Queen Will Sell Charity Single, Bootsy Collins to Host Eclectic James Brown Tribute, J Records Drops “Idol” Studdard

Queen will put their single “Say It’s Not True” on sale in the coming days to benefit Nelson Mandela’s AIDS charity, 46664. The track was originally available for free download during the days leading up to World Aids Day on December 1st, but high demand (including more than 100,000 downloads in the first weekend) led to its commercial release. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions will return to Cleveland, home of the rock hall’s museum, in 2009 after more than a decade in New York. After the March ‘09 ceremony, the annual event — which has only been held in Ohio once in the twelve years the museum has been open — could return to Cleveland every three years. In other ceremony news, the writers’ strike has caused organizers of the People’s Choice Awards to ditch its original format and introduce a news-magazine-like ceremony on January 8th featuring taped clips of winners making their acceptance speeches and answering pre-submitted fan questions. J Records has dropped 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, reports SOHH. Sales of his third record, last year’s The Return failed to match his Idol debut or his 2004 gospel release, and Studdard spent time last month acting in the play Heaven I Need a Hug. No immediate recording plans have been confirmed, and Studdard will next portray jazz legend Fats Waller in the national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Bootsy Collins will host a James Brown tribute show this Saturday, three days before the one-year anniversary of Brown’s death, in Covington, KY, near Cincinnati. Proceeds will go towards rebuilding the first recording studio Brown worked in, Cincinnati’s King Records, as well as plans for a museum in Brown’s honor. Chuck D, Buckethead, rapper Lil’ Boosie, bassist Freekbass and the Soul Generals, Brown’s most recent band, will perform, and members of Brown’s original backing group the JB’s and his MC Danny Ray wil
	Published: 2007-12-20 Provider: Rolling Stone
Keywords: Rock News, Morning News Roundup, On Tour