A Few More Things: MJ, Ray Charles & Pete Doherty

Furniture Fit For A King
Although Michael Jackson never got a chance to use the furniture he had custom-made for his home in Kent, England, his fans will now have the opportunity to add one of the pieces to their own living room.

Jackson had commissioned 22 pieces of furniture with plans to use the collection during his “This Is It” comeback concert residency at London’s The O2. The King Of Pop died June 25, less than three weeks before the 50-date tour was set to kick off.

The decadent collection includes a gilded red velvet sofa that seats nine, a leopard-print chair adorned with ostrich feathers and a pair of velvet armchairs complete with embroidered gold eagles.

Before being sent to auction, the pieces will be displayed June 14-25 at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, set up as a re-creation of MJ’s home.

The auction will benefit MusiCares, an organization that helps out struggling musicians, and Joshua’s Heart, a charity which works to end world hunger.

Click here for the AP article.

Broadway Bound
After working with Ray Charles for 15 years and producing the 2004 biographical film Ray, producer Stuart Benjamin is now bringing the R&B singer’s story to Broadway.

The musical, titled “Unchain My Heart,” is set to open in New York Nov. 7. Preview performances will begin Oct. 8.

The show will feature a book a book by Suzan-Lori Parks and be directed by Sheldon Epps. Casting is yet to be announced.

California’s Pasadena Playhouse featured an earlier version of the show, called “Ray Charles Live,” back in 2007.

Click here for the AP article.

Bad Driver Doherty
Pete Doherty is going to be asking his pals for a ride over the course of the next 12 months.

On Thursday the Babyshambles singer was fined 500 pounds ($750) and sentenced to a 12-month driving ban. Doherty’s lawyer entered a guilty plea on his behalf for giving his manager the OK to use the singer’s car without insurance.

Last month, his manager, Andrew Boyd, was sentenced to 12 months in jail for a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian.

Boyd, 42, pled guilty to charges including dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without a license or insurance.

The pedestrian, who was delivering newsletters, suffered “catastrophic” brain injuries and was left in a coma.

Being in trouble with the law is nothing new for Doherty. In January the singer received another fine for being caught with heroin in his pocket at a December court hearing for a careless driving case.

Click here for the AP article.