Quick quips: Paul McCartney, Whitney Houston, Dave Stewart, Annie Lennox, Morrissey, Brett Michaels

2012 may just be the year of Paul McCartney. With his new album, his honoring as MusiCares Man of the Year and turning the big 7-0, there's almost daily news about the icon's music activity.
A project for the near future is a new tribute album with participation by some of the music world's biggest stars. Taking on the McCartney catalog will be Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Jeff Lynne, Heart, B.B. King, KISS, Alice Cooper, Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Ronnie Spector, the Cure and Corinne Bailey Ray. The album is being assembled by Ralph Sall who also did the Grateful Dead tribute album Deadicated.


Whitney Houston could be coming to the X-Factor. The Hollywood Reporter has reported that a source said that the singer had been approached to take one of the vacated judging slots next to Simon Cowell.


Dave Stewart and Joss Stone played at L.A.'s Troubadour last night as part of their More Love tour. Along with material from both their catalogs, the duo took on a few songs from Stewart's Eurythmics including Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Here Comes the Rain Again, Who's That Girl? and Missionary Man.
The other half of the Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, is hosting an evening of British female vocalists on March 9 for the Women of the World Festival in London. She will sing with modern artist Katy B while there will also be performances from Sinead O'Connor, Jesse Mills, Emeli Sande, Gaggle and Emmy the Great.
Lennox said "I'm so proud to be hosting an evening of British female artists in celebration of International Women's Day. EQUALS Live at Southbank Centre will shine a spotlight on an incredible new generation of women in music who are raising their voices in solidarity with women across the globe."


Morrissey has scrapped his planned tour of New Zealand, saying it is due to "poor offers from local promoters." Still in his plans for 2012 are South America, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines.


Brett Michaels is recording Every Rose Has Its Thorn once again but, this time, with a bit of a twist as he will be duetting with country great Loretta Lynn. He told Rolling Stone "for me, growing up in a family that my father loved country music and Coal Miner's Daughter, this is gonna be a really awesome time."
The Lynn cut will be a bonus track for the album along with a live version of Margaritaville with Jimmy Buffett.