Rolling Stones to rock Super Bowl XL
DETROIT, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- The National Football League Tuesday announced The Rolling Stones will headline the Super Bowl XL halftime show at Detroit's Ford Field.
"We are excited to welcome one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history to the Super Bowl," the NFL's Steve Bornstein said in a news release. "As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Super Bowl this season, it is fitting we work with The Rolling Stones whose music has thrilled audiences around the world for years."
The British rockers will take a break from their "A Bigger Bang" World Tour for the Feb. 5 live performance.
The Stones issued a statement saying they were "thrilled" with the gig.
Simon Cowell will be back for fifth 'Idol'
NEW YORK, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- "American Idol" will not be without the famous scowl of judge Simon Cowell in its upcoming season after all.
The Hollywood Reporter quoted a Cowell rep as saying: "Season five is going on as planned."
Talks with Fox TV to keep Cowell slamming superstar wannabes are continuing, the rep said.
Furthermore, word came Monday of a settlement in the copyright infringement lawsuit "Idol" creator Simon Fuller filed against Cowell over his British TV hit "X-Factor."
Fuller had accused Cowell of ripping off elements of "Idol" for "X-Factor" and was suing him for $171 million in London.
Terms of the settlement were not revealed, but the Daily Mirror quoted Cowell as saying both Simons were "delighted" with the end result.
"People think we hate each other but we don't," Cowell said. "We're good friends."
The fifth season of "American Idol" is expected to bow in January on Fox.
Jocelyn Brando dead at 86
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Marlon Brando's actress sister, Jocelyn Brando, has died in Santa Monica, Calif., at age 86.
Brando died Sunday of natural causes at her home, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
She appeared in more than a dozen films and hit the screen with her younger brother in both "The Ugly American" in 1963 and "The Chase" in 1966. Her last major film was 1981's campy "Mommie Dearest" starring Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford.
Her TV resume included more than 50 shows, but she would probably be best known for her recurring role as Mrs. Reeves in the popular primetime soap "Dallas."
Brando got her start on Broadway and made her own splash playing the female lead in 1948's "Mister Roberts" -- two months after her brother opened as Stanley Kowalski in "Streetcar Named Desire."
She remained close to her brother through the years and was at his side when he died in July 2004 at age 80.
Brando is survived by two sons. No services were planned.
Shadows drummer Tony Meehan dead at 62
LONDON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Brit-pop's The Shadows founding member Tony Meehan has died in London from head injuries suffered in a fall at age 62.
Meehan died Monday after falling at home, The Shadows guitarist Bruce Welch told the BBC Tuesday.
"Drummers wanted to be like Tony Meehan as he played in a style that no-one had done before," Welch said. "'Apache' was such an iconic record. It has been sampled a lot by hip-hop groups."
Former Shadow Cliff Richard said he was "shocked" by his drummer's death.
"His innovative drumming was the backbone of the band, and his aggressive yet sparse style was similar to Ringo Starr's five years later with The Beatles," Richard said.
The Shadows had several No. 1 hits in Britain including "Apache," "Living Doll," "Please Don't Tease," Travellin' Light" and "I Love You."
After leaving The Shadows, Meehan scored another No. 1 hit with "Diamonds," the BBC said.
The drummer is survived by his wife and seven children.
