Arch MUSIC NEWS for 8/17/12

Tommy Lee‘s drum rollercoaster could lead to a court case. Engineer Scott King claims he came up with the idea for the contraption more than 20 years ago. He says Lee turned him down when he tried to sell the concept to the rocker back in 1991, but then the drummer used the idea for his “360 Drum Rollercoaster” set-up on Motley Crue‘s 2011 tour. King has sent a letter to the group, saying he’ll launch a lawsuit if they don’t pay him for his idea. Motley Crue’s lawyers have responded with a letter to King denying his accusations. They say they owe him nothing. The Crue claims King never made any proposal to Lee about the device, adding that Lee’s rollercoaster has no resemblance to what King designed.

Gene Simmons‘ reality series has come to an end. “The Hollywood Reporter” says A&E and the Simmons family have mutually decided to call the seventh season of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” its last. The finale aired last month. The KISS bassist says in a statement the series has been “a wonderful, life-altering experience for our family,” but they feel it’s now “time to move on”.

Three sisters form a girl group and quickly become Motown singing sensations in the remake of the 1976 musical drama “Sparkle” in theaters this weekend. Executive produced by late singing star Whitney Houston, the movie also stars Houston in her final film role. She plays Emma, the mother of the movie’s rising stars.  ”Sparkle” follows the sister’s trials and tribulations as the pressures of fame take their toll on the close-knit family. The movie also stars Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Carmen Ejogo, Cee Lo Green and Mike Epps. This movie is rated PG-13.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be up early this morning, taking the stage in New York City on Friday to perform on the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” All American Concert Series.  The band is slated to play material from their upcoming album, “Last of a Dyin’ Breed,” along with their best-known hits. Their performance will also be streamed live at the “Fox & Friends” website.

Guns N’ Roses fans wanting to catch the band during their Las Vegas residency can get their tickets today. The group will play a 12-date concert run at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “Appetite for Destruction.” Guns N’ Roses will launch the engagement on Halloween.

–Music News compiled by Jay Philpott