Gwinnett Daily Post

Franklin’s publishing company sued over royalties

DETROIT — A longtime songwriting partner of Aretha Franklin has sued her publishing company, claiming it did not sign a royalty agreement for a song on her recently released album.

The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit by Norman D. West also accuses Springtime Publishing Inc., of copyright infringement over an earlier song and seeks unspecified damages to ensure future royalties.

West said no royalty agreement was signed for ‘‘Put It Back Together Again.’’ That song and ‘‘New Day,’’ which West said he co-wrote, appear on ‘‘Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love.’’ The CD was released this spring — her first studio album in about eight years.

Minnillo, Lachey tie the knot

LOS ANGELES — After dating for more than five years, Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo are married.

A spokeswoman for Minnillo confirms that the couple wed Friday. People magazine first reported the nuptials.

Publicist Melissa Raubvogel provided no other details.

The 37-year-old singer and 30-year-old actress announced their engagement in November. Lachey was previously married to Jessica Simpson.

He is host of NBC’s ‘‘The Sing-Off.’’ She was host of ABC’s ‘‘True Beauty.’’

Actress Withers dies in Sydney

SYDNEY — British actress Googie Withers, a Hollywood golden age staple best known for her appearance in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘‘The Lady Vanishes,’’ has died at her home in Australia. She was 94.

Born Georgette Lizette Withers in what was then British India, she was given her lifetime nickname by her Indian nanny.

Withers appeared in dozens of films in the 1930s and 40s, but was probably best known for her role as Blanche in ‘‘The Lady Vanishes’’ playing opposite Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave.

— From wire reports