Music – Page 2981 – 105.7 WDNY

Beyoncé announces new album, ‘RENAISSANCE’

June 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The rumors were true: Beyoncé is back.

Queen Bey will release her seventh solo album, which is titled either RENAISSANCE: act i, or act i: RENAISSANCE — it’s hard to tell for certain from the meager information on her official website. According to the ordering information for various bundles of merch and music on the site, the album will be released on July 29.

This will be Beyoncé’s first conventional solo album since 2016’s Lemonade, though since then, she’s released the collaborative album Everything Is Love as The Carters with husband JAY-Z, the live album Homecoming, and The Lion King soundtrack album, which she curated. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her song “Be Alive,” from King Richard.

Fans became convinced new music was coming when Bey wiped her socials clean about two weeks ago. According to Variety, the Beyhive also determined that a tweet from the star’s BeyGOOD Foundation contained a secret reference to her upcoming album.

Bey also covers British Vogue, which got an early listen to the album. While there are no quotes from the star in the article posted online, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Edward Enniful, writes of Beyoncé, “The creation [of the album] has been a long process, she explains, with the pandemic giving her far longer to spend thinking and rethinking every decision. Just the way she likes it.”

The July issue of British Vogue is available on newsstands and via digital download on June 21.

Carrie Underwood’s sons just might have inherited her talent for entertainment: “They’re not shy”

June 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

After a fan posted a hilarious video of Carrie Underwood’s two sons dancing in the background of her Grand Ole Opry show last week, the singer admits that she wasn’t too surprised at how comfortable they were in front of a crowd — they’re both natural performers.

“They’re not shy, that’s for sure,” Carrie tells ET Online, referring to seven-year-old Isaiah and three-year-old Jacob.

The singer adds that she attributes her sons’ zany Opry antics to late nights out. “That was called, ‘It’s way past my bedtime,’” she jokes.

“The little one, Jake, he was just trying to not stop moving, because if he did, he was going to fall asleep,” Carrie goes on to say. “…You also have this, like, false sense of security at the Opry…you’re kind of back there in the dark, and you feel like nobody can see you. I feel like nobody really thought twice about them being there and acting crazy.”

David Bowie’s landmark ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album was released 50 years ago today

June 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Fifty years ago today, on June 16, 1972, David Bowie released his classic fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, one of the defining recordings of the glam-rock era.

The record was a loose concept album focusing Ziggy Stardust, a character Bowie created as an alter ego that was an androgynous bisexual alien rock star, and his mythical backing group, The Spiders from Mars.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars peaked at #5 on the U.K. albums chart in 1972, while in the U.S. it initially only reached #75 on the Billboard 200. After Bowie’s death in 2016, the album enjoyed its highest chart position in the U.S. — #21.

Only one single was released from the Ziggy Stardust album, “Starman,” which reached #10 on the U.K. singles chart, although it only peaked at #65 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100. The album did feature several other classic Bowie songs, including such enduring tunes as “Moonage Daydream,” “Ziggy Stardust” and “Suffragette City.”

Bowie and his real band — guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder and drummer Mick “Woody” Woodmansey — took on the personas of Ziggy and The Spiders from Mars in concert, and toured together for about a year and a half. Then, at the end of a July 3, 1973, show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, David dramatically declared onstage that the group had just played its last gig.

In 2020, Ziggy Stardust was ranked #40 on Rolling Stone‘s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.

In honor of Ziggy Stardust‘s 50th anniversary, a new mix of Bowie’s historic 1972 performance of “Starman” on the U.K.’s Top of the Pops TV show was released as a special streaming single today.

Here’s the full Ziggy Stardust track list:

Side One
“Five Years”
“Soul Love”
“Moonage Daydream”
“Starman”
“It Ain’t Easy”

Side Two
“Lady Stardust”
“Star”
“Hang On to Yourself”
“Ziggy Stardust”
“Suffragette City”
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”

Def Leppard promises “crown jewels” & more on pandemic-delayed Stadium Tour: “It’s gonna be even bigger”

June 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Def Leppard has certainly been waiting ages to rock on the Stadium Tour.

The much-anticipated run — which also features the reunited Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on the bill — will finally kick off Thursday in Atlanta after a two-year pandemic delay. As Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage tells ABC Audio, he and his bandmates have been “dying” to return to the live stage.

“Back in 2020, it was going to be the biggest tour that Def Leppard have ever embarked upon, which after 40-odd years is some achievement,” Savage says. “It’s actually now … it’s gonna be even bigger.”

Def Leppard has released a whole lot of music in those 40-odd years — including a new album this year, Diamond Star Halos — which makes building a set list quite the challenge. While the band will be varying up the set throughout the tour, they’re always sure to include their “crown jewels,” which frontman Joe Elliott describes as “the songs you don’t get out the building alive if you don’t play.”

“Which is great, ’cause we wanna play them, anyway,” Elliott says. “You know, the Stones have got theirs, McCartney‘s got his, we’ve got ours.”

As for the new stuff, guitarist Phil Collen guesses two Diamond Star Halos tracks will be included in the set, and possibly another, depending on how fans are digging the record. After all, if a new tune were to unexpectedly pop, it wouldn’t be the first time for Def Leppard.

“‘Love Bites’ went to #1 on the Billboard charts and we’d never even played it as a band, it was studio thing,” Collen recalls. “We had to go and learn it in Vancouver and learn the vocals and guitar parts at the same time.”

Måneskin premiering ‘Elvis’ soundtrack song “If I Can Dream” this week

June 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Måneskin will be premiering their contribution to the soundtrack for the Elvis Presley biopic Elvis this week.

The Italian rockers put their spin on the 1968 song “If I Can Dream,” which is set to drop this Friday, June 17.

“Feeling so grateful to have had the chance to cover the King for [director Baz Luhrmann‘s] movie and recorded it in Graceland,” Måneskin says. “We can’t wait to share all of these emotions with you.”

You can listen to a clip of the recording, which is accompanied by a video of Måneskin entering the famed Memphis mansion and visiting Elvis’ grave, now via the “Beggin'” band’s Twitter.

Elvis, which stars Austin Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, premieres in theaters June 24. Its soundtrack also includes contributions from Jack White, Tame Impala, Gary Clark Jr. and Stevie Nicks.

Ex-Poco/Buffalo Springfield member Richie Furay releases cover of “Walking in Memphis,” companion video

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Country-rock pioneer Richie Furay, a founding member of both Buffalo Springfield and Poco, has released his new cover of Marc Cohn‘s 1991 hit “Walking in Memphis” as an advance track from his upcoming covers album, In the Country.

The song is available now via digital formats, and Furay has also debuted a music video for the tune on his official YouTube channel.

As previously reported, In the Country is due out on July 8 and is made up mainly of Furay’s interpretations of various well-known country songs.

Among the tunes featured on the 12-track collection are renditions of such country chart-toppers as Keith Urban‘s “Somebody Like You,” Garth Brooks‘ “The River,” Alabama‘s “I’m in a Hurry and I Don’t Know Why” and Lee Ann Womack‘s “I Hope You Dance,” as well as notable crossover hits like “Walking in Memphis” and John Denver‘s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

The album includes guest contributions from Vince Gill, John Berry, ex-Chicago singer/bassist Jason Scheff, and longtime Eagles bassist and former Poco member Timothy B. Schmit.

The digital version of In the Country features two bonus tracks — new renditions of the 1969 Furay-penned Poco tune “Pickin’ Up the Pieces” and George Strait‘s 1992 chart-topper “I Cross My Heart.” You can preorder the album now.

Furay is in Nashville this week, and his schedule includes a concert Thursday at the City Winery; his first performance at the historic Grand Ole Opry on Friday; and a special in-store appearance Saturday at East Nashville’s Vinyl Tap record shop, where he will be signing vinyl copies of In the Country in conjunction with Record Store Day.

Visit RichieFuray.com to check out his full concert schedule.

Evanescence’s Amy Lee performing during upcoming Everly Brothers tribute concert stream

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Amy Lee is performing during an upcoming streaming concert paying tribute to pioneering rock ‘n’ roll duo The Everly Brothers.

The Evanescence frontwoman will join Dave Stewart of Eurythmics for a rendition of the song “Love Hurts,” which The Everly Brothers first recorded in 1960.

“A bunch of legendary artists have come together and made tribute covers in honor of the incredible, timeless Everly Brothers,” Lee says. “I’m excited to announce I’ve teamed up with the one and only Dave Stewart for a special version of ‘Love Hurts.'”

The streaming event will feature a mixture of new and archival performances, and include artists Paul Simon, The Grateful Dead‘s Bob Weir with The Black Crowes‘ Chris Robinson, The Bangles‘ Susanna Hoffs with Semisonic‘s Dan Wilson, Chris Isaak and The Wallflowers‘ Jakob Dylan.

The event will air Sunday, June 19, at 4 p.m. ET via the Everly Brothers’ YouTube channel, Facebook and website.

Nipsey Hussle murder trial begins with debate over whether killing was premeditated

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Nipsey Hussle murder trial began Wednesday, with the jury hearing opening statements.

Hussle, a Grammy-winning rapper who was born Ermias Asghedom, was gunned down in April 2019 outside of his clothing store in South Los Angeles.

Eric Holder has been charged with Hussle’s death. He was indicted on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Holder faces up to life in prison, if convicted as charged. He has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution began by describing Hussle as a father and a son, comparing him in sharp contrast to Holder.

“The defendant in this case was also an aspiring rapper – not nearly as successful, not nearly as respected and the two didn’t really have a lot in common,” Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told the jury. “They were two men whose arcs in life were bending in two different directions. The one thing they did have in common was their roots.”

McKinney described the gang activity that Hussle was once involved in as a young man and that Holder allegedly remains in. He said that understanding gang culture is vital to understanding the final encounter between the two men.

Witnesses, including the woman who drove Holder from the scene, are expected to describe a conversation between Holder and Hussle that apparently had to do with rumors about “snitching,” before Holder allegedly fatally shot Hussle 10 times.

L.A. County deputy public defender Aaron Jansen said in his opening statement Wednesday that his client was Hussle’s killer.

However, he told the jury that it was Holder’s passionate response to the “snitching” accusations against Hussle and was not premeditated.

“This is a case about the heat of passion,” said Jansen. “The provocative act in this case was that Nipsey Hussle made an accusation against Mr. Holder that he was a snitch.”

Jansen said that the first-degree charge for premeditated murder should instead be “voluntary manslaughter.”

Music notes: Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa and Kelly Clarkson

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Adam Lambert recalled feeling like an outsider when he was younger and shared the advice his father once gave him: “Don’t worry, when you’re a grown-up you’re gonna be the one they all think is cool. Just keep being yourself, and they’ll catch up.” Adam says he’s living proof of why you should always stay true to yourself.

Lady Gaga‘s “Poker Face” is officially her third music video to amass over 1 billion views on YouTube. “Shallow” and “Bad Romance” have each amassed over 1 billion views each.

Dua Lipa‘s car got clamped in London! Daily Mail reports the singer’s luxury convertible was fitted with a big yellow boot, but it is not known why. Common reasons include lack of insurance, illegal parking and not paying past fines or taxes. Dua just wrapped her Future Nostalgia Tour.

Kelly Clarkson threw it back to 2008 to cover Britney Spears’ “Womanizer.” The American Idol champ infused a bit of rock into her new cover and also let her vocals loose. “Celebrating Queen Britney,” the Kelly Clarkson Show described the latest offering.

Music notes: Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, The Kid LAROI, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and more

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lady Gaga‘s “Poker Face” is officially her third music video to amass over 1 billion views on YouTube. “Shallow” and “Bad Romance” have each amassed over 1 billion views each.

Is Beyoncé planning a secret series of pop-up shows? The Sun believes the “Halo” singer will be hosting a series of secret concerts in the United Kingdom to promote a new album. Apparently, she is about to drop her seventh studio album and has tasked her team with scouting out possible venues to host her special gigs. A source told the outlet that Bey’s new era “will be like no other.”

The Kid LAROI had a nasty fall when playing basketball with his buddies. TMZ obtained video of the singer tripping over one of his friends and going airborne before painfully slamming down on his back. LAROI appears to be OK because he went ahead with his concert in Melbourne, Australia, that night.

Billie Eilish must have been hungry after her concert in Glasgow because she ordered over $1,200 worth of takeout. The restaurant, Bucks Bar, said on Facebook that Billie “broke the Buck’s record for largest takeaway order last night.” What’d she get? Bucks revealed, “The strict vegan treated her team to 500 wings, buttermilk fried chicken burgers, veggie burgers, vegan burgers and sides of fries and mac ‘n’ cheese.”

Dua Lipa‘s car got clamped in London! Daily Mail reports the singer’s luxury convertible was fitted with a big yellow boot, but it’s not known why. Common reasons include lack of insurance, illegal parking and not paying past fines or taxes. Dua just wrapped her Future Nostalgia Tour.

Kelly Clarkson threw it back to 2008 to cover Britney Spears‘ “Womanizer.” The American Idol champ infused a bit of rock into her new cover, adding she’s “celebrating Queen Britney.”

+ More