Many artists canceled tours in the wake of last September's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., but not Bob Dylan. Dylan did demand tighter security at his concerts in an effort to keep shady-looking characters from getting backstage without the proper credentials. In doing so, however, it's doubtful that he had himself in mind. The perpetually disheveled Dylan was recently prevented from passing through a security checkpoint prior to his performance at Oregon's Jackson County Exposition Center. Apparently, Dylan lacked the requisite backstage pass. Whereas the three thirty-something security guards would probably have recognized Fred Durst or Anthony Kiedis, they couldn't place the veteran rocker. As Dylan tried to pass, one guard raised his hands and blocked the way. Upon discovering that the beefy guards were strictly obeying orders not to let anyone pass without authorization, Dylan reportedly threw a fit and demanded that they be dismissed immediately. Fortunately, the disgruntled celeb's security director showed up and escorted Dylan to his comfy room backstage.

Maybe Courtney Love loves her late husband's music so much she just doesn't want anyone else to hear it. The former Hole front woman has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court asking for control of Nirvana's master recordings. Love names Vivendi Universal (which owns Geffen, the now-defunct band's label) and Nirvana members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl in the suit. Love argues that the band's recording contract is invalid because Geffen has changed hands and is a label entirely different from the one with which Nirvana originally signed in 1991. She also claims that the company owes Nirvana $3.1 million in unpaid royalties, all of which should go to her because Kurt Cobain was the primary force in Nirvana (in Love's eyes, apparently, Novoselic and Grohl were just along for the ride). Last June, Love filed a different suit to disband Nirvana LLC, the limited liability company she formed with Novoselic and Grohl in 1997. At the time, the three agreed to jointly negotiate the issue of future unreleased tracks and images. The company requires a unanimous vote on group decisions. Love has said that she was high when she signed the agreement and that she plans to have it nullified.

Lots of responsible adults keep tabs on their children's record collections, and more than a few have steered little Johnny or Janie clear of the violent and misogynist rap group D12, a side project of foul-mouthed wordsmith Eminem. Not Ethan Weisman's dad. When Ethan turned 13, his wealthy pop didn't just buy him one of the band's CDs — he bought the kid D12 for a day. In exchange for an undisclosed amount of money, the group showed up at Ethan's bar mitzvah (sans front man Eminem, who was in Hollywood filming his life story with Brittany Murphy). The band hung out at a private country club in West Bloomfield, Michigan, signing autographs for Ethan and his friends. The rappers nicknamed Ethan “E13” and let him wear their heavy gold and silver necklaces for a group photo. Parents who frown at the idea of children being entertained by a group whose songs bear titles such as “Shit Can Happen” and “Shit on You” should take consolation in knowing that the rappers didn't utter a single four-letter word all night, proving perhaps that some people really should be seen and not heard.

Apparently unfazed by the humiliation he suffered in 1990 after admitting he didn't sing a note on his Grammy Award-winning record, Milli Vanilli lip-syncer Fabrice Morvan recently signed on as the headline attraction at Showerpalooza, a karaoke tour sponsored by Malibu Rum. Morvan's traveling karaoke booth was built in a fake shower equipped with the sound of running water. The event opened in an Indianapolis tiki bar and made stops in Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis. As one half of Milli Vanilli, Morvan rocketed to stardom with hits such as “Girl You Know It's True” and “Blame It on the Rain” before withdrawing from the music scene in disgrace. He's currently working on a solo album that features his actual vocals. Morvan's one-time partner, Rob Pilatus, died of a drug overdose in 1998.

In response to the events of September 11, 2001, many U.S.-based rockers displayed their patriotism onstage at home and overseas. Not all audiences responded appreciatively. When the Yngwie Malmsteen band launched into “The Star-Spangled Banner” halfway through their set at a recent show in Brazil, concertgoers booed and showered the band with cups and beer cans. Keyboardist Derek Sherinian says on his Web site, “To see the anti-American rallies on CNN is bad enough, but to be in the middle of one is scary beyond words.” The band finished the performance without interacting with the crowd. Sherinian refused to join Malmsteen for an encore. “All of my spirit was gone,” Sherinian says. “I finished disgusted.” Malmsteen returned to the stage alone and played “The Star-Spangled Banner” again while the audience hissed and booed. The guitar virtuoso said, “God bless America, and fuck you all,” before leaving the stage for good.

It's always tragically ironic when a musician who spends his life on the road without mishap gets into a serious auto wreck at home. That's exactly what recently happened to the Living End vocalist and guitarist Chris Cheney. Cheney and his girlfriend were driving down the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, toward Airey's Inlet, when a driver who was headed in the opposite direction drifted into their lane. Cheney swerved hard but couldn't avoid the other car. It ripped into the side of Cheney's vehicle and sent it skidding off the road, down an embankment, and into a tree. The guitarist's right leg was shattered; three pins and a rod were required to repair the damage. He also suffered extensive bruising and shock. Cheney's girlfriend escaped with only minor injuries. Once Cheney's cast is removed, he'll need to undergo intensive physical therapy, but doctors say he could be back on his feet and hopping across the stage by early this month. Because of the accident, the Living End had to cancel their performance with Kasey Chambers at the 2001 Aria Awards.