Briefly: Jennifer Lopez, Marc Antony, John Legend, Los Lonely Boys, Devendra Banhart
Jennifer Lopez and her husband, fellow Latin-music sensation Marc Anthony , are suing the National Enquirer over the tabloid's claim that the couple was involved in a drug scandal, according to published reports.
The couple filed suit in a Belfast, Ireland, court Tuesday (4/17) through Belfast-based lawyer Paul Tweed, who reportedly specializes in fighting US libel cases in European courts.
"We will now make similar applications in Dublin, London and other jurisdictions," Tweed told Reuters, adding that the couple is seeking "substantial damages," a full retraction and an apology from the Enquirer for a March article in which the paper claimed the couple was involved in a drug scandal based on a picture of Anthony with a photographer who later was charged with heroin possession.
Tweed told Reuters celebrities have begun pursuing libel cases more frequently outside of the US because it is "virtually impossible to sue for libel in the United States because of First Amendment protections."
R&B singer John Legend will receive the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2007 Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, which is slated for June 7 in New York City.
"John Legend is an outstanding, talented songwriter," SHOF chairman Hal David said in a statement. "He is well-deserving of the Starlight Award, not only shining as a writer with a unique vision, but a an expressive performer as well. We recognized John's talent in his earlier years, and we are now pleased to honor him with this prestigious award."
Texas trio Los Lonely Boys have joined the all-star roster of acts that are contributing music to "Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur." As previously reported, the album is a collection of cover songs originally recorded by the late John Lennon, to which Los Lonely Boys will contribute their rendition of "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night." Other acts on the set include R.E.M., Green Day, Christina Aguilera and Jack Johnson.
Proceeds from the album will support Amnesty International's efforts to "focus attention and mobilize activism around the urgent catastrophe in Darfur, Sudan and other human rights crises," according to a press release. More information is available at Amnesty International's Instant Karma website.
Devendra Banhart is in the studio working on his fifth full-length studio set, which will be his second album for XL Recordings. Banhart is co-producing the set with Noah Georgeson, a member of Banhart's touring band.
Musicians backing Banhart on the set--which he's recording in the Los Angeles area--include Georgeson (who recently released his solo debut "Find Shelter") Luckey Remington, Pete Newsom, Rodrigo Amarante, Greg Rogove, Matteah Baim, Otto Hauser and Andy Cabic.
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