Rod Stewart says he’s glad it’s “difficult” to get his eight kids together for Christmas

Rod Stewart says he’s glad it’s “difficult” to get his eight kids together for Christmas
Rod Stewart says he’s glad it’s “difficult” to get his eight kids together for Christmas
JMEnternational/Getty Images

Think you’ve got it tough, trying to wrangle all your kids together for Christmas? Consider Rod Stewart, who has eight children by five different women. While he says he managed to get most of them together years ago, it’s just become way too complicated now that they’re adults.

“We did it once, I think about 20 years ago,” Rod tells ABC Audio. “There was my first wife, Alana, and then my second wife, Rachel, and my to-be third wife, Penny, and the mother of Ruby, my third daughter. So they were all there, cooking the turkey in their own particular way.”

But Rod says these days, spending Christmas together is pretty impossible.

“We’re in all different parts of the world now, you know,” he explains. “The kids all go home to their mums’ for Christmas Day. But hopefully we’re all going to get together in Florida for New Year’s Day and my birthday, which is the 10th of January.”

However, Rod admits that he doesn’t mind that gathering his brood is a logistical nightmare.

“I’m glad it’s difficult because they’ve all got their own careers you have to consider,” he notes. “It’s not like they’re little and they depend on me. They’ve got their own careers, their own relationships and I have to be, y’know, a different father to every one of them, such is the age group: It goes from 10 up to 57.”

Rod’s eldest child, Sarah, was given up for adoption when she was born, but the two now have a relationship. Alana Hamilton is the mother of Sean and Kimberly Stewart. Kelly Emberg is the mother of Ruby Stewart. Rachel Hunter is the mother of Liam and Renee Stewart, while Penny Lancaster is the mother of Aiden, 10, and Alastair, 16.

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ex-Yes singer Jon Anderson offering fans access to new music and more via Patreon membership platform

Ex-Yes singer Jon Anderson offering fans access to new music and more via Patreon membership platform
Ex-Yes singer Jon Anderson offering fans access to new music and more via Patreon membership platform
Credit: Deborah Anderson

Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson has partnered with the Patreon membership platform to offer fans access to brand-new songs, unreleased music and videos he’s created, livestreamed events, artwork and more.

“I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you as I create the next chapter of my life’s work,” Anderson explains. “After years of dealing with the runaround of big record labels, I have decided to partner with you, as those of you who enjoy my work have always been my greatest support and inspiration.”

He continues, “There are many great projects I have been working on including lots of new music, paintings, a book, and short stories. Your patronage will allow me to continue my work and will offer you priceless access.”

Three membership levels for Jon’s Patreon platform will be available — Silver, Gold and Platinum, costing $10, $50 and $100 a month, respectively.

A Silver membership offers early access to new songs and projects, livestreams of rehearsals and events, behind-the-scenes videos of Anderson working on various projects, early access to tickets for select concerts, and access to Jon’s general archives.

A Gold membership offers everything available to Silver members, as well as access to Anderson’s “Select Archives,” a monthly live interactive Q&A with Jon, and surprise gifts that you’ll receive throughout your first year of patronage.

The Platinum offers all the benefits available to Gold and Silver members, as well as access to Anderson’s “Gold Vault Archives,” pre-release previews of Jon’s work, access to participate in something called “Jon’s Opus Puzzle,” a private livestreamed concert with Anderson and more.

Jon shared more details about his Patreon pertnership in a recent Facebook post. Visit Patreon.com for more info or to sign up for a membership.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

grandson, I Prevail, nothing, nowhere. & more playing 2022 So What?! festival

grandson, I Prevail, nothing, nowhere. & more playing 2022 So What?! festival
grandson, I Prevail, nothing, nowhere. & more playing 2022 So What?! festival
Credit: Ashley Osborn

grandson, I Prevail and nothing, nowhere. are playing the 2022 So What?! Music Festival, scheduled for May 27-29 in Arlington, Texas.

The bill also features Parkway Drive, blackbear, The Maine, Alexisonfire, Sleeping with Sirens, Simple Plan and Sum 41, along with hip hop artists including 24kGoldn, 2 Chainz, Trippie Redd, Tyga and Rae Sremmurd.

“This year’s So What?! lineup is us basically saying, ‘F*** a genre!'” says festival founder Mike Ziemer. “Everything is blending together more and more. There are so many hip hop artists collaborating with rock artists. Travis Barker is working with every type of artist.”

Ziemer adds, “This festival brings together all the hype and energy of what’s current and what’s exciting to the fan that misses Warped Tour but also attends Rolling Loud.”

For the full lineup and ticket info, visit SoWhatMusicFestival.com.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Bill Cosby docuseries from W. Kamau Bell coming to Showtime

Bill Cosby docuseries from W. Kamau Bell coming to Showtime
Bill Cosby docuseries from W. Kamau Bell coming to Showtime
Matt Rourke-Pool/Getty Images

A new Bill Cosby docuseries is coming to Showtime.

We Need to Talk About Cosby, a four-part series directed by W. Kamau Bell, will examine the comedian’s early influence as an admirable pop culture figure and his later fall from grace after being accused of sexual assault by dozens of women.

“I am a child of Bill Cosby,” Bell says in the teaser. “You know what I mean: I am a Black man, stand-up comic, born in the ’70s. Bill Cosby had been one of my heroes.”

“But this? This was f***** up,” he says, referencing the accusations against Cosby and his subsequent arrest. “What do we do about everything we knew about Bill Cosby, and what we know now?”

Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 but was released from prison this past June after his conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

We Need to Talk About Cosby premieres January 22 at the Sundance Film Festival and January 30 on Showtime.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ed Sheeran teases “Peru” remix with Fireboy DML: “It’s an earworm, and it’s addictive.”

Ed Sheeran teases “Peru” remix with Fireboy DML: “It’s an earworm, and it’s addictive.”
Ed Sheeran teases “Peru” remix with Fireboy DML: “It’s an earworm, and it’s addictive.”
ABC

Ed Sheeran is giving his fans one last surprise before Christmas — a brand-new remix.  Taking to Instagram on Monday, he teased the first few seconds of his upcoming song with Fireboy DML, “Peru.”

Ed loans his vocals to the Nigerian singer’s banger and says it’s due out at the end of the week.

To promote the track, the Grammy winner sat down with Apple Music and dished that Fireboy was the one who reached out in hopes of snagging him for a remix.

“I’ve just found it really intriguing. So I recorded a verse for it… and it’s a song that’s blowing up in Nigeria and Ghana at the moment and their club scene runs over Christmas,” Ed explained. “So you basically put a song to the club in the middle of December, which would seem a weird thing to do in England.”

Ed vows the upcoming track is “an earworm, and it’s addictive.”  He added, “I’m obsessed with it. I mean, Cherry [Seborn] will tell you, I’ve had this song on repeat constantly in the house for the last week.”

“Peru” will hit streaming services and become available for purchase on Friday.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Billie Joe Armstrong appearing on ’Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party’; Green Day teases new music from studio

Billie Joe Armstrong appearing on ’Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party’; Green Day teases new music from studio
Billie Joe Armstrong appearing on ’Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party’; Green Day teases new music from studio
NBC

Billie Joe Armstrong will be ringing in 2022 alongside Miley Cyrus.

The Green Day frontman is set to perform on Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party, hosted by the pop star and Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. The lineup also includes 24kGoldn, Brandi Carlile, Saweetie and others.

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party airs December 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

In addition to celebrating a new year, Armstrong also appears to be working on new music. In an Instagram post over the weekend, Green Day shared a video of the punk trio recording at he RAK Studios in London.

Green Day released three new singles in 2021: “Here Comes the Shock,” “Pollyanna” and “Holy Toledo!” The band’s most recent album is 2020’s Father of All…

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Melanie C says the Spice Girls are “constantly” talking about another reunion

Melanie C says the Spice Girls are “constantly” talking about another reunion
Melanie C says the Spice Girls are “constantly” talking about another reunion
ABC/Maarten de Boer

Melanie Chisolm breathed new life into fans’ hopes for a Spice Girls reunion.  During her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the “2 Become 1” singer hinted that she and her former band mates are seriously considering hitting the road again.

When guest host Howie Mandel prodded Mel about her former girl group going back on tour, she said she “really” hopes that things come together.

“We’re talking about it. Yes! We are talking about it constantly. It was always the plan,” Mel C continued as the crowd erupted into cheers.  “We did these amazing stadium shows in the U.K. two years ago. It was the best thing we’ve ever done. The creative was so incredible. We had the best time.”

Melanie said should the group head back on tour, they’re planning on a North American trek because “we love the U.S.  Our fans here are amazing!”

It’s been rumored the “Wannabe” singers are planning to hit the road in 2023 for a reunion tour, but so far nothing has been set in stone.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Fetty Wap arrested in New Jersey on outstanding warrant

Fetty Wap arrested in New Jersey on outstanding warrant
Fetty Wap arrested in New Jersey on outstanding warrant
Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Fetty Wap was arrested Friday afternoon at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on an outstanding warrant

The “Trap Queen” rapper, whose birth name is William Junior Maxwell II, was taken into custody after officers were notified of an active warrant via an ankle monitor call, according to NJ.com.

Port Authority spokesperson Amber Greene says the warrant was for a public nuisance ordinance, and added that Fetty was released after posting bail

As previously reported, Fetty was arrested October 28 during the Rolling Loud music festival at Citi Field in New York City. He was charged with five others, including a New Jersey corrections officer, with conspiring to distribute and possess controlled substances across Long Island and New Jersey.

After pleading not guilty to federal drug charges, Fetty was released on a $500,000 secured bond, along with other restrictions. As part of his release, he must stay under GPS monitoring, submit to random drug testing, surrender his passport, and only travel with the prior approval of Pre-trial Services and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The 30-year-old MC faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

BTS teases ‘7FATES: CHAKHO’ project in cryptic new video

BTS teases ‘7FATES: CHAKHO’ project in cryptic new video
BTS teases ‘7FATES: CHAKHO’ project in cryptic new video
ABC

Although BTS is heading toward a small break, the K-pop sensations shared a new video Monday that teased an upcoming project titled 7FATES: CHAKHO that has the ARMY buzzing with excitement.

J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga and V stand dramatically as a flurry of twinkling lights illuminate the nighttime scenes around them.  They’re then shown in different settings, from deep in the forest to an empty tunnel.  The promo ends with the lights forming a sparkling ball that rests in RM’s hand, who then presses it into his chest.

“A new fate is unveiled. A new story begins! 7FATES,” the cryptic caption reads.

In addition, the BTS YouTube channel recently posted individual interviews of the septet, where they talk about what fate means to them, as well as their thoughts about their band mates.  The videos tease a new partnership between the group’s entertainment company, HYBE, and webcomic platform Webtoon as well as the social reading platform Wattpad.  The goal is to bring new original BTS content to fans in the form of new stories and cartoons.

7FATES: CHAKHO arrives January 14, 2022 on both platforms, according to BTS’ Twitter.  The upcoming story, set in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from the late 1300s to late 1800s, is about seven tiger hunters bound by fate who must fulfill their destiny.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Billy Corgan mourns death of his father: “He inspired me to be the musician that I am”

Billy Corgan mourns death of his father: “He inspired me to be the musician that I am”
Billy Corgan mourns death of his father: “He inspired me to be the musician that I am”
Kieran Frost/Redferns

Billy Corgan‘s father, William Dale Corgan, has passed away at age 74.

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman announced the news over the weekend with a series of videos, in which he described his “long, crazy, complicated relationship” with Billy Sr.

“On the bright side of it all, he inspired me to be the musician that I am,” Corgan said. “He made me be way better than I would’ve ever been without him. He was a fantastic musician, and a great teacher in his own way.”

Corgan added that while his dad “didn’t really understand what I was doing, musically,” during the early days of the Pumpkins, he later “came around and became my biggest fan and supporter.”

Following the announcement, Corgan played a holiday concert at Madame ZuZu’s, the Chicago tea shop he owns with his partner, Chloe Mendel.

“The show goes on — that’s what my father believed in,” Corgan said.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.