Beyonce releases new song before Super Bowl

Beyonce releases new song before Super Bowl

SAN FRANCISCO

A day before her performance at Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show, Beyonce dropped a new song.

Beyonce released “Formation” on Saturday as a free download on her artist page for the streaming service, Tidal, which she co-owns with husband Jay Z, Rihanna and other artists. The song was released as a gift to her fans and it can be downloaded without having a subscription to Tidal.

Beyonce also released a video for the song Saturday. She will perform at the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., with Coldplay and Bruno Mars. Beyonce headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2013 in New Orleans.

Cumberbatch, Watson named Oxford fellows

LONDON

Benedict Cumberbatch and Emma Watson have got new roles: visiting fellows at Oxford University.

The actors are among 11 nonacademics to have accepted appointments at Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall.

Visiting fellows are normally appointed for three years, and are encouraged to visit, dine, debate or perform at the college. Alan Rusbridger, the college’s principal and former editor at the Guardian newspaper, said he hoped the chosen fellows would enhance the cultural life of the college and help bridge the academic community with their various fields.

Other visiting fellows include Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, film director Beeban Kidron, a neurosurgeon and a police constable.

Ex-‘Survivor’ contestant faces child-porn charge

CLARKSTON, MICH.

Michigan authorities have charged a former “Survivor” contestant with possessing child pornography and running Ponzi scheme.

Michael Skupin was arraigned Friday in Oakland County on a dozen felony charges, including child-porn possession, larceny by conversion and racketeering. His bond was set at $350,000.

It wasn’t clear if Skupin has an attorney. The Associated Press left messages Saturday with county and state government representatives.

State Attorney General Bill Schuette says investigators found the child porn on Skupin’s laptop while looking into the purported Ponzi scheme. Authorities say Skupin persuaded people to make $10,000 investments in his scheme and used new investors’ money to pay older ones.

Skupin was rescued by helicopter after falling into a campfire and burning his hands in 2001 on “Survivor II: The Australian Outback.”

Puddle of Mudd singer pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES

Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin has pleaded not guilty to a felony vandalism charge filed after his arrest at a home he recently lost in foreclosure.

Los Angeles District Attorney spokesman Greg Risling says Scantlin entered the plea Friday.

The 43-year-old singer was arrested Jan. 9 by LA police and is accused of causing about $7,000 in damage to the home. He also was charged with misdemeanor trespassing. He was charged Wednesday, but missed his arraignment.

Scantlin is suspected of damaging the home’s plumbing, a garage door and ripping an alarm system out of the wall. If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail.

300 rare, famous guitars coming to NYC auction

NEW YORK

About 300 guitars, including instruments associated with Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley and Eddie Van Halen, are heading to a New York City auction.

Also on tap at Guernsey’s sale Feb. 27 are acoustic guitars from the late 1800s and one played by actor Robert Blake in the film “In Cold Blood.”

Among the top highlights is a 1952 Gibson Super 400 CES 7-String made for late studio guitarist Tony Mottola that could bring as much as $100,000. Mottola worked with such music greats as Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis and Rosemary Clooney.

A yellow-and-black Charvel guitar, customized for Eddie Van Halen in the 1980s, could bring $60,000 to $80,000. The original bill of sale made out to Van Halen is included.

A 1959 Gibson owned by Franny Beecher, lead guitarist for the rock ‘n’ roll band Bill Haley & His Comets, could fetch $20,000 to $25,000.

Also in the auction catalog are four guitars associated with Eric Clapton, two signed; several Elvis Presley items, including a signed guitar; and Jimi Hendrix’s guitar strap from Woodstock.

Associated Press