Williams postpones Hong Kong show

Williams postpones Hong Kong show

LOS ANGELES: Singer Andy Williams has postponed an April concert in Hong Kong due to concerns over a mysterious flu-like disease that is spreading through the Asian city.

Williams, along with a troupe of 20 musicians, singers and dancers, was supposed to perform on April 12 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

But he postponed the show until June 6 because of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, that has sickened hundreds of people.

"In deference to my band and the others traveling with us, I just didn't want to take any health risks," Williams said. "Hopefully, the source of the problem will be determined and things brought under control."

Williams, 75, was in Las Vegas on Tuesday for the opening of Celine Dion's new show and theater at Caesars Palace. Williams was the first headliner to perform at the casino in 1966. --AP

;AFP; ANPAi..r.. Guesswhat-Kravitz Kravitz, Al Sahir team up for peace JP/20/GUESS

Kravitz, Al Sahir team up for peace

LOS ANGELES Rocker Lenny Kravitz and Iraq's best known pop musician have produced a song together in the name of peace, available only on the Internet, supporters said Tuesday.

The song We Want Peace, was written and performed by Kravitz alongside Kadim Al Sahir, a legend in Arabic music, said Jehmu Green, executive director of "Rock the Vote", a group that defends freedom of expression.

"This song for me is about more than Iraq: It is about our role as people in the world and that we all should cherish freedom and peace," Kravitz said.

Mixing electric guitars and Arabic rhythms, the song says there will be no peace if we do not try, also features Palestinian guitarist Simon Shaheen and Lebanese percussionist Jamey Hadded.

"We're at the crossroads, and we need to defend democracy right now here at home," Green said. --AFP