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Beatles members, Elton John and many more stars pay tribute to late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Tributes are pouring in from throughout the music world following the sad news that longtime Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died today at the age of 80.

Among the many stars paying homage to Watts are surviving Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and pop-rock legend Elton John.

McCartney has posted a video message on his social media sites in which he says, “So sad to hear about Charlie Watts…dying. He was a lovely guy, and I knew he was ill, but I didn’t know he was this ill. So, lots of love to his family, his wife and kids and his extended family, and condolences to The Stones. A huge blow to them, because Charlie was a rock and a fantastic drummer, steady as a rock. Anyway, so…Love you, Charlie, I always loved you, beautiful man. And great condolences and sympathies to his family.”

Ringo wrote on his Twitter feed, “God bless Charlie Watts we’re going to miss you man peace and love to the family,” and accompanied the note with a photo of him and Watts apparently exchanging a pair of drumsticks.

Meanwhile, Elton John tweeted, “A very sad day. Charlie Watts was the ultimate drummer. The most stylish of men, and such brilliant company. My deepest condolences to [family members] Shirley, Seraphina and Charlotte. And of course, The Rolling Stones.”

Here are only a few of the many other tributes that well-known artists have posted in honor of Watts:

Brian Wilson: “I’m just shocked to hear about Charlie Watts. I don’t know what to say, I feel terrible for Charlie’s family. Charlie was a great drummer and I loved the Stones music, they made great records. Love & Mercy.”

John Fogerty: “I first saw The [Rolling Stones] in 1966 in the Bay Area and have been a fan ever since. Charlie Watts was one of the great drummers and will be missed. Rest easy Charlie.”

Robbie Robertson: “Charlie’s drumming is powerful and unique. His approach is entirely his own and helped shape the sound of rock and roll. Blessings Charlie Watts.”

KISS‘ Paul Stanley: “AWFUL NEWS. One of the true timeless icons and the backbone of the Stones. Hard to fathom the loss. So very sad.”

Def Leppard‘s Joe Elliott: “Devastating news, those in the know know he was the heart & soul of the band…I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him a few times, a total gentleman…it goes without saying he will be sorely missed.”

Joan Jett: “Charlie Watts was the most elegant and dignified drummer in rock and roll. He played exactly what was needed – no more – no less. He is one of a kind.”

Patti Smith: “Mourned and beloved by all.”

Duran Duran: “So saddened to hear about the passing of Charlie Watts. An absolute inspiration to a legion of drummers since the 1960’s. A man of grace, style, dignity and composure.”

Chic‘s Nile Rodgers: “Rest In Power #CharlieWatts RIP. You are a smooth brother. Thanks for all the great music.”

Sheryl Crow: “A hero is gone. No words. A huge gaping hole in the universe.”

Tom Morello: “Rock n roll would not be rock n roll without the rhythm, the style, the VIBE of this incredible musician. Rest In Peace #CharlieWatts, one of the greatest and most important architects of the music we love.”

Lenny Kravitz: “The beat of The Stones. There are no words, every groove has spoken for itself.”

Paul on Charlie Watts ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rn2elK6cFE

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 24, 2021

Wolfgang Van Halen would like you to stop asking him to play Van Halen songs

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Here’s some advice if you attend a show by Wolfgang Van Halen‘s group Mammoth WVH show: Don’t request “Panama.”

The son of late Van Halen icon Eddie Van Halen is currently on tour with his solo band while opening for Guns N’ Roses. His sets have consisted of songs from the group’s self-titled debut, but apparently people think he should be playing songs from his dad’s band.

In a tweet Monday evening, Wolfgang posted a screenshot from a recent exchange on his Facebook page, in which a fan wrote, “Wolfie. I like your stuff. I just think the time to honor your Dad is now. You’ve already shown you can stand on your own!”

The screenshot also shows Wolf’s response, which reads, “I honor my dad by existing and doing what I do every day.” He then wrote, “I’m not f***in’ playing ‘Panama’ for you guys.”

Wolf captioned the post, “Y’all are never gonna f***in stop are ya,” adding that he wants to perform the David Bowie and Mick Jagger version of the Motown classic “Dancing in the Street,” which Van Halen also memorably covered, “just to piss y’all off.”

Wolf also pointed out the hypocrisy in people accusing him of “riding his daddy’s coattails” when he played bass in Van Halen for the band’s last 14 years, but are now essentially telling him to do exactly that in wanting him to now play his dad’s music.

“Lol I should get a shirt that says ‘I’m not f***in’ playing ‘Panama’ for you guys,'” he concluded.

Mammoth WVH’s tour with Guns N’ Roses continues Wednesday in San Jose, California.

New Prince biography suggests a stage accident in 1984 caused his deadly opiate addiction

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Prince‘s deadly opiate addiction was triggered by a painful stage accident in 1984, according to a new biography published Tuesday.

In Nothing Compares 2 U: An Oral History of Prince, author Touré writes that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer hurt his back while rehearsing for his iconic Purple Rain tour, the New York Post reports. Prince planned to sing a song while sitting in a bathtub 10 feet off the ground. While rehearsing the scene, the bathtub broke.

“It fell 10 or 12 feet with him in it. I never moved so fast in my life,” recalls Alan Leeds, Prince’s tour manager at the time. “After that, his back hurt day after day. Then in LA, he slipped and hurt his knee. He got some meds and finished the tour, but I don’t think his hip and his leg were ever completely normal after that.”

Prince died April 21, 2016, from an accidental overdose of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. According to the book, he depended on opiates for several years to relieve his pain.

“His use of pain pills was probably longer than maybe some of us might have thought because, when he started getting his aches and pains, I think he really relied on it,” says Wendy Melvoin, guitarist for The Revolution. “And he was little. I think it just got worse for him over time.”

Jill Jones, a former background vocalist who also dated Prince, says that when he died at Paisley Park, there were “thousands of pills all over the building.”

“I felt the whole fentanyl thing was just him escaping pain from the hip,” says Brown Mark, The Revolution’s bassist, “and it got out of hand.”

Niall Horan and the Jonas Brothers go golfing — with a twist

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Peter Morrison/PA Images via Getty Images

Niall Horan is taking over as guest host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night, and he’s bringing the Jonas Brothers along.

In a preview clip obtained by People, Niall, Nick, Joe and Kevin meet up for a friendly game of golf — with a catch.

“Since we’re such good golfers we thought it’d be only fair if we were to play golf, we would handicap ourselves,” Niall says in the clip. “So in the Wheel of Stupidity here, we’ve got some balls with handicaps on them and we gotta do what it says.”

Niall, an avid golfer who has his own golf management agency, has to play in a kilt while wearing a full set of bagpipes. Joe has to spin around with his forehead touching the club and make his swings while dizzy, Nick has to cover his club in lube, and Kevin has to swing while the other guys blow air horns.

Tuesday night’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will also feature Lizzo as a guest, and a performance from country singer Kane Brown.

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dead at age 80

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ursula Düren/picture alliance via Getty Images

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who kept the beat for the legendary British rockers since joining the band in January 1963, has died at the age of 80.

A statement from Watts’ spokesperson provided to ABC News reads, “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family. Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.”

Watts’ passing follows an announcement from The Stones earlier this month that he likely wouldn’t be able to join the band when they kicked off their 2021 No Filter Tour of North America because he was recovering from an unspecified medical procedure.

A longtime jazz aficionado, Watts developed a rock-steady style and swing that was the perfect complement to The Stones’ blues and R&B-influenced rock.

Other than frontman Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, Charlie was the only member of the band to appear on every Rolling Stones album.

Here’s just a small sampling of the classic Stones hits featuring Watts: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Paint It, Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Brown Sugar,” “Angie,” “Miss You” and “Start Me Up.”

Watts was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Rolling Stones in 1989. Outside of the band, Watts has released albums with various jazz, blues and boogie woogie groups, including Rocket 88, The Charlie Watts Orchestra, The Charlie Watts Quintet, The Charlie Watts Tentet and The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie.

In addition to his drumming skills, Charlie was known for being a stylish dresser who enjoyed wearing tasteful suits. In 2006, he was chosen for Vanity Fair‘s International Best Dressed Hall of Fame List.

Contrary to The Rolling Stones’ bad boy image, Watts was a devoted husband who was married to his wife, Shirley, for over 56 years. The couple have one daughter, Seraphina, born in 1968.

In 2004, Watts was diagnosed with throat cancer, but after receiving radiotherapy treatment, the disease went into remission.

In a 2008 video interview posted on The Stones’ YouTube channel, Charlie reflected on his drumming style, noting, “My thing, whenever I play, is to make it a dance sound. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a blues or whatever, it should swing and bounce.”

Richards was one of the most passionate and vocal fans of Watts’ drumming. In a 2019 interview with U.K. newspaper The Sun, Keith gushed, “He’s absolutely amazing. It’s indescribable to find a drummer like Charlie Watts, exceptionally brilliant.”

R.E.M. announces 25th anniversary ‘New Adventures in Hi-Fi’ reissue

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

R.E.M. has announced a reissue of the band’s 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi in honor of its 25th anniversary.

The expanded collection, which includes the original album remastered, accompanied by 13 B-sides and rarities, is due out October 29. One of the bonus tracks, an “Alternate Version” of the song “Leave,” is available now for digital download.

“I actually might prefer this version to the one that’s on the record,” says frontman Michael Stipe. “Well, I wouldn’t say I prefer it, it just tells a different story with the lyric.”

The reissue also includes a never-before-released “outdoor projection film,” which was displayed on city buildings to promote the album’s original 1996 release, as well as a 52-page book that includes contributions from all four R.E.M. members, plus Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke, Patti Smith and producer Scott Litt.

Originally released September 10, 1996, New Adventures in Hi-Fi came towards the end of R.E.M.’s peak run in the ’90s, when they broke through into rock-stardom with 1991’s Out of Time and 1992’s Automatic for the People. Though not quite as commercially successful as Out of Time or Automatic — or even 1994’s Monster — it was still certified Platinum by the RIAA, and produced singes in “E-Bow the Letter,” “Bittersweet Me” and “Electrolite.”

New Adventures also marked R.E.M.’s final album with drummer Bill Berry, who left the band in 1997.

“We did it!”: Thanks to Walker Hayes, Applebee’s returns Oreo shake to the menu

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

With the power of “Fancy Like,” Applebee’s has officially brought back a classic menu item.

After Walker Hayes‘ hit went viral on TikTok, the food chain has returned the Oreo Cookie Shake to the menu on Monday for a limited time. Walker name-checks the frozen treat in the chorus.

The catchy tune is front and center in a new ad for Applebees that features the video of Walker and his daughter, Lela, doing the now-famous dance, highlighting the Oreo shake and Bourbon Street Steak alongside clips of fans from around the country recreating the choreography.

“We did it! Starting today… @applebees has officially brought back the Oreo Cookie Shake y’all go get your #FancyLike date night on,” Walker celebrates on Instagram.

The original “Fancy Like” video has amassed more than 26 million views on TikTok and counting, and shot to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The breakthrough song also reached the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is in the top 30 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

“One Mississippi”: Kane Brown dances with daughter Kingsley in adorable video

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Kane Brown‘s 22-month-old daughter can’t help but bust a move to her dad’s new single, “One Mississippi.”

In a video posted to Instagram, Kane and daughter Kingsley, who will be two in October, turn the kitchen into their dance floor, with Kane twirling around and swaying side to side as his song blasts in the background. Kinglsey follows suit, spinning in circles and jumping up and down to the beat, smiling all the while.

Clearly the tot recognizes the sound of her dad’s voice, pointing to the speaker and yelling “Dad!”

“That’s me,” Kane confirms, spinning around with his daughter and scooping her up in his arms at video’s end.

“She wouldn’t shake her hips like she usually does but she’s dancing to my new song one Mississippi are you?” he declares in the caption.

The feel-good clip thrilled many fans, with one commenting, “The Love, joy, and happiness [in] this clip…goes beyond words,” while another shares, “This just made my day!!! totally precious!!” alongside several heart emojis.

Kane will perform the TV debut of “One Mississippi” tonight on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC.

Trailer debuts for Billie Eilish’s Disney+ concert film ‘Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles’

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The official trailer for Billie Eilish‘s upcoming concert experience on Disney+ is here!

In the preview of Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, the Grammy-winning singer is shown performing onstage at the Hollywood Bowl with her brother, Finneas, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

An animated version of Eilish also appears in the nearly two-minute trailer for the original film, which premieres Friday, September 3.

“I definitely have fantasies about LA — a whole different world interwoven with my world,” Billie says in the preview.

The singer will perform every song from her latest album, Happier Than Ever, in track list order during the Robert Rodriguez– and Patrick Osborne-directed original film.

“It’s a concert film, but it’s also a story, at the same time,” she says in the trailer. “This kind of beautiful version of Old Hollywood … and the Hollywood Bowl, it’s very timeless.”

In a previously released statement, Eilish shared: “Disney is incredibly iconic, so to collaborate on something like this is a huge honor. To be able to present my album in this way and dedicate it to the city that I love and grew up in is so exciting to me. I hope you love it.”

The concert experience will also feature the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and renowned guitarist Romero Lubambo.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

One of R. Kelly’s alleged live-in girlfriends levels serious accusations during trial testimony

August 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

R. Kelly‘s sex trafficking trial continued Monday, with a woman who claimed to be one of his live-in girlfriends testifying that the singer gave her herpes and forced her to get an abortion.

One woman, identified as Jane Doe #5, testified that she became involved with the 54-year-old singer, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, in 2015, when she was 17 and an aspiring singer. She claimed their relationship lasted five years.

Billboard reports the woman said she met Kelly at one of his concerts and he coerced her into a sexual relationship after inviting her to “audition” for him. Jane Doe claimed he knowingly gave her herpes, a sexually transmitted disease. Kelly’s physician testified Thursday that the singer has had herpes since 2007.

Other claims from the witness include her being forced to get an abortion in 2017 when she allegedly became pregnant with Kelly’s child, along with various accusations of physical and mental abuse — including being left in a room for three to four days and having Kelly control nearly every aspect of her body.

Jane Doe also spoke about Kelly’s controversial marriage to Aaliyah, who was 15 when the two secretly wed. She claims that Kelly told another live-in girlfriend that he impregnated the “Try Again” singer and that the two needed to be married to obtain an abortion.

Kelly faces state and federal charges for sex trafficking, racketeering, coercion and other charges related to the alleged abuse and exploitation of six women — three of whom were underage at the time — over the course of 25 years. Three of those women are scheduled to testify during the trial.

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