John Lennon's oldest son, Julian, recently had a cancer scare.

He says, "[Recently] I went to see, as I usually do when in L.A., my lovely dermatologist. Dr. Tess Mauricio -- Dr Tess, was the one who caught and operated on my mole/skin cancer, a few years ago, and literally saved my life… Anyway, after having just finished Good Morning America, I received a message from Dr. Tess, with some urgency to return to Los Angeles, as I had two locations on my skin -- shoulder and forearm, one of which was Melanoma, that should be operated on ASAP! So instead of going home to put my Christmas tree up and happily finish the year off, relaxing at home, I flew directly back to Los Angeles [where] with a surgeon recommended by Dr. Tess -- Tim Neavin -- spent several hours cleaning up and operating on me, with large margins, in the hope that we have, at the end of the day - clear margins, which would mean being free from cancer…

"The operation was a success, but we have yet to have the results of the biopsy...

"One can never be too confident in circumstances like this, but we all believe that Dr. Tim has saved the day… So finger’s crossed for now...

"This is also a timely reminder to all, to please get yourself checked out by your doctor… It only takes a short while to do so, and you may just be saving your own life, at the end of the day… So please, for the sake of yourself, your family and friends just go to your doctor and do what must be done… I love life and I want to live for a very long time and this is one way, and a choice, that could determine your future…

"I wish you all happy holidaze and a healthy long life… Love to all."

Julian is 61.

Southside Johnny is done touring.

He released a statement saying, “After a hugely successful 50-year run with his band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, touring non-stop throughout the U.S. and overseas, ‘Southside Johnny’ Lyon has made the decision to retire from touring in order to manage ongoing health issues."

No other details are available. Southside was scheduled to end the year on December 31st with a show at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey, but it was canceled.

No doubt many folks have been listening to Keith Richards's cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” this Christmas season.

Taking to social media, Keith says, "To me it’s the hippest Christmas song that there is. I mean once again Chuck Berry, beautiful lyrics, a beautiful, joyful feeling about it, and it tells a story short and snappy. What a great track. The sound of it is amazing.”

It was Keith's first single when he released it in 1978, saying he did it "out of sheer fun.”

David Lee Roth has released a new acoustic blues song, “Forgiveness.” Back in February, Roth released “Lavender Forgiveness,” which contained the backing track to Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze.” Among the lyrics are:

I took a long trip South on that whiskey train

I took Jesus Christ's name in vain

I blew a fortune on cocaine

And I caused my whole family heartbreak and shame

And when I was on the verge of going insane I found forgiveness

Forgiveness fall down like rain on a sun-scorched land

Forgiveness forced in like air to a drowning man

Forgiveness like home from a journey of a thousand miles

Forgiveness like milk and honey to a starving child

December 22nd was proclaimed "Billy Gibbons Day" in Las Vegas, where the ZZ Top singer and guitarist lives. He was presented with a proclamation by Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem Brian Knudsen. (The Mayor Pro Tem is responsible for setting the meeting agendas before council meetings and adding emergency agenda items when necessary. The Mayor Pro Tem also fills in for the mayor whenever he/she is absent. They also have the fun role of training new city council members after their election.)

Gibbons turned 75 on December 16th and he celebrated with three shows at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, California featuring appearances by Slash, Jerry Cantrell and Tim Montana.

Brian May posted an acoustic performance of himself wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Producer Richard Perry passed away on Christmas Eve from cardiac arrest and Parkinson's disease.

Among the artists he worked with are Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Art Garfunkel and Rod Stewart, who says, "Dearest Richard, farewell, my dear buddy. They say in life a man is lucky if he can count his true friends on one hand, and you were certainly one of them. Now I’ve lost you and I’m devastated.

“We played and worked so closely together for so many years, creating some of the most memorable music together. You were there when [my wife] Penny and I first started dating, encouraging our relationship. We were both in tears as I post this farewell.”

Perry was 82.

The late George Michael's father, sister and manager have “donated a substantial amount from George’s 'Last Christmas' record royalties to some 20 organizations raising money for causes close to George’s heart.”

The donations were made through the recently established George Michael Fund, which continues his singer’s history of philanthropy.

Michael died on Christmas 2016. He was 53.

Bret Saunders