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British rockers PRIMAL SCREAM would be the "biggest band in the world" if they hadn’t let drug addiction ruin their career - according to rock icon STEVEN VAN ZANDT.
Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band sidekick, reveals he tried to bring Primal Scream to the U.S. - but frontman Bobby Gillespie’s reliance on drugs meant the group couldn’t commit to a long tour.
The rocker-turned-radio DJ reveals, "I tried to get Primal Scream to come over to America several times. I thought their album before this last one (2006’s Riot City Blues) was one of the greatest records in 10 years. I begged them to come over. I had a whole tour for them.
"Their agent talked me out of it. He said: ‘They can’t do 20 shows.’ I’m like, ‘Come on, man. We do 20 shows a month’.
"Primal Scream could be the biggest band in the world. They are fantastic when they make rock records - once every 10 years. But they can’t tour because of drug problems, or whatever. I don’t have patience for it. I’m like, all right, you want to be a drug addict, go be a drug addict. Don’t waste my time."

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JOSEPH JASGUR, the photographer who helped launch MARILYN MONROE’s career, has died two days before his 90th birthday.
Jasgur, who passed away at a Florida nursing home on Saturday (21Mar09), took the first professional shots of the actress, who was 19 when she posed for him in 1946.
Back then, the snapper described her as a "plain, ordinary girl" who was hoping to break into modelling.
His shots of Monroe made up part of the portfolio that won the actress a deal with 20th Century Fox.
Jasgur spent the final years of his life trying to win back the legal rights to the photos he took of Monroe.
The photographer was also one of Hollywood’s first paparazzi, and also made a living by beating the police to crime scenes and taking photos. (KL/LAT/MT) WENN - FIFTH - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC NEWS - 26 MAR 2009

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Actor ROB SCHNEIDER was left with a string of painful injuries after clashing with KUNG FU legend DAVID CARRADINE in his latest movie.
Carradine plays a martial arts expert hired to toughen up Schneider’s character in Big Stan, the film funnyman’s directorial debut.
Schneider insisted on shooting his own stunts - and ended up with broken bones and agonising muscle tears.
He tells Starpulse.com, "I did my own stunts the whole movie. I tore my rotator cuff, I broke my ankle and David Carradine broke my finger." A strict fitness and diet regime to help him get in shape - combined with a scorching California heatwave during the shoot - also left Schneider with food poisoning.
He adds, "I would get to (the set) and it was 120 degrees it was like a vacation. What happened was the refrigerators on the trucks couldn’t keep the food cold enough so it poisoned me. I had five eggs a day, that’s what Bruce Lee ate… then I get f**king sick."

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A crazed fan of Olympic gymnast SHAWN JOHNSON has been hit with a felony stalking charge after he attempted to break onto the set of U.S. TV show DANCING WITH THE STARS to meet the celebrity contestant.
Robert O’Ryan, 34, was allegedly caught by security on Monday (23Mar09) as he tried to jump a fence at CBS Studios in Los Angeles, where the show was being filmed.
He was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning (24Mar09) and a police search of O’Ryan’s car turned up a shotgun and handgun, as well as duct tape and love letters written to 17-year-old Johnson.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney has charged O’Ryan with one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanour counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
He is currently being held on $35,000 (£23,975) bail but prosecutors are seeking to have the bail raised to $220,000 (£150,685).
Johnson’s mother, Teri, was granted her request for a temporary restraining order from the L.A. Superior Court on Wednesday (24Mar09).
O’Ryan has been ordered to stay 300 feet (91 metres) away from Johnson and not to harass her parents or TV dancing partner Mark Ballas.
If convicted, he faces up to four years in a state prison.

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A secret new boyfriend is helping CHRISTINA APPLEGATE find happiness after a traumatic 2008.
Over the course of last year, Applegate fought breast cancer, lost her on/off boyfriend Lee Grivas to a drug overdose and her first cousin to ovarian cancer.
But the star reveals a new man in her life is helping her pick up the pieces and make 2009 a happier year.
She tells AOL Television, "It was obviously an incredibly difficult year, not just because of that, but because I lost a good friend in the middle of it, and my cousin actually passed away in October from ovarian cancer. So kind of a big year, and you can’t help but change a little bit.
"On the one hand there’s all of that, and on the other hand I’ve fallen very much in love, so that’s another thing that’s happened. So there’s a good end to every story."

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RIHANNA has acquired a controversial new piece of body art - the pop star has had a tattoo of a gun inked under her right arm.
The 21-year-old flew New York-based body artist BangBang to Los Angeles this week (beg23Mar09) to have the new design finished.
The singer originally wanted two handguns printed on the tops of her arms - but reportedly opted for a less visible tattoo so as not to jeopardise her modelling contract with Cover Girl Cosmetics.
BangBang has posted pictures of his day at Rihanna’s L.A. home on his MySpace.com internet page - telling fans about his experience.
He writes, "I really wanted to put it here (on her arms)… She loved ‘em. But, Cover Girl wouldn’t have liked it much… and they pay the bills! Ended up doing it on her ribs." BangBang has worked with Rihanna on several of her other tattoos - including the famous stars design on her back, lettering on her shoulder and hip, and the ‘Shh…’ stamp on her right index finger.

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JESSICA SIMPSON’s dad JOE has dismissed reports he’s urging his pop star daughter to dump American footballer TONY ROMO - insisting the sportsman is "the best".
Earlier this month (Mar09), the National Enquirer alleged that Simpson’s father disapproved of her relationship with Romo, citing the sportsman’s influence over the singer as a cause for concern.
A source told the tabloid, "Joe now feels that Tony has become too much of a distraction for Jessica. Any free time she has, Jess wants to spend with Tony. But rather than blaming his daughter’s work ethic, Joe points the finger at Tony.
"He wants Tony out of her life, but Jessica loves him and won’t even consider leaving him at this point." But Joe Simpson has laughed off the report, insisting Romo is the "best" boyfriend his daughter could have.
In a post on social networking site Twitter.com, Simpson writes, "So tired of people saying I don’t like Jess and Tony… He is the best… Don’t believe the National Enquirer!!!" Simpson, who was previously married to singer Nick Lachey, has been dating Romo since November 2007.

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MARIAH CAREY has dismissed reports she’s building a nursery for a palatial new home she’ll share with husband NICK CANNON.
Sources tell WENN Carey spent $200,000 (£136,990) on a pink crib, highchair and other furniture from a children’s store in San Francisco for the Los Angeles mansion she intends to buy.
The singer, who turns 40 on Friday (27Mar09), has allegedly made an offer on the $125 million (£85.6 million) David Saperstein estate in Hollywood’s swanky Holmby Hills, where Playboy boss Hugh Hefner and soccer ace David Beckham and wife Victoria own homes.
The French Chateau-style mansion boasts Italian marble walls, French limestone floors, gold-embossed leather wall coverings, a nine-car garage, ballroom and movie screening room.
An insider tells WENN, "She has asked (interior decorator) Kenneth Bordewick to advise on her new home and has requested an all-pink nursery. It’s going to be over the top!" But although the couple has expressed its desire to start a family, 28-year-old Cannon recently insisted babies aren’t on their agenda just yet.
Asked about his plans for children, Cannon said, "Soon. Like a couple (of) years soon!" And Carey’s spokesperson has echoed the sentiment, telling the New York Daily News the nursery claims are "not true".
Carey wed Cannon in the Bahamas in April (08) after a six-week whirlwind romance.

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Two members of rapper FLO RIDA’s entourage are wanted for questioning by police in Kentucky over allegations of animal abuse.
The Low hitmaker, real name Tramar Dillard, is currently on a promotional tour for his upcoming album R.O.O.T.S.
But Flo Rida’s trip has been marred by reports two men travelling with the star were spotted stepping off his tour bus and allegedly killing a rabbit in Lexington, Kentucky after an in-store appearance by the rapper on Wednesday (25Mar09).
Witnesses claim the pair brutally killed the animal for no apparent reason before climbing back on board the bus and leaving the area.
Lexington Police, Kentucky State Police and Lexington Animal Control officials have launched an investigation into the claims, and are looking to track down the tour bus and talk to the two men, according to local reports.
Flo Rida, whose involvement in the alleged incident is unclear, was due to head to Columbus, Ohio for the next stop on his promo tour.

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AKON is confused by reports linking the robbery of his in-house producer DETAIL to an alleged feud with rap mogul MARION ‘SUGE’ KNIGHT - because their dealings have always been "peaceful".
The producer’s home in Van Nuys, California was raided by a group of armed men on Tuesday (24Mar09) night, with the thieves taking an estimated $300,000 (£205,480)-worth of items, including recording equipment, a top-of-the-range stereo and the keys to a Mercedes-Benz car.
Detail subsequently spoke to gossip website TMZ.com about the incident, reportedly claiming Knight was behind the ambush following a violent clash between him and a member of Akon’s entourage in February (09).
Death Row Records founder Knight was allegedly assaulted by Robert Carnes, Jr., an associate of Akon’s camp, following a heated argument at a party in Arizona during the NBA All-Star Weekend - an altercation which left the mogul needing hospital treatment for his injuries. Carnes, Jr. has since denied charges of assault.
And now Akon has spoken out about the robbery and Knight’s alleged involvement, insisting he has been trying to get in touch with Detail to clarify the reports.
He tells MTV News, "I just got in from overseas… and all this news hit me at one time. He (Detail)’s actually a producer I signed recently. … I couldn’t get in contact with him to get the full story. I’m trying to find out the story from him before I can put it out on record." Regarding his relationship with Knight, Akon says, "All I know, we always had peaceful conversations. I’m trying to figure out why it’s escalating to this extent. We never had no problems." But the Lonely hitmaker is confident the situation will be resolved amicably, adding: "All I can do is the right thing. Everything always works itself out."

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Singer/actress ASHLEE SIMPSON has brushed off reports her marriage to rocker PETE WENTZ is in trouble, insisting "everything is fine".
The couple wed in May last year (08) and welcomed baby boy Bronx in November (08).
Rumours surfaced earlier this month (Mar09) suggesting Simpson was unhappy with the Fall Out Boy star’s constant partying, while she was left at home to look after their son.
A source says, "Ashlee and Pete are on the rocks. He is going out all the time and she’s stuck at home. It’s just not working." But Simpson’s representative has denied the allegations, assuring fans the couple is still happily married and Wentz will return to their Los Angeles home once he completes his band’s Australian tour.
The spokesperson tells the New York Post’s Page Six, "This is not true. Everything is fine in their world."

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New York Yankees baseball legend JOHNNY BLANCHARD has died after suffering a heart attack.
Blanchard, who played in five consecutive World Series for the team, died on Wednesday (25Mar09) in North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He was 56.
The left-handed hitter played primarily in the Major Leagues as an outfielder and catcher until 1965.
He is best remembered for a heroic play in the 1961 World Series, when he hit two home runs against the Cincinnati Reds.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons, Tim, Paul and John; and six grandchildren.

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Olympic and world champion boxer GIOVANNI PARISI has died in a car accident in northern Italy. He was 41.
Parisi died on Wednesday (25Mar09) when the car he was driving collided head on with a van on a highway outside the town of Voghera, where he lived.
Police officials are investigating the cause of the accident.
Parisi won the featherweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
He was also the World Boxing Organization’s lightweight champion from 1992 to 1994 and won the championship again in the junior welterweight division in 1996 and 1997.

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Basketball superstar KOBE BRYANT and his wife VANESSA have slammed their former housekeeper’s allegations she was verbally abused throughout her employment with the couple - branding the accusations "outrageous" and "totally unfounded".
Maria Jimenez recently filed suit against the Bryants, claiming wrongful discharge, invasion of privacy, emotional distress and unpaid wages.
In the legal papers, Jimenez specifically alleges Vanessa "badgered, harassed and humiliated" her by "yelling and screaming" at her in front of other people in their household.
But the Bryants have hit back - with their attorneys at Loeb & Loeb LLP insisting the lawsuit is full of lies, reports TMZ.com.
In a statement released on Wednesday (25Mar09), they say: "We have learned that a former employee of the Bryants, Maria Jimenez, has filed a complaint against our clients. Ms. Jimenez’s outrageous allegations of improper conduct are totally unfounded and patently false. The Bryants intend to vigorously defend against these untruthful allegations and are confident that the baseless nature of the allegations will be proven."

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Actor JEREMY PIVEN is confident he will be cleared of allegations he faked a health scare to allow him to pull out of Broadway play SPEED-THE-PLOW as he prepares to defend his honour in an arbitration hearing.
The Entourage star stepped down from the show in December (08), citing severe fatigue. He claims he was diagnosed with toxic mercury poisoning and blames regular sushi meals for his medical woes.
Broadway bosses, who were forced to replace Piven with William H. Macy at the last minute, are furious with his sudden departure and are not convinced the actor was really ill.
They filed a complaint with the Actors Equity Association, claiming Piven’s exit jeopardised show earnings.
The case is due to be heard in an arbitration meeting with union bosses in June (09), and Piven is sure he can prove his illness was serious - because U.S. president Barack Obama has identified mercury poisoning as a "grave chemical problem".
His representative says in a statement, "After Mr. Piven was diagnosed with a potentially toxic Mercury level, he reluctantly left SPEED-THE-PLOW at the insistence of his doctors, who warned him that enforced rest was required to avoid severe medical problems, including a heart attack. Mr. Piven is looking forward to testifying in Arbitration along with his doctors so that the truth comes out about the very health serious risks caused by Mercury exposure, which the Obama administration has recently described as the world’s gravest chemical problem." And Piven is mystified by the theatre executives’ decision to share details of the hearing to the press - vowing to keep his medical records private - because he has been open to being reexamined by a doctor from the start.
The rep adds, "Mr. Piven had also repeatedly offered to be examined by a doctor designated by the producers both before, during and after his hospitalisation for toxic Mercury levels. The producers never took him up on that offer.
"The fact that the producers issued a statement announcing the Arbitration dates suggests that this is part of a punitive strategy to intimidate actors so that they ignore serious health symptoms and the advice of medical professionals due to fear that they will be sued."

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Reality TV pin-up KIM KARDASHIAN has defended her curvy figure once again, after a website accidentally posted a picture of her sporting cellulite.
A snap of the star was uploaded onto Complex magazine’s website on Thursday (26Mar09) before it had been airbrushed and retouched.
It was quickly removed and replaced with a shot of Kardashian looking slimmer and with smoother skin, but not before eagle-eyed bloggers had grabbed the unauthorised photo and posted it elsewhere on the internet.
But the 28-year-old insists she isn’t embarrassed about the mishap.
Kardashian writes on her own blog, "So what: I have a little cellulite. What curvy girl doesn’t!? "How many people do you think are photoshopped? It happens all the time. I’m proud of my body and my curves and this picture coming out is probably helpful for everyone to see that just because I am on the cover of a magazine doesn’t mean I’m perfect." But Kardashian admits she will be spending more time working out to avoid any more awkward exposés: "This all motivates me to stay in the gym because my goal this year has been to get in better shape and tone up! Hard work pays off!"

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DAME ELIZABETH TAYLOR’s ailing health has prompted sales representatives for cosmetics company ELIZABETH ARDEN to reportedly ask for "bereavement rates" on advertisements featuring the Hollywood legend.
The 77-year-old - the face of the cosmetics company’s White Diamonds perfume - uses a wheelchair and is thought to be suffering from congestive heart failure.
Reports in October (08) claimed Taylor was in such poor health, she had visited family members in the U.K. to bid them farewell.
According to the New York Post, sales representatives for Elizabeth Arden are contacting beauty magazines to ask for discounted advertising rates should Taylor die this year (09).
A source says, "They want to do a big ‘we loved you’ kind of spread on the cheap." A spokesperson for Arden had not returned requests for comment as WENN went to press.

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Pop superstar MADONNA stunned fans after taking over her manager’s online Twitter account on Wednesday (25Mar09) to declare she is "glad" to have divorced GUY RITCHIE.
The singer’s longtime friend and producer Guy Oseary delighted those subscribed to his page on the the social networking site by announcing he was sitting next to the Material Girl herself.
He wrote: "Sitting here with Madonna. Firstly she wants to say hello to all the iconers (fan club members) out there.
"Madonna wants to thank all of you that took the time to send in their thoughts for g-hits (Greatest Hits) album. We will be online for the next 10 minutes." And when a supporter then congratulated the star on parting ways with filmmaker Ritchie last year (08), the singer appeared to join in on the cyber chat - typing a message that expressed her delight over her divorce.
A user under the name Nickfirth wrote: "Hello Madonna honey am glad you are single again - you made your best music as a single woman! yeehaw!" Minutes later, the singer apparently replied: "NOT AS GLAD AS I AM! M……………" But before she signed off, Madonna couldn’t help but single out gossip blogger Perez Hilton, accusing him of favouring fellow pop star Britney Spears by filming a video clip to air during her Circus tour.
In a note directed at Hilton, she wrote: "You obviously love Britney more cause you made an opening film for her show and not mine. I still love you, - going to sleep! - M"

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