Michael Jackson in Thailand, 1996
Photo: VH1

While in Thailand in 1996, Michael Jackson sat down to answer some of his fans' most pressing questions, including whether "Billie Jean" is based on a real person and if Jackson has ever felt nervous onstage. Jackson — who was candid, good-natured and relaxed during the interview — opened up about his childhood, his music and even what he would do if given the chance to have a day off from fame.

"There is a girl named Billie Jean, but it's not about that Billie Jean," he said when asked about the inspiration behind his 1983 hit single. "Billie Jean is kind of anonymous. It represents a lot of girls. They used to call them groupies in the '60s. They would hang around backstage doors, and any band that would come to town they would have a relationship with, and I think I wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little. There were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that their son was related to one of my brothers."

Jackson admitted that it is interviews that make him more nervous than actually going onstage and performing. The usually shy singer put his guard up a bit during this particular question, seeming unable to fully explain how uncomfortable he feels about being interviewed.

"I don't remember ever being afraid to go onstage. I'm more comfortable onstage than giving this interview right now," he said. "In truth, I really don't like being interviewed. I swear to God, I feel it's such an intrusion. Every interview I've ever done, I've been forced into it."

Jackson, who was probably one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world before his death last month, admits that even if he could hide and get a day off, he'd just spend it working. "[I'd] probably [go] to Neverland or an island isolated somewhere," he said. "What would I do? Probably write music or create some music or stage play or something. Something creative. I never stop working."

As a child working with his brothers in the Jackson 5, he had the chance to work with everyone from his good friend Diana Ross to Marvin Gaye. And, in this 1996 interview, he said the environment on the Motown label "was very friendly" and recalled some of his favorite memories from that period in his life.

"Marvin Gaye used to come to my house at least twice a week to play basketball with my brothers," he recalled. "Stevie Wonder would come by for gatherings and parties. I would go to the Supremes' house with Diana Ross when she would invite the other girls over, and there was really, sincerely one happy family. We would have a baseball team where we'd played against one another. And I was just really little, and they'd let me bat, and it was really a happy family. And I do miss all of them. Even the Temptations would come over to my house all the time."

MTV's live coverage of the Michael Jackson public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will begin on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson In His Own Words: Fan Questions

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
• Michael Jackson Fans Gather At Staples Center Memorial In L.A.
• Fans Mourn The Loss Of Music Icon Michael Jackson

• Michael Jackson
• Marvin Gaye
• Stevie Wonder
• Diana Ross

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross in 1984
Photo: Julian Wasser/ Liaison

More of Michael Jackson's close friends and collaborators are speaking out and remembering the singer after news broke on Thursday of Jackson's untimely passing. Everyone from Diana Ross and Paul McCartney to director John Landis are remembering how amazing it was to work with the legendary pop star who changed the sound and look of pop music indefinitely.

"I can't stop crying; this is too sudden and shocking," Jackson's friend and co-star in "The Wiz" Diana Ross told MTV News in a statement. "I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family."

"It's so sad and shocking," said former Beatle McCartney, who worked with Jackson on several songs (including "Say Say Say" and "The Girl is Mine"), but feuded with the singer after Jackson purchased the publishing rights to the Beatles catalog in a manner that McCartney felt was underhanded. But, according to The Associated Press, he said, "I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever."

Jackson's longtime friend Brett Ratner told MTV News in a statement, "Michael was not only a great friend, but a true inspiration in my life. I will never forget his kindness to me, and his beautiful heart. He was the best father and truly loved his children. I will miss him."

Eddie Van Halen, who played guitar on Jackson's "Beat It," told TMZ, "I am really shocked; as I'm sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on 'Beat It' back in '83 — one of my fondest memories in my career. Michael will be missed and may he rest in peace."

John Landis, who directed Jackson's groundbreaking music video for "Thriller" (and was suing the singer over a Broadway musical based on the video), issued a statement to TMZ about Jackson. "I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime," the director said. "Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure. My wife, Deborah, and I will always have great affection for him."

A spokesperson for Elizabeth Taylor, who supported Jackson through all of his legal dramas, told TMZ said that "Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time."

	Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

Meanwhile, actor Corey Feldman, who as a boy was friends with Jackson, admitted on his Web site that though he'd had a falling out with Jackson in 2001, "I come to you today with great sadness, acknowledging the loss of the greatest entertainer in the history of mankind. For me he was more than that, he was my idol, he was a role model, he was someone to cry to when my childhood was unbearable, he was a brother, he was a dear friend.

"I am trembling and shaking at the moment and it is very hard to type," Feldman wrote.

"I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse. All I choose to remember from this point is the good times we shared and what an inspiration he was to me and the rest of the world. Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry, and he was so close to doing it all again. I am truly, and deeply sorry for all of the heartbroken fans and supporters worldwide. I think I am still in shock. So I must end this now."

MTV will be paying tribute to MJ throughout the weekend with music videos, exclusive performances and calls and tweets from celebrity admirers and friends. For everything we've got on the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."

Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below.

• Michael Jackson's Video Legacy
• Michael Jackson Fans Pour Into The Streets
• A Celebration Of Michael Jackson On MTV
• Michael Jackson: A Tribute

• Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

• Michael Jackson
• The Beatles
• Diana Ross
• Paul McCartney

Beyoncé Knowles in "Dreamgirls"
Photo: Paramount

Beyoncé is bound for the big screen once again.

The "Irreplaceable" singer will star as legendary blues singer Etta James in Darnell Martin's "Cadillac Records," according to The Hollywood Reporter. She will also serve as one of the movie's executive producers.

"Cadillac Records" will follow the life of influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess — who ran the legendary record company with his brother, Phil, through the 1950s and '60s — and the label's lineup of musical icons, including James, Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer) and Little Walter (Columbus Short). Oscar winner Adrien Brody is scheduled to play Chess.

The role is the first for Beyoncé since her turn as Deena Jones in the musical "Dreamgirls." As Jones, the singer earned two Golden Globe nominations, for Best Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Original Song.

While her "Dreamgirls" character was loosely based on Diana Ross, Beyoncé will have some big shoes to fill as the real-life James. The gutsy and full-figured legend belted out many standout blues and jazz tracks, including "At Last," which she was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for in 1999.

James has long been a revered figure among female singers. Christina Aguilera has called James her idol and doted on her in interviews. In 2006, as part of InStyle magazine's pairing of singers and their musical mentors, James and Aguilera met and were photographed together.

"Etta is my all-time favorite singer," Aguilera told MTV News at the time. "I've said it for the last seven years — since I had my first debut record out — in every interview, in every story, in every on- and off-camera question. I mean, all of Etta's old songs, countless songs I could name, I grew up listening to. That music was always such a huge escape for me, even from a young age."

As of press time, no release date had been scheduled for the film.

• Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, More At The New York Premiere Of "Dreamgirls"
• "Dreamgirls"

• Beyoncé
• Etta James
• Diana Ross
• Christina Aguilera

BeyoncÉ at the "Dreamgirls" premiere in New York
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Beyoncé fans who have believed chatter that she's feuding with Diana Ross over "Dreamgirls" are about to get a wake-up call: Knowles says there is no truth to the rumors.

"I actually spoke to her at a Clive Davis party," Knowles said to a roomful of reporters earlier this month while promoting the upcoming film. "She was so nice. And it made me very happy because I respect her and I want her to be happy."

In "Dreamgirls," Knowles plays Deena, lead singer of a fictional '60s trio called the Dreams (see "Jamie Foxx Raves About Beyonce, Ribs Eddie Murphy At 'Dreamgirls' Event" and "Beyonce Slimming Down And 'Completely Becoming Deena' "). The story spans several years, and audiences get to see each woman's plight as the group rises to fame. The movie is based on the play of the same name that opened in 1981, and to this day, there are still rumors that the characters were inspired by Diana Ross & the Supremes.

"Deena is not Diana Ross," Knowles clarified. "It was very clear that a lot of the story lines never happened to Diana. I kind of borrowed some of her posture and makeup, but it stops there. She's definitely stronger and has a different story."

In recent weeks, reports have swirled that Ross has taken offense to the movie and is even protesting its release. But the veteran singer has not come out publicly and addressed the star-studded project, which hits L.A. and New York in limited release Friday and opens nationwide Christmas Day. Ross' camp was unable for comment as of press time.

"I would hope she wasn't," Knowles answered when asked about rumors that Ross was upset over the film. "I love her. I think she's amazingly talented. I hope she enjoys the movie."

While pumping up the flick, Knowles also shot down talk that she didn't get along with co-star Jennifer Hudson because of jealousy over the newcomer having the meatier role in the film. Hudson has been receiving a myriad of accolades for her portrayal of Effie White (see "Jennifer Hudson's 'Dream' Is Reality: R&B Album, Starring With Beyonce, Jamie Foxx").

"I didn't have the part with the most drama, I was fine with that," Knowles clarified. "I'm not doing this to become a star or prove that I can sing. I've already won nine Grammys and everyone knows that I can sing. I did this mainly to know I can act, to know myself and show everyone else that I could. I'm extremely happy with the movie. I'm extremely proud of Jennifer. I think she's incredible. It's so unfortunate that once again the media is starting things with women. ... You hear I'm mad. Why would I be mad? I'm a part of an Oscar-buzz-[worthy] movie.

"Why would I be mad at Jennifer?" she continued. "I can only imagine the pressure she had being a woman that's never had an album, never done a movie. When I told people I'm doing 'Dreamgirls,' they were like, 'That's good. Who's doing Effie? Is she singing "And I Am Telling You [I'm Not Going]" right?' ... That [song] is what the [production] is famous for, [and] she pulled it off. She's sweet, she incredible and I hope she maintains that same sweetness. ... She's gifted, and I hope she maintains that."

"It is a surprise," Hudson said of the ballyhoo over the alleged quarrelling, "because [Beyoncé] is a sweet girl and we've always got along. It's like, 'Where did this come from?' Any time when something is going good, somebody is gonna find anything to turn from a molehill and make a mountain out of it. But Beyoncé and I support each other the same as we did when we first started. That's my 'Dream' sister. There's nothing but love for each other."

Beyoncé says she would have been happy with any role she could get her hands on — she wanted to be part of the movie that badly. Knowles became familiar with the play 10 years ago as a teen and instantly fell in love with the story. She says the onetime Broadway musical was inspiration for some of the choreography and staging that Destiny's Child used over the years.

To show you how things come full circle, Knowles revealed that she first met with director Bill Condon while on the road with her group.

"He said, 'I'm not sure if you can play this part. I'm not sure if people will believe you as Deena when she's more plain and younger,' " she recalled. "I did a screen test. I found the ugliest wig I could find and put the thickest eyebrows on my eyes I could. I got the part. I was the first one cast. I knew this would be important, I knew this would be history. I knew Deena was not written as the strong powerhouse singer. She's actually not even the star of the movie — it's an ensemble cast — but I didn't care. I just wanted to be a part of something so wonderful, and I did it."

In the movie, Hudson has her crescendo scene when she sings "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," the epitome of a power ballad, made famous 25 years ago by Jennifer Holliday. Knowles gets her chance to sing out via the tune "Listen" — the scene comes toward the end of the movie, when Deena goes through a life change.

"Bill Condon suggested 'Listen,' " she said of the song, the only original one in the movie. "Actually, it was in the script I read. He felt the second half needed another song. ... It was exciting for me. ... It was important for Deena's character, because she was so controlled [throughout] the whole movie — so manipulated — and finally, when she stands up for herself, it's so effective. I love the record. I think it's something that's still relevant now. Everyone has a moment when they decide they're taking control of their life."

Offscreen, Knowles has another one of those empowering women anthems, "Irreplaceable," to her own name. The song is #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"I love 'Irreplaceable,' " she said. "I think it's important to have those songs. I've had so many people come up to me in tears saying, 'I experienced my first breakup. If it wasn't for the song, I wouldn't be strong enough to not call. I wouldn't know how much I'm worth.' I'm happy to be a part of that. I wrote 'Independent Women' and 'Bootylicious' and 'Survivor,' and it helped women with their self-esteem. I'm happy to continue to do that."

B and the girls are hitting the road next year, and she's taking her all-female band on tour this spring (see "Beyonce Asks Women To Battle Over Her For Backing-Band Roles"). They'll need a few suitcases, as the multitasking star plans to be out for a while.

"I go on tour the end of April until September," she divulged. "I love to tour. I love to perform every night. It's kinda like I get to be my own director and do my own production. It's exciting. I always try to find new dancers. I was given an opportunity and I like to give new people opportunity ... so I have auditions all across America. It'll be the same type of show: broken down with me singing, big production, and dancers and a band, the whole nine."

Knowles says there are currently no new movies on her horizon. She's waiting for producers to get a load of her chops in "Dreamgirls" first.

"After the movie comes out, I know [the] scripts [I'm offered] will change," she determined.

Check out everything we've got on "Dreamgirls."

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• Jennifer Hudson: 'Dream' Come True

• Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, More At The New York Premiere Of "Dreamgirls"
• "Dreamgirls"

• Beyoncé
• Diana Ross
• Jennifer Hudson

Madonna (file)
Photo: Dave Hogan

In the wake of the tsunami disasters in Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa, more celebrities are using their star power to help garner support for the victims and their families.

Madonna, Diana Ross, Maroon 5, Mary J. Blige and Nelly will perform at the NBC Universal benefit special, "Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope," a program that will benefit the American Red Cross. Usher, John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, George Clooney and Clint Eastwood are also confirmed to participate in the benefit.

The telethon will be broadcast live on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET from London, New York and Los Angeles (but tape delayed on the West Coast) on NBC and its sister cable channels, which include USA, Bravo, Sci-Fi, MSNBC and CNBC.

Tsunami Relief: What You Can Do To Help

Virgin Megastores has also announced that it will contribute to the relief effort by launching "100 Acts of Support - The Concerts for Banda Aceh." The event — which focuses attention on the Indonesian city of Banda Aceh, as it was hit particularly hard by the tsunami — will feature a full day of 100 live performances in its 20 outlets on January 20. Proceeds from the concerts will be donated to the Music for Relief fund, in conjunction with the American Red Cross.

While Virgin is seeking major-label acts to appear at its stores, the company has also put out a call for unsigned and developing acts to participate. Artists interested in being considered for this event should check out virginmegamagazine.com by Thursday for more information and ways to apply.

Tenacious D will rock for relief at Los Angeles venue the Wiltern on Monday for the Music for Relief fund, along with Beck, Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Eddie Vedder and Will Ferrell. Tickets are $60 and $100 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

To find out how you can take part in the relief efforts, see "Tsunami Relief: What You Can Do To Help."

[This story was updated at 2:42 p.m. ET on 01.11.2005]

• Madonna
• Nelly
• Maroon 5
• Mary J. Blige
• Diana Ross

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (file)
Photo: Elektra

The weekly Dallas Observer alternative newspaper has an editor's note this week apologizing for running a cover image for its previous issue that appeared to be a photo of slain Damageplan/ Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott in a casket. Managing Editor Patrick Williams explained that the paper got complaints from Abbott's friends and manager about the grim picture, which was a photo illustration based on file images of Abbott. While apologizing, Williams defiantly wrote that he would not have done things differently given another chance, as the paper's intent was to humanize the loss and "help the mass of Dallas Observer readers feel something of their loss and grief." ...

If his scathing portrayals of gun enthusiasts and President Bush are any indication of what Michael Moore is capable of, pharmaceutical companies have good reason to be telling employees to watch their backs. According to the Los Angeles Times, at least six drug companies have distributed internal memos to their employees warning them of Moore's potential presence outside their buildings as he does research for his new project, tentatively titled "Sicko." "We ran a story in our online newspaper saying Michael Moore is embarking on a documentary — and if you see a scruffy guy in a baseball cap, you'll know who it is," Pfizer spokesperson Stephen Lederer told the newspaper. The film, tentatively scheduled for release in the first half of 2006, will be an investigation into the health-care industry. ... Every red-blooded heterosexual American male has dreamed of partying at the Playboy Mansion at one time or another. And for a few lucky artists, that dream is about to come true. On January 11, Koch Records will release Playboy: The Mansion, a 12-track companion to the video game of the same name. The disc features contributions from Armand Van Helden and Felix Da Housecat, while the video game — which allows players to build their own Playboy Mansion — is packed with songs (and in-game appearances) by artists like Sum 41's Deryck Whibley and Elefant's Diego Garcia. ...

Miri Ben-Ari, who played violin on albums by Kanye West, Twista, Trick Daddy, Janet Jackson and Wyclef Jean, will release her next solo album on March 22. David Banner, Anthony Hamilton and Scarface are featured in the video for the first single, "Sunshine to the Rain." ... Just because she was serving time for drunk driving doesn't mean Diana Ross shouldn't be treated like the diva she is. At least that's what Police Chief James Walters thought when he allowed the former Supremes singer to have a cell phone and food delivery in her jail cell, and let her go home in the middle of her two-day sentence in Greenwich, Connecticut, according to a report given to the Greenwich Time. The singer had been arrested on December 30, 2002, in Arizona and pleaded no contest in February of this year. Walters reportedly admitted to making several "poor decisions" while handling Ross' incarceration. ...

Incubus bassist Ben Kenney is keeping busy while his band is between touring and recording a new album. He's just completed a solo record titled 26, which is available through his Web site (www.BenKenney.com), and he's lined up a few live shows with his side project, the Division Group, which features Incubus turntablist DJ Kilmore. The Division Group will play the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles on January 5, the Independent in San Francisco on January 7 and the Knitting Factory in New York on January 16. ... Icelandic avant-rockers Sigur Ros are putting the finishing touches on their fourth studio album. According to a post on the band's Web site, "the foundations for all the album's songs have now been recorded and the boys are adding layers to the songs." Like its previous records, the as-yet-untitled album is being recorded at the band's converted swimming pool/recording studio, and features contributions from all-girl Icelandic string quartet Amina. The record is tentatively scheduled for a May release. ...

12.23.2004

Looks like 50 Cent is at it again. The G-Unit honcho was on Funkmaster Flex's radio show in New York on Wednesday night, taking aim at Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Nas and Kelis. 50 said he has a track titled "Piggyback" that addresses his beefs with all of the aforementioned artists, adding that he took particular offense to Fat Joe and Jadakiss' support of Ja Rule on the hit single "New York." "They co-signed that one," said 50. "Even people who were on the outskirts, like, 'Nah, I don't want no part of it' and 'Y'all need to just chill' — they have cameos [in the video,] saying, 'I'm from New York!' " He also accused Nas of making anti-G-Unit statements at his free show in New York's Central Park this summer. There's no word on whether the song will be on his forthcoming St. Valentine's Day Massacre, due March 8. ...

Meanwhile, reports are surfacing that 50 gave a deposition in September with regard to a $21 million suit filed in November 2003 against the rapper, Interscope Records and Shady/Aftermath Records by a New York Post photographer who claims the rapper's bodyguards assaulted him. James Alcorn says the men accompanying 50 assaulted him outside a store in Manhattan, causing "severe and serious injuries." According to Alcorn's attorney, the case is close to being put on the court calendar and should be given a trial date for early 2005. ... Q-Tip, D12's Kon Artis and Rockwilder are among the hip-hop producers who have created original 30-second ringtones for BlingTones, which is calling itself the first wireless record label. Salaam Remi (Nas) and Hi-Tek (Talib Kweli) are also signed on with BlingTones, and the company is talking with comedians about creating humorous ringtones. ...

Mudvayne have announced a U.S. club tour in support of their upcoming album, Lost and Found. The trek will kick off in Sacramento, California, on January 29 and continue through cities including Detroit, Cleveland, Boston and Philadelphia before concluding on February 17 when they play New York's legendary CBGB's. ... Three years after they released Discovery, French electronic duo Daft Punk will return with Human After All. The group's third album is due March 21 internationally, with a domestic due date expected later. ... New York rockers Ivy will release their next album, the 10-track In the Clear, on March 1. Collaborators on the album include A Perfect Circle/ former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and Girls Against Boys' Scott McCloud. The album was mixed by Steve Osborne, who has worked previously with New Order and Happy Mondays. ...

• Michael Moore
• Scarface
• Incubus
• Diana Ross
• Sum 41

Outkast's Dungeon Family compatriots Goodie Mob will release a new studio album, featuring guest shots from Sleepy Brown and Bone Crusher, in May. The influential group will record without Cee-Lo, who acrimoniously left Goodie Mob to pursue a solo career. Not that there's any residual animosity — the name of the album is One Monkey Don't Stop No Show. Cee-Lo, meanwhile, will release his second solo LP, Cee-Lo Green Is the Soul Machine, on March 9. ...

Erykah Badu made the rounds at the Grammys this past weekend with a noticeable change in her physical appearance: The singer is pregnant, a rep for Badu confirmed. This will be her second child — she already has a little boy, named Seven, with Andre 3000. ... While he's still in the studio recording the follow-up to 2001's Malpractice, Redman will give the streets a little taste of his work-in-progress when he drops a new mixtape next week. Ill at Will Volume 1 features about a dozen songs, including two already making the rounds on other DJs' mixtapes, "I C Dead People" and "Saga Continues." ...

Diana Ross pleaded no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday and was sentenced by a judge in Tucson, Arizona, to spend two days in jail. The ex-Supremes frontwoman was arrested in December 2002 after police saw her driving in a lane of oncoming traffic. Her blood-alcohol level registered more than twice the state's legal limit. Ross must serve her jail time before March 9 and will have to enroll in a treatment center for alcohol abuse by August 9. She will remain on probation for a year and must pay approximately $800 in fines. ... U2 have hired Steve Lillywhite to produce their new album. Lillywhite produced the band's first three LPs and contributed to the production of three others. He quit his job as the joint managing director of Mercury U.K. to take the gig, and he'll start working on the album next week. ...

Mischa Barton isn't the only star from "The OC" to become a video vamp — her co-star Samaire Armstrong (who plays Anna Stern) is following suit for Hanson's next clip, "Penny & Me." The band shot the video this week with director Chris Applebaum. "Samaire truly embodies the essence of the character we always envisioned for Penny when we first wrote the song," Taylor Hanson said in a statement. The Oklahoma brothers' new album, Underneath, is due April 20. ... Nick Carter may have a horror film coming up, but his first movie role is going to be as himself. The Backstreet Boy has a cameo in the upcoming made-for-MTV movie "Monster Island," a send-up of the monster movies of the '50s and '60s. "Monster Island," starring Carmen Electra and Adam West, airs on March 7 at 7 p.m. ET. ...

Rapper Freeway gives props to his old neighborhood with his posse Ice City, named for the section in Free's native Philadelphia where he and groupmates Peedi Crakk, Hydro, Face Money, Bars and Indie 500 grew up. Their debut LP, which features appearances by Beanie Sigel and Joe Budden, is expected to drop in May on Sure Shot Records, the indie label that's also scheduled to issue a record by Ghostface Killah's side project Theodore Unit this summer. ... Public Enemy have a busy year ahead of them. The pioneering hip-hop group is expecting to drop two albums in the next 10 months. The first, a soul record titled How You Sell Soul to a Souless People Who Sold Their Soul, is due in late spring or summer, while a more traditional PE album, New Whirl Odor, will follow in the fall. ...

Meg White sports a white bunny suit on the cover of Whirlwind Heat's import single "Pink," due February 23. The White Stripes drummer posed for the photo while the two bands were recently touring together in Japan. The B-side of the song, which appeared on Whirlwind Heat's debut album, Do Rabbits Wonder?, is a cover of the Beck cut "Fume." Jack White's Third Man imprint released Whirlwind Heat's LP in April. ... Seminal goth-pop band the Cure will re-release their first five albums with lots of bonus material in May. Three Imaginary Boys (1979), Boys Don't Cry (1980), Seventeen Seconds (1980), Faith (1981) and Pornography (1982) have all been digitally remastered, and none of the expanded tracks will duplicate songs from their recently released box set, Join the Dots: B-sides and Rarities, 1978-2001. Additional Cure reissues will be released later in the year. ...

Phish have lined up three shows in Las Vegas in April. The gigs will run from April 15-17 and will include material spanning the band's career. ... The Beta Band have set a May 4 release date for their third album, Heroes to Zeros. The bandmembers produced the project themselves and enlisted Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) to mix it. ...

02.09.2004

Don't expect to see what happens inside the courtroom for the next hearing in the Michael Jackson case, set for Friday. Judge Rodney Melville rejected a bid to place cameras in the courtroom this past Friday, on the same day prosecutors filed court papers saying they had changed their minds on the subject and now objected to cameras for pretrial hearings. The judge offered no reason for turning down the request, while news organizations had argued in court papers that images of orderly proceedings would counter any images of a circus outside the courthouse. ...

Eminem's ex-wife, Kim Mathers, was sent to jail without bail on Friday after she admitted to her probation officer that she had recently used cocaine. Mathers, who was sentenced to two years' probation on January 21 for cocaine possession and driving without a license, tested positive for the drug in a January 29 urine test. She faces up to five years in prison for violating her probation. ... The Distillers will launch an 18-city spring tour of North America in support of their latest album, Coral Fang. The five-week trek begins March 12 in Anaheim, California. ...

At the NBA All-Star game Sunday in Los Angeles, Nona Gaye will sing along to her father Marvin Gaye's famous performance of the national anthem from 1983, the last time the game was played in L.A. Viewers will see Marvin's performance through a digitally enhanced video. ... Metallica have been chosen by the San Francisco chapter of the Recording Academy to receive a 2004 Governor's Award for Creative Excellence and Outstanding Achievement. The award will be bestowed upon the headbangers at the Governor's Awards Gala, a fund-raiser that will take place March 15 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. The event will include a cocktail reception, silent auction, formal dinner and awards presentation, which will also pay tribute to Mickey Hart and Chanticleer. ...

Southern California hardcore vets Bad Religion are planning to drop their next album, The Empire Strikes First, on June 8. The LP follows the quintet's 2002 LP, The Process of Belief. ... Remixes of hits by Stacie Orrico, Gorillaz, Fischerspooner, Dirty Vegas and the Chemical Brothers featuring K-OS will be featured on the double-disc compilation Freq.beats, due February 24. Fatboy Slim, Paul Oakenfold, Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk, BT, David Gahan and the Postal Service are also included. ...

New York art-rock trio Blonde Redhead will release their sixth album on March 23. The LP, Misery Is a Butterfly, will be their first since 2000's Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons. ... The Brides of Destruction, featuring Sunset Strip stars of the 1980s Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) and Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe), will release their debut album, Here Comes the Brides, March 9. ...

Southern Rock mainstays Lynyrd Skynyrd started a tour Friday in Everett, Washington, and have dates scheduled through August 28 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The band has a concert album, Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve, scheduled for release in June. ... Von Bondies bassist Carrie Smith needed stitches Sunday night after she fell down and smacked her head during a set by Funeral for a Friend at a show in Cardiff, Wales. Smith was taken to a hospital for treatment and was released the same night. Earlier in the night Von Bondies, the Rapture and Franz Ferdinand all performed. ...

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Diana Ross
Photo: Image Direct

Once upon a time Diana Ross had her voice taped for a safety message broadcast in New York City cabs. But if she has aspirations of recording any more she'll have one hell of a hurdle to leap: A judge in Tucson, Arizona, has ordered police to release a videotape of Ross drastically failing a drunk-driving test.

Ross was pulled over for swerving on December 30 and arrested for extreme DUI (see "Diana Ross Busted For 'Extreme DUI').

When various media outlets including "Inside Edition," the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson TV station KOLD requested copies of the tape from cops, Ross asked them to stop in the name of decency, and a local judge granted her a temporary restraining order, preventing the video from being released (see "Judge Stops Police From Releasing Diana Ross DWI Videotape").

On Tuesday morning (January 14), after Ross' attorneys pleaded innocent for her in court (the singer was not present), the judge ended her restraining order, a court spokesperson said. However, the judge granted a request from Ross' attorney that the audio be removed from the recording.

The video, which depicts Ross stumbling and falling down after being asked to perform a variety of simple tasks, will be available to the public on Friday.

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Diana Ross
Photo: EMI

If you've been watching "America's Nuttiest DWIs" on TV every night hoping to see a video of Diana Ross flunking her recent sobriety test, you might be out of luck.

Although police videotaped the December 30 test, administered after Ross was pulled over in Tucson, Arizona, for swerving, a judge has granted Ross' request to prevent the boys in blue from releasing the footage, a police spokesperson said (see "Diana Ross Busted For 'Extreme DUI' ").

The temporary restraining order was issued after Ross' attorneys argued the tape would jeopardize her right to a fair trial. They said it isn't standard procedure to film sobriety tests and that Ross was only videotaped because she's a celebrity. A spokesperson for the Tucson Police Department refuted the accusation, saying they routinely film sobriety tests when a second police car at the scene is equipped with a video camera.

According to the police report, Ross told cops she hadn't been drinking, then failed each of the tasks she was asked to perform.

The report states that: When the arresting officer asked her to walk a straight line for 10 paces with her arms at her side, she lost her balance while listening to instructions, started walking before the instructions were finished, stopped walking to try to steady herself, did not touch her heel to toe as asked, used her arms for balance and lost her balance when trying to turn around. When told to stand on one foot with her arms at her side, she used her arms for balance, had to place her other foot down three times in seven seconds, than fell over and laughed. When she tried to write the alphabet she had to say it out loud, skipped some letters and repeated others, and when asked to write even numerals from 0 to 30, she included odd numbers, skipped some digits and repeated others.

Ross was charged with three misdemeanors — extreme DUI, driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol content over .08 — after a Breathalyzer test registered her blood-alcohol level at over .20 percent, almost three times the state's limit.

Judge John Kelley said he will consider releasing the video to the media on January 14, the day after Ross is scheduled to appear in court.

Ross has had previous battles with the bottle. Before she kicked off a tour last May, she checked into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Los Angeles.

• Diana Ross

Diana Ross
Photo: RCA

It was hardly a sweet love hangover that Diana Ross had Monday morning.

The former Supremes singer was caught allegedly driving under the influence at 12:30 a.m. in Tucson, Arizona, according to Reuters. Ross, 58, was pulled over by police responding to a report that her vehicle had been swerving. Her blood-alcohol content was determined to be 0.20, more than twice the legal limit.

Ross received tickets for three misdemeanors, including what's known as "extreme DUI," driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.15. The singer was also cited for driving under the influence, and driving with a blood-alcohol content over 0.08.

Taking the advice she purred in 1976, in her version of "Love Hangover," she won't call a doctor, a mama or a preacher, but a lawyer will most likely get a ring from Ross for a tentatively scheduled January 13 court appearance.

The Tucson police department was not taking any calls relating to this matter at press time. A spokesperson for Ross was unavailable.

In May, Ross had checked into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Malibu, California, just prior to her summer tour kickoff.

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