Musicians Strike Sour Notes

By Stephen M. Silverman

10/22/1997 at 12:00 AM EDT

Paul Weller, 42, founder of influential British bands the Jam and the Style Council, was arrested over the weekend on a rape charge, say British press reports. Weller, who was questioned by officials and then released on his own recognizance, was reportedly implicated in an alleged 1996 sexual assault. His publicist confirmed the arrest, reports Billboard, but would offer no further comment . . . former Allman Brothers Band lead guitarist and songwriter Dickey Betts, 56. was arrested Sunday night after his wife, Donna, 45, said he attacked her at their Florida home, reports the Associated Press. Law officials said he was intoxicated and his wife claimed that Betts (whose real name is Forrest R. Betts) shoved her to the ground. He was released on $10,000 bail on Monday. "He's fine, Donna's fine," said his attorney, Michael Mosca. "It's a misunderstanding, and it's all gotten blown out of proportion."