The media just want to get a peek at Madonna. But the pop star’s security guards want to take a peek under her guests’ kilts.
Photographers, cameramen and reporters from all over the world have already begun to set up camp in the sleepy Scottish town of Dornoch for what will be the biggest celebrity wedding of the year, Reuters reports. The Queen of Pop is scheduled to marry British filmmaker Guy Ritchie (“Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”) at Skibo castle on Friday.
But the media frenzy is expected to start going into overdrive Thursday when the couple will christen their 3-month-old baby, Rocco.
Security is said to be extremely tight, with rumors going around saying that the pop star’s security guards will be checking under Scotsmen’s kilts as they enter the castle to keep those pesky hidden cameras at bay.
The Material Mom reportedly wants to avoid the media circus that gathered at her first wedding in 1985 to actor Sean Penn (uh, good luck).
“Madonna‘s bodyguards are a pretty hard-bitten bunch. They think this idea is a hoot and are calling themselves the Sporran Legion,” one castle insider reportedly said.
Meanwhile, it’s also been reported that British pop star Elton John will perform his hit song “Song For Guy” on an $18,000 piano at the reception. Ex-Police” frontman Sting will also reportedly sing at the reception.
The guest list includes some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow is set to be the maid of honor and Madonna’s father, Tony, will give his daughter away.
KIRSTY MACCOLL KILLED IN ACCIDENT: British singer Kirsty MacColl was killed Monday when she was struck by a motorboat while swimming with her two sons off the coast of Cozumel Island, Mexico, Reuters reports. She was 41.
MacColl is best known for her songs “They Don’t Know” and “There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis.” She also provided vocals for the Rolling Stones and Morrissey.
EMINEM BANNED IN NEW ZEALAND: Rap fans love him, but New Zealanders can do without him. Rapper Eminem’s newest CD, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” has received an R18 classification, which means the album is prohibited from being sold or given to anyone under age 18, Reuters reports.
Also, any store caught selling the album to a minor in New Zealand could face a $25,000 fine. The Classification Office banned the controversial record after receiving complaints of its sexual and violent material.
POPS STAPLES DIES: Gospel icon Roebuck “Pops” Staples died Tuesday after suffering a concussion from a fall. He was 85. Staples gained fame with his R&B group the Staples Singers in the 1960s by singing music that urged social and religious change, Reuters reports.
The group gained more recognition with hits such as “I’ll Take You There,” “Respect Yourself,” “Heavy Makes You Happy” and “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me).” The group also recorded “Let’s Do It Again,” which was the title track of the film starring Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier.
ODB BACK IN COURT: Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard is expected to be in a New York courtroom this week to face outstanding drug charges, Reuters reports. The rapper, whose real name is Russell Jones, fled a court-mandated drug-rehab center and became a fugitive in October.
He showed up in New York the next month to perform with his group but was not arrested. Police later arrested ODB a week later in a Philadelphia McDonald’s. He also faces separate drug charges in Brooklyn, as well as charges of making terrorist threats, driving without a license and failing to pay child support. He faces up to seven years in prison for the drug charges alone.
10,000 MANIACS GUITARIST DIES: Rob Buck, lead guitarist for 10,000 Maniacs, died Tuesday due to complications from liver failure, The Associated Press reports. He was 42.
Buck is best known for composing the band’s hits “Hey Jack Kerouac” and “What’s The Matter Here?” He died at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, according to the band’s publicist.
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