News

Rip It Up, Issue 201, 1 May 1994, Page 2

News

Paul Hester Quits Crowded House

Founding member, drummer Paul Hester quit Crowded House during their USA tour. Hester informed the band of his intention to leave, hours before joining them for the final time in front of a capacity crowd at Atlanta’s Roxy Theatre. They did a two and a half hour show including an hour encore. Finn dedicated the final song ‘Better Be Home Soon’ to “a man I love, Paul Hester.” A press release cites several reasons for Hester’s departure — "pressure of touring”, “declining motivation” and “driftingapart from the rest of the band". The band are continuing their USA and European tours and are considering replacement options.

Infectious Grooves Vs Rage Against the Machine

Suicidal Tendencies singer Mike Muir has attacked Rage Against the Machine in the L.A. Times — "Here’s a band talking about how evil big corporations are and they’re signed to one of the biggest corporations in the world. If they wanted to be independent why didn’t they put the records out on an independent label.” On the new Infectious Grooves album Muir attacks RATM singer Zack De La Rocha: “Now you’re making your political statement / Or are you trying to add to your financial statement? / And let’s not forget evil corporations / Then why is Sony the sponsor of your presentation. ” Both RATM and Muir’s side-project Infectious Grooves are on Sony-owned labels. Rage Against the Machine, X and Beastie

Boys played Californian concerts to raise money for the defence fund of Indian leader Leonard Peltier, the subject of their ‘Freedom’ video.

Beatles Reunion On Tape

Yoko Ono provided the three living Beatles with tapes of John Lennon’s unreleased demos to make possible a studio "reunion". The three were together to work on a Beatles doco film and the forthcoming definitive Anthology series that will mine the unreleased material from the 60s.

Ozzy Osbourne Pays Up

A Los Angeles jury decided Ozzy Osbourne acted negligently at a 1992 concert when he invited the audience to join him on stage. An electrician Kenneth Winkler trampled in the stampede, sued for $250,000 but was awarded $60,000 USA. Ozzy’s insurance company had to pay up. It seems Ozzy was joking when he called his last tour “No More Tours”. He’s putting together a new touring band.

Andrew Fagan Sails Tasman Solo

Andrew Fagan’s 5.5 m sloop Swirly World in Perpetuity crossed the finishing line after an 18 day voyage — the smallest yacht ever to race across the Tasman. The 1300 mile, six yacht race started from New Plymouth and the larger boats arrived five days before Fagan. He didn’t eat properly during the first five days due to sea sickness. The singer will store his yacht in Mooloolaba and return on a larger yacht Miss Conduct.