Indie rocker Jason Molina dead at 39
INDIANAPOLIS, March 19 (UPI) -- Indie rock singer and songwriter Jason Molina has died at his home in Indianapolis after a long battle with alcoholism, his record label said on its website.
He was 39.
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Jason Andrew Molina passed away," the Indiana label Secretly Canadian said in an online statement Monday.
"Jason was a world class musician, songwriter and recording artist. He was also a beloved friend," the statement said.
"Jason is the cornerstone of Secretly Canadian," it went on. "Without him there would be no us -- plain and simple. His singular, stirring body of work is the foundation upon which all else has been constructed. ... After hearing and falling in love with the mysterious voice on his debut single 'Soul' in early 1996, we approached him about releasing a single on our newly formed label. For some reason he said yes. ...
"He toured the world every year until he had to stop in 2009 to deal with severe alcoholism. Jason was incredibly humbled by his fans' support through the years and said that the two most important words he could ever say are 'Thank you.'"
Molina, who recorded under the names Songs: Ohia and Magnetic Electric Co., died last Saturday of unspecified "natural causes," the label said.
Rapper Lil Wayne leaves LA hospital after 6 days
LOS ANGELES, March 19 (UPI) -- Rapper Lil Wayne has left Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood after suffering a drug overdose that sparked a series of massive seizures, TMZ said.
The 30-year-old hip-hop star spent most of his 6-day stay in the hospital in the Intensive Care Unit, the celebrity news website said.
Although he was still feeling weak when he left the hospital Monday night, he is a lot better than he was during the weekend, the report said.
There was no word on whether he was discharged from the hospital against medical advice or was deemed ready to leave by staffers.
The musician has a history of seizures. Last week's health crisis was reportedly triggered by his habit of drinking large amounts of cough syrup with codeine, mixed with soda or alcoholic beverages.
Danni Allen, 26, wins Season 14 of 'Biggest Loser'
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., March 19 (UPI) -- Danni Allen, a 26-year-old advertising account coordinator from Illinois, has won Season 14 of "The Biggest Loser."
Allen was presented with the $250,000 grand prize on Monday night's finale.
She began the season weighing 258 pounds and lost 121 pounds, 46.9 percent of her body weight.
The runner up among the three finalists was 25-year-old pharmaceutical representative Jeff Nichols, who began the show weighing 388 pounds and ended at 207 pounds.
McKellen to officiate Stewart's wedding to Ozell
LONDON, March 19 (UPI) -- Ian McKellen says he plans to officiate at the upcoming wedding of fellow British actor Patrick Stewart and his bride-to-be, jazz singer Sunny Ozell.
McKellen and Stewart are longtime friends who co-star as Magneto and Professor Xavier in the "X-Men" film franchise.
"I'm going to marry Patrick," McKellen announced during an interview on last Saturday's edition of the British chat program "The Jonathan Ross Show."
"How else do you put that? I'm going to officiate at his wedding."
McKellen didn't say exactly how he is legally qualified to marry people, but he said he has previously presided over a ceremony "with two guys having a civil partnership. I was crying my eyes out," EW.com said.
