Led Zeppelin guitar legend Jimmy Page is set to be part of the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing on Sunday July 24. Page will perform with British pop sensation and Simon Cowell protege Leona Lewis.

Selecting someone to perform with one of the most recognizable rock legends of all time may have presented a challenge for the people that are charged with making such decisions, but Leona Lewis is likely to be very widely recognized as well, considering that her album reached all the way to number one on at least three continents and nine countries.

This is all part of the Olympic tradition, where the country that is set to host the next Olympic Games performs an 8-minute show during the closing ceremony. With London set to host the 2012 Summer Games, Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis were selected to represent their country, and give the world a chance for a sneak peek at the kind of spectacle the world might expect from the U.K. in 2012.

I’m loving every minute of the Olympics (except Beach Volleyball), but I can’t wait for the closing ceremonies. If it’s anything like the opening ceremony, it should be spectacular.

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The Who’s Roger Daltry is gushing over his new friend Jack Black so much after seeing him perform last week-end, when The Who were honored at VH1s Rock Honors event in LA.  Jack Black joined Pearl Jam and The Flaming Lips to play a set of Who cover songs at the 3rd annual event which is held to pay tribute to groups that have influenced rock music.  Roger went on to say…

“He should have been a rock star. When you look at Jack Black, whatever he’s doing… it just always reminds me of that first initial feeling I had when I heard Elvis Presley singing Heartbreak Hotel.”

I’m a fan of Jack Black too, I think he’s funny and a good actor but now matter how hard I try, I can’t picture him as a rock star.  An actor goofing around trying to PRETEND he’s a rock star maybe, but not an actual rock star.

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Three members of the Faces –Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenny Jones — will get together next month to talk about the possibility of reuniting. Stewart says,

“Myself and Ronnie Wood and Kenny Jones, who is the drummer, we’re all getting together on July the 3rd to have a drink together and to see whether it’s possible, whether we can move forward and have a reunion. I spoke to Ronnie two days ago and he said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ And so we’ll see how it goes. We’re definitely going to have a rehearsal together and see if we can still cut it, which I’m sure we can. We’re making the first step. Maybe we’ll just do a charity gig and see how it goes.”

To that I say, Wooohooo! Faces are one of my favorite bands of all time. One of my favorite albums is ‘A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse’. Ahh, they just don’t make music like they used to. I hope this materializes. I want to see Rod the Rocker again, just like back in the day! I just can’t get into his later ‘pop’ oriented music. Not my cup of tea, but he certainly has been successful. Bring on a Faces reunion!!!

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Legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is reportedly going to be featured on the upcoming Starsailor album. Starsailor frontman James Walsh stated that the band kept asking him to play on their album, but at the time Ronnie was busy promoting the Stones’ movie “Shine A Light”. Walsh said:

“We kept asking him if he’d be up for playing some guitar on the record, and at the time he was busy promoting Shine A Light.

“Then I got a call about half past six one evening from his son Jesse saying, ‘My dad really wants to do this now. Can you be at the studio [at] nine o’clock?’ So from having given up the ghost it all came together out of the blue. It was amazing; he stood there playing the guitar, saying the song reminded him of ‘Maggie May’ - quite high praise, indeed.”

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He was introduced as a “local lad who’s done very well for himself in the music game”. And, of course, when Sir Paul McCartney headlined a concert celebrating his native Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture it was a triumphant homecoming.

The 36,000-strong crowd responded enthusiastically, singing along as the former Beatle ran through hits like Eleanor Rigby and Yesterday. And Paul was obviously deeply moved by the reception, describing the gig as like playing for “my mates”.

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Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll whose distinctive and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79.

Diddley’s influence was felt on both sides of the Atlantic. Buddy Holly borrowed the bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp rhythm for his song “Not Fade Away.”

The Rolling Stones‘ bluesy remake of that Holly song gave them their first chart single in the United States, in 1964. The following year, another British band, the Yardbirds, had a Top 20 hit in the U.S. with their version of “I’m a Man.”

Diddley was also one of the pioneers of the electric guitar, adding reverb and tremelo effects. He even rigged some of his guitars himself.

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Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl will join Paul McCartney at the former Beatles’ Liverpool concert this Sunday, June 1.  The two will team up at the Anfield Stadium gig, part of the celebrations for Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture accolade.  No information was released as to what song Paul and Dave will do together.   Several friends of the Blogmeanies will be there.  Should be great!

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Natalie Portman who played in McCartney’s Dance Tonight video said the following:

“He is by far one of our finest human beings - an icon to people and still a really good guy. I saw him treat everyone with the utmost respect and love. I can’t say enough about him. He’s a miracle of a person.”

Couldn’t agree with her more! Paul is definitely one of our finest human beings!

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Author and Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn is in the process of writing a 3 volume biography of The Fabs, with the first volume due to hit bookshelves in 2010. Mr. Lewisohn has undertaken the mind boggling 17 year project for a few reasons, one of which being that he’s dissatisfied with some of the works already out there, siting their quality and accuracy. Researching this project has been no small task, as he’s been going through hundereds of original documents and interviewing scores of people that have lived through that period. All aspects of each individual Beatle will be covered in depth, going back to the family backgrounds of each of them, as well as writing in depth about the city of Liverpool, and how it was at the time of the Beatles rise to fame. Says Mr. Lewisohn…

“To me, it’s crucial this is understood. These won’t be books saying ‘Hey weren’t the Beatles great!’ They’ll be thorough, balanced, comprehensive histories.”

This ought to be quite an impressive collection for all dyed-in-the wool Beatle fans out there. Maybe I’ll add it to my collection of Beatles books, but first I guess I should tackle what I already have sitting in my bookcase. so many to choose from!

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Ronnie Wood has tapped singer Amy Winehouse to sing on his upcoming solo album. Wood will do a collection of retro covers, with Winehouse providing vocals. Another possible collaborator is Serge Pizzorno of British rockers Kasabian. Wood says,

“I might be collaborating with them on my new solo album. I might do covers of 1970s hits, maybe the odd Dolly Parton song.”

No news when the album will drop, but it should be great. I love Ronnie Wood and the more I hear Amy’s voice, I’m liking her more. Can’t wait!

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