Authorized Sly Stone documentary on the way

SLY STONE:  Authorized documentary now in production

Sly Stone will be the subject of an upcoming documentary.

Sly has already been interviewed for the authorized but still-untitled project, which is directed by veteran filmmaker Derik Murray. We hear it will include archival footage and still photos.

Murray tells Rolling Stone that Sly is an ideal subject for such a film. "[His] idea was to create a diverse band that embraced a kaleidoscope of musical and cultural styles, that stand unparalleled to this day."

A specialist in celebrity documentaries, Murray has made such films as I Am Heath Ledger. He's also been involved with documentaries on Chris Farley, Even Knievel, John F. Kennedy Junior and Martin Luther King Jr. 

BILLY JOEL:  Celebrity guests for his 50th consecutive sold-out show

At his 50th consecutive sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, the Piano Man welcomed hockey legend Mark Messier. Messier -- wearing his number-11 sweater that's retired by the team -- told Billy, "It's even a bigger honor to be sharing the rafters with you for the rest of our lives." He then raised another banner: "Billy Joel 50 Most Consecutive Performances by an Artist."

Later in the show, comic Jim Breuer unleashed his inner rock and roller, leading the band -- with Billy on bass guitar -- in the AC/DC song "You Shook Me All Night Long." 

PAUL McCARTNEY:  Toying with Latin rhythms for next album

Paul McCartney is toying with some Latin rhythms for his next album, which is expected this year.

Asked on his website by a fan named Yvonne if he "ever thought of exploring some of the Latin American genres like son, rumba, salsa, merengue, tango and samba,” he said, "I’ve done something along those lines. My new album actually has something which is decidedly Latin. But I don’t know if it will make the cut. You never know with these things, but I think it will and people will understand what I’m talking about when they hear it. But I love Latin rhythms and have often experimented with them, but not a definitive thing like a tango or a salsa. It’s more the general rhythms of the country that I love.”

The new album will be his first studio effort since NEW came out in 2013.