Twisted Sister guitarist rocks for Barack

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Jay Jay French wants to rock. He also wants Barack.

So the Twisted Sister guitarist has rerecorded the heavy metal band's anthem, "I Wanna Rock," which has become "I Want Barack."

French, a lifelong liberal Democrat whose mother campaigned for John F. Kennedy, said Barack Obama, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has energized a new generation of voters who previously felt left out of politics.

"He has excited so many people," said French, who founded Twisted Sister in 1973 in a telephone interview Tuesday. "He has given sincere hope to people who have been out of the arena for years."

French plays guitar on the track, which features Paulie Z., singer for the band Z02, on vocals and lead guitar. They call the band Jay Jay French and Friends and stress this isn't a Twisted Sister project because that band's members are split on the presidential candidates. The Obama camp had no immediate comment on the song.

It's not the first ode to Obama from the rock world. Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has recorded and released two music videos, "Yes, We Can," which has garnered more than 5 million hits on YouTube.com and the more recent "We Are the Ones."

A New York judge sentenced Busta Rhymes to three years' probation Tuesday for assaulting his former driver and a fan and warned the rapper to stay out of trouble. The 35-year-old Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, was also ordered to perform 10 days of community service; pay a $1,250 fine, plus court costs; and enroll in a drunken driving program. After the sentencing, Rhymes said the terms of the plea deal won't be a problem. "I have no trouble being a good dude because that's what I am," he said.

Gary Busey has apologized for embracing Jennifer Garner on the red carpet at the Oscars last month. During a live E! preshow broadcast, Busey repeatedly interrupted while Ryan Seacrest was interviewing Garner and Laura Linney. At one point, Busey embraced Garner, who looked annoyed. "I meant no disrespect to Ms. Jennifer Garner when I met her at the Oscars and apologize if I made her uncomfortable," the 63-year-old actor said in a statement e-mailed Monday by a publicist for his attorney, Vicki Roberts. "Everyone has experienced a handshake or hug which has turned awkward, and this was no different," Busey said.