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Rock News: Music's high and low notes

By PENNY NELSON BARTHOLOMEW, United Press International
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ALICE IN CHAINS

The surviving members of Alice In Chains -- guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney -- said they're "heartbroken" over the death of the band's lead singer, Layne Staley.

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In a statement Monday, the rockers called Staley "a sweet man with a keen sense of humor and a deep sense of humanity. He was an amazing musician, an inspiration, and comfort to so many. He made great music and gifted it to the world. We are proud to have known him, to be his friend, and to create music with him."

"For the past decade, Layne struggled greatly -- we can only hope that he has at last found some peace."

Staley, 34, was found dead Friday at his Seattle home. The cause of death has not been determined but reportedly drug paraphernalia was found by the body. The musician had struggled with heroin addiction.

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Staley's family has requested that contributions may be made in Layne's name to: Eastside Recovery Center, 1412 140th Place NE, Bellevue, WA 98007


NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Lenny Kravitz, Jimmy Buffett, Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt are among the headliners at this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which takes over the Big Easy starting this Friday through May 5.

Downbeat.com reports that now in its 32nd year, the Soul Daddy of all jazz festivals features not only jazz, but blues, gospel, zydeco and American roots music of nearly every description -- particularly if it's native to the South. It's being held at the 35-acre New Orleans Fairgrounds. Twelve tent stages will present acts simultaneously, with more than 600 bands appearing throughout the week.

Also on the bill -- Counting Crows, India.Arie, Blues Traveler, Better Than Ezra and Gov't Mule.

(Web site: nojazzfest.com)


YES

It's no secret that keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman was at odds with the super group Yes because, as a born-again Christian, he became disenchanted with the content of some of the band's song lyrics.

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Now, according to Assist News Service, Wakeman is headed back to the group and will again perform with the other members. The Yes office in Los Angeles told Assist News that Wakeman will be joining the group for rehearsals in just a few weeks and will participate in a Yes concert tour, set for this summer.

Because of the announcement, plans are being made to expand the tour from its original dates to possibly include some international touring in 2003.

ANS's Dan Wooding says Wakeman was moved to rejoin "the other guys" when they appeared via satellite as part of a "This is Your Life" shown on U.K. television in which Wakeman was the honored guest.

Although there are no plans for a studio album, several of the concert dates may be taped for future release on DVD.

(Thanks to UPI's Dennis Daily)


QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

Queens of the Stone Age are hitting the highway to test drive some new material, and they're taking Dave Grohl along for the ride.

The tour will kick off May 27 in Atlanta in support of their third album, "Songs for the Deaf," due in mid-July, MTV News reports. Dave Grohl -- who has put off finishing the fourth Foo Fighters CD to tour with Queens -- rounds out a lineup that also includes singer Josh Homme, bassist Nick Oliveri and guitarist Mark Lanegan, according to an Interscope spokesperson.

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Tour dates:

5/27 -- Atlanta, GA @ Cotton Club

5/29 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

5/30 -- New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

6/1 -- Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

6/2 -- Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

6/5 -- Detroit, MI @ The Shelter

6/6 -- Chicago, IL @ Metro/Smart Bar

6/7 -- Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar

6/9 -- Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater

6/12 -- Vancouver, BC @ Richard's on Richards

6/14 -- Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan


NICKELODEON KIDS'CHOICE AWARDS

Pink won the Favorite Song award and was named Favorite Female Singer at the 15th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards last Saturday in Santa Monica, Calif.

Pink's "Get the Party Started" took home song honors over Britney Spears' "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know," Smash Mouth's "I'm a Believer," and "N Sync's "Pop," Allstar News reports. For Favorite Female Singer, Pink also beat out Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez.

Those two artists didn't go home empty-handed, however --- Jackson won the Wannabe Award (because kids want to be her) and Lopez got Favorite Female Movie Star for her work in "The Wedding Planner."

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Other music winners included Destiny's Child (Favorite Singing Group), Baha Men (Favorite Band), and Usher (Favorite Male Singer).


DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS

Garage rock duo the White Stripes, the late soulster Marvin Gaye and punky glam rockers Trash Brats were the big winners last Friday at the 12th annual Detroit Music Awards.

Billboard.com reports the White Stripes' third album "White Blood Cells" (Sympathy for the Record Industry) picked up the outstanding national album award, while its "Hotel Yorba" won outstanding national single. An update of Gaye's classic set "What's Going On" (Polygram) won the award for outstanding compilation/reissue, while the Trash Brats won outstanding rock act and outstanding rock/pop recording for "American Disaster" (Storm).

Other multiple winners included singer Liz Larin, who won rock/pop vocalist and songwriter awards, Carl Craig, who swept the electronica category, and gospel artists Derrick Starks and Donnie McClurkin. The show also included performances from acts such as rappers Royce da 5'9" and Paradime, and rocker Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge).

(Web site: detroitmusicawards.com)


SARAH MCLACHLAN, BRYAN ADAMS

Three weeks ago, Bryan Adams and a very pregnant Sarah McLachlan recorded the ballad "Don't Let Go" for Adams' soundtrack to the upcoming DreamWorks animated film "Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron." The session took place a mere two days before McLachlan became a mom, Adams' spokeswoman, Kim Blake, told Jam! Showbiz News.

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McLachlan and husband Ashwin Sood announced earlier this month that their first child, a girl named India, was born on April 6.

"Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron" is due in theatres May 24, and the soundtrack is expected in stores May 14.

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