Townshend’s old Gold Top sells for $50k
A guitar once owned by The Who rocker Pete Townshend has raised $50,000usd (around £31,000gbp) at a music auction in London. The Gibson Les Paul Gold Top guitar, which smashed its original $32,000 estimate, was played by Townshend during the U.S. leg of the band’s Quadrophenia tour in 1973 and 1974. It was among the highlights to go under the hammer at a Christie’s pop and rock memorabilia sale. Source: Contact Music
London’s mayor launches busking competition
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, has been promoting a competition for young buskers on the London Underground, appearing alongside double-platinum artist Newton Faulkner at London Bridge station ahead of the Rhythm of London Busking Underground competition. Mr Johnson took a few minutes to strum Faulkner’s guitar, and said: “This is a brilliant scheme to support young musicians in London. There is some amazing talent and a lot of it begins busking on London Underground stations. People like Eric Clapton who…
Kings of Leon postpone gig after tour bus fire
A sell-out Kings of Leon concert at London’s O2 arena has been postponed after two tour buses were destroyed in a fire. Six people needed treatment for smoke inhalation after the fire broke out in a loading area, leaving the buses gutted. A spokeswoman for The O2 said: “Unfortunately, due to this morning’s fire on board one of the tour buses at The O2, tonight’s Kings of Leon concert will now be postponed. “…there is now insufficient time to rig…
Mick Jones wants to save 100 Club
The Clash’s Mick Jones has revealed he would love to help save the 100 Club from closing. The guitarist admitted that the London venue, which faces closure due to spiralling overhead costs, would be “greatly missed”. “I’m sorry to hear it might be closing,” Jones told SpinnerMusic.co.uk. “It will be greatly missed if it closes. Someone should start a campaign to save it.” A campaign, which has almost 7,000 members, already exists on Facebook, with the guitarist also adding that…
Yoko to unveil plaque for Lennon landmark
An English Heritage blue plaque to John Lennon is to be unveiled in London by Yoko Ono Oct. 23 at 34 Montagu Square, Marylebone, London [Pipes, it's pronounced "marly-bone"] a former home of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. John Lennon and Yoko Ono moved in the address in July, 1968, when the Beatles were recording “The Beatles” White Album. They shot the famous ”Two Virgins” album cover in the basement and were also arrested at the flat after a police…
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts to play at 100 Club
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts are set to play an intimate London gig at the 100 Club venue. The show will take place on June 14 and will be the band’s first UK club show in 20 years. The band are also set to support Green Day on most of their forthcoming European tour, beginning in Denmark on June 2. Tickets for the 100 Club show go on sale tomorrow (May 20) at 10am (BST). To check the availability of…
Hendrix’s London home to open as exhibition
Jimi Hendrix’s former London home is to open up to the public to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death. Part of an exhibition called Hendrix in Britain, the Mayfair flat, which had been previously occupied by the composer George Handel until 1759, can be viewed between September 15-26. “We are excited to be celebrating the life of Jimi Hendrix,” the director of Handel House Museum, Sarah Bardwell said in a statement. “After moving to Brook Street in 1968, Hendrix…