KID ROCK has been sued for battery by three men accusing him of lashing out after they asked for his autograph, leaving them 'seriously injured'.
KID ROCK
Michael Medlin, Carlos Bonilla and Jose Perez filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday (21Mar08). They are demanding $15 million (GBP7.5 million) in damages after Rock - real name Robert Ritchie - and members of hip-hop group the Boo-Yaa Tribe allegedly assaulted them outside Hollywood club Teddy's on 22 March, 2006.
According to legal documents obtained by entertainment TV channel E!, Rock and fraternal rappers Paul, Ted, Donald, Roscoe, Danny and David Devoux have all been listed as defendants in the case.
The three plaintiffs are claiming wage loss, loss of use of property, hospital and medical expenses, property and general damages and loss of earning capacity. They were allegedly attacked after approaching Rock and the Devoux brothers with notebooks.
Medlin, Bonilla and Perez have also taken aim at the Roosevelt Hotel's poor security system, where the club is located - which left them in a "dangerous and hazardous" situation.
The suit states "Kid Rock and members of the Boo-Yaa Tribe assaulted and battered all three plaintiffs" and they were "left on the ground seriously injured as Kid Rock and his entourage drove off".
Ironically, earlier this month (11Mar08) Rock signed autographs for charity in a Duluth, Georgia Waffle House restaurant to make amends for a fight he was allegedly involved in at one of the chain's eateries last year (07). A not guilty plea in that case was entered on Kid Rock's behalf in a DeKalb County State Court 3 March (08).
BRITNEY SPEARS' brother BRYAN is heading to court in a bid to seize control of the singer's businesses.
Britney Spears and Bryan Spears leaving the Luxor Hotel. Las Vegas, Nevada - 10.09.07
Bryan Spears, 30, and attorney Ivan Taback were named co-trustees of Britney's trust fund after the Toxic star suffered a mental meltdown earlier this year (08).
They want to ensure all Britney's businesses fall into their ownership as part of the co-trustee deal. The account already holds most of her financial assets but her companies' interests were not automatically transferred.
Bryan and Taback are taking their challenge to Los Angeles Supreme Court on 17 April (08). If successful, Britney's SJB account will be the confirmed owner of such companies as Britney Brands Inc., Britney Films Ltd., Britney Online Inc., Britney Television LLC and Fairy Zone Productions.
The co-trustees fear some of Britney's companies need urgent attention - in terms of unpaid tax bills, litigating matters and ongoing business requirements - insisting ownership must be established.
Taback put an early stop to theories they are acting without Britney's authority. He wrote in a declaration included in last week's (17Mar08) filing: "Britney confirmed to me her desire that all of her material financial assets, including her right title and interest in and to all legal entities which she then owned, be transferred and vested in the trust."
Britney was relieved of many financial and lifestyle duties after she was released from a psychiatric ward last month (Feb08) following a public breakdown, which included a stand-off with police after she refused to hand back her children, Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, to their father Kevin Federline.
She is currently under the supervision of two conservators - her father Jamie and lawyer Andrew Wallet.
Shock rocker MARILYN MANSON is fighting to keep details of his financial affairs private in his court battle with ex-bandmate STEPHEN BIER.
MARILYN MANSON
Bier sued Manson - real name Brian Warner - for breach of contract last August (07), claiming the singer poured the group's money into financing his drug habit, his wedding to burlesque model Dita Von Teese and decorating work at his Chatsworth, California home, among other expenditure.
Manson then countersued in December (07), accusing Bier of failing to properly carry out touring, recording and merchandising duties.
The rocker's lawyer is urging Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern to grant Manson an order that protects his financial records, meaning they'd be available for Bier's camp only and banned from public exposure.
Manson's team insist the singer's records need to be made confidential, because Bier's allegations directly relate to Manson's monetary value.
However, Bier's attorneys have hit back, insisting it's ludicrous that a man who spends his life in the public eye and shamelessly courts publicity should demand such details be covered up.
A hearing is scheduled for 10 April (08), where Bier's people are expected to push forward with a petition to depose Manson.
SIR PAUL McCARTNEY is holding a bedside vigil for his old pal NEIL ASPINALL, the man widely acknowledged as the 'Fifth Beatle'.
PAUL McCARTNEY
McCartney flew to New York this weekend (begs21Mar08) after learning that Aspinall's condition had worsened. Aspinall is alleged to be suffering from lung cancer and is currently receiving treatment at Manhattan's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre.
But the 65-year-old's illness has reportedly left him fighting for his life.
A close friend of the Aspinall family says, "I understand that Paul saw him in hospital in New York. Paul will be devastated if he doesn't beat this. They have been mates ever since they were schoolboys in Liverpool (in England)."
Aspinall is fondly referred to as the fifth member of the Fab Four because of his close ties to bandmembers McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
He served as their business manager and chief confidante for over 40 years, even singing backing vocals for the group's hit Yellow Submarine, and continued to look after the Beatles' interests as head of their record label Apple Corps until he stepped down from the post in 2007.
A man accused of stalking retired supermodel TYRA BANKS has been released back onto the streets of New York - just 24 hours after he was arrested by police.
TYRA BANKS
Brady Green, 37, has allegedly been hounding Banks for months, sending her letters and leaving her phone messages since early January (08).
The Dublin, Georgia, native then began sending the talkshow beauty flowers and last Tuesday (18Mar08) turned up at the N.Y. TV studio where she films The Tyra Banks Show asking to speak to the star in person.
Authorities were alerted to Green's unwanted presence and found him carrying a large bag packed full of magazine cuttings and notes about Banks. He was removed from the premises, but later returned and waited for Banks to emerge from a fast food restaurant across the street.
Police were called back to the scene and officers took Green into custody, charging him with stalking, harassment and criminal trespass, reports the New York Post.
Green was hauled before a judge at Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday (19Mar08) where he protested his innocence - and within minutes he was freed by Judge Anthony Ferrara, despite Green having prior run-ins with the law.
Ferrara did issue an order of protection for Banks, but staff at the posh Chelsea, N.Y. studio are reportedly still anxious about Green's return.
A producer says, "There's no security at this building. It's very scary."
HARRY POTTER author J. K. ROWLING has stunned fans by admitting she was on the brink of suicide when she was a struggling young single mum.
J.K. ROWLING
The novelist - now worth around $1.09 billion (GBP545 million) - succumbed to depression in her early twenties when her husband, Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes, left, leaving her to bring up baby Jessica alone.
Rowling admits she sought professional help when she started toying with the idea of ending her life.
She says, "Mid-twenties, my life circumstances were poor and I really plummeted. The thing that made me go for help was probably my daughter. She was something that earthed me, grounded me, and I thought, this isn't right, she cannot grow up with me in this state."
And the author's battle with her dark thoughts wasn't made any easier by the poor medical advice she received from her local doctors' surgery in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She adds, "She (the medical advisor) said: 'If you ever feel a bit low, come back and speak to the practice nurse,' and dismissed me. We're talking suicidal thoughts here; we're not talking 'I'm a bit miserable'.
"Two weeks later I had a call from my regular GP (General Practitioner) who looked back over the notes. She called me back in. She saved me because I don't think I would have had the guts to go twice."
MEL GIBSON has laughed off reports BRITNEY SPEARS is to sing at his Los Angeles church.
MEL GIBSON
The troubled pop superstar - who was recently spotted dining out with Gibson, her former Malibu, California neighbour - was alleged to be performing a special "gospel-style number" for the actor/director at The Holy Family Catholic Church.
The British tabloid reports also claimed Spears was to have "a new song written for her for the occasion", but Gibson's representative has dismissed the claims insisting there isn't "an ounce of truth to it", according to TMZ.com.
American comedian MIKE EPPS is fighting a paternity suit from a Georgia woman who claims the actor is the father of her four-month-old child.
Mike Epps outside MTV TRL Studios in Times Square. New York City, USA - 05.02.08
The married Next Friday star has been named in legal papers filed by an unnamed female in February (08), in which she requests Epps take a DNA test and acknowledge the child as his own.
The woman's lawyer Randy Kessler claims his client initially wanted to keep the proceedings quiet, but was forced to go public after repeated calls and emails to Epps and his attorneys were ignored.
He tells TMZ.com, "We are not asking for the moon, we are just asking him to take a paternity test.
"Once the tests are completed and paternity is confirmed, hopefully, Mr. Epps will do the right thing and begin to provide for his child."
Epps, 37, has been married to wife Michelle McCain since 2006. The couple has no children together.
MAD MAX director GEORGE MILLER has blasted film bosses in his native Australia for failing to give the producers of his new superheroes movie JUSTICE LEAGUE the cash incentives they needed to film Down Under.
GEORGE MILLER
The explosive blockbuster was set to start shooting in Australia in June (08) - after delays caused by the Hollywood writers strike - but now the film, tentatively titled Justice League Mortal, is set for relocation.
And Miller is annoyed that Aussie movie bigwigs couldn't save the shoot - by refusing to give producers major cost-cutting cash incentives they were expecting.
He rages, "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Australian film industry is being frittered away because of very lazy thinking.
"If that's going to be the final decision, they're throwing away hundreds of millions of dollars of investment that the rest of the world is competing for and, much more significantly, highly skilled creative jobs."
Meanwhile, in casting news for the film, Heroes star Stephen Tobolowsky is reportedly in negotiations to play Batman's butler Alfred in the movie, which will star Adam Brody, Megan Gale, Common and Armie Hammer.
LATEST: Welsh actor RHYS IFANS' mother has confirmed reports the star is engaged to marry girlfriend SIENNA MILLER.
Rhys Ifans and Sienna Miller arriving at LAX airport. Los Angeles, California - 25.02.08
The couple is alleged to be planning a summer wedding after the Factory Girl beauty accepted Ifans' third proposal earlier this month (Mar08). The Notting Hill star first asked for Miller's hand in marriage in August (07) by sending her a cryptic message in Welsh, which read: "Marry the Misfit."
He proposed for a second time in December (07) at her 26th birthday party by hiding an engagement ring in a pile of gifts, before she agreed to marry him on his third try.
And Ifans' mum Beti-Wyn Evans is delighted at the prospect of having Miller as her daughter-in-law.
She says, "They adore each other and I am so pleased for them. They make a fantastic couple. We think she (Miller) is lovely, absolutely fantastic."
Evans also revealed the lovers are looking into buying a home in Wales, so Ifans can be closer to his family.
CHARLIZE THERON has a stern message for journalists who interview her at press junkets - 'Do your homework!'
CHARLIZE THERON
The Oscar winner admits she's often left offended by comments reporters make when they chat to her about films in press conference-style promotional interviews.
She says, "It bothers me that if you're gonna come in, especially to these junkets... and you're gonna be covering this industry, you should go and do your homework a little bit.
"I understand that there's a sense of entertainment and everybody wants the quick soundbite, but, at the same time, especially when you're dealing with material that's serious... Don't come to me and tell me that North Country was a transformation; it's dirt on my face.
"I got to a point... where somebody (said)... 'You love playing ugly people...' and I take such offence to that.
"Part of me almost wants to go, 'Y'know what, that's actually me... with no make-up, and I'm somewhat offended right now because you're basically saying I'm ugly.'"
Movie veteran ERNEST BORGNINE was forced to change the name of his upcoming biography after publishers balked at his crude title.
ERNEST BORGNINE
The Oscar-winning Marty star suggested a title that he picked up from a New York nut vendor at the beginning of career - and adopted as his lifelong motto.
But publishers feared he'd offend too many people with the quirky title.
He explains, "It was I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, I Just Want To Keep My Nuts Warm. The book people said if you use that title in the Midwest (America), the people won't buy it because they're Bible people, so they made it just Ernie.
"The way that title came about was I was walking down 10th Avenue in New York City in a chilly November cursing myself that I couldn't get any work.
"The only one working was Charlton Heston because he was a good looking guy and I'm bemoaning my fate as suddenly I smell hot chestnuts from a street vendor. I got closer to smell the chestnuts because I couldn't afford to buy them and I saw the sign on the vendor's cart.
"That became my philosophy on life and the title of my book."
Actress ANNE HATHAWAY turned down the lead role in romantic comedy KNOCKED UP because she deemed the movie 'too radical', according to the film's star KATHERINE HEIGL.
ANNE HATHAWAY and KATHERINE HEIGL
The Grey's Anatomy beauty landed the role of Alison Scott opposite Seth Rogen after Hathaway, who was the original choice of director Judd Apatow, refused to take the part.
But Heigl was only too happy to be cast - and was even delighted when audiences were shocked by graphic footage of a baby's head crowning during the movie's birthing scene.
The 30-year-old says, "I think Anne found the film a little too radical especially with the shot at the end!
"Seeing a baby's head poking through was a little strong but the reaction of the audience at that point was so extreme. They just screamed - especially the men!"
Director: Jarrett Schaefer Cast:Jared Leto, Judah Friedlander, Lindsay Lohan Synopsis: On December 8, 1980 Mark David Chapman shocked the world by murdering the beloved purveyor of peace, 40-year old musician and activist, John Lennon, outside The Dakota, his New York apartment building. Chapman's motives were fabricated from pure delusion, fueled by an obsession with the fictional character Holden Caulfield and his similar misadventures in J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. In one instant, an anonymous, mentally unstable 25-year old, socially awkward Beatles fan who had fluctuated between idealizing Lennon and being overcome with a desire to kill him – altered the course of history.
Jared Leto, 60 pounds heavier for the role, bears an uncanny physical resemblance to the real Chapman, who to this day, is incarcerated in Attica Prison, on a guilty plea. Aside from a Larry King interview in 1992, he has not spoken with the media. However, Chapman did reveal the mechanics of his unraveling during those three fateful days in New York City, to crime journalist Jack Jones. The interviews were published in 1992 as Let Me Take You Down: Inside the Mind of Mark David Chapman, a book of Chapman's recollections of his unthinkable act of violence. From this text, the film CHAPTER 27 is based. The film takes its title from the idea that through his actions in New York, Chapman was attempting to "write" his own additional, 27th chapter to Catcher in the Rye (which ends with chapter 26).
Leto's embodiment of a man whose painfully restless mind thrashes about uncontrollably between paranoia, socio-pathic lying and delusion is summed up in such character revealing comments as "I'm too vulnerable for a world full of pain and lies" and "Everyone is cracked and broken. You have to find something to fix you. To give you what you need. To make you whole again."
From his lies to cab drivers (identifying himself as the Beatles sound engineer) to his socially unacceptable behavior around Jude (Lindsay Lohan) a young fan he meets outside the Dakota -- to his argument with paparazzi photographer Paul (Judah Friedlander), Leto's Chapman keeps the psychoses bubbling below the surface as his grasp on reality deteriorates into a completely misguided rage.
British soul star CORINNE BAILEY RAE's musician husband has been found dead of a suspected drugs overdose.
Jason Rae (second from the left) performing on stage with Corinne Bailey Rae. London, England - 31.05.06
The body of saxophonist Jason Rae, 31, was discovered in a Leeds, England flat on Saturday (22Mar08).
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
A post-mortem examination carried out on Rae's body on Saturday night proved inconclusive and officials are now awaiting the results of a toxicology report.
Rae was a member of the Haggis Horns. The band has backed up stars including Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, and released its debut album Hot Damn! in September 2007.
HEATHER MILLS is set to return to court to appeal against a gagging order preventing her from talking publicly about her divorce battle with SIR PAUL McCARTNEY.
HEATHER MILLS
Mills lost an appeal at London's High Court on Tuesday (18Mar08) to stop details of the case from entering the public domain and Judge Mr Justice Bennett subsequently published his findings.
The former glamour model won $33 million (GBP16.5 million) cash and assets worth $15.6 million (GBP7.8 million) following the breakdown of her four-year marriage to the former Beatle last Monday (17Mar08), but faced a barrage of criticism in the press after the judge slammed her evidence as "unreliable" and accused the 40-year-old of indulging in "make-belief".
Mills then responded by publicly condemning the judge's decision to publish the report and claimed the revelations have added to her media "vilification" and violated her "human rights".
And now Mills, who shares custody of her four-year-old daughter Beatrice with McCartney, wants a judge to overturn the gagging order so she can set the record straight without the risk of being found in contempt of court.
Her lawyer David Rosen says, "Heather is very frustrated. She feels that it's very unfair that the judgement should be printed in full when she cannot defend herself.
"She's planning to apply to lift the ban. It was damning enough that the judge made his judgement so clear and vividly - no one deserves that. It's like a prolonged hanging for her."
McCartney and Mills split in May 2006 after four years of marriage.
Rocker COURTNEY LOVE is desperate to flee her hectic lifestyle in 'dirty' Los Angeles and set up home in the English countryside.
COURTNEY LOVE
She has previously house-hunted in the British capital and even viewed Kate Moss' north London apartment, but pulled out of the $7 million (GBP3.5 million) deal after deciding it was not for her.
The former Hole singer, 43, claims the U.K. is a much healthier place to bring up her daughter with late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, 15-year-old Frances Bean, and has been viewing properties in the country for several months with the hope of finding a permanent home.
She says, "I am fed up with Los Angeles. It's dirty and full of crazy people. I want a complete lifestyle change. People criticise Britain but it is still a cleaner, safer place to live than Hollywood."
"I don't want to live in the city. I love the greenery and the freshness of the countryside. It is just a healthier place for me to be. I've been house-hunting seriously and I'll know as soon as I find the perfect place."
Love was recently spotted looking at properties around the $10 million (GBP5 million) range in the plush area of Sunningdale in Berkshire, south-east England, an area that is often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of royal residence Windsor Castle's location in the county.
And rock royalty Love could soon meet true royalty - Britain's Prince Andrew also owns a mansion in Sunningdale.
Classic rockers BOSTON are to tour again a year after the death of frontman BRAD DELP.
BRAD DELP of Boston
Former Stryper singer Michael Sweet will join the More Than A Feeling hitmakers when they embark on a 42-date North American tour this summer (08).
Delp committed suicide last March (07).
Also joining band founder Tom Scholz on tour will be superfan Tommy DeCarlo, who wowed the group when he posted his own Boston covers on his MySpace internet page.
Original STEELHEART drummer JOHN FOWLER has died from a brain aneurysm. He was 42. The musician was in the U.S. glam metal band's original 1990 line-up, playing with them until 1992.
Subsequently he worked with a variety of rock outfits, including The Voodoo Jets, Smoke and Hipnotic, and has instructed hundreds of aspiring drummers in his home state of Connecticut.
Fowler was admitted to a hospital in Connecticut last Monday (17Mar08), and put on a life support machine.
His sister Marilyn writes on his MySpace page, "I'm going to miss you, my baby brother. Our 42 years together weren't enough. We'll take care of (son) Sebastian for you. He's become a man this week, and you'd have been so proud of him. All the doctors and nurses were astonished at him as we said goodbye to you.
Legendary mambo pioneer ISRAEL 'CACHAO' LOPEZ has died at the age of 89. The Cuban-born jazz musician and composer - who fled his homeland to ply his trade in America in the early 1960s - fell ill last week (ends21Mar08) before passing away peacefully in a Florida hospital, surrounded by family.
Israel and his brother, multi-instrumentalist Orestes Lopez, created the mambo by accident during an experimental music session in the late 1930s.
In 2003, Lopez, who played the bass, was honoured with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and he won a Grammy award in 2004 for his album Agora Si.
Hollywood star Andy Garcia - who made a documentary about the performer/composer in 1993 - led the tributes to Lopez, describing him as the "musical father" of Cubans.
He said in a statement, "He is revered by all who have come in contact with him and his music. Maestro... you have been my teacher and you took me in like a son.
"I will continue to rejoice with your music and carry our traditions wherever I go, in your honour."
A funeral will take place for the star on Wednesday (26Mar08).
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