Odds & Ends: Rolling Stones, Eminem and Rick Ross

The Rolling Stones to host Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and The Black Keys, Brit festivals Leeds and Reading book the Real Slim Shady and Rick Ross says threats didn’t force him to cancel tour.

The Rolling Stones returning to the concert stage reminds us just how classy the band can be, often going way beyond the proverbial extra mile to deliver satisfaction to fans.

Photo: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP

50th anniversary concert, The O2 – London.

A shining example of this is the band’s upcoming gig scheduled for Dec. 15 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The concert, the last in this year’s “50 and Counting” series that began with warm-up shows in France, promises to be a talent-heavy event with The Stones hosting Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and The Black Keys.

Although the event sold out just nanoseconds after going on sale, that doesn’t mean the ticketless in this world will miss out on this special occasion. The show will beam around the world as a pay-per-view. Called “One More Shot,” the broadcast is being produced by Ken Ehrlich and will be distributed by WWE.

“We’re excited these extraordinary artists, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and The Black Keys, have agreed to help celebrate our 50th anniversary as we share the night live with our fans all over the world,” The Rolling Stones said in a joint statement. “Now the fun begins of trying to figure out the best songs to perform together.”

The fun starts at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Click here for more info.

Twin British music festivals Leeds and Reading have announced Eminem as their first headliner.

Previously announced as appearing at both festivals scheduled for Aug. 23-25 are Deftones, Alt-J, Sub Focus and the Boy Better Know collective/label featuring Ft. Wiley, Skepta and JME.

Pre-sale weekend tickets as well as early entry passes, campervan passes and lockers are now on sale through Dec. 31. For more info, click here for Leeds, here for Reading.

Photo: AP Photo

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Empire Polo Field, Indio, Calif.

The word coming from the Charlotte Observer late last week suggested that gang threats might have resulted in Rick Ross canceling North Carolina headlining gigs in Greensboro and Charlotte.

But Ross didn’t stop there. He also canceled the remaining dates on his Maybach Music Group tour, including stops in Detroit, Houston and North Little Rock.

Now comes news via Rolling Stone that threats made by the Gangster Disciples had nothing to do with the cancelations. While appearing on Miami radio station 99 Jamz, Ross said the gigs were canceled because the promoter “wasn’t really handling his business.”

Ross also talked about the mob boss he mentioned in “B.M.F.” as well as a dust-up with Young Jeezy that took place at the BET Awards. It’s all recorded on video for your Tuesday enjoyment.

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