People are calling him 'the Tommy Wiseau of heavy metal.' Jered Threatin bought thousands of social media followers and faked awards in a successful ploy to get venues across Europe to book his virtually unknown band. Also, there are new releases from Anderson .Paak, Mariah Carey, Smashing Pumpkins, and Karen O with Danger Mouse.
Even before Maroon 5 have officially confirmed their booking to play the Super Bowl halftime show, tens of thousands are asking them not to. In other news today: Roy Clark dies at 85, Kacey Musgraves wins big at CMAs, Beyonce takes control of her own clothing line, Billy Idol becomes an American citizen, and Elton John stars in a tear-jerking new holiday ad.
Jeff Tweedy's acutely self-conscious new memoir is a breezy read that his fans will adore.
For the opening of The Shed in New York, Bjork will present her 'most elaborate stage concert yet.' Robyn and Carlos Santana have also announced tours - plus, a Leonard Cohen exhibit and Chris Cornell tribute show are planned. Also in the news today: Lorde accuses Kanye West and Kid Cudi of stealing her stage design, Christina Aguilera gets denied when she tries to sing with a bar band, and Celine Dion gets put in handcuffs.
Greta Van Fleet's publicist has responded to Pitchfork's infamous pan of the band's new album - and her response might surprise you. Also in the news today: Live Nation and Guitar Center are booming, Jack White responds to reports of homophobia at a concert, Nick Cave interviews Marianne Faithfull, and a Beyonce boost proves too little, too late in a widely-watched Senate race.
An oral history, newly published in paperback, attempts to settle some of the many mysteries surrounding Bob Marley.
A 1972 Aretha Franklin gospel performance, documented in perhaps the most legendary of all unreleased concert films, will finally see release. In other news: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' does boffo box office (and surprises REO Speedwagon), 'A Star is Born' soundtrack dethroned atop album chart by unlikely contender, Ariana Grande's new single becomes a meme, and why stars have such a hard time preventing politicians from playing their music.
Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove has died of kidney disease at age 49. Also in the news today: women ruled the MTV EMAs, four-fifths of the Spice Girls are getting back together, Postmates is hitting a music festival, a historic Glenn Gould score surfaces, and the Prince estate debuts an archival video series.
The latest volume of Bob Dylan's Bootleg Series, out today, highlights the creation of one of his most acclaimed and intimate albums, 'Blood on the Tracks.' We dig into it, as well as highlighting new music releases from Tenacious D, Pistol Annies, Vince Staples, and Bruce Springsteen.
Diana Ross and John Legend are among the stars who will be (pretending to) sing in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In other news today: Aretha Franklin's house goes up for sale, Mac Miller tribute concert recap, Neil Young and Daryl Hannah are officially married, RHCP surprise schoolkids with a Halloween show, and Carly Rae Jepsen dropped a new single.
Pink Floyd's Nick Mason is heading out on tour with early Pink Floyd material, and fans are excited about it. Also, Hardy Fox, co-founder of the Residents, has died at age 73. Plus: a Journey cassette clears out a building, Nikki Sixx speaks up for dogs, and Drake takes a first stab at defining 2000s nostalgia.
A poignant new volume from the Minnesota Historical Society Press compiles images photographer Allen Beaulieu snapped of Prince just before his rise to megastardom.
We're remembering Arrested Development's Baba Oje. Plus, director Ava DuVernay is preparing a documentary about Prince, and previously unreleased George Michael songs will feature in a movie based on the Wham! song 'Last Christmas.' Also in the news today: a big grant for the Louis Armstrong House, Pharrell tells the president to stop using "Happy," Lin-Manuel Miranda's getting his improv hip-hop crew back together, and Ellen DeGeneres recreates the Nicki-Cardi shoe incident with kids.
With the new Queen biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' just a week away, we talk about the movie and the soundtrack, which is out now. Plus, we highlight new releases from Robyn, Boygenius, Ty Segall, and Tyler, The Creator's take on 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.'
Spotify has provided data on where Halloween music is huge...and it's not necessarily in the places you'd expect. Also today: Beastie Boys audiobook announces star-studded cast, Polaris Heritage Prize winners announced, remembering guitarist Wah Wah Watson, New Orleans does Joy Division, and Tina Turner dishes...about books.
When influential review site Pitchfork ran a highly negative review of Greta Van Fleet's new album, music fans across the internet took sides. Also today: a Lennon/Ono biopic in development, international travel frustrations for musicians, a Sonic Youth blowout sale, music stars working to get out the vote with a viral jingle, and a roundup of recent developments in music streaming and social media.
Lily Allen's new memoir is a fascinating, honest account by one of the most compelling indie-pop artists of her generation.
A teenager went viral with a tweet revealing that she doesn't know how CD-Rs work. Also, Britney Spears's hit "...Baby One More Time" turns 20, and we explain why it was a game-changer. In more music news: rapper Jon James has died on a video shoot, Whitney Houston and Steve Aoki are getting the museum treatment, and Tracy Chapman is reportedly suing Nicki Minaj.
Billboard has run the numbers to reveal today's most popular Halloween songs. Also, a Tom Petty park is dedicated; Anthony Kiedis was ejected from a Lakers game; Loretta Lynn and Ozzy Osbourne are (separately) on the mend; and Lizzo's flute break goes viral.
A new series from the University of Texas Press launches with titles on 'Why the Beach Boys Matter' and 'Why the Ramones Matter.'