Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe SPRINGSTEEN DEBUTS AT NO. 1 Bruce Springsteen's Columbia Records compact disc "The Rising" will make its entrance on Billboard's Top 200 album chart at the No. 1 spot next week, with 524,976 sales in its first week, according to SoundScan. The album, released on July 30, also will debut at No. 1 in Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Denmark and Norway. Last week it debuted at No. 1 in England. Advertisement The record's debut marks Springsteen's biggest first week sales in the SoundScan era. Rolling Stone magazine gave "The Rising" its highest rating of five stars. Springsteen began his tour in support of "The Rising" Wednesday night at Continental Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. BRITNEY MELTDOWN The New York Post reports pop diva Britney Spears is "exhausted" and wants to quit the music business for two years. A representative for Spears denied the report, saying, "She is not taking two years off, she is trying to take six months off." The Post quoted a music industry source as saying, "Britney's lost it. She was really upset after being booed in London and Mexico and she's saying she's going to pack it in for two years. She's planning on moving back to Louisiana and living with her mother." Advertisement Spears was photographed last month making an obscene gesture at photographers in Mexico after aborting a concert in Mexico City because of thunderstorms. INSTRUMENTS A COMIN' PRESENTATION CEREMONY On Thursday, Aug. 15, Tipitina's will present the Joseph S. Clark and Booker T. Washington high school bands with instruments purchased with proceeds from the "Instruments A Comin'" benefit held April 29. The first annual event featured performances by notable New Orleans artists including Dr. John, Galactic, Cyril Neville, George Porter, Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins, Henry Butler and Rebirth Brass Band. The event raised $22,000 from door proceeds, an art auction and donations, with more than 1,000 patrons attending. Tipitina's created this event to generate support and awareness for music education in New Orleans' public schools and to ensure the Crescent City's unique musical heritage will continue for many generations. The presentation ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the original Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave. POPA CHUBBY BAND SIDELINED BY CRASH On their way to a festival in Rochester, N.Y., last weekend, members of the Popa Chubby blues band were injured when the van carrying the band flipped over. Guitarist and group leader Popa Chubby suffered a dislocated shoulder and a broken collar bone. Pianist Dave Keyes escaped with bumps and bruises. The other member of the band in the van, Rob Gross, was the most seriously injured, with a possible fractured skull, broken wrist and elbow. He is recovering in a hospital. Advertisement HENDRIX STILL TOP OF ROCK PILE Jimi Hendrix topped a European readers poll of the greatest rock guitarists, which was published in Total Guitar magazine. Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds fame, came in second, with another Yardbirds alumnus, Eric Clapton, in third place. Slash, the guitarist in Guns N' Roses, and Queen's Brian May took the number four and five slots.
