The circus, performing in Calthorpe Park, Edgbaston, fell foul of the Licensing Act 2003. The act forbids the playing of live music without a licence. Circus owner Martin Burton said that applying for a licence was time-consuming and expensive and called for circuses to be exempt from the legislation. He said: "I'm a big fan of silent comedy, but this is nonsense."
Old Rocker News (1) - Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has scotched rumours that he is to tour with the band, describing speculation as "frustrating and ridiculous". Last week, The Sun newspaper reported that he had agreed to a reunion tour. But he has not and will not go on the road with anyone for at least two years after finishing US dates with Alison Krauss on 5 October, a statement said.
"Contrary to a spate of recent reports, Robert Plant will not be touring or recording with Led Zeppelin," it said. "Anyone buying tickets online to any such event will be buying bogus tickets."
Old Rocker News (2) - Bruce Springsteen is to perform during the half-time show at the US Super Bowl. His backing group, the E Street Band, will also play at the annual concert, taking place in Tampa, Florida, on 1 February. Last year's show was watched by 148 million viewers, the NFL said.
One of the event's most controversial incidents in recent years was in 2004 when singer Janet Jackson suffered a "wardrobe malfunction" live on-air. Other stars in recent years to fill the half-time slot include Sir Paul McCartney, U2 and Prince. Michael Jackson performed in 1993, five years after Chubby Checker, who became the first musician to provide entertainment traditionally supplied by local marching bands and drill teams.
Old Rocker News (3) - Mixed reviews for Sir Paul McCartney's first gig in Israel . . . His show at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv took place 43 years after his former group The Beatles were banned from playing in the country. He addressed fans in English and Hebrew, and performed songs from throughout his career.
James Hider of The Times wrote: "The start of the show was not promising, with a few blander Beatles pop numbers like You Say Hello interspersed with some maudlin, instantly forgettable songs from the Wings years . . . Like Israel, McCartney bears a particularly heavy burden of the past, and he must have noticed how the crowd seized up for many of his solo efforts, only to come alive again once he steered back to favourites penned with John Lennon."
David Brinn of the Jerusalem Post was more enthusiastic: "It was a dynamite two hours, with the 66-year-old former Beatle proving time and time again that he's a consummate performer, musician and songwriter. Seeing the legends of days gone by is usually wrought with disappointment and inflated expectations. But on Thursday night, before the packed crowd at Yarkon Park, Paul McCartney only succeeded in adding to his legendary status." So now you know.
(Jim Evans)
