Spice Celebs

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – “Precious,” the harrowing tale of an incest survivor’s struggle for self-acceptance, swept the Spirit Awards on Friday, taking home five prizes at the independent film world’s version of the Oscars.

NEW YORK (Billboard) – As a former member of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, Slash knows more than most musicians about what he calls “band drama.”

DETROIT (Billboard) – Steve Lillywhite wants to “help America find the next Elvis Presley.” And that’s why the Grammy Award-winning producer — whose resume includes work with U2, the Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Morrissey, the Rolling Stones, Phish and scores of others — wants to be “American Idol’s” next Simon Cowell.

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – Director Quentin Tarantino ranks it in the “top three of all rock movies.” “Little Steven” Van Zandt proclaims it “the greatest rock movie you’ve never seen.”

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – Singer Ron Banks, a founding member of R&B group the Dramatics, died Thursday (March 4) at his Detroit home of a reported heart attack. He was 58.

NEW YORK (Billboard) – In an unexpected pairing, Elton John and Leon Russell are recording an album together in Los Angeles with producer T Bone Burnett. Both performers have written songs for the project, which has no title or release date yet.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Los Angeles Times’ critic may have panned the film, but that didn’t stop Disney from paying top dollar to turn the newspaper’s front page into a special advertisement on Friday for the new movie, “Alice in Wonderland.”

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Organizers of this year’s Oscar telecast promised on Friday the competition will be fierce and the show fast-paced in a bid to boost viewership as box office hits like “Avatar” vie for best film.

At first glance of Friday’s Los Angeles Times, you might think the Mad Hatter has taken over the newspaper.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oscar favorites Jeff Bridges and Mo’Nique will likely add trophies to their collections at the Spirit Awards on Friday, their final dress rehearsal before the Academy Awards two days later.