NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon’s 1st wife, dies

LONDON

A publicist says Cynthia Lennon, the first wife of former Beatle John Lennon, has died of cancer at her home in Spain. She was 75.

The news was announced Wednesday on the website of her son, Julian Lennon, and was confirmed by his representative.

Cynthia and John Lennon met at art school in Liverpool and married shortly before The Beatles shot to fame.They divorced in 1968 after John Lennon started his relationship with Yoko Ono. Julian was their only child together.

Singer Joni Mitchell hospitalized in LA

LOS ANGELES

Joni Mitchell was in intensive care in a Los Angeles-area hospital Tuesday, according to the Twitter account and website of the folk singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

“Joni was found unconscious in her home this afternoon,” said a statement on the Mitchell website. “She is currently in intensive care undergoing tests and is awake and in good spirits.”

It wasn’t immediately clear what illness she had.

The 71-year-old singer-songwriter told Billboard magazine in December that she has a rare skin condition, Morgellons disease, which prevents her from performing.

Associated Press