Music

It seems George Harrison’s mother didn’t think too much of how fans reacted to The Beatles in their heyday. 

Louise Harrison used to respond to her son’s fan letters, and the BBC reports that some of those letters are to be auctioned off in late August. In one of them, Louise reveals how she felt about some of the band’s fans.  

“Nobody with any sense would pay and queue for a ticket just to stand on a seat and scream and not hear one sound from the stage,” she wrote in a letter to fan Janet Gray, regarding the band’s 1963 show in Manchester. She added that she was “disgusted at the way the so-called fans just screamed,” noting, “I was really ashamed I was a female.”

The letter is one of 25 being auctioned off at the Beatles Memorabilia Auction in Liverpool on August 26. It is expected to sell for between $126 and $190.

Gray was a teenager during the time she corresponded with Harrison’s mom, and in some of the other letters the rocker’s mom offered her guidance on her relationship with her mother, wrote about her worries for her son’s health and even revealed how many letters she had to write.

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When Miley Cyrus announced a 10th anniversary vinyl edition of her album Bangerz the week of August 7, the promotional copy said, “Reflect back on when Miley Used to Be Young.” Now those words, as well as the lyrics of Miley’s past hits, are being used to promote what appears to be a new song.

Fans have been posting images of posters that have appeared all over the world. They show a new photo of Miley next to various lyrics: “I came in like a wrecking ball,” “I can almost see it, that dream I’m dreaming,” “I can buy myself flowers” and “I hopped off the plane at LAX” — from her songs “Wrecking Ball,” “The Climb,” “Flowers” and “Party In the U.S.A.,” respectively. 

There’s also a poster that says, “I say I used to be young.”  In her interview with British Vogue earlier this year, Miley quoted a line from what she said was a new song she’d written: “I know I used to be crazy/I know I used to be fun/You say I used to be wild/I say I used to be young.”

The single, when it arrives, will be Miley’s first new music since the release of Endless Summer Vacation, which came out in March 2023.

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Restless Road has released a stirring new song, “Roll Tide Roll,” off their upcoming debut album, Last Rodeo. The trio’s Zach Beeken and Garrett Nichols wrote it with Kyle Sturrock.

Dalton Dover has released a rollicking ’90s country-inspired new track, “Night To Go.” “When I heard this song for the first time, it took me back to being a kid. This is the kind of music I grew up listening to,” shares Dalton. “I wanted to do something that would make my ’90s Country heroes proud.”

American Idol season 20 runner-up HunterGirl has released a powerful and uplifting ballad, “Ain’t About You.” Of the song, HunterGirl shares, “If there’s anybody out there right now thinking about giving up on a dream or something they love, I hope they listen to this song and think twice about it.”

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After learning of the passing of beloved music executive Clarence Avant, a host of Hollywood stars and community leaders shared tribute messages on social media Monday, August 14.

“Clarence Avant isn’t just the ‘Godfather Of Black Music,’ he is our cultural Godfather,” Jay-Z‘s label, Roc Nation, tweeted. “Throughout his life, he burst through doors and tore down ceilings, changing lives and providing opportunities for generations. A true pioneer, a mentor and a champion, Clarence Avant is and always will be a giant among us.”  

Rapper T.I. wrote that he was shocked and saddened by the news, but expressed gratitude to Avant: “thank you for all the wisdom you’ve shared and the path you paved for artists like myself.”

Criminal justice attorney Ben Crump referred to Avant as “the great connector in the industries of music, entertainment, and even in politics,” noting that he “spent decades shaping Black culture and nurturing artists. His legacy will LIVE ON. Rest In Power, Godfather.”

Fellow record label founder Kevin Liles tweeted, “You will be missed my friend.”

The news of Avant’s death was confirmed to ABC News by his family, who said in a statement, “Clarence passed away gently at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023. He was 92.”

“The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss,” the family wrote. 

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Graham Nash and Stephen Stills both paid tribute to their late bandmate David Crosby on Monday, August 14, which would have been Crosby’s 82nd birthday.

Nash posted to Instagram a black-and-white picture of them performing, writing, “What to say besides how much I miss him? Thinking of you, David. Remembering these moments, the smiles, the laughter… the music.”

Stills posted a photo of Crosby playing guitar and remembered him with a poem. It read, “When I was a young man I found an old dream, Was as battered and worn a one as you have ever seen. But I made it some new wings and painted the nose, And I wished so hard up in the air I rose, singing… Carry me above the world.” 

At the end Stills added, “Remembering @thedavidcrosby today and every day.” 

Crosby passed away January 18, following a bout with COVID-19.

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Billie Eilish has released a live video for her contribution to the Barbie movie soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?”

The performance was filmed during Eilish’s headlining set at Lollapalooza earlier in August, which marked the live debut of the track. Eilish was accompanied by a piano while footage of the “What Was I Made For?” music video played on a large screen behind her.

You can watch the live video streaming now on YouTube.

In related news, Eilish is set to speak at the 2023 Overheated climate event, taking place August 30 in London. Its goal is to bring “climate activists, musicians, and other leading voices together for a day filled with discussion, community building and resources to help tackle the climate crisis.” 

Eilish is a co-founder of Overheated and has a song called “Overheated” on her 2021 album, Happier Than Ever.

Tickets to Overheated 2023 go on sale Wednesday, August 16, at 10 a.m. local time. The event will also stream live via Eilish’s YouTube channel.

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For weeks now, Ed Sheeran has been teasing something by saying “autumn is coming.” Fans have decided that what’s coming is a new album on September 29 that’s either called Autumn or Autumn Variations.

According to a fan who attend Ed’s show on August 12, the singer told the crowd that his album Subtract, which came out in May, was the last album in his current contract and he’d be releasing his next one on his own label. Ed reportedly also told the crowd there wasn’t enough time to create a single or a video for said next album, which he described as “a good set of songs for the autumn season.”

In addition, the fan said that during Ed’s theater show in Minneapolis on August 11 he played three unreleased songs, which are from this as-yet-unannounced album, and asked the fans not to record them. Setlist.FM also lists three unreleased songs under the heading “Autumn” in the set list for that show.

Another fan said Ed told the crowd the first song on the album is called “Magical” and that the album would arrive “when autumn begins.” 

As for the September 29 release date, fans noticed that at his August 5 show in Kansas City, Missouri, he wore a jersey that read “Autumn” and the number nine. At the August 12 show, Ed wore a jersey that read “Variations” and the number “29.”  In addition, September 29 is a Friday, the day most albums are released.

It all seems pretty clear, if you follow the clues.

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Between getting sampled in Lil Nas X‘s breakout hit and being covered by Miley Cyrus for Black Mirror, Nine Inch Nails has had some unexpected crossover with the pop world in recent years, but this latest intersection may take the cake.

Britney Spears has shared an Instagram video of her pole-dancing while NIN’s “Closer” plays in the background. In the caption, Spears writes, “Got this pole two days ago and last night was my first time on it!!!”

We’ll see if frontman Trent Reznor ends up commenting on Spears’ soundtrack choice like he did when he revealed which Dua Lipa song made him cry.

Spears, by the way, has a song called “Hold Me Closer,” though it’s not related to the NIN hit at all. Instead, it’s a collaboration with Elton John that reworks his songs “Tiny Dancer,” “The One” and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.”

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Riley Green has released a brand new song, “Mississippi Or Me.”

The midtempo track was penned by Riley, Josh Thompson and Tyler Reeve.

“I ain’t gonna lie, when those headlights/ Pulled into my drive tonight/ It was a sight for sore eyes, last thing I thought I’d see/ And is somethin’ wrong? What brought you home?/ Was it tough out on your own?/ Or did you drive all the way down here just to see me?” Riley sings in the opening verse over fiddle lines, before questioning in the chorus, “Were you missin’ Mississippi or me?”

Prior to its release, Riley posted a clip of him playing the song on acoustic guitar on Instagram and shared that he’s “wanted to cut this song since the day I wrote it.”

Riley’s current single is the Luke Combs-assisted “Different ‘Round Here,” which is now in the top 30 on the country charts.

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