After weeks of teasers on the web and billboards across the globe, The Rolling Stones officially announced on May 5 that their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues, will be released on July 10 with core members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood joined by a diverse list of guest artists including Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Robert Smith (The Cure) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Ahead of the LP, the band has released two tracks from the project on Spotify.com: album opener "Rough and Twisted" and lead single "In the Stars," as well as an official Foreign Tongues trailer on YouTube. The trailer shows the trailer and producer Andrew Watt, who also helmed the band's 2023 effort Hackney Diamonds, working hard -- and goofing off -- in the studio. The full project was created in less than a month at Metropolis Studios in West London, with Jagger describing it as "a very intense few weeks recording... we went as fast as we could" with Wood adding "the atmosphere in the room was so creative... The whole band was on top form throughout the whole process. Very often we nailed it on the first take. I hope everyone loves it." Meanwhile in other Stones news, ABKCO Music, which owns the Stones' early catalog, has settled with Behr Paint company over an in Instagram advertisement that allegedly featured an unlicensed version of the Stones' 1966 hit "Paint It, Black." Lawyers for both parties filed a joint notice of settlement ending the lawsuit on May 4. ABKCO sued Behr in Nov. 2025, alleging the paint company didn't pay to use "Paint It, Black" in a 2022 Instagram ad that showed a person spray-painting furniture. The lawsuit stated that the song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in 1966, is "one of the most valuable copyrights in the history of popular music." Behr broadly denied all wrongdoing in an initial response to the claims. Terms of the resolution were not disclosed, though ABKCO alleged in its complaint in 2025 that synch licenses for "Paint It, Black" typically fetch fees between the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars. Neither party has commented on the settlement so far, and the band is not involved in the ligigation. - Billboard, 5/5/26...... 
On May 4 the Eagles added more 2026 dates to their Sphere residency in Las Vegas, extending their run as the artist with the most dates overall at the innovative immersive venue to 64 shows. The legendary California country rock band kicked off their latest Sphere stint in Sept. 2024, adding dates a handful at a time and setting the record for the most shows with the announcement of the February dates in Oct. 2025 at 52. The previous record belonged to Dead & Co. at 48 shows. They began their 2026 Sphere residency on Jan. 23, playing a total of 14 shows in January, February, March and April. The new dates will extend their run into the fall: Sept. 18-19, Nov. 13-14 and Nov. 27-28. The current lineup includes sole remaining original member Don Henley along with bassist Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh, Vince Gill and the late Glenn Frey's son Deacon Frey. Meanwhile, Henley remarked about how "very different" the band's recent show at the 55th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 2 was from performing in the Sphere. "This is very different from the Sphere," Henley quipped to laughs and cheers from the daytime NO crowd, who were very grateful to be under blue skies and sunshine on that day versus the two previous days of rain and muddy fields at Jazz Fest. "We got some sunshine up in here," he added. In a pivot from their Sphere set, the Eagles returned to their traditional opening number of "Seven Bridges Road" instead of the bombastic Vegas opener of "Hotel California," which instead kicked off the final three songs of the robust 19-song setlist. The most notable omission of the final songs from the setlist was "Desperado," the title track from their 1973 album, and when the band wrapped up about 25 minutes earlier than the schedule had promised, fans were hopeful they might return for the Henley ballad -- but the stage gear being broken down behind them proved otherwise. "We've been playing these songs for you for about 53 years now, and we hope to continue to do that," Henley said onstage. And most importantly, the sold-out crowd in the Crescent City got sunshine. - Billboard, 5/4/26...... Great news for Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers fans has turned out to be not so great for Bruce Springsteen fans in the City of Brotherly Love. After the Sixers advanced to the second round of the NBA finals by beating the Boston Celtics in a playoff series for the first time in 44 years -- besting their rivals 109-100 in game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series on May 2 and becoming just the 14th team in league history to come back from a 3-1 deficit -- The Boss and the E Street Band have reshuffled their "Land of Hope & Dreams" North American tour. The original E Street Band date was squeezed in between a run of New York shows, including a show on May 5 in Elmont, N.Y. bookended by the first of two shows at Madison Square Garden on May 11 (with a second one on May 16) and a stop at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on May 14. The Philly show will now come after what was supposed to be the E Street Band's May 27 finale at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. "Due to the NBA and NHL playoff schedule, the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert at Xfinity Mobile Arena has been rescheduled for May 30," the band wrote on Instagram on May 2. Tickets for the original date, May 8, will be honored on the new date. - Billboard, 5/4/26...... 
Pres. Donald Trump is claiming that his dance moves to the Village People's "Y.M.C.A." helped drive a resurgence of the song on the Billboard charts. During a speaking engagement at Florida's The Villages retirement community on May 1, Trump took credit for the 1970s smash hit that topped Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart in late 2024, more than four decades after its original release. "That song was No. 5 32 years ago, and it went to No. 1 32 years later," Trump erroneously stated during his speech. "It went to No. 1 for months during the last months of the campaign." The ubiquitous disco-era track -- described by the president as the "gay national anthem" -- was frequently used during his 2024 presidential campaign and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Top Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart that November. Following its original release in late 1978, "Y.M.C.A." peaked at No. 2 on the main Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. In Dec. 2024, Village People founder Victor Willis spoke out about why he allowed Trump to use "Y.M.C.A." at rallies and events leading up to his election win. Willis originally asked Trump to stop using the song in 2020 but later reconsidered after realizing that the politician seemed to "genuinely like" it and was "having a lot of fun" with "Y.M.C.A.," he wrote in a lengthy Facebook post in late 2024. Willis also noted that the dance tune has only "benefited greatly" in terms of chart placements and sales since Trump incorporated it into his campaign. "Therefore, I'm glad I allowed the President Elect's continued use of Y.M.C.A.," Willis wrote. "And I thank him for choosing to use my song." During his speech on May 1, Trump also noted that First Lady Melania Trump isn't a fan of his onstage reaction to "Y.M.C.A." "She hates when I dance to what is sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem," the president said. "She hates it." He added, "We love that song. But [Melania] goes, 'Darling, please.' You know, she's a very elegant woman. She goes, 'Darling, please don't dance. It's not presidential.' I said, 'It may not be presidential, but I'm leading by 20 points in the polls or something.'" Trump ended his speech by showcasing his signature dance -- featuring fist pumps and hip shakes -- as "Y.M.C.A." played at the close of his address at the Florida retirement community. - Billboard, 5/3/26...... Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry made a surprise appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live on May 2, emerging from the wings to introduce Olivia Rodrigo's performance of her new single "drop dead" -- giving the rising singer a rock 'n' roll co-sign in front of a live Studio 8H audience. Harry introduced Rodrigo's first musical performance of the night, which saw the singer-songwriter perform "drop dead" in an airy green and pink dress, rocking out to the boisterous, energetic track. The single -- released Apr. 17 -- debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rodrigo's fourth chart-topper. Pioneering New Wave band Blondie has sold over 40 million records worldwide since forming in New York in 1974, and announced in 2025 that a new album, High Noon, would arrive in spring 2026. - Billboard, 5/3/26...... 
On May 1 Barry Manilow postponed the latest in a series of delays of his Las Vegas residency at the Westgate Resort & Casino since revealing his Stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis in Dec. 2025. But Manilow, 82, says he is making great progress and expects to return to the Westgate stage in July. In an Instagram Story posted on May 1, Manilow opened with, "Good news! I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I'm making great progress and look great! All the training and exercising I've put in is paying off. He did say, however, that I'm not quite ready for Vegas. This means I won't be able to return for our May shows at Westgate Las Vegas." The "Copacabana" singer also confirmed he will be ready for his June arena shows in the U.K. "The Westgate Las Vegas is my home away from home and I'll see you all in July," he said. In Dec. 2025, Manilow underwent surgery to remove a cancerous spot from his left lung and has not performed since. The singer's February Las Vegas residency dates were the first to be pushed back, followed by his arena tour launch dates from late February through March, and then his April arena shows -- each time on his doctor's advice that his body needed more time to recover. Despite the setbacks, Manilow has remained determined to return to the stage. His Las Vegas residency at Westgate is scheduled to run through Dec. 2026, and his farewell arena tour -- billed as "The Last Concerts" -- has rescheduled dates still on the books. In March, his latest single "Once Before I Go" became a top 10 hit on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, making him the only artist in history to score an AC hit in six consecutive decades -- a run stretching from the 1970s through the 2020s. His new album What a Time, -- his first of new material in nearly 15 years -- is due June 5. - Billboard, 5/2/26...... In related news, Dolly Parton cancelled her Las Vegas residency, which the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member originally postponed in Oct. 2025 due to an unspecified illness, says it will now not go ahead at all. In a lengthy Instagram Reel on May 4, the country/pop legend shared an update about her health. "Well, hey there, it's Dolly, and I'm here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life," she began. "I have some good news and a little bad news. But the good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments, and I'm improving every day. Now, the bad news is that it's gonna take me a little while before I'm up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say." Parton then used the idea of restoring a classic car to be "better than ever" as a metaphor for her health issues. "When they raised the hood on this old antique, they realised that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler's busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced. And for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed, because you know, as well as I know, that I can't lose my spark," the "Jolene" hitmaker quipped. Anyway, I know I'm being silly, but I'm just tryin' to keep everything light and airy," the "9 to 5" performer shared. Dolly also noted that despite her health challenges, she is still working, making videos, recording and preparing for her museum and hotel opening in Nashville this year. Additionally, she's been reworking "Dolly: A True Original Musical," which is set to debut on Broadway later this year. - Music-News.com, 5/5/26...... '70s artists Pink Floyd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, Ramones and John Prine were among the 25 top-selling acts with new releases for Record Store Day 2026. More than 350 album and single products were issued for RSD 2026, and the top-selling album was the four-LP clear vinyl release of Pink Floyd's Live From the Los Angeles Sports Arena, April 26th, 1975, according to Luminate. The project was also issued as a 2-CD set, and the CD edition was the No. 24 best-selling RSD 2026 album title. Petty and the Heartbreakers' Live at Paradise Rock Club, 1978 was the 10th top seller, followed by Talking Heads' The CBS/Columbia Demos (No. 16); Grateful Dead's Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA, June 11, 1976 (No. 19); Ramones' Summer In the City: Live In San Francisco, 1979 (No. 22); and Prine's BBC Sessions (No. 23). David Bowie's "Hallo Spaceboy," a fluorescent pink-colored 12-inch vinyl, was the top-selling RSD 2026 exclusive single. The yearly independent RSD celebration was held on Apr.18 and boasted a bevy of albums and singles (mostly vinyl titles) issued for RSD, and exclusively sold through indie record stores. - Billboard, 5/1/26...... 
Peter Gabriel has shared an uplifting, politically charged new single, "Won't Stand Down," which he says hopes to "encourage some sort of activism." The track is the latest to be shared from the English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist as part of his new album O\I. Set to be his 11th studio album, the record is the follow-up to 2023's 'I/O' and the two records were written around the same time. Each song on the forthcoming album will receive both "Bright-Side" and "Dark-Side" mixes and will be released to align with this month's full moon and new moon. Singles so far have dropped steadily each month, and included January's "Been Undone," February's "Put the Bucket Down," March's "What Lies Ahead" and April's "Till Your Mind Is Shining." Speaking about "Won't Stand Down," Gabriel posted on X/Twitter: "The song began around a chord sequence which I liked and which felt quite poppy and playful, so I just kept on playing around with it till I had something." With the latest song, the "Bright-Side" version is the first to be released, and it comes as an uplifting, empowering song that offers both hope and inspiration to pursue change in the world. "A million mothers looking forward/ They're all looking out ahead/ In the haze they can make out a planet/ Alive, or was it dead?," Gabriel sings in the ethereal, invigorating first verse. "Moving out in so many directions/ This is not the way we want to live/ It's not the way it has to be." It gradually builds towards the euphoric-yet-tranquil chorus: "But we won't stand down/ Until there's something better showing on the ground." "It's really a song to encourage some sort of activism," the singer shared, adding that he originally wanted to create music for The Elders.org -- the organization founded by Nelson Mandela that sees independent global leaders fight for justice, human rights and a more sustainable planet. A "Dark-Side Mix" of "Won't Stand Down" will also be arriving later in May. - New Musical Express, 5/1/26...... Movie director Steven Soderbergh has revealed he used generative AI for his new documentary, John Lennon: The Last Interview, in collaboration with Meta. The filmmaker, known for iconic movies such as Black Bag, Erin Brockovich, and the Ocean's Eleven trilogy, is working with the late Beatle's estate to bring to life the last interview he gave, promoting the album Double Fantasy with his wife and collaborator, Yoko Ono. The task for the documentary was to provide images for the audio-only interview. Most of it that will be archival material. However, the Oscar-winner has revealed that 10 per cent of the film will feature AI-generated video footage, portraying surreal moments that he claims are not possible through creative methods. "So now we've got it kind of laid out in chapters and we begin to fill in the areas in which John and Yoko are speaking about a specific experience that they had, or a specific piece of music, or a specific person, and layer in archival material over that text -- sometimes stills, sometimes motion, video," he told Deadline. "And we have a version of the movie in which the only holes that remain now are the sections where John and Yoko are talking in abstract philosophical terms." "This comprises about 10 per cent of the entire film, but it's a real problem because we've got to come up with something -- some imagery that enhances what they're saying, but is metaphorical," he continued. "So we're starting to experiment with AI, trying to see if we can build some images that'll fit alongside this text. I'm trying to articulate ideas that will result in something interesting, and we're running out of money." Soderbergh said the doc's producer, Michael Sugar suggested collaborating with Meta "because they're building some video generative tools," and he agreed. Soderbergh conceded that AI "is a very emotional subject lately. Understandably so." However, he claimed he is using it in a way that isn't replacing human endeavor. "There are two ways of using it," he argued. "There's a way of using AI in which your intention is to fool somebody or manipulate them, to create an image that you want them to think is real. And then there's a use, which is what we're doing in the documentary, where it's obvious that it is AI and that it is being used essentially in the way that you would use VFX or CGI or any sort of non-photographic technology." He also explained the Lennon estate's support of the approach. "I asked Sean [Ono Lennon], 'What do you think your dad's take on this tech would've been?' And he said, 'Oh, he would've wanted to engage.' He loved all new technology. All The Beatles did. He would want to play with it just to see what it could do. He goes, 'That was the way he was. ' How he would've felt about it ultimately, we'll never know, but he said he would've wanted to play with it." John Lennon: The Last Interview will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival later in May. - NME, 5/5/26...... In other Beatles-related news, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney have commented on Ringo's first-ever recorded duet with McCartney on Sir Paul's new LP The Boys of Dungeon Lane, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which will be released on May 8 ahead of the full album's release on May 29. Speaking about the duet, "Home to Us," Paul said: "Ringo went round to the studio and drummed a bit. I said to Andrew [Watt, the producer], we should make a track and send it to him. So this song is done totally with Ringo in mind. "In writing the song I'm talking about where we came from. In common with a lot of people, you come from nothing and you build yourself up." Paul then explained how their upbringing in Liverpool has influenced their new duet. He said: "Ringo was from the Dingle, and that was well hard. He said he used to get mugged coming home, because he worked. Even though it was crazy, it was home to us. I made the song around that idea and sent it to Ringo. "He sent me back a version where he just added some lines to the chorus, so I thought, maybe he doesn't like it. I rang him and he said he thought I only wanted him to sing one or two lines, and I said I'd love to hear him sing the whole thing. So we took my first line, Ringo's second line, and then we had a duet. We'd never done that before." The record, Paul's first solo album in more than five years, has been described as a revealing collection of never-before-shared stories and personal memories from one of the most influential musicians of all time. - Music-News.com, 5/5/26...... 
Queen guitarist Brian May has gone from local hero to a bit of a frustrated gardener in his quiet English village. In 2025, May made headlines in Elstead after donating 3,000 daffodil bulbs to brighten the church green. The gesture struck a chord with locals, and May regularly shared updates online as the flowers grew. By his own account, the response was overwhelmingly positive, according to CNN.com. May planned to donate more bulbs to expand the display across the main village green, but that plan has now been scrapped after local officials stepped in and shut it down. In a recent Instagram post, May said he was "quite thrilled" by the "happy comments" about this year's blooms and gave a shoutout to "Team Daffodil," the group of volunteers who helped plant them. The tone shifted, however, when he revealed that Elstead Parish Council had rejected his latest offer due to safety concerns. The council argued the daffodils could interfere with sightlines for traffic and make it harder for people to cross the green, reports the UK paper The Sun. Officials said they have "a responsibility to balance community initiatives with safety," ultimately deciding the risks outweighed the benefits. May didn't buy that explanation. Telling his 3.6 million followers he was "reluctantly" cancelling the order, he questioned how flowers with "18-inch stalks could (obstruct) anyone's view" -- especially when the green is often surrounded by parked cars, including what he joked is a "7-foot-high ice cream van!!!" Now 78, May has been navigating health concerns and career decisions as the same time. In Sept. 2024, he revealed he had suffered a "minor stroke" that briefly left him unable to control his arm, according to the AP. He later confirmed he had recovered and could still play guitar. On the touring front, May has also hit pause on U.S. plans. In a January interview, he described the country as "a dangerous place at the moment" following the deaths of two U.S. citizens involving immigration officials in Minnesota. The comment rules out near-term projects like a potential Las Vegas residency -- something he had previously been excited about. In fact, during a Rolling Stone interview marking the 50th anniversary of "Bohemian Rhapsody," May had been enthusiastic about performing at the Sphere in Vegas, saying the band could create something "stupendous." - Canoe.com, 5/1/26...... Appearing on CBS Sunday Morning on May 3, Sting revealed that he has no plans to retire anytime soon. Asked whether he ever considers taking a vacation or slowing down from his busy schedule, the 74-year-old Sting (real name Gordon Sumner) -- joked that he didn't understand the concept. "I like to work," he smiled. "Could I retire? I'm not sure I could do it. I haven't developed that skill to just sit and do nothing. Perhaps I'm afraid of it. I haven't prepared myself for it. But while I'm still fit enough to do my work, I will continue. At some point, I hope I have the objectivity to say, 'OK, you've done enough. Go and sit on the farm.'" Reflecting on his pivot from pop music to working in the theatre, Sting emphasized that he has no regrets. "I'm very grateful for the pop career, and it was a certain time in my life when I was of a certain age and looked a certain way and made a certain kind of music. But it can't be my entire life. I don't want to be just defined from how I was at the age of 25. I'm 74 now," the "Roxanne" hitmaker continued. The former The Police frontman and Shaggy are currently promoting the 2026 tour of Sting's original musical "The Last Ship," in which he plays shipyard foreman Jackie White. "I immediately knew Shaggy was the perfect man for the job. He has a great sense of mischief, a great sense of joy, but he's also a natural actor," he praised, while Shaggy interjected: "He knows me better than me! I was like, 'I can't really,' and he was like, 'No, you can do that.' And then I'm doing it, and I was like, 'I hate admitting that he was right!'" "The Last Ship" opens at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on June 9. - Music-News.com, 5/4/26...... Beau Starr, the American actor best known for playing Sheriff Ben Meeker in the Halloween 4 and Halloween 5 horror films, has died of natural causes at his Vancouver home, according to TMZ.com. He was 81 years old. He also had a supporting role in Martin Scorsese's 1990 mob classic Goodfellas as the abusive father of Ray Liotta's Henry Hill. His other film credits include Fletch, Speed, Cinderella Man, Devil in a Blue Dress and Born on the Fourth of July. Mr. Starr got his start playing various characters on the Canadian sketch show Bizarre. He went on to have small roles in other popular series like Psych, Knight Rider, The A-Team, MacGyver, TJ Hooker, Three's Company, Remington Steele, The Fall Guy, Night Court, Matlock, Moonlighting, Murder She Wrote and NYPD Blue. - Variety.com, 5/3/26.
U2's Bono will present the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Award to Bruce Springsteen during the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, set for June 3-14 in New York. "There are few figures who embody the spirit of Tribeca's Harry Belafonte Award more fully than Bruce Springsteen," said festival co-chair and co-founder Jane Rosenthal about the New Jersey rocker's tireless work to follow in the footsteps of civil rights activist/singer Harry Belafonte by using his platform to speak out and advance "equality, dignity and human rights." In addition to his longtime friend and fellow activist Bono, the Boss will also receive tributes from punk godmother Patti Smith and actor Robert De Niro. De Niro will also take part in a 50th anniversary celebration of his landmark film Taxi Driver, with a screening of the gritty 1976 drama and conversation between the actor and the movie's director, Martin Scorsese. More info on this year's programming and tickets can be found at tribecafilm.com. - Billboard, 4/28/26...... In other Bruce Springsteen news, during a concert in Austin, Tex. on Apr. 26 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon offered "prayers of thanks" that Pres. Donald Trump wasn't injured during an Apr. 25 incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner when a California man named Cole Tomas Allen who was brandishing several weapons charged through a security checkpoint in the lobby outside the hotel ballroom where the event was being held. "We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas, we pray for their safe return," said frequent Trump antagonist Springsteen during the E Street Band' show at the Moody Center in Austin, Tex., on Apr. 26. "We also send out a prayer of thanks that our President, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night's incident at the [White House] Press Correspondents' Dinner." He added, "We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs. But there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States." - Billboard, 4/27/26...... 
A judge in London has ruled that former Jimi Hendrix Experience members, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, signed away their copyrights in "clear and unequivocal" terms in their lawsuit over UK royalties against Sony Music. Following a seven-day trial this past December, U.K. High Court Justice Edwin Johnson released a lengthy decision on Apr. 28 dismissing the claims brought against Sony by the families of Redding and Mitchell. In the long-running suit that began in 2021, the pair's estates have claimed they're being unfairly deprived of royalties from three classic Jimi Hendrix Experience albums, including the 1968 chart-topper Electric Ladyland. Sony, which has distributed Hendrix's music since 2009 under an exclusive license with Hendrix's heirs, maintains that it owes nothing to the two families. Justice Johnson ultimately sided with Sony after determining that Redding and Mitchell signed away future royalties as part of the band's 1966 recording agreement. According to the judge, this contract gave full copyright ownership to producers Michael Jeffrey and Chas Chandler in "clear and unequivocal" language. Moreover, the judge said that even without these copyright ownership issues, all claims would be barred by settlements signed by both Redding and Mitchell with the Hendrix estate during probate proceedings in the early 1970s. A spokesperson for both Sony Music and the Hendrix estate, which is run through the business entity Hendrix Experience, said in a statement that they are "thankful that this litigation, which has lasted over four years, has come to an end." Janie Hendrix, Jimi's sister and the CEO of his estate, also said in her own statement, "I have nothing but positive memories of Noel and Mitch. Experience Hendrix's longstanding relationships with both reflect a consistent commitment to honouring and supporting the musicians who were part of Jimi Hendrix's history." - Billboard, 4/28/26...... Talking to People magazine, Ringo Starr revealed he refused to sing "one of the saddest lines" in a song written by his current collaborator T-Bone Burnett for his new country album Long Long Road. "One of the saddest lines was 'Why do we die?'.... I wouldn't sing it! I made it 'Why can't we fly' and then sent it back to him! But that's country, isn't it? Like, you're in the bar, the wife's left, the dog's dead and you don't have any change for the jukebox. I got into [the genre] with Hank Williams and all those people. There was a sad aspect to country music." The genre is relatable to many people, and while the 85-year-old drummer doesn't think he's "good at advice," he had a tip for people struggling with life: "Play it a bit faster! I'm not all that good at advice, but move forward. That's the thing. Move forward and move on -- on down the road. That's why this [album] is Long Long Road. I was reflecting on myself. This has been a long, long road with a few bad moments but lots of great moments. I'm blessed." Ringo, who kicks off a spring/summer tour with his All-Starr Band on May 29 in Temecula, Calif., also recently told Variety that he wants to get a bunch of songs together for a new EP to wrap up his project with Burnett. "Well, we're doing it because this year I'm only doing 12 gigs," he said. "I've got the records going, with Universal, and I've got the best-of going. And I've got this idea for doing some other tracks and maybe an EP and will put that out as well." Asked if he can provide any further details about what to expect from the EP, he replied: "The idea is just getting the songs and putting 'em together and seeing how it works." - Music-News.com, 4/29/26...... The Rolling Stones have seemingly confirmed that the title for their upcoming album will be Foreign Tongues after a series of cryptic billboards that feature the iconic Stones logo and the same phrase repeated in various languages have popped up across the globe. It comes shortly after they shared their new vinyl-only single, "Rough & Twisted," under the moniker The Cockroaches earlier in April. In a similar fashion to the recent run of billboards, the band prompted rumours of their return after cryptic posters emerged across London. Fans have already drawn a link between the two, given the lyrics for the latest single feature the line: "Why don't you teach me/ Teach me all those foreign tongues?" The single serves as the first taste of the new album, which is slated for release in July. It'll be the band's first full-length effort since 2023's Grammy-winning Hackney Diamonds. The band's latest posters in such cities as Manchester, UK, and Warsaw, Poland, can be viewed on Rolling Stone magazine has announced that it will host its first-ever festival on July 4 in Kingston, N.Y., with headliners including Noah Kahan, Gigi Perez, Sydney Rose, Devon Gilfilian and more. The boutique event, dubbed Stateside, will "channel the timeless spirit of Americana with music, hot dogs, fireworks, an artisan market and local food vendors" and take place on Independence Day at Hutton Brickyards' 4,000-capacity riverfront property, according to a press release. The show will be headlined by Kahan, who just released his fourth studio album, The Great Divide, and feature a whole day of pop, rock, indie, folk and country performers including Gigi Perez, Sydney Rose, Arcy Drive, Bo Staloch, Devol Gilfillian, Derby, Calder Allen and Michaela Anne. After a day of music, the night will end with a firework display following Kahan's set. The Stateside Festival poster can be viewed on Instagram. - Billboard, 4/27/26...... 
David Lee Roth made a surprise appearance at the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., on Apr. 25, joining Teddy Swims onstage for a performance of "Jump," Van Halen's 1984 single. During their set, Swims brought Roth onstage after performing his recent single "Mr. Know It All" and "Some Things I'll Never Know," both from his debut studio album I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), released in Sept. 2023. The recent performance took place amid a turbulent evening at this year's Stagecoach, where high winds earlier in the night had forced a temporary evacuation of the festival grounds and prompted a series of schedule changes, including the removal of several artists, including Journey and Riley Green, from the lineup. The evacuation was triggered by high winds that intensified across Indio's Empire Polo Club. An "emergency evacuation" message appeared on screens across the site, instructing attendees to "move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit," while alerts sent via the festival's official app directed festivalgoers to leave the area. Despite the weather, Swims' set went ahead, with Roth's appearance providing one of the night's most high-profile moments as fans gathered following the festival's reopening. Stagecoach, one of the largest country music festivals in the United States, is held annually at the same site as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and draws tens of thousands of attendees each year. - Billboard, 4/27/26...... Even though he died in 2009, Michael Jackson-mania is still in full force as the new MJ biopic Michael earned a record-breaking $97 million domestic opening and a global launch of $217.4 million after opening on Apr. 24. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Antoine Fuqua-directed film delivered the biggest opening ever for a music biopic, surpassing Universal's rap doc Straight Outta Compton, which debuted to $60.1 million in 2015. Fox's Queen/Freddie Mercury film Bohemian Rhapsody opened to $51 million in 2018, ranking as the second-biggest debut for a music biopic. Michael now also holds the biggest domestic opening of all time for a biopic, surpassing Oppenheimer ($80 million), not adjusted for inflation, according to THR. Michael grossed $38.5 million domestically on opening day and was off to a strong start overseas, with an international launch in the $114 million range, THR reports. "This record-breaking performance is a testament to the incredible filmmaking team of producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, an amazing cast led by Jaafar Jackson's singular performance, our world-class partners at Universal, the cooperation and support of the Michael Jackson Estate, and our tireless and exceptionally talented Lionsgate team," Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement. "Above all, it reflects the tremendous outpouring of love and affection from moviegoers around the world, underscoring the strength and vitality of the theatrical box office. If you give audiences what they want, they will come." Michael, which charts the superstar's rise from fronting The Jackson 5 in the 1970s to launching a solo career that reached historic heights, is the first installment of a planned two-part biopic, with the the second installment possibly starting to shoot as early as this year. Meanwhile, in the spirit of fans acting out the iconic 1975 comedy The Rocky Horror Picture show, a new dance trend is taking place at screenings of Michael, which is annoying some cinema-goers. Many have taken to social media to hit out at those wanting to dance at the theater instead of watching the film. "I was thinking about going to see Michael tomorrow in the theater, but stuff like this makes me want to watch it at home instead," one person wrote, sharing footage on X/Twitter of a fan performing one of Jackson's routines beneath the screen. "If I pay to see a MOVIE, I don't want to see anyone else dancing other than Michael." "There's a difference between enjoying the moment and disrupting everyone else's experience," another agreed, while a third added: "I don't want to see anything like it. As a paying customer I'd prefer to watch the movie I paid to see and not some narcissistic attention whore trying to create a viral moment." However some movie patrons have described it as "one of the best movie-going experiences" they've had. They argue that the trend simply shows people enjoying his music and adding to an electric atmosphere in the cinema. "You have zero sense of fun or humour. You have zero energy. You are all Karens now and you suck," one person shared, defending the trend, and another praised it as making the cinema feel like "a live concert" and "a full-blown MJ revival." "Michael Jackson made music so ppl can dance to it," another person chimed in on X, and someone else described it as "magical." - Billboard/NME, 4/26/26...... 
Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of the 1960s girl group The Ronettes, died on Apr. 26 at the age of 80. Her passing was announced by her daughter, Nedra K Ross, in a Facebook post. "At approximately 8:30 this morning, our mother, Nedra Talley Ross, went home to be with the Lord," she wrote. "She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved. Thank you, Lord." Ms. Talley Ross, Estelle Bennett and Ronnie Spector rose to prominence while working with Ronnie's husband, legendary record producer Phil Spector, in 1963. Together, The Ronettes recorded songs including "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You" and "Walking in the Rain." The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. A tribute posted on the group's official Instagram page noted, "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross' passing. She was a light to those who knew and loved her... [The Ronnettes'] voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music. Her contribution to the group's story and their defining influence will live forever. Rest peacefully dear Nedra. Thanks for the magic." Estelle Bennett died in 2009 at age 67 due to colon cancer. Her sister, Veronica Bennett, known as Ronnie Spector after marrying Phil Spector in 1968, died in January 2022 at age 78 after a battle with cancer. - Music-News.com, 4/28/26...... Tony Wilson, the bassist, songwriter and co-founder of the '70s British disco/soul troupe Hot Chocolate, died on Apr. 24 in his native Trinidad of as yet undisclosed causes. He was 78. Wilson's daughter shared the news in an emotional Facebook post, writing that her father "left us today, April 24th 2026," and adding that he "left a lot of music behind forever and ever." She described their final conversations as deeply meaningful, saying he had recently asked for prayers and expressed a sense of peace about his passing, writing "The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace." Born in Trinidad, Wilson moved to the UK as a young man and began pursuing music in the early 1960s, first as a solo act in 1964, when he released his debut single "Yes I Do" on Decca Records. His life changed in 1969 when he teamed up with vocalist Errol Brown to form Hot Chocolate. The band went on to break new ground for Black British artists on the US charts, carving out a distinctive place in pop and soul history. Hot Chocolate scored global success with a string of hits between 1975-78, most famously the 1975 classic "You Sexy Thing" (#3, US), which Wilson co-wrote. The track became a defining anthem of the decade and remains one of the most recognizable songs in British pop culture. Other hits include "Emma" (#8, US), "Disco Queen" (#28, US), "So You Win Again" (#31, US), and "Every 1's A Winner" (#6, US). Wilson departed Hot Chocolate in 1975, releasing two albums, I Like Your Style and Catch One. - Music-News.com, 4/28/26...... In the midst of Cher's decision to file for conservatorship of her son Elijah Blue Allman, 49, on Apr. 16 amid his addiction, mental health and legal issues, it's been revealed that Elijah is the father of a 15-year-old girl named Ever, whom Cher, 79, learned of only in June 2025. The girl's mother, Kayti Edwards, 49, who is the step-granddaughter of actress Julie Andrews, 90, via her late husband Blake Edwards, told the UK tabloid The Sun that first-time grandmother Cher is "really trying" to build a bond with Ever, and they both spent the night at Cher's hom in September. Edwards said Elijah -- who is currently in custody in a New Hampshire psychiatric hospital -- "wanted to see [Ever] and have a relationship with her, but he wasn't in any fit state." - People, 5/4/26...... 
Controversial outlaw country music singer/songwriter David Allan Coe, best known for his '70s songs "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" and "Longhaired Redneck" as well as the '80s tracks "The Ride" and "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile," died on Apr. 29, his widow Kimberly confirmed to Rolling Stone. He was 86. "One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time (and) never to be forgotten," she wrote to the outlet. "My husband, my friend, my confidant and my life for many years. I'll never forget him and I don't want anyone else to ever forget him either." Mr. Coe also composed hits for several other artists, including "Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)" for Tanya Tucker and "Take This Job and Shove It," popularized by Johnny Paycheck. The latter earned Mr. Coe a Grammy nomination. Over the course of his career, the musician released over 40 albums, including the controversial LP's Nothing Sacred and Underground Album in the late '70s and '80s. While he had used racist language before, Mr. Coe sparked outrage over the use of racial slurs, hate speech and homophobic and misogynistic lyrics in those two albums. He denied he was a racist at the time. In addition, the musician also got into legal trouble in the 2010s. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to obstructing America's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from collecting taxes and was ordered to pay nearly $1 million he following year. Mr. Coe was married six times, most recently to Kimberly in 2010. He is survived by his wife and his five children: Tyler, Tanya, Shyanne, Carson and Shelli. - Music-News.com, 4/30/26.
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Appearing on the BBC's Eras program on Jan. 26, Phil Collins gave fans another health update as he continues to face a number of challenges, explaining that his issues are "an ongoing thing." Collins, who turns 75 on Jan. 30, spoke candidly about the level of treatment he requires on a daily basis to keep him going after a 2007 spinal injury left him with myriad health challenges. "I have a 24-hour live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication, as I should do," he said. "I've had challenges with my knee," he continued. "Everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me I can walk, albeit with assistance -- crutches or whatever." The "In the Air Tonight" singer's update comes about six months after a rep confirmed that the musician was in the hospital for an operation on his knee, shutting down rumors at the time that the Genesis icon was in hospice. Collins has been battling medical challenges for nearly two decades now as a result of his spinal injury, which caused nerve damage and drop-foot. Since 2015, he's used a cane to walk and has had difficulty standing for long periods, much less getting behind the drumset. "It's still kind of sinking in," he said in the Dec. 2024 documentary Drummer First. "I've spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock." But in his latest interview with BBC, Collins gave fans a flicker of hope. Noting that his recent knee surgeries and sobriety have him feeling "totally mobile and healthy," Collins said he's hoping to "have a fiddle about" in the studio soon to "see if there's more music." He added, "You've gotta start doing it to see if you can do it." - Billboard, 1/23/26...... After the surprise release of his 13th solo album BRITPOP on Jan. 16, British pop star Robbie Williams has topped The Beatles' all-time record for the most UK Number One albums. In Jan. 23, the UK Albums Chart confirmed that the 26-year-old pop sensation's latest album was his 16th chart-topper of his solo career, which puts him ahead of the Fab Four, who scored 15 UK Number One albums. "This is unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable," Williams told BBC News. "I've always said my success has been the equivalent of stretching an elastic band from Stoke-on-Trent to the moon. Well, I reckon the elastic band just got longer, and now it's orbiting Venus." He added: "It's just sensational what has happened. I feel like the Forrest Gump of pop." Following Williams and The Beatles in the all-time list are The Rolling Stones (14), Taylor Swift (14), Elvis Presley (13), Madonna (12) and Bruce Springsteen (12). BRITPOP had been postponed from its original release date of Oct. 2025 to this February, however it was decided to release the album a few weeks earlier. Williams has sold a reported 80 million albums throughout his career to date, while The Beatles remain the best-selling act of all time with sales over an estimated 600 million. - NME, 1/23/26...... In other Beatles-related news, Ringo Starr's drummer son Zak Starkey has revealed that the notoriously quarrelsome Noel and Liam Gallagher brothers of alternative faves Oasis "never even argued once" while he sat behind the kit with the ban. Starkey, who was The Who's long term drummer until 2025, performed with Oasis from 2004-2008. During Starkey's tenure with the band Liam stormed offstage mid-way through "Champagne Supernova"' during the Heineken Jammin' Festival in Italy, in June 2005. Liam and Noel were also seen having having cross words in the band's 2007 documentary Lord Don't Slow Me Down during the "Don't Believe The Truth" world tour. Despite that, Starkey said they never argued in his company. "I played with them for five years, and all we did was laugh. They never even argued once. Not one time," he told the New York Post. "We toured for 140 shows. We made two great records. We rehearsed. We hung out all the time. Never one. Never one cross word in five years," he added, noting the brothers "never complained about anything, ever." Starkey had left the band before the bust up that led to their split in Paris in 2009, with Chris Sharrock taking up drumming duties. - NME, 1/21/26...... 
The Eagles continue to soar high into the 21st century as their 1976 hits collection 
The Beach Boys' long-shelved "Adult/Child" sessions are finally being released within the new boxset We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years. The release focuses on the late Brian Wilson's return to group recording in the mid-to-late '70s, with a newly remastered edition of their 1977 LP The Beach Boys Love You, along with material from the 15 Big Ones sessions, Love You, and the Wilson-produced Adult/Child recordings that never received a full release. Posting on Instagram, the band said: "Introducing 'We Gotta Groove,' our latest box set. The collection is based around Brian Wilson's return to the group projects, and includes a newly remastered version of 'The Beach Boys Love You,' as well as key tracks from the '15 Big Ones' sessions, 'Love You,' and the unreleased Brian Wilson-produced 'Adult/Child' sessions. The package also spotlights studio outtakes, demos, and alternate mixes. Our newsletter subscribers sold out the pre-order with their VIP entry on our official store, so don't miss out on this limited re-stock!" To preview the project, The Beach Boys have shared a previously unheard outtake from The Beach Boys Love You titled "We Gotta Groove (2025 Mix)" on 
Sixty-seven years after they first made the U.S. hit parade with the classic "Shout - Part 1," The Isley Brothers will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ronald Isley (age 84) and Ernie Isley (age 73) will accept the honor Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. PT at 7051 Hollywood Blvd. Jon Platt, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, and Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Terry Lewis are set to speak at the ceremony. Melvin Robert, entertainment anchor at L.A. station KTLA, is set to emcee. The event will be streamed live exclusively at WalkOfFame.com. The Isley Brothers' biggest hits include "It's Your Thing," "That Lady (Part 1)" and "Fight the Power Part 1," all of which made the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. They have also landed two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 -- 
Roger Waters is standing by insensitive comments he made about Ozzy Osbourne shortly after the heavy metal legend's death in July 2025. "He was all over the TV for hundreds of years with his idiocy and nonsense," Waters said at the time during an interview with The Independent Ink podcast. "I don't care about Black Sabbath, I never did, I have no interest in biting the heads off chickens or whatever they do. I couldn't care less." The comments drew sharp criticism from Osbourne's son Jack Osbourne, who took to social media to call out the Pink Floyd co-founder for being "pathetic and out of touch," adding: "My father always thought you were a c-nt -- thanks for proving him right," as well as Ozzy's widow Sharon Osbourne, who said "He has no charisma, he looks like Frankenstein... The guy is sick in the head, he is not relevant in today's world... Nobody likes him" during an episode of The Osbournes podcast. Now, in a new interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Waters was asked about his remarks and whether he regretted saying them so soon after Osbourne's death. "Those comments, I'm not denying that I said them, came in the middle of a long interview," Waters admitted before defending them. "Do I have to like every rock group that ever was or people who bite the heads off bats?" Asked whether he would apologize to Sharon, Waters said that he would not. "I obviously had no idea that Sharon Osbourne would be watching a podcast," Waters replied. "Not that I have any time for Sharon Osbourne, she's a raging Zionist... and she's accused me of all kinds of things... because she's part of the Israeli lobby." As for the rest of the family, Waters said, "Listen, Jack... if he wants to have a chat, I'll have a chat with him. And I won't be nasty to him." Morgan's full interview with Waters can be streamed on 
Alice Cooper was the first interviewee on the critically acclaimed Rock & Roll High School podcast which launched its fifth season on Jan. 17. To open the season, host Pete Ganbarg sat down with the legendary shock-rocker for a wide-ranging interview that included such striking revelations as the creation of Cooper's quintessential teenage rebel track, 
Keith Richards has teamed up with Gibson Guitars to launch a Custom 1960 ES-355 electric guitar. The new collaboration between the Rolling Stones legend and the iconic guitar manufacturer features two models: the Keith Richards 1960 ES-355 Collector's Edition, Signed Guitar and Label -- of which only 50 are available at $29,999 -- and the Keith Richards 1960 ES-355, Signed Label -- which is released in a limited run of 100, priced at $19,999. Richards has a long history with the model, having first used one in 1969 during the recording sessions for Sticky Fingers and later in 1972 for Exile on Main St. He's also played his black 1960 model on every Rolling Stones tour since 1997. The new recreations are exact replicas of Richards' own instrument, created using "advanced 3D scanning, period-correct materials and construction techniques" and "hand ageing" to mirror the original, per a press release. "This is my standard-tuning six-string; this is the other side of my thing," Richards shared in an interview about the collaboration. "My six-string stuff has always been, you know, a great Gibson - that's where I feel the most comfortable. And also with the sound. Put it through just about any amp, and it will sound the way you want it, because this has so much more room for expression." Fans can view the new models at the Gibson Garage locations in Nashville and London, and view them all online at Gibson.com. A video featuring Richards introducing the new 1960 ES-355 models can be viewed on 
As Dolly Parton turned 80 years old on Jan. 19, the country music queen and 2022 
Fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known for his high-glamour gowns -- often in his trademark shade of "Valentino red" -- died at home in Rome on Jan. 19, his foundation announced. He was 93. "Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision," the foundation said in a statement posted on social media. Universally known by his first name, Mr. Valentino was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and movie stars, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best. "I know what women want," he once remarked. "They want to be beautiful." Mr. Valentino was never one for edginess or statement dressing, and made precious few fashion faux-pas throughout his nearly half-century-long career, which stretched from his early days in Rome in the 1960s through to his retirement in 2008. His fail-safe designs made him the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers' awards ceremony needs. His sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001, when Juia Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue. Cate Blanchett also wore Valentino -- a one-shouldered number in butter-yellow silk -- when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2004. Mr. Valentino was also behind the long-sleeved lace dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Kennedy and Mr. Valentino were close friends for decades, and for a spell the one-time U.S. first lady wore almost exclusively Valentino. He was also close to the late Princess Diana, who often donned his sumptuous gowns. Mr. Valentino, who retired in 2008, has been the subject of several retrospectives, including one at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, which is housed in a wing of Paris' Louvre Museum. He was also the subject of a hit 2008 documentary, Valentino: The Last Emperor, that chronicled the end of his career in fashion. His body will repose at the foundation's headquarters in Rome on Jan. 21 and 22. The funeral will be held on Jan. 23 at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica. - Billboard, 1/19/26.
The so-called "secret daughter" of late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has died at the age of 48. Identified only as "B," the woman's existence first came to light in May 2025 in the Mercury biography Love, Freddie written by Lesley-Ann Jones. Jones claimed Freddie kept a close relationship with "B" until his death in 1991, and that he would visit her regularly and give her 17 volumes of detailed personal journals. On Jan. 15, "B''s husband Thomas told the UK outlet Daily Mail that his wife died "peacefully after a long battle with chordoma, a rare spinal cancer" and has left behind "two sons aged nine and seven." Thomas also said that "B" was "now with her beloved and loving father in the world of thoughts," and had her ashes scattered over the Alps. Lesley-Ann Jones also shared a statement following news of "B"'s death, telling The Indendent: "I am devastated by the loss of this woman who became my close friend, who had come to me with a selfless aim: to brush aside all those who have had free rein with Freddie's story for 32 years, to challenge their lies and their rewriting of his life, and to deliver the truth." Jones also alleges that the Queen songs "Don't Try So Hard" and "Bijou" were written about "B." When Love, Freddie was first released, it was believed that only Mercury's inner circle were aware of "B"'s existence. Mercury died in 1991, aged 45, of bronchial pneumonia caused by Aids. - New Musical Express, 1/15/26...... The Michael Jackson accuser Frank Cascio and his parents and siblings are protesting an effort by the Jackson estate to keep their claims behind closed doors. The family, who Jackson groomed, manipulated and molested them for decades -- from the late 1980s until his death in 2009 -- appeared in a Beverly Hills courtroom on Jan. 14 seeking to void a "purported settlement" with the estate that they describe as "an unlawful agreement to silence victims of childhood sexual abuse." Marty Singer, a lawyer for the estate, told the court that the Cascio family members signed an initial deal with the estate in Jan. 2020, then later re-negotiated it for "significantly more money upfront," and now are seeking to file a public lawsuit that would violate the arbitration and confidentiality clauses of the original pact. "We categorically dispute these claims," Singer told the court, referring to the claims Jackson subjected all five Cascio children to sexual abuse. "The reason this case is going forward is because there was an extortion demand of $213 million last summer." Mark Geragos, lawyer for the Cascios, told the court the family had felt coerced into signing the agreements. The rushed process was intended to, and did, in fact, take advantage of the Cascio siblings' shock and trauma upon realizing this had happened to all of them, unbeknownst to each other and contrary to what they had been told," Geragos wrote in a filing in Oct. 2025. Ironically, Geragos previously represented Jackson when the pop star was under criminal investigation for child molestation in 2003. The "Thriller" singer was charged and later acquitted at a trial in 2005. After hearing the Cascios' arguments, the judge declined to issue an immediate ruling on the estate's petition to force the family into confidential arbitration. - Music-News.com, 1/15/26...... 
Ten years after his passing, David Bowie is being remembered for a #163;10,116 donation toward a local hall car park in the quiet Warwickshire, UK village of Binley Woods. According to a report by the BBC, the unlikely connection began in 2014 when Norman Miller, then a member of the village hall committee, decided to write to Bowie with a bold request. Hoping to raise funds for a much-needed car park, Miller invited the "Thin White Duke" to perform a benefit concert at the humble village hall. While Bowie's son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, initially replied that his father was not taking on new work due to his health, Miller was undeterred. Over the next two years, he sent a steady stream of letters filled with family anecdotes, local football updates about the Coventry City "Sky Blues," and jokes. On Jan. 10, 2016 -- the day Bowie passed away -- Miller received an unexpected follow-up from Duncan. The family revealed that Miller's persistent correspondence had not been in vain; the letters and jokes had genuinely brightened David's final days. In a gesture of "marketing genius" and profound gratitude, the estate offered the village exactly £10,116 -- a figure reflecting the date of his death (10/1/16). "I went to the bank and showed them the letter," Miller told the BBC, admitting he originally feared it was a scam. "They said they'd opened an account with nothing in it, and then the money was transferred the day he died." Paul Salisbury chair of the parish council, confirmed the funds covered the crucial deposit for the construction. A decade later, the site remains affectionately known by locals as "the car park David Bowie paid for." Without that final gift, Salisbury notes, the project likely would have remained an unfinished jigsaw. It stands as a quirky, heartfelt testament to the power of a well-timed joke and the quiet generosity of the iconic "Thin White Duke." - Music-News.com, 1/12/26...... On Jan. 14 London's High Court began hearing a lawsuit brought against Sting by his former The Police bandmates claiming some $2 million in unpaid streaming royalties. Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are taking legal action against Sting (real name Gordon Sumner), arguing they are entitled to the added royalties. None of the band members was in court at the start of a two-day preliminary hearing. Sting is contesting the pair's claim that they are entitled to "in excess of two million US dollars" in so-called performance royalties of songs recorded as The Police, according to the court documents. None of the band members was in court at the start of a two-day preliminary hearing. The plaintiffs are relying on a nearly 50-year-old verbal agreement stipulating that each member of the group should receive 15% of the royalties generated by the other members' compositions. As the trio's composer of all the band's hits, from "Roxanne" to "King of Pain," Sting receives by far the largest share of the group's royalties. The original agreement acknowledged the, at times, crucial contributions of the other two members, such as Summers' guitar arpeggios on The Police's biggest hit, "Every Breath You Take." The verbal agreement reached in 1977 was later formalized through a written agreement in 1981. A further agreement reiterated, albeit vaguely, the terms in 1997, before the existence of streaming. The dispute concerns the classification of revenue generated from services such as Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music for the purpose of royalty distribution. But only mechanical royalties are included in the 2016 agreement, something Summers and Copeland consider contrary to the spirit of the original 1977 agreement. The pair are demanding their share of all streaming revenue. Representatives for Sting, who sold his catalogue to Universal in 2022 for a reported $250 million, have called the legal action an "illegitimate" attempt to reinterpret the agreement. - AFP, 1/14/26...... 
After the Beatles broke up in 1970, Paul McCartney released two successful solo albums, but then formed Wings as an attempt to get back into a band setting. Following a slightly rocky start, Wings went on to become a phenomenally successful unit during its 10-year run with such his as "Band on the Run," "My Love," "Jet" and "Live and Let Die," and scoring five No. 1 albums in the US before disbanding in 1981. Now a new Wings documentary from Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville, Man on the Run, has been released that chronicles Macca's journey in forming Wings with his wife Linda McCartney and features previously unseen and rare archival footage. In the 
ABBA's latest crowning achievement is scoring its first No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart with its 1992 greatest hits release, Gold: Greatest Hits, nearly 50 years after the group first topped a Billboard chart. Gold: Greatest Hits, which includes many of the quartet's most enduring hits -- among them "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia" and "Take a Chance on Me" -- is ABBA's first career No. 1 on the Dance Chart ranking. The collection leads the current chart with 15,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the Jan. 2-8 tracking week, according to Luminate. Beyond the dance charts, Gold: Greatest Hits has also been a mainstay on the all-format Billboard 200. The set has spent 411 weeks on the chart and counting -- it sits at No. 80 on the chart currently -- making it by far the longest-charting album of ABBA's catalog. The group's next longest-charted release, the earlier Greatest Hits, spent 61 weeks on the chart in 1976-79. Meanwhile in other chart action, Fleetwood Mac's 1975 track "Landslide" has debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 pop songs chart, debuting at No. 41 on the Jan. 17-dated chart. "Landslide," from Fleetwood Mac's 
NBC has announced it plans to revisit one of its iconic 1970s series with a reported new reboot now in development. The network has ordered a pilot for a new 
The "long, strange trip" of Bob Weir came to an end on Jan. 10 after the Grateful Dead guitarist/singer/songwriter died of an underlying lung condition after battling cancer. He was 78. "It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could. Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues," his family announded via his Instagram account. The statement went on, "For over 60 years, Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller and founding member of the Grateful Dead, Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music." Diagnosed with cancer in July 2025, Weir began treatment weeks before returning to the stage for a three-night celebration of 60 years of music at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif. "Those performances, emotional, soulful, and full of light, were not farewells, but gifts," his family shared. "Another act of resilience. An artist choosing, even then, to keep going by his own design. There is no final curtain here, not really. Only the sense of someone setting off again. And so we send him off the way he sent so many of us on our way: with a farewell that isn't an ending, but a blessing. A reward for a life worth livin'." Weir's Dead & Company bandmate John Mayer, who formed the band with Weir in 2015, also paid tribute following his death, posting a black-and-white photo of the musician on Instagram on Jan. 11 and writing a short but poignant tribute. "Okay Bob. I'll do it your way. Fkn' A... Thanks for letting me ride alongside you. It sure was a pleasure (sic)," he wrote. "If you say it's not the end, then I'll believe you. I'll meet you in the music. Come find me anytime," he added. The original line-up of Dead & Company featured former Grateful Dead members Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, as well as Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti. The band, which primarily performed Grateful Dead covers, went on several tours and even embarked on a Las Vegas residency. They last performed in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to celebrate the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary in Aug. 2025, marking Weir's final live shows. Hart, longtime drummer for Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, also paid tribute to Weir, describing him as "a little brother to me for almost sixty years." "He was my first friend in the Grateful Dead. We lived together, played together, and made music together that ended up changing the world," he said in a Facebook post. "What was a lifetime of adventure boils down to something simple -- we were family and true to the music through it all... Still cannot believe he's gone. I miss you so much already, dear friend." Hart and Kreutzmann are now the last surviving original members of the Grateful Dead. Weir was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with his bandmates in 1994, and was a Kennedy Centre Honoree in 2024. He is survived by his wife, Natascha, and their two daughters. - Music-News.com, 1/11/26.