Gene Simmons Planning Israel Return
Gene Simmons is heading back to Israel for the first time in more than 50 years to explore his Jewish roots.
The Kiss star, born Chaim Witz, emigrated to America with his mother Flora, a Holocaust survivor, at the age of eight after his parents divorced, and he has never returned.
But the 61 year old is now planning a trip with his wife, former Playboy model Shannon Tweed, as part of his reality TV show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, according to the New York Post.
The bass player will visit the hospital where he was born, in Haifa, and he hopes to be reunited with long-lost relatives, and meet the half-siblings and cousins he has never known.
He will also tour Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during the trip.
Josh Farro Loves Life After Paramore
Josh Farro is delighted he quit Paramore last year (10) because life away from the band is "great".
The guitarist and his brother, drummer Zac, walked out on the rock group after a show in December (10), blaming their tense relationship with frontwoman Hayley Williams.
I don't think that'll (speaking to his former bandmates) happen for a while. I hope that one day we can reconcile,
He now admits the seeds of the siblings' departure were sewn when he stopped dating Williams in 2007 - and he's confessed he hasn't spoken to her, guitarist Taylor York, or bassist Jeremy Davis since quitting.
Farro tells Kerrang! magazine, "I don't think that'll (speaking to his former bandmates) happen for a while. I hope that one day we can reconcile, but I really don't care to be in some war with them. Whatever.
"It's still fresh (but) I don't think I miss it at all. I don't miss it one bit. That's just being completely honest.
"It's been nice to unwind! (There's been) drama, but some of that's inevitable. But other than that, it's been great."
Asked if life in the band was hard after he and Williams ended their romance, he replies, "For a while. It was weird more than anything. We were good friends before that and people change. We were becoming more and more distant."
Sixx And Adler Pay Tribute To Starr
Rockers Nikki Sixx and Steven Adler are leading tributes to former Alice In Chains musician Mike Starr, who died on Tuesday (08Mar11).
The bassist, who appeared on Dr. Drew Pinsky's U.S. TV show Celebrity Rehab last year (10), passed away aged 44 after suffering a suspected drug overdose in Utah.
Now former Guns N' Roses drummer Adler, who has also been treated for substance abuse issues, is leading tributes to his pal, writing on Twitter.com, "R.I.P. Mike Starr!! Such a sad day!"
Meanwhile Motley Crue's Sixx writes, "RIP Mike Starr. Another fallen soldier to addiction..."
Other stars to pay tribute and rally against drug addiction include Adler's Guns N' Roses replacement Matt Sorum, who writes, "Drugs and alcohol aren't a joke. Please take care of yourself and respect yourself. We lost Mike Starr today. Rest in Peace man."
Pinsky adds, "Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness. So very sad. Our prayers are with his family," and actress Mackenzie Phillips writes, "Mike Starr was a great and troubled guy. I loved him... Rest in Peace, brother. Dope kills."
Scott Stapp Writing Memoirs
Creed frontman Scott Stapp is planning to tell all about his faith and troubles in a new autobiography.
The rocker and co-author David Ritz are working on Exposed and Released: The Confessions of Scott Stapp, in which he'll reveal all about his strict Pentecostal upbringing as the stepson of a minister, and his battles with substance abuse, which split the band in 2004.
He tells Billboard.com, "It's going to be constantly interrelated with the realities of God's grace and love and miracles, and how they happen in the weirdest ways and how they happen to all of us.
"I really hope that those who read it can walk away knowing more about my life... but also the grace of God. If we can accomplish that, that would be a blessing."
Duff Mckagan To Offer Financial Management Tips At SXSW
Former Guns N' Roses star Duff McKagan will share his financial knowledge at the upcoming South By Southwest music and arts conference in Texas by hosting a lecture for rock star wannabes.
The bass player will be among the featured speakers at SXSW on 17 March (11), when he hopes to educate others on the ins and outs of music business finance and building wealth as part of his seminar Your Financial Advisor is Duff McKagan.
The star attended Seattle University's acclaimed Albers School of Business and is a partner in the wealth management firm Meridian Rock.
McKagan's band Loaded will then debut songs from their forthcoming album The Taking as part of the official SXSW Monster Energy Drink Party at The Austin Music Hall the following night (18Mar11).
Doherty Confesses He Was At Burglary Scene
Rocker Pete Doherty has admitted he was at the scene of a burglary in Germany on Tuesday (08Mar11) but is adamant he did not steal a guitar in the raid.
The British star was reported to cops in Regensburg after a witness saw three men breaking into a record shop in the Bavarian city and recognized one of the trio as The Libertines frontman.
He is due to be quizzed by police on Wednesday (09Mar11) over claims a guitar and CDs - worth a total of $2,780 - were stolen from the Shadillac store, but he's now spoken out to protest his innocence.
The star has admitted he was at the scene of the break-in in the early hours of Tuesday but has denied any involvement in the raid.
He tells German TV network Sat 1, "I was there but it wasn't me."
On Tuesday evening, cops swooped on the hotel where Doherty is staying while he films scenes for his role in French production Confession d'un Enfant du Siecle. They searched his room but did not recover any incriminating items.
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