Rock 'n' roll lyricist JERRY LEIBER has died. The New York Times says he passed away yesterday at age 78. With his partner, MIKE STOLLER, Jerry wrote the words for some of the greatest hits of all time. The list includes such ELVIS PRESLEY hits as "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as BEN E. KING's "Stand By Me," "On Broadway" by THE DRIFTERS and just about every hit THE COASTERS ever had. Leiber & Stoller also owned Red Bird Records which was the home to girl groups like the DIXIE CUPS and the SHANGRI-LAS.

R&B singer Nick Ashford, half of the legendary singing and songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, died Monday at age 70. Ashford passed away at a New York City hospital after a battle with throat cancer. As singers, Ashford & wife Valerie Simpson are probably best known for their tune “Solid,” but as songwriters they penned some of the most memorable Motown hits including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” and “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing.” They were inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2002.

Actress JENNIFER GARNER. People magazine reports she and husband BEN AFFLECK are expecting a third child together (they have two girls already, VIOLET and SERAPHINA, five and two years old respectively).

Ryan Gosling couldn’t get more likeable if he tried. The Crazy, Stupid, Love star apparently stepped in and helped break up a fight on the streets of New York earlier this week. Video of the altercation hit the web yesterday. "There is a man who sells paintings [that] he makes on that corner," a witness told Us Weekly. "This older man ran by him and tried to grab and run away with one of his paintings. The painter was able to stop him before he took off with him and tackled him to the ground." Ryan separated the two men and then took them over to the side to find out what happened. They once again began to argue, when, according to the witness, Ryan finally asked the painter, “how much is the painting?” After being told it cost $10, “Ryan gave him a $20 and said, 'Does this cover what the man owes you?' The painter thanked him and said yes. Ryan said ‘good,’ and continued on his way."

A fire broke out at the Necker Island home of Virgin mogul Richard Branson. About 20 people, including Oscar winner Kate Winslet and her family, were staying at the mansion on a private island in the British Virgin Islands, when the fire started during a lightning storm. Branson was staying in another property about 100 yards away with his wife and son Sam. Sam was able to evacuate the guests from the home, before it was "completely destroyed." l Apparently, Kate helped Branson's 90 year old mom to safety. Branson wrote on his blog, "Many thanks to Kate Winslet for helping to carry my 90 year mum out of the main house to safety wondering when a Director was going to shout CUT!”

Kim Kardashian's wedding bulldozed its way through Santa Barbara last weekend -- and one of its victims ... a wedding full of completely nice, innocent, non-Hollywood people also getting married at the same resort!   Matt Hornbuckle and his now-wife Christy and guests rolled up to the hotel bar afterwards for a round of cold ones, they were TURNED AWAY because it was shut down to make room for the media covering the Kardashian wedding nearby.

Ex-Warrant singer Jani Lanewas carrying a note in his pocket on the day he died which read, "I am Jani Lane".  Investigators have confirmed the note was written by one of Jani's friends -- the note has infuriated members of his family -- who tell us whoever had written the note was CLEARLY aware that he had a substance abuse problem.  There is no criminal investigation into the death -- and so far, investigators believe the death was either accidental or due to natural causes.

Vanilla Ice received the ultimate token of appreciation this month from the temperamental crowd at the Gathering of the Juggalos -- a 5-foot mega-bong -- Someone in the crowd actually passed it to 'Nilla in the middle of his performance last week -- and not wanting to upset the fickle crowd, Ice humbly accepted.