- Police drummer Stewart Copeland recalled the last time he saw his good friend, late-Rush drummer Neil Peart. Copeland spoke about visiting Peart in September 2019 for his 67th birthday. Copeland recalled: “He still had his dignity. You could tell he was appreciating to still be here, but you could see it was beginning to take its toll. It went from not great to really bad very quickly. It was a gradual, gradual impairment. Socially, he was still Neil. He was still the Doctor, still the Professor. Still Neptune on high! But he said, 'I’m not getting on my motorcycles again and I’m not getting on a drum set anytime again.' And those were disappointments to him, but he was still glad to be here.” Neil Peart died on January 7th, 2020 at aged 67. (Rolling Stone)
- Don Henley's newly written set of lyrics to the Eagles' 1973 classic “Desperado” raised $33,000 for the North Dallas Food Bank. According to PageSix.com: “The 72-year-old singer contacted Heritage Auctions offering help after hearing that it was raising money for North Dallas Food Bank in his hometown, with other items coming from local sports stars from the Mavericks and Cowboys.”
- Henley, along with the rest of the Eagles — Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Deacon Frey, and Vince Gill — teamed up to autograph an acoustic guitar, which sold for an additional $12,600. All told, the auction raised over $100,000 for the food bank. (Page Six)
- Rod Stewart sent a $6,000 check to a student nurse in South Wales who spent 22 days in a coma — and is facing a full year of recuperation after contracting coronavirus. The 35-year-old Natasha Jenkins received a call from one of Rod's reps, and then a letter came: “It was literally just a photo of himself — he just wrote on the photo — and then it was just a check and the envelope. I was like, 'Wow!' I was only expecting a card or something!”
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Jenkins told People, “It's a horrible, horrible disease. I know a lot of people are getting it and managing it at home but obviously I had a severe case of it. The money is just going to be put away until I need it really. There's not too much I can do at the moment but it's just one less worry isn't it, the money issues and everything. It's just so sweet.” (MSN)
- Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo have just posted “Together” — a new song online dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The couple said in a statement: “In challenging times, it sometimes helps to seek out beauty and hope and positivity. Making music leads us down that path. We wrote this because we are all hurting, struggling, grieving. We hope in some small way, that this lifts spirits and heals hearts. Wishing everyone blessings, strength and love.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- Little Richard will be laid to rest in a private ceremony on Wednesday, May 20th at Oakwood University, a historically black university in Huntsville, Alabama. According to Richard's close friend, Pastor Bill Minson, Richard — who's given name was Richard Penniman — was an alumnus of the university. Little Richard died of bone cancer on May 9th at age 87. (Billboard)
- Carlos Santana's youngest brother, musician Jorge Santana, died of natural causes on May 14th. Jorge, who was 68, first gained fame with the Northern California group Malo, and were best known for their 1972 Top 20 hit “Suavecito.” After Malo folded, Jorge went on to release solo works to critical acclaim. In later years, Jorge worked for Carlos and his management company as a director of artist relations. 1993 saw the brothers touring together before teaming up with their nephew Carlos Hernandez, for the 1994 Santana Brothers album. (Variety)
- An officially sanctioned Buddy Holly biopic is currently in the works. Oscar nominated director Bruce Beresford — best known for his movies Driving Miss Daisy and Tender Mercies — is set to direct the Buddy Holly biopic, titled Clear Lake. Buddy Holly's widow, Maria Elena Holly, has helped develop the script for the picture and will serve as an associate producer on the project. Another Oscar nominee, Stuart Benjamin — who also produced 2004's Ray Charles biopic, Ray — has been named as the film's producer. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Quick Takes: Stewart Copeland & Neil Peart, Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar, Little Richard, Carlos Santana, Buddy Holly
May 17, 2020 | 8:00 PM
