More Top Stories: Jerry Lee Lewis, Howard Stern
Jerry Lee Lewis Biopic to Star Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman?
Director Terrence Malick is reportedly working with actors Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman on a biopic about Jerry Lee Lewis. Lewis was also the subject of the 1989 film Great Balls of Fire [Risky Business]
Howard Stern ‘Pretty Sure’ He’s Leaving Sirius XM
Shock jock Howard Stern has opened up about his future after his five-year contract with Sirius XM expires at year’s end, saying he’s “pretty sure” he’ll leave the satellite radio giant and perhaps pursue an Internet venue. However, Stern’s stance could also be posturing to secure a better deal from Sirius XM. [Billboard.biz]
ELO Cellist Killed in Freak Accident
Michael Edwards, the former cellist for Electric Light Orchestra, was killed in a freak accident this weekend after a 1,300-pound bale of hay rolled out of a field and collided with his car in southwestern England. Edwards, who played on ELO hits like “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” and “Showdown,” was 62. [CNN]
Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Eminem‘s Former Production Company
Eminem’s pre-Aftermath Records production company F.B.T. Productions will receive a larger slice of Eminem’s digital royalties after an appeals court ruled in favor of giving the company of 50 percent split of royalties from Eminem downloads between 2003 and 2008. [Billboard.biz]
Morrissey Calls Chinese People a ‘Subspecies’
Morrissey has found himself embroiled in controversy after referring to the Chinese people as a “subspecies” in an interview with British poet Simon Armitage. [ The Guardian ]
John Lennon’s Killer Denied Parole
Mark David Chapman, the man convicted of killing John Lennon in 1980, was denied parole for the sixth time today, September 7th. [CNN]
Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard to Receive Kennedy Center Honors
Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard and Oprah Winfrey will be among this year’s Kennedy Center honorees. The ceremony will take place December 5th, and broadcast on CBS December 28th. McCartney was originally selected for the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002 but had to cancel due to personal obligations. [The Wrap]
White Stripes, Paramore, Carrie Underwood to Cover Loretta Lynn
The White Stripes, Paramore, Steve Earle, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow and others will cover the music of Loretta Lynn on an upcoming tribute disc, due out November 9th. It will be the first new song from Jack and Meg White since the 2007 White Stripes album Icky Thump. [CMT]
Weezer‘s ‘Hurley’ Streaming Now
Weezer’s new album Hurley is streaming in its entirety over at the band’s MySpace page. The album is due out September 14th. [Weezer MySpace]
Rihanna Announces New Album, ‘Loud’
Rihanna will release Loud on November 2nd, less than a year after her last disc Rated R. Loud‘s first single, “Only Girl (In the World),” premiered this morning on Ryan Seacrest‘s radio show. [Ryan Seacrest]
Plus: Kings of Leon plot new single, Pavement hold fan contest and more.