Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on April 15th, 2026

KISS' Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have revealed the launch date for the band's long awaited Las Vegas avatar show, and will apparently include "new songs." After KISS played the final show on their farewall tour in Dec. 2023, they announced that their "new era" would involve live shows where they would be replaced by their digital avatars. The holograms also debuted at that gig, where they performed 'God Gave Rock And Roll To You' after the real band left the stage at Madison Square Garden. Simmons later said that the avatars would "get better" after a less-than-enthusiastic public response, and he said that "about 200 million" dollars was being invested in the technology. Now, in an interview with Pollstar magazine, Simmons and Stanley have said the show is tentatively scheduled to launch in Las Vegas in 2028. Production on the shows will be overseen by Pophouse Entertainment, the company behind ABBA's acclaimed "Voyage" show, and it will be Pophouse's first US-based show. "It's going to be the iconic face personas, the Demon, the Starchild and so on. Who you want to place into that line-up is up to you," Simmons told the outlet. Responding to a question about what songs will be included, Stanley said it will "have all the classics through the years and some surprises," while Simmons added that "you're gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs" which have been "written by us." In Nov. 2024, Stanley said the show would be like "Cirque Du Soleil meets Star Wars and a KISS concert," claiming the avatars will look "identical" to them. - New Musical Express, 4/14/26...... In related news, ABBA have reached the "incredible milestone" of 4 million visitors to their "Voyage" live show. The groundbreaking concert residency sees digital CGI versions of the four members of ABBA performing in the purpose-built ABBA Arena in East London, and since launching in 2022, four million people have been in attendance. "Voyage" passed the one million visitor mark in Apr. 2023, and as of the second weekend in Apr. 2026, it will have quadrupled that number. "Reaching four million visitors is an incredible milestone for ABBA Voyage, and a testament to the fans who have travelled from across the world to be part of this experience," ABBA said in a statement. "From those visiting for the first time to the many who return again and again, it's their energy and passion that bring the concert to life every night. To see audiences continue to embrace the concert and the joy of our music is truly special, and it's been incredible to watch the concert become a global phenomenon," they add. In the four years since it launched, ABBA "Voyage" has staged 1,415 concerts with audiences collectively spending more than 141,500 hours at the show. "Dancing Queen"' alone has played for 4,800 minutes. In 2023, ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus told New Musical Express that "We hope to stay in this venue for as long as we can. We hope they'll have us for many years, and we might build other replicas of this in other places: Asia, Australia, North America. There are lots and promoters and cities that we're talking to at the moment about that. Each one would take at least two years to build, but there will be announcements towards the end of this year or the beginning of next about where we actually are going. That's if we're going somewhere, which we will." - NME, 4/11/26...... The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2026 inductees on the Apr. 13 episode of American Idol, with host Ryan Seacrest and RRHOF member Lionel Richie announcing the eight artists who made the cut out of a total of 17 who were nominated in late February. Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and hip-hop pioneers Wu-Tang Clan were inducted into the Performers category, with the Early Influence Award going to Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz; Afrobeat architect Fela Kuti; hip-hop boundary-breaker Queen Latifah; rap pioneer MC Lyte; and country rock godfather Gram Parsons. Musical Excellence Awards were given to Philly soul songwriter Linda Creed ("The Greatest Love of All"); producer Arif Mardin (The Bee Gees, Bette Midler); producer/musician Jimmy Miller (The Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood); and producer Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Tom Petty). Finally, Ed Sullivan --whose groundbreaking variety show The Ed Sullivan Show introduced Americans to live performances from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Jackson 5 and more -- receives the Ahmet Ertegun Award. Eight of the marquee names in the Class of 2026 are being inducted posthumously: Luther Vandross (died in 2005), Celia Cruz (2003), Fela Kuti (1997), Gram Parsons (1973), Linda Creed (1986), Arif Mardin (2006), Jimmy Miller (1994) and Ed Sullivan (1974). The nine acts on the 2026 ballot who didn't make it in this year include The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, P!NK and Shakira. One of the main takeaways of this year's Rock Hall class is that the 1980s are "the new '60s & '70s," with no primarily '60s or '70s acts inducted this year (unless you count the Joy Division half of Joy Division/New Order, which released one of its two studio LPs in 1979) or even nominated. The 2026 Rock Hall induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, to be aired on ABC and Disney+ the following month. - Billboard, 4/13/26...... Paul McCartney has extended his history on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart with his new single "Days We Left Behind," which he shared on YouTube on Mar. 26. The song, from McCartney's forthcoming studio LP The Boys of Dungeon Lane, bowed at No. 22 on the A/C list dated Apr. 18, Sir Paul's highest A/C debut since 1978, when "With a Little Luck," with Wings, entered at No. 21. He last appeared on A/C with "Come On to Me," which hit No. 10 in Oct. 2018, becoming his 19th top 10 as a soloist. "Days We Left Behind" is also drawing early play at adult alternative radio, debuing at No. 7 on the Rock Digital Songs chart dated Apr. 11. "This is very much a memory song for me," McCartney, 83, shared in a statement announcing the new album, which drops on May 29 via MPL/Capitol Records. "The album title, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, comes from a lyric in this track. I was thinking just that, about the days I left behind, and I do often wonder if I'm just writing about the past, but then I think, 'How can you write about anything else?'," he said in a statement. - Billboard, 4/10/26...... Smokey Robinson has lost his bid to put an end to the claims brought by two of the five Jane Does accusing him of sexual assault. The Motown legend had asked a Los Angeles County judge to dismiss the claims as being too old to pursue because the to women stopped working for the Robinsons in 2020 and 2011. The singer maintained that California's "revival window" which has allowed women to resurrect historical assault claims did not extend to their separate allegations of a hostile work environment and unpaid wages. He also argued that the women had failed to show how they were prevented from filing those labour claims within the three-year statute of limitations. However the women's lawyer argued that "there was systematic sexual coercion, and that would have thwarted any reasonable investigation into wage rights... The plaintiffs have clearly stated that there was a systematic coercion for them to live under a code of silence." The judge ultimately sided with the women. In a $50 million lawsuit filed in May 2025, the first four Jane Does alleged they were sexually assaulted or raped repeatedly while working for Robinson and his wife, Frances, at their homes in the San Fernando Valley and Las Vegas. The Robinsons have denied the allegations and counter-sued the women for defamation and elder abuse. - Music-News.com, 4/14/26...... As Record Store Day approaches in the UK and US on Apr. 18, avid former Led Zeppelin frontman and avid record collector Robert Plant has been named as this year's Record Store Legend. "Record stores have always been a part of my life. For me, once you get to the physical record it's because you really want to know and be a part of what the artist was considering," Plant said during a recent visit to Cardiff, UK's Spillers Records. "And I know, as a guy who's been making records since 1966, people want to take home something very special, to enjoy all the elements of what an artist has put together. We want a connection between the music and the art of the whole thing," he added in the appearance, which has been shared on Instagram. The 19th installment of RSD, a celebration of independent record shops and vinyl culture in the UK involving more than 300 stores around the country, will take place on Apr. 18. Previous recipients of Record Store Legend include Elton John and Johnny Marr, while Plant himself is part of RSD 2026 as his EP "Saving Grace: All That Glitters" will be released for the occasion. This year's Record Store Day arrives with vinyl sales at their highest level in 20 years. The UK's Digital Entertainment and Retail Association report that the market for vinyl records grew by 18.6%, in value terms with over 7.5 million discs sold last year, generating 238 million. In the US, the Recording Industry Association of America released numbers in March showing vinyl sales surpassed the $1 billion mark in 2025. Other notable RSD 2026 releases include Bruce Springsteen - Live From Asbury Park 2024 and a Just Tell Me You Love Me various artists' tribute to Fleetwood Mac. - NME, 4/11/26...... After a teaser video of The Rolling Stones' new vinyl-only single as The Cockroaches, titled "Rough & Twisted," was uploaded to Instagram recently, a full rip of the tune has been shared online after the single was released as a vinyl-only "white label" record on Apr. 11. The physical edition was limited to just 1,000 numbered copies at independent record shops worldwide, and has since sold out. In the comments section on TikTok, one fan described the song as "early '70s Stones" with "today's production and engineering," with another fan writing: "This is so killer, holy shit." On Instagram, another person hailed the track's "big blues(rock) sound." "Yeah, why don't you drive me/ Down that rough and twisted road?/ Why don't you guide me/ 'Cause I don't know which way to go?," Jagger sings over distorted guitar in the first verse. The frontman later adds: "Yeah, all you feed me was just rancid rice and bones/ All I drank was muddy water/ As lonely as a saxophone/ Why don't you take me/ To where I wanna go? To Natchez, Mississippi, Sicily and Rome." The single serves as the first taste of Stones' as-yet-untitled new album, which is slated for release in July, and will be the band's first full-length effort since 2023's Grammy-winning Hackney Diamonds. - NME, 4/14/26...... '70s punk icon Iggy Pop broke out several classic tracks at the Coachella 2026 festival in California on Apr. 12, and ended his set by being wheeled away in a coffin. Iggy made his latest appearance at the iconic music fest after having played there solo for the first time in 2001, before reuniting with his band The Stooges for the first time in three decades back in 2003. Pop opened his show with back-to-back renditions of "T.V. Eye," "Raw Power," "I Got A Right" and "Gimme Danger," before heading into two solo fan favorites: "The Passenger" and "Lust For Life." Other hits in the 14-song setlist included the classics "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "Search And Destroy," and he introduced the song "1970" by making a nod to his age. "It's not easy being alive now. It's not easy to be old... it's not easy to be young," the rocker, who is set to turn 79 on Apr. 21 said, introducing the song. "It wasn't easy then." As well as working through his biggest hits from over the past few decades, the punk godfather also ended his show with a bang too -- getting into a black, red fur-lined coffin, and playfully crossing his arms over his chest and sticks his tongue out. The lid was then closed over him, and he was wheeled off the stage that way, with his arm sticking out the side and waving to the crowd along the way. That theatrical exit from the stage is the same way he ended his sets during his UK tour in 2025. After the performance, multiple viewers took to social media to celebrate the energy and charisma Pop is capable of displaying, even well into his 70s. "It's incredible and impressive that at 78-years-old he still dominates the stage like few others: raw, electric, and absolutely hypnotic. The father of punk in his most alive form," one fan wrote. "It is amazing that Iggy Pop can do what he's doing at nearly 80 years old, but if he wore a shirt no one would mind," one person quipped, while anther responded: "He was born shirtless and he'll die shirtless." Fan shot footage of the performance can be viewed on X/Twitter. - NME, 4/13/26...... After a bench warrant was issued for a 55-year-old LA woman who allegedly stalked and threatened former Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham for years before physically attacking the singer/guitarist in March, the woman has been arrested in Indiana. Los Angeles prosecutors have charged 55-year-old Michelle Dick with seven criminal counts after she allegedly hurled an unidentified substance at Buckingham in Santa Monica on Mar. 25. The felony complaint, filed on Apr. 6, alleges Dick stalked Buckingham between 2021 and Mar. 25 this year. The charges include making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon involving a motor vehicle, and vandalizing Buckingham's car. Prosecutors claim the woman also stalked a second victim, identified as "Stephanie N.", placing her in reasonable fear for her safety. Buckingham's former bandmate Stevie Nicks' full name is Stephanie Lynn Nicks, but it has not been confirmed that she is the second victim. Buckingham sought a restraining order against Dick in Nov. 2024, alleging years of harassment. A judge granted the restraining order in Dec. 2024, requiring her to stay away from Buckingham, his wife, Kristen, and their son for five years. She was also ordered to keep her distance from their homes and vehicles. Buckingham told the court that Dick allegedly parked her car outside one of the homes he shares with his wife in 2024. "She began rambling about me being her father and suffocating her as a child," Buckingham wrote. He shared that subsequent threats on Instagram were directed at his wife. "This incident terrified my wife as she feared for her safety. Given that Ms Dick also knows my home address, I am terrified as well," he wrote. - Music-News.com, 4/14/26..... Roger Waters is on the lookout for a new singer to front his son's Pink Floyd tribute group Brit Floyd - after firing him from his touring solo band. Harry Waters previously played keyboards for his father on the road for 14 years. However, Harry revealed in 2023 that his dad had let him know that his services would no longer be required. "I was fired, it was pretty miserable," he said at the time, adding that his dad "wanted a change of blood, something new, something fresh." Harry then went on to join tribute act Brit Floyd, alongside one of Pink Floyd's former background singers, Durga McBroom, and their ex-saxophonist, Scott Page. Now, Roger has put out an "open invitation" on Instagram for a singer to join a brand-new tour scheduled for next year, "Roger Waters Presents LEGACY - A Pink Floyd Show Performed By The Harry Waters Band." The announcement for the upcoming dates is accompanied by the tagline: "The father's legacy, the son's band." In a statement, Roger wrote: "My son Harry Waters has put a great band and show together to go on the road next year to pay tribute to the music from the golden era of Pink Floyd, and maybe a couple of songs from my subsequent solo career. Harry's band is missing one thing: The voice I had when I was young [from] 'Comfortably Numb', to the high-pitched scream of 'You know how I need you to beat to a pulp on a Saturday night' from 'Don't Leave Me Now'. Can you do that? Are you that missing voice? If you are, this is your chance. This is an open invitation to audition for Harry's band. I'm serious." Those who wish to apply for the role can do so via an online form before Apr. 30. "Please be sure to submit a Pink Floyd song, with Roger on lead," the form reads. It also mentions the band's "tentative tour plans," stating that it will kick off next February and run for 20 weeks. - NME, 4/10/26...... Jermaine Jackson, the brother of Michael Jackson, shocked fans with a rare public appearance at the LA world premiere of the new MJ biopic Michael on Apr. 11. Jermaine, 71, first rose to fame as a founding member of the Jackson 5 alongside brothers Michael, Jackie, Tito and Marlon Jackson. Known for his smooth vocals and bass guitar skills, Jermaine contributed to hits like "I Want You Back" and "ABC," which helped cement the group's place in music history. After the Jackson 5 transitioned to The Jacksons in the mid-1970s, Jermaine briefly stayed with Motown to pursue a solo career, scoring R&B hits like "Daddy's Home" and "Let's Get Serious." He eventually rejoined his brothers and continued to perform with them through the 1980s, including during the legendary Victory Tour. In recent years, he has appeared less frequently in the public eye, focusing on family and occasional musical projects. Michael will officially open in the US on Apr. 24 and in the UK on Apr. 24. - JLAForums.com, 4/12/26...... Canadian thespian Richard Donat, known for being the voice of Deej on the 1980s Star Wars spin-off TV show Ewoks, has died at the age of 84. Among his most famous roles was the Stephen King character Vince Teagues on the Syfy show Haven, which was set in Mr. Donat's native Nova Scotia. He was also a fixture on CBC radio in "Canada at Christmastime," when he could be heard reading the Robert Louis Stevenson poem "Christmas at Sea." Mr. Donat's longtime wife Maggie Thomas and their sons Owen and Morgan were at his side when he died on Mar. 28, according to the funeral home's announcement. He purportedly suffered from illnesses in the last two years of his life and was treated at a hospital on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, where he has lived since 1989. Mr. Donat hailed from a showbiz family as the nephew of Oscar-winning English actor Robert Donat (Goodbye, Mr. Chips) and the brother of Peter Donat, known for his stints on the 1980s prime-time soap Flamingo Road and in the 1990s on The X-Files. The 1970s and 1980s also saw Richard land work in a number of Canadian films, such as the horror picture Death Weekend starring Brenda Vaccaro and the oil crisis satire Gas led by a young Howie Mandel. - DailyMail.com, 4/14/26...... Children's programming legend and beloved puppeteer Sid Krofft, who alongside his brother Marty created popular '70s children's TV shows like Land of the Lost and H.R. Pufnstuf, died on Apr. 10 of natural causes at the home of his friend and business partner, Kelly Killian. He was 96. "Sid Krofft was an icon who did what he loved most until the very end - being out in public with his legions of fans," his publicist Adam Fenton said in a statement. "Sid never slowed down, attending his final show where it all began just last November in his home state of Rhode Island. Sid was a beacon of light and will be greatly missed," he added. Born in Montreal, Quebec, and raised in Rhode Island, Mr. Krofft worked as a puppeteer in vaudeville and Ringling Bros. circus before he and his brother Marty Krofft (who died in 2023 at age 86) set their sights on television. After a stint working for Hanna-Barbera's The Banana Splits, the brothers created and produced H.R. Pufnstuf in 1969, a children's TV series featuring puppets that was very attuned with the psychedelia of the era. Though the show was short-lived, lasting only one season of 17 episodes, H.R. Pufnstuf would later become a cult series and became a launchpad for similar Krofft productions. In the 1970s, the Kroffts produced The Bugaloos, Lidsville, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and Land of the Lost, with the latter series -- about a time-warped family sent back to an era of stop-motion dinosaurs -- adapted into a Will Ferrell-starring big screen film in 2009. Sid and Marty also headlined their own Krofft Supershow in the mid-1970s, while their puppeteering featured on variety shows ranging from The Brady Bunch Hour and Raquel Welch's Really Raquel to Richard Pryor's Pryor's Place and Donny & Marie. The Kroffts would later receive a Lifetime Achievement award from the Daytime Emmys as well as a joint star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Marty, who was eight years younger than Sid, died in 2023 at age 86. The Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick took to Instagram to mourn her friend and mentor upon learning of his death. "Rest in peace Sid Krofft" she captioned the update. "Thank you for the sweetest memories." In the featured image, the actress and two of her Brady Bunch costars posed with Mr. Krofft and others at his and Marty's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in 2020. - au.rollingstone.com/TVInsider.com, 4/12/26.

Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on April 10th, 2026

The London Times has confirmed that the Rolling Stones have a new single called "Rough and Twisted" on the way after cryptic hints were seen around London teasing the band is back with new music. Earlier in April, a number of mysterious posters were spotted in the capital, which simply read "The Cockroaches" along with a QR code which took fans to a website that read "Who The F--- Are The Cockroaches?" -- similar to that of the notorious T shirt owned by Ronnie Wood, which read "Who The F--- Is Mick Jagger?". At first it wasn't if The Cockroaches posters had any connection to the band -- although they had used that moniker a few times in the past -- nor was it clear if it was angling at new music or a live show. Now The Times is reporting they've heard the new "Rough and Twisted" single, and it sees Jagger sing about driving "down a rough and twisted road all the way to Puerto Rico, where the tide ebbs and flows and you do feel that something sexual may be happening along the way." They also report the song starts with an electric blues riff reminiscent of "Start Me Up," has a "killer riff" and "a rambunctious harmonica solo" from frontman Jagger, and is set to arrive as a vinyl-only "white label" release on Apr. 11. It has also been confirmed that "Rough and Twisted" is the first single to be shared from a new album titled Foreign Tongues. The record will be the band's first since 2023's Grammy-winning Hackney Diamonds their 25th studio album, and set for release in July. Like that release, the new LP -- their first since the death of founding drummer Charlie Watts -- will see the band join forces with producer Andrew Watt again. Finally, The Times says the band already has at least 10 songs written for another release after this upcoming album. - New Musical Express, 4/10/26...... Costly reshoots for the new Michael Jackson biopic Michael when the producers learned the film could not include scenes about legal charges brought against the King of Pop have cost $15 million. Due for release on Apr. 24 in the US and Apr. 22 in the UK, Michael dramatizes Jackson's rise to megastardom. Jaafar Jackson, the singer's nephew, will play the title role. Variety reports that the $155 million film will end with Jackson at his peak, during the success of the Bad album, rather than the ending originally planned. According to the outlet, much of the third act originally focused on sexual assault charges the star faced in his life. In 1993, Evan Chandler, a dentist and screenwriter based in Los Angeles, accused Jackson of sexually abusing his 13-year-old son Jordan Chandler, which he denied. The case was concluded when the two parties reached a financial settlement in 1994. In 2013, four years after Jackson's death, choreographer Wade Robson filed a lawsuit against his estate, saying Jackson had sexually abused him between the ages of seven and 14. Former child actor James Safechuck, also came forward with allegations. The report states the film would have extensively covered the accusations from Jackson's point of view, however the production discovered late in shooting that a clause in the settlement with the family of Jordan Chandler prevented them from portraying the child on film. Jackson's estate has continuously denied all allegations of sexual abuse made against him, and as such, a 22-day reshoot was organized, costing a reported $15 million, which the article said Jackson's estate covered. The film will now end with Jackson at the height of his popularity, with the dramatic tension coming from his relationship with his father Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo), the manager of The Jackson Five. Recently, Michael's daughter, Paris Jackson, criticized the production, emphasising that she had no involvement in the film and accusing co-executors of her father's estate of wasting money. The final trailer of Michael can be streamed on YouTube. - NME, 4/8/26...... The estate of late funk-rock icon Prince has reached a settlement with Prince protegé Apollonia (né Patty Kotero) ending their dispute over who owns legal rights to the name made famous by the movie Purple Rain. After a years-long legal battle, the two parties both withdrew their dueling trademark cases against each on Apr. 8. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. "Apollonia is very happy with the results, and that the parties can continue to honor the legacy of Prince and his musical genius," Apollonia's attorney Daniel Cislo told Billboard. "In a time of so much conflict, it is very good to see people coming together to resolve their dispute." Lawyers for the Prince estate have yet to comment on the resolution. Shortly after the death of Prince by fentanyl overdose in 2018, his estate petitioned the U.S. trademark office to cancel Apollonia's ownership of the intellectual property, leading to years of legal proceedings between the two sides. Apollonia then moved the fighting to federal court last summer with a lawsuit accusing the estate of trying to "steal" her name. Prince's estate called the lawsuit "frivolous" and said its goal was to peacefully co-exist with Apollonia. A hearing on the estate's motion to dismiss was set for Apr. 10 in Los Angeles before the settlement was reached. Apollonia rose to fame playing a character of the same name in Purple Rain. Her song from the 1984 movie, "Sex Shooter," spent six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. In the years since, Apollonia has used the moniker for music releases, acting credits and a podcast hosting gig. Prince died without a will, leading to years of probate court infighting before his Paisley Park business entity's assets were split in 2022 between his heirs and another entity controlled by Primary Wave. - Billboard, 4/9/26...... Elton John will be the recipient of Canada's Glenn Gould Prize during a gala scheduled for May 9 in Toronto. Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall, Noah Parets and Eric McCormack will be in the roster of Canadian performers taking the stage to perform (or dance to) songs from the British music icon's vast catalog. "I am so pleased to have been asked to perform at the 15th Glenn Gould Prize Gala honouring Elton John," said McLachlan in a statement. "As a longtime admirer of Elton's musicianship and philanthropy, it is thrilling to be able to pay tribute to him in this meaningful way. The Glenn Gould Prize is a significant part of Canadian and International arts and culture, and the importance of continuing to honour those who share their gifts with the world cannot be overstated," she added. Often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of the Arts," the Glenn Gould Prize is awarded biennially to recognize a living individual of any nationality or discipline for a lifetime of artistic achievement that has enriched the human condition. Established in 1987, the honor includes a $100,000 award for the Laureate, who in turn selects an emerging artist to receive the $25,000 Protgé Prize. - Canoe.com, 4/9/26...... On Apr. 8 Pink Floyd announced a new compilation album of eight essential classic songs from the legendary band's 1971-1979 era, 8-Tracks, will be relesed on vinyl, CD and digital streaming platforms on June 5 via Sony Music. 8-Tracks features the popular tracks "Money," "Wish You Were Here," "Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2," "Time" and "Comfortably Numb," along with the earlier cuts "One Of These Days" and "Wot's Uh The Deal." It also boasts an exclusive full version of "Pigs On The Wing," which was previously available on the 1977 Animals eight-track cartridge tape release. The track sequence for the new compilation has been edited by Steven Wilson using sound effects sourced from the original multitracks to make for a continuous listening experience "in classic Floydian style," according to its official description. The project celebrates the eight-year period that spawned some of Floyd's most successful and celebrated records ever: 1971's Meddle, 1972's Obscured By Clouds, 1973's The Dark Side Of The Moon, 1975's Wish You Were Here, 1977's Animals and 1979's The Wall. The release, according to the description, aims to provide an entry point for new listeners, while offering a carefully curated collection for longtime fans to revisit and appreciate. Meanwhile, in March David Gilmour's legendary "Black Strat" became the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction, selling for an enormous $14.55 million at Christie's auction in New York as part of "The Jim Irsay Collection." The sale made the instrument the most expensive guitar ever sold, eclipsing 2020's $6 million sale of the acoustic guitar Kurt Cobain played at Nirvana's MTV Unplugged show in 1993. - NME, 4/8/26...... It was announced on Apr. 8 that David Bowie's live band from his legendary 2000 Glastonbury festival set will reunite for a one off charity performance this fall at Cameron House on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland on Nov. 7 and 8 as part of a two-day event titled "Bowie: Live on the Loch," to benefit Save The Children. The band -- comprised of guitarist Earl Slick, keyboardist Mike Garson, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, multi-instrumentalist Mark Plati and drummer Sterling Campbell -- will be joined by special guest performers during the show, and tickets are available at cameronhouse.co.uk. Bowie's 2000 Glastonbury show is often hailed as one of the greatest in the history of the festival, and in 2018, it was released in full for the first time as a concert film and album. A trailer for the 2026 "Live on the Loch" event can be viewed on YouTube. - NME, 4/8/26...... Speaking to Rolling Stone, Ringo Starr has boasted that he's "still the best dancer in rock and roll" at the age of 85. Asked if he considers himself "the best dancer in rock and roll," Ringo replied, "Yes, I agree. I'm just sort of a mover." The former Beatle shows no sign of slowing down in his ninth decade, with his new country-flavored album Long Long Road out on Apr. 24, and a tour with his All-Starr Band. Preceded by the single "Choose Love" which drops on Apr. 10, the new LP reunites him with producer T Bone Burnett, following last year's surprise Nashville hit Look Up. Ringo's tour kicks off on May 29 in Temecula, Calif., then hits San Diego (5/30), Charlotte, N.C. (6/1), Tuscon, Ariz. (6/4), Lincoln, Neb. (6/6), Paso Robles, Calif. (6/7), Albuquerque (6/9), San Jose (6/12) and Tempe, Ariz. (6/13) before wrapping at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre on June 15. - Music-News.com, 4/9/26...... Veteran producer and former '60s British Invasion duo Peter and Gordon member Peter Asher is the subject of a new documentary, Peter Asher: Everywhere Man. He's "the legend behind music's biggest legends," as Asher, who has also produced and/or managed acts including James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross and 10,000 Maniacs, is dubbed in the film's trailer, which has premiered on YouTube. The entertaining movie, released by Greenwich Entertainment and directed and produced by Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller (the team also behind the acclaimed 2021 Leonard Cohen doc), opens theatrically in New York on June 19 and in Los Angeles on June 26. The film features new and archival interviews with Taylor, Ronstadt, Steve Martin, Eric Idle, Lyle Lovett, Paul McCartney, Twiggy, Carole King, Robin Williams, Waddy Wachtel and many more artists whose lives Asher has touched. Before the film debuts theatrically, Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will screen the documentary at its Foster Theater on Apr. 15 as part of the 50th anniversary of the Cleveland International Film Festival, to be followed by a post-screening discussion featuring, among others, Geller and Goldfine and moderated by Alan Light. - Billboard, 4/8/26...... As the intra-band feuding of one of Classic Rock's most popular arena bands continues, Journey's Neal Schon has responded to claims by Arnel Pineda that he was stopped from leaving the band two years ago. In a new statement posted to Facebook on Apr. 6, lead guitarist Schon seemingly replied to current frontman Pineda's claims that he was prohibited from quitting the band twice. "There's been some recent press and speculation that doesn't reflect the full picture," Schon posted. Though he does not specify what recent press he's referring to, his statement comes days after a Mar. 31 Rolling Stone feature on his band that quotes Pineda, who joined the line-up in 2007 after the departure of Steve Perry, sharing that he almost didn't join Journey on their current farewell tour. Pineda claims that in 2024, he asked his bandmates to confer with him if they decide to do farewell shows and discuss the schedule with him. He cites age and "personal problems" as major factors in his decision to tour or not. He then alleges that the band went ahead and scheduled the 60-date tour without consulting him. "It is what it is now. But then, I was really not happy with how they scheduled this tour," Pineda says in the article. He then claims that he sent an unhappy email to his bandmates to which they didn't reply. In response to the silence, Pineda says he told the other Journey members not once but twice that he wanted to leave the group and retire. Again, they did not respond, Pineda alleges. The article then shares that both Schon and Pineda recognized that quitting the band is not as simple as it seems. They both say that their contract with live entertainment giant AEG prohibits the band from touring without Pineda, and that sentiment s also echoed in Schon's Facebook statement. Schon continues by citing the same AEG contract that was brought up in the Rolling Stone feature: "At the same time, we were all advised by our representatives that there are contractual obligations tied to touring that need to be honored." The guitarist concludes by saying his focus is on providing fans with "the best possible experience and keeping the music alive." Journey's "Final Frontier Tour" is in progress and will continue into August with dates across the U.S. and a stop in Vancouver. - Billboard, 4/7/26...... The two sons of KISS members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have formed a new band, Stanley Simmons, and are following in their famous fathers' footsteps by scheduling their first gigs. Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons -- who grew up together as childhood pals -- will play four shows in California in May with stops in San Diego, Santa Ana, Morro Bay and Ventura between May 4 and May 13. They posted the dates on their Instagram page and wrote: "The first Stanley Simmons live shows are finally happening." Stanley and Simmons have released two singles so far, "Body Down," which landed in 2025, and new song "Dancing While The World Is Ending," which was released in March. During a recent appearance on The Drew Lane Show, Paul Stanley raved about the two young mens' music: "Nick and Evan have basically known each other their [whole] lives, but didn't really get close until the last year where they said: 'Oh, let's try singing or writing'. Their album, which I've heard, is frigging phenomenal. I mean, it's as good as anything I've heard in the last three or four decades. It's that good. So it's terrific, and it's organic." Stanley added: "The idea of nepotism -- if you suck, you'll fall on your face. I don't think there's anything wrong with taking advantage of having some sort of familiarity. But ultimately, most people who trade on that fail because it's not enough. So, I think Stanley Simmons it's just fantastic and I can't wait for them to start playing live." - Music-News.com, 4/10/26...... '70s country/novelty singer/composer Ray Stevens is recovering from a broken neck he suffered in a fall on Mar. 29 and was "briefly hospitalized in the Nashville area and is now recovering at home," according to a press release. Stevens, 87, has been advised by doctors to wear a neck brace for "approximately four weeks." "Despite the injury, he remains fully mobile and in good spirits as he continues his recovery," the statement reads. His injury comes in the wake of a minor heart attack and surgery he underwent in July 2025, which was reported by People magazine at the time. "The Streak" singer recovered "after undergoing minimally invasive heart surgery," the outlet reported. He went to a Nashville hospital after he "complained of chest pain," where he underwent a heart catheterisation procedure during which he discovered that the chest pain was in fact a heart attack. While the surgery was successful, he cancelled his upcoming performances at the time. Meanwhile, Ray will release a new album, Favorites Old & New, on Apr. 10. The 13-track collection is described as a "curated mix of beloved standards alongside new selections from a range of talented songwriters." - Music-News.com, 4/8/26...... Legendary pop singer/songwriter Paul Anka is set to be honored with the prestigious BMI Pop Award at the 2026 BMI Pop Awards on May 12 in Beverly Hills, Calif. "Throughout an unparalleled and distinguished career, Paul Anka has captured timelessness, writing himself into the soundtrack of popular music where greatness isn't just a moment, but a lifelong crescendo," BMI president Barbara Can said in a statement. "Paul's words, melodies and artistry transcend decades and eras, and we're thrilled to honour him as a BMI Icon." Anka began his lengthy career in 1957, when he was just 15, with the global hit "Diana," followed with such hits as "Lonely Boy," "Puppy Love," "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," "You're Having My Baby," and "Times of Your Life." Anka has previously bagged 24 BMI Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986. He is a recipient of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Canada Walk of Fame. Anka recently released his latest studio album, Inspirations of Life and Love. Previous recipients of the BMI Icon award include Barry Manilow, Dolly Parton, The Jacksons, Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks, Sting and Willie Nelson. - Music-News, 4/8/26...... A warrant is out for the arrest of a 55-year-old Los Angeles woman who allegedly stalked and threatened former Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham for years before physically attacking the singer/guitarist in March. Michelle Dick was hit with felony charges that carry potential prison time in an Apr. 3 criminal complaint brought by the LA County District Attorney's Office. A judge signed a warrant for Dick's arrest, ordering that she be held on $300,000 bail if apprehended. Prosecutors claim Dick has stalked and repeatedly threatened Buckingham with violence since 2021. The harassment allegedly escalated to physical violence in March, when the woman is accused of hitting Buckingham with her car and dousing him with an unknown substance in Santa Monica. Dick is charged with seven total counts of stalking, making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, battery and vandalism. In addition to targeting Buckingham, she's also accused of stalking another individual referred to in court filings as "Stephanie N." Buckingham previously won a restraining order in 2024 requiring Dick to stay away from his family and cease all contact. In court filings from that time, Buckingham said the woman began calling him and his family members in 2021, claiming to be his daughter and threatening to kill them. The restraining order petition also claimed Dick had called in threats to venues where the musician was performing in 2022. She then went away for a couple of years but allegedly returned in 2024, showing up at the family's Los Angeles home and making more threatening phone calls. "She is clearly mentally unfit and harbors delusions, which makes her scary to me and unpredictable," wrote Buckingham in a court declaration. Meanwhile in other Fleetwood Mac-related news, Mick Fleetwood has quietly wed for the fifth time. Fleetwood, 78, revealed his marriage news by sharing snaps from his honeymoon in the South Pacific with his new wife Elizabeth. "The South Pacific does its magic!!! A honeymoon with my love Elizabeth... creating moments to be remembered!! Sun health and happiness!!" he captioned the Instagram post. He concealed Elizabeth's face in the snaps to hide her identity, even though she has supported him at several public events, including the 2023 Grammy Awards. According to the Daily Mail, his new wife is Elizabeth Jordan, 56, and they have been dating for six years. She reportedly serves as the executive director of the rocker's eponymous charitable foundation, which promotes music education in Hawaiian schools. Fleetwood was previously married to his first wife Jenny Boyd twice -- between 1970 and 1976 initially, and again between 1977 and 1978. They share two daughters. He was later married to Sara Recor between 1988 and 1995, and Lynn Frankel between 1995 and 2015. They had twin daughters, who were born in 2002. Fleetwood also famously had an affair with his bandmate Stevie Nicks in the late 1970s. - Billboard/Music-News.com, 4/9/26...... In an interview with Best magazine, Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster said she "deserves a medal" after marking 26 years with the Grammy-winning rock legend. Lancaster, 55, made the playful comment as she revealed the secrets to her long-lasting relationship with Stewart, 81. Yes, 26 years! I deserve a medal, don't I?" she said. "Only joking." The TV personality and former model has been married to Stewart since 2007, but the couple met in 1999 when Lancaster was a student in London. They share two sons, Alastair Wallace, born in 2005, and Aiden Patrick, born in 2011. Stewart already had six children with four different mothers when he met Lancaster. The model and mother-of-two said that her husband "can be quite demanding, and he does require a lot of attention." "But that's fine because I'm good at giving it," she said. Lancaster then shared that she and her husband "never take each other for granted," all these years later. "We don't take each other for granted and make sure we have date nights together: dinner, the theater, or whatever, doing the school run together and having an 'a deux' coffee on the way home, long romantic walks together..." she said. "We flirt with each other and make each other laugh," she said, adding, "We're big on celebrating our anniversaries and really spoil each other. We love reminiscing about our life together and also making plans for the future more romantic trips." To mark their tenth anniversary in 2017, the couple renewed their vows. Sir Rod told Hello! magazine at the time that his wife was his "whole world." "Love means many things to many people, but to me it's wanting to share everything with the one you love, and I love Penny more now than ever, if that is at all possible." - TheLooker.com, 4/8/26...... Three Charlie's Angels stars recently reunited five decades after the launch of the hit '70s distaff detective show. Kate Jackson, 77, Jaclyn Smith, 80, and Cheryl Ladd, 74, joined in celebration of the show's 50th anniversary on Apr. 6 at PaleyFest in Los Angeles, where the trio reportedly received a standing ovation. Jackson and Smith starred in the first season of Charlie's Angels in 1976 alongside the late Farrah Fawcett, who departed the show after the first season to pursue a career in film. Ladd joined the two angels in 1977, while Jackson exited the series after the third season in 1979. The show ran until 1981, with Smith being the only angel present in every episode. "Time didn't break it. Time, we still embrace it in the distance. And we're always for each other. Whatever is going on," Smith told People magazine backstage after the event. "There's a real genuine care. It is a real love. It doesn't go away," Jackson added. During the panel discussion, the three actresses reflected on the hit show and their individual paths. Ladd shared that she had battled an "aggressive" breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy in private. She credited her loved ones for helping her through the difficult recovery. "I was bald. It was a humbling experience, and yet I have a wonderful husband he was there for me at every turn. Eventually, I started to get little sprouts of hair. It was a long, long, hard road, but you just get on with it," she said. Her former co-stars, too, each previously battled breast cancer. Jackson was diagnosed in 1987 and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. When her cancer returned two years later, she underwent a partial mastectomy. Smith also underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatments after receiving her diagnosis in 2002 and has been cancer-free since. Fawcett died in 2009 after a three-year battle with metastatic anal cancer. She was 62. In a joint statement before the appearance, the three reflected on the impact of their beloved show. "We are proud that we were able to entertain the television viewing audience for an hour each week, let them put their feet up, forget their troubles and, at the same time, inspire and empower young women all over the world," the trio said. Ladd encouraged people to seek preventative care and to be vigilant toward potential symptoms. "If you find a little something in your breasts," she said, "do not ignore it." - TheLooker.com, 4/7/26.

English prog-rockers Yes took to Instagram on Apr. 2 to announce that the group is delaying the 11-date "Fragile" tour of Europe to allow guitarist Steve Howe time to recover from an undisclosed surgery. "The upcoming YES 'Fragile' UK and EU Tour, due to commence on 22nd April, has had to be postponed as guitarist Steve Howe requires an essential operation that requires recovery time," the band posted. "This decision has been made to ensure that Steve can return to the stage in full health and deliver the performances that fans deserve." Set to kick off on Apr. 22 at Scotland's Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the European leg was set to feature a full performance of the band's 1971 album, Fragile. The tour follows a North American leg, which took place in 2025. Yes said they they are "working hard to reschedule the UK and EU shows to a later date, with full details to be announced after Easter... please retain your tickets as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates." They concluded with: "Tour dates currently being arranged for later in 2026 will proceed as planned. Steve Howe and YES would like to thank their UK fans and hope for their continued support at this time." Howe is the sole active member of the lineup that recorded Fragile, as drummer Bill Bruford left the group in 1992, while vocalist Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman departed in 2004. Bassist Chris Squire stayed with the band until his passing in 2015. - Billboard, 4/4/26...... Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their "Land Of Hope And Dreams" tour in Minneapolis' Target Center on Mar. 31, with the Boss using his time on stage to continue his long-running criticism of the US Pres. Donald Trump. Springsteen started his show by telling the crowd: "We are living through some very dark times. Our American values that have sustained us for 250 years are being challenged as never before. We've got our young men and women's lives at risk in an unconstitutional and illegal war." He also criticized the targeting of immigrants by ICE agents and hit out at Atty. General Pam Bondi, who was recently fired by Trump: "Bondi takes her marching orders straight from a corrupt White House," he said, accusing her of prosecuting the president's "perceived enemies" and covering up his alleged misdeeds. "You want to talk about snowflakes? We have a president who can't handle the truth," he continued, accusing Trump and his family of getting richer at the expense of working Americans in a "corruption unmatched in American history." Fittingly, the marathon 28-song show began with a cover of Edwin Starr's 1970 hit song "War," which saw him bring out Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello to the stage, and perform the cover for the first time since 2003. Morello remained on stage to help perform "Born In The U.S.A" and "Death To My Hometown," and Springsteen later broke out his politically-charged new song "Streets Of Minneapolis" for the first time with his E Street Band. He also helped close out the show with a cover of "Chimes Of Freedom" by Bob Dylan, and Springsteen's first cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" in 10 years. Other covers included a rendition of "Because The Night" by the Patti Smith Group, and more of his own classics included "Dancing In The Dark" and "Born To Run." In the midst of the unpopular and grinding Iran war, rising inflation and gas prices at home and historically low poll numbers, Pres. Trump took time the following day to lash out at Springsteen in a Truth Social post in which he wrote about the "bad, and very boring singer, Bruce Springsteen, who looks like a dried up prune who has suffered greatly from the work of a really bad plastic surgeon, has long had a horrible and incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome" and called on his MAGA faithful to boycott Springsteen's "overpriced concerts, which suck... save your hard-earned money." - NME/Billboard, 4/2/26..... As Ringo Starr prepares to release his 22nd solo album Long Long Road on Apr. 24, the 85-year-old Beatles legend has revealed to Rolling Stone that his secret to anti-ageing is "peace and love and broccoli." "Well, you've got to eat more broccoli. All the good things about me, I blame broccoli for," Starr said when asked how he keeps his energy up to keep recording and touring new music. Elaborating on his trademark catchphrase, Starr quipped: "So now I saw, peace and love and broccoli." In 2025 during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ringo gave fans more insight into his idiosyncratic eating habits He confirmed a rumor that he had "never eaten pizza," and added to audience gasps when he added, "or a curry." He clarified that he's "allergic to several items," and that with pizza and curry, "you don't know what the f---'s in it." The gamble to try either dish is too great for him: "I'm strict with myself since it makes me ill immediately." In March, Starr gave fans a taste of Long Long Road's music with a YouTube video of the LP's first single, "It's Been Too Long," co-written with T-Bone Burnett, who has produced the entire record, as he did with last year's Look Up album. Ringo will head out on the road beginning on May 29 in Temecula, Calif., also visiting San Diego; Charlotte, N.C.; Tuscon; Lincoln, Neb.; Paso Robles, Calif.; Albuquerque; San Jose; and Tempe, Ariz. before wrapping at L.A.'s Greek Theatre on June 15. - New Musical Express, 4/4/26...... Elsewhere on the Fab Four front, Paul McCartney has shared his "must-see spots" for anyone visiting his hometown of Liverpool as he preps his first new studio effort in five years, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, for a May 29 release. Asked by fans about specific locations that mean a lot to him in Liverpool on his official PaulMcCartney.com website, Sir Paul first named "Forthlin Road, the house I ended up," as well as the "Liverpool Institute, which is now LIPA." As for what else he'd show people if he were to give them a personal tour, he said: "I show them the site of the first gig we ever played, called the Wilson Hall in Garston. And then I show them everything in between. Where John [Lennon]'s mum used to live, where John used to live, where George [Harrison]" used to live, and where Ringo [Starr] lived." To celebrate the album announcement, McCartney play a two-night stint at 1,200-capacity venue the Fonda Theatre on Mar. 28 and 29, his first gigs since wrapping his "Got Back Tour." On Mar. 31, Macca brought Apple Computer's worldwide 50th anniversary festivities to a close with a special performance at Apple Park in Cupertino, Calif. The musician, songwriter, and former Beatle has been a longtime user of Apple's products, capturing riffs and song fragments in the Voice Memos app on his iPhone, some of which became full-blown songs on his last solo album, McCartney III. Before that, McCartney starred in an animated iTunes and iPod ad in 2007 that featured his song "Dance Tonight," and iTunes offered an exclusive pre-order of his album Memory Almost Full. At the time, Apple CEO Steve Jobs commented, "Paul McCartney is one of the greatest musicians of all time." McCartney and his former band have long served as a source of inspiration for the innovation that still guides the company today. In 2003, Jobs famously declared in an interview, "My model of business is the Beatles. They were four very talented guys who kept each other's kind of negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other, and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. And that's how I see business. Great things in business are never done by one person, they re done by a team of people -- and we've got that at Apple as well." - NME/Apple.com, 3/31/26...... There are rumors swirling that The Rolling Stones may be gearing up to drop new music or play a surprise gig in London under the moniker "The Cockroaches." As highlighted by journalist and broadcaster Matt Everitt, the name appears to be one that the rock gods have adopted in the past as a pseudonym. In the early '80s, they played a secret show under the alias "Blue Sunday And The Cockroaches." "I could be falling for an elaborate April Fool's hoax, or I could have dropped down a rabbit hole of obscure Stones folklaw, but this would appear to be some form of cryptic @therollingstones announcement, right?" Everitt wrote on Instagram, also sharing images of the pages that come up when the QR code is scanned. The code takes you to a new website called "thecockroaches.com," and when you click the button to "sign up," the page reads "Who The F--- Are The Cockroaches?" and invites fans to subscribe for updates. As highlighted by Everitt, the text on that sign-up page is similar to that seen in an old, famous photo of Ronnie Wood, in which he is seen wearing a shirt that reads "Who the f--- is Mick Jagger?". When signing up for updates, an email is sent out with a confirmation message from Universal Music -- which also happens to be the same label that represents the Stones. it isn't clear if the Cockroaches poster has any connection to the Stones beyond speculation, nor is it clear if it is angling at new music or a new live show. As well as the gig in the early '80s, Jagger and co. have used the alias The Cockroaches before -- usually for the occasional secret set, or for impromptu warm-up shows over the years. Previous instances include a gig in Toronto in 1977, a stop in Atlanta the following year, and a show in Worcester in 1981 -- which was revealed to be The Rolling Stones shortly before it kicked off. If they came to fruition, the gigs would have been the first tour dates from the rock legends since they went out on their "Hackney Diamonds" tour in the US in 2024. They sold nearly a million tickets across those 20 dates and generated an estimated $235 million (£185.1 million) - making it to No. 6 on the highest-grossing music world tours of that year. The Stones last played the UK in 2022, when two huge BST Hyde Park gigs followed a stadium show at Liverpool's Anfield. - NME, 4/1/26...... Elton John's The Remixes album is set to be released on vinyl for the UK's Record Store Day on Apr. 18. The LP will be available as a limited-edition glow-in-the-dark 1LP, on the day, exclusively at participating record stores and via Positiva Records. The album presents John's deep connection to club culture and dance music, and features five remixes on vinyl for the first time, with edits of such Elton standards as "Philadelphia Freedom," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," "Rocket Man," and others by the likes of The Blessed Madonna, Purple Disco Machine, The 2 Bears, Shine A Light, Claptone, Shep Pettibone, Sanchez and KDME. Speaking on the release, John said: "Record Store Day is incredibly important to me and with this package I really think we've made something special for dance music fans. I first got into dance music in '70s New York through disco and those early days at clubs like Le Jardin and Studio 54. It's been a huge part of my life ever since." The 19th instalment of RSD will celebrate independent record shops and vinyl culture in the UK. More than 300 UK and Ireland record shops will be taking part, alongside thousands of indie retailers worldwide, as they sell an array of exclusive physical releases on a first-come-first-served basis and host some in-store events for one day only. The album will also be available to download on Beatport.com. The full list of Record Store Day 2026 releases, which also includes music by David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, and others can be viewed on recordstoreday.co.uk. - NME, 4/3/26...... '70s artists George Clinton and Heart are among the music acts who have been added to the list of performers for the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum's 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala taking place May 8. Fourteen titles spanning nearly a century of recorded music will be honored for their historical significance at the gala, extending as far back as 1926's "Trouble in Mind" recorded by Bertha "Chippie" Hill to 1998's "Car Wheels on A Gravel Road" by Lucinda Williams. Among the other three singles and 11 albums being inducted are Pink Moon by Nick Drake, Maggot Brain by Clinton's band Funkadelic, Dreamboat Annie by Heart and All Eyez on Me by 2Pac. The Recording Academy's national trustees established the Grammy Hall of Fame to honor recordings released before the Grammy Awards began being handed out in 1959. The honor is now open to any recording that is at least 25 years old. A special member committee selects the recordings to be inducted based on their qualitative or historical significance. Final ratification comes from the Recording Academy's national board of trustees. - Billboard, 4/2/26...... A dreadlock from '70s reggae legend Bob Marley's hair has been estimated to sell for 25,000 at an upcoming auction. The 1.5 inch length of hair originates from a 1978 Marley Top of the Pops where the singer appeared on the programme with The Wailers to perform their new single "Satisfy My Soul." The owner of the lock explained that "after Bob Marley had finished singing, myself and a friend went up onto the platform where he was performing. He was chuckling away and I asked if I could take off a piece of his hair. He just kept nodding and chuckling and appeared amused by it so I twisted a piece of his dreadlock off. And he of course gave me his autograph as well." The autograph alone is estimated to be worth 4,000 alone, but Bristol company JC Auctions estimates that the lock will go for between £20,000-25,000 when it goes on auction on April 9. It will be the first Bob Marley dreadlock to auction in over 20 years, and will be accompanied by the signature. The dreadlock and autograph can be viewed at invaluable.com. - NME, 4/2/26...... Former Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham was reportedly attacked by a woman on his way to an appointment in Santa Monica, Calif., on Apr. 1. According to NBC4 Investigates, Buckingham had just entered a building when the woman allegedly threw an unknown substance at the musician before running away. Police believe that she had discovered the time and location of his appointment and waited for him there ahead of his arrival. Law enforcement sources say the police suspect the perpetrator is someone who is known to Buckingham due to previous run-ins. No arrests have been reported, though police said an arrest is expected soon. A few days prior to the alleged attack, Buckingham had shared in an Instagram video his excitement for his ongoing work on another solo album, as well as an upcoming Fleetwood Mac documentary from Apple Original Films and hinted at a potential Fleetwood Mac reunion after he and former partner Stevie Nicks are now back on talking terms after the reissue of their 1973 collaborative effort Buckingham Nicks. - Billboard, 4/1/26...... On Mar. 29 Jimmy Page shared the "original home demo" version of Led Zeppelin's "Ten Years Gone" on YouTube. The Led Zep guitarist/founder uploaded the early recording of the 1975 song to his official YouTube channel, with the description: "As a footnote to Physical Graffiti [Zeppelin's 1975 sixth album], I thought you might like to hear the original home demo, recorded in my studio at Plumpton Place, of a piece of music that was going to surface as 'Ten Years Gone'," he wrote. "I presented this rough mix to the band at Headley Grange in order to do this for real. Robert Plant came up with some lyrics for my music that were extraordinary and then we arrive at the song 'Ten Years Gone'." In the comments section, one fan hailed the alternate version as "a genius of layering guitars." Another listener said: "Jimmy's stripped down guitar playing heals my soul to the core... we need more of this pleaseeee." Someone else wrote: "Hard to choose, but 'Ten Years Gone' may be the greatest Zep song. It's all right here in the demo. Incredible." Elsewhere, a user called for "more of these" demos. A fan agreed by saying: "We wanna hear this all, Jimmy. Keep it coming." In 2023, Page shared a previously unreleased Led Zeppelin instrumental demo, "The Seasons." This recording would eventually form the basis of '"The Rain Song" from the group's 1973 album Houses Of The Holy. Last autumn, Led Zeppelin marked the 50th anniversary of Physical Graffiti with the release of "Live EP" on 123 vinyl, CD and digital formats. A deluxe edition had arrived in 2015 to celebrate the LP's 40th anniversary. High-quality rare footage of Led Zeppelin playing live in Amsterdam in 1972 emerged online earlier this year. - NME, 4/1/26...... Iconic The Who frontman and longtime charity activist Roger Daltrey has lent his support to the fight against Parkinson's disease by joining Think Loud 4 Parkinson's -- a high-profile charity project dedicated to raising funds and global awareness for the neurological disorder. "Wow, what a coup to have Roger Daltrey involved in this," Andy Simons, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Cure Parkinson's, remarked. "Ian Grant and the Think Loud team are pulling out all the stops to raise funding to find a cure for Parkinson's! Thank you so much on behalf of the 11.8 million people hoping for a cure." Daltrey joins an elite roster of "famous faces" committed to the cause, including bandmate Pete Townshend, Alice Cooper, and Sir Richard Branson. The project is centered around a charity album and a series of musical releases aimed at supporting the UK-based charity Cure Parkinson's. In a major musical contribution to the initiative, the "Superband" Blue Water Giants comprised of members of Procol Harum, Tears for Fears and Simple Minds have announced their new single, "Dangerously in Love," set for release on April 29. The band's connection to the cause is deeply personal; their consultant, Ian Grant, is currently living with Parkinson's. In summer 2025, the late Ozzy Osbourne selected Cure Parkinson's as a primary beneficiary for Black Sabbath's historic farewell show at Villa Park. - Music-News.com, 4/3/26...... Dolly Parton has made a "generational and transformational" donation to the East Tennessee children's hospital that was named in her honor in February. Dolly Parton's Children's Hospital CEO Matt Schaefer says Dolly has "made a generational and transformational commitment to Children's and its mission... and that commitment is something that goes beyond our wildest expectations, that is beyond generous, and will be a lifeline for this mission for now and for years to come." Sevierville, Tenn. native Parton has long made charitable giving tied to children a priority, most famously through her Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which to date has registered more than 3.1 million children for its services, which including gifting more than 314 million books to date. - Billboard, 4/2/26...... Bob Dylan, described by one fan as "guaranteed to zig when you think he'll zag every single time," has baffled fans after posting an Instagram story with a flyer promoting "Lectures From the Grave," an exclusive series on his new Patreon.com account, which costs $5 a month to view. As yet, there are only six posts on Dylan's Patreon, with the first simply an embedded video of a Mahalia Jackson performance, which is followed by three posts featuring audio essays seemingly read aloud by an AI voice. These are about former Vice President Aaron Burr, 19th-century outlaw Frank James, and American folk hero Wild Bill Hickock. There's also a series titled "Letters Never Sent." The sole entry so far features a fictional letter written by Mark Twain and sent to Rudolph Valentino, an Italian actor from the silent film era -- who was 14 years old when Twain died in 1910. The letter ends with Twain's cursive signature, and the post is attributed to the pen name "Herbert Foster." The latest move from Dylan, who has won a Nobel Prize for Literature, has baffled fans, particularly given many of the posts seem to utilize AI. "Bob Dylan AI history patreon just confirms he is in the very top percentile of weirdest/most inexplicable people ever born," wrote one X user after he launched it. His flyer can also be viewed on X/Twitter. Dylan resumed his "Rough And Rowdy Ways" tour on Mar.30) at Waukegan's Genesee Theatre, and will continue until the final announced show in Abilene, Tex. on May 1. - NME, 3/30/26...... Suki Lahav who played violin with Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band in the mid-1970s, has died at the age of 74. The news was confirmed by her son Yonatan Lahav on Apr. 2who wrote on Facebook that his "beloved and beautiful mother" had been "gathered into infinity after a short and hard battle with the cursed disease." "She wrote songs that touched people's hearts," he added. "She was a special woman, smart, pure in heart and loving life. She was the best mom I could ever ask for." Tzruya "Suki" Lahav's spell with the E Street Band was relatively short -- spanning between Oct. 1974 and Mar. 1975 -- but in that time, she contributed to the sessions for Springsteen's second album The Wild, The Innocent And The E Street Shuffle and its follow-up Born To Run. Among her most notable contributions were on the violin introduction to the latter album's "Jungleland," and on the choir-like vocals on the former's "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," which saw her voice overdubbed several times to imitate the real church choir that failed to show up to the recording session. She played with the group at their shows in late 1974, debuting at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall on Oct. 4, and would join them on stage for any songs requiring violin parts - including "Incident On 57th Street" and their version of Bob Dylan's "I Want You" -- until her final show on March 3 in Washington DC. Shortly afterwards, she moved back to her native Israel and found success as a musician and writer, playing with the Kibbutz Orchestra and writing for other artists. - NME, 4/3/26...... Legendary R&B drummer James Gadson, who backed such artists as Diana Ross, Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye, has died at the age of 86. Mr. Gadson became one of the defining funk, soul, and disco drummers of the 1970s, providing the beats on classics such as Withers' "Lean on Me" and "Use Me," The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine," and Ross' "Love Hangover." During that decade, he also played on Gaye's "I Want You," Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way," and Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band's "Express Yourself." As a highly in-demand session player, Mr. Gadson also recorded with The Temptations, Leonard Cohen, Bobby Womack, B.B. King, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Herbie Hancock, Paul McCartney, D'Angelo, Beck, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Lana Del Rey and Harry Styles. "He was a wonderful man," his wife Barbara told Rolling Stone on Apr. 2. "He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and one hell of a drummer." - Billboard, 4/4/26...... Christopher North, the keyboardist co-founder of the 1970s/'80s LA-based yacht rock band Ambrosia, died on Mar. 30 after a battle with cancer. He was 75. "Fans of Ambrosia, we honor the legendary life and career of our dearest family member Christopher North, the 'Hammond B3 King' whose sonic architecture defined a generation of progressive and soft rock," the band posted on Facebook. "A founding member since 1970, he was a keyboard wizard who brought an unmatched intensity and emotional depth to every performance," they added. Born in San Francisco on Jan. 26, 1951, North played in a series of high school bands before forming Ambrosia in Los Angeles in 1970 with singer/guitarist David Pack, bassist Joe Puerta and drummer Burleigh Drummond. The group released their Grammy-nominated self-titled debut album in 1975, which included the soft prog rock opening track "Nice, Nice, Very Nice," featuring lyrics cribbed from a poem in Kurt Vonnegut's postmodern 1963 sci-fi novel Cat's Cradle; the album reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart and the song made it to No. 63 on the Hot 100 pop singles chart. Like their debut, 1976's Alan Parsons-produced Somewhere I've Never Travelled toed the line between layered Beach Boys-like vocal harmonies, prog rock flourishes and gentle melodies, peaking at No. 79 on the Billboard 200. North's keys and backing vocals helped anchor the band's third studio album, 1978's Life Beyond L.A. -- their album chart peak at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 -- and their fourth, breakthrough effort, 1980's One Eighty. It was an apt title given the group's shift into a more radio-friendly pop sound on such hits as their No. 3 "Biggest Part of Me" and their No. 13 followup, "You're the Only Woman (You & I)" on the LP that scored three Grammy nominations, including best pop vocal group; the album peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200. The group's final album, 1982's more prog-leaning Road Island, only managed to reach No. 115 on the chart and spawned just one charting single, the bouncy pop tune "How Can You Love Me," which topped out at No. 86 on the Hot 100. Ambrosia broke up in 1982 and then reunited in 1989 with all four original members. The have continued to tour ever since, with North stepping aside for a period in 2024 to get treatment for throat cancer. No official cause of death had been revealed. Back in Oc. 2025, lead singer David Pack sent well wishes to North -- his friend since their late teens -- after he reported that the band's co-founder was recovering after being struck by an "out of control speeding car while walking into a restaurant." At the time, Pack said North was "fighting for this life" after "bravely surviving cancer." - Billboard, 3/31/26.

Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on March 31st, 2026

Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson opened Canada's Juno Awards on Mar. 29 with their first live performance alongside their new drummer, Anika Niles. In the spirit of new beginnings, Rush performed the song "Finding My Way," the first track on their 1974 debut Rush, which featured John Rutsey on drums in the studio, rather than the late Neil Peart, who didn't join the band until afterwards. The performance at Ontario's TD Coliseum marked the first time Lee and Lifeson have played as Rush since they wrapped their career-spanning "R40" farewell tour in 2015, playing 35 headline shows across North America, having formed over four decades prior. Throughout their performance, vintage footage of Rush with Peart, who died from brain cancer in early 2020, showed on screen. Anika Nilles, a German drummer, composer, and producer, has performed as Jeff Beck's drummer and has released four solo albums. Handling keyboard duties during the performance was The Who's Loren Gold. Rush has announced that they will be touring across the UK, Europe and South America in 2027, kicking off in Buenos Aires in January. So far, 24 shows in 13 countries have been confirmed, marking the first time the band has played in Europe since 2013, as well as 17 years since visiting South America. They are pegged as an '"Evening with Rush" event, and will see the band play two sets each night. Before that, Rush will be returning to the stage in North America for a "Fifty Something" tour with shows kicking off in June. A full list of 2027 dates can be viewed on Instagram. Meanwhile, Canada's favorite daughter Joni Mitchell reflected on how she built a new life "like a phoenix" in a poignant speech at the Junos on the same night. After Mitchell, 82, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on behalf of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the previously LA-based singer-songwriter noted she was "so glad" to be back in her homeland after living in the U.S. for "many, many years." Addressing PM Carney, the "The Circle Game" singer noted, "We are so lucky... We are so fortunate to have him... I'm living in the States, and you know what's happening there." Then she went on to reference her past health issues. I had a (brain) aneurysm, which changed my life - oddly, for the better," the 82-year-old continued. "I went into a coma, which helped me to quit smoking. And my house filled up with the most wonderful nurses. I was on the road with men for years and years; now I live with a house full of women... So, my life has changed for the better out of a catastrophe like a phoenix. Thank you very much for this honour." After receiving the prestigious prize, Mitchell joined fellow native Canadians Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell for a rendition of her 1970 hit, "Big Yellow Taxi," amid a tribute medley. The Grammy Award-winning artist has made only a few public appearances since suffering a brain aneurysm rupture in March 2015. - New Musical Express/Music-News.com, 3/30/26...... The estate of Bob Marley has filed a lawsuit against the global cannabis company Tilray over what it claims are unpaid licensing fees for the deceased Jamaican music icon's official marijuana brand, Marley Natural. The suit, filed in Maryland on Mar. 27, alleges Tilray owes nearly $11.3 million for the use of Marley's name, image, likeness, signature and trademarks on Marley Natural cannabis products. Marley's estate accuses Tilray and its partners of "elaborate efforts to avoid paying" and a "scheme to defraud." The complaint seeks $11.3 million from Tilray for fraud and breach of contract, which they contend accounts for the $13 million in missing licensing fees, minus a $1.7 million settlement that Marley's heirs already obtained from a related subsidiary. Marley's estate, helmed by the late singer's daughter Cedella Marley, has been diligently working for decades to expand and market his legacy. The family's profile of businesses includes the Tuff Gong record label, music tech company House of Marley and Marley Coffee. - Billboard, 3/30/26...... As promised, Bruce Springsteen performed "Streets of Minneapolis" at the flagship No Kings rally in St. Paul, Minn., outside the State Capitol building on Mar. 28. Springsteen addressed an estimated crowd of more than 200,000 and delivered the third live performance of the protest anthem since its January release. Introduced to the stage by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, The Boss spoke at length before playing the song, honouring the state's resistance to Pres. Donald Trump's administration's Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement campaign. "This past winter, federal troops brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis, but they picked the wrong city," he told the crowd. "The power and the solidarity of the people of Minneapolis and Minnesota was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength and your commitment told us that this is still America, and this reactionary nightmare -- and these invasions of American cities -- will not stand. You gave us hope, you gave us courage." He went on to name the two Minneapolis residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by ICE agents during the operation. The crowd then chanted "ICE out now" as Springsteen launched into the song. Springsteen wrote and recorded "Streets of Minneapolis" in the immediate aftermath of the shootings, releasing it within days. He debuted the song live on January 30 at a benefit concert at Minneapolis' First Avenue, and performed it a second time earlier this week at Democracy Now!'s 30th anniversary event in New York. The No Kings rally -- the third round of nationwide protests against the Trump administration -- drew millions of participants across more than 3,100 registered events in all 50 states. The St. Paul event served as the national flagship, with a bill that also included Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Jane Fonda, Tom Morello and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, among others. - Billboard, 3/29/26...... On Mar. 26 Paul McCartney announced a reflective new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, inspired by his youth. McCartney's first release since 2020's McCartney III, the new album is his 18th studio effort and described in a press release as a look backward at the former Beatle's formative years, revisiting those youthful times that "shaped not only his life, but the very foundations of modern popular culture. In a career defined by timeless storytelling and unforgettable characters, Paul now tells the most personal story of all, his own. The Boys of Dungeon Lane is his most introspective album to date and takes the listener back to where it all began." "This is very much a memory song for me," Macca said in a statement. "The album title, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, comes from a lyric in this track. I was thinking just that, about the days I left behind and I do often wonder if I'm just writing about the past but then I think how can you write about anything else? It's just a lot of memories of Liverpool. It involves a bit in the middle about John and Forthlin Road which is the street I used to live in. Dungeon Lane is near there. I used to live in a place called Speke which is quite working class. We didn't have much at all but it didn't matter because all the people were great and you didn't notice you didn't have much." The LP was recorded with producer Andrew Watt (Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne) in bits in Los Angeles and Sussex, England between legs of McCartney's tours. In the spirit of his legendary 1970 debut solo album McCartney, Macca plays the majority of the instruments himself -- with the album credited entirely to himself. The Boys of Dungeon Lane is due out on May 29 through MPL/Capitol Records. McCartney has shared the new album's wistful first single, "Days We Left Behind," on YouTube. Two days after announcing the new LP, the legend played two intimate shows at LA's historic The Fonda venue in Hollywood on Mar. 28, with a second show VIP guest list that included Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Margot Robbie. For those who scored highly coveted tickets to the show at the cozy 1,200-person capacity theater, the music was a much-needed escape and salve. Playing a set heavy with Beatles and Wings classics, Sir Paul largely avoided politics aside from poking fun at Pres. Donald Trump's recent "Y.M.C.A." dance moves -- a moment that earned boos from the crowd, who had surrendered their phones before the show. McCartney's roster of Beatles classics included "Help!," "Something," "I've Just Seen a Face," and Fab Four political tracks "Revolution" -- a response to the fraught period of political protests in opposition of the Vietnam War -- and "Blackbird" -- a solemn acoustic track that McCartney wrote amid the 1960s civil rights movement in the US inspired by the Little Rock Nine. Many in the crowd -- which also included actors Steve Carrell, Laura Dern and Dakota Johnson among others -- sang and cried as McCartney played, particularly during "Hey Jude" and "Let It Be." Wings rockers during the two-hour set included "Band on the Run" and "Let Me Roll It," among many others. On Mar. 30, and perhaps due to the no-phone rule at the Fonda gig, McCartney's own Reddit account was banned. The thread in question has since been removed, although McCartney's Reddit account itself, thought to be run by his management team, has since been restored. - Billboard/CNN.com, 3/29/26...... Former Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm announced on Mar. 27 that he'll be playing selected dates in the US from May until October behind his third and latest solo LP, Released. After kicking off in Wabash, Ind., on May 9, the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (as a member of Foreigner) will be co-headlining the Roanoke Festival in Virginia (5/22), then visit Stamford, Conn. (5/28), Lancaster, Penn. (5/30), Lexington, Ky. (6/6), St. Charles, Ill. (7/10), Layton, Ut. (8/13), Pine Bluff, Ariz. (8/28), and Carmel, Ind. (9/26) before wrapping in Missouri at the St. Charles Family Arena on Oct. 10. Gramm was a member of Foreigner during its key years between 1976 and 1990. He rejoined in 1992 but left again inn 2003, though he has made occasional appearances with the band. In addition to his work with Foreigner, the singer scored a top five hit in the U.S. in 1987 with his solo song, "Midnight Blue," followed in 1989 with "Just Between You and Me." - PennLive.com, 3/27/26..... U.K. hard-rock legends Deep Purple will be touring North America this summer and fall with opening acts Kansas and Jefferson Starship. Deep Purple are currently fronted by singer Ian Gillan, alongside bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, keyboardist Don Airey and guitarist Simon McBride. In February, Deep Purple announced a hometown gig at the famed Royal Albert Hall venue in London on Nov. 25 of this year. The show is billed as a "one night only" event, following a concert at London's Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith the previous evening, Nov. 24. - Canoe.com, 3/30/26...... A new tribute album honoring the music of Tom Waits and his musician partner Kathleen Brennan, Where The Willow and the Dogwood Grow, was announced on Instagram on Mar. 27 and will feature contributions from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash. Other artists from a wide variety of genres contributing include Marianne Faithfull (on "Strange Weather"), The Ramones ("I Don't Want To Grow Up"), Willie Nelson ("Picture In A Frame"), Alison Krauss and Robert Plant ("Trampled Rose"'), and Norah Jones ("The Long Way Home"). The LP opens with Springsteen and The E Street Band's 1981 live recording of "Jersey Girl" -- Waits' ode to Brennan from his 1980 album, Heartattack And Vine. Elsewhere on the tracklist is the late Cash's take on "Down There By The Train" from his acclaimed 1994 album, American Recordings. Folk legend Joan Baez's version of Waits and Brennan's anti-war track "Day After Tomorrow" -- from Waits' 2004 album Real Gone -- closes the new compilation. Created with the blessing, approval and involvement of Waits and Brennan, Where The Willow And The Dogwood Grow is due for release on May 29 via Ace Records. - NME, 3/27/26...... During a recent appearance on the Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware podcast, Chaka Khan said many of today's popstars are flaunting their bodies to overcompensate for a lack of talent. Khan, 73, was asked by the hosts about recent comments she made on The Breakfast Club podcast in which she said, "When we go on stage, we just sing. We don't need to do the bells and whistles. We don't need to show our bodies." "The game has changed because all bets are off," Khan told the Table Manners hosts. "These women are doing any and every dam thing on stage and trying to sing, too. And the ones who are doing the most physicalities, with their butts and stuff, and their body parts, are the ones that usually are compensating for what they don't have." Khan is currently touring the US with Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills. - Music-News.com, 3/28/26...... Ozzy Osbourne's daughter Kelly Osbourne has reportedly ended her engagement to Sid Wilson of the band Slipknot. Wilson proposed to Osbourne at Ozzy's final concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England, last July, presenting her with a huge diamond ring. Kelly later revealed that she had "no clue" the moment was coming. Osbourne first met her now former partner 27 years ago. She was introduced to Sid when Slipknot toured with Ozzfest, the music festival founded by her parents. They welcomed their son, Sid, in 2022, and the family have since been living on a farm in Iowa in the US. Osbourne was last pictured with Wilson at the Grammy Awards in February and, since then, has only made public appearances with friends or her mother. - Music-News.com, 3/24/26...... Actress Eve Plumb, forever immortalized as the often-overlooked middle daughter Jan Brady on the classic 1969-1974 ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch, discussed her new memoir Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond in an interview with Woman's World magazine. Plumb, 67, revealed that she enjoys keeping her private life out of the spotlight, and made it clear she has no desire to speak negatively about any of her castmates from The Brady Bunch, which has become a cultural touchstone and endures decades later through reruns and nostalgia, keeping its actors closely tied to their roles. "I wish more stuff had come up. I thought [writing the memoir] might bring some things back that I'd forgotten, but not a bit of it," said Plumb. "But the process itself was really wonderful. It was very gentle." Plumb, who was cast in the show at the tender age of 11, added, "As a public person, I've always wanted to keep certain things private. I didn't even want to tell people the name of my dog for a long time. You share so much of your life already." That sense of privacy shaped not only how she approached her personal life, but also how she chose to portray her time on set. Despite decades of curiosity about what really went on behind the scenes, Plumb resisted the temptation to revisit her past through a critical lens. "Part of this book was that I really didn't want to throw anybody under the bus not my castmates, not anyone. I had to tell the truth about a few things, but I was cloaking it, for their sake and for mine," she shared. "I think most of us realize there's no need," she said of the cast. "It doesn't look good on me to trash them in public, does it?" Instead, writing the book (with co-author Marcia Wilke) became an opportunity to reconnect with the positive moments that defined her experience as a young actor and beyond. "The process of writing the book offered something closer to reflection than revelation, like a therapy session where she didn't have to challenge me at all," she admitted. "I just got to talk about myself and the things that I remembered." Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond is due Apr. 28. - People.com, 3/28/26...... Ross "The Boss" Friedman, a legendary rocker known for co-founding the proto-punk band The Dictators and later playing with the iconic metal band Manowar, died on Mar. 28 just weeks after he announced that he was battling ALS, which is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 72. The Metal Hall of Fame issued a statement on Facebook announcing his passing. "It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of legendary guitarist, our dear friend, Metal Hall of Fame Inductee, and Global Metal Ambassador Ross "The Boss" Friedman." Ross was a pioneering force in both punk and heavy metal, best known as a founding member of The Dictators and Manowar. His powerful playing, unmistakable tone, and uncompromising spirit helped shape generations of musicians and fans around the world." The Hall of Fame added that Friedman, who first revealed his battle in Feb. 2026, battled his disease "with the same courage and honesty that defined his life and career." Friedman joined Manowar in 1980 and recorded six albums with them before leaving in 1988 after playing on Kings Of Metal. He had continued to play with The Dictators until recently. The band announced in November that it was cancelling a show because he had suffered a hand injury that was being evaluated. Friedman joined Manowar in 1980 and recorded six albums with them before leaving in 1988 after playing on Kings Of Metal. He had continued to play with The Dictators until recently. The band announced in November that it was cancelling a show because he had suffered a hand injury that was being evaluated. ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. It causes loss of muscle control and gets worse over time, and it is not known what causes the disease. "It's difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar," Friedman said earlier this year. "But the outpouring of love has been so, so strong. I'm absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all." - PennLive.com, 3/28/26...... Actress Mary Beth Hurt, who was nominated for three Tonys and appeared in numerous films including Interiors and The World According to Garp, died on Mar. 29 from Alzheimer's. She was 79. Her death was confirmed via a joint Facebook post from her daughter, Molly Schrader, and her husband, writer-director Paul Schrader. "She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and she took on all those roles with grace and kind ferocity," read the post. "Although we're all grieving there is some comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and reunited with her sisters in peace." Hurt worked on stage, in films and in television and collaborated with her husband, Schrader, on Affliction and Light Sleeper. Born Mary Beth Supinger in Marshalltown, Iowa, she was married to Oscar-winning actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1982, after a four-year separation. She studied acting at the University of Iowa and then at NYU and made her debut on the New York stage in 1974. She was Tony-nominated for her performances in "Crimes of the Heart," for which she won an Obie, "Trelawny of the Wells" and "Benefactors." Woody Allen cast her in her first film role in the 1978 Interiors, in which she played one of the three sisters dealing with the breakdown of her family. She followed with The World According to Garp, playing Helen Holm Garp, Chilly Scenes of Winter, Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence and Six Degrees of Separation. Hurt rarely enjoyed top billing during her career, and that's the way she preferred it. "I've never been extremely comfortable playing the lead," she explained in a 2010 interview. "I don't like the responsibility; there's a feeling that I have to be good. Besides, I found secondary parts much more interesting, especially when I was younger and the ingnue roles were pretty bland." For television, she starred on the 1988-89 NBC drama Tattinger's and had a memorable guest-starring turn alongside Henry Winkler on a 2002 episode of Law & Order: SVU. Survivors also include her children, Molly and Sam. - Variety, 3/30/26...... Dash Crofts, one half of the '70s soft rock duo Seals and Crofts, died of heart failure on Mar. 26. He was 85 years old. The news was announced on Facebook by the duo's producer, Louie Shelton, shortly after which a member of Crofts' family confirmed it to TMZ.com. "Sad to hear our dear brother and partner in music has passed away today," Shelton wrote on Facebook. "Sending love and prayers to all his family and many fans. R.I.P. my brother..Dash Crofts." Born Darrell George Crofts on Aug. 14, 1940, in Cisco, Tex., Mr. Crofts met fellow Texan Jim Seals, who died in 2022 at age 80, while they were teenagers. Before their success as a duo, Seals and Crofts were members of the rock band The Champs, who were riding the success of their No. 1 Latin-rock instrumental hit "Tequila." Mr. Crofts combined with Seals to form Seals and Crofts in 1969 and the duo had some big hits. The biggest of those was 1972's "Summer Breeze" which made it to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, and the band followed that with another hit, "Diamond Girl" which also made it to No. 6 in 1973. The duo also had "Get Closer" featuring Carolyn Willis, which made it to No. 6 in 1976, "I'll Play for You," and "You're the Love." One of their most controversial tracks, "Unborn Child" -- an anti-abortion song released the year after the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court verdict in 1973 -- reached No. 66. The album of the same name was a critical and commercial flop, and prompted pro-choice demonstrations at many of their shows. The pair also had success on the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart. In 1972, Summer Breeze reached No. 7, after which Diamond Girl peaked at No. 4 in 1973. Seals and Crofts released the first of its 17 albums, Seals & Crofts, in 1969. After 1980's The Longest Road, the duo split up. That led to a 24 year gap before a brief reunion in 2004 when they released their final album, Traces. After living in Mexico, Australia and Nashville, Mr. Crofts returned to his home state late in life and raised horses. He is survived by his wife, Louise Crofts, three children and eight grandchildren. - Billboard/PennLive.com, 3/26/26.