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BUDDY MILES, the fabled session drummer who co-founded BAND OF GYPSYS with JIMI HENDRIX, has died in Austin, Texas. He was 60.
Born in Nebraska in 1947, Miles got his big breaks as a drummer playing behind soul great Wilson Pickett, The Delfonics and The Ink Spots.
But Miles really struck gold when he met and befriended Hendrix in the early 1960s. Hendrix went on to produced a Buddy Miles Express album in 1969.
The colourful drummer went on to perform on Hendrix’s landmark Electric Ladyland album before the two friends decided to form their own group, and Band Of Gypsys was born.
The duo teamed up with bass player Billy Cox to perform. Band Of Gypsys released one self-titled live album, which chronicled a show at New York’s Fillmore East.
Miles continued to play drums on Hendrix albums, released after the guitar great died in 1970.
After a series of career lows in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which saw the drummer spending time in and out of jail, he scored his biggest hit as the voice of the California Raisins claymation TV ads.
Miles recorded a version of Marvin Gaye’s I Heard It Through The Grapevine for the ad campaign, which became a radio hit in 1988.
That led to a career resurgence and a return to session work.
In 2006, Miles and Cox revisited their Band Of Gypsys days and released a new live album, The Band Of Gypsys Return.
As WENN went to press, the cause of Miles’ death was unknown.

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Pop star PINK was so determined to save her marriage she booked a romantic getaway for husband CAREY HART and herself just before announcing they had split.
The Trouble singer went public with the latest celebrity marriage split last week (19Feb08), even though she had just booked a getaway in Oahu, Hawaii.
An insider tells In Touch Weekly magazine, "She recently booked a seven-day vacation at The Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu for the week of February 28.
"She asked for their most romantic beachfront suite." But Pink, 28, cancelled the $3,000 (£1,500)-a-night retreat with Carey.
Meanwhile, a dancer on the singer’s summer 2007 tour tells the publication Pink has been far from happy about her marriage for some time.
And another friend adds, "They started talking divorce within a few months of their wedding and then they surprised everyone by deciding to work it out instead. But their split surprised no one." Pink, real name Alecia Moore, and Carey were married in January, 2006, in Costa Rica.

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AMY WINEHOUSE’s appeal to postpone her Norwegian court hearing on Friday (29Feb08) for drug possession charges has been granted.
The Rehab star and her husband Blake Fielder-Civil were arrested in Bergen, Norway last year (Oct07) on suspicion of possessing cannabis.
The 24-year-old was issued with a $714 (£357) fine, which she accepted, not realising that paying up is the same as pleading guilty in the Scandinavian country.
Winehouse appealed the fine in November (07) and was due in court for a scheduled hearing on Friday.
But her lawyer Ole Kvelstad appealed to a district court in a bid to have the hearing pushed back because of the absence of her spouse, who is currently incarcerated in London’s Pentonville Prison on charges of perverting the course of justice in relation to earlier charges of grievous bodily harm.
Kvelstad tells People.com, The (Norway) court says that all parties must appear in person before the court, and the British police haven’t made arrangements for one party to appear." (MT/WNWCPL&WNWA/G) * OSMOND PREPARES TO REUNITE WITH FAMILY DONNY OSMOND is preparing to tour with his famous family for the first time in more than a quarter of a century.
The Osmond family hit the road later this year (08), and the one-time teen heartthrob will follow it up with a Las Vegas residency with his sister Marie.
Speaking on U.S. TV show Good Morning America on Wednesday (27Feb08), Osmond says, "We’re touring as a family for the first time in 27 years. I have found footage in my basement that we haven’t seen since 1973, so we’re going to use that in the tour. We’re going to the U.K. All over Asia and then Marie and I are going back to Vegas.
"It’s the first time Marie and I have done a longterm gig in Vegas in 30 years. The old feeling in Vegas with a new production. We can hardly wait.
"The pressure’s on, but Marie and I are ready for the challenge." The 50-year-old is also determined to get one over his famous Dancing With the Stars sibling: "There’s going to be a competition thing, because Marie was on Dancing With the Stars. But I’m a better dancer than Marie. And I am going to prove it in Vegas." And he hasn’t ruled out appearing on the reality show himself: "Everybody asked me that. Maybe next season."

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Pregnant actress JESSICA ALBA chose to shun the glamorous post-Oscar parties on Sunday (24Feb08) night, because her days of late-night partying are over.
The Fantastic Four beauty is currently in her third trimester with her fiance Cash Warren’s baby.
And she admits they opted for fast food after the prestigious ceremony instead of the gourmet food served to the likes of Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman at the glitzy aftershow events.
Writing on her MySpace.com blog, she says, "Instead of hitting up the Governor’s Ball or any other party, we opted for sweats and In-N-Out Burgers.
"Being preggers kind of takes the fun out of partying until the wee hours."

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Pregnant actress JESSICA ALBA is counting her lucky stars after suffering a terrifying tumble backstage at the Academy Awards on Sunday (24Feb08).
Alba, who is in her third trimester, was caught just in time by fiance Cash Warren.
And the 26-year-old Latina is astonished normally eagle-eyed photographers missed the whole thing - because she fell right in front of them.
She writes online, "I did have a stumble backstage outside of the green room.
Cash caught one arm, the other hit the floor.
"Luckily all the photogs were taking pics of Cameron D." Gossips claim Alba will give birth to twins later this year.

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LATEST: Socialite PARIS HILTON has defended herself against criticism of her extensive pet collection, insisting she only owns 17 dogs because they keep breeding.
The Simple Life star is currently at the centre of a new Los Angeles Department of Animal Services investigation after recently boasting about her pooches on Ellen DeGeneres’ TV chatshow.
But Hilton claims her brood keeps growing because she doesn’t want to separate newborn pups from their parents.
She says, "They keep having babies and I feel bad to give them away because I feel like, if I had a baby and someone gave it away it would be mean."

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BRITNEY SPEARS has been slapped with a fine after leaving her car in a no parking zone while she enjoyed a shopping trip in Los Angeles on Tuesday (26Feb08).
The troubled pop star left her black SUV (sports utility vehicle) in a red zone outside the Levi store in Beverly Hills as she stopped off to buy some clothes.
But when she returned to her vehicle moments later, she discovered she had fallen victim to a parking inspector and promptly removed the fine before driving off, reports TMZ.com.

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Actresses MARY-KATE and ASHLEY OLSEN are adding authors to their list of talents - the twins are releasing a coffee table book about their fashion inspirations.
The 21-year-old siblings are penning a text entitled Influence, which will detail their favourite style icons and the people behind them, including shoe designer Christian Louboutin, actress Lauren Hutton, photographer Terry Richardson and writer Bob Colacello.
In a statement, Ashley says the book will feature "the most interesting, challenging, creative people we know - the ones who helped pave the way for us and our generation".
Mary-Kate adds, "Ashley and I interviewed the people who have inspired us, with the hope that they will inspire and teach others."

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WILLIAM SHATNER has chosen not to sell the hip bone he recently had replaced because it would be in bad taste.
The former Star Trek star sold a kidney stone for $75,000 (£37,500) last year (07), and donated the proceeds - together with $20,000 (£10,000) from his Boston Legal co-stars, to Habitat For Humanity for the organisation’s house building programme in devastated New Orleans, Louisiana.
And he considered approaching online site GoldenPalace.com - the company that bought his kidney stone - to see if they were interested in his hip bone after a photo he was sent of the happy family, who had moved into the house his cash had built, brought tears to his eyes.
He says, "GoldenPalace.com gave me $75,000 for my ugly little kidney stone (and) I had this hip replacement less than four weeks ago and I thought, `How bad taste would it be to sell my hip bone?’ "I then decided it was bad taste, and, for me to decide something is bad taste… it was really bad."

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Former wrestling champion HULK HOGAN cheated on his wife with a female family friend, according to a shocking new tabloid expose.
Christiane Plante, a 33 year old pal of the couple’s daughter Brooke, has confessed to her affair with the 54-year-old - whose real name is Terry Bollea.
National Enquirer claims the affair took place while the family were shooting reality show Hogan Knows Best last year (07), before Bollea and his wife Linda split.
Plante - who once worked for Brooke’s record label - opened up about the affair to Brooke, 19, before writing a confession to the tabloid.
She reveals, "My relationship with Terry began at a time when Terry and Linda privately knew their marriage was ending. She had left him already, although no official papers had been filed.
"Terry is a good man, good father and a good friend, and he and I grew close at a time when he was going through a very difficult period. It seemed right then, but I know it was wrong.
"Having felt the guilt and pain build up, I gave a note to Brooke apologising for my actions.
"I will never be able to fully forgive myself for this. I have lost an amazing friend." Bollea and his wife are currently battling over details of their divorce, amid claims the lycra-clad grappler tried to trick Linda into signing a post-nuptial agreement.

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LATEST: The show designer DIABLO CODY snubbed on Oscar night is astonished by her attack on him - insisting the prize-winning writer designed the pair herself.
The Best Original Screenplay winner ditched Stuart Weitzman’s ‘million-dollar shoes’ at the last moment, after discovering she was being used to publicise the fabled Kwait diamond items celebrities have been selected to wear to the Academy Awards since 2002.
She wore her own footwear and launched a stinging attack on Weitzman, writing online, "I’m actually really pissed about this… They’re using me to publicise their stupid shoes and NOBODY ASKED ME. I would never consent to a lame publicity stunt at a time when I already want to hide." But Weitzman is baffled, claiming Cody helped to design the shoes.
He says, "I have been making a special pair of shoes to be worn at the Academy Awards for a number of years. This year - more so than in any previous year - the lady who was given the opportunity to wear it was quite involved in the design process. Diablo Cody sent me examples of the type of shoes she liked and actually did the final selection herself, choosing a three-inch retro style T-strap as well as a changeover pair of ballerinas.
"She chose to adorn the shoes with medium-sized diamond roses from three different sizes offered to her. Why she seems to be so surprised as to the attention being paid to her and these shoes, I cannot answer. It should certainly come as no surprise that a one-of-a-kind pair of shoes would generate excitement at the Academy Awards.
"Regardless, what should matter is the fact that this talented woman won an Oscar this weekend. I offered her the opportunity initially because I so enjoyed her film, and I’m very happy for her success. I wish her all the best."

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New York rockers VAMPIRE WEEKEND have been forced to scrap two U.K. concerts due to illness.
The Brooklyn, New York-based band are currently on tour promoting their self-titled debut album and had been due to play in Manchester, England, on Wednesday (27Feb08) and in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday (28Feb08).
But the group have now cancelled both gigs after falling ill.
Singer Erza Koenig apologised to fans in a post on the band’s website: "We’re very sad to announce that we have to cancel this week’s shows in Manchester and Glasgow due to illness. We were very psyched to come, but at least we’ll be back in May (08). We sincerely apologise to anyone who was planning on seeing us. Hope we can make it up to you in a couple of months.
"Please send positive health vibes our way."

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Singer/actress MILEY CYRUS has been banned by her parents from hanging out with LINDSAY LOHAN, because they fear she’s a bad influence.
The pair met at the Academy Awards on Sunday (24Feb08), and former teen starlet Lohan offered the Hannah Montana star her number.
But American tabloid the National Enquirer claims Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus forced the 15-year-old to delete it, fearing 21-year-old Lohan - who spent time in rehab last year (07) for alcohol abuse - sets a bad example.
And the ban is sure to rile Cyrus, who recently complained she is lonely because her parents refuse to let her hang out with friends they don’t approve of.
She said, "They’re protective for sure. My mom is more strict than my dad.
"You want to keep your close circle of friends. And sometimes my mom is saying, ‘I have a bad vibe about this person. She needs to hang out with you when I’m around just to keep you safe.’ "I need more friends. Its kind of like my quest right now just to have more true friends."

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LATEST: R&B singer BOBBY BROWN has avoided jail time in relation to his December (07) arrest for drug possession - he’s agreed to a year of community service instead.
Brown was taken into custody by Massachusetts police following an incident in a Brockton Holiday Inn hotel last year (07), where he was found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine.
Prosecutors wanted to press charges of possession of cocaine against Brown, but a Brockton District Court clerk magistrate ruled on Tuesday (26Feb08) that there was no probable cause for a criminal complaint.
The judge recommended volunteer work for Brown as a mentor to young people, to which the star’s attorney agreed.
The singer - the estranged husband of Whitney Houston - will also have the incident wiped from his records if he stays out of trouble for the next year.

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PHARRELL WILLIAMS angrily defended SNOOP DOGG at Monday’s (25Feb08) Hip Hop Summit Action Awards, blasting critics of his marijuana use.
The rapper was caught in possession of the drug in New York last week (20Feb08), and was only recently allowed back into the U.K. after a ban from entering the country because of his drug use.
But at the ceremony to honour the star, superproducer Williams asked Snoop’s detractors to consider the charity work he does, particularly helping kids from underprivileged backgrounds.
Williams told the crowd, "People criticise Snoop. The next time they start attacking a legend, even if it’s because he smokes, I say, ‘So what? Willie Nelson smokes a lot of pot, and people only talk about the good he does.’ "When they come down on Snoop, remind everyone about all the positive things he does."

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ANNA NICOLE SMITH’s baby daughter DANNIELYNN has undergone surgery to treat her eye condition.
The 17-month-old was recently diagnosed with Strabismus syndrome (cross-eyed), prompting rumours it was caused by Anna Nicole’s drug use.
But Dannielynn’s father Larry Birkhead insisted she inherited the condition from the late former Playboy model’s father - and has now been successfully treated.
Birkhead says, "Dannielynn is home from surgery and resting comfortably."

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BRITNEY SPEARS’ paparazzo boyfriend ADNAN GHALIB has stunned his friends by insisting the singer is expecting his baby. Pals of the British-born photographer claim he targetted Spears in a bid to make her pregnant, and is bragging that he has succeeded.
The claims appear in the current edition of U.S. magazine Star, alongside pictures of Spears with what appears to be a bulging tummy.
A friend tells the magazine, "Britney is Adnan’s dream come true. He knows that if he has a child with her, he’d be made for life.
"Adnan is a social climber who uses women to get what he wants." Ghalib has previously revealed Spears really thought she was pregnant with his child when they were snapped buying pregnancy tests in January (08).

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’s multi-million dollar divorce settlement with estranged wife HEATHER MILLS is to be made public, according to reports.
The former couple is currently waiting to hear the verdict of Mr Justice Bennett, the judge who is to decide on an appropriate financial settlement for Mills.
McCartney and Mills will learn of Bennett’s ruling on 17 March (08), more than a month after they failed to reach an agreement at London’s High Court.
The former glamour model has been representing herself in the case and could reportedly walk away with $120 million (£60 million) of the former Beatle’s estimated $1.65 billion (£825 million) personal fortune.
And contrary to previous reports, details of the final judgement could be released to the general public because of the "overwhelming interest" in the case, reports London newspaper the Evening Standard.
A source says, "The judge is considering making his judgement public. He feels there has been so much speculation that it would be in the public interest to end all the rumours. He has told McCartney and Mills he is considering doing that." McCartney and Mills split in May 2006 after four years of marriage. They have a four-year-old daughter, Beatrice, together.

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