CLEVELAND – Still rockin’ at 86, music legend Chuck Berry promised a comeback Saturday with six new songs, some written 16 years ago.

“And as soon as I can get someone to guide me — and I do know a little about the business — I want to push them out,” he told reporters at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which honored him with an award and tribute concert. “I’m going to come back and push them out if you know what I mean, somehow.”

Berry, a rock pioneer with early hits that included “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Johnny B. Goode,” wouldn’t tip his hand in detail about the new songs or when they might be released.

“They might be old, but they are the same type of music that I have been playing,” he said.

The lineup for Saturday night’s tribute concert honoring Berry at the State Theater included Ernie Isley and Darryl DMC McDaniels, Joe Bonamassa, Rick Derringer, Rosie Flores, John Fullbright, David Johansen, Ronnie Hawkins, Steve Jordan and Merle Haggard.

Berry, who still performs monthly at a club in suburban St. Louis, offered advice to the performers: “Keep rocking, keep rocking. That’s two words. Next word is: Be kind to your fans.”

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To mark the American Music Masters award presentation, the rock hall has mounted an exhibition with Berry’s stage clothes, a guitar and his 1958 Chess Records recording contract.

The rock hall’s new library and archives has a separate exhibit with items including Berry’s 1964 British tour program and a handbill promoting his appearance with the Grateful Dead in 1968.

Past American Music Masters program honorees include Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Woody Guthrie.

Billy Idol plays Seattle man’s birthday party

SEATTLE – A Seattle man says that having Billy Idol play his 26th birthday party made for the greatest night of his life.

Michael Henrichsen spent two years persuading the British rock icon to play his party, and it paid off Friday at the packed Showbox SoDo club.

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Idol guitarist Steve Stevens played him “Happy Birthday” in the middle of a solo. Then Idol called Henrichsen onto the stage for a rendition of the song.

Henrichsen’s ’80s cover band opened for the show.

Idol said Henrichsen’s effort stood out from other fan requests because his campaign involved four “Billy Idol Aid” charity concerts that raised $13,000 for the Northwest Harvest food bank and the American Red Cross.

Lil Wayne resting after hospital stay

NEW YORK – Lil Wayne’s management team says the rapper is on “mandated rest” after a severe migraine and dehydration caused him to be hospitalized.

In a statement released Friday, the Blueprint Group said Lil Wayne was released from the hospital treatment and will return to work soon. They added that the New Orleans-based rapper appreciates his fans’ support and love.

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No further details were released.

The 30-year-old multiplatinum performer is working on a follow-up to his last album, 2011’s “Tha Carter IV.”

Skydiver back home again

SALZBURG, Austria – Supersonic skydiver Felix Baumgartner has finally come home after his death-defying, record-breaking leap from the edge of space.

The Austrian former military parachutist faced reporters in his home city of Salzburg on Saturday, nearly two weeks after his plunge from a balloon to the New Mexico desert made him the first person to reach supersonic speed without traveling in a jet or spacecraft.

Baumgartner said it’s been a “very turbulent” few days and weeks.

 


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