When country rocker Gram Parsons died of a drug overdose in 1973, friends snatched his body from Los Angeles and burned it in a place he loved: Joshua Tree National Park, Calif. Later, fans illegally placed a marker in his honor in the park. Now, some say it's time for the National Park Service to officially recognize the counterculture musician as a part of park history. Supporters argue that the park recognizes 19th-century rustlers, miners, and ranchers who left their mark.

Having gone on to win his second straight championship and to further secure his place in basketball history, O'Neal is again diversifying his resume with several new entertainment projects during this off-season. First among those is "Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1," the basketball star/recording artist's fifth studio album, due Oct. 9 via Twism/Trauma.

News on LL Cool J, Megadeth, Money Mark

Another page has been added to the ongoing saga of the planned Jacksons reunion for "An All Star Tribute to Michael Jackson - The King of Pop" in September at Madison Square Garden. According to a statement released today (July 24) by Marlon Jackson, "Randy Jackson will reunite with the original Jacksons: Michael, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito."

British DJ Lee Burridgehas mixed and compiled the fifth installment of Global Underground's "Nu Breed" series, due out Aug. 13 in U.K., plus Ministry of Sound launches a new label.

Representing the "Artist's Perspective" at the Plug.In conference today (July 23) in New York, Alanis Morissette decried the waning use of the Internet as a distribution channel for uncommercial talent and called on artists to rally for legislation that will make their music accessible to the largest possible audiences.