Jacko sued by former lawyer

Seemingly always in need of a good lawyer, Michael Jackson needs a lawyer to defend himself in a lawsuit brought by his former lawyer. The law firm Lavely & Singer of Los Angeles filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming the singer owes it more than $113,000. In the complaint, the firm said Jackson agreed in arbitration last year to pay them $180,000 in three installments but failed to make the final payment of $113,750 before the July 31 deadline stipulated in the settlement.

A judge last month ordered the 48-year-old pop singer to pay more than $256,000 in legal fees to another firm that handled some side issues during his 2005 child molestation trial. Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges in the case.

Report: Ice Cube signs on for 10 movie

Having beaten the family-comedy genre to death, Ice Cube is moving on to movies based on graphic novels. Variety reported this week that the rapper-actor is in negotiations to produce and star in a big-screen adaptation of the graphic novel 10.

Cube will play a man who receives junk mail informing him that he's in a life-or-death competition with nine others, and whoever survives wins. The rapper's character throws away the letter, but reconsiders ditching the contest when a man toting an ax shows up at his door. Given 10 bullets and a gun, it's kill or be killed as they're forced to hunt the other 10 contestants. Cube would likely take on the project after he finishes with his big screen adaptation of Welcome Back, Kotter.

No Radiohead album in 2007

Teased for much of the year with hints and innuendo, starving Radiohead fans will have to wait until 2008 for a new album from the rockers. The band's PR firm in the UK told Teletext that signing to a new label and properly promoting the new album will push the release date to 2008.

In the meantime, Radiohead multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood is set to premiere his classical piece in the US at the beginning of next year. Jonny Greenwood's Popcorn Superhet Receiver for string orchestra is set to make its US debut at The Wordless Music Series at the St Paul The Apostle venue in New York City between January 16-17, 2008. It was commissioned by the BBC in 2005 when Greenwood was named the station's Composer-in-Residence. It had its UK premiere in November 2006 at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Brown trustee resigns in controversy

Looks like David Cannon got caught with his hand in the cookie jar of the late Godfather of Soul. Cannon, a trustee and coexecutor of the late James Brown's will, resigned this week and handed over a check for the $350,000 of Brown's money that he was accused of misappropriating, the Augusta Chronicle reported today.

Cannon resigned during a four-hour hearing before Circuit Judge Jack Early. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for September 24 as various people wrangle over the late soul singer's estate. One of Brown's grandchildren, Forlando Brown, accused his aunts and uncles of trying to break the trusts to get their father's money. "People are greedy," the West Georgia University student told the Chronicle.

Pavarotti released from hospital

In and out of hospitals for much of the past year, Luciano Pavarotti is ready to get back to work. The legendary tenor, who was admitted to the hospital last week with a fever, is expected to be released "imminently" and is in high spirits and ready to resume recording a new album, his spokeswoman said today.

Pavarotti, 71, has been given the green light to leave the Modena hospital where he has been undergoing tests since Wednesday, manager Terri Robson said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Pavarotti, who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in July 2006, was hospitalized in his hometown after a routine examination revealed a high temperature, Robson said. Pavarotti will also resume his teaching duties for his young singing pupils, Robson said.

Wilson funeral set for Monday

One of the most important record men in the history of British music will be laid to rest on Monday. Tony Wilson, the Factory Records founder who died of a heart attack August 10 after a bout with cancer, will be buried at the Hidden Gem Church in Manchester, England on August 20. The ceremony will be open only to invited family and close friends. And Wilson's family has designated the Christie Hospital in Manchester as its preferred charity. Donations can be made here, while flowers can be sent to Manchester's Co-Operative Funeral Home.

Wilson is best known as the eccentric music executive who founded the post-punk Factory Records label in Manchester and signed to it the influential bands Joy Division and Happy Mondays. Director Michael Winterbottom brought Wilson's colorful life to the big screen in his 2002 comedy 24 Hour Party People.