Posted Aug 20th 2008 8:33AM by TMZ Staff
With his voice trembling with emotion, Dave Matthews broke the heartbreaking news to a packed Staples Center crowd in L.A. last night -- that his close friend and sax player, LeRoi Moore, had died.
Just hours after he learned about Moore's passing, Dave told the fans, "it's always easier to leave than be left." Moore died Tuesday from complications stemming an ATV accident in June, in which he punctured a lung and broke several ribs.
Filed under: R.I.P.
Posted Aug 20th 2008 8:25AM by TMZ Staff
They may not know who they are, but the ever original Jonas Brothers now have something in common with the Beatles other than maniacal screaming teen fans.
The Brothers Jonai unknowingly paid homage to the Fab Four's classic "Abbey Road" album cover by crossing a Virginia Beach street in single file.
And that's where the comparisons end.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Music
Posted Aug 20th 2008 8:15AM by TMZ Staff
Damon Dash could be homeless in Tribeca -- kinda sorta.
Eastern Savings Bank says the hip-hop mogul owes $78K in mortgage payments for two Tribeca apartments, and is suing Dash to get the jack. According to the lawsuit, he hasn't paid up since January on the combined $7.3 million mortgage.
The suit also points out Dash has had judgments against him for back taxes, both Fed and state, and rent to the building that houses his company.
We contacted his lawyer, but haven't heard back yet.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Posted Aug 20th 2008 8:10AM by TMZ Staff
Convicted pedophile Gary Glitter is in terminal condition -- he refuses to get on a plane to get shipped back to the UK, but Thailand doesn't want the perv in its backyard.
So Glitter is now sitting in an airport lounge in Bangkok -- and Thai cops sound like they're going force him on that plane back to London whether he likes it or not. "We are barring entry to Paul Francis Gadd [Glitter's real name] and will be deporting him ... even if he does not wish to board the plane," said the po-po.
Glitter claimed a heart condition prevented him from flying -- but as of this morning he's been cleared to clear out.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Posted Aug 20th 2008 6:01AM by TMZ Staff
Almost as ubiquitous as golden boy Michael Phelps has been his mom, Debbie.
But nowhere to be seen (or heard) has been Phelps' dad Fred, who tells the New York Post that he hasn't even talked to his son since he left for the Olympics. Turns out that Ma and Pa Phelps divorced when Michael was nine, and has been "in and out" of Michael's life.
"I'm very proud of him and all he's done," says Fred. "This is not about me, it's about him."
Best Man on LiLo -- Lez Is More
The ever-classy Calum Best -- the guy who dated Lindsay Lohan before she headed to Promises rehab -- wonders, naturally, whether he was the one who disabused her of the need for male companionship.
"I hope I didn't turn her," Calum tells
Life & Style. Best and LiLo were at the same Effen vodka event at Apple Lounge in L.A. last week, but they didn't talk. He insists he's still friendly with Lindz and tells the mag, "She's better than she was, because at one point she was in a bad way." Profound, that.
One thing he won't do: "Arm-wrestle her girlfriend."
Avril's Not Clean Enough, Says Malaysia
So no go for Avril Lavigne in Malaysia.
The government there has given the official ax to her concert, claiming the country doesn't want "our people, our teenagers, influenced by [Avril's] performance. We want clean artists, artists that are good role models." Seems that the timing of the concert -- just before Malaysia's independence day -- worked against Avril.
The promoter and Av can request a new date for the concert.
Party Favors: "Sopranos" Water as Thick as Blood ... Rodman Puts Himself in the Basement
TMZ spies spotted Meadow and AJ Soprano -- Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler, that is -- "arm-in-arm" at Butter drinking only Evian water. Tony would be so glad. ... Dennis Rodman's rehab is going so well: He spent the other night in a private wine cellar at Philippe Miami with a gaggle of models, we hear.
Filed under: Let's Get This Party Started
Posted Aug 19th 2008 9:14PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned LeRoi Moore, the sax player in the Dave Matthews Band, has died. He was 46.
Moore was seriously injured in an ATV accident June 30 outside Charlottesville. He had a punctured lung and broken ribs. Moore went back into the hospital last month due to complications.
Moore died in Los Angeles this afternoon, after taking a turn for the worse.
We're also told the band will perform tonight as scheduled at the Staples Center in L.A.
UPDATE: A rep for the Band just gave TMZ the following statement:
"LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. Moore had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program."
Filed under: Music, R.I.P.
Posted Aug 19th 2008 5:43PM by TMZ Staff
Actress LisaRaye laughed off questions about a reported tussle between her and her husband Michael Misick, the premier of the Turks and Caicos, but take a gander at these pics.
According to Essence.com, the photos show a bruised LisaRaye, taken after a fight between her and her hubby, along with members of both of their security teams. A source close to the premier says it was someone in Misick's posse that actually did the damage.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Posted Aug 19th 2008 5:40PM by TMZ Staff
LA's newest superhero Manny Ramirez doesn't need a chaperon to introduce him to the local late night scene, because according to fellow Dodger and Hollywood nightclub vet Russell Martin, "He's a grown man ... he can go out on his own."
We were under the impression that a grown man could decide for himself when he wanted a haircut...
Filed under: Talk Sports
Posted Aug 19th 2008 4:45PM by TMZ Staff
As if the Heidi and Spencer wedding circus wasn't sacrilegious enough -- she tells us she's hoping to score the Pope as the priest for her televised nuptials.
Will the divorce be carried live, too?
Filed under: The Hills
Posted Aug 19th 2008 4:02PM by TMZ Staff
No dirty, nature loving hippie is going to hike in James Hetfield's backyard -- but the fence he built to keep them, and everybody else, off his property is really pissing off the locals.
Several hikers and cyclists up in Northern Cali have their spandex in a wad because the Metallica frontman has blocked access to a hiking trail by erecting a 10-foot high fence around his property.
According to KTVU, the rockstar supposedly built the barrier to stop vandalism on his newly purchased land (on which the trail runs through) -- but the fence itself has since been vandalized with the words "shame" and "disgrace."
Het's reps had no comment.
Filed under: Music
Posted Aug 19th 2008 4:01PM by TMZ Staff
He weighs as much as Pavarotti's calf muscle (RIP), but the little kid who blew our minds (and our eardrums) with his freakish operatic ability is back -- and this time he's droppin' an entire verse!
Filed under: Wacky & Weird
Posted Aug 19th 2008 3:16PM by TMZ Staff
Miley Cyrus stopped to look at a new pad while riding her bike yesterday -- and while she didn't seriously consider buying the place, she's probably the only 15-year-old on the street who could.
Filed under: Miley Cyrus
Posted Aug 19th 2008 3:10PM by TMZ Staff
Never ask Aretha Franklin for one of her fries.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo
Posted Aug 19th 2008 3:07PM by TMZ Staff
Gummi Bear's new make-out partner looked pleased with the nickname we came up with for her -- and it sure beats him comparing her to an "older sister." "Flowers in the Attic" anyone?
One thing they weren't happy about: Our photog breaking the news that Gum Gum lost a "Who'd You Rather" poll to bin Laden. At least he beat Mini-Me.
Filed under: Wacky & Weird
Posted Aug 19th 2008 3:05PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ TV Tonight is all about girl power! Reese Witherspoon tries to kill us with kindness (but it doesn't work)... Sienna Miller tries to kill us with her British death stare... and Claudia Jordan tries to kill her career with bulimia jokes.
Check your local listings.
