NEWS FLASHES!

COLORFUL guitarist and co-founder of the band Alabama Jeff Cook died Nov. 7 at age 73. The onetime wild man was as famous in his heyday for his messy love life as for introducing the electric doubleneck guitar to country music.

PRINCESS Märtha Louise, the 51-year-old daughter of Norway’s King Harald, is chucking her royal to-do list amid controversy over fiancé Durek Verrett, a Los Angeles “shaman” whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow. She will retain her title but no longer represent “the royal household.”

SYLVESTER STALLONE’s biggest regret is turning down a $34 million paycheck to star in yet another Rambo movie back in the ’80s. “And that’s in 1980 dollars!” says Sly, 76. “Oh boy, what an idiot. Now I think about that and … wow.”