Tuesday, January 6, 2008

VAN HALEN: Might as Well Sell

Eddie Van Halen is selling two of his cars -- a 1956 Chevy 210 and a '56 Chevy Nomad -- along with matching, one-of-a-kind E-V-H Brand "Wolfgang" guitars and a pair of red, white and black E-V-H striped sneakers. They'll go under the gavel during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 11th to the 18th. The Nomad is restored to original specifications, and the 210 is a custom-built street rod with modern performance gear pumping out more than 600 horsepower. Van Halen says, "Out of all the cars I have owned over the years, I hung onto the '56 Sedan and Nomad because I was closely involved in restoring and building them, so they are very special to me. I almost hate to let them go, but I don't have the time to drive them." The cars, which will be sold with no reserve, can be seen on the Van Halen website.

PAUL McCARTNEY: Could Inherit Beatles Catalog

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson had a falling out when the Gloved One outbid him for publishing rights to The Beatles songs written with John Lennon. And if the London tabloid The Daily Mail is to be believed, Jackson is now considering returning the rights to McCartney -- as a bequest in his will.

McCartney and Jackson teamed on a pair of huge '80s hits -- "The Girl Is Mine" and "Say Say Say" -- but Paul has had nothing to say to Michael since the deal was made. Now, with Jackson in financial trouble and said to be ailing, the Daily Mail says he's eager to "make peace" with his onetime buddy. Quoting "sources close to Jacko," the Mail says, "most of his estate has been divided up between his three children. But Michael told his lawyers he was sad he no longer talks to Sir Paul and said he wanted to make things right."

Jackson's annual royalties from the Lennon-McCartney catalogue are said to be worth 60-million dollars. Some of that is paid by Paul -- whenever he performs one of the songs controlled by Jackson or includes it on a compilation, he, like any artist, has to pay to do so.

JOHN LENNON: "Lost" Medal Found

The medal of honor John Lennon returned to the British government in 1969 is back in the spotlight. 40 years after the outspoken Beatle sent the M-B-E back to Queen Elizabeth as a protest against British policies in Vietnam and Africa, it has been found at Saint James Palace in London, along with the letter in which John gave his reasons. The question is now where the medal goes next. Some Beatles fans in Britain would like to see it displayed at Lennon's childhood home Mendips. The Liverpool house where he lived with his Aunt Mimi was purchased several years ago by Yoko Ono, who then donated it to a national trust. There's also a suggestion it be given to the soon-to-open Museum of Liverpool.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the medal remains property of John Lennon's estate. "It has been retained since the day Mister Lennon returned it, but in order to decide whether the medal could go on display in a museum, we would have to establish ownership first. It could be up to Yoko Ono as she is the custodian of John Lennon's estate." Yoko was unavailable for comment..

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: Another Freebie

Bruce Springsteen is offering another free download from his new album, Working on a Dream, in stores January 27th. "Life Itself" is the second song made available through Amazon-dot-com following "My Lucky Day." The title track was made available on I-Tunes.

"My Lucky Day" and "Born to Run" will be available as free downloads on the X-Box 360, P-S-3 and Wii [pr: We] versions of Guitar Hero: World Tour from January 27th to February 4th, three days after his appearance on the Super Bowl half-time show, February 1st in Tampa, Florida.

DOOBIE BROTHERS: Back in the Saddle

Drummer Mike Hossack is back with the Doobie Brothers after recovering from injuries sustained in a taxi cab accident last summer. On the band's website, singer-guitarist Pat Simmons writes, "His unanticipated absence during the summer, fall and now winter months has been hard for the band, and Mike as well." Simmons also writes about the band's first studio album in almost 10 years. "So far, we have cut 13 songs and possibly there are still more to come... We are feeling really good about the direction and performance of the songs. It's been a lot of work, but so much fun, and as always the creative process is just amazing." The Doobies are back on the road with shows in Las Vegas on February 13th and 14th.

MARK KNOPFLER: In the Fall

Mark Knopfler hopes to complete his next album in April and release it in the fall. He's recording it at his studio in London. It will be Knopfler's sixth solo album, not including his soundtrack work, and the follow-up to 2007's Kill to Get Crimson.

ERIC CLAPTON: Sure Hand

In case you missed this one -- Eric Clapton not only collects guitars, cars and watches -- he also likes guns. He recently sold his collection of 13 prized shotguns for close to 700-thousand dollars. Each one was engraved with his initials, E-P-C, and came with a photo of him strumming a guitar under a tree. Clapton credits guns with helping him with his social skills. He tells the Art Newspaper, "I'm not really that gregarious, and shooting with groups of people up and down the country has taught me a lot about how to get on with my fellow human beings." Clapton is co-owner of Cordings, an outdoors shop in London.

ELTON JOHN: Patches Rift With Soccer Team

Elton John appears to have smoothed over the differences that led to his quitting as honorary life president of his favorite British soccer team. Two months ago, the rocker and sports fanatic stepped down from his position with the English League's Watford club, unhappy with the direction its executives were taking. But last week, following the departure of the team's chairman and manager, Elton visited a team practice and delivered a pep talk. Spirits got a boost when the team went out and defeated Scunthorpe. Several British sources yesterday speculated that Elton would resume his role with the club.

GRATEFUL DEAD: Getting in Shape

Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann will warm up for The Dead's spring tour with some February West Coast dates with his solo band. Kreutzmann, along with Oteil Burbridge from the Allman Brothers Band and Scott Murawski from Max Creek, will play six dates in California, Oregon and Colorado between February 12th and 21st.

IN OTHER NEWS(Posted 3:00 AM, 1/6/2009)

Brian May refutes news stories that say Queen's musical, We Will Rock You, will end its London production in October. The guitarist says it is "absolute rubbish! Why do people have to try to improvise news?" Plans are under way for a We Will Rock You sequel.

The Pretty Things have cancelled their 41st anniversary tour because of scheduling difficulties.

Pat Travers recently joined Cheap Trick onstage in Orlando, Florida.

Entertainment News

EMMA WATSON: Star Struck by Matt Damon

She often out-sells him at the box office, but Harry Potter star Emma Watson says she's star struck by Matt Damon. Watson tells us, "It's really weird. When you go to these events, even if you've never met the person before in your life, they're like, 'Can we get a picture of you two together?' I'm like, 'I don't know who this person is! What am I doing?' So they push you into photos together, and I was like, 'Oh, hi, Matt.' I went bright red. It was so embarrassing."

BIGGEST LOSER: Meet the Chubbiest Cast Tonight

Tonight's Biggest Loser season premiere on NBC features the plumpest pack the show has ever seen, with one contestant weighing in at 380 pounds. Trainer Jillian Michaels tells us they mirror a global need for her fat-fighting services. She says the show "is changing the face of not only America, but the world. The Biggest Loser is an iconic piece of pop culture that is making a real difference. This is a show that airs in 90 countries around the world. It is inspiring people to lose weight, get healthy and empower themselves in every aspect of their lives."

JOHN TRAVOLTA: Autopsy Done

An autopsy was performed in the Bahamas yesterday on Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of John Travolta, and authorities determined there was no foul play involved in his death. The cause of death was listed as "natural causes -- seizure disorder." Travolta's family doctor was allowed to observe the autopsy. The remains of the boy, who died unexpectedly on Friday, were reportedly cremated yesterday in the Bahamas rather than being buried near the family's home in Ocala, Florida. The family is also reportedly planning a memorial service for Jett in Florida.

PARIS HILTON: With Friends Like These...

The jewel thief who made off with two-million dollars worth of Paris Hilton's baubles last month may have been a pal of the heiress. Not a B-F-F, of course, but police believe that whoever purloined the rings, watches and necklaces was intimately familiar with the home's layout and exactly where Paris stashed her gems. Police say the jewelry was in a place that, according to the L-A Times, "was not accessible to someone simply searching the home." Detectives are reportedly investigating a number of potential suspects.

PATRICK SWAYZE: New Battle

Patrick Swayze's pancreatic cancer has spread. That's the bad news the star of The Beast tells Barbara Walters on an ABC special airing tomorrow. Swayze, who flew every week from the Chicago set of the show back to L-A for chemotherapy, says he's embarking on yet another form of treatment and remains hopeful that he'll beat the usually fatal illness.

REESE WITHERSPOON, JAKE GYLLENHAAL: Mwah!

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal blew away any doubts about their romance in L-A on Sunday night, while watching the Los Angeles Lakers blow away the Portland Trailblazers. When the roving "Kiss Cam" landed on the celebrity duo in their courtside seats, Jake leaned over and planted a big wet one on a surprised Reese. Hey, who needs paparazzi when you have the Staples Center Jumbotron and a "Kiss Cam"? -

REBECCA ROMIJN, JERRY O'CONNELL: Twins

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell doubled their household over the holidays -- by having twin girls. They're named Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tuli. You heard that right, Dolly and Charlie. Romijn and O'Connell got married in 2007, two years after Rebecca divorced her previous husband, John Stamos, and dumped her hyphenated last name.

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT: Engagement Out

Jennifer Love Hewitt has put the kibosh on plans to walk down the aisle in 2009. The 29-year-old Ghost Whisperer star and her fiancee, 32-year-old Scottish actor Ross McCall, broke up over the holidays. The two started dating in 2005 and got engaged late in 2007.

MILEY, BRITNEY: 2009 Is Looking Fine

Miley Cyrus and Britney Spearscan look forward to a bright 2009, according to celebrity astrologer Aura Wright. She says, 'The summer eclipses could bring [Miley] a plum role in Hollywood, a very exciting role. Someone else might drop out, and she could end up slipping in and taking the best role of the season." And for Britney, Wright predicts "by the end of the year, she'll have a major personal breakthrough, a shift of perspective on things."

TIM ALLEN: Baby Time

Tim Allen and his second wife, actress Jane Hajduk, are expecting their first child. The 55-year-old Home Improvement star has a 19-year-old daughter with his first wife, Laura Diebel. The new arrival is due in the spring. -- Lee Jeske

PATRICIA ARQUETTE: Marriage Out

Patricia Arquette's marriage to actor Thomas Jane is kaput. The two were married in 2006, five years after the Medium star divorced Nicolas Cage, and have a five-year-old daughter. Arquette filed for divorce, citing those old "irreconcilable differences." --

GARY OLDMAN: Married Again

Gary Oldman is beginning the New Year with a new wife -- his fourth. The 50-year-old Sid and Nancy star married 31-year-old British jazz singer Alex Edenborough last week in a secret wedding in Santa Barbara, California. For the record, Oldman has one child with wife number-one and two with wife number-three, but none with his most famous ex-wife, Uma Thurman.