• ROCK NEWS

Last Update on March 19, 2010 03:09 EDT

ALEX CHILTON OF THE BOX TOPS AND OF BIG STAR DIES

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- When Alex Chilton of The Box Tops and of Big Star couldn't be found after Hurricane Katrina, the rest of his band was not too concerned. Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer of The Posies, who joined Big Star, said in a 2005 AP Radio interview Chilton often was "unlocateable" and that was just the kind of guy he was. Stringfellow said Chilton never said anything that made him think, "That's what I was thinking," because Chilton always came from a completely different angle. Chilton died Wednesday in New Orleans after suffering heart problems. He was 59. Big Star was scheduled to play tomorrow at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

RYAN SEACREST SPOILS "IDOL" ENDING FOR WEST COAST

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Behold, the power of Twitter. It can put a dent in the highest-rated show on TV. The Washington Post reports Ryan Seacrest tweeted he'd have Lacey Brown on his Los Angeles radio show yesterday, since she was the latest "American Idol" castoff. He tweeted it before the "Idol" results show ran on the West Coast. Angry fans tweeted back that they wouldn't bother to watch since he spoiled it for them. It showed in the ratings. It was the smallest audience of 18-to-49-year-olds for a regular "Idol" episode. Fox has not returned calls for comment.

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LACEY BROWN KICKS OFF HER SHYNESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Lacey Brown may seem like a sweet little thing on "American Idol," but she insists she's quite the competitor. That's why Brown tried out again after missing the semifinals last year. She says it was "way too much fun of an experience not to try again." It also shows what a turnaround Brown has made in her life. She was shy and afraid of people, but she decided in her teens that she had to get over that. She used to ask clerks where things where in stores just so she could practice talking to strangers.

"AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANTS SING TEEN IDOLS NEXT WEEK

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "American Idol" will be a bit more bubblegum next week. The theme for Tuesday's show is "teen idols." Eleven contestants are left.

WHITNEY HOUSTON LAWYER DENIES TABLOID REPORTS

NEW YORK (AP) -- Whitney Houston's lawyer is denying some of the stuff you might have been seeing lately at the supermarket checkout stands about the singer. The attorney says it isn't true that Houston has relapsed into drug use and has had to go to rehab. He is also denying reports from the National Enquirer that Houston recently "suffered a horrifying backstage collapse." The statement says her overseas concert tour is going well, despite a few negative reviews the shows have gotten.

<JIMI HENDRIX MUSIC IS BACK IN STYLE

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jimi Hendrix's popularity is on the rise. "Valleys of Neptune," an album of previously unreleased Hendrix recordings, has debuted at number four on the Billboard album chart. Four other Hendrix albums are charting again, four decades after their original release. "Are You Experienced" is number 44, "Electric Ladyland" is number 60, "First Rays of the New Rising Sun" is number 63 and "Axis: Bold as Love" is number 67.

PRODUCER SUES LADY GAGA

NEW YORK (AP) -- A producer who says he helped create Lady Gaga is suing her. Rob Fusari has filed a $35 million lawsuit against her. He claims he co-wrote some of her songs, came up with her stage name and helped her land a record deal. They also dated. He says Lady Gaga ditched him when her career took off. Lady Gaga's spokesman has not returned calls for comment.

MADONNA DESIGNS SUNGLASSES

NEW YORK (AP) -- Madonna now designs sunglasses. She's paired up with Dolce and Gabbana for a line of sunglasses called MDG. They'll sell for between $248 and $289 beginning in May.