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Ric Ocasek Confirms First New Cars Album Since 1987

Roger Friedman
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5
Ric Ocasek Confirms First New Cars Album Since 1987

After much speculation and some blogs trying to piece together the story, here it is: Ric Ocasek confirmed for me last night he and the Cars have made their first new album together since 1987.

Ocasek and his drop dead gorgeous wife, Paulina Porizkova, were among the guests last night at the Huffington Post’s Game Changers event in Soho. Porizkova often blogs for the web site.

Among the other stars at the event were Sean Penn and writer Nora Ephron, each of whom won awards, as well as Arianna Huffington, Joe Klein, Lewis Lapham, and Nick Pileggi. Penn skipped out a little early for dinner at the Waverly Inn with his daughter, Dylan, 19, and pal John Sykes. Sean told me that today (Friday) he heads back to Haiti, despite the recent outbreak of cholera. “You can’t get cholera,” he reassured me. “I’m even taking my mother this time.”

Meanwhile, Ocasek was brimming with news that he and the remaining members of the Cars have made a new album. “It actually sounds like a modern version of the Cars,” he said, proudly. Missing, sadly: Benjamin Orr, who died in 2000. Orr wrote and sang the Cars hit, “Drive.” He also had a solo hit following the band’s breakup, called “Stay the Night.”

Here’s a preview of the first new single called “Blue Tip.” It sounds pretty good!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=445115559565

The band made the album with their own money, so they’re not under any pressure from a record label. They may return to Elektra, which Ocasek says Warner Music Group–a mess, by any standards, is trying to revive. “They’ve even talked to Jac Holzman,” he said of the Elektra leader during its heyday.

Ocasek told me that reuniting with the band has been a pleasure. “I was amazed at how we clicked when we got back together,” he said.

The Cars– a great unsung group from the New Wave era–are, of course, not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They had a dozen or so top 10 hits including “Just What I Needed,” “Drive,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Since You’re Gone,” “Candy O,” “Let’s Go,” and “Shake It Up.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yf2WP6K1gQ

Mel Gibson Far From Broke: Private Church Fund Now Worth $60 Mil

Roger Friedman
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3
Mel Gibson Far From Broke: Private Church Fund Now Worth $60 Mil

Mel Gibson is heard shouting on those Oksana tapes about being broke.

He is far from it.

The new federal tax filing for Mel’s A P Reilly Foundation is in. And guess what? Mel added $9.6 million to his investment in his Holy Family  Church, built on 17 acres. The Agoura Hills religious group — through A P Reilly–now claims just under $60 million in assets. That’s a lot of money for a church that serves around 100 people.

Holy Family, as we know, was built by Mel for “true” Catholics who don’t believe in the Pope, the archdiocese, or the Second Vatican Council of 1965. They’re Holocaust deniers who blame the death of Jesus on the Jews. The Catholic Church doesn’t give Holy Family its blessing.

On the tax filing, there’s one other change. Mel’s ex wife Robyn has been taken off the A P Reilly paperwork as an officer of the foundation. She’d been listed as an officer for the last several years.

Sixty million dollars--and it does look like this whole enterprise has been kept of the Gibsons’ divorce. Maybe Oksana will find god now. Or the money.

Liza Minnelli: She’s Mourning Pal and Canceling Shows

Roger Friedman
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5
Liza Minnelli: She’s Mourning Pal and Canceling Shows

Liza Minnelli is perhaps the last great tragic show biz survivor. Even more than perpetually ill Liz Taylor.

You’d think, especially with the release of an excellent new album, called “Confessions,” Liza would be hard at work and cooking with gas, as they used to say. At the end of September she pulled off a private show to launch the album in New York, and appeared on “Larry King Live” and “The View.”

Alas: Liza has canceled a bunch of shows (from October 15 in Spokane, Washington seven shows through Nashville on November 13th). Her website says it’s due to illness, but I’m told it has to do –at least partially–with the untimely death of her longtime ex manager Gary Labriola.

But Labriola died on October 17th, and Liza’s cancellations were already underway before that.

Her rep, Scott Gorenstein, says Liza came down with bronchial pneumonia right after doing “The View” around October 12th. She’s been out of commission ever since.

Insiders say Minnelli has all kinds of problems–her usual demons, etc–and that’s not so good right now. As a singer who doesn’t write songs, Minnelli suffers from the same financial battles as many of her peers: no royalties from songs played on the radio. Therefore, she must tour to make money. And canceling dates doesn’t help.

It’s not as if the pending Performance Rights Act would necessarily bail Liza out: she was never a chart topping singer. But enough stations around the world play her original versions of “New York, New York” and “Cabaret” that it wouldn’t hurt. Liza, sources say, has run through most of the resources she inherited from her mother, Judy Garland, father, Vincent Minnelli, and godmother, writer Kay Thompson (author of the Eloise books).

Her next show is set for Staten Island later in November. Let’s hope she makes it. We’re rooting for you, Liza!


Anna Nicole Verdict: Dr. Eroshevich Convicted–Here’s her Original Fax for Drugs

Roger Friedman
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5
Anna Nicole Verdict: Dr. Eroshevich Convicted–Here’s her Original Fax for Drugs

Anna Nicole Smith finally had her day in court today. Her doctor, Khristine Eroshevich, was found guilty on four counts including two of conspiracy to funnel drugs to Smith. Smith’s producer/aide-de-camp/friend Howard K. Stern was found guilty on two counts today. Dr. Sandeep Kapoor was acquitted on all counts.

I’m not surprised. Eroshevich’s behavior was deplorable in this case. I’ve attached the fax I exclusively published three years ago that showed how she was ordering all kinds of powerful medicines for Anna Nicole.

Eroshevich told an intrepid reporter outside the courtroom that she thought the jury system worked, and that “I want to go back to my practice.”

The woman was feeding drugs to Anna Nicole. She sent a fax to Dr. Kapoor on September 15, 2006 from the Bahamas asking for a menu of heavy drugs for Smith. Here’s the fax, as I posted exclusively in March 2007. The list was enough to kill someone. And it did.

Here are the original stories I wrote in early 2007 about this case and these people.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301516,00.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259563,00.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259841,00.html

More Keith Richards: Ronnie Spector Was His First Rock Love

Roger Friedman
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More Keith Richards: Ronnie Spector Was His First Rock Love

CLICK HERE FOR JAN 12 2022 UPDATE; RONNIE SPECTOR PASSES AT 78

 

There’s so much gold in Keith Richards‘ autobiography, called “Life,” that I could make 2o more items for this column and still not be done.

If everyone wrote books like this, we’d all be reading, all the time. If only Paul McCartney wrote a book like this…

But it shows a certain personality, doesn’t it? Richards just owns up to his life, in a way that is always humorous and often scabrous.

I do love his recollection of his romance, at age 20, with Ronnie Bennett of the Ronettes. It takes place before she marries Phil Spector, but certainly when she’s under his thumb. It’s around the time the Stones are searching for a signature hit, learning to write songs, and performing on the same bill as Patti Labelle and the Bluebells. Indeed, Sarah Dash, of the Bluebells, one of the great talents in the world, turns up on Keith’s first solo album 25 years later singing “Make No Mistake” with him. Beautiful.

Ronnie and Keith hide out at her mother’s house in Spanish Harlem. She and her sister Estelle (now sadly deceased) take Keith and Mick to see James Brown at the Apollo. Mick studies James Brown‘s dance moves. Keith studies Ronnie.

The Ronnie relationship has never ended, apparently. Keith writes that on September 11, 2001, he and Ronnie were working on a track together at his Connecticut studio. They are great pals. Sweet.

It’s a peculiar relationship with Phil Spector, though. I  didn’t realize that Phil actually plays on “Paint it Black.” And that Phil, who was balding, resented Keith’s massive mane of hair.

PS We all love Ronnie’s Spector songs, but I have a particular affinity for her version of “Say Goodbye to Hollywood.” Genius. Produced by Steve van Zandt, of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpX-7UrzeI

Mariah Tells Us: “I Really Will Be Happy Either Way”–Boy or Girl

Roger Friedman
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2
Mariah Tells Us: “I Really Will Be Happy Either Way”–Boy or Girl

All these stories about Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon having a boy–they are concocted.

Mariah sent me an email last night that I will share with you about the baby’s gender.

She wrote: “We don’t know yet- I promise! I really will be happy either way!”

Mariah and Nick have a three part sit down with Billy Bush on “Access Hollywood” starting tonight. This morning, Billy promo’s the announcement on the Today show.

Mariah will be home in bed, feet up, watching the show. Or maybe, fast asleep, and will watch the playback later today.

Either way, that’s the story. Baby coming in early spring. Album out on Tuesday.

And not one of the stories posted about all this was true or factual in any way.

Patricia Arquette: “Medium” Cancelled, But She Wins A Cool Award

Roger Friedman
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3
Patricia Arquette: “Medium” Cancelled, But She Wins A Cool Award

Patricia Arquette is so cool: she won a Humanitarian award last night from Matt Damon’s very impressive OneXOne charity. She’s been going back and forth to Haiti for months helping to provide the people with sanitation and drinking water. It’s not glamorous.

And then: she confirmed that “Medium,” her six year TV series, has been canceled. Since she played a psychic on the show, couldn’t she have predicted that?

“I did! I said at the beginning of this season, we’re doing 13. Save your money!” CBS ends the series in December. It had a valiant run, and Arquette, who is a delight, won many awards. She’ll head back to movies now. I predict this woman will see an Oscar nomination from an indie film in the next two to three years. She is very good.

Indeed, Arquette reminded me that for nine years–9, yes–she’s been shooting a Richard Linklater movie called “Boyhood.” They still have three more years to go before it’s done. Ethan Hawke co-stars as her husband. The movie will track the real time years semi-documentary style of a “real” family.

Meanwhile, Patricia’s brother, David, stopped by to give her support at Capitale, where OneXOne was taking place. He had his own event. There was no discussion of his marital situation. Matt Damon accepted congrats on the birth of his fourth daughter last week. Collective Soul entertained with hits like “Shine” and “The World I Know.” And nine year old pianist/comedian Ethan Bortnick was a disarming addition to the night.

And while OneXOne does amazing work, the real star of the night was Somali-born singer-songwriter K’Naan. Do you know this guy? He is utterly amazing, and should be nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Grammy’s. On James Diener’s label, K’Naan scored a hit this summer singing “Wave the Flag” as the theme of the World Cup. But another song, “Fatima,” is one of the most stunning pieces I’ve ever heard.

http://www.onexone.org/

Mariah Doesn’t Know Sex of Baby; Announcement Tomorrow, But Not From Her

Roger Friedman
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3
Mariah Doesn’t Know Sex of Baby; Announcement Tomorrow, But Not From Her

Re Mariah Carey‘s pregnancy: Listen to me, kids. Everyone has everything wrong.

Mariah does not know the sex of the baby. Yes, it’s a boy or a girl. But all the announcements you’ve read are wrong.

Tomorrow morning the intrepid Billy Bush will appear as a guest on the Today show and deliver the news that Ms. Carey is with child. (This will not be a colossal headline at this point, but good stuff.) Mariah, please tell Perez Hilton, will not be on the Today show.

Billy be promoting a three parter that starts tomorrow night on “Access Hollywood.” Mariah and husband Nick Cannon will discuss the whole deal with Billy. The interview was taped yesterday.

When is Mariah due? “In the spring” is all she’s saying. Does that mean March? Maybe. So she’s just now maybe four and a half months pregnant.

And I am told by the Inner Circle that all this stuff you’re reading about IVF and invitro and fertility stuff is simply made up and supposition. “It’s no true,” says a good source.

So Hello, Yahoo News, Google News, Bing and whatever. Let’s calm down. The internet is now flooded with junk on this subject.

And Mariah’s rep, Cindi Berger? That voice mail is full.

Taylor Swift New CD: 1 Million in First Week, But Amazon Gives it Away

Roger Friedman
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2
Taylor Swift New CD: 1 Million in First Week, But Amazon Gives it Away

Taylor Swift’s new album, “Speak Now,” can be downloaded from amazon.com for $3.99. That’s right: four bucks to get 14 new songs.

Amazon sells the physical CD for eight bucks.

So that’s the main reason that “Speak Now” is heading to a possible first week sales of 1 million copies.

By contrast, ITunes is holding out with old fashioned pricing for “Speak Now.” They’ve got the album download for $13.99 or a whopping $1.29 per track.

Good for them.

Swift is just 20 years old and won a Grammy for Best Album. She’s a country singer, more than pop. Let’s face it. “Speak Now” is a country record. And that’s kind of remarkable, too. But I will say her songs are incredibly well written, very solid, and more deft than any number of so-called pop stars who sample older music, etc. She’s a keeper, and will be with us for a long, long time.

All her lyrics can be found at www.taylorswift.com. Check them out. She’s pretty damned impressive. The best example is in “Dear John,” which clocks in at over 6 minutes and addresses the singer’s “blind optimism.” Whoa.(This is the song about her brief encounter with John Mayer. If so, Taylor gets the Carly Simon Award for best use of personal material for a song.)

“Well maybe it’s me and my blind optimism to blame
Or maybe it’s you and your sick need to give love then take it away
And you’ll add my name to your long list of traitors who don’t understand
And I’ll look back and regret how I ignored when they said
Run as fast as you can.”

Too bad they couldn’t have made the Grammy deadline. Ink in Taylor Swift‘s name for Best Album, 2012.

Mariah: It Looks Like She’s Fessing Up At Last On Pregnancy

Roger Friedman
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7
Mariah: It Looks Like She’s Fessing Up At Last On Pregnancy

Mariah Carey‘s long standing silence on her pregnancy may be coming to an end.

Last night, “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush was spotted coming from Carey’s Tribeca building. The word is that “Access” has secured the big Carey interview as part of her promotion for her new Christmas album.

And lo and behold, the story is also that Mariah has finally made a formal announcement about what is more evident than the Empire State Building. She’s five or six months pregnant with a bundle of joy.

Calls to Mariah’s rep were not returned. But they may be out, shopping for the shower!

Mariah has resisted speaking up so far because she said she was “superstitious”–as she told this column a few weeks ago, and it was reproduced everywhere. But it’s going to be hard to continue in that direction, and I guess she knows it.

The “Access” interview should run by Monday. Next Tuesday is the release date for “Merry Xmas II You.” And maybe January is the release date for the baby. Congrats to Mariah and Nick Cannon, officially!

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