December 24, 2012 by Amy Gold
During the week of December 16, 2012, The Rolling Stones wrapped up their 50th anniversary tour, and some of the money raised by the historic "12-12-12" benefit concert has been made ready for distibution to Hurricane Sandy victims. A live album of this event, featuring performances by Bruce Springsteen and other top bands and artists, is slated for release in 2013.
Also this week, the nominees for the Best Live Act at World Music Awards, which include Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, The Rolling Stones, and Van Halen, have been announced, and fans can cast their votes.
On a sad note, the world mourned the passing of Roger Prigent, the photographer of Alice Cooper's "Love It To Death" album cover, and Lee Dorman, the bassist for Iron Butterfly.
December 16, 2012: Rolling Stones Wrap Up 50th Anniversary Tour
On December 15, the Rolling Stones wrapped up their 50th anniversary tour in Newark, NJ. They were joined on-stage by Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, the Black Keys and John Mayer. Past band member Mick Taylor also appeared that night and jammed with the Stones in an extended version of "Midnight Rambler."
Source: Rolling Stones Cap Anniversary Tour With an All-Star Blowout in Newark | Music News | Rolling Stone
December 16, 2012: Roger Prigent, Photographer Of Alice Cooper's 'Love It To Death' Album Cover, Passes Away
Famed photographer and antiques dealer Roger Prigent died on December 15, 2012 at age 89 from complications of a stroke that had left him in a coma. Prigent is famous for his numerous covers on women's and fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, McCall's and the Ladies' Home Journal from the early 1950s to the late 1970s. He is also famous for his many celebrity photos which have appeared on the cover of TV Guide and for his album covers, including the one for Alice Cooper's 1971 album, "Love It To Death." In the late 1970s, Prigent had to give up his career in photography when his eyesight began to fail due to macular degeneration. He then became an antiques dealer in Manhattan specializing in collectibles from the Empire style, a neo-Classical revival of Greek and Roman motifs developed in the early 19th century during Napoleon's reign.
December 18, 2012: Frank Zappa Fans Offered Unique Access to Unreleased Music
"Roxy by Proxy" is a collection of 76 minutes of never-released Zappa master recordings from two 1973 shows at the Roxy in Los Angeles featuring performances of favorite songs by Zappa and the Mothers of Invention that include "King Kong," "Inca Roads," and "Penguin in Bondage." These master recordings, along with liner notes and artwork, are being offered for licensing. Proceeds will go towards the completion of the Zappa concert film, "The Roxy Performances."
Source: Frank Zappa Fans Offered Unique Access to Unreleased Music | Music News | Rolling Stone
December 18, 2012: Aerosmith And Others Nominated For Best Live Act At World Music Awards
Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, the Rolling Stones, and Van Halen are among those nominated for the Best Live Act at World Music Awards. Fans can cast their votes at the World Music Awards website.
Source: World Music Awards | World's Best Live Act
December 19, 2012: First $50 Million From '12-12-12' Benefit Ready for Distribution
The organizers of the "12-12-12" concert for Hurricane Sandy victims have not yet announced the total amount of money raised, but the first $50 million is slated for distribution by the Robin Hood Foundation. Recipients will include hundreds of organizations in New York, New Jersey, and other states hit hard by the hurricane, and some funds have already been given out.
Source: First 50 Million From '12-12-12' Benefit Ready for Distribution | Music News | Rolling Stone
December 19, 2012: Paul Simon Performs At Sandy Hook Teacher's Funeral
Funeral services were held on December 19 for Vicki Soto, a teacher at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, where crazed gunman Adam Lanza opened fire on December 14 and killed 20 children and 6 school staff members. Soto was among those killed while shielding her first-grade students from the gunman. Paul Simon, who was among the mourners present, performed "The Sound of Silence."
Source: Paul Simon sings at Newtown teacher's funeral - UPI.com
December 19, 2012: Rod Stewart's Christmas Album A Top 10 Chart Favorite
Since Rod Stewart's "Merry Christmas, Baby" album was released last October, it has been hovering around at #3 and #4 on the album charts. Although its position has recently dropped to #5 due to Michale Buble's "Christmas" album, it still remains a Top 10 holiday favorite.
Source: On the Charts: Rod Stewart's Christmas Cage Match | Music News | Rolling Stone
December 19, 2012: Stevie Wonder Donates $100,000 To Girl's Cancer Fund
While giving a show in Los Angeles, Stevie Wonder invited Jasmine Faulk and her father, Everitt Faulk, on stage and presented Jasmine, who is fighting cancer, with a check for $100,000 which will go to the Hermosa Beach Police Officers Association Supports Jasmine Faulk fund. Wonder serenaded Jasmine with "Isn't She Lovely," and she grabbed the mic and said, "I love you Stevie!" and gave him a hug.
Source: Grapevine: Stevie Wonder donates $100K to girl's cancer fund | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
December 20, 2012: Chrysler Ad Features Motown Records Founder Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, the famous founder of Motown Records, appears in a new commercial by Chrysler launched on December 20 that promotes this automaker's new 2013 Chrysler 300 Motown Edition. The ad shows Gordy sitting in the backseat of this car which is parked outside the "Hitsville, U.S.A." building in Detroit. He is then driven through Detroit and eventually ends up in front of New York's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where "Motown: The Musical" will be performed early next year. At the end of the ad, Gordy says, We are Motown, and this is what we do.
Source: Chrysler ad features Motown Records founder Gordy - WSJ.com
December 20, 2012:Hundreds Honor Ravi Shankar
Hundreds of friends and family gathered to remember the late famed sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar at a memorial service held on December 20 in Encinitas, CA, at the Self-Realization Fellowship center. Among those present were Zubin Mehta, Olivia Harrison, and daughters Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar.
Source: Hundreds honor Ravi Shankar in California - CBS News
December 22, 2012: Iron Butterfly Bassist Lee Dorman Passes Away
Famed Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman died on December 21, 2012 at age 70 in Laguna Niguel, CA. He reportedly had heart problems and was on a transplant waiting list. He was born Douglas Lee Dorman on September 15, 1942, in St. Louis, MO, and moved to San Diego in the 1960s. Dorman joined Iron Butterfly in 1967 and during the following year, they released their classic album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," to wide acclaim. In the 1970s, he formed another band, Captain Beyond, and stayed with them until their first break-up in 1978. Dorman then rejoined Iron Butterfly and continued to play with this band to well into the 2010s.
Source: Lee Dorman, Bass Guitarist for Iron Butterfly, Dies at 70 - NYTimes.com
December 22, 2012: '12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief' Live Album To Be Released
A live album of "12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief" is slated to be released in 2013. It will feature performances by Bruce Springsteen, the Who, the Rolling Stones, and other big name bands and artists who participated in this historic event. At least $6.50 from the sale of each album will be donated to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, a charitable organization which targets poverty in New York City and also administers a relief fund for disasters in that area.
Source: Bruce Springsteen And Rolling Stones Featured On Sandy Relief Live Album
