Six people were killed in a bar shooting in Cancun Thursday, according to reports. Two men armed with a machine gun and a handgun opened fire in a bar on the outskirts of the Mexican tourist resort town. Five others were wounded. A popular vacation area on the Caribbean, Cancun has largely escaped the violence that has racked Acapulco, a faded tourist hot spot on the Pacific. The country’s drug trade is largely blamed for Mexico’s crime problem . Just last month, six Spanish women were raped by hooded gunmen who forced their way into the Acapulco beach house the women had rented. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has vowed to reduce the violence that soared after his predecessor, Felipe Calderon, launched an assault on drug cartels. How bad is it? More than 70,000 people have been killed just from drug-related violence in Mexico since 2007, according to government estimates.
It’s taken about a month for this to go viral, but it was worth the wait. Vanderbilt University student Michael Pollack went to see Billy Joel give a lecture/concert this winter when, during a Q&A session, he made the ballsiest request ever: Could he accompany his hero on “New York State of Mind”? Joel, awesomely, obliged … and it was incredible: Michael Pollack and Billy Joel You can see why the music legend gave him major props afterward. Pollack later talked about how the moment in January came about. He tells InsideVandy: “So I decided I was gonna go see Billy Joel right when we found out he was coming, and as a childhood idol of mine, right away I knew what I wanted to do when we went there.” “And the day came, I put together a question, and I was raising my hand, and my friends to the right of me kept pointing to me, and finally after a few questions he picked on me.” “I hesitantly said how ‘New York State of Mind’ was my favorite song, and how I had performed it with his saxophonist Richie Cannata in the past.” “I’ve been playing [the song] for at least eight years. I wondered if I could go up and play it with him. He thought for a little – he took a second – and then he just said okay.” “I had to tune up a little and learn the bridge one more time before the show just in case he called on me. But for the most part, it was by ear.” “I kind of lost myself playing. Then afterward he said to me … he said that I was great, where are you from … and I said, ‘I’m a Long Islander just like you.’ He was like, ‘Cool.’ Then I walked off, and that was it.” “It was probably the greatest moment of my life, up to date.” We imagine many more like it are still to come.
Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist who played alongside Bruce Springsteen for four decades, passed away today at 69. The Big Man and his sound will be missed. Above: a simple mournful reminder of what we’ll be going without: the solo from “Jungleland,” performed in Milwaukee back in March 2008. RIP… Clarence Clemons, The Big Man in Clarence Clemons, The Big Man in the E Street Band, Dies at 69… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Open Culture Discovery Date : 19/06/2011 03:11 Number of articles : 3
The Boss says his E Street Band saxophonist ‘will need much care and support to achieve his potential once again.’ By Jocelyn Vena Clarence Clemons Photo: Getty Images After suffering a stroke on Sunday, Clarence Clemons is making a recovery. The sax player’s longtime friend, Bruce Springsteen shared news of the E Street Band member’s condition on Monday (June13). In a statement to MTV News, the Boss said, “By now, many of you have heard that our beloved comrade and sax player Clarence Clemons has suffered a serious stroke. While all initial signs are encouraging, Clarence will need much care and support to achieve his potential once again. He has his wonderfully supportive wife, Victoria, excellent doctors and health care professionals, and is surrounded by friends and family.” Springsteen, who has been working with Clemons for nearly four decades, went on to thank his fans for all of their well-wishes. “I thank you all for your prayers and positive energy and concern,” he said. “This is a time for us all to share in a hopeful spirit that can ultimately inspire Clarence to greater heights.” Lady Gaga, who featured Clemons on her Born This Way track “Edge of Glory,” asked her Little Monsters to send the musician some love via video messages on Monday. And Gaga took to Twitter again to share her feelings about the saxophonist. “In bed with Mommy thinking about Clarence, I can’t wait for you to see the beautiful video we made together,” she wrote. “He’s a really special person.” (At press time, there were still no details about when the video will be released.) A rep for Springsteen noted that a special email address has been created for fans to send get-well wishes Clemons’ way. They can send messages to notestoclarence@clarenceclemons.com. The rep added, “It is for notes only and not an information site and no one will be able to respond right now.” Send your well-wishes to Clarence Clemons in the comments below. Related Artists Bruce Springsteen
