Queen members reveal an archival track featuring the late Freddie Mercury is due out in September

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

On Saturday, Queen + Adam Lambert rocked the crowds in front of Buckingham Palace to kick off the star-studded Party at the Palace concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II‘s 70 years on the throne.

Shortly before the event, Queen drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May shared an exciting tidbit of news during a BBC Radio 2 interview, revealing that a previously unheard track by the band featuring late frontman Freddie Mercury is scheduled to be released in September.

“We did find a little gem from Freddie that we’d kind of forgotten about,” Taylor told BBC host Zoe Ball. “And it’s wonderful. Actually, it was a real discovery.”

Taylor also revealed that the track came from the sessions for Queen’s 1989 album The Miracle, which was the next-to-last record Mercury made with the band before his death from AIDS in 1991.

“It was kind of hiding in plain sight,” May told Ball. “We looked at it many times and thought, ‘Well, no, we can’t really rescue that.’ But in fact, we went in there again and our wonderful engineering team went, ‘OK, we can do this and this.'”

He added, “It’s like stitching bits together. But it’s beautiful. It’s a very touching piece from Freddie.”

Taylor concurred, calling the track a “very passionate piece [that] turned out beautifully.”

According to Deadline, the title of the track is “Face It Alone.”

Queen + Adam Lambert recently launched a 2022 European leg of their Rhapsody Tour, which continues Wednesday, June 8, with one of a series of shows that the band is playing at London’s O2 arena.

From fake heiress to Material Girl: Julia Garner officially offered starring role in Madonna biopic

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Madonna: ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; Garner: y Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

After months of speculation, Variety is reporting that Ozark star Julia Garner — who most recently earned raves for playing the title role in Netflix’s Inventing Anna — has officially been offered the role of Madonna in the Queen of Pop’s forthcoming biopic.

Variety quotes sources familiar with the project as saying that there were more than a dozen candidates for the role, but Garner has emerged as the favorite. It’s been rumored for months that Garner would land the role in the movie, which Madonna is co-writing and directing. A source tells Variety that Garner’s team is “considering” the offer, but is expected to accept.

The rest of the cast for the movie, which will follow Madonna’s early days, has yet to be determined and the production timeline is currently unknown. In the initial announcement of the project, Madonna said, “The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive.”

‘Blade’ reboot with Mahershala Ali reportedly getting underway July 4

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

You can bet two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali is already sharpening his fangs: While Marvel Studios is mum so far, the industry job listing site called Production List says his Blade reboot will get underway July 4.

The Atlanta and New Orleans-shot production will see Ali playing the fan favorite half-human, half-vampire vampire hunter, taking over the role Wesley Snipes brought to the big screen in 1998. The modestly budgeted film is credited with kick-starting the superhero craze, which continues to this day.

Snipes’ film spawned a pair of sequels: Blade 2 in 2002, starring The Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus and directed by eventual Oscar winner Guerlmo del Toro, and 2004’s Blade Trinity, which also starred Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel.

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige announced Ali would be rebooting the role back in 2019; the acclaimed actor made an in-character voice-over cameo in the after credits for Eternals in 2021.

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

Watch Jack White shred custom Fender guitar that will make Tom Morello “jealous”

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you’ve caught Jack White on his ongoing Supply Chain Issues Tour, you may have seen him try out his new custom Fender Jazzmaster guitar. In a new Instagram post, the White Stripes/Raconteurs/Dead Weather rocker shared a video of the guitar in action.

“Can anybody tell me what’s happening with this guitar?” White asks after 10 seconds of shredding.

The folks over at Guitar World have an answer, having recently interviewed White about the instrument. Essentially, it includes a pitch-shifting pedal built into the body of the guitar.

As White tells Guitar World, he was partly inspired by one of Muse frontman Matt Bellamy‘s signature guitars, which similarly has an effects sampler built into it. White’s also hoping that his custom Jazzmaster will catch the attention of another iconic shredder.

“I think Tom Morello may end up getting jealous of this and have to put it on his guitar, too,” White says. “I’ll have to send him a clip of it and see what he thinks.”

White’s tour continues Tuesday in Vancouver.

“He’s in great spirits”: Young Thug’s ex-girlfriend provides update on jailed rapper

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Young Thug remains behind bars in an Atlanta jail after a Fulton County judge denied a bond request for the YSL rapper. His former girlfriend and ex-fiance, Jerrika Karlae, shared details of a recent conversation she had with the rapper, and provided an update on his well-being and mental status.

“He’s doing good, actually, and he’s in great spirits,” she said in an appearance on The Progress Report podcast on Monday. “I feel like this is just a moment for him to learn a lot of lessons.”

Karlae said of the rapper, “I see the growth.” She also opened up about noticing his attention to his faith.

“I feel like I really see his faith. I really really do,” she said. “That’s what a lot of people don’t know. Bro, that man really knows the Bible inside and out. Nobody would know that about him because they don’t talk about that … They talk about everything else.”

Karlae reacted in shock to Young Thug’s positive mindset and optimism about his current legal situation.

“Honestly, he was giving me advice,” she said before adding, “He was like, ‘Keep your head in the game, wake up every day and put a smile on your face and be thankful, and we good.'”

Karlae says Young Thug sends a message to the music industry: “‘I love my fans,'” she says he told her.

As a result of his arrest on May 10 due to RICO charges, among others, Young Thug is expected to stay behind bars until January 9, 2023, his anticipated trial date.

“Hi Friars!” Taylor Swift congratulates Providence men’s basketball team on their great season

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Since last December, Taylor Swift‘s “You Belong With Me” has been the unofficial anthem of the Providence College men’s basketball team, the Friars. Taylor just congratulated the players on their stellar season, during which they captured their first regular season conference title and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.

Taylor, who owns a home in Rhode Island, sent the team a note on custom “I’m Feeling 22” letterhead, which features a logo of one of her cats encircled by the words, “Happy, Free, Confused and Lonely at the Same Time.”

“Hi Friars! What an amazing 2022 season! Congratulations to you all on your incredible and inspiring success,” her letter read. “Sending you all hugs!”

Every time “You Belong with Me” was played during a Friars game, the crowd in the bleachers went nuts.

Two-week KISS Kruise XI to feature performances by Sebastian Bach, Lita Ford, Buckcherry & more

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The lineup has been announced for the 11th annual installment of The KISS Kruise, a two-part event scheduled for October 24-29 and October 29-November 3.

Both cruises, which will feature what’s billed as KISS’ “final onboard performances,” set sail from Los Angeles and will stop at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to port.

Week one of the 2022 KISS Kruise will also include performances by Dokken, featuring a reunion with founding guitarist George Lynch; Warrant; L.A. Guns; former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick; Heart by Heart, a group featuring Heart‘s original rhythm section; and an “All Hands on Deck Super Jam” featuring Lita Ford and other guests.

The bill for the cruise’s second week includes Black Label Society, Buckcherry, Kulick, Stryper, Vixen, and an “All Hands on Deck Super Jam” featuring ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach and other musicians.

During both weeks, KISS will play multiple concerts, including an unmasked pool-deck set for all KISS Navy members and a masked electric indoor concert.

Those who purchase tickets for The KISS Kruise XI will receive engraved commemorative gifts, and will get to take part in two on-board activities with KISS and two on-board activities with each of the band’s members.

Other activities and attractions include a KISS memorabilia exhibit, autograph sessions with some of the performers and themed costume parties.

KISS fans who purchases tickets for both weeks will be rewarded with “an exclusive laminate, a poster signed by KISS, happy hour … with KISS, and an exclusive KISS Kruise XI two-timer t-shirt.”

Week two of this year’s KISS Kruise, which was announced first, is sold out. As for the October 24-29 cruise, presale tickets will be available starting June 16, one day before the public on-sale date.

Justin Bieber apologizes to fans after postponing two shows due to illness

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Justin Bieber will no longer be performing his two Toronto shows due to an undisclosed illness, he told fans on Tuesday.

The singer took to his Instagram Stories to break the bad news hours before he was supposed to take the stage in Toronto, Canada. It is unknown if other shows will be affected, as well. He is next scheduled to perform in Washington, D.C., on Friday and at Madison Square Garden in New York next Monday and Tuesday.

“Can’t believe I’m saying this. I’ve done everything to get better but my sickness is getting worse,” he announced. “My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shows.” He added the sudden cancellation was per “doctors orders.”

Justin signed off by telling fans, “I love you so much and I’m gonna rest and get better!”

The Grammy winner did not disclose what is causing his health issues, but Justin has been open in the past about his battles against Lyme disease, mental illness and past drug abuse.

Understandably, some fans are disappointed to hear the bad news and took to social media to vent their frustrations. The ticket holders pointed out this is the third time his Toronto shows were either postponed or canceled.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Justin to reschedule his Changes tour, with those shows rescheduled for his Justice tour. In addition, Justin cancelled his 2017 Purpose world tour dates in the city due to depression, anxiety and exhaustion.

To help ease Toronto fans’ disappointment, they can still get their hands on some exclusive Justin merchandise: he opened a Justice World Tour pop-up store that runs June 7 and June 8.

Matthew McConaughey meets Biden, makes passionate plea for gun reform at White House press briefing

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

After meeting with President Joe Biden, Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, a native of Uvalde, Texas, made a passionate plea for gun reform at Tuesday’s White House press briefing as Congress considers new legislation this week.

McConaughey, noting he is a gun owner, offered extensive details of his meetings with grieving families last week in his hometown.

“The common thread — independent of the anger and the confusion and sadness — it was the same. How can these families continue to honor these deaths by keeping the dreams of these children and teachers alive? How can a loss of these lives matter?” he began.

“While we honor and acknowledge the victims, we need to recognize that this time [it] seems that something is different.”

His wife, Camila Alves, was also present at the briefing and brought green Converse sneakers that had belonged to one of the shooting victims. McConaughey described how the small shoes — with a heart drawn on the right toe — were the “only clear evidence that could identify her.”

“These bodies were very different,” he said of the victims. “They needed extensive restoration. Why? Due to the exceptionally large exit wounds of an AR-15 rifle. Most of the bodies were so mutilated that only DNA tests or green Converse could identify them.”

McConaughey met with scores of lawmakers on Capitol Hill as he pushes for reform, including universal background checks and raising the minimum age to buy an AR-15 from 18 to 21 — measures beyond what would appear in any Senate compromise.

“Responsible gun owners are fed up with the Second Amendment being abused and hijacked by some deranged individuals. These regulations are not a step back. They’re a step forward for civil society and the Second Amendment,” he said passionately while standing at the podium.

McConaughey also spoke at length about growing up in Uvalde, where he said he “learned responsible gun ownership.”

“It’s where my mom taught kindergarten — less than a mile from Robb Elementary. Uvalde is where I learned to master a Daisy BB gun … took two years before I graduated to a .410 shotgun,” he added, saying he was brought up “to revere the power and the capability of the tool that we call a gun.”

Trivium’s Matt Heafy announces Les Paul Custom Origins guitar collection with Epiphone

June 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Trivium frontman Matt Heafy has teamed up with Epiphone to launch the Les Paul Custom Origins collection of signature guitars.

The instruments come in Ebony and Bone White finishes, and are available as both six-string and seven-string models.

“I needed to make that sure that if Trivium fans were going out and getting these guitars, they could play every single song of ours the exact same way I would,” Heafy says.

You can pick up one for yourself now via Epiphone.com.

Trivium released their latest album, In the Court of the Dragon, last October. Heafy, meanwhile, debuted his black metal solo project Ibaraki with the album Rashomon in May.

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