Music

Mick Brigden, a mainstay in the music industry whose work included tour manager for the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, has died.

Mick's wife says her husband was digging a grave for their dog at their home in Santa Rosa, CA when he suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to a hospital, where he died.

The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Mick began his career as a concert promoter and worked with Van Morrison, Joe Satriani, Humble Pie, Peter Frampton and Carlos Santana. He was one of the founders of Wolfgang Records, which released multiple albums by Eddie Money, including his first, self-titled album in 1977.

Outside of music management, Brigden had a passion for winemaking, supplying grapes grown in his Northern California vineyard to make an exclusive Owl Ridge cabernet.

This has been a rough period for the Stones and Stones fans. Charlie Watts, the group's one-and-only drummer for 6 decades, died last month.

As for Brigden ... he's survived by his wife of 34 years, Julia, son Jack, stepdaughter Jessica and grandson David.

Mick was 73.

RIP

Diddy is snatching up more property on Miami's exclusive Star Island -- TMZ has learned he's the mystery buyer who dropped a huge sum on Gloria and Emilio Estefan's mansion.

According to sources and property records ... Diddy threw down a cool $35 million for the former Estefan estate on Star Island, which the couple bought way back in 1993 for only $1,840,000. How 'bout that return on investment?!?

TMZ broke the story ... Gloria and Emilio unloaded the mansion back in July and got top dollar on their investment, but we didn't know who the new owner was.

Diddy now has plenty of room to shake his body and do that "Conga" -- the property is nearly 8,000 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, and it sits on a corner lot with waterfront views of the downtown Miami skyline.

Oh and there's also a 2-story guest house with 3 bedrooms, a spacious living room and its own killer views.

Diddy's kinda playing Miami Monopoly here ... we're told he also owns the property next door, which he purchased in 2003. It's unclear if he plans to combine both properties.

Britney Spears' boyfriend had fans hoping they finally got engaged ... because he posted and deleted a pic of a ring ... but now he says things are not the way they appear.

Here's the deal ... Britney fans went nuts Friday when her BF, Sam Asghari, posted a picture of a ring on his Instagram story. Eagle-eyed fans pointed out the ring had an inscription reading, "Lioness."

But, Sam is pouring cold water on the speculation he popped the question after more than 4 years of dating ... he says his IG account got hacked and the ring pic was photoshopped.

TMZ broke the story ... Sam went shopping for jewelry earlier this month at Cartier in Beverly Hills, and appeared to be checking out a diamond ring.

Lots of folks took Sam's shopping trip as a signal he and Britney were heading toward an engagement ... because she made it clear back in June at her court hearing she had marriage on the mind.

For now, it seems like people are putting the Cartier before the horse.

Joe Don Rooney -- lead guitarist for the country music trio Rascal Flatts -- has been charged with driving under the influence after crashing his car near Nashville ... this according to law enforcement.

Cops say the musician was arrested after he crashed into a tree around 4 AM Thursday in Williamson County.

Luckily for Joe, he wasn't injured ... however, we're told he was taken to the county jail where he was booked on a DUI charge and released after posting $2,500 bond.

Along with playing guitar for Rascal Flatts, Rooney -- a founding member of the group -- sings the high-octave backup harmonies ... and plays the mandolin and banjo as well.

R. Kelly's getting loud support outside his sex crimes trial, and federal prosecutors look like they're getting ready for a dance routine ... thanks to one obnoxious fan with great timing.

This video, shot Friday morning outside the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, is classic. Normally, a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys arriving to wrap up the 4th week of Kelly's trial would be super boring. But, throw a little "Step in the Name of Love" over it and, well ... check it out.

No, prosecutors didn't bring their own entrance music -- there was a fan by the front door of the courthouse blaring Kelly's tunes off his phone. And yes, the prank is probably in poor taste, considering the charges the disgraced singer's facing.

Still, the timing of the attorneys is uncanny ... they really do seem to be stepping on the beat, almost as if a lawyer flash mob's about to break out.

Eventually, we're told a U.S. Marshall came outside and asked the fan to turn it down, but the prosecutors had already gone inside to do their day jobs.

Cesar Millan is in the throes of a lawsuit over his pit bull severely biting a promising gymnast, who alleged this dog not only has a history of extreme violence, it allegedly attacked and killed Queen Latifah's dog and he then, according to the lawsuit, tried to cover it up.

Lidia Matiss claims in 2017, she went to her mom's office building in Van Nuys, CA, a building she says is owned by Cesar. Lidia says she was visiting her mom, who worked for Cesar.

She says she encountered Cesar's pit bull, Junior, who was roaming the halls unsupervised and unleashed. She says the dog attacked her, repeatedly biting her on the legs, including her left calf. She went to the ER and it became apparent ... her injures were severe.

The lawsuit says Lidia was a "star gymnast" who performed at a Level 10 ... the highest level in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Programs. She says she was being actively recruited by the University of Pennsylvania, but everything changed with the dog bite. She could no longer compete due to the extreme pain she was enduring.

Lidia -- repped by attorneys Omar G. Qureshi and Brian M. Adesman -- says Cesar knew Junior had a history of violence yet regularly allowed the dog to roam free. She says the dog had bitten several people and mauled several dogs, including one dog owned by Queen Latifah.

According to the lawsuit, Queen Latifah brought 2 of her dogs to Cesar's Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, CA. She says Junior mauled one of her dogs to death, and Lidia claims Cesar covered it up by telling his staff to tell Queen Latifah the dog was hit and killed by a car.

Cesar filed an answer to the lawsuit, claiming, among other things, Lidia assumed the risk of being bitten because she knew of the danger. He also claims Lidia herself was negligent, although he doesn't say how.

Lidia says the bite left her impaired ... wounded, disfigured and she continues to suffer physical and emotional pain. She's suing for unspecified damages.

Britney Spears wants to end her conservatorship ASAP, but she doesn't want to let go of her personal conservator ... TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Britney wants Jodi Montgomery to stay on her payroll indefinitely ... beyond the life of the conservatorship, which could -- repeat -- could end soon.

Our sources say Britney has told multiple people in her camp she has already asked Jodi to stay on ... performing various tasks including dealing with her doctors, making various appointments, making sure she takes the right regimen of meds, arranging meals and chefs, handling the house staff, organizing recreational outings, etc.

We're told Britney has assured people in her camp Jodi has agreed to stay on even if the conservatorship terminates.

What's interesting ... so far Britney and co. have not filed legal docs asking to end the conservatorship. As we reported, her lawyer, Matt Rosengart, has said this is a 2-step process ... getting Jamie out of the conservatorship first, and then putting the conservatorship itself in the crosshairs.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have a new home in a new city where they can plan to have their PDA-filled rendezvous ... and it's deep in the heart of Texas.

OK, it's a temporary home, but sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Ben is about to start filming a new movie in Austin, and he's renting a luxury condo there for the duration of the shoot.

Naturally, J Lo will be spending time there with her BF, but our sources say she won't be there full time -- woman's got a life and career of her own, after all. We're told crews are already rushing to prepare the condo, bringing in furniture and setting up appliances.

Ben's upcoming project in ATX is called "Hypnotic," and he's playing a detective investigating a mystery that involves a secret government program, and his missing daughter.

We've seen Ben and Jen all over Los Angeles hunting for her new pad.

She's looked at some gems, including an $85 million estate last month ... but still hasn't pulled the trigger just yet. Whatever time they spend together down in Texas could be seen as a dry run for living together in the not-so-distant future. Just sayin' ...

Tupac Shakur's "murder car" is up for sale and it's getting lots of offers from interested buyers ... problem is, no one's hitting the magic number -- the $1.7 million asking price.

Honchos at Celebrity Cars Las Vegas, where the 1996 BMW 750IL is on display, tell TMZ ... the whip's been on the market for years, and while they've gotten 30 to 40 offers in the past year, none were willing to pay that very steep price.

No matter, Celebrity Cars is refusing to budge from $1.7 mil -- in part, we're told, because they view Pac's "murder car" as a one-of-a-kind piece.

As we told you, it's the car Pac was riding in, with Suge Knight behind the wheel, when they were shot Sept. 7, 1996 in Las Vegas after a Mike Tyson fight. Pac died 6 days later from his injuries.

With the 25th anniversary of the shooting having just passed, we're told Celebrity Cars believes interest in the BMW is gaining momentum and the car will soon be off their hands.

Celebrity Cars and Pac's "murder car" were featured on a 2018 episode of "Pawn Stars" ... when the asking price was a mere $1.5 mil. A rep for CC told Rick Harrison they were offered $900k and passed. Rick ultimately refused to pay full price.

As for the $200k bump in the asking price, we're told it's based on demand and interest.

The children of Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme are seeking protection against him because he's "scary," yells at their mother and drinks and drives with them in the car ... according to new legal docs.

Homme's sons, 10-year-old Orrin and 5-year-old Wolf, have filed for domestic violence restraining orders against him through their mom, Brody Dalle, alleging they are scared he is going to hurt them.

According to the request filed in court ... Orrin claims there was a recent incident where Homme grabbed his private parts, and he also alleges his father drinks alcohol while his kids are in the car with him.

Orrin also accuses Homme of physical abuse, such as flicking his ears, hitting his head, poking his chest and throwing things at him -- while calling him fat and allegedly making threats about murdering Brody's boyfriend.

According to the docs ... the younger son, Wolf, alleges Homme calls his mother curse words, drinks and drives, grabs their necks and ears -- and Wolf claims he's scared when he goes to Dad's house.

They're asking the court to grant restraining orders, requiring their father to stay 100 yards away from them and the family dog at all times.

Homme's attorney, Susan Wiesner, tells us, "Ms. Dalle has previously brought these claims to the police, DCFS, and the presiding judge of the family law court, all of whom have declined to take any action based upon these spurious claims."

As we've reported ... Homme and his ex have had a very volatile relationship since she filed for legal separation in November 2019 and a month later, divorce.

Kylie Jenner's still in the early stages of her second pregnancy, but it already seems like she'll be a lot less private this time around ... because she's out flaunting her bun in the oven.

Kylie publicly debuted her new baby bump Wednesday night as she stepped out in NYC in a short, form-fitting white dress and a duster ... a fitting look to attend New York Fashion Week.

Of course, she also posted several photos of herself getting ready to go out ... prompting all sorts of "hot mama"-type comments.

As we reported ... Kylie officially announced she's expecting her second child with Travis Scott the other day with a short video documenting the first stages of her pregnancy.

The vid included a trip to the doctor with their daughter, Stormi, to get an ultrasound, as well as the moment she delivered the news to her mom, Kris Jenner.

Machine Gun Kelly's just been sued for allegedly traumatizing a "sensitive, soft-spoken" parking lot attendant ... one who claims the rapper committed elder abuse by pushing him, but it's a really odd accusation.

John Martin Tilli filed legal docs in L.A. court alleging MGK became aggressive toward him and pushed him after he asked the rapper if he had a permit to film his and Mod Sun's movie "Good Mourning With A U" in a Studio City parking lot back on August 23.

In docs, obtained by TMZ, Tilli says he showed up to work that morning and was in charge of opening the gate to let bank branch employees into the lot. He claims he parked his car where Kelly's crew was filming, and they asked him to move his car because he was in the shot.

Tilli claims he asked MGK if he had a permit to film there before finding out from the bank branch the rapper did not have permission. Tilli claims he informed MGK's crew and asked them to leave.

That's when, according to Tilli, Kelly and his production crew and staff became aggressive. He claims they approached him and eventually surrounded him.

Tilli, who describes himself as "a very sensitive, soft-spoken, gentle, quiet person," claims MGK pushed him from the front and production crew and/or staff pushed from behind.

What's more ... Tilli claims they yelled in a threatening manner and shook him up so badly "he literally appeared as if he was going to cry through the day.” He's suing for assault, battery, negligence and elder abuse -- but that last allegation is strange, because Tilli is only 49 years old.

Britney Spears is taking her dad at face value -- that he's down with ending the conservatorship -- and she is beyond happy.

Sources directly connected to Britney tell TMZ ... she's "ecstatic" Jamie has filed legal docs not only asking the judge to terminate the conservatorship, but to do so without another mental evaluation. Britney was adamant about this back in June when she testified in court.

We're told she views Jamie's 180 as a "total victory," and believes public pressure as well as the pressure applied by her lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, are responsible for his about-face.

That said, our sources tell us Britney's view of her dad and their relationship has not changed. She's still extremely angry at him over his role in the conservatorship.

We're also told Britney wants the issue of termination front and center at the next hearing on Sept. 29. As we reported, the purpose of that hearing is to discuss Jamie's future in the conservatorship. Britney wants him out and Jamie has already said he'll go.

Britney has not yet filed legal docs to end the conservatorship. Rosengart has said this is a 2-step process, the first of which is removing Jamie. He has not indicated when he might file docs to terminate, but now that Jamie has made his move, we're told Britney wants the issue squarely raised during the hearing.

As we reported, our Jamie sources say the docs he filed were designed to call the bluff on his critics ... he has been steadfast for years, and very recently as well, that Britney needs the guidance of a conservatorship to survive because of her condition. Although Jamie now says the conservatorship should end without a mental evaluation, our sources say he believes the judge will still order one. He has said in the past ... he does not believe the judge will cut the cord on the 13-year conservatorship.

Kodak Black wants to ensure the daughter of a cop who died from COVID can go to college -- he's making a hefty donation after hearing about the officer's story.

Here's the deal ... Fort Lauderdale police officer Jennifer Sepot recently died after contracting COVID-19 and experiencing complications related to the virus, leaving behind a 2-year-old daughter.

Kodak's attorney, Bradford Cohen, tells TMZ ... the rapper read an article about the cop's COVID death, saw she had a young daughter and said ... "Make sure that kid is straight. Pay for her college fund."

Kodak donated $20,000 to a college fund for the little girl, and we're told he was so moved by Officer Sepot's story because he also battled COVID.

Cohen says Kodak contracted COVID several months ago and suffered from body aches, headaches and difficulty breathing for about 10 days.

Jamie Spears has done a 180 in the conservatorship battle over his daughter, but our sources say ... do NOT take the latest twist at face value.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ -- just one month ago Jamie was deeply concerned about his daughter's mental health. Our sources say Jamie feared the worst if the judge ended the conservatorship. He believed Britney's mental health was deteriorating.

Jamie, we're told, felt Jodi Montgomery -- Britney's personal conservator -- was not protecting his daughter and felt her motivation was saving her own job.

Jamie told people around him, "She's never getting out of the conservatorship," and our sources say he wasn't saying this to be draconian ... he believed it was necessary for her survival.

Now, Jamie says he believes Britney is able to care for herself, make financial decisions and run her life without any guidance. So, he's asking the judge to end the conservatorship. And, here's the key -- he's asking the judge to pull the plug without doing a mental evaluation.

So, why the radical change? As one source told us ... he's calling their bluff. Multiple sources say Jamie believes Britney has not gotten better ... he thinks she's gotten worse. One source put it this way ... "He knows how mentally ill his daughter is, and has genuinely tried to protect her."

Jamie, we're told, has no love lost for Britney's lawyer, Mathew Rosengart. By filing the latest legal docs, in a sense, Jamie thinks he trumped Rosengart, who has not yet filed a motion to end the conservatorship -- something he calls out in his legal docs. This puts Rosengart in an interesting position ... whether to join forces with Jamie at the Sept. 29 hearing and end the conservatorship, or not.

It's almost like saying, "Okay, you think the conservatorship should end. Then bring it on. Let's see what happens."

One source said they don't believe Jamie really wants the conservatorship to end, and certainly not without a medical evaluation. We're told Jamie does not believe the judge would terminate the conservatorship without a mental evaluation, and he has said privately he's sure that evaluation would present an insurmountable case to maintain the conservatorship.

So, he would get what he wants -- maintaining the conservatorship -- while also ending the lingering attacks targeting him. It might also ingratiate himself with his daughter.

Akon is mourning the loss of his good friend Michael K. Williams, and says he's the latest example of how the "facade of success" can send celebrities into a tailspin.

We got the artist Tuesday at Petrossian in L.A., and he said although he was close to Michael, they hadn't seen each other since the pandemic.

Akon has an interesting take, saying the rich and famous go through more issues than the poor. As he says, "More money, more problems."

He also talks about how the pandemic has masked real mental health struggles ... literally with masks that hide emotions.

Akon feels strongly, drugs and alcohol never solve difficult issues ... they send people down a dark path that, in Michael's case, ends in tragedy.