Rock News: Music's high and low notes

ALL-STAR BENEFIT

Artists Against AIDS Worldwide -- the organization that recently produced an all-star remake of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" to promote the campaign against AIDS in Africa -- is planning an all-star, Good Friday concert in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Executive director Leigh Blake told UPI she expects several of those who took part in the "What's Going On" project to be involved. The record featured leading pop artists such as Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Destiny's Child, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, Eve, Nelly Furtado, Ja Rule, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Aaron Lewis of Staind, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly, 'N Sync, P. Diddy, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Michael Stipe. It won an award for best collaboration at last month's VH1 Awards.

Blake -- a former journalist, film and music producer -- has made AIDS awareness her main focus, and recently began to develop an AIDS clinic in Kenya. She and Bono established the artists' group last year to provide "a creative outlet" for musical artists to work against AIDS.

The Good Friday concert is being produced by Play-Tone, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman's production company, and plans call for filming the event.

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are front and center on the main stage at Warner Bros. Online (warnerbros.com) in a special performance from the second annual "Silver Lining Silver Lake." The benefit concert, held last month at the Paramour Estate in Silver Lake, Calif., raised money for the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic.

The Webcast marks the first time the event has been available online. The show was hosted by actor Robert Downey Jr.

During the coming months, Warner Bros. Online will also present performances by Sting, Aimee Mann, Jurassic 5, Bostich from Nortec Collective, Jaguares, Deborah Falconer and Daniel Lanois from the event.

BUSH

Bush will be hitting the road starting in late February in support of its latest album, "Golden State," which was released last fall. Allstar.com says Atlantic Records wouldn't confirm any tour dates, but Ticketmaster is listing five shows in the United States. Canadian rockers Default will be the opening act in at least St. Louis and Milwaukee.

Bush tour dates:

Feb. 28 -- Denver, Fillmore Auditorium

March 2 -- Milwaukee, The Rave

March 3 -- St. Louis, The Pageant

March 19 -- Myrtle Beach, S.C., House of Blues

March 22 -- Orlando, Fla., Hard Rock Live

ADAM ANT

Adam Ant has been committed to a London psychiatric hospital after a bizarre bar row.

SonicNet.com reports the 1980s new wave singer -- whose real name is Stuart Goddard -- was arrested last Saturday night at the Prince of Wales pub in North London after getting into a fight and allegedly brandishing a fake gun. He faces weapons, criminal damage and assault charges, according to police.

The next day, police said, officials received calls from several of Ant's friends and family members, who said they feared for the 47-year-old singer's safety. The cops then picked up Ant, who suffers from manic depression. He was detained under the Mental Health Act at London's Royal Free Hospital, a hospital spokesperson said. Under British law, Ant can be detained for up to 28 days.

A statement on Ant's Web site said the singer "is not suicidal, however family and friends are concerned that Adam (was) not receiving the care that he requires, and they do not wish to see him become a potential threat to himself."

Ant is still scheduled to kick off his "Here and Now" tour with Spandau Ballet in April.

DIDO

The Official U.K. Charts Company has revoked Dido's Brit Award nomination for Best Newcomer because the singer, who was nominated for a Brit last year, didn't meet the new artist eligibility requirements.

RollingStone.com quotes a statement from the Brit Awards saying, "Under the eligibility rules for the Brit Awards 2002, (Dido) should have not appeared as a contender and therefore it has been decided by the Executive Producer that from today Dido will be withdrawn from this category and replaced by the next eligible artist, Tom McRae."

Dido was unfazed by the news, calling the incident "quite funny" in an interview with the BBC's Radio 1. She's nominated for three other 2002 Brit Awards -- Best British Album (for "No Angel"), Best British Video (for "Thank You") and Best British Female Solo Artist.

The Brit Awards are scheduled for Feb. 20 in London.

CREED

Creed's "Weathered" has joined 'N Sync's "No Strings Attached" and Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP" as the only albums in the SoundScan era that have held onto the No. 1 position on The Billboard Top-200 album chart for their first eight weeks of release. Billboard.com reports "Weathered" had no trouble holding off Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory," which is No. 2 for a third week in a row.

Creed launched its 2002 tour in Atlanta Wednesday night.

U2

Target Stores is offering a U2 album created exclusively for the upscale discount retailer. The CD, titled "U2 7," is a compilation of seven rare and remixed U2 songs -- including an acoustic version of "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of," remixes of "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation" as well as the domestic releases of "Summer Rain" and "Always." It'll retail for $6.99 and go on sale next Tuesday.

U2 was named "Band of the Year" by Spin and Rolling Stone magazines. The Irish rockers are currently nominated for eight Grammy Awards, including "Album of the Year."

SHERYL CROW

Sheryl Crow's ties to country music continue to grow stronger. Country.com reports the pop singer recently recorded tracks with Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines ("Abilene") and Emmylou Harris ("Weather Channel") that are being considered for Crow's upcoming album, due out in the spring.

Crow also duets with Willie Nelson on his newly released album, "The Great Divide."

Earlier this month, Crow earned a Grammy nomination for best female country vocal performance for "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," a track from the Hank Williams tribute "Timeless." Crow's sister lives in Nashville and works for performing rights organization Broadcast Music Inc.

'N SYNC

'N Sync has signed a deal with Chili's Grill & Bar to star in a series of commercials promoting the restaurant chain's Baby Back Ribs and "To Go" service.

It marks the first time in Chili's 27-year history that the company has enlisted celebrity talent for its television or radio advertising. The new spots featuring Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and Justin Timberlake will begin airing next week.

Chili's will also be the lead sponsor of the band's upcoming concert tour.

ROCK FOR LIFE

The anti-abortion movement will take on a younger, hipper face when high-school and college youths descend on Washington this weekend for the Rock For Life rally and concert.

The music ministry organization Rock for Life expects hundreds of young supporters to travel to Washington for Saturday's concert commemorating the 28th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that legalized abortions in the United States, and the annual anti-abortion March for Life rally. Bryan Kemper, director of Rock for Life, said the concert will feature the bands Hangnail, Cool Hand Luke and Jennifer's Regret at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill.

The next day, the group will hold a candlelight prayer vigil at the U.S. Supreme Court. On Monday, the participants plan to picket the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and hold a news conference followed by a youth rally. The event winds up with a second concert on Constitution Avenue next Tuesday.

Abortion rights and women's advocacy groups such as the Feminist Majority Foundation have not yet announced their counter-plans for the weekend. The Feminist Majority Foundation also sponsors what they call Rock for Choice concerts around the country featuring musical groups such as Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine, among others.

(Thanks to UPI White House Reporter Kathy A. Gambrell)