--Bridge School Concert Features Flaming Lips With Help, Guns N' Roses

Although the Flaming Lips may have been a little out of their element at this weekend's all-acoustic Bridge School benefit concert, Wayne Coyne and company made sure to bring a secret weapon to help the show go smoothly.  "Rolling Stone" says the Oklahoma band was joined on Saturday by comedian and human beat box Reggie Watts, who helped recreate many of the spacy sound effects the rockers have become known for.  Watts even helped the Lips tackle the Beatles' epic "A Day in the Life," although he reportedly had to read the lyrics off his cell phone.  Jack White, Eddie Vedder and Guns N' Roses also took the stage in Mountain View, California.  During their set Guns N' Roses broke out hits like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Sweet Child O' Mine," while frontman Axl Rose didn't seem to mind dropping a handful of f-bombs in front of a crowd filled with students.

The event's host, Neil Young, closed out the evening with plenty of new music with Crazy Horse and the annual all-star jam.  This year, Vedder, White, Coyne, Watts and almost everyone else other than Axl performed Young's "Rockin' in the Free World."  Sunday's lineup featured most of the same acts, with proceeds from the entire event going to the Bridge School.  The special educational facility helps children with severe speech and learning disabilities.


--Bruce Springsteen To Appear At Obama Rally Tuesday

Bruce Springsteen is making another campaign stop for President Obama.  The Boss will take the stage at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville, Virginia on Tuesday in an effort to draw out voters in the political swing state.  A post on Springsteen's website says the rocker will appear at the afternoon event along with local elected officials and other volunteers.  The event is free but tickets are required to attend the rally.  Details on getting tickets are available at BruceSpringsteen.net. The Virginia rally will be Sprinsteen's third campaign appearance for Obama in six days.  


--Lamb Of God Eager To Start Tour, "Properly Support" Album

Lamb of God's John Campbell says the band is "chomping at the proverbial bit" to hit the road.  The bassist tells Billboard.com they're eager to get their North American tour under way so they can "properly support" their latest album, "Resolution."  Lamb of God was forced to cancel their planned tour earlier this year after frontman Randy Blythe was arrested in Prague for manslaughter and held in a Czech prison.  And despite the singer's release on bail and the excitement surrounding the new trek, Campbell says Blythe's legal situation is very much on everyone's minds.  He says "it's definitely a very difficult thing to deal with," and adds that "by no means is it a resolved situation."

Blythe, who has consistently proclaimed his innocence, has promised to return to Prague for the trial, which has yet to be scheduled.  But in the meantime, Lamb of God starts their tour with a show in Phoenix on October 30th.

Lamb of God Tour Dates in our area: 11/10 -- St. Paul, MN -- Myth


--Bob Seger Honors Garth Brooks

Bob Seger is showing his appreciation for a country music superstar.  "USA Today" says the rocker was among those who took part in Garth Brooks' Country Music Hall of Fame induction.  Reflecting on the honor, Seger believes the milestone could prompt Brooks back into the recording studio.  As he entered the ceremony he recalled his own induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, calling it "a career spike" that left him feeling that he had to return to the studio to "make a great album."  Bob added that he thinks "that might happen with Garth."  However, Brooks said he didn't "feel any different," and that the honor simply has him wanting to keep trying to make the country music community proud.

James Taylor also took part in Garth's induction.  Brooks was honored along with Opry great Connie Smith and pianist Hargus "Pig" Robbins.  They were celebrated with the annual Medallion Ceremony, which took place at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville Sunday night.


--Today's Birthdays

The Rascals guitarist Eddie Brigati is 67.
Guitarist Leslie West is 67.
The Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes is 60.
Meat Puppets bassist Cris Kirkwood is 52.


--Today In Rock History

In 1958
Carl Perkins brother died from injuries in a car accident that happened with Carl two years earlier.

In 1974
Kiss released the album "Hotter Than Hell.

In 1982
Worcester, Massachusetts declared it Van Halen Day.

In 1992
Sinead O'Connor cancelled a London press conference during which she was expected to explain her views on the Catholic Church.  This was in the wake of the furor she caused by tearing up a picture of the Pope during an appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

1996
Ted Nugent appeared at a rally for Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole in Troy, Michigan.

In 1998
Black Sabbath made an appearance at a shopping mall in Mentor, Ohio, for an album signing for "Reunion."

In 2001
System of a Down announced that proceeds from the group's upcoming Halloween concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey would be donated to the Red Cross to help out in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

In 2003
The Darkness resumed its British tour with a show in London.  The group had cancelled three dates, and was denying that singer Justin Hawkins had throat cancer.  He had been suffering from severe acid reflux.

In 2005
Former Journey frontman Steve Perry attended the Game One of the World Series in Chicago.  White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski [[ Per-ZIN-skee ]] had pushed team officials to invite the singer because the team had adopted the band's 1981 hit "Don't Stop Believin'" as a theme song.

In 2007
The Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson and ex-wife actress Kate Hudson signed the necessary papers to make their divorce official.  The pair were married on New Year's Eve 2000, and broke up in August 2006 amid allegations that Hudson was having an affair with actor Owen Wilson.  Robinson initiated the divorce, filing three months into their separation.