Showbiz: Movie stars go down well at rock's office

It's officially a trend. First Kevin Bacon and his brothers grab guitars and hit the road. Then Russell Crowe and his musical grunts tour the circuit.

Now, Steven Seagal and his six-member band, joined by three female backup singers, plan to perform at a benefit concert in Jamaica.

"I have always loved reggae music," the 50-year-old actor said. "While in Jamaica earlier this year, I recorded with Beenie Man and Toots Hibbert. As for our concert appearance on August 26, we plan to give a shocking performance."

Crowe, meanwhile, has expanded his band's North American tour after selling out concerts in Austin and Chicago. The New Zealand-born actor announced yesterday that his band, Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts (Tofog), would now play in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles during the August tour.

"The band will be performing material from its long history, as well as songs from its latest album, Bastard Life Or Clarity," according to a press release.

Crowe, who won the best actor Oscar earlier this year for Gladiator, is the lead singer of Tofog and also plays guitar.

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Wellington feature film Stickmen, released in January, is likely to return a profit to its makers. The $2 million film about a pool tournament has made about $2.6 million in overseas sales to 29 countries and box-office takings, including about $500,000 in New Zealand, its producers said. It will be released on DVD on July 25.

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Six months of marriage, and Madonna says she's still in love with Guy Ritchie.

"I feel like he is my equal and that's hard to find. He makes me laugh, he's gorgeous, he's brilliant and we're very much in love," the singer told Heat magazine.

She married the British film director in Scotland in December, and the couple have a home in London. They have a son, Rocco, who will be a year old next month. Madonna also has a 4-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from her relationship with ex-boyfriend Carlos Leon.

"I think a few years ago I wasn't sure what I was on this earth for. I think I was mostly concerned with getting things for myself," she said. "More clothes, more money, more popularity and more boyfriends. I wasn't really thinking, I was just doing.

"Then I woke up and said, 'What am I on this Earth for?' We are here to love and share," the magazine quoted her as saying.

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Organisers of Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary concert have expanded the festivities to two shows, adding a September 10 concert to the one already set for September 7 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.

The king of pop is expected to unveil music from his forthcoming album, Invincible, at the shows celebrating his solo recording career.

Organisers have tapped a glittering list of shining stars to pay tribute to the Gloved One, including 'N Sync, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, Britney Spears and Missy "Misdemeanour" Elliott.

The 42-year-old Jackson is also expected to reunite with his brothers for the first time in years.

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Robbie Williams says he has not had a relationship for two years - and has no idea what a "normal" one is.

The star, who has had a series of high-profile flings and was once engaged to former All Saint and new mother Nicole Appleton, said he wanted to be "mothered."

Williams, in an interview with Britain's Radio 1, said he had never been so happy after kicking his drinking and drug abuse.

"I'm a lot more stable and a lot more happy than I've ever been," he said.

Asked about his personal life, 27-year-old Williams said: "I've never had a normal relationship. I don't think many people have. I'm not going out with anyone. Haven't had a relationship for two years."

- NZPA