Young stars shining for talents alone

Back in the mid-1980s, 17-year-old Charlie Sexton was in a unique situation. The guitar sensation headlined at clubs across the country but was legally too young to order a beer at any of them. He was encouraged to trade his rootsy blues style for synth-driven rock and had a minor hit with “Beat’s So Lonely.”

`Hype!’ the last word on Seattle grunge scene

It’s not often that having no money or a reputation are considered fortuitous in filmmaking.  But when director Doug Pray and producer Steve Helvey decided to make a movie about the Seattle music community, their do-it-yourself attitude endeared themselves to the film’s subjects.  Even reclusive Eddie Vedder spoke candidly on-camera about feeling guilty that his band, Pearl Jam, was enjoying so much success while older Seattle bands went unappreciated. “Hype!” opens today.

Beans jump into limelight on TV movie

Rock’s prettiest couple has split up. No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and Bush’s Gavin Rossdale – the Gwyneth and Brad of the music world – have ended their 10-month relationship. But they’re still good enough friends to exchange little presents. During a recent visit to Chicago, Stefani wore a black sweater with black and white striped sleeves – exactly the kind that Rossdale favors. “Oh, it’s funny that you mention that,” Stefani said.  “It was a gift from Gavin.”

Model rockers were inevitable

It used to be that the primary link between rock stars and models was that they dated each other. These days, the line between the two factions is blurred at best. Oh sure, they’re still dating each other. But check it out: Jon Bon Jovi and Madonna posing seductively for Versace ad campaigns while human clothes hangers Donovan Leitch and Milla sing their hearts out  onstage.

Eye Candy

Eye Candy keeps watch on music-related items worth a closer look: The shotgun reunion between David Lee Roth and Van Halen may have been a bust, but the original Van Halen lineup looks young and happy in “Van Halen – Video Hits, Volume 1” (Warner Reprise Video). The 64-minute home video also includes “Me Wise Magic,” a new track featuring Roth on vocals . . .