Mojo - The Music Magazine

A settlement for the estate of James Brown has been agreed after two and a half years of legal wrangling between family members.

A South Carolina judge has approved a deal whereby half of the singer's assets will go to a charitable trust set up to fund Brown's grandchildren's education and help "needy children" in Georgia and South Carolina; a quarter to his self-styled widow and her son (the legality of Brown and Tomi Rae Hynie Brown's marriage was disputed); and the rest to Brown's six adult children.

"It has been a struggle, but God has blessed us and we are thankful," Brown's daughter Deanne Brown told the Associated Press. "We are look forward to working towards the goals of our father by providing education scholarships for impoverished students and his own grandchildren and making his home a museum for the world to come and see."
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Following Paul Rodgers announcement that his involvement with Queen was "pretty much done", guitarist Brian May has expressed interest in recruiting American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert to fill Freddie Mercury's role.

"I'd certainly like to work with Adam," May told Rolling Stone, "that is one amazing instrument he has there."

May brushed aside criticism that as a contestant from a TV talent show 27-year-old Lambert might lack suitable rock'n'roll credentials. "If you have enough talent and enough will to succeed you will get there. Once you have scaled the castle walls with the sword in your hand it matters little [how you] did it."

May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor performed with Lambert and eventual winner Kris Allen during the American Idol series finale.

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Courtney Love is being sued by credit card company American Express to the tune of £220,000.

The company said it has suspended Love's Amex Gold card after she "failed and refused" to make payments.

Love was sued earlier this year by fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir after the singer made "menacing and disturbing" comments about her on MySpace and Twitter.
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Motown's Berry Gordy and singer-songwriter James Taylor are to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame at a ceremony in New York City on June 18.

The ceremony will also see Tom Jones pick up the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award. Jones was chosen due to his "exceptional staying power and accomplishments," and oddly, given his penchant for bellowing like a bull seal over other people's songs his "unique artistry".

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In a reversal of the usual soap-to-pop star route, Lily Allen is slated to appear in cult Aussie soap Neighbours.

Allen will film a brief cameo for the show - which once featured Natalie Imbruglia, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and acclaimed actor Guy Pearce - next month in Melbourne.

"Lily is delighted," an 'insider' told the Daily Mirror. "She's been bragging about it to all her mates. She can't quite believe she'll take a turn on Ramsey Street - it's a dream role for her."

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And finally... MOJO would like to offer our congratulations to The White Stripes' Meg White who tied the knot with her fiancé Jackson Smith - son of Patti Smith and late MC5 guitarist Fred 'Sonic' Smith - at Jack White's Nashville home last Friday. Here's a clip of Meg singing In The Cold, Cold Night from 2003's White Stripes album, Elephant...