ARCH MUSIC NEWS for 3/5/13

ARCH MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Sir Ozzy? A campaign is under way at Causes.com urging Queen Elizabeth to recognize the rock icon with a knighthood. The online petition is addressed to “Honours and Appointments Secretariat – Cabinet Office (U.K.) David Spooner,” and outlines why the undersigned believe Osbourne is worthy of the honor. It mentions Ozzy’s “40 years of service to the music industry,” explaining that Osbourne has been a great inspiration and entertainer both as Black Sabbath’s vocalist and as a solo artist. The petition adds that the recognition is “well deserved and long overdue.” The Queen has two annual lists in which she names British citizens for national awards. The Queen’s Birthday Honours list comes out in June, and the New Year’s Honours list is unveiled at the end of each year.

Adele is back home in London after several weeks in Los Angeles leading up her big Oscars performance. She marked her return by tweeting a photo a toy souvenir she brought back for her baby – a mini Oscar statue that reads “Best Son.” The 24-year-old called it an “epic trip” and thanked Hollywood for having her and her family. She was there mainly to prepare for her performance of “Skyfall,” which was her first since giving birth last October. Not only did Adele bring home an Oscar in her luggage, she also had to pack a Golden Globe and a BRIT award.

The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir is finding new success with his variety show on the web. The “Marin Independent Journal” says 40-thousand people a week are tuning in for a new webcast of Bob Weir’s “Weir Here,” which he webcasts Wednesdays at approximately 8:30 p.m. Eastern. Shows feature performances and conversations with some of his famous friends at his San Rafael Studio, and Weir also takes questions from fans. In typical Dead fashion, Weir hosts the show in a t-shirt and sandals. The show’s producer says “It’s free Wednesday night entertainment” and “a good time to be a Deadhead.” The next installment of “Weir Here” is set for tomorrow night. More details on the show can be found at www.tristudios.com.

Here’s some MAD GENIUS creativity that’s re-titled “Call Me A Hole”: A mashup of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me maybe” with Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole”.

Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Rick Springfield have another date set with Dave Grohl’s Sound City Players. The all-star group is heading south this month — or more specifically, South by Southwest. They’re set to take the stage at the Austin, Texas festival on March 14th. It’s the same night Nicks will be featured in a special interview session, and her documentary “In Your Dreams” will be screened. Meanwhile Grohl will also be on hand to deliver the event’s keynote address. The SXSW edition of the somewhat fluid lineup will also include Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Rage Against the Machine’s Brad Wilk, Fear’s Lee Ving, and others. The show is supporting Grohl’s “Sound City” documentary. The film’s soundtrack is due in stores on March 12th.  Meanwhile, the Sound City Players are set to shut down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles today. The band is taping a special concert for ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The performance will air on Tuesday night’s episode of the late-night show, which starts at 10:35 p.m. StL time.

Van Halen will be performing at least one show in the U.S. this year. The band has been tapped as one of the headliners for this summer’s Rock USA festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Van Halen is scheduled to close out the four-day event, which will take place from July 17th through the 20th.