Juanes sorry about concert outrage

From wire reports

NEW YORK -- Juanes is sorry about the huge outrage surrounding his upcoming peace concert in Cuba, but says that his intentions are truly genuine.

"I deeply regret having caused, let's say, this bad moment," he said in an interview Friday night.

"I have had the opportunity of talking with several leaders of the community to tell them what this is all about and that's the only truth that exists. The rest I can't control. If they say that I am a communist, that Juanes has political intentions ... I can only control what's in my heart, what's in my mind. We know what we are doing and why we are doing it."

Despite being accused of political affiliations with Cuba's communist system and receiving death threats through Twitter, the Colombian singer still plans to hold his "Peace Without Borders" concert at Havana's Plaza of the Revolution on Sept. 20.

Juanes has been known for his social activism since his first "Peace Without Borders" concert took place in March 2008.

The 37-year-old performer says he hasn't gotten more threats, and now he's not as worried about his safety.

Though he knows the upcoming concert will not cause an overnight change in Cuba's culture, he feels it's a step that's worth taking.

"The thing is that it's not about this concert, it's just about a process, and this concert is just a little step in this way to communicate through culture," he said.

Jackson fans celebrate late singer’s birthday

NEW YORK — Thousands of Michael Jackson fans danced the rain away Saturday in a Brooklyn park at a celebration hosted by filmmaker Spike Lee.

The party marked what would have been the 51st birthday of the late pop star.

After a slow start amid heavy rain, a sizable crowd turned out at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to listen to a DJ spin Jackson’s hits.

Many showed up wearing fedoras and T-shirts with Jackson’s image. A few wore white gloves.

Lee directed two music videos for Jackson in 1996.

He told reporters, “I was just like everyone else. I loved his talent.”

‘Intimidation’ forces Oasis guitarist out

LONDON — Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher claims “verbal and violent intimidation” led to his decision to leave the “Britpop” band.

In a letter to fans posted to the band’s Web site Saturday, Gallagher also apologizes for having to cancel European concerts.

The posting says “the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable.” Gallagher offers no details about what the intimidation was, and doesn’t specify who was responsible.

Gallagher also doesn’t directly write about his brother Liam, the band’s frontman, who he earlier said had forced his decision to quit. That statement said Gallagher couldn’t work with Liam “a day longer.”

Oasis was a leading act in the “Britpop” explosion of the 1990s.