MARVIN GAYE: LOOKING BACK
   UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1984, Marvin Gaye was shot to
death by his father. The shooting occurred during an argument
between the two. And it took place just one day before Gaye’s 45th
birthday. Gaye’s biggest hits included “Ain’t That Peculiar,” “I
Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “What’s Going On” and “Let’s
Get It On.”

SEAN LEVERT: MEMBER OF LEVERT DIES; WAS IN JAIL AT TIME
   CLEVELAND (AP) — For the second time in two years, O’Jays lead
singer Eddie Levert is mourning the loss of a son. Sean Levert has
died. He took ill while serving a jail term. He was 39 years old
and like his brother, was a member of the 1980s R and B trio
LeVert. He was sentenced last week to jail for failing to pay child
support. But on Sunday, authorities say he began hallucinating
while in custody. He was taken to a hospital, where he died less
than an hour after arriving. An autopsy has been performed, but
authorities say the only thing it has turned up so far was that
foul play wasn’t involved. Toxicology studies were also done; those
results won’t be available for four to six weeks. A pre-sentencing
report indicated Levert had been addicted to pot from the time he
was 14 until recently.
  
SEAN LEVERT: CHILD SUPPORT ISSUE LANDED HIM BEHIND BARS BEFORE DEATH
   CLEVELAND (AP) — We don’t yet know what caused Sean Levert to
die. But we know what it was that landed him behind bars. Last
week, he pleaded guilty to six counts of failing to pay nearly
$90,000 in child support for three children, ages 11, 15 and 17.
And as a result of that plea, he was sentenced to one year and 10
months behind bars. LeVert didn’t speak at his sentencing and the
judge handling his case says he didn’t indicate that he had any
health problems that would have kept him from serving his time. A
spokesman for the jail says Levert suffered from high blood
pressure and had been hallucinating. He was also being monitored
because authorities say he was sick and was acting strange while in
custody. An autopsy was performed, though the results turned up
nothing.

SEAN LEVERT: LOOKING BACK
   UNDATED (AP) — Sean Levert and his brother Gerald teamed up to
former LeVert in the 1980’s. The third member of the group was
childhood friend Marc Gordon. They had a lot of early success,
posting hits with songs like “Baby I’m Ready,” “(Pop, Pop, Pop,
Pop) Goes My Mind” and “Cassanova.” Cassanova was the biggest of
the group’s hit; it was nominated for a Grammy in 1988 for best r&b
performance by a duo or group with vocal. It was also nominated for
best r&b song. Unlike his older brother Gerald, Sean didn’t have a
successful solo career. After his brother died in 2006, Sean Levert
found a new partner and was trying to revive LeVert as recently as
last year.
  

“DANCING WITH THE STARS”
   LOS ANGELES (AP) — R-and-B singer Mario usually gets high marks
on “Dancing with the Stars.” But last night the judges thought
his performance was mediocre. Mario admits he didn’t have much time
to rehearse. Marissa could be in trouble. Marissa Jaret Winokur,
the plus-sized, Tony-winning Broadway actress, had the lowest
scores from the judges. The judges thought she was boring. Tonight,
one of the celebs gets canned.
NANCY WILSON: VETERAN JAZZ SINGER RECOVERING FROM COLLAPSED LUNG
   JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (A-P) — Jazz singer Nancy Wilson is in the
hospital. She is being treated for a collapsed lung, but is
expected to recover. A spokeswoman says Wilson’s lung is being
reinflated at Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, California,
and she is in good spirits. However, she will miss a performance
set for next weekend in Memphis. Wilson has been singing
professional for more than 50 years. She is currently semiretired.
  
MOS DEF: TO PORTRAY CHUCK BERRY IN MOVIE
   LOS ANGELES (AP) — He made his name as a rapper. But Mos Def is
about to take on a movie role in which he will portray a legendary
rock and roll star. The Hollywood Reporter says he will play Chuck
Berry in a film titled “Cadillac Records.” Also signed on for the
film is Gabrielle Union and Beyonce, who will star as Etta James.
The film tells the story of Chess Records.

WAYANS BROTHERS: DROP OUT OF BID TO BUILD STUDIO/SHOPPING CENTER
   OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Remember the plan the Wayans brothers had
to take a former army base in Oakland and build a movie studio and
shopping center? Forget about it. The brothers say they will no
longer pursue the project. A business partner for the Wayans says
the brothers couldn’t get a firm commitment from the city to
preserve the site’s views of the San Francisco Bay. With the Wayans
brothers out of the mix, city officials say they will work with
other proposals to develop the 100-acre site on the base, which
closed in 1999.

BOW WOW: MORE ON ROMANCE RUMORS
   NEW YORK (AP) — Here’s today’s story about which celebrity ISN’T
going out with someone. The latest denial has to do with Bow Wow.
He’s been said to have been hooking up with Ashley R. from the BET
show “College Hill: Atlanta.” But she says that isn’t the case –
sort of. In a statement issued by BET, she says she and Bow Wow
“went out a few times as friends several years ago,” but that the
relationship “was nothing more than that.” She says she has been
seeing her current boyfriend for more than a year, they have a good
relationship and the talk about her and Bow Wow can’t change that.

SHAWNE MERRIMAN: TO JUDGE MISS USA PAGEANT
   LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shawne Merriman will be checking out dozens
of women in a single night. But it’s all good, since he’ll be doing
that as part of his job as a judge of the Miss USA Pageant. The San
Diego Chargers linebacker will be joined by Rod Schneider, Joe
Fatone (fah-TOHN’-ee), Kelly Carlson and Paul McCartney’s latest ex
wife, Heather Mills and others for the event set for April 11th in
Las Vegas. Donnie and Marie Osmond will host.