The next episode of A&E’s performance program “Live by Request” will feature legendary singer/songwriter Neil Diamond, Billboard Bulletin reports. He’ll take the stage July 28 at Sony Music Studios in New York; the performance will air live on cable network A&E and will be simulcast over the Jones Radio network. “Live by Request” allows viewers to make song requests via a telephone 800 number or e-mail. Diamond will also be the subject of an episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” premiering July 22.
The events come in conjunction with Diamond’s new Columbia album, “Three Chord Opera,” due July 24. As previously reported, the artist wrote all the words and music for the set, the first time he’s done so since 1974’s “Serenade,” which hit No. 3 on the Billboard album chart and featured the No. 5 pop hit “Longfellow Serenade.” Diamond will support the album with a world tour, with dates to be announced.
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Most of the catalog of the San Francisco punk band the Dead Kennedys will be reissued on CD Sept. 11 by L.A.-based indie Manifesto Records, Billboard Bulletin reports. The albums remained out of print during a protracted legal action lodged against singer Jello Biafra by the other three members of the band, who prevailed in court last year. The Manifesto rereleases — originally issued between 1981-87 on Alternative Tentacles, which Biafra still operates — will include “Plastic Surgery Disasters” (augmented by the EP “In God We Trust, Inc.”), “Frankenchrist,” “Bedtime for Democracy,” and “Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death.”
— Chris Morris, L.A.
North Carolina-based metal act Corrosion of Conformity (COC) is seeking to solidify its live performance reputation with the Aug. 7 release of its “Live Volume” CD, which will be followed by the Sept. 25 release of a DVD and VHS under the same name. Captured in April at Harpo’s Concert Theatre in Detroit, the 15-track live set includes such fan favorites as “Congratulations Song,” “Vote With a Bullet,” and “Shelter.”“Live Volume” follows last year’s COC studio album “America’s Volume Dealer.” That set, which debuted at No. 18 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, has sold 47,000 copies in the U.S., according to SoundScan.
— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.