French post-punk act Noir Désir have called it a day.  Guitarist Serge Teyssot-Gay announced his leaving the band last week forcing the band to consider their future.  Drummer Denis Barthe released a statement to the French press agency AFP confirming that together the band have decided not to continue.  The band released 6 albums from 1983 to 2001.

Aretha Franklin's representatives have released a statement after having a successful surgery on Thursday.  "God is still in control.  I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country."  A prayer vigil was held for the Queen of Soul in Detroit on Wednesday night.

Willie Nelson has been charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Sierra Blanca, Texas.  The 6 ounces he was estimated to be carrying in his tour bus when stopped by Border Patrol agents would have been a felony charge but was reported in court as officially 4 ounces.  So, he is expected to receive a fine if found guilty.  Nelson's harmonica player Mickey Raphael summed up Nelson's state of mind best, "He said he feels great... he lost six ounces."

Tears For Fears' Curt Smith has released a new song, "This Is Christmas," as a new single via digital retailers.

Former Genesis and GTR guitarist Steve Hackett was in a weird situation last week.  Half and hour before a performance in Bath, England, he went to his tour bus to grab his favorite guitar and the bus door closed behind him, locking him in.  Rescue services had to be called to get him out in time for his performance.

Don Dokken will be undergoing vocal surgery in January.  He actually had the surgery postponed so he could perform at the New Year's Eve Benefit Concert for original Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore who has been fighting metastatic cancer.

Duff McKagan's Loaded have signed with Eagle Rock Entertainment for the release of their new studio album, The Soundtrack, due out in March.  A reissue of their 2009 Sick CD will follow in April.

It seems that Quiet Riot aren't going away after the 2007 death of co-founding vocalist Kevin DuBrow.  While working on an upcoming documentary about the band's history, drummer Frankie Banali felt the spark for the band reignite.  Banali has teamed up with former bandmates bassist Chuck Wright and guitarist Alex Grossi to carry on the Quiet Riot name (with the blessing of DuBrow's mother.)  To cover vocals, they were blown away by the audition of Mark Huff who had been fronting a Van Halen tribute band.  I know, not easy to replace DuBrow's vocals but maybe a live video can persuade you.  (Language may be inappropriate for those under 18.)

Owen Paul has signed on for a new theatre show called The 80's Rocked.  Meanwhile, he has been working with his bandmates in XSM on an acoustic 'unplugged' live set with a tour and new CD to come.

Keep your eyes or DVRs on the lookout for the Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan In Session program on PBS which the network has plans to air throughout the month of December.

Motley Crue's Vince Neil survived the first round of cuts on Skating With The Stars despite being in the bottom two.  The show airs on ABC on Mondays.

It looks like some of the material that Ronnie James Dio was working on with his band Dio before his passing will start surfacing.  One particular track may be included in the reissue of their 2000 album Magica as a bonus track.

Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith has reportedly worked on a few songs with INXS vocalist J.D. Fortune.  Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has picked up one of the songs for possible inclusion in an upcoming film.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been convicted in Tauranga District Court on charges of possession of cannabis.  Although he pleaded guilty, he was fined £122 and the conviction may affect international travel -- including future AC/DC tour dates.

Mr. Big have released, "Undertow," their first official video off of their new studio album, What If..., via YouTube.  The album is due out on Jan. 21st via Frontiers Records.

John Mellencamp has created an interesting offer for fans that haven't picked up his new album, No Better Than This.  Each ticket purchased for his U.S. tour dates from February through April will include an MP3 download of the new album and a chance to upgrade to the front row. 

Michael Jackson's new single, "Hold My Hand," with Akon will be released in the U.K. on Dec. 5th digitally and the 6th on CD single.  Another song off his new album, Michael, entitled "Much Too Soon" has debuted exclusively on iTunes Ping.  Meanwhile, rapper 50 Cent has been talking up his collaboration with Michael on the song "Monster" which he calls "the 2010 version of 'Thriller'."

The O'Jays have released a new holiday album, Christmas With The O'Jays.  The album includes many classic songs of the holiday season as well as two newly-written tracks.

Barbra Streisand fans will be able to catch her in the upcoming film, Little Fockers, hitting theaters during the holidays.  Streisand returns in the sequel as sex therapist Roz Focker.

Heading to stores near you next week:  Freebass - It's A Beautiful Life, Ministry - And The Co-Conspirators: Undercover, Einsturzende Neubauten - Strategies Against, Randy Meisner - One More Song/Randy Meisner, The Motels - The Motels/Careful, Sammy Hagar - Loud & Clear and Abba - Gold: Greatest Hits