Queen plans new tour

Queen plans new tour
LONDON -- The '70s rock band Queen is planning a tour next year with guitarist-vocalist Paul Rodgers replacing front man Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991. Details about what would be the first Queen tour since Mercury's death were being worked out, but it could include shows across Europe beginning this spring, the band's spokesman said Wednesday. Rodgers, from '70s blues band Free, impressed the remaining members of Queen when he joined them for several performances this year.
Zell Miller to join Fox
ATLANTA -- Zell Miller, who is retiring as a U.S. senator at the beginning of 2005, is headed to Fox News Channel as a contributor. A Georgia Democrat, Miller made headlines in September for his fiery keynote speech at the Republican National Convention.
Is Jeter with Johansson?
NEW YORK -- In more coupling rumors, the New York Yankees' foremost stud, Derek Jeter, has another name to add to his list of conquests, and it's alterna-babe and starlet du jour, Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation"). This means Scarlett has dumped boyfriend Jared Leto (a week after photos showed him text-messaging someone else behind Scarlett's back while the two were lip-locked).
Manilow signs dealfor long gig in Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- Another former heavyweight of American pop has parked himself at the nation's boneyard for has-been music stars. That'd be Barry Manilow, who has signed a long-term deal to perform at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino. Announced Tuesday, the deal, most likely for beaucoup (undisclosed) bucks, will have Barry sing such beloved dross as "Mandy" and "Copacabana" five nights a week, for 24 weeks through '05 and into '06. The show premieres Feb. 25.
James Brown recuperates
NEW YORK -- James Brown underwent successful surgery Wednesday to treat his recently diagnosed prostate cancer. "Mr. Brown has successfully undergone a localized prostate cancer procedure and is resting comfortably," Dr. James Bennett, his urologist, said in a statement. "We expect a full recovery. With proper follow-up and care, we can also expect a full cure." The 71-year-old "Godfather of Soul" was to be released Wednesday afternoon from the Midtown Urology Surgical Center in Atlanta. "Mr. Brown has always been a fighter and we are confident that he will be back 'on the good foot' soon for another 50 years," said "SuperFrank" Copsidas, Brown's manager.
Prinze unveils dad's star
LOS ANGELES -- Freddie Prinze Jr. shed tears Tuesday as he unveiled a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for his late father, who committed suicide in 1977. The elder Prinze was a standup comic who had a successful run in the sitcom "Chico and the Man" before ending his life at age 22. The younger Prinze, star of the "Scooby-Doo" movies and teen romances like "She's All That," was only 10 months old when his father died. "I always get overwhelmed when it comes to speaking about my father," the 28-year-old told the crowd during the Hollywood Boulevard ceremony.
Today's birthdays
Author Sir Arthur C. Clarke is 87. Civil rights attorney Morris Dees is 68. Actress Joyce Bulifant is 67. Actress Liv Ullmann is 66. CBS news correspondent Lesley Stahl is 63. TV producer Steven Bochco is 61. Pop singer Benny Andersson (ABBA) is 58. Actor Ben Cross is 57. Rock singer-musician Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) is 55. Rock musician Bill Bateman (The Blasters) is 53. Actress Alison LaPlaca is 45. Actor Sam Robards is 43. Country musician Chris Scruggs (BR549) is 22. Actress Hallee Hirsh is 17.