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PARIS -- US jazz tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, who played alongside such luminaries as Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey and Thelonius Monk, died Friday in France, his agent Helene Manfredi said. He was 80.

Nicknamed the Little Giant, Griffin was due to perform Friday evening alongside US organist Rhoda Scott, French saxophonist Olivier Temime and drummer Julie Saury.

Griffin died at home in Mauprevoir, a village in the west-central La Vienne district, where he had spent the last 18 years of his life. The cause of death was not disclosed.

After studying music at the DuSable High School in his native Chicago, Griffin joined vibes star Hampton's orchestra in 1945 before leaving with trumpeter Joe Morris to join the latter's own band.

Throughout the 1950s, he played with a variety of combos, including Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

Continue reading "Jazz Legend Johnny Griffin Dies in France" »

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GARDEN CITY, N.Y. --  Singer Connie Francis is being treated at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York where she was hospitalized after falling ill earlier this week.

Her agent, Mike Church, says the 69-year-old singer had been scheduled to perform Wednesday night with Neil Sedaka at The Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury. Instead, she was taken to the hospital with dangerously high blood pressure.

Francis, who recorded '50s and '60s pop hits including "Who's Sorry Now?" and "Lipstick on Your Collar," had been expected to leave the coronary care unit Friday.

Church says that although she is "doing well," doctors decided she should remain in the hospital for observation for at least another day.

• Connie Francis at Amazon.com
• Connie Francis at Wikipedia
  

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In his latest bid to remain on our pop culture radar, Dustin Diamond, Screech from Saved by the Bell (as well as its prequel, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and too many Bell spin-offs and made-for-TV movies to list) is reportedly writing a tell-all book about his days in the spotlight. Apparently his appearances on Celebrity Fit Club, Celebrity Boxing, and the infamous sex tape just weren't enough to make the Screecher happy.

The book, titled Behind the Bell, will be ghost written by Alan Goldsher, who, according to his website, has worked on projects with comedians Fred Willard and Bernie Mac, and actor Michael Madsen. According to New York magazine, the book will reveal the, "sexual escapades among cast members, drug use, and hardcore partying," that took place on the set of the show.

Gee, I wonder why none of his co-stars will speak to him.

Related Links:

• Saved by the Bell on DVD

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