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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February > 07
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Stipe sends a little sun to victims of Katrina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Unsettled by what he calls the “pretty pathetic” response by the U.S. government toward the victims of Hurricane Katrina, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe is hoping a new benefit single will raise money for the displaced Gulf Coast residents.
During a teleconference with reporters Monday, the Decatur native announced the formation of the In the Sun Foundation and the release of his duet of “In the Sun” with Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin.
Stipe says the song, penned by singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, came to mind in the aftermath of Katrina.
“I loved the song before Katrina ever happened,” he explained. “But the line ‘a nightmare comes, you can’t keep awake’ really hit me after it happened.”
In addition to Martin, Stipe enlisted help from Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake to remix a version, and Arthur recorded a version with Stipe as well. A live version culled from an R.E.M. and Coldplay performance on “Austin City Limits” is also available. The digital downloads are all for sale at the iTunes Music Store. According to Stipe, “100 percent” of the proceeds will go to Mercy Corps, via the In the Sun Foundation, to aid hurricane victims.
Of his motivations, Stipe said: “As an American and a Southerner … I felt I needed to help. People are still in very desperate straits. They are not fine even now, and the news cycle has moved on.”
Love says drug woes in past
Courtney Love told a Los Angeles judge that she has put her drug problems behind her and that she has a new outlook on life.
Love, 41, appeared in court last week as part of a progress report after violating probation in three criminal cases. Judge Rand Rubin had sentenced Love to 180 days at a drug treatment center, but she was released to an outpatient program in November.
Rubin ended the outpatient requirement but ordered her to return to court May 12.
“You’re doing really, really well,” Rubin said. “We’re all pleased with your progress.”
Love, the former leader of the band Hole and the widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, admitted in August that she had violated her probation in three cases, including two drug-related charges.
But Love said she has improved over the past several months.
“I feel like I’m getting my creativity back … and that I’ve put a very gnarly drug problem behind me,” Love said. “I want the court and the community to know I feel great.”
Celebrity docket
Police have confirmed that Oscar-winning actor Joe Pesci is being investigated after a fan said the star punched him in the mouth because the fan snapped a photo of him in a shopping center parking lot.
The “Goodfellas” star gave his account of the Jan. 22 incident last week at a Boca Raton, Fla., home where he was staying, police spokesman Sgt. Jeff Kelly said. Garry Serino, who was with Pesci at the time, also gave police a statement.
Kelly did not provide details because of the investigation. “There are two sides to every story,” Kelly said.
Police were preparing to send the investigation results to the Palm Beach County, Fla., prosecutors to determine whether Pesci should be charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly punching Juan Carlos Montenegro, 24.
Montenegro, a Broward Community College student, told police that after encountering Pesci, 62, he shook the actor’s hand and told him he was a big fan. He then purchased a camera, walked toward Pesci and asked for a picture, but Pesci refused, he said.
Montenegro kept asking to take a picture, and when Pesci turned, Montenegro took the photograph. Pesci then punched him with his right fist, the report said.
If Pesci is charged, he would be issued a court summons and would not be booked into the county jail, said Mike Edmondson, state attorney’s office spokesman.
Sick bay update
Former “Eight Is Enough” actor Dick Van Patten made his first public appearance Sunday since suffering a diabetic stroke two weeks ago, his publicist said.
Van Patten joined Bill Maher, Penny Marshall and other celebrities for a Super Bowl party at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant, said publicist Daniel Bernstein.
Van Patten, 76, spent several days at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after having a stroke last month, Bernstein said. The actor showed no apparent long-term effects and is expected to make a full recovery, he said.
Van Patten is “feeling great and is very excited to be watching the big game with friends,” his publicist said in a statement.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Miguel Ferrer is 51. Actor James Spader is 46. Country singer Garth Brooks is 44. Keyboardist David Bryan of Bon Jovi is 44. Comedian Chris Rock is 41. Actor Jason Gedrick (“Windfall,” “Boomtown”) is 39. Actor Ashton Kutcher (“That ’70s Show”) is 28.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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