LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police say a task force investigating Internet crimes against children has served a search warrant at the home of Kiss member Gene Simmons. But authorities say neither Simmons nor anyone in his family is suspected in the case. A LAPD spokesman says the warrant was served yesterday at the Simmons home in Benedict Canyon near Beverly Hills — but the detectives involved are emphasizing that both Simmons and his family were “extremely cooperative” — and none of them is suspected of a crime. Police would give no further comment on the investigation. Simmons is 65 and has been a central member of Kiss since the early 1970s.
Cincinnati Reds Sponsor Grateful Dead Night
CINCINNATI (AP) — Major League Baseball is embracing the Grateful Dead. The Cincinnati Reds will sponsor Grateful Dead Night on Sept. 4. The team will give away figurines based on the Dead’s dancing bears logo and shoot off fireworks with Dead music as the soundtrack. The San Francisco Giants held Grateful Dead Night last week.
Patti Smith Pays Tribute to “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”
UNDATED (AP) — Patti Smith has sung about racism, religion, politics — and now Frylock, Master Shake and Meatwad. Sunday’s series finale of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” features Smith’s stark tribute to the cartoon. A preview of the song can be found on YouTube.
Abba Musical “Mamma Mia” Closing on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — The musical based on the songs of ABBA is getting near to its final performance. “Mamma Mia!” will close on Broadway on September 12 after a 14-year run. Judy McLane, who currently plays the lead role of Donna, says the reason the show works is because it’s an antidepressant. She says, “Don’t take Zoloft. Come see our show.”
Alice Cooper Revives Hollywood Vampires
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.
