MUSIC NEWS: FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018
T.I. ARREST - SECURITY GUARD'S CALL
A security guard said he felt threatened during an argument with T.I. that led to the Grammy-winning hip-hop artist's arrest outside his gated community near Atlanta. In a 10-minute phone call, the guard at Eagles Landing Country Club told a 9-1-1 dispatcher early Wednesday that a resident kept asking for his name and knocking on the guard shack door. The security guard said during the call he didn't recognize the resident. T.I. had lost his key and the guard initially wouldn't let him into the neighbourhood, said Henry County Deputy Police Chief Mike Ireland. The rapper was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and simple assault and then released on bail. The rapper's attorney, Steve Sadow, issued a statement saying his client had been ``wrongfully arrested.'' Sadow said the guard was asleep when T.I.arrived and it took ``some time to wake up the sleeping guard.''
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WHITNEY HOUSTON - MOLESTATION CLAIM
Representatives for Dionne Warwick have not returned messages about a claim coming out of a new documentary about Whitney Houston. Friends of the late pop star allege the singer was molested as a child by her cousin Dee Dee Warwick _ Dionne Warwick's sister. Houston's longtime assistant Mary Jones tells filmmaker Kevin Macdonald the late singer told her Dee Dee Warwick molested her at a young age. Jones claims that made Houston question her own sexuality _ and contributed to her drug problems.
Dee Dee Warwick, who was 18- years-older than Houston, died in 2008.
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3 DOORS DOWN GUITARIST - TRIAL
A pain specialist is faulting prescriptions by an Alabama physician charged with federal crimes in the 2016 drug overdose death of a former guitarist for rock band 3 Doors Down. Dr.
Richard Snellgrove is charged of unlawful distribution of drugs and health care fraud in a case tied to the death of Matthew Roberts.
The physician faces up to 240 years in prison and up to 2.8-million dollars in fines if convicted. Al-dot-com reports Dr. Rahul Vohra testified that Snellgrove's records don't justify the painkillers he was prescribing, especially because he knew Roberts struggled with addiction. Vohra said a doctor has the responsibility to act when a patient shows signs of addiction.
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BACKSTREET BOYS - NEW SINGLE
The Backstreet Boys have a new single. They released ``Don't Go Breaking My Heart'' yesterday, along with a video that shows the foursome dancing in sync. Singer Nick Carter tweeted thanks to fans for 25 years of support. Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, A-J McLean and Howie Dorough will resume a 21-show Las Vegas residency in July.
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MICHAEL JACKSON - STREET NAMED
Michael Jackson is getting his own street name in Motown, which first launched him into superstardom. A section of downtown Detroit will be renamed Michael Jackson Avenue during a June 15th ceremony. The announcement came earlier this week, in advance of next month's Detroit Music Weekend. Four of Jackson's brothers _ Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon _ are scheduled to perform during the festival. They also will receive a key to the city. The Gary, Indiana, brothers signed in 1968 with Detroit's Motown and had hits that included ``I Want You Back'' and ``A-B-C.''
Michael later would leave Motown and in 1984 recorded ``Thriller'' which became the bestselling album of all time.
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THE WEEKND - TIME MAGAZINE
Canadian R&B superstar the Weeknd is among the celebrities gracing the cover of Time magazine's ``Next Generation Leaders'' edition. The singer, born Abel Tesfaye, joins a list of 10 activists, artists and athletes who the publication chose as influential cultural figures. Tesfaye spoke with a Time journalist less than a week after his headlining spot at Coachella, saying that he felt he worked his entire life for a gig at the high-profile music festival. Other ``Next Generation Leaders'' given their own Time magazine covers this year include American pop singer Ariana Grande and British fashion model Adwoa Aboah.
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DESPACITO - SUBWAY
Two accordion players who have entertained -- and annoyed -- Toronto subway riders with their performances of the hit song ``Despacito'' have learned a new tune. However, the city's transit agency says the men are still breaking the law. The pair, whose performances on subway cars have circulated online in recent weeks, had been warned to stop or risk being fined as busking on trains isn't allowed. A video posted online this week now shows them playing a different song on the subway. The men have been issued one ticket with a set fine of 235-dollars and two summonses compelling them to appear before a justice of the peace for a penalty.
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(The Associated Press)
