--Adam Yauch-Designed Skateboard Going Up For Auction

A skateboard designed by Adam Yauch is leading the way at an upcoming auction for the Tony Hawk Foundation.  According to "Rolling Stone," the late Beastie Boy, who was an avid skater, wrote out the lyrics to the rap trio's song "Bodhisattva Vow" across three decks.  He signed and dated each board "Adam Yauch March 15, 2012," which was less than two months before he lost his battle with cancer in May.  Tony Hawk Foundation executive director Miki Vuckovich says they didn't realize what condition Yauch was in when they approached him, but they knew he had been in treatment and invited him without any expectation that he'd say yes.  Yet Vuckovich says Adam "responded immediately and enthusiastically."  The money raised from Yauch's skateboard is slated to go to an as-yet-unspecified skatepark in his hometown of New York City.

But Adam isn't the only celebrity taking part in the auction.  Ben Harper, another skate fan, urged the foundation to approach other rockers, including Paul McCartney and Tom Petty.  Both artists followed Yauch's original design, with McCartney writing out the lyrics to the Beatles' classic "Blackbird," and Petty using his hit "I Won't Back Down."  The skateboard auction is scheduled to take place online November 29th.


--Billy Corgan Says Next Smashing Pumpkins Album Will Be "Cruel"

Billy Corgan says he's going to get his revenge with the next Smashing Pumpkins record.  The frontman recently told MTV Hive he's already started writing songs for the follow-up to the band's latest effort, "Oceania," which came out back in June.  Corgan says he even has a title for the new set, although he plans to keep that detail under wraps for now.  But he did reveal that the record is going to be "cruel," adding, quote, "vengeance is mine."  Corgan says he hopes to have the new album out by December 2013, although he admits that's a "really ambitious" goal since the Smashing Pumpkins are still busy bring "Oceania" out on the road.  They're set to take the stage south of the border this weekend, with a show in Mexico City on Saturday, and another in Monterrey, Mexico on Sunday.


--Grohl, Daughter Design "Yo Gabba Gabba!" Shirt, Coyne Records Single

Dave Grohl has a new collaboration to show off.  The Foo Fighters frontman teamed up with his daughter, Violet, to design a new shirt for the Nick Jr. show "Yo Gabba Gabba!"  The clothing endeavor is part of a new line put together by the kids show and Volcom.  Other designers include Jack Black and his son Sam, Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh, Jon Heder, Biz Markie and the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne.  The latter two also recorded a new song to go along with the collection called "I Can't Believe It's Really Happening."  The single is available to download for free at Volcom.com/YGG, where fans can also order the new threads.


--Iron Maiden To Headline 2013 Download Festival

Iron Maiden is the first confirmed headliner for next summer's Download Festival.  It'll be the band's third appearance at the annual UK event, but it'll also have greater significance for the group.  Next summer marks the 25th anniversary of the Monsters Of Rock festival, which was Iron Maiden's first headlining show in Britain's Donnington Park.  Singer Bruce Dickinson says he's really excited about the upcoming show in part because of the timing.  He tells "NME" that on the group's 2012 tour they primarily played material from their 1980s albums, which was what they performed at Monsters Of Rock back in 1988.  

While Bruce admits the band might change things up a bit when they perform next year, he says he "can't see what you'd want to shift" in the set because, quote, "it's pretty bloody good."  Iron Maiden is set to headline the second night of the Download Festival, which will take place from June 14th through the 16th.


--Farm Aid Concert Taking Place This Weekend

Neil Young and John Mellencamp are gearing up for their annual Farm Aid concert this weekend.  The 2012 edition of the event is set for Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Saturday.  The rockers will join fellow Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson and longtime board member Dave Matthews in hosting the event, and they'll also perform.  Young will have Crazy Horse joining him for his set, while Matthews will share the stage with Tim Reynolds.  Other stars who've signed on for the show include Kenny Chesney, Jack Johnson, Pegi Young and The Survivors, and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real.  Fans not attending the event in person can tune in online for "Farm Aid 2012: A Backstage Pass," which will feature performances from the stage; interviews with the artists, fans, and other participants; and other behind-the-scenes activity.  The webcast will air Saturday from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

Through the concerts, the Farm Aid organization raises awareness and money to assist family farmers.  Since its start in 1985, the charity has brought in 39-million-dollars to fund programs that support family-run farms and promote the food they grow.


--Quick Bites

Sammy Hagar's new restaurant officially opens this weekend.  Sammy Hagar's Beach Bar & Grill in Roseville, California will celebrate its public grand opening on Saturday.  The Red Rocker hosted a charity event at the eatery and entertainment venue to mark the "soft" grand opening last weekend.

Alice Cooper's mazes are opening this weekend.  The rocker created "Alice Cooper Goes to Hell 3D." which is based on the 1976 album "Goes To Hell," for Universal Studios Hollywood's "Halloween Horror Nights."  Meanwhile, "Alice Cooper: Welcome To My Nightmare," which debuted at Universal Studios Hollywood last year, is now being featured at "Halloween Horror Nights" at Universal Orlando Resort.  "Halloween Horror Nights" opens at both the Los Angeles and Orlando facilities on Friday, and run through October 31st.

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine's other gig -- the NBC singing competition "The Voice" -- is up for an Emmy this weekend.  The show is in the running for the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program honor.  Meanwhile, the PBS special "Tony Bennett: Duets 2" earned a nod for Outstanding Variety Special.  The event showcased his "Duets 2" album, which featured the final recording by the late Amy Winehouse.  The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented in a ceremony airing live on ABC this Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific.


--Today's Birthdays

Former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory is 60.
Barenaked Ladies Tyler Stewart is 45.
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher is 40.
Korn's former drummer David Silveria is 40.


--Today In History

In 1966
On a plane to London, Jimmy Hendrix changed his name to Jimi Hendrix.

In 1968
The Beatles figurines at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum received their fifth clothing and hair makeover in four years.  The museum continually updated the band's image to keep it current with the fashion trends.

In 1980
Reggae superstar Bob Marley was diagnosed with cancer.

In 1992
Red Hot Chili Peppers released the album "What Hits!?"

In 1993
New album releases include Nirvana's "In Utero"

In 1996
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher left the group -- temporarily -- while the band was on a North American tour.

In 1999
Melissa Auf Der Maur left Hole to pursue a solo career.  Instead, she joined the Smashing Pumpkins.

In 2001
U2, Limp Bizkit, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, and Bon Jovi were among the artists who took part in the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" telethon to raise money for the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

In 2005
Bon Jovi was a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."  It was the band's first appearance on the award-winning syndicated talk show.  During the program frontman Jon Bon Jovi gave Winfrey a one-million-dollar check for her Angel Network's hurricane relief efforts.

The One Country benefit concert, a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief charities that was to have taken place Houston ten days later, was cancelled because of Hurricane Rita.  The impending storm also forced Motley Crue, Coldplay, and Oasis to cancel upcoming Houston-area shows.

In 2006
Founding Bad Company member Boz Burrell died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Costa Del Sol, Spain.  He was 60.

In 2011
R.E.M. announced that the band was splitting up.