NEWSMAKERS

March 9, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Mark Linkous, leader of Sparklehorse, dies

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Mark Linkous, the singer-songwriter who released his music under the band name Sparklehorse, has died after shooting himself in the chest in Tennessee. He was 47.

Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk says Linkous shot himself outside a friend’s house around 1:20 p.m. Saturday with his own rifle. DeBusk said Linkous was staying with friends and became upset after receiving a text message.

Linkous’ most recent work included collaborations with producer Danger Mouse and musician Christian Fennesz. He was working on the follow-up to 2006’s “Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain” at the time of his death.

Marie Osmond’s son memorialized

PROVO, Utah

Marie Osmond’s 18-year-old son was remembered at his funeral Monday with fond words, laughter and music from his famous singing family.

Michael Bryan was memorialized by six of his seven siblings as a lighthearted person with a brilliant sense of humor who had a kind and generous heart.

Police in Los Angeles have said Bryan died Feb. 26 from an apparent suicide after jumping from the eighth floor of the Metropolitan apartment building. An official cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy and toxicology tests.

Police said Bryan left a note but have provided no details about its contents.

Placido Domingo has colon-cancer surgery

NEW YORK

Placido Domingo underwent surgery last week to remove a cancerous polyp from his colon but is expected to make a full recovery, his spokeswoman said Monday.

The 69-year-old tenor had surgery last week at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and was released Sunday, spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer said.

The malignancy was localized, and the operation was laparoscopic, a minimally invasive procedure in which a small incision is made in the abdomen, Seltzer said.

Doctors have ordered Domingo to rest for six weeks, Seltzer said in a statement. It’s anticipated that he’ll return April 16 with a performance of Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, she said.

“His exact return to his performing engagements remains subject to how fast he can heal and regain his characteristic strength,” she said.

In addition to singing and conducting, Domingo will continue as general director of the Los Angeles Opera and the Washington National Opera.

D’Angelo caught in prostitute sting

NEW YORK

Authorities say D’Angelo was caught in New York City trying to pay $40 for sex with an undercover cop posing as a prostitute.

Police said Monday that the 36-year-old R&B singer was arrested early Saturday while behind the wheel of his Range Rover.

D’Angelo’s real name is Michael Archer. He says in a statement that he pleaded not guilty and plans to fight the charge.

Polanski’s jailing changed his wife

WARSAW, Poland

Roman Polanski’s wife said her husband’s imprisonment in a 32-year-old sexual abuse case has diminished her carefree spirit and terrified and disoriented the couple’s two children.

But Emmanuelle Seigner, 43, also said in an interview with the Polish magazine Viva! that she’s convinced “the matter will be solved.”

The interview appears in the newest edition of the colorful celebrity magazine and includes a photo layout of the actress and singer in high heels and a glittery dress, and other attire.

The director was initially accused of raping a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and a Quaalude pill during a 1977 modeling shoot. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse, then fled to France on the eve of sentencing in 1978. Polanski, 76, is in Switzerland.