Too Tough to Die

OBIT Punk rock legend Joey Ramone died on Sunday after a brief battle with lymphatic cancer, according to the Ramones' official website. Ramone, who was born Jeffrey Hyman, was only 49 years old. ''Our beloved Joey Ramone passed away this afternoon at 2:40 p.m. in a hospital in New York City where he was being treated for cancer,'' the website announced. ''Joey's loving family was at his bedside.'' The Ramones, known in the biz as the first punk band, were formed in Forest Hills, Queens in 1974 by Hyman, Johnny Ramone (born John Cummings), Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Colvin), and Tommy Ramone (Tom Erdelyi), who was later replaced by Marky Ramone (Marc Bee).

Joey, the band's lead singer, and the guys recorded 21 albums, starting with 1976's self titled debut ''Ramones'' and ending with 1997's live album ''We're Outta Here'' (the group broke up in 1996). Although the Ramones never cracked the top 40 charts in the United States, they peaked commercially with their cover of the Ronettes song ''Baby I Love You,'' which made it to the U.K.'s top 10, and the Phil Spector produced album from which the single came, ''End of the Century,'' which reached No. 44 on the Billboard charts in 1980. The Ramones were known for their frenetic live 20 minute sets, which included a flurry of short, 2 minute and under songs. According to the All Music Guide Online, Ramones disciples include the Clash, Megadeth, Urge Overkill, Rancid, and Dogmatics.

LEGAL BRIEF Recently acquitted superstar Sean Combs just can't seem to avoid trouble. The 31 year old hip hop mogul was pulled over Saturday night while driving a scooter along Miami Beach's trendy Ocean Drive. According to Reuters, Combs allegedly made an illegal lane change, which led police officers to charge him with driving with a suspended license. He was not arrested, but had to sign a ''promise to appear'' form for an upcoming court date, which has yet to be set. Combs had been stopped the previous Tuesday for allegedly speeding in Golden Beach, Fla. When officers pulled him over, they discovered Combs had a suspended New York license. He said then he was unaware the driver's license was suspended, yet only four days later, he was out driving the scooter. Sounds like somebody needs another loyal driver, ay Puff?

FREEDOM Speaking of rap magnates with criminal reps, Marion ''Suge'' Knight is expected to be released from Mule Creek State Prison near Sacramento, Calif. some time this week. According to the April 16 issue of Newsweek, Knight, who has served five years of a nine year sentence on assault charges, is scheduled to stay in a halfway house or work release program for two months and will be home by late June. Knight told Newsweek he's looking forward to a long post prison soak: ''The first thing I'm gonna do when I get out of here is take an hourlong bath. I'm sick of showers.'' The Death Row Records cofounder is also ready for some good ol' fast food: ''Then, I'm going to get me a double cheeseburger and some chili cheese fries. I've been thinking about them for five years,'' Knight said.

GREATEST ARTISTS Frank Sinatra emerged victorious in a British poll of the 20th century's greatest voices, the BBC announced Saturday. The Chairman of the Board topped the list of the 100 best voices of the century, compiled by BBC Radio 2, including votes by listeners, professional singers, and music experts. Elvis Presley came in second, and Nat ''King'' Cole placed third. Ella Fitzgerald was No. 4 and Bing Crosby was No. 5. Rounding out the top 10: John Lennon; Aretha Franklin; Billie Holiday; Barbra Streisand; and Freddie Mercury.

CONCERT NOTES Lee Ann Womack and 98 Degrees will perform during the last six days of the 2001 State Fair Grandstand in Syracuse, N.Y. According to the Associated Press, this year's lineup of acts includes modern rock, country, and pop artists. It will be the third Grandstand appearance for 98 Degrees, which is scheduled for the Aug. 31 show. Among the other acts expected are: Kenny Chesney, Styx and REO Speedwagon, Blink 182, and Brooks & Dunn with Toby Keith. The State Fair is from Aug. 23 - Sept. 3 this summer at the Empire Expo Center.

CASTING Famke Janssen ("X-Men") is in talks to play a villainess in "Men in Black 2" for director Barry Sonnenfeld. The Columbia Pictures sequel is scheduled to start shooting in June, with the original's stars, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones reprising their roles. Johnny Knoxville ("Jackass"), according to the Hollywood Reporter, will play a two headed alien, and Rosario Dawson ("Josie and the Pussycats") will play Rita, Smith's love interest.

Young rapper Lil' Bow Wow, 14, is ready for his feature film debut in the basketball pic ''Like Mike.'' Written by former Source Entertainment president Michael Elliot, the fantasy film follows a teen who finds a pair of magical sneakers once worn by Michael Jordan and becomes a nationally recognized basketball player.

STRAIGHT TO CABLE ''The West Wing'' star Rob Lowe will star in ''Framed,'' a psychological thriller for cable's TNT. The telefilm is based on a British miniseries starring Timothy Dalton and Penélope Cruz that aired on A&E in 1992. Lowe will play a New York City detective who runs into an important money laundering case witness while vacationing in the Caribbean. Production on the two hour picture begins this May in Winnipeg, Canada, and then the Bahamas.

CONGRATULATIONS Actors Josh Brolin, 33, and Minnie Driver, 30, are engaged, according to People.com. The London born Driver, who's best known for her Oscar nominated role in ''Good Will Hunting,'' started dating Brolin (Babs' stepson) while on the set of ''Slow Burn'' in 1998, People reports. Brolin was previously married to actress Deborah Adair, and Driver was in relationships with past costars Matt Damon and John Cusack. No wedding date has been announced.