Leonardo DiCaprio raises funds for charity at birthday bash

Plus Revolution snares Led Zeppelin songs, George Jones begins farewell tour and Jermaine Jackson tweaks name to "Jacksun".

Leonardo DiCaprio raised more than US$500,000 for the American Red Cross at his birthday party on Sunday. AFP
Powered by automated translation

Leonardo DiCaprio played good Samaritan on his 38th birthday on Sunday in a New York club. The actor used the occasion to ask his guests for donations for the American Red Cross. He reportedly raised more than US$500,000 (Dh1.84m). Guests included Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz, Mark Ruffalo, Emma Watson, Chris Rock and Miranda Kerr. The bash featured performances from Django Reinhardt and Gary Clark Jr. DiCaprio is currently filming The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese, in New York.

Revolution snares Led Zeppelin songs

Which tunes fit a post-apocalyptic society? For NBC's new drama Revolution, the answer is Led Zeppelin's Kashmir and Since I've Been Loving You. The songs will be featured in an episode next week, on the same day that Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day album and a DVD will be released. Corporate synergy led to the deal for the rock band, which rarely allows use of its music in Hollywood projects. Revolution is produced in association with Warner Bros, and Led Zeppelin has a deal with Warner Music's publishing arm. Revolution, about a family struggling with the world's sudden loss of all electricity, was in part inspired by the band's music and its sense of "mythic adventure", said the show's creator Eric Kripke. "My overwhelming enthusiasm, I think, frankly weirded the band out a little," said the self-described "massive Led Zeppelin fan". - AP

George Jones begins farewell tour

The country music legend George Jones has embarked on his final tour. Jones, 81, whose near six-decade career is best known for the hit White Lightning, is doing a farewell tour scheduled to finish in November next year in Nashville, the country music capital. Jones cancelled several concerts in April after suffering from respiratory infection, raising fears for his health. His spokesman said that although Jones was stopping touring, he hoped to make more records: "He's been talking about doing another record next year with Dolly [Parton]." - Reuters

Jermaine Jackson tweaks name

Michael Jackson's older brother Jermaine announced he had registered the name "Jacksun" as an official pseudonym but that his legal name remained unchanged. "I didn't change my name," Jackson told a press conference in Paris when asked about reports he petitioned a US court last week to let him tweak the spelling of his famous surname. "I just changed one letter because I love the sun. The sound is the same. It is just J-a-c-k-s-u-n, but that's for me personally." Jermaine, along with siblings Jackie, Marlon and Tito, are performing at the du Forum, Yas Island, on November 30. - AFP