Quick quips: George Michael, Queen, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Marie Osmond, Paul Stanley

George Michael opened his Symphonica tour on Tuesday night at Royal Albert Hall in London but was forced to cancel for Wednesday after contracting a viral infection. Michael's spokesman said "He is disappointed that he cannot perform but he has been advised to rest."
The tour sees Michael performing his hits and a number of covers while backed by the 41-piece London Symphonia Orchestra.


Brian May and Roger Taylor are certainly staying busy keeping Queen's legacy alive. Not only are the assembling an official tribute band but they have unearthed a number of unheard Freddie Mercury tracks that they are trying to work up for a new release.


Elton John publicly thanked New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support of the gay marriage law passed in the state.
Cuomo was in the audience at John's annual Elton John AIDS Foundation gala on Wednesday night and thanked Cuomo for "taking a stand in New York and making the dream of marriage equality a reality in the state."


Eric Bana (Black Hulk Down, Hulk) and Danny Houston will star as Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon in the upcoming film Elvis & Nixon. Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride, Saw) is writing the screenplay and will be making his directorial debut.


Marie Osmond rushed to a Las Vegas hospital on Wednesday night after her voice started to go during a show with brother Donny. According to her rep, she was diagnosed with a bad case of bronchitis but, so far, has not canceled any performances.


Also having vocal problems is Paul Stanley of KISS who has announced he underwent vocal chord surgery this past Tuesday. He stated that he had the surgery to take care of "recurring vocal cord issues. I hold myself to a higher standard than others do. With that in mind, I wanted to remedy a few minor issues that come with 40 years of preaching rock n' roll."