More Top Stories: Susan Boyle, Ke$ha and T.I.

Susan Boyle Cancels 'Dancing With the Stars' Performance
A throat infection has forced Susan Boyle to cancel her performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" on tonight's episode of Dancing With the Stars. Boyle tearfully bowed out of America's Got Talent after Lou Reed denied her permission to cover his "Perfect Day." [ USA Today ]

Weezer Announce New York Memories Tour Dates
Weezer have rounded out their Memories Tour schedule with two shows at New York's Roseland Ballroom on December 17th and 18th. The first night will feature a complete performance of The Blue Album, the second will be Pinkerton. Both nights will also include a greatest hits set. [Weezer]

Ke$ha Claims Former Manager Was Unlicensed Agent
In response to a $14 million lawsuit filed against her by a former manager, Ke$ha said that her 2006 contract with DAS Communications should be voided because the company was unlicensed in California, a violation of the Talent Agencies Act. In their lawsuit, DAS claims Ke$ha owes the company $14 million in unpaid commissions. [ The Hollywood Reporter's THR Esq.]

T.I. to Face Judge On October 15th
T.I. will head to court on October 15th, and a judge will determine whether the rapper violated his parole when he was arrested on drug possession charges in Los Angeles last month. If T.I.'s probation is revoked, he may be sent back to prison. [TMZ]

Bob Dylan Extends Tour
Bob Dylan has tacked on an additional 12 concerts to his autumn jaunt, including three nights at New York's Terminal 5 on November 22-24. [ Brooklyn Vegan]

Plus: Michael Jackson estate sued, Glastonbury sells out and more.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
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  MOVIES 'Great Gatsby' Is a Crushing Disappointment
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  TV Why You Should Watch 'Happy Endings'
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  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

More Song Stories entries »

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