NEW YORK (AP) — Alice Cooper says the only requirement to get into his 1970s group Hollywood Vampires was to out-drink everyone else. Past members included John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, Jim Morrison and Micky Dolenz. Cooper has been sober for years but brought back Hollywood Vampires as a music project that includes Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. They will play two shows in Los Angeles in September. Hollywood Vampires will release an album on September 11 that includes collaborations with Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Perry Farrell, Kip Winger, Robbie Krieger of The Doors, Joe Walsh, Slash and Brian Johnson of AC/DC.
Ed Sheeran will be Awarded Honorary Degree
LONDON (AP) — Even though Ed Sheeran quit school to become a musician, he’s about to get a college degree. University Campus Suffolk in England will award Sheeran an honorary degree for his outstanding contribution to music. Sheeran says getting the honor is a real privilege and he always calls Suffolk home. The award will be presented during graduation ceremonies this fall.
Billy Joel is a Dad
NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Joel has a new little lady in his life. His website reports Joel’s wife, Alexis, gave birth to a girl yesterday. They’ve named her Della Rose Joel. The couple married in a surprise ceremony on July 4 on New York’s Long Island. Joel has one other child, Alexa Ray Joel, his 29-year-old daughter from his marriage to Christie Brinkley.
Aretha Franklin Cites Exhaustion for Canceling Vegas Show
NEW YORK (AP) — Aretha Franklin is calling off her concert on Friday in Las Vegas. Franklin says she is exhausted after driving her bus from Detroit to the West Coast for a string of concerts in California. She thanks fans and says she hopes to see them soon.
Meghan Trainor Needs Vocal Cord Surgery
NEW YORK (AP) — Meghan Trainor’s vocal problems are forcing the cancellation of the rest of her North American tour. Trainor writes on Instagram she is “devastated, scared, and so sorry” for calling off the tour. She plans to have surgery for a vocal cord hemorrhage. She says she also has bronchitis and has been coughing a lot, and “that pushed it over the edge.”
Boyfriend of Annie Lennox’s Daughter Drowns
STAATSBURG, N.Y. (AP) — An autopsy confirms a body found in the Hudson River is that of the boyfriend of Annie Lennox’s daughter. Authorities say 32-year-old Ian Jones died of an accidental drowning when he and Lennox’s daughter, 22-year-old Tali Fruchtmann, were kayaking early Saturday in Staatsburg, New York. Their kayak overturned and neither one was wearing a life jacket.
John Mellencamp’s Son Serves Jail 12 Hours at a Time
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — John Mellencamp’s 20-year-old son is serving a four-day jail sentence in 12-hour stints because he suffers from a panic disorder. The Bloomington Herald-Times reports a judge is allowing Speck Mellencamp to serve his time from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. so a health care professional is on duty when he’s there. He received the sentence after he pleaded guilty in April to misdemeanor battery stemming from a fight in July 2013.
Patti Smith, Common Will Get Showtime Shows
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Patti Smith and Common each will have upcoming shows on Showtime. The network says it will air a miniseries based on Smith’s memoir, “Just Kids.” Common will star in a drama set in Chicago.
Led Zepplin Has Three Albums Chart in the Top 15
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three albums currently in the top 15 of the Billboard 200 album chart were released nearly a decade before Taylor Swift was even born. Led Zeppelin’s “In Through The Out Door” is number 9 on this week’s chart, while “Coda” is number 12 and “Presence” is number 13. The albums have been reissued with a deluxe treatment.
Mike Pinder of the Searchers Writes Memoir
LONDON (AP) — Singer Mike Pinder of The Searchers has written his autobiography with two parts. He says one part of his book, “The Search For Myself,” is about the band, or what he calls “the bit everyone wants to hear about.” The other part is about his life away from the spotlight, or what he calls “the bit I want people to hear.” The Searchers’ hits include “Needles and Pins,” ”Sugar and Spice” and a version of “Love Potion Number Nine.” Pinder left the band in the 1980s. “The Search For Myself” is out now.
