Music – Page 176 – 105.7 WDNY

On This Day, May 21, 1979: Elton John becomes first western act to play U.S.S.R

May 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

On This Day, May 21, 1979…

Elton John became the first western act to play the former U.S.S.R., when he kicked off a four-night stand at the Bolshoi Oktyabrsky (Great October) Concert Hall in Leningrad.

After the opening night concert, Elton was reportedly asked to tone down his show and refrain from playing a cover of The Beatles’ “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” but he continued to keep the song in his set.

The Leningrad shows were followed by four shows in Moscow at the Rossiya Concert Hall, with the final night broadcast live in Europe by the BBC.

Songs played during the shows included “Your Song,” “Daniel,” “Rocket Man,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and more.

The concerts were recorded for a documentary, To Russia… with Elton, that featured footage from the final Moscow show.

Bruce Springsteen performs ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ on penultimate ‘The Late Show’

May 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Bruce Springsteen was the final announced musical guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Wednesday night, and he let his feelings be known as to who he thinks is responsible for the late night talk show’s cancelation.

“I am here in support tonight for Stephen because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost a show because we got a president who can’t take a joke,” said The Boss, noting that CBS’ new owners, Larry and David Ellison, “feel they need to kiss his a** to get what they want.”

He added, “Stephen these are small minded people that got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about. This is for you.”

Springsteen then performed his protest song “Streets of Minneapolis,” which he released in January. He said he wrote the song in “response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis,” including the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

The Late Show premiered on CBS in 1993, with David Letterman as host. Colbert took over when Letterman left in 2015.

CBS announced the show’s cancelation in July, noting it was a financial decision. Stephen Colbert will sign off The Late Show on Thursday; no guests for the finale have been revealed.

‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ make you audition: Ella Langley wasn’t a lock for second Riley Green duet

May 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

With the runaway success of “you look like you love me,” you’d assume Ella Langley was a shoo-in for subsequent Riley Green duets, especially since the two were on tour together at the time.

But it turns out, Riley kind of made her audition for the part on “Don’t Mind If I Do.”

“I think I got her to come in the day I wrote it and just kinda hum to see what key I needed to write it in, ’cause I wrote it as a duet,” he explains. “And when I was in the studio recording it, I just called her to come by to put a vocal on it so I could play it for whoever I was gonna pitch it to as far as the female.”

Of course, Riley changed his mind as soon as he heard Ella sing.

“She just crushed it,” he recalls. “I remember sittin’ there and she was like in a sweatsuit. She came by from the house and sang it and … I couldn’t imagine anybody doing it better than she did.”

Of course, “Don’t Mind If I Do” went on to become Riley’s sixth #1 in December.

“It was cool for her to be on the song, [and] also having her out with all the success on the other song,” he reflects. “And also lyrically, it kinda feels like the song after ‘you like you love me.’ So it’s kinda cool to have that accidentally work out.”

“Don’t Mind If I Do” picked up the music event of the year trophy at Sunday’s 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, after “you look like you love me” won the same award the year prior.

Night Ranger to release new ‘Best Of’ compilation

May 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Night Ranger is looking back on their career with a new compilation album.

The rockers are set to release Best Of on Aug. 28, an album featuring newly remixed and remastered versions of their classic tunes. It will include “Sister Christian,” “When You Close Your Eyes” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” as well as bonus tracks, including a live performance of the holiday classic “Feliz Navidad.”

As a preview of the record, the band has released the remastered version of 1982’s top-40 hit “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.”

“The new Best Of is a celebration of not only our classic hits but also what we’ve created over the last 20 years,” says Night Ranger’s Jack Blades. “And we’re just gonna keep cranking it cause we’re having too much fun to stop! So enjoy the ride and see ya on the road!”

Best Of will be released on CD and vinyl, with a double-LP version available in black, gold and orange splatter. All are available for preorder now.

Night Ranger is set to play Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Friday. A complete list of dates can be found at NightRanger.com.

Here is the track list for Best of:
“Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (2026)”
“(You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)”
“Sister Christian (2026)”
“When You Close Your Eyes (2026)”
“Four in the Morning (2026)”
“Breakout”
“Tomorrow”
“Growin’ Up in California”
“Time of Our Lives”
“High Road”
“No Time to Lose”
“Somehow Someway”
“Truth”
“Don’t Let Up”
“Only for You Only”
“Wasted Time (Sweetwater Studios)” (Bonus Track)
“Feliz Navidad (Live)” (Bonus Track)
“Hole In The Sun” (Bonus Track Japan)

The Smashing Pumpkins reunite with producer Butch Vig for new single

May 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Smashing Pumpkins have reunited with Butch Vig.

Billy Corgan has announced that the band recorded a new song with the producer and Garbage drummer for the first time since working with him on their 1993 album, Siamese Dream.

“Back in the studio with Butch Vig for the first time in 32 years!” Corgan writes in an Instagram post. “[Guitarist] James [Iha], [drummer] Jimmy [Chamberlin], and I had an awesome time recording this new single.”

Corgan speaks about the song further in a video posted to his Substack, in which he says the unnamed song will be released later in 2026 and was recorded for a “specific purpose.”

Vig produced Siamese Dream and the Pumpkins’ 1991 debut album, Gish. In between, he became known as the producer for Nirvana’s gigantic 1991 album Nevermind.

Along with reuniting with a figure from their past, the Pumpkins are looking back on their 1995 album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which they’re performing in full during their U.S. Rats in a Cage tour. The tour, which kicks off in September, will also feature a second, career-spanning set.

New Order announces ‘The Best & the Rest of New Order’ compilation

May 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

New Order has announced a new career-spanning compilation titled The Best & the Rest of New Order.

The record is due July 17 and combines the band’s 1994 The Best of New Order collection, which includes songs such as “Blue Monday” and “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and its 1995 companion remix album, The Rest of New Order.

The Best & the Rest of New Order includes remastered audio and will be available as a four-CD deluxe set, which features bonus unreleased mixes, and a standard two-CD package. Standalone editions of The Best and The Rest will also be released on vinyl.

New Order will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class along with their predecessor, Joy Division. Former bassist Peter Hook, who parted ways with New Order under acrimonious circumstances in 2007, has announced plans to attend the induction ceremony on Nov. 14, though the rest of the band hasn’t made any comment regarding their potential attendance.

Music Notes: Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and more

May 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Megan Thee Stallion is getting ready to launch a second line from her Hot Girl Summer swimwear brand. She’ll debut her new collection on May 28 at Paraiso Miami Swim Week, featuring pieces for men, women and pets. The show kicks off at 10 p.m. ET.

Mgk and Wiz Khalifa have followed up their “girl next door” collaboration with the release of “Everything Tatted.” Ty Dolla $ign makes an appearance in the music video, as do Bam Margera, skater Boo Johnson and a group of others showing off their body art. The video is available on YouTube. Mgk and Wiz’s Blog Era Boyz mixtape drops Friday. The two are currently on mgk’s Lost Americana Tour, which began May 15.

Kerry Washington will be honored at the 2026 Gotham TV Awards with the Spotlight Tribute, which recognizes her career in Hollywood. “The Gotham is honored to recognize Kerry with the Spotlight Tribute in celebration of an artist whose work, both in front of and behind the camera, continues to leave a profound mark on the industry and the culture,” says Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute, in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Gotham Awards will take place in November.

JID believes he was snubbed by the BET Awards. He wrote — and later deleted — posts after the nominations were announcec expressing his disappointment. “I hate BET,” he wrote, according to screenshots posted on XXL’s Instagram. “5 Grammy nominations O @BET nominations/acknowledgment nothing.. n***** remix the same people every years at the BET Awards.” Cardi B, meanwhile, has six nominations at the show, which takes place June 28.

Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan shares new song off upcoming ‘Gargoyle of the Garden State’ solo album

May 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan has released a new song called “Memory,” a song off his upcoming debut solo album, Gargoyle of the Garden State.

“The track leans into a more introspective mood, balancing strong melodies with direct, heartfelt lyrics,” a press release says. “It reveals a new side of the album and sparks anticipation for what’s still to come.”

The “Memory” video is now streaming on YouTube.

Gargoyle of the Garden State, which also includes the previously released songs “At War with Myself” and “Anything but You,” drops June 12. It features guests including Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt and Bolan’s Skid Row bandmates Scotti Hill, Dave “Snake” Sabo and Rob Hammersmith.

Skid Row, meanwhile, has been looking for a new singer since announcing a worldwide audition process to fill the gig in February.

Music notes: Olivia Rodrigo, Lola Young and more

May 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Olivia Rodrigo has released a sneak peek of her video for “the cure,” her new single arriving Thursday night at 9 p.m. PT. The clip shows a group of nurses walking down a hospital hallway and through doors marked “OR” in old-fashioned style uniforms and white heels. Inside is a room with a set of shelves displaying multi-colored bottles.

Lola Young has announced that she will release a new song on May 22 called “From Down Here.” A video clip on Instagram shows her slowly sinking under water as an instrumental snippet of the song plays.

Post Malone may have canceled a few of the U.S. dates on his Big A** Stadium Tour Part 2 tour, but he’s just announced additional shows in Australia and New Zealand. Billed as The BIG A** World Tour, the dates begin in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 9 and will visit Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland before wrapping up Oct. 21. Don Toliver will be Posty’s special guest on these dates. Tickets go on sale May 28.

Kesha has released a video for “Origami!,” described as a “sexcapade anthem.” In it, she goes into a confessional and speaks to the priest in Italian, revealing she’s been celibate for eight months, but she’s still having dreams. When the priest asks what she sees in her dreams, the camera cuts to her dancing suggestively alongside a group of men and women while singing about all the ways and places she wants to, um, do it. Kesha launches her Freedom Tour on May 23.

Netflix releases the trailer for ‘Michael Jackson: The Verdict’

May 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Michael Jackson’s biopic is killing it at the box office, but a part of his story that isn’t shown in the film will be told via a Netflix docuseries in June.

Michael Jackson: The Verdict is a three-part series that delves into the late King of Pop’s 2003 arrest on child molestation charges, his 2004 arraignment and indictment, and his subsequent 2005 trial. It was a media circus that ended on June 13, 2005, with the superstar being acquitted on all 10 counts.

The docuseries features interviews with jurors, eyewitnesses, members of the media who were in the courtroom, and Michael’s accusers and defenders. It tells the story from the perspectives of both the prosecution and the defense.

In a statement, director Nick Green and executive producer Fiona Stourton say, “It has been 20 years since the trial of Michael Jackson in which he was found not guilty. Yet, to this day, controversy still rages.”

“No cameras were allowed in court, and so the public’s view of the facts at the time were filtered by commentators and presented piecemeal,” they continue. “It was time to take a forensic look at the trial as a whole.”

“Anyone interested in the Michael Jackson story should feel this documentary gives them a window into what was largely a closed event and a chance to feel closer to what happened.”

Michael Jackson: The Verdict debuts June 3.

+ More