Apr 07, 2006 5:31 PM

From Eminem to Abdul

EMINEM denied persistent rumors that he is planning to retire from the music industry during a recent taping on his Sirius Satellite Radio station, Shade 45. The multiplatinum rapper revealed that he has been in the studio producing tracks for OBIE TRICE's new album, "Second Rounds On Me." "People get it twisted when I said 'I'm going to take a break,'" said Eminem. "What I meant was that I'm taking a break from being the frontman and the center of attention. I want to fall back for a minute, but I never stop recording." The rapper also released a statement this week, explaining the circumstances surrounding his decision to divorce Kim Mathers, whom he had recently remarried: "We both tried to give our marriage another chance and quickly realized that a wedding doesn't fix the underlying problems."

Sonic Youth (and Kin) Do "Gilmore Girls"

SONIC YOUTH guitarist THURSTON MOORE and bassist KIM GORDON will make a guest appearance -- along with their young daughter COCO -- on the May 9th season finale of the WB's Gilmore Girls. The rock & roll family perform an acoustic version of "What a Waste," off Sonic Youth's new album, Rather Ripped (due June 13th). Meanwhile, the band is set to open for PEARL JAM on seven dates this July.

Wu-Tang Enter the Video Chamber

Legend of the WU-TANG: The Videos, an anthology of the Staten Island rap clan's music videos, will be available June 13th. The DVD also boasts the mini-documentary, Enter the Wu-Tang, taped back in 1994, an unreleased video of "Method Man" and other rare clips with late member OL' DIRTY BASTARD. The surviving members of Wu-Tang recently reunited for their first tour together in years, and have tentative plans to record another album.

No More "Goodies" for Bow Wow

A representative for CIARA has confirmed that the R&B star and her flame of one year, rapper BOW WOW, have officially split. The two collaborated on "Like You," off Wow's 2005 release Wanted. Although no details of the breakup have been revealed, the New York Daily News reported that Bow Wow, 19, reportedly entertained a stripper in his Regent Beverly Wilshire penthouse earlier this week.

Gov't Mule Prep New Album

Following the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND's three-week annual residency at New York's Beacon Theater, guitarist WARREN HAYNES has hit the studio with his other band, GOV'T MULE. The outfit is recording the follow-up to 2004's Deja Voodoo, due August 22nd. As with the first sessions for the album, held earlier this year at WILLIE NELSON's Texas Pedernales Studio, the Mule will stream clips from their current sessions in Hoboken, New Jersey, via the "In the Studio" section of their Web site, mule.net. The bluesy jammers will hit the road for eighteen shows, beginning April 14th at the Wanee Festival in Live Oak, Florida. Haynes will also play a rare acoustic set at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on May 6th.

Jessica Simpson Channels Pamela Anderson

JESSICA SIMPSON has reportedly signed on to star in the motion picture adaptation of the hit TV lifeguard drama, Baywatch. Simpson will play lifeguard Casey C.J. Parker, the character that launched the career of PAMELA ANDERSON. Simpson's past film credits include the comedies Dukes of Hazzard and Employee of the Month, which she is currently filming in New Mexico.

Mandy Moore Signs a License to Wed

MANDY MOORE will star in the romantic comedy License to Wed, alongside comedian ROBIN WILLIAMS. Williams plays a minister who is forcing Moore and her love interest to complete a marriage-prep course before walking down the aisle. Shooting begins next month.

Calexico, Ted Leo Lead New Chicago Fest

CALEXICO, TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS, COCOROSIE, PINBACK and ENON are among the twenty-five acts playing the Touch and Go Records 25th Anniversary Celebration and 10th Annual Hideout Block Party. The event, commemorating the indie label's history -- from launching the careers of Detroit Eighties hardcore punk bands like the NECROS and the MEATMEN, to current garage rock acts YEAH YEAH YEAHS, !!!, BLONDE REDHEAD and TV ON THE RADIO -- will take place in Chicago, September 8th through the 10th . . . After wrapping their current month-long opening slot for the YEAH YEAH YEAHS, Brooklyn trio BLOOD ON THE WALL will hit the road with up-and-coming psychedelic rockers PSYCHIC ILLS for twelve dates, kicking off May 4th in Seattle . . . LADY SOVEREIGN will perform at this Saturday's Misshapes party at New York's Don Hill's. BEN JELEN is slated to DJ, while GOOD CHARLOTTE brothers JOEL and BENJI MADDEN and DJ JUNIOR SANCHEZ are also on the bill.

Sufjan Stevens Gives More "Illinois"

SUFJAN STEVENS will release The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album, on July 25th. Among the twenty-one outtakes from his critically acclaimed 2005 album, Illinois, are wildly different versions of the tune "Chicago."

Gene Pitney's Death Due to Natural Causes

An autopsy concluded that Sixties singer-songwriter GENE PITNEY died last Wednesday of natural causes at the age of sixty-five. The pop star and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was found dead in his Cardiff, Wales, hotel room after performing the night before at a stop on his spring U.K. tour. Pitney's body will be flown back to the U.S.

Paula Abdul Files Assault Report

Police are investigating a battery report filed by PAULA ABDUL last Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times. The American Idol judge alleges she was thrown against a wall by a man -- whose identity has not been provided -- leading to spinal injuries and a concussion after a private party at Hollywood's Sunset-Gower Studios last Sunday. Abdul, who was present at Idol's Tuesday and Wednesday tapings, is said to have sought medical treatment for the injuries.

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