ARCH MUSIC NEWS for 3/14/13

ARCH MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Axl Rose is facing a new lawsuit. An Australian fan is suing the Guns N’ Roses singer after being hurt at the band’s show in Perth Saturday night. Darren Wright tells “The West Australian” that he suffered mouth injuries when Rose tossed his cordless microphone into the crowd during the show’s finale. He says he couldn’t see anything through the bright lights and explosions, and all of a sudden he was “whacked in the mouth.” Wright admits at first though he’d been punched, and it took him “a few seconds to realize what was going on.” He says he could “feel bits of teeth” in his mouth, and then someone was “climbing through” his legs trying to get the microphone. Wright explains that he doesn’t “harbor any ill feelings” toward Axl, and he doesn’t think the singer “intended to do it,” but he wants compensation for his dental work. Wright says he’s received an apology from the tour promoter, who has offered to give him an autographed microphone. But he says a signed mic won’t fix his teeth or pay the estimated five-thousand-100-dollars in medical bills he’ll be incurring.

Eric Clapton is launching what could be one of his last tours. The guitar legend is heading out on a 17-date North American tour, which he’s kicking off in Phoenix, Arizona Thursday night.  The tour will not be coming to St. Louis, so if you want to see him for what might be the last time, you’ll have to travel to shows nearest St. Louis in Oklahoma City (March 20^th) and Nashville (March 23). The Wallflowers are on board as the opening act.

 
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler says there’s one country star he’d like to work with. When asked to name who he’d be willing to serve as an intern, the singer tells “Us Weekly” his choice is “blonde with all the hits. Taylor Swift. She’s hot.” But it’s not just her looks that the 64-year-old rocker finds appealing. He adds that Taylor is “beyond talented,” and that he’ll “have to write a song with her.” If Tyler does collaborate with the 23-year-old country-pop sensation, it won’t be the first time he’s worked with a young female country singer. Carrie Underwood — who just turned 30 last Sunday — and 18-year-old Lauren Alaina — who competed on “American Idol” when Tyler was a judge — both make guest appearances on Aerosmith’s latest album, “Music From Another Dimension.”

It was Michael McDonald in triplicate last night on NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” The former Doobie Brother made a surprise appearance on the show to sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with himself…McDonald sang the song with musical guest Justin Timberlake and Fallon. They did their best Michael McDonald impersonations — complete with white wigs and facial hair.

 
It’s a big day for Stevie Nicks at South By Southwest. The Fleetwood Mac frontwoman will be taking part in a special interview session at the Austin, Texas event, and her documentary “In Your Dreams” will be screened. In addition, she’s slated to join John Fogerty, Rick Springfield, and others for another performance with Dave Grohl’s Sound City Players. Grohl will also be giving the keynote address at the event.

Lady Gaga isn’t letting her hip injury take interfere with being a trendsetter. The star posted some photos of her brand new wheelchair – dubbed “The Chariot.” It’s made of 24-carat gold and black leather and was designed by Ken Borochov, of luxury label Mordekai. He released a statement saying that Gaga’s team commissioned him to create “The Chariot” following her injury, and that he was determined to make it “fit only for a queen.” The hardware on the fabulous, yet functional, wheelchair also includes a footrest, recliner and a pull-out canopy shade to protect the Mother Monster from any unwanted sunlight. Borochov has designed a number of items for Gaga’s onstage looks in the past, as well as the gold claw she wore to the launch of her FAME fragrance, but “The Chariot” was his first wheelchair.