Blog Posts by Joseph Brannigan Lynch

Rocawear.comThanks to Jay-Z, you can now purchase solidarity and wear a mass-distributed symbol of grassroots anger. Always looking for ways to satiate the wealthiest segment of the population, proud 1% member Shawn Carter has created a t-shirt line to capitalize on the headline-grabbing Occupy Wall Street movement. The new Rocawear tee—which comes out today—reads "Occupy Wall Street" in stark white letters but scribbles out the 'W' and throws in a red graffiti-style 'S,' making the message "Occupy All Streets" instead.

Business Insider was kind enough to contact Rocawear and determine that the corporation is not familiar with the concept of irony. "At this time we have not made an official commitment to monetarily support the movement," a spokesperson for the $700 million-earning corporation said, although they acknowledged the $22 shirts are "created in support of the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement."

Swinging through Texas to screen his upcoming film The Rum Diary, Johnny Depp surprised a lucky crowd of concert-going Texans by taking the stage Saturday night with local music mainstay Bill Carter... not to mention Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

Following a Q&A session at the Austin Film Festival, Depp busted out his guitar and joined his old friend Bill Carter on stage at the Continental Club. The crowd, which swelled to three times the club's capacity, naturally went wild at the unexpected treat. (To watch the full song, click here.)

Those familiar with Depp's musical history, though, might not have been as shocked to see the usually private actor take the stage that night. Savvy Depp fanatics might recognize Bill Carter as bandmate of Depp's from the short-lived 90s alt-rock group "P," who debuted in Austin 18 years ago (incidentally, P was playing the LA nightclub River Phoenix died in front of in 1993).

Unlike some celebrity musicians, Depp isn't just posturing with his

While it's probably the most unusual addition to the Coldplay canon -- Rihanna guests on a song called "Princess of China" and the album has an almost dance-y feel -- the oddest thing about the band's fifth full-length just might be the meaning behind its title, Mylo Xyloto. Pronouncing it "my-low zy-le-toe" but remaining mum on the meaning for some time, lead singer Chris Martin eventually spilled the beans about what the title means... although his explanation arguably adds to the confusion.

"Music comes from a place we don't know," Martin told the New York Times. Alright, we're with you so far, Chris. "It sort of comes through the fingers and toes," he continued (not sure about that, but he would know better than most). "So we came up with the idea of, what if you had musical digits, like xylo toes?" Martin concluded.

According to the Times article, Martin immediately "shook his head, irritated that he gave up the secret so easily." So... musical toes, presumably like xylophone

After almost three decades time to spend her many millions of dollars, you would think it would be hard for Madonna to acquire anything new at this point in her life. One thing she didn't have until recently? A homeless older brother.

Fifty-five-year-old Anthony Ciccone claims he now sleeps under a bridge in a Michigan town of about 14,000. How could the second eldest sibling of one of the world's richest women find himself bereft of familial support?

Although he's scant on the details, Ciccone says he was fired from his father's winery a year and a half ago and has counted himself among the homeless ever since. "My family turned their back on me, basically, when I was having a hard time," he told the Michigan Messenger. "You think I haven't answered this kind of question a bazillion times, why my sister is a multibazillionarie and I'm homeless on the street?"

"Never say never," he warned. "This could happen to anybody."

Still, it's hard to imagine the Material Girl having a

Lady Gaga and renowned photographer Terry Richardson are releasing a collaborative photobook next month described as "a visual dialogue" between the two, filled with "intimate, random and behind-the-scenes" images of the progressive pop star captured over a ten-month period.

A sneak peek of LADY GAGA X TERRY RICHARDSON shows a characteristically unorthodox pic of Lady G taking a fancy-looking dinner while relaxing in little more than lacy lingerie. Not only is the left shoulder strap falling down, but the lingerie itself is fairly see-through. However, in deference to the chic-looking establishment, Gaga is sporting a sizable chain of diamonds around her neck.

Although seated behind a heaping serving of meat, mashed potatoes and asparagus, Gaga curiously has a carrot in her hand, which is clearly not part of the meal she's been served. Maybe this picture of Gaga choosing to munch on a baby carrot instead of the hearty meal in front of her is a nod to her previously stated belief

After 28 years, two adult children and plenty of drama together, Kiss frontman Gene Simmons wed former Playmate Shannon Tweed in a ceremony broadcast on last night's "Gene Simmons Family Jewels." How did the wild rocker feel about finding himself tied down for the first time in his life? "No idea what I'd been scared about all this time," Simmons mused while talking to his 19-year-old daughter Sophie. "[It was] this stubborn guy thing... it was really stupid." Smiling and nodding, his daughter simply said, "Yup."

Simmons' realization that the woman he's spent 28 years with is, in fact, "The One" (i.e., life partner, not to be confused with Keanu Reeves' character in "The Matrix") was reflected in the no-nonsense, self-skewering wedding vows he wrote. "I always thought I was strong. You made me realize how arrogant, selfish and weak I was," he admitted. "I've never said 'I love you' to anybody, but I love you, Shannon Tweed. With all my heart, for the rest of my life."

Simmons'

It looks like Harry Belafonte wasn't quite ready for his Day-O to begin when a California news team tried to interview him on live television Friday morning.

When the Bakersfield morning team cut to the Belafonte's live satellite feed from New York, the 84-year-old Calypso singer and actor was fast asleep--his arms were folded, his eyes closed and he was not ready to be woken up.

"Good morning Harry... Harry, wake up... This is your wake-up call, Harry," encouraged KBAK anchor Leyla Santiago before cracking up and trying to explain away Belafonte's mid-morning snooze.

"I'll tell you what," she said, "He's meditating." "Daylight hasn't come yet," another anchor quipped.

The anchors opined that the sound was probably out on Belafonte's end. As he was in a remote studio on the opposite coast they never did get a chance to talk with the "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" singer about his new memoir, "My Song."

The KBAK crew assured viewers, "He is okay," so we can all rest easy--just like

John Lennon's world peace anthem has been covered countless times, but there may be only one version of "Imagine" tailored to address the frightening dystopian idea of a pizza-free world.

Sounds like something "Weird Al" would cook up, right? Try again. This cheesy cover of "Imagine" comes courtesy of Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain. Formerly the CEO of Godfather's Pizza, Cain delivered this pizza-promoting performance back in the '80s (and now unearthed by the Daily Beast) when he was still in charge of the Nebraska food chain.

Surrounded by gospel singers and garbed in minister robes, Cain's deep voice asks us to "Imagine there's no pizza," although he admits, "I couldn't if I tried."

Instead of addressing greed, hunger or the brotherhood of man, Cain reminds parents everywhere that "You're lucky you have pizza, to feed your kids for you/No defrosting or cooking, and no dishes you must do."