People

JOHNNY PAYCHECK DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

The man who rode "Take This Job and Shove It" to the top of the charts, country's Johnny Paycheck, has died. The Grand Ole Opry says Paycheck had been confined to a nursing facility for the past two years, suffering from the effects of emphysema. He led a roller coaster life. He was court-martialed by the Navy in the 1950s after striking an officer. By the 1960s he had recorded three top-rated songs, but hit the skids and, according to the Nashville Tennessean, "sang for beers in Los Angeles dives." In the '80s the IRS sued him for more than $100,000 in back taxes. In the '90s he served two years in prison for his involvement in a bar brawl. His wife, Sharon, once told a reporter her husband would go months at a time "wandering." Through all of this, though, he managed to put 11 songs in the Top 10. Paycheck's last performance was taped in his nursing home room. He recorded a recitation for Daryle Singletary's "That's Why I Sing This Way." Paycheck's last autobiographical CD may sum it up the best. It's called "The Late and Great Me." Johnny Paycheck -- whose song about lousy job conditions has been a source of inspiration for millions of disgruntled workers who hate their bosses -- was only 64.

'FINAL' ORIGINAL BEACH BOYS CONCERT ON CD

Eagle Records is about to release a compilation said to be the last concert given by the original Beach Boys. According to Billboard magazine, the concert was staged in 1980 at Knebworth, England. Shortly after the concert, the original lineup for the band began to fall apart. The concert featured the singing and playing of Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. Another entertainer, considered to be an "occasional member" of the band also participated, Bruce Johnston. The concert will be released in both audio and video formats. The CD version will hit store shelves in about two weeks. A video version, called "Live at Knebworth, England, 1980," will be released two weeks later. Among the songs on the set are: "Good Timin,'" "California Girls," "Sloop John B," "God Only Knows," "Surfer Girl," "Help Me, Rhonda," "I Get Around" and "Good Vibrations." After the concert, Brian left, then Dennis died in a drowning accident the following year. In the past few years Love and Jardine went to court to fight over the use of the name "Beach Boys."

ZETA-JONES RUINING OSCAR CHANCES?

Will the before-Oscar antics of Catherine Zeta-Jones have a bearing on voting for the statuette? That's a question being asked by at least one national reporter. Columnist Liz Smith notes many movie fans are not aware of how much store some voters put in the personal lives of nominees when it comes to the way they cast ballots. Smith suggests that, keeping this in mind, the popular actress might have waited until after the Oscars are handed out before pursuing a lawsuit against Hello! magazine. Zeta-Jones hasn't been cast in the best light because of remarks she and hubby Michael Douglas about Hello! The flap centers over what the couple contends is the unauthorized use of their wedding photos by the magazine. The couple is asking $800,000 in damages from Hello! Smith says the photogenic actress seems to have it all right now -- career, hubby, second child-on-the-way, Oscar nomination -- why muddy the waters?

ROSA PARKS TO GRACE OSCAR NIGHT

In honor of the nominated documentary "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks," the mother of civil rights will attend this year's Oscars. According to published reports, Parks -- the seamstress who would not give up her seat to white man to comply with Jim Crow laws -- will travel to Hollywood for the April 23 event. Recently the folks at the Henry Ford Museum in suburban Detroit restored the old city bus on which the incident happened and soon will put it on display.

TYSON ACHIEVES AMAZING RECOVERY

Just hours after telling the world he was too sick to fight because of massive flu symptoms, Mike Tyson says he's fit as a fiddle. National media are having a field day reporting the amazing medical transformation. The New York Post suggests Tyson should give up boxing and turn to making cold medications. His proposed opponent, Clifford Etienne, says he's not sure he even wants to fight the controversial champ. Tyson and Etienne were to have met this coming weekend in a much-touted bout in the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn. In addition to coming back from the dead, Tyson even went out and had his face painted with a tiger-striped tattoo. Additionally, there are reports Tyson might not have been happy with the proposed paycheck for the bout, only $5 million.

LOOK FOR 'SNL' PAJAMAS IN STORES

The NBC show "Saturday Night Live" has seen such a resurgence in popularity it is licensing a line of pajamas and underwear. CNN reports the producer of the show, Lorne Michael's Broadway Video, has teamed with Joe Boxer and Change Daily! for a line of apparel for men. Price tags for the clothing have not been announced yet but it is assumed they will be substantial. The garments will bear the "SNL" logo and will have illustrations of classic skits from the show. Most will be from the show's original heyday, the 1975-79 seasons. One reason "SNL" is finding a new audience is some of the old segments have seen new life on E! and Comedy Central.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 529

Here is today's question: "If you are a regular watcher of "Saturday Night Live," which period of the show's run is your favorite?" Put SNL in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 524 (PHONE)

Last week we asked you to check your phone book and see if there are any people there with similar names. From a quick dip into the e-mail inbox here is what we found: MaryM in Cleveland says there is over a page of people with nearly identical names. BobW says he's the only one in his small-town phone book with the same name. Several others noted if they don't use their middle initial there are tons of others with the same last name and first initial. We didn't hear from anyone named Smith or Jones or Gonzalez, but figure it would be much the same for them. By the way, isn't Jim Smith the most common man's name this country? We once heard there was even a national association of people named Jim Smith. Must be a mad rush for the stage when they announce the winner of the door prize. TOMORROW: Get that duct tape ready. GBA