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Box Tops singer Chilton dies at 59

NEW ORLEANS, March 18 (UPI) -- Singer-songwriter-guitarist Alex Chilton, best known as a member of the Box Tops, died suddenly Wednesday in New Orleans a colleague said. He was 59.

Chilton, who sang such hits as "The Letter" and "Cry Like a Baby," had complained early Wednesday about not feeling well and was transported from his home to a New Orleans hospital where medical personnel were unable to revive him, John Fry -- an owner of Ardent Studios in Memphis and a longtime friend of Chilton's -- told The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal.

"I'm crushed. We're all just crushed," Fry said.

Chilton, a Memphis native who was 16 when the Box Tops released "The Letter," went solo in 1970 when the band broke up and eventually formed Big Star -- a '70s power-pop band -- with songwriter-guitarist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens.

The original band did not stay together but did re-form in the early '90s with other personnel.

All three of its albums were included in a 2003 Rolling Stone ranking of the 500 greatest albums of all time, The Commercial Appeal said.

Chilton had been scheduled to perform with Big Star Saturday at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

Chilton is survived by his wife, Laura, and a son, Timothy.

Arrest made in Haim-linked drug ring

LOS ANGELES, March 18 (UPI) -- The California attorney general's office says it has arrested a suspect who was part of a drug ring that allegedly provided prescriptions to Corey Haim.

Haim, a former child film star who battled an addiction to drugs for years, died last week in Burbank, Calif., at the age of 38. Although the cause of his death has not been determined yet, police said they suspect it was an accidental drug overdose.

The state attorney general's office said a suspect in an alleged prescription drug ring that provided drugs illegally to Haim was arrested Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times said.

"I can confirm there has been an arrest, but I have no other details," AG spokeswoman Christine Gasparac told the newspaper.

Gasparac declined to identify the individual because the case is ongoing, the Times said.

Bullock cancels premiere amid cheat buzz

LOS ANGELES, March 18 (UPI) -- Actress Sandra Bullock says she won't be able to attend the upcoming London premiere of "The Blind Side" due to "personal reasons."

Bullock won a best actress Oscar for her performance in the film, which was a hit in the United States and is to debut in England next Tuesday.

UsMagazine.com said Bullock canceled her planned appearance at the premiere in the wake of a tabloid report claiming her reality television star husband, Jesse James, cheated on her with a model. The premiere is expected to take place without Bullock, however.

"Due to unforeseen personal reasons, a trip abroad to support 'The Blind Side' has been deemed impossible at this time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your continued support of the film," said a statement issued by Bullock through Warner Brothers U.K.

UsMagazine.com said neither Bullock nor James has addressed the allegation of infidelity.

The couple have been married for nearly five years.

Osmonds cancel more Vegas dates

LAS VEGAS, March 18 (UPI) -- Donny and Marie Osmond have canceled this week's performances in Las Vegas as Marie grieves for her late son, Michael, an assistant to the entertainer said.

The 18-year-old leaped to his death from his Los Angeles apartment building last month after a long battle with depression. The sibling entertainers canceled performances of their "Donny & Marie" live stage show after Michael's death, but resumed work March 9.

The Las Vegas Sun said they subsequently scrapped this week's planned performances from Tuesday until at least Saturday.

"(Marie) is hanging in there, but she's struggling," Osmond's personal assistant, Darla Sperry, told the newspaper. "What can we expect? She is doing the best she can. Please keep her in your prayers."