Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on December 11th, 2025

In a lawsuit contesting royalties for two late members of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, a UK court has been told that Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell "died in relative poverty", while record labels continue to profit from their work. The estates of bassist Redding, who died in 2003 aged 57, and drummer Mitchell, who died aged 62 in 2008 are suing Sony Music Entertainment UK, alleging that they have been consistently excluded from a share of the revenue relating to their contributions to albums by The Jimi Hendrix Experience -- the band which they formed with the guitar icon back in 1966. The albums in question are 1967's debut album Are You Experienced and its followup, second album Axis: Bold As Lovewhich arrived later that year, and their third and final record, Electric Ladyland which was released in 1968. Representing both estates in a hearing on Dec. 9, Simon Malynicz KC alleged that the two late musicians were "excluded early on in their lifetimes" and "died in relative poverty," also claimng this occurred despite them being in "one of the most commercially successful acts of its era." Malynicz also told the court that the late drummer and late bassist had been let down "by a major multinational which refuses to recognise or remunerate their copyright and performers' right," and asked that the court ensures "justice is done is done to the memory of Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell." "It can also give effect to James Marshall Hendrix's wishes," he added. "For surely, he would have wanted his fellow musicians to receive everything to which they are entitled." Sony Music Entertainment UK is refuting the claims, with their lawyer contending the original recording copyright belonged to the albums' producers, not the musicians. He also cited claims made by both Mitchell and Redding in the 1970s, which led to them being paid $247,500 (£185,900) and $100,000 (£75,100) respectively. - New Musical Express, 12/10/25...... Testifying before the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property on Dec. 9, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons claimed musicians are treated "worse than slaves" because of unpaid radio play. Simmons -- one of several music industry professionals who weighed in on the bill at the gathering on Capitol Hill -- spoke to the "injustice" of U.S. broadcast radio stations freely playing sound recordings without having to pay the performers who created them, a yearslong precedent that the AMFA would reverse if passed by Congress. "If you are against this bill, you are un-American," he said. "You cannot let this injustice continue," he continued. "It looks like a small issue... But our emissaries to the world are Elvis [Presley] and Frank Sinatra. And when [other countries] find out we're not treating our stars right -- in other words, worse than slaves. Slaves get food and water. Elvis and Bing Crosby and Sinatra got nothing for their performance." Currently, radio stations license the music they play over the air from rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI -- but they are not required to pay record labels or performing artists for the use of their tracks. Songwriters do receive royalties for radio airplay, but the artists who performed on the recordings do not. Simmons' testimony can be viewed on YouTube. Meanwhile, Simmons -- known for his bombastic, no-filter statements -- has issued a rare apology after ruffling some feathers by claiming that "bad decisions" caused the recenty deceased KISS guitarist Ace Frehley's death at 74 in October. "He refused [advice] from people that cared about him - including yours truly - to try to change his lifestyle. In and out of bad decisions. Falling down the stairs -- I'm not a doctor -- doesn't kill you. There may have been other issues, and it breaks my heart," Simmons reportedly told The New York Post following Frehley's death, which was attributed to injuries suffered during a fall the month prior. At the time, Simmons appeared to suggest that Frehley's death was possibly tied to the guitarist's long struggle with alcoholism, despite Ace reportedly being sober for more than 20 years before his death. "The saddest thing -- you reap what you shall sow unfortunately," he said at the time. Now following some backlash from fans, Simmons has walked back his earlier statements. "My hand to God I didn't intend to hurt Ace or his legacy but upon rereading my words, I see how it hurt everyone," Simmons posted on X/Twitter on Dec. 10. "Again, I apologize. I've always loved Ace. Always." On Dec. 6, Simmons was presented a medal for being one of Pres. Donald Trump's 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees in the Oval Office of the White House. Dressed in a tuxedo, the president awarded gold-and-navy medallions to KISS, along with Rocky star Sylvester Stallone, "I Will Survive" singer Gloria Gaynor, country singer George Strait, and actor-singer Michael Crawford. Trump, the first sitting president to ever host the awards, said "This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Centre Honorees ever assembled." While the awards are primarily given to individuals, they have occasionally been given to duos or musical groups, musicals and TV shows. The 48th edition of the annual gala was taped and will be broadcast on CBS (select Paramount+ customers will also be able to stream the show) on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. - Billboard/NME/Music-News.com, 12/10/25...... Appearing on British newscaster Piers Morgan's podcast on Dec. 9, Ozzy Osbourne's widow Sharon Osbourne revealed the touching final words that Ozzy said to her before he passed away. Sharon shared that Ozzy "was up and down to the bathroom all night" and asked her to "wake up" at around 4 am. It was then that she spoke to him for the last time. "I said, 'I'm already bloody awake, you've woken me up'," she said, going on to recall his final words: "And he said, 'Kiss me', and then he said, 'Hug me tight'." She then said that he then "went downstairs, worked out for 20 minutes and passed away," adding that she felt a sense of regret that the discussion ended up being their last. "I can't help wondering if I should have, could I have? If only I'd have told him I loved him more. If only I'd have held him tighter," she told Morgan. Osbourne died on July 22 at his family home in Buckinghamshire. He passed away due to a heart attack, but was in poor health beforehand as he suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson's. Sharon's Piers Morgan Uncensored interview has been shared on X/Twitter. - NME, 12/10/25...... Diana Ross will be among the headiners ringing in 2026 on Dec. 31 with a live Times Square NYC performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest. The Motown legend, 80, will help anchor one of the most musically diverse telecasts in the show's 54-year history, with a 39-artist roster including the likes of Rick Springfield, New Kids on the Block, 4 Non Blondes, Goo Goo Dolls, Chappell Roan, Post Malone, Leon Thomas and Charlie Puth. Ross is set to perform a medley of her hits including "I'm Coming Out" and "Upside Down." "Together we begin a new year," the singer said in a statement. "Let's embrace a new beginning, new opportunities, new joy -- a celebration of love, where we all come together as we begin 2026." The 2025 edition will mark the longest telecast in the show's history, including an additional 90 minutes of programming compared to last year, with more than 85 songs set to be performed. - Billboard, 12/10/25...... Elton John has hit back at claims his house is "dirty" in a humorous manner after previously showing off a "dirty" oven door in an Instagram Reel. After taking heat from fans after sharing a peek of the door accompanied by snippets of his 1974 hit, "Step into Christmas," Sir Elton, 78, took to social media once again in a comedic bid to rescue his reputation. "Hello people, it's Elton John here," the Rocket Man began. "A couple of weeks ago, I did some videos in this kitchen about how crazy 'Step Into Christmas' was driving me, and it got an incredible response, which I was quite startled about." John went on to describe his shock at fans' reactions to his oven door. "A lot of the response was kind of negative about how dirty my oven was," Elton explained. "My oven door, my oven window. And I can assure you, I don't have anything dirty in this house. I've never had anything dirty. I'm not a dirty person!" Donning a pair of bright pink, feather-trimmed rubber gloves, Elton declared he would redeem himself. "To prove I don't have anything that's dirty, I'm going to do something to show you," he announced. The video was quickly followed by a sequel, captioned simply, "Don't think your comments go unnoticed," in which Elton sprayed cleaner onto his oven door and gave it a scrub. Before slamming the oven door shut, he concluded: "Look, I've got the cleanest oven window in Windsor." - Music-News.com, 12/9/25...... It has been revealed that ABBA's Voyage show has contributed a staggering £2.06 billion to the UK economy. The ambitious virtual show, which features CGI reincarnations (or 'ABBA-tars') of the Swedish pop band, began in 2022 at the purpose-built ABBA Arena in east London. It is currently taking bookings until June 2026. Now, an analysis report has revealed ABBA Voyage's cumulative social and economic impact across the capital and the UK. The document was compiled and assessed by global music, culture and creative economy consultancy Sound Diplomacy. The analysis shows that Voyage has had a significant and positive economic and social impact, not only on London and the local area (comprising the boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest), but on the wider UK by contributing £2.06 billion in turnover to the UK economy between May 2022 - May 2025, and 1.14 billion in GVA (Gross Value Added). It has been seen over three million visitors, of whom almost a fifth (18%) travelled from outside the UK. "ABBA Voyage has been an absolute sensation, redefining the possibilities of a music concert and delivering a tremendous boost to our economy," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement. - NME, 12/10/25...... Bob Dylan announced on Dec. 8 that he's extending his "Rough and Rowdy Ways" tour into 2026 with a 27-date U.S. run, this time hitting smaller markets beginning on Mar. 2 at The Orpheum in Omaha, Neb., then South Dakota, Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina and Georgia in late winter/early spring. Dylan, 84, will also visit his native Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana before winding down on May 1 with a show at the Abilene Auditorium in Abilene, Tex. The rock bard has mostly been serving up songs from his 39th studio album on the past "Rough and Rowdy" tours, mixed in with some reworkings of classics from his catalog, only taking brief breaks from the 37-year-old road show commonly referred to the Never Ending Tour. In 2024, for the second year in a row, the musician briefly stepped away from his tour to appear alongside fellow touring star Willie Nelson at the Outlaw Music Festival. Dylan's most recent album was 2023's Shadow Kingdom, which featured fresh recordings of songs from the early years of his now nearly 70-year-career. - Billboard, 12/8/25...... David Byrne has announced he is adding more European shows to his summer 2026 world tour behind his latest album, Who Is The Sky?. The former Talking Heads frontman, who finished the first leg of his "Who Is The Sky" tour earlier in December, has also announced new North American dates to come after his already-announced January shows in Australia and New Zealand and February and March shows in Europe. After wrapping up his first European leg in Paris on March 19, Byrne will head to North America. Among the new North American dates are shows in Vancouver, Portland, Las Vegas, Nashville and Baltimore, to go alongside his headline slot at Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tenn., and a show at Coachella, among other gigs. Meanwhile, Byrne has shared a 32-track playlist, titled "David Byrne Radio Presents: Christmas Music for People Who Hate Christmas Music," on Spotify.com with a message explaining its eclectic sound. "This playlist is not about the solstice, nor does it have some Pagan agenda," he told fans. "It's rowdy, fun songs that gently poke at and refer to the holidays. Enjoy!" - NME, 12/8/25..... Universal Pictures has released the official teaser trailer for the latest Elvis Presley project from director Baz Luhrmann, EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert. The trailer gives fans a dynamic glimpse into Luhrmann's distinctive, high-energy style, suggesting a blend of archival footage and innovative cinematic techniques to bring Presley's legendary stage presence to life. Known for his maximalist approach in films like Moulin Rouge! and the ELVIS biopic, Luhrmann is set to "reimagine the concert film genre, delivering an immersive experience that highlights the global icon's musical genius and personal narrative," according to a press release. EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert is set to hit cinemas worldwide beginning Feb. 27. The film will debut with a special one-week IMAX exclusive run starting Feb. 20. Fans can watch the full teaser trailer on YouTube and across Universal Pictures UK's official social media channels, including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, using the hashtag #EPiCMovie to join the conversation. - Music-News.com, 12/10/25...... Smokey Robinson has claimed one of his civil lawsuit accusers recently raided his storage unit in a new court filing. In May, four former female housekeepers sued the R&B and soul icon and his wife Frances for $50 million, alleging they were subjected to sexual battery, assault, and false imprisonment from 2012 to 2024. Robinson, 85, denied all allegations, and a short time later, filed a $500 million counter-complaint against the anonymous women accusing them of slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and financial elder abuse. In an update to the case, Robinson's lawyers filed a motion in a Los Angeles court on Dec. 8 in which they alleged the plaintiff known as "Jane Doe 4" kept a key to the family's storage unit and accessed it in on Nov. 22 without prior permission. In addition, Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, alleged the plaintiff took "thousands of dollars' worth of personal property" from the unit and that it was a "brazenly criminal act," and they are seeking a restraining order against her. Responding to the filing, a lawyer acting for the plaintiffs, John W. Harris, denied that Jane Doe 4 "ever visited" the unit since ending her employment for the Robinsons. In November, two further employees, a man who served as a car valet and a female housekeeper, also joined the original lawsuit. Meanwhile, a criminal investigation into the allegations is being undertaken by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, though no charges have yet been filed. - Music-News.com, 12/10/25...... Guitarist Dave Hill, the 79-year-old the former guitarist with the '70s English hard rock band Slade, has joined forces with the son of his former bandmate, Slade frontman Noddy Holder, on Hill's debut solo album. Holder, who left Slade in 1992 after 26 years fronting the band -- was the one who suggested his son Django Holder produce Hill's new LP Dirtyfoot Lane, which is autobiographical and named after a place in his hometown of Wolverhampton. Hill has also paid tribute to his original Slade bandmates -- singer Noddy, 79, bassist Jim Lea, 76, and drummer Don Powell, 79 -- on a track on the LP. "I've done a solo album, a very important solo album," Hill told ContactMusic.com. "It's true stories, slightly country, not Slade, but it has rock in there. There's songs written about my mother, I've written a song for Slade. It's a thank you to Noddy, Jim and Don, it's called Thanks For The Good Times, it's a great song. Noddy Holder's son, Django Holder, produces the album. He's 30 years of age, he's a fantastic guy, very calm, very talented. Noddy recommended him, so I thought, 'I'm going to try him.' He was just great to be with. The album is called Dirtyfoot Lane. That's a real place, I use to take my kids down and they used to play in haystacks. I've also written a song called 'Dirtyfoot Lane', it has a chorus like Paul McCartney's 'Mull of Kintyre'." Dave Hill's Slade are currently on a 12-city UK tour in December playing all of the band's biggest hits, including the 1973 yuletide hit "Merry Christmas Everybody." - Music-News.com, 12/10/25...... Speaking of legendary '70s rockers, Foghat has announced a new "Twang and Bang Tour" that will kick off on Jan. 9 in Fort McDowell, Ariz., and will include includes a number of international dates in Finland and Sweden in addition to their U.S. stops. As Foghat founding members "Lonesome" Dave Peverett and Rod Price both died in the early 2000s, Foghat's current lineup features original drummer Roger Earl, guitarist Bryan Bassett, singer Scott Holt and bassist Rodney O'Quinn. "2025 is coming to a close, and what a year it's been!" the band said in a statement. "We can't wait to hit the road for the 2026 Twang and Bang Tour! Check out the dates we've already lined up, with plenty more on the way." In September of this year, Foghat released an expanded 50th anniversary edition of 1975's Fool for the City with a never-before-heard concert from their earlier years, while their 2023 album Sonic Mojo spent over 30 weeks in the Top 10 of the Billboard blues album chart. According to Louder.com, the unusual name of Foghat was invented by Peverett during a game of Scrabble with his brother years before the band formed. It came back up later when the band members were all giving each other nicknames. "It was after a show, we'd all had a few beers and decided we should all have pseudonyms," Earl explained. "Dave had his name, 'Lonesome' Dave. I was Skins Willy, for some unknown reason. Kim, I think, was the Incredible Gnome, and Dave decided that Chris Youldon [vocalist] should be Luther Foghat. Chris couldn't quite see that, though." Since Youldon didn't want to go by Foghat, it was decided that the nonsense word would serve as the band's name. "When we told them our new name, the record label looked at us like we'd grown a new head," Earl admitted. - Parade, 12/4/25...... As Dick Van Dyke reaches his milestone 100th birthday on Dec. 13, the beloved American entertainer has shared his secrets for a long, happy life in a People cover story. "People say, 'What did you do right?' I don't know. I'm rather lazy," he says. "I've always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person's insides -- and hate -- and I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate. I think that was one of the chief things that kept me going." Asked how he's feeling these days, he said: "I have no pain, no discomfort. Short-term memory problems, it's true. I can't remember what I had for breakfast, so I have my wife (Arlene Silver, 54) here, who is in possession of my memory bank. But my long-term memory's pretty good." Van Dyke also credits Arlene for "keeping me in the moment and alive every day...Thank God for that." Asked what he'd like to be remembered for, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins star responded, "What I've left in the way of children's entertainment and children's music. That's my legacy." And what would he hope to hear at the pearly gates? "Come on in. I hope I make it to the pearly gates and not the other one. I've been a good boy." - People, 12/8/25...... Phil Upchurch, an iconic guitarist and session musician who collaborated with Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway and countless other music legends, passed away on Nov. 23 in Los Angeles, according to his wife, Sonya Maddox-Upchurch. He was 84. A cause of death was not revealed. Over a remarkable career, Mr. Upchurch recorded nearly 30 albums and appeared on more than 1,000 recordings. Notable contributions include Chaka Khan's 1978 hit "I'm Every Woman," which topped Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for three weeks, and Jackson's "Workin' Day and Night," from his 1979 solo album, Off the Wall. Mr. Upchurch was also featured on all of Hathaway's solo studio and live albums, as well as Curtis Mayfield's soundtracks for the films Superfly, Claudine, Let's Do It Again and Sparkle, the latter featuring Aretha Franklin. The Chicago-born musician also performed or recorded with other music legends, including George Benson, Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, John Lee Hooker and Stan Getz. Beyond performing, Mr. Upchurch authored two instructional music books and completed an autobiography, which is set to be released posthumously. - Billboard, 12/6/25.

Pink Floyd is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1975 LP Wish You Were Here with several pop-up stores across the UK, Europe and America. The pop-up stores are hosted in collaboration with Sony Music and News & Coffee, the independent magazine retailer and coffee roaster. They will open at kiosks in London, Barcelona, Los Angeles and Paris. Each location will stock an exclusive Wish You Were Here 50 edition of the Brain Damage Floyd fanzine -- a revival of the editorial project originally founded and produced by Glenn Povey, with five editions available worldwide. Also available is an exclusive limited anniversary vinyl pressing of Wish You Were Here 50, and a selection of strictly limited edition commemorative merchandise. - New Musical Express 12/4/25...... '70s disco icons The Village People were among the headlining music acts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw on in Washington, D.C, on Dec. 5. The splashy affair took place at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the "YMCA" hitmakers closed 2025 in the same city they performed in for several events around Pres. Donald Trump's second inauguration. The Village People performed hit "YMCA," as Pres. Trump danced merrily along in the audience to the group's 1979 hit, which has become one of his favorite songs. The Final Draw will reveal the group-stage matchups for the 48-team World Cup, which will unfold between June 11-July 19, 2026 Three nations will jointly host the upcoming tournament for the first time; the US is the main host, while Canada and Mexico will co-host. - Music-News.com, 12/4/25...... More key cast inner circle roles have been announced in director Sam Mendes' upcoming four-part Beatles biopics, including John Lennon's aunt, the Fab Four's press officer, Paul McCartney's dad, Beatles manager Brian Epstein and record producer George Martin. Lennon's beloved Aunt Mimi Smith, his guardian as a child, will be portrayed by Leanne Best (Line of Duty, Star Wars: The Force Awakens who has a Beatles connection herself -- she's the niece of original Beatles drummer Pete Best. In addition, The Walking Dead's David Morrissey will portray Paul McCartney's father, Jim McCartney; James Norton (Bob Marley: One Love) will play manager Brian Epstein; and Harry Lloyd (Game of Thrones) has been confirmed as "fifth Beatle," producer George Martin. Bobby Schofield (Cherry) has been tapped to portray the band's road manager and McCartney and George Harrison's lifelong pal music biz executive Neil Aspinall; Daniel Hoffman-Gill will step into the shoes of road manager and personal assistant Mal Evans; Arthur Darvill (And Mrs) is on board as journalist/publicist and producer Derek Taylor; and Adam Pally (Sonic the Hedgehog 3) is slated to play the band's quarrelsome music manager, Allen Klein. The thespians join the previously announced main cast -- Paul Mescal (McCartney), Harris Dickinson (Lennon), Barry Keoghan (Starr) and Joseph Quinn (Harrison) -- as well as the actresses portraying their wives: Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird) as McCartney's wife Linda McCartney, Shogun's Anna Sawai as Lennon's wife Yoko Ono, The White Lotus' Aimee Lou Wood as Harrison's wife Pattie Boyd and How to Have Sex's Mia McKenna-Bruce as Starr's wife, Maureen Starkey. The announcement of the latest cast additions can be viewed on Instagram. The four films are currently in production with all of them slated to hit theaters at the same time in Apr. 2028. - Billboard, 12/5/25...... In other Beatles news, the BBC has acquired the six-part documentary series Hamburg Days, a drama series that tells the story of the band's early days as a scrappy band trying to make a name for themselves in the German city's smoke-filled clubs. The series is based on the autobiography of Beatles lieutenant Klaus Voormann, the musician and producer who lived with the group in a London flat in the early 1960s, designed the cover of the Revolve album and performed on solo albums by Lennon, Harrison and Starr in the 1970s following the band's break-up. According to a press release by the BBC, Voormann, 87, was a consultant on the series, which is set in the early 1960s, in the "smoke-filled clubs of Hamburg's St. Pauli's red-light district, [where] an inexperienced young rock 'n' roll band from Liverpool collide with two young artists, Klaus Voormann and [early Beatles photographer] Astrid Kirchherr. Together they help spark a transformation that turns a scrappy group of teenagers into the greatest music phenomenon the world has ever known: The Beatles." A cast has yet to be announced, however the showrunner will be The Crown director Christian Schwochow, who will be joined by director Mat Whitecross (Oasis: Supersonic, Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams) and composer David Holmes (Ocean's Thirteen, Good Vibrations). The story of the band's early years playing Hamburg clubs was previously covered in the 1994 movie Backbeat, which focused on the same period and the relationship between early bassist Stu Sutcliffe and Lennon. - Billboard, 12/4/25...... Elsewhere on the Fab Four front, the Beatles archival Anthology series of albums is back on the Billboard charts, 30 years after the project launched in 1995 with Anthology 1. The new album, Anthology 4, has debuted in the top 10 on five Billboard charts, all dated Dec. 6: Top Album Sales (No. 9), Top Current Album Sales (No. 9), Top Rock & Alternative Albums (No. 7), Top Rock Albums (No. 6) and Indie Store Album Sales (No. 3). The 36-track Anthology 4 features 13 previously unreleased tracks from The Beatles' vault. The rest of the cuts on the album were available on previous reissues. Anthology 4 was issued on vinyl, CD, as a digital download and via streaming services, and launches with nearly 17,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending Nov. 27, according to Luminate. Of that sum, traditional album sales (purchases of physical copies and digital downloads of the album) numbered 13,000. - Billboard, 12/4/25...... It has been revealed that Jimmy Buffett was present at his posthumous 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, and more than just in spirit. In a new interview on The Howard Stern Show on Dec. 2, country singer Kenny Chesney -- who helped induct the late Parrothead In Chief alongside James Taylor and guitarist Mac McAnally in 2024 -- revealed that some of Buffett's ashes were smuggled into the venue with some help from daughter Savannah Buffett. "We were sitting back there warming up, trying to figure out our parts and stuff, and Mac comes up to me and he goes, 'Look at this,'" the country star told Stern. "And it was a small urn," Chesney continued. "He had Jimmy's ashes in his coat pocket. So Jimmy's ashes were in Mac McAnally's coat pocket on stage with us as [Jimmy] was getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Apparently, Savannah was all for the idea, because she was the one who handed off her dad's ashes to McAnally before the ceremony. So even after he passed, Jimmy found a way to join the party," Chesney added. Buffett died at the age of 76 in Sept. 2023. Chesney's full Stern Show interview can be viewed on YouTube. - Billboard, 12/4/25...... Paul Rodgers has revealed that he "dodged a bullet" by skipping Bad Company's recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Rodgers and Simon Kirke, the two surviving members of the original Bad Company lineup, had been due to perform together for the first time in six years at the Rock Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 8, but Rodgers didn't part due to health issues which prevented him from travelling -- and he's now told Rolling Stone that he has no regrets about missing the big monent. "About a week prior to leaving for rehearsals for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction and TV show, my blood pressure was very high and I started to have chest pains and heart palpitations," Rodgers, 75, said. "I saw my doctor, who absolutely forbid me to get on a plane. He recommended that I stay home, rest and remain calm, and I feel that I dodged a bullet by doing that. I am in the zen phase of my life and enjoy being immersed in a peaceful and calm life. I can sing again and play daily to a crowd of one," he added. The singer had previously confirmed he would not be attending in a post on Instagram, writing: "My hope was to be at the Rock Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health. I have no problem singing, it's the stress of everything else. Thanks for understanding. Simon along with some outstanding musicians will be stepping in for me -- guaranteed to rock." Bad Company's frontman Rodgers, drummer Kirke, late guitarist Mick Ralphs and late bassit Boz Burrell were among the acts saluted at the annual ceremony on Nov. 8. Ralphs died in June at the age of 81 while Burrell passed away in 2006. The band's former vocalist Brian Howe died in 2020 at the age of 66. - Music-News, 12/5/25...... Six months after his death, Ozzy Osbourne has been posthumously with Birmingham's Lord Mayor's Award on what would have been the heavy metal icon's 77th birthday. The prestigious annual honor presented to an individual (group or organization) for "outstanding achievement or exceptional service to the city and people of Birmingham" was an especially fitting tribute to the late rocker given his love for him hometown. In an X/Twitter video message from daughter Kelly Osbourne, she said, "I just want to take a second to thank the people of Birmingham for not only showing my family so much love, but for showing up for my father in a way that made him the happiest man on the planet." Kelly was on hand to receive the honor alongside her mother, Sharon Osbourne, and the family were also gifted with the book of condolences featuring what Kelly said were "hundreds of thousands" of tributes from fellow Birmingham citizens. The one thing my father was most proud of is that he was a Brummie," said Kelly, using the popular nickname for people from Birmingham. And Birmingham has done him proud." Meanwhile, Ozzy fans are continuing to call for Birmingham UK Airport to be renamed after Osbourne, despite hopes being nixed by its CEO. Fans have started a Change.org petition campaign headed by Dan Hudson, co-host of the A Gay And A Nongay podcast, who suggested that Birmingham International Airport have a rebrand in honour of the Prince Of Darkness. "Birmingham, amazingly, has an extraordinary list of fantastically influential people, going from historic people like Charles Darwin, as well as Robert Plant and Sir Lenny Henry but the answer is no," airport CEO Nick Barton told BBC Radio WM. "The airport name is so important for our future development of what we've got, which is a fantastic airport, but yet to grow significantly, which we will do on the back of its name." Barton did add that progress was being made on a different project to honour Ozzy's legacy at the airport, saying: "It'll be like a mural recognition of Ozzy and other greats in the area." Lastly in Ozzy news, the musician's merch store has shared a new t-shirt design that takes aim at former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters, who shortly after Ozzy's death said in a podcast: "Ozzy Osbourne, who just died, bless him, in his, whatever that state that he was in his whole life, we'll never know. Although, he was all over the TV for hundreds of years with his idiocy and nonsense. The music, I have no idea, I couldn't give a f---. I don't care about Black Sabbath, I never did, I have no interest in [] biting the heads off chickens or whatever they do. I couldn't care less." The new t-shirt was first announced on the late metal legend's Instagram page on Dec.1 In the Instagram reel, a cartoon version of Ozzy was depicted as urinating a rainbow onto a wall that resembles the cover of the iconic Pink Floyd album, The Wall. Over the top, text read: "Another Prick in the Wall Tee available for 48 hours only!", making a nod to the famous three-part composition by Pink Floyd, 'Another Brick In The Wall'." The shirt is currently available on Ozzy's merch store. - Billboard/NME, 12/4/25...... In April 1985, Freddie Mercury released his first solo album outside of Queen, Mr. Bad Guy. The album went on to achieve a gold disc and UK Top 10 success by spawning four hit singles in Britain, "I Was Born To Love You", "Made In Heaven", "Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow" and the UK No.1.charting single "Living On My Own." On Dec. 5, a new 40th anniversary special edition 80g translucent green vinyl and picture disc LP and accompanying CD were released, and Mercury's official YouTube is marking the occasion with a new three-part Mr Bad Guy video series, which has been shared on Vimeo.com. Along with clips from the videos promoting the record's single releases, each of the three episodes presents an excerpt from a classic interview the iconic Queen frontman gave in 1985 in support of Mr. Bad Guy's initial release. As Freddie was famously wary of journalists, the interview was conducted by one of the few he trusted, the highly-respected showbiz reporter David Wigg, resulting in a candid, witty and insightful chat, during which Mercury opens up on what prompted him to take a break from Queen and decide to make a solo record at this moment in time. Responding with the assertion that he believes "the time and place is right" for a solo record, Freddie declares that "It's something in me that I wanted to do. I wanted to write a batch of songs that came out under the name Freddie Mercury, so why not?" More highlights from the classic interview in the second episode of this three-part series celebrating Freddie Mercury's Mr. Bad Guy will follow in the coming weeks. - Music-News.com, 12/5/25...... A federal judge has sided with Cher in the singer's four-year royalties war with the widow of Cher's ex-husband Sonny Bono, issuing a final judgment that grants the diva almost everything she sought. US District Judge John A Kronstadt formally lodged his prior ruling that found Mary Bono, the head of her late husband's estate, was barred from using the federal Copyright Act to reclaim the 50 per cent share of Sonny's composition royalties granted to Cher in her 1978 divorce agreement with Sonny. Mary had tried to terminate those rights -- for hit songs including "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On" -- along with Cher's 50% share of the musical recordings. The judge ruled that California contract law, which governed the divorce agreement, trumped the copyright termination power of the federal Copyright Act. The judgment includes the payment of substantial legal costs. Mary Bono's lawyer says she plans to appeal the decision. Cher, who will turn 80 in 2026, rose to fame alongside Sonny as Sonny & Cher in the 1960s before building a decades-long solo career. - Music-News.com, 12/3/25...... The National Enquirer is reporting that Elvis Presley's late daughter Lisa Marie Presley ended her marriage to Michael Jackson after finding out that Jackson disappeared on a European Disneyland vacation with two young brothers, Frank and Eddie Cascio (then 14 and 11), in 1996 without telling the bride he married in 1996. Insiders say a furious Lisa Marie, then 27, sought a divorce lawyer immediately after photos emerged of the 37-year-old hitmaker on a balcony with the two boys. According to an insider, Lisa Marie told a close friend at the time, "This marriage was a crazy mistake. It's over." The insider added that the union was a farce -- and that the "Billie Jean" singer was motivated by getting his hands on Elvis' music catalog and "changing the narrative" after he was hit with a civil suit alleging child molestation in 1993. "Michael got what he wanted out of Lisa, which was good publicity," the insider says. "Lisa told me they hardly spent any time together when they were married." Frank Cascio, now 44, and his family -- who were once considered MJ's longtime close friends -- are reportedly seeking a $213 million settlement to end their lawsuit alleging that Frank and other siblings were molested by the "Bad" Grammy winner. A lawyer for the Jackson estate is refuting those accusations, pointing out that the Cascio family had steadfastly "proclaimed Michael Jackson's innocence for years" and described the settlement bid as an "extortion" scheme. Lisa Marie died in Jan. 2023 at age 54 after going into cardiac arrest related to a complication from an earlier weight loss surgery. Jackson suffered a fatal overdose of the anesthetic propofol in 2009 at age 50. - The National Enquirer, 12/3/25...... Australian rock legend Warren Williams died on Nov. 29 after succumbing to a lengthy illness. He was 85. "Yesterday was a very sad day with the loss of my father Warren Williams," the musician's son, Warren Williams Jr., wrote on Facebook. "A most humble, kind and quiet man who taught me so much about being a good human. One of the greatest singers and performers of his time. The memories of growing up by his side will always be there. RIP Dad, we will all miss you." Mr. Williams' career took off after he was invited to be on the Australian Broadcast Company's music variety show Six O'Clock Rock in the 1960s. The Sydney native was credited with being one of his country's first rock singers. - PennLive.com, 12/2/25...... Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, who played on seminal recordings by the likes of Otis Redding, Booker T & the M.G.'s, Wilson Pickett and many more, died on Dec. 3 in Nashville. He was 84. Mr. Cropper's son confirmed his father's death on Facebook. "It's with the heaviest of hearts that I share the news that my amazing Dad passed away this morning," Stephen Cropper posted. "He certainly lived an incredible life and enjoyed every minute of entertaining you all. Please lift prayers of comfort for my family." As the guitarist for Booker T & the M.G.'s, which served as Stax Records' house band during the 1960s, Mr. Cropper was an architect of the sound, with his ringing, often spare guitar work and deft touch heard on R&B and pop classics including Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood," Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour" and Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" (Sam Moore immortalized Mr. Cropper with his "Play It, Steve," ad lib on "Soul Man"). Mr. Cropper, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T & the M.G.'s, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, was also a noted producer, telling The New York Times in 2018 that he finished producing "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" under great duress following Redding's death in a plane crash in 1967. "If I had a week to work on it, it probably would have been overembellished," he said. Instead, he finished it in less than 24 hours. The song earned Mr. Cropper one his two Grammys, winning for best rhythm & blues song at the 1969 ceremony. Mr. Cropper was nominated for nine Grammys, including most recently in 2024 for best contemporary blues album for his set, Friendlytown. In addition to "Dock of the Bay," he won at the 1995 ceremony for best pop instrumental performance for the Booker T. & the M.G.'s track "Cruisin'." Mr. Cropper experienced a renaissance in 1979 when The Blues Brothers emerged. He got a phone call from John Belushi, who was half of the fictional blues duo Jake and Elwood Blues, with his "brother," Dan Aykroyd, and recorded with the pair and made a suggestion that was golden. "What they wanted to do probably would have made it anyway, I don't know, was basically all slow, kind of medium-tempo blues songs. Nothing wrong with blues songs, but there was nothing in there commercial to dance to," Mr. Cropper recalled in an interview for the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in 2019. "Steve Cropper's offerings to American music are significant but his contribution to soul and R&B music are immeasurable," Soulsville Foundation CEO Pat Mitchell Worley -- which includes the Stax Museum, Stax Music Academy, and Stax Charter School -- said in a statement. Survivors include wife Angel Cropper and children Andrea, Cameron, Stephen and Ashley. - Billboard, 12/3/25.