HOT: Joel Sabotages Springsteen?
It could have been an honest mistake, but maybe it was a vengeful act of professional jealousy? Bruce Springsteen made the news when, on Veterans Day, the motorcycle he was cruising on broke down and some surprised fellow bikers (who happened to be veterans) gave him a ride. Now Billy Joel says he built the bike Springsteen was riding at the motorcycle shop/gallery he owns on Long Island. Joel told an audience in New York during a concert that he called The Boss to apologized for the malfunction. For future reference, as a general rule, “things that drive on the road” and “Billy Joel” don’t mix.
WARM: Castro Mourned in Silence
Passengers on the first commercial flights to land in Cuba in more than 50 years planning to live it up on the island and dance the night away picked the wrong time to visit. Those first flights coincided with the death of controversial leader Fidel Castro, which led to a ban on live music and alcohol during the nine days of national mourning for the late leader. Cigars were readily available at least. And those not wanting to mourn could always visit Miami, Fla., where Castro’s passing was observed in very much the opposite way.
COLD: Punk Up in Smoke
As promised, the son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood torched his $6 million collection of Punk memorabilia in the middle of the River Thames on the 40th anniversary of the release of The Sex Pistols first single. Joe Corré’s “protest” was aimed at London’s planned celebrations in honor of Punk’s 40th anniversary (as cofounder of since-sold-off lingerie company Agent Provocateur, Corré has the luxury of being able to almost literally set millions of dollars on fire). “Punk was never meant to be nostalgic,” he said. Westwood spoke at the demonstration, nobly but strangely urging people to switch to green energy.
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2016.