On Mar. 23 Barry Manilow announced he's releasing his first new studio album of mostly new material in nearly 15 years, What a Time, on June 5. Primarily produced by Manilow and longtime collaborator Michael Lloyd, the album will be Manilow's 33rd studio LP and his first mostly original LP since 2011's 15 Minutes, his 15th top 10 album on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart. Manilow, 82, first made the top 10 in Feb. 1975 with Barry Manilow II. The star has released the first single from the album, "Sun Shine," ahead of the album that echoes his ebullient 1977 hit "Daybreak," along with a video that doesn't feature the singer but focuses instead on an attractive young couple getting ready for the day. Manilow wrote or co-wrote all but two of the 13 tracks, teaming with John Bettis to write three of the songs. The album announcement arrives amid a time of both health challenges and professional validation for Manilow. 
On Dec. 22, 2025, he announced a diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer, for which he underwent surgery. On Mar. 3, he released an upbeat video in which he declared "But I am getting stronger and I have great doctors and wonderful friends and family, but I am so looking forward to getting back on stage." Meanwhile, Manilow is opening up for the first time about his "nightmare" lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. In a cover story for the new issue of People magazine, Barry said his "nightmare" lung cancer surgery and long recovery "really, really made me take stock of my life." "You just don't even think about [how fragile life is]. And suddenly, you have lung cancer," he says. "But I'm still here. I'm not all here; there's part of me that isn't here -- they took out a part of me, and now I've got to figure out, 'What do I do?'." He described going initially going to a doctor in Nov. 2025 for hip pain that turned into a more serious diagnosis. Unexpectedly, a pelvic MRI expanded to a scan of his lungs when the doctor heard that the singer had suffered through two recent bouts of bronchitis. "If he hadn't done that, man. He saved my life, because there's no symptoms for what I had. I could go on, nothing hurt -- but they found the dot in my lung," he says. "They called me and said, 'Could be cancer.' That's a bad word. 'Not me. F--k you. I can't have cancer.' If it had gone any further, then I would be up s--t's creek. It just so happened that it hadn't spread, and boy oh boy, I thought I might be dying." Manilow said he doesn't remember his "nightmare" hospital stay and that he is grateful that he didn't have to undergo further invasive treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Manilow also announced a long list of upcoming U.S. tour dates, running from Apr. 13 to Jan. 21, 2027. - Billboard, 3/24/26...... The executors of Michael Jackson's estate say the late King of Pop's daughter Paris Jackson doesn't have any reason to complain about their spending on the long-anticipated MJ biopic Michael, arguing that objections lodged by Paris "betray a complete lack of understanding about how the motion picture industry works." Paris, 27, is fighting over finances with estate lawyer John Branca and A&R executive John McClain, co-executors who've overseen MJ's fortune since his death in 2009. The estate is still in Los Angeles probate court, where a retired judge has been appointed to referee disputes like this one with the superstar's survivors. After losing an earlier challenge to the executors' spending, Paris' attorneys filed an objection this fall focused on the estate's 2021 account statements. This objection accused Branca and McClain of aiming to "enrich and aggrandize" themselves and criticized their roles as producers on the upcoming Michael biopic, including Branca's casting of Miles Teller to play a younger version of himself. Branca and McClain have now filed their own document saying there's zero validity to Paris' complaints: "These meritless objections are a profound waste of the court's time and, ironically, the estate's money," reads the executors' response filed on Mar. 19 in probate court. The pair claim their work has generated billions of dollars for Michael's estate, $65 million of which has already gone to Paris. Much of that revenue has come from entertainment projects produced by Branca and McClain, including the Broadway show "MJ The Musical" and the 2009 documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It. A source close to Paris, meanwhile, says, "It's a shame the executors are lobbing personal attacks against a beneficiary instead of providing basic transparency and accountability. If the estate is interested in clarifying the facts, they could just release all the years of financial records Paris has been requesting. Without them, Paris and the rest of the Jackson family are totally in the dark." - Billboard, 3/24/26...... 
On Mar. 21 Neil Diamond announced he will release his third and final album collaboration with veteran producer Rick Rubin, Wild At Heart, on CD, vinyl and digital platforms via Capitol/UMe on May 8, with limited edition colored vinyl and 2CD versions also available. Diamond's previous collaborations with Rubin, 2005's 12 Songs and 2008's Home Before Dark, were met with critical and commercial success, and the songs that make up Wild At Heart were initially recorded during the Home Before Dark sessions. Now Diamond has revisited the material, fleshing out nine new songs that will now be released for the first time, as well as an alternate take of the Home Before Dark track "Forgotten." Speaking about Rubin, Diamond has said: "My work with Rick was a labor of love, and I'm so gratified that these songs will finally be set free into the world to complete our trilogy of work." Diamond, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2018, retired from touring in the same year. He briefly came out of retirement in 2022 to sing 'Sweet Caroline' during the curtain call of A Beautiful Noise, a Broadway musical about his life. The country-flavored title track of Wild At Heart can be streamed on YouTube. - NME, 3/21/26...... On Mar. 24 Willie Nelson announced the 2026 lineup for his annual Outlaw Music Festival and a 12-date tour slated to kick off on July 3 at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Tex. The Outlaw festival will be topped by Nelson and his family band, along with the Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow and Wilco. The festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, will once again feature Nelson, 92, topping the bill, though this year's roster of shows has been pared down, with a release saying for that reason, "each night carries added significance, a rare chance to experience a living legend alongside a powerhouse lineup of iconic voices and next-generation trailblazers." The tour will feature appearances from Nelson's son, Lukas Nelson and Sierra Hull, as well as Stephen Wilson Jr., Margo Price, Lily Meola, Rodney Crowell, Robert Randolph and Don Was with the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. "Being on the road and playing for the fans is what I love to do. We don't get to do as many shows as we used to, so every night out there means a little more," Willie said a statement. "I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and making it a special time." Meanwhile, Nelson's new album Dream Chaser will feature a new collaboration with Bob Dylan. The 10-track LP will be the followup to 2025's Workin' Man. Willie has already shared the title track of Dream Chaser on YouTube, and the album will be released on May 29. Another track from the LP, "I Can't Read Your Mind," was co-written with his friends Dylan and Buddy Cannon. Nelson and Dylan have toured extensively together in the past, including at the Outlaw Music Festival Tour in 2025 and 2024, but rarely shared a credit on a song. The last time they did so was on "Heartland"' from Nelson's 1993 album Across The Borderline. - Billboard, 3/24/26...... Speaking of Bob Dylan, the rock bard has covered Eddie Cochran's "Nervous Breakdown" for the first time ever at his inaugural 2026 "Rough And Rowdy Ways" tour show. Dylan has been playing shows on the tour since Nov. 2021 and the most recent leg kicked off at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha, Neb. on Mar. 21. The 16-song set saw Dylan make adjustments to the familiar setlist and stage setup from previous legs of the tour, including a switch to acoustic guitars over electric and a keyboard over his usual grand piano. The tour continues until the final announced show in Abilene, Tex. on May 1. By that point, the tour will have consisted of over 300 shows. - New Musical Express, 3/22/26...... 
Electronic musician Moby is facing strong pushback from The Kinks' lead guitarist and co-founder Dave Davies after criticizing one of the British Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band's signature hits, "Lola." In a recent edition of its "Honest Playlist" series in which the UK paper The Guardian asks musicians to talk about the songs that mean the most to them, Moby called the Kinks' 1970s US No. 9 hit a track he can no longer listen to. "'Lola' by the Kinks came up on a Spotify playlist, and I thought the lyrics were gross and transphobic," Moby told the paper about the song that tells the tale of a young man's romantic encounter with a transgender woman or drag queen in a Soho nightclub. "I like their early music, but I was really taken aback at how unevolved the lyrics are," he added. Those comments did not sit well with Davies, who shot back in a Mar. 22 post on X/Twitter in which he wrote, "I don't wanna show the guy up, but Moby should be careful what he says. The cockettes and their friends used to follow us around on tour. We appreciated them," the guitarist said in reference to the gender-bending 1970s psychedelic hippie troupe. "Why is Moby being so rude about this simple song? We're not trans phobic. Why does he have to have a go at us?" In addition, Davies posted a letter he said was sent to himself and his brother, Kinks singer Ray Davies, from their good friend and pioneering trans punk icon Jayne "Wayne" County, who wrote about what "Lola" meant to her back in the day. County wrote that when she first heard the song she was both "thrilled and amazed" that the Kinks would record a song about a trans person and wondered if anyone else had clocked what the song was about. "'Lola' will always be one of those songs that for me 'broke the ice' so to speak! A song that breaks down barriers and brings a used to be, hush, hush subject to the forefront and makes it sound perfectly natural to be singing a song about a 'girl' named Lola!" Moby has yet to respond to Davies' comments. - Billboard, 3/23/26...... The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is teaming up with Bruce Springsteen on a 30-second video soundtracked by his 1984 hit "Born In The U.S.A." a week before the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a landmark case about Pres. Donald Trump's administration's attempts to rewrite the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The song, which has been improperly hijacked by years by people at political events who've mistaken its seemingly fist-pumping patriotic chorus as a jingoistic anthem akin to the "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!," actually describes the thoughts of a disillusioned Vietnam veteran lamenting his meager options back home. Now the Supreme Court is slated to hear arguments in Trump v. Barbara, a birthright citizenship case stemming from a Jan. 2025 executive order from Pres. Trump attempting to curtail the 14th Amendment's grant of automatic citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.A. The new "Born In The U.S.A." video shows a series of different types of American families that could be impacted by the ruling. "We're reminding President Trump what it means to be born in the U.S.A.," reads the caption to the video. "We're honored that the one and only Bruce Springsteen trusted us with use of his iconic anthem ahead of our landmark Supreme Court case Trump v. Barbara, where we're challenging President Trump's attempt to overturn birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment speaks for itself." The ACLU sued Trump within two hours of the executive order attempting to revoke birthright citizenship in the case the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on beginning on April 1, after several other lower courts already ruled to block the order. The video can be checked out on YouTube. Meanwhile, Springsteen has announced his intention to play his anti-ICE protest song "Streets of Minneapolis" in Minnesota's Twin Cities on Mar. 28 during St. Paul's No Kings rally. Springsteen dropped the politically charged song in January as a broadside against the Trump administration's deadly incursion into the city that resulted in the killing of two American citizens: 37-year-old mother of three Rene Good and 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti. "You want to try to meet the moment," Springsteen told the Minnesota Star Tribune on Mar. 23. "The No Kings movement is of great import right now. When you have the opportunity to sing something where the timing is essential and if you have something powerful to sing, it elevates the moment, it elevates your job to another level. And I'm always in search of that," he added. The appearance will come just a few days before The Boss kicks off his "Land of Hope and Dreams" tour on Mar. 31 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. - Billboard, 3/23/26...... 
On Mar. 2, what would have been Karen Carpenter's 26th birthday, her brother Richard Carpenter posted a loving tribute on his official Instagram page. "Today, the second of March, 2026, would have been my late sister's 76th birthday," Richard wrote. "Karen's marvelous, timeless alto, was perfect, truly perfect, and able to interpret with ease from the heart, any type of popular song, whether it be 1937's 'I Can Dream, Can't I?' to 1961's 'Please Mr. Postman,' all the while appealing to millions of listeners around the world and to this day." He closed with a sincere declaration that reflected the monumental loss Karen's death was for the world and for Richard personally: "I realize one should never say 'never,' but there will never be another Karen." Karen died on Feb. 4, 1983, at just 32, from heart failure brought on by anorexia nervosa. In the more than four decades since, Richard has continued and honored the legacy of The Carpenters. He last performed a song from the duo's catalog in April 2025 at an event for the The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, which opened in 1994 and honors their legacy. The theater, which features a lobbe that displays Carpenters memorabilia, is located on the campus of California State University Long Beach, which Richard and Karen both attended shortly before they rose to fame together. - Yahoo Entertainment, 3/2/26...... For the KISS Army member who has everything, ex-KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent is selling his new album, Guitarmageddon, "in master format only" for $2 million. Just months after selling his limited-edition single for $225, Vincent has announced the news of a 10-track album. The musician, who played with KISS between 1982 and 1984, might be selling what he describes as "one of the greatest rock albums of all time" for "only" $2 million -- but he's offering fans some unique perks with the purchase. Additionally, the price would not include copyright and trademarks related to Vincent or the album, only a perpetual license to use the brand name 'Vinnie Vincent Invasion' and 'Vinnie Vincent' for the album. The website states "a separate agreement can be arranged and negotiated" for those interested in purchasing the copyright. For those who feel the album's price tag is too hefty, individual songs are also available to buy for $200,000 each. According to the website, "no refunds will be made once the buyer receives the masters and artwork." Vincent has previously defended the high price tags of his music, writing on Facebook: "I understand the bitching, the moaning, the whining about price, but you must also understand that my situation is as such that my music is so desired that it will be targeted and taken from me immediately, which I cannot/will not allow. I wish it was not this way, but I'm honoured that it is. It's a double-edged sword for me, but I sincerely hope that when you think it through you will understand the dilemma I face." He went on to compare his single to "caviar or fine art," stating that "not everyone can afford it" and asserting that "fair market price" was "yesteryear." - NME, 3/19/26...... Songwriter Chip Taylor, who penned such rock classics as "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning," died on Mar. 24. He was 86. The announcement was made by his record lable Train Wreck Records and no cause of death has been reported. "Known for songs that captured the emotion and spirit of the times, Chip created a catalog over a six decade career that included works for a diverse range of artists including Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, Shaggy, and Tina Turner," an obituary posted by Train Wreck read in part. Born James Wesley Voight in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1940, Mr. Taylor was the youngest of three sons, including his older brother, actor Jon Voigh. He originally followed in the footsteps of his professional golfer dad Elmer, playing golf in college in South Carolina, before returning to New York and adopting his stage name to become a singer/songwriter. His earliest success came with "Wild Thing," which was a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 three times: first as a No. 1 hit in 1966 by The Troggs; then as a comedy recording by Senator Bobby featuring Bill Minkin (No. 20 in 1967); and finally Fancy (No. 14 in 1974). It was also famously covered by the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Another big hit was "Angel of the Morning," a top 10 hit twice by two different artists: first by Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts (No. 7 in 1968) and then by Juice Newton (No. 4 in 1981). It was a top 40 hit twice on the Hot Country Songs chart as well, thanks to versions by Connie (No. 34 in 1970) and Newton (No. 22 in 1981). "Angel of the Morning" was also interpolated in Shaggy's 2001 No. 1 Hot 100 hit "Angel," featuring Rayvon. A prolific performer who released than 30 albums in his lifetime starting in 1971 and extending through last year, Mr. Taylor was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016. His wife Joan died in 2025, and the couple is survived by their two children, Kristian and Kelly, and five grandchildren. - Billboard, 3/24/26...... 
Actress Valerie Perrine, best known for playing Lex Luthor's girlfriend in the original Superman films and starring opposite Dustin Hoffman in the Lenny Bruce biopic Lenny, died at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Mar. 23. She was 82. Her friend and caregiver, Stacey Souther, shared news of her death with fans in a Facebook post, writing: "It is with deep sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that Valerie has passed away. She faced Parkinson's disease with incredible courage and compassion, never once complaining. She was a true inspiration who lived life to the fullest -- and what a magnificent life it was. The world feels less beautiful without her in it." Souther asked her fans to consider donating to a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her funeral costs. "Her final wish is to be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery, but after more than 15 years of fighting Parkinson's, her finances are exhausted," he said. "Let's come together to make her last wish a reality -- she truly deserves it." Ms. Perrine was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015, a neurodegenerative disorder that would eventually take away her ability to live independently. Souther, a filmmaker, became her caregiver. Her battle with the disease would be the subject of Souther's documentary Valerie, which was released in 2019. A former Las Vegas showgirl, Ms. Perrine made her big-screen debut in the film Slaughterhouse-Five in 1972, an adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's sci-fi novel. Her appearance in "Steambath," a play that aired on PBS in 1973, raised eyebrows when she became the first woman to intentionally expose her breasts on TV, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Other roles she took on in the 1970s included playing the girlfriend of Jeff Bridges' race-car driving character Elroy Jackson Jr. in The Last American Hero and portraying Honey Bruce, the stripper wife of Hoffman's Lenny Bruce in Lenny. Her performance in the 1974 biopic earned her a best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival and nominations at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. She then took on the role of Eve Teschmacher, the secretary and love interest of Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie in 1978 and its sequel in 1980. She would continue acting in the following decades with her last role in the 2016 comedy Silver Skies, according to IMDb. - Canoe.com, 3/23/26.
AC/DC guitarist Stevie Young was hospitalized in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Mar. 19 four days before the Aussie hard rockers were play three shows in the South American city on Mar. 23, 27 and 31. "Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, AC/DC band member Stevie Young was not feeling well," a spokesperson for the band told Billboard on on Mar. 20. "Out of an abundance of caution, he was admitted to a local hospital where he is undergoing a full battery of tests," adding that "Stevie is doing well and in good spirits. He is looking forward to getting on stage on Monday." Stevie Young has been AC/DC's rhythm guitarist since 2014, when he replaced his uncle Malcolm Young who retired from music due to health issues related to dementia; he died three years later in Nov. 2017 at age 64. The veteran "Back in Black" group are scheduled to play three sold-out shows at Buenos Aires' 85,000-capacity Monumental Stadium in late March. The gigs will be AC/DC's first performances in Argentina since 2009, when they played for nearly 200,000 fans over three shows at the same stadium on their "Black Ice" world tour. AC/DC launched the "Power Up" tour in support of their 17th studio album of the same name in May 2024 in Germany. After touring Europe that year, North America and their native Australia in 2025, they picked things back up in Feb. 2026 with a trio of shows in So Paulo, Brazil and two gigs in Santiago, Chile. - Billboard, 3/20/26...... 
Peter Frampton announced on Instagram on Mar. 17 that he'll be dropping his first album of original music in 16 years on May 15. "This record is a very special one for me," Frampton said of the LP, Carry the Light "I got to write and produce it with my son Julian [Frampton], as well as work with some wonderful friends along the way." Among the featured artists are Sheryl Crow, who sings with Frampton on "Breaking the Mold," and H.E.R., who plays guitar alongside the "Baby, I Love Your Way" singer on "Islamorada." Tom Morello fittingly appears on a track titled "Lions at the Gate," which is described as a "protest song" in a release. Also on the record are Graham Nash on "I'm Sorry Elle," Benmont Tench on the album's first single, "Buried Treasure," and saxophonist Bill Evans on "Can You Take Me There" and "Tinderbox." Frampton's last proper album, Thank You Mr. Churchill, dropped in 2010 and appeared on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart, on which the guitarist has scored 14 entries total. His 1976 live album, Frampton Comes Alive!, spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the chart. Frampton has credited Crow for helping him become inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. "[Sheryl] stirred the pot big-time and made people aware -- including some of the board members, I think," Frampton told Billboard in 2024 of crediting Crow with his nomination to the Rock Hall. "They thought I was already in." Frampton's announcement and the single "Buried Treasure" can be streamed on Instagram. - Billboard, 3/17/26...... Appearing on Sirius XM's The Julia Cunningham Show, Irish actor Barry Keoghan discussed working on the forthcoming Beatles biopic, describing his co-stars as "brothers." The unique format of the films, in which Sam Mendes directs a film for each member of the band, was discussed and the actor was enthusiastic about his time filming. "It's going to be an event and you know and we knew that coming on board" he said. "What an exciting event to be part of, and no better filmmaker to do it than Sam, you know, so I'm having an absolute f---ing brilliant time and elevating my craft and, you know, making brothers as well on set." Keoghan is joined by Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. His full interview can be viewed on YouTube. - New Musical Express, 3/20/26...... The cause of Neil Sedaka's death on Feb. 27 at age 86 has been revealed three weeks after the passing of the "Laughter In the Rain" singer. The New York Post reports that Sedaka died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a chronic condition caused by the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in artery walls -- often referred to as plaque -- which can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow resulting in blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic. Kidney failure also contributed to Sedaka's passing, according to a death certificate reportedly obtained by the paper, which noted that his occupation was listed as "singer-songwriter" and that he was embalmed at the Hollywood Funeral Home and buried at Beth Olam Cemetery in Los Angeles on Mar. 3. In an Instagram post after his passing, his family described the Brooklyn-born musician as "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." - Billboard, 3/19/26...... 
Elton John and husband David Furnish's annual Oscars viewing party held at West Hollywood Park on Mar. 15 raised a historic $10.6 million for the global fight to end the AIDS epidemic. Co-hosted by John, Furnish, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, the 34th annual event featured a aw, unfiltered performance by rising double-platinum British artist Lola Young. "Elton, David, and the Foundation are all about celebrating who you really are," Young said, emphasizing the responsibility of her generation to advocate for LGBTQ+ communities and those still affected by HIV. Elton echoed the sentiment, praising Young as "bold, brilliant, and completely herself" amidst a legendary night for British talent. The fundraising reached a fever pitch during an auction led by Lydia Fenet. The centerpiece was an original artwork titled "Tiny Dancer" by Jack Coulter. Coulter, who experiences synesthesia, translated sound into color while John performed a rare, solo piano rendition of the classic song. Meanwhile, Mick Jagger and his fiancé Melanie Hamrick made a glamorous appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on the same evening. Hamrick, 38, smiled alongside her 82-year-old significant one, who sported a teal shirt and matching sport coat. While Jagger and Hamrick are engaged, they seem to have no official plans to get married, but Hamrick says that doesn't mean they may not pursue it in the future. "We've been engaged two or three years," Hamrick told Paris Match, a French publication, in 2025. "Maybe one day we'll marry, maybe not. We are so happy in our current life that I would be too afraid to change anything." Jagger has said he is considering retiring from touring after a recent harrowing experience involving Hamrick being physically attacked at a private members' club in London. The experience involving Hamrick has forced him to "reassess his priorities," according to an insider. In February, Hamrick shared online that she'd been "physically attacked at Annabel's Mayfair." That is a private members' club in London. - Music-News.com/Parade/RealityTea.com, 3/16/26...... Veteran pop songwriter Diane Warren has responded to her record-breaking Oscars loss, losing her 17th nomination for Best Original Song for "Dear Me," meaning she now holds the record for the most nominations without a win. Warren made light of her latest loss on social media after the ceremony, writing, "Well at least I'm consistent! And I set a new record tonite!! But U know me, I will be back if you'll have me (sic)!!!" Warren, 69, may well keep her promise as she has been nominated for Best Original Song every year since 2016 and is likely to return again in 2027. The songwriter was previously tied with sound mixer Greg P. Russell with 16 nominations and no wins. The Mar. 15 ceremony gave her the all-time record for the most nominated person to not yet have a competitive Oscar. "Dear Me," performed by Kesha during the Oscars, was featured in her documentary Diane Warren: Relentless. However, she lost out to "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters. While she has yet to win a competitive Oscar, Warren was bestowed an honorary Academy Award in 2022. - Music-News.com, 3/16/26...... On Mar. 19 executives at entertainment firm Pophouse announced that they had completed a "strategic transaction" with BMG music to become the majority owner of Tina Turner's catalog. We are incredibly proud to be entrusted with helping celebrate and develop Tina Turner's extraordinary legacy," Pophouse exec Johan Lagerlf said. "Tina Turner is not only one of the greatest artists of all time, but a force of nature whose impact extends far beyond music. We look forward to developing new and exciting projects that respectfully carry her legacy forward for generations to come." Pophouse also acquired Turner's Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights, and the terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Based in Sweden, Conni Jonsson and ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus founded Pophouse Entertainment in 2014. The firm is known for investing in ABBA Voyage, the concert residency which features iconic band ABBA as virtual avatars. Turner died at the age of 83 in May 2023 following years of poor health. - Music-News.com, 3/19/26...... 
On Mar. 17 Judy Collins announced her final tour, dubbed "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes," will get underway in July and continue through November, with additional encore performances planned afterwards. The 86-year-old singer-songwriter and folk-rock icon will head out on her last ever performing jaunt, prefaced with some "warmup" shows in June, before the tour officially launches on July 4 at the "America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together" celebration in Williamsburg, Va. While dates are scheduled all over the U.S. through Nov. 29 at this time, more shows are still to be announced. After the main tour, Collins will keep the music going with "a series of encore performances for devoted fans and new audiences alike" dubbed the "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes -- Celebration Encore." She will be joined by a series of special guests throughout the tour, including Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, the High Kings, Elles Bailey, Livingston Taylor and others. Fans can expect some of her biggest hits including her 1968 cover of "Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell and her 1975 cover of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns," released on her best-selling platinum album Judith. Her latest release was 2022's Spellbound, which was her first ever full album of original material. Collins has released more than 30 studio albums in her six-decades-long career, and is celebrated for her mix of folk and Americana music and her pure soprano voice. She also famously inspired the Crosby, Stills & Nash song "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." On Mar. 24, her singing career will be honored as she is inducted into the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, along with Leonard Cohen, Aretha Franklin, Jackson Brown, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Neil Young. - Parade, 3/17/26...... '60s pop icon Lulu has revealed she once had a brief sexual relationship with David Bowie, and compared his thighs to those of supermodel Naomi Campbell. During an interview with British ITV daytime show This Morning, Lulu spoke about the pair's relationship for the first time publicly. "You know what? I have never said, 'Yes, I had sex with David Bowie,' until now. This is the first time I've said it because I've always chosen not to speak about it. It was private... I wouldn't share the details anyway," she added. "I do have boundaries. I'm learning to have boundaries." Lulu told host Louis Theroux on his podcast about how she would best describe the status of the relationship they had. "I had a brief relationship [with him]... a fling," she said, before the host recalled seeing a 2015 interview she did with a UK paper, in which she complimented the 'Starman'"s thighs in particular. "I think you don't have to have had an intimate relationship with David Bowie to know he had the best thighs," she told Theroux. "He and Naomi Campbell. He never wore tights. Well, he did occasionally, but he would often come on with a swimsuit on, and you'd go, 'Jesus!' she added, before the host asked her what "was so special about them." "They were very strong thighs!" Lulu replied. Both Lulu and Bowie had a professional relationship as well as a personal one, and worked together on a version of "The Man Who Sold the World," which previously featured on Bowie's 1970 album of the same name. The "To Sir, With Love" singer would then go on to look back fondly on that collaboration in 2016, shortly after the rock icon's death from cancer. "Making a record with David Bowie was pretty rock 'n' roll!," she told Good Housekeeping. "I thought he was so cool and I wasn't so cool. But when he met me, he said, 'You have a fuck off voice and I'm going to make a hit with you. I always perform 'The Man Who Sold the World', the song that we recorded together in 1974," she added. In 2025, Lulu opened up about her battle with alcohol in her new memoir, If You Only Knew, and later admitted that opening up about her sobriety and struggles for the first time felt "liberating." Lulu's full interview with Theroux can be streamed on Spotify.com. - NME, 3/18/26...... 
On Mar. 17 Heart frontwoman Ann Wilson announced that she'll embark on a 10-stop North American tour to screen her forthcoming documentary In My Voice. After each screening, Wilson will participate in a live Q&A alongside director Barbara Hall (Madam Secretary, Army Wives). As the title suggests, In My Voice is Wilson's tale told in her own words. The documentary explores Wilson's life from growing up a military child to becoming a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Featured in the doc are highlights pulled from the singer's archive of home movies, journals, photographs and never-before-seen footage. Wilson's family members, bandmates and fellow artists will make cameos and share commentary on the artist's incredible career, in which she flourished in a male-dominated rock scene in the '70s. The film tour will kick off in Seattle on May 11 before making its way across the U.S., Vancouver and Toronto before concluding in Boston. The teaser for the film can be viewed on YouTube. - Billboard, 3/17/26...... During an recent interview on the celebrity gossip show Extra, Sting opened up on his "fairy-tale" life as well as his rough beginnings. The "Roxanne singer" described his childhood horror of having to work in a "hellscape" as he promoted his new stage musical, "The Last Ship." "I was born next to a shipyard," said Sting . "It's a noisy hellscape, infernal row, very dangerous work. I wanted to escape that. I watched thousands of men every morning walk to work past my house and I'd think, 'Is this my destiny? Is this what I have to do?'" Fortunately, Sting, 74, was able to bypass the dockyards of his hometown, Newcastle, by earning a place at a good school, which led to his eventual music career. "I did everything in my power to escape it," he shared. "So, I got a scholarship to a school and I became a musician, a successful one." However, Sting said, he had an ordinary life as a teacher before finding fame with his New Wave band The Police -- which he credited with keeping him grounded. "Until the age of 25, I was a schoolteacher," he recalled. "I had a mortgage. I paid tax. I voted. I was a citizen. I didn't just go from school to being a celebrity, which I think is very difficult, so I'm grateful for my normal life because it makes the one I have now... it balances it out." The Police had their first UK number-one hit in 1979 with the song "Message in a Bottle," and were immortalized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. - Music-News.com, 3/18/26...... It has been revealed that actress Annabel Schofield, who was best known for her memorable role as Laurel Ellis on the beloved '70s/'80s primetime soap opera Dallas, has died at the age of 62. The Welsh-born actress and model actually passed away on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As a fashion model, she was represented by London's Take Two Agency and appeared on hundreds of fashion magazine covers and starred in major designer and brand campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Rimmel, Revlon and Boots No. 7. Weeks before she died, Schofield turned to Instagram to provide a health update after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from her nasal cavity. "It was very exciting to finally get this done but I'm not out of the woods yet," she shared on Jan. 20. "I'm very wobbly and now waiting to find out if I need more chemo or radiation. I swear it never seems to end. Hopefully this week's MRI will reveal a nice clear image," she added. Schofield also set up a GoFundMe to raise funds to support her fight against cancer, which had grown to nearly $35,000. "I'm really tired of asking for help, but I have no choice until I can get back to work," she shared. - PennLive.com, 3/19/26..... 
Chuck Norris, longtime actor and martial artist, died on Mar. 19 after being hospitalized earlier in the week in Hawaii after an undisclosed medical emergency. He was 86. "It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning," his family said in a statement. "While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace. To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family," the statement added. Born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Okla., in 1940, Mr. Norris moved with his family to Torrance, Calif., when he was 12. He joined the U.S. Air Force after high school in 1958 and learned martial arts while serving in South Korea. After returning to the United States, he competed in martial arts competitions (he was a six-time World Professional Middleweight Karate champion) and opened his own studio, where he trained celebrity clients, including Steve McQueen. Over the years, he developed his own style of karate, known as Chun Kuk Do or the Chuck Norris System. Mr. Norris got his first big break in Hollywood in 1972, appearing opposite Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon. He went on to star in a steady stream of martial arts movies and action films, including Breaker! Breaker! (1977), Force of One (1979), The Octagon (1980), An Eye for an Eye (1981), Silent Rage (1982) and Missing in Action (1984), Missing in Action 2 (1985), The Delta Force (1986) and Firewalker (1986). His television career took off in 1993 with the debut of Walker, Texas Ranger. The show ran for eight full seasons on CBS. Mr. Norris continued making films during and after TV success, even playing himself in the 2004 hit comedy Dodgeball. The last mainstream movie he appeared in was The Expendables 2, in 2012. He starred in Agent Recon, a 2024 sci-fi action film, and will appear in Zombie Plane alongside Vanilla Ice, which will be released later in 2026. He also appeared with Christie Brinkley in a long-running series of cable TV infomercials promoting fitness equipment. Tributes to the late star came from several of his fellow action movie icons, including Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme, and from Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas, where the actor owned a ranch. - Yahoo Entertainment, 3/20/26.
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 
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, 
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 
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.
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 
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 
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 
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.
Legacy Recordings has announced Patti Smith's landmark 1975 debut album 
On Aug. 22 Sammy Hagar announced a new live album that will capture his band's Las Vegas residency from earlier in 2025. The 19-track live set 
After Paul McCartney shared a cryptic new post online on Aug. 19 suggesting the return of the epic Beatles' Anthology project of the 1990s, the Beatles' Apple Corps announced on Aug. 21 that the landmark collection will get a major refresh this fall with the re-release of the original eight-part series, the Anthology music collection, and a new Beatles Anthology book in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the project. The Anthology TV series, which debuted in Nov. 1995, tells the story of the Fab Four in their own words and through archival footage and performances that has now been restored, remastered and expanded with a new ninth Anthology episode featuring previously unseen, behind-the-scenes footage of McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr coming together in 1994-1995 (minus the late John Lennon) to work on the project, as well as reflecting on their lives in the band. According to a press release, the expanded documentary series will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning on Nov. 26. The restoration was overseen by the Apple Corps' production team, along with filmmaker Peter Jackson's Wingnut Films and Park Road Post teams, as well as producer Giles Martin, who created a new audio mix for most of the featured music. The 
In a new interview with AARP magazine, The Who's Pete Townshend said he plans to embark on what he referred to as "one-man" solo outings after he and singer Roger Daltrey finish their current run of Who shows. "We reserve the right to pop up again," Townshend said of The Who, who announced their first "final tour" in 1982. "But I think one thing is very clear: that at our age, we will not." Townshend, now 80, is not retiring, though, saying that he's planning to finish his long-gestating solo album The Age of Anxiety, which he's been working on since 2007, and possibly taking that show on the road. "I've got songs in all kinds of development, 140 tracks ready to go," he said. "On The Age of Anxiety, [based on his 2019 first novel], I've got 26 songs. It's not not autobiographical, but the scope of my own mental journey through addiction and recovery has led me to a place where I feel that I can write a character, a genuine, realistic character -- youngish, who, rather than be depressed, has an acuity, a kind of instant, psychic feeling, and he decides that he wants to really dig in to make his audience as happy as they possibly can be." He described the main character as a good-looking harmonica player who plays small clubs with his "very, very popular" band, but is beginning to sense an anxiety from some of the "young mums" in the crowd who are "escaping something." Townshend hopes the album can start a conversation about depression and the struggle for artists to manage their sometimes selfish, self-obsessed inclinations. Despite suffering from tinnitus, Townshend said his brain is "sharp as a razor," he's feeling "very, very creative" and generally healthy, speculating that he's got maybe "another five years" in show business left in him. The guitarist plans to experiment touring his solo material by going out on the road for some one-man shows, while keeping open the possibility that he and Daltrey might work together again some day. "Roger and I certainly [will] work together for charity and possibly for special projects," he predicted of the vocalist with whom he admitted he doesn't communicate with "very well." Regardless, he added, "together we represent all aspects of The Who legacy. You know, I'm the songwriter and creator, but Roger's been the driving force, meaning keeping The Who band and his brand on track. Even with his solo work, we'll continue to work together, even if we rarely socialize." The Who kicked off 16 North American tour dates on Aug. 16, and it will continue into September. On Aug. 16, the band performed its 1971 classic "Going Mobile" live for the first time ever at the Amerant Bank Arena in Florida. Fan-shot footage of the moment can be seen on 
Supermodel Kate Moss is set to present a new podcast for BBC Radio 6 Music on the "artistic evolution" of David Bowie. The eight part Music Uncovered, David Bowie: Changeling podcast will explore the late artist in the period from 1970-1975. "David Bowie was a very special person. Someone who was much more than a friend -- he was an enigma," Moss said a statement. "So, when the chance came to dive into this extraordinary five-year chapter of Bowie's life for 6 Music and BBC Sounds, hearing from those who joined him on his creative journey and those he continues to inspire, I was excited to help share the story of such an incredible transformation. This podcast is a real celebration of my friend, a true British icon," she added. Available on BBC Sounds from 6:00 am on Wednesday, Sept. 10 and broadcast on 6 Music on Monday, Sept. 22 (12:00-2:00 am), the podcast will feature rare and unheard archive interviews with Bowie -- including an exclusive interview from 2001 with podcast creator Des Shaw, and recently unearthed audio from the BBC Archive. It also includes new interviews with those who knew Bowie, and who continue to be inspired by his legacy, including Boy George, Chrissie Hynde, Elton John, Iggy Pop and Robbie Williams. Each episode will explore Bowie's early performances with The Hype, his fascination with Andy Warhol, the creation of The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and the legacy of his iconic Ziggy Stardust image. In other Bowie-related news, Oscar-winning British actor Gary Oldman Gary Oldman has looked back at his friendship with the late Thin White Duke, saying that the "world's gone to shit" since his death. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oldman revealed one thing that he took from their time together. "To push the boat out," he said. "David always said, 'When you're wading out into the water and you can feel the sand beneath your feet, you feel safe and calm. But if you just go a little bit farther where your feet don't quite touch the bottom, you'll be in a place where you can do your best work.'" Adding that Bowie was "very, very, very funny," Oldman said that the two of them bonded initially as they had "similar kinds of backgrounds [and] grew up in similar neighbourhoods" in London in the 50s and 60s. He also added that Bowie was a great source of inspiration to him throughout the years because of his ability to evolve artistically. "He was always pushing the envelope. He reinvented himself and his music many times," the Harry Potter star explained. "He was inspiring because he was a great innovator and not afraid to try things. It's nothing conscious, but that rubs off." Looking back at the time since his passing, Oldman said: "Don't you feel that since he died, the world's gone to shit? It was like he was cosmic glue or something. When he died, everything fell apart. I miss him. Occasionally, I'll see something, it'll make me laugh, and I'll think, 'God, I wonder what Dave would have made of this', or 'Oh, that would have made him laugh." In 2017 to celebrate what would have been Bowie's 70th birthday, Oldman performed alongside numerous special guests at a special tribute concert at Brixton Academy. He also opened the evening by breaking out a cover of the 1997 Bowie track "Dead Man Walking." - NME, 8/17/25.
Speaking of the Kennedy Center Honors, US Pres. Donald Trump announced on Aug. 13 that '70s stars KISS, Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone will be among five new honorees during a gala later in 2025, with the show airing on CBS in December. First presented in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors originally focused on fine arts -- heavy on classical and opera -- over the decades, but has broadened to also include more popular forms of music. In 1987, B.B. King became the first blues artist to be inducted. Other performers who were the first in their genres to be honored include Aretha Franklin for R&B in 1994, Pete Seeger for folk in 1994, and Bob Dylan for rock in 1997. In a statement, KISS co-founder Gene Simmons said that his band is "the embodiment of the American dream" and that "we are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor." Bandmate Paul Stanley added that "the prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of KISS and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band." Although Gene Simmons, who was fired by Donald Trump during the first season of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2008 -- initially praised Donald Trump before he first won the White House by calling him the "truest political animal I've ever seen onstage" and "good for the political system," by 2020 he had a different view. "I knew him before he entered politics," he told Spin magazine in 2022. "Look what that gentleman did to this country and the polarization -- got all the cockroaches to rise to the top. Once upon a time, you were embarrassed to be publicly racist and out there with conspiracy theories. Now it's all out in the open because he allowed it." Similarly, Paul Stanley tweeted in Jan. 2021 that Trump's refusal to accept the results of the previous year's election loss was "ABHORRENT. A true danger to our democracy. The issue isn't that it WON'T work. It's Mob Boss behavior and politicians putting party over audits, investigations, court rulings & COUNTRY in an effort to overrule the will of American voters." In his first term, Trump never once attended the annual Kennedy Center Honors gala, making him the first president to never attend the event during his term. Trump took over the Kennedy Center in February, firing trustees who had been appointed by Pres. Joe Biden and replaced them with his own picks. He also revealed that he will host this year's show, which will also honor Broadway star Michael Crawford and country singer George Strait. - Billboard, 8/13/25...... In light of reports that Facebook's parent company Meta has allegedly enabled AI chatbots to engage with minors in "romantic" and "sensual" ways, Neil Young has declared he's leaving the platform for good. "At Neil Young's request, we are no longer using Facebook for any Neil Young related activities," reads Young's 
John Lennon and Yoko Ono's NYC era and political activism is set to be explored in a new release called 
In other auction news, Eddie Van Halen's iconic "Frankenstrat" guitar is headed to a Sotheby's auction. The late musician's custom-built 1982 Kramer electric guitar is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's New York during the house's inaugural "Grails Week" from Oct. 21, and is expected to fetch between $2-$3 million. Its design was based on his original "Frankenstrat" axe, with the black and white-striped guitar making its first live outing during Van Halen's "Hide Your Sheep Tour" which kicked off in 1982. As detailed by the auction house, Van Halen had visited Kramer's New Jersey factory to customize the instrument, with photos said to show him wielding an electric drill while working on it. Later, the guitar was featured in one of the brand's most famous print ads, where Eddie can be seen clutching it with pride, with text telling readers: "It's very simply the best guitar you can buy today." The axe made another iconic on-screen appearance in Van Halen's 
As Elvis Presley fans prepare to make the annual pilgrimage to Memphis in August to honor what would have been the King of Rock & Roll's 90th birthday in January, his ex-wife Priscilla Presley is being accused of exploiting their late daughter Lisa Marie Presley's health crisis to gain control of the Elvis Presley Estate. In a $50 million lawsuit, Priscilla is being sued by her former business partners Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko, who are laying out some serious allegations -- claiming "Priscilla pulled the plug within hours of Lisa being admitted" to the hospital in Jan. 2023 after suffering cardiac arrest. The suit says Priscilla calculated that Lisa Marie's death would end her daughter's efforts to remove Priscilla as the sole trustee of Lisa Marie's irrevocable life insurance trust, alleging Priscilla wanted to control the trust, and ultimately, Graceland. Furthermore, they are claiming Lisa Marie was noticeably ill and complained to Priscilla about her health when they attended the 2023 Golden Globes together -- but, "Priscilla ignored the warning signs despite being only a short drive from the world-renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center." Instead, the suit says, Priscilla "clasped to the spotlight, going out to the Chateau Marmont for drinks with Lisa Marie, and then sent Lisa on a long drive to her Calabasas home." A little over 24 hours later, Lisa Marie suffered what would be fatal cardiac arrest. In the docs obtained by TMZ.com, Kruse and Fialko allege the next week -- prior to Lisa Marie's funeral -- Priscilla exclaimed, "I'm the queen. I'm in charge of Graceland." Priscilla's attorney Marty Singer has responded that the allegations are "fabricated, malicious lies." In the wake of Lisa Marie's death, a trust battle broke out with Priscilla challenging an amendment to Lisa Marie's trust, which eliminated both Priscilla and Lisa's former business manager, Barry Siegel, as trustees and left Lisa Marie's daughter actress Riley Keogh as the sole trustee. Keogh paid Priscilla millions to back off that legal challenge, and now she is in charge of Lisa Marie's estate, and a substantial owner of the Presley's Graceland Estate. - TMZ.com, 8/13/25...... Veteran Hollywood stuntman Ronnie Rondell Jr., best known for being set on fire for 
British actor Terence Stamp, best known for roles in the Superman films and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, died on the morning of Aug. 17 at age 87. Born July 22, 1938 in Stepney, London, Mr. Stamp attended Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art before he began performing onstage in plays like "The Long the Short and the Tall," "Alfie!," "Dracula" and "The Lady from the Sea." Mr. Stamp made his onscreen debut in the titular role of Peter Ustinov's 1962 historical drama Billy Budd, earning him a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year -- Actor and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In addition to playing General Zod in 
Alice Cooper says he "absolutely" wants to voice a character on the long-running animated series The Simpsons. In a new interview with Grammys.com Cooper, who has already made a cameo on the rival show Family Guy, as well as starring alongside Mike Myers in Wayne's World, guesting on Amy Poehler's animated series Duncanville, and an appearing on The Muppett Show back in 1978, said he would be up for a slot on creator Matt Groening's Fox sitcom. "Oh yeah, absolutely. When The Simpsons came out, they were totally unique. It was really, really funny. I really admired what they were doing. I showed up on Family Guy. They used my music a lot. I thought Family Guy was probably more pointed, but I couldn't say [it was] more clever. They were both really very clever." Cooper, 77, then reflected on his now-iconic cameo on The Muppet Show. "My favorite thing in the world was being on The Muppet Show," he said. "I loved the show -- it was a very funny show, very clever. I asked them, 'Who's done the show recently?' They said, Christopher Lee and Vincent Price, and I went, 'I'm in!' If those guys can do The Muppets.... I haven't earned the pedigree that those guys have, so I will definitely do it." Speaking of the aftermath, he added: "That ended up being the reference point to an entire generation, me doing The Muppet Show. It's amazing, to this day people go, 'I discovered you on The Muppet Show, and after that I went and got all your albums.'" - New Musical Express, 8/11/25...... In the forthcoming Freddie Mercury biography 
A press release has announced that Bob Dylan is back in the studio. Dylan, currently performing on Willie Nelson's summer "Outlaw Music Festival Tour" from May-September, reportedly spent two days at a studio in New York with "members of his band" on Aug. 5 and 6 before his performance at Buffalo's Darien Lake Ampitheater on Aug. 8. "We want every artist and guest to feel relaxed and at home," said David Bourgeois, CEO of White Lake Studios in Albany. "We've had the privilege of working with many remarkable talents over the years, but this visit was truly special. I'm incredibly proud of our team." It hasn't been revealed what he was recording. The 10th leg of his "Rough and Rowdy Ways" tour ran across North America in March and April this year and saw him dipping into his back catalog, including the first performance of "The Times They Are A-Changin" in 15 years. He recently announced a UK and Ireland leg of the tour, which sprung from his 2020 studio album of the same name and has been running since Nov. 2021. Meanwhile, a book of Dylan's drawings, 
Keyboardist, singer-songwriter and Derek and the Dominos co-founder Bobby Whitlock passed away on Aug. 10 at his home in Texas following a brief battle with cancer. He was 77. Born on March 18, 1948, in Memphis, Tenn., Whitlock made history as the first white artist signed to Stax Records when he was still a teenager in the mid-1960s. During his time with the legendary label, he performed alongside soul greats including Booker T. & the MG's and Sam & Dave. In 1968, he joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, a group whose collaborators included future Derek and the Dominos members Eric Clapton, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon. During this period, he also contributed to Clapton's