Newsmakers for Wednesday, Feb. 22
Lambert gets gig
singing with Queen
LONDON — Adam Lambert has nabbed his dream gig: Singing vocals for the iconic British band Queen as they headline the second day of the U.K. rock festival Sonisphere 2012.
The former “American Idol” singer-songwriter will step into the late Freddie Mercury’s shoes for the band’s July 7 set at Knebworth Park in Stevenage, north of London.
Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor confirmed the one-time collaboration Tuesday with Lambert, 30, a runner-up in season eight of the popular American TV song competition.
The Sonisphere show marks the third time Lambert has sung with the landmark band, following an eight-minute set at the MTV Europe Awards in November to celebrate Queen’s Global Icon Award, and a 2009 performance of “We Are the Champions” on “American Idol.”
“It’s great, they are the coolest guys, they are so down-to-earth,” Lambert said.
“They are very sweet and just to be up there doing this music is such an honor. Freddie Mercury was a hero to me and his voice, his song writing and being gay, the whole package is amazing,” the American singer said.
A new single from Lambert’s highly anticipated second album “Trespassing” — “Better Than I Know Myself” — is out now in the U.S. and being released next month in Britain.
Illness forces Angelou
to cancel speech
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Poet Maya Angelou is recovering from a brief illness that forced her to cancel a planned speech in Texas.
Angelou’s lecture agent David LaCamera said Tuesday the 83-year-old poet was set to speak on Wednesday but came down with an illness that left her in the hospital for three days.
LaCamera says Angelou is resting at home in Winston-Salem, N.C., and can’t travel. He says her doctor told her that she’s on the road a lot and has to cool it for a few days.
LaCamera declined to describe the nature of the illness that kept Angelou hospitalized until her release on Saturday.
Angelou had been scheduled to speak at Texas Women’s University in Denton.
Magic Johnson launching TV channel
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Earvin “Magic” Johnson is launching a basic cable television network targeting black viewers with positive, uplifting images of African Americans.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star tells the Los Angeles Times that his 24-hour Aspire channel will also offer opportunities for blacks who have struggled to find work in mainstream Hollywood.
Aspire’s mix will include film, TV, music, comedy, performing arts and shows about faith.
The 52-year-old Johnson, who was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, says he’s wanted a vehicle to showcase positive images of African Americans with stories written, produced and directed by blacks.
Comcast Corp. reached an agreement with the FCC and Department of Justice to diversify.
Johnson’s channel will launch on June 30.
Compiled from
The Associated Press