People talk 2/26

Singer offers video testimony for inquest

SYDNEY, Australia -- Limp Bizkit lead singer Fred Durst has offered to testify through a video link at the inquest into a young fan's death at a concert, but said he's too busy to attend in person, a coroner was told Monday.

Glebe Coroner's Court is examining the death of 15-year-old Jessica Michalik, who suffered a heart attack during a crowd crush at the January 2001 Big Day Out concert in Sydney. She died five days later.

A band spokesman told the court that a number of managers from Limp Bizkit's touring group had made written statements and could testify in person, but Durst was too busy to travel to Sydney.

The coroner, Jacqueline Milledge, welcomed his offer.

Last year, she repeatedly asked Durst to testify about what he saw during the rescue of Michalik and others involved in the crush, which happened during Limp Bizkit's performance.

But counsel for the promoter of the event, Mark Dean, said video evidence was not good enough because witnesses were not bound by perjury laws.

He said statements from the band's witnesses contained "scandalous" claims including criticism of security staff which were disputed.

Milledge is expected to decide today whether to accept written statements or allow Durst to testify from the United States.

McCartney sings tribute to fellow Beatle

LIVERPOOL, England -- The Beatles' hometown on Monday marked the birthday of George Harrison, the band's quiet and spiritual guitarist who died of cancer in November.

Paul McCartney dedicated an a cappella rendition of "Yesterday" to Harrison during a tribute concert at Liverpool's Empire theater on Sunday night.

Before the show, McCartney remembered the bandmate he met as a teen-ager riding the bus to school.

"We go way back," McCartney said. "We both used to live in Speke and he used to get on the bus one stop after me. We used to have a half an hour on the bus to talk about guitars and music and stuff like that.æ

McCartney said, "He was a lovely bloke. He gave a lot to the world -- his music and his spirituality.æ

McCartney said, "He was always a very strong man. I think he would be delighted with this."

Money raised by the concert, which 2,300 Beatles fans attended, will go to cancer charities.

The concert -- which included a performance by The Beatles' contemporaries, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and other Liverpool musicians -- took place on the day Harrison celebrated as his birthday, though official records list it as Feb. 25.

The youngest of the Fab Four, Harrison died Nov. 29 at age 58.

Shatner travels back to company's ad role

NORWALK, Conn. -- William Shatner will resume his role as a spokesman for Priceline.com, but won't be singing in the next generation of ads for the name-your-own-price Internet company.

The former "Star Trek" star will team up with what Priceline.com calls its super computer, which finds airline tickets, hotel rooms and other travel products at discounts.

Earlier this year, the 70-year-old actor renewed his contract to appear in Priceline.com radio and television advertisements.

"Given the futuristic side of William Shatner, the new campaign is a natural and lends itself to both radio and TV treatments," said Brett Keller, Priceline.com's chief marketing officer.

Norwalk-based Priceline.com gained popularity in the late '90s from Shatner's quirky commercials. The original ads featured him singing offbeat renditions of popular songs, including "Freebird" and "Age of Aquarius," while extolling the company's virtues.

The company has said Shatner's commercials helped make it one of the most recognized brands in the travel industry.

Writers group honors 'Frasier' co-creator

LOS ANGELES -- The Writers Guild of America will posthumously honor "Frasier" co-creator David Angell, who died in a hijacked plane during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

During its annual awards dinner on Saturday, Angell will be awarded the Valentine Davies Award, which recognizes those who have "brought dignity and honor to the profession of writing." The award is named for the writer of "Miracle on 34th Street."

Angell and his wife, Lynn, were among the passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston, which terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center.

The 54-year-old wrote for "Frasier" and "Cheers," winning eight Emmy Awards for writing and producing for both series.

His former partners, Peter Casey and David Lee, will accept the honor. Angell created "Frasier" and "Wings" with both of them.

The Writers Guild event will be highlighted by the group's honors for the year's best work in movies and television.

-- From wire reports