Miley Cyrus safe after plane makes emergency landing

Miley Cyrus safe after plane makes emergency landing
Miley Cyrus safe after plane makes emergency landing
Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images for MC

Miley Cyrus has been on tour in South America, but she ran into some trouble on her way to a show in Paraguay.

While attempting to fly into the capital, Asunción, Miley’s plane ran into bad weather.  She posted on her socials, “To my fans and everyone worried after hearing about my flight to Asunción. Our plane was caught in a major unexpected storm and struck by lighting.”

“My crew, band, friends and family who were all traveling with me are safe after an emergency landing,” she added. “We were unfortunately unable to fly into Paraguay.  I LOVE YOU.”

Earlier, Miley had stated just how much her fans mean to her.  She tweeted, “I’ve known you all longer than almost any friend I have ….. you are my best friends…. We’ve grown up together and I love you.”

Miley is due to perform at a festival in Paraguay tonight.  It’s not clear if she’ll make the gig, or if it will even go forward; the first day was canceled due to weather conditions. Her final show in South America is Lollapalooza Brasil on March 26.

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Legendary funk musician Chaka Khan celebrates her 69th birthday

Legendary funk musician Chaka Khan celebrates her 69th birthday
Legendary funk musician Chaka Khan celebrates her 69th birthday
Michael Putland/Getty Images

Hit songs “Ain’t Nobody” and “Sweet Thing” are just two of many iconic tracks that should be at the top of everyone’s playlist on Wednesday in honor of the legendary Chaka Khan‘s 69th birthday. 

Born Yvette Marie Stevens, the “Queen of Funk” will celebrate the milestone on Wednesday night alongside her only daughter, R&B singer Indira Khan, with a show at Los Angeles’ Catalina jazz club.

Chaka shared a throwback photo of a younger version of herself and Indira in an Instagram post, along with information about the performance. 

Khan rose to fame as the lead vocalist of ’70s funk band Rufus. With a very successful and even more impactful career that spans five decades, the 10-time Grammy winner is certainly considered an icon. 

Although she’s a proud and devoted activist, some may not know Chaka’s beginnings as a member of Chicago’s Black Panther Party. As a young girl, she sold Black Panther papers and even opened a “Free Breakfast for Children” program. Her activism easily translated into her artistry when she produced chart topping songs like “I’m Every Woman” and 1985’s “Through the Fire.”

Chaka paved the way for many contemporary funk and R&B artists. “I’m Every Woman” has been frequently sampled and covered, including Whitney Houston‘s 1992 chart-topping version. Also, rapper Kanye West‘s 2003 debut single was a re-imagined rendition of “Through the Fire,” which nabbed a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo performance.

As stated so accurately on her official website, Chaka has “the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical,” and is “revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability.”

Happy 69th birthday, Chaka Khan!

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New Patti Smith biographical book featuring exclusive Bruce Springsteen interview due in May

New Patti Smith biographical book featuring exclusive Bruce Springsteen interview due in May
New Patti Smith biographical book featuring exclusive Bruce Springsteen interview due in May
Jo Hale/Redferns

A new book titled Why Patti Smith Matters that examines punk-era legend Patti Smith‘s music and literary work and its continued cultural and artistic influence will be published on May 31.

The book was written by veteran music journalist Caryn Rose, whose comprehensive research for the project included an exclusive interview with Bruce Springsteen that focused on his collaboration with Smith on the classic song “Because the Night.”

Why Patti Smith Matters looks at Smith’s life and artistic work, from her immersion in the New York City art scene beginning in the late 1960s, at first mainly as a poet, to her emergence as an influential singer and songwriter as part of the punk movement in the mid 1970s, to her acclaimed prose writing, including her award-winning 2010 memoir Just Kids.

Explaining what inspired her to write the book, Rose says, “I was eager to take on the formidable task of chronicling Patti Smith’s career because aside from Smith’s own work, the existing scholarship didn’t possess the kind of informed, careful perspective of her life and art that it deserves.”

You can pre-order Why Patti Smith Matters now at UTPress.UTexas.edu. The book is available as a paperback and via digital formats.

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2023 Ultimate Disco Cruise lineup features Kool & The Gang, Billy Ocean, Taylor Dayne & many more

2023 Ultimate Disco Cruise lineup features Kool & The Gang, Billy Ocean, Taylor Dayne & many more
2023 Ultimate Disco Cruise lineup features Kool & The Gang, Billy Ocean, Taylor Dayne & many more
Courtesy of StarVista LIVE

The lineup has been unveiled for the 2023 edition of the star-studded annual Ultimate Disco Cruise, which will take place from February 25 to March 2.

Among the many artists set to perform on the nautical dance-music extravaganza are Kool & The Gang, Billy Ocean, Taylor Dayne, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, Tavares, Evelyn “Champagne” King, France Joli, Maxine Nightingale, ex-Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist Al McKay, and former Chic vocalists Norma Jean Wright and Luci Martin, among others.

The cruise will set sail from Miami and visit Cozumel, Mexico, and Key West, Florida, before returning to port.

In addition to the more than 40 scheduled music performances, the cruise will feature artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions, theme nights and costume parties, dance lessons and parties, talent competitions, game shows, karaoke and more.

“Dance music is always happy, fun and filled with great memories, and the Ultimate Disco Cruise is all about creating wonderful new memories while also celebrating the music,” says the event’s executive producer, Alan Rubens. “For longtime disco and dance music fans, this is a great way to revisit special moments in your life and in music while sharing that experience with like-minded fans. It’s a great way to experience the music, the fun and meet the icons themselves who made this unforgettable music.”

Cabin prices start at $1,549. Visit UltimateDiscoCruise.com or call 844-296-3472 for more information.

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Watch Jack White give a surprise introduction at Beck’s Nashville show

Watch Jack White give a surprise introduction at Beck’s Nashville show
Watch Jack White give a surprise introduction at Beck’s Nashville show
Mat Hayward/Getty Images

Jack White made a surprise appearance at Beck‘s concert in Nashville Monday.

At the beginning of the show, the White Stripes/Raconteurs/Dead Weather rocker took the stage and picked up an acoustic guitar while telling the crowd, “Hello, ladies and gentlemen, I’m Beck, I’m gonna do one of my favorite Beck songs from the 1990s that I wrote.”

White then proceeded to play “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba and “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, two songs that are very much not Beck songs from any decade, much less the 1990s.

In the middle of all that, the real Beck walked out and asked, “What are you doing Jack?”

After White said that he was tuning Beck’s guitar, the “Loser” artist responded, “You asked for some nail clippers, I went out to my car to get them, and I come back and you’re playing my show.”

White then handed Beck the guitar and gave him a real introduction before leaving the stage.

You can watch footage of the interaction via the Third Man Records Instagram.

Perhaps White can give Beck a similar introduction should the latter be chosen for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year.

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All-star rock band The Dead Daisies planning to release new album in August; announce European tour dates

All-star rock band The Dead Daisies planning to release new album in August; announce European tour dates
All-star rock band The Dead Daisies planning to release new album in August; announce European tour dates
Courtesy of The Dead Daisies

All-star hard-rock band The Dead Daisies currently are working on their sixth studio album, which they’re planning to release in August, but first up for the group is a lengthy European tour.

The band has just revealed an extended itinerary for the trek, which now kicks off June 3 in Hamburg, Germany, and is plotted out through an August 5 performance at the Time to Rock Festival in Knislinge, Sweden. The tour will see The Dead Daisies serve as opening for Foreigner, Judas Priest and Whitesnake, as well as feature headlining shows. Visit TheDeadDaisies.com for a full list of dates.

The European outing will mark the band’s first tour with its current lineup. Former Billy Idol, Whitesnake and Foreigner drummer Brian Tichy rejoined the group in January after previously playing with The Dead Daisies in 2013 and from 2015 to 2017. The band also features founding rhythm guitarist David Lowy; lead guitarist Doug Aldrich, a member since 2016 who previously played with Whitesnake, Dio and several other notable groups; and singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, best known for his mid-’70s stint with Deep Purple, who joined the Daisies in 2019.

The Dead Daisies began recording their upcoming album earlier this month, and have been posting updates about the project on their official website. An advance single is planned for late May, coinciding with the start of the tour.

“Hey loved ones, we cannot wait to come to Europe this summer and play for you all once again,” says Hughes in a statement. “There are so many beautiful cities to visit along the way. We are currently making a new record, so who knows hopefully we can bring a couple of new songs to you too!”

The band’s most recent studio album, Holy Ground, was released in January 2021.

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Kelly Clarkson is not dropping the “Clarkson” after all

Kelly Clarkson is not dropping the “Clarkson” after all
Kelly Clarkson is not dropping the “Clarkson” after all
David Livingston/FilmMagic

Despite reports that she’d be changing her name, Kelly Clarkson says it’s too late in her career to do that now.

There were reports that in February, Kelly had filed documents requesting that her name be changed to “Kelly Brianne” — her first and middle names — going forward. The docs reportedly said that her new name “more fully reflects who I am.”

However, speaking to People (The TV Show!) on Monday night, the singer and talk show host explained, “I just got divorced, so I had to drop my married last name. I just kept my middle name for my personal life. I’m still Kelly Clarkson.”

She added, “I don’t think I can change Clarkson at this point. I’m 20 years in!”  In fact, this September will mark exactly 20 years since Kelly became a household name by winning the first season of American Idol.

The New York Post reports that a court hearing regarding her petition for a name change is scheduled for March 28.

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Music Notes: BTS, Britney & more

Music Notes: BTS, Britney & more
Music Notes: BTS, Britney & more
ABC via Getty Images

Ever since Wordle became the most popular thing on your aunt’s Facebook feed, fans of various musicians have created custom versions based on the five-letter guessing came, such as the Taylor Swift-focused Taylordle and Weezer‘s Weezle. Now, BTS fans have their very own version, reports BillboardCalled BTS Heardle, it gives fans seven tries to guess the BTS song of the day, based on lyrics and snippets.

Britney Spears is giving fans another look at her home, via footage she posted on Instagram showing her tennis courts and flowering trees and bushes nearby.  “I’ve been pretty modest about my home…it’s actually pretty beautiful !!!” she writes, adding, “It’s a great feeling to not be on total trauma control guarding your heart all the time !!! It’s funny how nature is surprisingly healing…”

Is Adam Lambert looking for New York City base? The New York Post reports that the singer and Queen frontman was seen touring a new luxury condo complex in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood, where two-bedroom units range from $3.65 million to $5.19 million.  The swanky building features an infrared sauna, 75-foot pool, meditation room, hot tub and cold plunge pool, massage and steam rooms, game room, library and media lounge.

Paula Abdul has been announced as the headliner of the White Party Global Palm Springs’ Sunday T-Dance, one of the world’s largest gay circuit party events, scheduled for Sunday, May 1 near California’s Palm Springs Convention Center.  “I am putting together an energetic show for you and can’t wait to join everyone in the desert for this celebration,” says Paula in a statement.

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Justin Bieber dropping defamation lawsuit against Twitter accusers

Justin Bieber dropping defamation lawsuit against Twitter accusers
Justin Bieber dropping defamation lawsuit against Twitter accusers
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Homecoming Weekend

Back in June of 2020, Justin Bieber sued two women for defamation after they posted tweets in which they claimed on Twitter that the star had sexually assaulted them.  But Billboard reports that on Friday, Justin’s attorneys moved to dismiss the lawsuit, though it’s unclear why.

The two women claimed that they had been assaulted, separately, by Justin in 2014 and 2015.  At the time, Justin’s lawyers called the women’s claims “malicious lies” and “outlandish false fabrications.”  They also produced evidence proving that the star was elsewhere during the time that the alleged incidents took place. 

One of Justin’s alibis involved his then-girlfriend Selena Gomez.  One of the women claimed that Justin assaulted her at hotel in Austin, Texas, in March of 2014, but his attorneys said there was clear evidence that Justin and Selena, along with some friends, had spent that night at a rental property elsewhere in the city.

According to Billboard, after the suit was filed, one of the accusers was never located, and attorneys for Justin and the other woman told the court in February that mediation had been unsuccessful.  A trial was tentatively scheduled for May.

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Latto drops her upcoming album track list, Phife Dawg releases posthumous album, and more

Latto drops her upcoming album track list, Phife Dawg releases posthumous album, and more
Latto drops her upcoming album track list, Phife Dawg releases posthumous album, and more
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

In advance of her upcoming second studio album, 777, Atlanta’s “Queen of Da Souf,” Latto, released the track list on Monday. Her 2021 hit single “Big Energy” lands at number four on the 14-track album, which includes the bonus track “Big Energy (remix),” featuring an artist who has yet to be revealed. 

The 23-year-old rapper shared album art and the track list in a Monday Instagram post, saying, “3/25. BE Remix 3/28. Pre-save link in my bio.”  The album features song collaborations with artists like Lil WayneLil DurkKodak Black and Childish Gambino777 is set to drop Friday. 

Phife Dawg‘s posthumous solo album, Forever, dropped on Tuesday. The late hip-hop rapper, born Malik Taylor, was a member of legendary New York rap group A Tribe Called Quest. He was 45 when he passed away in 2019 due to complications from diabetes. 

The 13-track project boast an iconic list of features from hip-hop heavy hitters like Busta RhymesQ-TipRedmanRapsody and more. Forever also features a special appearance from Phife Dawg’s mother, renowned poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, on the song “Round Irving High School.”

And in line with the many other music and arts festivals happening this summer, Afronation, billed as “The World’s Biggest Afrobeats Festival,” will kick off in Portimão, Portugal in July. “The 2022 edition of Afro Nation Portugal will bring together the best artists in Afrobeats, Hip Hop, RnB, Dancehall, Amapiano, Afro House and more,” organizers say. “Expect world-class production and iconic live performances and DJ sets over three days.”

Grammy winner Burna Boy is set to headline of course, alongside WizkidDavidoChris Brown and Meg Thee Stallion. “Supperrrr excited for @afronation!!! WHO PULLING UP,” the Houston Hottie said on Instagram.

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