The Beatles' company Apple Corps has filed a $53 million lawsuit against the band's longtime label partner, EMI, claiming that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison are due additional royalties.

"We have tried to reach a settlement through good-faith negotiations and regret that our efforts have been in vain," Apple Corps manager Neil Aspinal said in a statement. "Despite very clear provisions in our contracts, EMI persist in ignoring their obligations and duty to account fairly and with transparency."

Vocalist Lou Rawls, 72, reportedly is being treated for lung cancer at a Los Angeles hospital.

Rawls' illness was initially disclosed to the public via an Arizona court filing, where he is seeking a marriage annulment.

"Don't count me out, brother," Rawls told a reporter from the Arizona Republic. "There's been many people who have been diagnosed with this kind of thing and they're still jumpin' and pumpin'."

The John Mayer Trio--Mayer, Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino--is scheduled to appear on the "CBS Early Show" on Dec. 19, and on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on Dec. 23.

The group will also join Phil Lesh & Friends for three year-end shows in San Francisco.

Rockers Quiet Riot have retooled their lineup for 2006. Joining vocalist Kevin DuBrow and drummer Frankie Banali will be guitarist Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns, Brides of Destruction) and a new bass player yet to be announced.

The group plans to enter the studio to begin work on a new album in January, and is expected to tour behind the set.