BILLY JOEL, TENACIOUS D, SPINAL TAP AND GERARDO: THE NEW BEATLES?

BILLY JOEL TO BE HONORED
Gaze into the future: MusiCares' 2002 Person of the Year is Billy Joel, who is being honored for his achievements as both a musician and humanitarian. He will receive the honor as part of the month-long Grammy fest at a tribute dinner, which will also feature a concert and silent auction, on Feb. 25. The Grammys take place Feb. 27. Joel has worked with various environmental groups, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, AIDS Project Los Angeles and the American Cancer Society as well as giving a memorable performance on America: A Tribute to Heroes. Proceeds from the tribute dinner provide support for MusiCares' Financial Assistance Program, which helps people in the music community in need. And no, needing a promo of the new Jay-Z does not qualify.

CORNERSTONE ADDS ANOTHER CORNER
NYC's Cornerstone Promotion has formed Cornerstone Management, hiring Sara Newkirk as President, announced company co-Presidents Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. Newkirk brings former Rage Against the Machine singer Zack de le Rocha (co-managed with Spivak Entertainment), American/Columbia's Saul Williams and Time Bomb/Columbia's Icelandic rockers Quarashi as clients. Said Cohen: "Sarah is one of the most talented young executives in the music industry. She displays a great passion for music and a tremendous knowledge of the business. We are thrilled to have her join the Cornerstone/Fader family and look forward to having a lot of success together. She's getting tired of the corner office' jokes, however."

COMEDY IS NOT PRETTY BUT IT IS LOUD
Tenacious D is putting on a benefit concert Dec. 20 at the Los Angeles House of Blues and with fellow comedic rockers Spinal Tap as special guests. Proceeds from the concert will go to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. Tickets are $50 for the floor and $100 for the VIP area, which includes a post-show party with the D (including hors d'oeuvres and a free commemorative poster). It's a great bill and a great cause. We just wish our co-workers would stop quoting both the D and Spinal Tap. IT'S ANNOYING!

MORE CONCERT NEWS
And finally, the man responsible for inking Enrique Iglesias and the greatest song of 1990, "Rico Suave," is back in the live music game. After putting his performing career on the back-burner to become an A&R exec at Interscope, Gerardo is playing this Thursday (12/13) at the Mayan in Los Angeles. His comeback record, Sigo Siendo Rico (Still Rico for you gringos) will be out on the Thump label in March. Between this and the MC Hammer movie on VH1, it looks like the '90s revival is gearing up in earnest. And not a moment too soon, since we've just finished learning the guitar chords to The Presidents of the United States of America's "Lump."