Money

A rare piece of Beatles' history is hitting the auction block ... a Grammy given to John Lennon is expected to bring in a fortune -- so, something tells us if you wanna come together with this trophy, ya better be a multimillionaire.

Gotta Have Rock and Roll, the music memorabilia-based auction house, has a unique Grammy Trustee award given to John as one of its many new lots, and this golden trophy is estimated to make up to $500,000 when it closes next week.

John, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney were each given one of the pieces of golden glory in 1972 ... and the one up for auction initially went to John.

The Trustee Award is given to those who made significant contributions to the field of recording during their careers as musicians.

Obviously, The Beatles were more than deserving, but according to the auction house John didn't see it that way -- when he was awarded the Grammy over 50 years ago, John told the president of the Grammys, "I'm not a Beatle anymore, you can keep it."

Since then, the golden gramophone has been in possession of one of John's close friends, who was also a former head of Apple Records, but now a lucky, wealthy fan can secure it for their Beatles collection.

Una rara pieza de la historia de los Beatles ha salido a subasta. Se trata de un Grammy que le dieron a John Lennon, que se espera que haga una fortuna, por lo que algo nos dice que si quieres quedarte con este trofeo, más vale que seas un multimillonario.

Gotta Have Rock and Roll, la casa de subastas dedicada a recuerdos de la música, tiene un único Grammy Trustee Award que le dieron a John, entre sus muchos nuevos lotes, y se estima que podría llegar a costar hasta $800.000 cuando se cierre la próxima semana.

John, Ringo Starr, George Harrison y Paul McCartney recibieron cada uno de ellos este trofeo en 1972 ... y el primero en salir a subasta fue el de John.

El Premio Trustee se otorga a aquellos que hicieron contribuciones significativas al campo de la grabación durante su trayectoria como músicos.

Obviamente, los Beatles eran más que merecedores de este premio, pero según la casa de subastas, John no lo veía así: cuando le concedieron el Grammy hace más de 50 años, John le dijo al presidente de la organización: "Ya no soy un Beatles, puedes quedártelo".

Desde entonces, el gramófono de oro ha estado en posesión de un amigo cercano a John Lennon, que también fue un ex jefe de Apple Records, pero ahora un afortunado fan podría asegurarlo para su propia colección.

The classic "$500k or a dinner with Jay-Z?" debate just turned into "$25k or dinner with Jerry West?" ... 'cause that's what one lucky bidder shelled out for an evening with the Logo at a big charity event.

TMZ Sports has learned ... a special one-on-one with the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer was one of the big auction items at a gathering for the Aiming High Foundation this week ... with an anonymous bidder winning the RSVP with a massive, quarter-hundred thou donation.

Not only did the winner get a din-din with West, but two VIP passes to an upcoming L.A. Clippers game were also included in the bundle.

The Aiming High Foundation -- founded by celebrity agent Darren Prince -- raises funds for those seeking help with mental health and substance abuse issues ... so the money is going to a good cause!!

Prince's clients like Brande Roderick, Jesse Metcalfe, American Idol star Nutsa and influencer Rudy Mawyer were also present at Komodo in Miami ... so it sounds like it was quite the shindig.

Shohei Ohtani just announced he will be a Los Angeles Dodger ... reportedly landing a massive 10-year, $700 million contract -- the richest deal in Major League Baseball and North American sports history.

The Japanese two-way superstar personally shared the news on his Instagram page just minutes ago ... apologizing for keeping the baseball world on pins and needles as he came up with his decision to leave the Los Angeles Angels.

"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process," Ohtani said in his post. "Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever."

Ohtani also pledged to give his absolute best on the field for the Dodgers fanbase ... adding, "Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world."

The Dodgers are getting the most entertaining player in the sport -- as Shohei is a dominant force on both sides of the ball.

He played the first six seasons of his MLB career with the crosstown rival Angels ... racking up 681 hits, 171 homers and 437 RBI ... as well as a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts on the mound.

Other organizations reportedly had a chance at landing the two-time MVP -- including the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays -- but the free agency process was super secretive, per Ohtani's request.

Joe Biden's L.A. fundraiser was interrupted Friday by screaming pro-Palestinian demonstrators as police in riot gear stood guard, trying to keep the peace.

The 46th Prez arrived by motorcade to last night's political event in Holmby Hills, where dozens of demonstrators had gathered to voice their anger over what they see as the extermination of the Palestinians by Israel.

Scores of Palestinians have been killed since the bloody Israel-Hamas war began in October. At the time, Hamas terrorists invaded the Jewish state and slaughtered 1,400 Israelis, triggering the deadly conflict. Hamas rules over the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

During Friday's fundraiser, demonstrators threw objects at officers and passing vehicles, while holding up signs that read, "No votes for mass murderer," a reference to Biden's 2024 presidential bid. They were also chanting "Free free, Palestine" and "Long Live Palestine."

LAPD Chief Michel Moore said his officers did not have to use force or make any arrests because the demonstrators eventually dispersed.

Meanwhile, Biden delivered a short speech at the celebrity-studded event, calling his 2024 Republican rival, Donald Trump, a threat to democracy. He also talked about his first-term economic successes and the federal judges he has confirmed to the courts.

Bill Maher can't understand how people can criticize folks like MrBeast who are helping cure blindness, provide clean drinking water to villages that don't have it, and on and on ... well, actually he does understand -- he says the critics are f**king idiots.

The 'Real Time' host used MrBeast -- an insanely popular YouTuber with 38 billion views -- as an example of how we have lost all common sense and how lazy critics condemn acts of kindness and helpfulness that are objectively good.

Example -- MrBeast gave a pile of loot to doctors to perform cataract surgeries to restore sight. Buzzfeed, among others, condemned it, saying "MrBeast seemed to regard disabilities as something that needs to be solved." Seriously.

MrBeast has done so much more. Example -- He funded 100 wells in Africa to provide clean drinking water to 500,000 people. He was condemned by a charity as a white male figure with a huge platform who was grabbing all the attention. As BM said, "You know what else is frustrating? Dying of thirst."

And another example -- MrBeast paid to rebuild an orphanage in Africa, and was trashed as being the classic "white savior."

And this craziness even seeps into our government ... the NIH proposed an amendment to axe the word "disability," because it implies disabled people are flawed and need to be fixed. Bill says if he ever loses his sight or hearing, don't praise him, fix him.

Ken Hudson Campbell, famous for playing Santa in "Home Alone," is the one getting a great gift this time ... TMZ has learned doctors successfully removed the cancer that had been spreading in his mouth.

Ken's daughter Michaela tells TMZ ... her dad went into surgery Thursday morning, and the whole procedure went off without a hitch. She says the family was able to visit him later that night once he was out of the OR.

He's not home-free just yet ... we're told Ken will remain in ICU for another 2-3 days, before he's transferred to regular inpatient hospital care for about another week. But, he is awake and doing really well -- and it will take about 6 weeks of recovery before he can get back to normal, everyday activity.

As we reported, Ken was diagnosed with cancer in October after a tumor grew on the bottom of his mouth and "began encroaching on his teeth" ... according to Michaela, who laid it all out on a GoFundMe she set up for her pops.

She started the GFM because Ken, unfortunately, lost his SAG-AFTRA health insurance at the beginning of last year after the pandemic -- but the support's been overwhelming, they're over $96,000 of the $100k goal.

There have been some heavy hitters offering donations -- including $1k from Jeff Garlin and Tim Meadows, $5k from "The Big Bang Theory" creator Bill Prady and $10,000 from Steve Carell.

Michaela tells us Steve and Ken are old friends from their time in Second City Chicago improv, and the family is extremely grateful for all the support.

Ken Hudson Campbell, famoso por interpretar a Santa Claus en "Mi pobre angelito", está recibiendo un gran regalo esta vez. TMZ ha indagado que los médicos eliminaron con éxito el cáncer que se había estado extendiendo en su boca.

La hija de Ken Michaela le dice a TMZ que su padre se sometió a la cirugía el jueves por la mañana, y todo el procedimiento salió sin problemas. Ella dice que la familia pudo visitarlo más tarde esa misma noche, cuando ya estaba fuera de la sala de operaciones.

Aún no está en casa...  Nos han dicho que Ken permanecerá en la UCI otros dos o tres días y que luego sería trasladado a una sala normal del hospital para permanecer allí una semana más. Pero está despierto y se encuentra muy bien, y tardará unas seis semanas en recuperarse y poder volver a su actividad cotidiana normal.

Como informamos, Ken fue diagnosticado con cáncer en octubre después de que un tumor creciera en la parte inferior de la boca y "comenzara a invadir sus dientes". Esto, de acuerdo a lo que cuenta Michaela, quien expuso todo en un GoFundMe que creó para sus papás.

Ella comenzó la recaudación porque Ken lamentablemente perdió su seguro de salud SAG-AFTRA a principios del año pasado después de la pandemia. Pero el GoFundMe ya ha pasado los $90.000 de una meta de $100k.

Ha habido algunos pesos pesados corriendo al GoFundMe para ayudarlo, incluyendo $1k de Jeff Garlin y Tim Meadows, $5k del creador de "The Big Bang Theory" Bill Prady, y la suculenta suma de $10.000 de Steve Carell.

Michaela nos cuenta que Steve y Ken son viejos amigos desde su época en Second City en Chicago y la familia está muy agradecida por todo el apoyo.

Kurupt and DJ Battlecat are currently repping for two turfs -- Los Angeles will forever be their home base, but their focus is bringing electricity to their Las Vegas residency for Raider Nation!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the West Coast legends ahead of their rowdy festivities this week ... and this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings will be no exception.

The pair specialize in riling up fans during every Raiders home game inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino with their "Black Hole" events.

Kurupt, Battlecat, and their Dogg Pound brother Daz Dillinger were also among the honored guests for 93.5 KDAY's 40th anniversary celebration where they performed several of their classic cuts.

Speaking of their hits, Kurupt tells us his royalty checks have been clearing without a hitch as of late!!!

Snoop Dogg, as you know, acquired Death Row in 2022 -- much to the annoyance of OG founder Suge Knight -- but, Kurupt says he was just gushing to Daz about how happy he is with their current situation. Gooses and ganders, people.

From Snoop's "Doggystyle" to 2Pac's "All Eyez On Me" to his own groundbreaking "Dogg Food" album, Kurupt has claims to many royaltie$$$ ... good thing it's panning out for him.

It's a Christmas miracle come early -- as Angela White, formerly Blac Chyna, and Tyga have finally settled their years-long custody dispute over their son, King Cairo -- and Tyga won't have to pay child support.

Sources with direct knowledge of the settlement tell us both parents have come to a surprisingly amicable arrangement ... they'll have joint legal and physical custody, and will both have the right to make decisions on the 11-year-old's health, education and general welfare.

When it comes to parenting, we're told Chyna will get King every weekend from Friday to Monday and Tyga will have him the rest of the time.

What's more ... the court ordered neither parent can talk poorly about the other around King, and they'll enroll in a program to monitor communication back and forth about co-parenting.

TMZ broke the story ... in custody docs, Chyna claimed she had resorted to selling her personal belongings -- including clothes, purses and shoes -- in order to stay afloat, making around $178K in the process. However, she claimed the financial help from selling the goods would only be temporary, and she needed money from Tyga.

Turns out, Tyga won't have to pay up ... and the new arrangement should hopefully make for a better environment for their kiddo, too.

Win, win?

The wins keep coming for Taylor Swift ... whose "Eras" tour has already raked in an estimated $1.04 BILLION in gross ticket sales.

According to live-music trade publication Pollstar, it's the first-ever tour to smash the billion-dollar milestone.

The sky-high numbers have topped all previous tours in ticket sales for the 12-month period from Nov. 17, 2022, to Nov. 15, 2023 -- and yes, that includes Beyoncé's "Renaissance" tour, which takes second place.

It's estimated that Tay's tour has sold a whopping 4.35 million tickets from 60 shows ... with merchandise sales racking up to $200 million during the yearly run.

Those record-breaking numbers are expected to escalate -- as Pollstar predicts that ticket sales from the next eligible box-office year will once again hit $1B -- taking the tour's total to $2B.

Of course, the enormous success of her tour means Taylor will be lining her pockets with some hefty payday checks -- though she's shown that sharing is caring ... dishing over $50M in total bonuses to her concert crew and an extra $100k to every truck driver hauling her tour equipment around the country.

Also, let's not forget -- her concert film also bagged an enormous $250M at the global box office.

Surely, her achievements speak volumes ... hushing the haters of her recent Time's Person of the Year crowning.

Las victorias siguen llegando para Taylor Swift, cuya gira "Eras" ya ha recaudado una cifra estimada de $1,04 mil millones en ventas brutas de entradas.

Según la publicación especializada en música Pollstar, esta es la primera gira que rompe el hito de los mil millones de dólares.

Las altísimas cifras han superado todas las giras anteriores en venta de entradas para el período de 12 meses comprendido entre el 17 de noviembre de 2022 y el 15 de noviembre de 2023, y sí, eso incluye la gira "Renaissance" de Beyoncé que ocupa el segundo lugar.

Se estima que la gira de Tay ha vendido la suculenta suma de 4,35 millones de entradas, correspondientes a 60 espectáculos. A eso hay que sumar las ventas de las mercancías que acumulan unos $200 millones en el año.

Se espera que estas cifras récord sigan aumentando. Pollstar predice que las ventas de entradas del próximo año podrían llegar de nuevo al billón, acumulando un total de $2B.

Por supuesto, el enorme éxito de su gira significa que Taylor se llenará los bolsillos de unas sumas considerables de dinero, aunque ha demostrado que compartir es cuidar. Ha repartido más de 50 millones de dólares en bonificaciones totales al equipo a cargo de sus conciertos y 100.000 dólares extra a cada conductor que los acarrea por todo el país.

Además, no nos olvidemos de que su película sobre la gira también ha recaudado una enorme suma de $250M en la taquilla mundial.

Sin duda, sus logros lo dicen todo y son suficientes para callar a los haters por haber sido coronada como Persona del Año en la revista Time.

Some of Tom Petty's personal items, which recently hit auction, have been returned to the late musician's family ... after claims many of the pieces were stolen.

In a joint statement from Tom's family and RR Auction, they say, "All concerns regarding the recent offering of personal clothing and items of the rock star have been resolved without litigation."

The Petty family says it's grateful the auction house "facilitated the safe return of the items" -- which they add have been returned to the family's "secure archives" ... and say they don't think RR Auction knowingly committed any wrongdoing.

What's more, the family's showing gratitude by allowing some items to actually be auctioned off -- noting they fully support the upcoming sale, which has lots to offer like Tom's hats, jackets, and signed photos.

As we reported, Tom's fam said in May that the products being put up for auction were stolen, coming from the singer's former home in Encino, CA -- and his family was looking into "pursuing swift legal action" against RR Auction.

Dak Prescott is calling on NFL fans to drop trou' and take a deuce all over their hated rival teams ... and it's all in the name of colorectal cancer awareness!!

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback released the hilarious, minute-long promo on Friday ... where he's inviting diehard football backers to join the bowel movement by getting their colons screened and supporting their allegiances at the same time.

"As a professional quarterback, I get a lot of s***," Prescott says in the video for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance's Lead From Behind campaign. "And, I get it -- when you're not a fan of something, s***ing on it can make you feel good. But, what if I told you now, it can do some good, too?"

Prescott then goes on to reveal an at-home screening kit with customizable stickers ... and naturally, the collection features images of pretty much every NFL team's mascots, so people can literally s*** on any fanbase.

"Not a fan of marine life?" Prescott asks as he holds up a dolphin sticker. "Slap it on!!"

Prescott also shades the 49ers, Browns and Eagles ... but conveniently, there's no Cowboys-related sticker in sight.

"Have issues with old-timey prospectors? Boom," Prescott continues. "It works with anything -- from colors to large American predatory birds."

Actor Ryan Reynolds' voice makes a brief appearance, too ... and even he catches a stray in the process.

The clip is pretty damn funny, but the topic is serious for Dak -- he lost his mother, Peggy, to colon cancer in 2013.

El mundialmente famoso letrero de Hollywood ha cumplido oficialmente un siglo, ¡así que échale un vistazo a cómo ha envejecido este símbolo de Los Ángeles los últimos 100 años!

El icono de SoCal iluminó por primera vez las colinas de Hollywood el 8 de diciembre de 1923, mostrando originalmente la palabra "Hollywoodland" y fue construido por el editor de L.A. Times Harry Chandler por $21k, creando así un cartel más grande que la vida para su empresa de desarrollo inmobiliario.

Las letras originales eran de 30 pies de ancho y 43 pies de alto. Los cuadrados de metal que se mantenían unidos por un marco de tuberías, andamios, cables, e incluso postes de teléfono.

Desde entonces, el letrero de Hollywood se ha hecho un espacio en el fandom del mundo del espectáculo, e incluso ha seguido el modelo de las estrellas de Hollywood, renovándose con el paso del tiempo.

También ha sido objeto de algunos cambios de imagen temporales, incluyendo el infame aspecto "Hollyweed" en 2017 o el cambio de "Rams House" por la ciudad el año pasado después de la victoria del equipo de fútbol americano en la Super Bowl, aunque esa apariencia no convenció a la gente.

The world-famous Hollywood Sign has officially stood tall for a century ... so take a look at how the Los Angeles landmark has aged over the past 100 years!

The SoCal icon first lit up the Hollywood Hills on December 8, 1923, originally displaying the word "Hollywoodland" ... and built by L.A. Times publisher Harry Chandler for $21k as a larger-than-life billboard for his real estate development company.

The original letters were 30 feet wide and 43 feet tall, with the metal squares held together by a frame of pipes, scaffolding, wires, and even telephone poles.

Since then, the Hollywood Sign has etched its way into showbiz lore ... and it even followed the Hollywood A-lister model by getting a few facelifts as time passed!

It's also been subject to some temporary makeovers -- including the infamous "Hollyweed" look in 2017 or the "Rams House" switch-up by the city last year after the football team's Super Bowl victory -- although that appearance didn't win folks over.