Robert B. Parker, 'Spenser' author, dead
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Robert B. Parker, the author of the "Spenser" detective novel series, died of a heart attack while at work in his Massachusetts home, his agent said. He was 77.
Parker did not have any apparent health problems, Helen Brann, who represented him for most of his career, told The New York Times. He collapsed while at his desk in his study in Cambridge.
The author of more than 60 books -- including 40 featuring Spenser, a Boston private eye whose first name is never used -- Parker sometimes wrote three books a year. Spenser was played by Robert Urich in a television series, "Spenser for Hire," from 1985 to 1988.
Parker began writing the Spenser novels after doing a doctoral thesis at Boston University on Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald, all writers of the "hard-boiled" school.
In recent years, Parker developed two more series characters -- female private detective Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone, a police chief in a small New England town who is also an alcoholic and a former ballplayer.
Parker is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan, and two sons.
Daniels 'doing well' after mild stroke
NASHVILLE, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Recording artist Charlie Daniels is doing well after he suffered a mild stroke while snowmobiling in Colorado, his publicist confirmed.
Daniels, the 73-year-old leader of The Charlie Daniels Band, fell ill last Friday. He was treated at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colo., then airlifted to Swedish Medical Center in Denver, Colo.
He was released from the second facility Sunday and returned to his home in Colorado where he has been on vacation since Dec. 27.
Daniels' publicist said there are no plans to cancel any concert dates.
"Charlie is doing well and looking forward to beginning The Charlie Daniels Band 2010 concert dates on Feb. 27 in Ft. Pierce, Fla., and Feb. 28 in Brooksville, Fla.," said a release issued Tuesday. "Charlie and his family appreciate and are grateful for everyone's thoughts and prayers during this time."
Stars line up for Haiti telethon
NEW YORK, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Sting are to perform on a celebrity telethon to benefit Haiti's earthquake victims.
The stars will perform in New York for Friday's "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," MTV Networks said Tuesday.
Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift are slated to take the stage in Los Angeles for the event. Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow are planning to perform together.
Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna are scheduled for London.
All performances are to be available for purchase from Apple iTunes Store with proceeds benefiting select Haiti relief funds.
Wyclef Jean is to serve as host of the New York portion of the telethon, while George Clooney will be master of ceremonies in Los Angeles and CNN's Anderson Cooper will handle on-air duties from Haiti.
MTV said the telethon will feature more than 100 of the biggest names in film, television and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon.
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Program have joined the list of relief organizations that will benefit from "Hope for Haiti Now," which also includes Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF and Yele Haiti Foundation.
The two-hour telethon will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, CMT, PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Bravo, E! Entertainment, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, CENTRIC, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, EPIX, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health, Planet Green, and Canadian networks including CBC Television, CTV, Global Television and MuchMusic Friday night.
'Contra' is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Vampire Weekend's "Contra" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart this week, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream," followed by Ke$ha's "Animal" at No. 3, Lady Gaga's "The Fame" at No. 4 and Alicia Keys's "The Element of Freedom" at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are Lady Gaga's "The Fame Monster" at No. 6, Mary J. Blige's "Stronger with Each Tear" at No. 7, Taylor Swift's "Fearless" at No. 8, the "Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel" soundtrack at No. 9 and the Black Eyed Peas's "The E.N.D." at No. 10.
