Sting's Broadway musical The Last Ship cost $15 million to produce, and it's been struggling to sell tickets—losing $75,000 a week since it opened on Sept. 29. In a big to attract audiences and attention to the foundering Ship, Sting himself will join the musical's cast on Dec. 9. "I’ve been working on this show for five years and been at every rehearsal, every performance, so it’s not like I’ve flown in from Planet Rock Star to save the day," said Sting—who added that he'd bare his butt "in Macy's if it will help save our show." (New York Times)

Rapper Rick Ross is still a big guy, but he's lost some weight recently, and he credits pears ("and s--t like that") for helping him shed the pounds. ("Shout-out to all the pear," Ross enthused in a recent interview.) "On behalf of our 1,600 pear growers," a USA Pears spokesperson said in an e-mail to Modern Farmer, "we are pleased that Rick has mentioned the health benefits of pears. Overall, we could not be more pleased with our message being delivered to a new, young and hip demographic."

One Direction and Katy Perry were the big winners at last night's American Music Awards, with One Direction winning Artist of the Year and other awards; and Perry taking Single of the Year for "Dark Horse." (Billboard)

Cher, saying she's "totally devastated," has cancelled all the remaining shows on her "Dressed to Kill" tour, citing doctor's orders to rest and recuperate from a recent infection that has impaired her kidney function. (New York Times) The tour stopped at Target Center on June 11.

Banks told Billboard that one of her career goals is to perform in outer space to an audience of aliens.

At a concert in Torino, Italy, Peter Gabriel debuted a new song called "What Lies Ahead." Gabriel hasn't released any new music since 2008's "Down to Earth," his Oscar-nominated song from the WALL•E soundtrack. (Consequence of Sound)

Jean-Marc Vallee, director of Dallas Buyers Club and the upcoming Wild, is in negotiations to direct a Janis Joplin biopic that would star Amy Adams. (Billboard)

Billy Joel has booked the 2015 concert that will make him the performer with the most-ever shows played at Madison Square Garden. If the show on July 1 goes as planned, Joel will surpass the record of 64 shows held by his former tourmate Elton John. (Billboard)

Morrissey isn't getting any less thin-skinned: 25 minutes in to a concert in Warsaw last Wednesday, the former Smiths frontman quit and walked off stage after being insulted by a fan in the front row. (Consequence of Sound)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkbPREiKf-g

On Friday Katy Perry lashed out at Australian paparazzi who she says "stalked" her and said they'd only leave her alone if she let them take a bathing suit shot. She tweeted photos of three of the men and posted a statement saying in part that "This is PERVERTED & disgusting behavior that should NEVER be tolerated." (Billboard)

Sporting sideburns appropriate for the occasion, John Stamos did the honors to inaugurate Christmas at Graceland, flipping the switch to light the decorations at Elvis Presley's former home. Stamos is also the voice of the Graceland iPad tour. (Billboard)