WEEKLY MUSIC NEWS

[FH]

Rush Guitarist in New Year's Eve Fight
(AP, 01/02/2004 4:12:00AM)

The lead guitarist for the rock band Rush faces criminal charges after a New Year's Eve fight with sheriff's deputies.

Alex Zivojinovich, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, was arrested for what deputies described as drunken, violent behavior at the Naples Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Deputies said they used a stun gun on Zivojinovich, 50, who faces six charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication.

Also arrested were his 33-year-old son Justin Zivojinovich and wife Michelle Zivojinovich, 30.

Justin Zivojinovich said his father, who was still in Collier County jail late Thursday, had his nose broken by deputies.

He also said his father did not throw a female deputy down the stairs, as stated in arrest reports. She tumbled down the stairs as she pushed the guitarist down the stairwell, his son said.

The scuffle began when Justin Zivojinovich refused to leave a stage, according to the arrest report.

Rush's hits include "Tom Sawyer," from the 1981 album "Moving Pictures," "Limelight" and "Spirit of the Radio."

[FH]

A slew of 1980s modern rock classics are reborn on the soundtrack to the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore comedy "50 First Dates." Due Feb. 3 via Maverick, the set features such artists as Seal, Black Eyed Peas and 311 covering the likes of Echo & the Bunnymen, the Cure and Spandau Ballet, respectively.

Veteran U.K.-based reggae outfit UB40's remake of the Police smash "Every Breath You Take" will be the first radio single released from the soundtrack. Other covers include 311's version of the Cure's "Love Song," Seal's take on Echo's "Lips Like Sugar" and Ziggy Marley's interpretation of the Cars' "Drive."



Wyclef Jean and Eve team up on the Outfield's "Your Love," while Jason Mraz reinvents Modern English's "I Melt With You," Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath takes a solo turn on the Psychedelic Furs' "Ghost in You" and the Black Eyed Peas revamp Spandau Ballet's "True."

Sandler and Barrymore last starred together in the '80s-themed comedy "The Wedding Singer." Also starring Rob Schneider, Sean Astin and Dan Aykroyd, "50 First Dates" opens Feb. 13 in U.S. theaters.

The enhanced-CD soundtrack release will also include behind-the-scenes movie footage, film-related screen savers and movie trailers, among other features.


-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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GUNS N' ROSES: Unauthorized Biography To Be Published This Month - Jan. 7, 2004

According to Barnes & Noble, a brand new unauthorized GUNS N' ROSES biography will be published by Chrome Dreams later this month. Titled "The Band That Time Forgot: The Complete Unauthorised Biography of Guns N' Roses", the book was written by journalist Paul Stenning, who has previously contributed to Powerplay, Record Collector, and Terrorizer.

This is what the publisher says about the book:

"The personal and musical history of GUNS N' ROSES is detailed in this revealing band biography. Timed to coincide with the highly anticipated release of 'Chinese Democracy', their first album in 10 years, this compelling account offers complete, updated information on the band's incredible past and current ambitions. New interviews with ex-band members, including lead guitarist Slash and bass player Duff, provide fresh revelations about the band's key players. Previously unpublished color photographs from the group's early days gathered from ex-members' personal collections offer an intriguing visualization of the band's past."

[FH]

A PERFECT CIRCLE: Spring U.S. Tour Dates Announced - Jan. 7, 2004

A PERFECT CIRCLE will be embarking on a North American spring tour in support of their current album "Thirteenth Step". The trek will kick off March 18 in Salt Lake City and is expected to last through an April 16 concert in Chicago. Opening acts for the tour have not yet been announced.

Released in October by Virgin Records, "Thirteenth Step" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 643,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

A PERFECT CIRCLE U.S. tour dates:

Mar. 18 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The E Center
Mar. 20 - Denver, CO @ Magness Arena
Mar. 21 - Albuquerque, NM @ Convention Center
Mar. 23 - Dallas, TX @ NextStage
Mar. 24 - Norman, OK @ Lloyd Noble Arena
Mar. 26 - Amarillo, TX @ Coliseum
Mar. 27 - El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
Mar. 28 - Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
Mar. 29 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
Mar. 31 - Sacramento, CA @ Memorial Auditorium
Apr. 01 - Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Arena
Apr. 02 - San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena
Apr. 03 - San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Apr. 05 - Boise, ID @ Bank of America Building
Apr. 06 - Spokane, WA @ The Opera House
Apr. 08 - Vancouver, BC @ Queen Theatre
Apr. 09 - Seattle, WA @ Tacoma Dome
Apr. 10 - Portland, OR @ Venue TBA
Apr. 12 - Bozeman, MT @ Valley Ice Center
Apr. 13 - Rapid City, SD @ Rushmore Center
Apr. 15 - Kansas City, MO @ Municipal Auditorium
Apr. 16 - Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavillion