Once again, a McCain campaign musical selection has rubbed the performing artist the wrong way. A spokesman for Van Halen says the band doesn't endorse candidates, and that's precisely why they're upset that when McCain running mate Sarah Palin was introduced at a rally last week (8/29) it was to the strains of VH's "Right Now." Get in line, guys. Already on McCain's case are Jackson Browne and John Mellencamp for similarly having their music associated with his presidential aspirations. Back during the primaries, Tom Scholz let loose on Republican Mike Huckabee for appropriating Boston's "More Than A Feeling."

Polar Pink
How many former members of Pink Floyd does it take to get a standing ovation? Two, if the occasion is the awarding of Sweden's annual Polar Music Award. Roger Waters and Nick Mason accepted for Floyd, in recognition of the band's contribution to pop culture. The Brits split the award with American opera diva Renee Fleming.

How Much for the Lips?
So struck was a young art student by the size of Mick Jagger's mouth, he created the now iconic lips-and-tongue logo that first appeared on the cover of the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers album in 1971. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has paid $95,000 for the original art for the logo, which a museum spokesperson says is "arguably the world's most famous rock logo."

It would be hard to overstate the influence Les Paul has had on rock music.

He literally invented the solid body electric guitar in 1941. Gibson's Les Paul model first appeared in 1952. It has been embraced by virtually every classic rock guitar god you can think of.

He also invented a playing style that made the most of the electric guitar's unique sound. He gave a then-five-year-old Steve Miller his first guitar lesson.

Les Paul also fathered the concept of recording and combining multiple, separate tracks that became a recording industry standard shortly after his first multitrack recording was released in 1947.

On November 10, Paul will receive the American Music Masters award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in recognition of the ways in which he has changed America's culture through music.

Paul, who at age 93 still performs regularly at a New York City jazz club, hopes to attend the event. Watch for a group of A-list artists (not yet announced) performing at a tribute concert during a week of events in and around the Rock Hall in Cleveland.

^{Photo by Scott WIntrow / Getty Images}

Since the demise of Toto earlier this year, founder Steve Lukather has concentrated on his solo career, with a new album and a tour that is scheduled to run through 2009.

By design, Lukather is honing his act first in smaller, more intimate venues. The resulting chemistry, combined with a loyal fan base and a highly talented backup band, makes for a powerful live concert presence.

Reviewer Alun Williams gives us an inside look at Steve Lukather in concert.

^{Photo © Alun Williams, licensed to About.com}

Paul McCartney confirmed in a news release today (8/27) that he will perform in Tel Aviv on September 25.

Macca characterized the concert as coming "43 years after being banned by the Israeli government" and assured his Israeli fans that he would give them "the night they have been waiting decades for."

McCartney's reference was to a 1965 Beatles tour of Israel that never happened, because the band's visas were canceled.

On the strength of Israeli media reports, fans have already been buying up tickets that range from $140 to $430, even before the artist's appearance was confirmed.

Israel is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and had earlier invited both McCartney and Ringo Starr to participate in the celebration. "Israel missed a chance to learn from the most influential musicians of the decade," wrote Israeli's ambassador to England, "and the Beatles missed an opportunity to reach out to one of the most passionate audiences in the world."

^{Photo by Dave Hogan / Getty Images}