Amemorial service for Damageplan/Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, shot to death onstage last week in Columbus, Ohio, was held last night in Arlington, Tex. Two memorial funds have been established in the wake of the slaying. The Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund will help cover bereavement and medical expenses; four others, including the gunman, were killed during the incident. (Checks can be sent to the fund at 110 SW Thomas, Burleson, Tex. 76028.) Fans can also make a donation in Abbott's name to VH1's Save the Music Foundation (888-841-4687), which promotes music education programs in schools . . .
U2, the Pretenders, Buddy Guy, Percy Sledge and the O'Jays will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a March 14 ceremony at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Nonperformers also being inducted include Sire Records Chairman Seymour Stein and Premier Talent Agency founder Frank Barsalona. Punk and hip-hop lost out this year: Nominees Patti Smith, the Stooges, the Sex Pistols and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five -- who would have been the first hip-hop group to be inducted -- were all passed over . . .
The year's top tours were dominated, predictably, by the more established artists. Madonna's "Re-Invention" tour raked in $125 million in total box office receipts, according to Billboard.com. Prince's "Musicology" tour came in second, with $90.2 million. The rest of the top 10 were Shania Twain ($62.5 million), Simon & Garfunkel ($59 million), Metallica ($53.8 million), Bette Midler ($53.3 million), Sting ($52.4 million), Kenny Chesney ($49.3 million), David Bowie ($46 million) and Toby Keith ($44.3 million) . . .
Jennifer Lopez's new album, "Rebirth," hits stores March 1, but fans can check out the album's first single, "Get Ready," when the video airs on MTV on New Year's Eve. The album features guest appearances by rappers Fabolous and Fat Joe, as well as J. Lo's new husband, Latin crooner Marc Anthony.
-- Compiled by K. Wilcox
from Web and wire reports
