NEWS DIGEST: Monday, November 3

11:53 AM GMT 03/11/2008

Mickey Leigh, brother of the late Joey Ramone, has spoken out in support of Barack Obama, after Linda Cummings (Joey's widow), used the Ramones’ name to side with the McCain/Palin Presidential campaign.

In a statement released yesterday, Leigh said: “I just want it to be clear that Linda Cummings does not represent the political views of The Ramones. Surely, as for Joey Ramone, the only Ramones song he would sing at a Republican Campaign event would be Glad To See You Go.”

The former Rattlers guitarist and President of Ramones Productions then went on to thank George Bush for opening the door to the possibility of an Obama win tomorrow:

“I should add that when Johnny stated ‘God Bless George Bush’ at the 2002 Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame awards, I realize now that he was on to something. Because if it were not for George Bush and his handling of our country the past 8 years, I doubt so many Americans, including so many highly regarded Republicans, would now be getting behind Barack Obama. So, yes, God bless George Bush for paving the way to Obama.”

Elbow, those newly-crowned Nationwide Mercury Prize winners, will embark on their biggest tour to date in early 2009.

The band won the coveted prize in September for their fourth album The Seldom Seen Kid.

Elbow play:

Brighton Dome (February 26)
Southend Cliffs Pavilion (March 1)
Bournemouth Solent Hall (2)
Sheffield Academy (3)
Newcastle Academy (5)
Edinburgh Corn Exchange (6)
Blackpool Empress Ballroom (7)
Llandudno Arena (9)
Bristol Colston Hall (10)
Plymouth Pavilions (11)
Newport Centre (12)
London Wembley Arena (14)

Tickets go on sale at 9am tomorrow (November 4)

Ahead of his two night stand at the Hollywood Bowl, Van Morrison has been discussing the making of his 1968 opus Astral Weeks. He'll perform the record in its entirety and record the performances for future CD/DVD release. "They are poetry and mythical musings channeled from my imagination", he told the L.A Times. Read the full interview HERE.

And finally...Happy Birthday Bert Jansch! The British folk legend is 65 today. Here he is with the mighty Pentangle.

Posted by Ross_Bennett at 11:53 AM GMT 03/11/2008

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