Keith Urban crashes on way to an AA meeting

Keith Urban crashes
on way to an AA meeting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Keith Urban was uninjured Monday when he crashed his motorcycle near his home in Sydney, Australia. In a statement issued by his publicist, Paul Freundlich, Urban said he was “out riding to an AA meeting, a time when my privacy is especially important to me, [when] I felt myself being pursued” by a photographer on another motorcycle. “I sped up, and in an effort to elude an oncoming car which was making an illegal U-turn, saw no choice but to drop my bike,” the 39-year-old country singer said. “In actual fact, my pursuer came to my assistance, without taking photos, and helped me from the road,” Urban said. “I returned home, got my car, and continued on my way.” Urban said the incident was the result of “one person’s desire to do his job and my desire to maintain my privacy.” The New Zealand-born Urban, who grew up in Australia, completed a three-month stint in rehab for alcohol abuse earlier this year.

Beyonce cancels show

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Beyonce Knowles has scrapped plans to stage her first concert in Malaysia and will instead perform in neighboring Indonesia, which has less stringent rules about how performers should dress. The announcement followed recent speculation that Knowles — who is famous for her sexy image and skimpy outfits — was reluctant to fulfill the Malaysian government’s demand for female performers to cover up from the top of their chests to their knees. Knowles, 26, will perform in Jakarta on Nov. 1.

Today’s birthdays

Former Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills is 75. Photographer Annie Leibovitz is 58. Rock musician Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike & the Mechanics) is 57. Singer-actor Sting is 56. Actress Lorraine Bracco is 53. Rock musician Bud Gaugh (Sublime) is 40. Actress-talk show host Kelly Ripa is 37. Singer Tiffany is 36.