AP-AM Prep-Rock

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! ROCK !

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RONNIE JAMES DIO HAS STOMACH CANCER

UNDATED (AP) — Ronnie James Dio has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. His wife, Wendy, says on Dio's Web site it's in the early stages and he's starting treatment immediately. She says after Dio "kills this dragon," he will "be back on stage, where he belongs." Dio was forced to call off his European tour when became ill last week.

SAVING ABEL FORESEE CHINESE FOOD FOR THANKSGIVING

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Saving Abel are anticipating Chinese food for their Thanksgiving meal. Singer Jared Weeks says they'll have the day off but they won't be close to their homes in Mississippi, so he figures they will get "Chinese cuisine" somewhere. He says he likes to be with his family for holidays, but when he can't, he's with his other family. He says the band and the people who work with them are great people and if he can't be with his real family, he's with his "road family."

SOUND:

<<CUT …009 (11/26/09)>> 00:15 "like our family"

Jared Weeks, singer for Saving Abel

Saving Abel singer Jared Weeks says the band is on tour, so even if he can't be with his family on Thanksgiving, he's with his other family.

<<CUT …010 (11/26/09)>> 00:11 "my road family"

Jared Weeks, singer for Saving Abel

Saving Abel singer Jared Weeks says it's nice to have people around him for Thanksgiving who he genuinely likes.

<<CUT …011 (11/26/09)>> 00:05 "Chinese cuisine somewhere"

Jared Weeks, singer for Saving Abel

Saving Abel singer Jared Weeks says they won't be anywhere near their home state of Mississippi today, so they'll do Thanksgiving on the road.

SUSANNA HOFFS FEASTS ON THANKSGIVING

WASHINGTON (AP) — Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles is in her element today. Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. Her family was not big on Christmas, so she liked Thanksgiving because families come together and have a big feast. She's a bit of a masochist about it, too. When asked about her memories of Thanksgiving, she said, "I just would eat too much and be sort of in pain."

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<<CUT …012 (11/26/09)>> 00:17 "as a child"

Susanna Hoffs, singer formerly with The Bangles, and Matthew Sweet, singer-songwriter

Susanna Hoffs tells Matthew Sweet her family was not big on Christmas, so she preferred Thanksgiving over any other holiday.

WHO'S WHERE FOR TODAY'S PARADES

NEW YORK (AP) — Carly Simon and Boys Like Girls will be floating through Thanksgiving. They will be part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York today. Andrea Bocelli (an-DRAY'-uh boh-CHEL'-ee), Gloria Gaynor, Katharine McPhee, The Roots and Ziggy Marley will also be part of that parade. Jason DeRulo and "American Idol" finalist Kimberly Caldwell will take part in Philadelphia's parade.

JOHN MAYER'S "BATTLE STUDIES" HITS NUMBER ONE

LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Mayer has landed his second number-one album. "Battle Studies" has taken the top position on the Billboard album chart its first week out. It sold 286,000 copies, according to industry figures. His "Heavier Things" album also hit number one in 2003. His last album, "Continuum," sold more copies than "Battle Studies" its first week -- 300,000 -- but only peaked at number two.

STING THINKS COLD BUT NOT NECESSARILY JOLLY

NEW YORK (AP) — Sting wanted to make a winter album, not necessarily a Christmas album. He says he's ambiguous toward Christmas and the season is not all joy and light. He did research for his album, "If On A Winter's Night," looking at songs from different cultures and time periods that dealt with snow, ice or Christmas. He came up with 15 or 16 that encapsulated his feelings. He says all the songs "have a kind of spooky, ghostly quality about them because I think winter's the season of ghosts." He will do some of those songs on "Great Performances" on PBS beginning tonight -- check local listings. The CD is out now.

RIHANNA, BON JOVI, MUSE WILL PLAY "SNL"

NEW YORK (AP) — Rihanna, Bon Jovi and Muse will be upcoming guests on "Saturday Night Live." Rihanna will be on the December 5th episode, with Blake Lively as host. Bon Jovi will play December 12, with Taylor Lautner as host. Muse play on December 19, when James Franco hosts.

by Margie Szaroleta