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Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher dead at 60

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Depeche Mode member Andy Fletcher has died at age 60.

The seminal synth-pop band announced the news in a statement Thursday, reading, “We are shocked and filled with overwhelming sadness with the untimely passing of our dear friend, family member, and bandmate Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher.

“Fletch had a true heart of gold and was always there when you need support, a lively conversation, a good laugh, or a cold pint,” the statement continues. “Our hearts are with his family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and respect their privacy in this difficult time.”

No cause of death was announced.

Fletcher was a founding member of Depeche Mode, playing keyboards and bass alongside vocalist Dave Gahan, keyboardist and guitarist Martin Gore, and keyboardist and guitarist Vince Clarke, who was later replaced by Alan Wilder.

Depeche Mode began to develop a following in the ’80s, thanks to their innovative use of electronic elements in alternative music, before exploding in the early ’90s with the album Violator, which spawned singles including “Personal Jesus,” “Enjoy the Silence” and “Policy of Truth.”

Following Wilder’s departure in 1995, Fletcher, Gore and Gahan continued to release Depeche Mode albums as a trio, the last of which was 2017’s Spirit.

Fletcher was inducted with Depeche Mode into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

Snoop Dogg to DJ the 2022 ‘MTV Movie & TV Awards’

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The MTV Movie & TV Awards will be held in Los Angeles on June 5 and, to help get the party going, Snoop Dogg, aka DJ Snoopadelic, will provide the music for the night.

The network revealed the news Thursday, along with a reminder of Snoop’s DJing duties at last year’s show.

MTV announced the return of the show’s Best Musical Moment social category, as well as the 16 nominees, which include Euphoria‘s “Holding Out For a Hero” and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ “Rose Song.” Voting officially kicks off via MTV’s Instagram Stories on May 30 and will run until June 3. The winner will be revealed live during the ceremony.

Vanessa Hudgens is set to host the main show, starting at 8 p.m. ET, which will be immediately followed by the Movie & TV Awards: Unscripted, hosted by The Bachelorette star Tayshia Adams. Top nominees for reality TV-focused show include RuPaul’s Drag Race, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta and Tha God’s Honest Truth with Charlamagne Tha God.

AWOLNATION announces mental health conversation with collaborator Elohim

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

AWOLNATION is holding a conversation about mental health Thursday night in conjunction with May being National Mental Health Awareness Month.

The virtual event will feature frontman Aaron Bruno speaking with Elohim, one of the many guest artists featured on AWOLANTION’s new covers album, My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me. Elohim contributes to a rendition of the Harvey Danger track “Flagpole Sitta,” aka the “I’m not sick/But I’m not well” song.

“This song directly tackles mental health and it was Elohim’s idea originally,” Bruno says. “She is very knowledgeable and passionate about mental health awareness and advocacy, and she is one of my best friends.”

The mental health organization The Jed Foundation will present the conversation, which you can watch tonight, May 26, at 8 p.m. ET via AWOLNATION and Elohim’s YouTube channels and Instagram page.

AWOLNATION released My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me earlier this month. The band will launch a U.S. headlining tour in October with support from Badflower.

The Kid LAROI shares his McDonald’s meal in new Australian TV ad

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Kid LAROI recently teased a signature McDonald’s meal for fans in his home country of Australia, and it’s now available Down Under. While you may not be able to buy it anywhere else — yet — you can at least watch the commercial for it on YouTube.

In an ad that incorporates old-school arcade game graphics, a ball pit, giant French fries and a throne sculpted out of ice, LAROI reveals that his favorite meal is a six-piece Chicken McNuggets with barbecue sauce, a cheeseburger — no pickles, a medium fries and a Frozen Coke.

“That’s my meal, and now you can get it, too,” he adds.

Artists like BTS and Mariah Carey have also teamed with Micky D’s for signature meals. It’s not clear if LAROI plans to bring his meal with him when his End of the World Tour arrives in the U.S. in August. The tour just kicked off in Sydney, Australia.

“To think this entire tour is completely sold out is wild,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “You’ve all changed my life forever and because of y’all I’m able to live out my dreams in real life. I’m beyond grateful for all of this and maaaan I can’t wait to see you all!”

Yes drummer Alan White dead at 72

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Alan White, the drummer for, and longest continuously serving member of, Yes, has died at age 72.

The band announced the news on its official Twitter page and linked back to White’s Facebook page. The page announced, “Alan White, our beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, passed away at the age of 72 at his Seattle-area home on May 26, 2022, after a brief illness.”

“Throughout his life and six-decade career, Alan was many things to many people: a certified rock star to fans around the world; band mate to a select few, and gentleman and friend to all who met him,” the message continues.

A drummer since age 12, White performed with many artists throughout the ’60s, including the jazz-rock fusion supergroup Ginger Baker’s Air Force, which also featured Steve Winwood and Denny Laine. In 1969, John Lennon invited him to join the Plastic Ono Band, and he played on the albums Live Peace In Toronto and Some Time in New York City, as well as the single “Instant Karma.”

White also contributed to Lennon’s Imagine album and to George Harrison‘s All Things Must Pass album, including the single “My Sweet Lord.”

White joined Yes on July 27, 1972, replacing founding drummer Bill Bruford, and learned the band’s repertoire in just three days before they kicked off a tour in Texas. The well-known albums he played on include Yessongs, Tales from Topographic Oceans, Going for the One, Relayer, Drama, 90125 and Big Generator.

White was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Yes in 2017. He is survived by his wife, two children and two grandchildren.

Miranda Lambert will perform at ABC’s Time100 Gala next month

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Miranda Lambert is among Time’s “100 Most Influential People of 2022,” and that’s not all — she’s also performing for a televised gala celebrating the magazine’s 100 honorees.

Miranda is the only country star to be recognized in this year’s Time 100 class, and she’s performing on a bill at the gala that includes Mary J. Blige. Other influential people will make appearances on the special, including rapper/multi-instrumentalist/producer Questlove and Abbott Elementary TV creator Quinta Brunson.

Actor Simu Liu is hosting the gala, which will air on ABC on Sunday, June 12, at 8 p.m. ET. More stars appearing at the event are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.

Earlier this week, when Miranda was announced as one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People of 2022,” she reflected on the distinguished honor.

“I’m so honored to join this year’s class of #TIME100. I only ever wanted to sing and write songs and thanks to y’all I’ve gotten to do that and so much more,” Miranda said. “Thank y’all for being on this journey with me.”

Will ABBA’s high-tech show ‘Voyage’ head to Las Vegas? “We’ll see,” says Benny Andersson

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

ABBA‘s new show Voyage, featuring digital avatars of the legendary Swedish band performing their hits with a live band, officially opens on Friday night in a purpose-built theater in London. But if you can’t make it to the United Kingdom to see the show, are there plans to bring it to the U.S.? Well, maybe.

Speaking to Variety, ABBA’s Benny Andersson says of future Vegas plans, “We’ll see. This has to get on its feet first. We have to see how attractive it is. We’ve sold 380,000 tickets or so. It’s good for a couple months. We need to see if it sells more tickets.”

He adds, “There will be promoters coming in from the U.S. to see if there’s something that will be suitable for their market.”

As for what fans can expect from the show, Benny says, “We realized we cannot not play [the hits] but we also wanted to give the concert some dynamics, so there are a few songs that the audience will not be too familiar with, but we like them so we put them in. It’s 21 songs and it feels good.”

Benny explains that the technology allows for them to swap songs in and out of the set list, because Industrial Light and Magic, which created the digital avatars, still has the data from all four band members.

“We don’t have to go back ourselves into the studio again. That’s what they have promised us,” he notes.

As for going back into a recording studio, Benny says the band’s comeback album Voyage, a surprise hit last year, is the final word on ABBA music.

“It’s never say never, but it’s a no,” he states. “Nothing is going to happen after this.”

Phoebe Bridgers, Sam Fender opening for The Rolling Stones’ London shows

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Phoebe Bridgers and Sam Fender are among the artists opening for The Rolling Stones during the “Gimme Shelter” legends’ upcoming two concerts in London’s Hyde Park.

The shows take place June 25 and July 3, with the “Kyoto” artist on the bill for the first date and the “Seventeen Going Under” singer playing the second.

Other openers include The War on Drugs, Courtney Barnett, Vista Kicks, JJ Rosa, Kelly McGrath, Christone Kingfish Ingram, The Dinner Party and The Flints.

The Hyde Park shows are part of the Stones’ 60th anniversary European tour, which launches June 1 in Spain.

Meanwhile, you can catch Bridgers on her ongoing U.S. headlining tour, which continues Friday in Atlanta. Fender will come to the States for a run of festival and headlining dates in July and August.

Britney Spears’ lawyer accuses her father of “running and hiding” from deposition

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

While Britney Spears‘ conservatorship may be terminated, the legal wheels surrounding it continue to grind.

On Wednesday, Britney’s lawyer Mathew Rosengart filed a motion compelling Britney’s dad, Jamie Spears, to sit for a deposition, Page Six reports. In the document, Rosengart writes, “Despite his demonstrably false claims that he has ‘nothing to hide’ … James P. Spears has been running and hiding from his deposition and accounting for his misconduct — under oath — as required by law.”

Rosengart claims Jamie has spent six months “engaged in stonewalling and obstruction” and refuses to respond to requests for even basic information. Rosengart says it’s not because Jamie can’t travel, noting that he’s prepared to take Jamie’s deposition “in any city in the country.”

In addition to questions about his alleged financial misconduct, Rosengart also wants Jamie to respond to the allegations that he bugged Britney’s bedroom and recorded her private conversations — and paid for it with Britney’s money.

In the document, Rosengart states that he hopes Jamie, who he calls a “misguided” fiduciary and father, “does what is right, both legally morally,” and concludes, “Be decent. Please, stop harassing and bullying your daughter. Please, leave your daughter alone.”

Britney previously described the conservatorship under her father as “abusive,” and claimed to the court that while he was in charge of her life and affairs, she was forced against her will to take medication, enter a mental health facility and have an IUD contraceptive inserted.

Watch DreamDoll’s new music video for “Ice Cream Dream”

May 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

New York rap star DreamDoll linked up with French Montana for the new music video for one of her latest singles, “Ice Cream Dream.”

In the colorful visual, the Bronx native turns heads as she pulls up to a park in a custom ice cream truck, sporting a bikini made out of candy and trading bars with French Montana.

In what could turn out to be a hip-hop anthem for the summer, the hard-hitting track reimagines Raekwon‘s 1995 classic hit “Ice Cream,” featuring Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Cappadonna.

DreamDoll currently supports fellow New Yorker Fivio Foreign on his self-named North American tour, which is set to make its next stop in Atlanta on May 25.

Check out the new music video for “Ice Cream Dream” on DreamDoll’s YouTube page.

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