It was fairly big and certainly nice news that singer Natalie Cole was on her way back from some problems, and a big step on that way back was to be a performance for New Year's Eve and New Year's day at the Tropicana.

Well, due to illness, she has had to cancel those appearances "at the advice of her doctor due to a vocal fold hemorrhage."  Dr. Kenneth Altman at the Grabscheid Voice Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City said that "immediate strict vocal rest is necessary to repair the hemorrhage."

“I want to express my sincere apologies as I was excited to perform for my fans in celebration of the New Year," Cole stated.

So, up step the O'Jays who, one could argue, may be even better in a celebratory environment---that is, they're a darn good party band as well as members of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Tropicana says that any customer who chooses not to attend The O’Jays performance, in lieu of Natalie Cole, must visit the Tropicana Box Office or contact TicketMaster directly for a refund.