Andrew D. Thompson, 20, of Waterford Township, was arrested and charged Tuesday (June 26) with stealing cash and items including sneakers autographed by Shaquille O’Neal and a Rolex watch. Thompson was charged in 48th District Court with larceny from a building, a four-year felony. He was released on bond.

The biggest loss from the party was Seger’s 1978 Gibson Les Paul guitar. The guitar reportedly turned up on the family’s dock after the theft, though Thompson denies he took it. Police said he admits snatching the other items.

“It mysteriously showed up right after I talked to him, but he denied he took it,” Orchard Lake Detective Darrell Betts said. “That was my main goal, getting that guitar back … It’s priceless.”

Complicating the case is the fact Thompson is a longtime, trusted family friend, Betts said.

“They trusted this kid,” Betts said, adding the party was just a small affair and it was approved by the Seger parents. Betts believes Thompson broke back in through an unlocked door wall after the party was over.

The Segers were in the process of moving when the party happened, police said, and after the burglary became apparent officers started calling party attendees. Thompson turned himself in, police said.

As for the Les Paul, it’s currently in a police storage locker, awaiting the prosecutor’s order that it’s safe to return. “I hope he [Seger] locks it up when it’s returned,” Betts said.

- Christy Strawser, CBS Detroit

“Up On Cripple Creek” features Helm on lead vocals (he sang on the original version from The Band’s 1969 self-titled album).  When Helm passed away on April 19, Ringo decided to release the track on iTunes, to raise funds for a few charities.  However, he told CBS Local that it took a little longer than expected to get permission to sell the song.

One of the charities that will benefit from sales of the song is MusiCares, an organization run by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need, covering financial, medical and personal emergencies. The Lotus Foundation, meanwhile, was established by Starr and his wife Barbara Bach, and offers financial aid and assistance to facilitate family and child welfare, women’s issues, animal protection, addiction recovery and education.

Starr is also raising funds for The Lotus Foundation via sales of his artwork.  CBS Local caught up with him at Pop International Galleries in New York City where he was displaying selling several original prints. The event raised money for both The Lotus Foundation, and also Knot Violence, an organization dedicated to engaging young people to teach them how to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Learn more about Knot Violence here.  Ringo Starr and The All-Starr Band will be on tour through July. 

<em>– Brian Ives, CBS Local</em>

Thanks to an $800 loan from his family, Gordy founded the legendary soul label Motown in Detroit in 1959 and would produce what would be known as “The Sound of Young America,” music that would change the landscape of American culture starting in the racially-charged 1960s. Gordy has long been driven to tell the the Motown story and wrote Motown the Musical, which will now make its way to Broadway, according to the Detroit News.

The musical will be directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (Ruined, Sophisticated Ladies, Through the Night) and produced by Kevin McCollum (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights). Gordy’s life will be highlighted in the production, to be expected since he was at the forefront of Motown and its Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters. And unlike previous films depicting Motown, Gordy should have no difficulty gaining permission to use many of the hits released by his label.

Casting for Gordy’s musical has not been announced as of yet.

- E.J. Judge, WCBSFM New York

- Jillian Mapes, CBS Local

However, nobody in the Stones camp even knows what they’re doing for sure yet, this according to Charlie Watts. In a recent interview with Premiere Prep, the drummer said they’re still working out the specifics.

“We’re gonna sort of celebrate the 50 years and then we see what we do next, you know, whenever. We haven’t decided on anything really.”

Two things are for sure:

1. The band will meet in London in the coming weeks to discuss the 50th anniversary more extensively.
2. They’ve settled on a 50th Anniversary logo and it looks like this:

(The Rolling Stones/Shepard Fairey)

Andrew Celani — WODS.com

---

See also:

• Buddy Guy On Getting Keith Richards’ Guitar [VIDEO]
• Legendary Muddy Waters/Rolling Stones Concert Coming To DVD and CD
• UPDATE: Rolling Stones Retirement Rumors Dismissed By Rep
• Unknown British Actor Cast as Keith Richards in Jimi Hendrix Biopic

The July 2009 concert was sci-fi themed, and was performed in conjunction with the town’s annual parade.

The set is titled Tales From The Mothership and is being released by Gonzo MultiMedia on July 3, 2012.

At the time of the concert, Jefferson Starship’s manager Michael Gaiman said that Roswell’s invite was a no-brainer for the group, who have always had an interest in science fiction. Even cooler, they were pronounced as the parade’s Grand Martians (instead of Grand Marshals) and rode on a special float designed just for them.

“On July 3rd, 2009, thanks to the Roswell UFO Festival Committee and Cool 94.9 Radio, we got to scratch that itch and assuage a long time desire to stage a mosh of rock music and science fiction.”

Along with the entire concert from July 3, 2009, the 4-CD set also includes rehearsals and the band’s soundcheck before the show.

You can pre-order it here.

Andrew Celani — WODS.com

Related:

• Backstage with Mickey Thomas: On Starship
• Starship Kick Off WODS Summer Concert Series With Mickey Thomas
• Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas [PHOTOS]

First, Matt doesn’t like Ann, and Ann is leaving.

Then.,  Hoda  is up for Ann’s gig, but so is Savannah.

Next, Savanah get’s the gig and Hoda is back with Kathie.

And now, Natalie is ticked off so she is leaving.

So who will replace Natalie? Hoda?

Maybe they should just have let Matt Lauer leave!

My spies tell me that Larry David is scouting locations for an undisclosed project he has in the works!

The album is a reunion of sorts for Van Morrison, who returns to his former label home Blue Note for Born To Sing: No Plan B. His last release with the jazz label was his 2003 album What’s Wrong With This Picture?.

From the sounds of a press release, Morrison is most pleased to be reuniting with Blue Note president Don Was, a record producer whose work ethic rivals that of even the hyper-active “Brown Eyed Girl” singer. Was has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Elton John and Ringo Starr, but is perhaps most closely associated with the Rolling Stones. But Was is not actually the producer on Born To Sing: No Plan B - Morrison produced it himself and recorded it in his native Belfast.

Morrison’s most recent studio album, Keep It Simple, was released in 2008, and was his highest debut on the U.S. album chart to date (No. 10).

A six-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Van Morrison is perhaps most applauded for his influential 1968 album, Astral Weeks.

Born To Sing: No Plan B tracklist:

1. Open The Door (To Your Heart)
2. Going Down To Monte Carlo
3. Born To Sing
4. End Of The Rainbow
5. Close Enough For Jazz
6. Mystic Of The East
7. Retreat And View
8. If In Money We Trust
9. Pagan Heart
10. Educating Archie

- Jillian Mapes, CBS Local

On the eve of the third anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, MJ memorabilia sold in Julien’s Auctions’ “Sports Legends and Music Icons” auction on June 23rd and 24th fetched as much as $50,000. The item in question: One of Jackson’s “Moonman” statues from the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards (for his iconic “Thriller” video, which won the Viewer’s Choice Award at the inaugural VMAs). Fetching just a little less than that were MJ’s handwritten lyrics for 1983′s “Billie Jean,” which sold for $40,625. A Roberto Cavalli jacket signed by the King of Pop also sold for $24,320, among other items.

Fellow ’80s icon Madonna was also a top-seller, with her barely-there tour-wear receiving much attention. A negligee worn during her 1990 Blonde Ambition world tour sold for $34,375, while another undergarment she wore on stage nabbed $13,750. Madonna’s iconic cone-shaped bras have previously broken auction price records, fetching $20,000+ on more than one occasion.

A drum kit from Rush’s Neil Peart also sold high, fetching $35,000, while a Gibson guitar belonging to David Bowie went for $35,200.

Whitney Houston memorabilia sold well, with the singer’s 1986 Grammy dress and a performance jumpsuit fetching $20,480 and $10,240, respectively.

Beatles memorabilia was popular at the auction as well, with a Beatles-signed check and John Lennon’s handwritten immigration card both going for $6,400. For once, however, the Rolling Stones beat the Beatles, with a t-shirt belonging to Stones guitarist Keith Richards fetching $7,040.

Fan protests over the sale of the crypt where Elvis’ body temporarily resided may have forced the tomb out of the auction, but other Presley memorabilia remained. His motorcycle jacket and pants that sold for $41,600, a necklace with his initials fetched $31,250, and his star ruby and diamond ring went for $21,250. A lock of Elvis’ hair fetched far less at a mere $4,000 – a steal of a deal.

Elvis’ crypt at Memphis’ Forest Hills Cemetery was set for an opening bid of $100,000, but auction organizers decided to pull it from the sale at the last minute. Darren Julien, the president of Julien’s Auctions, said his auction house won’t sell the crypt “until Forest Hills finds a plan that best suits the interests of the fans while respecting and preserving the memory of Elvis Presley.” Julien explained in an interview with K-EARTH last month that he was contacted by the cemetery to sell the crypt, which has been empty since late 1977, when Elvis’ body was moved for permanent burial at his Graceland estate.

A list of the 944 items sold at Julien’s Auctions’ “Sports Legends and Music Icons” auction in Beverly Hills can seen here.

- Jillian Mapes, CBS Local

For The Eagles, following up 1976′s Hotel California proved to be an insurmountable task that would eventually drive them apart, forcing their break up in 1980.

Over 30 years later, Glenn Frey wishes they had just taken a vacation instead of pushing forward with the status quo.

Here’s what Glenn Frey told BBC News in a recent interview:

“If I had known what I know now, I would have just had the Eagles have a vacation for a while, we’re getting on each other’s nerves, that’s what the (Rolling) Stones used to do. It’s not really ego, it’s the pressure to follow Hotel California. Trying to get better every time out, and you just can’t be better every time out, every record can’t be Hotel California, every song you write can’t be Desperado.”

To the shock of many, the band reunited in 1994 for the Hell Freezes Over tour and would release only one more album, 2007′s Long Road Out Of Eden.

Andrew Celani — WODS.com

See also:

• Classic Rock’s 5 Most Surprising Reconciliations
• Eagles Honored at Berklee as Artists Perform Their Songs
• Glenn Frey Finds A Reason To Tour With ‘After Hours’