Tone Loc to play bars after man scammed them

Tone Loc to play bars after man scammed them

MILFORD, Mich. — Tone Loc plans to play shows at two bars in the Detroit area that were swindled by a man posing as the rapper’s manager. Tone Loc will play April 11 at the Red Dog Saloon in Milford and April 12 at Bumpers in Westland, The Detroit Free Press reports. Red Dog owner Patty McMillan gave about $400 last summer to a man posing as Tone Loc’s manager who promised his client would perform at her bar. Authorities say the man also scammed Bumpers out of $1,000. The scam artist hasn’t been caught. The newspaper said McMillan and Judy Johnson of Bumpers contacted Tone Loc’s real manager, Bobby Bessone in Nashville, Tenn., who said the rapper offered to play the shows for his regular fee. Bessone did not immediately respond Sunday to a call from The Associated Press to a listing for Bessone’s agency, seeking comment. The rapper, whose real name is Anthony T. Smith, is known for the hits “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina.”

Brown: I’m still single

LOS ANGELES — Rihanna and Chris Brown both walked the orange carpet at the Kids’ Choice Awards. Separately. “We’re not in a relationship or anything,” Brown told The Associated Press before Saturday’s slime-filled ceremony. Rumors have been swirling for weeks the R B singers are dating, but Brown was quick to squash such gossip, insisting he was single and Rihanna was just a friend. The 18-year-old “Kiss Kiss” crooner, clad in a custom-made orange hoodie emblazoned with a blingin’ Nickelodeon logo, later collected a trophy for favorite male singer. Rihanna, 20, bypassed the press line before the awards ceremony, strutting down the carpet in a polka-dot corset top.

Met honors Zeffirelli

NEW YORK — Franco Zeffirelli, who has directed film, theater and opera worldwide, was honored over the weekend for the dozen lavish productions he created that “shaped the history” of the Metropolitan Opera. Three Zeffirelli productions are being performed this season, including Puccini’s “La Boheme.” Its season opening Saturday was a celebration of the Italian director who made his Met debut in 1964 with a production of Verdi’s “Falstaff.”Between acts, the 85-year-old Zeffirelli stepped onstage, surrounded by the full “Boheme” cast as he received a standing ovation from the audience. “Franco, we’re honoring you tonight in front of your adoring fans” — both fellow artists and spectators, said Met General Manager Peter Gelb. He said two plaques would be attached to both sides of the proscenium for those entering or leaving the stage to see — indicating “that Franco Zeffirelli shaped the history of the Met.” Today, stars from Zeffirelli’s film and stage productions are to attend a Metropolitan Opera Guild luncheon at Manhattan’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

Nelly wants The Boss

LOS ANGELES — Nelly is bummed he wasn’t able to collaborate with Bruce Springsteen on his new album. “I was really trying to get The Boss, but The Boss is all over the world,” Nelly told The Associated Press on the orange carpet at Saturday’s Kids Choice Awards. “It didn’t really work out. I know he’s interested in doing it. And I’m interested in doing it.” Nelly was mum on what a duet with Springsteen would’ve sounded like, but the “Hot In Herre” rapper is hopeful he’ll be able to work with the “Born to Run” rock and roller later this year.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Peggy Rea (“Grace Under Fire”) is 87. Actor William Daniels (“St. Elsewhere”) is 81. Actor Richard Chamberlain is 74. Actress Shirley Jones is 74. Country singer-songwriter John D. Loudermilk is 74. Musician Herb Alpert is 73. Actor Christopher Walken is 65. Comedian Gabe Kaplan (“Welcome Back Kotter”) is 63. Actress Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”) is 60. Actor Ed Marinaro (“Hill Street Blues,” “Sisters”) is 58. Guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC is 53. Actor Ewan McGregor is 37. Rapper Tony Yayo is 30.