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Classic Rock Briefs For November 6, 2008

Queen’s Brian May Baffled By Missing Tracks on Guns N’ Roses Album

Already making news with the release of a new album, Brian May, of the group we now know as Queen And Paul Rodgers, is also making news with his reported exclusion from an album by another group that is soon to be released.

May recorded some guitar tracks for the long-awaited Guns N’ Roses album Chinese Democracy, but has recently learned that those tracks may not have been included. Recorded in 1999, May’s work was to be included on a song entitled “Catcher N’ The Rye,” and was indeed heard on a leaked version of the album a while back.

Since then, a fan who claims to have seen the album’s liner notes reported on May’s personal website that there is no mention of May’s contribution. Full Story.

Oliver Wakeman Set To Make Father Proud on Yes Tour

With legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman bowing out of the upcoming Yes tour, his son Oliver will be sitting in for him, and doing his best to recreate the Yes experience that fans expect. A feat that is probably more difficult in view of the fact that Yes frontman Jon Anderson will not be touring with the group this time.

According to bassist Chris Squire, the younger Wakeman is living up to his dad’s reputation, and despite the uncertainty over whether he will don his father’s trademark silver cape, his performance is otherwise described as realistic.

“Don’t know if he’s going to go as far as the cape but he’s pretty realistic with the rest of the way of handling the big keyboard," Squire said after time spent rehearsing with their new keyboardist.

Carrie Underwood Cuts Loose On Politically Active Celebrities

This is one of those times when we take a little detour away from classic rock news and veer a little into the realm of another genre. Besides, I’m actually a fan of Carrie Underwood’s music. She is my favorite America Idol winner so far. She had me when she belted out Heart’s “Alone” during season four.

This time however, what we are hearing from Underwood has more to do with politics, and less to do with music than might otherwise be expected. The hugely successful country star is speaking her mind about fellow celebrities that publicly support political candidates.

Although Underwood does not name names, for some reason a voice in my head keeps whispering, “The Boss, The Boss.” Seriously though, he stands out as one of the most – if not the most – active celebrity campaigners of this recently (and mercifully) completed campaign.

Carrie Underwood’s recent comments are relevant here for two reasons. First, I happen to like her and her music. I don’t listen to a lot of country music, but when I do, it’s likely to be Carrie Underwood. Secondly, I happen to think she’s right on the money with her stance on this subject, which makes me like her even more. Full Story.

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Tags: Brian May, Carrie Underwood, Celebrities, Chinese Democracy, Guns N Roses, Oliver Wakeman, Politics, Yes Tour

Alice Cooper Takes Celebrities To Task For Political Activism

Veteran rocker Alice Cooper is in the news again, and once again he’s got a few things to say about something that’s been getting on his nerves. Recently, Cooper had a few not-so-kind words for TV talent shows like American Idol, saying that they are seeking only artists that are "totally disposable."

This time the shock rocker is fed up with celebrities that choose to involve themselves in political issues. This sore spot is not a new one for Cooper, who let it rip back in 2004 when he referred to celebrities who were openly supporting John Kerry for President as "treasonous morons."

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Speaking specifically about fellow rockers, Cooper says that they can take themselves too seriously and that they deserve no more credibility than anyone else. "We can’t keep giving them this credibility, as if they know more than anybody else. We don’t. That’s why we’re rock ‘n’ rollers," he says.

He is also concerned that celebrities that publicly support a political candidate may actually damage the political process, citing a hypothetical instance where a voter who actually knows little about politics decides to vote for a particular candidate because of the support of a celebrity whose movies the voter in question happens to like.

Alice Cooper seems to be in the news quite a bit lately, and although he has been making some controversial comments, he might just be providing some valuable food for thought for his fans, and perhaps influencing them in a positive way by urging them to think more for themselves and make their own decisions, particularly where politics are concerned.

Thanks to Contact Music for the heads up on this latest Alice Cooper news.

Tags: Alice Cooper, Celebrities, Politics