The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is in Cleveland, but it will soon have a New York City address as well. No, it's not moving -- but an annex will open in November in the SoHo area of Manhattan. Yesterday at a press conference in the city, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, along with Hall of Famer Billy Joel and representatives from the Hall, announced plans for a 25-thousand-square-foot annex. Bloomberg said, "It's only fitting that the role New York City has played in launching the careers of so many of the world's most talented artists -- like Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Paul Simon, Blondie and the Velvet Underground -- on the world's greatest stages -- like the Fillmore East, the Apollo Theater, and Madison Square Garden -- be recognized and honored with the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex." The Hall of Fame has held 21 of its 23 induction ceremonies in New York since it is in the Big Apple where most of the record labels are headquartered.

The state-of-the-art facility will focus on the defining moments in rock and roll history and will be designed to resonate with both the casual music fan and the seasoned rock enthusiast. It will feature an array of exhibitions, including a permanent "New York Rocks" gallery that will highlight key locations around the city that have musical significance. The annex will also showcase select relics from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's vast collection -- including Bruce Springsteen's 1957 Chevy, John Lennon's Record Plant Piano, Elvis Presley's motorcycle jacket, a handwritten poem by Jim Morrison, as well as items from The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and many others. Billy Joel even donated a few items yesterday.

Gerry Rafferty has reportedly disappeared from a British hospital after being hospitalized for liver problems stemming from his longtime battle with alcohol. The Glasgow newspaper The Scotsman says a missing persons report has been filed for the voice of Stealer's Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle With You" and the solo smash "Baker Street." It was discovered that he'd slipped out of the facility -- leaving behind his clothes and luggage. Prior to his hospitalization, he'd spent four days trashing a London room -- leaving its carpet stained with blood and urine.

Rafferty has abused alcohol for years, and has undergone treatment in his native Scotland at least once.

We'll keep you posted on this developing story...

Back in 1975, Sir Elton John was inspired to write and record a #1 smash hit record called Philadelphia Freedom.  His inspiration came from good friend and tennis superstar Billie Jean King. Now, Elton and Billie Jean are preparing for their 16th annual Smash Hits charity tennis exhibition. Scheduled for October 12, 2008 on the campus of Kennesaw State University in Georgia, tennis legends like Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova and Anna Kournikova are part of the show. Proceeds raised will go to both the Elton John AIDS Foundation and The Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund.