UPFRONT

Rip It Up, Issue 175, 1 February 1992, Page 4

UPFRONT

Guns N'Roses cancelled two Detroit concerts after Axl Rose snapped a mic stand, lacerating the palm of his hand. He completed the show but had to be stitched-up after the show and treated for shock . . . blues giant Willie Dixon (76) died of heart failure Jan 29, California. He was a major writer and performer at Chess Records in the 50s/60s writing classics such as ‘Wang Dang Doodle’ and ‘Little Red Rooster’. His songs were covered by rockers such as Led Zeppelin, Cream and the Rolling Stones . . . New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan (45) died of a stroke after treatment for pneumonia and meningitis . . . Bad Brains have parted company with the former Faith No More singer Chuck Mosely after differences during recording sessions . . . Madonna is being sued by three former dancers whose intimacy was exploited in the movie of her mega-dull life, In Bed With Madonna . . . Soundgarden are supporting Guns N'Roses on their USA tour .. . Lisa Stansfield has cancelled her UK tour due to apparent exhaustion from a heavy promo schedule for her current album. Her manager stated that “problems recently occurred” including “availability of musicians” and “restrictions on rehearsal time” forcing a change of dates . . . Nick Cave has a new LP Henry’s Dream recorded with Neil Young's producer David Briggs . . .

Pixies will support U2 on a one gig per city tour USA tour (March, April). U2 will also only play one gig in European cities, including one indoor gig at London’s Wembley Arena . . . longtime Elton John bassist, Dee Murray (45) died in Nashville of a massive stroke, whilst battling cancer . . . Billy Idol has pleaded “no contest” to assault charges brought against him by model Amber Nevel, thus avoiding the threat of a jail sentence . . . ÜB4O are being sued by a Birmingham secretary who claims she wrote their hit ‘Don’t Break My Heart'. The band claim the song was assigned to them by a dude, Javid Khan . . . Bruce Springsteen will release two new albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town containing 24 new songs . . . Mike Joyce (ex Smiths, Buzzcocks) has joined PiL. He has been replaced in the Buzzcocks by the band’s original drummer John Maher . . . whilst Nirvana were touring - downunder rumours started in the Northern Hemisphere that singer Kurt Cobain was dead. Nirvana and Public Enemy will headline at England’s annual outdoor Reading Festival . . . mid-year release is planned for the next Stone Roses album. They are currently recording with John Leckie who produced their debutLP. . . all-star quartet Little Village, are Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe, John Hiatt and Jim Keltner. Their debut includes an ode to bald men, “Solar Sex Panel’ . . . Creation Records has dropped My Bloody Valentine . . . . Wedding Present have covered Neil - - Young's ‘Don’t Cry No Tears’ a song also recorded by Teenage - Fanclub and Del Amitri . . . new 9-track George Michael album E.P.T. (Extended Play Thing) will feature seven new studio cuts

and live versions of Seal's ‘Killer’ and the Temptations’ ‘Papa Was ARolling Stone’ . . . former 60s groupie Cynthia Plaster Caster is sueing a friend who has run off with her 25 life-size plaster casts of stars’ penises, including Jimi Hendrix's member . . . Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) rescued his wife, daughter and baby (& the cat) as their Boston home was gutted by fire . . . Billy Nelson, the son of Willie, hung himself on Xmas eve. He had been arrested five

times in the last three years for drunk driving . . . Public Enemy will play South African, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Namibia concerts as guests of an African promoter aligned to the Nation of Islam. : Local rap crews will open for PE at their eight concerts and

workshops are planned with local rap crews . . . the recent tour of South Africa by Paul Simon faced demonstrations as although it was supported by the ANC President Nelson Mandela, some

militant black groups opposed the tour . . . U2 have recorded Lou Reed’s ‘Satelite of Love’ as a B-side for single ‘One’ . . . the new

Gary Moore album After Hours, includes guests B.B.King, Albert King and Albert Collins . . . Billy Bragg’s version of the Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ will appear on a forthcoming CDEP . . . on a 7-track EP entitled Totem Pole for Sony, Firehose do five covers; ‘Red & the Black’ (Blue Oyster Cult), “‘Sophisticated Bitch’ (Public Enemy), ‘Mannequin’ (Wire), ‘Revolution Part 2’ (Butthole Surfers), ‘Slack Motherfucker’ (Superchunk) . . . Flavor Flav (Public Enemy) has been busted for driving without a license and non-payment of child support . . .