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    Black Sabbath, rebornNEW YORK (Billboard) -- The reunion of the Ronnie James Dio-fronted version of Black Sabbath has been a long time coming. But it's not likely to be a long-term affair. And don't call the band Black Sabbath, either. The combo is hitting the road as Heaven and Hell, a nod to the title of Dio's debut with Sabbath in 1980, a year after original singer Ozzy Osbourne was ousted. The change was made so as not to confuse this lineup with the reactivated original Sabbath, which intends to record a new album and tour in 2008, delayed from the original plan of late 2007. "There is only one Black Sabbath," Osbourne's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne said after the Dio reunion was announced last October. Heaven and Hell also consists of two Sabbath co-founders, guitarist Tony Iommi and bass player Terry "Geezer" Butler, and drummer Vinny Appice. The first leg of the world tour began March 11 in Vancouver, and will run through March 30 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. It will resume April 22 in Phoenix. Megadeth and Machine Head are opening the U.S. dates. "We've approached this as really having an ending period. We all have other commitments, and we've had a lot of turmoil in the past. So maybe this is the way to avoid it," Dio said. But Iommi sounded a more optimistic note. "We haven't locked the doors ... It's one of those 'Let's just see how it goes' (situations)." Iommi said the tour will feature songs only from the Dio periods of the band, so fans need not shout out for "War Pigs" and "Iron Man." In addition to the platinum "Heaven and Hell," on which original drummer Bill Ward played, Dio appeared on 1981's gold "Mob Rules" and 1992's "Dehumanizer" -- and the 1982 concert set "Live Evil." Heaven and Hell plans to film and record at least one show on this year's tour. Iommi allegedly referred to the diminutive singer as "little Hitler," and accused him of sneaking into the studio to enhance his vocals. Dio quit after "Live Evil," launching a successful career at the helm of his own band, and was replaced by Ian Gillan, and then by Tony Martin. He rejoined for "Dehumanizer." Any past animosities, according to Iommi, have been put to rest. "These things, they get blown out of proportion," he said. "When you see each other everything gets sorted out, especially with this lineup. We've always sort of got on very well, and it's like we haven't been away from each other. So there's no point in holding grudges against anybody, I don't think -- certainly not at our bloody ages."  Sonic Youth to perform 'Daydream Nation'NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Sonic Youth will perform its landmark 1988 album, "Daydream Nation," in its entirety at several worldwide shows this summer. The first will be July 13 in Chicago as part of the Pitchfork Music Festival. The New York rock group also play Berkeley, California; Los Angeles; and three shows in London; more dates will be added, according to a spokesperson. Previously announced was a June 2 "Daydream Nation" set at the Primavera festival in Barcelona. In addition, a long-awaited 20th anniversary edition of "Daydream Nation" is due in June. The set will feature a host of rarities associated with the period in which "Daydream" was recorded. Sonic Youth begins a world tour April 17 in Osaka, Japan. So much for 'Dukes of Hazzard' orchestral showCINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) -- The Dukes of Hazzard are getting driven out of town over the Confederate imagery in their good ol' TV show. The stars of the series, John Schneider and Tom Wopat, have segued into musical careers since the show ended production in 1985. Schneider says the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra canceled a planned "Dukes"-themed appearance after contracts were signed because some in the community found the show racist and offensive. "It's a huge shock to me that in this day and age people could be so narrow-minded, especially professional people," Schneider said Friday. Although he didn't want to start a feud over the decision, "I would like for people to examine their motives, however, and their knee-jerk reactions to someone else's prejudice and bigotry." The orchestra said in a statement that it has had a long artistic relationship with Schneider and Wopat, but "we decided that some of the messages conveyed in the program are not consistent with the efforts of the Pops to reach out to all members of our community." Edith Thrower, president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP, said she was contacted a few weeks ago by Pops conductor Erich Kunzel, who wanted the NAACP's reaction to the planned July 14 show. "I contacted our national office and was advised that it would be best if we didn't support an effort like this," said Thrower. "It's very clear how we feel about the Confederate flag and the long and arduous fight we have conducted to get rid of that symbol of a very unpleasant time in our history." The decision prompted former Georgia Congressman Ben Jones, who played the wisecracking mechanic Cooter on the popular show, to publicize what he called a "blacklisting of these guys out of some kind of political correctness that is just plain wrongheaded." "These guys are great people and great singers," Jones, who was elected as a Democrat, said in a telephone interview. "To not use them because they were part of a show that some misguided people find racist is just wrong." "This is a benign family show loved by people of all ages and races," he said. "I have fought racism and bigotry my whole life and worked in the civil rights movement, and there is nothing racist about it." Orchestra spokeswoman Carrie Krysanick denied blacklisting the former Dukes: "We look forward to working with them in the future." Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. |
 | Hundreds feared trapped by rockslideMassive boulders peeled away from a cliff and buried dozens of homes in an Egyptian shantytown Saturday, killing at least 18 people, authorities said. Rescu ... |
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