UNDATED (AP) — Patti Smith has sung about racism, religion, politics — and now Frylock, Master Shake and Meatwad. Sunday’s series finale of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” features Smith’s stark tribute to the cartoon. A preview of the song can be found on YouTube.
Archives for August 2015
Ed Sheeran Named Spotify’s Most Influential Artist Under 25
NEW YORK (AP) —The most influential musician under the age of 25 is Ed Sheeran, according to the streaming site Spotify. The list is based on total streams on Spotify, number of number-one hits, growth over the past year and Spotify’s viral chart. Ariana Grande (GRAHN’-day) is second on the list, followed by Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus and One Direction. Sheeran also owns the record for Spotify’s most streamed song ever, with “Thinking Out Loud.”
Ann Wilson of Heart Plans PBS Special
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Heart singer Ann Wilson will tape a special for PBS at her October 6 show in Hartford, Connecticut. The special will air in February. Wilson will put out her first solo EP called “The Ann Wilson Thing” digitally on September 18 and in stores October 9.
Producer Bob Johnston Dies
NASHVILLE (AP) — The man who produced Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” album and Johnny Cash’s “At Folsom Prison” has died. Music producer Bob Johnston died Friday at the age of 83. Editor Peter Cooper of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum says Johnston helped open Nashville to musicians from other places. Johnston also produced Dylan’s albums “John Wesley Harding” and most of “Highway 61 Revisited,” as well as Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” and “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Time” albums.
First Beatles Recording Contract for Sale
NEW YORK (AP) — The first Beatles recording contract is for sale. Heritage Auctions will sell the six-page contract The Beatles signed that led to them recording “My Bonnie” with Tony Sheridan. The auction house estimates the contract will sell for at least $150,000 when it goes on the block on September 19 in New York. The Beatles were paid about $20 apiece for their work. Other items that will be auctioned include a postcard Ringo Starr sent to his grandmother, a psychedelic invitation to the private release party for “Magical Mystery Tour” and a 1960 photo of 17-year-old George Harrison modeling his first leather jacket.
Police Crack Down on Homemade Outhouses at Jimmy Buffett Show
MANSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Police in Mansfield, Massachusetts, have a message for Parrotheads: no homemade potties, and leaving them behind is gross. The Sun Chronicle reports fans at Jimmy Buffett’s Mansfield concert Saturday left behind seven to ten makeshift outhouses, most commonly made with a 5-gallon bucket, a foam pool noodle and a tent. Police Lieutenant Sam Thompson says 75 to 100 people were instructed to take down their outhouses. Police Chief Ronald Sellon says Buffett’s crowd has been primary offenders in this regard, and leaving the outhouses behind is “unsanitary and just disrespectful.”
Abba Musical “Mamma Mia” Closing on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — The musical based on the songs of ABBA is getting near to its final performance. “Mamma Mia!” will close on Broadway on September 12 after a 14-year run. Judy McLane, who currently plays the lead role of Donna, says the reason the show works is because it’s an antidepressant. She says, “Don’t take Zoloft. Come see our show.”
Alice Cooper Revives Hollywood Vampires
NEW YORK (AP) — Alice Cooper says the only requirement to get into his 1970s group Hollywood Vampires was to out-drink everyone else. Past members included John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, Jim Morrison and Micky Dolenz. Cooper has been sober for years but brought back Hollywood Vampires as a music project that includes Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. They will play two shows in Los Angeles in September. Hollywood Vampires will release an album on September 11 that includes collaborations with Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Perry Farrell, Kip Winger, Robbie Krieger of The Doors, Joe Walsh, Slash and Brian Johnson of AC/DC.
Ed Sheeran will be Awarded Honorary Degree
LONDON (AP) — Even though Ed Sheeran quit school to become a musician, he’s about to get a college degree. University Campus Suffolk in England will award Sheeran an honorary degree for his outstanding contribution to music. Sheeran says getting the honor is a real privilege and he always calls Suffolk home. The award will be presented during graduation ceremonies this fall.
Billy Joel is a Dad
NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Joel has a new little lady in his life. His website reports Joel’s wife, Alexis, gave birth to a girl yesterday. They’ve named her Della Rose Joel. The couple married in a surprise ceremony on July 4 on New York’s Long Island. Joel has one other child, Alexa Ray Joel, his 29-year-old daughter from his marriage to Christie Brinkley.