NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Richrath, former REO Speedwagon guitarist, dies

NEW YORK

Gary Richrath, a former guitarist for the classic rock band REO Speedwagon who also co-wrote the group’s hit song “Take It on the Run,” died Sunday, according to a publicist for the band. He was 65.

Erik Stein confirmed Monday that Richrath passed away but offered no details about the cause of death.

Richrath was a member of the band when it released its self-titled debut album in 1971. He was with REO Speedwagon until 1989.

He co-wrote some of the band’s songs, including “Take It on the Run,” which became a Top 5 pop hit on the Billboard charts.

3 Cosby accusers won’t get deposition from old suit, for now

PHILADELPHIA

Confidential material from Bill Cosby’s 2006 settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct will not be released to three of the entertainer’s other accusers who are suing him for defamation.

A federal judge in Philadelphia late last week quashed a subpoena requesting documents from the civil suit filed by Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee who accused Cosby of drugging and groping her in 2004.

Three Cosby accusers – Tamara Green, Therese Serignese and Linda Traitz – had sought the deposition Cosby gave in Constand’s case among other items to support their claims in a defamation suit they filed against the entertainer last year in Massachusetts.

Cosby’s lawyers maintained that the documents were subject to a confidentiality agreement Constand signed with Cosby in 2006 and should not be handed over.

In deciding to refuse the request of the Massachusetts accusers Friday, U.S. District Judge John R. Padova said he was not making a final judgment on whether that confidentiality agreement should bar the documents’ release.

Jennifer Hudson, Aretha Franklin among stars at papal events

NEW YORK

The stars are coming out for the papal visit.

Celebrities including Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin and Andrea Bocelli will be performing at papal events in New York City and Philadelphia. Pope Francis is visiting those cities, as well as Washington, during his first trip to the United States from next Tuesday to Sept. 27.

Officials with the Archdiocese of New York announced performers for an afternoon concert at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 25, before Pope Francis celebrates Mass there in the evening. Along with Hudson and Estefan, performers scheduled to appear include Harry Connick Jr., Norm Lewis and Martin Sheen. The program was being called “A Journey in Faith” and also was expected to include prayers.

Tickets for the Mass were distributed through the archdiocese’s parishes, and security was expected to be very tight, with attendees advised to arrive early.

In Philadelphia, organizers announced Monday that singer Aretha Franklin would be among those performing for him during an outdoor festival on the next-to-last night of his U.S. tour.

Vindicator wire services