Grapevine: Jack White keyboardist died of heart attack
Jack White band mate Ikey Owens died of heart attack
Musician Isaiah “Ikey” Owens, who was touring as the keyboardist in Jack White’s band, was found dead in his hotel room in Mexico this week. Early reports stated drugs and alcohol were found in his room. Nasty Little Man Publicity released a statement Wednesday saying the cause of death was a heart attack, as determined by the coroner, and only a small amount of marijuana was found in hotel room. A post on ThirdManRecords.com Tuesday announced that the remainder of Jack White’s Mexico dates have been canceled out of respect for his band mate.
Amy Poehler’s new book details drug use
AmyPoehler’s new memoir “Yes Please,” reveals that the comedian dabbled in recreational drugs in her 20s. “I tried cocaine, which I instantly loved but eventually hated,” she writes in the book, adding that she also did ecstasy at a New Year’s Eve party. She says that she stopped with those drugs because of the hangovers, but still occasionally smokes pot and has tried mushrooms. “Yes, Please” hits shelves Oct. 28.
Neil Patrick Harris will host the Oscars
He’s hosted the Emmys and the Tonys, and now actor Neil Patrick Harris will host the 87th Academy Awards, Variety reports. Although he got his start playing underage doctor “Doogie Howser,” Harris is known to a whole new generation as a hip and talented adult actor. He’s in the box office hit “Gone Girl,” and won a Tony for his role in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” The Oscars air on ABC Feb. 22 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Bono apologizes for mandatory free music
In a recent Facebook Q&A, U2 singer Bono was asked about the compulsory free download of the band’s new album, which automatically added the music to everyone’s iTunes player. The comment called the move “really rude.” Bono retorted by saying, “Oops.” “I’m sorry about that. I had this beautiful idea and we got carried away with ourselves. Artists are prone to that kind of thing.”
Also ...
■Christina Aguilera will return “The Voice,” NBC announced. The singer will judge season eight along with Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Pharrell Williams.
■Beyonce debuted a short bangs hairstyle this week, and the Twittersphere had a lot to say about it, mostly negative. Many of the jokes implied that perhaps her toddler, Blue Ivy, had been the stylist. The folks at Dlisted.com think it’s a wig. We’re not too worried about it, either way.
Compiled by Melody Baetens
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
Today’s birthdays
Angela Lansbury, 89
Tim Robbins, 56
John Mayer, 37