News …

Elton John raises $2.5 million for Clinton – Associated Press

Procter & Gamble gets funky, hooks up with Island Def Jam to form new hip-hop label – The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dr. Who to land at BBC Proms – The Times Online U.K.

Bob Marley’s mother dies at 81 – Miami Herald

Vinyl’s incredible staying power – The Lantern

Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy’s Peter Wentz engaged – Associated Press

Views …

Santana in New York City – “It’s a more formatted music world now than it was when Santana, his band, arrived in the late 1960s, and Mr. Santana has grown more savvy about both parts of his job.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Def Leppard in Providence – ” … the triple bill of Def Leppard, Styx and REO Speedwagon gave a good accounting of the time when rock music was pop music …” – The Providence Journal

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in Anaheim – “Comparing the two Bruce Springsteen shows at the Honda Center is like comparing ‘The Godfather’ and ‘The Godfather, Part II.’ – The Orange County Register

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. in London – “Finally, twirling in circles while hugging his guitar, came the Cape man, to an ecstatic reception that barely let up for the first half an hour.” – The Times Online U.K.

Wishbone Ash in the U.K. – “The interplay between the twin lead guitars of Powell and Muddy Manninen suggests metaphors about courting swans, pirouetting ballet dancers.” – News & Star U.K.

John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) in Nottingham – ” … delivered a highly accomplished performance, mixing pop standards and favourite show tunes with sparky quips and occasionally tear-jerking personal stories, all with the total self-assurance of a seasoned professional.” – Nottingham Evening Post

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Bobbie Smith (The Spinners) is 72

Bunny Wailer is 61

Terre Roche (The Roches) is 55

Steven Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs) is 51

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds is 50

Brian Setzer (The Stray Cats, Brian Setzer Orchestra) is 49

Afrika Bambaataa is 48

Katrina Leskanich (Katrina & the Waves) is 48

Tim “Herb” Alexander (Primus) is 43

Kenny Lattimore is 38

Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest) is 38

Shemekia Copeland is 29

Mandy Moore is 24