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Aretha Franklin Denounces Media, Addresses "Today" Interview

Lloyd Bishop/NBCAretha Franklin is scolding the media for reports alleging that she was removed from the guest list of goddaughter Whitney Houston's funeral after comments she made to NBC's Today supposedly angered Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston.

The Queen of Soul was a no-show at the funeral, explaining that leg spasms kept her from attending the service. But several media reports speculated that she had been "uninvited" after the Today interview.

"Extra TV, the New York Post and Newsday (New York) should stop the BS," Aretha says in a statement. "I have four invitations and parking passes that were sent to me for the funeral."

Shaking a finger at news organizations that are "more interested in sensationalism and negative speculations than the truth," Aretha goes on to say, "The intelligent and the thoughtful thing to do would be to respect and have some sensitivity to the moment." Speaking of her friend of almost 50 years, Aretha says, "Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation and neither do I -- particularly at this time."

Ms. Franklin closes her message with a note about her Today interview, in which she said, "Parents really have to talk to their children before they leave home. They have to make sure when they leave home, they have all the right things. She left home with all the right things, but she just kind of lost her way along the way." Some people saw the comment as a criticism of Whitney and her family, but Aretha says it wasn't. She explains, "... my entire statement was pretaped. However, the Today Show did not air the part of my statement, which said, 'This is no reflection on Cissy or Nippy's upbringing.' Knowing Cissy as well as I do, I know Whitney left home right and properly. I was generalizing and it was a well-intended statement for any young adult coming into the music industry. I was not speaking of anyone specifically."

E Street Band's Steven Van Zandt, Cheap Trick Members to Appear on New Album fro

NBC Photo/Heidi GutmanE Street Band guitarist Steve Van Zandt and members of Cheap Trick are among the artists who have contributed overdubs to Ya Know?, the second posthumous solo album from Ramones frontman Joey Ramone. Ya Know? will be released on May 15.

According to Rolling Stone, the 17-song collection will feature re-worked versions of unreleased demos that the singer recorded both for The Ramones and after the pioneering punk-rock group's 1996 breakup. Among the other guest musicians who added their talents to the recordings are Joan Jett, one-time Ramones drummer Richie Ramone and members of the influential pre-punk New York band The Dictators.

Joey's brother, Mickey Leigh, helped oversee the making of Ya Know? and also appears on the album, which follows Ramone's 2002 solo debut, Don't Worry About Me. In a Facebook post, Leigh explained that he chose the title because it's a phrase that Joey used constantly in conversation. He also reported that Ya Know? will be available as a standard CD, a two-disc vinyl set and a digital download. A two-track single will precede the album's release on April 21.

Joey Ramone died on April 15, 2001, at age 49 after a battle with lymphoma.

Jackson Browne, John Sebastian Among Artists Added to Carnegie Hall Rolling Ston

CarnegieStones.comMore stars have been added to the impressive lineup of musicians who will perform at the Rolling Stones tribute concert scheduled for March 13 at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall. Jackson Browne, The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian, Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople fame and New York Dolls singer David Johansen are the latest luminaries to join the event's bill. Among the previously announced artists who will appear at the show are Art Garfunkel, Ronnie Spector, Marianne Faithfull, Rickie Lee Jones, Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson, Taj Mahal and Rosanne Cash.

The concert will commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Stones' Hot Rocks 1964-1971 album, and will feature 21 acts performing the 21 tunes featured on the compilation.

The event is the latest in a series of all-star tribute shows organized by entrepreneur Michael Dorf that have been held at Carnegie Hall in recent years. Proceeds raised by the concert will be distributed between eight charities that provide music education to underprivileged youths.