AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: The Beastie...

AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: The Beastie Boys couldn’t get permission to cover the old Beatles hit, “I’m Down.” But Nike will be putting the Beatles catalogue to good use. The shoe manufacturering firm has launched a $7-million ad campaign to promote a new line of air-cushioned shoes that uses the Beatles song “Revolution.” A Nike spokesman says its the “first time” an original Beatles recording has been licensed for use in a TV campaign. . . . If you thought Lou Gramm sounded a bit unhappy about his role in Foreigner in last week’s Pop Eye item, you were right. In a recent interview with a Pittsburgh radio station, Gramm announced, “As of two days ago, I’m not involved with Foreigner anymore.” Calling the split “amicable,” Gramm added, “It’s actually not a workable situation for a few other things other than the touring.” Foreigner is expected to start a search for a new singer immediately. . . . The new James Bond film, “The Living Daylights” (out July 31 from United Artists), features a theme song written by the unlikely combination of a-ha and John Barry, the Bond series’ longtime composer. . . . The neo-legendary Lounge Lizards (headed by actor-saxophonist John Lurie) are back with a new album that wins our title of the week: “No Pain for Cakes.” Recorded on an old sound stage at New York’s Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, the record is their first studio disc in seven years. Due out next week, it features such tunes as “My Clown’s on Fire,” “Carry Me Out” and “Where Were You.” . . . And guess who hopped up on stage in Vancouver to jam with Jason & the Scorchers recently? Guitar slinger Michael J. Fox, who accompanied the band in a raucous version of “Route 66.”