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Justin Timberlake has partnered with Interscope Records to launch his own label, Tennman Records, and will serve as chairman and CEO of the new venture, Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine announced Monday. Former Sony BMG exec Ken Komisar has been named president of the fledgling label. "I cannot wait to introduce the world to my new discoveries," Timberlake said in a statement.

Barbra Streisand has called off her concert in Rome next month, following protests by Italian consumer groups over what they deemed "absurd and shameful" ticket prices, which ranged from about $200 to $1,200. Concert organizers claimed the cancellation was not related to the protests, but was due to "unexpected production delays." Streisand will now launch her European tour June 18 in Zurich.

In addition to landing a cameo role in The Simpsons movie, Green Day has also recorded a new version of the cartoon series' theme song, which will be released July 24, three days before the movie opens in theaters.

Bo Diddley was released Thursday from the Omaha, Nebraska, hospital where he has been since suffering a stroke on May 13 and was transferred to a hospital in his home state of Florida to continue his recovery.

Black Eyed Peas member Taboo (real name: Jaime Luis Gomez) pled not guilty to two misdemeanor marijuana charges Friday stemming from his Mar. 27 arrest. The hip-hopster did not attend the hearing and entered his plea through his attorney. He's due back in court June 28 for a pretrial hearing.

The Police launched their first world tour in more than 20 years in Vancouver Monday with 20,000 cheering fans looking on. "Since we haven't been together in 25 years, I'd like to introduce the band. Andy, this is Stewart," Sting joked a few songs into the show. The band will play two North American legs, a European leg and shows throughout Latin America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand before wrapping up the tour early next year.

EMI Music, home to talent such as Norah Jones, Coldplay, and Keith Urban, has reached an agreement with YouTube that allows the video-sharing site to post music videos and other content from its artists. The label was the last of the world's four major recording companies to come to terms with the Google-owned site.

The Police, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige, and John Mayer are among the artists appearing in a new series of "Unplugged" specials slated to air on MTV, VH1 and CMT, as well as on online and mobile phone platforms. Each special will be made into three versions, specifically tailored for the audiences of the respective networks.

"American Idol 6" winner Jordin Sparks and runners-up Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle will perform on NBC's annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular," just two days before they kick off the "Idols" Live! summer tour in Sunrise, Florida. Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber will host the event, which will also feature a performance by Martina McBride, the network said Thursday.

In an interview with French magazine Questions de femmes, the 25-year-old pop star Beyoncé said she wants to be a mom "in 10 years! For the moment, there are still so many things I need to accomplish."

It was 40 years ago today (in the United Kingdom, at least) that the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. In honor of the groundbreaking album's anniversary, Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs, and Razorlight have recorded their own versions of the Fab Four's iconic songs. Meanwhile, as one of the last big acts still resisting joining the digital age, the band is expected to finally make its music available online in the near future.

Joey McIntyre and his wife, Barrett, are expecting their first child together, the former New Kids on the Block singer announced on his Website. The couple met when Barrett, a real estate agent, showed her future husband a home in 2002. They wed in August 2003.

The first day of a two-day auction of Jackson family memorabilia brought in $500,000, $24,000 of which came from the sale of Michael Jackson's black military-style coat with an "M" crest, Guernsey's auction house said. Another hot item was a set of gold and platinum records Jackson received for "We Are the World," which sold for $20,000.

Nevada on Thursday became one of a number of states to enact laws requiring bands promoting themselves as famous acts to include at least one member from the group they claim a connection to, or else label themselves a "tribute" or "salute." One of the bill's supporters was Supremes singer Mary Wilson, who told lawmakers that there are currently at least five acts touring around the world as the Supremes without any real link to the group. She said she sued them all but lost millions in the process.

Paul McCartney told the U.K. Guardian's Weekend magazine that he does not read media coverage of his high-profile split with Heather Mills because it is too difficult to see the details of his private life splashed across the front pages. "There's only one real answer to the massive press coverage—don't look," he said. But the former Beatle remained optimistic about the day when his divorce proceedings will finally be resolved. "There is a tunnel and there is a light and I will get there." Meanwhile, Prosecutors in Berlin have dropped an investigation into a complaint filed by a 44-year-old woman who insists that McCartney is her father and claims he faked a paternity test in 1984 in order to deny their relation. A spokesman for the state prosecutors office said the statute of limitations on Bettina Hubers' claim that the former Beatle was guilty of fraud for allegedly manipulating the blood test had expired. Finally, McCartney's new video, "Dance Tonight," from his upcoming album, Memory Almost Full, will premiere on YouTube Wednesday. The video stars Natalie Portman as a "futurist electronic ghost," and was directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.)

Former Creed frontman Scott Stapp was arrested at his Florida home Sunday and charged with aggravated assault with the intent to commit a felony, police said. A judge reduced the charge to a misdemeanor Monday after learning the confrontation involved Stapp allegedly tossing a bottle of Orangina at his wife, former Miss New York Jaclyn Nesheiwat, and missing. Based on the circumstances, his attorney successfully argued that the bottle was not a deadly weapon. Nesheiwat had no comment on the situation, apart from telling the Palm Beach Post, "It's just a rough time." Nesheiwat told police the former Creed frontman was "wasted" and pleaded for them to come to her aid last weekend, according to a 911 tape released Tuesday. The former Miss New York 2004 also revealed that Stapp had "a lot of pot in the house" and "5 or 10" guns. When authorities arrived, the singer was arrested and initially charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, but the charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor.

Italian consumer groups are urging authorities to cancel Barbra Streisand's concert in Rome next month because of her "absurd and shameful" ticket prices, which start at just under $200 and go up to over $1,200. The groups contend that the Stadio Flamino, where the concert is supposed to take place, "is public property and cannot be used for immoral deals that are shameful to a civilized country." Assuming the June 15 event goes ahead as planned, it will mark the singer's first-ever concert in Italy and the start of her European tour.

According to a North Carolina TV station, Clyde Pickler, Kellie Pickler's father, was arrested and charged with three counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and one count of obtaining property under false pretense. Papa Pickler was previously released from prison in 2006 after serving three years for stabbing his neighbor. He was also arrested in February for allegedly threatening his wife.

Eve pled not guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor drunk driving charges stemming from her arrest last month after she crashed her gold Maserati into a center divider on Hollywood Boulevard. The rapper did not attend the arraignment and entered her plea through her attorney.

Bono will receive the Philadelphia Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center on Sept. 27 in recognition of his dedication to raising awareness of medical and economic problems in Africa. The medal comes with a $100,000 prize, which the U2 frontman will donate to DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade Africa), the organization he co-founded.

Courtney Love has lashed out at Dr. Martens shoes over an ad featuring her late husband Kurt Cobain seated on a cloud, dressed in Docs and an angelic robe. A line of copy in the corner reads: "Dr. Martens. Forever." Love's rep called the ad "outrageous," telling People: "Courtney had no idea this was taking place and would never have approved such a use." However, there's little Love can do about it, as the ads are running only in the United Kingdom where the company's use of Cobain's name and image is apparently legal.

The judge in Phil Spector's murder trial ruled Wednesday that renowned forensics expert Henry Lee removed and hid a piece of evidence from the crime scene and hid it from the prosecution. Prosecutors have long contended that the item was a piece of fingernail with a trace of a passing bullet, which would indicate Clarkson was resisting having a gun placed in her mouth, while the defense claims she shot herself. The judge said Lee would not be held in contempt, but ordered him to produce the item if he still has it. Lee previously denied removing anything from the crime scene.

After striking a legal settlement with Michael Jackson, organizers are set to go forward with controversial Jackson family memorabilia auction next week in Las Vegas. E! has exclusive coverage of the event, beginning with the public viewing of more than 1,000 family mementos on Monday and Tuesday, followed by live coverage of the bidding on Wednesday and Thursday.

The release of 50 Cent's upcoming album, Curtis, has been pushed back from June 26 to Sept. 4 after it became clear the rapper would not have the record completed in time. The new release date will make the album available for simultaneous worldwide release.

A number of items from Dick Clark's vast collection of rock and roll memorabilia are due to be auctioned off June 1-2 in Las Vegas. Among the items on the block: Elvis Presley's golf cart, a notebook of Jim Morrison's handwritten poetry, and Jimi Hendrix's white Stratocaster guitar. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program.

Lindsay Lohan plans to begin work on her next album in June or July and wrap it up four months later, MTV News reports. The Georgia Rule star described her next musical effort as having more of an "urban pop" flavor.

Crowded House will launch its first U.S. tour since 1996 Aug. 4 in Northampton, Massachusetts and play dates across the country before wrapping up the trek Sept. 12 in Atlanta.

Denise Richards and Richie Sambora have gone their separate ways, according to the actress' rep, who told "E! News" the split happened "a few months ago." In a recent interview with OK! magazine, Richards denied that she and Sambora were involved during their respective marriages to Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear and defended her decision to hook up with her former friend's ex, claiming they hadn't spoken for "quite a few months" at the time.

The organizers of the Live Earth concerts announced Tuesday that Istanbul would join London, New York, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, and Hamburg as an official host city for the July 7 event. The lineup has yet to be revealed.

Pioneering rock-and-roller Bo Diddley is in intensive care at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, after suffering a stroke Sunday following a concert in Iowa. According to his publicist, the stroke affected the left side of the 78-year-old singer's brain and has impaired his speech and speech recognition. Diddley has taken his first steps four days after suffering a stroke and doctors were encouraged the musician would be able to perform again, his manager said Thursday. The 78-year-old Diddley remains in the intensive care unit at an Omaha hospital.

Beyoncé picked up six nominations for the BET Awards, including Best Female R&B Artist and Video of the Year, while her Dreamgirls costar Jennifer Hudson earned three, including Best New Artist and Best Actress. Winners will be announced June 26.

The Game was arrested Friday for making criminal threats after police searched his home for more than three hours stemming from an incident that occurred in February. The rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Taylor, was booked and bail was set at $50,000, per the Los Angeles County sheriff's department.

Bono is involved in a long-running dispute at his Manhattan apartment building over smoke from other residents' fireplaces seeping into the penthouse duplex he shares with his family, per the New York Times. The board has banned use of the building's fireplaces so the issue can be examined, a move that has reportedly angered some of the U2 frontman's neighbors. Steve Martin and Steven Spielberg are among the other famous residents of the stately San Remo, while Madonna was rejected when she tried to purchase a condo there in 1985.

Christina Aguilera has been cleared by censors to perform in Shanghai next month, despite concerns about her racy act, entertainment sources told Reuters. Aguilera is set to take the stage on June 26.

Master P and his son, the no longer li'l Romeo, have launched their own record label, Take a Stand Records, with the mission of cleaning up both the image and lyrics of hip-hop music. The label will only represent artists who have pledged to be role models for the music industry through clean lyrics and positive moral values. "I have profited millions of dollars through explicit rap lyrics, Master P said in a statement. "I can honestly say that I was once part of the problem and now it's time to be part of the solution."

Kenny Chesney was named Entertainer of the Year at the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Tuesday. Carrie Underwood picked up three awards in all, including Top Female Vocalist, while Brad Paisley won Top Male Vocalist.

Despite reports to the contrary, Michael Jackson's rep has denied that the reclusive entertainer will be making a court appearance in Las Vegas Friday regarding an auction of Jackson family memorabilia. Meanwhile, Jackson has dropped his legal fight to block an auction of Jackson family memorabilia that includes his gold record for Thriller. A lawyer for the singer appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom Friday and told the judge that a private agreement had been reached with the auctioneer currently in possession of the belongings.

Madonna was inspired by the upcoming Live Earth concerts to pen a new song, "Hey You," which is available for download at www.msn.com, her record label announced Thursday. Sweetening the deal, the first million downloads will be free, as Microsoft has pledged to donate 25 cents per download to the Alliance for Climate Protection. Madonna will also be performing the song at the July 7 Live Earth concert at London's Wembley Stadium.

Phil Spector claimed in a 2005 home video interview that Lana Clarkson was standing when a gun went off in her mouth and that he was too short to have pulled the trigger. The footage, broadcast by Inside Edition Wednesday, was taken by Spector's then-assistant, Michelle Blaine, who said the music producer made the tape to tell his side of the story. "I am 5 foot 5. It would have been physically impossible for me to have administered the death wound to her in any shape, way or form," Spector said in a rambling statement on the tape.

Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil tied the knot Friday in a small ceremony...just a few friends...in Miami Beach, per Spin magazine. The couple had been engaged since Apr. 23.

Evanescence has added two new members to the band: Dark New Day drummer Will Hunt and guitarist Troy McLawhorn. "I am a big fan of Dark New Day and can't wait for the fans to see what the guys bring to our live show," singer Amy Lee said Friday. The new lineup debuts Saturday at a concert in Columbus, Ohio.

Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has been sidelined by bronchitis after he lost his voice just two songs into a concert in Denver Thursday and was forced to leave the stage. Once he recovers, the band is slated to continue the rest of its U.S. tour as planned, a spokesperson said. The aborted Denver show has been rescheduled for Sept. 4.

Jessica Simpson and John Mayer have reportedly called it quits...at least for now. Simpson's rep declined to comment on her personal life, but a source close to the blond chanteuse told E! Online's Marc Malkin that breaking up and making up is standard practice for the couple. "They have done this so many times I can't even keep count anymore," the unnamed pal said.

Nick Carter has been named a special ambassador for the Year of the Dolphin by the United Nations Environment Program Convention on Migratory Species. The former boy bander's new role involves raising awareness about the danger of dolphins becoming extinct, which he plans to do by penning a new song about the marine mammals. "I am honored to offer my resources and my music to help the United Nations save dolphins and their habitats," Carter said Thursday.

Ludacris makes a cartoon cameo in the 400th episode of "The Simpsons," voicing a rapping tube of toothpaste named "Luda-Crest" in an informational video that Lisa watches during a trip to the dentist. The episode airs Sunday on FOX.

Busta Rhymes turned down a plea deal Tuesday that would have sent him to jail for a year, the Manhattan district attorney's office said. The rapper has been arrested four times in 10 months and faces two assault charges and a count of driving on a suspended license, as well as DUI charges stemming from his latest run-in with the law last week. His next court date is scheduled for July 10.

The Recording Academy is pulling out all the stops when it comes to marking the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards, with the launch of a Grammy Brand clothing line, the publication of an illustrated Grammy coffee table book, and the construction of a Grammy museum in downtown Los Angeles, slated to open in September 2008. The awards show is scheduled to celebrate its 50th birthday on Feb. 10, 2008; nominees will be announced on Dec. 6.

Aretha Franklin was named the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of both her musical achievements and her philanthropic efforts, which include work on behalf of Save the Children and Easter Seals. "As we celebrate the milestones of 50 years for the Recording Academy and the Grammy Awards, it is most fitting that we honor one of the most influential and legendary talents in music—the incomparable Aretha Franklin," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said Tuesday.

Prince announced Tuesday that he will play 21 concerts in London this summer and fall, charging 31.21 pounds ($62) per ticket in honor of his most recent album, 3121. After he completes the run of shows, the performer said he plans to take time off from music to study the Bible.

George Michael pled guilty Tuesday to a charge of driving while unfit through drugs, blaming an October incident where he was discovered slumped over the wheel of his car in a London intersection on a combination of "tiredness and prescribed drugs." The singer said he was "perfectly aware that [he] did something very wrong" and was prepared to accept the appropriate punishment.

Nick Lachey slated to toss out the first pitch at the Reds-Cardinals game in St. Louis on June 7 as part of Internet Safety Night.

Elvis Costello & the Imposters is slated to perform an exclusive Webcast concert on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday. The performance will be streamed live on cbs.com that evening at approximately 8:25 p.m. ET, while the band's appearance on the show will be broadcast on May 18.

Live Earth's Australian leg will feature performances by Crowded House, Wolfmother, Jack Johnson, and the John Butler Trio, among others, it was announced Monday. Tickets for the Sydney event go on sale May 18; the concerts will be held around the world on July 7.

After coming under fire for dirty-dancing with a 14-year-old girl onstage during an Apr. 12 concert in Trinidad, Akon has issued an apology to the teen, her family, and anyone else who was offended by the display, while stressing he did not know how old (or young) she was at the time. "It was never my intention to embarrass or take advantage of my fans in any way, especially those under the age of 18," he said. Following the incident, Verizon pulled out of sponsoring the hip-hopster's tour with Gwen Stefani.

Martina McBride has obtained a keep-away order against an alleged stalker who reportedly stopped by her Nashville home uninvited twice in April. After the singer's husband identified the man in a photo lineup, a police search of his home turned up a newspaper article with McBride's picture circled and decorated with hearts, according to her court documents.

An upcoming Rolling Stones concert in Belgrade that had been scheduled to take place at the city's racetrack will instead be held at a park in order to avoid stressing out the horses stabled at the Hippodrome, organizers said. The move comes after animal activists protested a plan to sedate the horses during the concert.

Tanya Tucker has been sued for $300,000 by a manicurist who claims the country singer's dog attacked her during a nail appointment at Tucker's Nashville-area home last May. In her lawsuit filed last week, Danielle D. Hobbs accused a canine by the name of Bella of doing the actual biting but said that several of Tucker's eight dogs had growled and barked at her on previous visits Tucker's rep said the suit came as a "total surprise" and has no merit.

An employment tribunal ruled Thursday that Sting and Trudie Styler discriminated against their chef, Jane Martin, by firing her after she got pregnant. The couple, who are now faced with having to cough up a hefty compensation, said they were "devastated" by the ruling and planned to appeal.

Paul McCartney will release his upcoming album Memory Almost Full through the iTunes Music Store, making it the first album from the former Beatle to be available for (legal) download. Meanwhile, the singer confirmed to Billboard that a long-brewing deal to put the Beatles catalogue online is "virtually settled."

Evanescence singer Amy Lee tied the knot with therapist Josh Hartzler Sunday in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The singer announced her engagement in January.

After making an offhand comment about New Order having broken up during an interview last weekend, bass player Peter Hook confirmed the split in a posting to his MySpace page. "I'm relieved really hated carryin on as normal with an awful secret so lets move on shall we?" Hook wrote.

Sheryl Crow has adopted a baby boy, she announced on her Website Friday. "He was born 2 weeks ago. His name is Wyatt (after my dad) Steven (after my little brother and Scooter) and we are enjoying some very private family time," the singer wrote.

Bobby Brown has sued Whitney Houston for spousal support and to change the terms of their custody arrangement for 14-year-old Bobbi Kristina. The move comes after the couple's split was finalized last month and Houston was granted full custody. Brown said in court documents that he was unable to respond to Houston's divorce petition in a timely manner because he was depressed, broke and "for all intents and purposes, homeless," after they separated.

Kylie Minogue has denied British press reports linking her with married filmmaker Alexander Dahm after they were photographed dining together and enjoying a boat ride in Chile. The Aussie singer issued a statement claiming she was merely discussing a potential film project with Dahm. "I have never been unfaithful to a partner and would find it immoral to be involved with a married man."

Modest Mouse, Incubus, The Shins, and Wolf Parade are among the artists on the lineup for the 2007 Download Festival, with dates scheduled in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington State.

Testimony in Phil Spector's murder trial was postponed until Monday, though attorneys for both sides were ordered to appear in court Wednesday morning to discuss motions pending in the case without the jury present.

The Backstreet Boys' long-awaited comeback album is reportedly close to completion, a rep for Nick Carter told E! Online Planet Gossip columnist Marc Malkin. In preparation for his return to the spotlight, Carter has dropped 30 pounds over the last six weeks by following a strict diet and exercise regime.

R. Kelly has written a new song, "Rise Up," about healing in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings. The single will be available online May 15, with proceeds benefiting the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

Nona Paris Lola Jackson, a London woman who claims to be the mother of Michael Jackson's three children, has been turned down once again in her quest to have her a say in the custody dispute between the entertainer and Debbie Rowe. The  judge in the case has rejected two previous legal filings from the woman, who maintains that she and Jackson "are a sexually active couple and have been this way from the beginning."

Members of the Weird Al Star Fund, an organization dedicated to raising the $25,000 needed to nominate Weird Al Yankovic for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, reported that they are nearing their goal, having collected $17,500 since 2003.

The MTV Video Music Awards are taking a gamble on Sin City. The ever-rowdy awards show will air live from the Palms Casino Resort on Sept. 9, the network said Wednesday.

Joan Baez penned a letter to the Washington Post saying she can't understand why she was blocked from performing for recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center last week. John Mellencamp had asked the singer and activist to perform with him, and she said she planned to do so before learning she was "not 'approved' by the Army to take part," though she was not given any explanation. Mellencamp told rollingstone.com that the medical center told him Baez "can't fit here. Period."

Carrie Underwood's "Idol Gives Back" cover of the Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You" debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 with over 100,000 downloads, marking the first time an iTunes Exclusive single has cracked the top 10.

On the heels of Jon Bon Jovi's appearance on "American Idol" comes word that his band will be the first act to play New Jersey's newest arena, The Rock, once construction in downtown Newark is complete. Starting Oct. 26, the band will play several shows at the venue, which is formally known as the Prudential Center.

Per the Hollywood Reporter, Justin Timberlake is getting his own concert special on HBO, to be filmed at his Aug. 16 outing at Madison Square Garden.

The husband of the woman killed in a December car crash involving Brandy has sued the singer, alleging she was "traveling too fast for conditions" and "following too closely" on the 405 freeway at the time of the accident that killed his wife, TMZ.com reports. Marquane Hdidou is seeking undisclosed damages to cover medical and funeral costs, legal bills, and other expenses. It's the third action filed against the singer in the case; the victim's parents previously filed a $50 million lawsuit, while a second lawsuit was filed on behalf of her children.

TMZ reports that Eve was officially charged with DUI Friday, stemming from her arrest last week after she crashed her gold Maserati into the center divider of Hollywood Boulevard at around 2:45 a.m.

Zola Taylor, who broke gender barriers in the '50s as the only female member of the Platters, has died at age 69, her nephew said. The singer was portrayed by Halle Berry in 1998's Why Do Fools Fall in Love.

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