The new House of Blues club on...

The new House of Blues club on the Sunset Strip, originally scheduled to open in March, is now set to have its official inauguration with two invitation-only events: a show by club investor Aerosmith on April 22, followed by an April 30 benefit for the Magic Johnson Foundation featuring the Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd co-owns the club chain), the Black Crowes, James Brown and John Lee Hooker. A full schedule of concerts starts in May. . . .

Two of rap’s leading acts have new albums due in July: Chuck D., Flavor Flav and crew are working on a new Public Enemy album, while LL Cool J, who continues to be one of rap’s top-selling artists, is finishing up his latest. . . .

Harry Connick Jr. is said to be returning to his old New Orleans roots for his next album, a change from the lighter, jazz-pop flavor of most of his recent work. The album is expected in June. . . .

John Lydon will make an eight-city U.S. book-signing tour for his new autobiography, “Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs,” including a planned stop at West Hollywood’s Book Soup on April 21. Lydon, having disbanded Public Image Ltd., is also working on his first solo album for Atlantic Records. . . . While in town, maybe Lydon can check out the new high-concept L.A. band the Spock Pistols--four guys who dress like “Star Trek’s” Mr. Spock and perform only Sex Pistols songs. . . .

Booker T. & the MG’s’ first album in 17 years will be released by Columbia Records on May 24. “That’s the Way It Should Be” includes instrumental versions of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” Janet Jackson’s “Let’s Wait a While” and Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody,” as well as original tracks, including the first single, “Cruisin’.” . . .

Ice Cube is setting up a summer concert tour following two spring acting stints--he’s starring in John Singleton’s “Higher Learning” and an indie film titled “Friday.” . . . English industrial duo Nitzer Ebb is putting the finishing touches on an album now due in September.