Michael Jackson Comes Back to Retire
While surely everyone has let Michael Jackson cross their mind over the last few years, who actually still thinks of him as something capable of performing music? Well, for those who forgot, The King of Pop is making a comeback...to solidify his retirement. He will take the stage once again in London for the first time in over a decade before closing the book on his performing career "forever." Expectations are surely to be mixed, and details are still sparse, but organizers insist Jackson is in good enough physical health to sing and dance once more. The Family Residence Essential Enterprise (FREE), who are one of NY's largest local special needs organizations, are hoping MJ reaches out to them during rehearsal for the big shows. The group, despite their physical obstacles, have re-created the original "Thriller" video over 100 times, and would love to give Jackson a refresher course on how to make it all work. They hope that Jackson's continued commitment to charity organizations will have him take notice.

Is Another Woodstock on the Way?
While current generations may still have a sour taste in their mouth from the last attempt at 3 more days of Peace, Love and Music, word spread this week that a group is looking to revive the festival once more. The 40th Anniversary of the original Woodstock will be this summer, and Michael Lang, one of the original promoters, is looking to dance again. The rumor so far is to have two 3-day fests on back to back weekends over the summer. One will take place in Berlin, where the other will be somewhere in upstate New York. Rather than repeat the mistakes of the '99 rape and riot fest, promoters are intending for the events to be 100% free and feature many of the original acts from '69, such as The Who and The Grateful Dead. While all of this is still in the very speculative phase, the idea of a free fest this summer should insure a well-attended event. Whether such a thing is at all feasible in the economy, however, is to be seen.

Fallon Rings in a New Chapter
With the departure of Conan O'Brian, New York also lost one of the most consistent mainstream supporters of quality and emerging music. Fortunately, it appears Jimmy Fallon will keep the torch lit going forward. It's not news that Jimmy's new show has universally respected hip-hop group The Roots acting as the house band, and their presence on the set acts as a quality anchor if the show ever strays. They've also already booked several impressive musical acts to perform, with Van Morrison kicking off the series premiere Monday, Santigold the night after, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah pulled out of “retirement” to perform a brand new song later in the week. It's certainly a good start for a show eager to make it's mark on the night owls who were so accustomed of Conan's unique style and sensibilities. At least musically, it seems the show is staying on course.

Also This Week:

• Byrne vs The New York Times
  
• U2 Gets a Street, and plays Fordham
  
• Jonas Bros see their movie in the Tri-State Area
  
• Guy With a Piano in the Subway