RIP

Motown legend Nickolas Ashford -- part of the singer-songwriter duo Ashford and Simpson -- who penned several iconic hits, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" -- died yesterday after a battle with throat cancer.

In addition to "Ain't No Mountain", Ashford co-wrote several songs with his wife Valerie Simpson -- including, "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", "Solid (As a Rock)," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "I'm Every Woman."

The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Ashford and Simpson in 2002 -- calling them "one of the most prolific and versatile musical couples in recording history."

Ex-Warrant singer Jani Lane was carrying a note in his pocket on the day he died which read, "I am Jani Lane" ... but TMZ has learned Jani wasn't the person who wrote the note.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Jani had no official ID on him when his body was discovered at a Los Angeles motel on August 11 -- and we're told he hadn't been in possession of an ID for a while.

We're told the note contained a phone number for a person close to Jani -- and police contacted that person after Jani's body was discovered.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... investigators have confirmed the note was written by one of Jani's friends -- and that person had placed a similar note on Jani in the past. Cops have been in contact with that person.

However, the note has infuriated members of Jani's family -- who tell us whoever had written the note was CLEARLY aware that Jani had a substance abuse problem ... and should have helped Jani seek treatment instead of simply tucking a piece of paper into his pants.

It's unclear if the same person who wrote the note also checked Jani into the Comfort Inn -- but sources tell us it appears the room where Jani was discovered was not purchased by Jani himself.

Law enforcement sources tell us there is no criminal investigation into the death -- and so far, investigators believe Jani's death was either accidental or due to natural causes.

An autopsy has been completed -- and results from the toxicology tests are expected soon.

Taylor Armstrong and Russell Armstrong's parents are in agreement -- Russell will be cremated in Los Angeles and the funeral will be held in L.A. as well ... TMZ has learned.

Taylor's family law attorney, Troy Christiansen, tells TMZ, Taylor is "outraged" at attorney Ron Richards, who has said Taylor and her lawyer lied when they said they had looped Russell's family in on the funeral arrangements.

Richards claimed that Taylor excluded Russell's family from any decisions.

As we reported, there was a conflict over whether Russell's body would stay in L.A. or be taken to Texas, but Christiansen says it's all been resolved and everyone is in agreement.

David Carradine's wife has just settled her case against the production company of the movie David was shooting when he died of auto-erotic asphyxiation ... TMZ has learned.

Anne Carradine had sued MK2 Productions, claiming they had a duty to supervise David while he was on the shoot for the movie, "Stretch." Anne claims the night David died in his Thailand hotel room, the production staff had gone to dinner and told David he would have to make his own arrangements for the evening.

Sources tell us that MK2 paid Anne money to settle. And, we're told the other defendants -- including the hotel and insurance company have settled as well.

In all, sources say Anne will get around $400,000 from the defendants.

One of the most recognizable stars of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" waxed poetic minutes ago about the death of Taylor Armstrong​'s estranged husband -- but there's one problem ... the star is Lisa Vanderpump's dog.

You read that correctly -- Lisa's tiny Pomeranian Giggy, which has over 32,000 followers on Twitter, went public with its feelings this morning, writing, "A very sad time...I look at life a little differently today..my heart aches for@TaylorArmstrong .."

Sure, it's a bogus Twitter account -- but we still gotta ask ...

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong hasn't broken the news yet about Russell's suicide to her 5-year-old daughter Kennedy ... TMZ has learned.

Friends close to Taylor tell us, "She's not emotionally ready to do so just yet."

Taylor's attorney, Robert Thorne, tells us, "Taylor Armstrong is devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded. She requests privacy at this time so that she may comfort her young daughter."

Russell Armstrong's lawyer tells TMZ, he was blindsided by the sudden death of the "Real Housewives" star -- claiming, he spoke to Russell just days before his suicide ... and he seemed ok.

According to Ronald Richards -- Russell was a loving family man ... who spent every dwindling dollar he had to finance his estranged wife's lifestyle.

Russell Armstrong, the estranged husband of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong, was found dead of an apparent suicide ... sources tell TMZ.

Our sources say Armstrong hanged himself. He was found hanging in his bedroom on Mulholland Drive.

We're told L.A. City Fire Department arrived at his home and pronounced him dead at 8:16 PM Monday. Sources say a roommate found Russell and called 911.

We're told authorities have not found a suicide note.

Taylor filed for divorce last month, after she claimed Russell physically abused her. We're told authorities informed her of Russell's death last night.

He was 47 years old.

Story developing ...

8:13 AM: Bravo and the cast of "Real Housewives" were unaware of Russell's death. Kyle Richards was distraught when she saw the TMZ post, and Lisa Vanderpump was speechless.

9:29 AM: A rep for Bravo tells TMZ, “All of us at Bravo are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Armstrong family at this difficult time."

9:35 AM: Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... no drugs or alcohol were found in the bedroom where Russell died. He was fully clothed when his body was discovered.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Russell Armstrong was at his wits end over his impending divorce from Taylor in the days leading to his death -- and he was inundated with debt.

Russell's lawyer Ronald Richards tells TMZ, Russell had been staying at a friend's house on Mulholland Drive in L.A. -- the same house where authorities found his body hanging last night.

Richards tells us, "I feel bad because his credit cards weren't working ... He had tremendous financial problems."

Richards adds, "He was also extremely bummed out about the divorce with Taylor. As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don't have any assets, so I'm not sure what there would be left to leave. I am extremely saddened ... I had no idea he was depressed."

Five people are dead and 40 more injured after a stage collapsed tonight at the Indiana State Fair before the country band Sugarland was to perform.

High winds were believed to have been the cause.

A reporter for WANE-TV in Indiana was in the crowd at the time and described what happened like this: "The wind just picked up and the stage just caught and the roof just caught and it went up like a sail and then it crashed forward into the people standing in the front. There were people trapped underneath and everyone was running and screaming. They were asking any medics or nurses not to leave."

Jani Lane's former band will pay tribute to the fallen singer at their concert tonight in North Dakota ... TMZ has learned.

Guitarist Erik Turner -- who co-founded the band -- tells us, "We will be making a tribute before we play the song 'Heaven' tonight."

He adds, "We never thought that when the song 'Heaven' was written we would be playing it someday in the memory of Jani's untimely death. This is a very sad day for rock and roll. One of the great things about music is that it lives on forever."

Lane penned the song "Heaven" back in 1989 -- and it's said to be the band's most commercially successful single.

Past and present members of Warrant are mourning the loss of their old frontman Jani Lane -- claiming, "He was a true talent and will be missed by all of us."

The band released a collective statement on their website moments ago, on behalf of all former and current members -- adding, "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Jani's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Investigators found a half-empty bottle of vodka and prescription medication in the hotel room where Jani Lane died yesterday ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us paramedics were called to the Comfort Inn in Woodland Hills, CA yesterday around 5:15 PM. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

An autopsy is scheduled for later today.

Jani Lane -- former lead singer of the rock band Warrant -- was found dead at a hotel in L.A. Thursday evening ... TMZ has learned.

Lane's body was discovered at the Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, CA. So far, no official cause of death has been released.

Lane famously penned the band's biggest hit "Cherry Pie" back in 1989 ... before eventually leaving the band to pursue a solo career.

Lane had a history of alcohol-related issues -- he was ordered to serve 120 days in jail after he was arrested for DUI in 2010 ... his second DUI in two years.

The entire metal community is mourning the death of Warrant singer Jani Lane ... including Slash who posted a message saying, "Just heard about Jani Lane. What a shame. RIP man."

Nikki Sixx from Mötley Crue also weighed in ... saying, "I just heard the sad news about Jani Lane. So hard to swallow when people have kids. RIP."

Alice Cooper posted a message calling Lane a "fallen brother." And Bret Michaels from Poison added, "We'd like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Jani Lane regarding their loss."

Francesco Quinn, a successful actor and son of the late screen legend Anthony Quinn, died Friday night at the age of 48 ... according to several reports.

A neighbor told the Malibu Patch that Quinn was running near his home with his son Max when he collapsed. Paramedics arrived quickly, according to the paper, but Quinn was pronounced dead at a local hospital.