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Ex-Yes member Rick Wakeman couldn’t be happier about launching his “Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour”

September 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman kicks off a new U.S. solo trek, hilariously dubbed the “Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour,” on October 13 in Natick, Massachusetts.

The outing, which was postponed multiple times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is a follow-up to Wakeman’s 2019 “Grumpy Old Rock Star Tour.”

Wakeman tells ABC Audio that the tour got its updated moniker because of his frustration over the postponements.

“[E]very time it got moved, I got grumpier,” the 72-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer notes. “So it made more sense to be the ‘Even Grumpier Rock Star’ show.”

He adds, jokingly, “I think if [there had been]…any more cancellations or postponements, it would have been the ‘Unbelievably, Really Stupidly Long, Even Grumpier Rock Star’ show.”

Regarding his new concerts, Rick says, “[I]t’s basically me with a grand piano, a couple of keyboards this time as well, which will enable me to do some slightly different pieces, plus anecdotes. Got a load of new ones.”

Wakeman reveals that he plans to play select Yes tunes; pieces from solo projects like his 1973 album The Six Wives of Henry VIII; and versions of classic songs by David Bowie and Cat Stevens on which Rick played.

Wakeman tells ABC Audio that almost every show will be different because, although he often prepares a set list for each gig, he rarely sticks to it.

Meanwhile, Rick says he’s thrilled to be returning to the road.

“[I]t’s just gonna be great to be playing in front of people again,” he declares. “I can’t tell you how much I have missed talking to people on stage, and meeting with people after the shows and before the shows.”

Wakeman’s U.S. tour runs through a November 19 concert in Clearwater, Florida.

#FreeBritney or not? What’s at stake at Britney Spears’ court hearing today

September 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

On Wednesday, #FreeBritney may become more than just a hashtag: A hearing in Los Angeles today may either result in the removal of Britney Spears‘ father Jamie Spears as her conservator, or the actual termination of the conservatorship.

Team Britney’s top priority in this hearing is to have Jamie Spears removed, but Jamie is pushing to end the conservatorship now, which would make discussion of his removal a moot point. The judge simply needs to decide what’s in Britney’s best interests.

Britney’s lawyer Mathew Rosengart has petitioned the judge to suspend or remove Jamie if he doesn’t resign, and claims he has “overwhelming evidence” proving why this should happen immediately. And while Rosengart has said he wants the 13-year conservatorship “formally wound down” this fall, he’s hasn’t filed the paperwork to do that just yet.

Jamie Spears is actually the one who petitioned the court for the conservatorship to be terminated, noting that it is “opposed by no one.” He says if it is terminated, then other issues before the court — like his removal — become unnecessary. Mr. Spears has said, essentially, that there’s no “basis ” for his removal, but if Britney is so convinced that she can handle her own life, then she “should get that chance.”

Rosengart says this is just a “desperate effort” to deflect attention from Mr. Spears’ “egregious incompetence” [and] “gross misconduct.” However, he doesn’t need to prove this today: He just needs to convince the judge that Jamie’s removal is in the “best interests” of Britney Spears.

Meanwhile, Jodi Montgomery, Britney’s Conservator of Person, who handles the star’s medical records and personal affairs, says that Britney has asked her to “continue to serve.” There are reports that Britney wants Montgomery on her payroll indefinitely, beyond the life of the conservatorship.

Stay tuned.

Halestorm’s preparing to unleash “a lot of caged energy” on upcoming new album

September 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Halestorm is “Back from the Dead,” and there’s a lot more where that came from.

The “I Miss the Misery” rockers unleashed their latest single in August, marking the first preview of their upcoming fifth studio album. As drummer Arejay Hale tells ABC Audio, “Back from the Dead” is just a taste of the intensity you’ll hear when the full record arrives.

“I think the biggest thing that this song represents is a lot of caged energy that has just finally just been — blah! — just released, you know?” Hale laughs.

Writing “Back from the Dead,” Hale shares, was one of those special instances where it felt like the song was writing itself.

“Those are the best songs that come out of you, when they just write themselves, when it all just comes out so easily,” Hale says. “It’s rare…it’s impossible to consciously recreate that, but when it happens, it’s magical. This was one of those songs that just flowed out of us.”

It’s a feeling Hale’s had before, often on songs that turn out to be the backbone on which new Halestorm albums are built.

“Every album cycle, there’s always that one song,” Hale explains. “It was ‘Uncomfortable’ on [Vicious], it was ‘Love Bites’ on Strange Case, and it was ‘Mayhem’ on [Into the Wild Life], where we’re just, like, ‘Let’s give it everything we’ve got.’

“When we do, it’s, like, ‘Oh, OK! I think we’ve got something here, and now we have a template,'” he continues. “‘The bar has been raised up here, and now let’s bring the other songs up to this level.’ And that’s where we’re at right now.”

The new Halestorm album, the follow-up to 2018’s Vicious, is due out in 2022.

Whitney Houston remembered with new M.A.C. Cosmetics line

September 29, 2021 by WDNY Radio

M.A.C. Cosmetics is honoring the legacy of the late Whitney Houston with a new cosmetics line in her name.

“The idea that is coming to fruition now is something Whitney always wanted to do,” Whitney’s sister-in-law and former manager, Pat Houston, tells People. “I’m pleased we can do something that I know she would have loved. We are just starting on this collaboration but exciting things are coming!”

M.A.C. is participating in the I Wanna Dance With Somebody biopic, scheduled to be released in 2022. Producer Clive Davis says the film will “present the full story of Whitney Houston impeccably and [ensure] that it will be realistic in every respect.”

“We’ve spent a lot of time with the team at M.A.C. looking at Whitney photos and videos and helping them understand the true essence of her,” the sister-in-law says regarding the biopic. “I think you will see all of her looks ring true to how you saw Whitney in life.”

The six-time Grammy winner passed away on February 11, 2012, at the age of 48. She was introduced to makeup early in life as a teenage model.

“Whitney was always a champion of women feeling beautiful whether it was a major event or just for everyday wear. Our work with M.A.C. is about creating a line that can meet all of those needs,” Pat adds. “The line will be true to her colors that she loved to work with.”

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Paul McCartney discusses new children’s book, ‘Grandude’s Green Submarine,’ and why he loves being a grandpa

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

With Grandude’s Green Submarine, the sequel to Paul McCartney‘s bestselling 2019 illustrated children’s book Hey Grandude!, set to be published soon, the former Beatles legend has taken part in a fan Q&A about the project that’s been posted on his official website.

As previously reported, the new book tells the further adventures of Grandude, a magical grandfather who takes his four grandchildren — who he calls his “chillers” — on a journey in his new invention, a green submarine, to find the kids’ music-loving grandmother, Nandude.

Asked how he likes being a grandparent, Sir Paul says he loves it, noting, “Each [grandkid] has a different personality, and they keep me entertained and constantly surprised.”

Another fan asked why the submarine in the book isn’t yellow, like the one in the famous 1966 Beatles song and the 1968 animated movie inspired by the tune.

“I have been there and done that with the Yellow Submarine,” McCartney explains. “[T]his green one is related, but has completely different powers than the Yellow Submarine had.”

As for what he enjoyed most about writing the book, the 79-year-old rock legend says, “I just like the process of allowing my imagination to run wild. After I’ve got all my crazy ideas written down, it’s up to the publishers and illustrator Kathryn Durst to bring it all to life.”

Asked why he decided to pen a sequel to Hey Grandude!, McCartney explains, “Writing Grandude’s adventures is something I love, so it made sense to keep going and write more of his story.”

Grandude’s Green Submarine gets released on October 5 in the U.S. and this Thursday, September 30, in the U.K. You can pre-order the book now.

Biffy Clyro premieres new video combining “A Hunger in Your Haunt” & “Unknown Male 01” songs

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Biffy Clyro has premiered a new video combining “A Hunger in Your Haunt” and “Unknown Male 01,” the two released singles off the band’s upcoming album, The Myth of the Happily Ever After.

The 10-minute clip begins with the Scottish trio performing “A Hunger” in a warehouse covered in blue paint before transitioning outside into a Bird Box-esque world filled with people wearing blindfolds for “Unknown Male.” At the end of the video, a mysterious set of numbers flashes on the screen.

You can watch the “A Hunger in Your Haunt”/”Unknown Male 01” video streaming now on YouTube.

The Myth of the Happily Ever After, the follow-up to last year’s A Celebration of Endings, arrives October 22.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Tyler, the Creator says Kendrick Lamar’s “Family Ties” verse “ruined” him

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Kendrick Lamar emerged from his long hiatus to spit a verse on his cousin Baby Keem‘s “FamilyTies,” and Tyler, the Creator says it “ruined” him, because he saw a master who was not complacent.

Tyler has called the 13-time Grammy winner every two days to talk about his rhyme.

“You know why it ruined me? Because it’s someone at that level still gunning,” he tells XXL.com. “He’s trying new voices. He’s trying new s**t. He’s still learning. You can tell he was off his phone for a few months.”

The 30-year-old rapper says Lamar has inspired him to “just stay weird and stay tryin’.”

Another hip hop icon who has been a major influence is Jay-Z because of his spirit as a entrepreneur. He describes Hova as “one of the few who’s really listening and learned how to kind of run businesses since I was 17.”

Tyler reveals he’s also a big fan of Eminem, Lil Wayne, André 3000, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Pharrell Williams. Wayne and Pharrell are featured on his sixth and latest album, Call Me If You Get Lost, which dropped in June. Now he’s planning a tour for next year to perform music from the album.

The Creator drives a “Green Goblin” Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and he reflects on how he’s become rich and famous after growing up poor.

‘I don’t come from money, they deny it/Since I don’t mirror the stereotypical products of my environment.’ he raps on the track “Massa” from his new album. “That’s why I’m so blessed and grateful to have this stuff,” he says, “’cause I don’t come from that.”

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Report: Rick Ross ordered to pay $11,000 monthly in child support

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Report: Rick Ross ordered to pay ,000 monthly in child support

Rick Ross loves to post Instagram photos of stacks of cash, and now he has to share some of his C-notes with the mother of three of his children.

The Boss was ordered to pay Briana Singleton $11,000 a month in child support, plus $25,000 in legal fees, according to TMZ. Ricky Rozay also must provide for health insurance and extra curricular activities for an additional $8K a month. His monthly income was stated at $585K, which is over $7 million a year.

The Maybach Music Group CEO published his fourth book, The Perfect Day to Boss Up: A Hustler’s Guide to Building Your Empire, on September 7, and he’s headlining the Legendz of the Streetz tour which kicks off September 30 in Augusta, GA. He’ll be joined by Jeezy, Gucci Mane and 2 Chainz, with special guests Fabolous, Lil Kim, Trina and Boosie Badazz.

The six-time Grammy nominee, who’s featured on Drake‘s number-one album, Certified Lover Boy, says he’s finalizing his 11th solo album, titled Richer Than I’ve Ever Been. It will be Ross’ first solo album since Port of Miami 2 in 2019.

Billie Eilish meets William & Kate at ‘No Time to Die’ premiere

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Billie Eilish released her theme song for the James Bond film No Time to Die in February of 2020, and won a Grammy for it this past March. Now, at long last, she’s finally gotten to attend the movie’s premiere.

Delayed multiple times by the pandemic, No Time To Die had its official premiere on Wednesday at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall, and as E! reports, photos captured at the event show Billie grinning from ear to ear as she shakes hands with Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge — the future king and queen of England.

Brother FINNEAS was also there for the meet-and-greet; the siblings both wore black from head-to-toe, with Billie adding a pair of chunky Chanel platform slides to her outfit.

William’s dad Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also attended the charity premiere, as did the movie’s stars, Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Phoebe Waller Bridge and more. Footage of Billie and Finneas show them both laughing and joking with Charles.

#NoTimeToDie theme song artist @billieeilish and @finneas are at the @RoyalAlbertHall. pic.twitter.com/qRpuhFxbLo

— James Bond (@007) September 28, 2021

Country-rock artist George Frayne, aka Commander Cody, dead at age 77

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

George Frayne IV, the veteran country-rock musician better known by his stage name Commander Cody, died Sunday at the age of 77 after battling cancer for several years, Variety reports.

During the late 1960s and ’70s, Frayne led the group Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, which formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and relocated to San Francisco in 1969. In 1972, the band scored a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover of the 1955 spoken-sung rockabilly-flavored country tune “Hot Rod Lincoln.”

Frayne’s wife, Sue, announced his passing in a message on his Facebook page that reads, “Early this morning, as I lay my head upon his shoulder, George’s soul took to flight. I am heartbroken and weary, and I know your hearts break, too. Thank you so much for all the love you gave and the stories you shared.”

Sue also revealed that two “big gatherings” were being planned — one on Long Island, New York, and one in the Bay Area — to celebrate Commander Cody’s life and also “benefit musicians in need.”

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen’s music combined elements of country, rockabilly, Western swing, jump blues, jazz and boogie-woogie. The band broke up in 1976, after which, Frayne continued to tour and record under the Commander Cody moniker.

Frayne also was an accomplished painter who published a book of his visual art titled Art Music & Life in 2009. He also taught art at the college level. In addition, an experimental video he made called “Two Triple Cheese Side Order of Fries” is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

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