Quick Takes: Sidemen take a bow at rock hall of fame

Let’s hear it for the band.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has decided to induct six bands whose high-profile leaders previously made it into the hall individually, in recognition of the critical role those musicians played in the history of pop music.

Buddy Holly’s Crickets, Bill Haley’s Comets, James Brown’s Famous Flames, Gene Vincent’s Blue Caps, Hank Ballard’s Midnighters and Smokey Robinson’s Miracles will join their frontmen as full-fledged members of the hall of fame at this year’s induction ceremony, slated for April 14 in Cleveland.

“These inductees are pioneers in the development of the music we call rock and roll,” Hall of Fame Foundation President and Chief Executive Joel Peresman said.

The Rock Hall previously attempted to address the band member issue starting in 2000 with the addition of a “Sideman” category, which subsequently brought in Elvis Presley’s original guitarist Scotty Moore (but not bassist Bill Black) and Chuck Berry’s old boss Johnnie Johnson, among others.

—Randy Lewis

La Scala denies anorexia charge

Repeated statements by a former prima ballerina that anorexia is rampant at Milan’s famed La Scala theater has startled the dance corps, which issued a statement Wednesday denying the eating disorder was an issue.

The dancers wrote that they were “flabbergasted and embittered” over Mariafrancesca Garritano’s statements in media interviews and a book that anorexia is widespread, affecting as many as one in five dancers.

“There is no emergency of anorexia, and whoever is part of our reality knows it well,” the dancers’ statement said.

Garritano, 33, was fired last month after continuing to make statements that the theater considered false and damaging to its reputation, La Scala spokesman Carlo Maria Cella said Wednesday.

—Associated Press

CNN suspends Roland Martin

CNN analyst Roland Martin has been suspended for his controversial tweets on Super Bowl Sunday making fun of an H&M underwear ad featuring David Beckham.

“Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive,” CNN said in a statement Wednesday. “Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated.”

The network did not specify how long Martin will be off the air.

Martin denied he was being homophobic, saying the tweets were intended as a joke about soccer.

—Greg Braxton

Effects society honors ‘Rango’

The animated tale “Rango” took home four trophies at the 10th annual Visual Effects Society Awards on Monday night, leading all films.

The live-action movies “Hugo,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” each won two awards.

Directed by Gore Verbinski and featuring the voice of Johnny Depp, “Rango” was honored for visual effects, animated character, created environment and virtual cinematography.

—Oliver Gettell

Meet the young Lemony Snicket

Against the apparent wishes of the author, a new Lemony Snicket series begins this fall.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers announced Wednesday that “Who Could That Be at This Hour?” will be out in October. It’s the first of four volumes of the “All the Wrong Questions” series, a “highly autobiographical account” of Snicket’s childhood.

In keeping with a running gag that Snicket — the pen name for series author Daniel Handler — discourages people from reading his books, Little, Brown also shared with reporters an email purporting to be from him. The “Snicketemail” asks Little, Brown to postpone its announcement.

—Associated Press

Finally

Grammy reunion: The surviving members of the Beach Boys will reunite for their first public performance in more than two decades Sunday at the 54th Grammy Awards ceremony at Staples Center.

Casting call: Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will star with Sylvester Stallone in “The Tomb,” a prison-break adventure.

In the red: Actor Gary Busey, 67, filed for bankruptcy in L.A. this week, listing more than $500,000 in estimated personal debts and less than $50,000 in assets.