Should we just call it the Jacksons that no one cares about tour? The big news that the Jackson 5 would tour next year has hit a major road block: the star of the group is opting out. No Michael Jackson = No Jackson 5? .

Actor Joaquin Phoenix wants to be known in the future as Musician Joaquin Phoenix. That's right - at the ripe old age of 34, the Oscar-nominated star is eyeing his last days in front of movie cameras in favor of standing behind microphones. Phoenix stated his intent to quit acting at Monday night's (27 October) Paul Newman benefit for Camps For Kids in Los Angeles. more

A Spanish musician who builds and plays his own drums has contracted anthrax by inhaling spores from imported animal hides. The unnamed drummer is said to be "critical but stable" in a London (UK) hospital. more

Alan McGee, who founded the Creation record label, signed Oasis and went on to manage bands including The Libertines and The Charlatans, has said he has quit the music business. more

Social Distortion and Motorhead will be headlining the upcoming Musink Tattoo & Music Festival in Costa Mesa, California. The festival will be a 25-date tour, which takes place from January to March 2009. more

The Acacia Strain have confirmed details for the band's forthcoming DVD shoot, which will take place just in the band's second hometown of Worcester at the Palladium on December 28. Tickets are already available for only $10 on the Mass Concerts website:, or by phone at 1-800-477-6849, with 100 limited Special Golden Tickets available for $50.

George Strait will receive the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade award in recognition of his nearly 25-year career. more

Guns N' Roses have just released a new widget which has a countdown to the November 23rd release date of their long-delayed Chinese Democracy album. The widget also features an audio stream of the title-track new single. Best Buy will exclusively carry the album in the U.S. and Canada. Want the widget? grab it here.

Singer and songwriter Randy Newman has postponed his 18-date European tour because of physical pain from stenosis in his lower back and neck, a statement on the singer's Web site said on Thursday. more

The sagging economy continues to weigh heavily on the digital music space, with eMusic now laying off 10% of its workforce. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company cited the financial crisis in its decision.more

T-Pain has released a brand new video for the song "Karaoke" featuring DJ Khaled. The Bank Head directed video was shot on location at the Miami Beach Studio Karaoke Bar and features some hilarious cameos from Akon and Kanye West. check it T-Pain's third album THR33 RINGZ hits 11.11.08 on Nappy Boy/Jive/Zomba.

Speculation over who may lead the new MySpace Music joint venture heated up after tech news site CNET reported that MTV digital executive Courtney Holt has been offered the position.more

An exclusive version of Leona Naess' new album Thirteens, is now available on iTunes. The iTunes exclusive is available at the special low price of $7.99, and has a bonus version of the song "Leave Your Boyfriends Behind" featuring a duet with Ryan Adams. Naess is currently on tour with fellow songwriter Ray LaMontagne. iTunes link

Kings of Leon will be heading Dare 2 Dream, a benefit concert and silent auction early next year in Chicago. Proceeds from the event will benefit pediatric cancer research at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital. more

UK Death metal legends Bolt Thrower have announced that they will be appearing at next year's Maryland Deathfest. more

The Get Up Kids's beloved 1997 debut, Four Minute Mile, is headed for a vinyl reissue December 9, 2008. The LP reissue will be pressed on exclusive blue vinyl. more

Ashtray have planned a special live album titled Operation Ashtray. The disc will feature an entire set of Operation Ivy covers recorded at Danny from The Secretions' "Lame Ass Birthday Bash." The entire event was a benefit for The American Cancer Society. more

Terrin Durfey of Boilermaker, The Jade Shader and Pinback has passed away after a long battle with cancer. more

We just got word of a special show happening this Saturday, November 1st at The Joint in Beverly Hills: The Day Of The Dead Celebration hosted by Stanton LaVey the grandson of Anton LaVey. The show is set to feature Happenin' Harry & The Haptones All Star Band featuring members of Guns N Roses, Train, L.A.Guns, Msg and more plus "Special Surprise Guests." Also appearing will be Swedish rockers Snake Of Eden, plus Franki Doll & The Broken Toys and Happenin' Harry's All Star Tribute to Black Sabbath. More info here

Be sure to tune in to Sounds Eclectic, hosted by Nic Harcourt on KCRW this Sunday at 7:00 pm (PST) to hear new tracks from Andy Yorke's solo debut, Simple. Nic will be playing cuts like "Rise and Fall". show site.

A host of influential Midwestern hardcore bands will return to the stage next spring in Chicago in celebration of the scene-chronicling book "Burning Fight: The Nineties Hardcore Revolution in Ethics, Politics, Spirit and Sound." - more

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