Director John Ottman will helm Billy & Me, a biopic about Billy Joel’s early career, despite the singer’s opposition. The film chronicles Joel’s formative years through his first manager Irwin Mazur, who discovered him in 1966 and guided his career until 1972. Production begins this fall in Winnipeg and New York, with casting underway. Joel’s representatives stated he has not authorized the project and warned it would be “legally and professionally misguided” to proceed without his approval. The production lacks Joel’s life rights and music licensing. The story focuses on Joel’s relationship with Mazur and drummer Jon Small, who holds life rights and serves as consultant. Small praised the script’s authenticity, calling it the “most honest portrayal” of Joel’s rise to fame before “Piano Man” launched his stardom. Story URL
Darius Rucker will receive the Veterans Voice Award at Monday’s American Music Awards, airing live from Las Vegas on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. EDT. The award, presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action, recognizes Rucker’s commitment to supporting military families through his platform. Rucker has collaborated with Military Warriors Support Foundation and performed for the USO and DoD Warrior Games. The ceremony coincides with Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month. His band Hootie & the Blowfish will also perform during the show. Zac Brown received last year’s Veterans Voice Award. Queen Latifah hosts the ceremony, while Billy Idol receives a Lifetime Achievement Award and Karol G gets the International Artist Award of Excellence. The broadcast will include a military appreciation section for service members and veterans. (Story URL)
Everclear revealed “The Lucky 7 Tour,” a 24-date fall trek where fans will vote and the 7 most-requested songs will be added to each city’s setlist. American Hi-Fi will open the tour. The trek begins October 22nd in Los Angeles, visiting cities including San Francisco, Portland, Denver, Louisville, and Nashville. Tickets go onsale today, and one dollar per ticket benefits MusiCares, which supports music community health services. “Our fans have always been a huge part of what we do, so giving them a real voice in the setlist makes this tour feel even more special,” vocalist Art Alexakis stated. The current lineup features Alexakis, Davey French, Freddy Herrera, and Brian Nolan. (Story URL)
All six members of the Foo Fighters appeared on the latest episode of ‘Hot Ones Versus,’ answering personal questions while eating increasingly spicy wings. Dave Grohl shared a story about David Bowie telling him to “f*** off” via email, revealed there is an unreleased Foo Fighters rap song, and admitted to having severe diarrhea after drinking Slovenian tap water. (Story URL)
Ike Willis, longtime vocalist and guitarist in Frank Zappa’s band from 1978 to 1988, died on Friday in Las Vegas at age 70. No cause of death was announced. Willis was best known for voicing ‘Joe’s Garage,’ Zappa’s 1979 three-part rock opera. He appeared on numerous Zappa albums, including ‘Tinseltown Rebellion’ and ‘Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch.’ After Zappa’s death in 1993 at age 52, Willis formed his own band and worked with tribute groups. Story URL