Favorite Seventies Artists In The News

Posted by Administrator on March 1st, 2026

Cher's son Elijah Blue Allman was arrested on Feb. 27 and charged with simple assault and trespassing after acting belligerently at an elite private high school in New Hampshire, of which he has no association. Allman, 49, was booked into the Merrimack County Jail and also charged with criminal threatening and disorderly conduct, the latter of which is illegal in the state but not considered a crime. At about 7 p.m., Concord police responded to reports that Allman was disturbing people in the dining hall of St. Paul's School. After charging Allman, police said he was released on bail as his case works through the court system. Allman, a resident of Southern California, has no apparent connection to the school, and it remains unclear why he was there. An investigation is ongoing, and reps for Cher and St. Paul's School have yet to comment on the incident. In June 2025, Allman was hospitalized following an overdose at his home after authorities responded to reports of erratic behavior. Drugs were later discovered at the residence, according to TMZ.com. The incident occurred roughly two months after his wife, Marieangela King, filed for divorce following 13 years of marriage. Cher sought a conservatorship over Elijah Blue in 2023, alleging he was "substantially unable to manage his own financial resources due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues." She also claimed King had interfered with his efforts to seek treatment, TMZ reported. The case was dismissed in late 2024. - AP/Billboard, 3/1/26...... Seventies artists Phil Collins and Joy Division/New Order are among the 17 new names proposed for induction into the class of 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the Cleveland-based hall and museum announced on Instagram on Feb. 25. Alternative faves Oasis made the shortlist for the third consecutive year, while Joy Division and New Order, who are listed together as one candidate, are also up for a third time, having been nominated in 2023 and 2025. Other repeat nominees are Mariah Carey, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Sade and The Black Crowes. First-time nominees include Collins, Lauryn Hill, Jeff Buckley, Wu-Tang Clan, Pink, INXS, Luther Vandross, Shakira, New Edition and Melissa Etheridge. As a member of Genesis, Collins was previously inducted into the Rock Hall in 2010, and if he were to be successful this year, he would become the 29th artist to be inducted into the Rock Hall multiple times. Joy Division, formed in Manchester, UK in 1976 and led by the late Ian Curtis, was one of Britain's most admired post-punk bands, and released their first album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979. A panel of more than 1200 artists, historians and industry professionals will choose the organization's class of 2026, and that announcement will be made in April. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after their first commercial recording was released, and fans can also vote for their favorites at rockhall.com, with their top five choices being counted as one vote from the "fans ballot." - New Musical Express, 2/25/26...... Ozzy Osbourne's daughter Kelly Osbourne is pushing back at criticism of her appearance after she accepted a BRIT Awards Lifetime Achievement prize that had been awarded to Ozzy on Feb. 28. Kelly took the stage alongside her mother Sharon Osbourne, who delivered an emotional acceptance speech that Kelly accentuated by quipping, "Up the Villa," in tribute to Ozzy's beloved Aston Villa (the speech can be viewed on YouTube). In the hours following the show, however, Kelly posted on her Instagram Stories (also available on X/Twitter) to reveal that she had received some abusive messages about her appearance on the show. Without specifying the nature of the criticisms, she wrote: "There is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something. Kicking me while I'm down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most." "None of it proves strength," she continued. "It only reveals a profound absence of compassion and character. I'm currently going through the hardest time in my life. I should not even have to defend myself. But I won't sit here and allow myself to be dehumanized in such a way!" It comes after previous comments from Kelly in Dec. 2025 in which she hit back at hurtful comments about her weight loss. "To the people who keep thinking they're being funny and mean by writing comments like 'Are you ill?' or 'Get off Ozempic, you don't look right'. My dad just died, and I'm doing the best that I can," she said. Also during the ceremony, pop star Robbie Williams led an all-star tribute to Ozzy, singing "No More Tears" backed by a band made up of regular Ozzy collaborators Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde. Fan-shot footage can be streamed on X/Twitter. - NME, 3/1/26...... Country/pop icon Dolly Parton is getting a Tennessee children's hospital renamed in her honor as the East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn., announced on Feb. 26 it will now be known as the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. Parton has long been known for her commitment to helping those in her native Tennessee and for helping children. And she's done so with businesses and programs including her Dollywood theme park and the Imagination Library, which provides books for children under age 5. In a video announcement on Instagram, Parton said, "Now I've always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up, healthy, hopeful and surrounded by love. That belief is what brought me together with the incredible folks at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care. They see children not just as patients, but as precious lives, each with a story and with a future... when we come together for our children, there's no limit to what we can do." The Knoxville-based 152-bed East Tennessee Children's Hospital opened in 1937 and offers full capabilities to care for seriously ill children in a unique environment, as well as providing pediatric health care training opportunities for smaller hospitals. - Billboard, 2/26/26...... A source close to Mick Jagger is denying that he gave the producers of the new Melania Trump documentary Melania permission to use The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" in the film. Melania producer Marc Beckman had told Variety that Jagger not only approved of the song's use, but was also "actually involved" and "gave his blessing." Now a source close to Jagger has told The Guardian that he felt scepticism over Jagger's cooperation was required as the producer was attempting to promote the documentary. A spokesperson for the Stones also told the newspaper that the band did not liaise with Beckman over the use of the track in the film, and that the deal was made between the producers and music company ABKCO, which owns the rights to the band's pre-1971 material. The film, which follows the First Lady in the 20 days leading up to Pres. Donald Trump's second inauguration in Jan. 2025, opens in his Mar-a-Lago resort using "Gimme Shelter" as the soundtrack. Guns N' Roses, Grace Jones and Prince's estate all refused to have their music used in Melania. The Stones have previously objected to the use of their music in Trump rallies, too, alongside Guns N' Roses, Jones, Prince's estate, Foo Fighters, ABBA, Adele, Neil Young, Queen, R.E.M, Jack White, Celine Dion and Bruce Springsteen. - NME, 2/27/26..... Speaking of Bruce Springsteen, it has been announced that Tom Morello will join the New Jersey rocker and his E Street Band at every show of the upcoming "Land Of Hope And Dreams" US tour. On Feb. 17, the the Boss announced the 19-date run of arena and stadium dates, which will pointedly kick off in the beleaguered Minneapolis, Minn., on March 31 and wrap up in Washington, DC on May 27. The shows are sure to be politically charged, given Springsteen's recent fiery contribution to the anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis and beyond, which included a raucous show at First Avenue in the city on Jan. 30, where he debuted his new anti-Donald Trump song "Streets Of Minneapolis." That show was organised by Rage Against The Machine's Morello, and now it has been confirmed that the singer/guitarist will join Springsteen for the entire tour, playing on "selected songs" at every date. Announcing the tour, Springsteen said: "We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair -- the cavalry is coming!" Speaking about joining the 'Land Of Hope And Dreams' tour, Morello has said: "I was reminded how important our platform is, and how crucial the resistance work is that our music can do together at this dangerous historical juncture. Together, Bruce, the E Street Band, and I are going to turn a spotlight on the current threats to democracy and human rights happening all around us on the 'Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour' in the spirit of freedom, justice and rock n roll." - NME, 2/25/26...... Paul McCartney has revealed his favorite films after joining the online social cataloging service and fan review site Letterboxd.com. Sir Paul gave an interview to his website, paulmccartney.com, on Feb. 26, where he was asked about his favorite films and documentaries. He told fans that tends to like movies and documentaries more than long series, and one that "really stuck" with him is the 2021 film Cow, which chronicles the daily life of a dairy cow. "It's pretty hardcore, but very good. It reminded me of Linda's song of the same name, which is equally as powerful." Then, in response to a question about the film reviewing website, McCartney shared his top four films. "The Girl Can't Help It, I always love that one and watch it again and again," he wrote. "On the Waterfront, with Marlon Brando, fantastic film. Get Out, I think Jordan Peele did a great job with that. And The Last Waltz - that's a nice one to round it out." Macca then officially joined Letterboxd, where he listed the above films as his favorites. He also gave some insight into his new documentary, Paul McCartney: Man On The Run, writing that watching the film was "like a period of my life flashing before my eyes." "It's wonderful because it's full of different emotions and facets. One of the big things for me is seeing so much of Linda, which is great for me and the kids," he added. The documentary, directed by Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Best Of Enemies) arrived on Amazon Prime Video on Feb. 27, and an accompanying soundtrack was released the same day. - NME, 2/27/26...... Actress Lauren Chapin, known for playing the giggly tomboy daughter of Robert Young in the popular 1950s sitcom Father Knows Best, died on Feb. 24 in Miami. She was 80. Her death, in a hospital, was confirmed by her daughter, Summer Chapin, who said the cause was cancer. Ms. Chapin played the youngest of the three wholesome, upbeat, all-American children in the show, known as "Kitten," but led a personal life in traumatic contrast to her best-remembered role. As she wrote in a well-received memoir, Ms. Chapin was raised by a sexually abusive father and an alcoholic mother who pushed her three children into acting careers. Her life completely fell apart, she said, after Father Knows Best went off the air in 1960, and she began to feel like a 14-year-old has-been. By the time she was 18, she said, she made several suicide attempts, was married and divorced, and had eight miscarriages. In 1964, she sued her mother for her television earnings, claiming her mother had forced her to sign over all rerun benefits. She later said she never earned any money from syndication. I really felt like God was out to get me," Ms. Chapin recalled in a 1989 interview on the syndicated talk show Live With Regis and Kathie Lee. She spent nearly two decades in crises -- addicted to heroin, working as a call girl, in prison for check forgery, stints in psychiatric facilities -- until she said she became a born-again Christian and evangelical minister. She reportedly raised millions of dollars to help abused children and gave religious testimonials about suffering and endurance. "I'm not proud of my past, but in a strange way, I'm thankful for it," she once said. "If Christ can love a person like I was, He can love anyone. To me, that's the real message of my past." Ms. Chapin's marriages to Gerald Jones, Wilton Walls Jr. and Robert L. Kelley ended in divorce. In addition to her children Summer and Matthew, both from relationships, she is survived by a brother, Michael Chapin; and two grandsons. Her brother Billy Chapin, who as a child starred with Robert Mitchum in the Gothic-horror film The Night of the Hunter (1955), died in 2016. - The New York Times, 2/25/26...... Flamboyant actor/singer Monti Rock III, known for his scene-stealing role as DJ Monti in the iconic 1977 film classic Saturday Night Fever, passed away in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 23. He was 86. While central character John Travolta's star-making turn as Tony Manero remains central to the film's legacy, fans also remember the supporting characters who gave the story its emotional weight and authenticity. One of these actors was Monti Rock III, who played the beloved DJ Monti at the disco the characters visited, The 2001. Mr. Rock is best remembered from a scene (which can be viewed on YouTube) where he calls out to Travolta and his fellow dancers. He says, "Hello, again! This is beautiful Monti, your delicious DJ!" Odyssey. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mr. Rock died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The site confirmed Rock's death via a longtime friend, Lucille Thaler. She added that he had been diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in the years before his death, and also stated that in Dec. 2024, he suffered a broken hip, for which he received surgery. In an undated interview with the website UltimateClassicBands.com, Mr. Rock discussed his career, including his work with Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes, a disco group that had two hit singles, "Get Dancin'" (1974) and "I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo (Doo Dat Dance)" (1975). The group later earned a lyrical nod from the Pet Shop Boys on their 1996 album Bilingual, with the song "Electricity" referencing them in the line, "It's the greatest show with the best effects, since Disco Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes." To UltimateClassicRock.com, the entertainer claimed the group had sold "seven million records" and released three albums before SNF producer Robert Stigwood recruited him to appear in the now-classic film. Of his role in SNF, Mr. Rock said, "It made me legit in many ways. Robert Stigwood liked me basically. It changed my life, actually. I had three years of premieres and talk shows, and I made a lot of money. I did a few other bad films." The entertainer also made numerous appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. - Parade, 2/25/26.

Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, known for hits such as "Bad Blood," "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Laughter in the Rain," died in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, after being rushed to a local hospital earlier in the day when he said he was feeling unwell. He was 86. "Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," a family statement posted to the singer's Instagram account said. "A true rock n' roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed." Born on Mar. 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Mr. Sedaka began his career while he was still a teen in the 1950s, becoming one of the world's first teen pop stars. He would go on to form The Tokens, a doo-wop group which later had a hit of its own with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," before meeting his neighbor Howard Greenfield, who would become his songwriting partner, with their partnership going on to sell 40 million records in just the four years between 1959 and 1964. While on a two-year scholarship to the Julliard School in New York City, he sold his first tune, "Stupid Cupid," a hit for Connie Francis in 1958, as was his "Where The Boys Are" (which Francis sang in the hit teen movie of the same name) in 1961. On the advice of fellow songwriter Doc Pomus, he signed with Al Nevins and Don Kirshner's Aldon Publishing, which got him signed with RCA Records as a singer. In 1959 he had two hits: "The Diary" (#14) and "I Go Ape" (#42). More Sedaka-Greenfield hits followed between 1959-1962: "Oh! Carol" (#9), "Stairway to Heaven" (#9), "Calendar Girl" (#4), "Little Devil" (#11) and "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen" (#6), "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" (#1) and "Next Door to an Angel" (#5). After his performing career slowed in 1963, Mr. Sedaka and Greenfield continued to write hits for others, including "Workin' on a Groovy Thing" and "Puppet Man" for the Fifth Dimension and "Rainy Jane" for Davy Jones. After Mr. Sedaka began a performing comeback in England in 1973 he split up with Greenfield, and made three LPs in Britain with Graham Gouldman of 10cc coproducing. Elton John then helped him resume his U.S. performing and recording career, first by reissuing cuts from the three British LPs on one U.S. package, Sedaka's Back, then by signing him to his Rocket Records label. Sedaka's Back (#23, 1974) and The Hungry Years (#16, 1975) both went gold. "Laughter In the Rain" was a No. 1 hit for Mr. Sedaka in 1974, and his "Love Will Keep Us Together" (cowritten with Greenfield) was a No. 1 hit for the Captain and Tennille, winning a 1975 Grammy as Record of the Year. His second recording streak culminated in 1975 with another No. 1 smash, "Bad Blood," which featured Elton on backing vocals. He followed it with a bluesy reworking of "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (#8, 1976), and "Love in the Shadows" (#8, 1976). He then resumed his songwriting collaboration with Greenfield, and became a successful MOR ballad singer and made numerous concert and TV appearances, including being one of Saturday Night Live's first musical guests, and also appearing as a guest judge on American Idol. In all, he had 30 songs reach the Billboard pop chart, with nine of them becoming top 10 hits, and 11 of his albums making the all-genre Billboard Hot 200 album chart. In 1980 he and his daughter Dara Sedaka recorded "Should've Never Let You Go," which reached No. 19 on the pop chart. In addition to his five Grammy nods, Mr. Sedaka was also celebrated and recognized for his work throughout his career. He was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award and Special International Award from the British professional songwriters association The Ivors, and more. Although his fans mounted a sustained campaign to have him inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame over the years, he was never inducted or nominated. In 2024, Mr. Sedaka partnered with Primary Wave to acquire a stake to the masters and publishing rights of his catalog. He is survived by his wife, Leba -- whom he married in 1962 -- daughter Dara, son Marc, and three grandchildren. - Billboard/The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock, 2/27/26.