The Greatest Hits

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Foo Fighters Tapped To Replace Pantera At Two German Festivals

The organizers of German festivals Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park have tapped Foo Fighters to replace Pantera, who they removed from both the festivals earlier in the week.

Foo Fighters will now headline Rock Am Ring on June 2 and Rock Im Park on June 4 in Nürburgring and Nürnberg, respectively.

"Germany - we'll see you Friday, June 2nd at @rockamringofficial and Sunday, June 4th at @rockimparkofficial! Tickets are on sale now!" they wrote on Instagram.

Pantera was removed from both festivals earlier this week after public outcry over singer Philip Anselmo making a Nazi-style salute and screaming "white power" during a 2016 Dimebash event in Hollywood. The singer claims he made an "off-color joke" about drinking white wine backstage and made the comment and gesture to audience members taunting him. He apologized later that month.

The German Green Party for the Nuremberg City Council asked the organizers earlier this month to remove Pantera for "stirring up anti-racist and anti-fascist circles."

(Photo: Danny Clinch)

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Madonna Biopic Reportedly No Longer In Development At Universal

A much-anticipated biopic about Madonna went on hold and is not in development at Universal Pictures, Variety reported quoting multiple sources.

The uncertainty surrounding the film came to light when the Queen of Pop last week announced her 40th anniversary world tour and that she sold out shows in many cities, including Paris and London as well as New York. Until now, she has added 23 dates for her European and North American tour.

The biopic was supposed to star Julia Garner as the pop star and was set to be directed by Madonna herself. The film, titled "Little Sparrow," had been in development from 2020 at Universal Pictures. She had worked with both Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson on drafts of the script.

While the 64-year-old star is still interested in completing the film, which talks about the roller coater ride of her life and career, when that will happen remains uncertain.

(Photo: Ricardo Gomes)

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Love Rocks NYC Benefit Concert To Feature James Taylor, John Mayer Trio, St. Vincent & More

The upcoming seventh annual Love Rocks NYC Benefit Concert, scheduled to take place at the Beacon Theater on March 9, will feature sets from James Taylor, the John Mayer Trio, St. Vincent, and several other acts.

The show will be executive produced by fashion designer John Varvatos, NY real estate broker and concert producer Greg Williamson and event producer Nicole Rechter.

The concert, which will benefit the nonprofit food delivery charity God's Love We Deliver, will also feature sets from Shery Crow, Marvis Staples, Pat Benatar & Neil Girlado, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Stephen Marley, Gary Clark Jr., Allison Russel, The War and Treaty, and Bernie Williams. More acts will be named in coming days.

In addition to the musical acts, there will be special appearances from Stephen Colbert, Andy Cohen, Chevy Chase and Phoebe Robinson.

The show will also feature a house band stacked with legendary session and touring musicians, including drummer Steve Gadd, guitarist Larry Campbell, and percussionist Pedrito Martinez. Will Lee will serve as the evening's music director.

"Producing this annual benefit concert is a labor of love," the show's co-executive producer Greg Williamson says. "We are committed to supporting God's Love and New York City over the long term. Giving back is what makes us the happiest, and to be able to do so through the power of music is as gratifying as it gets."

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