harry Belafonte, Youssou N'Dour and The I-Three. Proceeds from the show will be earmarked for a Marley museum planned for the city, which is considered the birthplace of Rastafarianism.
