Duran Duran released a statement on the band's official Website, indicating that guitarist Andy Taylor was no longer a member of the band due to an "unworkable gulf" that made it impossible to "effectively function together." The remaining four members...Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor...will continue the U.S. leg of their world tour with guitarist Dom Brown standing in.

Sara Evans and her husband, Craig Schelske, have called a truce on several issues in their bitter divorce battle during a Thursday hearing, the Tennessean reports. The warring couple have agreed to work out a visitation schedule permitting Schelske to see his three kids and to split $274,000 that had been kept in a joint account. Schelske has also agreed to find alternate housing, rather than moving back into the couple's home.

Concert promoters in Hong Kong called off a Mariah Carey concert just two days before the show due to poor ticket sales and "unreasonable demands" from the singer, which they did not describe.

Madonna told Oprah Winfrey that David, the 13-month-old Malawian boy she is adopting, is healthy, despite having overcome malaria and tuberculosis, and that he is getting along swimmingly with his new siblings, Lourdes and Rocco. "What really surprises me is how great my children are with him and how he's transitioned so easily from living in Africa in an orphanage to living in our house," the Material Mom said in an interview that aired Wednesday. Yohane Banda, the father of the boy, has expressed concern the star will get tired of the controversy surrounding the process and give the whole thing up. "I am afraid Madonna may get angry and frustrated and decide to dump my son," he said. Meanwhile, Madonna told Oprah Winfrey that she fears the hoopla surrounding her decision may deter other potential parents from adopting from Africa. A Malawian judge has adjourned Madonna's adoption hearing until Nov. 13 in order to hear from other parties involved in the case, her lawyer said Friday.

Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ronnie James Dio have formed a new band called Heaven and Hell, named after their 1980 hit song. Ozzy Osbourne has released a statement on the project, saying it "has nothing to do with Black Sabbath. There is only one Black Sabbath."

Toby Keith has been named the Nashville Songwriter Association International's 2006 Songwriter/Artist of the Year, an honor he previously received in 2003 and 2004.

Jermaine Dupri has quit his position at Virgin Records amid disappointing sales of his girlfriend Janet Jackson's latest record, 20 Y.O., which he executive-produced. "I was not forced out of the company," Dupri told the Associated Press. "I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave."

Dick Clark is planning an auction of his vast collection of memorabilia, including the microphone he used beginning July 9, 1956...his first day on "American Bandstand"...and a beaded glove worn by Michael Jackson back in the days of moonwalking. The items will be auctioned through Guernsey's auction house Dec. 5-6.

Police collared Snoop Dogg at Burbank's Bob Hope Airport Thursday on suspicion of illegal drug and gun possession. He was released after posting $35,000 bail. Last month, Snoop ran into trouble after attempting to board a flight with an illegal collapsible baton in his bag.

Clay Aiken will appear as himself on an episode of "Days of Our Lives" airing Dec. 22, People reports.

Judge dismissed a copyright infringement suit accusing 50 Cent of pilfering the opening line of his 2003 megahit "In Da Club" from 2 Live Crew frontman Luther Campbell's "It's Your Birthday," ruling that Campbell's "Go Sheila, it's your birthday" was a "common, unoriginal" phrase.

A woman filed court papers in Los Angeles claiming she is the mother of Michael Jackson's three children and is asking to have a say in the child custody settlement that has been reached between Jackson and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe. The woman, who signed herself "dudu," also claiming that she is currently sexually active with Jackson.

The birth certificate for the latest addition to the Spears-Federline clan, has revealed the baby boy's name is actually Jayden James Federline, not Sutton Pierce, as originally reported.

Heather Mills McCartney is planning to sue Britain's Daily Mail and Evening Standard for printing "false, damaging and immensely upsetting" statements about her divorce battle with Paul McCartney, her lawyers said Tuesday.

Elvis Presley has dropped to number two on Forbes.com's annual list of top-earning dead celebrities. Kurt Cobain knocked the King from his throne to take the number one spot.

Sharon Stone and Anjelica Huston will host the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert Dec. 11 in Oslo, Norway, featuring performances by Lionel Richie, John Legend, Rihanna, and Simply Red, among others.

A judge has ruled that prosecutors can not charge Busta Rhymes with possession of a weapon that was found in his car following his arrest on assault charges. The weapon in question...a machete...was discovered in the rear seat pocket of an SUV after Rhymes allegedly attacked a man for spitting on his car. The rapper is due back in court Dec. 11.

Foxy Brown was sentenced to three years' probation Tuesday over a fight with nail salon employees, finally ending a case that dragged on for more than two years. The rapper attempted to withdraw her guilty plea, but a judge held firm.

EMI's Parlaphone label is now accepting music files online from aspiring artists via new software that allows hopefuls to upload their demos and publicity photos directly to an online portal, rather than clogging employees' email inboxes.

Gwen Stefani will release her second solo album on Dec. 5, along with a live concert DVD, Harajuku Lovers Live, filmed during shows in her hometown of Anaheim, California.

Authorities are considering pressing charges against Snoop Dogg after a 21-inch collapsible baton was discovered in his bag as he prepared to board a flight to New York. The rapper told officials the baton is a prop for a movie he is filming.

+44, the new band formed by Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, announced that their fall tour will now kick off Nov. 8 in Tampa, Florida. The trek was rescheduled after Barker injured his arm.

A New York judge warned Foxy Brown...who missed a court hearing on Monday...that she would be arrested and thrown in jail if she missed her sentencing hearing on misdemeanor assault charges Tuesday.

George Michael enraged anti-drug activists by lighting up a joint during an interview on British network ITV's "South Bank Show." Michael said marijuana keeps him "sane and happy" but noted, "obviously, it's not very healthy." A spokeswoman for the show said the interview was conducted in Madrid, where smoking pot is legal.

Yohane Banda, father of the 13-month-old boy being adopted by Madonna, told the Associated Press that he never realized that he was officially signing away custody of his son forever. "If we were told she wants to take the baby as her own we could not have consented, because I see no reason why I should give away my son," Banda said. Meanwhile, Madonna gave her first televised interview about her Malawian adoption to Oprah Winfrey. The sit-down is scheduled to tape Tuesday and air on Wednesday's "Oprah."

Don Henley will be honored at the 2007 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of his achievements as a musician and as a philanthropist. The rocker will receive the award at a Feb. 9 ceremony.

Quincy Jones is joining Steven Spielberg and Ang Lee as a culture and arts consultant to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, his rep said Monday. The Grammy-winning producer will help advise the Beijing Olympic Committee on the creation of the opening and closing ceremonies.

Paul McCartney of Canton, Connecticut, who runs Armorseal/McCartney Enterprises, a home services business in Simsbury, has retained a lawyer after hearing that Paul McCartney the ex-Beatle was seeking to trademark his name to use on products. The Connecticut McCartney told the Hartford Courant he is concerned that a trademark on his name could restrict how he uses it.

Keith Urban is pulling out of a planned appearance at the CMAs next month after checking into rehab last week, People reports. The country singer is nominated for four awards at the event.

Country star George Jones fractured his wrist in a fall Friday, his rep said. The 75-year-old performer was scheduled to undergo surgery Monday to repair the injury.

Dolly Parton will kick off her first major European tour since the '70s in Denmark in March, tour organizers said Monday.

Morgan State University police are considering whether to pursue criminal charges against Lil' Wayne after someone threw money from the stage into the crowd during a performance, causing a frenzy that left three women injured. Officials state it was unclear whether the rapper was the one tossing bills.

Sony is claiming a 59-year-old notebook that belonged to Hank Williams and is now in the hands of two collectors was stolen from its offices. The music publishing company only learned its property was missing after the Chicago Sun-Times ran an article describing how the collectors acquired the notebook.