Ozzy Osbourne speaks onstage during the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 19, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
If you ever find yourself flying into Birmingham, England, you won’t be landing at Ozzy Osbourne Airport.
Despite a petition to rename it after the late metal legend and Birmingham hometown hero, the airport’s CEO, Nick Barton, tells BBC Radio WM it’s not going to happen.
“Birmingham, amazingly, has an extraordinary list of fantastically influential people, going from historic people like Charles Darwin, as well as Robert Plant and Sir Lenny Henry but the answer is no,” Barton says. “The airport name is so important for our future development of what we’ve got, which is a fantastic airport, but yet to grow significantly, which we will do on the back of its name.”
The airport’s current name is simply Birmingham Airport and uses the code BHX. And while it won’t be named after Ozzy, the airport plans to celebrate the Prince of Darkness and other famed Brummies with a mural.
Ozzy did also just posthumously receive another Birmingham honor, the Lord Mayor’s Award, on what would’ve been his 77th birthday Wednesday.
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and John Gourley of Portugal. The Man perform during the 2013 Bonnaroo Lineup Announcement Megathon on February 19, 2013 in New York City. (Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
In what may sound like the result of a music-themed Mad Libs game, Portugal. The Man covered Rage Against the Machine with “Weird Al” Yankovic.
The parody master joined the “Feel It Still” outfit during their show in New York City on Tuesday for a rocking, non-parody performance of Rage’s “Killing in the Name.”
You can watch footage of the onstage collaboration, which also featured filmmaker and The Lonely Island member Jorma Taccone dressed as Pee-wee Herman, now via PTM’s Instagram.
While we can’t explain the Pee-wee part, Portugal. The Man and “Weird Al” do have a history. In 2020, they teamed up on a song called “Who’s Gonna Stop Me,” which was described as Al’s first-ever non-comedic release. Al also put out remixes of the PTM songs “Feel It Still” and “Live in the Moment” in 2018.
Portugal. The Man is currently on tour in support of their new album, SHISH, which includes the single “Tanana.”
‘Megadeth: Behind the Mask’ film poster. (Trafalgar Releasing)
Megadeth will preview their upcoming final album with a worldwide cinema event.
Megadeth: Behind the Mask will premiere in theaters Jan. 22, featuring a career-spanning interview with frontman Dave Mustaine,alongside a playback and track-by-track breakdown of the new record.
“This listening event is going to be amazing,” Mustaine says. “I can’t wait to share it with thousands of my closest friends around the world. I have so much gratitude for everyone who helped bring this film to life, especially you, the fans! Now let’s fire this up… and pass the popcorn!”
Tickets to Megadeth: Behind the Mask will go on sale Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. ET.
The final Megadeth album, which is self-titled, is due out Jan. 22. The thrash veterans also plan to launch a multiyear farewell tour, which so far includes North American dates with Iron Maiden, set to kick off in August.
Cover of Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ memoir ‘Cat On The Road To Findout’ /(Genesis Publications)
Yusuf/Cat Stevens postponed the North American book tour supporting his memoir, Cat On The Road To Findout, in September due to visa issues. At the time, he had expressed hope that the tour could be rescheduled, but he’s now announced that it’s not going to happen.
“Unfortunately, my North American book tour is officially cancelled,” he said in a statement. “Unpredictably, and befuddling to us all, the actual visa finally got delivered after the last scheduled date of the tour had passed.”
“I know how disappointing this must be for those of you who were looking forward to the book tour. My agent and team explored every possible avenue, but it was all beyond our control,” he added. “I’m grateful for your patience and your support and I hope something new may be put together in the future, in better and brighter circumstances. Peace and love, always.”
Those still holding tickets for the tour will be notified about refunds.
Cat On The Road To Findout arrived in October. The tour, Cat on the Road to Findout: An Evening Of Tales, Tunes, and Other Mysteries, was supposed to kick off Oct. 2 in Philadelphia.
Guns N’ Roses have premiered two new songs called “Atlas” and “Nothin’.”
“‘Nothin” and ‘Atlas’ find the long-running band still at the height of their powers, showcasing two different sides of their personality,” a press release reads. “‘Atlas’ is GNR in full surging rock mode, while ‘Nothin” grows more introspective over floaty keys and an emotive guitar.”
You can listen to both songs out now on digitaloutlets. They’ll be released on a 7-inch vinyl single that will be available to preorder starting Dec. 12.
“Atlas” and “Nothin'” mark the first new GN’R music since the 2023 singles “The General” and “Perhaps.” The most recent Guns N’ Roses album is 2008’s Chinese Democracy, which was released before Slash and Duff McKagan rejoined Axl Rose in the band in 2016.
Guns N’ Roses will launch a 2026 U.S. tour in July.
ock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steve Cropper, founding member of Booker T. & the MG’s and the Blues Brothers Band, performs onstage at The Rose on September 28, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Booker T. and the M.G.’s guitarist Steve Cropper died Wednesday at the age of 84. The news was confirmed on Cropper’s Facebook page, which noted he “died peacefully in Nashville.”
“Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched millions of lives around the world,” read the statement. “While we mourn the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find comfort knowing that Steve will live forever through his music. Every note he played, every song he wrote, and every artist he inspired ensures that his spirit and artistry will continue to move people for generations.”
Booker T. and the M.G.’s was the house band for the legendary label Stax Records, with Cropper playing on iconic recordings like Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” and Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” which he co-wrote and produced. He also produced many Stax recordings, and co-wrote songs like “In The Midnight Hour” with Wilson Pickett, and “Knock on Wood” with Eddie Floyd.
After leaving Stax in 1970, he went on to work with artists like Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr,John Lennon, The Jeff Beck Group, Peter Frampton and others. Cropper was also the lead guitarist in the Blues Brothers, fronted by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, and appeared in the two Blues Brothers movies: 1980’s The Blues Brothers and 1998’s Blues Brothers 2000.
Despite his departure from Stax, Cropper continued to record and tour with Booker T. and the M.G.’s, and they released their last album, That’s the Way It Should Be, in 1994.
Cropper launched his solo career with the 1969 album With a Little Help From My Friends. He released his most recent album, 2024’s Friendlytown, with his band The Midnight Hour. It featured guest appearances by ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons and Queen’s Brian May.
Cropper, nicknamed “The Colonel,” won two Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. and the M.G.’s. In 2005, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones performs during the final night of the Hackney Diamonds ’24 Tour at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena on July 21, 2024 in Ridgedale, Missouri. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
In celebration of his 50th anniversary as a member of The Rolling Stones, Ronnie Wood recently released a new art collection, Paint it Black, and says his goal was to capture the feeling of him and his bandmates — Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the late Charlie Watts — performing live.
“I wanted to capture the energy of Mick, Keith, me, our late friend Charlie, and the thousands of live shows we’ve been so lucky to play together,” Wood, who painted the artwork from memory, tells Rolling Stone. “I wanted the fans to see what I see when we’re onstage — music and art as one.”
He adds, “My hope is the Stones fans can feel the music when they look at these paintings.”
Reflecting on his tenure with The Stones, Wood says it’s “hard to believe” it’s been 50 years.
“What a joy. I was already chuffed with the bands I’d played in before ’75. But joining the Stones — that felt like coming home,” he says. “I still get a kick out of being a Stone, and it keeps me out of trouble — sometimes.”
Luke Spiller “Merry Xmas Everybody” single artwork. (SpillerSound, LLC)
While Luke Spiller feared looking back, wondering if it “Could Have Been Me,” he need not worry that he could have been merry.
The Struts frontman has released a cover of the song “Merry Xmas Everybody,” the hit holiday tune originally released in 1973 by the English glam rock band Slade.
“Like so many of us, I have always loved Christmas,” Spiller says in a statement. “For me personally, it’s a time where I often travel back to the United Kingdom and spend quality time with my family after a long year of touring and seeing the world.”
“I grew up listening to [‘Merry Xmas Everybody’] and have such great memories being surrounded by the people I love celebrating the year coming to a close,” he continues. “I wanted to put my own spin on this classic and decided to strip back the music so people can really focus on the lyrics. Slade were an incredible band and have been a huge influence on my own musical journey so I really wanted to do it justice.”
You can watch Spiller’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” video, which features him wearing a Santa suit while biking, walking railroad tracks and making snow angels, on YouTube.
Spiller released his debut solo album, Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes and Wine, in April.
The Struts, meanwhile, spent 2025 celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Everybody Wants, on tour. They also put out a new version of their breakout single, the aforementioned “Could Have Been Me,” featuring Queen‘s Brian May.
Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas are honored with Jonas Brothers Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre on December 03, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Jonas Brothers took part in an age-hold showbiz tradition Wednesday, putting their handprints and footprints in cement at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The next award they have their eyes on isn’t quite so glamorous.
JoBros were inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame earlier this year; they also have a star on Hollywood Boulevard, which they received in 2023. Asked byPeoplewhat honor they’d like to have next, Joe Jonas said, “A rest stop [named after us] in New Jersey.” His brother Kevin Jonas liked the idea, adding, “That’s the one for me. That’s all I need.”
They wouldn’t be the first musicians to have a rest stop named after them in the Garden State. Famous New Jerseyans Jon Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and Frank Sinatra have all received that particular honor.
Nick Jonas set his sights a bit higher: “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame one day would be pretty sweet,” he told People.
At the handprint ceremony, Joe shared that the first time the brothers came to LA, the TCL Theater was the first place they went to. “We were just normal kids growing up in New Jersey. You know, we never imagined our hand and feet would one day be a part of Hollywood history,” he said.
The brothers also talked with People about being girl dads; between them, they have five daughters. People asked them what they’ve learned from their girls this year.
“I have learned a lot about princesses,” Nick said.
Joe added, “I’ve learned a lot more about [KPop] Demon Hunters than I ever anticipated knowing.”
Nick, Joe and Kevin also revealed that at this point, they can all French braid their daughters’ hair, with Kevin boasting that he’s “working on the fishtail now.”
Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2024 Planned Parenthood Of Greater New York Gala, April 16, 2024, in New York. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
A judge dismissed a jury’s verdict on Tuesday, holding social media commentator and blogger Milagro Cooper liable for defamation in a lawsuit filed by Megan Thee Stallion in October 2024.
Cooper was found liable for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and promotion of an altered sexual depiction by a Miami jury on Monday, but Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga dismissed the defamation ruling because the plaintiff did not serve the media defendant with a legal notice before filing the suit, according to court documents obtained by ABC News.
“As a condition precedent to a defamation suit, section 770.01, Florida Statutes, requires a plaintiff to serve a media defendant with written notice specifying the alleged false or defamatory statements at least five days before filing a complaint,” Altonaga stated in her final judgment.
Megan Thee Stallion, whose legal name is Megan Pete, testified during the trial in November that Cooper, who is known on social media as blogger Milagro Gramz, participated in a targeted and coordinated social media campaign to harass, intimidate and defame her.
Pete alleged Cooper was a “paid surrogate” for rapper Tory Lanez and spread lies on his behalf. Lanez was convicted of shooting and injuring Pete in a July 2020 incident.
The judge decreased the damages Cooper owes Pete from $75,000 to $59,000, according to legal documents. Altonaga upheld the other two counts of intentional infliction of emotional distress and promotion of an altered sexual depiction.
“Cooper ultimately prevailed on Ms. Pete’s leading accusation, defamation, and the jury awarded a nominal amount of damages compared to millions of dollars Ms. Pete demanded from Ms. Cooper throughout the course of the litigation,” Cooper’s attorney said in a statement on Wednesday obtained by ABC News.
Pete’s attorneys said in a statement obtained by ABC News after the jury’s verdict on Monday that Cooper is also required to cover costs for the rapper’s legal bills.
“Request for costs and fees shall not be submitted until after any post-trial motions are decided or an appeal is concluded, whichever occurs later,” the judge stated in her final judgment.
ABC News has reached out to Pete’s attorneys, but requests for comments were not immediately returned.
