Red roses, blue lady? Judge will decide
The sign may read For Sale outside the sprawling southeast Las Vegas estate that Wayne Newton dubbed “Casa de Shenandoah.” But Newton’s wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, said Friday that even if a bidder snatches up the property at auction May 31, the “Mr. Las Vegas” crooner and his family have no intention of moving out.
“We stay here until we choose to leave. We have that right,” Kathleen Newton told the Associated Press. “Even if at some point the property gets sold, it gets sold with us here.”
She said a lease with a partnership that purchased the nearly 40-acre property for $19.5 million in June 2010 will let the couple and their 10-year-old daughter stay in the gold-trimmed, opulent main house.
Well, maybe not, said Joseph Wielebinski, a Dallas-based lawyer representing the property owner, CSD LLC, in a bitterly contested Chapter 11 reorganization.
“We have teed up that issue for resolution by the judge,” Wielebinski said. “It is anything but certain whether the Newtons remain on the property or not.”
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Bruce Markell in Las Vegas is poised during hearings March 29 and April 8 to rule on questions about who owns what.
Elton John cancels show …
Elton John canceled a concert that was set for Friday night in Birmingham, Ala.
The British singer and piano player was supposed to perform at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex Arena. Ticketmaster announced the cancellation on its website hours before.
Officials at the arena said medical reasons are being cited for the cancellation but had no details. A news release from the singer’s representatives also cited medical reasons.
… and Morrissey cancels entire tour
Health concerns are forcing Morrissey to cancel his North American tour.
In a statement released Friday night, his rep said the singer has to take a break after suffering a series of maladies, including double pneumonia, a bleeding ulcer and a gastrointestinal problem called Barrett’s esophagus.
The birthday bunch
Guitarist Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship) is 72. Singer-songwriter Jim Weatherly is 70. Singer-songwriter John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonful) is 69. Actor Patrick Duffy is 64. Actor Kurt Russell is 62. Actress Lesley-Anne Down is 59. Actor Gary Sinise is 58. Actor Rob Lowe is 49. Singer Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) is 46. Actor Yanic Truesdale (“Gilmore Girls”) is 44. Drummer Caroline Corr (The Corrs) is 40. Rapper Swifty of D12 is 38.