Maines bashes Bush again

Maines bashes Bush again
NEW YORK -- The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines apologized for disrespecting President Bush during a London concert in 2003. But now, she's taking it back. "I don't feel that way anymore," she told Time magazine for its issue hitting newsstands today. "I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever." As war in Iraq loomed, Maines told the London audience: "Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." The remarks led to death threats and a backlash from other country stars, including a high-profile spat with Toby Keith. It also stalled what until then had been the group's smashingly successful career. For band member Martie Maguire, the controversy was a blessing in disguise. "I'd rather have a small following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith," Maguire said.
Surgery for Mary Wilson
LAS VEGAS -- One of the founding members of the legendary Motown group the Supremes will undergo heart bypass surgery today after being hospitalized with chest pains this week, her publicist said. Mary Wilson, 62, remained hospitalized Friday after being rushed to the hospital by a family member Tuesday, complaining of chest pains, according to her publicist, Jay Schwartz, in Los Angeles. Wilson suffers from hereditary high cholesterol, Schwartz said. Wilson, who sang with Diana Ross in the 1960s trio, still performs about 150 concert dates a year and has been leading a fight in several states to stop copycat groups from profiting from established musical acts.
Notable death
LONDON -- Freddie Garrity, the lead singer of the 1960s pop band Freddie and the Dreamers, has died. He was 69. Garrity, whose band hit the top of the U.S. charts with the 1965 hit "I'm Telling You Now," died in a hospital in Wales on Friday, according to a statement from his agent, Howard Elson Promotions. The singer had suffered from emphysema for several years.
Today's birthdays
Movie reviewer Judith Crist is 84. Singer Charles Aznavour is 82. Actor Michael Constantine is 79. Conductor Peter Nero is 72. Actor-director Richard Benjamin is 68. Actor Frank Converse is 68. Actor Michael Sarrazin is 66. Former CNN anchor Bernard Shaw is 66. Actress Barbara Parkins is 64. Songwriter Bernie Taupin is 56. Actor-producer Al Corley is 50. Singer Morrissey is 47. Actress Ann Cusack is 45. Country musician Dana Williams (Diamond Rio) is 45. Rock musician Jesse Valenzuela is 44. Rhythm-and-blues singer Johnny Gill (New Edition) is 40. Rock musician Dan Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) is 39. Model Naomi Campbell is 36. Actress Anna Belknap is 34. Actress Alison Eastwood is 34. Singer Donell Jones is 33. Actress A.J. Langer is 32.