Sly Stone cancels; Diamond adds date; Sparks back on tour

The skeptics were right about Friday's scheduled performance by Sly Stone at First Avenue: It's not happening.

Officially blaming "scheduling conflicts" -- never mind that Sly has been mostly inactive for three decades -- Jam Productions announced the cancellation on Monday. Refunds are being given at point of purchase.

The reclusive rock legend is still scheduled to perform at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on Saturday, and he played two club shows in Southern California this weekend. The word from promoters is that two members of Stone's band had a previous commitment he didn't know about and that they couldn't make the Minneapolis performance. Jam Productions tried to reschedule the show, but that didn't work out.

Back in the 1970s, Stone was notorious for canceling concerts or taking the stage very late. On Friday in Anaheim, his set started more than an hour late but he did appear. After two decades in hibernation, Sly emerged for a surprise cameo appearance at the Grammy Awards in 2006, and he performed a handful of concerts last year. These four gigs, including the one in Minneapolis, are his only shows of 2008 announced thus far.

In other concert news, Neil Diamond has added a second show at the Xcel Energy Center on July 20; tickets still remain for his July 19 gig.

"American Idol" Jordin Sparks, who was suffering from vocal problems, will return to the road as opening act for Alicia Keys. Sparks' first show is expected to be Wednesday at Target Center.

JON BREAM