MUSIC NEWS: THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017
Lighthouse co founder and drummer Skip Prokop dead at 74
Skip Prokop, co-founder and drummer with the Canadian rock band Lighthouse, has died. He was 74.
Band manager Brenda Hoffert, wife of Lighthouse co-founder Paul Hoffert, says Prokop died Wednesday in a St. Thomas, Ont., hospital.
She says Prokop had been living with a heart condition and was ill for some time.
Prokop had been unable to perform with the Juno Award-winning band since 2014 so his son, Jamie, had stepped in to take his place.
Founded in 1968, Lighthouse was distinguished for its fusion of rock and jazz, with infectious tracks like ``You Girl,'' ``One Fine Morning'' and ``Sunny Days.
Lighthouse won Junos for group of the year in 1974, vocal instrumental group of the year in 1973, and outstanding performance of the year in 1972.
Prokop is survived by his wife Tracey, son Jamie, and daughters Shannon and Cassandra.
(The Canadian Press)
HOUSTON - BENEFIT CONCERT
Bun B and music manager Scooter Braun are working on a benefit concert for the people of Houston after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Who will play has yet to be determined. Bun B's representative says he's actively working on the talent and logistics for the concert, scheduled for Sept. 12th. It's tentatively set to air on four national networks. Bun B and Braun have big-name connections. Bun B is from Houston and has worked with fellow Houston native Beyonce and fan-of-the-city Drake. He's also worked with OutKast, Jay Z, Rick Ross and 2 Chainz. Braun manages Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen.
Braun also organized Grande's benefit concert in Manchester, England, in June.
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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - BROADWAY
Tickets for Bruce Springsteen's concerts on Broadway are so hot, he's already planning to do more. Tickets for the initial run of October 3rd through November 26th sold out instantly yesterday. He's now extended the run until February 3rd.
Springsteen plans to do five shows a week, with some time off during the holidays. In an effort to thwart scalpers, fans registered for the chance to buy tickets. Yesterday, Ticketmaster randomly sent out text messages with codes just hours before tickets went on sale. So much for their efforts. Resale sites have the tickets listed already for as much as 10-thousand dollars U-S.
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QUEEN - FILM
Queen guitarist Brian May believes the actor who will play singer Freddie Mercury in a movie about the band is going to convince people he really is Mercury. May says actor Rami Malek (RAH'-mee MAL'-ihk) is ``going to suspend everybody's disbelief.'' May says Malek has Mercury's presence. The movie is scheduled to come out Christmas of 2018.
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KID ROCK - RESTAURANT BUSINESS
Kid Rock plans to open a restaurant in the new home of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons. Kid Rock's Made In Detroit restaurant will be part of Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. It will be open year-round for lunch and dinner.
The menu will feature classic Detroit and Southern-influenced food as well as traditional bar fare. Rock's memorabilia will be part of the decor. The space will have a stage to showcase emerging talent with a focus on local artists.
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CHRIS YOUNG - GRAND OLE OPRY
Chris Young was suspicious when Vince Gill asked him to go on before him at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, but Gill blamed it on a scratchy throat. It was a ruse so Gill could come out during Young's performance and invite him to join the Opry. Young was so excited he picked Gill up off the floor in a bear hug. Young has played the Opry 78 times since his debut in 2006. He will have his formal induction October 17th, three days before he releases his ``Losing Sleep'' album.
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HARVEY - CONCERT
One way celebrities often respond to disasters is to put on a benefit concert. And plans are already afoot to do one for Hurricane Harvey victims. Houston native Bun B and music manager Scooter Braun are working together on a show to help those affected by Harvey. A rep for Bun B says the rapper is working with Braun, who manages Justin Bieber. Braun also did the benefit concert Ariana Grande did in Manchester, England in June. It helped the city rebound from the terror attack on her show there the month before. Bun B's rep says the Harvey benefit concert is scheduled to air on four national networks on September 12th and talent for the show is being rounded up.
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(The Associated Press)
