Music – Page 2833 – 105.7 WDNY

Queen’s Brian May receives knighthood in 2023 Honours List

January 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Brian May is starting a new year with a new title.

The Queen guitarist was knighted as part of the 2023 New Year’s Honours List, the first from King Charles. Considered one of the highest-ranking awards in the British honors system, May is being recognized for his services to music and his charity work.

“I’m happy and grateful to receive this honor,” 75-year-old May shared in response. “I will regard the knighthood not so much as a reward, but more as a charge — a commission — for me to continue to fight for justice — to be a voice for those who have no voice.” He added, “I will endeavor to be worthy — to be that Knight in Shining Armor.”

Having earned a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007, and being made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005, Brian’s full title is now Sir Brian Harold May CBE.

SZA’s “SOS” scores third week atop ‘Billboard’ 200

January 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Third time’s a charm for SZA, whose SOS album remains atop the Billboard 200 chart for the third week in a row.

SZA’s sophomore album topped the chart dated January 7 and, according to Luminate data reported by Billboard, the project earned 128,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. for the week ending Dec. 29. The achievement makes SOS the first R&B album by a woman to achieve the feat since Beyoncé‘s 2013 self-titled effort.

SOS, which dropped December 9, boasts features from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott and Ol’ Dirty Bastard and comes roughly five years after SZA’s debut album, Ctrl.

The R&B artist announced the release date during her time as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in early December. The reveal came at the end of the performance of her song “Shirt,” with “S O S 12/9” flashing briefly on the backdrop.

Shortly after the release, SZA shared that she’s going on the road for her first arena tour this spring in support of the record. The trek will make its way through 17 cities across North America, starting with Columbus, Ohio, on February 21 and ending with Los Angeles, California, on March 22. SZA will also make stops in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and more, with supporting act Omar Apollo by her side.

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White dies at age 67

January 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Fred White, a drummer for classic ’70s superband Earth, Wind & Fire, has died, according to an Instagram post from his older brother and former bandmate, Verdine White. As of Monday, the cause of Fred’s death was unknown. He was 67.

Verdine wrote on Instagram on Sunday, “Our family is saddened today With the loss of an amazing and talented family member, Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene “Freddie” White.”

“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels,” the post continued. Verdine called his brother a “child protégé” and identified him as an “original” member of Earth, Wind & Fire.

“But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more light hearted! He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie,” he added before thanking fans for their “love, blessings and support.”

The EWF band page also shared a heartwarming video in memory of the late drummer, showing off his skills from a performance in Germany during their Tour of the World in 1979. One of the band’s lead singers, Philip Bailey, also posted, sharing a photo of himself, Ralph Johnson, and Fred celebrating their 1980s Grammy wins.

“The best of times,” he wrote. “We will miss you, Freddie.”

The Moody Blues’ John Lodge would have loved to hear ‘Imagine’ album played live

January 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

The Moody Blues’ John Lodge will hit the road in February on his Days of Future Passed tour, where he’ll play the band’s 1967 sophomore album in its entirety.

More and more artists are playing full albums at shows these days, and there are certainly some albums people would like to see played live. So, which album would Lodge love to see played live?

“The one that comes to mind, all the while, is Imagine, John Lennon,” he shares. “Because there’s some beautiful songs on that album. And just to have heard Lennon play those songs would have been great.”

Lodge acknowledges, “That’s not to be,” saying he’ll play the album instead.

Lodge kicks off the tour February 18 in Lexington, Massachusetts, with dates confirmed through March 15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The tour will feature a special appearance by Jon Davison of Yes and will include a special recording by the late Graeme Edge.

Former Three 6 Mafia rapper Gangsta Boo, dead at 43

January 2, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Gangsta Boo, a former member of the rap group Three 6 Mafia, has died at age 43.

According to ABC’s local Memphis TV affiliate WATN, the rapper, born Lola Mitchell, was found dead on the porch of a Whitehaven home on Sunday, January 1. The cause of death is currently unknown.

Gangsta Boo was a pioneer for female rappers in ‘90s. More recently, she was featured on GloRilla and Latto’s collaboration “FTCU,” a track inspired by Three 6 Mafia’s “Tear Da Club Up.”

Tributes poured in following news of Boo’s passing. Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Juicy J both shared photos of their former groupmate on Instagram, which garnered comments from Lil Jon, Ludacris, Outkast’s Big Boi, 2Chainz and more.

Drake, Missy Elliott, Ty Dolla $ign and Latto were also among the artists honoring Gangsta Boo’s legacy with posts on social media.

Miley Cyrus announces new single “Flowers” during New Year’s Eve special

January 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Miley Cyrus teased new music not long ago, and on New Year’s Eve, she made it official: A new single is on its way.

During her NBC special Miley’s New Year’s Eve party, the singer announced that the single, called “Flowers,” will arrive January 13, and also shared some clips of the song. The song is now available to pre-order and pre-save. There will also be more announcements this week on MileyCyrus.com.

“Flowers” will be Miley’s first solo single since 2020’s “Midnight Sky.”

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party featured Miley co-hosting with Dolly Parton, performances by Sia, Latto, RaeSremmurd, FLETCHER and rocker David Byrne, and appearances by Paris Hilton and various Saturday Night Live stars. Fans were particularly impressed by Miley duet with FLETCHER on “Midnight Sky.”

Dolly and Miley kicked off the show with a cover of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts‘ “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” and also duetted on Miley’s hit “Wrecking Ball” and Dolly’s classic, “I Will Always Love You.”

Miley also joined Sia and Paris Hilton to perform Paris’ signature song “Stars Are Blind,” and sang with David Byrne on a cover of David Bowie‘s “Let’s Dance,” among many other performances.

“We’re doin the damn thing”: Jax gets engaged to boyfriend on New Year’s Eve

January 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Jax had quite the New Year’s Eve: In addition to performing live in New York’s Times Square for an audience of millions, she also got engaged.

On her Instagram Story, Jax posted video and pictures of herself performing on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest Saturday night, as well as photos of herself flashing her engagement ring and kissing her boyfriend backstage. “It’s official. “We’re doin the damn thing,” she captioned the photo.

In another photo of herself showing off the ring, she wrote,”The one time I decided to get a purple sparkle manicure for no reason.”

Jax also posted a message from Chelsea Lascher, the pre-teen girl who Jax babysits; she’s the one who inspired the Jax to write “Victoria’s Secret.” Chelsea wrote, “I am so unbelievably happy for my best friends, you guys mean the world to me and you deserve this. I love you guys so much.”

In addition, Jax posted a photo on her Story of herself showing off her ring while posing with her fiancé, as well as New Year’s Rockin’ Eve co-host Liza Koshy and BTS member j-hope, another Rockin’ Eve performer.

It seems like Jax’s fiancé can take a hint: On December 27, she posted a TikTok documenting the moment when he surprised her with a puppy for Christmas. At one point in the video, he asks her to close her eyes to prepare for the surprise. She asks, “Is it an engagement ring?” When he says no, a disappointed Jax says, “Dang!”

The Pointer Sisters’ Anita Pointer has died at 74

January 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Anita Pointer, founding member of the legendary sister act the Pointer Sisters, passed away Saturday at the age of 74, with her publicist noting she was “surrounded by family at the time of her death.”

“While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada and her sisters June and Bonnie and at peace,” read a statement from the family. “She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us.”

The statement added, “Please respect our privacy during this period of grief and loss. Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”

Anita and her sisters Bonnie, June and Ruth formed the Pointer Sisters in 1969, and they released their self-titled debut album in 1973. In 1974 they won a Grammy for the track “Fairytale.” Between 1973 and 1985 they had 13 U.S. Top 20 hits including “I’m So Excited” and “Neutron Dance,” which both went to number three, as well as “Fire,” “He’s So Shy,” and “Slow Dance.” Their 1983 triple platinum album Break Out, earned them two more Grammy Awards for the songs “Jump” and “Automatic.”

The sisters also appeared on screen, making their feature film debut in Richard Pryor‘s 1976 film Car Wash, and they also made appearances on such TV shows as The Carol Burnett Show, Love Boat and more. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994, and have been honored with the Soul of America Music Awards and inducted into the Soul Train Hall of Fame.

Modest Mouse’s Jeremiah Green dead at 45

January 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Modest Mouse drummer Jeremiah Green has died at age 45 following a short battle with cancer.

In a statement posted to Instagram on New Year’s Eve, the “Float On” outfit writes, “Today we lost our dear friend Jeremiah. He laid down to rest and simply faded out.”

“Please appreciate all the love you give, get, have given, and will get,” the post continues. “Above all, Jeremiah was about love.”

News of Green’s passing comes after the musician’s mother announced on Christmas Day that her son was “battling stage 4 cancer.” In a statement on December 28, frontman Isaac Brock confirmed that Green had been diagnosed with cancer “a short while ago,” adding that Green’s treatment regiment “seems to be going smoothly and making a positive difference.”

Green was an original member of Modest Mouse, having co-founded the band with Brock and bassist Eric Judy in the early ’90s. He remained with the group ever since, save for a brief hiatus between 2003 and 2004.

The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, who played with Modest Mouse between 2006 and 2008, tweeted, “The great Jeremiah Green. My friend, bandmate, and the most creative musician I ever met.”

Foo Fighters reflect on “difficult,” “tragic” 2022: “We know that we’re going to be a different band going forward”

January 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Foo Fighters have shared a statement reflecting on the past year, and hinting at the band’s future following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.

In the statement, which was posted to the Foo Fighters Twitter, Dave Grohl and company deem 2022 “the most difficult and tragic year that our band has ever known.”

“We are reminded of how thankful we are for the people that we love and cherish most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us,” the statement reads.

“Foo Fighters were formed 27 years ago to represent the healing power of music and a continuation of life,” the post continues, referencing Grohl’s launch of the project following the death of his Nirvana bandmate, Kurt Cobain. “For the past 27 years our fans have built a worldwide community, a devoted support system that has helped us all through the darkest of times together. A place to share our joy and our pain, our hopes and fears, and to join in a chorus of life together through music.”

The statement then seems to confirm that Foo Fighters plan to continue on without Hawkins.

“Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were,” the Foos write. “Without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward.”

The post concludes, “We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you. And we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he’ll be there in spirit with us every night.”

Foo Fighters celebrated Hawkins with a pair of tribute concerts held in Los Angeles and London in September. The star-studded shows both ended with the Foos performing with a variety of guest drummers.

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