That’s just music

Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills’ divorce settlement will most likely be public.

Judge Mr. Justice Bennett has told The Beatles legend and the former model he will reveal the outcome because of the “overwhelming interest” the case has attracted.

A source told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper: “The judge is considering making his judgment 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.”

The main revelation will be the size of McCartney’s payout to Mills. It is thought she will receive between £20 million and £30 million, much less than the £65 million she was originally rumoured to be getting.

Judge Bennett plans to make his judgment public at a hearing provisionally set for March 17 at London’s Royal Courts of Justice. McCartney, 65, and Mills, 40, have been told to keep their diaries clear for that day.

Clapton is in New York this week, performing a number of concerts at Madison Square Garden with Steve Winwood. Recently, rock icon Eric Clapton has received a welcome to play a concert in the North Korean capital Pyongyang, an official at the country’s UK embassy has confirmed.

If he agrees to do that, the 62–year-old shall become the first Western rock star to perform in the Communist country.

According to newspaper reports Clapton has agreed in principle to the concert, suggesting it takes place in 2009.

News of the invitation follows the New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s landmark concert in the North Korean capital.

The North Korean State Symphony Orchestra is due to perform in the UK later this year.

According to embassy officials, an appearance by Clapton would be “a good opportunity for Western music to be understood better by Koreans”.

A spokesman told the BBC the invitation had been received by the singer’s management and brought to his attention.

However, the singer’s management would not confirm the approach. 

Kim Jong Chol, the son of national leader Kim Jong II, is said to be a Clapton fan. 

Paris Hilton and Benji Madden went into a romantic weekend together in St. Louis.

The hotel princess and Good Charlotte rocker had a voyage to the Missouri town where Paris was supporting her new perfume.  That evening was marked with an intense clubbing at a local nightclub on Saturday night (2.23.08).

They’ve met through Paris’ best friend Nicole Richie, who is engaged to Benji’s brother Joel Madden.  The pair first seen together at Los Angeles club Villa on Thursday night (2.21.08).

An occasional observer said: “Paris only had eyes for Benji.  As soon as she say him she walked over and gave him a huge slobbering kiss. Then they snuggled down in a corner booth. She stroked his arm and his leg while whispering sweet nothings in his ear.”

Paris’ previous relationship with Jared Leto seems to be over as much as Benji’s romance with his Australian fiancee Sophie Monk. 

Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams discharged reports that the band is going to separate – even though they’ve cancelled the remainder of their European tour over “internal issues”.

The 19–year-old singer posted a message, signed by all four members, on her blog on Thursday announcing the group needed to take time off to work out their personal problems. But Williams has since updated her blog, insisting her comments were taken out of proportion.

She writes, “Since we posted the last entry, we’ve gotten tons of phone calls and people posting things on Web sites saying that we are breaking up. I just want to make it clear, though, we weren’t saying the band was over. We posted because we are going through hard times and we felt that because we have a really good support system in you guys, our fans, it would be better for us to just be honest about what’s going on – even though it was a pretty vague explanation.”

And the flame-haired star has refuted allegations the tour cancellation was caused by her falling pregnant.

Williams adds, “Man, some of the rumors that I’ve heard going around are insane! It’s weird how out of hand things can get even when you just try to tell a simple truth (for the record, my Eggo is not preggo).  Anyway, we just need to take time to make this band the best it can be… and we are doing that now.”

A representative for Atlantic Records has authenticated that Paramore are scheduled to tour with Jimmy Eat World in April this year in the U.S. 

The famous multi-platinum artist Barenaked Ladies shall release Snacktime, a collection of original children’s songs, on May 6, 2008 through their recording label Desperation Records.

This album was mixed and produced by Michael Phillip Wojewoda, who also worked with the band on their debut.

“Our collective kids now outnumbered the band more than 2 to 1,” said vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson. “We set out to make a record that would be entertaining for them, not strictly a children’s record, but a record that childeren would really enjoy.  Our kids are in to all kinds of music.  They love the They Might Be Giants kids recoreds, but they also love The Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Randy Newman, Black Eyed Peas and Green Day.  Making the focus about what our kids like was a trully liberating process and fun for the whole band.”

“,Besides, our biological clocks are ticking,” jokes drummer Tyler Stewart.  “The medical risks associated with releasing children’s music after age 40 are well documented, and we thought it best not to put any of our lives in danger.”

Lindsay Lohan has posed nude as Marilyn Monroe in marvelous new photo shoot.

The ‘Mean Girls’ star was “confortable” taking off her clothes to recreate the famous ‘Last Sitting’ shots of Marilyn, taken by photographer Bert Stern ust six weeks before she died of a drugs overdose.

Lindsay said: “I didn’t have to put much thought into it. Working with Bert Stern on a Marilyn Monroe shoot was really an honour.  When is that ever going to come up again? I wanted to portray the look and get it point-on as much as I could, to bring ti back to life. I was comfortable with it, the nudity and everything.”

Heidi Klum has welcomed Britney Spears to set her life on to the right track.  The ‘Project Runway’ host – who is living with her three children and husband Seal said that 26 year old Britney shall definitely benefit from living in an ordinary family environment.

She said:  “She can call me and come live in our house with us for a couple of months. I would help set her straight.

“I am sorry when a young person gets throuwn so off track.  She has, of course, lived an extremely wild life.”  Heidi believes that she cannot imagine her life getting any better. In her recent interview to German broadcaster ARD: “I have never been as happy as I am today. I have found the man of my life, and we have three great kids. They are all so different and fantastic that it really can’t get better than this.”

Heidi is not the first celebrity who offered help to Britney.  Brooke Shields, Terri Irwin and Britney’s ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake have all reportedly offered to help get her back on the straight and narrow. 

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have threatened to kick Heather Mills off stage if she shows up at tomorrow’s BRIT Awards (20.02.09).

The couple, who are hosting the event, say Heather – the estranged wife Sir Paul McCartney – would not be welcome at the London ceremony.  Speaking about the rumours Heather is planning to attend the prestigious bash, Sharon said: “I would boot her off. I think she’s a miserable old cow.”

Ozzy – who will present Paul with the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award – added: “I’m looking forward to seeing Paul McCartney – he’s my hero. The body of work he’s got is just unbelievable. But I really don’t want to be there if Heather shows up.  Never mind McCartney having a go – I think the audience will string her up.”

“Sharon and I have met them both her on a few occasions but if Paul doesn’t know her, I’m f***ed if I do. She’s f***ing nuts.”

At the same time, BRIT’s owners are scared Ozzy shall strip naked on stage.  The former Black Sabbath frontman is menacing to bare all to the live TV audience so producers are broadcasting it with a 30–second delay.  A source said: “Everyone is praying they can keep Ozzy on the straight and narrow – otherwise this could be the biggest meltdown in the history of the BRITs.”

Kanye west has announced details of the opening set of dates of his star-studded “Glow In The Dark” tour of North America.

The rap superstar will venture across the USA in April and May, with support from Rihanna, N*E*R*D and Lupe Fiasco.

There are also reports that the concert could feature performances by Child Rebel Soldier, West, Fiasco and Pharrell Williams’ rumoured hip hop super-group.

The tour currently calls at:

April 2008: 16 Seattle, WA Key Arena, 18 Sacramento, CA, ARCO Arena, 19 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion At San Jose, 20 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena, 27 Denver, CO Pepsi Center.  May: 01 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center, 02 The Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 10 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center, 22 Auburn Hills, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills, 24 Minneapolis, MN Target Center, 27 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Center, 29 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place, 30 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome

1.  “Just The Way You Are” /Barry White/1978

2.  “Your Song”/Elton John/1970

3.  “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”/Andy Williams/1967

4. “Eternal Flame”/Bangles/1991

5.  “Hello”/Lionel Richie/1984

6.  “Ain’t No Sunshine”/Bill Withers/1971

7.  “Bleeding Love”/Leona Lewis/2007

8.  “My Boo”/Usher and Alicia Keys/2004

9.  “Stand By Me”/Ben E. King/1961

10. “Close To You”/Carpenters/1970