Jimmy Dean R.I.P.; Rock Band 3 will have keyboards and Phoenix; Weezer releases World Cup victory song

Jimmy Dean in 1999. The "Big Bad John" singer passed away at age 81. (Photo by Susan Biddle/TWP)

By Ally Schweitzer

- Jimmy Dean, the country singing, TV hosting, sausage slinging entrepreneur from Plainsville, TX, died yesterday. Dean dropped out of school in ninth grade and went on to build a remarkable and varied career. He won a Grammy in 1961 for his crossover hit "Big Bad John," later covered by Johnny Cash and manipulated for various politicians' campaigns; buoyed by the single's success, he graduated to television, where he hosted the Jimmy Dean Show in the mid-1960s. The singer, who spent most of his life as the owner and spokesperson for Jimmy Dean Meat Co, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Dean died in his Richmond area home at the age of 81. Click here to see photos of Dean throughout his career.

- Set to be released this winter, the video game Rock Band 3 will include keyboards, three part harmonies, and songs by Phoenix, the White Stripes and Rilo Kiley. Heaven help us.

- Saturday's U.S. vs. U.K. World Cup game ended in a draw, but not for Rivers Cuomo's lack of trying. This weekend Weezer released a rockin' World Cup victory song, "Represent." Inspirational lyrics sample: "It matters how you play the game/It matters if you can take the pain." I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty pumped up. How could the U.S. not win after hearing that synth melody-- yeah, the one that sounds kinda like the "Taj Mahal" take in Rod Stewart's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"?