Johnny Rotten slams 'Queen' re-release
LONDON, April 18 (UPI) -- John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon says he objects to the re-release of the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen" in honor of British Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
Lydon quickly voiced his disapproval after Universal said this week it would re-release the 1977 punk-rock, anti-establishment anthem in time to mark the queen's 60 years on the throne, the BBC reported Tuesday.
"I would like to very strongly distance myself from the recent stories and campaign to push 'God Save the Queen' for the No. 1 spot, [on the record chart,]" the singer said in a statement. "It is certainly not my personal plan or aim. I am proud of what The Sex Pistols achieved and always will be but this campaign totally undermines what The Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign. I am pleased that the Sex Pistols recordings are being put out there for a new generation; however, I wish for no part in the circus that is being built up around it."
The influential band was founded in 1975 and broke up in 1978. The surviving members of the group have reunited numerous times in the 1990s and 2000s.
Van Halen adds 18 more concert dates
LOS ANGELES, April 18 (UPI) -- Van Halen announced it has added 18 dates to its 2012 North American concert tour.
The new dates begin July 7 with an encore performance at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Second shows have also been added in the Detroit and the New York/New Jersey area, as well as Philadelphia, Live Nation said Tuesday. Van Halen has confirmed a total of 61 stops throughout North America, thus far.
Ky-mani Marley is the opening act for all added concerts.
The rock band recently premiered the video for "She's the Woman," the second single from "A Different Kind of Truth," the band's first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since the multi-platinum "1984."
Melissa Joan Hart pregnant with third child
LOS ANGELES, April 18 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Melissa Joan Hart celebrated her 36th birthday Wednesday by announcing she is pregnant with her third child.
"(Early) Happy Birthday to me! And baby makes 3!" she said via Twitter Tuesday.
She and musician Mark Wilkerson married in 2003. They are already parents to sons Braydon Hart, 4, and Mason Walter, 6.
No word on the baby's gender or due date.
Hart is best known for her work on TV's "Melissa & Joey," "Clarissa Explains It All" and "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch."
'Tuskegee' tops U.S. album chart
LOS ANGELES, April 18 (UPI) -- Lionel Richie's "Tuskegee" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is Adele's "21," followed by Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" at No. 3, Monica's "New Life" at No. 4 and One Direction's "Up All Night" at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are Bonnie Raitt's "Slipstream" at No. 6, Gotye's "Making Mirrors" at No. 7, Alabama Shakes' "Boys & Girls" at No. 8, Rascal Flatts' "Changed" at No. 9 and Hoodie Allen's "All American" bow at No. 10.
